Varun Soni

Dean of Religious Life at USC

When Tulsi Gabbard takes her oath on the Gita, its political wisdom will not only be instructive for her as a Hindu but also for all members of Congress.

Richard Schiffman

Journalist

"Truth is one, the wise call it by many names," Swami Vivekananda proclaimed in 1893. More than 100 years later, this is a lesson that we still need to learn.

Jonathan Kim

Film Critic for ReThink Reviews and the Uprising Show

Life of Pi is more about the nuts and bolts of a teenager surviving at sea and bonding with a tiger than a spiritual quest that asks hard questions about the wisdom, will, and existence of God.

Anantanand Rambachan

Professor of Religion, Saint Olaf College, MN

Fifty-five years before Swami Vivekananda spoke at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago (1893), Hinduism was being practiced in the Caribbean. It is a story of religious survival in the midst of abject poverty and colonial hostility.

Chris Fici

Hindu Writer, Minister, Teacher

It is our call to create a sense of urgency infused with compassion and wisdom that can take us beyond the obvious fear we face when encountering this truth.

Mike Ghouse

Speaker, thinker, writer, pluralist, activist

You can only feel the joy when you say a big or a small thank you to the ones who have helped you along the way, whether it is materially, spiritually or professionally.

Vamsee Juluri

USF professor; author, 'The Mythologist'

What meat-eating (or coffee-drinking for that matter) allegedly does to our character, as the book seems to say, is all a red herring. The only thing vegetarianism asks us philosophically is: Are you okay that something died?

Dawn Cherie Araujo

Freelance religion reporter

For yoga instructor Holly Meyers, the lessons about the light and the dark drawn from Diwali are not for Hindus alone. She rightly notes that many faith traditions have similar constructs.

Allegra Wiprud

Hindu Interfaith Activist

As a convert to Hinduism, I often struggle to find meaning in our festivals and holidays. They're fun, but what are we really celebrating? Sometimes it's hard to find the meaning of the holiday amid all the cheer.

Sumit Galhotra

Journalist, Fellow at the Committee to Protect Journalists

Stamps commemorating major religious holidays exist for Christmas, Hanukkah and Eid. However, one for Diwali, which is happening now, has yet to come to fruition.

Parth Parihar

Hindu Student Leader at Princeton University

Diwali for me has always been something empowering: a time to reflect on all of the positives within our lives -- our loving friends and family, our good health, and prosperity -- and realize what it is truly important.

Nikhil Bumb

Anuvrat Global Organization (Anuvibha)

I have a newfound meaning for Diwali. There is more to the festival of lights than lighting lamps, wearing fancy clothing and feasting. The real lesson of Diwali is to move beyond these material aspects in order to recognize the value light holds in our lives.

Anantanand Rambachan

Professor of Religion, Saint Olaf College, MN

May the words that we speak be always free, but free also in the most profound religious sense: free from the intention to hurt, free from falsehood, free from disrespect, and free from violence.

Aamir Hussain

Muslim Interfaith Activist

For Muslims, Diwali can be a time to reflect on complex spiritual and theological questions. The common symbolism of light is an excellent platform for interfaith dialogue and deep philosophical discussion.

Vamsee Juluri

USF professor; author, 'The Mythologist'

What happened this week was not just a diverse group of people finding their hope for their country renewed, but faith in whatever good the divine embodies as well. One might say a lot of prayers were answered this election.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Global Humanitarian, Peace Ambassador and Founder, Art of Living Foundation

Though religion is born in one race and nation, it has cut across the boundaries of races and nationalities. Although religion has maintained its own identity, it has not remained immune to the cultural influence of the host countries.