Report of Speaker on Campus (SoC) lecture programme.
The topic was specially selected as Dr. Tran is a practicing Buddhist and is also a Master in martial arts.
The lecture was held in collaboration with the K J Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies at their Vidyavihar Complex on Saturday 21st November from 3 to 5 pm at the Management College Lecture Hall.
After tea and registrations the programme commenced with prayers rendered by Mrs. Deshpande. Lighting of lamp was later performed by Dr. Hieu Tran and others.
Mrs Deshpande also gave an introduction of the Somaiya institution.
Shri Sanjay Kelapure, President of VAK, welcomed the gathering and gave introduction of Dr. Hieu Tran as well as Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra.
In his short lecture Dr Hieu Tran outlined the subtle relationship between spirituality, martial arts and non-violence. He informed that every martial art trainer was expected to perform meditation as equivalent to the time of practice in order to control the power generated.
He also gave several examples from everyday life to explain the need to acquire physical power by practicing martial arts and also counter the same with mental power by performing meditation. Only with a perfect balance of the two will a person be able to lead a peaceful and non-violent life. If the balance is disturbed the martial art performer will resort to violence.
He also answered a few questions on controlling anger and controlling violence that is soreading the world.
Shri Ratan Sharda, senior trustee of VAK, delivered the vote of thanks.
Dr Hieu Tran was offered shawl and bouquet by Somaiya institution as well as VAK.
The occasion was utilized by VAK to felicitate Dr Madhuriben Sheth and Shri Ramesh Sheth both of whom have completed 75 years of purposeful life. Shri Ratan Sharda explained how both of them had excelled in professional career but were not lured to shift to the West. Instead they chose to stay in Mumbai and dedicate valuable time for selfless social work.
About 75 persons attended the programme. The audience comprised mainly of students of Centre for Buddhist studies s well as VAK members. Notable among the audience were Buddhist monks from Myanmar and Vietnam.
