NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Major Catholic University in USA Teaches Hinduism Courses

University of San Francisco (USF), premier Catholic and Jesuit institute of higher learning in USA, offers various classes in Hinduism.

Courses include "Hinduism" (ancient, classical, medieval, modern and contemporary), "Trialog: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity" and "Religion and Spirituality in Asia."

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, described USF's approach as "a step in the right direction."

Rajan Zed urged the schools of religion and philosophy of major world universities to strengthen their Hinduism references. Hinduism is the oldest religion with rich philosophical thought and a vast array of scriptures.

Zed especially asked the Harvard, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Stanford, Columbia, McGill, Australian National, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Heidelberg, Uppsala and Utrecht universities to further enrich their Hinduism resources as well.

USF has about 87,000 alumni in 111 countries. It offers 100 degree programs to over 9,000 students. Its sports teams have won eight national championships since 1949. Its MBA program is rated as one of the best in the world. Annual tuition fees can be up to $40,464. Father Reverend Stephen A. Privett is President.

Roman Catholics is headed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. It is the largest denomination of Christianity with about 1.17 billion adherents.

Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion followers. Moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.