Bhagvad Gita As It Is Essay Competition
Win $10,000 Cash!
Ever heard of the Bhagavad-Gita? Be one of the first to discover this jewel of Vedic wisdom. This highly evolved spiritual treatise spoken more than 5,000 years ago on a battlefield in ancient India still possesses wisdom for modernity.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-gita. It was the first of books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us”.
The ”˜Bhagavad-gita As It Is Essay Competition’ is a non-sectarian initiative to enable students to delve into an ancient eastern philosophy that has answers to today’s problems of the environment, ecology and the human condition. It is open to all tertiary level students (part- or full-time) at Australian universities and TAFEs nationwide.
There is an entrance fee of $35 via PayPal. Upon entry, a hard copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada will be sent to the applicant’s postal address, as well as access to an electronic version of the book and a set of introductory materials to help explain and give context.
The topic of the essay is:
“It is the year 2050 and a united, peace-loving world government has been formed. The leaders of that government have decided to implement Krishna’s strategy for peace and happiness in the world.
You have been tasked to succinctly summarise and promote Krishna’s message in a convincing pamphlet that motivates obstinate elements in the population (who are attached to the former failed system) to implement these teachings in their lives and societies.”
Entry deadline is 28 November 2014 and the winner will be announced 5pm AEST Friday, 30 January 2015 on www.bgasitisessay.com.au.
The Judge of The Competition is an Australian Businessman, Gambhir Watts, Founder President of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia and Founder and CEO of Taxation Guru Pty Ltd, a Sydney Accounting firm.
The idea/inspiration to run the Essay competition came from a perceived lack in the University student dialogue and the courses that are generally on offer, around the issues of Being, righteous action and free will.
A group of entrepreneurs came up with the following vision:
The Bhagavad Gita is for everyone whether you’re atheist, agnostic or theist.
The Gita is an ontological discussion between a teacher and student. It sets out a way of life that embraces notions of how to lead a happy life; how to be peaceful in this world of change and conflict.
We come into life with many questions. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life?
This is the Human Condition.
Among many philosophies which answer these questions, Bhagavad Gita gives a helpful framework with which to go forth into the world and live one’s life successfully. A successful life is not only measured by material success, but by spiritual success as well – that which affects our human spirit or soul – in essence how to be happy through the ups and downs of life’s journey.
The Gita gives helpful tools with which to lead a larger life. The philosophies discussed in the Gita helps you to pursue the life of your dreams. At school you’re taught to go out and get a job. But life is not simply about getting that job. Life is a mystery, an adventure, an unfolding.
Bhagavad Gita helps you to embrace the awesome mystery of your life.
This is the first time the competition has run. Depending on the interest and uptake amongst students it will be held annually.
The organizers are not affiliated with any social, political, cultural or religious groups. They are not espousing a ‘religion’. They simply stand on a philosophical platform in the universal exchange of ideas and hope that anyone with an open mind will enjoy reading the book and being exposed to some wonderful visions for humanity.
FAST FACTS
Competition Prize: $10,000
Question: On Bhagavad Gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Entrants: All students enrolled at an Australian university or tertiary education institution, either part-time or full-time.
Essay Length: 2,500”“3,000 words
Essay Deadline: 28 November 2014
Prize Announced: 30 January 2015
Cost to Enter: $35
Visit http://www.bgasitisessay.com.au for full details.
For full details and information on essay criteria, please visit: http://www.bgasitisessay.com.au.
In summary as a closing quote from Aldous Huxley: “The Bhagavad Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of humanity.”
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