Dharmic Life at Georgetown
Experience Dharma in its vibrant variety at Georgetown, where hundreds of Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs from across the spectrum gather regularly in diverse settings to discuss, engage, celebrate, and discover. Dharmic Life at Georgetown seeks to equip every seeker with relevant, logical, and well-explained teachings and practices from the diverse depths of the Dharmas. We aspire to be a pluralistic space that welcomes everyone inclusive of all varieties of religious/spiritual, gender, sexuality, physical ability, race, ethnicity, color, class, or caste identities. Thus, together, we empower one another to progress along our journeys towards physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Our Ethos: Experience, Question, and Compassion
No human is alike, and celebrating this variety is the backbone of Dharma. Whether one is devout or occasional, a believer or a skeptic, Dharmic Life provides various opportunities to deepen their Experience, Questioning, and Compassion.
Experience
- Community with student-led organizations such as the Buddhist Student Association, Hindu Student Association, Jain Student Association and Sikh Student Association, plus numerous independent cultural organizations
- Spiritual Gatherings with like-minded students – from the skeptical to the inquisitive, from the cultural to the devout: Weekly Āratī followed by dinner for all (resuming post-pandemic), and Weekly Buddhist Meditations.
- Festivals, from the fun of Holi, Songkran, and Vaisakhi to the deep spirituality of Diwālī, Wesak, and Guru Nānak Jayanti, we endeavor to invite all to an authentic experience of the celebrations.
- Annual Overnight Retreat held at the University’s retreat center in the Blue Ridge Valley.
- Regular meditations and other programs by invited speakers, professors, leaders, and innovators.
Question
- Decoding Dharma – fortnightly seminars facilitating deep, probing questions on anything to do with the Hindu Dharmas: from the Vedānta Sutras to the Kāma Sūtras and everything beyond: we believe learning to question brings logic and clarity!
- Regular opportunities to question during the Weekly Āratī dinners
- One-on-one or small group discussions on topical issues
- Jijñāsa sessions, exploring the teachings in greater depth
Compassion
- Learn compassion for oneself through one-on-one discussions with Brahmachariji, exploring the connection of our emotional and mental selves with our sense of spiritual balance.
- Understand with compassion about the various social issues that affect our world through discussions, classes, and an Annual Immersion Trip in partnership with the Center for Social Justice to India and other countries.
- Live compassionately to bring harmony to one’s body, mind, intellect, and spiritual essence with numerous resources.
- Serve with compassion, utilizing the various networks of people and spiritual organizations that conduct themselves with integrity.
Weekly Āratī & Buddhist Meditation
Unless otherwise noted all gatherings take place in the Dharmic Meditation Center in the Leavey Center.
- Introduction to Hatha Yoga | Fridays | 11 AM | Dharmic Meditation Center, Leavey Center
- Monthly Sikh Sangat with SSA, followed by Langar Brunch | Select Sundays | 11 AM to 12 PM | Check the Sikh Student Association Instagram account for dates.
- Weekly Buddhist Gathering with BuSA | Buddha Pūja followed by Chā | Sundays | 1:30 to 2:30 PM
- Weekly Āratī Gathering in the Śākta, Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava, Smārta, Sanātana (Hindu) Dharmas, followed by dinner | Sundays | 5 PM
As the above are affected by the changing lunisolar dates, please sign up for the Dharmic Life Newsletter for the latest schedule for each week.
To see a full schedule of all Campus Ministry gatherings and services, please visit our Campus Ministry Religious Services Calendar.
Meet Our Team
Aparna Ramaswamy, Dharmic Spiritual Advisor
Dr. Ramaswamy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor in the State of Maryland and in the District of Columbia. She completed MS in Counseling at Johns Hopkins University (2004) and served as a counseling faculty for 6 years since 2015. Her first doctorate (PhD) in 2012 linked practices of Indian classical dance to ashta anga principle of yoga based on the seminal yoga text, Yogasutra. In 2017, Dr. Ramaswamy completed a second doctorate (EdD) on cultivating multicultural counseling competence, using meditation and mindfulness practices. At Sri Siva Vishnu Temple (SSVT) Dr. Ramaswamy teaches a Dharma-focused Sunday school program for students of all ages, that highlights the significance and relevance of dharmic wisdom, especially in modern times. As an
educator, she has worked with school and college students since 1990 adopting a transformative learning pedagogy where both teacher and students co-create a nurturing and generative space for new learning to emerge.
Courtney Henderson-Adams, Interreligious Coordinator
Courtney Henderson-Adams is the Interreligious Coordinator, assisting in Jewish, Muslim, and Dharmic life, and other interreligious programs and initiatives. Before joining Georgetown, Courtney worked at the Virginia Theological Seminary’s Center for Anglican Communion Studies where she coordinated the department’s events and international guests across the Anglican communion. Courtney has a BA in Communications from Pace University (2019), and an MA in Religious Studies from Athens State University (2022). Her thesis research focused on the sociological definition of religion and new religious movements. She also enjoys researching the history of major, minor, and new religions, and the relationship between mass media and religion. Courtney is a loyal Dunkin’ customer and enjoys her quality time with her pug, Barbra.
Questions? Please email dharmiclife@georgetown.edu