Vedic Friends Association - New York Conference Report 2026.08

VFA Report: One World, One Humanity

NEW YORK 2026

A Significant Moment for Dharma on the Global Interfaith Stage

On August 29, 2026, representatives of the Vedic Friends Association (VFA) were privileged to participate in an extraordinary day of interfaith dialogue and cultural celebration in New York City.

The morning One World: One Humanity summit, convened by the World Council of Religious Leaders, brought together approximately 200 invited leaders representing many of the world’s religious traditions. The afternoon continued at Madison Square Garden with the Universal Oneness Celebration, where more than 5,000 people from 39 U.S. states and over 250 organizations gathered around the message that diversity and human unity can coexist.

VFA at the Gathering

VFA Vedic Friends Association was honored to send a delegation and be part of this meaningful global gathering. A heartfelt thank you to Jeffrey Armstrong, Vijai G, Prakash Srivastava, Philip Goldberg and Sandi Graham. Regrettably, Stephen Knapp, Benny Tillman and Dr. David Frawley were unable to attend, but their continuing contributions to VFA and the wider Dharmic community remain deeply valued.

It was a memorable opportunity to represent Sanātana Dharma, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to a larger conversation about harmony, dignity, and our shared human future.

The cultural program and entertainment at Madison Square Garden were also exceptional, bringing celebration, music, and energy to the message of universal oneness. Highlights from the event can be seen on YouTube.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to Sudhesh Agarwal ji for the tremendous effort involved in organizing and bringing together this unique gathering, and to Vijay Pallod for his support.

For VFA, several important themes emerged from this historic gathering.

Dharma Takes Its Place at the Table

Perhaps the most significant observation was the presence of the Dharmic traditions—Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and others—not at the margins of interfaith dialogue, but as equal participants alongside the Abrahamic traditions.

As VFA delegate Philip Goldberg observed in our discussions, the Dharmic worldview can also serve as an important pivot or bridge in conversations between differing religious perspectives. Its long experience with philosophical diversity offers a model in which deeply held convictions do not necessarily require uniformity.

The official program itself reflected this breadth, bringing Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist representatives into direct dialogue with Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and other leaders.

Equally encouraging was the visible participation of Hindus who were not of Indian origin. Sanātana Dharma has long since crossed geographic and ethnic boundaries, and their enthusiastic presence demonstrated that Hindu Dharma is increasingly a global tradition rather than one defined solely by ancestry.

A New Generation Was Present

The VFA delegation was particularly impressed by the participation of young people and women, including the many volunteers helping marshal and coordinate thousands of attendees at Madison Square Garden.

This mattered. The gathering did not feel like an assembly belonging only to an older generation of male religious leaders. Young people and women were visible, active, and helping make the event possible. For traditions to remain vital, the next generation must not simply be spoken about—they must be given meaningful opportunities to participate and lead.

Dialogue Despite Controversy

The participation of RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat was accompanied by public criticism and protests. Yet the gathering proceeded peacefully, and the emphasis inside the conference remained on dialogue rather than confrontation. Bhagwat spoke of Bharat’s tradition of “unity in diversity” and argued that humanity is one despite differences in religion. He also stated that excluding Muslims from India would be contrary to his understanding of Hindu thought.

For VFA, this reinforced an important principle: disagreements and misconceptions are best addressed through engagement, conversation, and the willingness to meet across differences, rather than allowing opposing groups to speak only about one another.

From Dialogue to Action

H.E. Bawa Jain, Secretary-General of the World Council of Religious Leaders, repeatedly emphasized that the conference should lead to action, not merely another collection of speeches. The summit concluded with five commitments: begin with ourselves; stand for one another; build relationships before they are needed; serve together; and take responsibility for the future.

That call was echoed across traditions.

Pujya Swami Paramatmananda Saraswati warned that ignorance and misunderstanding create division, placing a responsibility upon religious leaders to communicate accurately and build mutual respect.

Representatives of the Muslim World League similarly called for conscience to be translated into concrete commitment, while Cardinal John Onaiyekan urged religious leaders to move beyond successful conferences and examine how their communities speak about—and act toward—one another.

These were not identical theological perspectives. That was precisely the point. Unity need not require uniformity.

Why New York Matters

There was also special significance in holding these conversations in New York City, home of the United Nations Headquarters and one of the primary centers of international diplomacy.

For Dharmic organizations, having an informed and confident presence in New York creates opportunities to participate more fully in global conversations concerning peace, human dignity, religious freedom, pluralism, and cultural understanding.

Where VFA Goes From Here

The gathering also raised an important question for VFA: What can we contribute?

Our mission gives us a clear direction. VFA can continue creating bridges by bringing qualified Dharmic scholars, authors, and practitioners into global conversations; encouraging the accurate and decolonized representation of Sanātana Dharma; expanding the participation of women, youth, and non-Indian Hindus; and building meaningful relationships with leaders of other traditions without compromising the integrity of our own.

We can also demonstrate the principle of oneness through seva—working alongside other communities wherever human beings are suffering or in need.

“We do not have to become the same in order to stand together.”

Sanātana Dharma has much to contribute to that conversation, and VFA has an important role to play in ensuring that its voice is informed, authentic, inclusive, and confidently present at the global table.