SIGN OF THE TIMES

The University of Southern California has just reported that it has received a $3.24 million gift from the Dharma Civilization Foundation to create the first chairs of Hindu studies in the United States.

The Los Angeles-based Dharma Civilization Foundation promotes study of the Dharmic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

The USC School of Religion will use the funds to establish two new positions, the Swami Vivekananda Visiting Faculty in Hindu Studies, and the Dharma Civilization Foundation Chair in Hindu Studies.

Already, the USC Dean of Religious Life is the nation's first university chaplain from a Hindu background, and the Chair of USC School of Religion is an ordained Buddhist priest.