The Vraj study is an affiliate of the Pluralism Project on Religious Diversity of Harvard University. The Project was developed over ten years ago by Dr. Diana Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian studies at Harvard University. She is a member of the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, as well as the Faculty of Divinity. For the history of the project, see http://www.pluralism.org/about/history.php

Dr. Diana Eck, director of the Pluralism Project of Harvard University accepts an honorary degree at Cedar Crest College,

May 15, 2004.

The long-term goals of the Pluralism Project involve mapping and documenting the religious diversity of the United States, as follows:

1.         To document some of the changes taking place in America's cities and towns by beginning to map their new religious demography, with old and new mosques and Islamic centers, Sikh gurudwaras, Hindu and Jain temples, Buddhist temples and meditation centers, Zoroastrian and Taoist religious centers.

2.         To begin to study how these religious traditions are changing as they take root in American soil and develop in a new context. How are they beginning to recreate their community life, religious institutions, rites and rituals, and forms of transmission in the cultural environment of the United States?

3.         To explore how the United States is changing as it begins to appropriate this new religious diversity in public life and institutions, and in emerging forms of interfaith relationships.

See text and photos at:

Pluralism Web site:  http://www.pluralism.org/

Affiliates Web site:  http://www.pluralism.org/affiliates/index.php

Cameron & Richardson’s Web site:   http://www.pluralism.org/affiliates/richardson/index.php