| |
| |
- 12
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh vad 11) Monday, Toronto, Canada
Pramukh
Swami Maharaj Arrives in Toronto
After concluding a series of conventions for children, teenagers
and youths, Swamishri arrived in Toronto. Swamishri was received
by kishores dancing enthusiastically, after which he formally
opened the Swaminarayan Haveli in accordance with Vedic rituals.
During the evening welcome assembly, kishores performed a lively
welcome dance. Thereafter, distinguished guests welcomed Swamishri.
Acharya Kishoreji Vyas from the Kanchi Koti Pitham, founded
by Adi Shankracharya, was present in the assembly and he spoke
about Swamishri's efforts to preserve Hindu culture and values.
Finally, Swamishri, in his blessings, emphasised the rarity
of acquiring a human body, which must be utilised in the worship
of God. He also spoke about preserving traditional culture and
values, and mentioned that children are the real wealth which
must be nurtured. This can all be accomplished through the grace
of God and His holy Sadhu.
|
| |
- 13
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh vad 11) Tuesday, Toronto
Kishore
- Kishori Din
In the evening, during the main Kishore-Kishori Din programme,
kishores presented a drama that illustrated the main problems
they face in the school environment and the role of personal
satsang as the solution to these problems.
In his blessings, Swamishri stated that the values and culture
prevalent in India must also be practiced here. He also emphasised
satsang and education, and the loving relationship that must
be cultivated between parents and their children.
|
| |
- 14
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh vad 12) Wednesday, Toronto
Morning
& Evening Programs
The Canada Yuvak Mandal presented a special presentation highlighting
the virtues of a true sadhu during the evening cultural programme.
Senior sadhus then explained how each one of these virtues can
be found within Swamishri.
Swamishri blessed the evening assembly by explaining that the
only means to liberation is through the manifest form of God.
|
| |
- 15
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh vad 13) Thursday, Toronto
Morning
& Evening Programs
In the evening the sadhus presented an excellent kirtan aradhana.
Afterwards, members of various Hindu communities described their
experiences working with BAPS during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake
relief efforts.
Finally, Swamishri, in his blessings, explained the importanceof
kirtan bhakti through historical and contemporary examples.
He also appreciated the collaborative efforts of different Hindu
communities for the earthquake relief.
|
| |
- 16
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh vad 14) Friday, Toronto
Bal
- Balika Din
During Swamishri’s morning puja balaks sang kirtans and
played musical instruments.
During the evening Bal Din assembly, balaks presented a drama
that symbolised the search for true happiness. They explained
that true happiness does not lie in worldly pleasures, but in
spirituality. Finally, Swamishri blessed the assembly stating,
“All worldly pleasures are accompanied by misery. However,
one who takes the refuge of God and His holy Sadhu, and follows
the tenets laid down by scriptures, will ultimately attain happiness.”
|
| |
- 17
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Ashadh vad 30) Saturday, Toronto
Vishwashanti
Mahayagna
Hundreds of devotees gathered to pray for world peace and harmony
by participating in the Vishwashanti Mahayagna, or World Peace
Prayer.
Religious figures from different faiths, including Buddhism,
Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, and Sikhism, attended
the Mahayagna to symbolise unity among diverse religions. They
all greeted Swamishri and offered a prayer for peace according
to their respective faiths.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Honourable James K. Bartleman,
was also present on this occasion.
Swamishri concluded the prayers by blessing the assembly. He
explained that in order to acquire peace, people must respect
all religions, and must also see God in all by maintaining faith
in their own religion. He thanked the religious figures and
all who attended for being a part of the cause for peace.
|
| |
- 18
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 1) Sunday, Toronto
Murti
Pratishtha
In the morning, Swamishri performed the Vedic murti-pratishta
in the haveli, and for the first time outside of India, consecrated
a murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni to which people can offer abhishek.
During the murti-pratishtha assembly, Swamishri described the
glory of mandirs and the newly consecrated murtis. He explained
that the more darshan one has of these murtis, the more peace
one will experience.
In the evening assembly, Shri Ramesh Oza and Shri Bhagwat were
in attendance. They both addressed the assembly and greeted
Swamishri.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
- 20
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 3) Tuesday, Houston
Swamishri arrived in Houston and inaugurated the newly built
sadhus' residence.
In the evening assembly, Swamishri was given a grand welcome
by the Akshar Dhvani marching band. In his blessings, Swamishri
stressed the importance of satsang in one's life, saying it
benefits the individual, family, community, and country. He
concluded by encouraging everyone to take advantage of the spiritual
and cultural activities organised during the 14-day Mandir Mahotsav.
|
| |
- 21
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 4) Wednesday, Houston
After Swamishri's morning puja, the kalash vidhi for the Houston
Mandir was held, during which Swamishri performed the pujan
of the kalashes.
|
| |
- 23
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 6) Friday, Houston
Prasad
Pravesh
Kirtan
Aradhana
The inauguration of the first shikharbaddh mandir in America
began with a traditional Vedic mahapuja performed by Doctor
Swami, followed by the Prasad Pravesh ceremony performed by
Swamishri. Under the central dome of the mandir, Swamishri carried
out various Vedic rituals to mark the first official entrance
into the mandir.
In the evening cultural programme, sadhus presented a kirtan
aradhana.
Viveksagar Swami concluded the kirtan aradhana with a speech
explaining the importance of engaging in kirtan bhakti in today's
day and age. The Mayor of Stafford, Leonard Scarcella, was present
in the kirtan aradhana, and he addressed the assembly. Earlier
in the day, he had met Swamishri and honoured him with a Key
to the City of Stafford.
|
| |
|
| |
- 26
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 9) Monday, Houston
Senior
Citizens' Din
The Southwest Satsang Mandal held a Senior Citizen's Day to
give all elderly devotees an opportunity to offer their devotion
to God. Senior Citizens got together to sponsor various activities
throughout the day, including all meals and parayans, for which
they received blessings from Swamishri.
|
| |
- 27
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 10) Tuesday, Houston
Karyakar
Din
In today's Karyakar Din, all karyakars received special guidance
from senior sadhus on how to improve their seva. Sadhus also
explained the importance of seva and bhakti through various
kirtans.
|
| |
- 28
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 11) Wednesday, Houston
Yuvak
- Yuvati Din
After Swamishri had darshan in the mandir, he released balloons
to launch today's Yuvak-Yuvati Day, after which yuvaks sang
various kirtans during Swamishri's puja. A special morning assembly
was arranged for them, in which Doctor Swami addressed them.
The highlight of the evening assembly was a drama performed
by the yuvaks entitled 'Brahmanand Darshan'.
In his blessings to the assembly, Swamishri first praised the
devotion and services of the Yuvak Mandal. He also stressed
the importance of discourses in addition to seva, saying that
without the understanding and knowledge provided by discourses,
ego will come in the way and one will be unable to perfect one's
devotion.
|
| |
- 29
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 12) Thursday, Houston
Kishore
- Kishori Din
On Kishore-Kishori Day in Houston, members of the Southwest
Kishore Mandal highlighted several qualities of Bhagwan Swaminarayan,
the guru parampara, and Swamishri through a special awards ceremony.
Finally, kishores offered various awards to Swamishri, while
explaining in detail the reasons why he should be recognised
as 'Adarsh Shishya', 'Seva Murti', 'Bhakti Swarup', 'Aham Shunya
Purush', and 'Param Hitkari Sant'. As part of the awards ceremony,
during the presentation of the Adarsh Shishya Award, Swamishri
was asked to explicate verses from the Bhaktachintamani and
narrate an incident in which he gave up his own desires to follow
his guru Shastriji Maharaj's wishes.
|
| |
- 30
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 13) Friday, Houston
Bal
- Balika Din
On Bal-Balika Din the evening cultural programme began with
a kirtan aradhana by the balaks. After Swamishri's arrival,
they acted out various incidents from Swamishri's life that
serve as examples for them to follow.
They also presented a drama about a poor shopkeeper who was
unable to reap the benefits of a parasmani that had the capability
to change metal to gold, simply because he failed to recognise
its importance. The balaks then described how they have recognised
the parasmani in the form of Swamishri, who transforms their
lives into gold by inspiring them to lead moral lives.
In his blessings to the assembly, Swamishri praised the efforts
of the children. He also explained to all parents, "Everyone
in the world puts great emphasis on educating their children,
but in addition to this, if values are instilled in them then
they will do great things, and will be able to serve society."
|
| |
- 31
July 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan sud 15) Saturday, Houston
Guru
Bhakati Din
To show their gratitude, love, and respect for Swamishri, all
the devotees celebrated Guru Bhakti Din.
Through a dance and various speeches, balaks, kishores, and
yuvaks highlighted Swamishri's qualities that make him a unique
spiritual leader.
In his blessings Swamishri mentioned the importance of maintaining
good conduct in all aspects of life, since we are not here to
put on an act, and our actions will speak for us.
Earlier in the day, Swamishri had graced a special Medico-Spiritual
Conference arranged for healthcare professionals. Sadhus discussed
the crucial role spirituality plays in medicine, and Swamishri
met all physicians present.
|
| |
- 1
August 2004 (V.S. 2060, Adhik Shravan vad 1) Sunday, Houston
Samarpan
Din
On Swamishri's last full day in Houston, the Southwest Region
held Samarpan Din, where they recognised the sacrifices of countless
devotees in organising and executing the Mandir Mahotsav. After
Swamishri's morning puja, a special mahapuja was held for all
devotees to bring peace into their lives and to fulfil their
inner wishes.
During the evening assembly, Swamishri explained that the most
important thing to do after the construction of the Mandir is
to take full advantage of it, and increase our understanding
of our soul. "Once one has knowledge of the soul,"
he said, "one will not desire to indulge in the pleasures
of the world."
|
| |
|
|
|
