CELEBRATING COMMUNITY FAITH, SERVICE & GLOBAL HARMONY

spiritual leader, but a being, an inspiration.

In the video earlier, we got a glimpse into some of his work, his teachings, values, and some of his contributions to humanity. His life is indeed an example for us all in our quest for personal peace and global harmony.

But if we could go beyond the physical…

Yes, he has created 350 temple in the 7 years that he has become the worldwide guru of BAPS. That’s one a week!

And yes, he continues to nourish the 1200 temples already created by his predecessor His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Each mandir, like this Neasden Temple, is a source of goodness which spreads its rays of service, love, and devotion across the communities they inhabit.

And yes, he’s established 13 academic research institutes around the world – in Canada, in the US, in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, and here in London – all established to advancing research on our understandings of peace and harmony, engaging freely in the spirit of academic discourse and debate.

Yes, he has inspired hundreds of publications that elaborate on the ideals of worship, service, devotion, and morality.

Yes, there over one thousand of us monks under his leadership…

All of this goodness, positivity, and harmony, emanating from each of these temples, institutes, and publications around the world is ultimately stemming from the direct and consistent guidance of Mahant Swami Maharaj.

Every single activity, event and service project within BAPS is the direct result of His Holiness’s energy, guidance and vision.

He is an active leader at the age of 89. Day in day out, through regular phone calls, video calls, letters and meetings, he generates, creates, and guides. Every second is used in the service of others. I have personally seen this. There will be only a minute where he is waiting for somebody, and in that moment he will take a phone call or reply to a letter or meet someone.

Never looking out for himself. With no regard for his own self. In 1998, he underwent bypass surgery, and in the same year he travelled to over 384 villages. That’s a new village every single day. The following year, he visited 580 villages, in 2000 651 villages, and in 2001 613 villages! These are staggering numbers, but beyond the digits, what does it reveal? It shows the level of love, harmony and spirituality he has fostered through these travels. Visiting a village means multiple home visits to counsel families and mend broken homes, it involves spiritual assemblies and discourses, and ultimately these visits consist of sitting one to one with individuals to guide them, relieve them of miseries, and help them advance spiritually. Travelling on dusty roads, in bullock carts, in vans, cars, tractors. Arising at 3.45am and sleeping at 11 o’clock, with only a little rest in the afternoon, he is a living example of working hard for the pursuit of harmony.

And despite leading so much, creating so much and receiving so much global acclaim, if we look at him, he is always so serene, so light, so humble, and so peaceful. The secret behind this is his innate and strong faith in God. We can see before our very eyes today, he exudes a natural humility and grace. It is the integrity, genuine- ness, love, and truthfulness that so many experience with him.

For decades, he wakes up daily at 3.45am and then sits in meditation and prayers for 45 minutes. In that time he individually remembers countries, cities, and people and prays for their peace and wellbeing. This is the internal spirituality, and pure intent which are the core of his being.

His life’s work is to connect others to God and to make others live a spiritual, moral, and joyful life. For years, he has been discoursing for an average of two hours every day and the depth of his teachings reflect the extent to which he lives them. All those who have heard his teachings appreciate the startling depth and authenticity of them.

In 2020, at the age of 86, Mahant Swami himself wrote a scripture comprised of 315 shlokas called the Satsang Diksha for contemporary everyday spiritual living. The scripture spans a range of top- ics from living harmoniously within the family and community to offeri ng devotion to God with pure intentions. It can serve as a roadmap for personal peace and global harmony.

I had six minutes to encompass all this and so much more. I’m sure I failed miserably. So much of your work and values, your wisdom remains unexplored. I am learning each day.

What I can say, from personal experience, is that in your presence, we find peace. We know love. We are inspired.

You are a global ambassador of peace, love and harmony.

We are honoured to be in your presence today. Your creations inspire us, for sure, but even more so, your integrity, your humility, your purity, and your hard work and selfless, unconditional love, and the teachings which you embody inspire us.