SingaSpeaks – Roar 52

SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

ROAR 52 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 18 MARCH 2017

Swami Shantatmananda in Singapore

Swami Shantatmananda, the Head of the Ramakrishna Mission in New Delhi stopped by at Singapore on his way back from Philippines on 4 March 2017. He was in Manila to attend an International Conference on Peace and Harmony.

As part of our ‘Special Lecture Series’ under cultural events, Swami Shantatmananda delivered his lecture “Dynamics of Spritual Aspiration” on Sunday, 5 March at Sarada Hall from 5 30 PM. He began his lecture with a quote from “Viveka Chudamani” of Adi Shankara that three things namely human birth, desire for liberation and the 179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

company of Holy men are indeed difficult to obtain. He narrated from real life examples of how this life is so ephemeral and lamented that even then the human mind pins its hopes on it, despite being knocked out by the Nature. He advised to disconnect from the ‘things’ and turn the mind towards what is eternal.

The meeting was ably conducted by Sri Prakash Kamanat. At the beginning, Swami Vimokshananda welcomed the visiting monk and the audience and introduced the speaker. Tea and snacks were served at the close of the function.

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singapore@rkmm.org

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SATURDAY, 18 MARCH 2017

At Botanic Gardens‌ In the morning, the Swami went round the Botanic Gardens where Swami Vivekananda had visited in June 1893.

Situated just five minutes away from the famous bustling Orchard Road, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a

lush sanctuary in the heart of the city.

The Gardens has been developed along a 3-Core Concept. The three cores are Tanglin which is the heritage core retaining the old favourites and charms of the historic Gardens; Central is the tourist belt of the Gardens; and Bukit Timah the educational and discovery zone.

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Each Core presents an exciting array of attractions. A stroll around the Gardens would enable us to enjoy the wonderful sights, sounds and wonders the luscious greenery offers.

He tried his strength against the

ever auto-revolving stone that circles itself through the motion of waters by stopping it. And lo! he had his success!

There are 58 Heritage Trees here.

The huge banyan tree on the banks of the Swan Lake is the place where the visiting monks are happy to be in. He went round the Swan Lake, having fishes and white Swans.

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

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SATURDAY, 18 MARCH 2017

Shantatmananda at Kuala Lumpur Swami Shantatmananda during his stay in Singapore from 4 to 9 March 2017, took the opportunity to visit Malaysia on the loving invitation of Swami Supriyananda, the Head of the Malaysian centre. On 6 March he reached Kuala Lumpur along with Swami Vimokshananda.

From here, he was taken to the Shivananda Ashram (Divine Life Society branch) at the foothills. The monks of DLF took the visiting Swamis to the shrine hall where they were shown the beautifully decorated Shivalingam. It was learnt that daily ritualistic worship is offered to this lingam. On the stage there was an impressive altar for Swami Shivananda where Guru Puja is usually done.

Then he visited the Malaysia Hindu Sangam where, led by Sri Mohan Sham, the Directors cordially received the Swamis with a traditional reception and took them around the campus showing different departments. Lunch was served to all by the MHS.

The itinerary included a visit to 113 years old Vivekananda Ashram at Brickfields, a Thai Buddha temple and to the Batu Caves Sri Murugan Temple, the famous holy pilgrimage site. The 272 stairs leading to the temple on the hills were found clean.

Many foriegners who were seen thronging that place came up and wanted photographs with him.

The Swamis later met Toh Puan Uma Sambanthan whose contribution towards the firm establishment of a Ramakrishna Mission official branch in Malaysia was deeply appreciated.

In the evening, he also addressed the assembled devotees on ‘Spiritual Sadhana’ at the shrine hall in Kuala Lumpur ashrama. His Excellency Sri Trimurti, the High Commissoner of India was the Guest with whom the visiting Swamis had lively discussion on mutually interested matters.

The next day the Swamis, left for Penang.

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

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SATURDAY, 18 MARCH 2017

Shantatmananda at Penang The Penang visit was indeed timely. It was this place in Malaysia that Swami Vivekananda arrived in a ship that sailed from Bombay in 1893 and stepped on to its shores.

The Swamis were received heartily by Dr P Das, a longstanding devotee of the RKM at the airport. He took them straight to the Penang Sri Ramakrishna Ashram. Many members of the Managing Committee were there to receive the Swamis. Sri Ramakrishna's altar in the shrine looked simply beautiful. The Penang Centre is managed as a Private Centre by a few friends and devotees.

Within the short time, they were shown all the different buildings within the huge campus.

From there, Dr P Das took them to the sea shore where Swami Vivekananda was supposed to have landed. The Swamis then visited the Sleeping Buddha at the Thai Buddha Temple called Wat Chaya Mangkalaram.

This temple has a 33 meters long gold plated sleeping Buddha statue that is strikingly beautiful.

In the evening, a satsang was held at

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the spacious bungalow of Dr P Das where devotees joined enthusiastically.

Here, Swami Shantatmananda advised the audience to seize the opportunity of getting the Private Centre affiliated to Belur Math so that a resident Swami is posted. He also discussed how and why the daily sadhana has to be intensified in one’s life. There were a few interesting questions from the floor.

Earlier, being an Ekadashi evening, Sri Rama Nama sankirtan was sung with arati to Sri Ram by Dr P Das. Swami Supriyananda introduced the visiting two Swamis. Swami Vimokshananda felt blessed to be in Penang for the first time.

The Satsang was attended by 72 devotees and friends. The entire logistics of all arrangements was taken care by Mrs Arvind Kaur Das. Group of devotees from Nibong Tebal and also from the local Sri Kunj Behari Krishna Mandir took the opportunity of participating in the programme.

The visit of Swami Shantatmananda to Malaysia and Singapore was indeed memorable.

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org