SingaSpeaks – Roar 59

SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

ROAR 59 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 6 MAY 2017

Goodwill Visit by Members of Turkish Cultural Centre

Ten members of the Turkish Cultural Centre (TCC) visited the Ramakrishna Mission on 19 April 2017.

Swami Satyalokananda received them warmly and took them around on a guided tour of Sarada Kindergarten, WINGS Counselling Centre, Boys' Home and Temple.

Swami Jitamanasananda received the group at the entrance of the Boys’ Home. The TCC brought lots of gift for our Boys' Home and especially for the boys they presented a pair of football shoes each. The members

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

also presented a momento to the Mission. On behalf of the Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Satyalokananda gifted a few books on Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Vedanta to them so that the TCC can keep the books at its Library. Earlier, he also explained the tenets of Harmony of Faiths as preached and practised by the Ramakrishna Mision Monks and its congregation. He answered several questions posed by the TCC members who evinced great interest in understanding the Organisation.

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

PERIODIC NEWSLETTER ROAR 59

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SATURDAY, 6 MAY 2017

Friendly Visit by Teachers and Staff of Ministry of Education A friendly visit to the Ramakrishna Mission was paid

by MoE Teachers ( S e c o n d a r y School) and Staff on 27 April 2017.

This visit was arranged by One People Singapore, a Voluntary Organisation which has been working to nurture a harmonious society through cross-cultural education and further contribute to the success of multi-racial unity in Singapore.

The Teachers and Staff were warmly received by Swami Satyalokananda. At Sarada Hall, he gave a brief introductory talk on Hinduism and the Ramakrishna Mission. Then they were taken to Sarada KG School,

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WINGS Counselling Centre and the Boys' Home. At WINGS Counselling Centre, Ms Hema Gurnani, the Director explained the salient features of its functioning. Swami Jitamanasananda served them with tea and snacks.

A Q&A session was also held with Swami Satyalokananda where he answered many questions.

Ms Judy, one of the Teachers later did an Interview with Swami Vimokshananda.

While answering her questions, he explained how the Ramakrishna Mission in Singapore is practising interracial harmony since its inception.

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

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PAGE THREE

SATURDAY, 6 MAY 2017

From Harmony to Universality by Swami Tyagananda It is possible to view every religion of the world as an expression of the transcendent aspect of religion. The truth every religion represents is an expression of the absolute Truth. It is the transcendent aspect of religion that can be called the religion with a capital “R” or the Religion beyond all religions. It not only transcends every religion but also pervades every one of them. It is the totality of religions.

Vivekananda described this This is an extract from a scholarly transcendent aspect of religion article by Swami Tyagananda who in the following words: is the Monk-in-Charge of the

Doctrines, dogmas, rituals, books, temples, churches are important and have their utility, but they are only “secondary details” of religion.

The primary aspects of religion are the supersensuous experience of God, and our efforts to get this experience and to live by the implication of our relationship with God. Thus religion is not a bunch of dogmas or beliefs to be accepted on faith, but an active search for one’s own spiritual roots which culminates in the direct experience of God. “That one eternal religion is Ramakrishna-Vedanta Society in What we need today is a applied to different planes of Boston. The following is from a conscious effort to see the existence, is applied to the talk he gave in Harvard University thread connecting all religions, opinions of various minds and on April 8, 2000. forming a beautiful garland various races. There never was adorning the Supreme Being, my religion or yours, my national who is neither a Christian, nor a Jew, nor a religion or your national religion; there never existed Muslim, nor a Buddhist, nor a Hindu, nor many religions, there is only the one. One infinite religion existed all through eternity and will ever exist, belonging to any religion whatsoever. All belong and this religion is expressing itself in various to Him, but He transcends all. countries in various ways.”

When the spirit of religious harmony animates All religions are expressions of the Religion our soul and the awareness of the Religion beyond religions. Every religion is true and beyond religions pervades our consciousness, authentic, and they all have a thread of life will hold a new, richer meaning for us. Then harmony connecting them. This thread can be the following words of Swami Vivekananda will discovered and the underlying harmony can be find a ready resonance in our hearts: experienced by truly religious people.

“I accept all religions that were in the past, and The phrase “truly religious” is, of course, open worship with them all; I worship God with every one of to interpretation. Vedanta would say that them, in whatever form they worship Him…. Is God’s book finished? Or is it still a continuous revelation “religious” isn’t a valid term for those who going on? It is a marvelous book–these spiritual merely believe in some dogma or accept some revelations of the world. The Bible, the Vedas, the Savior. True religion (to quote Vivekananda Koran, and all other sacred books are but so many again)

“…is not talk, or doctrines; nor is it sectarianism… It is the relation between soul and God… Religion does not consist in erecting temples, or building churches, or attending public worship. It is not to be found in books, or in words, or in lectures, or in organizations. Religion consists in realization… [We] must realize God, feel God, see God, talk to God. That is religion.”

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pages and an infinite number of pages remain yet to be unfolded. I would leave it open for all of them. We stand in the present, but open ourselves to the infinite future. We take in all that has been in the past, enjoy the light of the present, and open every window of the heart for all that will come in the future. Salutations to all the prophets of the past, to all the great ones of the present, and to all that are to come in the future!”

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org

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SATURDAY, 6 MAY 2017

On 11 March, TAPAS organized a Picnic at RKM for the children and parents of Sarada KG School. Many joined and had an enjoyable time.

179 BARTLEY ROAD | SINGAPORE 539784

PH: +65 6288 9077 | FAX: 6288 5798

singapore@rkmm.org