Monday, May 15, 2011
Keeping alive the tradition of Parthi Yatra, 185 devotees from Chennai Metro
North have embarked on a pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of peace to
pay homage to their Beloved Lord from 13th to 15th May 2011. Meanwhile all
festivals continue to be celebrated in Prasanthi Nilayam. Buddha Purnima which
falls on the full moon night in the month of Vaisakha, commemorates the birth
anniversary and Maha Samadhi of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism will be
celebrated on the 17th and 18th May 2011. Elaborate arrangements have been made
for about 700 devotees from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri
Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are who are expected to visit this holy abode.
Bhagawan’s Samadhi is beautifully decked with flowers of various hues every day.
It is a sight to watch devotees in large numbers filing past paying their
obeisance to their dear Lord both in the morning and evening. Photographs of
Bhagawan are placed on either side of the Samadhi and at various vantage points
in Sai Kulwant Hall.
The smiling visage of Bhagawan in those magnificent
photographs brings alive in the minds of devotees His pleasing physical form.
Yes, He is always with us guiding and guarding us at every step. All that we
need to do is to connect with Him in our every thought, word and deed. |
This morning, there was no Divine
Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs.
In the Evening, Bhagawan
arrived at 1805hrs for the second day's celebration of
Buddha Poornima.
Bhagawan interacted with many of the delegates of the Buddha Purnima
group - who have gathered from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan,
Sri Lanka and many other Buddhist populated countries - during the
Darshan Round. Bhagawan then came onto the stage and indicated that
the programme may begin.
This evening's programme started with
a Malaysian Choir, who performed some very melodious pieces composed
around popular Sai Bhajans with which they ended every piece. It was
a very innovative performance at the end of which Bhagawan blessed
the group.
This was followed
by a traditional Thai dance entitled "Rabam See Pak"
performed by children from Thailand. Immediately after this was a
skit from the Youth from Sri Lanka entitled, "Angulimal".
At the end of this presentation, Bhagawan went down the stage and
lovingly interacted with all the participants. He materialised a
chain for one of the actors and distributed sweets to all
participants with His own hands.
This presentation
was followed by International Bhajans. Bhagawan accepted Arati at
1945 hours and retired to Yajur Mandir after repeatedly blessing all
those present with Abhayahasta.
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Thursday,
May 27, 2010
Happy Buddha Poornima
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Sai News & Photo UpdatesThis morning, there was no Divine Darshan and
Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs. On
this Auspicious Buddha Purnima Evening, Bhagawan emerged from Yajur
Mandir at around 1720hrs and turned left (opposite to the Sai
Kulwant Hall) and proceeded towards the adjacent building. All the
teachers of Bhagawan's University (including the Anantapur,
Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam campuses) were seated in the hall of
this Annexe to Yajur Mandir. Bhagawan interacted with many of the
teachers and collected all their letters.
Bhagawan then proceeded towards the Sai Kulwant Hall. A procession
of small children led the group followed by another group wearing
traditional dresses for the occasion. Behind them were a group of
drummers from Srilanka who provided a rhythmic drum and dance
presentation while moving ahead in front of Bhagawan. Bhagawan went
for a complete round and came onto the stage where he lit a lamp to
mark the commencement of the celebrations.
Various works of Sai
Literature both original works and translations were released by
Bhagawan on this Sacred day. The zonal chairperson, Sri Ravindran
introduced the speakers for the evening, Dr. Art-Ong Jumsai, the Sai
educator from Thailand and Mr. Sudhamek of Garuda Food Indonesia.
After their succinct talks, there was a presentation of a 35 minute
skit titled "Yashodhara".
The skit detailed the sacrifice
of the princess Yashodhara who after being stranded by her husband
Siddhartha (who later becomes Gautama Buddha), lived the life of a
renunciant. The skit went on to describe the return of Buddha who
recognises her penance and blesses her.
She later becomes one of the
principal disciples of Buddha attaining supernatural prowess.
Bhagawan blessed the participants with clothes and a group
photograph. Prasadam was distributed to the entire gathering.
Bhagawan accepted Arathi and retired by 1930hrs. |
May 27 & 28, 2010
Vesak Day is an event celebrated by Buddhists all over the world to
commemorate the birth, enlightenment and passing on of Lord Buddha.
For this year’s Buddha Purnima celebration, there were a total of
about 910 devotees coming from Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Theme: The theme for this year’s celebration was “Metta – Loving
Kindness”:
“As a mother, at the risk of her life,
Watches over her only child,
Let him cherish an unbounded mind
For all living beings.
Let him have love for the whole world,
And develop an unbounded mind,
Above, below and all around,
Boundless heart of goodwil, free of hatred,
Standing, walking, sitting or lying down,
So long as he be alive,
Let him cherish this thought,
This is called divine abiding here”
-Karaniya Metta Sutta |
Metta in Buddhism is a state of mind. Amity, goodwill, friendliness
and loving kindness are some words used to describe this mental
state but none of these words can completely describe the state of
Metta. There is no better way to know Metta than to study it as it
occurs in one’s heart and how it gets reflected on others. A good
symbol for Metta is the mother cradling a baby to sleep. One derives
a lot of joy when one is unselfishly caring for another. Metta is
characterised by a selfless and benevolent wish to promote welfare,
peace and happiness to the whole world in a compassionate at the
same time skilful way. Its end result is to see beauty and love in
everything, everywhere, at all times and under all circumstances.
Day1:
The celebration on 27th May 2010 began at 5.30pm with a procession
into Sai Kulwant Hall lead by children from Thailand chanting
Buddhist hymns as they marched in. This was followed by a
traditional dance and drum troupe from Sri Lanka.
The programme began with Swami lighting the candle on the altar at
the podium assisted by Dr. VK Ravindran, Chairman of Zone 4 and Dr.
Artong Jumsai, director of the ISSE Thailand. Some small children
from Thailand and Indonesia then came forward to seek blessings from
Swami. Dr Ravindran then welcomed all participants and introduced
the two speakers for the day.
Dr. ArtOng Jumsai, the first speaker spoke on the definition of the
word “MAN” given by Swami. The first character “M” represent Maya or
illusion. The second character “A” represent the inherent Atma in
all of us. Whilst the third word “N” is Nirvana, the ultimate goal.
Buddha was born in Maya. At the age of 40, he overcome Maya and
became enlightened ie full realization of the buddhahood within
himself – the all knowing one. Buddha could have merged into the
Universal Consciousness but chose out of supreme compassion to stay
in the world of Maya so as to teach Dharma to the world. Human
beings are born in this world of Maya as a result we have forgotten
our true self. All of us are making our journey towards the supreme
truth. Truth is something that does not change. Our daily experience
cannot be the truth as it keeps on changing. In Buddhism, Nirvana is
the unchanging truth because there is no birth nor death.
Dr. ArtOng further mentioned that we are all part of this supreme
truth. We are God. Our true nature is Nirvana. To help us realize
the supreme truth, we must have Metta, loving kindness, love and
compassion. Thus we have to love everyone, serve everyone, love all
and serve all.
The supreme example of Metta or loving kindness is the Avatar.
Whenever, there is a decline in morality, whenever there are
problems causing suffering to the world, the Avatar will come and
help and guide us out of this difficulty. In the past, we have had
Rama, Krishna, Buddha and now we have Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Mr. Sudhamek A.W.S, the second speaker, a prominent businessman in
Indonesia, is also the chairman of the Indonesian Buddhayana
Council, a religious organization that unifies Indonesia Buddhist
devotees from the three main sects, namely Mahayana, Theravada and
Tantrayana. He came to know Swami when in 1988 when his second son
was diagnosed with blood cancer. He was then advised by a very
prominent Buddhist monk in Indonesia, the late Ashin Jinarakhitta to
see Swami in Puttarparthi. He related how Swami subsequently has
saved his own life from a very rare disease and transformed him into
a better person and blessed him with strength, love and great
wealth. He came to realize that the purpose of living is to serve
mankind.
The highlight of the day was a beautiful and inspiring drama
entitled “Yashodhara” presented by the youth of Thailand. The acting
was superb. The drama is a brief glimpse into the life of the noble
Prince Siddhartha…..
Yashodhara, was wedded to her cousin the Shakya Prince Siddhartha.
After she gave birth to their only child, Prince Siddhartha was
troubled by the suffering and pain in life. He left the palace, in
search of the meaning of life and death… a devastated and grief
stricken Yashodhara began to lead the virtuous life of a ascetic
hoping that one day her husband, who in due course became the
enlightened Buddha, would return.
The enlightened Buddha returns to his father’s kingdom in
Kapilavastu and faces criticism and scorn from the people. However,
by spreading Metta, his loving kindness, the Buddha succeeds in
winning over everyone to his ideals and teachings. He meets
Yashodhara at the palace and reveals how their lives and destiny
were together in previous births. He explains that these were
responsible for the present day life wherein he obtained
enlightenment. Yashodhara was thus relieved of her pain and mental
anguish and after a few years also joins the sangha.
Bhagawan blessed the participants with clothes and a group
photograph. Prasadam was distributed to the entire gathering.
Bhagawan accepted Arathi and retired by 1930hrs.
Day2:
Bhagawan arrived at 1805hrs for the second day's celebration of
Buddha Purnima. Bhagawan interacted with many of the delegates of
the Buddha Purnima group during the Darshan Round. Bhagawan then
came onto the stage and indicated that the programme may begin.
The first item on the programme was a medley of bhajan songs
melodiously sang by the choir group from Malaysia. This was followed
by 3 short cultural dances by children of the Sathya Sai School in
Thailand entitled, "Rabam See Pak"
Immediately afterwards was a drama performed by the children and
youth of Sri Lanka entitled “Angulimala” which depicts a story of
transformation of a man from one driven to murder, into another, a
peace loving and enlightened saint, an Arahath. Angulimala’s story
is a great historical episode of how the inherent Divinity in a man
could be blossomed when in the company of a Divine Advent. The eyes
of human was Angulimala as a fearsome murderer but Buddha’s eyes of
wisdom saw this fearsome killer as a lotus bud which will soon bloom
into the open. It was only the rays of morning sun that was needed
for the lotus bud to open. Buddha’s presence and the few
compassionate words provided the sun’s rays which helped Angulimala
to identify his true nature, Nirvana.
At the end of this presentation, Bhagawan went down the stage and
lovingly interacted with all the participants. He materialised a
chain for one of the actors and distributed sweets to all
participants with His own hands.This presentation was followed by
International Bhajans. Bhagawan accepted Arati at 1945 hours and
retired to Yajur Mandir after repeatedly blessing all those present
with Abhayahasta.
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