Issue 44

July 2018

Reach http://daintreephotography.com.au/

Newsletter of the Vedanta Centres of Australia

SAYINGS AND TEACHINGS

IN THIS ISSUE

Sri Ramakrishna on the Buddha 1. News from Australian Do you know what ‘Buddha’ means? It is to become one with Centres Bodha, Pure Intelligence, by meditating on That which is of the  Adelaide nature of Pure Intelligence; it is to become Pure Intelligence  Brisbane  itself. Canberra  Melbourne Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Volume II by Mahendranath Gupta,  Perth Translation by Swami Nikhilananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, page 947.  Sydney

2. Feature Articles Swami Vivekananda on Buddha

He [Buddha] did not discuss the existence or non-existence of A. On Buddha God. But he showed compassion for others all his life. Source: The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Volume II by Mahendranath Gupta, B. Soul, God and Religion By Swami Translation by Swami Nikhilananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, page 948. Vivekananda

Buddha on Forgiveness, Living in the Present and Saving

Ourselves

Forgive others. Not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.

Source: https://ideapod.com/50-quotes-buddha-will-change-spend-life/

e welcome you all to the Vedanta Movement in Australia, as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, and invite you to involve yourselves and actively participate in the propa- W gation of the Universal Message of Vedanta. Reach 1. NEWS FROM AUSTRALIAN CENTRES 11 MARCH 2018 TO 10 JUNE 2018

ADELAIDE

506 Glynburn Road, Burnside, SA 5066 Email: [email protected] Contact: Dr Raman Sharma on (08) 8431 9775 Mrs Pathma Iswaran on (08) 8379 5336 URL: http://vedantaadelaide.org

Daily Activities:  The Centre is open every evening from 6:45pm for aratrikam starting at 7:00pm which is un- dertaken by the local devotees.

Devotees at the Annual Day Celebrations Regular Activities:  Swami Sridharananda visited the Centre and delivered discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā for three days in April 2018 and May 2018. RISBANE A dedicated group of devotees attended his B talks. These talks were also recorded. 12 Greenwood Street, Springfield Lakes, QLD 4300  Reading of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, in- cluding discussion on relevant points, was Email: [email protected] held on the first and third Sunday of the Contact: Swami Atmeshananda (07) 3818 9986 month. URL: http://vedantabrisbane.org

 Some devotees have been providing commu- nity-based support on a weekly basis at the Daily Activities: Centre for meeting the educational needs of  Meditation and the chanting of hymns were children from under-privileged backgrounds. conducted between 6:15 am and 7:15 am on all days except Sundays when it is held from 8 am Celebrations to 8:30 am.  The Annual Celebration of the Adelaide Chap-  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and readings ter was held on Saturday, 24 March 2018, from from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were held 8:30 am-1:00 pm, at the Centre. A group of between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. devotees sang bhajans while Br. Swat-  Members were encouraged to visit the Centre machaitanya (Harshal) performed the tradi- and discuss topics concerning spiritual life. tional worship. Swami Sridharananda spoke

on the Life, Teachings and Message of the Divine Trinity. Many devotees attended the pro- Regular Activities: gramme, offered pushpanjali and later enjoyed  Sunday mornings:- a) Yoga class (8:30 am—9:45 the prasadam. A number of devotees also at- am). b) Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā Class (10:00 am— tended the evening aratrikam and offered push- 11:00 am). (c) Bala Sangha or children’s classes panjali. (10:00 am—11:00 am during school term ).  A discussion group met on the first Monday of the month at Sunnybank Hills (7:00 pm — 8:30

pm).

 Sanskrit classes were held every Tuesday (6:00 pm — 7:00 pm).

Page 2 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach  Religious classes were held every Wednesday at West End Primary School for children (3:00 pm — 4:00 pm).  Classes on Meditation and Spiritual Life (7:00 pm — 8:00 pm at 134 Fleming Rd, Chapel Hill, Qld 4069) and the Ramayana (7:15 pm — 8:15 pm) were held on alternate Fridays.  Chanting of the Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam was held fortnightly at the Centre on ekadashi days (7:30 pm — 8:15 pm).  Prayer meeting (satsangs) were held on the first Saturday of every month.  Devotees took turns in decorating and wor- shipping Sri Ramakrishna's image every week At the Griffith University Multifaith Centre at the Sri Selva Vinayakar temple, South Mac- lean, Qld.  The Federation of Indian Communities,  Swami Atmeshananda conducted Vivekachuda- Queensland (FICQ) invited Swami Atmeshan- mani classes at Toowoomba on the anda to participate in a reception to the ath- first Thursday of every month. letes participating in the Commonwealth  Yoga, Meditation and Bushwalk was held on games on 12 April 2018, on the Gold Coast. the third weekend of every month at Vedanta  On 19 April, members of the Centre, along Precinct, Vedanta Drive, Springfield lakes. with Swami Atmeshananda participated in a Networking meeting organised by Wesley Other Activities: Mission to discuss suicide prevention strate-  A fundraising dance programme in aid of the gies. Centre's building fund was held at the St.  The Vishnu Maya Mandir in North Maclean John's College Performing Arts Centre by the invited Swami Atmeshananda for a prayer Nadananjali school of dance on 31 March 2018. meeting on 22 April 2018.  Swami Atmeshananda was invited by the  Cr. Andrew Antoniolli, the Mayor of Ipswich, Global Persons of Indian Origin (GOPIO) to visited the Vedanta Precinct on 9 April 2018. participate in the Girmit Diwas (day of arrival He saw the ongoing construction of the Ash- of people of Indian origin in Fiji) on 14 May ram building and had a meeting with Swami 2018. Atmeshananda and other members.  The Nadananjali School of Dance invited Swami Atmeshananda to participate in their 25th Annual Programme on 19 April 2018.  The Centre organised an Ayurveda and natu- ropathy workshop by Dr. Madhavi Kathiria on Sunday, 3 June 2018, at the Centre.

Celebrations  Sri Ramanavami was celebrated on 25 March 2018 with puja, singing of Ramanama Sankirtan Group Photo with Cr.Andrew Antoniolli (Centre) and distribution of prasad.  Swami Atmeshananda participated in a book  Sri Sankaracharya's birthday (jayanti) was held launch on Mahatma Gandhi at the Griffith at the Centre on 22 April 2018 with worship University Multifaith Centre, Brisbane on 9 and a talk on the life and teachings of Sri April 2018. Sankaracharya.

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 3 Reach  Buddha's birthday was celebrated on 29 April from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and medita- 2018 at the Centre with a talk on the life and tion were conducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 teachings of Bhagavan Buddha. pm daily.  The Vedanta Centre has constructed a multi-  A children’s class was held on Sundays from purpose building housing the monastery, a 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. prayer hall, a multipurpose hall, library, office, Swami Sunishthananda conducts: a commercial kitchen and amenities at 96, Ve-  A class on Sundays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am danta Drive (corner Grindelia Drive and Tea on the Isavasya Upanishad followed by an inter- Trees Avenue), Springfield Lakes, Qld. The active session and guided meditation. inauguration of this centre will be held from 28  Chanting, bhajans and guided meditation fol- to 30 June 2018. Traditional pujas will be held lowed by a class on Narada Bhakti Sutras on on the 28th and 29th and a multi-faith prayer Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. session and an evening of cultural pro-  Guided meditation followed by a class on grammes are planned for 30 June at the Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras on Fridays from 7:30 pm Robelle Domain, Springfield. All the members to 8:45 pm. are hereby invited to participate in these events.  A satsang is conducted on the first Saturday of every month from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 4 Ber- nard Street, Cheltenham. It began in May 2018. Forthcoming Programmes

 Guru purnima will be celebrated on Friday, 27 July 2018. Other Activities:  Krishna janmastami will be celebrated on  As announced in the last issue of Reach, Swami 2 September 2018. Sunishthananda participated in the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week observed by The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne at Deakin CANBERRA Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia

17 Bean Crescent, Mckellar, ACT 2617 on Saturday, February 24, 2018. This event was

subsequently awarded the First Prize in the 6th Email: [email protected] Annual UN World Interfaith Harmony Week Contact: Mr Jaishankar Venkataraman 6258 7612 / 0433 593 Prize Giving Ceremony held at Jordan on 860 Wednesday, 25 April 2018. His Majesty King Regular Activities: Abdullah II of Jordan awarded the Interfaith  Swami Sridharananda conducted monthly Centre of Melbourne a Gold Medal and US classes on the Srimad-Bhagavad-Gitā at the $25,000. Reverend Helen Summers, Founder Belconnen Community Centre, 2 Chandler and Director, and Dr. Nicholas Coleman, Dep- Street, Belconnen, Canberra. uty Director were invited to Jordan to collect the award on behalf of The Interfaith Centre of

Melbourne.

MELBOURNE  Swami Kripamayananda, President, Vedanta

Society of Toronto, accompanied by six devo- 5-7 Angus Ave, Ringwood East, VIC 3135 tees from Toronto, visited the Centre from 30

April 2018 to 2 May 2018. Email: [email protected]

Contact: Swami Sunishthananda 03 8684 9594 URL http://www.vedantamelbourne.org/ Celebrations:  Rama navami was celebrated on 25 March 2018 Regular Activities: after the evening vesper service. The pro- gramme included offerings and singing of Ra-  The shrine was open from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm manama sankirtanam and bhajans. and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm seven days a week.

 Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, reading

Page 4 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach

Swami Kripamayananda with Swami Sunishthananda Children of the Bala Sangha on the Annual Day and others.

 A spiritual retreat was conducted on 31 March 2018. The retreat with 48 attendees was pre- sided over by Swami Sridharananda.  Sri Sankaracharya’s jayanti was celebrated on 20 April 2018 after the evening vesper service. The programme included offerings, singing and chanting followed by a talk on the topic, ‘The Role of Sankaracharya in revitalizing Hin- duism’.

Honourable Michael Sukkar, Federal Member for De- akin and the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer was the Chief Guest at the Annual Day

gramme included offerings, singing and chant- ing followed by a talk on the topic, ‚Buddha: The Tathagata‛.

Forthcoming Programmes The Programme on Sankaracharya Jayanti  Guru purnima will be celebrated on 29 July 2018.  The Annual Day Celebration was organised on  Krishna Janma ashtami will be celebrated on 28 April 2018 at Chandler Community Centre, Keysborough. Honourable Michael Sukkar, 2 September 2018. Federal Member for Deakin and the Assistant

Minister to the Treasurer was the Chief Guest. PERTH

Mr Vasan Srinivasan, member of the Austra- 51 Golf View Street, Yokine, WA 6060 lian Multicultural Council and the Vice- Chairperson of Mental Health Foundation Australia and Mr. Chidambaram Srinivasan, Email: [email protected] the Commissioner of Victorian Multicultural Contact: Sumita Chetty 0438928136 Commission were the Guests-of-Honour. Parthiv Parekh 0430 511 699  Buddha Jayanti was celebrated on 29 April 2018 after the evening vesper service. The pro-

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 5 Reach

Daily Activities: SYDNEY  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, reading from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are con- 2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115 ducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. 144A Marsden Road, Ermington, NSW 2115 (Entry) Regular Activities:  Satsangas were conducted on the first Sunday Email: [email protected] of every month. The programme included Contact: 02 8197 7351 chanting, Gita dhyanam, bhajans, readings and URL: www.vedantaaustralia.org prasad distribution.  Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver Daily Activities: monthly discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad-  The shrine was open from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm Gitā. and 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm seven days a week.  Meditation from 6:30 am to 7:30 am and chant- ing from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and read- ings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were conducted from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The times change on special occasions.

Regular Activities:  Swami Sridharananda conducted his chapter- wise study of the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā on Sun- days between 9:30 am and 10:30 am.  Swami Sridharananda conducts a class on the Mundaka Upanishad on Mondays from 7:30 pm Swami Sridharananda delivering his talk at the Ve- to 8:30 pm. danta Church  A class for mothers was held every Monday between 11:00 am and 12.30 pm. Swami Ma- habodhananda initiated discussion on Medita- Other Activities: tion and Spiritual Life.  A working bee session was held once every  Swami Mahabodhananda conducts a class on month. the Evolution of the Spiritual Ideas in India on  The Vedanta Multipurpose hall is used about 5 Fridays from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. days a week by the organization called Prana  Bala sangha classes which include moral and Yoga which is led by an acclaimed yoga spiritual lessons, drama and movement were teacher who is a member of Yoga Australia. conducted for children every Saturday be-  An Annual General Meeting was held on 13 tween 4:45 pm and 6:45 pm during the school April 2018 term.  Parlour talks were conducted by Swami Srid- Celebrations: harananda at 1/98 Condamine Street, Balgow- lah, NSW 2093, near Manly Beach on Tuesdays  Buddha purnima was observed at the Vedanta between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm once a month. Centre on 29 April 2018. Devotees sang bhajans and read an article on Lord Buddha by Swami  Sri Rāmanāma Sankirtanam was conducted on Dayatmanandji Maharaj. ekadashi days after the vesper service.  Devotees also received spiritual counselling and guidance.

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 ‘Yoga for Everybody’ was conducted by quali- fied Yoga Teachers on Tuesdays and Satur- days.

Celebrations:  Rama navami was held at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney on 25 March 2018. The evening worship was followed by the singing of the Ramanama sankirtan and bhajans by the devotees. The programme ended with the distribution of prasad. Around 95 to 100 people attended the function.

Swami Vedamritananda

Ramanavami being Celebrated at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney

Sri Nagaraj Hedge and Sri Bharavi Deraje with Swami  The Buddha purnima was celebrated at the Ve- Sridharananda danta Centre of Sydney on 30 April 2018. The programme included the chanting of stotras and a talk on the life and teachings of the Bud-  Swami Kripamayananda Minister and Head of dha which was delivered by Swami Ma- the Vedanta Centre of Toronto visited the Ve- habodhananda. Around 75 people attended danta Centre of Sydney between 24 April 2018 this function.

Other Activities  Swami Vedamritananda, from the Vedanta Society of Southern California visited the Ve- danta Centre of Sydney from March 10 to 2 June 2018.  Sri Nagaraj Hedge, a Hindustani flutist, per- formed at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney on Friday, 16 March 2018. He was accompanied on tabla by Sri Bharavi Deraje. The perform- ance consisted of classical items including an item in the Durga rag, which ended with a popular bhajan. Swami Kripamayananda at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 7 Reach and 28 April 2018. On 25 April 2018 he deliv- who has shown keen interest in our activities; ered a talk on Holy Mother entitled ‘Simple Cr. Dr Patricia Prociv, City of Parramatta Mother’. Council; Cr. Benjamin Barrak, City of Par-  The Vedanta Centre of Sydney celebrated its ramatta Council. He represents the Dundas Annual Day on 28 April 2018. The cultural va- ward in which the Vedanta Centre of Sydney riety programme include Bharatanatyam is located in Ermington. There were over 450 dances by the Rasika Dance Academy, choreo- tickets sold for the programme. graphed by Mrs. Manjula Venkat; Kathak  On 6 May 2018, a welcome was accorded to Dance by Ruchi School of Dance, choreo- Swami Vireshananda. Swami Vireshananda is graphed Ruchi Sanghi; a drama on Mahishas- visiting Australia for one year in which time ura Mardhini by the students of Vedanta Cen- he will visit the different chapters of the Ve- tre of Sydney Bala Sangha, organized by Mrs danta Centre of Sydney. He arrived on 19 Ambika Prasad; Bansuri (Flute) Recital by April 2018. On the 6th he interacted informally Nitya Bernard Parker accompanied by Abhijit with the devotees after his welcome. Prasad Dan; Rajasthani Folk Dance by Nartan Insti- was also served. tute of Performing Arts led by Dr Kanan Shah; Chenda Vadhyam (Kerala Drums) by Indoz-

Swami Vireshananda

Members of the audience on the Annual Day  Dr. Geoff Lee, NSW State MP for Parramatta, Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson, City of Par- ramatta Council and Cr Benjamin Barrack, City of Parramatta Council, visited the Ve- danta Centre of Sydney to hear a special lec- ture by Swami Sridharananda on the ‘Spirit of Vedanta’ on Sunday, 27 May 2018.

Mahishasura Mardhini by the students of Vedanta Centre of Sydney Bala Sangha

rhythms. The dignitaries who attended were the Honourable Dr. Geoff Lee, Member for Parramatta, State Government of NSW; Mr. Andrew Wilson, Lord Mayor of Parramatta

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ON THE SEA’S BOSOM In blue sky floats a multitude of clouds- White, black, of many shades and thicknesses; An orange sun, about to say farewell, Touches the massed cloud-shapes with streaks of red. The wind blows as it lists, a hurricane Now carving shapes, now breaking them apart: (L to R) Cr. Benjamin Barrack, Lord Mayor Andrew Fancies, colours, forms, inert creations- Wilson Parramatta Council and Dr. Geoff Lee A myriad scene, though real, yet fantastic. There light clouds spread, heaping up spun cotton: See next a huge snake, then a strong lion; Again, behold a couple locked in love. All vanish, at last, in the vapoury sky. Below, the sea sings a varied music, But not grand, O India, nor ennobling: Thy waters, widely praised, murmur serene In soothing cadence, without a harsh roar. L to R) Cr. Benjamin Barrack, Swami Sridharananda Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson Parramatta Council and Dr. Geoff Lee

Forthcoming Programmes:  Guru purnima will be celebrated on 27 July 2018.  Krishna Janma ashtami will be celebrated on 2 September 2018.

Swami Vivekananda’s Poem ‘On the Sea’s Bosom’

Swami Vivekananda composed the following poem in Bengali during his return from his second trip to the West. At the time of writing it, he was probably crossing the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 9 Reach 1. FEATURE ARTICLES On Buddha

ased on the Festival Calendar for Belur Math, the auspicious occasion of Vaishakha Purnima for Sri Buddhadeva was observed on Monday, 30 April 2018. Swami Vivekananda, in some of his discourses, extolled the spirit of renunciation exuded by Buddha as well as his compassion for all beings. Sri Rama- krishna, in speaking to devotees, defined the actual name ‘Buddha’ as being ‘Pure Intelligence’ itself. BThe ensuing discussion would firstly give an account of Buddha’s life. It would then draw on specific talks and discussions on Buddha by Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.

Buddha’s Birth him ritual ablutions. The Buddha is the founder of the Buddhist religion. Shakya- The King’s Delight muni ‚Shakya‛ is the name of the royal family into which he When the king saw the child he was born, and ‚Muni‛ means felt as if all his wishes had been ‚Able One.‛ Buddha Shakya- fulfilled and he named the muni was born as a royal prince young prince ‚Siddhartha.‛ He in 624 BC in a place called Lum- invited a Brahmin seer to make bini, in what is now Nepal. His predictions about the prince’s mother’s name was Queen Ma- future. The seer examined the yadevi and his father’s name child with his clairvoyance and was King Shuddhodana. told the king, ‚There are signs that the boy could become ei- The Queen’s Dream ther a chakravatin king, a ruler One night, Queen Mayadevi of the entire world, or a fully dreamt that a white elephant enlightened Buddha. However, descended from heaven and en- since the time for chakravatin https://www.pinterest.com.au/ tered her womb. The white ele- kings is now past it is certain phant entering her womb indi- that he will become a Buddha, and expresses itself through cated that on that very night she and that his beneficial influence fearlessness, joy and active com- had conceived a child who was will pervade the thousand mil- passion. For the rest of his life, a pure and powerful being. The lion worlds like the rays of the the Buddha taught anyone who elephant’s descending from sun.‛ asked how they could reach the heaven indicated that her child Although born a prince, Buddha same state. came from Tushita heaven, the realized that conditioned ex- Pure Land of Buddha Maitreya. periences could not provide Later, when she gave birth to Buddha’s Early Life lasting happiness or protection the child, instead of experienc- from suffering. After a long India at the time of the Buddha ing pain, the queen experienced spiritual search he went into was very spiritually open. Every a special, pure vision in which deep meditation, where he real- major philosophical view was she stood holding the branch of ized the nature of mind. He present in society, and people a tree with her right hand while achieved the state of uncondi- expected spirituality to influ- the gods Brahma and Indra took tional and lasting happiness: the ence their daily lives in positive the child painlessly from her state of enlightenment, of ways. side. They then proceeded to buddhahood. This state of mind honour the infant by offering At this time of great potential, is free from disturbing emotions

Page 10 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach Siddhartha Gautama, the future experience himself for the good People of all castes and profes- Buddha, was born into a royal of all. sions, from kings to courtesans, family in what is now Nepal, were drawn to him. He an- Buddha’s Enlightenment close to the border with India. swered their questions, always Growing up, the Buddha was Siddhartha Gautama is said to pointing towards that which is exceptionally intelligent and have attained enlightenment ultimately real. compassionate. Tall, strong, and and become the Buddha under a Throughout his life, Buddha en- handsome, the Buddha be- Bodhi tree. couraged his students to ques- longed to the Warrior caste. It The Buddha decided he had to tion his teachings and confirm was predicted that he would leave his royal responsibilities them through their own experi- become either a great king or and his family in order to realize ence. This non-dogmatic atti- spiritual leader. Since his par- full enlightenment. He left the tude characterizes Buddhism ents wanted a powerful ruler for palace secretly, and set off alone even today. their kingdom, they tried to pre- into the forest. Over the next six ‚I can die happily. I have not vent Siddhartha from seeing the years, he met many talented kept a single teaching hidden in unsatisfactory nature of the meditation teachers and mas- a closed hand. Everything that is world. They surrounded him tered their techniques. Always useful for you, I have already with every kind of pleasure. He he found that they showed him given. Atmadipo Bhava (Be your was given five hundred attrac- mind’s potential but not mind own guiding light).‛– The Bud- tive ladies and every opportu- itself. Finally, at a place called dha, while leaving his body at the nity for sports and excitement. Bodhagaya, the future Buddha age of eighty. He completely mastered the im- decided to remain in meditation portant combat training, even until he knew mind’s true na- winning his wife, Yasodhara, in ture and could benefit all be- an archery contest. ings. After spending six days Suddenly, at the age of 29, he and nights cutting through was confronted with imperma- mind’s most subtle obstacles, he nence and suffering. On a rare reached enlightenment on the outing from his luxurious pal- full moon morning of May, a ace, he saw someone desper- week before he turned thirty- ately sick. The next day, he saw five. a decrepit old man, and finally a At the moment of full realiza- dead person. He was very upset tion, all veils of mixed feelings to realize that old age, sickness and stiff ideas dissolved and and death would come to every- Buddha experienced the all- one he loved. Siddhartha had no encompassing here and now. refuge to offer them. All separation in time and space The next morning the prince disappeared. Past, present, and walked past someone who was future, near and far, melted into Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) meditating, who sat in deep ab- one radiant state of intuitive sorption. When their eyes met bliss. He became timeless, all- The Master [Sri Rama- and their minds linked, Siddhar- pervading awareness. Through krishna] and Buddha tha stopped, mesmerized. In a every cell in his body he knew flash, he realized that the perfec- and was everything. He became Friday, April 9, 1886 tion he had been seeking out- Buddha, the Awakened One. side must be within mind itself. After his enlightenment, Bud- It was five o’ clock in the after- Meeting that man gave the fu- dha travelled on foot through- noon. Narendra, Kali, Niranjan, ture Buddha a first and enticing out northern India. He taught and M. [Mahendranath Gupta] taste of mind, a true and lasting constantly for forty-five years. were downstairs in the Cossi- refuge, which he knew he had to

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 11 Reach pore garden house. took a seat. Sashi, Rakhal, and fish actions.‛ one or two other devotees came Niranjan (to M.): ‚Is it true that ‚Worldly people, who are en- in. The Master asked Narendra Vidyāsāgar is going to open a grossed in sense-objects, say to stroke his feet. He also asked new school? Why don’t you try that everything exists-asti. But him whether he had taken his and secure employment there the māyāvādis, the illusionists, meal. for Naren?‛ say that nothing exists-nāsti. The Master (smiling to M.): ‚He experience of Buddha is beyond

went there [referring to Bodh- both ‘existence’ and ‘non- Narendra: ‚I have read enough Gayā].” existence’.‛ of services under Vidyāsāgar.” M *to Narendra+: ‚What are the Narendra had just returned doctrines of Budda?‛ Master: ‚This ‘existence’ and from a visit to Bodha-Gayā, ‘non-existence’ are attributes of where he had gone with Kali Narendra: ‚He could not ex- Prakriti. The Reality is beyond and Tarak. In that sacred place press in words what he had re- both.‛ he had been absorbed in deep alised by his tapasyā. So people meditation before the image of say he was an atheist.‛ Buddha. He had paid his re- The devotees remained silent a Master (by signs): ‚Why atheist? spects to the Bodhi-tree, which few moments. He was not an atheist. He sim- is an offshoot of the original tree ply could not express his inner under which Buddha attained experiences in words. Do you Master (to Narendra): ‚What Nirvāna. know what ‘Buddha’ means? It did Buddha preach?‛ Kali said, “One day at Gayā, at is to become one with Bodha, Narendra: ‚He did not discuss Umesh Babu’s house, Narendra Pure Intelligence, by meditating the existence or non-existence of sang many classical songs to the on That which is of the nature of God. But he showed compas- accompaniment of the mri- Pure Intelligence; it is to become sion for others all his life.‛ danga.‛ Pure Intelligence itself.‛ ‚A hawk pounced upon a bird Narendra: ‚Yes, sir. There are and was about to devour it. In Sri Ramakrishna sat on his bed three classes of Buddhas: Bud- order to save the bird, Buddha in the big hall upstairs. It was dha, Athat, and Bodhisattva.‛ gave the hawk his own flesh.‛ evening. M. was alone in the Master: ‚This too is a sport of room, fanning the Master. Latu Sri Ramakrishna remained si- God Himself, a new līlā of came in a little later. lent. Narendra became more God.‛ and more enthusiastic about

‚Why would Buddha be called Buddha. Master (to M.): ‚Please bring a an atheist? When one realises chāddar for me and a pair of Narendra: ‚How great his re- Svarupa, the true nature of one’s slippers.‛ nunciation was! Born a prince, Self, one attains a state that is he renounced everything! If a something between asti, is, and man has nothing, no wealth at M: ‚Yes, sir.‛ nāsti, is not.” all, what does his renunciation Master (to Latu): The chāddar Narendra (to M.): ‚It is a state in amount to? After attaining will cost ten ānnās, and then the which contradiction meets. A Buddhahood and experiencing slippers – what will be the total combination of hydrogen and Nirvāna, Buddha once visited cost?‛ oxygen produces cool water; his home and exhorted his wife, and the same hydrogen and his son, and many others of the Latu: “One rupee and ten ān- oxygen are used in the oxy- royal household to embrace the nās.” hydrogen blowpipe.‛ life of renunciation. How in- Sri Ramakrishna asked M., by a tense his renunciation was! But ‚In that state both activity and signed note, to note the price. look at Vyāsa’s conduct! He for- non-activity are possible; that is bade his son Sukadeva to give Narendra entered the room and to say, one then performs unsel-

Page 12 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach up the world, saying, ‘My son, nary red lentils and tamarind. Self - devotion of Lord Bud- practise religion as a house- Isn’t that so?‛ dha holder.’ ‛ Narendra: ‚After experiencing all In every religion we find one Sri Ramakrishna was silent. As those states, you are now dwell- type of self-devotion particularly yet he had not uttered a word. ing on a lower plane.‛ developed. The type of working Narendra: ‚Buddha did not care M. (to himself): ‚Yes, after realis- without a motive is most highly for Sakti or any such thing. He ing all those ideals, he is now liv- developed in Buddhism. Do not sought only Nirvāna. Ah, how ing as a bhakta, a devotee of mistake Buddhism and Brâhmin- intense his dispassion was! When God.‛ ism. Buddhism is one of our he sat down under the Bodhi-tree sects. It was founded by a great Master: ‚Someone seems to be to meditate, he took this vow: man called Gautama, who be- holding me to a lower plane.‛ ‘Let my body wither away here if came disgusted at the eternal I do not attain Nirvāna.’ Such a Saying this, Sri Ramakrishna metaphysical discussions of his firm resolve! took the fan from M.’s hand and day, and the cumbrous rituals, said, ‚As I see this fan, directly and more especially with the ‚This body, indeed, is the great before me, in exactly the same caste system. Some people say enemy. Can anything be manner have I seen God. And I that we are born to a certain achieved without chastising it?‛ have seen‛ state, and therefore we are supe- Sashi: ‚But it is you who say that rior to others who are not thus With these words he placed his one develops sattva by eating born. He was also against the tre- hand on his heart and asked Nar- meat. You insist that one should mendous priestcraft. He endra, by a sign, ‚Can you tell eat meat.‛ preached a religion in which me what I said?‛ there was no motive power, and Narendra: ‚I eat meat, no doubt, Narendra: ‚I have understood.‛ was perfectly agnostic about but I can also live on rice, mere metaphysics or theories about rice, even without salt.‛ Master: ‚Tell me.‛ God. He was often asked if there After a few minutes Sri Rama- Narendra: ‚I didn’t hear you was a God, and he answered, he krishna broke his silence. He well.‛ did not know. When asked about asked Narendra, by a sign, Sri Ramakrishna said again, by a right conduct, he would reply, whether he had seen a tuft of hair sign, ‚I have seen that He and the ‚Do good and be good.‛ There on Buddha’s head. one who dwells in my heart are came five Brâhmins, who asked one and the same Person.‛ him to settle their discussion. One said, ‚Sir, my book says that Narendra: ‚No, sir. He seems to Narendra: ‚Yes, yes! Soham-I am God is such and such, and that have a sort of crown; his head He.‛ seems to be covered by strings of this is the way to come to God.‛ Master: ‚But only a line divides rudrāksha beads placed on top of Another said, ‚That is wrong, for the two-that I may enjoy divine one another.‛ my book says such and such, and bliss.‛ this is the way to come to God‛; Master: ‚And his eyes?‛ Narendra, (to M.): ‚Great souls, and so the others. He listened Narendra: ‚They show that he is even after their own liberation, calmly to all of them, and then in samādhi.” retain the ego and experience the asked them one by one, ‚Does any one of your books say that Sri Ramakrishna again became pleasure and pain of the body God becomes angry, that he ever silent. Narendra and the other that they may help others to at- injures anyone, that he is im- devotees looked at him intently. tain liberation.‛ pure?‛ ‚No, sir, they all teach Suddenly a smile lighted his face that God is pure and good.‛ and he began to talk to Narendra. Swami Vivekananda deliv- ‚Then, my friends, why do you M. was fanning him. ered the following talk in De- not become pure and good first, Master (to Narendra): ‚Well, here troit on Lord Buddha that you may know what God you find everything-even ordi- is?‛

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 13 Reach Bereft of Motive Power if they believe in God. But the life similar to that of a cultured mem- of Buddha shows that even a ber of the Latin race familiar with Of course I do not endorse all his man who does not believe in the English language. He said in philosophy. I want a good deal of God, has no metaphysics, be- part: metaphysics, for myself. I en- longs to no sects, and does not go tirely differ in many respects, to any Church, or temple, and is but, because I differ, is that any a confessed materialist, even he The High Priest Speaks reason why I should not see the can attain to the highest. We have beauty of the man? He was the Buddha began to found the relig- no right to judge him. I wish I only man who was bereft of all ion of India 600 years before the had one infinitesimal part of motive power. There were other birth of Christ. He found the re- Buddha’s heart. Buddha may or great men who all said they were ligion of India at that time mainly may not have believed in God; the Incarnations of God Himself, engaged in eternal discussions that does not matter to me. He and that those who would be- upon the nature of the human reached the same state of perfec- lieve in them would go to soul. There was no remedy ac- tion to which others come by heaven. But what did Buddha cording to the ideas then prevail- Bhakti - love of God - Yoga, or say with his dying breath? ‚None ing for the cure of religious ills Jnâna. Perfection does not come can help you; help yourself; work but sacrifices of animals, sacrifi- from belief or faith. Talk does not out your own salvation.‛ He said cial altars and similar methods. count for anything. Perfection about himself, ‚Buddha is the comes from the disinterested per- name of infinite knowledge, infi- formance of action. In the midst of this system a nite as the sky: I, Gautama, have priest was born who was a mem- reached that state; you will all ber of one of the leading families reach that too if you struggle for Swami Vivekananda also ad- who was the founder of Bud- it.‛ Bereft of all motive power. dressed an audience in Balti- dhism. His was, in the first place, He did not want to go to heaven, more on the religion of Bud- not the founding of a new relig- did not want money; he gave up dha. This was published in ion, but a movement of reforma- his throne and everything else the Morning Herald, October tion. He believed in the good of and went about begging his 22, 1894. all. His religion, as formulated by bread through the streets of In- him, considered of the discovery dia, preaching for the good of Introduction: of three things: First, ‘There is an men and animals with a heart as An audience that filled the Ly- evil’; second: ‘What is the cause wide as the ocean. ceum Theatre [Baltimore] from of this evil?’ This he ascribed to He was the only man who was pit to dome assembled last night the desires of men to be superior ever ready to give up his life for at the second of the series of to others, an evil that could be animals to stop a sacrifice. He meetings held by the Vrooman cured by unselfishness. Third, once said to a king, ‚ If the sacri- Brothers in the interest of ‘This evil is curable by becoming fice of a lamb helps you to go to ‘Dynamic Religion‛. Fully 3000 unselfish.’ Force, he concluded, heaven, sacrificing a man will persons were present. The speak- could not cure it; dirt cannot help you better; so sacrifice me.‛ ers of the evening were seated on wash dirt; hate cannot cure hate. The king was astonished. And the stage, the Rev. Vivekananda yet this man was without any being an object of particular in- This was the basis of his religion. motive power. He stands as the terest to all. He wore a yellow So long a society tries to cure hu- perfection of the active type, and turban and red robe tied in at the man selfishness by laws and in- the very height to which he at- waist with sash of the same col- stitutions whose aim is to force tained shows that through the our, which added to the Oriental others to do good to their power of work we can also attain cast of his features and invested neighbours, nothing can be done. to the highest spirituality. him with a peculiar interest. His This remedy is not to place trick address was delivered in an easy, against trick and force against unembarrassed manner, his dic- To many the path becomes easier force. The only remedy is in mak- tion being perfect and his accent

Page 14 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach ing unselfish men and women. in search of the medicine for the Swami Vivekananda’s Poem You may enact laws to cure pre- terrible disease of human misery. ‘To My Own Soul’ sent evils, but they will be of no In an age where men and priests avail. were discussing the essence of the deity, he discovered what TO MY OWN SOUL

people had overlooked, that mis- Buddha found in India too much Hold yet a while, Strong Heart, ery existed. The cause of all evil talking about God and His es- Not part a lifelong yoke is our desire to be superior to sence and too little work. He al- Though blighted looks the pre- others and our selfishness. We ways insisted upon this funda- sent, future gloom. need to teach people to obey the mental truth that we are to be And age it seems since you and I laws rather than to make more pure and holy, and that we are to began our laws. Buddhism was the first help others to be holy also. He March up hill or down. Sailing missionary religion of the world believed that man must go to smooth o’er but it was one of the teachings of work and help others; find his Seas that are so rare- Buddhism not to antagonise any soul in others; find his life in oth- Thou nearer unto me, than oft- other religion. Sects weaken their ers. He believed that in the con- times I myself- power for good by making war junction of doing good to others Proclaiming mental moves before on each other. is the only good we do ourselves. they were ! He believed that there was al- Reflector true-Thy pulse so timed ways in the world too much the- Source: to mine, ory and too little practice. A Thou perfect note of thoughts, http://syluba.com/festival - dozen Buddhas in India at the however fine- calendar-2018/ present time would do good, and Shall we now part, Recorder, one Buddha in this country https://www.diamondway - say ? would also be beneficial. buddhism.org/buddhism/ In thee is friendship, faith, buddha/ For thou didst warn when evil

thoughts were brewing- When there is too much doctrine, http://www.aboutbuddha.org/ And though, alas, thy warning too much belief in my father’s english/life-of-buddha.htm/ thrown away, religion, too much rational super- Went on the same as ever-good stition, a change is needed. Such The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Vol- and true. doctrine produces evil, and a ref- ume II by Mahendranath Gupta, ormation is necessary. Translation by Swami Nikhilan- anda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Six hundred years before Christ, Mylapore, page 947-950 the priesthood of India exercised great influence over the minds of The Complete Works of Swami the people, and between the up- Vivekananda Volume IV, Mayavati per and nether millstone of intel- Memorial Edition, Advaita Ash- lectuality and learning the people rama, Calcutta, pp. 135-6; pp. 391-2 were ground. Buddhism was not founded as an entirely new relig- The Complete Works of Swami ion, but rather as a reformation Vivekananda Volume II, Mayavati which carried off the corruption Memorial Edition, Advaita Ash- of the times. Buddha seems to rama, Calcutta, pp. 494-497 have been the only prophet who did everything for others and absolutely nothing for himself. He gave up his home and all en- joyments of life to spend his days

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 15 Reach B. DIRECT DISCIPLES: Soul, God and Religion —Swami Vivekananda

wami Vivekananda begins this lecture by exploring the comparative study of religions and saying that all religions are essentially one. This is in spite of the challenge of materialism and science at the dawn of the 20th century which threatened the very existence of religions. The same foundational principles found in one’s own religion are also found in other religions. The fact that religions have continued through ages Sand that there are different religions suggest that religions are a constitutional necessity of humankind. Similarly if one religion is true other religions must also be true. There may be differences in non essentials, but with respect to essential they are one. The lecture also deals with various ideas related to the soul like it being distinct from the body, it being perfect, eternal and that it reincarnates. All religions teach the eternity of the soul and that its lustre has been dimmed and that primitive purity is to be regained by the knowledge of God. After discussing the soul, Swamiji goes on to discuss the different conceptions of God. Starting from various tribal ideas of Gods in ancient Judaism, there is a movement towards monotheism where there is an omnipotent and omniscient, but extra cosmic God. This is followed by the idea of God being immanent in nature culminating in the Advaitic experience of ‘I and my father in heaven are one.’ By knowing God, we find the kingdom of heaven within us. Religion is not what you read or the dogmas you believe in, but what you realise. The end of all religion is realizing God in one’s soul. Until religion makes you realise God it is useless.

Introduction voice of the past. And the first and the cause of religion lost message it brings us is: Peace be once and forever. But the tide has Through the vistas of the past the unto you and to all religions. It is turned and to the rescue has voice of the centuries is coming not a message of antagonism, but come – what? The study of com- to us; the voice of the sages of the of one united religion. parative religions. By the study Himalayas and the recluses of of different religions we find that the forest; the voices that came to in essence they are one. the semitic races; the voice that Let us study this message first. spoke through Buddha and other At the beginning of this century spiritual giants; the voice that it was almost feared that religion All Religions are One comes from those who live in the was at an end. Under the tremen- When I was a boy [referring to light that accompanied man in dous sledge-hammer blows of Swami Vivekananda], this scepti- the beginning of the earth – the scientific research, old supersti- cism reached me, and it seemed light that shines wherever man tions were crumbling away like for a time as if I must give up all goes and lives with him forever – masses of porcelain. Those to hope of religion. But fortunately is coming to us even now. This whom religion meant only a for me I studied the Christian voice is like the little rivulets that bundle of creeds and meaning- religion, the Mohammedan, the come from the mountains. Now less ceremonials were in despair; Buddhistic, and others, and what they disappear, and now they they were at their wit’s end. Eve- was my surprise to find that the appear again in stronger flow till rything was slipping between same foundation principles finally they unite in one mighty their fingers. For a time it taught by my religion were also majestic flood. The messages that seemed inevitable that the surg- taught by all religions. It ap- are coming down to us from the ing tide of agnosticism and mate- pealed to me this way. What is prophets and holy men and rialism would sweep all before it. the truth? I asked. Is this world women of all sects and nations There were those who did not true? Yes. Why? Because I see it. are joining their forces and dare utter what they thought. Are the beautiful sounds we just speaking to us with the trumpet Many thought the case hopeless

Page 16 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach heard (the vocal and instrumen- beginning. But anything that has ther. Remember that man lost his tal music) true? Yes. Because we a beginning must necessarily purity through his own actions. heard them. We know that man have an end. We – the essential When we suffer, it is because of has a body, eyes, and ears, and part of us – never had a begin- our own acts; God is not to be he has a spiritual nature, which ning, and will never have an end. blamed for it. we cannot see. And with his And above us all, above this eter- spiritual faculties he can study nal nature, there is another eter- these different religions and find nal Being, without end - God. The Doctrine of Reincarna- that whether a religion is taught People talk about the beginning tion in the forests and jungles of India of the world, the beginning of Closely connected with these or in a Christian land, in essen- man. The word beginning simply ideas is the doctrine of reincarna- tials all religions are one. This means the beginning of the cycle. tion, which has been universal. only shows us that religion is a It nowhere means the beginning This idea of reincarnation runs constitutional necessity of the of the whole Cosmos. It is impos- parallel with the other doctrine of human mind. The proof of one sible that creation could have a the eternity of the human soul. religion depends on the proof of beginning. No one of you can Nothing, which ends at one all the rest. For instance, if I have imagine a time of beginning. point, can be without a beginning six fingers, and no one else has, That which has a beginning must and nothing that begins at one you may well say that this is ab- have an end. ‚Never did I not point can be without an end. We normal. The same reasoning may exist, nor you, nor will nay of us cannot believe in such a mon- be applied to the argument that ever hereafter cease to be,‛ says strous impossibility as the begin- only one religion is true and all the Bhagavad-Gita. Wherever the ning of the human soul. The doc- others false. One religion only, beginning of creation is men- trine of reincarnation asserts the like one set of six fingers in the tioned, it means the beginning of freedom of the soul. Suppose world, would be unnatural. We a cycle. Your body will meet with there was an absolute beginning. see, therefore, that if one religion death, but your soul, never. Then the whole burden of this is true, all others must be true. impurity in man falls upon God. There are differences in non- The all-merciful Father responsi- essentials, but in essentials they Along with this idea of the soul ble for the sins of the world! If sin are all one. If my five fingers are we find another group of ideas in comes in this way, why should true, they prove that your five regard to its perfection. The soul one suffer more than another? fingers are true too. Wherever in itself is perfect. The Old Testa- Why such partiality, if it comes man is, he must develop a belief, ment of the Hebrews admits man from an all-merciful God? Why he must develop his religious perfect at the beginning. Man are millions trampled underfoot? nature. made himself impure by his own Why do people starve who never actions. But he is to regain his old did anything to cause it? Who is nature, his pure nature. Some responsible? If they had no hand And another fact I find in the speak of these things in allego- in it, surely, God would be re- study of the various religions of ries, fables, and symbols. But sponsible. Therefore the better the world is that there are three when we begin to analyse these explanation is that one is respon- different stages of ideas with re- statements, we find that they all sible for the miseries one suffers. gard to the soul and God. In the teach that the human soul is in its If I set the wheel in motion, I am first place, all religions admit very nature perfect, and that man responsible for the result. And if that, apart from the body which is to regain that original purity. I can bring misery, I can also stop perishes, there is a certain part or How? By knowing God. Just as it. It necessarily follows that we something which does not the Bible says, ‚No man can see are free. There is no such thing as change like the body, a part that God but through the Son.‛ What fate. There is nothing to compel is immutable, eternal, that never is meant by it? That seeing God is us. What we have done, that we dies; but some of the later relig- the aim and goal of all human can undo. ions teach that although there is a life. The sonship must come be- part of us that never dies, it had a fore we become one with the Fa-

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 17 Reach To one argument in connection see that to come to a reasonable Concept of God with this doctrine I will ask your conclusion we must admit that To come to our point. We find patient attention as it is a little we have had past lives. This is that all religions teach the eter- intricate. We gain all our knowl- the belief of the great philoso- nity of the soul, as well as that its edge through experience; that is phers and sages of the past and lustre has been dimmed, and that the only way. What we call ex- of modern times. Such a doctrine its primitive purity is to be re- periences are on the plane of con- was believed in among the Jews. gained by knowledge of God. sciousness. For illustration: A Jesus Christ believed in it. He What is the idea of God in these man plays a tune on a piano, he says in the Bible, ‚Before Abra- different religions? The primary places each finger on each key ham was, I am.‛ And in another idea of God was very vague. The consciously. He repeats this proc- place it is said, ‚This is Elias who most ancient nations had differ- ess till the movement of the fin- is said to have come.‛ ent Deities – sun, earth, fire, wa- gers become a habit. He then ter. Among the ancient Jews we plays a tune without having to find numbers of these Gods fero- pay special attention to each par- All the different religions, which ciously fighting with each other. ticular key. Similarly, we find in grew among different nations Then we find Elohim whom the regard to ourselves that our ten- under varying circumstances and Jews and the Babylonians wor- dencies are the result of past con- conditions, had their origin in shipped. We next find one God scious actions. A child is born Asia, and the Asiatics under- standing supreme. But the idea with certain tendencies. Whence stand them well. When they differed according to different do they come from? No child is came out from the motherland, tribes. They each asserted that born with a tabula rasa - with a they got mixed up with errors. their God was the greatest. And clean, blank page - of a mind. The most profound and noble they tried to prove it by fighting. The page has been written on ideas of Christianity were never The one that could do the best previously. The old Greek and understood in Europe, because fighting proved thereby that its Egyptian philosophers taught the ideas and images used by the God was the greatest. Those that no child came with a vacant writers of the Bible were foreign races were more or less savage. mind. Each child comes with a to it. Take for illustration the pic- But gradually better and better hundred tendencies generated by tures of the Madonna. Every art- ideas took the place of the old past conscious actions. It did not ist paints his Madonna according ones. All those old ideas are gone acquire these in this life, and we to his own pre-conceived ideas. I or going into the lumber - room. are bound to admit that it must have been seeing hundreds of All those religions were the out- have had them in past lives. The pictures of the Last Supper of Je- growth of centuries; not one fell rankest materialist had to admit sus Christ, and he is made to sit from the skies. Each had to be that these tendencies are the re- at a table. Now, Christ never sat worked out bit by bit. Next come sult of past actions, only they add at a table; he squatted with oth- the monotheistic ideas: belief in that these tendencies come ers, and they had a bowl in one god, who is omnipotent and through hereditary. Our parents, which they dipped bread – not omniscient, the one God of the grandparents, and great- the kind of bread you eat today. universe. This one God is extra- grandparents come down to us It is hard for any nation to under- cosmic; he lies in the heavens. He through this law of hereditary. stand the unfamiliar customs of is invested with the gross con- Now if hereditary alone explains other people. How much more ception of His originators. He has this, there is no necessity of be- difficult was it for Europeans to a right side and a left side, and a lieving in the soul at all, because understand the Jewish customs bird in His hand, and so on and body explains everything. We after centuries of change and ac- so forth. But one thing we find, need not go into the different ar- cretions from Greek, Roman and that the tribal Gods have disap- guments and discussions on ma- other sources. Through all the peared forever, and the one God terialism and spiritualism. So far myths and mythologies by which of the universe has taken their the way is clear for those who it is surrounded it is no wonder place: the God of Gods. Still He is believe in an individual soul. We that the people get very little of the beautiful religion of Jesus. only an extra-cosmic God. He is

Page 18 July 2018 Issue No. 44 Reach unapproachable; nothing can God? Of course not. Can we Doctrines and Dogmas come near Him. But slowly this know God? Of course not. If God The next idea that I want to bring idea has changed also, and at the can be known, He will be God no to you is that religion does not next stage we find a God imma- longer. Knowledge is limitation. consist in doctrines or dogmas. It nent in nature. But I and my Father are one: I is not what you read, nor what find the reality in my soul. These dogmas you believe that is of im- ideas are expressed in some relig- portance, but what you realise. In the New Testament it is ions, and in others only hinted. ‚Blessed are the pure in heart, for taught, ‚Our Father who art in In some they are expatriated. they shall realise God,‛ yea, in Heaven‛ – God living in the Christ’s teachings are now very this life. And that is salvation. heavens separated from men. We little understood in this country. There are those who teach that are living on earth and He is liv- If you will excuse me, I will say this can be gained by the mum- ing in heaven. Further on we find that they have never been very bling of words. But no great Mas- the teaching that He is a God im- well understood. manent in nature; He is not only ter ever taught that external

God in heaven, but on earth too. forms were necessary for salva- He is the God in us. In the Hindu The different stages of growth tion. The power of attaining it is philosophy we find a stage of the are absolutely necessary to the within ourselves. We live and same proximity of God to us. But attainment of purity and perfec- move in God. Creeds and sects we do not stop there. There is the tion. The varying systems of re- have their part to play, but they non-dualistic stage, in which ligion are at bottom founded on are for children, they last but man realises that the God he has the same ideas. Jesus says the temporarily. Books never make been worshipping is not only the kingdom of heaven is within religions, but religions make Father in heaven, and on earth, you. Again he says, ‚Our Father books. We must not forget that. but that ‚I and my Father are who art in heaven.‛ How do you No book ever created God, but one.‛ He realises in his soul that reconcile the two sayings? In this God inspired all the great books. he is God Himself, only a lower way: He was talking to the un- And no book ever created a soul. expression of Him. All that is real educated masses when he said We must never forget that. The in me is He; all that is real in Him the latter, the masses who were end of all religions is the realising is I. The gulf between God and uneducated in religion. It was of God in the soul. That is the one man is thus bridged. Thus we necessary to speak to them in universal religion. If there is one find how, by knowing God, we their own language. The masses universal truth in all religions, I find the kingdom of heaven want concrete ideas, something place it here - in realising God. within us. the senses can grasp. A man may Ideals and methods may differ, be the greatest philosopher in the but that is the central point.

world, but a child in religion. There may be a thousand differ- In the first or dualistic stage, man When a man has developed a ent radii, but they all converge to knows he is a little personal soul, high state of spirituality he can the one centre, and that is the re- John, James or Tom; and he says, understand that the kingdom of alisation of God: something be- ‚I will be John, James or Tom to heaven is within him. That is the hind this world of sense, this all eternity, and never anything real kingdom of the mind. Thus world of eternal eating and else.‛ As well might the mur- we see that the apparent contra- drinking and talking nonsense, derer come along and say, ‚I will dictions and perplexities in every this world of false shadows and remain a murderer forever.‛ But religion mark but different stages selfishness. There is that beyond as time goes on, Tom vanishes of growth. And as such we have all books, beyond all creeds, be- and goes back to the original no right to blame anyone for his yond the vanities of this world, pure Adam. religion. There are stages of and it is the realisation of God within yourself. A man may be- growth in which forms and sym- bols are necessary; they are the lieve in all the churches in the ‚Blessed are the pure in heart, for language that the souls in that world, he may carry in his head they shall see God.‛ Can we see stage can understand. all the sacred books ever written,

Issue No. 44 July 2018 Page 19 Reach he may baptise himself in all the circumstances among different flock and was astonished to see rivers of the earth, still, if he has nations. We must each have our in it a huge lion eating grass and no perception of God, I would own individual religion, individ- bleating like a sheep. At his sight class him with the rankest athe- ual as far as the externals of it go. the flock fled and the lion-sheep ist. And a man may have never with them. But the lion watched entered a church or a mosque, his opportunity and one day nor performed any ceremony, Many years ago I visited a great found the lion-sheep asleep. He but if he feels God within himself sage of our own country, a very woke him up and said, ‚You are and is thereby lifted above the holy man. We talked of our re- a lion.‛ The other said, ‚No,‛ and vanities of the world, that man is vealed books, the Vedas, of the began to bleat like a sheep. But a holy man, a saint, call him what Bible, of the Koran, and of re- the stranger lion took him to a you will. As soon as a man vealed books in general. At the lake and asked him to look in the stands up and says he is right or close of our talk, this good man water at his own image and see if his church is right, and all others asked me to go the table and take it did not resemble him, the are wrong, he is himself all up a book; it was a book which, stranger lion. He looked and ac- wrong. He does not know that among other things, contained knowledged that it did. Then the upon the proof of all the others forecast of the rainfall during the stranger lion began to roar and depends the proof of his won. year. The sage said, ‚Read that.‛ asked him to do the same. The Love and charity for the whole And I read out the quantity of lion-sheep tried his voice and human race, that is the test of rain that was to fall. He said, was soon roaring as grandly as true religiousness. I do not mean ‚Now take the book and squeeze the other. And he was a sheep no the sentimental statement that all it.‛ I did so and he said, ‚Why, longer. men are brothers, but that one my boy, not a drop of water My friends, I would like to tell must feel the oneness of human comes out. Until the water comes you all that you are mighty as life. So far as they are not exclu- out, it is all book, book. So until lions. sive, I see that the sects and your religion makes you realise creeds are all mine; they are all God, it is useless. He who only If the room is dark, do you go grand. They are all helping men studies books for religion re- about beating your chest and cry- towards the real religion. I will minds one of the fable of the ass ing, ‚It is dark, dark, dark!‛ No, add, it is good to be born in a which carried a heavy load of the only way to get the light is to church, but it is bad to die there. sugar on its back, but did not strike a light, and then the dark- It is good to be born a child, but know the sweetness of it.‛ ness goes. The only way to real- ise the light above you is to strike bad to remain a child. Churches, ceremonies, and symbols are the spiritual light within you, good for children, but when the Man’s Divine Nature, not a and the darkness of sin and im- child is grown, he must burst the Sinner purity will flee away. Think of your higher self, not of your church or himself. We must not Shall we advise men to kneel lower. remain children forever. It is like down and cry, ‚O miserable sin- trying to fit one coat to all sizes ners that we are!‛ No, rather let and growths. I do not deprecate us remind them of their divine Source: the existence of sects in the nature. I will tell you a story. A world. Would to God there were lioness in search of prey came Swami Vivekananda, The Com- twenty millions more, for the upon a flock of sheep, and as she plete Works of Swami Vivekananda, more there are, there will be a jumped at one of them, she gave Mayavati Memorial Edition, Ad- greater field for selection. What I birth to a cub and died on the vaita Ashrama, Calcutta, Vol. 1, do object to is trying to fit one spot. The young lion was pp. 317-332, Vol. 6 p. 180 religion to every case. Though all brought up in the flock, ate grass, religions are essentially the same, and bleated like a sheep, and it they must have the varieties of never knew that it was a lion. forms produced by dissimilar One day a lion came across the

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