Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan Worldwide Centre for Spiritual, Cultural and Social Progress The Organisation Humbly Devoted to the Service of Humanity 3rd Edition - 2018 Headquarters: Shree Swaminarayan Maninagar Maninagar Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, 380 008 Lord Shree Swaminarayan and His Divine Heritage Welcome to Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan The auspicious, divine shelter of Lord Shree Swaminarayan Purna Purushottam Lord Shree Swaminarayan His Divine Holiness Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj The ancient Hindu scriptures forecasted that at the time when dishonesty has spread throughout society and the world has become immersed in a mire of sin, Lord Shree Swaminarayan will manifest in Jeevanpran Shree Sadguru Shree Sadguru Shree order to liberate all, and bring a renaissance to the faltering ideals of humanity and the religious decree. Abji Bapashree Gopalanand Swami Nirgundasji Swami In accordance with the forecasts of the holy scriptures, the almighty Lord Shree Swaminarayan manifested upon the Earth at the end of the eighteenth century in Northern India. Lord Shree Swaminarayan established the Swaminarayan religion and instilled into people the ideology of high morals, love and compassion for all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or gender. His sole intention was to rejuvenate the principles of the true, universal religion, which were being disintegrated by irreligious, evil practices. Lord Shree Swaminarayan taught by example: He encouraged the donating of charity and welfare to the unfortunate, poor and hungry; He personally attended to their needs. Compassion and tolerance for all living beings are His most essential teachings. The only means that Lord Shree Swaminarayan Sadguru Shree Adya Acharya Pravar Jeevanpran Acharya Shree used to inspire the masses to follow Him was His immense love and care for them all. Ishwarcharandasji Swami Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj The British authorities, including Sir John Malcom and Bishop Reginald Heber in particular, took note of The Swaminarayan the remarkable reformation instigated throughout society by Lord Shree Swaminarayan; even the lawless Kathi tribes of the Kathiavad region became devout disciples and abided by the moral philosophy insists on stipulations of the Faith. pure, simple living and The sublime teachings of Lord Shree Swaminarayan were further explained and clarified by Jeevanpran Shree Abji Bapashree. These tenets form the foundation of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, and have high thinking, which been preserved and practised by the spiritual ascetic heirs of Lord Shree Swaminarayan - the Acharyas of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, i.e. Sadguru Shree Gopalanand Swami, Sadguru Shree Nirgundasji Swami, inspires people to put Sadguru Shree Ishwarcharandasji Swami and Adya Acharya Pravar Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa. service to society, Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa took responsibility for the helm of the religion in 1942 and established Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Maninagar - Ahmedabad, as the headquarters of before themselves the Organisation. In 1972 Jeevanpran Swamibapa gave a physical embodiment upon this Earth to Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, the divine, eternal throne of Lord Shree Swaminarayan. Jeevanpran Swamibapa led the Faith through the so called 'modern era'. He was the pioneer for spreading the tenets of the Swaminarayan Faith around the world. He founded various socially beneficial institutions to provide social amenities for those who could not previously afford them. Thereby, Jeevanpran Swamibapa set an example for the service of mankind. In accordance with the teachings of Lord Shree Swaminarayan and the pioneering deeds of Jeevanpran Swamibapa, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has flourished remarkably and has become renowned, admired and respected throughout the world. A summary of its activities have been collated in this introductory booklet. May the supreme, almighty Lord Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa shower His divine blessings upon all those who are fortunate to experience the divine ecstasy of this august Organisation and bestow His eternal bliss to all. Let us pray for a world of peace and prosperity; a people of compassion and understanding; and nations of tolerance and righteousness. Our goal is to perform goodness to humankind; selflessly and without expectation of reward. Jay Shree Swaminarayan Swami Purushottampriyadasji Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Oh Lord! From untruth, lead us to truth. From darkness lead us to light. From death, lead us to immortality. For all eternity, keep us with You. Jeevanpran Swamibapa entrusts the supreme authority of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi to Acharya Swamishree Maharaj - 28 February 1979. Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan During these travels, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj has: Travelled over 950,000 km by air, 820,000 km by road and 340,000 km by rail The activities of this global Organisation are inspired by His Divine Visited the homes and places of work of over 21,500 people around the world Held over 9,500 assemblies Holiness Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj, Bestowed over 3,900 hours of ashirwad (holy sermons) to thousands of individuals who has magnificently led it into the 21st Century. around the world Acharya Swamishree Maharaj is: Wherever Acharya Swamishree Maharaj visits, he holds public assemblies and gatherings. He teaches the need for everyone to adhere to the moral teachings of Lord Shree Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa, which The sovereign of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi, the divine office of Lord Shree Swaminarayan advocate the need for compassion and understanding for all humanity. The fifth spiritual heir in the divine lineage of ascetic Acharyas (spiritual teachers), which descends directly from the supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan Recognising the great qualities of Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, leading scholars, priests and religious The reverential spiritual leader of many thousands of people around the world workers have bestowed many awards and honorary titles upon him. These include: Acclaimed as being the 'Ultimate Humanitarian' due to the charitable projects that he has instigated Sad-dharma-ratnakar The ocean of true religiosity Sanatan-dharma-sanrakshak The protector of the eternal religion Since his investiture as supreme leader of the Faith in 1979, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj has followed Seva-murti-param-tapa The service incarnation of the highest austerity devoutly in the divine footsteps of Gurudev Jeevanpran Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa and has: Vishwa-vatsalya-mahodadhi Greatest Ocean of spiritual love and compassion Inspired and led the management of over 200 spiritual, cultural and social progression for the entire world establishments around the world Embarked on tours around the world to raise awareness of the fundamentals of humanity Under the direction of Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, a devoted team of 100 ascetics, called sants, have and morality; benevolence, tolerance and living in harmony with Mother Earth and with given up their home, renounced their wealth and personal pleasures to dedicate their lives to Shree each other Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. They relentlessly work for the service of society. The saffron colour of Travelled the world preaching and promoting the divine philosophies of Lord Shree their clothing represents the colour of fire; i.e. those who have accepted the path of renunciation and Swaminarayanbapa Swamibapa become ascetics, have burnt all worldly afflictions. Their un-sewn clothing and shaven heads symbolise the simplicity of their lives. Commitment to Helping those in Need By the inspiration and encouragement of His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Maharaj, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan is constantly engaged in instigating campaigns to offer free medical assistance, the distribution of vital medicines and providing assistance in educating the poor and disadvantaged. During times of droughts, floods, tsunamis, famines and earthquakes, this Organisation's sants, disciples, and even Acharya Swamishree Maharaj himself, have travelled to the inflicted regions and assisted in saving the lives of thousands of people and animals, and demonstrated their life's dedication to relieving Acharya Swamishree Maharaj has inspired the establishment of Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Rescue and Disaster Management the suffering of humanity. Academy. The Academy, the first of its kind in India, trains young boys and girls in all aspects of aid, to be utilised during times of disaster such as earthquakes and flooding. The Academy has recently been involved in rescue missions in Nepal after the Additionally, Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan has established numerous clinics, hospitals and drug earthquake in 2015 and after the floods in 2018. rehabilitation centres around the World. Anyone who approaches a temple of the Lord in search of food should be welcomed and suitably provided for, according to the financial capacity of that temple. “ Lord Shree Swaminarayan, Shikshapatri, Verse 131 ” Sants distribute food and clothing during the severe flooding in Gujarat, 2005. People who had become trapped in their homes for many days were rescued and provided with temporary accommodation by Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. Acharya Swamishree Maharaj consoles a homeless victim of the Gujarat earthquake in 2001. Within 24 hours of the massive earthquake, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj and a team of sants, doctors and volunteers travelled to Bhuj, the epicentre