28th April
Truth is mine
Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram has at its very heart an open-hearted approach to all spiritual philosophies and religions. This drawns on the Tirthankara’s message of Anekantavada, as well as Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra’s living example and writings, which honour and imbibe from all sources of truth. Param Pujya Bapuji made a motto of the phrase “Sachu te maru” (Truth is mine).
Some events of Thursday 28th and Friday 29th April can be seen as originating in this stream of openness. Its current has extended all the way to the shore of the British Isles.
Since Param Pujya Bhaishree’s visit in 2008, Raj Saubhag has developed a relationship of mutual fondness with the Niland Centre. This centre is located in the grounds of the Rosary Priory convent and is named after its founder sister Rose Niland. The convent is part of the Dominican order of Roman Catholic Christianity. One of the central mottos of the Dominicans is “Veritas” which means Truth in Latin.
Every time we have held shibirs there in the last few years, we have been served by the peaceful and loving Sister Marie-Henry Keane. She always tells us that she is happy to have us there as we bring such peace and blessings.
She recently asked us if we wished to place a photo of Param Pujya Bhaishree in the Niland Centre. Such is the open-hearted nature of this catholic nun and such is the nature of our true guru. Param Pujya Bhaishree naturally responded that only a portrait of Bhagwan Mahavir would be fitting and, after some consultation, it was agreed that we would install this on 28th April.
The portrait of Bhagwan installed at the Niland Centre by Param Pujya Bhaishree
Celebrating Truth
The picture was consecrated by Param Pujya Bhaishree and the Brahmnishts.
Param Pujya Bhaishree consecrating the image
A glorious procession was held in the grounds of Rosary Priory Convent, in which each and every mumukshu (aspirant) who wished could partcipate. Joyous dance and overflowing devotional chanting filled the atmosphere on this sunny day.
Param Pujya Bhaishree’s presence, Vikrambhai’s voice, Minalben’s joy, and the mumukshu’s celebration elevated us from the hill top on which the Niland Centre stands to another plane. All aspirants in this assembly glorifying Truth had connected with ancient Truth in the presence of living Truth.
Next came a historical moment. The image of Bhagwan Mahavir was placed in the Beaufort Room of the Niland Centre, and worshipped with vakshepa.
Honouring Truth
Param Pujya Bhaishree gifted sister Marie-Henry two images of St Dominic in blocks of crystal, one for her personal use and one for the convent. Vikrambhai spoke of Truth being at the heart of all religion, regardless of differences in philosophy.
Sister Marie-Henry was moved to say “I worship one god, Yahweh, and no other. But I honour you. I honour your Truth and your God.” She then said that she did not wish to say more, as the Niland Centre was Raj Saubhag’s home.
Bhaishree gifted her a shawl and Vikrambhai and Minalben felicitated her. “We thank you for making your home, our home.”
After this uplifting interaction of open-hearted spirituality, Param Pujya Bhaishree began the first swadhyay of his 2011 UK Dharma Yatra. This wonderfully inspiring and empowering swadhyay is reported elsewhere.
29th April
Remembering an embodiment of Truth
Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal has also gifted a bench to the Niland Centre, to be kept in the grounds of the Rosary Priory Convent. This bench is dedicated to the memory of Param Pujya Bapuji, whose realised Truth early in his life, and whose establishment of the Raj Saubhag Ashram has enabled thousands of souls to encounter Truth, and a fortunate few to imbibe and experience Truth. A motto of his life was “Truth is Mine” and this is what has been engraved on memorial plaque.
Param Pujya Bhaishree and the Brahmnishts sanctified this bench with vakshep.
Param Pujya Bhaishree and the Brahmnishts around Bapuji's bench
Upholding Truth
Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order, gifted by Param Pujya Bhaishree
Two mottos of the Dominicans are
- Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (“Praise, bless, preach”)
- Contemplari et Contemplata Aliis Tradere (“To contemplate and to hand on the fruits of contemplation”).
Both of these mottos are very apt for Param Pujya Bhaishree’s 2011 UK Dharma Yatra. Another motto, which forms the theme of the bond between Raj Saubhag and this noble convent, is Veritas (“Truth”). On the portrait of Bhagwan Mahavir are written the words Satyam Param Dhimahi (“I uphold Truth in my awareness”) and on the Bapuji’s bench, we have “Truth is Mine.”
The emotional feeling of unity of truth, regardless of doctrinal differences, has blessed all those who participated in these momentous events. They gave momentum to the spiritual cultivation which Param Pujya Bhaishree is conducting by means of his swadhyays and these have motivated, empowered and inspired all aspirants with the yearning to realise Truth under the guidance of a personification of Truth, our Satpurush, our Bhaishree.
To read more about Param Pujya Bhaishree’s 2011 UK Dharma Yatra, please click here.
