Dear Friends,

On behalf of Mindrolling Monastery in India, I would like to thank the wonderful vision and efforts of Swami Atmananda Ji and everyone at the Ajatananda Ashram.

In today’s world with all the misunderstandings and aggression erupting from the lack of compassion, tolerance and a true understanding of deeper human potential, this effort of forming an interreligious dialogue on Renunciation marks an auspicious meeting point for us all. We have a great hope for its ability to bring awareness, understanding and a sense of peacefulness to many beings.

The Buddhist view of renunciation is based not in distancing oneself from the others but through renouncing of the ego or the “self” and finding a better ability of generating an introspection that arouses the wisdom which illuminates the basic goodness, the core quality of every human being.

It is said that though this ability and the need to recognize this human potential is inherent, the fact remains that this realization of our inner basic nature almost always escapes our mind and it becomes difficult for us to see or realize it because we are clouded by the many distractions of worldly affairs and we are therefore further absorbed into samsara.

It is with this problem of the many distractions of samsara in mind that our great, enlightened masters of the various traditions have all emphasized the importance of contemplation and renunciation as a means for recognizing and gaining confidence of our basic nature.

Renunciation is a vital path in the Buddhist practices too, but it is in the modern world often misunderstood and many practitioners seeing it as either a difficult path or as unnecessary or even self-centred, often find themselves unable to relate to it. But this sort of thinking demonstrates ignorance of the intention of renunciation. When one assumes the Pratimoksha vows one in actuality takes up the discipline of achieving pure selflessness and with the Vinaya vows one is actually cultivating humility of body, speech and mind, and in that way seeing this as the path that liberates the self from the enslavement of the ego. The fundamental foundation of vows of renunciation is to abstain from harming others. Therefore it is also called ethics or discipline wherein one strives for absolute renunciation of harming others. How can this be unnecessary or unimportant with all the troubles and suffering the world and beings living in it experience today? How could anyone also not see its importance or relevance in our lives today?

In essence the training in observing the Pratimoksha vows is to avoid all negative actions that could be a source of mental affliction and pain for oneself and others. This allows for the chain of negative habits and tendencies to be broken – establishing a good basis for the path of practice that is the source of peace, joy and benefit for oneself and all sentient beings. As long as one’s mind is weak and attracted to the source of our emotion, it would be easy to be influenced or overwhelmed by anger, desire and confusion. The vows are actually a defence against encountering mental afflictions or their source. In the Buddhist tradition, once one’s mind has gathered strength to stand on its own (or in its own true nature) with less influence from physical activities or external influences one can put more emphasis on the activities of a Bodhisattva or extending oneself outward in order to liberate all sentient beings from the dukkha of samsara. It is with that view that renunciation is taught as the basis upon which a truer and more direct compassionate action can arise within each individual.

Therefore we are truly delighted and encouraged that this retreat is being held in conjunction with the hundredth anniversary of Sri Swami Abhishiktananda’s birth and as a celebration of his life’s work and vision of a community of monastics from different traditions all seeking the Truth. We sincerely pray that all participants may find great benefit here and that all spiritual people and followers of various traditions become more aware and have greater understanding of the vital importance of renunciation as a path to peace. May this auspicious occasion really pave a path of mutual understanding among all precious traditions and beliefs and the wisdom that illuminates from this vision inspires others to follow this remarkable and inspiring example.

With humble greetings and respects,

Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche

*Her Eminence Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is a lama from the Nyingmapa Mahabuddha Vihara, Clementown, Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

Blessed Divinities,
Om Namo Narayanaya!
Homage unto the Lord!

My loving pranams to all those who have gathered here to attend this Interreligious Retreat. In the name of Worshipful Sat Gurudev Sri Swami Shivananda Maharaj and Revered Sri Swami Chidananda Maharaj I humbly place before you this brief message for the auspicious occasion of the Birth Centenary of Sri Swami Abhishiktananda Maharaj.

It is a great joy for me to mention that Sri Swami Abhishiktananda and Sri Swami Chidananda were great friends and often used to discuss together matters pertaining not only to spiritual but also secular affairs. There was a close spiritual bond between them.

Dissemination of spiritual knowledge was the first priority for Gurudev. Swami Abhishiktananda, during his life time, has done a great contribution to this by enabling numerous French speaking people to have insights into Advaita and the wisdom of the Upanishads. To mention one among them is Marc who, inspired by the writings of Swami Abhishiktananda, renounced everything, took sannyasa from Swami Chidananda after having first hand experience of what he had read and, by becoming Swami Ajatananda, plunged himself into complete seclusion. I am glad that we are able to hold a function in order to commemorate the Birth Centenary of such a great saint who has left a legacy for the world of spirituality.

Saints are universal. They may be from varied backgrounds but their goal is the same though they may be taking different means. It is a welcome thing that saints from different order gather together to know about each others background. This would definitely end up in building more harmony and greater understanding among all. The traditions of different orders are to be respected and recognized. May all this lead to one common goal i.e. prevailing of peace and happiness among humanity.

I wish this interreligious meeting a grand success. May the choicest blessings of all saints, past and present, be ever upon each one of us.

With kind regards, Prem and Om,
Yours in the service of Gurudev,

*H.H. Sri Swami Vimalananda Saraswati is the President of the Divine Life Society, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh.

My hearty congratulations and good wishes to dear Swami Atmananda and other members of Ajatananda Ashram on the Opening of the Interreligious Retreat and the Blessing Ceremony of the new meditation hall on the auspicious occasion of the Birth Centenary of the great inspired saint Pujya Swami Abhishiktananda.

I pray that the seekers of Truth and sannyasis of different traditions meditate and remember God at this holy place more and more. “Truth is one; paths are many”. The difference in the paths is due to the individual differences in temperament, personal interest and capacity to follow a particular path. Therefore there are bound to be differences among the various spiritual paths until the path leads to the highest spiritual goal and the path itself converges into the goal. It also implies that there will be more harmony and understanding among the followers of different paths if the common spiritual goal is nothing less than the Realization of the infinite, eternal and absolute Truth/Bliss/Consciousness which is the essential Reality of all that exists. Only that highest spiritual goal can bond all together.

Again my prayer is that more and more spiritual seekers be able to meditate here and tread the path divine and radiate love and harmony to all.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti!

*H. H. Sri Chandra Swami Udasin is the President of Sadhana Kendra Ashram, Domet, Dehradun (Uttarakhand).

Essentially, all religions teach us to discipline and transform ourselves so that we can achieve inner peace and a kind heart. In this era of rapid advancement, material development has brought with it an undue emphasis on external progress. As a result we often forget to foster the most basic human need for kindness, love, cooperation and caring. Yet, the very development of human society is founded on such a basis. So, preserving our essential humanity involves cultivating a sense of responsibility for our fellow human beings.

Every religious faith has made a significant contribution to humanity for centuries past. In the future too, religious traditions can help us promote peace in our own respective communities and bring about harmony and understanding between neighbours. Whatever differences exist between us in philosophical terms, the important thing is for all believers to put the teaching of their respective religions into practice in their day-to-day life.

Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to know that the Ajatananda Ashram has been established as an interreligious ashram in Rishikesh. The creation of such facilities in the peaceful and sacred atmosphere of Rishikesh will allow practitioners of different religious traditions to share their spiritual experiences and insights with each other. Scholars will be able to discuss and study what is in common, rather than what is different, among our various religious traditions. Finally, and perhaps most important, simple followers of different traditions will be able to practise, meditate and pray together. I firmly believe that steps such as these will foster a greater general respect among religious traditions, which, in turn, will help to promote harmony in society.

The God who is present everywhere in this human world of ours will also be present upon this occasion through His Pervasive Divine Presence. This will make the ceremony a Divine Ceremony.

Sri Swami Ajatanandaji felt the all-pervasive Presence of God and experienced His omnipresence while he was absorbed in his renunciation, in His Presence and his meditation. He lived a life where God-Realization was the centre of his experience. God’s all-pervasive Presence was the fact of his life.

The Sanskrit word ‘ajata’ means, ‘that which is not born’. It is the human body that takes birth. Swami Ajatanandaji did not identify himself with the body. He identified himself with the Immortal Soul which is all pervading, eternal, immortal and infinite. Time, space, birth or death do not have any meaning in this state.

I am bedridden due to my old age which has crossed ninety years. Otherwise I would have been present for the occasion. Nevertheless, my spiritual presence will be there on Sunday, November, 5th 2006.

I wish the entire function fullest success and may the hearts of all attending the function be elevated into a state where they feel the presence of Almighty God and Swami Ajatananda as well.

May Ajatananda Ashram be a centre of prayer, meditation, God-absorption and spiritual retreat.

With regards, Prem and Om!

Yours at the Divine Feet of Holy Master Swami Shivanandaji.

*H.H. Sri Swami Chidananda Saraswati is the former President of the Divine Life Society, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh.

I extend my hearty good wishes to dear Swami Atmanandaji and pray that this Ashram may become a genuine place of sadhana for seekers of Truth from different traditions and that, it may further and foster love, understanding and harmony among individuals and within the society. I also congratulate Swami Atmanandaji and others who worked to build this Ashram as a place of spiritual sadhana open to all without any distinction of cast and creed.

There is one supreme Reality/Truth underlying all apparent diversity. In fact all the diversity belongs to that One without a second – ekam-eva-advitiya. This endless diversity is not the limitation but the glory of the infinite Lord who is the inmost essence of all beings. The ultimate aim of human life is to realize this timeless immortal Reality which is Life absolute, Bliss absolute, Truth absolute and Love absolute. By abiding in this absolute Reality alone one feels fulfilled in all the ways and for all the times.

Since this Ashram is a monastic (sannyasa) ashram, I would like to quote the third shloka of the fifth chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita which beautifully brings out the real nature of sannyasa:

“The one who neither hates anyone nor desires anything, should ever be considered a sannyasi. For, O Arjuna! Free from the pairs of opposite, such a one is liberated easily from the bondage.”

Ashram is a place where Seekers of Truth live together harmoniously in a disciplined way sharing and treading the path of God-Realization.

Of course, the methods, the nature of sadhana, the outer symbols of sadhana always differ from person to person. Acknowledging humbly that the differences in the various religions/traditions/paths/rituals/symbols are the wonderful glories of the infinite Lord, the respect for other spiritual paths is in fact, the respect shown to the supreme Lord.

The true saints of different traditions feel a natural spiritual affinity and brotherhood with all because they have tasted the ‘One without a second’. So there can not be disharmony amongst inspired sages. Actually, it is the religious leaders and general masses of different religious traditions, who need to develop tolerance, acceptance and respect for the other religious traditions. It may be mentioned here that there is complete freedom in Hinduism to choose the path of God-Realization according to one’s temperament or tradition. This spirit of tolerance and acceptance of diversity needs to be strengthened more and more. The saints and sages of different religious traditions can contribute a lot in this direction and promote interreligious harmony. A true spiritual life is the deepest spiritual meeting point of all humanity, and the Ashram life lived purposefully and rightly is a most conducive way for the realization of Truth and spiritual oneness of all beings.

May the Lord bless the Ajatananda Ashram, its monks and seekers who would live here in future that they be able to see the Light divine and radiate love and harmony amongst all beings.

My humble pranams at the holy feet of all the saints and sages present here and prayers for the well-being of all.

Om shanti shanti shanti!

*H. H. Sri Chandra Swami Udasin is the President of Sadhana Kendra Ashram, Domet, Dehradun (Uttarakhand).