Jay Swaminarayan

BAPS Guru Purnima Webcast from July 2nd/3rd 2012 (ગુરુ પૂર્ણિમા સંપૂર્ણ વિડીઓ ૨/૩ જુલાઈ ૨૦૧૨ )

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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the full video of the BAPS Guru Purnima Webcast from July 2nd/3rd 2012.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">ગુરુ પૂર્ણિમા સંપૂર્ણ  વિડીઓ  ૨/૩ જુલાઈ ૨૦૧૨ </span></b></div>
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BAPS Guru Purnima Webcast from July 2nd/3rd 2012 (ગુરુ પૂર્ણિમા સંપૂર્ણ વિડીઓ ૨/૩ જુલાઈ ૨૦૧૨ )

This is the full video of the BAPS Guru Purnima Webcast from July 2nd/3rd 2012. ગુરુ પૂર્ણિમા સંપૂર્ણ વિડીઓ ૨/૩ જુલાઈ ૨૦૧૨ ...

"Big Picture - Small Action" - Very Inspire Speech

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જય સ્વામીનારાયણ મિત્રો...<br />
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ઘણી વાર કોઈ નાની ક્રિયા દ્વારા થયેલ કાર્ય ઘણું મોટું પરિણામ લાવી શકે છે...<br />
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આ બહુજ ટૂંકા પરંતુ અદભૂત વક્તવ્યમાં આપને તે વિષે વધારે માહિતી મળશે... સર્વે અવશ્ય જુએ તથા ગ્રુપમાં સર્વેને લાભ લેવા પ્રેરે...<br />
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"Big Picture - Small Action" - Very Inspire Speech

જય સ્વામીનારાયણ મિત્રો... ઘણી વાર કોઈ નાની ક્રિયા દ્વારા થયેલ કાર્ય ઘણું મોટું પરિણામ લાવી શકે છે... આ બહુજ ટૂંકા પરંતુ અદભૂત વક્તવ્ય...

બોચાસણવાસી શ્રી અક્ષર-પુરુષોત્તમ સ્વામીનારાયણ સંસ્થા (BAPS) નો પરિચય...સંસ્થાના વિદ્વાન સંત પૂજ્ય શ્રીહરીસ્વામીના શ્રીમુખે...

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બોચાસણવાસી શ્રી અક્ષર-પુરુષોત્તમ સ્વામીનારાયણ સંસ્થા (BAPS) નો પરિચય...સંસ્થાના વિદ્વાન સંત પૂજ્ય શ્રીહરીસ્વામીના શ્રીમુખે...<br />
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બોચાસણવાસી શ્રી અક્ષર-પુરુષોત્તમ સ્વામીનારાયણ સંસ્થા (BAPS) નો પરિચય...સંસ્થાના વિદ્વાન સંત પૂજ્ય શ્રીહરીસ્વામીના શ્રીમુખે...

Pramuh Swami Maharaj: A Life of Inspiration

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramuh Swami Maharaj: A Life of Inspiration</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To think is great, to live is greater and to inspire is the greatest gift to society.</span></div>
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Dr. Valavanur Subramaniam of New York is the world renowned cardiac 
surgeon who had successfully operated on Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1998. 
Himself an agnostic who worshipped work and karma alone, he shared his 
personal experience of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s power to inspire with a 
fellow professional, Dr. Atul Chokshi.  Dr. Subramaniam said, “You read 
the Gita daily, but today I’ll show you someone who lives the Gita 
daily, and can help you live it.” The enlightened Guru can help us 
‘live’ the scriptures, primarily because he lives them himself. He is 
the living link, the live connection between the metaphysical and the 
material world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In his book ‘Modern Man in Search of a Soul’, psychologist and 
psychiatrist Dr. Carl G. Jung concludes that a ‘spiritual outlook’ and a
 ‘real live guru’ are the necessities of our time for inner stability 
and peace. Citing his personal experience in his autobiography, 
‘Memories, Dreams, Reflections’, Dr. Jung, who himself had guided and 
treated thousands, admits: “In my darkness (of mind) I could have wished
 for nothing better than a real, live guru, someone possessing superior 
knowledge and ability, who would have disentangled for me the 
involuntary creations of my imagination.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With depression predicted to become the second-most common disease by
 2020 and looming as one of the biggest threats to civilized society, we
 may not have long to wait before ‘spiritual outlook’ or a ‘guru’ 
becomes a biological need for human survival.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a real, live guru specializes in inspiring 
and instilling spirituality, and become a limitless source of peace and 
tranquility to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Emotional Stability</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wisdom for life: Paramatma is the all-doer 
and provider of inner strength to cope with all controllable or 
uncontrollable, individual or collective crises of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whether it be a depressed student or a runaway child, a collapsed 
businessman or a frustrated wife, a broken marriage or a loss of a job 
or death of a loved one, people overcome their emotional trials through 
Pramukh Swami’s care, counseling and wisdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One historic account is the Ugandan exodus in 1972, when thousands of
 wealthy, well-settled Indians were slaughtered, uprooted and driven 
out, penniless with nowhere to run. Sir Charles Cunningham describes in 
the foreword to ‘Life and Philosophy of Shree Swaminarayan’: “We have 
seen recently, in a very striking way, how this ability to draw strength
 from cultural and religious continuity can help in facing the 
unpredictable trials of modern life. When nearly thirty thousand people 
were suddenly expelled from Uganda and had to come, often penniless, to 
start a new life in Great Britain, their calmness and dignity, their 
readiness to accept hardship, the uncomplaining way in which so many of 
them who had known success and prosperity began again at the bottom of 
the ladder, impressed us greatly. It was evident that they had been 
sustained by a deep religious faith which had enabled them to accept 
adversity and to rise above it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Many of these were Swaminarayan devotees. Not only did they survive 
as refugees, but soon restored their wealth and status, overcame this 
emotional nightmare, and in 1995 built the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
 in Neasden, London, hailed as the first and the largest traditional 
Hindu mandir in the West by the Guinness World Records. Though 
architecturally, this mandir is considered a wonder of the modern world,
 it is a greater wonder of unflagging spiritual faith; a timeless symbol
 of the love, devotion and dedication of simple devotees towards their 
God and Guru, and their miraculous story of resilience and resurgence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Moral Purity</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wisdom for life: Paramatma is the all-knower 
generates a conscience of uprightness, honesty and unshakeable 
integrity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The hallmark of a BAPS Swaminarayan devotee, whether a child, youth or adult, is his or her moral strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Incidents abound. From Narsinh Solanki of Ahmedabad, working as a 
simple electricity meter reader who refused to accept bribe to a girl in
 Nadiad taking her final secondary exams who declined to cheat and copy 
despite the fact that the rest of the class was freely copying; one 
wonders how teenagers like Vipul Patel, studying at Harvard, and 
students like Amar, Yogen and Sanjay at Oxford, Cambridge and IIT 
willingly stop watching films and television for life! And how officers 
like Prakash Mehta in the US Army and many more in multi-national 
corporations continue to avoid meat and alcohol despite being posted in 
remote outposts. Or for that matter, why educated young men, of varying 
backgrounds, intellects and talents are inspired to embrace the most 
sublime levels of morality in the form of renunciation. The answer they 
all give – Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Social Responsibility</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wisdom for life: Paramatma is in everyone and everything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Focusing on this, he has groomed his devotees to respect and serve 
others. To accept and appreciate others. To rise above the differences 
of personal beliefs and backgrounds, social castes and communities and 
serve society with dignity and responsibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Pramukh Swami Maharaj has created a committed volunteer force of 
55,000 selfless volunteers who serve with devotion, dedication and 
almost zero administrative cost. Through a worldwide network of 3,850 
centers and a million members, BAPS performs over 160 humanitarian 
services in areas as diverse as environmental, educational, medical, 
tribal, social, cultural and spiritual. It is one of the select few NGOs
 of India that are affiliated to the United Nations for its 
international services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To cite a recent example: in hours after the Gujarat earthquake near 
Bhuj on 26 January 2001, Pramukh Swami was amongst the first to send in 
volunteers and supplies. Over 6,500 volunteers reached 409 affected 
villages, rescuing victims, distributing hundreds of tons of relief 
supplies, serving 1.8 million hot meals, finally constructing 49 schools
 for 15,000 students and rehabilitating 15 villages by building and 
rehabilitating 4,190 houses. Over 91,000 patients were provided free 
medical treatment while 2,500 were given employment assistance. It is 
regarded as perhaps the largest and most humane social responsibility 
shouldered by a socio-spiritual NGO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://www.thesouthasiantimes.info/upload/2015/January/10/with_a-patient20150110151513_l.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of most magnanimous and exemplary act of restraint and 
responsibility by Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his satsangis, was the calm,
 controlled and peaceful response to the inhuman terrorist attack on 
Akshardham on 24 September 2002. It helped dissolve fuming hatred, 
diffused the haunting threat of mass riots and violence and restored 
peace and equilibrium in Gujarat.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On 2 October 2004, Deepal Trevedie wrote in The Asian Age: “Gujarat 
Regained: Akshardham has restored Gujarat’s pride in itself. The 
Swaminarayan sect and the various swamis associated with it provided 
solace in a manner befitting their vocation. Pramukh Swami is an 
influential figure and everyone, from President Abdul Kalam to Prime 
Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, spoke to him within an hour of the 
attack… He kept stressing on the need for peace. The Swaminarayan saints
 stress that philosophy and spiritualism have to be grounded in social 
realities... The Akshardham tragedy has instilled a fresh sense of 
confidence that Gujarat need not burn at every spark that is ignited.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Spiritual Continuity</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s wisdom for life: I am atma, and Paramatma is eternally with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Realizing oneself as atma, which is not born and does not die, and 
offering devotion to Paramatma creates an exalted spiritual state that 
is far beyond the momentary experiences of meditation, visions, and 
well-being. Through satsang and spiritual endeavors people rise above 
worldly desires and fears! Even beyond the fear of death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bhagwanji Mandavia, was a dynamic business administrator in Toronto. 
Active in the Indo-Canada Federation, and guiding the Gujarati 
community, he was enjoying success at its best. Then in 1985 he was 
diagnosed as having blood cancer. Not disclosing it to anyone except a 
close friend or two, he continued with his life. All throughout, his 
satsang with Pramukh Swami Maharaj had strengthened him beyond belief. 
By 1988, he was hospitalized for a bone-marrow transplant. All the pains
 and pressures of loneliness, illness, depression and death were upon 
him. Still, his smile never lost its luster nor did his voice lose its 
vibrancy. No wonder, while he phoned his friends, almost dying on his 
bed, they still thought Bhagwanji was in office! His inner strength and 
stability is spelt in the reply he wrote before his death to his brother
 in India who had expressed great grief about his terminal illness! 
“Physical pain comes to one and all. So one must never worry about 
disease and death. One must never leave the refuge of a saint like 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj in whom God resides. Our faith in God and Swamiji 
should remain unshakeable.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>In the Joy of Others Lies Our Own</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj is 94 years old and until the past few years, 
he has continued to travel from home to home, hut to hut, not resting in
 one place, meeting, counseling and addressing thousands daily. Through 
schools, hospitals and hundreds of social projects, he serves humanity 
day and night. He lives by the words he often speaks, “In the good of 
others lies our own, in the progress of others lies our own.” He lives 
for others, not for himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1980, Bob Kaplan, solicitor-general of Canada, in his letter to 
Pramukh Swami emphasized his importance in this present world, “You are 
good pious people. If the whole world took you as an example it would be
 a better place, free of crime, of war and self-destruction. I believe 
you have valid answers to life’s toughest questions.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On 8 February 2004, the President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in 
his public address recounted how Pramukh Swami Maharaj had guided him to
 include a spiritual component in the five areas of development. Then he
 narrated his personal experience of meeting Pramukh Swami: “I have met 
(and visited) in India almost all the religious places and religious 
leaders. Every religion I visited looked like a beautiful orchard. But 
when I came out of the religion, from the orchard, I found that the 
orchards are all like islands. Each orchard, each religion is beautiful 
but is an island. But, how do we connect the religions? Compassion and 
love! A bridge we need. When I met Pramukh Swami Maharaj... I got a 
feeling, here is a Swamiji, a spiritual soul, who has got compassion and
 love and spiritual force he was radiating from himself to others.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Inspiration in all aspects of life is Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s greatest gift to mankind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Deep Compassion</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Through personal meetings, letters and home visits, Pramukh Swami 
Maharaj’s compassion has consoled countless people throughout the world.
 Whenever someone is in a difficult situation or drowned in grief, his 
compassion heals and rejuvenates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When Harshad Chavda, a youth who had been serving in the BAPS for 
many years, met with a car accident, Pramukh Swami Maharaj wrote him a 
20-page letter to express his serious regret for not being able to serve
 him personally: “The news (of your accident) brings me much pain. I am 
praying to God for your speedy recovery. I am praying for you in my 
morning puja as well. I also feel the pain you are suffering. I should 
be serving you in your time of need, because you have always selflessly 
served with great understanding and enthusiasm, and without concern for 
your health, hunger or thirst, or time of day. I can never serve you 
enough to make it up! The fact that I cannot serve you now is causing me
 immense sorrow.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Prabhashankarbhai Pandya of Ahmedabad, an elderly devotee from 
Shastriji Maharaj’s time, recalls a moving incident to illustrate 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s compassion: “Once, I arrived in Atladra for the 
Vasant Panchmi festival at around 2am. Everyone was asleep, and there 
was no place for me to sleep. I decided to rest at the foot of the steps
 leading up to the assembly hall, using my bag as a makeshift pillow. At
 around 5:30am I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Pragat Bhagat, 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s attendant. I saw a blanket wrapped around my 
body. “Who covered me with this blanket?” I asked him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pragat Bhagat replied, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj had come in the middle of the night and covered you with his blanket.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pervasive Peace</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">R.K. Laxman, the renowned cartoonist of The Times of India, is a 
close friend of  Dr Abdul Kalam. After the opening of Akshardham in New 
Delhi in November 2005, President  Kalam repeatedly suggested that the 
Mumbai based political cartoonist visit the newly opened complex. Laxman
 visited Swaminarayan Akshardham for two days and then came to meet 
Pramukh Swami Mahara and was mesmerized by his darshan, commenting, “If I
 hadn’t accepted his (Dr Kalam’s) invitation, I would have missed out on
 the chance of a lifetime. I don’t have words to describe it. I will 
never forget this experience.” Tears trickled from the corner of his 
eyes, reflecting the deep emotional impact Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 
presence had made on Laxman in that brief meeting. Everyone was amazed 
to see the nation’s boldest critic in tears! He managed to says just 
three words, “Nothing to say. Nothing to say.” Leaving the room after 
having Swami Maharaj’s darshan, he said, “It feels like I was swept in a
 whirlwind of peace and stability.” The experience changed R.K. Laxman, 
and his wife was the first to notice, “I have never seen my husband so 
amazed, so touched. It is a miracle.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s truthfulness is highlighted by his 
transparency and straightforwardness. Once in Bochasan (the birthplace 
of BAPS in Gujarat), he had told the swamis seated in front of him. “If 
there is one thing I dislike, it is deceit and manipulation.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thousands of local devotees and people flock to get a glimpse of 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj when he is in a particular city or town. Hundreds 
line up to meet him and receive his blessings everyday. After one such 
exhausting day, Janmangal Swami decided to amuse Pramukh Swami Maharaj. 
He said, “Didn’t you get tired of blessing five thousand devotees 
individually? Putting your hand on each one is a physically straining 
task. You should consider using a wooden hand attached to a motor and 
blessing every devotee that comes to meet you with that!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami interrupted, “Why would you want to deceive the people?
 I don’t like fake things.” Though the incident seems trivial, it 
highlights Pramukh Swami’s honesty and transparency. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Always Thinking of God</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 1993 Pramukh Swami Maharaj was in Kolkata. Unexpectedly, he 
started having dizzy spells. He was immediately brought to Mumbai for a 
medical checkup. The neurosurgeons recommended that an EEG and a BERA 
scan be performed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the BERA test Pramukh Swami Maharaj was told to lie face-up on
 the examination table, and clear his mind. An array of sensors and 
wires were attached to his head and around his ears. After 15 minutes, 
the technician told the attendant swami, “I am not satisfied with the 
readings. Please request Pramukh Swami Maharaj to relax and calm his 
mind.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The attendant explained the instructions to Pramukh Swami Maharaj. 
The second attempt yielded the same results. The technician again asked 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj to remain calm and free of thought.  The 
technician tried a third time. Again, the readings were not 
satisfactory. Pramukh Swami Maharaj then returned to the mandir after 
the incomplete test.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As Pramukh Swami Maharaj was retiring to bed that night, the 
attendant swami explained that the physician had called and said he 
needed to do that test again. Pramukh Swami Maharaj immediately refused.
 Swamishri explained, “I was calm the whole time. I was imagining myself
 sitting in the Akshar Deri in Gondal, meditating upon Bhagwan 
Swaminarayan. Is that not serene and calm enough?”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj can never be free from this thought, since God is forever etched in his mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Purity of Character</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj has transformed the lives of thousands of 
people around the world, and they are a testimony to his contributions 
in purifying society.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A tribal devotee from the village of Uber described his first darshan
 of Swami Maharaj, which changed his life, “I first had your darshan in 
Atladra. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen, but it did. It was 
like a miracle. With your blessings, my entire family has stopped eating
 meat, smoking and drinking. We have been able to bring our tempers 
under control. It has been eight months now, and now I can say that we 
feel 100 percent purified! My adulterous behavior has also gone. I feel 
privileged to have received your blessings.”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On 18 July 1996, a youth came to meet Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 
Dallas, Texas. In 1994, he had promised Pramukh Swami Maharaj that he 
would quit drinking and eating meat. He fell at Pramukh Swami’s feet and
 described his success, “Swami, though it seemed impossible, your 
blessings made my wife’s dream a reality. I have given up eating meat 
and all other addictions. In fact, I don’t even get angry any more. I 
never thought it would be possible, but you made it happen.”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Only one who is clean, pure and spotless can transform the lives of 
others. Thousands of individuals have developed inner purity through 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s blessings and many more are in the process of 
achieving it.</span></div>
</div>

Pramuh Swami Maharaj: A Life of Inspiration

Pramuh Swami Maharaj: A Life of Inspiration To think is great, to live is greater and to inspire is the grea...

Q&A with the Guru

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Q&A with the Guru</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong> How does mankind benefit from Satsang and from temples?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> By going to the temple, man’s
 faith in dharma is strengthened. He develops devotion towards God, his 
life is transformed and his evil instincts are destroyed. The result is 
that he experiences everlasting bliss. He experiences every type of 
peace - at work, in his home, in society and in his mind. Above all, he 
attains spiritual peace in his soul. By doing Satsang, he learns how to 
live in society without becoming entangled in it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Even devotees face hardships in today’s society. Is there an easy way to be free of all these entanglements?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj :</strong> Society exists and with it, 
come responsibilities. It is not easy to live in today’s social climate.
 However, we should keep God in front of us and strive on and learn to 
be content with whatever we get as a result. But we shouldn’t become 
depressed. Think of it as God’s wish and keep going. We should never let
 go of Satsang and puja.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>There is constant friction between the youth and their elders. How can this be resolved?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> Elders tend to be orthodox 
whereas youngsters are full of new ideas. However to say that anyone is 
the cause of such friction is not right. Youths are not ready to accept 
the advice of their elders and the elders are not ready to adapt to the 
views of the youngsters. Basically, both groups should try to understand
 each other. If they can learn to compromise, there won’t be any 
problems.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>If a man is destined to die, what is the purpose of him living?</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> To help others and to attain 
redemption from the cycles of birth and death by offering devotion to 
God. We should also use it (life) to do seva. But be careful not to 
harbor vanity. Always think, ‘I am not doing anything, God is doing it 
all.’ For God gives us the strength and ability. One should live life 
beholding this belief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the spiritual path there are many paradoxes which remain debatable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> Religion is a subject of faith. Logical explanations will never suffice.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Many people attach themselves to a guru simply by seeing him perform a miracle. Is that not negative and harmful to society?</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> Bhagwan Swaminarayan has not 
given much emphasis to the significance of miracles. Of course there is 
such divinity in God, but miracles do not help a man to achieve 
stability in his life. We believe that to change a man’s character for 
the better is the real miracle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Where can one find peace of mind - in money or in God?</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> Money causes strife; only 
spirituality gives one peace. God is the source of all peace and 
harmony. But only those who are worthy can attain such peace. People 
experience ‘peace’ upon receiving perishable objects, which is followed 
by pain when they lose them. Whereas when one receives God’s wealth, one
 receives happiness followed only by more happiness. How rich was 
Narsinh Mehta? Still, through his devotion to God he was at peace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>What should we do so that we can concentrate fully in all our activities and achieve success?</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj:</strong> We have to make an effort to 
concentrate harder. Once we have fixed a goal, all our thoughts should 
be directed towards fulfilling it. To develop intense concentration we 
need to keep a single thought fixed in our minds, read only about that, 
discuss only that topic and stay in an appropriate environment. But if 
we let our thoughts wonder here and there, or if we waste our time in 
trivial actions, then how can we concentrate on our work? To achieve our
 goal we must be fixed in our niyams. If we behave in this manner, then 
we will be successful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>How did you progress?</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj :</strong> If we remain smaller than 
everyone, we become bigger than everyone. But those who try to become 
bigger than the rest end up becoming the smallest. We should never try 
to get ahead at someone else’s expense. Those who help others help 
themselves.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Many youths are drawn towards BAPS. What’s the reason behind that?</strong>         </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj :</strong> My guru Yogiji Maharaj had a
 lot of affection for youngsters. He was a great Saint, a divine person.
 He never had any sort of hypocrisy, and he never tried to be 
artificial. He was never egoistic, nor did he have any prejudices. He 
had the qualities of a true Sadhu. His own life was very pure. His life 
was his message. He was an example for us all. Thus children and youths 
were drawn to him.           </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Will honesty and truth ever succeed in this world?</strong>    </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj :</strong> Only they will be 
victorious! Only through them will we attain peace. Even if we only have
 a hut as a home, we will still be content. There is nothing greater 
than being happy at heart!        </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>How can one attain everlasting peace of mind?</strong>        </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj :</strong> By daily prayer and reading 
the scriptures. By doing a little every day our mind will become calm. 
Also, realize God as the all-doer and that whatever happens in our life 
is for our own benefit. Think: ‘I may have been heading into trouble, 
and He saved me.’ By keeping that thought we will never be shocked or 
upset in times of failure or disappointment. Our efforts are never in 
vain. Sometimes if we don’t succeed, we should think that it’s for the 
best. That way we will not become frustrated. By offering daily prayer 
and doing Sant samagam our mind will experience peace.</span></div>
</div>

Q&A with the Guru

Q&A with the Guru How does mankind benefit from Satsang and from temples? Pramukh...

Appreciations for the Divine Inspiration

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Appreciations for the Divine Inspiration</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pramukh Swami Maharaj is respected and adored by countless 
people throughout the world. From the United Nations to the smallest 
tribal villages of Gujarat, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has been showered with
 praises and respect. The true reason behind his fame is his pure, 
divine spirituality, character and selfless service to society. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Countless world, spiritual and community leaders have expressed their 
admiration for Pramukh Swami Maharaj.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are some of the opinions from dignitaries:</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> People around the world are starting to realize that power and 
material objects do not yield peace. They are turning to spirituality 
and religion to fill a void in their lives. Religion and spirituality is
 the key. Your swamis are setting an example of content, co-existence 
and selfless service. There is an ideal for all of mankind. His name is 
Pramukh Swami Maharaj.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- The Dalai Lama</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Pramukh Swami Maharaj is always considerate, simple and humble. He 
leads a multinational organization, yet is always relaxed. He is as 
light as a flower. He is able to do so because he has surrendered 
himself to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He continues to serve society with the 
aim to please God. He thinks nothing of himself. He is just a means. God
 works through him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Pujya Shri Chidananand Swami,</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Divya Jivan Sangh, Rishikesh</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Spiritual progress and liberation can only be attained in the 
company of a God-realized sadhu. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a God-realized
 sadhu. His presence rids people of their materialistic desires.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Pujya Swami Chinmayanandji,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the late founder of Chinmaya Mission</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Buddha, Mahavir, Rama, Krishna, Kabir, Nanak and other sadhus and 
avatars have enriched and enhanced Indian culture. We are all waiting 
for someone else to come along and lead Indian Culture. By God’s grace 
we have attained such a person. His name is Pramukh Swami Maharaj. If we
 want to unite India, it will be possible under the leadership of 
Pramukh Swami. He is not the leader of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya only;
 he is the leader of Hindu Dharma.  Not only Hindu Dharma, but he is the
 leader of Indian society.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Jain Acharya Muni Sushilkumarji,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the late founder of World Fellowship of Religions</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life is an extraordinary example of love and
 harmony. If the entire nation were to take a cue from him and live by 
those standards, it would solve all of our problems. He has sacrificed 
in the true sense.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Acharya Mahapragyaji,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the late Jain Acharya, Terapanth</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life is an example of spiritual beauty. That
 beauty shines throughout India and the world as he continues to guide 
mankind on the path to spirituality. He loves unconditionally and 
forgives. Revenge and vengeance are never to be seen in his life. This 
is illustrated in his credo:  In the joy of others lies our own…</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Dr Rowan Williams,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">104th Archbishop of Canterbury</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s humility and selfless love have touched my heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- HRH Prince Charles</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Prince of Wales</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> When I look into his eyes, they are filled with integrity. I saw in 
his eyes that he is a man who has not come ahead by eclipsing others. He
 has come forward by always placing others before him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- President Bill Clinton,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">former President, United States of America</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I feel a very strong and divine aura in his presence. I feel at 
peace in his presence. I forget about all my worries and difficulties. 
He truly loves people unconditionally. That is why he is able to counsel
 and take part in their difficulties and problems. Their problems become
 his problems. I can see it in him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">former President of India</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I had the fortune to meet Pramukh Swami Maharaj ten years ago. I was
 impressed then and I am impressed now. I experience spirituality like 
never before. It is unique. Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s spirit of social 
reform is living through Pramukh Swami Maharaj.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Tony Blair,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">former Prime Minister, United Kingdom</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The BAPS Swaminarayan  Complex  (Toronto) stands as a testament to 
Canada and India’s proud tradition of pluralism. I’d  also  like  to 
 commend  this  organization for the role you’ve played over the years 
in fostering  peaceful  coexistence  among  all  communities through 
heightened understanding and co-operation, while   preserving   heritage
 and faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Stephen Harper,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prime Minister of Canada</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Despite being the President of BAPS, I have seen Pramukh Swami 
Maharaj perform menial seva in Sarangpur. ‘I am the President of this 
organization. I cannot perform such ordinary tasks.’ This kind of pride 
doesn’t exist even in the deepest corner of his mind. He doesn’t have 
the slightest trace of ego. He sees God in all.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Justice B.J. Divan,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the late Chief Justice, Gujarat High Court</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a great spiritual leader. I have met him 
quite a few times and each time I experience peace. Very few people’s 
presence gives you that feeling. It is a feeling of spiritual elevation.
 Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s presence has a mesmerizing effect. What 
surprises me the most is his ability to motivate and inspire so many 
people. It is always a pleasure and fortune to have his darshan.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Dr R. Chidambaram,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Emergence of  Swaminarayan  Akshardham Temple in New Delhi signals the beginning of resurgence of India’s great Vedic culture.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Dr Vijay Bhatkar,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Architect of Param Supercomputer project, and Padma Shri recipient</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Along with his spiritual activities, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has 
contributed a lot to society through his social initiatives. His work is
 immeasurable. I bow my head in reverence to his contributions to 
society and mankind.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Ramakrishna Bajaj,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the late founder of Bajaj Group of Industries</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Oh! What a humble man. What a divine man! I’ve yet to see such 
people in abundance. One of the very rare souls that our country has. I 
have not travelled far and wide, I have gone to some countries, but he 
is one of the most impressive men I have met in my life; very dedicated,
 spiritually very high, at the same time wonderful organizing capacity. 
Pramukh Swami is so silent, at the same time making so many people so 
active.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-H.H. Atmanand Swami,</span></span></b></div>
<b>

</b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the late Head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Raipur</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>

Appreciations for the Divine Inspiration

Appreciations for the Divine Inspiration Pramukh Swami Maharaj is respected and adored by countless people thro...

BAPS: Mission, Philosophy & Global Spread from My view

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS: Mission, Philosophy & Global Spread</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Introduction</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a 
worldwide Hindu organization dedicated to the collective spiritual and 
social progress of society by promoting harmony between individuals, 
within families and amongst diverse communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Since 1971, under the leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS North America has been serving with an emphasis on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">     </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> • Spirituality<br /> • Family Unity<br /> • Cultural Heritage<br /> • Humanitarian Services<br /> • Child and Youth Development</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Mission</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS                      aims to serve communities, families and individuals by:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">CARING                   for their spiritual, cultural, social, physical, emotional and educational needs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INSPIRING               all towards a pure and peaceful way of 
life:Filled with character, love, tolerance and harmony; Free from 
addictions and vices; Rooted in the values of co-existence and service.<br />
SUSTAINING                       the universal values of Hindu culture.<br />
FOSTERING              faith and devotion in God through Satsang.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Child & Youth Development</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The true prosperity of our world lies in our children and youth. The 
values we instill in our children and youth today will allow them to 
mold their lives for a better future. BAPS promotes personal development
 of our children and youth through an emphasis on spiritual, family and 
cultural activities.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS Children’s and Youth Activities have helped our youth become 
responsible and contributing members of society. These 
character-building and inspiring activities include the following:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
• Children’s Sabha (Spiritual Assemblies)<br />
• Art Classes<br />
• Parents’ Awareness Forums<br />
• Cooking Classes<br />
• Assemblies for Students on College Campuses     <br />
• SAT Classes<br />
• Educational Awareness & Tutoring<br />
• Career Fairs<br />
• “Experience India” Trips    <br />
• Language Classes<br />
• Festival Celebrations          <br />
• Music Classes<br />
• Folk Dances & Musical Performances       <br />
• Yoga Classes<br />
• Athletic Events & Tournaments     <br />
• Conventions<br />
• Outings & Educational Retreats<br />
 </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Cultural Heritage</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hindu culture is a beautiful mosaic of art, music, dance, cuisine and
 festivals with roots dating back thousands of years. BAPS celebrates 
Hindu culture through various cultural events and educational programs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Through various activities, BAPS encourages younger generations to 
experience the beauty and richness of Hindu culture and to develop a 
sense of identity and pride in their heritage.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS is an integral part of the Indian American community in North America in celebrating our shared culture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>The Value of Family</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Emphasizing the value of families, BAPS encourages parents and 
children to regularly hold ghar sabha - a gathering of family members in
 the home that provides a platform for spiritual development and mutual 
understanding.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the 15 to 30 minutes of ghar sabha, family members pray, read 
and discuss spiritual and inspiring literature. They also discuss issues
 facing one another or the family to foster open communication.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS also stresses the importance of family meals or samuh bhojan - a
 family dinner in which all members put aside other obligations and 
spend time together eating, talking and enjoying each other’s’ company.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In mandirs, BAPS organizes parents’ meetings where parents learn how 
to improve communication with their children and develop unity within 
the family, while children learn ways in which they may better 
understand their parents.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS emphasizes the need for communication, love and understanding as
 a means to achieving family unity. It also provides methods to maintain
 family harmony.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Satsang: Spiritual Guidance</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Satsang is association with the Satpurush (God-realized Guru), Bhakta
 (devotee) or Bhagwan (God). It is practiced through devotion to God, 
the study of scriptures and observance of dharma (code of conduct).</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Satsang provides deeper knowledge of the atma (soul) and God. Through
 this knowledge, one develops the patience, courage and understanding to
 face the ups and downs of life with stability and peace of mind.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This same transformative power helps to free individuals from 
addictions and remove inner vices such as lust, ego, anger, envy and 
greed.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the primary means for strengthening one’s personal Satsang is 
weekly Satsang Sabha (spiritual assembly), organized in every BAPS 
center around the world. Here devotees come together and enjoy spiritual
 discourses, scriptural readings and devotional singing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>SATSANG PROGRAMS:</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Satsang Sabha</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Celebrations of Festivals</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Cultural Programs</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Satsang Shibirs (Seminars)</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Samuh Puja (Group Worship)</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Seva (Volunteer Services)</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Goshti (Group Discussions)</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">   • Group Outings</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>MORNING PUJA</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An essential personal practice for strengthening one’s personal 
satsang is daily morning puja (worship). Every BAPS Swaminarayan devotee
 begins his or her day by performing the morning puja, which involves 
mansi (meditation), introspection,  mantrajaap (spiritual chanting), 
prayer and scriptural reading. Regular practice of morning puja 
strengthens spiritual values and devotion to God.<br />
 </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Mandirs & Cultural Centers</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To cater to the needs of the individual, family and community, Hindu 
scriptures and traditions have prescribed the following three types of 
mandirs: Shikharbaddh mandir, Hari mandir and Ghar mandir.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shikharbaddh mandirs are built according to the ancient texts of 
Hindu architecture. These magnificent structures, made from hand-carved 
stones, are masterpieces of ancient art and architecture.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS Shikharbaddh mandirs are also typically adjoined by Satsang 
Activities Centers, which provide facilities for various cultural, 
social and spiritual activities.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These mandirs’ facilities include: Prayer & Assembly Hall, 
Children’s and Youth Activities Areas, Classrooms, Exhibitions, Dining 
Area, Gardens and Gift Shop.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hari mandirs, although not made from stone like traditional 
Shikharbaddh mandirs, also provide similar facilities for spiritual, 
cultural and social activities.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ghar mandirs are small mandirs in devotees’ homes, where family 
members gather for puja, morning and evening Arti (prayer) and Thal 
(offering  of food).</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781 - 1830)</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Born in 1781 in northern India, Bhagwan Swaminarayan brought about a 
social and spiritual renewal to a society plagued by corruption and 
immorality. He revitalized the values of Sanatan Hindu Dharma and 
established the Swaminarayan Sampraday. He inspired devotees to live 
moral and spiritual lives by observing five basic principles: 
addiction-free living, vegetarianism, refraining from stealing, 
abstaining from committing adultery and maintaining purity of the mind, 
body and soul.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Gunatitanand Swami (1785 - 1867)</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He extolled 
Bhagwan  Swaminarayan’s true glory as God through his inspiring 
discourses, profound saintliness, matchless wisdom, and constant rapport
 with God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Bhagatji Maharaj (1829 - 1897)</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Second spiritual successor. He had an intense desire to worship God 
and serve his Guru, Gunatitanand Swami. His life is a story of 
tremendous effort to follow the wishes of his Guru. Although not a 
saffron- clad renunciate, his spiritual enlightenment singled him out as
 successor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Shastriji Maharaj (1865 - 1951)</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Third spiritual successor. He was a profound scholar of Sanskrit and 
ancient Hindu scriptures and a magnetic orator. He founded the BAPS 
Swaminarayan Sanstha and propagated the core philosophy propounded by 
Bhagwan Swaminarayan - to worship Purushottam (God) along with Akshar, 
His ideal devotee.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Yogiji Maharaj (1892 - 1971)</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fourth spiritual successor. He was a great visionary. who, with an 
ever-smiling and joyous visage, devotion, love and tolerance attracted 
many young people to spirituality. He initiated many young, learned 
swamis and started BAPS youth & children’s activities.<br />
 </span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Pramukh Swami Maharaj</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor 
of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the present leader of BAPS.  He leads an 
ascetic life of lifetime celibacy without personal wealth. His 
compassion for humanity and caring nature have touched and inspired 
countless people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">His inspiring call, “In the joy of others, lies our own...” reflects 
the spirit of his life and work. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has travelled 
from large cities to remote villages to foster love, peace, harmony, 
spirituality and faith within individuals - irrespective of race, class,
 creed or color. His unique combination of spirituality and leadership 
inspires hundreds of thousands of devotees around the world.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>LIFE & WORK:</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Initiated as a swami in1940</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Traveled to over 17,000 villages, towns and cities<br />
in 50 nations</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Visited more than 250,000 homes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Personally written more than 700,000 letters to comfort and guide individuals</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Delivered more than 25,000 discourses spreading the message of love, spirituality and faith</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Built more than 1,100 Mandirs and Cultural Centers worldwide to uphold the values and beliefs of Hinduism</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Initiated over 930 young individuals into a life of renunciation, spirituality and the service of others</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Created Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Created grand stone mandirs in Houston, Chicago,  Toronto, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Robbinsville</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Philosophy</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The members of BAPS are part of the Swaminarayan Sampraday 
(Swaminarayan Faith) - the Hindu Bhakti Sampraday founded by Bhagwan 
Swaminarayan.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>BASIC HINDU PRINCIPLES</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Swaminarayan followers believe in core Hindu principles including: 
accepting the authority of the Vedas, the belief in Parabrahma (one 
supreme God), Avatarvaad (incarnations of God), Karma, Punarjanma 
(reincarnation), Moksha (liberation), Guru and Ahimsa (non-violence).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>THE SWAMINARAYAN PHILOSOPHY</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bhagwan Swaminarayan revealed that there are five eternal entities: 
Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahma and Parabrahma. He explained that Parabrahma,
 the supreme entity has a form, is the all-doer and is ever-present on 
Earth through His eternal abode, Aksharbrahma.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>MOKSHA (Liberation)</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bhagwan Swaminarayan explained that jivas (souls) transcend maya and 
realize Ekantik Dharma through association with Akshar-brahma - the 
living God-realized Satpurush.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Ekantik Dharma consists of dharma (righteousness), gnan (knowledge), 
vairagya (detachment) and bhakti (devotion) to God, which leads one to 
moksha (ultimate liberation).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the state of moksha, jivas are liberated from the cycle of birth 
and death, transcend maya, become an Aksharmukta and offer pure worship 
to Parabrahma in Akshardham (divine abode of Bhagwan Swaminarayan).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Coexistence & Harmony</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Guided by the Hindu tradition of celebrating unity in diversity, BAPS
 values living in harmony with others. Worshippers and visitors are 
welcomed with warmth and respect at all BAPS mandirs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS members, young and old, live harmoniously with their neighbors 
and proactively contribute to their community through a variety of 
service activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Believing that dialogue among societal and spiritual leaders is 
essential for peaceful coexistence, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has worked to 
foster communication with leaders of other cultures, religions and civic
 bodies. This effort has also led to BAPS participation in various 
inter-faith activities.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thus, members of BAPS are responsible and contributing members of 
their local communities. They value their own cultural and spiritual 
heritage while respecting the beliefs of others.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>BAPS Charities - Contributing to Society</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS Charities is an independent international charitable 
organization that has partnered with BAPS to inspire individuals across 
North America to serve their neighbors and communities.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For our volunteers, the concept of seva, or selfless service, means 
not just volunteering time or donating money, but being motivated by<br />
a spirit of service to sacrifice for the greater good of the community and the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This spirit of service, as exemplified in the life of Pramukh Swami 
Maharaj, inspires our volunteers to donate millions of hours annually<br />
in the service of our communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.thesouthasiantimes.info/upload/2015/January/10/health_camp.jpg" style="height: 251px; width: 350px;" /> </strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Health Fairs organized annually in over 40 centers, benefiting over 13,000 individuals</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">•  Children’s Health and Safety Days organized in over<br />
22 centers annually, benefiting over 3,500 children</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">•  Blood Donation Drives organized in over 25 centers annually, collecting over 1,100 pints of blood</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Flu Vaccination Drives organized in over 30 centers annually, benefiting over 3,200 people</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Over 5,300 individuals registered in Bone Marrow Drives</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Quarterly Health Awareness Lectures in over 60 centers</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>COMMUNITY SERVICES</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">•  Walkathons organized for the past 15 years giving financial 
support to community projects (local hospitals, children’s 
organizations, township entities, school systems, etc.). Over 15,000 
walkers participate annually in 55 centers throughout North America</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Food & Toy Drives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>EDUCATIONAL SERVICES</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Career Fairs & Scholarships</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Tree-planting campaigns</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Energy awareness</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Recycling projects</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>HUMANITARIAN SERVICES</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For over 30 years, BAPS Charities has reached out during times of 
urgent need, first to assist, and then to empower people to return to 
their normal lives.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2013 - Philippines Hurricane Haiyan Relief<br />
• 2012 - Hurricane Sandy</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2011 - Japan Earthquake</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2010 - Haiti Earthquake</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2008 - Hurricane Ike</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2006 & 2007 - Gujarat Floods</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2005 - Hurricanes Katrina and Rita</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2004 - Southeast Asia Tsunami</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 2001 - Gujarat Earthquake</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 1999 - Orissa Cyclone</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS Charities is also a Founding Sponsor of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>BAPS Worldwide</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">BAPS has been serving in countries throughout the world, including 
India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, 
Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa, 
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and UAE.  Its global 
activities include:</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Spiritual & Cultural  Activities</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Over 1,100 BAPS mandirs worldwide<br />
• Over 930 swamis<br />
• 3,850 centers in India, USA, UK, Europe, Africa,<br />
   Asia Pacific, Middle East</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 10,400 weekly assemblies for men and women,<br />
   youths and teenagers</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 6,600 weekly assemblies for children<br />
Environmental Activities</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Thousands of tons of paper collected<br />
for recycling annually<br />
• Thousands of water conservation projects<br />
in hundreds of villages<br />
• Millions of trees planted in thousands of villages<br />
in India<br />
Volunteers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 55,000 volunteers worldwide<br />
• 12,000,000 hours of service annually</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Health Services</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 10 charitable hospitals and healthcare clinics treating<br />
over 615,000 patients annually<br />
• Since 1999, mobile medical clinics have treated 3.2 million tribal villagers free of charge<br />
• Over 100 Medico-spiritual conferences have enlightened<br />
over 20,000 doctors<br />
• Over two million people inspired to quit addictions<br />
• 165 diagnostic & specialized health camps treating<br />
over 150,000 people annually<br />
• Over 7,000 pints of blood collected in blood donation camps annually</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Educational Services</strong></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• 38 permanent facilities annually provide 12,000 students<br />
with value-based education<br />
• 55 schools built in disaster-hit regions<br />
• Over 5,000 scholarships awarded annually<br />
• Established the first award-winning Hindu School in London - 1992<br />
Humanitarian Services</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Over 40 disaster relief operations successfully managed<br />
• More than 1,800,000 hot meals served in the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake<br />
• 4,190 homes constructed following the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake<br />
• 51 villages served after the South Asia Tsunami in 2004<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Swaminarayan Akshardham (Gandhinagar & New Delhi)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Swaminarayan Akshardham celebrates Hinduism’s ancient yet living 
culture in all its grandeur, beauty and wisdom. Offering a unique 
insight into Hindu traditions, the Akshardham experience provides an 
engaging journey of inspiration and enlightenment to all. Celebrated for
 its religious architecture, Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar and 
New Delhi offer homage to<br />
Bhagwan Swaminarayan as well as the avatars and great sages of Hinduism.
 These Mahamandirs were made possible through the selfless efforts of 
thousands of volunteers and craftsmen as well as the inspiration and 
blessings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. They stand as a testament to the 
power of volunteerism and continue the BAPS tradition of devotion and 
service.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><img alt="" src="http://www.thesouthasiantimes.info/upload/2015/January/10/pic_tourists.jpg" style="height: 233px; width: 350px;" /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Swaminarayan Akshardham (Robbinsville, New Jersey)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Currently under construction, Swaminarayan Akshardham in 
Robbinsville, NJ will continue the tradition of Mahamandirs that began 
with Akshardham Gandhinagar and Akshardham New Delhi.  As part of a 
167-acre campus, the Akshardham Mahamandir itself will serve as a 
fascinating introduction to the Hindu faith<br />
as well as to Indian art and architecture. By expressing shared values 
and a message of universal peace, Akshardham will help foster greater 
harmony among all faiths and communities. Built to last a thousand 
years, Akshardham will be an enriching and empowering legacy for our 
community and country, helping transmit our universal spiritual values 
for generations to come. </span></div>
</div>

BAPS: Mission, Philosophy & Global Spread from My view

BAPS: Mission, Philosophy & Global Spread Introduction Established in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan ...