The Parliament of World Religions, at Melbourne, in Australia, where Dada J. P. Vaswani was invited as one of the Speakers, was also the venue for the launch of the book, "Many Paths: One Goal", authored by Dada J. P. Vaswani.                                                 

Revered Dada firmly believes: “Religions came to unite, to reconcile, to create harmony among men.” This spirit of unity, understanding and harmony pervaded the environs of the Parliament of World Religions, with the presence of representatives from the great religions of the world. Hence, it was most appropriate that it was this benign milieu which witnessed the inauguration of such a book.

Revered Dada’s book teaches respect and appreciation for the diverse faiths and belief systems by which we and our fellow human beings live.

As the title indicates, each religion is a pathway hewn out by a community of believers to take them closer to God and Salvation. The paths may be many; but what this book brings out is that the goal is the same for all aspirants. The worthy aim is to cultivate a healthy respect for what others believe, which Dada helps to achieve. This book is written in the true Indian spirit of reverence and appreciation for all approaches to Truth and Divinity.

Dada presents each religion as a precious jewel embellished in the crown of world civilisation. So, whether it is Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha’ism, Sufism or Zoroastrianism, along with their distinct and unique individualism, is the sub-stratum of belief at the core of their structure, which is the eternal and unchanging faith in the One God and the unity and fellowship of all Creation. Running as a golden thread through them all is the ultimate law: Do nothing that may cause pain to others.

The entire approach in the book, towards all the religions, is like a beautiful and variegated tapestry, which blends rich hues, designs and textures in its magnificent weave.

This book reinforces one's faith in humanity and helps one to become one with Vedanta's emphasis: the One behind the Many, the Single Divinity behind the multiplicity. This, after all, was the crux behind this huge gathering at the Convention Centre of the World Parliament, which had brought together dignitaries representing every religion of the world.

CONGRATULATIONS

Krishna Kumari
Working Chairperson Sadhu Vaswani Mission

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Sadhu Vaswani’s 130th Birthday
It was but natural that this auspicious day, 25th November, the 130th birthday of Sadhu Vaswani, commenced with service of birds and animals. Several volunteers went out in vans as a medical camp to feed and serve the animals.

In the morning, there was kirtan in the kutiya. This was followed by Satsang in the main hall. The holy fire or ‘havan’ was lit in which Dada J. P. Vaswani reverently put his offerings.

As the Sadhu Vaswani Mission is continuously involved in acts of service to the poor and needy, the State Bank of India donated a car – the Zen Estello to the Sadhu Vaswani Mission to keep up into this good work. Several new books and a CD were launched on this day. This was also the day for the culmination or ‘Bhog’ of 113 Nuri Granths. Awards were given to those who had offered their untiring service towards the success of the Peace Run or the Marathon. The grocery and cash were distributed to the lower income families. This was followed by Dada Langar (Fellowship Meals), in which Revered Dada also joyfully participated.

Later in the evening the bhajans and kirtans most effectively conveyed the gratitude, longing and devotion of all the devotees on this glorious occasion of the Master, Sadhu T. L. Vaswani’s 130th Birthday.

There was the launching of a new SAK website at the hands of Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani. SAK stands for ‘Stop all Killing’ and the website is www.sak.org.in. Then Dada and all the life members of Sadhu Vaswani Mission offered all the pledges received for abstaining from meat eating at the holy feet of Sadhu Vaswani. Individual pledges received were more than 60, 14,296 and supporters were more than 7, 11,00,872.

A heartening report was presented by the K. K. Eye Institute in the good work they were achieving, the number of free surgeries being performed and the restoration of the vision to thousands.         A taped message of Sadhu T. L. Vaswani was played, giving everyone the opportunity to listen to his sweet voice and experience his presence in our midst.

Dada J. P. Vaswani paying homage to his Guru Sadhu Vaswani said that we are truly blessed with the benedictions of this auspicious day. He presented a brief sketch of Sadhu Vaswani’s journey from an ordinary person to a sage.

Rev. Dada put his question to the packed audience – “Have you ever shed tears in the loving and longing for God?” Rev. Dada gave the example of Ramkrishna Paramahansa who had told Vivekananda that everyone is capable of seeing God, for it is each one’s divine birthright. But this vision of God is possible only when our tears flow in yearning for God. But unfortunately, very few undergo this experience.

There are two types of people – 1) the worldly one 2) the spiritual and satsangis, who desire only the lord, shunning all that is worldly. Dada urged to pray to God for love and devotion and become a channel of His mercy. Let these tears of love cleanse the mirror of our heart, so we can see the Lord.

The first great teaching is speaking the truth. You are soldier in the army of God. Secondly, you belong only to the Lord, but no one belongs to you. Thirdly, daily perform small acts of service, and help someone or the other.       The evening ended with calls of “Dada! Dada! Echoing through the hall, the devotees calling out lovingly to their Guru.
JAI HO DADAJI.

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Sadhu Vaswani Mission celebrated the 130th birthday of Sadhu Vaswani with a grand Vegetarian Food Festival of mouth-watering delicacies on 24th November, 2009 in the Pune Club Amphitheatre. The Festival, organised by the SAK (Stop All Killing) Association, was attended by thousands of food lovers.

Children of all age groups participated in the Fancy Dress Competition on “Save Mother Earth” while their parents were also engaged in a Quiz. The city saw an evening of sheer merriment as the Indian Idol celebrity, Mohit Lalwani, took the stage with his delightful rendering of devotional as well as film songs. The First Prize Winner of the Lucky Draw Competition was awarded a TV at the holy hands of Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani followed with other exciting prizes like DVD Players, Microwave Oven and more. The Food Festival with music, games, mehendi and masti was a real treat for the young and the old alike.

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      The event served to show that, in Pune, there is so much of fondness and appreciation for vegetarian food on the eve of the birthday of Sadhu Vaswani and the International Meatless Day and Animal Rights Day.

The Lamp Lighting Ceremony of the Sadhu Vaswani College of Nursing saw an auspicious start with prayers and a thought taken from the Noori Granth ( a collection of songs and hymns by Sadhu Vaswani) on the 18th of November in the sacred hall of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission.

• The solemn tradition of Lamp Lighting was initiated by Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani followed by Ms. Krishna Kumari, the working chairperson and the Principal of SVCON, Lt. Col. (Mrs.) Manonmani Venkat.
• The passing of the lights from the teacher to the student was highly symbolic of igniting their souls with the values of compassion and care.

The song of the Lady with the Lamp, Florence Nightingale, “O, she comes” sung by the students reminded us of a legendary woman who taught the world the importance of compassion and selfless service. The lights of SVCON, then, took the pledge of committing their lives to service and of shining in the horizon through “selfless commitment to compassion and care”.

Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani pointed out the need of character in India’s men and women and how an ideal nurse should be a person of character serving the patient as a picture of God. Dada further enlightened the budding nurses on the act of lighting a candle. A candle removes darkness and paves way for light and thus signifies purity. Hence, according to Rev. Dada, a person should have a pure life to kindle the light of purity. Rev. Dada recalled the words of Sadhu Vaswani, the Master, who believed that purity is the crown of life.

The Principal of SVCON, Lt. Col. (Mrs.) Manonmani Venkat read out the Annual Report of the present 104 nursing students of the college. Out of the 30, First Year students of SVCON, three are sponsored by the company - Lexi pens and one by the Mission itself.

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A Cordial Invitation for Sadhu Vaswani’s 130th Birthday Celebrations