15 Sep 2012

Message from Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD)


Dear ALL,

Hari Om! Greetings from CORD!

It is a matter of great joy and privilege for me to share this news with you regarding our own Dr. Kshama Metre's (Didiji) short listing for the Guardian International Development Achievement Award 2012.

As you know the Guardian UK is one of the leaders in development and mainstream sector press globally.

She is selected across the globe in development sector people as one of the five potential winners which in itself is a great recognition for CORD.

Let us do our best in making world to recognise our Dr. Didiji's and CORD's contribution internationally in the development sector as our offering at the lotus feet of our Param Pujya Gurudev and our Pujya Guruji.

I am sure that you will share this news with your friends and relatives across the globe to vote for her at the following website:

www.guardian.co.uk/achievementsaward/competition/vote#entry

Voting lines are open from 7th September 2012 till 8th October 2012. Thank you.

Warm regards.
Narender

---
Office of the National Director
CORD Training Centre,
Sidhbari,
District Kangra,
Himachal Pradesh - 176 057
India
Ph: +91-1892-234322, 236987
Fax: +91-1892-235829
Email: cordsidhbari@gmail.com
URL: www.cord.org.in

15 Sep 2012

Hari Om


CIRS ranks no.1 boarding school in TN and Top 10 in India

Dear ALL,

HARI OM!

Education World conducted a survey among some 4000 parents and students and their September issue is all about the national rankings of Schools.

This year Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) has been placed as 1st among the Boarding schools in Tamil Nadu and 9th among the schools all over India.

Please see the links below:

India's Best Boarding Schools

State Rankings


"We were 18th last year and it is good we are among the top ten best boarding schools of India this time" says Mrs.Shanti Krishnamurthy, Principal.

The award ceremony is going to be held in Delhi on the 30th sep.

Great news for the entire Chinmaya Family.

Congratulations to the team effort of all concerned.

Hari Om


Chinmaya Mission UK

27 July 2011

Chinmaya Mission Centres and Acharyas Worldwide

Dear All,

Hari Om! Greetings from Krishnalaya, USA!

Here I would like to share with you all a very important and interesting development taking place in our organization.

In today's modern world and life, most activities require the support of technology. With the modern life's requirements, Mission centres, Acharyas and devotees today expect very quick turnaround times. Currently, there are a lot of good initiatives going at various locations around the world in Chinmaya Mission.

To address these requirements a Chinmaya Mission Global Information Technology (IT) initiative, Chinmaya Vishwa Sutra, has been launched. A new Global IT team has been formed. It has a wide geographical representation from all over the world. Chinmaya Vishwa Sutra will manage our internet presence, information technology policies, digital rights and redistribution rights.

Let us work together to bring together the wonderful talents, abilities and dedication of our devotees, and sevaks to bring this to fruition. Using modern technology, we can continue to grow the glorious work that our Gurudev started and bring Maximum Happiness to the Maximum number of people around the world.

With Prem & Om,

Tejomayananda

Hari Om! I am extremely happy to inform you that our own Dr Kshama Metre has been awarded the Padma Shri for her social work. We are proud of her and congratulate her.

With Prem and Om,
Tejomayananda

Dear Chinmaya Mission Members,

Hari Om! Thank you for your kind greetings and message to Pujya Swamiji for the Padma Shri award.

It is with gratitude and humility that I acknowledge your wishes. The award is the grace and blessings of Pujya Gurudev and our Pujya Swamiji. They have made CORD what it is today, and by their grace, it will continue to bless many more people in our country.

This award also acknowledges the many thousands of people who have contributed to the work in many diverse ways. My salutations to all.

To all of you in Chinmaya Mission, I extend my congratulations, as you are an essential part of this honour.

With warm regards,
Kshama Metre

• Upanishad Ganga is made for television serial that will be dedicated to Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji, who began his spiritual work with teachings on the Upanishads.
• In each episode the main Upanishad concepts will be explained through a blend of traditional and contemporary approaches, through drama, dance, music and captivating stories. Each episode is aimed at depicting teachings that have practical implications in daily life and that inspire individual, inner transformation.
• The episode will address both:1) the lay audience or the general public, who know little about the Upanishads and 2) the scholars who are already exposed to this knowledge.
• This serial will emphasize the Upanishadic message that "All problems are due to lack of right thinking. Human life is rare and precious. Its main purpose is to enquire into and realize the supreme Truth, which is the support of this world and the Self of all beings. This Realization can be gained through purity of mind and the Upanishadic wisdom learned from enlightened Master. The Realized Master ever remains engaged in the welfare of all beings."
  
• A core of Chinmaya Mission acharyas and scholars will do the research and conceptualisation of each episode.
• Chinmaya Mission has selected and appointed Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi (of Chankya fame) as the Creative Director of this serial.
• The serial will be in Hindi, as its largest audience will be Hindi-speaking. Eventually DVDs with subtitles and/or dubbing will be released in various languages.
• The serial will consist of a total of 52 episodes.
• The cost of each episode is approximately $35,000.
• To date over 13 episodes have been completed and previewed by the creators as well as people from various backgrounds. Their high acclaim and positive feedback has been greatly inspiring.

Situated on the Chinmaya Vibhooti site in Kolwan near Pune, India, Chinmaya Naada Bindu, a residential school of Indian classical music and dance, will invite and welcome students from all over the world. The main subjects will be vocal music, instrumental music and all major Indian dance forms. Affiliated to a reputed university, Chinmaya Naada Bindu, will house appointed, highly qualified faculty and visiting faculty of celebrated contemporary artists. The school will be an ideal place of inspiration for musicians and music lovers to follow in the music traditions and lineage of guru-shishya parampara.

As we come closer to the Inauguration of Chinmaya Naada Bindu, on 13th September, we are sending you the first of a series of 4 emails with video messages about Chinmaya Naada Bindu by the Spiritual Head of Chinmaya Mission, Worldwide, and artistes of repute. To watch the first one by Swami Tejomayanandaji, kindly click here.

If you would like to fund this project through funding or personal talents, please contact ccmt@chinmayamission.org. To learn more about the programs that will be offered at Chinmaya Naada Bindu, contact Director Promodini Rao at promodini_rao@yahoo.co.in

13 September was observed as Thanksgiving Day, according to the instructions of Pujya Guruji. The ashram staff, who had tirelessly served them through the two years, were treated to a sumptuous meal cooked by the brahmacharis and brahmacharinis. The students served the staff and Acharyas with respect and gratitude.

The next day was Ganesha Chaturthi. Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Swami Purushottamananda and Swami Brahmananda offered prayers to Lord Ganesha in gratitude. Br. Samvid Chaitanya, who had been a mentor to all the students, teaching them Sanskrit, Vedic chanting and puja rituals, performed the puja with complete understanding of and surrender to each step of the ritual.

The parents, grandparents and other family members of the brahmacharis and brahmacharinis had come, some from other parts of the world, to witness their dear ones pledging themselves wholeheartedly to the spiritual path; a new life wholly dedicated to the service of the Lord, following in the footsteps of Pujya Gurudev. It was time for them to put into practice what they had learnt in the two years of the course.

The next day, the deeksha ceremony was held in the Saraswati Hall at 10am. Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, Swami Purushottamananda and Swami Brahmananda were reverentially received with a Poornakumbham. Pujya Guruji addressed the gathering, and pointed out that the day after Ganesha Chaturthi was known as Rishi Panchami, and Pujya Gurudev used to call the Brahmacharins 'Rishiputras'. It was therefore appropriate that the deeksha ceremony was being held on that day. He congratulated the 52 students (including the guest students) on their successful completion of the Vedanta Course. He announced that 24 of the young students would take deeksha.

Then Pujya Guruji called out the names of the students and gave them yellow robes and rudraksha malas. The Brahmacharins also received new names. As Pujya Guruji remarked, when the form changes, the name also has to change!

The students chanted the Shiksha Valli from Taittriya Upanishad. In his valedictory address, Pujya Guruji expressed his joy and fulfilment in the fact that the Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, established by Pujya Gurudev for the purpose of maintaining the Guru-shishya parampara, has been performing the task successfully for so many years, without degenerating or deviating from its purpose. He applauded and thanked the parents for giving their sons and daughters for such a noble cause. He announced that the next Vedanta Course would start on the next Ganesha Chaturthi, on 3 September 2008.

The celebration gained momentum with a concert by Pandit Jasraj, the doyen of Hindustani classical music. He came with a heart full of love and devotion for Pujya Guruji and Hanumanji. His disciples Ankita and Pandit Ratan Mohan Sharma, and the accompanying artistes joined him with full fervour. The music was an intense meditative experience for all those present on the divine occasion.

The rituals began on the 8th, with the traditional pujas and homas, invoking the blessings of all the deities for the entire Chinmaya Family around the world. The gold, silver, copper and earthen kalasas numbering 1000, filled with waters from the sacred rivers, were arranged beautifully and sanctified with special pujas. There were four Pradhana Kalasas (traditional big brass kalasas) to be offered to Sri Rama, Lord Shiva, Sri Hanumanji and Pujya Gurudev. The Pradhana Kalasa in gold, to be offered by Pujya Guruji adorned the top of the pyramid of kalasas arranged in seven steps. The whole centre reverberated with the Vedic mantras, bhajans and kirtan. Dhanvantari homam, Rudram, Chamakam and Vasodhara Chamakam were performed on the 9th morning. A large number of devotees joined the Rama Sahasranama archana on the 8th evening and Hanuman Sahasranama archana on the 9th evening performed by the utsava yajmaans, the dainik yajmaans and those who were offering the kalasas.

There was a sense of intense devotion and subdued excitement in the air on the 10th, the actual day of the main Mastakabhishekam. A special ramp had been constructed by the Indian Army, with a beautiful canopy just behind Hanumanji, where devotees could stand comfortably to offer the abhisheka. Swamini Gurupriyananda had brought specialists from Brindavan for the flower decorations.

Exactly at 9.15am the four Pradhana Kalasas were taken by the pandits to Sri Rama, Lord Shiva, Pujya Gurudev and Sri Hanumanji. Then, invoking the blessings of Pujya Gurudev with the chanting of the Chinmaya Stuti, Pujya Guruji, followed by the Acharyas, led the procession up the ramp with kalasas on their heads. One by one, the long line of devotees went up the ramp chanting 'Om Shri Rama Dootaya Namah', and offered the holy waters by pouring it on Hanumanji, who smiled benevolently from His mighty height. Later they assembled at Hanumanji's feet. Hundreds of villagers had also come to pay their respects to the Lord who protects them round the year. They sang bhajans in the local Pahadi style. Guruji sang bhajans, transporting some to deep silence and inspiring others to dance in devotion. Finally, garlands, tulasi mala, angavastram, silver anklets presented by a devotee, a red belt with 'Sri Rama Jaya Rama' written on it in gold, and other offerings were made to Sri Hanumanji, and arati was performed, drawing the function to a close.

The ochre robes shone with the presence of Swami Subhodhananda, Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Shantananda, Swami Viviktananda, Swami Dhyanananda, Swami Nikhilananda, Swami Chidatmananda, Swami Chaitanyananda, Swami Advaitananda, Swami Madhavananda, Swami Ramananda, Swamini Gangananda, Swamini Vimalananda, Swamini Nishthananda, Swamini Apoorvananda, Swamini Amitananda, Swamini Gurupriyananda and Swamini Shivapriyananda. Many other Acharyas from India and abroad were also present. The brahmacharis training in the Vedanta course in Sidhabari and the new initiates from Mumbai under the leadership of Br. Samvid Chaitanya formed the main taskforce in the group of volunteers. More than 1000 people had assembled for the abhishekam; most of the old devotees had come and many new faces could be seen, symbolising the Tejomayi Chinmaya Vibhooti. For the first time in 25 years, Kamala Hall was just not big enough to hold all the delegates, and so the Satsang Hall was also used for seating. A live closed circuit television was arranged for those who were doing puja in the Satsang Hall and outside for the devotees gathered to view the proceedings.

Sri R. Krishnamurti, fondly called 'Chinmaya Hanuman' by Pujya Guruji, coordinated the entire function, as in all the previous abhishekas, bringing alive the very spirit of Sri Hanumanji with his enthusiastic service. Ten pandits from various parts of the country, led by Sri Subbarama Shastrigal, performed the rituals with meticulous attention to detail. Sri Subbarama Shastrigal enlivened the function with his devotional songs and divine kirtans.

An excellent souvenir titled 'Hanuman - Ever in Service' prepared by the Delhi Mission, was released on the occasion. Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda composed a special song called 'Vinaya Prarthana' that was sung by all the campers with great gusto every day.

This interaction was the culmination of an engagement initiated by CIRS in line with President Kalam's 'Vision for India 2020'. In November 2006, CIRS gave a vacation assignment to its students on this subject and to make it more personal and relevant to the young children, many of whom come from 19 other countries, the topic was redesigned as ' My Vision for Myself, my Family, my School and my Country - in 2020'.

The response and the result of the students work was phenomenal! It was as if their imaginations, dreams and thoughts have got translated into words and pictures. Select projects were forwarded to President Kalam for his perusal and that led to his interest in meeting and interacting with the students of CIRS.

On the appointed day, 32 students from Class VI to XII, accompanied by 1 alumni and 4 teachers and Principal Anurag Sangal had an enriching experience and learnt first hand as to why President Kalam has been able to inspire the young generation and specially caught the imagination of the whole country.

Please click here to read a transcript of the interaction between President Kalam
and the students.

President Kalam graciously guided the delegation to the lawns for photo seesion; and even during that time, kept on talking to the younger students on matter of their interest - guiding, inspiring, joking, laughing with them - making them feel comfortable and at home. Each participant felt we were with an inspiring teacher and a loving elder of the family.

Earlier, CIRS received the President with a bouquet of flowers and presented him with a CIRS Momento and some books published by the Chinmaya Mission which were graciously accepted with reverence by His Excellency.

It was a memorable occasion for the young minds of CIRS to have been so ignited by the President APJ Abdul Kalam.

You would be aware that the Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) is already offering a Foundation Postal Vedanta Course and E-Vedanta Course. In spite of the encouraging response that we have been receiving for these courses, there has been a growing need for an Advanced Course that gives an in-depth understanding of important Vedantic concepts.

This letter is to bring to your attention the forthcoming launch of the Advanced Postal Vedanta and E-Vedanta Courses from CIF on Guru Purnima, the July 10th 2006. These will be one-year home-study courses and are aimed at providing clarity and depth to one's Vedantic study. All important Vedantic concepts dealt with in the prakarana granthas, such as Tattva Bodha, Atma Bodha, Vakya Vritti, Panchadashi, Vivekachudamani and so on are covered in a series of 24 detailed lessons. Please note that it is not a hard and fast rule that only those who have already completed the CIF Foundation Postal or E-Vedanta Course should register for this Advanced Course.

For your information, a brief write up of these Courses as well as the registration details are to be found in the attachment file. You may pass on the details about this course to interested members of the Mission and ensure that adequate publicity is given for the same through your announcements in the Study Groups, Yajna Shalas and so on. Registration has already begun.

For advertisement material such as brochures, posters, or for further information on these courses, you may contact the Director, Chinmaya International Foundation, (address, phone number and Email id in the attachment file).

On-line Registration, details of the courses and application forms are also available for download.

For those in the UK who would like to take these courses

To register online and pay online, please click on the relevant link:

For Advanced Postal Vedanta Course click here
For Advanced E-Vedanta Course click here

For applicants who have registered online but would like to pay in Pounds Sterling, please send a cheque (£100 for Postal Vedanta or £60 for E-Vedanta), made payable to "Chinmaya Mission UK" to Chinmaya Mission UK, Chinmaya Kirti, 2 Egerton Gardens, Hendon, London, NW4 4BA. Please write the name of the course you are applying for on the back of the cheque. Please enclose a note with your name, address, email address and phone number with the payment.

Greetings on Chinmaya Jayanti Day!

Chinmaya Jayanti is a joyous occasion, when we remember with humility and gratitude our great good fortune in overwhelmed with wonder at having had Lord Krishna as a friend and guide, we also recall our days with Gurudev and remember His many divine qualities like fearlessness, intellectual brilliance, power of speech, compassion, large-heartedness, all-encompassing love and far-reaching vision. We must try to cultivate these qualities in ourselves, in whatever small way we can.

Pujya Gurudev dedicated His life to serve mankind by spreading the message of Vedanta. It was His life's mission to spread happiness all around. He created a vast field for us to serve society. As member of Chinmaya Mission, we must make the best use of this opportunity to serve in whatever capacity we can. We observe this day as Seva Day, when every center organises service-oriented activities; but this seva must continue throughout the year and express itself in all our actions and thoughts.

Live His mission, without division, to invoke His compassion. It is the best way to show our love and gratitude to such a great Master. May Pujya Gurudev's grace guide us at every step!

With Prem and Om,

Swami Tejomayananda

The dream project Chinmaya Vibhooti, has taken the shape of a bud and in good time it will soon bloom into a full-grown flower. Pujya Guruji set the deadline of 25th Dec. 05, and ever since the work speeded up, trying to meet the same. The construction work has been divided into three phases and in phase first, the Hanuman Mandir, Admin Block, Kitchen cum dinning hall and four residential buildings to accommodate about 200 devotees, are to be ready.

It was decided to have a three day programme of Havans and Vastu Pujas, for the installation of Hanuman Murti from 23rd Dec. 05 to 25th Dec.05. In the presence of Swami Brahamnandaji, on the morning of 23rd Dec. 05, the fifteen priests from Pune, headed by Pandit Arun Vasudev Vaze, started the Puja at 8 AM, with ‘Mandap Vyavstha’, ‘Ganesh Pujan’ followed by ‘Punyaha Vachan’. The Yajmans of the day, Shrimati and Shri Pratapbhai Patel and Shrimati and Shri Narain Bhatia sat in the portico of the beautifully decorated Hanuman Mandir, to perform all the Pujas.

At 10-30 am ‘Yajman deha shuddhi’ was performed, followed by a beautiful recitation of a ‘Sankalpa’ written by Pujya Guruji in Sanskrit.. The English translation of the ‘Sankalp’ is as under:

“With purified mind for the pleasure of God and grace of Sri Gurudev, and with their blessings for the all round development of the world-wide Chinmaya Mission and the complete success of the newly conceived Chinmaya Vibhooti project, I perform Pooja”.

This was followed by invoking Lord Ganesh, who is the remover of all obstacles. Varun Devta and Pujya Gurudev too were invoked for their blessings.

The evening Pujas started at 4 PM in the Pandal, especially made for the Havan. Here Hanumanji’s Murti was kept covered and Pujas like ‘Asan Shudhi’, ‘Pindaka Sanskar’, ‘Vastu Pratishtha’ were performed. The first spark for the ‘Havan’ was ignited by rubbing two pieces of wood together.

Thereafter, the Abhishek was performed on Hanumanji, with various materials like water from 5 rivers, mud collected under Cow’s feet, Horse’s feet, Elephant’s feet, Yagna place, at the crossing of 4 roads (Chatushpath), Snake’s nest and 5 items of Cow – Panchgavya-Milk, Gomutra, Gomaya, Dahi and Ghee, Panchamrut-Milk, Curd, Honey, Butter, Sugar. Juice collected from 5 trees – Peepal, Adumber, Mango, Jambur and Vat- Vriksha, 5 Precious stones, Grains - Dhanya, Fruits - Fal, Fragrances - Gandha and Medicines – Aushadhi

Hanumanji was then laid to rest for the night on a bed specially prepared for Him.

On 24th early morning, Hanumanji was made to sit up and again mantras were chanted and Bhajans went on while Pujya Guruji arrived from Mumbai at 10 am and along with Swami Purshotamananda and Swami Brahamananda went into the Sanctum Santorum of the Hanuman Mandir before installing the murti to do the ‘Pran Pratishtha’. Hanumanji was then carried by devotees to the temple and was installed on the pedestal with ‘Ashtha Gandh’ the gum from 8 trees, at 10-55 AM at the hands of Pujya Guruji, Swami Purshotamananda and Swami Brahamananda.

On 25th morning Guruji along with Swami Purshotamanada and Swami Brahamananda were received with Purna Kumbha at 10-15 AM and along with other Swamis Guruji unveiled the plaque of the Hanuman Mandir, which Pujya Guruji has named as ‘Chinmaya Maruti Mandir’. Thereafter all the Swamis, Brahamcharis and Trustees performed the Arti of Hanumanji, and then proceeded to the Mandap specially erected for the occasion.

The function started with Paduka Puja of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. This was followed by presentation of design of Chinmaya Vibhooti project by architect Shri Nitin Kilawala and presentation of theme of ‘Journey with The Master’ by Shri Sunil Sachdev and Shri Ramesh Mulye. Shri Sunil Sachdev said that the concept of ‘Journey with The Master’ will not be an exhibition but it will be an experience. Shri Ramesh Mulye explained in detail the project which was very much appreciated.

Our M.C. for the day Shri Guruprasad, then gave vote of thanks to the persons who have been helpful in the project. Guruji, Swami Purshotamananda and Swami Brahmananda gave away the tokens of appreciation.

Swami Purshotamananda addressed the house full audience of approximately 2000 sitting in the mandap at North Hall of Admin Block. He said that two MPs were required for the project, Man Power and Money Power. Congratulating Swami Tejomayanandaji, he said ideas have no legs and hands, but when heart is put in, it becomes the work of love.

Swami Brahamanandaji, said that Pujya Gurudev’s vision was to transform every individual and Chinmaya Vibhooti would do the same. He mentioned that the Chinmaya Vibhooti specially made badge for the function, which every one was wearing on the left side over the heart, had monogram of Pujya Gurudev’s feet and His signature of Om. This meant that all of us must always keep Pujya Gurudev’s feet in his or her heart.

Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji started by thanking the Kolwanwasis in Marathi and assured them that especially for them he would conduct lectures in Marathi too, once the place was ready. He told the Kolwanwasis in Marathi that ‘Tumcha Amcha Jamlo’, means we have both clicked.

Guruji then reverting to English explained that if followers do not understand the vision of the master, then a “Sadhanalya could become Aushdhalaya or Keshkartnalaya”. So we must express our gratitude in the right way to our beloved and revered Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. He said that since Hanumanji is a guardian and protector, so we have brought him first and Ganesh, the Lord of Knowledge will be the main Deity of Chinmaya Vibhooti and He will be installed on the top of hill, so that His knowledge flows down to the devotees coming to Chinmaya Vibhooti..

Guruji then sang the Bhajan ‘Veer Maruti’, and the gathering of over 2000 chanted along with him. The programme ended with sumptuous Prasad at the new Kitchen-Dinning hall.