Address at the 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Bhavan

Religion Transforming into Spirituality

I am indeed delighted to participate in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of the Mother. My greetings to the organizers, distinguished guests and devotees. When I am in the midst of this gathering I am reminded about certain events which took place in the life of the Mother. When she was between age of 11 and 13 through a series of psychic and spiritual experiences she became aware of the existence of God and her possibility of uniting with Him. This, thought along with the practical methods of fulfilling this mission was given to her during her body's sleep by several teachers, some of whom she met afterwards on the physical plane. At that time she had no knowledge of the Indian philosophies and religions. But she could call the unknown force as Krishna. She was aware that it was with him that her divine work was to continue. As soon as she saw Sri Aurobindo she recognised in him the well-known being whom she used to call Krishna and that was enough to explain why she was fully convinced that her place and work are near him in India.

I am reminded of the famous words of the Mother, I quote:

I belong to no nation, no civilisation, no society, no race, but to the Divine .

I obey no master, no ruler, no law, no social convention, but the Divine .

Her spirit continues to be here and her words provide us the direction for religion graduating into spiritual force.

Now I would like to share with you some of my experiences after my visit to various religious institutions.

What I learnt from religions

During the last 20 months, I have traveled almost all the parts of the country. The message I have received from my extensive travels in the country is that most Indians energetic and middle-aged, young and innocent, they all look to religion for solace and safety. The religions are like exquisite gardens, places full of surpassing beauty and tranquility, like sacred groves filled with beautiful birds and their melodious songs. I truly think that religions are beautiful gardens. But they are islands. They are enchanting islets, veritable oases for the soul and the spirit. But they are islands nevertheless. However, if we can connect all these islands with love and compassion, in a `garland project' for the new millennium, we will have a prosperous India in front of us, a billion people through India millennium mission and even for our planet.

Creator s message

God has created the human being with brain and thinking faculty. He has commanded His creation that the faculty must be used with reasoning to reach His image. This is the mission of the human life. Science is the best boon, God has bestowed upon mankind. Science with reasoning becomes the capital of the society. In whatever field we work, be it science, technology, medicine, politics, policing, theology, religion or judiciary, we have to remain in the service of the common man whose well being is central to all human knowledge and endeavour.

Conclusion

Every religion has a central component - spirituality that is driven by compassion and love. Rationality and logic are intrinsic to science and spirituality. A spiritual experience is the goal of a deeply religious person whereas a major discovery or an invention is the goal of a scientific mind. If both the aspects are unified, amalgamated in our own patterns, we can transcend to that level of thinking, in which unity is a cohesive aspect. For this environment the two major components- the Science and Spirituality, have to interact. A Peace prayer can be the foundation for both.

Peace Prayer

Oh Almighty, create thoughts and actions

in the minds of the people of the nation

So that they live united.

Oh Almighty, bless the people

To take a path of life with righteousness

as righteousness gives the strength of character.

Help all religious leaders of the country to

give strength to the people to combat the divisive forces.

Guide the people to develop an attitude to appreciate different

ideologies and transform enmity among individuals,

organizations and nations, into friendliness and harmony.

Embed the thought Nation is bigger than the Individual

in the minds of the leaders and people.

Oh God, bless the people to work with perseverance to

transform the country into a peaceful and prosperous

nation

and promote world peace.

I wish the 125th Birth Centenary celebrations of the Mother all success.