Pramukh Swami Maharaj
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Pramukh Swami Maharaj (Gujarati: પ્રમુખ સ્વામી મહારાજ Pramukh Svāmī Mahārāj, born December 7, 1921 in the village of Chansad in Gujarat, India) is the spiritual leader of BAPS Sanstha, an international Hindu organisation.
Born Shantilal Patel, he was initiated into monkhood as Sadhu Narayanswarupdas. At the age of 28, he was appointed president of BAPS by the then guru of the organisation, Shastriji Maharaj - hence his current name of Pramukh Swami ("Pramukh" meaning president). After Shastriji Maharaj passed away, he was followed by Yogiji Maharaj, who in turn chose Pramukh Swami Maharaj to be his successor as the spiritual leader of BAPS.
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[edit] BAPS
Under Pramukh Swami Maharaj's leadership, BAPS and Hinduism has enjoyed much success in promoting its message in India and abroad. This partly lies in its approach, which is characteristic of other monotheistic religions — namely their centralization and huge organizational strength, and their emphasis on community development, the practice of dharma, and the understanding of spiritual knowledge based on the teachings of Sri Swaminarayan, founder of the Swaminarayan movement within Hinduism in the late 18th century. Many mainstream Hindus find themselves attracted to this and start identifying with BAPS.
Away from India, Pramukh Swami Maharaj has embarked on 15 world tours, covering 43 countries in 5 continents over the last 25 years. Over 600 Temples and 9000 spiritual centres have been established across Africa, America, Australia, Europe, Far East and Middle East.
[edit] Projects
Pramukh Swami Maharaj is credited as being the inspirer of the Swaminarayan Akshardham cultural complexes in New Delhi, and Gujarat, and numerous traditionaly built stone temples across the world, such as the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs in Chicago, London, Nairobi and Houston.
He has contributed to projects in social (famine relief, cattle camps, earthquake relief work), educational (literacy campaigns, youth hostels), ecological (tree planting, well recharging, recycling projects), medical (diagnostic camps, blood donation), moral (anti-addiction drives), cultural (child and youth development), and spiritual areas.
[edit] Awards
- In July 2000, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was awarded a place in the Guinness World Records as one of the 20 most influential people in the world.
- Also in July 2000, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London, a temple inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the Largest Traditional Hindu Temple Oustside India.
- In November 2000, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London was awarded a Guinness World Record for the "Most Different Dishes on Display" where 1247 different vegetarian dishes were displayed. The dishes were on display as part of the Annakut festival, celebrating the Hindu New Year.
The records appeared in the 2000 and 2002 editions of the Guiness World Records.
[edit] References
books
- This Is Hinduism by Dave Symmons, Nelson Thornes
- Living with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Culture by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Himalayan Academy
websites
news articles
