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ALL OUR LIVES, OUR LIVES TOGETHER, ARE HIS MESSAGE See yourself in all; love all as yourself. A dog caught in a room whose walls are mirrors sees in all the myriad reflections, not itself, but rivals, competitors, other dogs which must be barked at. So, it tires itself out by jumping on this reflection and that, and when the images also jump, it becomes mad with fury. The wise man, however, sees himself everywhere and is at peace; he is happy that there are so many reflections of himself all around him. That is the attitude you must learn to possess. - From Bhagawan's Divine Discourse on 7th July 1963 FIRST UNIVERSAL PRAYER DAY For Peace and Wellbeing in the Community & Around the World Sri Sathya Sai Organisation, UK and Region 4 Winstanley Community College, Leicester, Saturday, 14 May 2011 2pm – 6pm This day of loving prayers offered in unity for peace, harmony and wellbeing in the community and around the world, began with a warm welcome from Jenni Robson, Spiritual Wing Co-ordinator for Region 4, UK. Jenni Robson, Spiritual Wing Co-ordinator, Region 4 & Mel Griffin, UK Central Council Vice-Chair Opening Address and Welcome In her opening address Jenni Robson said “…We are so blessed in the Midlands to be part of such a diverse community of peoples, and it is with great pleasure and an honour to have so many guests with us who are going to share their prayers and give us all the opportunity to unite as one family with our love for God. The World is bearing many difficulties both natural disasters and man-made catastrophes. There are so many misunderstandings between peoples and countries, from war to a disagreement with a neighbour and why? God created us from love and we are love, so we have a responsibility as human beings, to restore harmony and live the brotherhood of man. All religions and faiths have their foundation stones built on love, compassion, peace, truth, right conduct. So today we are sending out our prayers - to absolutely everyone. By placing a group of people together to pray, those prayers are all the more potent, which I’m sure you have all experienced. Each prayer will follow another without introductions or talks so that our loving vibrations will gain momentum and wing their way around the world and back again!” 1 Universal Prayer by Friar Duncan Campbell Following this, Friar Duncan Campbell OP (Order of Preachers – English Province), Dominican monk from Holy Cross Priory in Leicester, led the way with a Universal Prayer asking for the Lord to strengthen us with Grace and Wisdom. Friar Campbell has been a University Chaplain at Edinburgh, Barbados and Glasgow and is presently engaged in inter-church and inter-religious efforts. CHRISTIANITY AND THE DOMINICAN ORDER IN LEICESTER While Christians may have been present in Leicester in Roman times, the oldest surviving church building dates from c880 CE (St Nicholas Church). The Dominican order has maintained a continuous presence in Leicester since the 13th century; Leicester’s Catholic parishes arose from Dominican foundations. Holy Cross Priory, Catholic Church, Leicester. The Dominican friars reached Leicester around 1247. Today the Priory of the Holy Cross is home to a large parish in the city centre, and serves a Mass station at the village of Woodhouse in a 14th-century chapel. We are responsible for the chaplaincies to two universities, Leicester and De Montfort, with the Catholic Chaplaincy based in an annex to the priory itself. The friars are also chaplains to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, and also teach at seminaries and institutes of higher learning, such as Blackfriars (Oxford). Today Leicester has the second-lowest percentage of Christians of any town or city in England and Wales (almost 45%) but Christians are still the largest faith community here – 125,187 are recorded in the 2001 Census. Friar Duncan Campbell The video Unity in Diversity, next on the programme, was very appropriate for the day and every group and centre would find their resources enriched by having a copy. After this heart felt opening, the stage was set for the seamless roll of chants and prayers to follow, each offering making way sweetly and calmly to the next with an at-ease precision. Programmes with this amount of diversity and performers do not go this well without very good preparation and team-work and all should be congratulated. However, this is simply the ground-work – the result was certainly made in heaven. 2 Buddhist Prayer by Venu Amito Buddhism was the first of the Religions to participate in the main body of the programme. Vemu Amito, Buddhist monk from the Leicester Buddhist Vihara, took us into the pure, perfect and classical by chanting the Metta Sutta, the Buddhist Sutra on Loving Kindness. Translation Taste from the Metta Sutta Avoiding any mean deeds blameworthy by the wise. Thinking always thus: "May all beings be happy and safe, May they all have tranquil minds. Whatsoever pulsates with the breath of life the frail or strong, without exception … Those visible, and those invisible, those living far away or nearby; Beings who are already born and those yet unborn. May they all be happy! BUDDHISM AND THE THERAVEDA VIHARA IN LEICESTER Leicester has a number of Buddhist centres and communities, each one representing different traditions. Theravada Vihara supports both Sri Lankan and Asian Buddhist families as well as a small but growing British congregation. The Amida Trust has had members locally since 1996 and its own centre since 2001. A Zen “serene reflection meditation” group also exists in Leicester, as well as smaller groups of Tibetan Buddhists. A Nagarjuna Buddhist Meditation Centre opened in the city centre in 2009. In the 2001 Census 638 people identified themselves as Buddhists in Leicester, though there can be little doubt that many more people sympathise with the Buddhist philosophy and way of life, without formally calling themselves Buddhists. The Leicester Buddhist Vihara is a Buddhist temple and one of the leading centres of Buddhism in Leicester and the UK. www.leicesterbuddhistvihara.co.uk Sikh Prayer by Balkar Singh Balkar Singh from Northampton led Sikh prayers next beginning with Waheguru and the universal Aadas prayer of surrender to the will of God. Waheguru means Wondrous Enlightener and is the name used when referring to God. 3 SIKHISM IN LEICESTER Sikhism in Leicester Leicester has the largest Sikh community in the East Midlands and the eighth largest Sikh community in England. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, and half a million Sikhs live in UK. The 2001 Census records 11,796 Sikhs in Leicester, just over 4% of the city’s population. The percentage of Sikhs among Leicester’s population has been virtually constant since 1983. Gregorian Chants by Holy Cross Priory Church Choir From Sikh prayer to Gregorian Chant from Holy Cross Church, wonderful chant reminding me of the Taizé chant we used to take part in locally, bringing it all back. 4 Gregorian Chant is alive and well and still enchanting singers and listeners alike, as it has done for the last 1500 years. Singing plainchant is the best way to rescue it from the oblivion of history books and to understand much of the music of our civilisation. The history of Gregorian Chant begins before the birth of Christ. Chant is based upon the songs sung in the synagogues and Middle Eastern countries. It’s fascinating to know that some of today’s chants are based upon the actual songs which Jesus sang when he was living in Jerusalem. Gregorian Chant was adopted by the Christian Church in about the 6th Century and it quickly became an essential part of Christian worship. It was named after Pope Gregory the Great who unified all the chants into one collection. This soon became an essential part of monastic worship and monks would write new chants and take them from monastery to monastery. from www.music-for-church-choirs.com, also go to – www.gregorianchantnetwork.org and www.holycrossleicester.org Baha’i Prayers by Minou Cortazzi Then onto the holy call of Baha’i prayers and chant, always so evocative of all things spiritual and sacred. Again reminiscent of our local connections with the Baha’is and also of Swami’s visit to Delhi last year and to that time on that tour when He went to the Lotus Temple. BAHAI’S IN LEICESTER There has been a significant Bahá’í presence in Leicester for more than 50 years. After the Christian and Jewish communities, Bahá’ís were the first to have their own centre in the city, in New Walk in the late 1950s and early 60s. Bahá’ís do their bit for social cohesion in Leicester, with activities for children, youth and women, as well as working with other often marginalised groups, such as asylum seekers and refugees. They strive locally to put into action their belief that they should “Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.” BABA AT THE BAHA’I TEMPLE IN DELHI April 2010 On Monday, March 12, 2010, it had a unique visitor, who is verily the goal all worships offered in all places, at all times in the name of God; The unique visitor was Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba! As per the reports from Delhi, Satya Sai Baba reached the Baha’i Temple at around 11:30. He was welcomed by the Director of the Temple along with General Manager and other management officials. Unique feature of this Baha’i Temple is that like any other Baha’i Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all barring any religious or other distinction, as emphasized in Baha’i texts. Baha’is believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society. 5 Gospel Singing by Miranda Roberts From Baha’i prayer to a Gospel singing angel … Miranda Roberts, from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Wolverhampton had the most moving voice, deepening the hush as she sang ‘Fields of Gold’ and spoke of singer Eva Cassidy who sang the song and died of cancer at 33 in 1996. This song touched all hearts with a gentle breeze calling for remembrance and that brought us all back to our Sai time of remembrance now upon us, now that the One who touched and transformed our hearts has left his body, which charmed and taught us for 85 unforgettable years. And, of course, if you looked around on the day that is exactly where we were, we sat in a field of yellow gold. Swami was wearing golden yellow. In ‘Garland of 108 Precious Gems’ ( Kasturi ) Divine Name 61 is Om Sri Kanakaambara Dharine Namah. That is, He who wears golden robes, the dress of God Kanaka (gold) ambara (dress). 6 Accordingly and appropriately that was the dress code or colour of the day for Sai ladies serving and singing, so many lovely ladies wearing yellow. So let us not forget Sai bhajans and chants coming one upon the other between the offerings of our guests, like waves of Sai love, building and breaking on the shores of moment. HINDUISM IN LEICESTER Large numbers of Hindus came to Leicester from the 1950s onwards, from India, East Africa, Southern Africa and Fiji. The 2001 Census records 41,428 Hindus in Leicester, 14% of the population, virtually unchanged since 1983. The first Hindu temple in Leicester was in Cromford Street, Highfields, in 1969. There are now more than 20. Shree Sanatan Mandir (founded 1971), in Weymouth Street, is the biggest and is also headquarters of the National Council of Hindu Temples, UK. NB Many Sai devotees are Hindu in the UK. Worldwide Sai devotees are of every faith. 7 Islamic Prayers by Habib Akram There was more to come from our guests too. How we were enchanted by the Moslem children singing their prayers. ISLAM IN LEICESTER Local Muslims were using premises in Sutherland Street, Highfields, as a mosque as early as 1965. Now there are 35 mosques in Leicester, for around 50,000 Muslims. Many organisations based locally serve the Muslim community: The Islamic Foundation (founded 1973, which has given rise to Markfield Institute of Higher Education) is significant academically (The Prince of Wales visited its campus in 2003) Closing Address by Shitu Chudasama What a lovely, lovely moment and then more Gregorian chanting and on to our National UK Chairperson, Shitu Chudasama, who said in this closing address …. “Millions of people have been attracted to Sri Sathya Sai Baba after hearing about his great love, which has brought comfort and peace to people of all faiths. His example as selfless educator, healer, spiritual leader and social reformer has inspired thousands of people around the world to develop service, spiritual and educational programmes in their communities. On 4th July 1968, to a large gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, He said, “I have not come to speak on behalf of any particular religion, like the Hindu religion. I have not come on any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause; nor have I come to collect followers for any doctrine. I have no plan to attract disciples or devotees into My fold or any fold”. “Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish; let the glory of God be sung in all languages in a variety of tunes. That should be the ideal. Respect the differences between the faiths and recognize them as valid so far as they do not extinguish the flame of unity.” Furthermore He (Sai Baba) said: I have come to light the lamp of love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added lustre. I have come to tell you of this universal, unitary faith, this spiritual principle, this path of love, this duty of love, this obligation to love. 8 Believe that all hearts are motivated by the one and only God; that all faiths glorify the one and only God; that all names in all languages and all forms man can conceive denote the one and only God. His adoration is best done by means of love. Cultivate that attitude of oneness between men of all creeds and all countries. That is the message of love I bring. That is the message I wish you to take to heart. Sri Sathya Sai Baba reminds us of the urgent need for harmony of all religions, of seeing this Unity amidst Diversity. Sri Sathya Sai Baba said: Nations are many, but Earth is one Beings are many, but Breath is one Stars are many, but Sky is one Oceans are many, but Water is one Religions are many, but God is one Shitu Chudasama, National Chairperson, UK Central Council with Ketan Gokani, Region 4 Chairperson and Jenni Robson At the end the guests were presented with gifts and asked to comment on their experience of the day. 9 They said: Minou Cortazzi on behalf of the Baha’is said - “Today has been an uplifting experience. All faiths are coming together to pray for peace. The sound and music was so powerful. It is wonderful to see all religious faiths together and seeing that there are no barriers. Children saying prayers to God for peace in Universe has been a delight.” Bernard on behalf of the Gregorian Chanters said - “Different faiths uniting to sing/pray for peace in unison to God – it is important to remember that worship is music. It is refreshing to see youngsters getting involved and learning the tradition. Tradition is important to mankind and we need to maintain it.” Nayen Patel, Sai devotee from Wales, said “The whole day was absolutely superb. The prayers and chants created wonderful and uplifting vibrations. I felt so energised. My spiritual batteries were certainly recharged. The most important thing was the feeling that Baba was present there. It was so enriching to see all faiths united together for one purpose - peace in world. The message of prayers for all the faiths was similar - love, peace, tolerance. I was reminded of what Baba once said - a garden looks so pleasing and beautiful to the eyes when it is planted with different varieties of flowers. Similarly all the different faiths coming together on the day was so delightful and uplifting. This was clearly 'Unity in Diversity' in action. The whole event was well organised.” 10 Jenni Robson said “All of the feedback given has been very positive and both devotees and guests enjoyed the afternoon. Comments were received about the fact that so many of the centres took part, and it was truly lovely to see so many there - long may it continue! Team work is essential and everyone worked so hard and it paid off and was truly an honour and privilege to have everyone there. It is now our duty to build on these new shoots of relationships. So there will be plans going forward to keep the momentum going.” The UK Central Council said the day a unique one in Sai Service Organisation UK history and - "…was a wonderful way to experience and share Swami's Universal Message of Love with the communities around us". Closing Bhajans included – We are One in the Spirit, We are One in the Lord We are One in the Spirit, We are One in the Lord And we pray that our Unity will this day be restored And we know we are brothers by our Love, by our Love Yes we know that we are sisters by our Love … 11