Mandala

Mandala

December 2023

MANDALA 

Farewell, Daisaku Ikeda  The late Daisaku Ikeda 

I learnt about ‘Soka Gakkai’  when I was in Delhi and  went to visit a friend in a  hospital. This group was there  to ask if she needed any kind  of help. I noticed that Soka  Gakkai members were ready to  help everyone, whether or not  they were members of their  group. Therefore, like many, I  felt very sad when I heard that  the founder, Daisaku Ikeda,  who helped spread Nichiren  Daishonin, a Buddhist  philosophy of Japanese origin  around the world through his  organisation Soka Gakkai —  died on 18 November 2023  from natural causes at the  age of 95. The institution  has twelve million members  in hundred and ninety-two  countries and territories  worldwide. 

He served as the honorary  president of Soka Gakkai  International which he  founded in 1975. The spiritual  organisation encourages the  chanting of the mantra Nam 

myoho-renge-kyo which when  loosely translated means  overcoming one’s difficulties  and manifesting one’s spiritual  nature which they consider  the essence of Buddhism.  They encourage everyone to  

manifest their Buddha nature  which they maintain is present  in all of us. Daisaku said that  when we dedicate ourselves to  achieving our goal, we are not  bothered by shallow criticism.  He has moved on physically  but his teachings will remain  with us as they are eternally  relevant. The organisation is  always seeking to help others  and has published many books  and magazines to motivate  everyone. This noble work will  continue as Daisaku has laid a  strong foundation. 

- By Jamuna Rangachari

Promoting yoga as a  way of life 

There are many yoga centres all over India  and even in the world but only some are  driven by a completely service-oriented  outlook like the Bharatiya Yog Sansthan. Sri  Des Rajji the current president, has been with  the association since 1985 when he embraced  yogic practices as a student (sadhak) within the  institution in Delhi.  

Des Rajji went to the centre initially to cure his  wife’s heel pain and then became a dedicated  sadhak himself along with his wife. He was  very inspired by the late Shri Prakash Lalji,  the founder, who bestowed his wisdom, care,  and affection on him. He remains dedicated  to Bharatiya Sansthan’s mission of ‘Jiyo Aur  Jeeewan Do,’ which means living meaningfully  

values in the youth of this country. He feels  the citizens of India need proper direction and  purposeful leadership so that their energies  can be channelled properly into constructive,  imaginative, and innovative work. He believes  that by following the path of Ashtanga Yoga and  selfless service, we can produce morally upright  and spiritually enlightened citizens.  

Des Rajji runs more than 4000 yoga centres  throughout the country. All these centres  are running free of cost with the voluntary  contributions of sadhaks. These centres are spread  over India and as well as globally since the  principles of yoga are universal. 

Knowing his zeal and passion, we are sure we  shall hear a lot more about him, especially when  yoga is being acknowledged globally. 

- By Jamuna Rangachari

A welcome dose of  spirituality at AIIMST

The world is definitely moving towards  integration in the body-mind-spirit  domain. In the first week of October,the premier government hospital, All India  Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), formed  a committee to recommend a plan of action fora department on spiritual medicine.  

New steps always face opposition. Some faculty  members opined that it is against scientific  temperament and will show this premier  health institute in a poor light. They said that  this step will show the institute as promoting  anti-science activities since the committee has  even decided to legitimise it in the form of a  department. 

The spokesperson of the hospital responded by  saying the proposal is in a nascent stage. The  aim is to aid the modern medicine departments.  by including yoga and reiki. “Many universities  abroad are already doing this,” the spokesperson  said. Some sources said there is also a plan to  introduce spirituality in the MBBS course.  Like all new beginnings, this too would take  some time to begin.  

The opposition may even continue later;  however, the direction is clear. AIIMS does  wish to include spirituality in its syllabus.  This should have taken place much earlier in  a nation steeped in spirituality. Nevertheless,  it is a welcome step though a little late. Just  like yoga is a mantra of fitness globally now,  spiritual sciences too shall be, in our opinion. 

The spiritual sciences department will take  some time to be completely operational. There  could be more discussions and brainstorming  as this requires understanding new domains. 

This is a radical step in the body-oriented view  of hospitals where everything relies on tests and  more tests.  

Hopefully, if all goes well, it will set the path  for many others to follow suit, thus making  spirituality a part of most places of healing. It  is only when there is complete openness that  there will be progress, which will surely benefit  all. Kudos, AIIMS, for taking this step. 

- By Jamuna Rangachari