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