The motivational speaker and renunciate from the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha gave an inspiring talk in Queens, NY, and introduced the Hindu Museum coming up in Robbinsville Akshardham in New Jersey.
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By Parveen Chopra
JAMAICA ESTATE, QUEENS, NY (TIP): At a time when wars, social divisions, and global uncertainty continue to test the idea of peaceful coexistence, the message of unity in diversity offers a renewed sense of hope. Giving an inspirational talk here on July 19 on the theme ‘Unity in Diversity: A Path to Peace’, Dr. Gnanvatsal Swami urged people to see differences not as barriers but as the foundation of harmony.
Giving examples from everyday life — “Different-colored crayons come together to create a beautiful picture; different-colored threads come together to create a beautiful tapestry; different instruments come together to create a musical masterpiece” – the eminent spiritual leader, motivational speaker and author from the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, stressed that unity is built not by eliminating differences but by embracing them with understanding, appreciation, and compassion.
Pujya Gnanvatsal Swami was speaking at an exquisite event organized by BAPS’ local chapters. It was held at the spacious hall of the residence of eminent pediatrician Dr Hari Shukla, who introduced the Swami to the invited guests numbering about 75.
Towards the end of his hour-long talk, Gnanvatsal Swami introduced the Akshardham Museum coming up on the sprawling premises of Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
He said, “The world has more than one hundred thousand museums. Out of them, 50,000 are in the United States. But nowhere in the world is there a museum on Sanatana Hindu Dharma. Ours will be the first of its kind.”
Explaining the need for curating and presenting 10,000 years of Indian Culture and Heritage in America for posterity, the Swami said, “The museum covers 3 expansive floors across 100,000 sq ft. There will be four exhibition halls. Excellent, glorious, and depicting the values of Sanatana Hindu Dharma in the way they should be. We don’t want people to tell us stories of our culture. We want people to hear the stories of our culture from the descendants of our culture.”
To understand how monumental this museum project is, consider this detail: 12 architectural replicas are planned, including Ajanta Ellora caves, and Konark Sun Temple. Swamiji shared a colorful brochure with the guests when meeting them individually after his talk. The brochure has more astounding statistics: there will be 40 Multimedia Shows, 85 Immersive Diaromas, and 200 Lifelike Statues. Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism will also be represented besides Hinduism.
Construction on the Akshardham Museum has begun. Major prefabricated parts for it have arrived from India. It is likely to be completed within a year, said Gnanvatsal Swami who left a career as a mechanical engineer in 1992 to embrace monastic life under the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and has since received several honors, including two honorary D. Litt degrees.
In his well-received talk, Gnanvatsal Swami also offered a tip for harmony at home and work. He calls it the TAAC Formula. ‘T’ stands for tolerance, ‘A’ for acceptance, second ‘A’ for apology, and ‘C’ for compromise. Everybody has to walk this path so that harmony is maintained in families, social circles, and business circles, he said.
After his speech, Pujya Nilakanthaseva Swami, from Robbinsville Akshardham, gave some more details about the Museum.
Dr Vipul Patel, an oncologist and Administrator at BAPS Flushing Mandir, also spoke.
Dr Hari Shukla delivered the Thank You note.
(Parveen Chopra is the founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, premier wellness and spirituality web magazine)
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