Swami Dharmananda
Kotkapura, 01.03.2006
All delegates of the town, including the head of the civic body and the children of different schools with their bands greeted H.H. Acharyashree and the Ahimsa Yatra. When the Yatris reached the ground in front of the Terapanth Bhawan, it converted into a spiritual meeting when Acharyashree said, “On this day, 57 years ago, the Anuvrat Movement was started. It is also the birthday of H.H. Acharya Kalugani.”
The chairman of the municipal board welcomed H.H. and presented him a big greeting card. In reply, H.H. Acharyashree said, “In philosophy there are two words, manifold and solitary. The five fingers are different but have one common base, so they are also one. An individual person and the group, differentiation and oneness, both are true. The person who understands this truth can follow the path of non-violence. There is difference in persons but humanity is one. This principle of unity can bring peace and progress; further, it is capable to turn this earth into heaven. We should believe in the unity of mankind. We should learn to have harmony and respect for each other. These are the fundamental principles of non-violence. Religious persons should adopt these principles in their life and follow non-violence."
Kotkapura, 02.03.2006
…it is necessary to develop ability…
H. H. Acharyashree visited the municipal board office on request of the president of the board. The members of the staff and other people welcomed him. Acharyashree emphasized that ability has got its importance and must be developed,
“Selection of able persons is the first to do. This is the base of new development. The board should organize such functions, which can improve the character of the public. There should be development of spiritual and scientific personality in able persons. Our relationship with president Kalam is very close, because he is a scientist wanting to do work also in the spiritual field, and we are working in the spiritual field.
Ability should develop along with the management. The ocean never asks for the water to come. It has got the ability; so all rivers can merge in it. In this way, an able person can do better and new things for the society and the nation. There should be a dialog on suggestions for the development of the town. The lack of morality, character and ability creates many problems.
The duty of a municipal board is not only to clean the roads, it should adopt to spread morality and honesty in the markets. Then the town will become more beautiful inside. Outer look is beautiful, but without morality, beauty is of no value. To value character is very important, for it is permanent. With morality, progress can last for long; immorality cannot last for long. Search the new path and do not stick to the old course. Non-violence and morality cannot be separated. If you want to make the town good, training in non-violence will help to reduce dishonesty and improve honesty.”
In reply to his sermon, the president Mohan Singh Mata promised to start training in non-violence. There was good response to the programme held in the Town Hall; the two days stay in Kotkapura was well received. Many new persons came into contact with the Terapanth sect.