Reflections and Buddhism

Whilst Swamiji was on this planet, we as his disciples were sadly pre-occupied, or even obsessed, with worldly matters and material issues. We often went to him with our petty problems. He used to laugh and say “Nanak dukhiya sakal sansar” (everyone in this world has something to be unhappy about).

He often asked us what we have gained from his teachings. Continuously asking for selfish worldly gains and complaining about mundane family issues we wasted precious time in the presence of an elevated soul.

Towards the end of his life on planet Earth, he realised that the gates to enlightenment, or nirvana, were open through Buddhism. He guided us towards that path encouraging us to practise compassion and loving kindness towards all. Understanding that the ultimate was to see all children as the children of God and feel others’ pain as you would your own. He installed a Buddha statue in the Temple and told us all to pray and take refuge in Lord Buddha.

He emphasized that we all have the potential to realise the ultimate within us. Buddhism accentuates that it is up to us to create our own destinies. We should all aspire to be and are all capable of becoming a Buddha.

Swamiji was a living Buddha. He became an arihant: one who has attained the same state as the Buddha having followed the path trodden by the Buddha. The attainment of Buddhahood is nirvana.

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  “Destroyed is rebirth, lived the higher life, done is what had to be done, after this present life there is no beyond.”