HR0966 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0966 LRB102 28863 MST 40752 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commemorate the 100th birthday of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and Guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide Hindu organization dedicated to promoting harmony between individuals, within families, and among diverse communities; and

WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a simple, humble, and spiritual personality; the great Guru was the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan; he was in constant communion with Bhagwan Swaminarayan and, ontologically, was the manifestation of Akshar, the eternal abode of Swaminarayan; and

WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was born on December 7, 1921 in the village of Chansad, Gujarat, India; he followed a spiritual path from an early age, seeking purity, renouncing material possessions, and possessing a striking humility, saintliness, and selfless desire to help all; and

WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj's unique combination of spirituality and leadership resulted in the growth of BAPS globally, encompassing more than 1,100 Mandirs worldwide and 150 centers in North America, and created grand stone mandirs in Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Robbinsville; these mandirs offer a welcoming and spiritual space for thousands of families, as well as worship, fellowship, communal meals, education, and activities for young and old, creating a true home for the faithful; and

WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj's thoughtful and meaningful words were a distillation of his profound experience, bringing peace to even the most disturbed; his words removed impurities, brought joy, inspired greatness, lifted the gloom, gave direction, removed ego, and imbued people with bliss; his experienced words of wisdom provided inspirational guidance on religion, detachment from material things, devotion to faith, family values, nurturing children, the duties of citizens, and many other essential aspects of daily life; and

WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a rare soul and always lived for others and, at the same time, remained completely absorbed in his faith; his unique message to the world is "In the joy of others, lies our own"; his words were thoughtful, meaningful, and consoling, coming from the depth of profound experience and deep compassion; and

WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj always gave enlightenment, guidance, and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of the House of Representatives to recognize the men and women who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render the wisdom of human understanding; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commemorate the 100th birthday of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and Guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide Hindu organization dedicated to promoting harmony between individuals, within families and among diverse communities.