"THE SUMMIT OF INJUSTICE" BY JACINTHA
Summit of injustice, Avatar Sri Swami Premananda for already more ten years innocent behind bars in India, but as Swamiji says: Truth will win!
Trough all ages there have been countless prophets, Masters, visionaries, saints and sages, and spiritual teachers. There names are indelible engraved in the holy scriptures of all religions and spiritual orders. Their thoughts and inspirations still inspires people until today. Although they have their origin in various cultures, countries and era’s ,their wisdom is universal and enriching or those who have the interest to study these teachings. The inspiring idea’s and teachings are invaluable for the evolution of mankind. Nevertheless people have certain prejudices ,because there are many misunderstandings about the word Guru or spiritual teacher. Very soon they remind horrifying stories about dark sects the ended up in a disaster or leaders of that kind of groups who were fell of their throne because of abuse of power. It is understandable that this often causes feelings of resistance. Although chaff and wheat have always been there. In this context it is best to trust on one’s own observation and inner wisdom, and investigate if a certain philosophy can be inspiring . Even right now in this complicated, chaotic time of tremendous changes and contradictions there are saints, sages and spiritual teachers on earth living on earth.
From a very young age, Swami Premananda has totally devoted his life to spirituality. He has always expressed his spiritual aspiration through service to anyone requesting his help and especially to the poorest in society. Born into a simple merchant family in Matale, Sri Lanka, in 1951, Prem Kumar (later known as Swami Premananda) as a child showed special signs that he was destined for a spiritual life. Objects such as sacred powders used in Hindu rituals used to mysteriously appear around baby Prem Kumar. He used to freely materialized sweets and fruit to his schoolmates, which would simply “appear” in his hands whenever he would think of them. For his age, he showed unusual interest in spiritual matters and was often overcome by higher consciousness. During his school days word quickly spread about Prem Kumar’s special abilities. He would immediately know what problems people had and whatever he predicted came true. The parents of many of his friends became his first devotees. By the age of 17, Prem Kumar made the conscious decision to follow the divine guidance within and to dedicate his entire life to serving humanity, helping people in their mental distress and physical poverty. He stated that his mission is to show the existence and love of God to as many as he possibly could in his lifetime. He became a monk (sanyasin) and from then on he was called Swami Premananda – Prema means pure love and Ananda means divine joy. More and more people were drawn to Swami Premananda. People in distress came to him for guidance. Genuine spiritual aspirants, in search of enlightenment, also gathered around him. In 1972 he started his first Ashram in Matale. He also started to take care of homeless and unwanted children in this Ashram. People from all walks of life came there to enjoy the spiritual environment. He was invited all over the world as well as toured the United Kingdom three times and visited Singapore, Malaysia and The Philippines.
In 1983 Sri Lanka was rocked by ethnically motivated attacks and riots. As he stood for peace and unity, Swami was a prime target for troublemakers and the beautiful ashram was burnt to the ground. Therefore, Swami, accompanied by some of the devotees and children from the orphanage, came to India. He settled down in Trichy and soon started a new Ashram near the small village of Fathimanagar, Tamil Nadu. In 1989 the Ashram was officially inaugurated in the presence of many spiritual leaders and was called “Sri Premananda Ashram”. Over the next five years the Ashram flourished. 300 destitute children were living and studying in the ashram. Thousands used to visit the Ashram on weekends to have a private interview with Swamiji and listen to his spiritual discourses. He solved their problems and cured many people. An increasing number of spiritual seekers from India and western countries came to live in the Ashram, finding in Swami Premananda their guide towards self-realization.
An old Chinese proverb says “Real things are not beautiful, beautiful things are not real…” Was this all to good to be true than? In 1994 the media all over India, many negative, started a huge slander campaign and false reports, containing even the most terrible lies were published. What happened next was that the police invaded the Ashram and arrested and Swami and five others were arrested and brought to jail. At first was told that this was only for investigations but it developed into a huge tragedy for all the persons concerned. Maybe the authorities thought that this would be the end of the Ashram. But this was completely untrue, on the contrary, the Sri Premananda Ashram developed in a splendid way. There are Sri Premananda Centres and groups in many countries all over the world. There are now about 900 children living in the orphanage. The pupils of the Sri Premamanda High School have very good results at the yearly government examinations. At the moment a new school (including a secondary school) is build, so the children don’t have to travel to another town to continue their studies. Daily there are countless meals distributed to the poorest people living in the area.
After the terrible tsunami disaster on 26 December 2004 immediately a huge help project was started. Swami has always said that the truth will finally win anyhow. Often he said that world is going in the wrong direction. During Mahashivathri 2005 he said in a satsang that in this world there is no place any more for truth and justice, Swamiji wrote: “Much takes place in life that makes us feel that what is actually untrue is true and what is true is really false. Because of such events, many innocent people are judged guilty, whilst those who are guilty are regarded as innocent.” In the texts and speeches of Swami Premananda it is remarkable that he always uses very simple words and explanations. For example “it is not necessary for someone to change your religion, it is most important to understand that all religions are in fact ONE. Many ways lead to the same goal; this is called Sanatana Dharma, the Universal Truth, which is the Universal Truth, the essence of all religions on earth.
His way of guiding numerous people in a very personal where beyond the limits of time and space is very extraordinary. He says; “ Think of me where ever you are, and even from a foreign country, and I will come to you in one minute to help you and guide you.” Many people have experienced miracles like healing, miraculous rescues, and positive inspiration to maintain in difficult situations. He himself lives in a very simple way, continuously he teaches people the importance of servitude to others.
In the summer of 2000 he had 17 days furlough from jail and stayed in the Ashram, at that time there were many people from all over the world present there because of a conference. It was very remarkable that he indefatigable continued with giving personal attention to all the people that came to meet him. He listened to them, advised them, comforted them and blessed them. He gave many satsangs, conducted ceremonies and meetings. For all the people who were present there is was a very rare and special occasion, There is a video available which was made during these days, more information about the video is on the official website (www.sripremananda.org) On this website there is always the most recent news about the Centres and groups in the many various countries. The Centres and groups are in close connection with the Ashram in India, and they organise regularly activities and programs where people may feel welcome in a not binding way. From time tot time Ashram delegates are send by Swamiji on a tour through various countries, where meetings and programs are organised which provide the occasion to meet them personally.
- Jacintha