Dr Rowan
Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury visited The BAPS Shri
Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, the largest traditional Hindu
Mandir outside India, on Sat 29 Jan 2005. Dr Williams arrived
at the Mandir at 6.30pm where he was welcomed by the Trustees
of the Mandir, Sarah Teather MP for Brent East, H.E. Kamlesh
Sharma – The High Commissioner of India, The Mayor of
Brent – Cllr. Ahmed Shahzad and Cllr. Ann John –
Leader of Brent Council. As The Archbishop entered the Haveli
he was welcomed in the traditional Hindu manner by Atmaswarup
Swami, Head of the Mandir. In this first visit to the Mandir,
he admired the rich intricate carvings of marble and the splendour
of the architectural structure.
In the main
shrine of the Mandir, Dr Williams was introduced to the deities
of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the other deities. Atmaswarup Swami
explained the spirit of volunteerism that had gone into the
building of the Mandir and the significance of the intricate
carvings that adorn the Mandir. He next visited the exhibition,
“Understanding Hinduism”, that details the origins,
beliefs, values and contribution of Hinduism. Dr Williams was
then given a tour of the Haveli complex meeting community leaders
as well as volunteers who had been involved during the construction
phase of the Mandir complex. He was fascinated to see a sports
hall adjoining the prayer hall.
Dr Williams
was formally garlanded in the main Prayer Hall in the presence
of 2000 worshippers.
Atmaswarup
Swami in his address spoke of the proud Hindu tradition of welcoming
visitors from all faiths. He went on to say that the message
of Hinduism is that the entire world is but one human family.
He added, “Let us teach our followers that religion does
not grow by quantity of numbers, but by quality of spirituality.
We want to stress the unity in diversity, that there are more
things that unite us than divide.”
His Holiness
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, inspirer of the Mandir sent a special
message. He had written, “We are deeply pleased by your
visit and welcome you on behalf of the Hindu community…
Your visit shall provide new energy to the spirit of friendship
and understanding... May God grace you with good health, and
may the people of all cultures and communities, of all races
and religions grow together through spiritual harmony.”
The High
Commissioner for India, His Excellency, Mr Kamlesh Sharma spoke
of the welcoming nature of the host community and of the obligation
of Hindus to work for the welfare of the country and make a
contribution. He went on to say that he was glad that “this
is in fact what is happening.”
In his address
to the 2000-strong gathering, The Archbishop of Canterbury said,
“I have looked for a long time for the possibility of
such a visit but as one of the stories in our scriptures says,
the half of it was not told to me.”
He went
on to say that he found the need to promote dialogue and understanding
between the great faiths of the world. “We have learned
and are still learning how to welcome one another into our hearts
and homes… I have felt this evening welcomed by you in
spirit.”
He continued,
“I have been of course struck by the beauty of this place,
but the beauty of craftsmanship and art devoted to God is only
a small thing compared with the beauty of the spirit. But I
have seen here also that beauty in great evidence.”
Dr Williams
then spoke of the example set by His Holiness Pramukh Swami
Maharaj in his efforts for reconciliation in India and throughout
the world. “I see it in his refusal to speak in retaliation
in the universality of spirit which allows him to be a welcomer
of others and that is beauty of spirit [referring to the Terrorist
attack on Akshardham in Gandhinagar, India]. We hope that as
we learn the spirit of welcome and sacrifice, others may be
drawn by the beauty of God to walk in that same way.”
He added,
“Part of that beauty also, expressed once again in the
teachings of the Inspirer, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, is the conviction
that our joy and peace are to be found in the joy and peace
of the other.”
In concluding,
he said, “I pray that we may learn from one another and
together see that beauty which is from God, which alone will
change and save our world.”
Atmaswarup
Swami and Dr Williams exchanged mementos to mark this special
visit to the Mandir.
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