Johor Bahru - 6th, February 2008. Location: Swami Sivananda Ashram, Bukit Kempas. A magnificent Ashram located at Bukit Kempas (near Taman Anggerik), has been for many years established in a low profile manner but spiritually charged up and magnified by presence of number of spiritual masters, in the lineage of Swami Sivanada, founder of Divine Live Society. This Ashram is culmination and vision turned reality by HH Shanthanand Saraswathi who is the founder and patron of Temple of Fine Arts International, one of the premier Indian cultural institutions in number of countries, including Malaysia. The branch institution(TFA) is located at Jalan Dapat, Johor Bahru, about 2 kilometers from JB's main city center. Most JB folks do well knew about TFA but however, not so aware about this ``Ashram''. Therefore, befittingly in this posting, I would like to dwell on this Ashram; it's major significance, importance and the `mystical' aura it projected out.
Ashram is uniquely situated on top of a hill. The only way to access to this divine sanctuary is by driving up through Taman Anggerik and park your vehicle at the corridor end of Taman Kempas, walk a 100 meter mud road and climbing up a slightly sloped roadway leading to Ashram or through some rough winding and mud-road from the back of Bukit Kempas where vegetables were grown along the hill slopes. This in itself a good ``sadhana'' for pilgrimages, devotees and general public. Nevertheless, plans of having a proper roadway is in progress.
Siva's family members (disciples and devotees of Shanthanad Saraswathi), students of TFA and devotees often serve and attends prayer sessions, which are conducted daily here. Another important point that need to be highlighted here is the notable presence of an unassuming ``sanyasin'' or monk of ``HH Swami Sivananda's order or lineage (parampara).
A low profile ``sanyasin'' but an important pillar of strength - Reverend Swami Sivaprabhananda, is a resident monk living and serving in this ashram. Swamiji was initiated in the holy order of Sanyasa by HH Shanthanand Saraswathi, a life time vow to remain celibate, live a pure life, renouncing worldy desires(detached) but continuing to carry out vision and mission of Swamiji's predecessor. Reverend Swamiji stays in a ``kutir'' (small living hut beside the ashram) modeled that from Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh, Himalaya,India.
A low profile ``sanyasin'' but an important pillar of strength - Reverend Swami Sivaprabhananda, is a resident monk living and serving in this ashram. Swamiji was initiated in the holy order of Sanyasa by HH Shanthanand Saraswathi, a life time vow to remain celibate, live a pure life, renouncing worldy desires(detached) but continuing to carry out vision and mission of Swamiji's predecessor. Reverend Swamiji stays in a ``kutir'' (small living hut beside the ashram) modeled that from Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh, Himalaya,India.
Plot of land on top of this hill holds a block of strong wooden chalet' modeled structured raised house for future `` health care center for the sick and destitute s''. It also consist of medical section. Right on the very top of the hill there is neat and simple covered shade structure which provides umbrella function to few magical gems. These ``gems'' emanates ``wonderful magical lights'' . These out poring lights become source of attracting aura or the mystical part that pulls in devotees. The main sanctum consist of ``Sivalingam'' , a smaller ``Lingam'' and a``Stupa'' - mystical Buddhist ``graha'' that shaped like a ``Meru''. At the very back of the sanctum is a huge portrait of HH Swami Sivananda.
We could see 3 linkages of important elements of function when visiting this ashram. First function element, a divine place of worship that sets our inner mind calmer and realign ourselves that we have to leave at times a portion of our worldly affairs and be detached. Charge up with positive energy and off we go to face another challenging worldly affairs positive and confidently.
Second function element is the enhancing our character refinement through regular worship, devout and sincerely. As we're consistent and regular prayer with ``bakthi'', it cushions our karmic situations that we face daily and therefore being refined and controlled in manageable level.
The third function element is service. As we grow more mature and stable in our prayers and consistent in our action, naturally the urge to serve and give comes spontaneously. When we posses these three elements, we become wholesome, humble, caring; speak goods words about others, loving; be a giver than a receiver; we like to serve than beings served, face every life karma with a ease and understanding; never a complainer, but a problem solver.
The third function element is service. As we grow more mature and stable in our prayers and consistent in our action, naturally the urge to serve and give comes spontaneously. When we posses these three elements, we become wholesome, humble, caring; speak goods words about others, loving; be a giver than a receiver; we like to serve than beings served, face every life karma with a ease and understanding; never a complainer, but a problem solver.
More on next posting..........
Contact information:
tfa_sg@templeoffinearts.org
tfakl@pc.jaring.my
JB - 07- 2227400
tfa_sg@templeoffinearts.org
tfakl@pc.jaring.my
JB - 07- 2227400
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