BAPS spiritual leader His Holiness Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj and former US president Barack Obama discussed the contribution by the Indian diaspora and how they can be more involved in public life during a recent meeting in Washington DC.
Paying tribute to BAPS temples, the former US president noted that they serve as places of worship as well as community centres, serving the local population. Their programmes for young people drew praise from Obama.
They agreed that more needed to be done to encourage young south Asians to pursue careers in public service. HH Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj explained the Hindu principle that each individual soul is divine, and so the service of each individual is a selfless act of devotion.
Obama noted that like with other immigrant communities, the second generation often engages more fully in civic life, making America theirs.
HH Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj heard that that one of Obama’s priorities in his post-presidency is preparing the next generation of leaders. The two leaders discussed how they could collaborate on such plans.
The Indian saint presented the former US leader with a garland, as part of a traditional Hindu greeting, as well as an Amrut Kalash which symbolising the victory of good over evil.
Obama was also gifted Hindu prayer beads and a copy of Transcendence, a book by the late Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam about his spiritual experiences, with BAPS leader, the late His Holiness Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
HH Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj was also touched by Obama’s humility, sharing with the former resident a verse from a John Bunyan poem,
“He that is down, need fear no fall. He that is low, no pride.
“He that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.”
The BAPS leader also noted how as president, Obama had dinner with his family five nights a week and also looked after for his staff while in office.
As their meeting drew to a close, Obama respectfully bid HH Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj goodbye with the traditional greeting: “Jay Swaminarayan.”
The circular structure inspired by jali screens in India
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, at the garden
The couple display their medals
