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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to commemorate the 100th birthday of His
4Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and Guru
5of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide Hindu
6organization dedicated to promoting harmony between
7individuals, within families, and among diverse communities;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a simple, humble, and
10spiritual personality; the great Guru was the fifth spiritual
11successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan; he was in constant
12communion with Bhagwan Swaminarayan and, ontologically, was
13the manifestation of Akshar, the eternal abode of
14Swaminarayan; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was born on December 7,
161921 in the village of Chansad, Gujarat, India; he followed a
17spiritual path from an early age, seeking purity, renouncing
18material possessions, and possessing a striking humility,
19saintliness, and selfless desire to help all; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj's unique combination of
21spirituality and leadership resulted in the growth of BAPS
22globally, encompassing more than 1,100 Mandirs worldwide and

 

 

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1150 centers in North America, and created grand stone mandirs
2in Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and
3Robbinsville; these mandirs offer a welcoming and spiritual
4space for thousands of families, as well as worship,
5fellowship, communal meals, education, and activities for
6young and old, creating a true home for the faithful; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj's thoughtful and meaningful
8words were a distillation of his profound experience, bringing
9peace to even the most disturbed; his words removed
10impurities, brought joy, inspired greatness, lifted the gloom,
11gave direction, removed ego, and imbued people with bliss; his
12experienced words of wisdom provided inspirational guidance on
13religion, detachment from material things, devotion to faith,
14family values, nurturing children, the duties of citizens, and
15many other essential aspects of daily life; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a rare soul and always
17lived for others and, at the same time, remained completely
18absorbed in his faith; his unique message to the world is "In
19the joy of others, lies our own"; his words were thoughtful,
20meaningful, and consoling, coming from the depth of profound
21experience and deep compassion; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj always gave enlightenment,
23guidance, and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and

 

 

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1administered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and
2corporal needs of all; and
 
3    WHEREAS, It is the custom of the House of Representatives
4to recognize the men and women who accept the responsibility
5of moral leadership and render the wisdom of human
6understanding; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9we commemorate the 100th birthday of His Holiness Pramukh
10Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and Guru of the BAPS
11Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide Hindu organization
12dedicated to promoting harmony between individuals, within
13families and among diverse communities.