Interesting contact.

[Guest guest]

From time to time we come across very sincere individuals who

busy themselves propagating spirituality in a very selfless manner.

Recently we came across one such person called Harshadbhai Master

based in South Africa. We have taken his permission to share his email

with the list................ Vivekananda Centre London.

 

 

Further to our enquiry about what drives him Mr Master replied:-

===================Reply ========================

Jay, A senior swami from Belur Math, Swami Nisreyasananda, was stationed in

Harare, Zimbabwe, for more than thirty years. He passed away in 1991. He

used to visit South Africa twice a year. I had the privilege of being his

host whenever he was in Johannesburg. Swamijee taught Vedanta for those

thirty years to small groups of regular devotees in various towns and cities

in South Africa. Swamijee never used any dakshina given to him but saved

every cent and set up a trust fund called 'Vivekananda Fund'. I am a trustee

of this fund. The main aims and objectives of this fund can be summed up as

'To spread the message of Vedanta'.

I realised that the rapid spread of the Internet since 1994 presented the

most cost-effective method of disseminating information worldwide.

Vivekananda Fund is utilised for publishing our web site.

Swamijee planted the seeds and stimulated interest in Vedanta. My earlier

background of schooling since childhood for seven years in Gurukula in India

provided foundations in religion, culture, languages including

Hindi,Sanskrit, Gujarati. I spent further seven years in England for further

studies. This provided foundations in English language and literature,

Western cultures, understanding of Christianity etc.

In Johannesburg, I attend twice a week satsang in the Vishnu temple in the

suburb of Lenasia. For over thirty years I have been researching and giving

twice weekly talks on various aspects of Hinduism, at this temple and at

other temples and venues.

All these amount to a lifetime of interest and study relating to Hinduism.

Looking back, it is my belief that it is my destiny that I should be the

instrument in some divine plan, whereby through God's grace and blessings

of saintly people, I am able to further the aims of 'Vivekananda Fund'.

I am not publicising any association with any organisation for the simple

reason that a neutral site will attract readers from everywhere. For

example, Harekrishna might not visit Arya Samaj based web site. People tend

to follow their own sampraday. Also, as an example, a web site put out by

Sivananda Ashram or Ramakrishna Ashram would feature literature from their

own masters and would shy away from the teachings of other masters. I am not

bound by any such restricting influences. My guiding principle has been the

authority of the scriptures, as far as possible.

Regards

Harshadbhai B. Master

=========end of message===========

 

We have linked up his website to our home page

at http://www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk/home.htm

 

jay