Sri Satchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai !!

Whenever I buy something new, get a good news in the mail, or start working on a new objective, it has long since been a habit to first place the work at Baba’s feet before getting started. Sometimes it has been asked, why temple, why not a Pooja at home? Why not within the mind itself? After all, the ultimate divine form is within. That’s when my mind is drawn to these lines “The Temple is not merely a structure but a whole ecosystem that provides individual soul nourishment and connects our community”.
 
The peace and magnetism within the temple walls, have to be felt, cannot be described. It is in search of this very peace and with the objective of sharing and spreading the message of faith and patience that the Parivaar has set out with an objective to build a magnificent home for Baba in the New England area.
 
Again, lots of questions, why such a big temple, why such a huge structure, why so many millions? Absolutely valid questions. Just like a technology startup which is born in a garage or a basement, A Bhajan group quickly outgrows the pooja room, and feels a need, to have a dedicated abode for their almighty. A 1000 sq.ft temple outgrows itself in a couple years, A couple thousand square feet more, a couple more years. Almost like the minnow, which quickly assumes the gigantic Matsya Avatar, Or Vamana who increases to Vishnu. The need cannot be explained, it has to be felt. If you believe, you will not question. You will only feel.

Such a huge project obviously requires money, lots of it, loads of it. The temple has grown thus far, purely due to the love of the Parivaar Sabhya (members of the Sai family). And now, the Parivar needs your help to start and complete the temple project. This is yet another request for a fund raising activity, just that, it will cost you not money, but just a few minutes of your time to read this and then a couple more minutes to think over.
 
Every Thursday, the Bhandara team of the Parivaar prepares Maha Prasad to about 300 devotees and on festival and special event days this number doubles or trebles. The Parivaar has never charged for any food or service inside the temple. Given that every year, there are 52 Thursdays and at least 15 special event days, Maha Prasad is served for around 30,000 devotees each year.
 
Food is served in mostly plastic / recyclable containers. Most often, and most unintentionally, devotees often reach out for an additional piece of cutlery whenever they need a second helping. For example, we can drink twice from the same glass, why do we discard the glass, only to reach for another one right away? We can follow exactly the same habits like we do at home. (after all the temple is like another home to us). Observations show that approximately 20% of the cutlery (plates, spoons, glasses, bowls, cups etc.), which can be reused, are actually discarded. So, imagine 20% of 30,000 which is 6000 plates, spoons, glasses and bowls being wasted. Assuming a cost of even 10 cents per item, $1 each day goes literally into the trash. And it does no good to the environment either. Not to mention the excess food which is again disposed of in a similar manner. 6000 meals each year which would have cost several thousands to prepare.
 
If we can just pay more attention to this cause, we can easily get rid of a few of the traditional fun raising drives. This appeal is not to reach into your pockets, but to make you reach within into your minds. Donate, by saving. Your little thoughts will help save thousands each year, and the Parivaar can build the temple faster and spread Baba’s love even farther.

Jai Sai Ram!

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