Why is Guru Purnima celebrated
and what is its importance?
The real disciple
remembers his Guru every moment and strives to do spiritual practice
regularly. Even so, this day is especially celebrated for the following
reasons:
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Seekers celebrate Guru Purnima
to express gratitude to the Guru. |
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On Guru Purnima day, the grace, blessings and
non-verbal (subtle) knowledge endowed by the Guru principle is
a thousand times more than that on any other day. |
Where can one join in a Guru Purnima celebration?
In order to give opportunities
to seekers for serving the Guru principle, the Sanatan holds Guru
Purnima celebrations through out the world. Seekers are welcome
to join in the celebration at a Sanatan's center convenient to one.
Refer to the section, Guru Purnima Celebrations and Activities Worldwide
of the Weekly Online Issue for a listing of venues and timings for
the Sanatan's Guru Purnima celebration.
Importance of active participation in Guru Purnima
Active participation in
the preparation and celebration of Guru Purnima, rather than only
passively attending the celebration brings more spiritual benefit.
One derives benefits from the heightened grace during Guru Purnima
in proportion to one's involvement in preparation and celebration
of the day. Hence, one should participate actively for Guru Purnima
as much as possible.
How can one participate in Guru Purnima preparation
and celebration?
Surrendering everything
one has, including one's mind, body, wealth and life itself to the
cause
of Sat (God) is the real offering to the Guru (Gurudakshina). One
can start this process by taking small steps towards this goal,
as follows.
By body:
Instead of being a visitor,
one can participate wholeheartedly in the function
as if it were one's own. Thus, one can attempt to take part in as
many types of service (satseva, Service unto The Truth) as possible.
For example:
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Organizing the seating arrangements
for the attendees, the display of spiritual publications for exhibition. |
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Cooking of the holy sacrament (prasad). |
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Serving the holy sacrament to the attendees. |
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Decorating the altar and Guru Purnima venue. |
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Setting up the stage for discourses on Spirituality,
posters explaining concepts of Spirituality, etc. |
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Looking after the parking arrangements, and
belongings like shoes, jackets, etc., of the attendees. |
By mind:
One can offer one's mind
by chanting (the Repetition of The Lord’s Name) as much as
possible on this day.
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Special emphasis must be made to
ensure that one is chanting while performing any satseva (Service
unto The Truth). This will ensure that all activities are done
as satseva, in service to God, and not for the sake of doing them. |
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One can pray and review while doing each satseva,
and judge for oneself if the satseva is being done with the spiritual
emotion (bhav) that one is doing them as if for God Himself, as
if in His presence. |
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One can encourage others to attend the Guru
Purnima celebration by explaining to them the importance of this
day. |
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One can take responsibility or assist in planning
and executing the plan for the celebrations. |
By wealth:
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One can offer money (wealth earned
by righteous means) for the Guru's mission of spreading Spirituality. |
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If one runs a business one can offer the business
products for Guru Purnima. |
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One can sponsor travel, accommodation or food
arrangements of participating seekers. |
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One can encourage others to offer wealth for
Guru Purnima by giving ways to do so. |
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