Mission prays on Xmas-eve


Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong. Telegraph picture

Shillong, Dec. 25: It was Christmas celebration with a difference for those who thronged the Ramakrishna Mission at Laitumkhrah here last evening.

Around 300 people, irrespective of religious affiliations, took part in the prayers organised at the institute in keeping with a tradition started by Ramakrishna’s disciples on December 24, 1886.

Swami Brahmadevananda, the secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong, said after the death of Ramakrishna in 1886, nine of his disciples, including Swami Vivekananda, gathered on December 24 night and read scriptures recollecting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They lit a fire outside the house of one of the disciples, Babu Ram (Swami Premananda), at Antpur in Hooghly district of West Bengal and took the vow of sanyas. Swami Vivekananda spoke about the sacrifice of the disciples of Christ and the need to emulate the way of life of Jesus and his disciples.

Ramakrishna’s disciples also contemplated on the life and works of their spiritual teacher and stressed the need to spread a new message of redemption. They realised only on December 25 morning that they had taken the vow of renunciation on Christmas-eve.Since then, all the units of Ramakrishna Mission recollect the teachings of Jesus on Christmas-eve.

At the institute’s auditorium here, the monks had decorated a picture of Jesus and Mary and placed cakes and sweets below the altar where candles were lit. Illuminated Christmas trees and stars were added attractions. The monks performed puja in the presence of the devotees followed by singing of carols.

Speaking at the function, Swami Brahmadevananda said Christmas, the birth of Christ and the message it signifies, was very important for every devotee of Ramakrishna paramhansa.

Swami Achyuteshananda, the head of the Vivevakanda Cultural Centre on Quinton Road here, read out the Sermon on the Mount, which is a message of hope for the poor and the needy during Christmas, from the Bible.

O.P. Lyttan, a former judicial magistrate who was the chief guest, spoke about the significance of Christmas.

As light refreshments were served, the monks and the people who had gathered at the Ramkrishna Mission, exchanged greetings of love and brotherhood.

From: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101226/jsp/northeast/story_13349547.jsp