MOSCOW, RUSSIA, July 26, 2019 (BAPS): A high-level official spiritual dialogue with senior swamis of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) was organized by the Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Parliament of Russia, Mr Iliyas Umakhanov on 26 July, 2019. With the blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha was represented by senior swamis from India and the UK, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami and Pujya Yogvivek Swami, while The Russian Federation delegation included seven prominent national thinkers and officials.
The dialogue, perhaps the first of its kind, began with brief introductions and focused on various aspects of the rich cultures of Russia and India as well as the common values of humanity and spirituality that shape the character and quality of life in the world today. Through inspirations from the work, values and vision of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), the previous guru of BAPS, special emphasis was placed on how humans can collaborate to transcend the divisions of culture, country, race and religion, thereby overcoming the challenges facing peaceful global coexistence.
On Saturday 27 July 2019, a historic spiritual assembly was held at the Indian National Cultural Centre SITA in Moscow, Russia, in the presence of Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and other senior swamis from India and the UK. The assembly, attended by over 100 devotees and guests, was themed In the Joy of Others – the spiritual ethos that His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj embodied throughout his life. This additional article can be read here:
https://www.baps.org/News/2019/Historic-BAPS-Spiritual-Assembly-16954.aspx