Doctor Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji
Gaithersburg, MD
Sponsor: Rep. Rep. Frank Pallone, (D-NJ)
Date of Prayer: 05/22/2001
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji for providing such words of wisdom this morning here on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji spent 28 years as a Jain monk. During his years in India, he founded the Divine Knowledge Society and other social welfare and emergency relief organizations. He is also a prolific writer, having written more than 25 books that reflect his message of world peace and nonviolence.
The Jain religion, which places heavy emphasis on personal and societal nonviolence in thoughts, speeches and actions, has flourished in India for 3,500 years. This year Jains all around the world celebrate the 2,600th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavere, the last of the revered 24 genas, who spread the Jain message. I guess we could say in a way that Lord Mahavere was ahead of his time, once proclaiming all human beings are equal, whether male or female, rich or poor.
I would like to thank Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji again for providing this morning's opening prayer and also Mr. Sushel Jain and all the Jains who have made the trip to Washington this morning to hear this prayer. Many of them are in the gallery. I would also like to thank the House Chaplain Coughlin for allowing us the opportunity to celebrate the Jain spirit here on the House Floor this morning.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Let us all join our hands, heads and hearts together and bow to all perfect and liberated souls, and to all spiritual teachers.
Let us pray that all elected representatives
of the people of this Nation be guided
in their thoughts, words and actions
to achieve the greatest good for all.
Let them have a high sense of responsibility
and be free from temptations of selfish interests.
Let them be filled with knowledge and wisdom
so that resolutions adopted and laws enacted
may meet the standards for the good of our people.
May the blessings be on our country, our government, our elected leaders in this House of Congress, and on all living beings of the world.
May the entire universe attain bliss.
May all beings be interested
in one another’s well being.
May all faults be eliminated.
May people be happy everywhere.
Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory