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ISSO (Swaminarayan)
Encyclopedia
Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj (who was then Acharya
of the Swaminarayan Sampraday (Ahmedabad Gadi)) founded International Swaminarayan Satsang Organization (I.S.S.O.) (Devanagari
: इन्तेर्नतेनल स्वामिनारायन सत्सन्ग ओर्गनिशोन) in the USA on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami in the year 1978.
The prime objective of I.S.S.O. is "To advance the Sanatana Dharma, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the Swaminarayan Sampraday
, founded and ordained by Sahajanand Swami", enabling Lord Swaminarayan's devotees from both the NarNarayan Dev Gadi
(Ahmedabad
) & LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi
(Vadtal
) to practice their religious duties in harmony.
This achieved, the efforts of all the followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday can be polarised, allowing for joint activities to be undertaken. In turn, this will enable the followers to meet the challenges they are faced with today in giving their youth a religious experience that they can understand and practice themselves.
Gurukul
Classes are held in English every Friday evening in London
, where the religious principles of the Swaminarayan Sampraday are taught. Exploring the greatness of the scriptures and discussing and debating on the modern day issues affecting young satsangis stimulates the desire to learn more.
& Katha
), video cassettes (Utsav
s & documentaries) & scriptural books (Vachanamrit, Shikshapatri
, Satsangi Jeevan
, Puranas, etc.)
was established. It is an independent running charity under the Swaminarayan Sampraday to give a helping hand to mankind, to help the homeless and needy as well as making awareness about the modern day diseases and infections. It provides relief for when a natural disaster
strikes worldwide. The charity is run by professionals and volunteers of the Swaminarayan temples and centres.
Humanitarian Relief has been accorded a privileged place in the Sampraday's social philosophy. All temples have been instrumental in raising awareness of the plight of people in numerous disasters; Orissa Cyclone Relief, Maharashtra Earthquake, 2001 Gujarat Earthquake
, etc in recent times via the Swaminarayan Temples
in India
.
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
of the Swaminarayan Sampraday (Ahmedabad Gadi)) founded International Swaminarayan Satsang Organization (I.S.S.O.) (Devanagari
Devanagari
Devanagari |deva]]" and "nāgarī" ), also called Nagari , is an abugida alphabet of India and Nepal...
: इन्तेर्नतेनल स्वामिनारायन सत्सन्ग ओर्गनिशोन) in the USA on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami in the year 1978.
The prime objective of I.S.S.O. is "To advance the Sanatana Dharma, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the Swaminarayan Sampraday
Swaminarayan Sampraday
Swaminarayan Sampraday , known previously as the Uddhav Sampraday, is a Hindu sect established by Swaminarayan...
, founded and ordained by Sahajanand Swami", enabling Lord Swaminarayan's devotees from both the NarNarayan Dev Gadi
NarNarayan Dev Gadi
The Naranarāyan Dēv Gadī , named after NarNarayan Dev, is one of the two Gadis that together form the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is headquartered at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad and controls the Uttar Vibhag....
(Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
) & LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi
LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi
The Laxminarayan Dev Gadi is one of the two Gadis that together form the Swaminarayan Sampraday. It is headquartered at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadtal and controls the Dakshin Vibhag....
(Vadtal
Vadtal
Vadtal is a small village in the Kheda district of Gujarat, IndiaIt is a location of famous Swaminarayan's temple. "Gomti" is a lake in Vadtal....
) to practice their religious duties in harmony.
This achieved, the efforts of all the followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday can be polarised, allowing for joint activities to be undertaken. In turn, this will enable the followers to meet the challenges they are faced with today in giving their youth a religious experience that they can understand and practice themselves.
Activities
GurukulGurukulA gurukul is a type of school in India, residential in nature, with shishyas living in proximity to the guru, often within the same house...
Classes are held in English every Friday evening in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where the religious principles of the Swaminarayan Sampraday are taught. Exploring the greatness of the scriptures and discussing and debating on the modern day issues affecting young satsangis stimulates the desire to learn more.
Religious Camps
Summer camps concentrating on religious teachings in a religious atmosphere in the presence of Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj & saints. These camps take place annually in the UK & USA, where hundreds of youth have been inspired into a religious life.Religious Publications
Audio Cassettes (KirtanKirtan
Kirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
& Katha
Katha
Katha may refer to:* The Sanskrit for "speech, narration, story, fable", see Katha * The Kaṭha or Caraka-Katha school of the Black Yajurveda** Katha Upanishad, a Hindu text associated with the Katha school...
), video cassettes (Utsav
Utsav
Utsav is a 1984 Hindi film, produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Girish Karnad.The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Amjad Khan, Anuradha Patel, Shekhar Suman, Anupam Kher, Shankar Nag, Neena Gupta, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Annu Kapoor, Sanjana Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor.The role played by Shashi...
s & documentaries) & scriptural books (Vachanamrit, Shikshapatri
Shikshapatri
The Shikshapatri is a religious text consisting of two hundred and twelve verses, written in Sanskrit by Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The Shikshapatri is a key scripture to all followers of the Swaminarayan faith and is considered the basis of the faith.The Shikshapatri was written in Vadtal on February...
, Satsangi Jeevan
Satsangi Jeevan
Satsangi Jeevan is the authorised biography of Swaminarayan. The book contains information on the life and teachings of Swaminarayan. IIt is written by Shatanand Swami and completed in 1829. Swaminarayan decided to make Gadhada his permanent residence on the insistence of Dada Khachar and his sisters...
, Puranas, etc.)
ISSO-Seva
In 2001 ISSO SevaISSO Seva
ISSO Seva was established in 2001. It is an independent running charity under International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation of the Swaminarayan Sampraday that has been established tp give a helping hand to mankind, help the homeless and needy as well as spreading awareness about the modern day...
was established. It is an independent running charity under the Swaminarayan Sampraday to give a helping hand to mankind, to help the homeless and needy as well as making awareness about the modern day diseases and infections. It provides relief for when a natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
strikes worldwide. The charity is run by professionals and volunteers of the Swaminarayan temples and centres.
Humanitarian Relief has been accorded a privileged place in the Sampraday's social philosophy. All temples have been instrumental in raising awareness of the plight of people in numerous disasters; Orissa Cyclone Relief, Maharashtra Earthquake, 2001 Gujarat Earthquake
2001 Gujarat earthquake
The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001, India's 52nd Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time and lasted for over two minutes. The epicentre was about 9 km south-southwest of the village of Chobari in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat, India...
, etc in recent times via the Swaminarayan Temples
Swaminarayan temples
Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, established temples, known as mandirs , as part of his philosophy of theism and deity worship. These mandirs are known as Swaminarayan Hindu temples....
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Other activities
- Hospitals
- Blood donationBlood donationA blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions or made into medications by a process called fractionation....
camps - Medical camps
- Clinics in remote parts of India
- Setting up almshouseAlmshouseAlmshouses are charitable housing provided to enable people to live in a particular community...
s to feed and clothe the poor and needy souls on a daily basis.