Chinmaya Mission Columbus 2017 - 2018 1 Bala Vihar Handbook Purpose of Bala Vihar: To help children learn Values with fun, To delight like the moon and shine like the Sun. Gurudev’s Vision of Bala Vihar: Bala Vihar is my Temple. Children are my God. Teaching is my Worship. Chinmaya Mission Columbus No. 5302, Liberty Rd N Powell OH 43065 614-917-0160 www.chinmayamissioncolumbus.org Email: [email protected]
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Chinmaya Mission Columbus 2017 - 2018
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Bala Vihar Handbook
Purpose of Bala Vihar: To help children learn Values with fun,
To delight like the moon and shine like the Sun.
Gurudev’s Vision of Bala Vihar: Bala Vihar is my Temple.
10 The Chinmaya Mission – The Spiritual Energy Center 14
11 Balavihar Syllabus 15
12 Adult Study Groups 16
13 CMC Contact List
Balavihar Sevaks 18
CMC Board Members 19
CMC Executive Committee 20
14 CMC Assembly Planner 21 - 24
15 Stotrams
Opening Prayers 25
Guru-sisya parampara Stotram 26 - 27
Daily Prayers 28 - 31
Sri Chinmaya Arati 32
Birth Day & Anniversary Song 33
16 Chinmaya Mission Pledge 34
Hari Om!
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A very warm welcome to Chinmaya Mission Columbus!
Over the years, with Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda’s blessings, our center has been growing and reaching out to increasing numbers of people. All our activities have one focus: to reveal to people of
all ages and from all walks of life, the timeless wisdom of Vedanta, which is the core of Hindu philosophy. Chinmaya Mission’s stated Mission is: “To provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom
of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become
positive contributors to society”. Our motto is: “To give the maximum happiness to the maximum number of people for the maximum
amount of time”. To fulfill the vision of Gurudev, Chinmaya Mission Columbus offers a number of activities, programs
and services for children and adults. Its center is known as Chinmaya Archana.
Balavihar – Letter to Parents Children are a major focus at Chinmaya Mission. Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda, commenting
on the general purpose of Chinmaya Bala Vihar and Yuva Kendra (Chyk), has stated that it is, “To
inculcate in our children and youth, by demonstration, the higher values and virtues of life which result
in good character and which will prepare them to live their life as a whole, successfully and happily.”
Pujya Guruji also said stating about the specific purpose of Bala Vihar is "To help children learn Values
with fun, to delight like the moon And shine like the sun ". The Balavihar program is intended to help children and youth to grow up with a strong understanding
of Hindu spiritual and cultural values. The main objective of these weekly sessions is to:
1. Bring about an all-round development of the personality of children during their formative
years.
2. Enable them to achieve success and balance as they grow up and face challenges of life. Junior Bala Vihar is for children of pre-school to 7th grade, and Senior Bala Vihar is for children of 8th to 12th grade. In each program, children are divided into different groups based on the grades they are attending in school. Bala Vihar classes for various age groups are conducted by trained sevakas and sevikas in a loving atmosphere. These voluntary dedicated workers impart to children, the glory of our rich culture, aiming at character formation and reverence for our ancient heritage. The high ideals and values from our great scriptures are taught in the form of stories, games, quizzes, crafts, bhajans, hymns, shlokas, skits etc.
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For Study Group adult members; Meditation session, Discourses on Vedanta / Bhagavad Gita and group discussions are held simultaneously with the Bala Vihar and Yuva Kendra classes. Special lecture series and spiritual camps are organized at various times for serious seekers of happiness. Discourses on various scriptures are conducted on week days in the mission. Parents are requested to make use of this invaluable opportunity to educate and prepare themselves and to help and guide the children at home and at the time of need. Please plan on attending our adult study groups while the children are in their BV classes. Please see the schedule for more details. It is important that all the children attend the classes regularly and be very punctual with the time schedule, to obtain maximum benefit from these programs. Junior and Senior Bala Vihar classes meet every Sunday for session 1 from 10:00AM to 11:30AM and Session 2 from 12:30 – 2:00PM. Let the children reach mission campus at least ten minutes before the session starts. Please be ready to pick child/children by 11:30AM and 2:00 PM respectively. It is essential that children complete their assignments and come prepared for the classes. Children must come with their Sunday school folder, assigned books, a notebook, and pen or pencil. Let the child carry the study material in a given bag. Please label everything with the child’s name. In the best interest of the children, the parents are requested not to remain in the children’s classes. You may contact the child’s teacher or BV Coordinator: Smt.Bindu Menta, if you have any questions or need additional information. The Board of Trustees requests all the parents to submit written suggestions to further improve children educational activities at the Ashram. May Pujya Gurudev and Pujya Guruji’s blessings be always on us. Shri Puran Lahoti, President Smt.Bindu Menta, BV Coordinator
For additional information about our programs and activities, please visit
our website at www.chinmayamissioncolumbus.org Hari Om!
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Local Mission Activities
• Bala Vihar – The goal of Balavihar is to "wake up the sleeping giant" in our children and inspire them to reach their maximum potential by imparting a value-based education through a specially designed age appropriate curriculum. Our BV Motto is “Keep Smiling”.
• Adult Study Groups – Its goal is to practice mananam or reflection thereby gaining clear insight of scriptural fundamentals, and to cultivate the art of communicating this scriptural knowledge to others and learning practical means of living a happy life.
• Geeta Chanting Competition – Its goal is to help children, youth and adults memorize and chant a selected chapter or set of verses from the Bhagavad Geeta.
• Language Classes –The classes familiarize students with the alphabet and numbers through reading, writing and speaking, and introduce them to common words and phrases that will enable the understanding of simple conversation.
• Festivals and Special Events – o Several Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Mahashivarathri, Ramanavami, Gurudev's
Jayanti and Guru Poornima are celebrated at Chinmaya Mission. The significance of each festival is explained to the Balavihar students by the teachers.
o We also have other special fun-filled activities such as the Annual Picnic, Presidents
Day Camp, , Field Trips, and Lock-Ins that are organized throughout the year to boost the enthusiasm and interest of the children.
• Jnana Yajnas and Discourses – CMC regularly invites Acharyas and Swamijis from various centers across the US almost once every two months to help further our understanding of scriptures.
• Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, or CHYK as it is popularly known is the global youth wing of Chinmaya Mission.
• Community Outreach – o Chinmaya Mission is also involved in community outreach activities on a regular and
as-need basis. The goal is to encourage the individual growth of students and their parents by getting involved and giving back to the community; “giving more than what we take”, as we pledge every week.
o Activities such as community service in Worthington Food Pantry, Adopt-a-Highway", "Red Cross - Blood Mobile" and "THE BENEFIT BANK” program to name a few.
o CORD – Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development: CORD is Chinmaya Mission's wing for social service projects. CORD India, Sri Lanka, and USA offer a variety of services. CORD India focuses on rural areas and CORD Sri Lanka is serving its recent war-stricken areas and victims. The work of CORD has been globally acclaimed for providing orphanages, hospitals, medical clinics, micro banking enterprises, abuse support groups, and vocational training programs, to name a few. Visit the CORD USA site to get details and learn how you can help. CMC conducts a yearly fund raising program for supporting this cause.
o Ronald McDonald Meal Volunteers – We bring a taste of home for RMHC families is something provided so our families have one less thing to worry about while their child is in the hospital.
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Worldwide Mission Activities Chinmaya Mission® was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Under his guidance, these devotees formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and outside its borders. Administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust in Mumbai, India, the Mission is now headed by His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda. There are over 300 centers worldwide. The Mission’s various activities and projects include
• Jnana Yajnas (Vedanta lecture series, seminars, workshops)� • Bala Vihar (Vedanta forum for children and youth)� • Yuva Kendra (Vedanta forum for university students and young professionals)� • Study Group (Vedanta forum for adults)� • Devi Group (Vedanta study and discussion forum for women) • Spiritual Retreats and Camps�
• Intensive Vedanta Courses (training for Chinmaya Mission’s order of monks, acharyas, and sevaks)
• Publications • Regional Centers • Temples and Shrines • Schools and Colleges • Medical Services and Training • Rural Village Development Projects • Pitamaha Sadans (senior citizen homes) • Management Courses and Services • Research in Sanskrit and Indology
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Code of Conduct and Discipline Policies Punctuality:
• Children should be in the class 10 minutes before class starts. Sunday’s Session 1 starts at 10:00 AM and Session 2 at 12.30 PM.
• If late, please wait outside the classroom or assembly until door opens.
• Children to stay for the entire duration for different educational activities- 1.5hrs.
Items not allowed during the session at BalaVihar:
• Cell phones, I- pods, game boys or electronic games, Jewelry- not allowed in the classrooms /shrine.
• No candy/gum chewing in classes/ shrine. Food and drinks are only in the downstairs, not in the classrooms upstairs.
Absences:
• Students to inform the teachers ahead of any absence.
• With 3 consecutive unexplained absences, the teacher will contact the family and try and get an answer.
Dress code: All children, adults, teachers should remember that Chinmaya Mission is a place of Worship and should dress appropriately.
Guidelines:
• Highly recommended outfits: salwar suits for girls and pajama-kurta for boys
• Other comfortable outfits may be worn as long as they are decently covering the bodies
• Tops and bottoms must meet at the waist
• Pants should be high enough on waist so that shorts are not protruding
• All shirts must have sleeves at least up to the shoulders. Tops should not be low – cut.
• Clothing should not display profanity or offensive slogans / symbols �
Respect for the mission, shrine, and our bodies is a part of our teaching.�**If attire is inappropriate, the teachers may bring it up to the attention of the administration. ** The teacher will lovingly enforce the dress code.
Cleanliness:
• No littering in the mission campus.
• Be very careful when you walk on mission parking lot. Look for oncoming vehicles whole crossing the road. Don’t play on the asphalt.
Lost and Found:
• Write the name, phone number on the bag. In case the bag is misplaced, look into Lost and Found same day or the following Sunday. Mission will not be responsible for the safety of personal belongings.
Shoes:
• To be put on the racks in the designated area. If the racks are full, place your shoes neatly in a line.
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Good Manners
1. Thoughts are very precious. Thoughts maintained inside express as Action outside. Action repeated makes a Habit. Habits form a Character. Character decides the Destiny. So from a young age develop good thoughts and noble character.
2. Noble character will make a person very successful in life. Everybody loves a person
with noble qualities.
3. All good manners should start at home. Respect your parents and follow their advice. Be kind and good to your brothers and sisters.
4. Earn a good name at your Sunday school and be a good role model for others. Be regular in attendance, diligent and well behaved. Respect your teachers and love your companions.
5. Everyday do some physical exercise. Yogasana, games and sports are very good
for body and mind. Be honest, sincere and co-operative while playing.
6. Strive to be helpful to everyone at all times. Always speak the truth.
7. See, talk and follow the good qualities you see in others. If you find any bad qualities Observe them silently and make sure you do not inculcate them.
8. When you meet anyone for the first time in the day greet him or her with “Hari OM”.
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Guru Shishya Parampara
Swami Tapovanam Pujya Swami Tapovan Maharaj was the very embodiment of the ideals of sannyasa, endowed with supreme renunciation, deep wisdom, saintliness, austerity, and compassion, a true virakta mahatma. Swamiji was born in 1886, in the village of Mudappalur in Palghat district to Balamba and Achutan Nair. His parents named him Subramanyan, but they lovingly called him Chippu Kutty. After the untimely death of his father, Swamiji left his home at the age of 28 to heed the call of the divine, eventually taking up residence in a one-room thatched hut in Uttarkashi, which came to be known as Tapovan Kutir. It was here that Gurudev sat at the feet of the great master for a total of seven years absorbing Vedantic knowledge.
Swamiji attained mahasamadhi on the 16th of January 1957 on the full moon day; in the Brahma-muhurta at 4:30 a.m. "He came from nowhere, existed everywhere, and ultimately went to be everywhere."
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda Swami Chinmayananda was born on May 8, 1916 as Balakrishna Menon in Ernakulam, Kerala. Chattambi Swamigal a saint known for his yogic powers predicted a great spiritual future for the boy. A major turning point of his life was his meeting with Swami Sivananda. On February 25th, 1949, along with five other students, Balakrishna was initiated into sannyasa. Swami Sivananda gave him the name "Chinmayananda Saraswati," Chinmayananda meaning "filled with the bliss of pure Consciousness”. Swami Sivananda then sent him to Uttarkashi to study under Swami Tapovan Maharaj. Seven years later, brimming with Vedantic knowledge, with a heart overflowing with love for his countrymen, Swami Chinmayananda was ready to execute what he called the "Gangotri Plan" to spread the message of Vedanta to the masses. By the time he attained mahasamadhi in August 1993, Gurudev, as he is known affectionately by his followers, had conducted 576 jnana yajnas and scores of family oriented spiritual family camps, logging thousands of miles as he traveled across the globe. "If I rest, I rust," he quipped when asked to slow down.
Gurudev is credited with the renaissance of spiritual and cultural values in India and with awakening the rest of the world to the ageless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta as expounded by Adi Shankaracharya. His legacy remains in the form of books, audio and video tapes, schools, and social service projects, Vedanta teachers whom he taught and inspired, and Chinmaya Mission centers around the world serving the spiritual and cultural needs of local communities. He has authored more than 250 books and written commentaries on various scriptural texts. Quotes:
1. “Learn to be happy alone. If we do not enjoy our own company, why inflict it on others?" 2. "Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket." 3. “IF I REST, I RUST.”
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Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda
Swami Tejomayananda, the present spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission
worldwide is fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit. javascript:; He has written commentaries on many scriptural texts, translated Swami Chinmayananda's commentaries into Hindi, and authored a number of original works in Sanskrit. Swamiji excels in expounding upon a wide spectrum of Hindu scriptures, from Ramayana to the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. As Gurudev did before him, Guruji, as he is known affectionately, moves around the world at a bewildering pace conducting jnana yajnas.
Sudhakar Kaitwade (as he was previously called) was born in Madhya Pradesh on 30th June 1950. As a student he took a keen interest in music
and drama. The spiritual call came to him in 1970 when he heard a Gita discourse given by Swami Chinmayananda. He was inspired to join the Vedanta Course at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya in Mumbai. After graduation in 1975, he served in the field for a few years as Brahmachari Vivek Chaitanya and was initiated into sannyasa by Pujya Gurudev in 1983. Swamiji became the head of the Chinmaya Mission upon Swami Chinmayananda's mahasamadhi in
August 1993. He assumed his new role with ease and humility, and is working tirelessly to fulfill the
vision of his guru. As he puts it, "I am not in Swamiji's shoes, I am at his feet."
His Holiness Swami Swaroopananda
In an era rife with skepticism and confusion about matters spiritual, Swami
Swaroopananda is a rare voice that blends authenticity with accessibility;
theory with self- practice; logic with heart.
Formerly the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Australia, United Kingdom,
Middle East, Africa and Far East, and presently Chairman of the Chinmaya
Vishwavidyapeeth Trust (University for Sanskrit and Indic Traditions) and
Director of the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore,
South India, Swami Swaroopananda has now been bestowed by Swami
Tejomayananda the privilege to also serve as the Head of Chinmaya Mission
Worldwide.
Swamiji has authored several commentaries on such important spiritual classics as Ik Onkar, Maha
Mrityunjaya Mantra and Sankat Mochan, besides numerous books on contemporary lifestyle subjects
such as Simplicity and Meditation, Storm to Perform, Avatar, Managing the Manager and Journey into
Health.
Swamiji is equally adept at conducting 'holistic management' seminars for senior corporate executives.
Among the well-known institutes he has been invited to speak at are The Ford, London Business School
and Harvard University, to name a few. In fact, a proprietary self-development course he conceived and
initially conducted, 'Make It Happen', has been adapted and integrated into the human resource training
programs of various corporate organizations in India and beyond.
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Swami Sharanananda
Swami Sharanananda hails from Jagannath Dham (Puri) in Orissa. Being inspired by Pujya Gurudev H.H. Swami Chinmayanandji, he joined the two year brahmachari training course in Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Mumbai, in the year 1986. He was trained by H.H. Swami Tejomayanandaji, the present spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide. He was given Brahmachari Diksha in 1988 and was known as Br. Sharana Chaitanya. He has served different Chinmaya Mission centers in Orissa such as Anugul, Rourkela, and Berhampur and Calcutta in West Bengal. He has been the resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission Chicago since March 1993.
On July 9, 1995 he was initiated into Sanyasa Diksha by H.H. Swami Tejomayanandaji and became Swami Sharanananda. He gives discourses on Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishads, participates in adult study group discussion forums and youth classes. Swamiji takes guided meditation sessions and loves to teach yogasanas to the children. He participates in different spiritual activities during Chinmaya Mission family camps in USA. Swamiji likes to be with children. He places great importance on paying attention to minor details and value based living.
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Values For Each Month Month Values Festivals Sept Satsanga/ Viveka(Right Thinking)
Substituting negative thoughts with noble Thoughts
Navaratri Vijaya Dashami
Oct Satyam Ahimsa
Sense Control Victory over ego
Light of Knowledge
Gandhi Jayanti Deepavali
Nov Gratitude Victory over devilish qualities
Thanksgiving Kartika Purnima Geeta Jayanti
Dec Giving/ Surrender and Act Christmas Jan Newness
Darkness to Light New Year
Makara Sankranti Feb Dispassion MahaShivaratri
March Unity in Diversity Obedience
Righteousness Compassion
Gratitude
Holi Ramanavami
April Humility Devotion
Hanuman Jayanti
May Titiksha(Endurance) Forgiveness Caring and sharing
Oneness of Truth
Mother's Day Gurudev's Jayanti Shankar Jayanti
June Self-Discipline Guru seva
Father's Day Pujya Guruji's Birth Day
July Love for Humanity Freedom
Guru Purnima
August Introverted ness Freedom
Friendship
Maha Samadhi Raksha Bhandan
Independence Day Krishna Janmasthami
Ganesha Chaturthi
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Chinmaya Mission, The Spiritual Energy Center - By Swami Sharanananda
In the process of leading a comfortable life we spend a lot of physical and mental energy. Physical energy will be replenished by giving proper amounts of rest, exercise, food and discipline to the body. But to keep the mind inspired and energetic, the above extraneous methods are inadequate. Adjustments have to be done at the mental level. Chinmaya Mission is a place to learn and practice the subtle vernier adjustments of keeping the mind healthy. In Columbus we have a small but vibrant center. It is possible because of Pujya Gurudev and Pujya Guruji’s blessings and Lord’s Grace.
A spiritual center is not made of bricks and cement. It is made of sacrifice and service, cemented by Self less love. A building is made by brick and mortar but to have a spiritual place, we are to create a Divine atmosphere by our thinking and behavior, which will not only influence our mind positively but will attract others too. To achieve this goal following points are to be kept in mind:
1. Chinmaya Mission is God’s place. I am coming here to improve myself, not others. My job is not to search for who has a problem and how to change them. 2. I am the Sevaka or Sevika of Pujya Gurudev and Pujya Guruji. I am here to serve others and cannot demand service from others. Any work is precious. Whatever responsibility I have taken I will do it sincerely and with humility. 3. Respect everybody as Pujya Gurudev’s devotee. We should feel privileged to see anybody entering our mission centers. Receive them with a smile and Hari Om. 4. Be grateful to everybody for their contribution in the growth of the Mission. Never be arrogant or make others feel inferior or guilty. 5. Listen more and talk less. Listen to others concerns and reply them politely. Never be Mr. Right. We will avoid lot of mistakes. Become more patient. 6. Give credit to others. One can achieve anything if one does not mind who gets the credit. Never expect and crave for others appreciation. 7. Keep the premises clean. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. 8. Use the Mission premises for japa, puja, study, reflection and meditation. Give to Mission anything that is needed, but don’t use the Mission for material benefits or any other selfish purposes. 9. Trust in others. Be helpful rather than critical. 10. Use the word “we” more than “i”. Always avoid sentences like: “Don’t waste my time, I have other things to do”.
The ten points when practiced will make our Mission centers divinely charged, and all of us and our children will be the beneficiaries.
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Balavihar Syllabus Class Name Grade Topic Description Texts to be
Purchased
Bala Krishna Pre K Intro to Hindu
Gods/Slokas/Stories
The curriculum for the Pre-Kindergarten
comprises of intro to Hindu gods, stories,
slokams, coloring, and hands-on activities. My Prayers w/ CD
Bala Rama K & 1 Bala Ramayana
Narrates the story of Rama, inspire children to
be like Rama by imbibing the qualities that they
learn from Rama and other characters. Chant
and learn, Verses from Nama Ramayan
Bala Ramayana
Luv Kush 2 & 3 Sri Hanuman, The Super Superman
Learn from Hanumanji the value like courage,
strength, fearlessness, alertness, eloquence,
etc., as they are the vitamins that make our
mental backbone straight and strong.
Hanuman Chalisa
Prahalad 4 & 5
Krishna Krishna Everywhere 24 Teachers
Krishna Krishna Everywhere: Encourage
children to learn about sharing and self-
discipline through the stories of Lord Krishna.
They learn to introspect and record their
observations regularly.
24 Teachers: “To succeed, one needs a coach,”
and once the value of the coach is established,
we automatically learn from everyone and
everywhere. Thus, children will learn to
recognize and develop reverence for teachers
throughout nature.
Bala Bagavatam
24 Teachers
Dhruva 6 & 7 PO Box Mr God Key to Success
PO Box Mr God: Invite children to find the
Omnipresent God and His address. Then they
learn that each one of us in His address and we
can find Him within us, if we learn to live a life
of noble virtues.
Key to Success: Challenge children to learn to
achieve success in the world by living a life rich