OUR CONNECTION WITH THE HOLY GURU PARAMPARA
SRINGERI MATH
In May 2021, outside the Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri Math, during his first visit to Sringeri Math, His Holiness Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji initiated Sacchidananda Acharya into a sacred Shiva mantra and gave him permission to pass this on to his qualified sishyas [students].
Such a blessing from a Jagadguru to a western family man is both incredibly rare and highly auspicious for the success of our Noble Vision to establish a pure and authentic Ashram in Europe.
During our third visit to Sringeri in April 2023, the CEO of Sringeri Math, Dr. Gowrishankar, who is an Honorary Director of our NPO, accepted our request to become a Full Director. He is now officially recognized as a Director of Advaita Vedanta Ashram Europe by the Greek government.
Dr. Gowrishankar also gave us an official document, that he signed, outlining that the Jagadgurus of Sringeri bestowed their blessings upon us to establish an Ashram in Greece and that Sri Sringeri Math is supporting our Noble Vision with any possible help we may need.
Since then, Dr. Gowrishankar has approved the statute of our NPO, after we added four new articles suggested by the administration office at Sringeri Math.
A few days after meeting Dr. Gowrishankar, His Holiness Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji, again, rather auspiciously, gave us two blessed Murthis [statues] to put in our upcoming Meditation Hall – one of Adi Shankaracharya and one of Sharadampa.
On the 1st of May 2024, we had a very encouraging meeting with the new CEO of Sringeri Math, PA Murali. At the meeting, to show our authenticity and wish for complete transparency, we offered PA Murali the position of President of Advaita Vedanta Ashram Europe, thereby offering Sringeri Math complete control over our NPO. PA Murali is currently awaiting the response of Their Holinesses the Jagadgurus on this matter.
SWAMI PARAMARTHANANDA
Sacchidananda Acharya was granted permission by his Guru, the highly respected Advaita Vedanta Teacher Swami Paramarthananda, to be able to use his transcripts as the basis for Sacchidananda Acharya’s Teachings. This is a very rare honour from such a highly regarded Teacher.
Furthermore, the AVAE website has been approved by Swami Paramarthananda:
“Swami Ji has seen the website completely. He wants to convey to you that the website has been done very well. There is nothing to be added, deleted or to be changed in the write-ups regarding the Ashram. Swamiji extends His full blessings for the success of all the programmes that are envisioned by Advaita Vedanta Ashram Europe.”
Likewise, the administration office at Sringeri Math has approved our website, after a few very minor changes.
Swami Ji also responded when we informed him of the purchase of the land for the Ashram:
“Dear Andrew,
I was happy to go through your letter in which you had mentioned about making the complete payment for the purchase of land for the ashram. May the grace of the Lord and the Guruparampara be with you in realising your grand ashram project.
With blessings,
Swami Paramarthananda.”
SWAMI DAYANANDA’S ASHRAM IN RISHIKESH
We also received the blessings of Swami Sakshatkritananda, the head Acharya [Teacher] at Swami Dayananda’s Ashram in Rishikesh, after he was informed that we had finished paying for the property.
“I am happy to read your letter and see the progress. I wish and pray for the successful completion of the project and use of the facility for the purpose for which it is being established.
With Aseervadams
Swami Sakshatkritananda”
Previously, Swami Sakshatkritananda had given Deeksha to Andrew David Boyle, the Director of AVAE, during his and Sacchidananda Acharya’s visit to Swami Dayananda’s Ashram in January 2022, in response to Andrew’s wish to receive Sannyas Vows. The Deeksha was bestowed in order to prepare him for receiving the Sannyas Vows.
During their second visit in August 2022, Swami Ji said that Andrew would first have to complete a six-month-long intensive Vedanta course at Swami Dayananda’s Ashram and that upon completion of the course he would be eligible to receive Sannyas Vows at the next MahaShivaratri Festival.