1931-2007

30 October 2007, United Nations, New York

(United Nations, New York) Leaders from six different religions offer the opening silence at the Celebration of the Life of Sri Chinmoy.

(For more details: see photo caption at bottom)

I have known Sri Chinmoy for two decades while representing Bangladesh at the United Nations and also while serving in the world body. My family, my wife—who is present here—and I have always received his unending love and affection. I was deeply touched by his continuing prayer and hope for the progress of Bangladesh, the country in which his birthplace is located. I have joined Sri Chinmoy in many of his inspirational activities. I have been in his presence during his meditation sessions, when he encouraged inner and outer silence, and I have felt his own sincerity and peace within. His vision of a “oneness-world of peace” within each individual and for humanity at large has been most enriching and empowering for me.

It has been an honour for me to know him. I believe his Himalayan dedication and commitment to peace deserve to remain with us forever in the life of each one of us, inspiring us to work for creating the culture of peace that is so much the need of our time. That would be the international community’s everlasting recognition of his dedicated service for humanity. He would live in our hearts and in our endeavours for a peaceful world. (Link to full text)

With deep regret I have learned that my long-term close friend, the friend of my family and of our Foundation, Sri Chinmoy passed away yesterday. This is a heavy loss not only for all his dear ones, friend, numerous disciples – this is a loss for the whole world. For many years of his selfless work for the sake of peace, Sri Chinmoy has gained recognition and love in the farthest corners of our planet. (Read Full Text)

As the leader of the Peace Meditations at the UN, and through his many statements and writings, there is ample evidence of his deep belief in what the UN stands for. His spirit lives on. We are grateful and joyful for what he has given the world, and what he dedicated his life to. It was, indeed, a great journey. [Read Full Text]

His life is one of perfect manifestation of ingenuity, be it in the field of music, poetry, literature, painting or sports, or in the domain of meditation, which he practised and taught as a source-force for all accomplishments. I recall with profound reverence his 37 years of service to the United Nations and its extended global family, which earned him the respect and recognition of many all across the world.. [Read full text]

He will be remembered as a man who committed his life to the universal pursuit of peace. He saw in the UN—and it is very fitting that we have this celebration here, because he spent so much time here—he saw in the UN the focal point in the world for the promotion of peace. And that is why I believe that he made the UN a base for his peace meditations. [Read Full text]

My dear friends, when a friend, a loved one, a Sri Chinmoy dies, it gives us the opportunity to reflect. We reflect on his life and the legacy of his life: his legacy of creativity, his legacy of peace, his legacy of leadership. And it establishes the example that we all must aspire to, especially those of us here at this institution that pursues peace. [Read Full text]

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Sri Chinmoy was convinced that true outer peace had to start with the inner peace of the individual. He has expressed this philosophy of peace in countless books, songs and paintings. His creative works, together with his multifarious peace-initiatives like the humanitarian relief operations, the Peace Concerts and the World Harmony Run represent an immense source of inspiration, wisdom, strength and practical guidance to people of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds. I regard Sri Chinmoy's work as one of the real treasures of the 20th and 21st century probably the most powerful pillar of a culture of peace that currently exists. [Read Full text]

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The passing away of Sri Chinmoy is a loss of a famous spiritual teacher and scholar. His life was dedicated to working for peace and harmony. Having deep faith in the potential of the human spirit, he drew from India’s spiritual past to bring out the best of the East and the West and the old and the new. [Read Full text]

As life and death are beyond our control, we have to believe that he will always be with us, and his memory will keep on giving strength and comfort throughout our lives. In the truest sense, his life represented the best thought, most far-reaching vision and outstanding artistic and practical accomplishments. [Read Full text]

My wife Georgia and I consider it an honour and privilege to be able to participate with all of you on this occasion, celebrating the life of this great leader; the outstanding achievements and inspirational leadership of Sri Chinmoy’s devotion to peace; his continual building of bridges for a world free of hostility and for world progress; and his staunch support of our United Nations. [Read Full text]

We are very special, all of us; we are very special and fortunate for having known him, for having loved him, and to have been loved by him. And we can do so much. We can do so much with the love that he so abundantly showered upon us. So, let us commit ourselves to spending the rest of our days giving to others the love that he gave to us. This is the way to truly celebrate Sri Chinmoy’s life and to show our gratitude for all that he did for us, and for so many. [Read Full text]

I think it was really appropriate that he had made such a tremendous presence in Queens County. Queens County, of course, was one of the first locations of the United Nations. In a quiet way, he had a tremendous following, obviously throughout the world. I was at the funeral services and the wake after his passing, and people came to Queens County from all over the world to pay their respects. I just think it was appropriate that his home was a small little place in Briarwood, Queens, but he made such a tremendous impact on the world. [Read Full text]

Our brother was ambassador of peace and harmony. The world lost a great man. Our sports family will miss him. I met Sri Chinmoy here in the United Nations when I was given the Abebe Bikila Award. He was the one who handed the award to me. And since then, he became my close father and friend. Dear friends, God has taken His son. He has finished his mission in this world. But he left something for us; he left the work for us; we have to continue and to carry the work that he started. [Read Full text]

Sri Chinmoy, by the example of his life, provided a vision and hope for a better, more peaceful world, a world sustained by a community of nations and peoples dedicated to the equality and well-being of all, not only in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense as well. That inner peace could radiate and transform the world around us was an article of faith for Sri Chinmoy. At a time when the world is increasingly racked by violence and strife, the message and example of Sri Chinmoy provide a wellspring of inspiration. His commitment to the United Nations and the ideal of international cooperation and friendship between nations must be shared and built upon by all of us, since, as he believed, world peace must start in the hearts of each and every one of us. [Read Full text]

Sri Chinmoy showed many the way to inner peace and to a high sense of humanity. Imagine if such peace and humanity could be experienced manifold by people at all levels of all governments, so that someday international discourse would be conducted only by humane and peaceful people. What a wonderful world that would be! That was his dream that must never die.

It has been said that one life ends with one death. But in his single death, he did not take with him all of his virtues. His good has not been interred with his bones. It remains here on earth, not only with you who have knelt at his feet, but it will live as well in the minds and hearts of men and women everywhere, and in children yet unborn, forever. [Read Full text]

Guru-ji Sri Chinmoy was far greater than an enlightened individual. He has been and remains an extraordinary phenomenon that has touched the daily lives of his devotees in many unusual ways. He has inspired us to change the way we look at ourselves and at the world. With his mild manner and incredible physical and mental strength, he literally uplifted us and brought steadfastness and stability to our daily lives. At the United Nations, we were specially blessed because of his weekly visits, when we received his regular benedictions. [Read Full text]

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The Meditation Group Choir sang two songs composed by Sri Chinmoy: one song in his native Bengali, Tomare Rakhibo, and one song in English, UN: Sun-Vision-Plan, dedicated to the United Nations.

(United Nations, New York) Leaders from six different religions—Buddhism, Christianity, Indigenous religious traditions, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism—offer the opening moment of silence at the Celebration of the Life of Sri Chinmoy.

• The Ven. Ashin Indaka, Chief Monk of the Mahasi Meditation Retreat Center Association
• The Very Rev. James Parks Morton, Founder of the Interfaith Center of New York and Dean Emeritus of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
• Nana Boakyewa Yiadom I, Queen of Adamorobe, Aburi-Akuapem (Ghana)
• Swami Amarnathananda, Head Monk of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha of North America
• Pir Zia Inayat-Khan, President of the Sufi Order International
• Maggid Yitzhak Buxbaum, Director, Jewish Spirit.

Photo By: Ranjit Swanson,

Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

What a sad thing to happen to such a great man. I hope one day he will be awarded the Nobel Price. I believe that the best way to remember him is to maintain the Harmony Torch Run all over the world.

Frank Macha, Sports Development Officer

Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports, Tanzania

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I am very sorry to know of the passing on of Sri Chinmoy. He has done so much to awaken mankind to the higher paths of life that can bring harmony and peace. You are all dedicated to the cause which has to continue for the good of mankind.

Swami Nirliptanda

Bharat Sevashram Sangha, London, UK.

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Hari Om!
The good old Yoga Masters are dead and gone today.
Beloved Sri Chinmoy was one of the last of the old Rishis from India. Old Narayananandaji (1902-1988) from The RamaKrishna mission, and Chinmoy (1931-2007), were the 2 best yoga teachers I have ever met personally. Chinmoy was a great musician too. We saw him in Oslo Norway two times.
God bless you people out there!
Long live the memory of Sri Chinmoy.
A very peaceful man with a good condition…
Om Tat Sat…

Shiva Nataraja brahmachari

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He was a gentle man with enormous strength. I had the wonderful opportunity to hear his poetry and see his drawings. His spirit will live on in all of us.

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Dearest Revered Guruji,
When you lifted me up on Nov ‘03 in Singapore,
I was inspired to perform in Raga Revathi a piece titled, “Manida Janmam”. After performing it on my Bansuri (flute) and having realised that the melody came not just through my fingers but from my heart instead. it was a radical change showered from YOU, the divine grace. You then lifted both my late mother (my source of inspiration in my musical journey) and myself again. How fortunate indeed I am to get this rarest opportunity by YOU who gave me an ‘ode to joy’ to perform every time now from my heart. You not only being a great Guru, but all the human being in the highest sense of the term, much above and much nobler and who is the symbol of the glory of human life ~ Dearest Guruji, I’ve realised the devotion and dedication to music even more absolute self-surrender as my music is Thine.
Revered Guruji, as you attain Maha Samadhi, I shall venture further my musical journey with Thy Guidance and continue my humanitarian service to mankind that am always eagerly aspire to do so. That same Revathy piece which I performed in front of you was dedicated to you along with my senior students during the 9-day Dassera Festival in various temples here as my tribute to YOU.

GHANAVENOTHAN RETNAM

Hi! Although I only meditated with Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970’s for a short time he left me with a strong impression of his Samadhi states. Now he is blended into the World Soul and returned to the Source of All. Ashk (Spiritual Love) to All.

Sheikh Majid Buell al Mevlevi ar Rifai.

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I was very surprised to hear of Guru Sri Chinmoy’s Mahasamadhi.I personally met him on 14th sept 2007 at New York.He told me “Everyone's contribution makes the world more beautiful”. I believe his presence everywhere.

Adrish brahmadatta

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I have dipped into Sri Chinmoy’s daily readings for years now - the quality and subtlety of his mind never ceases to amaze me. His life was an inspiration to so many. A great soul has passed.

Sandra Kyle

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My brother and I live in Cyprus and are not disciples of Sri Chinmoy. In 1981 we attended a group meditation in Queens New York. The Guru had just come back from his Christmas holidays. During the meditation he gave us the MOST important experience of our lives. A wave of light from his third eye filled the room, entered our bodies, our minds, our souls. It cleansed us and filled us with so much love. We felt like balloons filled with love. We think he gave us a glimpse of enlightenment. We loved everybody and everything. We felt so much full of wisdom. We even knew what infinity is. Our lives have never been the same since then. We still have his photos in our house and often pray to him. My father who is sick in hospital also has his photo by his bed. We never saw Sri Chinmoy since then but we both agree he was the most important person we ever happened to meet. Sri Chinmoy, even though we were not your disciples we love you and we want to thank you for everything. George and Petros, Cyprus

George & Petros Petropoulos

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I received Initiation from Guru back in the early 1970’s!
Even though I did not remain at the Center, Guru’s influence has been the bed-rock of my spiritual existence.
I recognized him immediately when First I saw him.
We never understand what we have until it is no longer available.
Sri Chinmoy’s Spirit must indeed, be eternal!

Keith

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Photo By: Ranjit Swanson, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries