SonoMa Ashram's primary service project is thriving in the holy city of Varanasi, India, under the name of Bal Ashram (children's ashram) . Children without parents find a loving home and high quality education at Bal Ashram. Bal Ashram's new solar-powered bakery, Oasis, the first of its kind in India, provides training and employment opportunities for the ashram children.
Newly planned Bal Ashram's Ecovillage in Varanasi will raise awareness — in an ancient sacred city now beset by many urban problems — about recycling, renewable energy, sustainable farming, traditional Indian (ayurvedic) herbal medicines, and handicrafts production. There is a vision of making Bal Ashram and its ecovillage a model that can be copied not only in India but anywhere in the world. Bal Ashram is also an ideal destination for those wishing to experience the beauty and richness of India through pilgrimage and cultural immersion.
We envisioned creating
a place that would not only benefit
the children of India but visitors
from the West as well, a place where
the wisdom and gift of two cultures
could integrate. Creating a place
that would provide an opportunity
for volunteers from the West to go
and spend some time in a safe environment
doing seva while imbibing the wisdom that Indian
culture has to offer inspired us
all.
In
order to encapsulate the two ideas,
we decided to call the new place
an Ashram, an extension of our Sonoma
Ashram, in India. The main theme
of the Ashram is to be of
service. That is why it
is called Aghor Guru Seva Peeth,
Kashi (Varanasi).
Bal
Ashram (Children’s
Ashram) is the main aspect of this
Ashram and is dedicated solely to
benefit the children.
An
Ashram in a community becomes the
source of inspiration to many. It
also becomes a place for members
of the local community to come to
and participate in various activities
and be a part of the Ashram community.
When Babaji visits the Ashram, it
is a sight to see how so many people
get inspired by his presence and
teachings.
The
objectives of the Ashram as a whole
remain the same as Aghoreshwar
Baba Bhagwan Ramji had envisioned
for all his Ashrams in India and
abroad. They are as follows:
-
Promote brotherhood among all
human beings irrespective of
race, religion, caste or social
status.
- Promote
the feeling of Motherly reverence
towards women.
- Create
a suitable environment for
young children for proper education
and wholesome growth.
- Serve the needy and neglected,
helping them return to society
with dignity, and educate society
to accept them without discrimination.
- Bring out the essence of true
spirituality without pomp and
show, and provide a secular
stage for different ideologies
to work together.
- Make an active effort to eradicate
the dowry system in India as
well as eliminate the huge
sums spent on marriage and
other ceremonies, and rectify
the inherent problems of the
caste system.
- Establish more Ashrams dedicated
to these ideals and help other
organizations of a similar
nature.
 Bal
Ashram provides a safe home for children
who have no means to further in their
lives or who are caught in an extremely
dysfunctional situation with or without
parents. Here, the children receive
housing, food, clothing and an opportunity
to receive education and guidance.
Most of all, they find a home with
love and care.
It
is a place for cultural integration.
A part
of Babaji’s vision is also
to create a place for the Youth from
the Western countries to visit India
and be in an environment where children
have less. While living at the Bal
Ashram the visiting youth can be
of service by teaching and sharing
their gifts with those who really
appreciate it. Such an integration
of cultures and ideas could be a
powerful tool for transformation
for the youth of both worlds.
The basic
infrastructure is already in place.
Since the year 2000 we have been
able to build the children’s
dorm, kitchen, dining hall, office
building as well as a few rooms for
the guests. There is a great need
of funds to finish the temple and
meditation hall in the compound.
Right now it is a temporary structure
with a thatched roof open to elements.
A day
care school for other local children
from poor homes is also run by the
Ashram. Many visitors from Europe
and U.S. have already found the concept
working very well.
I would like to make a contribution
to Bal Ashram
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