[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4427]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF REVEREND PANDURANG SHASTRI ATHAVALE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2004

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with utmost pleasure and privilege 
that Mr. Honda and I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
Reverend Pandurang Shastri Athavale and the Devotional Associates of 
Yogeshwar (DAY) in California. On Saturday, March 13, 2004, the 
Devotional Associates of Yogeshwar paid homage to a spiritual leader, 
and friend to all, Reverend Pandurang Shastri Athavale, better known as 
Dadaji.
  Reverend Dadaji passed away on October 25, 2003, leaving behind a 
message that has changed the lives of millions of people around the 
globe. Reverend Dadaji spent 50 years giving new meaning to Bhakti, or 
devotion, by emphasizing the concept of an ``Indwelling God.'' Reverend 
Dadaji believed that having an awareness of the nearness of God and a 
reverence for that power, created reverence for self, others, nature, 
and a reverence for all of creation. He believed that devotion, as an 
expression of gratitude to God, could become a powerful social force 
that could transform all aspects of human life at all levels of society 
and ultimately solve all the problems of mankind.
  The Swadhyaya Process, the way of living taught by Reverend Dadaji, 
is inclusive of all religions, and does not define a Deity, but allows 
the choice of a Deity to be defined by the worshipers. According to the 
Swadhyaya Process, this way of living creates a sense of family and 
belonging within the community, where no one person is more or less 
important than the other, and all members work in efficiency and 
coordination.
  In 1997, Reverend Dadaji was the recipient of the Templeton Prize for 
Progress in Religion for his innovative and influential religious 
teachings. The Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion is one of the 
largest financial annual awards in the world, and is awarded only to 
living individuals who, through outstanding originality, have advanced 
the world's understanding of God or spirituality.
  The work of Reverend Dadaji in rural India exemplifies these 
qualities. The teachings of Swadhyaya have transformed 100,000 villages 
of rural India prompting the United Nations to name this movement as 
one of the most significant developments in the world. Through 
principles taught by Reverend Dadaji, the villagers dedicate a few days 
of labor per year as demonstrations of their devotion to God. Through 
joint efforts by the villagers, people from all religions, castes, and 
economic strata build temples, community farms, orchards, and centers. 
The products of their efforts are then given to the needy and to the 
community as a whole, thereby creating a society where no one is 
marginalized or forgotten. Worldwide the Swadhyaya Process has millions 
of followers, including approximately 15,000 in the United States 
alone.
  Mr. Speaker, in light of the Devotional Associates of Yogeshwar's 
recent gathering to pay tribute to Reverend Pandurang Shastri Athavale 
and his many accomplishments, it is with great admiration and pride 
that we ask our colleagues to join us today in saluting this 
exceptional leader.

                          ____________________