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The prime objective of International Swaminarayan Satsang
Organisation (I.S.S.O.) is "To advance the Sanatan Dharma, in accordance with the
principles and teachings of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, founded and ordained by
Lord Shree Sahajanand Swami", enabling Lord Shree Swaminarayan's devotees from both
the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi (Ahmedabad) & Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi (Vadtal) to practice
their religious duties in harmony. This achieved, the efforts of all the followers
of the Sampraday can be polarised, allowing for joint activities to be undertaken.
In turn, this will enable us to meet the challenges we are faced with today in giving
our youth a religious experience that they can understand and practice themselves. |
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H.H. Acharya Maharajshri 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji's
divine vision was to create a global Satsang network of young and old satsangis
across the continents. Thus he founded I.S.S.O. in the USA on Vijya Dashmi of 1978.
In those days, the challenge was to meet the religious needs of the present generations,
rather than the future ones. Through the inspirational blessings of H.H. Acharya
Maharajshri, a single devotee offered to travel all over the USA with His Holiness.
The result was the creation of numerous Chapters (branches) across the North American
continent. Today, there are Swaminarayan Temples in; Weehawken (NJ), Boston (MA),
Chicago (Ill), Houston (TX) & Los Angeles (CA). Thousands of devotees participate
in regular satsang sabhas in the remaining Chapters. With regular nurturing the
satsang in USA continues to blossom into a lotus of many petal-like Satsangis.
In Europe, more so in UK, the followers of our Sampraday
have been able to maintain a satisfactory level of religious practice. They have
managed to create some magnificent temples under the guidance of the saints from
Bhuj, Kutch and with due blessings from H.H. Acharya Maharajshri 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji
Maharajshri. However, other satsangis felt neglected and have been unable to take
part for one reason or another. They have thus become involved with pseudo Swaminarayan
groups, led by hero-worshipped sadhus. In these times of neglect, ISSO was born
in Europe, with its headquarters in Leicester, UK. Presently, ISSO - Europe has
temples at Mariestad (Sweden), Leicester (UK), Streatham (London, UK) & Portslade
(Brighton, UK) with a further Chapter in Crawley (UK). Additionally, there are Swaminarayan
Temples in; Bolton, London (Willesden, Harrow, Forest Gate & Woolwich), Cardiff
& Oldham. All these authentic Swaminarayan temples have deities installed by
H.H. Acharya Maharajshri as per Lord Shree Swaminarayan's instructions in Shikshapatri
(verse 62).
Click here to view ISSO activities
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