Babaji’s Powerful Message of Forgiveness at Parliament of World’s Religions 2023

The impact of Babaji’s message of forgiveness and the power of Siri Guru Granth Sahib triumphing over the flames of hatred was featured in a well-attended workshop at this year’s Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago on August 17, 2023.

The title “Arson Forgiveness and Healing in a post-9-11 world – a true story of transformation” attracted several times more people than other workshops. People were hungry for not just messages, but actual practical on the ground solutions to the divisions and hatred in the world today.

Ralph Singh, originally slated to present the story which he had figured so prominently in by channeling Babaji’s message of forgiveness, had to back out at the last minute due to health issues.

He was able to draft Mandeep Singh (Winny) who had attended the featured 20th anniversary “Gathering around the Light” event and co-produced the video which was shown. Winny happily stepped up at the last minute and adjusted his schedule and flew to Chicago. Although he couldn’t attend in person, Ralph Singh sent a separate video introduction, “Transforming Hate into Love,” which he dedicated to Babaji. He stressed that the lessons from the arson are as important and needed today as they were in 2001. “The world needs to recognize we are one community and come together in love regardless of our differences. We must provide the support for our youth to change the story of the world and help them become the generation who finally changed the course of civilization.”

He ended with, “in order to bring change we must educate and involve our youth. We all talk about the need to involve the younger generation and yet we elders stubbornly hold on to our positions. To change that story, it’s my honor to introduce my co-producer Mandeep Singh, who’s been part of the Gobind Sadan story since birth, and has volunteered countless hours to Babaji’s mission both in India and here. He will take you the rest of the way on today’s journey.”

As Babaji would have it, the Rev Bob Hanson, who had served as executive director of the CNY interreligious council and was instrumental in helping to organize vigils around the time of the arson, and had actually witnessed the on the ground impact, attended the workshop and was able to ‘bear witness’ during the Q and A.

“Being on the ground, and actually involved in supporting Ralph and the community, the film brought such great memories of how Babaji’s message of forgiveness carried throughout our region. And 20 yrs. later to see how it still resonates, shows us how we can bring change, as Babaji says, by each one of us putting the teachings of our respective faiths into practice.”

His wife Karen had also visited Gobind Sadan in India and spoke of the reality of Gobind Sadan’s living interfaith community and of Babaji’s Grace.

It was Mandeep Singh’s first opportunity to present at a major international interfaith conference. He rose to the occasion, with Babaj’s blessings, and reflected “Attending the 2023 Parliament of World Religions was a heartwarming experience. During our presentation of Forgiveness, around 40 attendees gathered to hear the inspiring story of Baba Virsa Singh ji’s act of forgiveness and how this seemingly devastating event turned into a blessing for generations to come.”

“It was wonderful to see the warmth and engagement from all attendees for our Gobind Sadan seminar. The audience was curious to learn how the arson attack impacted the lives of the

teens and the surrounding community. They were happy to learn about Gobind Sadan and Baba Virsa Singh Ji’s contributions towards the mission of peace, interfaith and bringing people together.”

gobindsadan.org

wisdomthinkers.org