Honouring the Great One

When a Great One dies, his followers seek to make his teaching, which has meant so much to them, known to others. Hence arises the custom of celebrating the birth and death anniversaries of the Great Ones who have passed from mortal sight. When he has been dead for many years the dates tend to get a little mixed and be celebrated at different times in different countries, and miraculous things take place on these dates; Or so the records say.

When the Buddha was dying, one of the monks noted that sweet music sounded and that the Sal trees were flowering out of season and dropping their flowers upon him. The monk is said to have remarked that even the trees were honouring him. The Buddha replied, and we cannot too often remember that reply : "It is not by this that I am honoured. I am honoured by the monk and nun and the devout layman and laywoman who walk according to the precepts and honour the Dharma."

In our endeavours to make the teaching of Bhagavan Ramana known on this anniversary of his birth, let us remember that it is not by commemoration of such events; desirable though they may be, but by living our lives in accordance with his teaching that we honour him. Do we ceaselessly ask ourselves, ‘Who am I?’ Do we look within and find that we are not the body or the mind, and still less the troublesome ego. Are we always conscious that we are the spiritual life which is beyond all words and all descriptions? Do we remember to leave self behind and hold fast to the Self beyond name and form? In thus constantly practising Bhagavan Ramana's teachings do we truly honour him.

– Jan 1970,  'The Mountain Path'