Spiritual & Religious Leaders

"We see in the living hug that Mata extends to Her devotees, the principle of Advaita [philosophy of non-dualism] expounded by Shankaracharya. In a hug, two bodies come into contact with each other. Similarly, when the jivatman [individual soul] unifies with Paramatman [the One Supreme Soul], an immortal bliss—that is, amritananda—is established. This is Advaita. We believe that the Advaita preached by Shankaracharya is reflected in the hug by Mata Amritanandamayi."

Shankaracharya Raghaveshwara Bharati,
Ramachandrapura Math, Hosanagar, Karnataka
During Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 24 September 2003

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"All religions should work together for peace. Amma is a voice for all of us. She is certainly inspired by God and sent by God to guide us on this path. She is doing great work. She can only come from God. She is spiritually empowered, this spirituality of brotherhood. We all feel inspired by Her, and we thank God that He sent this gift to humanity!"

His Grace Dr. Pascal Topno,
Arch Bishop of Bhopal,
During Amma's programme in Bhopal, 12 March 2004

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"Amma, your embrace has become a worldwide treasure sought by princes and peasants, women and men, babies and frail elderly. Your embrace is not just to comfort the suffering, but is a gift of strength and spiritual energy to all who work to embrace the world, the world of work, the world of government, and the world of family."

Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell
Director, Department of Religion, Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua, New York, September 2003

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"By her emphasis on selfless service and charity, Amma will, I believe, hugely influence the future world." Brother Wayne Teasdale Parliament of the World's Religions Trustee, author of A Monk in the World

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"One Mata Amritanandamayi can bring about the integration of the people of the world in a deeper sense than any number of organizations like the U.N.O. Love is the greatest conqueror."

Swamini Niranjanananda
Resident Acharaya of the Chinmaya Mission,
during Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, September 25, 2003

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"Amma accepts everyone. She inspires us to open our hearts to new ways of being and doing in working selflessly together."

"I thank Amma for giving me the direct experience of the Divine Mother. It has been 13 blissful years; this year I celebrated my bat mitzvah with Amma."

Rabbi Leah Novick
Pathfinder of the Jewish Renewal Movement
during Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 25 September 2003

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"There are flowers for incense, flowers for use in worship and flowers for medicine... but this flower is chosen by God."

Sri Durgaswami
sannyasin
during Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 24 September 2003

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"As King Bhagirath flowed Ganga in the land of Bharata, our Mother, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, is flowing the Ganges of Love over the entire world. For this, I offer my special gratitude to Amma. I feel very happy when I look at the service Amma is rendering to the world. She sees the vision of the Lord not only in all of humankind, but even in animals. Watching the service that Mata Amritanandamayi is rendering for the welfare of the entire world—today's society that is blemished with selfishness—one sees She is flowing the nectar of love and reviving the entire society.

"Amma is the Incarnation of the Lord. She is the Avatar of Devi. To give amrita [nectar] to the devas [demigods], the Lord took the Mohini Avatar. But now, Mata Amritanandamayi—not only for the devas but for the entire humankind, for the entire animal world—She is the giver of amrita. I offer my salutations to Her. Under Her guidance, let peace and harmony be established in this world."

Madhvacharya Vishvesha Tirtha Pejavar Math, Udupi during Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 24 September 2003

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Question: How do you reconcile the Church's doctrine that Jesus Christ was the only son of God in the face of someone like Amma?

"Doctrine must take a back seat. God chooses many ways to manifest His grace in the world."

Rev. Dr. Ipe Joseph
General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India
during Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 24 September 2003

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"Amma gives unconditional love, unlimited love, to anybody that she meets."

Mae-Chee Sansanee Sthirasuta
Thai Buddhist Nun
during Amritavarsham50, Cochin, Kerala, 26 September 2003

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"There is no end to Her perfection."

Tridandi Madusudha Maharaj, Vaisnava Sannyasin
27 February 2005, Amritapuri