24 – 25 May 2008, Kobe, Japan

It is said that to show a sign of reverence one must look up upon that which is to be honored.  Upon seeing the set-up of the Kobe Home Stadium program, that was my first thought.  How could we all sit above and look down on our Beloved Amma with reverence?   Aren’t we supposed to gaze up at Her, not down?

The program was set in a sports stadium.  The stage was set upon the edge of a soccer field.  With only a small walkway of about 8-feet separating the stage from a set of bleachers that looked down onto it.  Amma entered through a tunnel that let out onto the kshetra (field).  The bookstore was on the mezzanine level behind the first block of bleachers.  The darshan line entered from the sidelines.  It was all quite a sight to behold!

The Japanese have a way of innovation that is truly unique to them.  And in Japanese style, they were able to erase any of my preconceived notions about what is “right” and what is “wrong”.  Through their most humble, devoted actions they showed Amma that it didn’t matter where She was sitting.  Their dedication and love for Her came through in every hard working step.

Upon our arrival in Kobe we found that all of the set up from the stage, bookshop and staff accommodation had already been completed.  Early on the second morning, the management of the stadium decided to open the retractable roof to let the natural grass on the soccer field “get some air”!   Upon realizing this, the Japanese hosts quickly dashed out before Amma came for darshan to clean up the rain-drenched stage.  While Br. Shantamrita urgently pleaded for us to get out of bed and help the local devotees, they had already removed the old and laid down brand new dry carpet for Amma’s arrival that day.

Reverence is all that poured out from these hard-working, gentle souls hearts in dedication to our Beloved Amma.  And no matter how hard they were working they would still slip out a sweet hello or smile to all of us guests.  The darshans were slow and very sweet.  Amma showered so much love back onto these children.  In a country where emotion is not worn of the faces of its people, before Amma this all changed.  Men, as well as women became like innocent children in their Mother’s arms.  They laughed, cried and came to Her with a deep sense of humility that felt unmatched anywhere else in the world.

On Devi Bhava night, Amma was bedecked in a beautiful Kali red sari with extensive gold inlay and encrusted with shimmering rhinestones.  When it came time for the end, Amma showered flower petals on everyone.  When the line ended, we rushed up to the stage to sit at Her feet.  To my surprise the floor below the stage was empty.  For a moment, I wasn’t even sure if I was supposed to be there!  Then suddenly, Amma started waving for everyone to come down and fill in this floor space below Her.  They systematically emptied the bleachers and even directed the people to walk across the stage in front of Her in order to have them sit down on the floor below Her.  By the end, the whole stadium was sitting down at Her feet.  There each and every one of us sat, gazing up, in deep reverence to our Beloved Guru.

Om Amriteswaryai Namah

Nirmala and Yadu