KATHMANDU, MAY 12
Spiritual master Samarthguru Siddharth Aulia was welcomed by over 300 devotees at Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur, marking the start of a three-day retreat on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
The event began with a silent, flower-filled reception followed by sessions on meditation and spiritual vision.
"Gurudev's arrival marked not just the beginning of a retreat - but the beginning of a deeper journey for every soul present," according to Manju Sharma, President and National Co-ordinator at the Samarthguru Sangh Nepal.
As the full moon of Buddha Purnima cast its gentle light over Lalitpur, the spiritual celebration expanded. Today, more than 400 participants gathered for a full-day immersion into the sacred paths of Dhyan Yog (the yoga of meditation) and Dharma Dristi (the vision of dharma) - both lovingly guided by Samarthguru Siddharth Aulia, Sharma shared.
Sharma noted that the alignment of the retreat with Buddha Purnima added significance to the spiritual gathering, creating an atmosphere of stillness and reflection.
During his satsang, Samarthguru emphasized the inner nature of dhyan and dharma, stating, "Dhyan is not something you do - it is what you are. Dharma Dristi is not about changing the world outside, but clearing the lens through which you see. When your vision becomes true, your life becomes dharma."
According to Sharma, the day unfolded with guided meditations, sacred silence, and spiritual insights, helping seekers turn inward and connect with the eternal presence within. Each session offered a gateway - from mind to awareness, from noise to stillness, from seeking to seeing.
Adding to the depth of the occasion, Samarthguru Siddharth Aulia also presented the sacred Ananda Upanishad - a rare and profound scripture that blossoms in his own inner realization. This Upanishad, revealed and articulated by Gurudev himself, is a gift to all seekers of truth - pointing directly to the nature of bliss (ananda) as the ultimate reality, she said.
Describing the text, Samarthguru said, "Ananda is not a fleeting emotion. It is the substratum of existence. The Ananda Upanishad is not something to be studied - it is something to be lived."
With the peaceful backdrop of Hotel Himalaya and the luminous full moon as witness, Sharma described the energy at the retreat as nothing short of sacred. Lalitpur, she said, has become a beacon of spiritual awakening - a sacred confluence of seekers, silence, and satsang.
"The hearts of devotees are full - full of gratitude, full of wonder, and full of the quiet joy that comes only in the presence of a living master," Sharma concluded. As the Dharma Dristi retreat continues, so does the unfolding of inner light and collective consciousness - a movement from form to formless, from ritual to realization.
"This Buddha Purnima, Lalitpur is not just celebrating a holy day - it is living it."
The program continues over the coming days, drawing individuals from across Nepal and beyond.
