"I am accepting this with my heart's boundless gratitude, and this gratitude is something that is glowing and growing within me. Every day I offer to the Beloved Supreme only one thing: gratitude. Man's greatest gift to God is gratitude. Man's self-giving and his gratitude are one and the same.
I am extremely grateful to you, Mrs. Lemle, for you are opening a new chapter in humanity's evolution. The world is in the process of evolution. You know the utmost significance of gratitude, and the awakened soul in you is awakening others. Gratitude is man's conscious oneness with his Beloved Supreme. I am sure that your soul has felt this supreme oneness with the Beloved Supreme and your soul has come to the fore to urge your illumined mind to offer this loftiest message to the world at large..."
"Gratitude is what we must try to grow into at every moment in order to fulfil the divine in us. Gratitude is an earth-born and earth-grown fruit which not only nourishes the Heaven-born cosmic gods but also pleases most the Heavenly Creator, our Eternity’s Beloved Supreme.
Finally, I wish to invoke the presence of the immortal poet Shakespeare, whose soulful prayer I wish to share with you all: “O Lord who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.”
Sri Chinmoy, AUM — Vol. II-4, No. 9, 27 September 1977, Vishma Press, New York, 1977.
World Gratitude Day is celebrated annually on 21 September with the vision of uniting humanity through the quality and uplifting power of gratitude. The first World Gratitude Day was observed in 1965. In 1977, along with Mrs Edna Lemle, Sri Chinmoy and the Peace Meditations at the United Nations marked the occasson of World Gratitude Day at the United Nations for the first time.
The holiday was officially recognised by the UN General Assembly in 1977.
On 12 September 1977, Sri Chinmoy and The Peace Meditations at the United Nations group celebrated World Gratitude Day with a special programme at the United Nations in New York.
Sri Chinmoy composed a song for World Gratitude Day
O World Gratitude Day!
I pray for you, I pray.
Man’s feeble climbing ray
Is one with God’s Vision-Play.
Compassion: highest gift.
Gratitude: fastest lift.
Only satisfaction-seed
Can feed man and God’s need.
— Sri Chinmoy (song score)
Song written and performed for a World Gratitude Day celebration at the United Nations sponsored by the Peace Meditation Group on 12 September 1977. The song was also performed several times for programmes at the World Gratitude Day's New York Headquarters.
21 September 1977
Nine days later on 21st September, Sri Chinmoy took part in the main World Gratitude Day Ceremony, the first time it was officially recognised by the United Nations.
World Gratitude Day Award
On 21 September 1977 Sri Chinmoy received the World Gratitude Day plaque at a ceremony in World Gratitude Day’s New York headquarters. The plaque was presented to him by Mrs Edna Lemle, president and founder of the organisation dedicated to promoting the cause of worldwide gratitude.
On receiving the award, Sri Chinmoy replied:
World Gratitude Day - 21 September 1977 - mini booklet marking World Gratitude Day. Includes; World Gratitude Day Award, Sri Chinmoy's talk. Gratitude Day honourees 1966-77 (including Japan, the first country to recognise World Gratitude Day. Also a proclamation by Jimmy Carter in August 1972 (at the time Governor of Georgia).
External Links
- World Gratitude Day - East West Center
- World Gratitude Day at Sri Chinmoy.org
- World Gratitude Day Award at Sri Chinmoy Library
Photos: Bhashwar Hart