Marking the 103rd birth anniversary of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, addressed a gathering of approximately 1,000 attendees on December 15, 2024, at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, in Robbinsville, New Jersey.
Gabbard, the first Hindu woman elected to the U.S. Congress, described the temple as “incredible and historic,” commending the dedication of the “hands and hearts,” behind its construction.
Reflecting on the intricate details of the temple, she noted, “To walk through and see the meaning behind every single one of those sculptures, the most big and magnificent, and even the small etchings of some of the most famous stories about Krishna and Arjuna from the Bhagavad Gita,” is noteworthy.
Gabbard also shared that prior to her speech, she engaged in conversations with temple leaders about “peace, harmony, unity, and joy.” Emphasizing the relevance of these discussions, she remarked on their critical importance in the current challenging times.
She highlighted that the temple features quotes from influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, and many others who have drawn inspiration from Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita. She emphasized that these teachings continue to “convey the important and timeless lessons that apply to us all, that we can all benefit from, regardless of where we come from or our race or religion or background or education or pedigree.”
Praising the “amazing,” support from the community for the temple, she pointed out “that’s what this temple and the many others like it across the country has the power to do – is to bring people together, to make everyone feel welcome and to truly celebrate what is at the heart of what makes our country the greatest country,” adding “that is freedom – our freedom to worship in the way that we choose, our freedom to be who we want to be, and express ourselves in the way that we choose.”
She also mentioned one of her favorite quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.: “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” She noted that in her interactions and discussions with the leaders of this nation, she aspires to bring “love and light,” to those conversations.
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