Page 9 - Ashlar July-September 2019

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XV Issue II
Oration at the Consecration of Lodge Vidarbha No 470, Nagpur

By R.W. BRO. T.N. MANOHARAN, GRAND CHAPLAIN
Most Worshipful the Consecrating Officer to all the students requiring a one-word answer
M.W.Bro. Rajeev Ramkrishna Khandelwal, to a one liner question. The question was
OSM, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the “What do you want to be in life?”. All the 30
Grand Lodge of India, R.W. Bro Swadesh students submitted the answers which the
Bhargava, RW. The Dy. Grand Master, RW Bro teacher started evaluating. She found that the
Muffazal Saifuddin Federal, RW The Regional answers were divergent such as Doctor,
Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Lawyer, Engineer, Pilot, Architect, Chartered
Western India, R.W.Bro. Anish Kumar Sharma, Accountant, Scientist, so on and so forth. But
RW The Regional Grand Master of the when it came to one answer sheet, the teacher
Regional Grand Lodge of Northern India, RW was a bit confused as well as surprised. She
Bro Zawareh Hoshang Wadia, Past RGM and called the student and said, “I think you have
Installing Officer, RW Brethren, VW Brethren, not understood the assignment because to the
W Brethren and Brethren all, a very pleasant question asked you have answered – Happy”.
good evening and my humble salutations to all The student politely replied “Miss, I think you
of you. have not understood life”. Yes Brethren, being
It is my privilege to stand before you to render a Doctor or Engineer is only a profession or an
this Oration on the occasion of the consecration occupation or means to earn livelihood but that
of Lodge Vidarbha No.470. In order to unravel is not the purpose of life. Beyond that there has
the nature and purpose of our renowned to be a purpose for our life.
institution, let me portray four different aspects If we ponder as to what is the meaning of life, it
of masons lives deeply impacted by masonry. would dawn on us that life by itself doesn't have
1. Life becomes Meaningful: a meaning. Life is only an opportunity for us to
When Sri. Dalai Lama was asked what give it a meaning. We must endeavor to give it a
surprises him most about humanity, he replied, meaning that would make even our creator
“Man. Because, he sacrifices his health in order happy and proud of us. Freemasonry enables
to make money. Then he sacrifices his money us to define the purpose of our life and find
to recuperate his health. Then he is so anxious happiness in achieving that purpose, thus
about the future that he does not enjoy the rendering life more meaningful.
present; the result being that he does not live in 2. Dignity and Character:
the present and the future; he lives as if he is Life is a short span of our existence on this
never going to die, then dies having never planet. We don't have enough time for doing
lived.” Freemasonry prevents us from even good things in life. We don't have
belonging to this breed of men. sufficient time to show our affection, to rejoice,
When we are born, we come into this world with to achieve, to contribute, to serve, to help and
a rough and uninformed mind similar to the to radiate happiness all around. Then why
rough ashlar and as we grow, the mind evolves curtail such precious time by accommodating
with maturity if it is polished by education and negative thoughts and emotions that
experiences and can ultimately attain the level complicate life? Why should we be jealous of
akin to that of a perfect ashlar. Freemasonry, people - instead let us applaud, why nurture
through its rich traditions, ancient usages animosity – instead reconcile, why entertain
&customs and profound rituals guides and hatred - instead be compassionate, why waste
shapes our thoughts and actions and enables our energy and time on settling scores –
us to consciously practice values; imbibe instead let us forgive and move on. Vengeance
virtues and thereby lead an enlightened life. to take revenge is a sign of weakness.
In a class room a teacher gave an assignment Magnanimity to forgive with grace is

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