IF there is ever ONE plant and flower, that has the potential to change the world from its current trajectory, it will be The Sacred Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Revered by many on the spiritual path across the globe, The Sacred Lotus, that icon of divinity, holds within it secrets, some perhaps yet unknown to humankind. However, it just may not be the time yet for this knowledge to be fully made known. Humankind needs to be ready too, to embrace a story so powerful that it can be staggering.

Thaya Kulenthran, 15 February 2019.

“Compassion for the Earth Being” project is a project where the Sacred Lotus is central and drives this project. The project seeks to bring Hope to Humanity in these trying and testing times of turbulence and chaos. However, it also puts Humanity to the test towards a paradigm shift for the greater good - in the medium to long term.

Note: I have renamed the project title to reflect the deep essence of the project. The project title was until recently THE Lotus Project - The Conservation, Creation and Compassionate Harvest of the Sacred Lotus and in a way it still will be (Thaya Kulenthran, 22 Aug 2021).

“Compassion for the Earth Being” project (THE Lotus Project) - a Project of Hope for Humanity is our primary goal and mission. To significantly reverse the un-compassionate living path that we are currently on and in so doing help change Humanity to embrace planet EARTH with love and compassion. Only then there can be Hope for Humanity’s survival on Earth. The project revolves around the creation, conservation and compassionate harvest of the Sacred Lotus.  

This mission began in the October of 2001, primarily due to cosmic intervention. A cosmic call to One woman. Who had no idea whatsoever was going to happen, as she set forth alone on a journey…..twenty-two years have passed since this woman went on that journey and made it into her life’s mission. Thus far the following have been accomplished primarily through her work - that of Thayanithi Kulenthran. To say she did it alone would be most unfair, especially to her husband (and daughter and son). To whom she is utterly grateful, for they have been kindred souls on this journey with her. Many others too have contributed their time in more ways than can be said here. But not all of them could stay the course indefinitely.

It must be noted though, that while goals and objectives accomplished are listed below, none of them were identified to begin with, at the outset of the journey. How could they indeed? As Thayanithi Kulenthran had had only a childhood memory of the Sacred Lotus - not any more. What she began to realise though, in a life changing week in the October of 2001, was that her attention was profoundly being drawn to the Sacred Lotus in all manner of ways - when she arrived alone in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The goals and objectives accomplished below eventually happened guided primarily by Thaya’s instincts. Thaya first shared her experiences upon her return from Hanoi, with her then 74 year old mother, who affirmed what Thaya had begun to sense of those happenings. Thaya knew however, that in order for her to interpret those incidents, she had to first get to know the lotus plant. Then, as she pondered upon what she had learnt in growing the Lotus plant, she set forth gradually feeling her way.

Thus far the “Compassion for the Earth Being” project, has involved two phases, each phase being a nine year period. The year 2020 can be said to be the onset of the third phase. The 3rd phase will need to include talks, lectures, training sessions, workshops, dialogues, and the creation and conservation of lotus ponds followed by the compassionate harvest of these ponds.

PHASE THREE BEGINS with 2020

Lotus ponds and lakes need to be created in many settings and locations. But before that, wider communities including children, need to be educated about the Earth and on the Sacred Lotus.That they understand why the need to create these sacred ponds and lakes. And community consensus sought and obtained for lotus ponds to be created.

The findings of Phase One and Phase Two began to be compiled in July 2020 by Thaya. The compilation (Draft) is expected to be completed by end 2021.

2023

The Book in the Pipeline

Thaya begins to fine- tune and edit the draft compilation of Phases One and Two.

International guests arrive

International guests - relatives and friends arrive for a brief stay and visit to the Dayanidhi Earth Home and Sanctuary in January, May, July and September 2023.

Relating to Trees and Sentient Beings

Thaya shares her thoughts with two woman friend lawyers on “Relating to trees and sentient Beings” at the Dayanidhi Earth Sanctuary.

A Neighbourhood Street Talk

Thaya conducts an Earth Day Street Talk - “The Voice of the Earth” in the neighbourhood.

2022

Findings of Phase One and Phase Two

Three professionals - a senior man of science cum health professional, an English teacher and, a Writer read through this draft and gave the critique. Thaya addressed this in 2022.

A 7 year old boy visits the Dayanidhi Earth lotus pond with his grandparents

During delightful play with the fish the child learned about compassionate harvesting.

First Children’s Class on Compassion for the Earth Being for Earth Day 2022.

Three children aged 7-11 years old were introduced to Compassion for the Earth Being. A discussion around the lotus pond followed. Artwork for a tree poster was to be created by the three children for Earth Day.

Celebrating 21 years with the Lotus, October 2022.

Indeed 21 years with the Lotus was accomplished by October 2022. Thaya celebrated it modestly at the Dayanidhi Earth Sanctuary through invitations for dinner and morning coffee with a guided walk around her lotus plants, during the spiritual week of Navaratri. The people invited were a terminal cancer patient and his wife, a mother and her adult son, and two women friends.

2021

“Compassion for Earth Being” project for Children

Introduction

Sometime in mid 2000, fifteen children in Thaya’s hometown of Seremban were introduced to the Sacred Lotus plant. The introductory session was conducted at the temple to which Thaya had donated a lotus plant. Subsequently in 2009, a family of four young children - grandchildren of a friend of Thaya’s, were invited to spend a morning at the DayAnidhi Earth Garden. The children got to know a Lotus pond through play activities. Then in 2016, a young couple with a special 6 month old baby (she was born grossly premature) were invited to the lotus pond at DayAnidhi Earth for a special first Earth touching ritual with their little baby daughter. It was the very first time the little baby felt, touched and sat on the Earth.

The Post Box Notes Project: Introducing The Sacred Lotus (July 2020)

Three children aged 5+, 6+ and 8+ living in Thaya’s neighbourhood were introduced to the Sacred Lotus flower. They were required to make an observation of the lotus flower bud they were given and then to respond to Thaya via little handwritten notes dropped off in Thaya’s post box. Thaya would then respond via handwritten notes dropped off in the children’s house post box. This activity went on through July 2020.

This little project was an off the cuff project by Thaya to find an innovative, non digital way during the pandemic to begin to introduce another group of children to the Sacred Lotus.

29th April 2021

Three children and their father were given a Lotus plant as a gift for their home when they dropped by with a cake and a craft gift the children had made. These three children had earlier in July 2020, participated enthusiastically in The Post Box Notes Project: Introducing The Sacred Lotus.

Note: A Lotus plant isn’t given to just anyone. I choose the recipient carefully - after much thought and cosmic guidance. (Thaya Kulenthran)

1st May 2021

The three children and their mother had a garden walkabout in the DayAnidhi Earth Garden - to experience the Lotus Garden within. The children were delighted and fascinated with the lotus pond. A short teaching session was conducted to guide their mum with the repotting of the Lotus plant that had been given to them on 29th April.

26th May 2021 - Vesak Day

A Lotus Leaf envelope message was dropped off into the post box of the D…. family - the family who had received the Lotus plant. The message was primarily for the children, but for the parents to be involved too. The message outlined the initial steps towards the Compassion for Earth Being (THE Lotus Project) that they had just embarked upon.

2020

VISIONING A LOTUS POND (2012-2015) and BLISSFUL LOTUS POND VISITS (2015-2020)

Each time over three years as I drove past a spot in my hometown of Seremban, I would visualise a Lotus Pond there. Hoping that someday a lotus pond would be created at that spot. That was all I did, nothing more. But lo and behold, one day in early 2015, I saw lotus leaves floating on the waters of the pond there. I was overjoyed!

FEBRUARY 2020

From 2015- March 2020, when the opportunity presented itself, Thaya would seek out the Lotus pond in her hometown Seremban, to sit by it.

PHASE ONE AND TWO

GOALS & OBJECTIVES ACCOMPLISHED - October 2001-December 2019

CREATION OF THE LOTUS GARDEN

2001-2012

It all began with just ONE clay pot. The intent? To study this sacred plant. From that first and one clay pot of a single petal pink Lotus, more pots of lotuses were added on, one at a time. Subsequent clay pots and clay urns, of lotus plants were subdivided from that first lotus plant or seed germinated. Except for a white and pink multi petal lotus and a white single petal lotus that were added on, but purchased from a plant nursery. A Lotus pond was created in 2006 - four years after the first lotus plant was cultivated in the DayAnidhi Earth Garden.

It turned out that The Lotus Garden became Thaya’s pilot field laboratory research station. Where she observed diligently and documented. Did Thaya ever imagine she would discover so much when she began? No. All she did was to listen to her deep instincts.

Photos by Thayanithi Kulenthran

REDESIGN AND REORGANISATION OF THE LOTUS GARDEN

2014

The other Lotus plant pots located within the garden - after redesign and reorganisation of the lotus garden. The Lotus plants include the 1st two photos shown above within the section “Creation of the Lotus Garden” There are currently (as of April 2022), five(5) potted Lotus plants in huge clay pots, one Lily potted plant and the little sunken Lotus pond shown above in the photos. As stated above, at the height of its day, the Lotus Garden housed 14 Lotus potted plants in large - some huge, clay pots and urns and the current (the original) Lotus pond.

THE LOTUS WICK WORKSHOPS

FIVE lotus wick making workshops, and garden visits connected to the Sacred Lotus were organised for women (incl. children)in 2005, 2008 (2workshops), 2010, 2012. A total of about 70 women comprising different faiths and cultures, experienced a Lotus Garden walk, learnt aspects of the Sacred Lotus plant and ecosystem and how to make lotus wicks from lotus flower bud stalks.

The workshops were all self funded. One preparatory meeting was normally held to discuss potential invitees to the workshop. Organising team members for the workshops donated their time. Organising team members were primarily Thaya and her husband. Other family members helped out just before and during the workshop.

2005

Lotus Wick making, a traditional art and heritage of Indian culture, virtually lost and unknown to the modern Indian woman was revived! A 78 year old lady taught this art to a group of 15 women ranging in age from 20+ year olds to 50+ year olds.

Thaya first learnt about the Lotus wick from an elderly aunt. That led to Thaya organising a Lotus wick workshop with the elderly aunt (the 78 year old lady) demonstrating how to make a lotus fibre wick.

The 1st Lotus Wick Making Workshop was conducted during the festival of Karthike Deepam at the DayAnidhi Earth Sanctuary in November 2005. Karthike Deepam is an ancient festival that celebrates the formation of Lord Murugan and honours Goddess Shakti. Oil lamps are lit all around Hindu homes. The women who made the lotus wicks that morning used those wicks to light their oil lamps in their respective homes. Lotus flower stalk fibres make excellent wicks; they burn gently, slowly and long, emitting powerful spiritual vibrations.

The two gentlemen in the photo above were members of the organising team; one of whom recorded the wick making demonstration.

2008

Women of different faiths and cultures learn to make Lotus Wicks at DayAnidhi Earth

2010

Mother Mangalam, Co-Founder and Life Chairman of the Pure Life Society - The Malaysian Mother Teresa, is the elderly 84 year old lady in the white cotton sari in the photos above. As she learnt to make the lotus wick, she said, “This is so therapeutic!“

The bald headed elderly gentleman (87year’s old) in the sixth photo in this subsection (2010) was Thaya’s father. He passed away in 2017. He was Thaya’s best friend and advisor during Thaya’s journey with the Sacred Lotus - as he always was throughout Thaya’s life. Until her husband, daughter, mother, and son joined the fold.

2012

The 2012 Lotus Wick making workshop was recorded in a few short video clips by Thaya’s husband. However due to constraints in available resources, it will be some time before this is presented here.

A LOTUS PLANT FOR A HINDU TEMPLE - A MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Donated a Lotus plant from the DayAnidhi Earth Garden to a Hindu, a Mariamman Temple in Seremban. Conducted a session of Lotus plant awareness to Sunday school children at the same Mariamman Temple

A SMALL MOVEMENT OF WOMEN NURTURE LOTUS PLANTS

Having spent some five years growing, and knowing with delight the Sacred Lotus, and having run a first Lotus Wick Making workshop, Thaya felt it was time in 2007 that other women got to know more of this unique plant. It would only happen if the women began nurturing a Lotus plant in their gardens. “But who would or could these women be?” thought Thaya as she meditated in silence. The answers came forth slowly but surely. The women were each chosen, based again on Thaya’s instincts. There were twelve women. Each woman received a Lotus plant or seeds, as a gift from Thaya’s Lotus Garden, with the hope that each one of them would begin their own personal journey with the Lotus.

Presented below are photos of the Lotus plants received and nurtured by five of the twelve women.

Raji’s Lotus Ragini’s Lotus Marie’s Lotus Devi’s Lotus

SIT BY THE LOTUS POND and feel the aura of the most sacred of all blossoms

CREATING LOTUS PONDS ON A GOAT BREEDING FARM - 2007

Five years after cultivating lotuses in the DayAnidhi Earth Garden, an opportunity presented itself to create a much larger Lotus pond - in a different setting - at a goat breeding farm!

HARVESTING LOTUS BLOOMS - from the Lotus Pond Created on the Goat Breeding Farm 2009

GUIDED WALKS THROUGH THE LOTUS GARDEN/DAYANIDHI EARTH SANCTUARY

2017

16 years with the Sacred Lotus, October 2017

- a guided walk for 4 of Thaya’s childhood class mates. The Men are invited too!

VIBRATIONAL SIT-INs, COSY AND SMALL GET-TOGETHERS

Only for extended family members and close friends.

As the years went by, it became apparent that the vibrational energy of the garden was being enhanced. That it was so therapeutic. And it permeated the home. Perhaps it was due to the relationship between Thaya and her home and her garden…

So Thaya set out to invite extended family members and close friends, including those of her husband and children, whom she felt would feel comforted in spending some time at their home. An occasional cosy get together was also organised.

2012-2015

Individuals or parent/s and son or daughter.

2018

Pre Christmas Lunch

2019

Afternoon Tea with Thaya with 4 people

Lunch with Thaya & Kulenthran

Christmas Day Get-together - 15 people (Thaya’s daughter, Romila was the main cook)

2020

Four Afternoon Teas with Thaya and Kulenthran

Lunch with Thaya and Kulenthran

(with only 1-2 persons invited in 2020 view of the the Controlled Movement Control Order during this year)

Dinner with Thaya and Kulenthran, (30th Dec 2020, Thaya cooks a JaffnaTamil dinner for one of her daughter’s childhood friends. This young woman had stayed over at Thaya’s home many times during her teenage years).

2021

A lunch and after dinner sit in with Thaya and Kulenthran ( for two of Thaya’s and Kulenthran’s daughter’s childhood friends)

2022

Afternoon Tea with Thaya and Kulenthran ( Two grandparents with their 7 year old grandson and play for the grandson at the lotus pond)

4 Dinners

Lunch with Thaya and Kulenthran ( for three of Thaya’s and Kulenthran’s daughter’s childhood friends)

It is important to note that the vibrational sit ins merely exposed those invited, to experience what a meditative setting does to one’s spirit. It quieten’s and stills the inner spirit, albeit perhaps only for the duration of time the individual is exposed to the vibrational energy, and for some time after, if the sit in, is for long enough. Nevertheless it provided peace and comfort to those who came. (TK, May 2020)

For most of us, just sitting in a meditative place is undeniably a source of peace and comfort.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & TALKS

“ The Sacred Lotus - A Freshwater Community Sustainability Indicator for Water Services Reform” - paper presented at the 2nd South East Asia Water Forum, Bali 2005

“The Sacred Lotus: Towards WEHAB” at the South Asia Water Forum, Dacca/Bangladesh; 2004

“ The Sacred Lotus - A Green Productivity Indicator” - paper presented at Green Productivity Conference, Hanoi/Vietnam, 2003

“ The Return to the Fields and Ponds” - a presentation at a meeting on THE ENVIRONMENT: THE ROLE OF WOMEN”, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2003

“ Lotus ponds and Lakes: Its Revival and Conservation, a Journey in Sustainability”-paper presented at International Conference on Environmental Issues & Sustainable Development, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2002,

Presented a talk on “Compassion for the Earth” highlighting the impact of women on the Earth today and the vibrations created by the Sacred Lotus. Talk organised by the Kuala Lumpur Circle (Association of the Ambassadors’ Spouses) at the Residence of the Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia, 2008

SUMMARY Of Accomplishments

INTERNATIONALLY:

A documentary on the Lotus called the “Flower of the Gods” was initiated by Thayanithi’s daughter Romila Kulenthran. It included conversations between mother and daughter. It involved travel and filming, covering thus far 6 Asian countries. It was done in partnership with Thayanithi between 2011-2012. Further work on the documentary is however on hold due to time and funding constraints.

Presented at international forums in Vietnam, Bangladesh and Bali on the Sacred Lotus; 2003, 2004, 2005.

Developed and conducted a village participatory dialogue to raise awareness of the need to conserve lotus ponds in two villages in Northern Vietnam, 2002. Revisited Hanoi to assess the state of lotus ponds in the city and in a rural district in Northern Vietnam, 2007 & 2011.

Raised awareness of the need to conserve lotus ponds in the city of Hanoi, through the Hanoi People’s Committee and the Hanoi Institute of Socio-Economic Development; 2002

Trained Colorado and Vietnamese experts, on Lotus ponds in Denver, Colorado, 2002

MALAYSIA

“Afternoon Tea with Thaya”, February 2019. Three of Thaya’s ex childhood class mates, and the wife of one of them were invited for afternoon tea. The objective of the invitation was to provide an opportunity to Thaya’s dear friends to experience the vibrational field of her home.

Embracing the Vibrational Field of the Sacred Lotus over Pre Christmas Lunch, A western lunch cooked by daughter Romila and assisted by Thaya, for 4 young women who are among Romila’s closest childhood classmates. December 2018.

Embracing the Vibrational Field of the Sacred Lotus over afternoon tea, October 2018. Two women - close childhood friends of Thaya’s daughter Romila and the two year old daughter of one of the women were invited.

Developed and conducted a class on The Sacred Lotus and Earth Consciousness,  July 2013

Created two lotus ponds at a goat breeding farm in Malaysia in partnership with the owner of the farm; 2009 & 2008

Participated and contributed towards The Save Tasik Cini Campaign; Tasik Cini is Malaysia’s naturally occurring Lotus Lake

Organised the supply of lotus leaves for a public luncheon at the Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia, 2006

Began a small movement of 12 women growing the Sacred Lotus in their gardens, from 2006. Note though, one of the 12 women dug out two ponds in her goat breeding farm into which Thaya placed lotus plants from her garden.

Donated a Lotus plant from the DayAnidhi Earth Garden to a Hindu, a Mariamman Temple in Seremban. Conducted a session of Lotus plant awareness to Sunday school children at the same Mariamman Temple.

Created a Sacred Lotus Garden with numerous clay pots of Lotuses and a small lotus pond in the DayAnidhi Earth Garden, 2001-2012