1. Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, known as Bawa, was a Tamil-speaking teacher and Sufi mystic from Sri Lanka who came to the United States in 1971, established a following, and founded the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship in Philadelphia.
13 Facts About Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
1. 2.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen is known for his teachings, discourses, songs, and artwork.
3.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen met pilgrims who were visiting shrines and gradually became more widely known.
4.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen taught using stories and fables, reflecting the background of the student or listener and included Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious traditions; and welcomed persons from all traditions and backgrounds.
5.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen continued teaching until his death on December 8,1986.
6.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen was completed on the Philadelphia property of the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship, on Overbrook Avenue.
7.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen created paintings and drawings symbolizing the relationship between man and God, describing his art work as "heart's work".
8.
The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship continues to study and disseminate this repository of his teachings.
9.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen established vegetarianism as the norm for his followers as he believed the only compassionate choice is to eat without slaughter.
10.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen authored The Tasty Economical Cookbook, a two-volume vegetarian cookbook.
11.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen was referred to as Guru, Swami, Sheikh or 'His Holiness' depending on the background of the speaker or writer.
12.
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen was addressed as Bawangal by those Tamil speakers who were close to him and who wanted to use a respectful address.
13.
The name Bawa Muhaiyaddeen means 'the giver of life to true belief' and has been associated with previous Qutbs.