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Kind Words from U Thant

United Nations Secretary-General 1961-1971

Sri Chinmoy and U Thant, 29 February 1972, UN Headquarters, New York.

From U Thant to Sri Chinmoy

“I have been hearing about you from many, many people. Whoever speaks to me about you is all appreciation and admiration, and I personally feel that you have been doing a most significant task for the United Nations. It has been a great privilege for me to see you. Please feel my sincere respect and sincere concern for what you are doing for mankind.”

U Thant 1
29 February 1972
Meeting at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.


“You have indeed instilled in the minds of hundreds of people here the moral and spiritual values which both of us cherish very dearly. I shall always cherish the memorable occasion of our meeting at the United Nations.”

U Thant 2
10 April 1972


After viewing a performance of Sri Chinmoy's play Siddhartha Becomes the Buddha in Harrison, New York:

"I feel it is a great privilege to be able to participate in this spiritually rewarding experience, and for this I am most grateful to our esteemed teacher, Sri Chinmoy, for this innovative undertaking… I find that Sri Chinmoy has done a most remarkable job in presenting the play in simple, understandable language for the uninitiated. His stress on the basic characteristics of Buddhism, on compassion, love, renunciation, peace, should stimulate the thought of leaders of men and leaders of thought everywhere. " 3

U Thant 4
25 May 1973

Sri Chinmoy garlands U Thant, as he arrives to view the play.

From Sri Chinmoy to U Thant

Divinity's Smile and Humanity's Cry

“U Thant, U Thant,
We love your silence-soul,
We loved your compassion-heart.
Your world-harmony role
Challenged ignorance-dart.
UN pilot supreme,
You treasured perfection-dream.”

Sri Chinmoy song composed in honour of U Thant

“U Thant's life of humility was the result of his heart's nobility. His heart of nobility was the result of his soul's unparalleled divinity.


"In the inner world, he was God's Promise, God's Promise to the outer world. In the outer world he was man's confidence, man's confidence in becoming a dedicated instrument of the inner world.”


“Simplicity was U Thant's life.
Sincerity was U Thant's mind.
Purity was U Thant's heart.
His was the approach of serene
And illumined dignity.”



  1. Sri Chinmoy, U Thant: Divinity's Smile, Humanity's Cry, Agni Press, 1977.↩︎

  2. Sri Chinmoy, U Thant: Divinity's Smile, Humanity's Cry, Agni Press, 1977.↩︎

  3. Sri Chinmoy, U Thant: Divinity's Smile, Humanity's Cry, Agni Press, 1977.↩︎

  4. Sri Chinmoy, U Thant: Divinity's Smile, Humanity's Cry, Agni Press, 1977↩︎