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Brahma Kumaris

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Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
Formation1936
Typemillenarianist New Religious Movement
HeadquartersRajasthan, India
Official language
Hindi, English
founder
"Shiva Baba" through the medium of Lekhraj Kripalani, known as "Brahma Baba"(1876-1969)
BudgetUSD$
WebsiteOfficial international site

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya or Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a monastic or semi-monastic[1] millenarianist New Religious Movement (NRM) of Indian origin."[2] It teaches a form of meditation called Raja Yoga, although not classical Raja Yoga as described by Patanjali[3], involving mediumistic channelling.

Early history

The group was formally established during October 1937 in Hyderabad, Sindh in North-West India[4] by an elderly man called Lekhraj "Dada" Kripalani (1876-1969), a wealthy but religious Sindhi businessman[5], follower of the Vaishnavite Vallabhacharya Sect[6] who had 12 gurus [7]. In 1936, Kirpalani was said to have had visions of the destruction of the world through civil war, natural disaster and finally Nuclear Holocaust, one of Earth in a paradiscal state, and another of himself as the Hindu God Vishnu[8]. It is claimed that Lekhraj then had the experience of a spirit being entering him and speaking through his body[9]. Believing this being to be God, is was recalled in a BKWSU publication that his eyes glowed red [10] and all the room around him [11]

After these life-altering experiences, Kirpalani made the decision to sell his jewellery business and started to hold informal religious gathering to which individuals within the local Amil and Bhaiband business community[12], primarily women and children, had similar experiences and were also inspired to adopt a spiritual life. In their early years, the gathering was known as the ‘Om Mandali’ and during this time that Kirpalani became known as "Brahma Baba". After a short period of time, Kirpalani handed over both the finances and the responsibilities of administering the organisation to a trust of nine women. The nature of the group resulted in both controversy [13] and legal opposition in the local community, which was one in which women were not permitted to be spiritual leaders[14], involving the Indian Congress party and the Arya Samaj which denounced Om Mandali[15]. Following this opposition, which curtailed their activities, the gathering was instructed by the spirit guide Shiva[16] to move from Karachi to their current location in Mount Abu, Rajasthan [17].

In the early 1950's, the BK began outreach, establishing centers across India with female teachers. The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female[18]. For more on their history, visit the Indian[19] and official International [20] websites.

Expansion

From approximately 300 individuals from a single community, the organisation has allegedly expanded to more than 8,500 Raja Yoga centres in 90 countries and over 800,000 students [21]. The main ashram or headquarters of the BKWSU is known as 'Madhuban', translated from Hindi it means 'Forest of Honey' on Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

While the Brahma Kumaris continue conducting their traditional seven one hour long courses in their philosophy and open-eyed meditation, other regular programmes include courses in positive thinking, and Self Management Leadership classes, as well as education initiatives such as 'Living Values'[22]. The Brahma Kumaris have also instigated a number of voluntary outreach programmes in prisons, homes for the elderly, drug clinics and hospitals.

Lifestyle

The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities and suffering. As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle [23] that involves:

  • Complete celibacy (including no sex within marriage, or masturbation).
  • Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet (excluding eggs, onions and garlic) cooked by the self or other BKs.
  • Keeping a "Daily Chart" or journal as a means of spiritual self-progress.
  • Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.
  • Washing after toileting.
  • Regular early morning meditation at 4:00 a.m. which called 'Amrit Vela'.
  • 'Traffic Control', being moments of meditation interspersed throughout the day.
  • Regular morning class at approximately 6:00 a.m.
  • Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centres.
  • BK's can be identified by their frequent adoption of white saris or kurtas in the India style.[24]

Beliefs

In 1952, after a 14 year period of retreat during which Kirpalani published numerous pamphlets, newspaper articles and wrote letters to important national and international figures, a more structured form of teaching began to be offered to the public by way of a seven lesson course [25].[14] An overview of the seven-lesson course can be found here: [9] under "Foundation Course in Raja Yoga Meditation." According to Kranenborg [26] and O'Donnell [27] beliefs include:

God

According to the BKs, God, or the ‘Supreme Soul’, possessed or entered Kirpalani in 1936[28] and started to teach humanity verbally. Called Shiva, he claims to be an eternal and benevolent point of conscious energy, the embodiment of love, knowledge and truth and beyond gender. BKs do not subscribe to God being omnipresence. Matter and human souls are also eternal and neither are created by God nor do they emerge from God. BKs also provide understanding of God’s roles as creator, preserver and destroyer, through the symbol of the Trimurti. The name they use for God is ‘Shiva’ meaning The Benevolent One or as a term of endearment ‘Shiv Baba’. However, God Shiva also states in his Murli that he comes to "destroy all other religions" [29].

The Self

BKs believe that human and even animal souls are an infinitessimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. They say that souls orginally exist with God in a "Soul World", a world of infinite light, peace and silence otherwise known as Nirvana. Here the soul is in a state of rest and are beyond experience. Souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern Religions, the BKWSU teaches that the soul does not transmigrate into other species and does not evolve but rather decline birth after birth. Within this "point of light" all aspects of the personality are contained.

Cycle of Time

Brahma Kumaris teach that time is cyclic and comprises five ages (yugas): the Golden Age (Sat Yuga), the Silver Age (Treta Yuga), the Copper Age (Dwapar Yuga), the Iron Age (Kali Yuga) and Confluence Age (Sangam Yuga). The most striking departure from Hinduism is that for Brahma Kumaris the whole cycle lasts 5,000 years and it is repeated identically and eternally. The Confluence Age, originally taught to be 40 years and end in 1976, is now thought to be 100 years long during which present day civilisation is to be completely destroyed by natural distasters, civil and nuclear war. The Brahma Kumaris believe that all of life will die and return to Nirvana, then take birth in the forthcoming cycle at their predestined time and place. Once a soul is incarnated, they continue to reincarnate until the end of the cycle only then to once again returning to Nirvana re-entering the cycle of time, ad infinitum including all world religious leaders.

BK Raja Yoga Meditation

BK Raja Yoga meditation involves initiation into a relationship with their channelled entity, a mental surrendering to it through which one becomes a channel for its energy.

Murlis

There are two types of mediumistic messages known by BKs as "murlis"; ‘sakar’ and ‘avyakt’.

Sakar Murlis refer to the original classes spoken by "God" through the medium of Lekhraj Kirpalani in the 1960’s, before Lekhraj Kirpalani left his body in 1969. These include teachings by Shiva and also the life of personal spiritual endevaour ofLekhraj Kirpalani.

Avyakt Murlis are the teachings of Shiva and Lekhraj Kirpalani given after the death of Lekhraj Kirpalani through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar"[30]. The BKs believe that the soul of Lekhraj Kirpalani has become perfect and now has the role of an angel. These messages are understood by members of the BKWSU to be the words of God. The murli's are the 'scripture' of the Brahma Kumaris and what they use to direct their personal spiritual effort and institutional service. The Murlis are no longer available for sale or to the general public and one must complete the Brahma Kumaris foundation course in order to attend morning murli class. Murli class is held at around 6:00am every morning at all BK centres around the world.

Achievements

In India, the BKWSU is particularly noted for its charitable Village Outreach Programme administered by the J.Wattammull Memorial Global Hospital and Research Centre (GHRC),established in 1991, also located in Mount Abu. In 2004, the Brahma Kumaris established the G.V. Mody Rural Health Care Centre & Eye Hospital, located at the base of Mount Abu.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an international non–governmental organization (NGO) in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations [31] and UNICEF[32]. It is also affiliated to the UN Department of Public Information.

The Brahma Kumaris have undertaken two major international projects; ‘The Million Minutes for Peace’ in 1986 for which they received 7 Peace Messenger Awards and ‘Global Cooperation for a Better World’ in 1988.

The organization now has 100s of branches internationally and ;

  • most level management and the majority of local management and teaching is done by women
  • administrators of two hospitals
  • organizes interfaith meetings that have brought together previously opposing groups
  • active within female emancipation in India
  • 7 UN Peace Messenger Awards 1987 for the co-ordination of the ‘Million Minutes of Peace’ project
  • Chief adminstrator Prakashmani awarded Peace Medal of the United Nations for the year 1981
  • granted International Peace Messenger Initiative status by the U.N.for the Global Co-operation for a Better World campaign
  • does not charge but accepts donations and government grants to support its services

Splinter movements

Walliss mentions the advent of a breakaway movement refering to one of them as the Advance Party, elsewhere they are referred to the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris or PBKs [33]. He goes on to state that as Lekhraj Kirpalani's orginal message of separation, spiritual introversion and violent destruction becomes repackaged as the emergence of a New Age through self-understanding and self-development, this direction has caused discontentment within certain segments of the Brahma Kumari movement. The most vocal of these being the "Advance Party" who offer a radicalise rendition of the original millenarian messsage.

The Advance Party are seen as a sectarian response to what they see as the increasingly wordly, and therefore corrupt, nature of the BKWSU manifest particularly through their UN and New Age orientation. They assert that the BKWSU has fallen from its original purity in the age of Kirpalani's influence to a state where the adulteration of the knowledge and subtle curruption is rampant and students are being exploited by the senior members. Walliss goes on to state that the PBKs claim that Shiva is now manifesting himself through a different medium to correctly interpret the original teachings [34]. Persistent incidents of violence on behalf of the BKWSU towards PBK members have been reported by the Indian Police and hospital services and any BK becoming acquainted with PBKs teachings are banned from BK centers.

Controversies

While striving for world peace, it is reported by the Mail on Sunday that the BKWSU has allegedly used 'pernicious' methods to control its followers[citation needed], the organisation being notable for its sex ban. "Former members and the families of members have told me that (BKWSU) has driven a wedge between husband and wife," said Graham Baldwin a cult expert. "There have also been complaints that it encourages single women and widows to donate property and savings". The Brahma Kumaris have issued a number of failed predictions of the end of the world whilst encouraging their followers to make efforts and donations on the basis of its proximity [35]

Ian Howarth, of the Cult Information Centre also said, : "I have the same concerns about this group that I have about the Moonies. People have come to us complaining that some loved ones who have got involved with it have undergone personality changes and have become alienated from their families." Answering allegations that Brahma Kumaris has wrecked marriages because of its sex ban, a BK spokeswoman is quoted as saying: "This is very much a minority thing. In any organisation there are people who gain a huge amount and that is what you need to focus on." The paper said she declined to comment on allegations that it encourages followers to donate property and savings." [36]

Central to its faith are the beliefs that:

  • The human being is an eternal soul living within a physical body and is not the physical body.
  • Reincarnation happens from one human body to another only.
  • Time is not linear but rather cyclical and the physical world manifests as an eternally repeating and identical 5,000 year cycle at which the end of it is destroyed and then re-created every time.
  • Each repeating cycle is exactly the same as the previous one and dinosaurs existied 2,500 years ago.
  • Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time their scriptures call "Destruction".
  • God incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks only through their founder Lekhraj Kripalani which was the same individual that was historically or mythically known as Krishna and Adam but is now known as "Brahma".
  • All other religious founders such as Christ, Buddha and Mohammed must come to the Brahma Kumaris to receive B.K. "Knowledge" prior to their future incarnations in the next cycle.
  • India Subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Aged paradise and that Hindi is the original language of humanity.
  • Followers are taught that if they make spiritual efforts, they and only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise.

Use of Mediumship

Established by "Shiva Baba" through the medium of Lekhraj Kirpalani, from the very beginning, the BKWSU has used a number mediums to receive messages from disincarnate beings or deceased members. At first a number of, mediumistic female followers known as "Sandeshputris", or trance messengers, helped add to their spiritual knowledge through psychic visions and allegedly direct contact with God. This has extended to deceased leaders[37]. The deceased human founder Lekhraj Kirpalani continues to be channelled through a senior sister as the organizations Rajasthan headquaters until this day and is known as BapDada by BKs.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.abo.fi/comprel/temenos/temeno32/rothsten.htm
  2. ^ [1]Reflexive Traditions: New Religious Movements and the 'Negotiation' of Identity.-John Walliss, Ph.D University of Warwick, UK.
  3. ^ [2]Professor Reender Kranenborgh from Free University of Amsterdam. All citations originate from this web article unless noted differently.
  4. ^ Geographically Sindh is now part of Pakistan and has been so since the time of partition between India and Pakistan in 1947
  5. ^ http://www.bkwsu.org/whoweare/brahmababa.htm
  6. ^ The Brahma Kumaris as a ‘reflexive Tradition’: Responding to late modernity by Dr John Walliss
  7. ^ Adi Dev, by Jagdish Chander Hassij, Third Edition, Brahma Kumaris Information Services, 2003.
  8. ^ "Dada saw very powerful bombs with guided missiles that created havoc on earth. Gigantic fireballs, cities in flames, war and suffering were raging everywhere. When he received these visions, America had not dropped the first atomic bombs. What did this all mean? Dada also saw civil wars mainly in India, culminating in an awesome wave of natural catastrophes: floods and tidal waves, earthquakes and volcanoes, nature was out of balance. Dada began to tremble uncontrollably witnessing the scenes of this great world wide transformation. But there was no escape. Then the silent aftermath. Dada, who had never shed a tear, was weeping now. “Oh, God, please stop this, please stop this!” he cried.
  9. ^ From World Rejection to Ambivalence: The Development of Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris. Walliss, John; Journal of Contemporary Religion; Oct99, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p375, 11p
  10. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.com/aboutus/descentofgod.htm
  11. ^ The eyes of Dada had become completely red, as if a red light was glowing inside him. His whole face had become red, and even the room was now illumined, with reddish, otherworldly glow. And something began to happen inside me too! I felt bodiless! How can I describe it? I was there and yet I wasn’t. I was simply light. My mind felt clearer than it ever had been. I heard a sound from above. It was as if through the mouth of Dada, Someone else was speaking! That voice was so very quiet at first, then it grew louder and louder. It was stunning, not frightening, but simply awe-inspiring. The voice spoke thus: Nijanand Rupam Shivoham Shivoham Gyan Swarupam Shivoham Shivoham Prakash Swarupam Shivoham Shivoham Nijanand Swarup, Gyan Swarup, Prakash Swarup. Translation: I am the Blissful Self, I am Shiva; I am Shiva ... I am the Knowledgeful Self, I am Shiva; I am Shiva .. I am the Luminous Self, I am Shiva; I am Shiva .. I am the Form of Self, the Form of Knowledge, the Form of Light. To this day, I cannot forget that voice, nor that scene. The atmosphere was electric, more than realm and my condition of feeling as if without a body is still alive in my memory. As soon as Dada opened his eyes, he started looking around with great wonder. Whatever he had seen had jolted to the core of his being.
  12. ^ The Sindh Story, by K. R. Malkani. Karachi, Allied Publishers Private Limited, 1984.
  13. ^ http://yangtze.cs.uiuc.edu/~jamali/sindh/story/
  14. ^ Read 'Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris: A Spiritual Revolution', Hodgkinson, L. (1999) London:Rider' for further context
  15. ^ Brahma-Kumari Radhe, Om Mandli & the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908” 1939, Pharmacy Printing Press, ISBN: B00089UWHE
  16. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.com/aboutus/shiftingtomountabu.htm
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference Adi Dev was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: Clarification of the Brahma Kumari Case, Howell, Julia. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion; Sep 98, Vol. 37 Issue 3, p453-461, 9p. Julia Day Howell is Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Asian and International Studies, Griffith University, Australia
  19. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.com/aboutus/history.htm
  20. ^ http://www.bkwsu.org
  21. ^ http://www.bkwsu.org
  22. ^ [3] Journal of Beliefs and Values, Vol.24, No.1, 2003 Religious Organisations in the UK and Values Education Programmes for Schools by Eleanor Nesbitt, Senior lecturer in Religions and Education, University of Warwick, UK and Ann Henderson, Research Fellow from The Univeristy of Warwick, UK.
  23. ^ Hodgkinson, Liz "Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris, A Spiritual Revolution" 2002, Health Communications Inc: Florida. Also read Lochtefeld, James G. Ph.D. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I ISBN 0-8239-3179-X, entry "Brahma Kumaris" New York Rosen 2002
  24. ^ Barker, Eileen in Hinnells, John (Editor), The Penguin Dictionary of Religions (1997), ISBN 0-14-051261-6 page 79
    "Brahma Kumaris [XXVIII] The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) refers to itself as non-political, non-religious and non-sectarian. It was founded in 1937 in Karachi by Dada Lekh Raj (1877-1969) after ‘Shiva, God the Supreme Soul, entered [his] body ... to begin the task of creation of a new world order’. Over 200,000 (sic) people are now said to practice the meditation, which does not involve a mantra, special posture, breathing techniques or the worship of a guru. Fully committed members are celibate; they usually wear white and are strictly vegetarian. Nearly all of those in a position of spiritual authority are women [5:168-70; 42:909-10]"
    Sources used for this entry
    Barker, E., New Religious Movement: A Practical Introduction London, HMSO, 1989, pages 168-70
    Melton, J.G. The Encyclopedia of American Religions 4th edition Detroit, Gale 1993 pages 909-10
  25. ^ [4]From World Rejection to Ambivalence:The development in Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris." by John Walliss. Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol.14,N 3, 1999
  26. ^ [5]Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?", 1999
  27. ^ [6]
  28. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.com/aboutus/descentofgod.htm
  29. ^ Sakar Murli Sakar Murli 02/03/2004. "All of you used to say: Baba, come and destroy the impure world and create a pure new world ... This planning is for the Golden Age. There there is the deity clan; Shudras do not exist there. This is first-class planning. All the other religions will be destroyed. Come and understand this Father's planning."
  30. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.org.in/Landmarks.htm
  31. ^ http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/docs/1998/e1998-8.htm
  32. ^ [7] List of UN NGO and respective status within UNICEF.
  33. ^ http://www.shivbaba.org.pl/
  34. ^ [8]From World Rejection to Ambivalence:The development in Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris." by John Walliss. Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol.14,N 3, 1999
  35. ^ John Walliss, 'When prophecy fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the pursuit of the millennium/s'
  36. ^ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23380710-details/PM's+wife+swops+best+friend+for+a+bisexual+Druid+priestess/article.do The PM's wife, the Druid priestess and the no-sex guru
  37. ^ http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1983/10/1983-10-03.shtml

Bibliography

  • Hassaji, Jagdish Chander (2003 (orig.1981)). Adi Dev. Translated from hindi by Shanta Trivedi PhD (Third Edition ed.). London: [Brahma Kumaris Information Services]. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Hodgkinson, Liz (1999). Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris: A Spiritual Revolution. London: Rider.
  • Howell, Julia (1998). "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 37 (3): 453–461. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  • Wallis, John (1999). "From World Rejection to Ambivalence: The Development of Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris". Journal of Contemporary Religion. 14 (3): 375–386. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)


Further reading

  • Dr Julia D. Howell, Asian and International Studies, Griffith University, Australia & Dr Peter L. Nelson, Nelson Center for Humanities and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia. "Surviving Transplantation: The Brahma Kumaris in the Western World".
  • Dr. Julia D. Howel. Changing Meanings of Religious Pluralism, [10], 2003.
  • John Walliss, Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies, Aldershot. "The Brahma Kumaris as a ‘reflexive Tradition’: Responding to late modernity ", 2002 ISBN 0-7546-0951-0 [11]
  • Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion? "[12], 1999.
  • Peter Clarke, "Dada Lekhraj" & "Brahma Kumaris." Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge 2005.
  • William Shaw , "Spying in Guruland: Inside Britain’s Cults", Fourth Estate, London, England 1994. [13]
  • Lawrence A. Babb, "Amnesia and Remembrance in a Hindu Theory of History", Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 41, No. 1 (1982), pp. 49-66.
  • Lawrence A. Babb "Indigenous Feminism in a Modern Hindu Sect", Signs, Vol. 9, No. 3 (Spring, 1984), pp. 399-416.
  • Mayer, Jean-François et Reender Kranenborg, Geneve, Suisse. "La Naissance des Nouvelles Religions". 2004 ISBN 2-8257-0877-1
  • Frank Whaling, Emeritus Professor of the Study of Religion, University of Edinburgh. "Understanding the Brahma Kumaris", 2006. ISBN 1-903765-51-X.
  • Suma Varughese. "Satyug is as Sure as Death". 1998 [14]
  • BK Jayanti. "Valuing the Future : Education for Spiritual Development", 1999 [15]
  • Interreligious Insight. "Brahma Kumaris, World Spiritual University", [16]
  • Ken O'Donnell. "Raja Yoga for beginners", 1987.
  • Jagdish Chander, Translated from original Hinu by Shanta Trivedi, PhD , Edited by Robert Shubow, J.D. "Adi Dev: The First Man", 1981.
  • Dadi Janki, "Companion of God", 2003 ISBN 0-340-82915-X
  • BKWSU. "World Drama", unknown date.
  • BKWSU. "Easy RajYoga", unknown date.
  • BKWSU. "The Seven Day Course" Pamphlet series, unknown date.
  • Near-Death Experience/Heide Fittkau-Garthe, 1998. [17]
  • A Critique of the BK Philosophy as presented in the 7 Day Course,By Andy Harangozo [18]
  • Report on Child Abuse,Beliefs and Lifestyle[19]
  • Pamphlets Take a Closer Look,The Successful Subtle Soft-sell of Raja Yoga By CCG Training Insititue, Australia March 1989

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