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{{Infobox Organization | {{Infobox Organization | ||
|name= Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University | |name= Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University | ||
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| − | |size= | + | |size= 260px |
| − | |caption= | + | |caption= The main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters. |
|map= | |map= | ||
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| − | '''Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University''' is an educational organization founded in [[India]] in 1937 that offers instruction by nuns based on teachings that are derived from [[mediumship]] and channelling.<ref name="Klimo">Jon Klimo, ''Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources | + | '''Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University''' is an educational organization founded in [[India]] in 1937 that offers instruction by nuns based on teachings that are derived from [[mediumship]] and channelling.<ref name="Klimo">Jon Klimo, ''Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources'' (North Atlantic Books, 1998, ISBN 978-1556432484), 100. </ref><ref name="Bryan_Wilson_NRM">Bryan Wilson (ed.), ''New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response'' (Routledge, 1999, ISBN 978-0415200493). </ref> A modern [[Hindu]] sect, the Brahma Kumaris articulate [[Millenarianism|millenarian]] teachings.<ref>Thomas Robbins, ''Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements'' (Routledge, 1997, ISBN 978-0415916486).</ref><ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive">Lawrence A. Babb, ''Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition'' (Oxford University Press, 1986, ISBN 0706925637). </ref> |
| − | The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an international non-governmental organization ([[NGO]]) | + | The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an international non-governmental organization ([[NGO]]). The organization has hundreds of branches internationally and has co-ordinated three major international projects; The Million Minutes for Peace in 1986, for which it was awarded seven [[United Nations|UN]] Peace Messenger Awards, 1987 and Global Co-operation for a Better World in 1988.<ref name=Prophecy>John Walliss, ''When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millennium(s)'' (September 1999), 5.</ref> |
{{toc}} | {{toc}} | ||
== Early history == | == Early history == | ||
| − | The beginnings of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) can be traced to the group "Om Mandali," founded by Lekhraj Kripalani (1876–1969) in [[Sindh]] (modern [[Pakistan]]) in the 1930s. Known as "Dada Lekhraj" to his followers, Lekhraj Kripalani was a follower of the Vaishnavite [[Vallabhacharya]] [[Sect]].<ref name= | + | The beginnings of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) can be traced to the group "Om Mandali," founded by Lekhraj Kripalani (1876–1969) in [[Sindh]] (modern [[Pakistan]]) in the 1930s. Known as "Dada Lekhraj" to his followers, Lekhraj Kripalani was a follower of the Vaishnavite [[Vallabhacharya]] [[Sect]].<ref name=Walliss>John Walliss, ''The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity'' (Ashgate Publishing, 2002, ISBN 978-0754609513). </ref><ref name="BK_Jagdish_Chander_Adi_Dev">B. K. Jagdish Chander, ''Adi Dev: The First Man'' (Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, 1983). </ref> The group began when "Om Baba," as Lekhraj was known at the time, retired from his successful jewelry business had a series of visions and other transcendental experiences.<ref name=Manderson>Lenore Manderson, Wendy Smith, and Matt Tomlinson (eds.), ''Flows of Faith: Religious Reach and Community in Asia and the Pacific'' (Springer, 2012, ISBN 978-9400729315).</ref> |
Lekhraj started holding gatherings that attracted many people and the group became known as Om Mandali, so named because they would chant "Om" together before having discourse on spiritual matters in the traditional [[satsang]] style. Their original spiritual knowledge was obtained through divine revelations and divine visions of women who had the gift of trance-vision. One of his main visions concerned "the establishment of a perfected paradise after a kind of universal destruction of the cosmos, a destruction necessary for an ideal world to be established."<ref>Rajeev Verma, ''Faith & Philosophy of Hinduism'' (Kalpaz Publications, 2009, ISBN 978-8178357188), 158. </ref> | Lekhraj started holding gatherings that attracted many people and the group became known as Om Mandali, so named because they would chant "Om" together before having discourse on spiritual matters in the traditional [[satsang]] style. Their original spiritual knowledge was obtained through divine revelations and divine visions of women who had the gift of trance-vision. One of his main visions concerned "the establishment of a perfected paradise after a kind of universal destruction of the cosmos, a destruction necessary for an ideal world to be established."<ref>Rajeev Verma, ''Faith & Philosophy of Hinduism'' (Kalpaz Publications, 2009, ISBN 978-8178357188), 158. </ref> | ||
| − | They allowed people from any [[caste]] to attend their meetings, and many women joined Om Mandali.<ref name="Hardayal_Hardy_Struggles">Hardayal Hardy, ''Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice'' (Vikas Publishing House, 1984, ISBN 0706925637), 37–39 </ref> It became clear that women had a special role in the group, and in 1937, a managing committee was formed of eight women, with another woman, Radhe Pokardas Rajwani (then known as "Om Radhe"), as president.<ref name="Elizabeth_Abbott_Celibacy">Elizabeth Abbott, ''A History of Celibacy'' (James Clarke & Co., 2001, ISBN 0718830067), 172–174. </ref> The group advocated that young women had the right to elect not to marry and that married women had the right to chose a [[celibacy|celibate]] life. Such decisions were traditionally the exclusive right of the men in the [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] Indian society.<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/> | + | They allowed people from any [[caste]] to attend their meetings, and many women joined Om Mandali.<ref name="Hardayal_Hardy_Struggles">Hardayal Hardy, ''Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice'' (Vikas Publishing House, 1984, ISBN 0706925637), 37–39. </ref> It became clear that women had a special role in the group, and in 1937, a managing committee was formed of eight women, with another woman, Radhe Pokardas Rajwani (then known as "Om Radhe"), as president.<ref name="Elizabeth_Abbott_Celibacy">Elizabeth Abbott, ''A History of Celibacy'' (James Clarke & Co., 2001, ISBN 0718830067), 172–174. </ref> The group advocated that young women had the right to elect not to marry and that married women had the right to chose a [[celibacy|celibate]] life. Such decisions were traditionally the exclusive right of the men in the [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] Indian society.<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/> |
| − | Members of the local Bhaibund community reacted unfavorably to thes movement. Many young married Sindhi women attended the [[ashram]] and were encouraged to take vows of celibacy, so the Om Mandali was accused of breaking up [[family|families]].<ref name="David_Barrett_New_Believers">David V. Barrett, ''The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions'' (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 978-0304355921) </ref><ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace">Liz Hodgkinson, ''Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution'' (HCI, 2002, ISBN 1558749624), 2–29 </ref> Om Mandali was denounced as a disturber of family peace and some of the Brahma Kumari wives were mistreated by their families. Lekhraj Kripalani was accused of sorcery, lechery,<ref name="Elizabeth_Abbott_Celibacy"/> forming a [[cult]], and controlling his community through the art of [[hypnotism]]. | + | Members of the local Bhaibund community reacted unfavorably to thes movement. Many young married Sindhi women attended the [[ashram]] and were encouraged to take vows of celibacy, so the Om Mandali was accused of breaking up [[family|families]].<ref name="David_Barrett_New_Believers">David V. Barrett, ''The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions'' (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 978-0304355921). </ref><ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace">Liz Hodgkinson, ''Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution'' (HCI, 2002, ISBN 1558749624), 2–29. </ref> Om Mandali was denounced as a disturber of family peace and some of the Brahma Kumari wives were mistreated by their families. Lekhraj Kripalani was accused of sorcery, lechery,<ref name="Elizabeth_Abbott_Celibacy"/> forming a [[cult]], and controlling his community through the art of [[hypnotism]]. |
| − | Children were removed from their school.<ref name="Radhe_is_this_justice">Brahma-Kumari Radhe | + | Children were removed from their school.<ref name="Radhe_is_this_justice">Brahma-Kumari Radhe, ''Is this justice?: Being an account of the founding of the Om Mandli & the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908'' (Pharmacy Printing Press, 1939), 5–36. </ref> Hindu members of the Sindh Assembly threatened to resign unless the Om Mandali was outlawed, so the Sindh Government used the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 to declare it an unlawful association.<ref name="Hardayal_Hardy_Struggles"/> |
To avoid [[persecution]] and legal actions, as well as their own safety, Om Mandali decided to leave Hyderabad and gradually relocated their activities to [[Karachi]] in the latter half of 1938. Approximately 300 members moved. The Anti-Om Mandli Committee which had opposed the group in Hyderabad followed them.<ref>Peter Clarke (ed.), ''Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements'' (Routledge, 2005, ISBN 978-0415267076), 63–64. </ref> | To avoid [[persecution]] and legal actions, as well as their own safety, Om Mandali decided to leave Hyderabad and gradually relocated their activities to [[Karachi]] in the latter half of 1938. Approximately 300 members moved. The Anti-Om Mandli Committee which had opposed the group in Hyderabad followed them.<ref>Peter Clarke (ed.), ''Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements'' (Routledge, 2005, ISBN 978-0415267076), 63–64. </ref> | ||
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==Expansion== | ==Expansion== | ||
| − | + | Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began an internationalization expansion program,<ref name="Howell_Nelson_1998">Julia Howell, Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' 37(3) (Sep 1998): 453–461.</ref> establishing centers across [[India]] with female teachers. From 1964 to 1969, methods of outreach began involving exhibitions, seminars and conferences in different parts of India. After Lekhraj's death in 1969, his followers expanded the movement to other countries.<ref name="Stephen_Hunt_Alternative">Stephen J. Hunt, ''Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction'' (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2003, ISBN 0754634108), 120. </ref> | |
| − | Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began an internationalization expansion program,<ref name="Howell_Nelson_1998">Julia Howell, | ||
| − | |||
| − | The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female. For example, in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], only one-third of the 42 centers are run by males.<ref name="Julia_Howell_Gender_Role">Julia Day Howell, | + | The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female. For example, in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], only one-third of the 42 centers are run by males.<ref name="Julia_Howell_Gender_Role">Julia Day Howell, Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: Clarification of the Brahma Kumari Case ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' 37(3) (September 1998): 453–461.</ref> |
==Lifestyle== | ==Lifestyle== | ||
| − | The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities, and suffering.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience, the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/><ref name="Hinduism_Encyc">James G. Lochtefeld, "Brahma Kumaris" ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism'' Vol. I, (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing | + | The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities, and suffering.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience, the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/><ref name="Hinduism_Encyc">James G. Lochtefeld, "Brahma Kumaris" ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism'' Vol. I, (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing, 2002, ISBN 082393179X).</ref> which involves: |
| − | * Strict [[celibacy]].<ref name="Bryan_Wilson_NRM" | + | * Strict [[celibacy]].<ref name="Bryan_Wilson_NRM"/><ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> |
| − | * ''Sattvic'' [[vegetarianism]], a strict lacto-vegetarian diet<ref name="Tessa_Bartholomeusz_Bo_Tree">Tessa J. Bartholomeusz, John Clayton, Stevens Collins, Nicholas de Lange, ''Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka'' (Cambridge University Press, 1994, ISBN 978-0521461290) </ref> (excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other members.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/><ref name="Fard">[ | + | * ''Sattvic'' [[vegetarianism]], a strict lacto-vegetarian diet<ref name="Tessa_Bartholomeusz_Bo_Tree">Tessa J. Bartholomeusz, John Clayton, Stevens Collins, Nicholas de Lange, ''Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka'' (Cambridge University Press, 1994, ISBN 978-0521461290). </ref> (excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other members.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/><ref name="Fard">[https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=3415 Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity] ''Hinduism Today'', May 1995. Retrieved May 6, 2021.</ref> |
* Abstaining from [[alcohol]], [[tobacco]] and non-prescription drugs.<ref name="Tessa_Bartholomeusz_Bo_Tree"/><ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> | * Abstaining from [[alcohol]], [[tobacco]] and non-prescription drugs.<ref name="Tessa_Bartholomeusz_Bo_Tree"/><ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> | ||
* Regular early morning [[meditation]] at 4:00<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> to 4:45 <small>A.M.</small> called 'Amrit Vela.' | * Regular early morning [[meditation]] at 4:00<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> to 4:45 <small>A.M.</small> called 'Amrit Vela.' | ||
| − | * Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 <small>A.M.</small><ref name="Enc_New">Frank Whaling, ''Encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities'' Edited by Christopher Partridge and Gorden Melton (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0745950736) </ref> | + | * Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 <small>A.M.</small><ref name="Enc_New">Frank Whaling, ''Encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities'' Edited by Christopher Partridge and Gorden Melton (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0745950736). </ref> |
* Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centers during classes.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> | * Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centers during classes.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> | ||
| − | * Brahma Kumaris can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes, to symbolize purity.<ref name="Hinnells">John Hinnells, ''The Penguin Dictionary of Religions | + | * Brahma Kumaris can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes, to symbolize purity.<ref name="Hinnells">John Hinnells, ''The Penguin Dictionary of Religions'' Extract by Eileen Barker. (Rosen, New York: 1997, ISBN 0140512616). </ref><ref name="Barker">Eileen Barker, ''New Religious Movement: A Practical Introduction'' (London: HMSO, 1989, ISBN 0140512616), 168–170. </ref><ref name="Melton">J. Gordon Melton, ''The Encyclopedia of American Religions,'' 4th ed. (Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1993), 909–910. </ref> |
* Recommends that companions be other BK Brahmins as opposed to those given over to worldly pleasures (non-BKs), known as ''bhogis'' or ''shudras'' (meaning 'untouchables').<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> | * Recommends that companions be other BK Brahmins as opposed to those given over to worldly pleasures (non-BKs), known as ''bhogis'' or ''shudras'' (meaning 'untouchables').<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> | ||
| − | * All except the very senior BKs in the Western branches must support themselves (most work), most BKs live in shared accommodation with other members enabling the organization to powerfully reinforce its beliefs. <ref name="Howell_support">Julia D. Howell, | + | * All except the very senior BKs in the Western branches must support themselves (most work), most BKs live in shared accommodation with other members enabling the organization to powerfully reinforce its beliefs. <ref name="Howell_support">Julia D. Howell, ASC induction techniques, spiritual experiences, and commitment to new religious movements ''Journal of Beliefs and Values'' 58 (2)(April 1997): 149.</ref> |
==Beliefs== | ==Beliefs== | ||
{{readout||right|250px|Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, founded in [[India]], teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change which will lead to the Golden Age}} | {{readout||right|250px|Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, founded in [[India]], teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change which will lead to the Golden Age}} | ||
| − | In 1952, after a 14-year period of retreat during which the Brahma-kumaris 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. The movement does not associate itself with [[Hinduism]] <ref | + | In 1952, after a 14-year period of retreat during which the Brahma-kumaris 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. The movement does not associate itself with [[Hinduism]] <ref>Ronald Stuart McGregor, ''Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research'' (Cambridge University Press, 1988, ISBN 0521413117). </ref> but projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion.<ref name="Enc_New"/> |
===Central beliefs=== | ===Central beliefs=== | ||
| Line 71: | Line 69: | ||
* Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time referred to as "Destruction".<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/> | * Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time referred to as "Destruction".<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/> | ||
* Indian subcontinent will be the site of the future [[Golden Age]] [[paradise]] and that a form of [[Hindi]] is the original language of humanity, all other continents being destroyed. | * Indian subcontinent will be the site of the future [[Golden Age]] [[paradise]] and that a form of [[Hindi]] is the original language of humanity, all other continents being destroyed. | ||
| − | * Followers are taught that only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise | + | * Followers are taught that only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise as Gods and Goddesses. |
* God has incarnated into Dada Lehkraj, the founder, and is teaching them directly and exclusively. | * God has incarnated into Dada Lehkraj, the founder, and is teaching them directly and exclusively. | ||
===God=== | ===God=== | ||
| − | God ([[Shiva]]), addressed by most BKs "Shiv Baba," is considered to be an eternal soul, a personality like human souls but the Supreme one (Paramatma) and "knowledgeful." His purpose is to awaken humanity and restore harmony, giving power through the Brahma Kumaris' practice of ''Raja Yoga,'' eliminating negativity. He is not the creator of matter which is itself considered to be eternal. He is said to have spoken in person through the mouth of the organization's primary medium Lekhraj Kripalani<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive" | + | God ([[Shiva]]), addressed by most BKs "Shiv Baba," is considered to be an eternal soul, a personality like human souls but the Supreme one (Paramatma) and "knowledgeful." His purpose is to awaken humanity and restore harmony, giving power through the Brahma Kumaris' practice of ''Raja Yoga,'' eliminating negativity. He is not the creator of matter which is itself considered to be eternal. He is said to have spoken in person through the mouth of the organization's primary medium Lekhraj Kripalani<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> and to be the destroyer of evil. The BKWSU teaches that individual humans are like "''tiny stars, minute points of invisible luminous energy that is the soul''"<ref>George D. Chryssides, ''Exploring New Religions'' (Continuum International Pub., 1999, ISBN 0826459595), 195. </ref> which center around Shiva in the soul world. |
===Self=== | ===Self=== | ||
| − | Human and even animal [[soul]]s, called ''atmas,'' are believed to be an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are believed to originally exist with God in a "Soul World," a world of infinite light, peace and silence called Paramdham.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Paramdham">Lawrence A. Babb | + | Human and even animal [[soul]]s, called ''atmas,'' are believed to be an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are believed to originally exist with God in a "Soul World," a world of infinite light, peace and silence called Paramdham.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Paramdham">Lawrence A. Babb, ''Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition'' (Oxford University Press, 1987). </ref> Here souls are in a state of rest and beyond experience. Souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern traditions, the soul is not thought to transmigrate into other species and does not evolve but rather devolves birth after birth. Within this "point of light" all aspects of the personality are contained and is said to enter the human body in the fourth to fifth month of pregnancy.<ref> [https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=338 Hindus In America Speak out on Abortion Issues] (article from ''Himalaya Academy'') ''Hinduism Today'', September 1985. Retrieved May 6, 2021. </ref> |
===Three Worlds=== | ===Three Worlds=== | ||
| − | The Brahma Kumaris believe that there are three worlds or dimensions; the physical universe, a soul world known as ''Paramdham'' and an intermediate region called "The Subtle Regions" where they claim to journey to experience visions regarding world history where Lekhraj Kirpalani and God [[Shiva]] combined as BapDada jointly communicate with the university.<ref name= | + | The Brahma Kumaris believe that there are three worlds or dimensions; the physical universe, a soul world known as ''Paramdham'' and an intermediate region called "The Subtle Regions" where they claim to journey to experience visions regarding world history where Lekhraj Kirpalani and God [[Shiva]] combined as BapDada jointly communicate with the university.<ref name=Walliss/> Souls exists in the soul world "totally untained by matter … as a starlike point of light until they have to 'play their part' within the world drama on the physical plane" at whatever time in history they are destined to incarnate for the first time.<ref name="o'Donnell_Soul_world">Ken O'Donnell, ''New Beginnings'' (Brahma Kumaris World University, 1995, ISBN 0963739646). </ref> |
===5,000 year cycle=== | ===5,000 year cycle=== | ||
| − | Time is cyclic, repeating identically every 5000 years, and composed of five ages or "''Yugas''"; the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Copper Age, the Iron Age each being exactly 1,250 years long,<ref name="New_Believers">David V. Barrett, ''The New Believers'' (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 0304355925), 265.</ref> and the Confluence Age ''(Sangam Yuga).'' The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, beginning in 1936 with the descent of Shiva into Lekhraj Kirpalani, during which present day civilization is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war.<ref | + | Time is cyclic, repeating identically every 5000 years, and composed of five ages or "''Yugas''"; the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Copper Age, the Iron Age each being exactly 1,250 years long,<ref name="New_Believers">David V. Barrett, ''The New Believers'' (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 0304355925), 265.</ref> and the Confluence Age ''(Sangam Yuga).'' The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, beginning in 1936 with the descent of Shiva into Lekhraj Kirpalani, during which present day civilization is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war.<ref name="Fard"/> |
| − | During the first half of the cycle, procreation is believed to be possible through the power of yoga without sexual intercourse | + | During the first half of the cycle, procreation is believed to be possible through the power of yoga without sexual intercourse.<ref name="Lib">V.S. Lalrinawma, ''The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris'' (Delhi: Cambridge Press, ISPCK, 2003, ISBN 8172147716), 13. </ref> |
===Meditation=== | ===Meditation=== | ||
| − | The Brahma Kumaris teach a form of [[meditation]] through which members are encouraged to purify their minds and 'burn away' the [[karma|Karmic]] effects of past misdeeds.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive" /> This may be done by sitting tranquilly in front of a screen on to which Dada Lekhraj's image is projected, then making affirmations regarding the eternal nature of the [[soul]].<ref | + | The Brahma Kumaris teach a form of [[meditation]] through which members are encouraged to purify their minds and 'burn away' the [[karma|Karmic]] effects of past misdeeds.<ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive" /> This may be done by sitting tranquilly in front of a screen on to which Dada Lekhraj's image is projected, then making affirmations regarding the eternal nature of the [[soul]].<ref>George Chryssides, ''Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements'' (Scarecrow Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0810879676).</ref> |
| − | + | The Brahma Kumaris believe that practice of Raja Yoga enables spiritual progress as well as having pragmatic benefits in one's everyday life. For this reason meditation is usually taught and practiced with open eyes. | |
===Mediumship ''(Murlis)''=== | ===Mediumship ''(Murlis)''=== | ||
| Line 97: | Line 95: | ||
There are two types of mediumistic messages; ''sakar'' and ''avyakt'': | There are two types of mediumistic messages; ''sakar'' and ''avyakt'': | ||
| − | * ''Sakar'' Murlis refer to the original classes said to be spoken by "[[Shiva]]" through the medium of Lekhraj Kripalani in the 1960s, before he died of a heart attack on January 18, 1969.<ref name="Ratan">Vishwa Ratan, ''A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan'' (Om Shanti Press, 2000, ISBN 955958233X), 57</ref> These include teachings by Shiva and the life of personal experience of Lekhraj. | + | * ''Sakar'' Murlis refer to the original classes said to be spoken by "[[Shiva]]" through the medium of Lekhraj Kripalani in the 1960s, before he died of a heart attack on January 18, 1969.<ref name="Ratan">Vishwa Ratan, ''A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan'' (Om Shanti Press, 2000, ISBN 955958233X), 57.</ref> These include teachings by Shiva and the life of personal experience of Lekhraj. |
| − | * ''Avyakt'' Murlis (''Avyakt vanis'' or "angelic versions") which refer to the teachings of Shiva and the soul of the deceased Lekhraj Kripalani combined through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar". | + | * ''Avyakt'' Murlis (''Avyakt vanis'' or "angelic versions") which refer to the teachings of Shiva and the soul of the deceased Lekhraj Kripalani combined through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar". The Brahma Kumaris believe that the soul of Lekhraj Kripalani ascended to the [[angel]]ic world and thus the term ''avyakt'' which means "not in the physical form, or angelic," is used for these messages. |
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| − | |||
==Use of channeling and mediumship== | ==Use of channeling and mediumship== | ||
| − | The BKWSU is believed by its members to have been established by ''Shiva Baba'' (God-Father Shiva), described as the "Supreme Soul" and claimed to be the one [[God]] of all religions through the [[Mediumship|medium]] of the group's founder Lekhraj Kripalani.<ref name="BK_Jagdish_Chander_Adi_Dev" /> Its mediums also directly [[ | + | The BKWSU is believed by its members to have been established by ''Shiva Baba'' (God-Father Shiva), described as the "Supreme Soul" and claimed to be the one [[God]] of all religions through the [[Mediumship|medium]] of the group's founder Lekhraj Kripalani.<ref name="BK_Jagdish_Chander_Adi_Dev" /> Its mediums also directly [[Mediumistic channeling|channel]] messages from deceased senior Brahma Kumaris leaders.<ref name="hinduismtoday_beloved_didi"> [https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=277 Beloved "Didi," Sivabhaktar and Co-Head of Brahma Kumaris, Passes In Bombay] ''Hinduism Today'', October 1983. Retrieved May 6, 2021.</ref> <ref name="Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive"/> Their founder, is also reported to have had visions of himself as [[Vishnu]], in which Vishnu said, "''Thou art that''" (a well-known verse from the [[Upanishads|Chadogya Upanishad]]).<ref>George D Chryssides, ''Exploring New Religions'' (Continuum International Pub., 1999, ISBN 0826459595195). </ref> |
| − | God Shiva, and the deceased human founder Lekhraj Kripalani, continue to be channelled <ref name=Robbins1997>T. Robbins | + | God Shiva, and the deceased human founder Lekhraj Kripalani, continue to be channelled <ref name=Robbins1997>T. Robbins and S.J. Palmer, ''Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements'' (Routledge, 1997, ISBN 0415916496), 108.</ref> through a senior sister Hirdaya Mohini (referred to familiarly as Dadi Gulzar), at the organization's [[Rajasthan]] headquarters. The combined presence of the BKWSU's human founder and the spiritual being the BKWSU believe is God are referred to as ''BapDada'' (meaning Father and Grandfather) by BKs. The pair continue to direct the organization to this day.<ref name="Fard"/> |
==Controversies and criticism== | ==Controversies and criticism== | ||
| + | As has been the case with most [[New religious movement]]s (NRM), the Brahma Kumaris have suffered persecution and criticism since they began. They have been involved in several controversies, a few of which are listed below: | ||
* When the organization started, empowering women to assert their right to remain [[celibacy|celibate]], particularly in marriage, was a prime factor in the controversy that arose in the 1930s as it directly challenged the dominance men held over women in [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] India.<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/> | * When the organization started, empowering women to assert their right to remain [[celibacy|celibate]], particularly in marriage, was a prime factor in the controversy that arose in the 1930s as it directly challenged the dominance men held over women in [[patriarchy|patriarchal]] India.<ref name="Liz_Hodgkinson_Peace"/> | ||
| − | * | + | * Followers are also encouraged to undergo a ‘death-in-life’ and ‘die towards the outer world’ renouncing their families and thus be ‘divinely’ reborn in the ‘divine family <ref name=Walliss/> As a result of this and the promotion of celibacy, the Brahma Kumaris have been accused of breaking up marriages and families since the 1930s.<ref name="smith_marriages">Wendy A. Smith, "Asian New Religious Movements as global cultural systems." ''International Institute for Asian Studies'' 45 (Autumn 2007): 16–17. </ref><ref name="Kościańska">Agnieszka Z. Kościańska, "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." ''On the Margins of Religion'' Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Warsaw University, May 15-17, 2003. </ref> |
| − | + | * Dr. John Wallis notes the re-editing of mediumistic messages <ref name=Prophecy/> and failed predictions of the End of the World <ref name=Walliss/> | |
| − | + | * The Brahma Kumaris have featured in the 'Wissen schtzt' reports of [[Austria]] (edited by then Austrian Minister for Family Affairs Mr. Martin Bartenstein), Russia (International Conference "Totalitarian Cults - Threat of Twenty-First Century," Nizhny Novgorod, 2001) and in a MIVILUDES report submitted to the French National Assembly as a "sectes dangereuses" (harmful [[cult]]) and "groupe d'enfermement" (group of confinement). | |
| − | * The Brahma Kumaris have featured in the 'Wissen schtzt' reports of [[Austria]] (edited by then Austrian Minister for Family Affairs Mr. Martin Bartenstein), | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| Line 118: | Line 114: | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| − | *Abbott, Elizabeth. ''A History of Celibacy.'' James Clarke & Co., 2001. ISBN 0718830067 | + | *Abbott, Elizabeth. ''A History of Celibacy.'' James Clarke & Co., 2001. ISBN 0718830067 |
| − | *Anti Om Mandli Committee | + | *Anti Om Mandli Committee. ''Om Mandli: a true authenticated story about its activities being a reply to "Is This Justice".'' Hyderabad: Anti Om Mandli Committee, 1940. {{OCLC|32117471}} |
| − | *Babb, Lawrence A. ''Redemptive encounters: three modern styles in the Hindu tradition.'' Berkeley University of California Press, 1986. ISBN 0520056450 | + | *Babb, Lawrence A. ''Redemptive encounters: three modern styles in the Hindu tradition.'' Berkeley University of California Press, 1986. ISBN 0520056450 |
*Babb, Lawrence A. "Amnesia and Remembrance in a Hindu Theory of History." ''Asian Folklore Studies'' 41(1) (1982): 49–66. | *Babb, Lawrence A. "Amnesia and Remembrance in a Hindu Theory of History." ''Asian Folklore Studies'' 41(1) (1982): 49–66. | ||
*Babb, Lawrence A. "Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism." ''Journal of Anthropological Research'' 37(4) (1981): 387–401. | *Babb, Lawrence A. "Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism." ''Journal of Anthropological Research'' 37(4) (1981): 387–401. | ||
| − | *Babb, Lawrence A. "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." ''Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism, | + | *Babb, Lawrence A. "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." ''Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism, Journal of Anthropological Research'' 4 (Winter 1981): 387–401. |
| − | |||
*Barker, Eileen. "Religious Movements: Cult and Anticult Since Jonestown." ''Annual Review of Sociology'' 12(1) (1986): 329–346. | *Barker, Eileen. "Religious Movements: Cult and Anticult Since Jonestown." ''Annual Review of Sociology'' 12(1) (1986): 329–346. | ||
| − | *Barrett, David V. ''The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions.'' Cassell & Co., 2001. ISBN 978-0304355921 | + | *Barrett, David V. ''The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions.'' Cassell & Co., 2001. ISBN 978-0304355921 |
| − | *Bartholomeusz, Tessa J., John Clayton, Stevens Collins, Nicholas de Lange. ''Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka.'' (Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions) Cambridge University Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0521461290 | + | *Bartholomeusz, Tessa J., John Clayton, Stevens Collins, Nicholas de Lange. ''Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka.'' (Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions) Cambridge University Press, 1994. ISBN 978-0521461290 |
| − | |||
*Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin. "Apocalyptic Dreams and Religious Ideologies: Losing and Saving Self and World." ''Psychoanalytic Review'' 90(4) (Aug 2003): 403–439. | *Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin. "Apocalyptic Dreams and Religious Ideologies: Losing and Saving Self and World." ''Psychoanalytic Review'' 90(4) (Aug 2003): 403–439. | ||
*Brasher, B.E. "Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements." ''Nova Religio'' 1(2) (1998): 309–311. | *Brasher, B.E. "Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements." ''Nova Religio'' 1(2) (1998): 309–311. | ||
*Chander, B. K. Jagdish. ''Adi Dev: The First Man''. Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, 1983. {{ASIN|B000JXGFWK}} | *Chander, B. K. Jagdish. ''Adi Dev: The First Man''. Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, 1983. {{ASIN|B000JXGFWK}} | ||
| − | * Chryssides, George D. ''Exploring New Religions'' Continuum International Pub. 1999. ISBN 0826459595. | + | * Chryssides, George. ''Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements''. Scarecrow Press, 2011. ISBN 978-0810879676 |
| − | *Francis, L.J. and Y.J. Katz. ''Joining and Leaving Religion: Research Perspectives.'' Gracewing Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0852445172 | + | * Chryssides, George D. ''Exploring New Religions'' Continuum International Pub. 1999. ISBN 0826459595 |
| + | * Clarke, Peter (ed.) ''Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements.'' Routledge, 2005. ISBN 978-0415267076 | ||
| + | *Francis, L.J. and Y.J. Katz. ''Joining and Leaving Religion: Research Perspectives.'' Gracewing Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0852445172 | ||
*Hardy, Hardayal. ''Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice.'' Vikas Publishing House, 1984. ISBN 0706925637 | *Hardy, Hardayal. ''Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice.'' Vikas Publishing House, 1984. ISBN 0706925637 | ||
| − | * Hodgkinson, Liz. ''Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution.'' HCI, 2002. ISBN 1558749624 | + | *Hinnells, John R. ''The Penguin Dictionary of Religions''. Penguin Books, 1997. ISBN 978-0140512618 |
| − | + | * Hodgkinson, Liz. ''Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution.'' HCI, 2002. ISBN 1558749624 | |
*Howell, Julia Day. "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: clarification of the Brahma Kumari case." ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' 45 (Autumn 2007): 16–17. | *Howell, Julia Day. "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: clarification of the Brahma Kumari case." ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' 45 (Autumn 2007): 16–17. | ||
*Howell, J.D., and P.L. Nelson. "Structural adaptation and ‘success’ in the transplantation of an Asian New Religious Movement: the Brahma Kumaris in the Western world, Part I." ''Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion'' 8 (1997): 1–33. | *Howell, J.D., and P.L. Nelson. "Structural adaptation and ‘success’ in the transplantation of an Asian New Religious Movement: the Brahma Kumaris in the Western world, Part I." ''Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion'' 8 (1997): 1–33. | ||
*Howell, J.D. "Gender role experimentation in new religious movements: the case of the Brahma Kumaris." ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' 37(3) (1998): 453–461. | *Howell, J.D. "Gender role experimentation in new religious movements: the case of the Brahma Kumaris." ''Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion'' 37(3) (1998): 453–461. | ||
| − | *Hunt, Stephen J. ''Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction.'' Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2003. ISBN 0754634108 | + | *Hunt, Stephen J. ''Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction.'' Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2003. ISBN 0754634108 |
| − | *Kelegama, Keerthi. ''Year 2000 doomed: Mankind destroyed' [Exclusive report on imminent world destruction].'' Delhi: Cambridge Press, 1998 | + | *Kelegama, Keerthi. ''Year 2000 doomed: Mankind destroyed' [Exclusive report on imminent world destruction].'' Delhi: Cambridge Press, 1998. |
| − | *Klimo, Jon. ''Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources.'' North Atlantic Books, 1998. ISBN 978-1556432484 | + | *Klimo, Jon. ''Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources.'' North Atlantic Books, 1998. ISBN 978-1556432484 |
| − | *Lalrinawma, V.S. ''The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris.'' Delhi: ISPCK, Cambridge Press. ISBN 8172147716 | + | *Lalrinawma, V.S. ''The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris.'' Delhi: ISPCK, Cambridge Press. ISBN 8172147716 |
| − | *Lochtefeld, James G. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I'', entry "Brahma Kumaris". New York, NY: Rosen Publishing | + | *Lochtefeld, James G. ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I'', entry "Brahma Kumaris". New York, NY: Rosen Publishing, 2002. ISBN 082393179X |
*Manderson, Lenore, Wendy Smith, and Matt Tomlinson (eds). ''Flows of Faith: Religious Reach and Community in Asia and the Pacific''. Springer, 2012. ISBN 978-9400729315 | *Manderson, Lenore, Wendy Smith, and Matt Tomlinson (eds). ''Flows of Faith: Religious Reach and Community in Asia and the Pacific''. Springer, 2012. ISBN 978-9400729315 | ||
| − | *Ratan, Vishwa. ''A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan.'' Om Shanti Press, 2000 | + | * McGregor, Ronald Stuart. ''Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research''. Cambridge University Press, 1988. ISBN 0521413117 |
| − | *Robbins, Thomas. ''Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements.'' Routledge, 1997. ISBN 978-0415916486 | + | * Partridge, Christopher, and Gorden Melton (eds.). ''Encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities,'' Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0745950736 |
| + | *Ratan, Vishwa. ''A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan.'' Om Shanti Press, 2000. | ||
| + | *Robbins, Thomas. ''Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements.'' Routledge, 1997. ISBN 978-0415916486 | ||
*Skultans, V. "The Brahma Kumaris and the role of women." ''Women and Teachers and Disciples in Traditional and New Religions'' (1993): 47–62. | *Skultans, V. "The Brahma Kumaris and the role of women." ''Women and Teachers and Disciples in Traditional and New Religions'' (1993): 47–62. | ||
| − | *Verma, Rajeev. ''Faith and Philosophy of Hinduism''. Kalpaz Publications, 2009. ISBN 978-8178357188 | + | *Verma, Rajeev. ''Faith and Philosophy of Hinduism''. Kalpaz Publications, 2009. ISBN 978-8178357188 |
| − | *Walliss, John. ''The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity.'' Ashgate Publishing, 2002. ISBN 978- | + | *Walliss, John. ''The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity.'' Ashgate Publishing, 2002. ISBN 978-8120829558 |
| − | + | *Whaling, Frank. ''Understanding the Brahma Kumaris.'' Dunedin Press ltd., 2008. ISBN 190376551X | |
| − | + | *Wilson, Bryan (ed.). ''New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response.'' Routledge, 1999. {{ASIN|B000FA5Z8W}} | |
| − | *Whaling, Frank. ''Understanding the Brahma Kumaris.'' Dunedin Press ltd., 2008. ISBN 190376551X | ||
| − | *Wilson, Bryan (ed.). ''New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response.'' Routledge, 1999. | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | All links retrieved | + | All links retrieved November 20, 2023. |
| − | * Reender Kranenborg, [ | + | |
| − | * [ | + | * Reender Kranenborg, [https://www.cesnur.org/testi/bryn/br_kranenborg.htm Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?]. ''CESNUR'' |
| − | + | * [https://www.brahmakumaris.org/ BKWSU.Org] - Brahma Kumaris International website | |
| − | + | * [https://www.brahmakumaris.com/ BrahmaKumaris.Com] - Brahma Kumaris Indian website | |
| − | * [ | + | * [http://brahmakumaris.info/ BrahmaKumaris.Info] - Independent support website run by mainly ex-members and associates of the BKWSU |
| − | * [http:// | ||
[[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | [[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:34, 20 November 2023
| Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University | |
|
| |
| Formation | 1930s |
|---|---|
| Type | Millenarianist New Religious Movement |
| Headquarters | Rajasthan, India
|
| Official languages | Hindi (language) |
| Founder | Lekhraj Kripalani (1876–1969), known as "Brahma Baba" to the followers |
| Key people | Janki Kripalani, Jayanti Kirpalani |
| Website | http://www.bkwsu.org/ bkwsu.org |
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an educational organization founded in India in 1937 that offers instruction by nuns based on teachings that are derived from mediumship and channelling.[1][2] A modern Hindu sect, the Brahma Kumaris articulate millenarian teachings.[3][4]
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an international non-governmental organization (NGO). The organization has hundreds of branches internationally and has co-ordinated three major international projects; The Million Minutes for Peace in 1986, for which it was awarded seven UN Peace Messenger Awards, 1987 and Global Co-operation for a Better World in 1988.[5]
Early history
The beginnings of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) can be traced to the group "Om Mandali," founded by Lekhraj Kripalani (1876–1969) in Sindh (modern Pakistan) in the 1930s. Known as "Dada Lekhraj" to his followers, Lekhraj Kripalani was a follower of the Vaishnavite Vallabhacharya Sect.[6][7] The group began when "Om Baba," as Lekhraj was known at the time, retired from his successful jewelry business had a series of visions and other transcendental experiences.[8]
Lekhraj started holding gatherings that attracted many people and the group became known as Om Mandali, so named because they would chant "Om" together before having discourse on spiritual matters in the traditional satsang style. Their original spiritual knowledge was obtained through divine revelations and divine visions of women who had the gift of trance-vision. One of his main visions concerned "the establishment of a perfected paradise after a kind of universal destruction of the cosmos, a destruction necessary for an ideal world to be established."[9]
They allowed people from any caste to attend their meetings, and many women joined Om Mandali.[10] It became clear that women had a special role in the group, and in 1937, a managing committee was formed of eight women, with another woman, Radhe Pokardas Rajwani (then known as "Om Radhe"), as president.[11] The group advocated that young women had the right to elect not to marry and that married women had the right to chose a celibate life. Such decisions were traditionally the exclusive right of the men in the patriarchal Indian society.[12]
Members of the local Bhaibund community reacted unfavorably to thes movement. Many young married Sindhi women attended the ashram and were encouraged to take vows of celibacy, so the Om Mandali was accused of breaking up families.[13][12] Om Mandali was denounced as a disturber of family peace and some of the Brahma Kumari wives were mistreated by their families. Lekhraj Kripalani was accused of sorcery, lechery,[11] forming a cult, and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism.
Children were removed from their school.[14] Hindu members of the Sindh Assembly threatened to resign unless the Om Mandali was outlawed, so the Sindh Government used the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 to declare it an unlawful association.[10]
To avoid persecution and legal actions, as well as their own safety, Om Mandali decided to leave Hyderabad and gradually relocated their activities to Karachi in the latter half of 1938. Approximately 300 members moved. The Anti-Om Mandli Committee which had opposed the group in Hyderabad followed them.[15]
In April 1950, after the Partition of India, they moved to Mount Abu in India saying that they had been instructed by God to do so.[7] From its beginning the organization's focus was on education rather than forms of worship, and for this reason Om Mandli renamed itself as Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.
Expansion
Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began an internationalization expansion program,[16] establishing centers across India with female teachers. From 1964 to 1969, methods of outreach began involving exhibitions, seminars and conferences in different parts of India. After Lekhraj's death in 1969, his followers expanded the movement to other countries.[17]
The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female. For example, in the UK, only one-third of the 42 centers are run by males.[18]
Lifestyle
The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities, and suffering.[4] As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience, the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle[12][19] which involves:
- Strict celibacy.[2][4]
- Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet[20] (excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other members.[4][21]
- Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.[20][4]
- Regular early morning meditation at 4:00[4] to 4:45 A.M. called 'Amrit Vela.'
- Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 A.M.[22]
- Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centers during classes.[4]
- Brahma Kumaris can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes, to symbolize purity.[23][24][25]
- Recommends that companions be other BK Brahmins as opposed to those given over to worldly pleasures (non-BKs), known as bhogis or shudras (meaning 'untouchables').[4]
- All except the very senior BKs in the Western branches must support themselves (most work), most BKs live in shared accommodation with other members enabling the organization to powerfully reinforce its beliefs. [26]
Beliefs
Did you know?
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, founded in India, teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change which will lead to the Golden Age
In 1952, after a 14-year period of retreat during which the Brahma-kumaris 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. The movement does not associate itself with Hinduism [27] but projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion.[22]
Central beliefs
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 which is dualistic "I am a soul, my body is a garment".[2]
- Reincarnation happens only from one human body to another.[4]
- Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time referred to as "Destruction".[12]
- Indian subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Age paradise and that a form of Hindi is the original language of humanity, all other continents being destroyed.
- Followers are taught that only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise as Gods and Goddesses.
- God has incarnated into Dada Lehkraj, the founder, and is teaching them directly and exclusively.
God
God (Shiva), addressed by most BKs "Shiv Baba," is considered to be an eternal soul, a personality like human souls but the Supreme one (Paramatma) and "knowledgeful." His purpose is to awaken humanity and restore harmony, giving power through the Brahma Kumaris' practice of Raja Yoga, eliminating negativity. He is not the creator of matter which is itself considered to be eternal. He is said to have spoken in person through the mouth of the organization's primary medium Lekhraj Kripalani[4] and to be the destroyer of evil. The BKWSU teaches that individual humans are like "tiny stars, minute points of invisible luminous energy that is the soul"[28] which center around Shiva in the soul world.
Self
Human and even animal souls, called atmas, are believed to be an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are believed to originally exist with God in a "Soul World," a world of infinite light, peace and silence called Paramdham.[29] Here souls are in a state of rest and beyond experience. Souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern traditions, the soul is not thought to transmigrate into other species and does not evolve but rather devolves birth after birth. Within this "point of light" all aspects of the personality are contained and is said to enter the human body in the fourth to fifth month of pregnancy.[30]
Three Worlds
The Brahma Kumaris believe that there are three worlds or dimensions; the physical universe, a soul world known as Paramdham and an intermediate region called "The Subtle Regions" where they claim to journey to experience visions regarding world history where Lekhraj Kirpalani and God Shiva combined as BapDada jointly communicate with the university.[6] Souls exists in the soul world "totally untained by matter … as a starlike point of light until they have to 'play their part' within the world drama on the physical plane" at whatever time in history they are destined to incarnate for the first time.[31]
5,000 year cycle
Time is cyclic, repeating identically every 5000 years, and composed of five ages or "Yugas"; the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Copper Age, the Iron Age each being exactly 1,250 years long,[32] and the Confluence Age (Sangam Yuga). The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, beginning in 1936 with the descent of Shiva into Lekhraj Kirpalani, during which present day civilization is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war.[21]
During the first half of the cycle, procreation is believed to be possible through the power of yoga without sexual intercourse.[33]
Meditation
The Brahma Kumaris teach a form of meditation through which members are encouraged to purify their minds and 'burn away' the Karmic effects of past misdeeds.[4] This may be done by sitting tranquilly in front of a screen on to which Dada Lekhraj's image is projected, then making affirmations regarding the eternal nature of the soul.[34]
The Brahma Kumaris believe that practice of Raja Yoga enables spiritual progress as well as having pragmatic benefits in one's everyday life. For this reason meditation is usually taught and practiced with open eyes.
Mediumship (Murlis)
David Barrett states, "Unlike traditional forms of Hinduism, the Brahma Kumaris' teachings come not so much from ancient scriptures but from revelations given in trance states."[13] However, these mediumistic messages known by Brahma Kumaris as "Murlis," read at the 6.30 A.M. meetings, are slowly developing the nature of potential scriptures.[22] The earlier ones channeled by Lekhraj Kripalani while he was alive, are now repeated in a five year cycle. They are supplemented by later murlis, channelled by Hirday Mohini of Delhi in trance states, which are also written down.
There are two types of mediumistic messages; sakar and avyakt:
- Sakar Murlis refer to the original classes said to be spoken by "Shiva" through the medium of Lekhraj Kripalani in the 1960s, before he died of a heart attack on January 18, 1969.[35] These include teachings by Shiva and the life of personal experience of Lekhraj.
- Avyakt Murlis (Avyakt vanis or "angelic versions") which refer to the teachings of Shiva and the soul of the deceased Lekhraj Kripalani combined through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar". The Brahma Kumaris believe that the soul of Lekhraj Kripalani ascended to the angelic world and thus the term avyakt which means "not in the physical form, or angelic," is used for these messages.
Use of channeling and mediumship
The BKWSU is believed by its members to have been established by Shiva Baba (God-Father Shiva), described as the "Supreme Soul" and claimed to be the one God of all religions through the medium of the group's founder Lekhraj Kripalani.[7] Its mediums also directly channel messages from deceased senior Brahma Kumaris leaders.[36] [4] Their founder, is also reported to have had visions of himself as Vishnu, in which Vishnu said, "Thou art that" (a well-known verse from the Chadogya Upanishad).[37]
God Shiva, and the deceased human founder Lekhraj Kripalani, continue to be channelled [38] through a senior sister Hirdaya Mohini (referred to familiarly as Dadi Gulzar), at the organization's Rajasthan headquarters. The combined presence of the BKWSU's human founder and the spiritual being the BKWSU believe is God are referred to as BapDada (meaning Father and Grandfather) by BKs. The pair continue to direct the organization to this day.[21]
Controversies and criticism
As has been the case with most New religious movements (NRM), the Brahma Kumaris have suffered persecution and criticism since they began. They have been involved in several controversies, a few of which are listed below:
- When the organization started, empowering women to assert their right to remain celibate, particularly in marriage, was a prime factor in the controversy that arose in the 1930s as it directly challenged the dominance men held over women in patriarchal India.[12]
- Followers are also encouraged to undergo a ‘death-in-life’ and ‘die towards the outer world’ renouncing their families and thus be ‘divinely’ reborn in the ‘divine family [6] As a result of this and the promotion of celibacy, the Brahma Kumaris have been accused of breaking up marriages and families since the 1930s.[39][40]
- Dr. John Wallis notes the re-editing of mediumistic messages [5] and failed predictions of the End of the World [6]
- The Brahma Kumaris have featured in the 'Wissen schtzt' reports of Austria (edited by then Austrian Minister for Family Affairs Mr. Martin Bartenstein), Russia (International Conference "Totalitarian Cults - Threat of Twenty-First Century," Nizhny Novgorod, 2001) and in a MIVILUDES report submitted to the French National Assembly as a "sectes dangereuses" (harmful cult) and "groupe d'enfermement" (group of confinement).
Notes
- ↑ Jon Klimo, Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources (North Atlantic Books, 1998, ISBN 978-1556432484), 100.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bryan Wilson (ed.), New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response (Routledge, 1999, ISBN 978-0415200493).
- ↑ Thomas Robbins, Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements (Routledge, 1997, ISBN 978-0415916486).
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 Lawrence A. Babb, Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Oxford University Press, 1986, ISBN 0706925637).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 John Walliss, When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millennium(s) (September 1999), 5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 John Walliss, The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity (Ashgate Publishing, 2002, ISBN 978-0754609513).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 B. K. Jagdish Chander, Adi Dev: The First Man (Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, 1983).
- ↑ Lenore Manderson, Wendy Smith, and Matt Tomlinson (eds.), Flows of Faith: Religious Reach and Community in Asia and the Pacific (Springer, 2012, ISBN 978-9400729315).
- ↑ Rajeev Verma, Faith & Philosophy of Hinduism (Kalpaz Publications, 2009, ISBN 978-8178357188), 158.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Hardayal Hardy, Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice (Vikas Publishing House, 1984, ISBN 0706925637), 37–39.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Elizabeth Abbott, A History of Celibacy (James Clarke & Co., 2001, ISBN 0718830067), 172–174.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Liz Hodgkinson, Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution (HCI, 2002, ISBN 1558749624), 2–29.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 David V. Barrett, The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 978-0304355921).
- ↑ Brahma-Kumari Radhe, Is this justice?: Being an account of the founding of the Om Mandli & the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 (Pharmacy Printing Press, 1939), 5–36.
- ↑ Peter Clarke (ed.), Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements (Routledge, 2005, ISBN 978-0415267076), 63–64.
- ↑ Julia Howell, Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37(3) (Sep 1998): 453–461.
- ↑ Stephen J. Hunt, Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2003, ISBN 0754634108), 120.
- ↑ Julia Day Howell, Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: Clarification of the Brahma Kumari Case Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37(3) (September 1998): 453–461.
- ↑ James G. Lochtefeld, "Brahma Kumaris" The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I, (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing, 2002, ISBN 082393179X).
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Tessa J. Bartholomeusz, John Clayton, Stevens Collins, Nicholas de Lange, Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka (Cambridge University Press, 1994, ISBN 978-0521461290).
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity Hinduism Today, May 1995. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Frank Whaling, Encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities Edited by Christopher Partridge and Gorden Melton (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0745950736).
- ↑ John Hinnells, The Penguin Dictionary of Religions Extract by Eileen Barker. (Rosen, New York: 1997, ISBN 0140512616).
- ↑ Eileen Barker, New Religious Movement: A Practical Introduction (London: HMSO, 1989, ISBN 0140512616), 168–170.
- ↑ J. Gordon Melton, The Encyclopedia of American Religions, 4th ed. (Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1993), 909–910.
- ↑ Julia D. Howell, ASC induction techniques, spiritual experiences, and commitment to new religious movements Journal of Beliefs and Values 58 (2)(April 1997): 149.
- ↑ Ronald Stuart McGregor, Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research (Cambridge University Press, 1988, ISBN 0521413117).
- ↑ George D. Chryssides, Exploring New Religions (Continuum International Pub., 1999, ISBN 0826459595), 195.
- ↑ Lawrence A. Babb, Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Oxford University Press, 1987).
- ↑ Hindus In America Speak out on Abortion Issues (article from Himalaya Academy) Hinduism Today, September 1985. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ↑ Ken O'Donnell, New Beginnings (Brahma Kumaris World University, 1995, ISBN 0963739646).
- ↑ David V. Barrett, The New Believers (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 0304355925), 265.
- ↑ V.S. Lalrinawma, The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris (Delhi: Cambridge Press, ISPCK, 2003, ISBN 8172147716), 13.
- ↑ George Chryssides, Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements (Scarecrow Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0810879676).
- ↑ Vishwa Ratan, A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan (Om Shanti Press, 2000, ISBN 955958233X), 57.
- ↑ Beloved "Didi," Sivabhaktar and Co-Head of Brahma Kumaris, Passes In Bombay Hinduism Today, October 1983. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ↑ George D Chryssides, Exploring New Religions (Continuum International Pub., 1999, ISBN 0826459595195).
- ↑ T. Robbins and S.J. Palmer, Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements (Routledge, 1997, ISBN 0415916496), 108.
- ↑ Wendy A. Smith, "Asian New Religious Movements as global cultural systems." International Institute for Asian Studies 45 (Autumn 2007): 16–17.
- ↑ Agnieszka Z. Kościańska, "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." On the Margins of Religion Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Warsaw University, May 15-17, 2003.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
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External links
All links retrieved November 20, 2023.
- Reender Kranenborg, Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?. CESNUR
- BKWSU.Org - Brahma Kumaris International website
- BrahmaKumaris.Com - Brahma Kumaris Indian website
- BrahmaKumaris.Info - Independent support website run by mainly ex-members and associates of the BKWSU
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