Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

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Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

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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 education organization founded in India in 1937 that offers instruction by nuns[1] based on teachings that are derived from mediumship and channelling.[2][3] A modern Hindu sect, the Brahma Kumaris articulates millenarian teachings.[4][5]

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations[6] and UNICEF.[7] The organization now 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.[8]

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.[9][10] 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.[11]

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."[12]

They allowed people from any caste to attend their meetings, and many women joined Om Mandali.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16][15] 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,[14] forming a cult, and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism.

Children were removed from their school.[17] 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.[13]

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.[18]

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.[10] 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

The main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters.

Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began an internationalization expansion program,[19] 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.[20] After Lekhraj's death in 1969, his followers expanded the movement to other countries.[21]

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.[22] According to the BKWSU website, there are currently over 8,500 centres in 110 countries and territories.[23] According to sources quoted in the Adherents website, worldwide membership ranges from 35,000 (in 1993) to 400,000 (in 1998).[24] The 2001 Census of the United Kingdom records 261 individual members.[25]

Lifestyle

The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities, and suffering.[5] As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience, the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle[15][26] which involves:

  • Strict celibacy.[3][5]
  • Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet [27] (excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other members.[5][28] even excluding their own mother or relatives. [29]
  • Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.[27][5]
  • Regular early morning meditation at 4:00[5] to 4:45 A.M. called 'Amrit Vela.'
  • Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 A.M.[30]
  • Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centers during classes.[5]
  • Brahma Kumaris can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes, to symbolize purity.[31][32][33]
  • 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').[5]
  • 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. [34]

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 [35] but projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion.[30]

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".[3]
  • Reincarnation happens only from one human body to another.[5]
  • Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time referred to as "Destruction".[15]
  • 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[36] 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[5] 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"[37] 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.[38] 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.[39]

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.[40] 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.[41]

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,[42] 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[43] in an event called Destruction. [44] Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi states this information is generally hidden from non-members.[45]

During the first half of the cycle, procreation is believed to be possible through the power of yoga without sexual intercourse.[46] The Universe is never transformed into primordial or atomic state matter, nor does the world ever becomes devoid of human beings.[47]

Tree of Humanity

It is taught that all of humanity will die and return to Paramdham then take birth in the forthcoming cycle at their predestined time and place. This is portrayed as the "Kalpa Vriksha Tree," or the "Tree of Humanity," in which the founder Lekhraj Kripalani and his Brahma Kumaris followers are shown as the roots of the humanity. A new world order starting with the birth of Krishna and a population of 900,000 is believed to go on to enjoy 2,500 years of paradise as living deities before humanity splits and the religious founders incarnate. Each creates their own branch and brings with them their own followers from the Infinite Light, until they too decline and splits, schisms, cults and sects appear at the end of the Iron Age.[9][47]

The aim of the individual Brahma Kumari is to gain a high status in the coming paradise where a select 108 who are 'totally victorious' and will rule there. Members of the physical families of Brahma Kumaris who have contact with the University are said to become members of the 16,000 top souls.[48] and at the end of each Cycle, everyone will see visions in which their personal destinies will be fully disclosed.[9]

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.[5] 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.[49]

Lawrence Babbs described another practise where "the student or students sit in a semi-darkened room facing the teacher (usually a woman). Just above and behind the teacher's head is a red plastic ovoid that glows from a lightbulb within, in its center is a tiny hole which appears as an intense whitelight against the red glow.[5] This device represents the Supreme Soul (known as Shiv Baba) who is the presiding deity of the universe. With devotional songs playing softly in the background, student and teacher gaze intently at each other, either in the eyes or at the forehead. While doing this the student is supposed to imagine him or herself as a soul and not as a body. The student is told to think of themselves as separate from the body, as bodiless, as light, as power, as bathed in the love and light of the Supreme Soul, and so on. This might continue for fifteen or twenty minutes".[50] Babb also states that while staring (gazing into the eyes of an adept) at the teacher, many students experience visual hallucinations involving lights.[5]

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."[16] 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.[30] 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.[51] 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".[52] 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.

One must complete the Brahma Kumaris foundation course before starting to attend morning murli class and visiting the headquarters in India during the period when the deceased founder communicates via a trance medium.[53]

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.[10] Its mediums also directly channel messages from deceased senior Brahma Kumaris leaders.[54] In its early days, children would commonly go into trances, having visions of Krishna and Golden Aged Heaven and engaging in ecstatic dances for as long as seven days [5] 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).[55]

God Shiva, and the deceased human founder Lekhraj Kripalani, continue to be channelled [56] 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.[57]

Controversies and criticism

  • Dr. John Wallis notes the re-editing of mediumistic messages [58] and failed predictions of the End of the World [59] which had been removed from the teachings and hidden from those that came later on.
  • In a paper for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Howell wrote that teenage girls surrendering to the organisation are required to pay the equivalent of a dowry to the organization. The payment was meant to prevent parents from "dumping" their daughters at the BKWSU as a way to avoid the costs of ordinary marriages. Return to the world for women who have has such a dowry paid for them is difficult.[60]
  • BK followers belief that the BKWSU is the precursor to all world religions, even those that predate it, which are seen as being only facets of "the complete diamond" Raja Yoga.[44][35]
  • The institution uses Hindu terminologies such as Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita to attract people but what is taught in the organization is completely different from what they supposed to mean in Hindu system of belief.
  • Followers are 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 [61] consequently, the Brahma Kumaris have been accused of breaking up marriages and families since the 1930s. [62][63] The BKWSU, a organization being notable for its sex ban.
  • The Brahma Kumaris have featured in the 'Wissen schtzt' reports of Austria (edited by then Austrian Minister for Family Affairs Mr. Martin Bartenstein),[64] 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).[65] This has leading to the persecution of followers in local media leading to job losses after it discovered that they belonged to a secte [66] and denouncement for their influence on children under their care.[67]

Notes

  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)
  2. ↑ Jon Klimo, Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. (North Atlantic Books, 1998, ISBN 978-1556432484), 100.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bryan Wilson, (ed.), New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response (Routledge, 1999, ISBN 978-0415200493) Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Bryan_Wilson_NRM" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ Thomas Robbins, Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements (Routledge, 1997, ISBN 978-0415916486)
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Lawrence A. Babb, Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Oxford University Press, 1987, ISBN 0706925637) Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Lawrence_Babb_Redemptive" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ ECOSOC. UNO. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  7. ↑ List of UN NGO and respective status within UNICEF. UNO. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  8. ↑ John Walliss, When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millennium(s) (September 1999), 5
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 John Walliss, The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity (Ashgate Publishing, 2002, ISBN 978-0754609513), 99–129.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 B. K. Jagdish Chander, Adi Dev: The First Man (Prajapita Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, 1983).
  11. ↑ 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).
  12. ↑ Rajeev Verma, Faith & Philosophy of Hinduism (Kalpaz Publications, 2009, ISBN 978-8178357188), 158.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hardayal Hardy, Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice (Vikas Publishing House, 1984, ISBN 0706925637), 37–39
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Elizabeth Abbott, A History of Celibacy (James Clarke & Co., 2001, ISBN 0718830067), 172–174.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Liz Hodgkinson, Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution (HCI, 2002, ISBN 1558749624), 2–29
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 David V. Barrett, The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 978-0304355921)
  17. ↑ 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
  18. ↑ Julia Day Howell, Peter Clarke (ed.), Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements (Routledge, 2005, ISBN 978-0415267076), 63–64. quote: The call for women brahmins (i.e. kumaris or 'daughters') to remain celibate or chaste in marriage inverted prevailing social expectations that such renunciation was proper only for men and that the disposal of women's sexuality should remain with their fathers and husbands. The 'Anti-Om Mandali Committee' formed by outraged male family members violently persecuted Brahma Baba's group, prompting their flight to Karachi and withdrawal from society. Intense world rejection gradually eased after partition in 1947, when the BKs moved from Pakistan to Mt Abu.
  19. ↑ Julia Howell, "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37(3) (Sep 1998): 453–461. doi 10.2307/1388052
  20. ↑ Frank Whaling, "The Brahma Kumaris." Journal of Contemporary Religion 10(1) (1995): 3–28.
  21. ↑ Stephen J. Hunt, Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2003, ISBN 0754634108), 120
  22. ↑ 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. doi 10.2307/1388052 quote: Today the leadership of the BK movement in India remains heavily female. Sisters, or kumaris (daughters), are still "put in front," that is favored for the position of "center-in-charge" (head of a local center). As of December 1995 all Indian centers were run by "sisters." However, "brothers" also reside in many of the centers run by "sisters." Brothers are expected to work to earn an outside income, which provides a substantial share of the support of the centers, and do the domestic work other than cooking. This frees the sisters to engage full-time in service to the organization as teachers, leaders of meditation sessions and spiritual directors. Indian migrants made up half the number of Brahmins in the UK.
  23. ↑ Introducing Ourselves. BKWSU Retrieved September 20, 2011. quote: We are individuals of all ages and backgrounds who regularly attend classes at more than 8,500 centres of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University located in 110 countries.
  24. ↑ Adherent Statistic Citations. Adherents.com. Retrieved September 20, 2011. quote: "Worldwide, this path has 4000 centres and approximately 400,000 members."
  25. ↑ J.R. Lewis and R.I.S. Aris, "New Religion Adherents: An Overview of Anglophone Census and Survey Data." Marburg Journal of Religion 9(1) (2004). Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  26. ↑ James G. Lochtefeld, "Brahma Kumaris" The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I, (New York, NY: Rosen Publishing: 2002, ISBN 082393179X).
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Bartholomeusz, 1994
  28. ↑ Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity. Hinduism Today accessdate 2007-07-28 quote: "The most strict will not eat fard which is not prepared by a Brahma Kumaris. While traveling they abstain from public fare and carry their own utensils for cooking."
  29. ↑ Julia Day Howell, (Autumn 2007) "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: clarification of the Brahma Kumari case." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 45: 16–17 quote: Strict adherence requires that they only eat food cooked by themselves of other Brahma Kumaris in order to benefit from the pure vibrations of the person cooling the food. This has meant that some members do not eat food cooked by their mothers or other relatives who are not in the movement thus challenging one of the most basic social activities which fosters social relationships, eating together.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 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) Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Enc_New" defined multiple times with different content
  31. ↑ John Hinnells, The Penguin Dictionary of Religions. Extract by Eileen Barker. (Rosen, New York: 1997. ISBN 0140512616).
  32. ↑ Eileen Barker, New Religious Movement: A Practical Introduction. (London: HMSO, 1989. ISBN 0140512616), 168–170.
  33. ↑ J. Gordon Melton, The Encyclopedia of American Religions, 4th ed. (Detroit: Gale Publishing, 1993), 909–910.
  34. ↑ Julia D. Howell, "ASC induction techniques, spiritual experiences, and commitment to new religious movements." Journal of Beliefs and Values 58 (2)(April 1997): 149. quote: "All accept the very senior BKs in the Western branches must support themselves (most work), but the pressure to adopt the BK's "purity rules" (non-commensality with non-members; avoidance of meat and certain other foods, alcohol, and sex), and most Brahmins live in shared accommodation with other members … enabling the organization to powerfully reinforce its beliefs."
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 R.K. Barz, "A reinterpretation of bhakti theology: from the Pustimarg to the Brahma Kumaris." Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research 1985-1988. quoted in Ronald Stuart McGregor. Devotional Literature in South Asia. (Cambridge University Press, 1988. ISBN 0521413117). quote: "[BKWSU] … does not associate itself with any earlier Hindu movement, bhakti or otherwise," Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  36. ↑ Howell and Clarke, 2005, 63–64. quote: The BK teachings revise Hindu beliefs in a Golden Age that deteriorates into successive ages in an endlessly recurring cycle of time; according to the movement, we are now in the worst age, on the eve of destruction, and only BKs who have purified themselves through a vegetarian diet and chastity and cultivated "soul consciousness," will be reborn into the Golden Age."
  37. ↑ George D. Chryssides. Exploring New Religions. (Continuum International Pub. 1999. ISBN 0826459595), 195
  38. ↑ Lawrence A. Babb. Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition. (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society) (Oxford University Press, 1987) quote: 'Souls have a 'true home', and this is a region of perfect peace and absolute silence at the top of the universe known as paramdham (the supreme abode) or brahmlok (the world of brahm). As imagined by Brahma Kumari teachings, the universe has the shape of an egg. at is apex is the Supreme known as Soul Shivbaba."
  39. ↑ "Hindus In America Speak out on Abortion Issues." (article from Himalaya Academy) Hinduism Today quote: "The Brahma Kumaris view the body as a physical vehicle for the immortal soul, and therefore the issue is not "pro-life" or "anti-life" but a choice between the amount of suffering caused to the souls of the parents and child in either course, abortion or motherhood. They view existing legislation in America as fair and reasonable, with the proviso that abortion after the fourth month should be avoided except in medical emergencies, since in their view the soul enters the fetus in the fourth to fifth month."
  40. ↑ Dr John Walliss: quote: "Raja Yogis claim that there are other, more important planes including the home of all souls and the Supreme Soul …. The subtle realm represents an intermediate region between the physical and incorporeal realm. It is here where experienced BK Yogis claim to journey to experience visions regarding world history and their place within it as well as being where Lekhraj and Shiva as BapDada jointly communicate directly to the University through the Avyakta murlis". The Brahma Kumaris as a Reflexive Tradition. (Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2002.ISBN 0754609510)
  41. ↑ Ken O'Donnell. New Beginnings. (Brahma Kumaris World University, 1995. ISBN 0963739646)
  42. ↑ David V. Barrett, The New Believers. (Cassell & Co., 2001, ISBN 0304355925), 265. quote: Time is cyclical with each 5,000 year cycle consisting of a perfect Golden Age, a slightly degraded Silver age, a decadent Copper Age, and an Iron Age which is characterized by violence, greed, and lust. Each of these lasts for exactly 1,250 years. Our current Iron Age will shortly come to an end, after which the cycle will begin again."
  43. ↑ Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity. Hinduism Today Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Walliss, 2002, 107 quote: "The final evening classes that I attended, at which the core content of the murli was the Destruction … during one part of this an eclectic user asked 'so, you're an end-of-the-world cult then?' to which the center co-ordinator replied, no, we believe in world transformation. In response, the questioner asked 'well, surely the "transformation" you're talking about is Destruction? The whole population is going to shrink almost to instantly down to a couple of thousand, whole areas of the world are going to be flooded, nuclear bombs are going to be going off.' 'Well, replied the co-ordinator, 'it depends on how you look at it'." Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "John_Walliss_Cycle" defined multiple times with different content
  45. ↑ Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, "Death, Fantasy, and Religious Transformations" Quoted in Chapter 4 of Jerry S. Piven, The Psychology of Death in Fantasy and History (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2005, ISBN 0275981789). Retrieved March 3, 2009.
  46. ↑ Babb, 1987, quote = "Sexual intercourse is unnecessary for reproduction because the souls that enter the world during the first half of the Cycle are in possession of a special yogic power (yog bal) by which they conceive children."
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 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. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Lib" defined multiple times with different content
  48. ↑ Babb, 1987, quote: "The real issue is what one's status will be in the coming paradise …. Those of the highest status will not only be the rulers of heaven, but will be close to Lekhraj throughout their world-careers."
  49. ↑ quote: "Members are encouraged to purify their minds by the practise of Raja Yoga. This can entail sitting tranquilly, in front of a screen which Dada Lehkraj's picture projected, then making a number of "affirmations," regarding the eternal nature of the soul (atma), the original purity of one's nature, and the nature of God (paramatmā Shiva). The Brahma Kumaris believe that practice of Raja Yoga enables spiritual progress as well as having pragmatic benefits, for example, business success. Brahma Kumaris frequently organize seminars on business management and on developing personal life skills."
  50. ↑ Lawrence A. Babb, "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism," Journal of Anthropological Research (Winter 1981) 4: 387–401.
  51. ↑ Vishwa Ratan, A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan (Om Shanti Press, 2000, ISBN 955958233X), 57
  52. ↑ The Murli: channelling and mediumship Brahma Kumaris' style. Brahma Kumaris Info. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  53. ↑ Howell and Nelson, 1998. "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism," Journal of Anthropological Research. quote: in order to progress to the next stage of membership - the visit to the University's headquarters in Rajasthan during the period where its deceased founder communicates via trance-medium - they have to not only demonstrate their commitment by following the recommended lifestyle but also, more importantly, be seen to be doing so by the university. this is intrinsically linked with the second technique, the utilization and negotiation of different metaphors or readings of the university's theodicy at the different events and in different types of literature in relation to its intended (core or periphery) audience" … "amongst committed, core members " …the tradition is lived [and expressed] without apology, translation or dilution."
  54. ↑ Obituary notice from Himalaya Academy, October 1983, Beloved "Didi," Sivabhaktar and Co-Head of Brahma Kumaris, Passes In Bombay. Hinduism Today Retrieved September 20, 2011. quote: "Sister Denise, Director of the San Francisco Center, flew right away to Mt. Abu, and shared this very intimate account of the traditional 13-day period of sacred ritual and vigil which honored Didi: "Large piles of red rose petals covered her - offered by nearly 1500 devotees who managed the difficult ascent up Mt. Abu, braving the driving rains. After two days, we put her on a wooden litter and carried her through the city of Mt. Abu, pinnacled high above the flat plains of Rajasthan far below. Ghee, sandalwood and other substances were applied to her body. She was placed on the wood pyre and cremated. Soon afterward, messages began to come from Didi through one of previous month, while apparently in a coma state, had been in trance, in total God-consciousness, enjoying the fulfillment of all her deep spiritual sadhanas. Didi shared detailed accounts of everything that was transpiring in the so-called "transition experience.' One message said that the sincere and deep meditations performed by so many of the Brahma Kumaris worldwide during this time had purified the womb that Didi would enter for her next birth on the 13th day. On that 13th day, rather than just deliver a message through the medium, she came fully into the body. I was there and saw this."
  55. ↑ George D Chryssides. Exploring New Religions, 195.
  56. ↑ T. Robbins, S.J. Palmer, Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements (Routledge, 1997, ISBN 0415916496), 108. quote: "the modern Brahma Kumaris movement continues this thousands of year old Hindu tradition of receiving teeachings and guidance in a channeling manner from transpersonal gurus."
  57. ↑ Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity. Hinduism Today May, 1995. Retrieved September 20, 2011. quote: "Prajapita Brahma gave up his physical frame on January 18, 1969. This day is celebrated as the day of his spiritual ascension. It is believed that he continues to aid the organization from inner worlds, but the ultimate guidance and authority still comes directly from God Siva, who has since chosen another to be His "trance messenger." Currently Sister Raday Mohini serves as the instrument to give voice to Siva's messages, but this is viewed as a temporary assignment given by God. Every year, around February/March, a gathering occurs in Mt. Abu where Siva speaks, guides and gives blessings. This sets the patterns for the coming year as the guidance is distributed to the centers around the world, including through their intra-organizational e-mail."
  58. ↑ John Walliss, (Sept 1999), "When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millennium(s)." British Association for the Advancement of Science, Sheffield. quote: "In addition, they accuse the University hierarchy of actively censoring or altering murlis that could potentially undermine their privileged position or which 'don't suit their philosophy'. The 'Special instruments' (senior members are, they allege 'constantly revising Murlis" to the extent that, for example, a passage from a 1969 murli referring to Shiva being unable to 'mount a virgin' was altered in the 1990 revised edition before being removed completely in the 1993 revision…." Dr. Walliss also notes that while the BKWSU was, "originally a reclusive, world-rejecting organization, over the last 30 years the Brahma Kumaris have begun a campaign of active proselytizing and international growth. Thus, whilst still retaining its original millenarianism, currently within the West the organization promotes itself as part of the New Age movement and emphasizes ideas around the issues of self-development, empowerment and personal success." Finally, Dr. Wallis disputes BKWSU's belief that Raja Yoga is the precursor to all world religions, including those that historically predate it. Specifically, "This is part of a lengthy answer to the question of how the University could claim that Raja Yoga is the precursor to and influence of world religions that historically predate it often by a few thousand years. Again, 'Baba' is cited as the source of ultimate authority."
  59. ↑ Walliss, 2002, 111. quote: "Destruction did not materialise … many Brahmins left the (University) because their hopes were dashed. Those who stayed had their faith reduced by half. They sacrificed their lives in this godly instution, left their families and invested all their wealth in this cause."
  60. ↑ Howell, 1998, 453–461. quote: "The likelihood that surrendered sisters in India will remain Brahmins throughout their lives is increased by the practise of parent giving dowries to the Brahma Kumaris for daughters they concede will not marry. This practise goes back to the early days of the organization but it is not clear how common it was. Whaling and Babb report it as an occasional practice. Recently the pattern has been formalized, with retreats at Mount Abu being offered for girls in their mid-teens who may wish to undertake a fuller commitment to the organization. The girls are offered a short period of taking classes and living near Senior Sisters, at the end of which they may nominate to undertake a year trial as surrendered sisters. A payment equivalent to a dowry is required from the girls' natural families to cover their living expenses over the trial period. This payment is also meant to prevent parent "dumping" daughters on the Brahma Kumaris to avoid the dowries and other costs of ordinary marriages. Return to the world for women who have has such a dowry paid for them is difficult." doi = 10.2307/1388052
  61. ↑ Walliss, 2002, 37. quote:" Of primary importance in the revelations Lekhraj is said to have received is that the members of the Brahma Kumari ‘university’ should undergo ‘death-in-life’, they should ‘die towards the outer world’. They had to renounce their families and thus they got the opportunity to be ‘divinely reborn’ in a ‘divine family."
  62. ↑ Dr Wendy A. Smith, (Autumn 2007) "Asian New Religious Movements as global cultural systems." International Institute for Asian Studies 45: 16–17. quote: "Conversion involves members changing their daily lifestles and even leaving long term relationships…. Married converts have often had to forgo their marriage partnerships."
  63. ↑ Agnieszka Z. Kościańska, May 15-17, 2003 (Autumn) "On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality." On the Margins of Religion Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Warsaw University. quote: "Conversion to so-called new religions often causes a conflict within converts' families. He/she changes his/her beliefs, but also lifestyle: He converts prays differently and eats differently. The Brahma Kumaris members spend most of their time on 'spiritual development'. To be successful on this path one must fulfil very strict requirements, which totally reorganise everyday life of both members and their families. Families of converts become arenas of conflict between spirituality rooted in Hindu tradition and the very Polish 'popular Catholicism', on two indissoluble levels. First, on the level of religious practices and second, on the level of daily live. Sexual relations within marriage are considered to be 'sacred' by Catholics in Poland. The Brahma Kumaris believe that relations between husband and wife should be based on 'a marriage of souls' e.g. they should meditate together, communicate via telepathy, etc."
  64. ↑ Human Rights Without Frontiers, Int. hrwf.net. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  65. ↑ Alain Gest, Jean-Pierre Brar, et al. French National Assembly in the name of The Board of Inquiry into Cults 1995. "Cults in France". 1995/199. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  66. ↑ Coordination des Associations & Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, 2000. Orthophoniste et naturopathe, il est dénoncé comme "gourou" Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  67. ↑ Licenciements dans une crèche en Gironde pour appartenance à une secteAgence France-Presse 18 Juin 2003. prevensectes. Retrieved March 3, 2009.

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External links

All links retrieved February 21, 2013.

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