Brahma Kumaris

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya or Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is considered a new religious movementaccording to John Walliss, Ph.D who refers to it as "a millenarian NRM (New Religious Movement) of Indian origin." It is a socio-spiritual group of which a member of any religion can belong to. The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) teaches a form of meditation denominated Raja Yoga. According to Kranenborg: “The entire way of the Brahma Kumaris can be characterized as raja yoga. One should not think here in the first place of classical yoga, as described by Patanjali. Central to raja yoga is that one becomes connected with the Highest Soul and with the highest in oneself. It is a way to the true self, which is to be expressed in everyday life."

Origins

The movement was founded in 1936 in Karachi by Lekh Raj Kripalani who was born in 1876. "When he wanted to withdraw from this life in 1936 so that he could devote himself to the spiritual life, he had a radical religious experience. He had the feeling that he had come into contact with the Supreme Soul or God; at the same time he experienced himself in this encounter as an eternal soul and the connectedness of that soul with the Supreme Soul.'”

History

The story of the Brahma Kumaris begins with its founder Dada Lekhraj, a retired diamond merchant, who had frequent visions "most importantly the destruction of the world and its population through war, strife and natural calamities and the emergence of a post-apocalyptic paradise to be populated by the chosen few. Understandably disoriented by these visions Lekhraj decided to sell his business to his partner and retire." The movement led by Lekhraj moved from Hyderabad to Karachi and then to their current location in Mt.Abu.

"it is unquestionably [the case]that from the very beginning of the life of the organization its male founder, Dada Lekhraj, gave special encouragement to women to develop their spiritual lives and take leadership positions. Not only did he devolve his fortune and the responsibilities of administering it upon a trust of nine women as the very act of foundation of the Brahma Kumaris, but when, some few years after his life transforming visions, he came to believe that celibacy was necessary to achieve salvation, he rejected the Hindu practice of restricting the elevated status of celibate seeker to men. Indeed much was made in the early life of the organization of the failure of so many Hindu men to live up to their traditional roles as "gurus" to their wives; correspondingly women enjoyed much appreciation as the ones who so often demonstrated their capacity for virtue as required by traditional family life (Chander 1981: 23). Anyone, regardless of sex, who was prepared to adopt chastity and follow purity rules concerning diet and alcohol was eligible to join Lekhraj and be a full member (a brahmin) of the organization. As it happened, a high proportion of early members were women and their children.

In the 1950s when Dada Lekhraj (or "Brahma Baba") judged the time right to send people out from the home community (by then in Mt. Abu, India) to open teaching centers elsewhere in India, it was young women he chose to spread the Brahma Kumaris teachings (cf. Chander 1981: 156). Today the leadership of the BK movement in India remains heavily female."''

• The version from India of the group's history can be found at http://www.brahmakumaris.com/aboutus/history.htm
• The international version can be found at http://www.bkwsu.org/whoweare/history.htm

Global Expansion

Brahma Kumaris World Outreach As expressed by researchers Nesbitt and Henderson: "Whaling (1995) and Walliss (1999, 2002) summarise the historical development and content of BK outreach at a local and national level in terms of the development of meditation, stress reduction and self-esteem classes, and associated work in prisons, homes for the elderly, drug clinics and hospitals; and they show the Brahma Kumaris increasing internationalisation and links with the United Nations and UNICEF, through their central role in such international projects as ‘The Million Minutes for Peace’, ‘Global Co-Operation for a better World’ and ‘Living Values: An Educational Initiative’ (Walliss,1999). The meditation practice, of verbalised reflection with one’s eyes open, is supported by a disciplined way of life (Howell, 1997, p. 151) and in the West this practice is linked with opportunities for empowerment and success in life." (Skultans,1993, p. 58; Walliss, 1999.")

Beliefs and Practices

It is important to recogize that Brahma Kumaris as a Spiritual University has a variety of membership patterns thus, there is a different type of "identity negotiation" (term coined by Walliss) beliefs and practices engaged in by individuals in relationship with the University. Walliss in his article "Reflexive Traditions New Religious Movements and the 'Negotiation' of Identity" recognizes four different types of members in Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University:
1) Instrumental users: Individuals drawn to the University through what they perceive as tangible benefits through their life in the "here and now" usually emotionally or physically related issues.

2) Eclectic users:individuals looking for "self development" or "self-spirituality", there is a spiritual quest behind their association.

3) Spiritual searchers: Individuals who feel belong to the spiritual path, however; their involvement with the University grew out of sense of disillusionment with conventional religiosity.

4) Interpretative drifters: Individuals originally involved due to instrumental reasons, however; "gradually discovered that the ideas [behind the belief] are true." (Luhrmann, 1994:124 as quoted by Walliss.)

For this topic, the outline given by Professor Kranenborg will be closely followed: In his article "Brahma Kumaris: A new Religion?,"1999 (reproduced with author's permission) Kranenborg points out 6 different areas:

1) Concept of God: The Brahma Kumaris concept differs from Hinduism in that God is an eternal and conscient being of light, the ‘all-highest soul’, ever-pure and good. Although having all knowledge and in that sense being omniscient, he is not omnipresent. Matter and human souls are also eternal—neither are they created by God nor do they emerge from God. Brahma Kumaris teachings provide specific understanding of God’s roles as creator, preserver and destroyer. Kranenborg notes "Traditionally, Hinduism speaks of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and these three are seen as a unity. In Brahma Kumaris, however, Shiva stands above the trimurti and the third aspect is termed Shankar." However this is nothing new, as Shaiva Hindus also worship Shiva as representing Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh Himself. Shiva creates by entering the world through a corporeal medium, awakening humanity and restoring human souls to their original state of harmony (creator aspect). Because He is Mahāyogi (Sanskrit महायोगी) in Hindu Dharma. He develops and sustains this balanced and complete human personality through the power of raja yoga and the knowledge he imparts to humanity (preserver aspect). He gets evil and negativity eliminated through the practice and lifestyle of raja yoga (destroyer aspect Ekambaranatha [Sanskrit एकम्बरनथ]).)

2) Concept of human beings: Each eternal human soul originally lived with God in the Soul World, a world of infinite light, peace and silence (otherwise known as nirvana). Souls take birth in a body in order to experience life and give expression to their original positive qualities. Souls have three components: intellect, conscious mind, and unconscious mind. The intellect receives and digests wisdom or Truth; reasons and discerns; and exhibits will and understanding. Depending on the intellect’s strength, it guides the thoughts that the conscious mind creates. The conscious mind produces thoughts and ideas; emotions, feelings and experiences and can be influenced by either the subconscious mind or by the guidance of the intellect. The unconscious mind contains impressions (sanskaras) that form personality as a consequence of action (karma). The more the intellect is strengthened through the understanding of Truth as taught by God and through meditation practice, the more the soul is able to create thoughts and actions (karmas) that transform negative habits (sanskaras) into more divine and beneficial sanskaras. Then the soul leads a happier and more meaningful life.

3) Concept of cyclic time: Brahma Kumaris teachings accord with classical Hinduism with respect to four world ages (yugas): the golden age (sat yuga), the silver age (treta yuga), the copper age (dwapar yuga) and the iron age (kali yuga). Within this last age, however, there is a fifth diamond age or confluence age (sangam yuga). The most striking departure from Hinduism is that for Brahma Kumaris the whole cycle lasts 5000 years. They believe that we currently are near the end of kali yuga, after which the world will be completely transformed into a new golden age.

4) Raja Yoga meditation: The practice involves initial development of the awareness and experience of the inner being, or the soul in its true and peaceful form. Once that awareness exists, thought is turned towards union with God. The experience in this union is one of deep peace, bliss and the eternity of the soul. Meditation is practiced with open eyes and can be done in silence, with music or meditation commentaries, but preferably under the supervision of a meditation guide. Raja yogis also adopt a ‘spiritual lifestyle’ that entails a lacto-vegetarian diet, keeping good company, regular spiritual study, recurrent moments of meditation during the day and the practice of celibacy. The meditation makes a person internally stronger and leads to the formation of good character and service of others.

5) Methods of service: As a teaching and service-oriented institution, the Brahma Kumaris offer courses related to raja yoga such as ‘Positive Thinking, ‘Stress-free Living’, ‘Self-Managing Leadership’, and ‘Secrets of Self-Esteem’. At the global level, the Brahma Kumaris have supported human rights, equality and good education for all through involvement in the activities of UNO, UNESCO and UNICEF. (see achievements section)

6) Murlis: Brahma Kumaris teachings and spiritual study are based on the messages imparted when the Supreme Soul takes the corporeal medium (initially that of Dada Lekraj and currently that of Dadi Gulzar, an elder sister) and speaks the ‘Murli’. Murlis are understood to be the words of God and clearly indicate that Shiva is to be understood as the ‘Supreme Soul’ and not one of many Hindu gods. The Brahma Kumaris understand God to be the Father of all souls, even though the knowledge (gyan) imparted through the Murlis is unlike that of other religious scriptures. This knowledge is considered ‘spiritual’ rather than ‘religious,’ and the movement as a whole is cast as a spiritual ‘university.’ Formally, the movement does not have a ‘holy book’ or scripture. Murlis are not available for sale and one must complete the Brahma Kumaris foundation course in order to begin listening to them, because a certain spiritual level has to be attained before they can be fully understood. Murli class is held in the early morning every day at all BK centres around the world.

As Dr. Howell points out to underline the uniqueness of the University: "Through the channelled messages it became clear that Shiva was not to be understood as one of many Hindu gods, but in monotheistic terms as ‘The Supreme Soul.’ Its knowledge, gyan, the true knowledge, was thus identified as ‘spiritual’ rather than ‘religious,’ and the movement as a whole was cast as a ‘university.’

7 Day Course

Walliss when referring to "world service" which was started in 1952, states:"Lekhraj had from the very beginning published numerous pamphlets and written a huge amount of letters to important national and international figures in which he interpreted contemporary events with reference to his revealed knowledge. Rather, this marked an intensification of the process, with seven-lesson courses in the group's teachings being offered to outsiders." An overview of the seven-lesson course can be found here: [12] under "Foundation Course in Raja Yoga Meditation." Also, here: [13] under "Foundation Courses in Meditation."

Achievements

Professor Kranenborg also mentions some of the Brahma Kumaris activities throughout the years. "courses are given which are connected to raja yoga. One should mention here the course ‘Positive Thinking'. Related to this is the course, ‘Stress-free Living' which is also concerned with developing a proper way of thinking and a proper tuning in to one's most profound nature. Courses such as ‘Self-Managing Leadership', ‘Secrets of Self-Esteem', ‘Self-Management for Quality of Life' have a similar orientation: the emphasis continually falls on understanding who the human being is, how the human being is connected with the All-Highest and how rest, power and balance can be brought into life."
Within this framework there are a number of programs that the Brahma Kumaris spearheaded, such as the United Nations project called ‘The Million Minutes for Peace' (in which the intention is that for a few minutes every day several people think positively of world peace). They were the recipient of seven UN Peace Messenger awards from this project. They also spearheaded the projects, ‘Global Cooperation for a Better World', ‘Sharing our Values for a Better World'. The latter project inspired the creation of Living Values' which is now an independent charitable organization based in Switzerland, ALIVE, where both BK and non-BK educators participate in the development of a values-based education program. The Brahma Kumaris are also very active in ‘interfaith' projects that encourage the unity and common tie of all religions. Finally, effort is made to contribute to different sectors of social life and culture. Thus, there are programs dealing with art, academic conferences (which is appropriate since the Brahma Kumaris organization is called a Spiritual University), medical research and practice and programs for working with prisoners, etc. They are also the administrators of a fully operating Global Hospital and Research Center near their headquarters in Mt. Abu, India, which serves the village communities in the area.

The Advance Party

Walliss mentions the advent of a movement which may be seen as an internal response to "the University's world ambivalence;" Walliss refers to them as the Advance Party. [14]

External links

BK

• http://www.bkwsu.org/ Official International website.
• http://www.brahmakumaris.com Official Indian based website
• http://www.rajyoga.in/ e-learning site by B.K.W.S.U.
• http://www.peacevillage.com/ B.K. sponsored Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.
• http://www.globalretreatcentre.com/index.htm Global Retreat Centre, UK.
• http://www.geocities.com/bro_khem/ Articles written by BK author including scriptural quotations.
• http://www.brahmakumaris.org.in/Landmarks.htm Detailed historic timeline.
• http://www.bkun.org/bkfocus.html B.K.W.S.U. and the United Nations
• http://www.jankifoundation.org/home/index.php The Janki Foundation for Global Health Care
• http://www.ghrc-abu.com/ Global Hospital & Research Centre
• http://www.livingvalues.net/ Living Values Education Program, A United Nations BKWSU program.[15]
• http://brahmakumaris.com.au/php/forum/index.php BK Discussion Forum
• http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Brahma+Kumaris Google Video BKWSU clips including Descent of God and Destruction / Creation

Critical

• http://www.cesnur.org/testi/bryn/br_kranenborg.htm
• http://www.virusmyth.net/aids/books/nhbrevobser.htm Neville Hodgkinson, 'AIDS; The Failure of Contemporary Science, UK 1996
• http://ips.org/geneva/2906/meditate.htm TerraViva IPS, Meditating on Politics, Geneva 2000, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (Copenhagen+5).

Christian

• http://www.reachouttrust.org/articles/othergrp/brahma.htm Reachout Trust report [ Christian group ].

Islamic

• http://www.islamicvoice.com/august.99/dialogue.htm view from "Islamic Voice" Islamic

Bibliography

• Dr Julia D. Howell, Asian and International Studies, Griffith University, Australia & Dr Peter L. Nelson, Nelson Center for Humanities and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia. "Surviving Transplantation: The Brahma Kumaris in the Western World".
• Dr. Julia D. Howel. Changing Meanings of Religious Pluralism, [16], 2003.
• John Walliss, Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies, Aldershot. "The Brahma Kumaris as a ‘reflexive Tradition’: Responding to late modernity ", 2002 ISBN 0-7546-0951-0 [17]
• Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion? "[18], 1999.
• Peter Clarke, "Dada Lekhraj" & "Brahma Kumaris." Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge 2005.
• William Shaw , "Spying in Guruland: Inside Britain’s Cults", Fourth Estate, London, England 1994. [19]
• Lawrence A. Babb, "Amnesia and Remembrance in a Hindu Theory of History", Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 41, No. 1 (1982), pp. 49-66.
• Lawrence A. Babb "Indigenous Feminism in a Modern Hindu Sect", Signs, Vol. 9, No. 3 (Spring, 1984), pp. 399-416.
• Mayer, Jean-François et Reender Kranenborg, Geneve, Suisse. "La Naissance des Nouvelles Religions". 2004 ISBN 2-8257-0877-1
• Frank Whaling, Emeritus Professor of the Study of Religion, University of Edinburgh. "Understanding the Brahma Kumaris", 2006. ISBN 1-903765-51-X.
• Suma Varughese. "Satyug is as Sure as Death". 1998 [20]
• BK Jayanti. "Valuing the Future : Education for Spiritual Development", 1999 [21]
• Interreligious Insight. "Brahma Kumaris, World Spiritual University", [22]
• Ken O'Donnell. "Raja Yoga for beginners", 1987.
• Jagdish Chander, Translated from original Hinu by Shanta Trivedi, PhD , Edited by Robert Shubow, J.D. "Adi Dev: The First Man", 1981.
• Dadi Janki, "Companion of God", 2003 ISBN 0-340-82915-X
• BKWSU. "World Drama", unknown date.
• BKWSU. "Easy RajYoga", unknown date.
• BKWSU. "The Seven Day Course" Pamphlet series, unknown date.
• Near-Death Experience/Heide Fittkau-Garthe, 1998. [23]
• A Critique of the BK Philosophy as presented in the 7 Day Course,By Andy Harangozo [24]
• Report on Child Abuse,Beliefs and Lifestyle[25]
• Pamphlets Take a Closer Look,The Successful Subtle Soft-sell of Raja Yoga By CCG Training Insititue, Australia March 1989

See also

• New religious movement
• Hinduism
• Yoga
• Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
• Raja Yoga
• Prajapita Brahma Kumaris
• Millenarianism
• End times
• Channeling
• Channeling (mediumistic)
• Meditation