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Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) or Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya is a monastic, renunciate Millenarian new religious movement (NRM) of Indian origin. It teaches a form of meditation called Raja Yoga, which is not same as the classical Raja Yoga described by Patanjali ; the Raja Yoga taught by BKWSU involves spirit possession (women are the instruments or mouthpieces of the male spirit) and mediumistic channelling.

Early history

The origin of BKWSU can be traced to Om Mandali (or Mandli), founded by Dada Lekhraj in Hyderabad, Sindh, in 1930s. Kripalani was a merchant and follower of the Vaishnavite Vallabhacharya Sect who had 12 gurus . He retired in 1932 to turn to spirituality and started holding satsang. His satsang attracted many people, most of them wealthy women from his community and became known as Om Mandli. In 1937, Dada Lekhraj named some of his followers as a managing committee, and reportedly transferred his fortune to the committee Several women joined Om Mandali, and contributed their wealth to the association. Dada Lekhraj is said to have preached Bhagavad Gita to his followers, and to have performed Ras Lila with them .

Dada Lekhraj had described sex as "poison", "criminal assault", and "the gateway to hell" Some members or the local Bhaibund community reacted unfavorably to his movement, following a dispute between Kripalani and the father-on-law of his daughter and leader of the Bhiabund, Muhki Mangharam . Many young married Sindhi women attended his ashram and were being encouraged to take vows of celibacy and the Om Mandli was accused to breaking up families . Hindu organizations denounced Om Mandali as disturber of family peace and some follwoers were mistreated by their families. Kripalani was accused of sorcery and lechery . He was also accused of forming a cult and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism; children were removed from his school .

To avoid persecution, legal actions and opposition from family members of his followers, Dada Lekhraj moved his followers from Hyderabad to Karachi, where they settled. The Anti-Om Mandli Committee, lead by the father-in-law of his daugher and composed of member of his Bhaibund community, which had opposed the group in Hyderabad followed them . Some Hindu members of the Sindh Assembly threatened to resign unless the Om Mandli was finally outlawed. Finally, the Sindh Government used the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 to declare the Om Mandali as an unlawful association . Under further pressure from the Hindu leaders in the Assembly, the Government also ordered the Om Mandali to close and vacate its premises . The Om Mandali successfully appealed against the Government order in the court.

After the partition of India, the Brahma Kumaris moved to Mount Abu in India in April 1950, claiming that they had been instructed by the God to do so . After Dada Lekhraj's death in 1969, his followers expanded the movement to other countries .

Expansion

Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began a vigorous internationalisation programme involving various forms of proselyting activity, establishing centers across India with female teachers. On 16th January 1969, the BKWSU was incorporated as The World Renewal Trust by a male follower named Ramesh Shah of Bombay who named himself as trustee.

The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female; for example, in the UK, only one-third of the 42 centres are run by brothers. From approximately 300 individuals from a single community, the organisation has, according to their website, expanded to more than 8,500 Raja Yoga centres in 90 countries.

Activities

The Brahma Kumaris conduct their traditional seven one-hour-long courses in their philosophy and open-eyed meditation. The organization offers "Success in life" or "Empowerment in life" to outsiders through courses in "positive thinking" and "Self Management Leadership", as well helping to found initiatives such as "Living Values".

The Brahma Kumaris have also instigated a number of voluntary outreach programmes in prisons, homes for the elderly, drug clinics and hospitals promoting their practises.

On the periphery, the terminology of the "New age" is deployed and the University is keen to market itself at Mind, Body and Spirit fairs. Here, the Destruction of the world prophesied by the University's founder, is repackaged as "the New Age" or "World Transformation" whilst the University's emphasis on undergoing death-in-life gives way to an emphasis on personal empowerment..

John Walliss states that great emphasis is placed on the value of bringing converts into the movement, particularly converts who stick. Students are required to make efforts to serve the organization and obey its rules. Service requires active support of the movement, especially participating in its many proselytizing activities.

Lifestyle

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

• Absolute/complete (extreme and uncompromising) celibacy including no sex within marriage. So long as chastity is followed, marriage and family life will be allowed.
• Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet(excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other BKs ('Soul Conscious')
• Keeping a "Daily Chart" or journal as a means of spiritual self-progress.
• Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.
• A high degree of physical cleanliness.
• Regular early morning meditation at 4.00 to 4.45 am, called 'Amrit Vela'
• Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 a.m.
• 'Traffic Control', being moments of meditation interspersed throughout the day.
• Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centres during classes.
• Brahma Kumaris can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes.
• Companions (friends/family) should be good (satsang) soul-aware yogis as opposed to bhogis, those given over to worldly pleasures.
• The Brahma Kumaris has at its core surrendered women and men who have either left or never entered family life and live as centrewassis (living in BK centres). Lawrence Babb states that the movement is eager to hold on to recruits and to reclaim those who have fallen away.
• Lawrence Babb also states that the lay members are those who live with their 'worldy' families and have a more atomic involvement. For these persons sexuality is no longer an issue as they are primarily widows or in their middle years.

Beliefs

In 1952, after a 14 year period of retreat during which Dada Lekhraj 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 has distinguished itself from Hinduism and projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion. According to Dr. Kranenborg and O'Donnell,

Other beliefs include:

God

Dada Lekhraj himself did not claim to be a guru or avatar, but the members of the Om Mandali believed that Dada Lekhraj was the incarnation of Brahma. Some of his followers believed that a spiritual being (Shiva) entered in his body and spoke through him. and started to teach humanity verbally.

The Self

Brahma Kumaris believe that human and even animal souls are also an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are considered to originally exist with God in a "Soul World", a world of infinite light, peace and silence otherwise known as Nirvana. Here the souls are in a state of rest and is beyond experience. Souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern Religions, the BKWSU teaches that the soul does not transmigrate into other species and does not evolve but rather devolves birth after birth. Within this "point of light" all aspects of the personality are contained and it enters the human body in the 4th to 5th month of pregnancy.

Cycle of Time

Brahma Kumaris teach that time is cyclic, repeating identically every 5,000 years, and comprises five ages (yugas): the Golden Age (Sat Yuga), the Silver Age (Treta Yuga), the Copper Age (Dwapar Yuga), the Iron Age (Kali Yuga) each exactly 1,250 years long and Confluence Age (Sangam Yuga).

The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, from the descent of Shiva in 1936, during which present day civilisation is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war which, Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi states, is generally hidden from non-members..

The Brahma Kumaris further believe that during the first half of the cycle, procreation is possible without sexual intercourse, and through the power of yoga. However, the Universe is never transformed into the primordial or atomic state matter and nor does the world ever become devoid of human beings.

Tree of Humanity

The Brahma Kumaris teach that all of life will die and return to Nirvana, 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 Dada Lekhraj and his Brahma Kumaris followers are shown as the roots of the humanity. BKs go on to enjoy 2,500 years of paradise 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.

They claim that following the birth of their founder as Krishna at the start of the Golden Age, he becomes Emperor Narayan. They teach that the initial population will comprise of 900,000 Brahma Kumaris reborn as deities.

The aim of the individual Brahma Kumari is to gain a high status in the coming paradise, perhaps even a select 108 who are 'totally victorious' and will rule there. It is believed that members of the physical families of Brahma Kumaris who have contact with the University will become members of the 16,000 top souls. At the end of each Cycle, it is believed that everyone will see visions in which their personal destinies will be fully disclosed.

Brahma Kumaris' Raja Yoga Meditation

"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."

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. 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 themself 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". Babb also states that while staring (gazing into the eyes of an adept) at the teacher, many students experience visual hallucinations involving lights.

Murlis

David Barret states, "Unlike traditional forms of Hinduism, the Brahma Kumaris' teachings come not so much from ancient scriptures but from revelations given in trance states." However, the mediumistic messages known by Brahma Kumaris as "Murlis" read at the 6.30 am meetings are slowly developing the nature of potential scriptures. The earlier ones channeled by Dada Lekhraj while he was alive, are now repeated in a five year cycle. They are supplemented by later murlis channelled by Dadi Gulzar of Delhi in trance states, and these too are written down.

There are two types of mediumistic messages; sakar and avyakt;

• Sakar Murlis refer to the original classes claimed to be spoken by "Shiva" through the medium of Dada Lekhraj in the 1960’s, before he died of a heart attack on 18 January 1969. These include teachings by Shiva and the life of personal experience of Lekhraj.
• Avyakt Vanis, or Murlis, refer to the teachings of Shiva and the soul of the deceased Dada Lekhraj combined through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar". The Brahma Kumaris believe that the soul of Dada Lekhraj has become perfect and now has the role of an angel. These messages are understood by members of the BKWSU to be the words of God. The Murli's are what the Brahma Kumaris use to direct their personal spiritual effort and institutional service.

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 founder communicates via trance-medium.

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".
• Reincarnation happens from one human body to another only.
• Time is not linear but rather cyclical and the physical world manifests as an eternally repeating and identical 5,000 year cycle at which end the material world is destroyed by a nuclear war and then re-created every time.
• Each repeating cycle is exactly the same as the previous one.
• Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time they refer to as "Destruction". The main difference between the BK's belief of destruction and those of Doomsday cults is that the world renews itself and does not come to an end.
• God incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks through their founder Dada Lekhraj which is believed to be the same individual that was historically or mythically known as Krishna and Adam but is now known as "Brahma".
• India Subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Aged paradise and that a form of Hindi is the original language of humanity. Followers are taught that if they make spiritual efforts, only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise. as Gods and Goddesses..

View of Christianity

In the book A Reader in New Religious Movements, George D. Chryssides and Margaret Z. Wilkins have made following statements about the Brahma Kumaris: {{Just as far as God the Father was now sharing a body with Brahma Baba, in the same way Christ had entered the body of Jesus. It was Jesus who suffered on the cross, not Christ. That pure Son of God left the body early and went to and took rebirth to help guide his fledgling religion into maturity. Many more secrets about Christ and the other religious founders have been revealed by Baba.}}

Attitudes toward sex

According to the movement, male domination of women in the sexual relationship is the parent of all other vices and the prime cause of the unhappy state of humanity.. Through sexual renunciation, the Brahma Kumaris seek the power to make themselves free in a world that they themselves create by means of their power. Celibacy keeps women free from the bondage of husband, family and society. Sexual passion, more than anything else, entrenches and confirms in our false identification with the body therefore celibacy plays a vital role in liberating women.

According to a 2004 study, only 18% of BKWSU followers felt that the movement was effective in raising its voice against atrocities against women.

Achievements

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

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

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

The organization now has 100s of branches internationally and ;

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

Splinter movements

The Advance Party

Dr. John Walliss mentions the advent of a breakaway movement referring to one of them as the Advance Party elsewhere they are referred to as the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris or PBKs. He goes on to state that as Dada Lekhraj's original message of separation, spiritual introversion and violent destruction becomes repackaged as the emergence of a New Age through self-understanding and self-development, this direction has caused discontent within certain segments of the Brahma Kumari movement, likening them to the "Protestant Reformers to the mediaeval Catholic Church". The most vocal of splinter group, the "Advance Party" offer a radicalise rendition of the BKWSU's original millenarian message. In particular, they are exceptionally hostile to the University's New Age and UN involvement..

Walliss goes on to state that the PBKs claim that Shiva is now manifesting Himself through a different medium to correctly interpret the original teachings, claiming that it was Brahma Baba's business partner Sevak Ram who was the original medium. PBKs report hostility and resistance from the BKWSU, Walliss meeting with a wall of silence and irate phone call from the University threatening him that the BKWSU would "block every step of the way if persisted along this line of investigation". The University restricting its member's "knowledge and access to the group so as to prevent any further defections." Founder Baba Dev Dixit was debarred from the BKWSU.

Within the Brahma Kumaris' theodicy, the Advance Party' are the group of pure souls who arrive on the earth at the start of the Golden Age to prepare the way for the other souls. The breakaway group's use of the name is seen within the BKWSU as impertinent and they therefore refer to them as the 'Shankar Party'.

The Atman Foundation

The Atman Foundation was started by previously high profile Brahma Kumari, Dr. Fittkau-Garthe and become involved controversy in a 1998..

Controversies and criticism

• The attendance of women from the local wealthy families at Dada Lekhraj's early gatherings provoked a hostile reaction from the local Sindhi community. The fact that Dada Lekhraj was actually advocating female celibacy and asceticism provoked an even bigger backlash resulting in the formation, by the husbands, of "an association intent on destroying the fledgling movement".
• BKWSU has also been accused of causing conflicts within the families of followers.
• Dr. Walliss 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".
• Dr. Wallis has also criticized BKWSU's belief that Raja Yoga is the precursor to all world religions, including those that historically predate it.
• Dr. Wallis states, as per his research, that the BKWSU has made "a number of prophetic failures".
• The leadership of the BKWSU has been criticised by splinter groups alleging the re-editing of the channelled messages said to be from God to defend their position or suit their current philosophy.
• The BKWSU offer girls in their mid-teens who may wish to undertake a fuller commitment to the organisation a special retreat in Mount Abu, which marks the beginning of a one-year trial as surrendered sisters. A payment equivalent to a dowry is required from the girls' natural families to cover living expenses over the trial period. This payment is also meant to prevent parents "dumping" daughters at the BKWSU to avoid dowries and other costs of ordinary marriages. Returning to the world for girls who have such dowries paid for them is difficult.
• Through spiritual effort, Brahma Kumaris believe that they will be reborn into the paradisical phase of the next world cycle, a Golden Age which will be Nuclear powered in which supersonic airplanes will take the place of telephones. In that age, they will be the deities that are imperfectly remembered through texts today.

Use of mediumship

The BKWSU is believed by its members to have been established by Shiva Baba (God-Father Shiva, described as the Supreme Soul and conceived as the one God of all religions) through the medium of the group's founder Dada Lekhraj. From the beginning, the group has used a number of mediums and trance-messengers to receive messages from disincarnate beings or deceased members. According to founding members, followers in the early days, including children, would commonly go into trances, having visions of Krishna and Vaikunth (Golden Age Heaven) and engaging in ecstatic dances for as long as 7 days. In addition, a number of mediumistic female followers known as Sandeshputris (trance messengers) also helped add to the group's spiritual knowledge through psychic visions and direct contact with God. This ability to contact the spiritual realm appears to extend to deceased leaders as well others with an important connection to the group.

The deceased human founder Dada Lekhraj continues to be channelled 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 disincarnate being the BKWSU claim is God are referred to as BapDada (meaning Father and Elder Brother) by BKs, especially in the context of their manifestation via this trance medium, through which the pair continue to direct the organization to this day..

Academics note the prominence of the surrendered sisters who through their mediumship channel the messages from Shiva and Brahma and so ensure their importance as the instrument, or mouthpieces, of a male spirit..

Divine indication

Pratibha Patil, the UPA-Left candidate in the Indian presidential election, 2007, claims to have spoken to the spirit of the deceased leader (Baba Lekhraj) of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University at their headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. "Dadiji ke shareer mein Baba aye ... Maine unse baat ki" ("Baba entered Dadi's body and he communicated to me through her")," she said on TV camera. Reporters began to report on the message she received of a "divine indication" of great responsibility coming her way. Patil claims to have received the mediumistic message during the last season in which the spirits they call "Bapdada" communicated with the faithful of the Brahma Kumaris sect. She had gone to seek the blessings of Hirday Mohini, also known as Dadi Gulzar or Dadiji.

People associated with the BKWSU

• Dadi Prakash Mani "Kumarka", Head Administrator
• Dadi Hirdaya Mohini "Gulzar", Medium/Joint Administrative Head
• Dadi Janki Kirpalani, Additional Administrative Head
• B. K. Jagdish Chander Hassija, author and Chief Spokesperson (deceased)
• Jayanti Kirpalani, Senior Sister in Charge of UK and European Director
• Mohini Panjabi, Senior Sister in Charge of US and President of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, Americas & Caribbean, Main Representative to the United Nations
• Brother Nirvair, lecturer (Google English translation )
• BK Karuna, Chief of Multimedia, BrahmaKumaris
• Ken O'Donnell, author and lecturer
• Dr. Nirmala Kajaria, Regional Director of Brahmakumari Raja Yoga Centres in Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific
• Charlie Hogg, Director of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres in Australia.
• Brian Bacon, senior member of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and "visiting faculty member at their headquarters in Mt Abu, India".
• Lee James, actor
• Mike George, author
• Robert Shubow, J.D.,PhD—Author, playwrite and psychologist,(exBK) past
• Elena Marcos Ortega, responsible for BKWSU activities in Mexico
• Moira Lowe, responsible for BKWSU activities in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina
• Miriam Subirana, responsible for BKWSU activities in Spain
• Lynne Franks
• Robin Gibb

See also

• Hinduism and Hindu reform movements
• New religious movement
• Raja Yoga
• Prajapita Brahma Kumaris

Concepts associated with Brahama Kumaris

• Millenarianism
• End times
• Channeling
• Channeling (mediumistic)
• Meditation

References

1. ^ Bartholomeusz, Tessa J. (1994). Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka. Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521461290.
2. Robbins, Thomas (1997). Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415916486.
3. ^ Babb, Lawrence A. (1987). Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0706925637.
4. Reender Kranenborg. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?". Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR). Retrieved 2007-07-18.
5. Klimo, Jon (1998). Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books. p. 100. ISBN 978-1556432484.
6. ^ Wilson, Bryan (1999). Bryan Wilson (ed.). New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415200493. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
7. ^ Walliss, John (2002). The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing. pp. 99–129. ISBN 978-0754609513.
8. ^ Chander, B. K Jagdish (1981). Adi Dev: The first man. B.K. Raja Yoga Center for the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.
9. ^ Abbott, Elizabeth (2001). A History of Celibacy. James Clarke & Co. pp. 172–174. ISBN 0718830067.
10. ^ Hardy, Hardayal (1984). Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice. Vikas Publishing House. pp. 37–39. ISBN 0706925637.
11. ^ Chryssides, George D. (2001). Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. Scarecrow Press. pp. 35–36.
12. Cite error: The named reference Om Radhe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
13. ^ Barrett, David V (2001). The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions. Cassell & Co. ISBN 978-0304355921. 'sex is an expression of 'body-consciousness' and leads to the other vices', probably stems in part from the origins of the movement in the social conditions of the 1930s India when women had to submit to their husbands.
14. ^ Hodgkinson, Liz (2002). Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution. HCI. pp. 2–29. ISBN 1558749624.
15. Radhe, Brahma-Kumari (1939). 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. pp. 35–36.
16. Howell, Julia Day (2005). Peter Clarke (ed.). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-0415267076. 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.
17. Coupland, Reginald (1944). The Indian Problem: Report on the Constitutional Problem in India. Oxford University Press.
18. ^ Hunt, Stephen J. (2003). Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 120. ISBN 0754634108.
19. ^ Howell, Julia (1998). "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 37 (3): 453–461. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
20. Howell, Julia Day (1998). "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: Clarification of the Brahma Kumari Case". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. 37 (3): 453–461. doi:10.2307/1388052. 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 Dec 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 organisation as teachers, leaders of meditation sessions and spiritual directors. Indian migrants made up half the number of Brahmins in the UK and brothers headed only 1/3 of the 42 centers there. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
21. Nesbitt, Eleanor (2003). "Religious Organisations in the UK and Values Education Programmes for Schools". Journal of Beliefs and Values,. 24 (1): 75–88. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
22. Bedi, Kiran (2007). It's Always Possible : One Woman's Transformation of India's Prison System. Himalayan Institute Press. ISBN 978-0893892586.
23. Babb, Lawrence A. (1987). Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society). Oxford University Press. pp. 107–109. ISBN 0706925637.
24. "Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris, A Spiritual Revolution" by Hodgkinson, Liz, 2002, ISBN 1-55874-962-4
25. Lochtefeld, James G. Ph.D. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I ISBN 0-8239-3179-X, entry "Brahma Kumaris" New York Rosen 2002
26. "Women Under the Bo Tree,:Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions" Tessa J. Bartholomeusz, Department of Religion, Florida University, Edited by John Clayton (University of Lancaster), Steven Collins (University of Chicago) and Nicholas de Lange (University of Cambridge) 1994, ISBN 0-521-46129-4
27. Hinduism Today;
    "The most strict will not eat food which is not prepared by a BK. While traveling they abstain from public fard (food) and carry their own utensils for cooking.".
28. "Women Under the Bo Tree,:Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions" Tessa J. Bartholomeusz, Department of Religion, Florida University, Edited by John Clayton (University of Lancaster), Steven Collins (University of Chicago) and Nicholas de Lange (University of Cambridge) 1994, ISBN 0-521-46129-4
29. "A daily routine evolved, which is largely in place, involving meditation from 4.00 to 4.45 am, the reading of a message (murli) from about 6.30 a.m., practical work during the day, and evening meditation and evening classes". Prof Frank Whaling, p 176 encyclopedia of new religions; new religious movements, sects and alternative spiritualities. Edited by Christopher partridge Gorden Melton lion book 0-745-95073-6 2004
30. Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg 118,1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
31. Barker, Eileen in Hinnells, John (Editor), The Penguin Dictionary of Religions (1997), ISBN 0-14-051261-6 page 79
    "Brahma Kumaris The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) refers to itself as non-political, non-religious and non-sectarian. It was founded in 1937 in Karachi by Dada Lekh Raj (1877-1969) after 'Shiva, God the Supreme Soul, entered body ... to begin the task of creation of a new world order'. Over 200,000 (sic) people are now said to practice the meditation, which does not involve a mantra, special posture, breathing techniques or the worship of a guru. Fully committed members are celibate; they usually wear white and are strictly vegetarian. Nearly all of those in a position of spiritual authority are women "
    Sources used for this entry
    Barker, E., New Religious Movement: A Practical Introduction London, HMSO, 1989, pages 168-70
    Melton, J.G. The Encyclopedia of American Religions 4th edition Detroit, Gale 1993 pages 909-10
32. ^ Walliss, John (1999). "From World Rejection to Ambivalence: the Development of Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris". Journal of Contemporary Religion. 14 (3): 375–85. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
33. Howell, Julia Day (2005). Peter Clarke (ed.). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415267076. The "Brahma Kumaris" are a world-wide millenarian movement. Drawing on Hindu religious culture of its founder, the movement has nonetheless distinguished itself from Hinduism and projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion
34. Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?", 1999
35. Pathways To Higher Consciousness
36. "The Divine Descent of God". Prajapita rahma Kumaris Ishawariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
37. "Hindus In America Speak out on Abortion Issues". Hinduism Today. Retrieved 2007-07-18. 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 4th month should be avoided except in medical emergencies, since in their view the soul enters the fetus in the 4th to 5th month.
38. 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". The New Believers by David V Barrett, Cassell & Co, 2001. 0-304-35592-5 p 265.
39. Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity
40. "A case study of Brahma Kumaris, a contemporary group characterized by an apocalyptic vision (kept hidden from nonmembers)". Apocalyptic Dreams and Religious Ideologies: Losing and Saving Self and World, Beit-Hallahmi, Benjaminin. PSYCHOANALYTIC REVIEW 2003, VOL 90; PART 4, pages 403-439
41. "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." Babbs
42. p 13. The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris, Lalrinawma, V.S., ISPCK, Cambridge Press, Dehli. ISBN: 81-7214-771-6
43. "making the total of 900,000 souls at the beginning of the Golden Age". Walliss, 2002
44. "Brahmakumaris say that the world destruction takes place in every 5000 years and that 5000 years have already passed after the previous destruction. Soon the new world order would be started with 900,000 people after destroying the rest". "Brahmakumaris World Spiritual University affiliated to the United Nations Department of Public Information as a non-governmental organisation teaches that in every 5000 years world destruction takes place and now is the time for it." "Brahmakumaris also expect the world destruction to take place immediately followed by the birth of Krishna once again". "There must be 900,000 pure souls who are ready to take over the new world order (Golden Age) before the destruction would begin. When the Golden Age comes after the world destruction, it would only be heaven on earth. People there would literally be deities". 'Year 2000 doomed: Mankind destroyed' by Keerthi Kelegama 1998. ISBN 955-95823-3-X
45. Walliss, 2002. p 128, 129
46. Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg 119, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
47. 'Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism', Lawrence A Babb, Professor of Asian Languages and Civilizations and Professor of Anthropology, Amherst Collece MA.
48. Babb, Lawrence A. (1987). Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society). Oxford University Press. p. 120. ISBN 0706925637.
49. "the situation is this ripe for the development of a Brahma Kumaris 'scripture'". Whaling, Professor Emeritus Frank. Encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities. Partridge 2004.
50. 'A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan', BKIVV, India. 2000. P.57
51. http://www.brahmakumaris.org.in/Landmarks.htm
52. "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 instrinsicly linked with the second technique, the utilisation 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 without apology, translation or dilution". Howell and Nelson, 1998.
53. "Peace and Purity", by Liz Hodgkinson, 1999, p195. ISBN 0712670335
54. Howell, Julia Day (2005). Peter Clarke (ed.). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-0415267076. 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.
55. "The BKs wish to become gods and goddesses". 'Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism', Babb, Lawrence A
56. Chryssides, George D. and Margaret Z. Wilkins. 'A Reader in New Religious Movements'. p 270 ISBN 0-80826-6168-9
57. BK Pavitra, "Nari Uthan Samaya Ki Avsayakta", Prgati Path Pradarshak, Vol 6, No 3-6, Feb 2000, p8
58. Lawrence A. Babb, "Indigenous Feminism in a Modern Hindu Sect" p. 274-276, 279, 281.
59. Lalrinawma, V.S. 2004, p. 97
60. http://www.ghrc-abu.com/aboutus.htm
61. http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/docs/1998/e1998-8.htm
62. List of UN NGO and respective status within UNICEF.
63. Walliss, John (2002). The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0754609513. Another rendition of the University's Millenarianism put forward by a group named the Advance Party. This group is made up of predominantly disaffected ex-members of the University and are highly critical of what they allege to be the increasing worldliness and corruptness of the University's hierarchy. The University, they claim on their website, has become a true Ravan Rajya (Kingdom of Devil) where pomp and show and grandeur are given preference over true godly knowledge. At a deeper level, the Advance Party's critique is aimed at the BK theodicy and the manner in which they allege its millenarianism has been understood.
64. http://www.shivbaba.org.pl/
65. Walliss, 202, p. 96
66. "the reference to "alternation and control of the personality" hides a notion of brainwashing, as evidence by the district attorney Fiscal of Tenrife Canary Islands, in the 1999 case that he hopes will become a landmark example of prosecuting an association accused of practising "alternation and control of the personality" of its members. the District Attorney states that the new provision introduced in the criminal code represents an in-depth modification of Spanish law and offers the possibility of prosecuting a 'destrcctive cult' whose features are group dynamic "hypnotic procedeures" ("turning the attention of the member from outside to inside") and "mind control" (Casanovas 1999). The case refers to the Atman Foundation (originally a splinter group form the Brahma Kumaris)." Brainwashing theories in European Parliamentary and Administrative Reposts on Cults and Sects. James T Richardson and Massimo Introvigne, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 2001
67. John Walliss. "When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millennium(s)." A paper presented to the annual meeting, British Association for the Advancement of Science, Sheffield, 17 Sept 1999"
68. "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" 'On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality', Kościańska, Agnieszka Z., Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Warsaw University. Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology 2003
69. John Walliss, 'When prophecy fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the pursuit of the millennium/s'
70. "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". Walliss, 2002
71. "I conclude by speculating on the possibility that a number of prophetic failures may have been instrumental in the University's shift in world orientation and the Advance Party's schism in the mid 70s." Wallis, 2002. p110, 111
72. "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." Wallis, 2002 p 98
73. "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 practise. 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 trail 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." 'Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: clarification of the Brahma Kumari case', Howell, Julia Day. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, vol 37, no. 3 Sept 1998 p 453-461
74. "Members of the Brahma Kumari movement enter this fifth era with the expectation that they will become fit to be reborn in the paradisical phase of the next world cycle ... indeed they are the very gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon imperfectly remembered through texts today". Babbs
75. ^ Beloved "Didi," Sivabhaktar and Co-Head of Brahma Kumaris, Passes In Bombay
76. "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 1,500 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."
77. "in the past members of the movement engaged in ecstatic dances associated with their visions". Babbs
78. "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"
79. ^ IBN Live, Race for Raisina: Shekhawat vs Patil (Video)
80. ^ KhaleejTimes, June 28th, 2007, Patil kicks up another row
81. Times of India, June 27, 2007, Pratibha believes in spirits?
82. The Pioneer, July 2, 2007, Battle for the palace
83. BKWSU, Official Site, Dadi Hirdaya Mohini- Joint Administrative Head
84. Attendance of the Better World Dialogue, 8th September 1993, United Nations Headquarters

Further reading

Other poublications

• The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris, Lalrinawma, V.S., ISPCK, Cambridge Press, Dehli. ISBN: 81-7214-771-6
• 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. Howell, Changing Meanings of Religious Pluralism, , 2003.
• Dr Julia D. Howell, "Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) Induction and New Religious Movements", Sociology of Religion, vol. 58 p.141–64, 1997.
• Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion? ", 1999.
• William Shaw , "Spying in Guruland: Inside Britain’s Cults", Fourth Estate, London, England 1994.
• 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.
• Lawrence A. Babb, "Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism", Journal of Anthropological Research, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Winter, 1981), pp 387-401.
• Mayer, Jean-François et Reender Kranenborg, Geneve, Suisse. "La Naissance des Nouvelles Religions". 2004 ISBN 2-8257-0877-1
• Stephan Nagel Brahmas geheime Schöpfung. Die indische Reformbewegung der "Brahma Kumaris" (Theion. Jahrbuch für Religionskultur 11) Frankfurt/M.: Lang Verlag 1999 439 pp ISBN 3-631-35484-3 (German language)
• 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
• BK Jayanti. "Valuing the Future : Education for Spiritual Development", 1999
• Interreligious Insight. "Brahma Kumaris, World Spiritual University",
• Ken O'Donnell. "Raja Yoga for beginners", 1987.
• 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.
• Beam them up, Heidi - Remembering the Las Cañadas suicide sect scare.
• A Critique of the BK Philosophy as presented in the 7 Day Course, By Andy Harangozo
• Report on Child Abuse, Beliefs and Lifestyle
• Pamphlets Take a Closer Look, The Successful Subtle Soft-sell of Raja Yoga By CCG Training Institute, Australia March 1989

Brahma Kumaris publications

• The Licentious Comedy of the Restoration Age by B. K Jagdish Chander 1972
• Easy Raja Yoga: Taught by God Shiva by B. K Jagdish Chander 1977
• New Beginnings, Ken O'Donnell, 1987, ISBN 0-9637396-4-6
• Brahma Baba, the Corporeal Medium of Shiva Baba by B. K Jagdish Chander 1983
• Observance of Brahmacharya and Conquest of Sex-Lust by B. K Jagdish Chander 1977
• Moral Values, Attitudes and Moods: a book on ethics for a new world order by B.K. Jagdish Chander 1978.
• Human values, Moral values, and Spiritual values: A book on divine values for the coming golden age by B. K Jagdish Chander 1980
• Inner Beauty, Brahma Kumaris (Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya), 1996, ISIN: B000JVYGT6
• Practical Meditation, Brahma Kumaris (Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya , 1995, ISBN 09637396-0-3 ASIN: B000JKVU32
• Blessings, Brahma Kumaris, 2000, ISBN 15587483-8-5
• Just a Moment, Brahma Kumaris (Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya) , 1996, ASIN: B000JMA3OW
• Power and Effect of Thoughts, Brahma Kumaris , 1995, ASIN: B000JI7MJK
• Kaleidoscopic View of Issues, Ideas, Events, Intentions, Attitudes, Individuals, and Institutions ,Prajapita Brahma Kumaris , 2000, ASIN: B000FVUAGI
• 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, Brahma Kumaris Radhe, 1939, ASIN:B00089UWHE
• The Arts of Life, Brahma Kumaris , 1998, ISBN 09637396-2-X
• Future of mankind, Brahma Kumaris , 1975, ASIN: B0007CBK0U
• Raj Yoga Illustrated (Raja Yoga, The Science for Attaining Purity, Peace, and Bliss),Jagdish Chander:Brahma Kumaris, 1975, ASIN: B000M3EGEQ
• Pearls of Wisdom, by Dadi Janki, 1999, ISBN 15587472-3-0
• Perlas de Sabiduria Spanish, by Dadi Janki, 2000, ISBN 15587479-1-5
• Wings of Soul, by Dadi Janki, 199 ISBN 15587467-2-2
• Las Alas del Espiritu,Spanish, by Dadi Janki, 200,ISBN 15587478-2-6
• InsideOut a better way of living, learning, and loving, by Dadi Janki, 2003, ASIN: B000H7LIPM

External links

Brahma Kumaris:

• Official International website
• Official Indian website
• B.K.W.S.U. e-learning site
• Detailed historic timeline
• B.K.W.S.U. and the United Nations
• The Janki Foundation for Global Health Care
• Global Hospital & Research Centre
• Living Values Education Program
• Brahma Kumaris Publications site
• World Renewal Trust Deed - registered 16 January 1969

Critical:

• Brahmakumaris.info, run by ex-BKs, serving XBKs, PBKs and NBKs, claiming to be neutral and impartial and recognized by three cult awareness organizations. (8,000 postings); Archives of the original XBK Chat forum (3,000 postings)
• A guide to life after leaving the Brahma Kumaris
• Time and Eternity "Inner Dialogues" by Paul Brocklehurst 2003
• Overview of Brahma Kumaris, Reachout Trust report

• Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from July 2007
• Yoga organizations
• 1937 establishments
• Spirituality
• Meditation
• New religious movements
• Hindu movements and organizations
• Hindu denominations