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| '''Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation''', or " Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya ". |
'''Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation''', or " Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya ". Teachers of a form of meditation, or spirit channelling, called Raja Yoga ]'s ] ]. Previously known as the " Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University ". | ||
| A ] with core ] beliefs concerning the imminent |
A ] with core ] beliefs concerning the imminent destruction of the current impure ] world by a ] between ] and ], ] in ], widespread natural disasters and ] ] followed by the reward of a paradisiacal ] or "Golden Age" which will take place on the ] subcontinent for its faithful followers. | ||
| Followers known as " B.K.s " | |||
| ==Origins== | ==Origins== | ||
| Formed in ], now ], during 1937 by businessman Lekhraj Kripalani when Kripalani experienced |
Formed in ], now ], during 1937 by businessman Lekhraj Kripalani when Kripalani experienced possession by a spirit he considered to be ], the Supreme Soul. This spirit took over control of his bodily organs in order to express a message to humanity. Followers, called Brahma Kumars or Kumaris believe that Lekhraj Kripalani / Brahma is God's only direct ] or instrument. God being a soul which cannot express his message other than through a human body. | ||
| ==Global Expansion== | ==Global Expansion== | ||
| Line 10: | Line 12: | ||
| ==Fundamental Beliefs== | ==Fundamental Beliefs== | ||
| Although borrowing much symbolism and terminology from traditional ], '''Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga''' |
Although borrowing much symbolism and terminology from traditional ], '''Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga''' sees themselves entirely as separate from ] and unique as the only true instruments of ]. The only religious group to have direct instructions from ]. | ||
| Followers believe that |
Followers believe that this Supreme Soul, ] and Lekhraj Kirpalani continues to be ] on a regular basis by a senior sister at the headquarters in ] and that Lekhraj Kirpalani's soul will reincarnate as ] god ] in his next birth. | ||
| Central to its faith are the beliefs that: | Central to its faith are the beliefs that: | ||
| * The human being is an |
* The human being is an eternal ] living within a physical body | ||
| * ] happens from one human body to another only | * ] happens from one human body to another only | ||
| * |
* The physical world manifests as an eternally repeating and identical 5,000 year cycle at which the end of it is destroyed and then re-created every time. | ||
| * Time is not linear but rather cyclical | * Time is not linear but rather cyclical. | ||
| * Each repeating cycle is exactly the same as the previous one | * 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 |
* Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed. | ||
| * ] incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks only through their founder Lekhraj Kripalani which was the soul known as "Adam" or the "first human" in his first birth also known as "Brahma". | * ] incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks only through their founder Lekhraj Kripalani which was the soul known as "Adam" or the "first human" in his first birth also known as "Brahma". | ||
| * All other religious founders such as ], ] and ] |
* All other religious founders such as ], ] and ] must come to the Brahma Kumaris to receive knowledge prior to their future incarnations in the next cycle. | ||
| * The Indian Subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden |
* The Indian Subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Aged ] and ] is the original ]. All other ] will be destroyed except for small islands where ] centres once were. | ||
| Followers are taught that if they make spiritual efforts by getting rid of the 5 vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego) they |
* Followers are taught that if they make spiritual efforts by getting rid of the 5 vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego) and only they, ] Kumars and Kumaris live in the coming Golden Aged ]. | ||
| ==Practice== | ==Practice== | ||
| The '''Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga''' practice involves; | The '''Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga''' practice involves; | ||
| * Complete ] involving no ], ] between married couples nor ]. | |||
| *]. | |||
| *] excluding onions, garlic and food not cooked |
* ] excluding eggs, onions, garlic and food not cooked in their God's remembrance. | ||
| * Complete avoidance of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. | * Complete avoidance of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. | ||
| * |
* Ritual cleanliness after toileting involving washing and changing clothes. | ||
| * Regular daily meditation. | * Regular daily meditation at 4 a.m.. | ||
| * The |
* The pursute of purity in all aspects of life. | ||
| * Evangelism of their religion, called " service ", as defined by their senior sisters. | |||
| * World service by means of good wishes and pure feelings to all. | |||
| * Segregation between men and women inhousing and activities. | |||
| Serious students wake up for 45 minutes meditation |
Serious students wake up for 45 minutes meditation at 4 am. They then attend a daily morning class at 6.00 am, work or keep their household during the day and then return to evangelise, teach or do more meditation in the evening. Make regular donations or contributions to the Raja Yoga centre according to means. It is suggested to visit the headquarters located in ] once a year if possible. | ||
| ==7 Day Course== | ==7 Day Course== | ||
| Central to the Brahma Kumaris practice is the teaching of all their core beliefs in 7 one and a half hour long lessons called "The 7 Day Course". Once these 7 lessons are understood, students are then introduced to unpublished scriptures considered to be the direct teachings of ] called "Murlis" |
Central to the Brahma Kumaris practice is the teaching of all their core beliefs in 7 one or one and a half hour long lessons called " The 7 Day Course ". Once these 7 lessons are understood, students are then introduced to unpublished scriptures considered to be the direct teachings of ] called "Murlis" named after the ] that the ] god ] is generally illustrated holding. | ||
| In many countries, especially in the ], the Brahma Kumaris have introduced lightweight versions of their ] courses design to capitalize on the interest in ] or personal growth movements which introduce basic elements of their faith and practice but avoid detailed and controversial instruction. Often these course focus on specific interest groups such as women, business people, teachers and so on. | |||
| These seven lessons are: | |||
| * The Soul | * The Soul | ||
| Line 49: | Line 56: | ||
| * The Tree of Religions | * The Tree of Religions | ||
| * The Founder Brahma Baba | * The Founder Brahma Baba | ||
| * Brahma Kumaris Lifestyle and Principles | * Brahma Kumaris' Lifestyle and Principles | ||
| ===The Soul=== | ===The Soul=== | ||
| Brahma Kumaris teach that human beings are a ] or ] living inside our body which is not the individual but a " costume ". The ]'s form is a point of light and it is situated in the forehead of the body. The ] is described as having 3 functions: ], ] and ]. The sanskars, or record of experiences are transmitted from birth to birth. Brahma Kumaris believe in human ] but unlike classical ] and ], they do not believe in ] or re-incarnation between different ]. | |||
| We are an eternal soul. A point of light. We have 3 subtle organs: The Mind, the Intellect and the Impressions or Sanskars. | |||
| The sanskars are transmitted from birth to birth. Sanskars are innate in the soul. They emerge or submerge according to time. | |||
| Brahma Kumaris teach that there are only 5.5 Billion human souls. | |||
| Huamans can experience soul consciousness which gives them happiness, or they can experience body consciousness which bring duality to their experience. | |||
| ===The Supreme Soul=== | ===The Supreme Soul=== | ||
| Brahma Kumaris believe that their " ] " is a ] or ] identical to the ] ], also in the form if a point of light but that this ] cannot take birth in a ] form. | |||
| God is a point of light. He is the purifier. He cannot take birth, otherwise; God would experience the duality of suffering and happiness, forgetting and remembering, etc. However, God remains eternally unchanged with purity, bliss and happiness. Human beings can purify their intellects by means of "remembrance." We have forgotten who we are, our original nature and consciousness. Because time is cyclical and this current cycle is about to end, God needs to tell us who we are, what is our history, what is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the world. Thus God purifies us through his knowledge. This is God's task. Humans need to emerge virtous sanskars in order to experience the Golden age. | |||
| Their " God " remains disincarnate, eternally unchanged and so therfore is the only individual that can purify impure incarnated human being souls through his knowledge and by their mentally connecting to him through the practise of their Raja Yoga . This ] then is able to channel his energy through the Raja Yoga practioners to other ] and into the ]. | |||
| ===The Law of Karma=== | ===The Law of Karma=== | ||
| Similar to many ] religions, the Brahma Kumaris believe that ] is a law controlling actions and reactions ; that every action creates a reaction and that individuals experience the effects of those reactions either as happiness or suffering. These reactions can be are experienced in the current or a following lifetime. Thoughts being the origin of actions. | |||
| It is the law of action and reaction. Every accion has a cause. We experience the effects of those actions either as happiness or suffering. Those effects are experienced one time or another in this or another life. Thoughts are the origin of actions. The origin of thouhgts are our own sanskars.Thus by emerging virtous sankars our thoughts become positive and our actions become elevated. Remembrance of God is the only way to remove the alloy of impurities in the soul. Those impurities are the 5 vices: Ego, Lust, Anger, Attachment and Greed. These vices are the true "devil" portrayed by other religions. | |||
| ===The Cycle=== | ===The Cycle=== | ||
| Using the symbolism of classical ], Brahma Kumaris believe that time is cyclical and follows a patterns of a cycle lasts 5000 years. This is refered to as " The Cycle ". Each cycle is identical to the one that came before it and to the one that will come after it. | |||
| Introduction: | |||
| “The problem of the origin of the universe is a bit like the old question: Which came first, the chicken, or the egg.” - Stephen Hawkin. | |||
| Philosophers and Scientists treat this question as a conundrum. The belief is that the “Time arrow” is a “straight line”; from a nebulous beginning to an uncertain future. This question is answered if we consider time as being curved, a circle. Then, around this circular time there is always a chicken before an egg and an egg before a chicken. Time then, becomes cyclical and repetitive. Past, present and future are relative to a point of reference (Einstein). The law of conservation of energy/matter states: “Matter is not created nor destroyed, it only changes”. Time is cyclical. Every cycle lasts 5000 years. | |||
| It starts with a ] or " Golden Age " of 900,000 human beings, all followers of their religion. This then declines to a slightly less paradiscal " Silver Age " in which humans are also naturally spiritual minded. Then after 2,500 years, the Earth declines further to enter into a " Copper Age " where humanity experience the ] of ] and ]. Suffering is experienced for the first time, the search for God and religions are created for the first time. 1,250 years later, an totally impure " ] " of suffering, injustice and irreligiousness begins. | |||
| Finally, the Iron Age started. Technological progress contrasts with utmost unhappiness, sorrow and desinterest in religious matters. This is our current age. It is at this point, when we experience "hell" (the opposite of Heaven or Golden Age)on Earth. The point of highest entropy is experienced, thus the world goes back to a point of low entropy again. There is a brief period of time when establishment takes place for the upcoming new age. That period of time is known as the Confluence age. | |||
| Brahma Kumaris believe this "Iron Age " is our current age and that it is " Hell ". The opposite of their " ] " 5,000 years before. They teach that at the end of the Iron Age, the World must be completely destroyed by a nuclear war between Russia and America, natural disasters and a blood bath of civil war in India. | |||
| Between the lowest ] of the " Iron Age " and the high spiritual state of their " ] ", there is a brief period of 100 years when the work to establish the Golden Age must takes place. This period of time is known as the " Confluence Age " and was originally taught to be 50 years for ] of the ] and 50 years for creation. However, " Destruction " did not happen according to their timetable, first 1976 and then some time between 1985 and 1996, and has so become modified according to necessity in order to sustain their ]. At first it was taught 50 years for destruction and 50 for creation, then 60 / 40, now the Brahma Kumaris tend to try and avoid the issue. | |||
| ===The Tree of Religions=== | ===The Tree of Religions=== | ||
| The Brahma Kumaris use the ] of " The Tree " to represent the ], or rather decline, of the ] ] of souls. The ] of the ] is made up by Brahma Kumari followers currently practicing their ] only. These individuals alone are to become the residents of " ] on ] ", symbolised by the trunk of the tree, where humanity is one and experiences ] and ]. | |||
| The tree signals the human family of souls. The root of the tree is made up by those souls currently making spiritual efforts according to God's system. Those efforts are based on soul consciousness. According to the laws of Karma, elevated actions are needed in order to experience the Golden age. The first part of the tree is the Golden age which is an age of total purity, happiness and peace as years went by and according to the physical law of entropy, the silver age appeared. Population increased and the original pure system changed, however; human beings called Deities (virtuous) were still soul conscious. Then the tree splitted in different branches due to body consciousness, we forgot our original nature. This is the age when different religions were founded in the east and in the west, the aim was to search for peace, search for happiness and search for God. Body conscious beings started a system of worship of the elements of nature instead of realizing their true original nature, thus suffering appeared. As time went by, the Iron age appeared. Human divinity was completely lost, body consciousness was the rule.It is an age of cheating, killing and lying. Due to current human devilish impressions and vices, technology serves as a mean to destroy our own race. Thus the tree is transformed into a new tree. The seed for this new tree is God himself, thus God transforms humans with devilish traits into Golden age deities by means of his knowledge also known as receivig the "third eye." | |||
| The tree shows us clearly how unity appeared first and then as time went by division appeared. Few habitants of the golden age became many in the iron age, thus scarcity of resources and competition is the norm of the day. | |||
| " The Tree " is then illustration to split in 5 major ]. ], they teach, forgets its original nature and each branch represents one of the 5 major religious traditions or seeking for ] and ] ; ], ], ], ] and renunciate tradition of India called " ]sm " and manifestation of this newly impure world. | |||
| The outer branches of " The Tree " are said to symbolise the " ] " of a fractured ] where even major ]s are split into many small branches, representing ] beliefs, ] and ]. ], ], ], ] and all other religious founders are said to ] at the beginning of their ] and then continue to ] through out the ] of their ] until coming to the " ] " at this time and seeking out the Brahma Kumaris for re-] in ]. | |||
| It is specifically taught that none of the religious founder have a direct connection with ] nor are they able to escape human ] many times over as is believed by ], ], ] or ]. | |||
| " The Tree " of ] must be destroyed each " Cycle " in order that a new " Tree " repeats the pattern exactly. The " ] " for this new tree is their " ] " ] alone. | |||
| ===The Founder Brahma Baba=== | ===The Founder Brahma Baba=== | ||
| Under the inspiration of their " God " businessman Lekraj Kripalani, became known as " ] Baba " and was aid to have had 84th human births, the maximum number of births for any human soul. The Brahma Kumaris believe that Lekraj Kripalani was the first pure being in the world known as " ] " or " ] ". | |||
| Lekraj Kripalani, known as Brahma Baba, has a very important role in the world. He is known as Brahma in his 84th birth. The maximum number of births per cycle is 84. Brahma took all of them and was the first pure being in the world. In many religions he is known as "Adam" or "Adi Dev." God needs a body to communicate with us. Since Brahma is the most experienced of all human beings; God takes his body and sanskars to communicate with body conscious, impure beings. Brahma Baba is the number one soul. All souls are numberwise in spiritual efforts. Brahma Baba was a caring man, loved by his community. He gave utmost respect to women in a time and location where women were considered second class citizens. Brahma Baba gave all his wealth in order to build a "Godly Spiritual University". He left the administration of this Univeristy to a trust of young females who were in charge of the institution. Brahma Kumaris is a unique spiritual institution since then - females hold the higher administrative positions. Members of the Brahma Kumaris aim to follow Brahma Baba's example of dedication, faith, egolesness, care and discipline. | |||
| Since they believe that their " ] " needs a human body thorugh which to communicate and Lekraj Kripalani was considered to be the most experienced of all human beings, their " ] " took possession of his mental faculties and body in order to communicate with body conscious, impure humanity. Lekraj Kripalani is consdiered by the Brahma Kumaris to be number one soul, high in divinity than ], ], ] and all other religious founders who must come to him, or his followers, for re-education in spirituality. | |||
| Lekraj Kripalani by his actions in a previous incarnation 2,500 years ago is also taught to be the individual that lead humanity to " ] ", that is out of ] and ] on ] and into ] suffering. | |||
| ===Brahma Kumari Lifestyle and Principles=== | ===Brahma Kumari Lifestyle and Principles=== | ||
| The final lesson traditionally taught by the Brahma Kumaris relates to the disciplines they follow as regards, religious practices, ], ] and ]. | |||
| The whole teaching is based on the awareness that we are souls and not bodies. We are souls who have a body. Thus, all principles and practices are consistent with this belief. The main task is to become a self-sovereign, to be able to awaken our inner wisdom by means of Godly knowledge. Love to God is utmost important component in order to make quick spiritual efforts. | |||
| ==Controversy== | ==Controversy== | ||
| * Documented incidents of ] within the organisation brushed aside by leaders as due to the ] of the children suffering ] and outside of their responsibility, the perpetrators avoid punishment or reporting to ]. | |||
| Some believe that destruction of the old world will not happen. Brahma Kumaris points out that transformation will happen and it is as clear as when night time becomes day time. The New World is known as Paradise by many religions. | |||
| * ] and ] problems faced by ex-followers including multiple ] with families. | |||
| There are some individuals who are forecasting dates of "destruction" rather than transformation without further explanation. Brahma Kumaris emphasizes that there is not anhilation of the human race. It has been pointed out that God, The Supreme Soul; has never released a date for destruction. | |||
| * ] and physical violence from families and partners of Brahma Kumaris. | |||
| * Questionable relationship with ] Organisation. | |||
| * Name changing from University to Organisation. | |||
| * Discreet ] and re-writing of their " ]'s " spoken word to avoid controversy, to accomodate increased world population, to change speculation over the timing of destruction of the world and other matters. | |||
| ==Sub-sects== | |||
| Believing himself to be a reincarnation of Lekhraj Kirpalani's business partner, Virendra Dev Dikşi split away from main body of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation to form the ] or " ] " after being barred from B.K. Raja Yoga centres. Continues teaching and is considered to the the true ] their guiding ] or " ] ". | |||
| ] ] and high-profile Brahma Kumari ] was charged in the ] with a plot of ]-] in which 31 ] followers, including five children, were to ingest ]. After the ]s they were told they would be picked up by a ] and taken to an unspecified destination. | |||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * | |||
| ⚫ | * | ||
| * , a discussion forum mainly for ex-members of the Brahma Kumaris | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| * P.B.K. website | |||
| * | |||
| http://www.xbkchat.com - a meeting place for past members of Brahma Kumaris | http://www.xbkchat.com - a meeting place for past members of Brahma Kumaris | ||
| Line 100: | Line 134: | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] and the ] | * ] and the ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 14:40, 27 March 2006
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation, or " Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya ". Teachers of a form of meditation, or spirit channelling, called Raja Yoga . Previously known as the " Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University ".
A New Religious Movement with core Millenarianist beliefs concerning the imminent destruction of the current impure Kali Yuga world by a World War between America and Russia, civil war in India, widespread natural disasters and nuclear holocaust followed by the reward of a paradisiacal Sat Yuga or "Golden Age" which will take place on the Indian subcontinent for its faithful followers.
Followers known as " B.K.s "
Origins
Formed in Sindh, now Pakistan, during 1937 by businessman Lekhraj Kripalani when Kripalani experienced possession by a spirit he considered to be God, the Supreme Soul. This spirit took over control of his bodily organs in order to express a message to humanity. Followers, called Brahma Kumars or Kumaris believe that Lekhraj Kripalani / Brahma is God's only direct medium or instrument. God being a soul which cannot express his message other than through a human body.
Global Expansion
More than 5,500 meditation centres in 90 countries with over 900,000 students and expanding.
Fundamental Beliefs
Although borrowing much symbolism and terminology from traditional Hinduism, Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga sees themselves entirely as separate from Hinduism and unique as the only true instruments of God. The only religious group to have direct instructions from God. Followers believe that this Supreme Soul, God and Lekhraj Kirpalani continues to be channelled on a regular basis by a senior sister at the headquarters in India and that Lekhraj Kirpalani's soul will reincarnate as Hindu god Krishna in his next birth.
Central to its faith are the beliefs that:
- The human being is an eternal soul living within a physical body
- Reincarnation happens from one human body to another only
- The physical world manifests as an eternally repeating and identical 5,000 year cycle at which the end of it is destroyed and then re-created every time.
- Time is not linear but rather cyclical.
- 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.
- God incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks only through their founder Lekhraj Kripalani which was the soul known as "Adam" or the "first human" in his first birth also known as "Brahma".
- All other religious founders such as Christ, Buddha and Mohammed must come to the Brahma Kumaris to receive knowledge prior to their future incarnations in the next cycle.
- The Indian Subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Aged paradise and Hindi is the original language. All other continents will be destroyed except for small islands where Raja Yoga centres once were.
- Followers are taught that if they make spiritual efforts by getting rid of the 5 vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego) and only they, Brahma Kumars and Kumaris live in the coming Golden Aged paradise.
Practice
The Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga practice involves;
- Complete Celibacy involving no procreation, sex between married couples nor masturbation.
- Vegetarianism excluding eggs, onions, garlic and food not cooked in their God's remembrance.
- Complete avoidance of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
- Ritual cleanliness after toileting involving washing and changing clothes.
- Regular daily meditation at 4 a.m..
- The pursute of purity in all aspects of life.
- Evangelism of their religion, called " service ", as defined by their senior sisters.
- Segregation between men and women inhousing and activities.
Serious students wake up for 45 minutes meditation at 4 am. They then attend a daily morning class at 6.00 am, work or keep their household during the day and then return to evangelise, teach or do more meditation in the evening. Make regular donations or contributions to the Raja Yoga centre according to means. It is suggested to visit the headquarters located in India once a year if possible.
7 Day Course
Central to the Brahma Kumaris practice is the teaching of all their core beliefs in 7 one or one and a half hour long lessons called " The 7 Day Course ". Once these 7 lessons are understood, students are then introduced to unpublished scriptures considered to be the direct teachings of God called "Murlis" named after the flute that the Hindu god Krishna is generally illustrated holding.
In many countries, especially in the West, the Brahma Kumaris have introduced lightweight versions of their meditation courses design to capitalize on the interest in New Age or personal growth movements which introduce basic elements of their faith and practice but avoid detailed and controversial instruction. Often these course focus on specific interest groups such as women, business people, teachers and so on.
These seven lessons are:
- The Soul
- The Supreme Soul
- The Law of Karma
- The Cycle
- The Tree of Religions
- The Founder Brahma Baba
- Brahma Kumaris' Lifestyle and Principles
The Soul
Brahma Kumaris teach that human beings are a soul or spirit living inside our body which is not the individual but a " costume ". The soul's form is a point of light and it is situated in the forehead of the body. The soul is described as having 3 functions: Mind, Intellect and Sanskars. The sanskars, or record of experiences are transmitted from birth to birth. Brahma Kumaris believe in human reincarnation but unlike classical Hinduism and Buddhism, they do not believe in transmogrification or re-incarnation between different species.
Brahma Kumaris teach that there are only 5.5 Billion human souls.
The Supreme Soul
Brahma Kumaris believe that their " God " is a soul or spirit identical to the human soul, also in the form if a point of light but that this soul cannot take birth in a human form.
Their " God " remains disincarnate, eternally unchanged and so therfore is the only individual that can purify impure incarnated human being souls through his knowledge and by their mentally connecting to him through the practise of their Raja Yoga . This entity then is able to channel his energy through the Raja Yoga practioners to other human beings and into the World.
The Law of Karma
Similar to many Eastern religions, the Brahma Kumaris believe that Karma is a law controlling actions and reactions ; that every action creates a reaction and that individuals experience the effects of those reactions either as happiness or suffering. These reactions can be are experienced in the current or a following lifetime. Thoughts being the origin of actions.
The Cycle
Using the symbolism of classical Hinduism, Brahma Kumaris believe that time is cyclical and follows a patterns of a cycle lasts 5000 years. This is refered to as " The Cycle ". Each cycle is identical to the one that came before it and to the one that will come after it.
It starts with a paradise or " Golden Age " of 900,000 human beings, all followers of their religion. This then declines to a slightly less paradiscal " Silver Age " in which humans are also naturally spiritual minded. Then after 2,500 years, the Earth declines further to enter into a " Copper Age " where humanity experience the duality of spirit and matter. Suffering is experienced for the first time, the search for God and religions are created for the first time. 1,250 years later, an totally impure " Iron Age " of suffering, injustice and irreligiousness begins.
Brahma Kumaris believe this "Iron Age " is our current age and that it is " Hell ". The opposite of their " Golden Age " 5,000 years before. They teach that at the end of the Iron Age, the World must be completely destroyed by a nuclear war between Russia and America, natural disasters and a blood bath of civil war in India.
Between the lowest entropy of the " Iron Age " and the high spiritual state of their " Golden Age ", there is a brief period of 100 years when the work to establish the Golden Age must takes place. This period of time is known as the " Confluence Age " and was originally taught to be 50 years for destruction of the World and 50 years for creation. However, " Destruction " did not happen according to their timetable, first 1976 and then some time between 1985 and 1996, and has so become modified according to necessity in order to sustain their faith. At first it was taught 50 years for destruction and 50 for creation, then 60 / 40, now the Brahma Kumaris tend to try and avoid the issue.
The Tree of Religions
The Brahma Kumaris use the symbolism of " The Tree " to represent the evolution, or rather decline, of the human family of souls. The root of the tree is made up by Brahma Kumari followers currently practicing their Raja Yoga only. These individuals alone are to become the residents of " Heaven on Earth ", symbolised by the trunk of the tree, where humanity is one and experiences Golden Age and Silver Age.
" The Tree " is then illustration to split in 5 major branches. Humanity, they teach, forgets its original nature and each branch represents one of the 5 major religious traditions or seeking for god and dividity ; Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and renunciate tradition of India called " Sanyasism " and manifestation of this newly impure world.
The outer branches of " The Tree " are said to symbolise the " Iron Age " of a fractured humanity where even major religions are split into many small branches, representing scientific beliefs, cults and political movements. Jesus Christ, Mohamed, Buddha, Shankacharya and all other religious founders are said to incarnate at the beginning of their religion and then continue to reincarnate through out the history of their religion until coming to the " end of the world " at this time and seeking out the Brahma Kumaris for re-education in spirituality.
It is specifically taught that none of the religious founder have a direct connection with God nor are they able to escape human reincarnation many times over as is believed by Sanyasis, Buddhist, Mohamedans or Christians.
" The Tree " of humanity must be destroyed each " Cycle " in order that a new " Tree " repeats the pattern exactly. The " seed " for this new tree is their " God " Shiva Baba alone.
The Founder Brahma Baba
Under the inspiration of their " God " businessman Lekraj Kripalani, became known as " Brahma Baba " and was aid to have had 84th human births, the maximum number of births for any human soul. The Brahma Kumaris believe that Lekraj Kripalani was the first pure being in the world known as " Adam " or " Krishna ".
Since they believe that their " God " needs a human body thorugh which to communicate and Lekraj Kripalani was considered to be the most experienced of all human beings, their " God " took possession of his mental faculties and body in order to communicate with body conscious, impure humanity. Lekraj Kripalani is consdiered by the Brahma Kumaris to be number one soul, high in divinity than Jesus Christ, Mohamed, Buddha and all other religious founders who must come to him, or his followers, for re-education in spirituality.
Lekraj Kripalani by his actions in a previous incarnation 2,500 years ago is also taught to be the individual that lead humanity to " The Fall ", that is out of divinity and heaven on earth and into dualistic suffering.
Brahma Kumari Lifestyle and Principles
The final lesson traditionally taught by the Brahma Kumaris relates to the disciplines they follow as regards, religious practices, food, sex and relationships.
Controversy
- Documented incidents of child abuse within the organisation brushed aside by leaders as due to the bad karma of the children suffering sex abuse and outside of their responsibility, the perpetrators avoid punishment or reporting to police.
- Social and psychological problems faced by ex-followers including multiple suicides with families.
- Rape and physical violence from families and partners of Brahma Kumaris.
- Questionable relationship with United Nations Organisation.
- Name changing from University to Organisation.
- Discreet historical revision and re-writing of their " God's " spoken word to avoid controversy, to accomodate increased world population, to change speculation over the timing of destruction of the world and other matters.
Sub-sects
Believing himself to be a reincarnation of Lekhraj Kirpalani's business partner, Virendra Dev Dikşi split away from main body of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organisation to form the Adhyatmik Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya or " P.B.K. movement " after being barred from B.K. Raja Yoga centres. Continues teaching and is considered to the the true channeller their guiding spirit or " God ".
German psychologist and high-profile Brahma Kumari Heidi Fittkau-Garthe was charged in the Canary Islands with a plot of murder-suicide in which 31 cult followers, including five children, were to ingest poison. After the suicides they were told they would be picked up by a spaceship and taken to an unspecified destination.
External links
- bkwsu.org Official website
- brahmakumaris.com Site based in India
- Xbkchat, a discussion forum mainly for ex-members of the Brahma Kumaris
- shivbaba.org.pl P.B.K. website
http://www.xbkchat.com - a meeting place for past members of Brahma Kumaris
See also
- Channelling
- Channeling (mediumistic)
- Hinduism
- New Religious Movement
- Yoga
- Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali