Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

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Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University


Formation 1932/1936
Type millenarianist New Religious Movement
Headquarters Rajasthan, India
Official languages Hindi, English
Founder Lekhraj Kripalani, known as "Brahma Baba" (1885-1969)
Budget USD$
Website Official international site

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya or Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a monastic, renunciants[1]or semi-monastic[2] Millenarian[3][4] New Religious Movement (NRM) of Indian origin."[5] It teaches a form of meditation[6]called Raja Yoga, although not classical Raja Yoga as described by Patanjali,[7] involving spirit possession[8] and mediumistic channelling[9][10]

Contents

[edit] Early history

In 1932, Lekhraj Khubechand Kirpalani (1885-1969, the BKWSU claims 1879[11]) retired from business in Calcutta, returned to Hyderabad, Sindh in North-West India,[12] and started holding satsang. Follower of the Vaishnavite Vallabhacharya Sect[13] and member of the exogamous Bhaiband community,[14] is said to have had 12 gurus.[15] After about three years, the group around him number rose to 500. In 1935, it was turned into a private institution called Om Mandli and a committee of 9, and subsequently 17 women members, was formed and followers called Prajapati Brahma-kumaris.[16] For the first 3 years, it created no controversies. Shortly after it founded a school called Om Nivas for the children of the order members. Kirpalani preached to the women simplicity, the "abondonment of sordid affairs" and was an outspoken critic of the depraved Bhaibund community.

The official history states that it was founded in 1936. Kirpalani was said to have had visions of the destruction of the world[17] through civil war, natural disaster and finally Nuclear Holocaust, one of Earth in a paradiscal state, and another of himself as the Hindu god Vishnu.[18] It is claimed that Lekhraj then had the experience of a spirit being entering him and speaking through his body.[19] Believing this being to be God, it was recalled in a BKWSU publication that his eyes glowed red[20] and all the room around him[21]

Controversy[22] and legal opposition arose between Kirpalani and the Bhaibund community in 1938 that grew to involve the Minister of Law and Order of the Sind Government and Hindu Independence Party. Under his influence one of Kirpalani's daughter left her husband, the son of an important member of the community, another of his daughters was married outside of the community against its wishes, three married women followers refused conjugal rights to their husbands and a widow left her family to join the group. Kirpalani was accused of forming a cult and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism, children were returned from his school[23] Lekhraj had described sex as "poison", "criminal assault," and "the gateway to hell".[24] The main complaint was that Om Mandli was preaching celebacy to unmarried girls and married women.[25].[26]

Amid picketing, physical attacks and a flurry of legal action from opponents[27] and due to opposition from their own families and local communities, Om Mandali was prompted to leave Hyderabad, Sindh to withdraw from their community but the Anti-Om Mandli Committee followed.[28]. After fourteen years [9], the gathering moved from Karachi to their current location in Mount Abu, Rajasthan[29] a Hindu pilgrimage.

[edit] Expansion

Om Shanti Bawan, the main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters
Om Shanti Bawan, the main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters

Where they had originally sought to escape the corruption, and perhaps more importantly, the persecution of the outside world, beginning in the 1950s the BK began a vigorous internationalisation programme involving various forms of proselyting activity,[30] establishing centers across India with female teachers. The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female however in the UK, for example, as many as 1/3 of the 42 centres are run by brothers.[31]. 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. Chryssides[32] (in 1999) gives a figure of regular students outside India as 5,715 and within the UK of 1,200.

[edit] Activities

The Brahma Kumaris continue conducting their traditional seven one-hour-long courses in their philosophy and open-eyed meditation. An organisation that once referred to membership as "death-in-life"[33] now, whilst still speaking in such terms to some extent, 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'.[34] This was a forerunner to the Living Values Education Programme.[35]

The Brahma Kumaris have also instigated a number of voluntary outreach programmes in prisons,[36] 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[37] 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.[38]. Professor Emeritus Frank Whaling noted "the spectacle of the University which has the word 'spiritual' written into its very name is now increasingly involved in frenetic activity on behalf of the world that is deemed to be beyond redemption in its present form."[39]. 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 organisation and obey its rules. Service requires active support of the movement, especially participating in its many proselytizing activities.[40]

[edit] Lifestyle

The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities and suffering.[41] As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle[42][43] that involves:

  • Absolute[44]/Complete (extreme and uncompromising)[45]celibacy[46][47] including no sex within marriage.[48] So long as chastity is followed marriage and family life will be allowed.[49]
  • Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet[50](excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other BKs ('Soul Conscious')[51][52]
  • Keeping a "Daily Chart" or journal as a means of spiritual self-progress.
  • Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.[53][54]
  • A high degree of physical cleanliness.
  • Regular early morning meditation at 4.00[55] to 4.45 am, called 'Amrit Vela'
  • Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 a.m.[56]
  • '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.[57]
  • BK's can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes.[58]
  • Companions (friends/family) should be good (satsang) soul-aware yogis as opposed to bhogis, those given over to worldly pleasures.[59]
  • 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). The movement is eager to hold on to recruits and to reclaim those who have fallen away.[60]
  • 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.[61]

[edit] Beliefs

In 1952, after a 14 year period of retreat during which Kirpalani 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.[62]. The movement has distinguished itself from Hinduism and projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion.[63] According to Dr. Kranenborg[64] and O'Donnell.[65] It has distinguished itself as being separate from Hinduism[66] Other beliefs include:

[edit] God

Between 1939 and 1949 the organisation stated that Lekhraj Kirpalani was thought to be the God[67] taking the name Prajapati Brahma, God the Creator in Hinduism.[68]

At some point later, this was revised to claim that God Shiva, or the ‘Supreme Soul’, possessed or entered Kirpalani in 1936[69] and started to teach humanity verbally. Contrary to the traditional view of the Hindu deity Shiva,[70] Shiva is claimed to be an eternal and benevolent point of conscious energy, the embodiment of love, knowledge and truth and beyond gender. BKs do not subscribe to God being omnipresent. Matter and human souls are also eternal and neither are created by God nor do they emerge from God. BKs also consider God’s roles to be creator, preserver and destroyer, through the symbol of the Trimurti[citation needed]. The name they use for God is ‘Shiva’ meaning The Benevolent One or, as a term of endearment, "Shiv Baba".

[edit] The Self

BKs believe that human and even animal souls are also an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. They say that souls 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 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.[71]

[edit] 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[72] 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 with the death of 6 Billion [10]. The Brahma Kumaris believe that all of life will die and return to Nirvana, then take birth in the forthcoming cycle at their predestined time and place. They further believe that during the first half of the cycle, procreation is possible without sexual intercourse, and through the power of yoga.[73]

Following the birth of Krishna at the start of the Golden Age, the initial population will comprise of 900,000 BKs reborn as deities.[74][75]

The aim of BK is to gain a high status in the coming paradise, perhaps even a select 108 who are 'totally victorious' and will rule. It is believed that members of the physical families of BKs 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.[76]

[edit] BK 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, the original purity of one's nature, and the nature of God. The practise of Raja Yoga is believed to enable spiritual progress, but it also has pragmatic benefits, for example, business success. Not infrequently BKs organize seminars on business management and on developing personal life skills."[77]

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.[78] 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".[79]

While staring (gazing into the eyes of an adept) at the teacher, many students experience visual hallucinations involving lights.[80]

[edit] Murlis

Unlike traditional forms of Hinduism, the Brahma Kumaris' teachings come not so much from ancient scriptures but from revelations given in trance states.[81]. However, the mediumistic messages known by BKs as "murlis" read at the 6.30 am meetings are slowly developing the nature of potential scriptures. The earlier ones channelled by Lekhraj Kirpalani while he was alive, are now repeated in a five year cycle. They are supplemented by later murlis received by Dadi Gulzar of Delhi in trance states, and these too are written down. According to Professor Emeritus Frank Whaling, the situation is this ripe for the development of a Brahma Kumaris 'scripture'.[82] There are two types of mediumistic messages; ‘sakar’ and ‘avyakt’;

Sakar Murlis refer to the original classes spoken by "Shiva" through the medium of Lekhraj Kirpalani in the 1960’s, before Lekhraj Kirpalani left his body in 1969. These include teachings by Shiva and also the life of personal spiritual endeavour of Lekhraj Kirpalani. Avyakt Vanis, or Murlis, are the teachings of Shiva and the soul of Lekhraj Kirpalani combined given after the death of Lekhraj Kirpalani through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar".[83] The BKs believe that the soul of Lekhraj Kirpalani 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.

The Murlis have been removed for sale or general public circulation,[84] and one must complete the Brahma Kumaris foundation course in order to attend morning murli class and the headquarters in India during the period when founder communicates via trance-medium[85]

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[86]

[edit] 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".[87]
  • Reincarnation happens from one human body to another only.[88]
  • Time is not linear but rather cyclical and 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.
  • 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.[89]
  • God incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks through their founder Lekhraj Kripalani which was 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.[90] as Gods and Goddesses.[91].

[edit] View of Christianity

Contrary to the beliefs of Christianity, just as the BKWSU claims God the Father was now sharing a body with Brahma Baba, in the same way Christ had entered the body of Jesus. The groups says it was Jesus who suffered on the cross, not Christ. Christ, the pure Son of God left the body early and went to take rebirth to help guide his fledgling religion into maturity. They claim that many more secrets about Christ and the other religious founders have been revealed by Baba.[92]

[edit] 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.[93]

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[94] and UNICEF.[95] 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 [11]
  • 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[12]
  • does not charge but accepts donations and government grants to support its services

[edit] Splinter movements

[edit] The Advance Party

Walliss mentions the advent of a breakaway movement referring to one of them as the Advance Party[96] elsewhere they are referred to the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris or PBKs.[97] He goes on to state that as Lekhraj Kirpalani'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.[98].

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 [him] every step of the way if [he] 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.[99]

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'[citation needed].

[edit] The Atman Foundation

The Atman Foundation was started by previously high profile Brahma Kumari, Dr. Fittkau-Garthe and become involved controversy in a 1998.[100][13].

[edit] Controversies

  • 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".[101]
  • The attendance of women of local wealthy families at Lekhraj's early gatherings provoked a hostile reaction from the local community. An article in Newsweek magazine portrayed Lekhraj as a modern-day Krishna surrounded by admiring gopis and as a justification for him to set up a harem of upper class women. The fact that Lakraj 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".[102]
  • Misandry- It is claimed by Brian Wilson, Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, that women control men in a complete role reversal. Women hold the highest spiritual positions while men serve in subordinate positions[103][104] and that women are primarily in the leadership and administrative roles[105] of the organization, a key reversal of traditional cultural structure of India.
  • Wallis states as per his research that the BKWSU has made "a number of prophetic failures".[106]
  • 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.[107]
  • 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.[108]
  • Through spiritual effort, BKs 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.[109]
  • Belief that Raja Yoga is the precursor to all world religions.[110]
  • The organisation has revised or re-written elements of its history and philosophy (Murlis) arguably falsfying historical dates.[citation needed]

[edit] Controversies in the Media

It is reported by the British tabloid the Mail on Sunday that the BKWSU has allegedly "used 'pernicious' methods to control its followers", the organisation being "notable for its sex ban". "Former members and the families of members have told me that (BKWSU) has driven a wedge between husband and wife," said Graham Baldwin a cult expert. "There have also been complaints that it encourages single women and widows to donate property and savings".[111][112]

The Mail on Sunday also quotes Ian Howarth, of the Cult Information Centre as saying: "I have the same concerns about this group that I have about the Moonies. People have come to us complaining that some loved ones who have got involved with it have undergone personality changes and have become alienated from their families." Answering allegations that Brahma Kumaris has wrecked marriages because of its sex ban, a BK spokeswoman is quoted as saying: "This is very much a minority thing. In any organisation there are people who gain a huge amount and that is what you need to focus on." The paper said she declined to comment on allegations that it encourages followers to donate property and savings."[113]

[edit] 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 Lekhraj Kirpalani. From the beginning, the group has used a number of mediums and trance-messengers [14] to receive messages from disincarnate beings or deceased members.[15][114] 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[115] for as long as 7 days.[citation needed] 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.[116].

The deceased human founder Lekhraj Kirpalani 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.[117][16].

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.[118].

[edit] People associated with the BKWSU

  • Dadi Prakash Mani "Kumarka"—Head Administrator[17][18]
  • Dadi Hirdaya Mohini “Gulzar”—Medium/Joint Administrative Head [19]
  • Dadi Janki Kripalani--Additional Administrative Head [20] [21] [22]
  • B.K. Jagdish Chander Hassija, author and Chief Spokesperson deceased[119]
  • Senior Sister in Charge of UK,Jayanti Kirpalani - European Director[23]
  • Senior Sister in Charge of US, Mohini Panjabi - Pres. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, Americas & Caribbean, Main Representative to the United Nations
  • Brother Nirvair - lecturer [24] (Google English translation [25])
  • BK Karuna, Chief of Multimedia, BrahmaKumaris[26][27]
  • 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 - lecturer
  • Brian Bacon--senior member of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and is a visiting faculty member at their headquarters in Mt Abu, India.[28]
  • Lee James - actor
  • Mike George--author
  • Robert Shubow, J.D.,PhD—Author, playwrite and psychologist,(exBK) past

[edit] Brahma Kumaris Publications

[edit] Books

Author
  • 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
  • Adi Dev: The First Man, Written by Jagdish Chander, Translation by Shanta Trivedi PhD, Edited by Robert Shubow1981, ASIN: B0006XWNQ0
  • 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

[edit] See also

[edit] Concepts associated with BKs

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bartholomeusz, Tessa J. Department of Religion, Florida University, John Clayton, (University of Lancaster), Steven Collins (University of Chicago) and Nicholas de Lange (University of Cambridge) "Women Under the Bo Tree,:Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions" 1994, ISBN 0-521-46129-4
  2. ^ http://www.abo.fi/comprel/temenos/temeno32/rothsten.htm
  3. ^ "Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: contemporary Apocalyptic Movements" By Thomas Robbins (Sociologist of religion) and Susan Pamer (Dawson College and Concordia University specializing in new religious movements., 1997, ISBN 0-415-91648-8
  4. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  5. ^ [1]Reflexive Traditions: New Religious Movements and the 'Negotiation' of Identity.-John Walliss, Ph.D University of Warwick, UK.
  6. ^ "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
  7. ^ [2]Professor Reender Kranenborgh from Free University of Amsterdam. All citations originate from this web article unless noted differently.
  8. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  9. ^ Channeling:Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources pg 100, Foreword by Charles T. Tart Professor of Psychology UC Davis 1996, by Jon Klimo Senior Faculty member at the Rosebridge Graduate School of Intergative Psychology, 1998 ISBN 1-55643-248-8
  10. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  11. ^ "Brahma Baba, born into a humble home as Lekhraj Kripilani in 1876, was the son of a village schoolmaster. Lekhraj was brought up within the disciplines of the Hindu tradition." [3]
  12. ^ Geographically Sindh is now part of Pakistan and has been so since the time of partition between India and Pakistan in 1947
  13. ^ The Brahma Kumaris as a ‘reflexive Tradition’: Responding to late modernity by Dr John Walliss, 2002,ISBN 0754609510
  14. ^ The Sindh Story, by K. R. Malkani. Karachi, Allied Publishers Private Limited, 1984.
  15. ^ Adi Dev, by Jagdish Chander Hassij, Third Edition, Brahma Kumaris Information Services, 2003.
  16. ^ Radhe, 1939
  17. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  18. ^ "Dada saw very powerful bombs with guided missiles that created havoc on earth. Gigantic fireballs, cities in flames, war and suffering were raging everywhere. When he received these visions, America had not dropped the first atomic bombs. What did this all mean? Dada also saw civil wars mainly in India, culminating in an awesome wave of natural catastrophes: floods and tidal waves, earthquakes and volcanoes, nature was out of balance. Dada began to tremble uncontrollably witnessing the scenes of this great world wide transformation. But there was no escape. Then the silent aftermath. Dada, who had never shed a tear, was weeping now. “Oh, God, please stop this, please stop this!” he cried. "Vishnu appeared again. This time he spoke, "I am the four-armed, and so are you." What did this mean? Was he like God? Dada was confused. His first thought went to his guru, "Who else would grant me this blessing?" But the guru denied giving anything. So, Dada thought, this blessing was granted by God Himself."
  19. ^ From World Rejection to Ambivalence: The Development of Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris. Walliss, John; Journal of Contemporary Religion; Oct99, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p375, 11p
  20. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.com/aboutus/descentofgod.htm
  21. ^ The eyes of Dada had become completely red, as if a red light was glowing inside him. His whole face had become red, and even the room was now illumined, with reddish, otherworldly glow. And something began to happen inside me too! I felt bodiless! How can I describe it? I was there and yet I wasn’t. I was simply light. My mind felt clearer than it ever had been. I heard a sound from above. It was as if through the mouth of Dada, Someone else was speaking! That voice was so very quiet at first, then it grew louder and louder. It was stunning, not frightening, but simply awe-inspiring. The voice spoke thus: Nijanand Rupam Shivoham Shivoham Gyan Swarupam Shivoham Shivoham Prakash Swarupam Shivoham Shivoham Nijanand Swarup, Gyan Swarup, Prakash Swarup. Translation: I am the Blissful Self, I am Shiva; I am Shiva ... I am the Knowledgeful Self, I am Shiva; I am Shiva .. I am the Luminous Self, I am Shiva; I am Shiva .. I am the Form of Self, the Form of Knowledge, the Form of Light. To this day, I cannot forget that voice, nor that scene. The atmosphere was electric, more than realm and my condition of feeling as if without a body is still alive in my memory. As soon as Dada opened his eyes, he started looking around with great wonder. Whatever he had seen had jolted to the core of his being.
  22. ^ http://yangtze.cs.uiuc.edu/~jamali/sindh/story/
  23. ^ 'Brahma-Kumari Radhe, Om Mandli & the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908' 1939, Pharmacy Printing Press, ISBN: B00089UWHE p.6-9, p.35-36
  24. ^ Historical dictionary of New Religious Movements by George Chryssides
  25. ^ "'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." The New Believers by David V. Barrett, Cassell & Co ISBN 0-304-35592-5, 2001.
  26. ^ 'Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris: A Spiritual Revolution', Hodgkinson, L. (1999)ISBN 0-7126-7033-5
  27. ^ "Amid a flurry of legal action from opponents, Om Mandali moved from Hyderabad to establish the Avinashi Gyan Yagya Camp in Karachi". The New Believers by David V. Barrett, Cassell & Co ISBN 0-304-35592-5, 2001.
  28. ^ "The call for women brahmins (i.e. kumari 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". Julia Day Howell, p 63-64 'Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements', edited by Peter B. Clarke, Routledge 2006. ISBN 0-415-26707-2
  29. ^ Adi Dev: The first man by Jagdish Chander, Edited by Robert Shubow, J.D. 1983 ASIN B000JXGFWK
  30. ^ Howell and Nelson 1998
  31. ^ "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." 'Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: Clarification of the Brahma Kumari Case', Howell, Julia. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion; Sep 98, Vol. 37 Issue 3, p453-461, 9p. Julia Day Howell is Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Asian and International Studies, Griffith University, Australia
  32. ^ Chryssides, 1999
  33. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  34. ^ [4] Journal of Beliefs and Values, Vol.24, No.1, 2003 Religious Organisations in the UK and Values Education Programmes for Schools by Eleanor Nesbitt, Senior lecturer in Religions and Education, University of Warwick, UK and Ann Henderson, Research Fellow from The University of Warwick, UK.
  35. ^ http://www.livingvalues.net/about/index.html
  36. ^ It’s Always Possible:One Woman’s Transformation of India’s Prison System, Kiran Bedi, Ph.D., Foreword by H.H. the Dalai Lama, page 151-153, 2006. (1999) ISBN 13: 978-0-89389-258-6
  37. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg107-109, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  38. ^ Howell and Nelson, 1998
  39. ^ Whaling, Professor F. 1995.
  40. ^ Walliss, 2002. p 129.
  41. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  42. ^ "Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris, A Spiritual Revolution" by Hodgkinson, Liz, 2002, ISBN 1-55874-962-4
  43. ^ Lochtefeld, James G. Ph.D. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I ISBN 0-8239-3179-X, entry "Brahma Kumaris" New York Rosen 2002
  44. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  45. ^ "New Religious Movements" by Bryan Wilson, Reader Emeritus in Sociology at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Jamie Cresswell, Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, 199, ISBN 0415200490
  46. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  47. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  48. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  49. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  50. ^ "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
  51. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  52. ^ 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.".
  53. ^ "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
  54. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  55. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  56. ^ "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
  57. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg 118,1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  58. ^ Barker, Eileen in Hinnells, John (Editor), The Penguin Dictionary of Religions (1997), ISBN 0-14-051261-6 page 79
    "Brahma Kumaris [XXVIII] 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 [his] 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 [5:168-70; 42:909-10]"
    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
  59. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  60. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg130, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  61. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  62. ^ [5]From World Rejection to Ambivalence:The development in Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris." by John Walliss. Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol.14,N 3, 1999
  63. ^ "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".Howell Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements edited by Peter B. Clarke, Routledge 2006
  64. ^ [6]Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?", 1999
  65. ^ [7]
  66. ^ "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".Howell Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements edited by Peter B. Clarke, Routledge 2006
  67. ^ "The garb of religion is used to cover Dada Lekhraj's activities. He knows nothing of religion and has never practised any. His cult furthers the object he has in view. He is God, the members of the Om Mandli to whom he imparts Gian become Gods; a God can commit no sin............they cannot sin", 'Brahma-Kumari Radhe, Om Mandli & the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908' 1939, Pharmacy Printing Press, ISBN: B00089UWHE p 36 quoting the Karachi Court papers.
  68. ^ "World Almightly Authority, Prajapati God Brahma, who has revealed His identity as the well-known Lord Shree Krishna Himself in His next birth in childhood and Sree Narain after coronation) has re-incarnated in ordinary human form along with His 108 most beloved luckiest Divine Ones". Sind Observer Press, Karachi No. 2326-250 9-1949.
  69. ^ Chander, jagdish. 'The Way and the Goal of Raja Yoga', 1977, National Printers, Delhi.
  70. ^ "Lekhraj himself began to experience the regular in-dwelling of Shiva, whom he identified as "the supreme soul' (more akin to the Christian One God than a deity in Hindu patheism of henotheistic worship)". Julia Day Howell, p 63 and 64. "Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements" edited by Peter B. Clarke, Routledge 2006 0-415-26707-2
  71. ^ http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1985/09/1985-09-07.shtml "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."
  72. ^ 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.
  73. ^ "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
  74. ^ "making the total of 900,000 souls at the beginning of the Golden Age". Walliss, 2002
  75. ^ "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 [Sath Yug] comes after the world destruction, it would only be heaven on earth. People there would literally be deities". 'Year 2000 doomed: Mankind destroyed' [Exclusive report on imminent world destruction] by Keerthi Kelegama 1998. ISBN 955-95823-3-X
  76. ^ Walliss, 2002. p 128, 129
  77. ^ Historical dictionary of New Religious Movements by George D. Chryssides Dr George D. Chryssides, senior lecturer /Head of Religious Studies, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences, Uni of Wolverhampton, Scarecrow Press, Maryland 2001. ISBN 0-8108-4095-2
  78. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg 119, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  79. ^ 'Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism', Lawrence A Babb, Professor of Asian Languages and Civilizations and Professor of Anthropology, Amherst Collece MA.
  80. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, pg 120, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  81. ^ ""unlike traditional forms of Hinduism, their teachings come not so much from ancient scriptures but from revelations given in trance states. "".'New Believers'. Barrett as above
  82. ^ encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities. Partridge 2004.
  83. ^ http://www.brahmakumaris.org.in/Landmarks.htm
  84. ^ the Spiritual Powers of the Soul, extracts from Shiva Baba’s Murlis, Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, NSW Australia, “You hold in your hands collected extracts from the statements made by God over the past decades. The Brahma Kumaris call Him the incorporeal Supreme Soul, the Supreme Father, Shiva. Through his medium, Prajapita Brahma, He has been speaking since 1936”.1999, ISBN 0-9587230-8-7
  85. ^ "in order to progress to the next stage of membership - the visit to the University's headquarters in Rajasthan during the period where its deceased founder communicates via trance-medium - they have to not only demonstrate their commitment by following the recommended lifestyle but also, more importantly, be seen to be doing so by the university. this is intrinsically linked with the second technique, the 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 [and expressed] without apology, translation or dilution". Howell and Nelson, 1998.
  86. ^ "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 [and expressed] without apology, translation or dilution". Howell and Nelson, 1998.
  87. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  88. ^ Redemptive Encounters:Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition, Lawrence A. Babb, 1986, ISBN 1-57766-153-2
  89. ^ "Peace and Purity", by Liz Hodgkinson, 1999, p195. ISBN 0712670335
  90. ^ "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." Julia Day Howell p 63 and 64 Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements edited by Peter B. Clarke, Routledge 2006 ISBN 0-415-26707-2
  91. ^ "The BKs wish to become gods and goddesses". 'Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism', Babb, Lawrence A
  92. ^ "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". Chryssides, George D. and Margaret Z. Wilkins. 'A Reader in New Religious Movements'. p 270 ISBN 0-80826-6168-9
  93. ^ http://www.ghrc-abu.com/aboutus.htm
  94. ^ http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/docs/1998/e1998-8.htm
  95. ^ [8] List of UN NGO and respective status within UNICEF.
  96. ^ "Another rendition of the University's Millenarianism [is] 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." Walliss, John 'The Brahma Kumaris as a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity' Ashgate Publishing, 2002.
  97. ^ http://www.shivbaba.org.pl/
  98. ^ Walliss, 202, p. 96
  99. ^ 'p.99, 'The Brahma Kumaris as a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity' Ashgate Publishing, 2002' by Dr Walliss, John
  100. ^ "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
  101. ^ John Walliss, 'When prophecy fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the pursuit of the millennium/s'
  102. ^ Johm 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"
  103. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  104. ^ "New Religious Movements" by Bryan Wilson, Reader Emeritus in Sociology at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Jamie Cresswell, Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, 199, ISBN 0415200490
  105. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  106. ^ "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
  107. ^ "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
  108. ^ "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
  109. ^ "Members of the Brahma Kumari movement enter this fifth era [Confluence Age] 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
  110. ^ "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
  111. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=426903&in_page_id=1770
  112. ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1073280
  113. ^ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23380710-details/PM's+wife+swops+best+friend+for+a+bisexual+Druid+priestess/article.do The PM's wife, the Druid priestess and the no-sex guru
  114. ^ "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."
  115. ^ "in the past members of the movement engaged in ecstatic dances associated with their visions". Babbs
  116. ^ http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1983/10/1983-10-03.shtml
  117. ^ "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"
  118. ^ "New Religious Movements: challenge and response" Edited by Bryan Wilson (Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford) and Jamie Creswell (Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy European Centre), Contributors Eileen Barker, James Beckford, Anthony Bradney, Colin Campbell, George Chryssies, Peter Clarke, Paul Heelas, Massimo Introvigne, Lawrence Lilliston, Godeon Melton, Elizabeth Puttick, Gary Sherpherd, Colin Slee, Frank Usarski and Bryan Wilson. 1999, ISBN 0-415-20049-0
  119. ^ ATTENDANCE OF THE BETTER WORLD DIALOGUE 8TH SEPTEMBER 1993 UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS

[edit] Bibliography

  • Hassaji, Jagdish Chander (2003 (orig.1981)). Adi Dev, Translated from Hindi by Shanta Trivedi PhD, Third Edition, London: [Brahma Kumaris Information Services]. 
  • Hodgkinson, Liz (1999). Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris: A Spiritual Revolution. London: Rider. 
  • Howell, Julia (Sep 1998). "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37 (3): 453-461. 
  • Wallis, John (Oct 1999). "From World Rejection to Ambivalence: The Development of Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris.". Journal of Contemporary Religion 14 (3): 375-386. 

[edit] Further reading

  • 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, [29], 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 [30]
  • Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion? "[31], 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. [32]
  • 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
  • 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 [33]
  • BK Jayanti. "Valuing the Future : Education for Spiritual Development", 1999 [34]
  • Interreligious Insight. "Brahma Kumaris, World Spiritual University", [35]
  • 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.
  • Beam them up, Heidi - Remembering the Las Cañadas suicide sect scare. [36]
  • A Critique of the BK Philosophy as presented in the 7 Day Course, By Andy Harangozo [37]
  • Report on Child Abuse,Beliefs and Lifestyle[38]
  • Pamphlets Take a Closer Look,The Successful Subtle Soft-sell of Raja Yoga By CCG Training Institute, Australia March 1989

[edit] External links

[edit] BK

[edit] Critical

[edit] Christian

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