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AUM or OM is considered by the Arya Samaj to be the highest and most proper name of God.
The teachings of Swami Dayanand reached Guyana in the early 1900s but it was the arrival of missionary, Bhai Parmanand, in 1910 that led to the growth of Arya Samaj throughout the Colony. Arya Samaj doctrine rejected the idea of caste and the exclusive role of brahmins as religious leaders. The movement preaches monotheism and opposition to the use of images in worship as well as many traditional Hindu rituals. Caste distinctions are all but forgotten among Guyanese Hindus
[edit] Establishment
In 1921 the first Arya Samaj was formed and the movement continued to gain impetus as more people started to appreciate the Vedic teachings. The arrival of a second Vedic missionary, Pandit Mehta Jaimini in 1929 led to centralised control and organisation of the Arya Samaj. Other missionaries arrived in 1935, and in 1936 Pandit Bhaskaranand arrived and remained in Guyana for ten years organising the various Samajs. The American Aryan League, the parent body for all the Arya Samajs in the country, was established in 1937 and registered under the friendly societies ordinance in 1938. A building to house the headquarters of the League was also established. Pandit Usharbudh Arya arrived in 1955 and one his his greatest contributions was the establishment of the Arya Vir Dal - directed at the youth.
[edit] Consolidation
The Arya Samaj in Guyana has 40,000 members, with thirty-five Arya Samajs affiliated to the American Aryan League. Regular prayer meeting are held at the various meeting halls. There is a council of priests , Arya Pracharak Mandal, which ensures that the activities of the Samaj is conducted in accordance with the scriptures. In 1973, the Guyana Aryan Youth League was launched which cooporates with the parent body in the achievement of its objectives and playsa major part in organising weekly services. The American Aryan League also runs a primary and a post-primary school.
[edit] References
- Vidyalankar, Nardev; Manohar Somera (1975). Arya Samaj and Indians abroad. New Delhi, India: Sarvadeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, pp. 157 - 163.
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