|
|
|
|
|
Survey Of Hindu OrganisationsA Survey of Hindu Organisations Scope The article presents a comparitive overview of the leading Hindu organisations of India. For details on the institutions themselves, or for about the founders - go to the relavent article on them in wikipedia. Since it is intended to present here the overall view of these organisations, for comparitive study, their activities are not dealt with in detail. See Talk page for discussion on details Introduction Hindu philosophy believes that there exist several paths to attain God, and one can choose any path depending on his/her individual nature. Several hindu organisations exist, which represent a particular philosophy or followers of particular saint etc. Founder Swami Vivekananda in the name of his Guru Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Year & Place of Founding Started as Ramakrishna Mission Association on 1 May, 1897 in Kolkata Aims & Ideals "Atmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaya cha"- for one's own liberation and for the welfare of the world Monastic / Non-monastic Consists of both monastic members and house-holders General philosophical outlook Non sectarian body Spiritual disciplines generally advocated A combination of Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga Administrative set-up Headquarters at Belur in West Bengal. The President is the spiritual head. The General Secretaries are the administrative heads. A Trust manages the activites. Branch centres are headed by the local Presidents, who are assistasted by other monks. Provision for joining People aspiring to become monastic members, should be graduates and of below 30 years. During the probation period of 5 years, training is imparted at the headquarters. They work in different centres before they are finally given the vows of Monasticism. Non monastic members are any followers of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, sometimes initiated with mantra-deeksha. Activities Religion & Spirituality Publication of magazines, books, multimedia etc. Discourses and retreats are also arranged. Social Field Active in the field of education, rurual development, orphanages etc Cultural Field Relief activities Takes up relief activites during famines, earth-quakes, floods etc. Province of its influence Chiefly Bengal, but has over 100 centres spread all over India. Western centres are known as Vedanta Societies. Has over 1000 monastic members. Present chief of the movement Swami Ranganathananda is the present president of the Order. Major publications Related Links Chinmaya Mission Founder Devotees of Swami Chinmayananda Year & Place of Founding 1953, India Aims & Ideals Chinmaya Mission Pledge We stand as one family Bound to each other with love and respect. We serve as an army Courageous and disciplined Ever ready to fight against all low tendencies And false values, within and without us. We live honestly The noble life of sacrifice and service Producing more than what we consume And giving more than what we take. We seek the Lords grace To keep us on the path of virtue, courage and wisdom. May Thy grace and blessings flow through us To the world around us. We believe that the service of our country Is the service of the Lord of lords And devotion to the people Is the devotion to the Supreme Self. We know our responsibilities Give us the ability and courage to fulfill them. Om Tat Sat Monastic / Non-monastic Monastic and house-holders General philosophical outlook Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up Adminstered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai Provision for joining Activities At all mission centres in India and Abroad following activities are conducted every week: - Balvihar for children 5 to 14
- Yuva Kendra for the age group of 16 to 28
- Study Groups for Adults
Religion & Spirituality - Temples
- In india - 24
- Abroad - more than 7
Social Field - Medical
- Hospital - 1
- Nurses Training Centre - 1
- Diagnostic Centre - 14
- Eye camp in the rural areas - 1
- Adoption of villages for providing social and medical relief - 120
- Senior Citizen Homes - 8
- Income generating schemes for downtrodden women - 1
- Rural Development Project - 1
- Children Welfare Centre - 1
- Goshalas - 4
- EDUCATION
- Schools (Regular) - 70
- Chinmaya International Residential School - 1
- Harihar Schools (Free education & vocational training for downtrodden children for self sufficiency) - 3
- Colleges - 4
- Degree College - 1
- Chinmaya Institute of Higher Learning - 1
- Chinmaya Heritage Centre - 1
- Value based Vision Programme for schools (Regularly conducted in various parts of India)
- Institute of Management - 1
Cultural Field Imparting knowledge of Indian Scriptures in English & Regional languages (Free two years residential course, for college graduate students) - 6 - Seminars on Public Speaking for Youth
- Leadership & Personality Development for Youth & Adults
- Kala Mandir - 2
- Centre for World Understanding - 1
- Research on Indian Scriptures
Relief activities Province of its influence South India and among Indian communities in America, UK etc. Present chief of the movement Swami Tejomayananda Major publications - Magazines
- Bal Vihar - monthly
- Tapovan Prasad - monthly
- Chinmaya Udgosh - monthly
Related Links Aurobindo Ashrama Founder Shri Aurobindo Ghosh Year & Place of Founding 1926, Pondichery, India Aims & Ideals A complete method of Yoga that would transform human nature to divine life. In Aurobindo's system, the highest aim is the being of one, without the renunciation of life in the world. Such a fulfillment of the consciousness, the urge for perfection, must not be confined to few individuals but must extend to the masses, leading to a new type of being that is "eternal, self-existing, and inalienable". Monastic / Non-monastic Non-monastic General philosophical outlook Aurobindo lays the foundation of his inquiry by focusing on the contradiction between the mundane human existence and the human desire to acquire a divine perfection in life. By introducing the category of evolution, he wants to resolve the paradox of the human being's delimited consciousness and his desire to be identical with a divine form. Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust Provision for joining Anyone can join at any time. Theres no method, no period and no training as such. Its the only self-practice to reach the higher mind, eternal state and the continuous help will be sourced only from Divine and no one else. Activities Religion & Spirituality Meditation camps and study circles Social Field Schools Cultural Field Relief activities Province of its influence Present chief of the movement Major publications - Savitri: A legend and a Symbol
- Letters on Yoga
- The Life Divine
- The Mother
External Links Vivekananda Kendra Founder Shri Ekanath Ranade Year & Place of Founding 7th Jan, 1972 in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, India Aims & Ideals Monastic / Non-monastic Householders or celibate followers General philosophical outlook Spiritual Nationalism as preached and practiced by Swami Vivekananda Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up Provision for joining The whole time workers are of three categories. - Jeenavrati or life worker the young men and women who join Kendra for life
- Sevavrati who joins Kendra for specific period of time
- Vanaprasthi who join Kendra after their retirement
To mould dedicated workers, the Kendra adopts a methodology unique to it by organising 'Yoga varga' (class), 'Bal-samskar varga', 'Swadhyaya varga' and training camps. The training centre is located at Vivekananda Kendra Prashikshan va Seva Prakalpa, Nashik, Maharashtra Activities Conducts Yoga classes, seminars, rural development activites Religion & Spirituality Social Field - Schools in Arunachal Pradesh - Arun Jyothi
- Vivekananda Kendra Medical and Research Foundation in Arunachal Pradesh
Cultural Field - Vivekananda Kendra Institute Of Culture, Guwahati
- Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur, Tamil Nadu
Relief activities Province of its influence Mainly North-East India; Over 200 full-time dedicated workers, 170 branch centres spread over 18 States of India Present chief of the movement Shri P. Parameshwaran Major publications - Yuva Bharati - English monthly
- Kendra Bharati - Hindi monthly
- Vivekananda Kendra Patrika - a thematic six-monthly cultural magazine
- Vivek Vichar - Marathi
- Jagruti - English & Assamese
- Vivek Sudha - Gujarati
- Vivek Vani - Tamil
- India's contribution to World Thought and Culture
- Comprehensive Biography of Swami Vivekananda : Prof. S.N. Dhar in two parts.
- Sadhana of Service : A manual for Social Workers
- Story of Rock Memorial : Shri Eknath Ranade
- The Goal and the Way
- Heart Beat of Hindu Nation
- Gita for Daily Life
External Links Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha Founder Dr. K.B. Hedgewar Year & Place of Founding On Vijayadashami, 1925, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India Aims & Ideals Serving nation and its people in the form of God - Bharata Mata Monastic / Non-monastic Householders and celibate workers; either part time or full time General philosophical outlook Cultural nationalism Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Individual is free to follow the spiritual disciplines as practiced by their community and preached by their respective Gurus Administrative set-up Sarasanghachalak is the supreme head and he in turn appoints the next head. He is assisted by Sarkaryavaha and sah-Sarkaryavaha etc. The entire administrative team is called KaryakariniThe nodal centres are called Shakhas. Currently there are over 25,000 shakhas all over India Provision for joining Anybody can participate in Shakha activities, which include prayer, discussions followed by physical exercises Activities The largest voluntary organisation in World. It operates through several organisations, independent in administration, in the field of religion, culture and politics Religion & Spirituality Yoga classes and boudhik shibirs Social Field Cultural Field Relief activities Highly active at the times of natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, drought and train-accidents etc. Province of its influence Throughout India and also abroad in Hindu communities Present chief of the movement Shri K. S. Sudarshan Major publications Related Links Swami Narayana Sect Founder Sahajananda, also known as Swami Narayana Year & Place of Founding In the beginning of 19th Century, Gujarat, India Aims & Ideals Monastic / Non-monastic Has both monastic and householder followers General philosophical outlook Main scriptures followed are: Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Swaminarayan devotees begin the day with puja and meditation, work or study honestly and donate regular hours in serving others. No Stealing, no Adultery, no Alcohol, no Meat, no Impurity of body and mind - these are the five principal vows. Administrative set-up Provision for joining Activities Religion & Spirituality Social Field Cultural Field Relief activities Province of its influence Prominent in Gujarat and amongst Gujarati community members. Its international network has flourished into 2,710 Youth, 4,070 Children and 1,320 Women centers, 700 sadhus, 45,000 volunteers and the dedication of over one million followers, with more than 500 temples and 8100 centers in 45 countries. Present chief of the movement Pramukh Swami Maharaj of Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Major publications List of Publications External Links Founder H.P. Blavatsky and others founded the Theosophical Society. This got split with Indian section headed by Henry Steel Olcott and Annie Besant Year & Place of Founding Aims & Ideals - To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color.
- To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy and Science.
- To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man.
Monastic / Non-monastic Householders or celibates General philosophical outlook - There exists a Consciousness (Logos), Universal and Individual
- Immortality of Man
- Belief in Reincarnation
- Belief in theory of Karma
- Universal Brotherhood
- Evolution is God's plan and every indiviudal ascneds to Divinity
Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up The President is elected every seven years by members all over the world. The Vice-President acts on behalf of the President as necessary and assists him or her in various ways. The Secretary handles worldwide correspondence, maintains records including statistics of the worldwide membership of the Society, its Lodges and Sections, and is responsible for producing an annual report. He/she is also the Secretary of the General Council and the Executive Committee of the Society. This Committee, which meets a number of times each year, implements the decisions of the General Council, and makes financial and administrative decisions relating to the Society's Headquarters. The Treasurer is responsible for the finances of the Society, and prepares an annual financial report. Provision for joining Activities Religion & Spirituality Discourses are held regularly. Members individually practice mediatation. Social Field - The Olcott Education Society
- The Olcott Memorial School
- The Olcott Memorial High School
Cultural Field - Theosophical Publishing House
Relief activities Province of its influence Present chief of the movement Mrs. Radha Burnier is the President Major publications Magazines - The Theosophist - English monthly
- Adyar Newsletter - quarterly journal
- Wake Up India - quarterly journal
- The Theosophical Digest - quarterly journal
Books - The Key to Theosophy - H. P. Blavatsky
- An Outline of Theosophy - C.W. Leadbeater
- The Ancient Wisdom - Annie Besant
- At the Feet of the Master - Alcyone
- First Principles of Theosophy - C. Jinarajadasa
- Light on the Path - Mabel Collins
- Seven Great Religions - Annie Besant
Related Links Art of Living Foundation Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Year & Place of Founding 1982, Bangalore, India Aims & Ideals Monastic / Non-monastic Householders and celibate General philosophical outlook Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up Provision for joining Activities Religion & Spirituality Social Field Cultural Field Province of its influence Active in over 140 countries Present chief of the movement Sri Sri Ravi Shankar - Celebrating Silence - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
- Rishimukh - English monthly
Related Links Lingāyat Movement Founder Basavanna along with Allama Prabhu, Chenna Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi revived this socio-religious Bhakti movement. Some believe that saint Renukācharya founded veera-shaivism Year & Place of Founding When Lingayats came to be considered as a separate sect is not clear. Many of the leading personalities belong to 12th Century AD. The place was Kalyan, North of Karnataka, India Aims & Ideals Lingayats believe in supreme godhead whom they call as Shiva, who is sagunātmaka (with attributes) but nirākara (without form). They were Lingam, symbol of their chosen deity on their body. Monastic / Non-monastic Includes both monastic and householder followers. General philosophical outlook Veera Shaivism's means of attainment depends on the panchāchāra (five codes of conduct) and ashtāvarana (eight shields) to protect the body as the abode of the Lord. The five codes are: - Lingāchāra - daily worship of the personal Sivalinga
- Sadāchāra - attention to vocation and duty
- Sivāchāra - acknowledging Siva as the one God and equality among members
- Bhrityāchāra - humility towards all creatures
- Ganāchāra (defense of the community and its tenets)
The eight protections are: Guru, Linga, Jangama (wandering monk), Pāduka (water from bathing the Linga or guru's feet), Prasāda (sacred offering), Vibhuti (holy ash), Rudrāksha (holy beads) and Mantra (Namah Sivaya) Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Ishta-linga is worn on the body; and is regularly worshipped. By leading noble life and dedicated service, one can attain the liberation. Administrative set-up The community is headed by sevaral mathas. All India Veerashaiva Provision for joining One becomes a Lingayat through formal initiation called Linga Diksha, a rite, enjoins the devotee to worship the personal Sivalinga daily. There are several training centres attached to maths for training the monastic members. The training includes study of scriptures such as agamas, vachanas and other literature. Activities Religion & Spirituality Different math leaders serve the local public through sprititual and religious discourses. Social Field The Lingayat community has been very active in the field of imparting free education. Thousands of schools are run by local mathas, where free education, many a times with boarding facilities is provided to students of all sections of Hinduism. In modern days also, several of the major educational institutes are run efficeintly by them. Major Colleges of Enigneering JSS institue is one of the largest educations in India. To illustrate this point, a list is given. - Primary & Secondary education
11 pre-primary schools, 12 primary schools, 44 high schools, 6 schools, 2 free schools, school for physically and mentally challenged children, 10 pre-university colleges, 7 arts and commerce colleges, 1 law college etc. 3 engineering colleges, 4 polytechnic colleges, 3 industrial training centres etc. Ayurvedic college, Dental college, Hospitals, Naturopathy college, Physiotherapy colleges, Pharmecy college, Medical colleges etc. 3 teachers' training institutes Cultural Field - Preservation of Traditional scriptures and publication of contemporary literature
Relief activities Province of its influence The Lingayat community is very active in all spheres of life in Northern Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Their number may be around 1 crore. Present chief of the movement The chief religious leaders of the movement include - Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji, Tumkur
- Sharana Basappa Appa, Gulbarga
- Dr.Shivamurthy Shivacharya, Taralabalu
- Dr. Siddhalinga mahaswamigalu, Gadag
Major publications - Samagra Vachana Samputa (Vol. 1 to 10) - Kannada Sahitya Parishat publication
- Shoonya Sampadane
Related Links Yogoda Satsanga Society Founder Paramahamsa Yogananda is the founder of Yogada Satsang Society. Abroad, it is known as Self Realisation Fellowship. Year & Place of Founding 1917, Dakshineshwar, Kolkota, India Aims & Ideals - To disseminate among the nations a knowledge of definite scientific techniques for attaining direct personal experience of God.
- To teach that the purpose of life is the evolution, through self-effort of man's limited mortal consciousness into God Consciousness; and to this end to establish Self-Realization Fellowship temples for God-communion throughout the world, and to encourage the establishment of individual temples of God in the homes and in the hearts of men.
- To reveal the complete harmony and basic oneness of original Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and original Yoga as taught by Bhagavan Krishna; and to show that these principles of truth are the common scientific foundation of all true religions.
- To point out the one divine highway to which all paths of true religious beliefs eventually lead: the highway of daily, scientific, devotional meditation on God.
- To liberate man from his threefold suffering: physical disease, mental inharmonies, and spiritual ignorance.
- To encourage "plain living and high thinking"; and to spread a spirit of brotherhood among all peoples by teaching the eternal basis of their unity: kinship with God.
- To demonstrate the superiority of mind over body, of soul over mind.
- To overcome evil by good, sorrow by joy, cruelty by kindness, ignorance by wisdom.
- To unite science and religion through realization of the unity of their underlying principles.
- To advocate cultural and spiritual understanding between East and West, and the exchange of their finest distinctive features.
- To serve mankind as one's larger Self.
Monastic / Non-monastic Monastic(includes Monks and Nuns) and house-holders General philosophical outlook Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Kriya Yoga a from of pranayama breathing and meditation technique Administrative set-up - Indian headquarters at Dakshnieshwar
- International headquarters is in Los Angeles, USA
Provision for joining House-holder followers who practice Kriya Yoga. For becoming monastic member one should be single, in sound physical and mental health, free of family and other obligations, have studied the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for at least one year, and between the ages of 18 and 35. Activities Religion & Spirituality Society has around 500 meditation centres in 54 countries Social Field - 21 educational institutions in India
Cultural Field Relief activities Province of its influence India and abroad Present chief of the movement Sri Daya Mata Major publications - Autobiography of a Yogi Paramahamsa Yogananda
- Mans Eternal Quest Paramahamsa Yogananda
- The Divine Romance Paramahamsa Yogananda
Related Links ISKCON or International Society for Krishna Consciousness is popularly called as Hare Krishna movement. Founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Year & Place of Founding July 1966, in New York City Aims & Ideals - To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
- To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
- To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
- To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
- To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
- With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
Monastic / Non-monastic Monastic and house-holders General philosophical outlook Hare Krishna devotees understand Krishna to be non-different from Vishnu, and the highest form of God, or "the Supreme Personality of Godhead", and Radha to be his female counterpart, the embodiment of love. They follow a disciplic line of Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Hare Krishnas conduct includes strict following of vegetarianism, abstinence from gambling and alcohol, sex outside marriage, and intoxication. They spend their time in chanting the name of Krishna
"Hare Rāma Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare Hare |
Hare Kṛṣna Hare Kṛṣna, Kṛṣna Kṛṣna Hare Hare || " Administrative set-up The branches are autonomous administrative bodies. The Governing Body Commission (GBC) acts as the final authority. Provision for joining The monastic members and full time devotees - also known as temple devotees - reside in the temple and actively participate in all the programmes of the centre. Thereupon they will be given initiation depending on the conduct. The GBC maintains a list of such people. The congregational devotees live outside the temple and take active participation in temple programmes. Activities Unlike other sects of Hinduism, ISKCON is a evangelical institution. The devotees actively spread the message of Krishna Consciousness. Religion & Spirituality - ISKCON Prison Ministry - for the counselling of prisoners
Social Field - Akshaya Pātra - free mid-day meal scheme for school children in Karnataka, India conducted by the Bangalore centre is the most famous scheme. Currently it feeds 59,000 rural children in 258 schools everyday.
- ISKCON runs around 50 schools
Cultural Field - The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, publishes vedic texts as interpreted in ISKCON in several languages including non-Indian.
- Vrindavana Institute for Higher Education, Vrindavan
Relief activities Province of its influence Has world wide presence with 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees. Apart from these thousands of Hindus visit the Radha-Krishna temples. Present chief of the movement Srila Prabhupada is considered the chief of movement. GBC acts as the central body. The branch centre heads are the chiefs of respective temples and they control the activities. Major publications - Bhagavad-gītā As It Is
- Śrīmad Bhāgavatam
- Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta
- Back to Godhead
Related Links Arsha Vidya Gurukulam Founder Swami Dayananda Saraswati Year & Place of Founding 1986 Aims & Ideals Monastic / Non-monastic monastic and lay devotees; a non-sectarian body General philosophical outlook Advaitic Vedanta Philosophy Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up SEVA organisation is run by the board of trustees, which has representation from all the sects of Hinduism. Provision for joining One can become a Sevak, a volunteer at AIM for SEVA. By forming a group, local centres can be started. Activities Religion & Spirituality Temples in US of A, kids classes, Bhagavad Gita classes etc. Gurukulam branches are present at Coimbatore, Rishikesh etc. Social Field Through All India Movement for Seva, headed by former President of India R. Venkataraman, service is being rendered to the people. - Stundent Homes - 15; Adopted Govt. Schools - 10; over 100 pre-schools; 2 schools for mentally challenged kids; Yoga institution and funding for high schools
- 3 hospitals with total 100 bed facility; 4 mobile health centres & several health checkup camps
- Handicrafts project; Self-help groups and suhrat micro-finance programmes
Cultural Field Through Sevya handicrafts are being preserved and the artisans are supported by providing market to their products. Relief activities Environment projects such as Construction of Roads to remote villages; Planting campaigns; Water projects; cleaning and sanitation etc. Province of its influence Active in several states of India such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Union territory of Chandighar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttaranchal, West Bengal etc. Also active in USA, Canada and some european countries. Present chief of the movement Swami Dayananda Saraswati Major publications - Arsha Vidya, the vision of Rishis - Swami Dayananda
- Conversion is violence - Swami Dayananda
- Crisis Management - Swami Dayananda
- Hinduism - Swami Dayananda
- In the vision of Vedanta - Swami Dayananda
Related Links Mata Amritanandamayi Math Founder Mata Amritanandamayi Year & Place of Founding At Amritapuri, Kerala, Kollam, India. Aims & Ideals Seeing nothing as apart from my own Self,
A single unity, and merging in the Divine Mother,
I renounced all sense of enjoyment.
Mother told me to ask the people
To fulfil their human birth. Therefore,
I proclaim to the whole world
The sublime truth that She uttered,
'Oh man, merge in your Self!'
Monastic / Non-monastic monastic and non-monastic General philosophical outlook Advaita philosophy is followed. Movement is non-sectarian. Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique. Service of fellow human-beings. Administrative set-up Provision for joining Activities Religion & Spirituality Mata Amritanandamayi is often described as hugging saint. She has travelled extensively and has hugged countless people. A hug from her has brought peace to the devotees. Ammachi, as she is popularly called, advocates the Advaitic principle of seeing everybody as oneself. Brahmasthanams are the temples built by Mata Amritanandamayi. Here the pooja is offered to reduce the negative effect planets on devotees. Social Field Very active in the Social field. Self-realization is the ability to see ourselves in all beings. - Mother's kitchen for feeding the poor, Building the houses for poor, Orphanages, monthly pension scheme for old age people, Old care homes, legal assistance to poor and needy are some of the services.
- Amrita Institute of Medical sciences is a medical college with facility for 800 beds. Medical treatement is rendered to the poor at free or at subsidised price.
- Amrita Kripasagar is a hospice for terminally ill people with accommodation facility for upto 50 people.
- Amritakripa hospital at Amritapuri for the poor and needy
- Several Mobile centres for giving medical assistance
Education Field - Amrita Institute of Technology and Sciences
- Amrita Institute of Management
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences
- Schools for software training, Industrial training, Pharmaceutical etc.
- Several primary and secondary education institutes throughout India
Relief activities - Rendered service during the Gujarat earth-quakes
- Tsunami disaster relief operation
Province of its influence Chiefly Kerala and malayali communities all over the globe. But has devotees and admirers throughout India. Present chief of the movement Mata Amritanandamayi Major publications - Amma - Healing the Heart of the World
- Awaken Children - Vol 1 to 9
- Racing along the Razonr's edge
- Lead us to light - compiled by Swami Jnanamritananda Puri
- From Amma's heart
- Amrita e-newsletter
Related Links Divine Life Society Founder Swami Sivananda Saraswati Year & Place of Founding At Rishikesh in 1936, India Aims & Ideals - To Disseminate Spiritual Knowledge
- By publication of books, pamphlets and magazines dealing with ancient, oriental and occidental philosophy, religion and medicine in the modern scientific manner, and their distribution on such terms as may appear expedient to the Board of Trustees
- By propagating the Name of the Lord, and by holding and arranging spiritual discourses and conferences and frequent Sankirtans (singing the Lords name) or spiritual gathering for singing and glorifying the Name of the Lord
- By establishing training centres or societies for the practice of Yoga, for moral and spiritual Sadhanas (spiritual practices) and the revival of true culture, to enable aspirants to achieve regeneration through worship, devotion, wisdom, right action and higher meditation with systematic training in asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercise), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (superconscious state)
- By doing all such acts and things as may be necessary and conducive to the moral, spiritual and cultural uplift of mankind in general and to the attainment of the above-mentioned objects in Bharatavarsha(India) in particular
- To Establish and Run Educational Institutions
On modern lines and on right basic principles and to help deserving students by granting them refundable and non-refundable scholarships for doing research work in the various branches of existing scriptures and comparative religion, as also to train them to disseminate spiritual knowledge in the most effective manner - To Help Deserving Orphans and Destitutes
By rendering them such assistance as the Society may deem proper, whether in any individual case or in any particular class of cases; - To establish and Run Medical Organizations
Or any other medical institutions and hospitals or dispensaries for the treatment of diseases and dispensing medicines and performing surgical operations, etc., to the poor in particular and to the other public in general, on such terms and in such manner as may be deemed expedient by the Board of Trustees - To Take Such Other Steps from Time to Time
As may be necessary for effecting a quick and effective moral and spiritual regeneration in the world and in Bharatavarsha in particular. Monastic / Non-monastic both monastic and non-monastic General philosophical outlook Yoga of Synthesis for all round development - of heart, intellect and hand - of human beings in order to achieve realisation. In the mind there are three defects, viz., Mala or impurity, Vikshepa or tossing, and Avarana or veil. The impurities of the mind should be removed by the practice of Karma Yoga, by selfless service. The tossing should be removed by worship or Upasana, by Japa and devotion. The veil should be torn down by the practice of Jnana Yoga, i.e., by study of Vedantic literature, enquiry, self-analysis, service to the Guru, and deep meditation. Only then Self-realization is possible. Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Study of Vedantic scriptures and Japa Administrative set-up The President is the head of the organisation. The twin organisations are The Divine Life Society and The Divine Life Society Trust. Provision for joining The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy is the training centre and publication centre. Activities Religion & Spirituality Spiritual counselling, Yoga training, Retreat centre, Libraries, mediation calsses etc. Publication of many books and booklets on various topics related to Hinduism and Self-developement keeping in view the needs of the modern man. Social Field - Charitable hospital at Sivanandanagar
Education Field Around 1000 students from poor classes are given financial assistance from primary level to post-graduation level. Relief activities - Thorugh The Leprosy Relief Work of the Society around 200 or more leper-patients are rehabilitated and taken care of in a suitable manner.
- The Social Service Wing attends to such services as medical aid to the poor and needy, contribution towards different relief works in the country, and such other gestures of charity as would relieve the sufferings of people, in some measure, from poverty, disease and ignorance.
Province of its influence Headquarters at Sivanandanagar, Tehri-Garhwal, Uttaranchal, India. Has branches in major western countries such as France, Germany, Itarly etc. Present chief of the movement Swami Chidananda Saraswati Major publications Published a lot of books on Hinduism, Yoga, Personality Development etc. Many of them are available online. - Divine Life - monthly magazine in English
- Divya Jeevan - monthly magazine in Hindi
- Bliss Divine - Swami Sivananda
- Sadhana - Swami Sivananda
- All about Hinduism - Swami Sivananda
- Concentration and Meditation - Swami Sivananda and many other books
Related Links Ramachandra Mission Founder Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (known as Babuji), founded this organisation in honour of his guru, Shri Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh (known as Lalaji). Year & Place of Founding In 1945, India. Aims & Ideals The Ten Maxims of Sahaj Marg - Rise before dawn. Offer your prayer and puja at a fixed hour, preferably before sunrise, sitting in one and the same pose. Have a separate place and seat for worship. Purity of mind and body should be specially adhered to.
- Begin your puja with a prayer for spiritual elevation, with a heart full of love and devotion.
- Fix up your goal which should be 'complete oneness' with God. Rest not till the ideal is achieved.
- Be plain and simple to be identical with nature.
- Be truthful. Take miseries as Divine Blessings for your own good and be thankful.
- Know all people as thy brethren and treat them as such.
- Be not revengeful for the wrongs done by others. Take them with gratitude as heavenly gifts.
- Be happy to eat in constant divine thoughts whatever you get, with due regard to honest and pious earnings.
- Mould your life so as to arouse a feeling of love and piety in others.
- At bedtime, feeling the presence of God, repent for the wrongs committed. Beg forgiveness in a supplicant mood, resolving not to allow repetition of the same.
Monastic / Non-monastic non-monastic General philosophical outlook The goal of Sahaj Marg practice is complete oneness with God, or the Ultimate. Two unique features set the method apart from all other meditative practices: evening cleaning, by which impressions and complexities are removed from the heart; and pranahuti, by which the master transmits divine energy from his heart to the heart of the aspirant. With the assistance of the master, trained prefects (instructors), and the aspirant's own dedicated practice, the promise of spiritual evolution in Sahaj Marg can quickly become a reality. Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Heart-centred Meditation technique known as Sahaj Marg. Administrative set-up Provision for joining Anybody can join the mediation training classes conducted by the Sahajmarg and gets introduced to the mission. They are called abyasis. A preceptor is an abhyasi who has been prepared and permitted by the Master to introduce people to the Sahaj Marg system and conduct group meditation. It is a non-sectarian institution. Activities Religion & Spirituality - Meditation classes conducted through Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation
Social Field In the field of value based spiritual education course materials have been developed for use. Cultural Field Study groups, seminars for the youth etc. Relief activities The mission participates in the relief activities during the times of natural calamities by either collecting money and routing it through Prime Minister's Relief fund or through other organisations involved in the operations. Province of its influence Has over 1500 centres in India and abroad. The headquarters is present at Manapakkam, Chennai. Present chief of the movement Shri Parthasarathy Rajagopalachari (known as Chariji). Major publications - Quarterly Periodicals
- The complete works of Ramachandra
- Basics of Sahajmarg
- Index of Sahaj Marg Literature
- Psycology and its Role in Spirituality
- Sahaj Marg and Its Children
Related Links Sarada Math and Mission Founder As per the desire of Swami Vivekananda, the Sarada math, a monastic order for women was started under the guidance of Ramakrishna Mission. Initially started with 8 inmates, it became an independent organisation later. Year & Place of Founding 2nd December 1954 at Dakshineshwar on the centenary birthday of Holy mother Sri Sarada Devi. On 26th August, 1959 the math was made an independent organisation. On 13th May, 1960 the Sri Ramakrishna and Sarada Mission was started. Aims & Ideals The Sarada Math is advaitic organisation, in honour of Sri Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. Monastic / Non-monastic Monastic with household devotees. General philosophical outlook Combination of Jnanayoga, Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga and Rajayoga as preached and practiced by Sri Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda for the liberation of Self and for the good of all. Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Administrative set-up The President is the spiritual head of the organisation, while the administrative head is the General Secretary. The trustee include the senior nuns of the order. The branches are run by the nuns with the help of local devotees. Provision for joining The women aspirants can contact the local centres or the headquarters at Dakshineshwar for joining the math. During probation period, brahmacharinis are given training in scriptures, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda-Vedanta literature and social serivce. After the end of probation, monastic vows are given. Activities Religion & Spirituality Regualr pooja at the shrines is condcted in all branches everday and special worship during festivals. Special classes, meditation training programmes, spiritual counselling etc. are given to the devotees. Social Field - Matri Bhavan - maternity hospital in Kolkota
- Sri Sarada Seva Kutir - charitable clinic in Chennai
- Sevayan - charitable clinic in Dakshineshwar
- Nivedita Laboratory - Dakshineshwar
The Mission runs several schools, colleges and vocational training centers including computer centers and typewriting institutes for women and children. It also runs Balmandir (Sunday school) for children. Non-formal schools for slum children are also often conducted by the branch centres. For the rural women education, health care and vocational training is provided free of cost. The mission is active specially in rural areas. Cultural Field Relief activities During the natural calamities, mission takes up relief activities with specail emphasis on service of women and children. Apart from providing basic and immediate necessities, rehabilitation activitites are also carried out. Province of its influence The centre has around 30 branches in India and in Australia. The organisation along with Ramakrishna Mission has large following in India and Western countries. Present chief of the movement Pravrajika Shraddhaprana Mataji is the president of the Math. Pravrajika Amalaprana Mataji, is the General Secretary. Major publications - Samvit - Semi-annual English magazine
- Nibodata - Bengali quarterly
- Eternal Mother - Pravrajika Amalaprana
- Sri Sarada Devi and Sri Sarada Math - Pravrajika Atmaprana
- The Story of Sister Nivedita - Pravrajika Atmaprana
- Nivedita As I Saw Her - Saralabala Sarkar
- Sara Bull, The American Mother of Swami Vivekananda - Pravrajika Prabuddhaprana
- Pravrajika Bharatiprana - Edited by Pravrajika Atmaprana
- Western Women in the Footsteps of Swami Vivekananda
External Links
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|