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14-September-2008 12:50:24 - Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University Redirected from Brahma Kumaris Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University Formation 1930s Type Millenarianist New Religious Movement Headquarters Rajasthan, India Official languages Hindi, English Founder Lekhraj Kripalani 1876-1969, known as Brahma Baba to the followers Key people Janki Kripalani, Jayanti Kirpalani Website bkwsu.org Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University बà¥?रहà¥?माकà¥?मारी, pronounced: brəɦ.maË?.kÊŠ.maË?.riË? BKWSU or Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya Sanskrit/Hindi: पà¥?रजापिता बà¥?रहà¥?माकà¥?मारी ईशà¥?वरीय विशà¥?वविदà¥?यालय is a monastic, renunciate, 1 millenarian23 new religious movement NRM of Indian origin whose teachings are based on practises involving both mediumship and channelling. 45 It promotes a form of mation1 called Raja Yoga, which differs from classical Raja Yoga as described by Patanjali. 6 As a neo-Hindu sect, the Brahma Kumaris pre-date the New Age movement but have developed characteristics that link them to its thinking. 7 Contents 1 Early history 2 Expansion 3 Activities 4 Lifestyle 5 Beliefs 5.1 Central beliefs 5.2 God 5.3 Self 5.4 Three Worlds 5.5 Karma 5.6 5,000 Year Cycle 5.7 Tree of Humanity 5.8 Mation 5.9 Murlis 6 Achievements 7 Use of channeling and mediumship 8 Controversies and criticism 8.1 Claim of divine indication 9 Relationship with splinter and reform movements 9.1 The Advance Party 10 See also 11 References 12 Further reading 12.1 BKWSU publications 12.2 Other publications 12.3 Books 12.4 Journals 12.5 Conference 12.6 Websites 13 External links Early history See also: Lekhraj Kripalani The origin of BKWSU can be traced to the group Om Mandali, founded by Lekhraj Kripalani 1876-19698 in Hyderabad, Sindh in the 1930s. Lekhraj Kripalani, known as Dada Lekhraj, Om Baba or Brahma Baba to his followers, was a Bhaibund merchant and follower of the Vaishnavite Vallabhacharya Sect.910 Dada Lekhraj retired from his business in 1932 with assets of 1,000,000 Indian rupees8 to turn to spirituality. Their original spiritual knowledge was obtained through divine revelations and divine visions of women who had the gift of trance-vision. Lekhraj started holding satsangs which attracted many people and the group became known as Om Mandali. One of his main visions concerned the establishment of a perfected paradise after a kind of universal destruction of the cosmos, a destruction necessary for an ideal world to be established.7 In 1937, he named some of his followers as a managing committee, then reportedly transferred his fortune to the committee.11 Several women joined Om Mandali and contributed their wealth to the association as well.8 Members of the local Bhaibund community reacted unfavorably to his movement. Many young married Sindhi women attended his ashram and were being encouraged to take vows of celibacy, so the Om Mandali was accused of breaking up families1213 including that of his own daughter who he had married into the family of the leader of what was to become the Anti-Party.8 Om Mandali was denounced as disturber of family peace and some of the Brahma Kumari wives were mistreated by their families. Lekhraj Kripalani was accused of sorcery, lechery,11 accused of forming a cult and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism. Children were removed from his school.14 Hindu members of the Sindh Assembly threatened to resign unless the Om Mandali was outlawed, so the Sindh Government used the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 to declare it an unlawful association.8 Under further pressure from the Hindu leaders in the Government, the group was ordered to close and vacate its premises.15 To avoid persecution, legal actions and opposition from family members of his followers, the Brahma-kumaris moved from Hyderabad to Karachi, where they settled in a highly structured ashram. The Anti-Om Mandli Committee which had opposed the group in Hyderabad followed them.16 In April 1950, after the Partition of India, the Brahma Kumaris moved to Mount Abu in India saying that they had been instructed by God to do so.10 After Dada Lekhraj's death in 1969, his followers expanded the movement to other countries.17 Expansion Om Shanti Bawan, the main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters Om Shanti Bawan, the main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began an internationalization expansion program,18 establishing centers across India with female teachers. From 1964 to 1969 methods of outreach began involving exhibitions, seminars and conferences in different parts of India.19 The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female. For example, in the UK, only one-third of the 42 centers are run by males.20 According to the BKWSU website, there are currently 825,000 students and over 8,500 Raja Yoga centres in 100 countries and territories.21 According to sources quoted in the Adherents website, worldwide membership ranges from 35,000 in 1993 to 400,000 in 1998.22 The 2001 Census of the United Kingdom records 261 individual members. 23 In America the BKs were not allowed to call themselves a university, as they did not provide accred courses and diplomas, and there they became known as the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.24 The term university could be retained at the United Nations, however, as this word is a literal translation of the Hindu original.24 Activities The Brahma Kumaris conduct seven one-hour-long courses in their philosophy and open-eyed mation technique. The organization offers courses in positive thinking, Self Management Leadership, and Living Values.25 Service requires active support of the movement, especially by participating in its many proscelyting activities. Great emphasis is placed on the value of bringing converts into the movement, particularly converts who stick. Mation is the movement's most significant 'effort'. Efforts to reform the Kaliyug are not in accord with Shiv Baba's will. 26 The Brahma Kumaris also have a number of voluntary outreach programs in prisons.27 The headquarters of this group are in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The reason why this place was chosen to be the spiritual capital of the sect is because this is where the first deity, Brahma, had done his penance with the first goddess. Saraswati, 5,000 years previously; and all members of Om Mandali, now known as the yagya, now firmly believed that Baba and Mama were the reincarnation of those original deities.28 Lifestyle The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities and suffering.3 As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience, the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle1329 which involves: Celibacy, including no sex within marriage.53 So long as chastity is followed, marriage and family life are allowed.5 Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet 30 excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food cooked only by the self or other members.331 even excluding their own mother or relatives. 32 Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.303 Regular early morning mation at 4:003 to 4:45 am, called 'Amrit Vela.' Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 am.33 Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centers during classes.3 Brahma Kumaris can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes, to symbolize purity.343536 Recommends that companions be other BK Brahmins as opposed to those given over to worldly pleasures non-BKs, known as bhogis or shudras meaning 'untouchables'.3 All except the very senior BKs in the Western branches must support themselves most work, most BKs live in shared accommodation with other members enabling the organization to powerfully reinforce its beliefs. 37 Beliefs In 1952, after a 14 year period of retreat during which the Brahma-kumaris 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.9 The movement does not associate itself with Hinduism 38 but projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion.336 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.5 Reincarnation happens only from one human body to another.3 Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time referred to as Destruction.13 Indian subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Age paradise and that a form of Hindi is the original language of humanity, all other continents being destroyed. Followers are taught that only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise39 as Gods and Goddesses.40 God has incarnated into Dada Lehkraj, the founder, and is teaching them directly and exclusively. God Brahma Kumaris are monotheistic in their doctrine. God, addressed by most BKs Shiv Baba, is considered to be an eternal soul, a personality like human souls but the Supreme one Paramatma and knowledgeful. His purpose is to awaken humanity and restore harmony, giving power through the Brahma Kumaris' practise of Raja Yoga, eliminating negativity. He is not the creator of matter which is itself considered to be eternal.6 He is said to have spoken in person through the mouth of the organization's primary medium Lekhraj Kripalani 3 and to be the destroyer of evil. 41 The BKWSU teaches that individual humans are like tiny stars, minute points of invisible luminous energy that is the soul42 which center around Shiva in the soul world. Self Human and even animal souls, called atmas, are believed to be an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are believed to originally exist with God in a Soul World, a world of infinite light, peace and silence called Paramdham.43 Here souls are in a state of rest and beyond experience. Souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern traditions, the soul is not thought to transmigrate into other species and does not evolve but rather devolves birth after birth. Within this point of light all aspects of the personality are contained and is said to enter the human body in the 4th to 5th month of pregnancy.44 Three Worlds The Brahma Kumaris believe that there are 3 worlds or dimensions; the physical universe, a soul world known as Paramdham and an intermediate region called The Subtle Regions where they claim to journey to experience visions regarding world history where Lekhraj Kirpalani and God Shiva combined as BapDada jointly communicate with the university.45 Souls exists in the soul world totally untained by matter ... as a starlike point of light until they have to 'play their part' within the world drama on the physical plane at whatever time in history they are destined to incarnate for the first time.46 Karma The Brahma Kumaris teach their own version of the law of karma and believe that that status of a reborn individual is according to its state of consciousness. 47 5,000 Year Cycle Time is cyclic, repeating identically every 5,000 years, and composed of five ages or Yugas; the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Copper Age, the Iron Age each being exactly 1,250 years long,48 and the Confluence Age Sangam Yuga. The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, beginning in 1936 with the descent of Shiva into Lekhraj Kirpalani, during which present day civilization is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war49 in an event called Destruction. 50 Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi states this information is generally hidden from non-members.51 During the first half of the cycle, procreation is believed to be possible through the power of yoga without sexual intercourse.52 The Universe is never transformed into primordial or atomic state matter, nor does the world ever becomes devoid of human beings.53. Babb states that Brahma Kumari movement enter the 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. Tree of Humanity It is taught that all of humanity will die and return to Paramdham then take birth in the forthcoming cycle at their predestined time and place. This is portrayed as the Kalpa Vriksha Tree, or the Tree of Humanity, in which the founder Lekhraj Kripalani and his Brahma Kumaris followers are shown as the roots of the humanity. A new world order starting with the birth of Krishna and a population of 900,000 is believed to go on to enjoy 2,500 years of paradise as living deities before humanity splits and the religious founders incarnate. Each creates their own branch and brings with them their own followers from the Infinite Light, until they too decline and splits, schisms, cults and sects appear at the end of the Iron Age.953 The aim of the individual Brahma Kumari is to gain a high status in the coming paradise where a select 108 who are 'totally victorious' and will rule there. Members of the physical families of Brahma Kumaris who have contact with the University are said to become members of the 16,000 top souls 54 and at the end of each Cycle, everyone will see visions in which their personal destinies will be fully disclosed.9 Mation The Brahma Kumaris teach a form of mation through which members are encouraged to purify their minds and 'burn away' the Karmic effects of past misdeeds. 3 This may be done by sitting tranquilly in front of a screen on to which Dada Lekhraj's image is projected, then making affirmations regarding the eternal nature of the soul.55 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.3 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 themselves 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.40 Babb also states that while staring gazing into the eyes of an adept at the teacher, many students experience visual hallucinations involving lights.3 Murlis David Barrett states, Unlike traditional forms of Hinduism, the Brahma Kumaris' teachings come not so much from ancient scriptures but from revelations given in trance states.12 However, these mediumistic messages known by Brahma Kumaris as Murlis, read at the 6.30 am meetings, are slowly developing the nature of potential scriptures.33 The earlier ones channeled by Lekhraj Kripalani while he was alive, are now repeated in a five year cycle. They are supplemented by later murlis, channelled by Hirday Mohini of Delhi in trance states, which are also written down. There are two types of mediumistic messages; sakar and avyakt; Sakar Murlis refer to the original classes said to be spoken by Shiva through the medium of Lekhraj Kripalani in the 1960s, before he died of a heart attack on 18 January 1969.It should be noted that the original messages received by Lekhraj in contrast to the newer ones by Dadi Gulzar were not received under trance. In fact Lekhraj was fully awake at all times during the Murlis and had to be in order to learn the knowledge himself.56 These include teachings by Shiva and the life of personal experience of Lekhraj. Avyakt Vanis, or Murlis, refer to the teachings of Shiva and the soul of the deceased Lekhraj Kripalani combined through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or Dadi Gulzar.57 The Brahma Kumaris believe that the soul of Lekhraj Kripalani has become perfect and now has the role of an angel. These messages are understood by members of the BKWSU to be the words of God. The Murli's are what the Brahma Kumaris use to direct their personal spiritual effort and institutional service. One must complete the Brahma Kumaris foundation course before starting to attend morning murli class and visiting the headquarters in India during the period when the deceased founder communicates via a trance medium.58 Achievements 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 Nations59 and UNICEF.60 It is associated with the UN Department of Public Information.61 The organization now has 100s of branches internationally and has co-ordinated three major international projects; The Million Minutes for Peace in 1986, for which it was awarded 7 UN Peace Messenger Awards, 1987 and Global Co-operation for a Better World in 1988.62 and in 1994, launched Sharing Our Values for a Better World 63 Deceased chief administrator Prakashmani was awarded International Peace Messenger Award from the UN Secretary General in 1987 for the Million Minutes of Peace project.64 It was granted International Peace Messenger Initiative status by the U.N.for the Global Co-operation for a Better World campaign.65 Pioneering work in solar energy. Funded by the German Government and World Bank 66, BK follower Golo Pilz developed with inventor Wolfgang Scheffler and Gadhia Solar Energy Systems 67 the world's then largest solar cooker of a hybrid nature backed up with an oil fired boiler, 68 at the BKWSU headquarters in Rajasthan.69 The organization has since extended this project to its other Indian centers, funded by the Indian government, and attempted to establish local outreach programmes. Use of channeling and mediumship The BKWSU is believed by its members to have been established by Shiva Baba God-Father Shiva, described as the Supreme Soul and claimed to be the one God of all religions through the medium of the group's founder Lekhraj Kripalani.10 From the beginning, a number of trance-messengers have received messages and teachings.70 Its mediums also directly channel a messages from deceased senior Brahma Kumaris leaders.71 In its early days, children would commonly go into trances, having visions of Krishna and Golden Aged Heaven and engaging in ecstatic dances for as long as 7 days. 3 A number of mediumistic female followers known as Sandeshputris trance messengers also helped add to the group's spiritual knowledge through psychic visions.70 Their founder, is also reported to have had visions of himself as Vishnu, in which Vishnu said, Thou art that a well-known verse from the Chadogya Upanishad. 42 God Shiva, and the deceased human founder Lekhraj Kripalani, continue to be channelled 72 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 spiritual being the BKWSU believe is God are referred to as BapDada meaning Father and Grandfather by BKs. The pair continue to direct the organization to this day.73 Controversies and criticism Dr. John Wallis notes the re-ing of mediumistic messages 74 and failed predictions of the End of the World 75 which had been removed from the teachings and hidden from those that came later on. In a paper for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Howell wrote that teenage girls surrendering to the organisation are required to pay the equivalent of a dowry to the organization. The payment was meant to prevent parents from dumping their daughters at the BKWSU as a way to avoid the costs of ordinary marriages. Return to the world for women who have has such a dowry paid for them is difficult.76 BK followers belief that the BKWSU is the precursor to all world religions, even those that predate it, which are seen as being only facets of the complete diamond Raja Yoga. 5038 The institution uses Hindu terminologies such as Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita to attract people but what is taught in the organization is completely different from what they supposed to mean in Hindu system of belief.6 Followers are encouraged to undergo a 'death-in-life' and 'die towards the outer world' renouncing their families and thus be 'divinely' reborn in the 'divine family 77 consequently, the Brahma Kumaris have been accused of breaking up marriages and families since the 1930s. 7879 In 2007, the British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mail reported Graham Baldwin, a former university chaplain and army officer who is president of the educational countercult organization Catalyst80, stating that the former members and the families of members had told him that BKWSU has driven a wedge between husband and wife and that there were complaints that it encourages single women and widows to donate property and savings. The BKWSU, a organisation being notable for its sex ban, was said to have used pernicious methods to control its followers. Ian Howarth of the Cult Information Centre, was further quoted about complaints that people have gone undergone personality changes after joining BKWSU and become alienated from their families. A BKWSU spokeswoman replied, this is very much a minority thing, declining to comment on allegations that BKWSU encourages followers to donate property and savings. 81 82 Questioned how dinosaurs fit within a 5,000 year Cycle of Time BK Neville Hodgkinson, a former scientific correspondent for an English national newspaper, questioned the existence of dinosaurs on the basis of the lack of bones that have been found whilst other BK follower argued that dinosaurs exist in a parallel space-time dimension and because of a warp hole end up in this dimension. 83 The Brahma Kumaris have featured in the 'Wissen schtzt' reports of Austria ed by then Austrian Minister for Family Affairs Mr. Martin Bartenstein, 84, Russia International Conference Totalitarian Cults - Threat of Twenty-First Century, Nizhny Novgorod, 2001 and in a MIVILUDES report submitted to the French National Assembly as a sectes dangereuses harmful cult and groupe d'enfermement group of confinement.85 This has leading to the presecution of followers in local media leading to job losses after it discovered that they belonged to a secte 86 and denouncement for their influence on children under their care. 87 Claim of divine indication Pratibha Patil, the UPA-Left candidate and current President of India, said on camera during the Indian presidential election, 2007, that she had communicated with the spirit of the deceased leader88 of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University at their headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.89 Patil added that she had received a mediumistic message indicating great responsibility coming her way.889091 She had gone to seek the blessings of Hirday Mohini, also known as Dadi Gulzar or Dadiji.92 Relationship with splinter and reform movements The Advance Party Main article: AIVV A number of Brahma Kumari splinter groups exist, the most notable documented by Dr. John Walliss as the Advance Party, or Shankar Party to the BKWSU.93 elsewhere they are referred to as the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris or PBKs 94. Walliss states that as Lekhraj Kripalani'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 BKWSU's mediaeval Catholic Church. The Advance Party offer a radicalised rendition of the BKWSU's original millenarian message. In particular, they are exceptionally hostile to the University's New Age and UN involvement claim that Shiva is now manifesting Himself through a different medium to correctly interpret the original teachings and that Lekhraj Kirpalani's business partner Sevak Ram was the original medium. PBKs report hostile resistance from the BKWSU and Walliss met 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.9 See also Adhyatmik Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya List of Brahma Kumaris Spiritualism Millenarianism/End times Channeling mediumistic / Spiritualism Mation References ^ a b 1994 Women under the Bo Tree: Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka, Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521461290. ^ Robbins, Thomas 1997. Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415916486. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Babb, Lawrence A. 1987. Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition Comparative Studies in Religion and Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0706925637. ^ Klimo, Jon 1998. Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. North Atlantic Books, 100. ISBN 978-1556432484. ^ a b c d Wilson, Bryan; 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 1999. in Bryan Wilson: New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415200493. ^ a b c d Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?. Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. The entire way of the Brahma Kumaris can be characterized as raja yoga. One should not think here in the first place of classical yoga, as described by Patanjali. ^ a b Walliss, J. 1999. From world rejection to ambivalence: the development of millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris. Journal of Contemporary Religion 14 3: 375-385. ^ a b c d e Hardy, Hardayal 1984. Struggles and Sorrows: The Personal Testimony of a Chief Justice. Vikas Publishing House, 37-39. ISBN 0706925637. ^ a b c d e Walliss, John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing, 99-129. ISBN 978-0754609513. ^ a b c Chander, B. K Jagdish 1981. Adi Dev: The first man. B.K. Raja Yoga Center for the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.. ^ a b Abbott, Elizabeth 2001. A History of Celibacy. James Clarke Co., 172-174. ISBN 0718830067. ^ a b Barrett, David V 2001. The New Believers: A Survey of Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions. Cassell Co.. ISBN 978-0304355921. 'sex is an expression of 'body-consciousness' and leads to the other vices', probably stems in part from the origins of the movement in 1930s India, when women had to submit to their husbands. ^ a b c Hodgkinson, Liz 2002. Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution. HCI, 2-29. ISBN 1558749624. ^ Radhe, Brahma-Kumari 1939. Is this justice?: Being an account of the founding of the Om Mandli the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908. Pharmacy Printing Press, 35-36. ^ Coupland, Reginald 1944. The Indian Problem: Report on the Constitutional Problem in India. Oxford University Press. ^ Howell, Julia Day 2005. in Peter Clarke: Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge, 63-64. ISBN 978-0415267076. The call for women brahmins i.e. kumaris or 'daughters' to remain celibate or chaste in marriage inverted prevailing social expectations that such renunciation was proper only for men and that the disposal of women's sexuality should remain with their fathers and husbands. The 'Anti-Om Mandali Committee' formed by outraged male family members violently persecuted Brahma Baba's group, prompting their flight to Karachi and withdrawal from society. Intense world rejection gradually eased after partition in 1947, when the BKs moved from Pakistan to Mt Abu ^ Hunt, Stephen J. 2003. Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 120. ISBN 0754634108. ^ Howell, Julia Sep 1998. Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37 3: 453-461. doi:10.2307/1388052. ^ Whaling, Frank 1995. The Brahma Kumaris. Journal of Contemporary Religion 10 1: 3-28. ^ Howell, Julia Day September 1998. Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: Clarification of the Brahma Kumari Case. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37 3: 453-461. doi:10.2307/1388052. Today the leadership of the BK movement in India remains heavily female. Sisters, or kumaris daughters, are still put in front, that is favored for the position of center-in-charge head of a local center. As of December 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 organization as teachers, leaders of mation sessions and spiritual directors. Indian migrants made up half the number of Brahmins in the UK. ^ Brahma Kumaris Administration. BKWSU. Retrieved on 2007-08-10. Present statistics indicate that the University has 825,000 students and over 8,500 centres in 100 countries and territories. ^ Adherent Statistic Citations. Adherents.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. Worldwide, this path has 4000 centres and approximately 400,000 members. ^ Lewis, J.R.; Aris, R.I.S. 2004. New Religion Adherents: An Overview of Anglophone Census and Survey Data PDF. Marburg Journal of Religion 9 1. Retrieved on 2008-01-28. ^ a b P. 169 Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution By Liz Hodgkinson ^ Nesbitt, Eleanor; A. Henderson April 2003. Religious Organisations in the UK and Values Education Programmes for Schools. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 24 1: 75-88. doi:10.1080/1361767032000053015. The article reports initial findings from a values education programme that is currently being implemented, in various forms, in several primary schools in England. The programme is 'Living Values: an educational program' and it was developed in association with a Hindu-related religious organisation, the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. The article situates the research within a social and theoretical context and reports from fieldwork conducted over a period of twelve months in schools and Brahma Kumaris centres. ^ Babb, Lawrence A. 2002. Redemptive Encounters. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-07636-2. Service requires active support of the movement, especially by participating in its many proscelyting activities ... Great emphasis is placed on the value of bringing converts into the movement, particularly converts who stick... Mation is the movement's most significant 'effort'. Efforts to reform the Kaliyug are not in accord with Shiv Baba's will. ^ Bedi, Kiran 2007. It's Always Possible : One Woman's Transformation of India's Prison System. Himalayan Institute Press. ISBN 978-0893892586. ^ P. 35 Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris a Spiritual Revolution By Liz Hodgkinson ^ Lochtefeld, Ph.D., James G. 2002. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Vol. I, entry Brahma Kumaris. Rosen, New York. ISBN 0-8239-3179-X. ^ a b Bartholomeusz, Tessa J. 1994. Women Under the Bo Tree,:Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions, ed by John Clayton University of Lancaster, Steven Collins University of Chicago and Nicholas de Lange University of Cambridge. Rosen, New York. ISBN 0-521-46129-4. ^ Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity. Hinduism Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-28. The most strict will not eat fard which is not prepared by a Brahma Kumaris. While traveling they abstain from public fare and carry their own utensils for cooking. ^ Smith, Dr Wendy A. Autumn 2007. Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: clarification of the Brahma Kumari case. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 45: 16-17. Strict adherence requires that they only eat food cooked by themselves of other Brahma Kumaris in order to benefit from the pure vibrations of the person cooling the food. This has meant that some members do not eat food cooked by their mothers or other relatives who are not in the movement thus challenging one of the most basic social activities which fosters social relationships, eating together. ^ a b c Whaling, Prof Frank 2004. Encyclopedia of New Religions; New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities, ed by Christopher Partridge and Gorden Melton. Rosen, New York. ISBN 0-745-95073-6. ^ Hinnells, John 1997. The Penguin Dictionary of Religions, Extract by Eileen Barker. Rosen, New York. ISBN 0-14-051261-6. ^ Barker, Eileen 1989. New Religious Movement: A Practical Introduction. HMSO, London, 168-70. ISBN 0-14-051261-6. ^ Melton, J. Gordon 1993. The Encyclopedia of American Religions, 4th ion. Gale, Detroit, 909-10. ^ Howell, Dr Julia D April 1997. ASC induction techniques, spiritual experiences, and commitment to new religious movements. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 58 2: 149. All accept the very senior BKs in the Western branches must support themselves most work, but the pressure to adopt the BK's purity rules non-commensality with non-members; avoidance of meat and certain other foods, alcohol, and sex, and most Brahmins live in shared accommodation with other members ... enabling the organization to powerfully reinforce its beliefs. ^ a b Barz, R.K. 1992. A reinterpretation of bhakti theology: from the Pustimarg to the Brahma Kumaris. Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research, 1985-8. Retrieved on 2008-01-25. BKWSU ... does not associate itself with any earlier Hindu movement, bhakti or otherwise, ^ Howell, Julia Day 2005. in Peter Clarke: Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge, 63-64. ISBN 978-0415267076. The BK teachings revise Hindu beliefs in a Golden Age that deteriorates into successive ages in an endlessly recurring cycle of time; according to the movement, we are now in the worst age, on the eve of destruction, and only BKs who have purified themselves through a vegetarian diet and chastity and cultivated soul consciousness, will be reborn into the Golden Age. ^ a b Babb, Lawrence A. 1981. On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality. Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism, Journal of Anthropological Research Winter 4: 387-401. ^ Astonishing similarities between Brahma Kumari and Islam ^ a b P.195, Exploring New Religions, By George D Chryssides ^ Babb, Lawrence A. 1987. Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition Comparative Studies in Religion and Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0706925637. Souls have a 'true home', and this is a region of perfect peace and absolute silence at the top of the universe known as paramdham the supreme abode or brahmlok the world of brahm. As imagined by Brahma Kumari teachings, the universe has the shape of an egg. at is apex is the Supreme known as Soul Shivbaba. ^ Hindus In America Speak out on Abortion Issues. Hinduism Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. The Brahma Kumaris view the body as a physical vehicle for the immortal soul, and therefore the issue is not pro-life or anti-life but a choice between the amount of suffering caused to the souls of the parents and child in either course, abortion or motherhood. They view existing legislation in America as fair and reasonable, with the proviso that abortion after the 4th month should be avoided except in medical emergencies, since in their view the soul enters the fetus in the 4th to 5th month. ^ Walliss, Dr John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris as a Reflexive Tradition. Ashgate Publishing Limited. ISBN 0-7546-0951-0. Raja Yogis claim that there are other, more important planes including the home of all souls and the Supreme Soul ... The subtle realm represents an intermediate region between the physical and incorporeal realm. It is here where experienced BK Yogis claim to journey to experience visions regarding world history and their place within it as well as being where Lekhraj and Shiva as BapDada jointly communicate directly to the University through the Avyakta murlis ^ O'Donnell, Ken 1995. New Beginnings. Brahma Kumaris World University. ISBN 0-9637-3964-6. ^ Hunt, S. 2003. Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 121. ISBN 0-7546-3410-8. Along with other Hindus, the Brahma Kumaris believe in the law of karma, and that the individual is reborn according to one's state of consciousness. ^ Barrett, David V 2001. The New Believers. Cassell Co, 265. ISBN 0-304-35592-5. 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. ^ Brahma Kumaris: Conquering A Callous World with Purity. Hinduism Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. ^ a b Walliss, John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing, 107. ISBN 978-0754609513. The final evening classes that I attended, at which the core content of the murli was the Destruction ... during one part of this an eclectic user asked 'so, you're an end-of-the-world cult then?' to which the center co-ordinator replied, no, we believe in world transformation. In response, the questioner asked 'well, surely the transformation you're talking about is Destruction? The whole population is going to shrink almost to instantly down to a couple of thousand, whole areas of the world are going to be flooded, nuclear bombs are going to be going off.' 'Well, replied the co-ordinator, 'it depends on how you look at it'. ^ Beit-hallahmi, B. 2004. http://books.google.com/books?hl=enlr=ie=UTF-8id=SjIKL5q8HrECoi=fndpg=PA87dq=bkwsuots=8JzjGa25Uysig=4RWN7gdUstsYI5QCom8I175Nstk quote = A case study of Brahma Kumaris, a contemporary group characterized by an apocalyptic vision kept hidden from nonmembers. Death, Fantasy, and Religious Transformations. The Psychology of Death in Fantasy and History. Retrieved on 2008-01-25. ^ Babb, Lawrence A. 1987. Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition Comparative Studies in Religion and Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0706925637. 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 ^ a b Lalrinawma, V.S. 2003. The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris, ISPCK. Cambridge Press, Delhi, 13. ISBN 81-7214-771-6. ^ Babb, Lawrence A. 1987. Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition Comparative Studies in Religion and Society. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0706925637. The real issue is what one's status will be in the coming paradise ... Those of the highest status will not only be the rulers of heaven, but will be close to Lekhraj throughout their world-careers. ^ Chryssides, George. . Members are encouraged to purify their minds by the practise of Raja Yoga. This can entail sitting tranquilly, in front of a screen which Dada Lehkraj's picture projected, then making a number of affirmations, regarding the eternal nature of the soul atma, the original purity of one's nature, and the nature of God paramatmÄÂ? Shiva. The Brahma Kumaris believe that practice of Raja Yoga enables spiritual progress as well as having pragmatic benefits, for example, business success. Brahma Kumaris frequently organize seminars on business management and on developing personal life skills ^ Ratan, Vishwa 2000. A Unique Experience. Autobiography of Dada Vishwa Ratan. Om Shanti Press, 57. ISBN 955-95823-3-X. ^ Brahma Kumaris: Landmarks in History. BKWSU. Retrieved on 2007-07-18. ^ Howell and Nelson 1998. On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality. Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism, Journal of Anthropological Research. 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. ^ ECOSOC. UNO. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ List of UN NGO and respective status within UNICEF PDF. UNO. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ DPI/NGO Directory. United Nations Department of Public Information. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. NGO in consultative status with ECOSOC; associated with DPI ^ Walliss, John September 1999. When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millenniums, 5. ...The Million Minutes of Peace which raised over one billion 'minutes of peace' people in 88 countries participating in prayer, mation and positive thoughts. For this the University was awarded one International and six UN National 'Peace Messenger' Awards. ^ 403 Forbidden ^ The Sunday. Indian Express. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. Current head is Dadi Prakashmani. Recipient of UN Peace Medal for her efforts to spread across the message of peace and goodwill. ^ Hinduism Today. Hinduism Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ Renewable spirit; An extension of the 'pursuit of inner purity' to purer forms of energy. downtoearth.org. Retrieved on 2008-04-08. Finances for the approximately Rs 25 lakh project came from the German Society for Technological Cooperation GTZ; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit. ^ Environmental and Economic Impacts of Solar Heat Cookers DOC. UNESCO. Retrieved on 2008-04-08. Finances for the approximately Rs 25 lakh project came from the German Society for Technological Cooperation GTZ; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit. ^ http://neda.up.nic.in/ALLGO/Page21to62.pdf Implementation of Solar Thermal Energy Programme during 2000-2001- Sanction order PDF. Government of India, Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources. Retrieved on 2004-05-14. The system is of a hybrid nature backed up with an oil fired boiler to make it reliable under all conditions. A maximum of 33,800 meals have been reported to be cooked in a single day with this system apart from boiling 3000 litres of water for preparing tea. The system has been reported to save around 400 litres of furnace oil on its full use. ^ BBC. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. An ashram in Rajasthan has put in place the world's largest solar powered steam cooking system. Thirty-four thousand people can be fed in a day. ^ a b BKWSU History. BKWSU. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ Beloved Didi, Sivabhaktar and Co-Head of Brahma Kumaris, Passes In Bombay. Hinduism Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. 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 mations 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. ^ Robbins, T.; Palmer, S.J. 1997. Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements. Routledge, 108. ISBN 0415916496. the modern Brahma Kumaris movement contiunes this thousands of year old Hindu tradition of receiving teeachings and guidance in a channeling manner from transpersonal gurus ^ Hinduism Today. Hinduism Today. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. 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 ^ Walliss, John Sept 1999. When Prophecy Fails: The Brahma Kumaris and the Pursuit of the Millenniums. British Association for the Advancement of Science, Sheffield. 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 ion before being removed completely in the 1993 revision... Dr. Walliss also 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. Finally, Dr. Wallis disputes BKWSU's belief that Raja Yoga is the precursor to all world religions, including those that historically predate it. Specifically, 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, John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing, 111. ISBN 978-0754609513. Destruction did not materialise ... many Brahmins left the University because their hopes were dashed. Those who stayed had their faith reduced by half. They sacrificed their lives in this godly institution, left their families and invested all their wealth in this cause. ^ Howell, Julia Day Sept 1998. Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements: clarification of the Brahma Kumari case. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37 3: 453-461. doi:10.2307/1388052. 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 practice. 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 trial 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. ^ Walliss, John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing, 37. ISBN 978-0754609513. Of primary importance in the revelations Lekhraj is said to have received is that the members of the Brahma Kumari 'university' should undergo 'death-in-life', they should 'die towards the outer world'. They had to renounce their families and thus they got the opportunity to be 'divinely reborn' in a 'divine family ^ Smith, Dr Wendy A. Autumn 2007. Asian New Religious Movements as global cultural systems. International Institute for Asian Studies 45: 16-17. Conversion involves members changing their daily lifestles and even leaving long term relationships...Married converts have often had to forgo their marriage partnerships. ^ KoÅ›ciaÅ„ska, Agnieszka Z Autumn May 15-17, 2003. On celibate marriages: the Polish Catholics' encounter with Hindu spirituality. On the Margins of Religion, Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Warsaw University. Conversion to so-called new religions often causes a conflict within converts' families. He/she changes his/her beliefs, but also lifestyle: He converts prays differently and eats differently. The Brahma Kumaris members spend most of their time on 'spiritual development'. To be successful on this path one must fulfil very strict requirements, which totally reorganise everyday life of both members and their families. Families of converts become arenas of conflict between spirituality rooted in Hindu tradition and the very Polish 'popular Catholicism', on two indissoluble levels. First, on the level of religious practices and second, on the level of daily live. Sexual relations within marriage are considered to be 'sacred' by Catholics in Poland. The Brahma Kumaris believe that relations between husband and wife should be based on 'a marriage of souls' e.g. they should mate together, communicate via telepathy etc. ^ Is joining a cult always wrong?Geraldine Bedell on the murky ethics | Independent, The London | Find Articles at BNET.com ^ RICE, SHARON 2007. The PM's wife, the Druid priestess and the no-sex guru. Daily Mail. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. Brahma Kumaris, a women-led spiritual organisation that, while striving for world peace, has allegedly used 'pernicious' methods to control its followers. The group is led by 90-year-old Indian spiritualist Dadi Janki, a woman Dwina regards as her guru and whom she consults, according to a source close to her, 'about everything'. Both Dwina and Robin make regular donations to Brahma Kumaris ... Former members and the families of members have told me that Brahma has driven a wedge between husband and wife,' said Graham Baldwin, a cult expert who has counselled former Brahma members. ^ Momin, Sajeda 2007. Is Cherie becoming a Brahma Kumari?. Daily News and Analysis, Mumbai. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. ^ Walliss, John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity, 106. ISBN 978-0754609513. ^ Human Rights Without Frontiers, Int ^ Gest, Alain; Brar, president, Jean- Pierre Sauvaig and others, Suzanne 1995/6, Cults in France, Cults in France, French National Assembly in the name of The Board of Inquiry into Cults, http://www.cftf.com/french/Les_Sectes_en_France/cults.html ^ Orthophoniste et naturopathe, il est dénoncé comme gourou. Coordination des Associations Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience 2000. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. ^ Licenciements dans une crèche en Gironde pour appartenance à une secte, Agence France-Presse 1 18 Juin 2003 2 ^ a b Race for Raisina: Shekhawat vs Patil. IBN. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. Dadiji ke shareer mein Baba aye ... Maine unse baat ki Baba entered Dadi's body and he communicated to me through her ^ Patil kicks up another row. IBN. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ Battle for the palace. The Pioneer. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ Pratibha believes in spirits?. Times of India. Retrieved on 2007-07-22. ^ Dadi Hirdaya Mohini- Joint Administrative Head. BKWSU. Retrieved on 2007-07-28. ^ Walliss, John 2002. The Brahma Kumaris As a Reflexive Tradition: Responding to Late Modernity. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0754609513. Another rendition of the University's Millenarianism 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. ^ Advance Knowledge. Further reading BKWSU publications Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1977. Easy Raja Yoga: Taught by God Shiva. Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Visha-Vidyalay. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1969. Versions of God Almighty for Attainment of God-Fatherly Birthright of Heavenly Happiness. Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishva-Vidyalaya Abu, India. BKWSU 1984. The Song Divine II : God the Supreme, Speaking with the Angel Brahma to his Brahman Children in Madhuban during the 1979-80 Season.. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University London, England. O'Donnell, Ken. New Beginnings. BKWSU. ISBN 0-9637396-4-6. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1983. Brahma Baba, the Corporeal Medium of Shiva Baba. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1984. The Descent of incorporeal God into the Human Body of Brahma : a Brief Biographical Account. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Mount Abu, India. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1977. Observance of Brahmacharya and Conquest of Sex-Lust. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1978. Moral Values, Attitudes and Moods: a book on ethics for a new world order. BKWSU. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1980. Human values, Moral values, and Spiritual values: A book on divine values for the coming Golden Age. BKWSU 1999. Inner Beauty. Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. ASIN B000JVYGT6. BKWSU 1995. Practical Mation. Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. ISBN 09637396-0-3. BKWSU 2000. Blessings. BKWSU. ISBN 15587483-8-5. BKWSU 1996. Just a Moment. Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. ASIN B000JMA3OW. BKWSU 1995. Power and Effect of Thoughts. Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. ASIN B000JI7MJK. BKWSU 2000. Kaleidoscopic View of Issues, Ideas, Events, Intentions, Attitudes, Individuals, and Institutions. Prajapita Brahma Kumaris. ASIN B000FVUAGI. Radhe, Brahma-kumari Om 1938. Is this justice? Being an account of the founding of the Om Mandli the Om Nivas and their suppression, by application of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908. Pharmacy Printing Press. ASIN B00089UWHE. 1998 The Arts of Life. BKWSU. ISBN 09637396-2-X. Kumaris, Brahma 1975. Future of Mankind. Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. ISBN B0007CBK0U. Chander, B.K. Jagdish 1975. Raj Yoga Illustrated Raja Yoga, The Science for Attaining Purity, Peace, and Bliss. Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya. ASIN B000M3EGEQ. Janki, Dadi. Pearls of Wisdom. ISBN 15587472-3-0. Janki, Dadi. Perlas de Sabiduria. ISBN 15587479-1-5. Janki, Dadi. Wings of Soul. 1999. ISBN 15587467-2-2. Janki, Dadi 2000. Las Alas del Espiritu. ISBN 15587478-2-6. Janki, Dadi 2003. InsideOut a better way of living, learning, and loving. The Correspondence Course. BKWSU. O'Donnell, Ken 1987. Raja Yoga for beginners. ISBN 0-340-82915-X. Janki, Dadi 1996. Companion of God. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Literature Dept. London. ISBN 1886872023. Stephan, Nagel 1999. Brahmas geheime Schöpfung. Die indische Reformbewegung der Brahma Kumaris. Theion. ISBN 3-631-35484-3. 3|B.K. Jayanti, Kirpalani 1999. Valuing the Future : Education for Spiritual Development. Other publications Books Anti Om Mandli Committee 1940. Om Mandli : a true authenticated story about its activities being a reply to Is This Justice. Anti Om Mandli Committee, Hyderabad. OCLC 32117471. Lalrinawma, V.S.. The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris. ISPCK, Cambridge Press, Delhi. ISBN 81-7214-771-6. Shaw, William 1994. Spying in Guruland: Inside Britain's Cults. Fourth Estate, London. Babb, Lawrence A 1986. Redemptive encounters : three modern styles in the Hindu tradition. Berkeley : University of California Press. ISBN 0520056450. Barz, R.K. 1992. A reinterpretation of bhakti theology: from the Pustimarg to the Brahma Kumaris. Devotional Literature in South Asia: Current Research, 1985-8. Retrieved on 2008-01-25. La Naissance des Nouvelles Religions. Geneve, Suisse. ISBN 2-8257-0877-1. Whaling, Dr Frank 2008. Understanding the Brahma Kumaris. Dunedin Press ltd. ISBN 1-903765-51-X. Francis, L.J.; Katz, Y.J. 2000. Joining and Leaving Religion: Research Perspectives. Gracewing Publishing, 336. ISBN 0 85244 517 2. /ref Journals Brasher, B.E. 1998. Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements. Nova Religio 1 2: 309-311. doi:10.1525/nr.1998.1.2.309.2. Arweck, E.; Nesbitt, E. 2004. Living Values: an educational program--from initiative to uptake. British Journal of Religious Education 26 2: 133-149. doi:10.1080/01416200420042000181910. Retrieved on 2008-01-25. Skultans, V. 1993. The Brahma Kumaris and the role of women. Women and Teachers and Disciples in Traditional and New Religions: 47-62. Surviving Transplantation: The Brahma Kumaris in the Western World . Nelson Center for Humanities and Human Science. Altered States of Consciousness ASC Induction and New Religious Movements 1997. Sociology of Religion 58: 141-164. Howell, J.D.; Nelson, P.L. 1997. Structural adaptation and 'success' in the transplantation of an Asian New Religious Movement: the Brahma Kumaris in the Western world, Part I. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion 8: 1-33. Howell, J.D. 1998. Gender role experimentation in new religious movements: the case of the Brahma Kumaris. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37 3: 453-461. doi:10.2307/1388052. Babb, Lawrence A. 1982. Amnesia and Remembrance in a Hindu Theory of History. Asian Folklore Studies 41 1: 49-66. Babb, Lawrence A. 1981. Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism. Journal of Anthropological Research 37 4: 387-401. Babb, L.A. 1984. Indigenous Feminism in a Modern Hindu Sect. Signs 9 3: 399-416. doi:10.1086/494068. Retrieved on 2008-01-25. Barker, E. 1986. Religious Movements: Cult and Anticult Since Jonestown. Annual Review of Sociology 12 1: 329-346. doi:10.1146/annurev.so.12.080186.001553. Beit-Hallahmi, Benjamin August 2003. Apocalyptic Dreams and Religious Ideologies: Losing and Saving Self and World. Psychoanalytic Review 90 4: 403-439. Conference Gorgio, Barbara. 2004, A transformational model of education based on critical reflection, core values and service learning incorporating Brahma Kumaris Raj Yoga, Bahai and Vipassana views on teaching and learning., Symposium on Philosophical and Theological Approaches to Teaching and Learning., Australian Catholic University, St Patrick's Campus, Melbourne. Howell, Dr Julia D. 2003, Changing Meanings of Religious Pluralism, Religion and Democracy: an exchange of experiences between East and West: The CESNUR 2003 International Conference, CESNUR, http://www.cesnur.org/2003/vil2003_howell.htm Gorgio, Barbara. 2004, Humanising education in the 21st Century: Promoting global solidarity through Spiritual Intelligence, 32nd ANZCIES International Conference, Melbourne, Australia, The Australian and New Zealand Comparative and International Education Society Gorgio, Barbara. 2004, An holistic perspective on International Education: does International Education in Australia promote a philosophically defensible model of education for the future?, 15th ISANA International Conference, Melbourne, Australia, International Education Associationt Websites Kranenborg, Reender 1999. Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion?. Free University of Amsterdam. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. Varughese, Suma 1998. Brahma Kumaris, World Spiritual University PDF. Interreligious Insight. Retrieved on 2007-07-28. Velde, Paul van der 2002. The Brahma Kumaris as a 'reflexive Tradition': Responding to late modernity by John Walliss. Ars Disputandi. Retrieved on 2008-01-24. External links Official BKWSU sites BKWSU.Org - Brahma Kumaris International website BrahmaKumaris.Com - Brahma Kumaris Indian website Other sites BrahmaKumaris.Info - Independent support website run by mainly ex-members and associates of the BKWSU ReachoutTrust.Org - Evangelical Christian group's perspective of Brahma Kumaris RickRoss.Com - End of the World Predicted. Website of Rick Ross, a consultant, lecturer and intervention specialist, with an interest in exit counseling or de-programming people from cults. PBKs.Info - Alternative interpretations of Brahma Kumaris' channelled messages Retrieved from http://en..org/wiki/Brahma_Kumaris_World_Spiritual_University Categories: Channelling | New religious movements | Religious organizations based in India | Spiritual mediums | Religious organizations established in the 1930s Views Article Discussion this page History Personal tools Log in / create account Navigation Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Search Go Search Interaction Community portal Recent changes Contact Donate to Help Toolbox What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Printable version Permanent link Cite this page Languages Deutsch Español Français Nederlands Polski Português Română РуÑ?Ñ?кий This page was last modified on 12 September 2008, at 02:58
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So many of us do not eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, have too much stress, or are impacted with toxins and pollutants. Drinking 2 ounces of MonaVie twice a day will help your body detoxify as well as build your immune system. Its the smartest thing you can do for yourself, so start today. Buying MonaVie through our company guarantees you support 7 days a week and, if you would like to share MonaVie with your family and friends we will guide you from start to finish.
1. Click on Enroll Now (30 - 55% off retail price)
2. Pay $39 for your Wholesale ID number.
3. NO minimum order required.
4. MonaVie is delivered to your door in 3 to 5 days.