Survey of Hindu organisations


'''A Survey of Hindu Organisations''' |Image:Wiki_letter_w.png |'''''It is requested this article be expanded'''. Please improve it according to its listing on Wikipedia:Requests for expansion, or in any other way that you see fit. Once the requested improvements have been completed, you may remove this notice and the page's listing.''

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.

Ramakrishna Math and Mission

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

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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

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Cultural Field

http://www.sriramakrishna.org/-The-Ramakrishna-Mission-Institute-of-Culture,-Kolkata

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

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 Lord’s 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:

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Religion & Spirituality

  • Temples
  • * In india - 24
  • * Abroad - more than 7

Social Field

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Cultural Field

  • Sandeepani Sadhanalaya
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

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

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Religion & Spirituality

Meditation camps and study circles

Social Field

Schools

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Cultural Field

Relief activities

Province of its influence

Present chief of the movement

Major publications

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. 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

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Religion & Spirituality

Social Field

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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

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

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Religion & Spirituality

http://www.hssworld.org-Hindu-Swayamsevak-Sangh
  • http://www.vhp.org/-Vishwa-Hindu-Parishad
    • Yoga classes and boudhik shibirs

    Social Field

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    Cultural Field

    http://www.vidyabharati.org/aboutus.asp-Vidya-Bharati-in-Education

    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

    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

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    Religion & Spirituality

    Social Field

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    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

    Theosophical Society of India

    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

    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

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    Religion & Spirituality

    Discourses are held regularly. Members individually practice mediatation.

    Social Field

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    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 Books

    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

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    Religion & Spirituality

    Social Field

    ">-Cultural-Field">

    Cultural Field

    http://www.artofliving.org/v2/seva/reliefwork.htm-Relief-activities"> id="http://www.artofliving.org/v2/seva/reliefwork.htm-Relief-activities

    ">Relief activities

    Province of its influence

    Active in over 140 countries

    Present chief of the movement

    Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

    Major publications

    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: 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

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    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. 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

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    Cultural Field

    http://www.taralabalu.org/-Taralabalu-Math
  • *-http://www.jss.edu/user/listInstDetailsStatic.asp?MastPkf=8-Sanskrit-schools
  • *-Lingayat-Adhyayana-Samsthe,-Gadag
  • *-Veerashaiva-Adhyayana-Samsthe,-Belguam
    • Preservation of Traditional scriptures and publication of contemporary literature
    • * Taralabalu Math
    • * Sanskrit schools
    • * Lingayat Adhyayana Samsthe, Gadag
    • * Veerashaiva Adhyayana Samsthe, Belguam

    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

    Major publications

    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

    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

    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

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    Religion & Spirituality

    Society has around 500 meditation centres in 54 countries

    Social Field

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    Cultural Field

    Relief activities

    Province of its influence

    India and abroad

    Present chief of the movement

    Sri Daya Mata

    Major publications

    ISKCON

    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

    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.

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    Religion & Spirituality

    • ISKCON Prison Ministry - for the counselling of prisoners

    Social Field

    ">-Cultural-Field">

    Cultural Field

    http://www.krishna.com-The-Bhaktivedanta-Book-Trust,-publishes-vedic-texts-as-interpreted-in-ISKCON-in-several-languages-including-non-Indian.
  • -Vrindavana-Institute-for-Higher-Education,-Vrindavan
    • 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

    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

    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.

    Education Field

    Relief activities

    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

    Divine Life Society

    Founder

    Swami Sivananda Saraswati

    Year & Place of Founding

    At Rishikesh in 1936, India

    Aims & Ideals

    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 By rendering them such assistance as the Society may deem proper, whether in any individual case or in any particular class of cases; 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 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

    Education Field

    Around 1000 students from poor classes are given financial assistance from primary level to post-graduation level.

    Relief activities

    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.

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Topics in Hinduism
    Shruti (Primary Scriptures): VedasUpanishads > Bhagavad GitaItihasa (Ramayana & Mahabharata) > Agamas
    Smriti (Other texts): TantrasSutras > PuranasBrahma Sutras > Hatha Yoga Pradipika Yoga Sutra Tirukural
    Concepts: AvatarBrahman > Dharma Karma > MokshaMaya > Ishta-DevaMurti > ReincarnationSamsara > Trimurti Turiya
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    Gurus and Saints: ShankaraRamanuja >Madhvacharya | Ramakrishna | Vivekananda | Aurobindo | Ramana Maharshi Chinmayananda Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
    Denominations: Vaishnavism ShaktismMadhva > SmartismAgama Hindu Dharma > Contemporary Hindu movements Survey of Hindu organisations
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