Talk:Brahma Kumaris/History of the Brahma Kumari Movement

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Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) or Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya is a monastic, renunciate, millenarian new religious movement (NRM) of Indian origin whose teachings are based on, and practises, involve both mediumship and channelling. It promotes a form of meditation called Raja Yoga, which differs from classical Raja Yoga as described by Patanjali.

See also, Brahma Kumari Beliefs and Lifestyle.

Early history
The origin of BKWSU can be traced to the group "Om Mandali", founded by Lekhraj Kripalani (1876-1969) 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. Dada Lekhraj retired from his business in 1932 with assets of 1,000,000 Indian rupees to turn to spirituality. Their original spiritual knowledge was obtained though 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. In 1937, he named some of his followers as a managing committee, then reportedly transferred his fortune to the committee. Several women joined Om Mandali, and contributed their wealth to the association as well.

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 families including that of his own daughter who he had married into the family of the leader of what was to become the Anti-Party. 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, accused of forming a cult and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism. Children were removed from his school. 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. Under further pressure from the Hindu leaders in the the Government, the group was ordered to close and vacate its premises. 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.

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. After Dada Lekhraj's death in 1969, his followers expanded the movement to other countries.

Expansion
Beginning in the 1950s, the Brahma Kumaris began an internationalization expansion program, 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.

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. According to the BKWSU website, there are currently 825,000 students and over 8,500 Raja Yoga centres in 100 countries and territories. According to sources quoted in the Adherents website, worldwide membership ranges from 35,000 (in 1993) to 400,000 (in 1998).

Activities
The Brahma Kumaris conduct seven one-hour-long courses in their philosophy and open-eyed meditation technique. The organization offers courses in "positive thinking", "Self Management Leadership", and "Living Values." 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. Meditation is the movement's most significant 'effort'. Efforts to reform the Kaliyug are not in accord with Shiv Bab's will.

The Brahma Kumaris also have a number of voluntary outreach programs in prisons.

BKWSU

 * Brahma Kumaris International website
 * Brahma Kumaris Indian website
 * Peace Village and Retreat Center

non-BKWSU

 * Help and support for former members
 * Overview of Brahma Kumaris, Reachout Trust report
 * End of the World Predicted

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