Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya or Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a monastic, renunciate^[1]or semi-monastic^[2] Millenarian^[3][4] New Religious Movement (NRM) of Indian origin."^[5] It teaches a form of meditation^[6]called Raja Yoga, although not classical Raja Yoga as described by Patanjali,^[7] involving spirit possession^[8] and mediumistic channelling^[9][10] The date of establishment or date of founding of an institution is the date on which that institution chooses to claim as its starting point. ... Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Millenarianism or millenarism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society after which all things will be changed in a positive (or sometimes negative or ambiguous) direction. ... A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith, or an ethical, spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that isnt part of an established denomination, church, or religious body. ... Headquarters (HQ) denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are concentrated. ... , Rājasthān (DevanāgarÄ«: राजस्थान, IPA: )   is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... An official language is a language that is given a unique legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Hindi (Devanagari: or , IAST: , IPA: ), an Indo-European language spoken mainly in northern and central India, is one of the official languages of the Union government of India. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Brahma (IAST: Brahmā) (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as ) is the Hindu god (deva) of creation, and one of the Hindu Trinity - Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. ... An operating budget is the annual budget of an activity stated in terms of Budget Classification Code, functional/subfunctional categories and cost accounts. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on a Web server, usually accessible via the Internet or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML, that is almost always accessible... Monasticism (from Greek: monachos—a solitary person) is the religious practice of renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to fully devote ones life to spiritual work. ... Millenarianism (sometimes spelled millenarism or millennarism) is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society after which all things will be changed in a positive (or sometimes negative or ambiguous) direction. ... A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith, or an ethical, spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that isnt part of an established denomination, church, or religious body. ... Raja Yoga (lit. ... Patañjali, is the compiler of the Yoga Sutra, a major work containing aphorisms on the practical and philosophical wisdom regarding practice of Raja yoga. ... Look up Possession in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Early history

In 1932, Lekhraj Khubechand Kirpalani (1885-1969, the BKWSU claims 1879^[11]) retired from business in Calcutta, returned to Hyderabad, Sindh in North-West India,^[12] and started holding satsang. A follower of the Vaishnavite Vallabhacharya Sect^[13] and member of the exogamous Bhaiband community,^[14] Kirpalani is said to have had 12 gurus.^[15] After three years, the group around him grew to about 500. In 1935, the group registered as a private institution called Om Mandli headed by a committee of 9, and subsequently 17 women members. Followers of the group called themselves Prajapati Brahma-kumaris.^[16] Controversy over Om Mandli's activities developed shortly after the group founded a school called Om Nivas for the children of order members. Kirpalani preached to the women simplicity and the "abandonment of sordid affairs." He was an outspoken critic of the Bhaibund community, which he considered to be depraved. This article is about Hyderabad, Pakistan. ... Sindh (SindhÄ«: سنڌ, UrdÅ«: سندھ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhis. ... The company of the highest knowledge and Truth; the company of a Guru; contact with a person or an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the Truth. ... Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ... Vallabhacharya (1479 - 1531) was the founder of the Vallabha sect in Indian philosophy. ... A sect is generally a small religious or political group that has branched off from a larger established group. ... A guru (गुरू Sanskrit) is a Hindu religious teacher. ...

The official history states that Om Mandli was founded in either 1936, although earlier records state August 1938 ^[17]. Kripalani was said to have had visions of the destruction of the world^[18] through civil war, natural disaster and finally Nuclear Holocaust, one of Earth in a paradiscal state, and another of himself as the Hindu god Vishnu.^[19] It is claimed that Lekhraj then had the experience of a spirit being entering him and speaking through his body.^[20] Believing this being to be God, it was recalled in a BKWSU publication that his eyes glowed red^[21] and all the room around him^[22] Paradise, Jan Bruegel Paradise is an English word from Persian roots that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven. ... A Hindu ( , Devanagari: हिन्दु), as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, and the religious, philosophical and cultural system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... With regard to living things, a body is the integral physical material of an individual. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

Controversy^[23] and legal opposition arose between Kirpalani and the Bhaibund community in 1938 that grew to involve the Minister of Law and Order of the Sind Government and Hindu Independence Party. Under his influence one of Kirpalani's daughter left her husband, the son of an important member of the community. Another of his daughters was married outside of the community against its wishes. Three married women followers refused conjugal rights to their husbands. A widow left her family to join the group. Kirpalani was accused of forming a cult and controlling his community through the art of hypnotism, children were removed from his school.^[24] Lekhraj had described sex as "poison", "criminal assault," and "the gateway to hell".^[25] The main complaint was that Om Mandli was preaching celibacy to unmarried girls and married women.^[26].^[27] For the Wikipedia policy regarding controversial issues in articles, see Wikipedia:Guidelines for controversial articles. ... This article is about law in society. ...

Amid picketing, physical attacks and a flurry of legal actions from opponents^[28] and due to continuing opposition from their own families and local communities, the Om Mandali members left Hyderabad, Sindh establishing a new ashram in Karachi. The Anti-Om Mandli Committee that had opposed the group in Hyderabad followed them.^[29]. After fourteen years, [9] God supposedly told Kripalani ^[30] that the gathering should move from Karachi to their current location in Mount Abu, Rajasthan in April, 1950^[31],^[32] a Hindu pilgrimage site with temples dating back to the 1300s. This article is about Hyderabad, Pakistan. ... Karachi (Urdu: كراچى, Sindhi: ڪراچي) is the capital of the province of Sindh, and the largest city in Pakistan. ... Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state, in western India. ...

Expansion

Om Shanti Bawan, the main hall at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters

Where they had originally sought to escape the corruption, and perhaps more importantly, the persecution of the outside world, beginning in the 1950s the BK began a vigorous internationalisation programme involving various forms of proselyting activity,^[33] establishing centers across India with female teachers. The leadership of the BK movement remains primarily female however in the UK, for example, as many as 1/3 of the 42 centres are run by brothers.^[34]. From approximately 300 individuals from a single community, the organisation has, according to their website, expanded to more than 8,500 Raja Yoga centres in 90 countries. Chryssides^[35] (in 1999) gives a figure of regular students outside India as 5,715 and within the UK of 1,200. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 × 768 pixel, file size: 137 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Om Shanti Bawan. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 × 768 pixel, file size: 137 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Om Shanti Bawan. ... Raja Yoga (lit. ... This article describes a type of political entity. ...

Activities

The Brahma Kumaris continue conducting their traditional seven one-hour-long courses in their philosophy and open-eyed meditation. An organisation that once referred to membership as "death-in-life"^[36] now, whilst still speaking in such terms to some extent, offers "Success in life" or "Empowerment in life" to outsiders through courses in 'Positive thinking' and 'Self Management Leadership', as well helping to found initiatives such as 'Living Values'.^[37] This was a forerunner to the Living Values Education Programme.^[38]

The Brahma Kumaris have also instigated a number of voluntary outreach programmes in prisons,^[39] homes for the elderly, drug clinics and hospitals promoting their practises.

On the periphery, the terminology of the New age is deployed and the University is keen to market itself at Mind, Body and Spirit fairs. Here, the Destruction of the world prophesied by the University's founder^[40] is repackaged as 'the New Age" or "World Transformation" whilst the University's emphasis on undergoing death-in-life gives way to an emphasis on personal empowerment.^[41]. Professor Emeritus Frank Whaling noted "the spectacle of the University which has the word 'spiritual' written into its very name is now increasingly involved in frenetic activity on behalf of the world that is deemed to be beyond redemption in its present form."^[42]. Great emphasis is placed on the value of bringing converts into the movement, particularly converts who stick. Students are required to make efforts to serve the organisation and obey its rules. Service requires active support of the movement, especially participating in its many proselytizing activities.^[43]

Lifestyle

The movement teaches that the world is approaching a time of great change that will be heralded by war, natural calamities and suffering.^[44] As a form of developing inner spiritual resilience the Brahma Kumaris adopt a disciplined lifestyle^[45][46] that involves:

• Absolute^[47]/Complete (extreme and uncompromising)^[48]celibacy^[49][50] including no sex within marriage.^[51] So long as chastity is followed marriage and family life will be allowed.^[52]
• Sattvic vegetarianism, a strict lacto-vegetarian diet^[53](excluding eggs, onions, garlic and/or spicy food) cooked only by the self or other BKs ('Soul Conscious')^[54][55]
• Keeping a "Daily Chart" or journal as a means of spiritual self-progress.
• Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and non-prescription drugs.^[56][57]
• A high degree of physical cleanliness.
• Regular early morning meditation at 4.00^[58] to 4.45 am, called 'Amrit Vela'
• Regular morning class at approximately 6:30 a.m.^[59]
• 'Traffic Control', being moments of meditation interspersed throughout the day
• Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides of the room at the centres during classes.^[60]
• BK's can be identified by their frequent adoption of wearing white clothes.^[61]
• Companions (friends/family) should be good (satsang) soul-aware yogis as opposed to bhogis, those given over to worldly pleasures.^[62]
• The Brahma Kumaris has at its core 'surrendered' women and men who have either left or never entered family life and live as centrewassis (living in BK centres). The movement is eager to hold on to recruits and to reclaim those who have fallen away.^[63]
• Lay members are those who live with their 'worldy' families and have a more atomic involvement. For these persons sexuality is no longer an issue as they are primarily widows or in their middle years.^[64]

This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Sanskrit word guna (guṇa) has the basic meaning of string or a single thread or strand of a cord or twine. In more abstract uses, it may mean a subdivision, species, kind, and generally quality. In Classical literature In Classical literature (e. ... A variety of vegetarian food ingredients Vegetarianism is the practice of not consuming the flesh of any animal (including sea animals) with or without also eschewing other animal derivatives, such as dairy products or eggs[1]. Some vegetarians choose to also refrain from wearing clothing that has involved the death... A large statue in Bangalore depicting Shiva meditating Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. ... Surrender in spirituality and religion means that a believer completely gives up his own will and subjects his thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and teachings of a divine power or deity. ... Look up left in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... To reclaim something is the political process and strategy consisting in re-evaluating and re-appropriating terms that in the dominant culture are used to oppress minorities. ...

Beliefs

"Divine Decree. A Revelation as to How and Through which Divine Dictator Bharat attains complete Self-Rule". Prajapati Brahma-kumaris, Karachi. 1943

In 1952, after a 14 year period of retreat during which Kirpalani 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.^[65]. The movement has distinguished itself from Hinduism and projects itself as a vehicle for spiritual teaching rather than a religion.^[66] According to Dr. Kranenborg^[67] and O'Donnell.^[68] It has distinguished itself as being separate from Hinduism^[69] Other beliefs include: Image File history File links Size of this preview: 422 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1706 pixel, file size: 504 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Divine Decree. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 422 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1706 pixel, file size: 504 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Divine Decree. ...

God

"Truth about The Creator and The Creation"

Between 1939 and 1949 the organisation stated that Lekhraj Kirpalani was thought to be the God^[70] taking the name Prajapati Brahma, God the Creator in Hinduism.^[71] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 429 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1702 × 2379 pixel, file size: 303 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Truth about the Creator and His Creation. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 429 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1702 × 2379 pixel, file size: 303 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Truth about the Creator and His Creation. ... Brahma (IAST: Brahmā) (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as ) is the Hindu god (deva) of creation, and one of the Hindu Trinity - Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. ...

At some point later, this was revised to claim that God Shiva, or the ‘Supreme Soul’, possessed or entered Kirpalani in 1936^[72] and started to teach humanity verbally. Contrary to the traditional view of the Hindu deity Shiva,^[73] Shiva is claimed to be an eternal and benevolent point of conscious energy, the embodiment of love, knowledge and truth and beyond gender. BKs do not subscribe to God being omnipresent. Matter and human souls are also eternal and neither are created by God nor do they emerge from God. BKs also consider God’s roles to be creator, preserver and destroyer, through the symbol of the Trimurti repainted to use Lekhraj Kripalani's image for all three deities. The name Brahma Kumari followers use for God is ‘Shiva’ meaning The Benevolent One or, as a term of endearment, "Shiv Baba". Look up supreme in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Supreme may mean: Supreme (comics), a comic book superhero Supreme (rapper), a member of rap group Looptroop Supreme (single), a single by Robbie Williams Supreme (wrestler), a wrestler in Xtreme Pro Wrestling Any member of the singing group The Supremes This is... The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the self-aware essence unique to a particular living being. ... For other uses, see Siva (disambiguation). ... Love is any of a number of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection or profound oneness. ... Personification of knowledge (Greek Επιστημη, Episteme) in Celsus Library in Ephesos, Turkey. ... A common dictionary definition of truth is agreement with fact or reality.[1] There is no single definition of truth about which the majority of philosophers agree. ... Gender in common usage refers to the sexual distinction between male and female. ... Omnipresence is defined, in a general sense, as: the ability to be present in every place at the same time; unbounded or universal presence. ... From left, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva The Trimurti (English: Three forms; Sanskrit: ) is a concept in Hinduism in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Åšiva respectively. ...

The Self

BKs believe that human and even animal souls are also an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. They say that souls originally exist with God in a "Soul World", a world of infinite light, peace and silence otherwise known as Nirvana. Here the souls are in a state of rest and is beyond experience. Souls enter bodies to take birth in order to experience life and give expression to their personality. Unlike other Eastern Religions, the BKWSU teaches that the soul does not 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 it enters the human body in the 4th to 5th month of pregnancy.^[74] ( Sanskrit: ; Pali: निब्बान Nibbāna; Vietnamese: Niết bàn; Chinese: 涅槃; Mandarin Pinyin: nièpán, Cantonese: nihppùhn; Japanese: nehan ); Korean: 열반, yeolbhan; Thai: nibpan นิพพาน), is a Sanskrit word that literally means to cease blowing (as when a candle flame ceases to flicker) and/or extinguishing (that is, of the passions). ...

Cycle of Time

"Key to World Sovereignity, How the Preordained World Drama Repeats Every Kalpa (5000 years)". Prajapati Brahma-kumaris, Karachi. 1949

Brahma Kumaris teach that time is cyclic, repeating identically every 5,000 years, and comprises five ages (yugas): the Golden Age (Sat Yuga), the Silver Age (Treta Yuga), the Copper Age (Dwapar Yuga), the Iron Age (Kali Yuga) each exactly 1,250 years long^[75] and Confluence Age (Sangam Yuga). The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, from the descent of Shiva in 1936, during which present day civilisation is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war with the death of 6 Billion [10] which is generally hidden from non-members ^[76]. They further believe that during the first half of the cycle, procreation is possible without sexual intercourse, and through the power of yoga.^[77] However, the Universe is never transformed into the primordial or atomic state matter and nor does the world ever become devoid of human beings^[78]. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 422 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1828 × 2593 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 422 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1828 × 2593 pixel, file size: 1. ... In Hindu philosophy, the existence of the world is divided into four Yugas (ages): Satya Yuga or Krita Yuga Treta Yuga Dwapara Yuga Kali Yuga According to the rishis of ancient India, the world goes through a continuous cycle of these ages. ... The Satya Yuga (Devanagari: सत्य युग), also called Sat Yuga, Krta Yuga and Krita Yuga in Hinduism, is the Yuga (Age or Era) of Truth, when humankind is governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest ideal and mankind will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme. ... The Treta Yuga is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in the religion of Hinduism, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga. ... Dvapara Yuga is the third out of four yugas, or ages, in the religion of Hinduism. ... Kali Yuga is also the title of a book by Roland Charles Wagner. ...

Tree of Humanity

The Brahma Kumaris teach that all of life will die and return to Nirvana, 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 Kirpalani and his BK followers are shown as the roots of the humanity. BKs go on to enjoy 2,500 years of paradise 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.

They claim that following the birth of their founder as Krishna at the start of the Golden Age, he becomes Emperor Narayan. They teach that the initial population will comprise of 900,000 BKs reborn as deities.^[79][80] In one of a number of failed predications of the end of the world, BKs believed during late 1940s that the year 1950 would see the destruction of the world through atomic war and the end of "innumerable Western and Eastern irreligions"^[81].

"The Kalpa Vriksha Tree is 5000 Years Old". Prajapati Brahma-kumaris, Karachi "estd by Divine Father God Brahma, The Creator, The Seed of Humanity". 1949

The aim of the individual BK is to gain a high status in the coming paradise, perhaps even a select 108 who are 'totally victorious' and will rule there. It is believed that members of the physical families of BKs who have contact with the University will become members of the 16,000 top souls. At the end of each Cycle, it is believed that everyone will see visions in which their personal destinies will be fully disclosed.^[82] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 437 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1645 pixel, file size: 414 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The Age of This Kalpa-Vriksha (Variety Human World Tree) is 5000 years Prajapati Brahma-kumaris, 1949. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 437 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1645 pixel, file size: 414 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The Age of This Kalpa-Vriksha (Variety Human World Tree) is 5000 years Prajapati Brahma-kumaris, 1949. ...

BK Raja Yoga Meditation

"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 (paramatmā Shiva). The BKs believe that practice of Raja Yoga enables spiritual progress as well as having pragmatic benefits, for example, business success. Not infrequently BKs organize seminars on business management and on developing personal life skills."^[83]

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.^[84] 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 themself 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".^[85]

While staring (gazing into the eyes of an adept) at the teacher, many students experience visual hallucinations involving lights.^[86]

Murlis

Unlike traditional forms of Hinduism, the Brahma Kumaris' teachings come not so much from ancient scriptures but from revelations given in trance states.^[87]. However, the mediumistic messages known by BKs as "Murlis" read at the 6.30 am meetings are slowly developing the nature of potential scriptures^[88]. The earlier ones channelled by Lekhraj Kirpalani while he was alive, are now repeated in a five year cycle. They are supplemented by later murlis channelled by Dadi Gulzar of Delhi in trance states, and these too are written down.

There are two types of mediumistic messages; ‘sakar’ and ‘avyakt’;

• Sakar Murlis refer to the original classes claimed to be spoken by "Shiva" through the medium of Lekhraj Kirpalani in the 1960’s, before he died of a heart attack on 18 January 1969^[89]. These include teachings by Shiva and the life of personal experience of Kirpalani.

• Avyakt Vanis, or Murlis, refer to the teachings of Shiva and the soul of the deceased Lekhraj Kirpalani combined through a medium named Hirday Mohini, or "Dadi Gulzar".^[90] The BKs believe that the soul of Lekhraj Kirpalani 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.

The Murlis have been removed for sale or general public circulation,^[91] and 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 founder communicates via trance-medium^[92] A Gothic angel in ivory, c1250, Louvre An angel is a supernatural being found in many religions. ... The word circulation can mean the following: The transport of blood through the circulatory system. ...

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".^[93]
• Reincarnation happens from one human body to another only.^[94]
• Time is not linear but rather cyclical and the physical world manifests as an eternally repeating and identical 5,000 year cycle at which the end of it is destroyed and then re-created every time.
• Each repeating cycle is exactly the same as the previous one.
• Humanity is currently reaching the end of the current cycle and thus the world will be destroyed, a time they refer to as "Destruction". The main difference between the BK's belief of destruction and those of Doomsday cults is that the world renews itself and does not come to an end.^[95]
• God incarnates personally onto the Earth and speaks through their founder Lekhraj Kripalani which was the same individual that was historically or mythically known as Krishna and Adam but is now known as "Brahma".
• India Subcontinent will be the site of the future Golden Aged paradise and that a form of Hindi is the original language of humanity. Followers are taught that if they make spiritual efforts, only they will live in the coming Golden Age paradise.^[96] as Gods and Goddesses.^[97].

Human beings are defined variously in biological, spiritual, and cultural terms, or in combinations thereof. ... The soul, according to many religious and philosophical traditions, is the self-aware essence unique to a particular living being. ... With regard to living things, a body is the integral physical material of an individual. ... With regard to living things, a body is the integral physical material of an individual. ... Reincarnation, literally to be made flesh again, is a doctrine or mystical belief that some essential part of a living being (in some variations only human beings) survives death to be reborn in a new body. ... Antarctica Oceania Africa Asia Europe North America South America Middle East Caribbean Central Asia East Asia North Asia South Asia Southeast Asia SW. Asia Australasia Melanesia Micronesia Polynesia Central America Latin America Northern America Americas C. Africa E. Africa N. Africa Southern Africa W. Africa C. Europe E. Europe N... Humanity refers to the human race or mankind as a whole, to that which is characteristically human, or to that which distinguishes human beings from other animals or from other animal species primal nature. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... Michelangelos The Creation of Adam, a fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, shows God creating Adam, with Eve in His arm. ... Brahma (IAST: Brahmā) (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as ) is the Hindu god (deva) of creation, and one of the Hindu Trinity - Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. ... Motto Satyameva Jayate (Sanskrit)  (Devanagari) Truth Alone Triumphs[1] Anthem Jana Gana Mana National Song[2] Vande Mataram Capital New Delhi Largest city Mumbai Official languages Union:3 Hindi and English States and others:4 Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Paradise, Jan Bruegel Paradise is an English word from Persian roots that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven. ... Hindi ( , Devanagari: or , IAST: , IPA: ), an Indo-European language spoken mainly in northern and central India, is the official language of the Union along with English. ... Humanity refers to the human race or mankind as a whole, to that which is characteristically human, or to that which distinguishes human beings from other animals or from other animal species primal nature. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Paradise, Jan Bruegel Paradise is an English word from Persian roots that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven. ...

View of Christianity

Contrary to the beliefs of Christianity, just as the BKWSU claims God the Father was now sharing a body with Brahma Baba, in the same way Christ had entered the body of Jesus. The groups says it was Jesus who suffered on the cross, not Christ. Christ, the pure Son of God left the body early and went to take rebirth to help guide his fledgling religion into maturity. They claim that many more secrets about Christ and the other religious founders have been revealed by Baba.^[98] Christianity percentage by country, purple is highest, orange is lowest Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Christ is the English... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Son of God is...

Attitudes toward sex

According to the movement, male domination of women in the sexual relationship is the parent of all other vices and the prime cause of the unhappy state of humanity.^[99]. Through sexual renunciation, the Brahma Kumaris seek the power to make themselves free in a world that they themselves create by means of their power. Celibacy keeps women free from the bondage of husband, family and society. Sexual passion, more than anything else, entrenches and confirms in our false identification with the body therefore celibacy plays a vital role in liberating women.^[100] However, only 18% of BKWSU followers felt that the movement was effective in raising its voice against atrocities against women.^[101]

Achievements

In India, the BKWSU is particularly noted for its charitable Village Outreach Programme administered by the J.Wattammull Memorial Global Hospital and Research Centre (GHRC), established in 1991, also located in Mount Abu. In 2004, the Brahma Kumaris established the G.V. Mody Rural Health Care Centre & Eye Hospital, located at the base of Mount Abu.^[102]

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 Nations^[103] and UNICEF.^[104] It is also affiliated to the UN Department of Public Information.

The Brahma Kumaris have undertaken two major international projects; ‘The Million Minutes for Peace’ in 1986 for which they received 7 Peace Messenger Awards and ‘Global Cooperation for a Better World’ in 1988.

The organization now has 100s of branches internationally and ;

• most level management and the majority of local management and teaching is done by women
• administrators of two hospitals
• organizes interfaith meetings that have brought together previously opposing groups
• active within female emancipation in India
• 7 UN Peace Messenger Awards 1987 for the co-ordination of the ‘Million Minutes of Peace’ project
• Pioneering work in solar energy and sustainable energy, including developing the world's largest solar cooker [11]
• Chief administrator Prakashmani awarded Peace Medal of the United Nations for the year 1981
• granted International Peace Messenger Initiative status by the U.N.for the Global Co-operation for a Better World campaign[12]
• does not charge but accepts donations and government grants to support its services

The term women’s rights typically refers to freedoms inherently possessed by women and girls of all ages, which may be institutionalized or ignored and/or illegitimately suppressed by law or custom in a particular society. ...

Splinter movements

The Advance Party

Walliss mentions the advent of a breakaway movement referring to one of them as the Advance Party^[105] elsewhere they are referred to as the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris or PBKs.^[106] He goes on to state that as Lekhraj Kirpalani'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 mediaeval Catholic Church". The most vocal of splinter group, the "Advance Party" offer a radicalise rendition of the BKWSU's original millenarian message. In particular, they are exceptionally hostile to the University's New Age and UN involvement.^[107].

Walliss goes on to state that the PBKs claim that Shiva is now manifesting Himself through a different medium to correctly interpret the original teachings, claiming that it was Brahma Baba's business partner Sevak Ram who was the original medium. PBKs report hostility and resistance from the BKWSU, Walliss meeting 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.^[108]

Within the Brahma Kumaris' theodicy, the Advance Party' are the group of pure souls who arrive on the earth at the start of the Golden Age to prepare the way for the other souls. The breakaway group's use of the name is seen within the BKWSU as impertinent and they therefore refer to them as the 'Shankar Party'^{[citation needed]}.

The Atman Foundation

The Atman Foundation was started by previously high profile Brahma Kumari, Dr. Fittkau-Garthe and become involved controversy in a 1998.^[109][13].

Controversies

• Dr Walliss 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".^[110]

• The attendance of women of local wealthy families at Lekhraj's early gatherings provoked a hostile reaction from the local community. An article in Newsweek magazine portrayed Lekhraj as a modern-day Krishna surrounded by admiring gopis and as a justification for him to set up a harem of upper class women. The fact that Kripalani was actually advocating female celibacy and asceticism provoked an even bigger backlash resulting in the formation, by the husbands, of "an association intent on destroying the fledgling movement".^[111]

• Misandry It is claimed by Brian Wilson, Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, that women control men in a complete role reversal. Women hold the highest spiritual positions while men serve in subordinate positions^[112][113] and that women are primarily in the leadership and administrative roles^[114] of the organization, a key reversal of traditional cultural structure of India.

• Conflict within the families of followers.^[115]

• Wallis states as per his research that the BKWSU has made "a number of prophetic failures".^[116]

• The leadership of the BKWSU has been criticised by splinter groups alleging the re-editing of the channelled messages said to be from God to defend their position or suit their current philosophy.^[117]

• The BKWSU offer girls in their mid-teens who may wish to undertake a fuller commitment to the organisation a special retreat in Mount Abu, which marks the beginning of a one-year trial as surrendered sisters. A payment equivalent to a dowry is required from the girls' natural families to cover living expenses over the trial period. This payment is also meant to prevent parents "dumping" daughters at the BKWSU to avoid dowries and other costs of ordinary marriages. Returning to the world for girls who have such dowries paid for them is difficult.^[118]

• Through spiritual effort, BKs believe that they will be reborn into the paradisical phase of the next world cycle, a Golden Age which will be Nuclear powered in which supersonic airplanes will take the place of telephones. In that age, they will be the deities that are imperfectly remembered through texts today.^[119]

• Belief that Raja Yoga is the precursor to all world religions.^[120]

This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ...

Controversies in the Media

It is reported by the British tabloid the Mail on Sunday that the BKWSU has allegedly "used 'pernicious' methods to control its followers", the organisation being "notable for its sex ban". "Former members and the families of members have told me that (BKWSU) has driven a wedge between husband and wife," said Graham Baldwin a cult expert. "There have also been complaints that it encourages single women and widows to donate property and savings".^[121][122] The Daily Mail and its Sunday edition the Mail on Sunday are British newspapers, first published in 1896. ... This article does not discuss cult in its original sense of religious practice; for that usage see Cult (religious practice). ...

The Mail on Sunday also quotes Ian Howarth, of the Cult Information Centre as saying: "I have the same concerns about this group that I have about the Moonies. People have come to us complaining that some loved ones who have got involved with it have undergone personality changes and have become alienated from their families." Answering allegations that Brahma Kumaris has wrecked marriages because of its sex ban, a BK spokeswoman is quoted as saying: "This is very much a minority thing. In any organisation there are people who gain a huge amount and that is what you need to focus on." The paper said she declined to comment on allegations that it encourages followers to donate property and savings."^[123] The Daily Mail and its Sunday edition the Mail on Sunday are British newspapers, first published in 1896. ... The Cult Information Centre (CIC) is a Britain-based organization that provides information and advice to members of what the organization terms as cults, as well as affected family members[1], members of the press and scholarly researchers. ... The term Moonies is a derogatory term for members of Sun Myung Moons Unification Movement. ...

Use of Mediumship

The BKWSU is believed by its members to have been established by Shiva Baba (God-Father Shiva, described as the Supreme Soul and conceived as the one God of all religions) through the medium of the group's founder Lekhraj Kirpalani. From the beginning, the group has used a number of mediums and trance-messengers [14] to receive messages from disincarnate beings or deceased members.[15]^[124] According to founding members, followers in the early days, including children, would commonly go into trances, having visions of Krishna and Vaikunth (Golden Age Heaven) and engaging in ecstatic dances^[125] for as long as 7 days.^{[citation needed]} In addition, a number of mediumistic female followers known as Sandeshputris (trance messengers) also helped add to the group's spiritual knowledge through psychic visions and direct contact with God. This ability to contact the spiritual realm appears to extend to deceased leaders as well others with an important connection to the group.^[126]. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Trance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

The deceased human founder Lekhraj Kirpalani continues to be channelled 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 disincarnate being the BKWSU claim is God are referred to as BapDada (meaning Father and Elder Brother) by BKs, especially in the context of their manifestation via this trance medium, through which the pair continue to direct the organization to this day.^[127][16].

Academics note the prominence of the surrendered sisters who through their mediumship channel the messages from Shiva and Brahma and so ensure their importance as the instrument, or mouthpieces, of a male spirit.^[128].

People associated with the BKWSU

• Dadi Prakash Mani "Kumarka"—Head Administrator[17][18]
• Dadi Hirdaya Mohini “Gulzar”—Medium/Joint Administrative Head [19]
• Dadi Janki Kripalani - Additional Administrative Head [20] [21] [22]
• B.K. Jagdish Chander Hassija, author and Chief Spokesperson deceased^[129]
• Senior Sister in Charge of UK,Jayanti Kirpalani - European Director[23]
• Senior Sister in Charge of US, Mohini Panjabi - Pres. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization, Americas & Caribbean, Main Representative to the United Nations
• Brother Nirvair - lecturer [24] (Google English translation [25])
• BK Karuna, Chief of Multimedia, BrahmaKumaris[26][27]
• Ken O’Donnell--author and lecturer
• Dr. Nirmala Kajaria, Regional Director of Brahmakumari Raja Yoga Centres in Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific
• Charlie Hogg - director of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centres in Australia.
• Brian Bacon -senior member of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and "visiting faculty member at their headquarters in Mt Abu, India". [28]
• Lee James - actor
• Mike George - author
• Robert Shubow, J.D.,PhD—Author, playwrite and psychologist,(exBK) past
• Elena Marcos Ortega, responsible for BKWSU activities in Mexico
• Moira Lowe, responsible for BKWSU activities in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina
• Miriam Subirana,[29] responsible for BKWSU activities in Spain
• Lynne Franks
• Robin Gibb[30][31][32] [33]

Mediumship is a term used mostly in spiritualism to denote the ability to produce psi phenomena of a mental or physical nature. ... An author is any person(s) or entity(s) that originates and assumes responsibility for an expression or communication. ... This page deals with the cessation of life. ... United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... Lecturer is a term of academic rank. ... An author is any person(s) or entity(s) that originates and assumes responsibility for an expression or communication. ... Lecturer is a term of academic rank. ... Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... An author is any person(s) or entity(s) that originates and assumes responsibility for an expression or communication. ... J.D. redirects here; for alternate uses, see J.D. (disambiguation) J.D. is an abbreviation for the Latin Juris Doctor, also called a Doctor of Law or Doctorate of Jurisprudence, and is the law degree typically awarded by an accredited U.S. law school after successfully completing three years... PhD usually refers to the academic title Doctor of Philosophy PhD can also refer to the manga Phantasy Degree This is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... An author is any person(s) or entity(s) that originates and assumes responsibility for an expression or communication. ... A playwright is an author of plays for performance in the theater. ... A psychologist is a scientist and/or clinician who studies psychology, the systematic investigation of the human mind, including behavior and cognition. ... The past is the portion of the timeline that has already occurred; it is the opposite of the future. ... Lynne Franks (born c. ... Robin Hugh Gibb CBE (born December 22, 1949) is a singer and songwriter. ...

Brahma Kumaris Publications

Books

Author

• The Licentious Comedy of the Restoration Age by B. K Jagdish Chander 1972
• Easy Raja Yoga: Taught by God Shiva by B. K Jagdish Chander 1977
• New Beginnings, Ken O'Donnell, 1987, ISBN 0-9637396-4-6
• Adi Dev: The First Man, Written by Jagdish Chander, Translation by Shanta Trivedi PhD, Edited by Robert Shubow1981, ASIN: B0006XWNQ0
• Brahma Baba, the Corporeal Medium of Shiva Baba by B. K Jagdish Chander 1983
• Observance of Brahmacharya and Conquest of Sex-Lust by B. K Jagdish Chander 1977
• Moral Values, Attitudes and Moods: a book on ethics for a new world order by B.K. Jagdish Chander 1978.
• Human values, Moral values, and Spiritual values: A book on divine values for the coming golden age by B. K Jagdish Chander 1980
• Inner Beauty, Brahma Kumaris (Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya), 1996, ISIN: B000JVYGT6
• Practical Meditation, Brahma Kumaris (Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya , 1995, ISBN 09637396-0-3 ASIN: B000JKVU32
• Blessings, Brahma Kumaris, 2000, ISBN 15587483-8-5
• Just a Moment, Brahma Kumaris (Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya) , 1996, ASIN: B000JMA3OW
• Power and Effect of Thoughts, Brahma Kumaris , 1995, ASIN: B000JI7MJK
• Kaleidoscopic View of Issues, Ideas, Events, Intentions, Attitudes, Individuals, and Institutions ,Prajapita Brahma Kumaris , 2000, ASIN: B000FVUAGI
• 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, Brahma Kumaris Radhe, 1939,ASIN:B00089UWHE
• The Arts of Life, Brahma Kumaris , 1998, ISBN 09637396-2-X
• Future of mankind, Brahma Kumaris , 1975, ASIN: B0007CBK0U
• Raj Yoga Illustrated (Raja Yoga, The Science for Attaining Purity, Peace, and Bliss),Jagdish Chander:Brahma Kumaris, 1975, ASIN: B000M3EGEQ
• Pearls of Wisdom, by Dadi Janki, 1999, ISBN 15587472-3-0
• Perlas de Sabiduria Spanish, by Dadi Janki, 2000, ISBN 15587479-1-5
• Wings of Soul, by Dadi Janki, 199 ISBN 15587467-2-2
• Las Alas del Espiritu,Spanish, by Dadi Janki, 200,ISBN 15587478-2-6
• InsideOut a better way of living, learning, and loving, by Dadi Janki, 2003, ASIN: B000H7LIPM

Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Pope Zephyrinus succeeds Pope Victor I Geodeung succeeds Suro as king of the Korean kingdom of Gaya. ... For other uses, see number 200. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Hinduism
• Shiva
• Shaivism
• New religious movement
• Yoga
• Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
• Raja Yoga
• Prajapita Brahma Kumaris
• Hindu reform movements

Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages) is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... For other uses, see Siva (disambiguation). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith, or an ethical, spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that isnt part of an established denomination, church, or religious body. ... Statue of Shiva performing Yogic meditation Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India. ... Patañjali, is the compiler of the Yoga Sutra, a major work containing aphorisms on the practical and philosophical wisdom regarding practice of Raja yoga. ... This is an article about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. ... Raja Yoga (lit. ... // Introduction Adhyatmik Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya [AIVV] is a spiritual organisation the aim of which is the transformation of th world in one family through practice of Raja Yoga and studies of Godly Knowledge. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Concepts associated with BKs

• Millenarianism
• End times
• Channeling
• Channeling (mediumistic)
• Meditation

Millenarianism (sometimes spelled millenarism or millennarism) is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society after which all things will be changed in a positive (or sometimes negative or ambiguous) direction. ... // In the three Abrahamic Religions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity), the End Times are depicted as a time of tribulation that precede the predicted coming of a Messiah figure. ... Channeling can refer to Channeling (physics) Channeling (mediumistic), a term used in reference to the process of receiving messages or inspiration from invisible beings or spirits This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Channeling is the communication of information to or through a physically embodied human being, from a source that is said to exist on some other level or dimension of reality than the physical, and that is not from the normal mind (or self) of the channel. ... A large statue in Bangalore depicting Shiva meditating Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. ...

References

Eileen Barker is a professor in sociology and is an emeritus member of the London School of Economics, and a consultant to that institutions Centre for the Study of Human Rights at. ... Eileen Barker is a professor in sociology and is an emeritus member of the London School of Economics, and a consultant to that institutions Centre for the Study of Human Rights at. ... Dr. John Gordon Melton is the founding director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion and is a research specialist with the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. ... Dr George D. Chryssides is the senior lecturer in Religious Studies at the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences of the University of Wolverhampton. ...

Bibliography

• Hassaji, Jagdish Chander (2003 (orig.1981)). Adi Dev, Translated from Hindi by Shanta Trivedi PhD, Third Edition, London: [Brahma Kumaris Information Services]. 

• Hodgkinson, Liz (1999). Peace and Purity: The Story of the Brahma Kumaris: A Spiritual Revolution. London: Rider. 

• Howell, Julia (Sep 1998). "Gender Role Experimentation in New Religious Movements". Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 37 (3): 453-461. 

• Wallis, John (Oct 1999). "From World Rejection to Ambivalence: The Development of Millenarianism in the Brahma Kumaris.". Journal of Contemporary Religion 14 (3): 375-386. 

Further reading

• The Liberation of Women in and through the Movement of the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris, Lalrinawma, V.S., ISPCK, Cambridge Press, Dehli. ISBN: 81-7214-771-6
• Dr Julia D. Howell, Asian and International Studies, Griffith University, Australia & Dr Peter L. Nelson, Nelson Center for Humanities and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia. "Surviving Transplantation: The Brahma Kumaris in the Western World".
• Dr. Julia D. Howell, Changing Meanings of Religious Pluralism, [34], 2003.
• Dr Julia D. Howell, "Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) Induction and New Religious Movements", Sociology of Religion, vol. 58 p.141–64, 1997.
• John Walliss, Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies, Aldershot. "The Brahma Kumaris as a ‘reflexive Tradition’: Responding to late modernity ", 2002 ISBN 0-7546-0951-0 [35]
• Reender Kranenborg, Free University of Amsterdam. "Brahma Kumaris: A New Religion? "[36], 1999.
• Peter Clarke, "Dada Lekhraj" & "Brahma Kumaris." Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge 2005.
• William Shaw , "Spying in Guruland: Inside Britain’s Cults", Fourth Estate, London, England 1994. [37]
• Lawrence A. Babb, "Amnesia and Remembrance in a Hindu Theory of History", Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 41, No. 1 (1982), pp. 49-66.
• Lawrence A. Babb, "Indigenous Feminism in a Modern Hindu Sect", Signs, Vol. 9, No. 3 (Spring, 1984), pp. 399-416.
• Lawrence A. Babb, "Glancing: Visual Interaction in Hinduism", Journal of Anthropological Research, Vol. 37, No. 4 (Winter, 1981), pp 387-401.
• Mayer, Jean-François et Reender Kranenborg, Geneve, Suisse. "La Naissance des Nouvelles Religions". 2004 ISBN 2-8257-0877-1
• Stephan Nagel Brahmas geheime Schöpfung. Die indische Reformbewegung der "Brahma Kumaris" (Theion. Jahrbuch für Religionskultur 11) Frankfurt/M.: Lang Verlag 1999 439 pp ISBN 3-631-35484-3 (German language)
• Frank Whaling, Emeritus Professor of the Study of Religion, University of Edinburgh. "Understanding the Brahma Kumaris", 2006. ISBN 1-903765-51-X.
• Suma Varughese. "Satyug is as Sure as Death". 1998 [38]
• BK Jayanti. "Valuing the Future : Education for Spiritual Development", 1999 [39]
• Interreligious Insight. "Brahma Kumaris, World Spiritual University", [40]
• Ken O'Donnell. "Raja Yoga for beginners", 1987.
• Jagdish Chander, Translated from original Hinu by Shanta Trivedi, PhD , Edited by Robert Shubow, J.D. "Adi Dev: The First Man", 1981.
• Dadi Janki, "Companion of God", 2003 ISBN 0-340-82915-X
• BKWSU. "World Drama", unknown date.
• BKWSU. "Easy RajYoga", unknown date.
• BKWSU. "The Seven Day Course" Pamphlet series, unknown date.
• Beam them up, Heidi - Remembering the Las Cañadas suicide sect scare. [41]
• A Critique of the BK Philosophy as presented in the 7 Day Course, By Andy Harangozo [42]
• Report on Child Abuse,Beliefs and Lifestyle[43]
• Pamphlets Take a Closer Look,The Successful Subtle Soft-sell of Raja Yoga By CCG Training Institute, Australia March 1989

External links

BK

• http://www.bkwsu.org/ Official International website * http://www.brahmakumaris.com Official Indian based website
• http://www.rajyoga.in/ e-learning site by B.K.W.S.U.
• http://www.brahmakumaris.org.in/Landmarks.htm Detailed historic timeline.
• http://www.bkun.org/bkfocus.html B.K.W.S.U. and the United Nations * [44] BKWSU at the UN
• http://www.jankifoundation.org/home/index.php The Janki Foundation for Global Health Care * http://www.ghrc-abu.com/ Global Hospital & Research Centre
• http://www.livingvalues.net/ Living Values Education Program
• http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Brahma+Kumaris Google Video BKWSU clips
• http://www.bkpublications.com Brahma Kumaris Publications site

Critical

• http://www.brahmakumaris.info/ Run by ex-BKs, serving XBKs,PBKs and NBKs, claiming to be neutral and impartial and recognized by three cult awareness organizations. (8,000 postings)
• http://ex.brahmakumaris.info/index.html Archives of the original XBK Chat forum (3,000 postings)
• http://xbkinfo.infogami.com/ A guide to life after leaving the Brahma Kumaris
• http://www.abia29.hemscott.net/Inner_Dialogues.htm Time and Eternity "Inner Dialogues" by Paul Brocklehurst 2003
• http://www.reachouttrust.org/articles/othergrp/brahma.htm Reachout Trust report Christian group.