Brahma Kumaris Beliefs

Brahma Kumaris is, not a religion but a religious movement, which originated in India. Much of Brahma Kumaris is AbOUT meditation and peace. Brahma Kumaris mean “daughters of Brahma”. The Brahma Kumaris have strong beliefs and lifestyle.

History

Brahma Kumaris was originally started in late 1936 early 1937. It was first known as “Om Mandali” then later changed the name to Brahma Kumaris. Instead of a “church” the Brahma Kumaris have “centers”, which is a space where the brothers and sisters can live also where people can visit every day. The men who have sworn into the Brahma Kumaris Religious movement are called brothers where as the women who have sworn in are called sisters. There are many centers in all different parts of the world. It was originally started by Brahma Dada also know as Dada Lekhraj. After he died in 1969, it was ran by Dadi Janki. Dadi Janki is usually in London, but also in India a lot. The main center for this is located at the top of Mount Abu in India. According to the Brahma Kumaris website there are currently 825,000 students and over 8,500 centers in 100 countries and territories.

Lifestyle

For those Brahma Kumaris’ who live in the actual center, or one of the many centers around the world live with a very strict lifestyle.

• They are not allowed to eat any food from outside the center, unless it originally came from a center.
• The food is made in the center, from scratch. They make food in the morning, afternoon and evening.
• The food is made not only for those in the centers, but also for the Brahma Kumaris who come to visit the center.
• The food is always offered to Brahma Baba before serving or eating.
• All of the food is strictly vegetarian, they can eat all vegetarian food excluding eggs, onions, and garlic.
• The clothes are always white, as a sign of purity. They’re entire bodies are usually covered with a traditional Indian sari, but also sometimes other types of outfits. The men wear a traditional Indian lengha. These outfits are always the same, no matter where they are going. This is a sign of their commitment to Baba.
• Celibacy is an important practice once you are a part of the center, this does not mean that if you follow Brahma Baba that you cannot be married or that you are obliged to practice celibacy. This is for the brothers and sisters of the centers, that have sworn their bodies to be only for Baba and no one else.
• The consumption of alcohol and drugs, unless prescribed are not allowed.
• In the mornings they wake up at by 3:30am until 4:30 am to do Amrut Vela, a type of meditation.
• It is done between these times because it is believed that this is the time of most peace in the area they live.
• After there is a class at 6 am to attend or teach.
• The days are usually filled with many activities amongst themselves or with visitors who have come to learn or just visit or meditate.

Beliefs

The human is not a body but, an eternal soul that lives in the body for the time being and is reincarnated from one body to another body. It is said that God has been incarnated into Dada Lehkraj and is teaching us directly. God himself is also considered to be a soul and not a present body or seen.

Soul

The soul is called “atma” and is in the center of the forehead. This is where the light of the body is said to be. Before the soul enters the body it comes from Paramdham, a place where all the souls rest before it has a body to enter. This is a place of infinite light. The soul is said to enter the body at about 4 months of pregnancy, this is what give the body their personality and light.

Three Worlds

It is believed that there are 3 different worlds.

• The physical universe: On the physical world is where the souls are in the bodies, to live their life. This world consists of everything we can see and feel.
• Paramdham: This is a world of souls. This is where all the souls are to rest and have eternal peace and light, before they enter their next body. This is a place where the souls are unseen and untouched. It is said to be a light for off.
• The Subtle Regions: This is world, which can be reached through meditation. This world is full of light and peace. Brahma Kumaris say that they can see Brahma Baba through this world and see the history of the Brahma Kumaris. This world is said to contact Baba himself.

Karma

The Brahma Kumaris believe that karma is shown in your next life. What decides your fate of your soul’s next body is how you act and behave in this life. Through meditation you can rid you sins and try to get better karma for you next life.

The Cycle of Ages

Time is said to be a cycle repeating every 5,000 years. There are five ages called the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Copper Age, the Iron Age each of the ages are exactly 1,250 years long, and the Confluence Age, which is only a 100 years long, this is sometimes considered to be the end of the Iron Age. This is the age of disaster and world destruction. It starts with a paradise or Golden Age of 900,000 human beings, all followers of their religion. This then declines to a slightly less paradisiacal Silver Age in which humans are also naturally spiritual minded. Then after 2,500 years, the Earth declines further to enter into a Copper Age where humanity experience the duality of spirit and matter. Suffering is experienced for the first time, the search for God and religions are created for the first time. 1,250 years later, a totally impure Iron Age of suffering, injustice and irreligiousness begins. Brahma Kumaris believe this Iron Age is our current age and that it is Hell.

Meditation

The Brahma Kumaris, believe strongly in meditation and its outcomes. At most center right before you enter, there is a meditation room. During meditation Brahma Kumaris teach you to make your mind pure of any thoughts, and try to get rid of the karmic effects of sins. In this meditation room there is usually a picture of Dada Lekhraj and the room is in complete silence. During this time many people try to channel Dada Lekhraj. Another way of meditation is in a room with a Supreme Soul on the wall, either projected or a plastic hanging, which glows a red glow and has a point of white light right in the middle. They teach you to stare into the light, while there are devotional song playing softly into the background. In this you are suppose to see the pure light of Baba and try to connect to him. During this type of meditation you are suppose to forget about your body and try to be your soul. You try to lift out of your body and be a body less soul trying to connect or see Brahma Baba.

Murlis

There are messages known by Brahma Kumaris as "Murlis", which they read every day at the 6:30 am meetings, The earlier ones were by Lekhraj Kripalani while he was alive. Now they are repeated in a five year cycle. The ones after his death are by Hirday Mohini in trance states, when she contacts Dada Lekhraj, these are written down and then converted into murlis. There are certain times of the year when Dadi Mohini goes into a trance and contacts Dada Lekhraj. To actually go to these classes and meetings, you have to go complete the classes of Brahma Kumaris foundation.