Focus: GS I: History
Why in News?
Recently, the Prime Minister of India participated in the 125th Anniversary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Math at Vivekananda House in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
About Ramakrishna Movement
- The Ramakrishna Movement is a Hindu spiritual movement inspired by the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna (1836–1886), a mystic saint from Bengal, India.
- The movement was founded by Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, in 1897 with the aim of spreading the message of Vedanta, a Hindu philosophy, to the world.
Beliefs and Practices
- The Ramakrishna Movement emphasizes the unity of all religions and the harmony of different faiths.
- It believes in the oneness of God and the divinity of the human soul.
- The movement holds that spiritual realization can be achieved through selfless service, meditation, and the practice of yoga.
- The movement has a strong emphasis on social service and humanitarian work.
- It runs hospitals, schools, colleges, and other institutions to provide healthcare, education, and vocational training to the underprivileged sections of society.
Organizational Structure
- The Ramakrishna Movement is headquartered at Belur Math, a temple and monastery complex on the banks of the Ganges river in West Bengal, India.
- The movement has branches in different parts of India and around the world, known as Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission centers.
- The Ramakrishna Math is a monastic order of monks who lead a contemplative life of prayer, study, and meditation.
- The Ramakrishna Mission is a lay organization that focuses on social service, education, and humanitarian work.
- Both organizations work together to promote the spiritual and material welfare of society.
Influence
- The Ramakrishna Movement has had a significant impact on Indian spirituality and culture.
- It has inspired a number of social and religious reform movements, including the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- The movement has also influenced the development of modern Hinduism and has played a role in the spread of yoga and Vedanta teachings in the West.
