Ramakrishna Order
THE Ramakrishna Order is comprised of the twin organizations, the Ramakrishna Math & Mission for Monks, and Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission for Nuns.
With their headquarters in Kolkata and over 238 Centres between them – 185 Centres in India and 53 spread around the world (including two in Australia) – the Ramakrishna Order is one of the largest and most respected religious orders in India.
Founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda, the well-known disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the Order combines a meditative life with humanitarian service, serving millions of people in India and Sri Lanka through its many hospitals, educational institutions and relief and rehabilitation works. Over 800 titles on philosophy, culture, comparative religion and spiritual life are published by the Order.
Outside India the Order has many Centres catering to the spiritual and culltural needs of the people. Some were started over 100 years ago.
Motto of the Ramakrishna Order & Emblem of Sri Sarada Math
THE emblem depicts four yogic paths to God:
- The wavy waters – unselfish work (Karma Yoga)
- The lotus – love of God (Bhakti Yoga)
- The rising sun – knowledge (Jnana Yoga)
- The encircling serpent – awakening of spiritual power (Raja Yoga)
MOTO: of Ramakrishna Order:
“For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world. For the good of the many, for the happiness of the many.”
Sri Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission
By Pravrajika Ajayaprana Vice-President
The Dream
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA had a glorious dream. It was a living dream – the dream of organizing a Women’s Math centered on Holy Mother. His dream was so graphic, correct and real that he almost forced it to materialize during his lifetime, namely, before 1902. But Swami Yogananda, one of his brother-monks, reminded him that if Holy Mother were projected and presented before the public eye when she was still among us she might not keep her mortal body long. So the plan was held in suspension. He himself had defined life as “the unfoldment and development of a being under circumstances that tend to crush it down.”
During half a century his living dream-plan lay quiet, vibrant with power, gaining more and more clarity and effectiveness in the minds of his successors at Belur Math, the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Finally it flooded forth as a full-fledged programme in 1954 as the Sri Sarada Math. Some earnest, highly devoted, self-sacrificing girls had already rallied around Belur Math, been admitted as young members, and trained as the torch-bearers equipped with the know-how and power to shoulder the responsibility of the administration and running of an organization parallel to the Belur Math with similar rules and regulations. Pravrajika Bharatiprana Ma had already been designated to take charge of Holy Mother’s organization, by Swami Saradananda years ago. She was brought forward to be the first President of Sri Sarada Math and the wheel began to run slowly.
THE BIRTH
The place that Belur Math authorities acquired for the Sarada Math on the other side of the Ganga, was simply serene and beautiful. Nestling in the holy precincts of the glorious Dakshineswar Temple it is supersaturated with spiritual vibrations.
What is the need of a separate Sarada Math when the Belur Math Centres are efficiently run by well-trained monks? Isn’t it superfluous? From my experience I have found that it is not. Many people there are – both men and women – who find it easy and natural to go to the Belur Math Centres for spiritual solace and succour, but there are also people who need another type of spiritual ministration like that provided by the Sarada Math Centres. Same is the case in our Sydney Centre. The women’s touch creates a more homely atmosphere and some people find it easier to open their hearts to a motherly figure.
Parallel to the Belur Math and its activities Sri Sarada Math and its members have been steadily and successfully doing spiritual ministry and social service. At times of the direst need for the people in all parts of India the Sannyasinis and devotees under the flag of Sarada Math have done laudable work in the fields of education, relief work, medical help and all other aspects of life. The educated young girls familiar with the needs and demands of society have always been hard-working and self-sacrificing.
Today the Sarada Math has 33 Centres and sub-Centres in India and 1 each in Australia and Sri Lanka. The Nuns, assisted by lay members, are catering to the spiritual needs of the community, and providing invaluable service through medical, educational and relief work.
Suggested further reading (See Books Section for further information):
- Swami Vivekananda’s Dream, Sri Sarada Math.
- Eternal Mother