Ramakrishna Sarada Mission
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Ramakrishna Sarada Mission and Sri Sarada Math are twin organizations named after Sri Sarada Devi and Sri Ramakrishna. The Math is a monastic organization exclusively for women, and the Mission is a charitable organization carrying out various philanthropic, cultural, and educational activities, conducted primarily by the nuns of the math. The organizations are akin to the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission and run on similar lines. Sarada Math was founded by Swami Shankarananda (Ramakrishna Mission), the seventh president of the Ramakrishna Order, in 1954. The math was conducted under the guidance of the Ramakrishna monks until 1959, at which time it became entirely independent. It currently has centers in various parts of India, as also in Sydney, Australia.
History
The Math was founded on 2 December 1954 at Dakshineswar on the centenary birthday of Sri Sarada Devi. On 26 August 1959 the math was made an independent organisation. On 13 May 1960 the Ramakrishna Sarada Mission was started.
Aims & ideals
The Sarada Math is advaitic organisation, in honour of Sri Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda.
Monastic / Non-monastic
Women-monastic with household devotees.
General philosophical outlook
Combination of Jnanayoga, Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga and Rajayoga as preached and practiced by Sri Sarada Devi, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda for the liberation of Self and for the good of all.
Spiritual disciplines generally advocated
Administrative set-up
The President is the spiritual head of the organisation, while the administrative head is the General Secretary. The trustee include the senior nuns of the order. The branches are run by the nuns with the help of local devotees.
Provision for joining
The women aspirants can contact the local centres or the headquarters at Dakshineswar for joining the math. During probation period, brahmacharinis are given training in scriptures, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda-Vedanta literature and social service. After the end of probation, monastic vows are given.
Present chief of the movement
Pravrajika Bhaktiprana became the fourth president of the Math on 2 April 2009.
Pravrajika Shraddhaprana was the president of the Math until her death on 3 February 2009.
Pravrajika Amalaprana is the General Secretary.
Activities
Religion & spirituality
Regular pooja at the shrines is conducted in all branches every day and special worship during festivals. Special classes, meditation training programmes, spiritual counselling etc. are given to the devotees.
Social field
Education field
Cultural field
Relief activities
Province of its influence
The centre has around 30 branches in India and in Australia. The organisation along with Ramakrishna Mission has large following in India and Western countries.
Major publications
- Samvit - Semi-annual English magazine
- Nibodata - Bengali quarterly
- Eternal Mother - Pravrajika Amalaprana
- Sri Sarada Devi and Sri Sarada Math - Pravrajika Atmaprana
- The Story of Sister Nivedita - Pravrajika Atmaprana
- Nivedita As I Saw Her - Saralabala Sarkar
- Sara Buravrajika Atmaprana
- Western Women in the Footsteps of Swami Vivekananda
External links
- Sri Sarada Math homepage
- Sri Sarada Society Albany, New York, USA
- Sarada Centre, USA
- Indore Math, Indore, India
