Brahma Kumaris

Brahma Kumaris
Family	New religious movement / Hindu-influenced spirituality
Origin region	Hyderabad, Sindh, British India
Founding period	1930s CE
Estimated adherents	Large international movement; numbers vary by source and participation level.

Brahma Kumaris is a women-led spiritual movement founded by Dada Lekhraj, also called Brahma Baba, emphasizing Raja Yoga meditation, purity, soul-consciousness, and world transformation.

Overview

Brahma Kumaris began in the 1930s in Hyderabad, Sindh, and developed into a global spiritual organization. The movement teaches meditation, soul-consciousness, divine guidance, moral purity, and personal transformation as a path toward world renewal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Key beliefs

The true self is an eternal soul distinct from the body
The Supreme Soul, often called Shiva or the Incorporeal God Father, guides humanity
Raja Yoga meditation restores spiritual awareness
Purity, vegetarianism, and disciplined living support transformation
World history moves through spiritual cycles

Practices

Raja Yoga meditation
Daily study of teachings called murli
Vegetarian diet and purity disciplines
Meditation courses and service programs
Silence, reflection, and values education

Places of worship

Brahma Kumaris centers
Meditation halls
Retreat centers
Home meditation spaces

Sacred texts

Murli teachings
Brahma Kumaris course materials
Meditation commentaries
Movement publications

Holidays and observances

Shivaratri in Brahma Kumaris interpretation
World Meditation Hour
Commemorations of Brahma Baba
Retreat and service observances

Branches and related traditions

Hinduism - Brahma Kumaris uses Hindu names and concepts while remaining a distinct modern movement.
New Age spirituality - Its meditation and world-transformation themes overlap with New Age contexts.
New Religious Movements - It is commonly treated as a modern spiritual movement.

References