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Introduction

Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha or BAPS Sanstha is a splinter group, which is a break away from the Original Swaminarayan Sampraday, with more than 1,000,000 followers worldwide and a 'greater presence outside South Asia than any other Hindu group'[Williams, 2001].

Formally established as BSS (Bochasanwasi Shri Sanstha, later becoming BAPS) on June 5, Yagnapurushdas swami left the Original Swaminarayan Sampraday to start his own off-shoot fellowship1907 CE by Swami Yagnapurushdas (Shastriji Maharaj), BAPS describes itself as "a socio-spiritual organization with its roots in the Vedas and in the history of being a break away from the Original Swaminarayan Sampraday, revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the late 18th century."

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Mission statement 3 Religion & spirituality 3.1 Social field 3.2 Cultural field 3.3 Relief activities 4 Province of its influence 5 Leader 6 BAPS Today 7 Notable Projects 8 Temple Locations 8.1 Africa 8.2 Asia 8.3 Australasia 8.4 Europe 8.5 North America 9 See also 10 External links

Mission statement

BAPS' mission statement is:

Founded on the pillars of practical spirituality, [BAPS] reaches out far and wide to clear the confusions and questions in our moral, social and material world of today. It teaches a way to lead a peaceful life. Its strength lies in the purity of its nature and purpose. The Sanstha strives to better the world by consolidating character in societies, families and individuals. This is done not just by mottos and slogans but by mass motivation and individual attention, through elevating projects for all, irrespective of class, creed, color and country. The Sanstha's universal work has received many national welfare awards and the affiliation to the United Nations. Its international network has flourished into 9,090 Youth, Children and Women centers, over 770 sadhus, 55,000 volunteers and the dedication of over one million followers.

The hallmark of the Swaminarayan devotee is that he or she devoutly begins the day with puja and meditation, works or studies honestly and donates regular hours in serving others. He/she observes the five principal vows: No Stealing, No Adultery, No Alcohol, No Meat, No Impurity of body and mind. Such moral purity and spiritual surety add a deeper brilliance to all the hundreds of social services performed for a better life.

Religion & spirituality

BAPS has built over 600 Mandirs (temples) and 9090 centres in 45 different countries. All activities are centred around understanding the the inherent unity of the Self (Atma) and God (Paramatman) through worship, meditation, study of the scriptures, and attending weekly lectures conducted by various monks of BAPS. The fundamental soteriological philosophy of BAPS was expounded by the sect's central figure Swaminarayan (also known as 'Sahajanand Swami') in the late 18th century which entails a comprehensive understanding of five basic eternal entities:

1. Jiva - sentient, living beings which have been shrouded in the cycle of birth and death by the accumulation of Karma due to an eternal ignorance of the true Self (Atman). Jivas are infinite in number throughout infinite parallel universes.

2. Ishwar - the collective realm of mystical deities which govern the metaphysical foundations of different aspects of material nature, i.e. earth, wind, water, fire, and space. Ishwars are also infinite in number.

3. Maya - illusion of material nature essentially "blinding" one from recognizing the inherent truth of Brahman - the highest state of spiritual enlightenment. The source of pain and suffering is caused by desire for sensory objects, which appear enticing due to the attraction for Mayic pleasure. It is here where Swaminarayan and Buddhist ideas of material illusion are in agreement.

4. Brahman - the highest state of enlightenment upon which an individual Jiva essentially becomes one and inseparable from Godhead. The method of accomplishing this according to Swaminarayan is by developing a profound ability to conquer the senses and mental cognition through an intense love for God and His divine form and a realized Guru who teaches his disciples with unbroken humility and genuine altruism.

5. Parabrahman - Supreme Godhead. The ultimate creator, sustainer, and destroyer of infinite universes. He is non-dual and can only be characterized by Sat-Chit-Ananda, or Truth-Existence-Bliss. He is the ultimate intelligence behind the laws of nature and is the root cause of all effects. Swaminarayan's philosophy was based upon that of Ramanuja, and he emphasized that this Parabrahman, who eternally resides in an abode composed of brilliant divine light, eternally possesses a divine, heavenly form and is not an abstract, formless being.

Social field

Social campaigns organised by BAPS have encouage people to give up smoking, drinking, drugs and antisocial behaviour. Bone Marrow drives and Blood drives are regular activities of BAPS Care, the charity founded by BAPS.

Cultural field

Children learn through stories and rhymes, teenagers through multimedia and sports, youths through discussions and dramas, the elderly progress through scriptural reading, discourses and introspection. Activities range from music classes, to scripture study, to fitness.

Relief activities

• 2006 Floods Gujarat, India
• 2005 Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts, USA
• 2004 Tsunami Relief Work, India
• 2001 Earthquake Gujarat, India
• 1999 Cyclone Orissa, India
• 1998 Cyclone Southern Gujarat, India
• 1998 Floods Surat, India
• 1997 Floods Gujarat, India
• 1996 Cyclone Andhra Pradesh, India
• 1995 Floods Malda, West Bengal, India
• 1994 Pneumonic Plague Surat, India
• 1994 Earthquake Los Angeles, USA
• 1993 Earthquake Latur, Maharashtra, India
• 1992 Drought Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
• 1987 Famine Saurashtra, India
• 1984 Famine, Ethiopia
• 1983 Floods Saurashtra, Gujarat, India
• 1982 Floods Saurashtra, Gujarat, India
• 1979 Floods Morbi, Gujarat, India
• 1975 Famine Gujarat & Maharashtra, India
• 1974 Famine Gujarat & Maharashtra, India

Province of its influence

BAPS is prominent in Gujarat, India and amongst NRI Gujarati community members. Its international network has grown into 2,710 Youth, 4,070 Children and 1,320 Women centers, 770 sadhus, 55,000 volunteers and over one million followers [Williams, 2001], with more than 600 temples and 9090 centers in 45 countries.

Leader

Today the Sanstha is led by the 86 year old Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a sadhu (Hindu monk) and the present leader of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha. As leader of BAPS, he is responsible for the opening ceremonies of temples, initiation ceremonies for monks, and the major decisions of the organisation. His role as spiritual Guru to disciples, however, consumes the majority of his life work and accomplishments. With no fixed residence, he constantly travels from temple to temple both in India and abroad to meet the devotees and further the spiritual disciplines of Lord Swaminarayan. According to his followers, Pramukh Swami Maharaj represents the essence of Hinduism, leading an life of celibacy, while maintaining a mental detachment from personal wealth or comfort.

BAPS Today

BAPS has enjoyed much success in promoting its message in India and abroad. This partly lies in its approach, which is characteristic of other monotheistic religions — namely their centralization and huge organizational strength, their emphasis on community, their notions of salvation through belief in Lord Swaminarayan as the supreme Lord and adherence to strict doctrine. Many mainstream Hindus find themselves attracted to this and start identifying with BAPS. Although some see only minor theological implications in such an alignment, others see the doctrinal differences as quite distinct.

Whilst BAPS is essentially a spiritual organisation, its social work is also recognized internationaly - particularly by the UN, with whom BAPS holds consultive status. BAPS has set up a separate charitable trust - BAPS Care - which oversees all its social and humanitarian works.

Notable Projects

• In November of 2005, the President of BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj - along with the President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and the Leader of Oppostion, Lal Krishna Advani- inaugurated "Swaminarayan Akshardham", a 120 acre site in Delhi. Akshardham includes a 141ft high monument constructed entirely of stone, two exhibition halls highlighting India Culture and values, Delhi's first large format movie theater, gardens, and a temple(mandir).

• Neasden Temple

BAPS constructed the world's largest traditional Hindu temple outside India. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (http://www.mandir.org), also popuarly known as the Neasden Temple) was opened in 1995. Constructed entirely from Marble and Limestone, the temple is popular amongst tourists seeking a unique place to visit in London. On 8 July 2000, the Managing Editor of Guinness Book of Records, Mr Tim Footman presented His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj with certificates marking his entries into the world famous record book. The first certificate presented to His Holiness was for building and inspiring the largest traditional Hindu Mandir outside India. The second certificate marked a record 355 Temple Consecration Ceremonies performed by His Holiness between April 1971 and May 2000.

• In 1999 BAPS opened Africa's first traditional Hindu Mandir in Nairobi, Kenya. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nairobi is unique in that the interior is constructed entirely from intricately carved wood.

• In 2004 BAPS broke its own record when it opened the largest Hindu temple outside India in Chicago, USA. Based upon the Neasden Temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago is the USA's second traditional Swaminarayan Temple. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Houston was the first. A similar, slightly smaller temple, it was opened in Texas, a month prior to the opening of the Chicago Mandir. 2007 will see the opening of two more tradional temples, with one in Atlanta, and a second in Toronto, followed by BAPS's fifth traditional temple opening in 2008 in LA, set to break the record again as the largest Hindu temple outside India.

• BAPS financed and produced the 2004 large format film, Mystic India, which retraces the 12,000 km barefoot journey throughout 18th century India undertaken by Swaminarayan (then known as Nilkanth) at age 11.[1]

Temple Locations

See also

• Bhagwan Swaminarayan
• Pramukh Swami Maharaj

External links

• BAPS Website
• Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London
• BAPS Care International
• Mystic India Website
• BAPS Children's Website