8. THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

It was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col Olcott in New York in 1875. They arrived in India in 1879 and established the headquarters of the society at Adyar near Madras in 1882. The society was inspired by ancient Asian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Parsi, etc.

The Theosophical Society did commendable work in the field of education. The society opened schools for boys, girls, and depressed classes. The Central Hindu College at Varanasi was opened in 1898, with the efforts of the society.

THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

Swami Vivekanand, one of the greatest thinkers of India founded Ramakrishna Mission in 1897, to carry out humanitarian and social. work to all without any distinction, especially to help the poor and destitute. The basic motto of the mission was to provide social service to people, spread the meaning of Vedantic spiritualism, and strive for harmony among various faiths and cults. He believed in Karma (action).

Vivekanand established the monastic order Ramakrishna Mission on 1st May 1897 at Belur Math near Calcutta after the name of his guru or spiritual preceptor Ramakrishna Paramhansa of Dakshineshwar, Calcutta, who believed in universalism in religion and whose main concern was religious salvation and not social salvation. He was a Vedantist and he interpreted Vedanta in the light of the modern age and this finally came to be known as Neo-Vedantism.

Swami Vivekanand established spiritual supremacy in India at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893. He was the first Indian to question the superiority of the West instead of defending his religion. Valentine Chirol. the author of ‘Indian Unrest. described Vivekananda’s teachings as one of the major causes of the Nationalist Movement in India. He was the spiritual precursor of India’s Freedom Movement.

TEACHINGS OF SHRI RAMAKRISHNA

Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a priest in the temple at Dakhineshwar near Calcutta. The teachings of the Ramakrishna Paramhansa formed the basis of the Ramakrishna Movement. The main objective of the movement was to establish a bank of monks, who dedicated their life to renunciation and practised spirituality. From these monks, some would be sent out to spread the universal message of Vedanta. Ramakrishna taught no creed or dogma. His only concern was man’s upliftment, According to him, there is infinite moral and spiritual potential in man. To develop that potential is man’s foremost duty in life. He taught man to strive to develop that potential without wasting time over sensual pleasure or religious quibblings. All religions are true. God can be reached by different religions.