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TheRamakrishna Order (Bengali: রামকৃষ্ণ সংঘ) is the monastic lineage that was founded byRamakrishna Paramhansa, when he gave the ochre cloth ofrenunciation to twelve of his close disciples, in January 1886 at the Cossipore House.[1][2]
The Ramakrishna Order should not be confused with theRamakrishna Math, which is the legal entity that trains young monks and directs the spiritual duties of the Swamis of the Order. There is also a parallel organisation, theRamakrishna Mission, which performs the charitable work including, orphanages, hospitals, clinics, primary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities - as well as disaster relief and economic development in villages.[2]
The Ramakrishna Order is the monastic lineage that gave birth to the twin organisationsRamakrishna Math andRamakrishna Mission, both headquartered atBelur Math nearKolkata, India. The organisations were inspired by the great Bengali saint, Sri Ramakrishna.[3] Sri Ramakrishna was born in the year of 1836.[4] Ramakrishna decided to entrust his young disciples to Swami Vivekananda.Vivekananda then founded the Ramakrishna Math in the year of 1897. The Ramakrishna Mission was set up as a parallel organisation to carry out the practice of "Worship of God in man".[2]
There are over 166 centers associated with the Ramakrishna Order that are located on the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Russia, Japan, South America, Africa, Canada and the United States. Ramakrishna Mission tries to provide relief and aid from famine, epidemic, fire, flood, earthquake, cyclone, and communal disturbances.[3]
The seal of Ramakrishna includes certain symbols that depict their idea for the four paths to God. It includes wavy waters that means unselfish work, the lotus means the love of God, the rising sun means knowledge, and the encompass serpent means the awakening of spiritual powers.[3]