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| Abbreviation | AMPS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1 January 1955 (70 years ago) (1955-01-01) |
| Founder | Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar |
| Type | Socio-spiritual organization |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Purpose | Educational,philanthropic, philosophic studies,spirituality |
| Headquarters | Ánandanagar,Purulia,West Bengal,India |
| Location |
|
Area served | Worldwide |
Official language | English,Sanskrit,Bengali,Hindi |
Head | Purodhā Pramukha |
Main organ | Central Purodhā Board |
| Website | www anandamarga21 ampsnys |
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Ānanda Mārga (lit. 'The Path of Bliss',also spelledAnand Marg andAnanda Marg), or officiallyĀnanda Mārga Pracāraka Saṃgha (organization for the propagation of the path of bliss), is a world-wide socio-spiritual organisation founded inJamalpur,Munger,Bihar,India, in 1955 byPrabhat Ranjan Sarkar, known as Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. It is also the name of thephilosophy andlife-style propounded by Sarkar, described as a practical means ofpersonal development and the transformation of society. It is established in more than 180 countries across the world.[1][2] Its motto isĀtmamokśārthaṃ jagaddhitāya ca (Self-Realisation and Service to the Universe).
Tantrayoga, as interpreted by Sarkar, serves as the foundation of Ananda Marga. According to his teachings, Tantra meansliberation from darkness through the expansion of mind.Meditation is the main spiritual practice of this tantric tradition, which assists the practitioner to overcome weaknesses and imperfections. The path to liberation in Ananda Marga is free ofreligious dogmas,superstitions, artificial social barriers andritualism. Ananda Marga recognisesspirituality and liberation as the birth right of every individual irrespective of one's race,caste,creed, nationality,gender,socio-economic status orbelief system.
The basis of Ananda Marga practice is covered by a set of rules called the 'Sixteen Points' that guide the practitioner on both spiritual and social aspects. It consist of yogaasanas,mudras,bandhas,pranayama,self-massage and two specific dances,kaos'ikii andtandava. Alacto-vegetarian diet andfasting are also included as a fundamental part ofyogic practice. The goal of Ananda Marga is "self-realisation and the welfare of all".
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, known as Sri Sri Anandamurti, founded the Ananda Marga on 1 January 1955 in the state ofBihar, India.[3][4][5] Its stated aims are "liberation of self and service to humanity".[6].[4]
Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar developed a discipline ofTantrayoga andmeditation.[4] Tantra yoga, as interpreted by him, is the practical philosophy which serves as foundation of Ananda Marga.[3] According to Sarkar's teachings Tantra meansliberation from darkness.Meditation is the main spiritual practice of this tradition, and through it the practitioner struggles to overcome weaknesses and imperfections. The basis of Ananda Marga practice is covered by a set of rules called the 'Sixteen Points' that guide the practitioner on both spiritual and social aspects.[3] Sarkar expounded these principles in his 1961Ānanda Sūtram, in Sanskrit.
In the Tantric tradition of Ananda Marga, the spiritual aspirant orsadhaka practicessadhana. This signifies the effort through which a person becomes completelyrealized. In Tantra the spiritual master, theguru, plays a special role, guiding students on the spiritual path. The aspirant learns meditation from a qualifiedacarya. Anacarya is most commonly a monk or nun, but in the Ananda Marga tradition there are also "familyacaryas". In theinitiation the aspirant makes a commitment to practice meditation and to live in harmony with the universal balance, and is then taught the technique itself. The aspirant is then required to keep the individuallessons personal. In addition, he also taughtKapalika meditation to manysanyásins. His system ofyoga can be termed asRájadhirája Yoga,Tantra Yoga, or simplyÁnanda Márga Yoga. The basic Ananda Marga meditation system is called Sahaja Yoga. The system consists of six meditation techniques or lessons taught one by one, on a personal basis. The six lessons are: 1)Iishvara Pranidhana (Personal mantra andIshtaCakra), 2)Guru Mantra (PersonalGuru Mantra), 3)Tattva Dharana (Concentration onCakras'Tattvas), 4)Sadharana Pranayama (BasicPranayama. A special breathing technique), 5)Cakra Shodhana (Purification ofCakras. A special type ofDharana), 6)Guru Dhyana (Special type of ideation forDhyana). A set of higher meditation lessons is taught to advanced practitioners committed to dedicate more time for spiritual practices and universal service.
According to the Ananda Marga system, theLalita Marmika dance is performed particularly during the collective meditation. It was supposedly invented byParvati, the wife of the godShiva. This yogic dance with swaying movements, combined with akirtan (the chanting of the universal mantra), is regarded as useful in freeing the mind and preparing it for meditation. Ananda Marga members are recommended to practice collective meditation at least once a week. These meetings,Dharma Chakras (held weekly in theDhyan Mandir), are preceded by the singing ofPrabhat Samgiita ("Songs of the New Dawn" composed by Sarkar) followed by the spiritual dance ofLalita Marmika. Before meditation theSamgacchadvamⓘ mantra is chanted. At the end of meditation theNityam Shuddhamⓘ and theGuru Pujaⓘ mantras are recited. Baba Nam Kevalam is a universal kirtan mantra given by Sarkar.[7]
The basic practices of Ananda Marga are yogaasanas,mudras,bandhas,pranayama,self-massage and two specific dances,kaos'ikii andtandava. These are accompanied byLacto-vegetariandiet andfasting.
The philosophy of Ananda Marga is a synthetic outlook, recognizing a theistic singularity or 'Supreme Consciousness',[9] which is claimed to be bothtranscendental and manifested in all.To this end Ananda Marga suggests what it claims is a practical, rational, and systematic way of life for the balanced development of all human potentialities: physical, psychic and spiritual. This incorporate practices from hygiene, diet, and yoga postures, to a technique of meditation based on moral rules directed to inner fulfillment. It recognizes that a balance is needed between the spiritual and mundane aspects of existence, and that neither one should be neglected at theexpense of the other. Hence, the goal of Ananda Marga is "self-realization and the welfare of all".
The spiritual philosophy of Ananda Marga recognizes that the universe is the creation of the mental thought waves of the 'Supreme consciousness'. The following is a brief list of the essential elements of Ananda Marga spiritual philosophy:
| Yama (Restraint) | |
|---|---|
| Ahim'sa' (Benignity) | Thinking, speaking, and acting without inflicting pain or harm on another |
| Satya (Benevolence) | Thinking and speaking with goodwill |
| Asteya (Honesty) | Not taking or keeping what belongs to others |
| Brahmacarya (Ideation) | Constant mental association with the Supreme |
| Aparigraha (Frugality) | Non-indulgence in superfluous amenities |
| Niyama (Regulation) | |
| Shaoca (Cleanliness) | Physical and mental purity, both internal and external |
| Santos'a (Contentment) | Maintaining a state of mental ease |
| Tapah (Sacrifice) | Acceptance of sufferings to reach the spiritual goal |
| Sva'dhya'ya (Contemplation) | Clear understanding of any spiritual subject |
| Iishvara Pran'idha'na (Dedication) | Adopting the Cosmic Controller as the only ideal of life and moving with ever-accelerating speed toward that Desideratum |
| Intent is primary, but both intent and action should conform if possible. | |
The social outlook of Ananda Marga asserts that human beings are an expression of the Supreme Being, the welfare of the individual is linked with the welfare of the collective,[4] each relying on the other for its existence and dynamism. According to this philosophy everyone has the right to equal opportunities of life and development and as such there should be no discrimination on the basis of superficial barriers such as race, nationality and religion. Ananda Marga advocates a state if live,[4] a world of justice, security and peace for all.[11] The social philosophy covers neohumanism, education, culture, and the organisation's ownProgressive utilization theory (PROUT).[3][4] The philosophy reinterprets the general concept of culture by inserting it into a new universalistic outlook. As described by Antonello Maggipinto, "Sarkar offers a new point of view, with a large universalistic explanation: 'the culture of the whole human race is one, but marked by different local manifestations ... it is the same, but varying in expression.'"[12][13] In 1968, Sarkar founded the organization "Proutist Block of India" to further the ideals of his theory through political and social action.[14]
A person who, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, aspires for spiritual expansion or does something concrete, is a Tantric. Tantra in itself is neither a religion nor an 'ism'. Tantra is a fundamental spiritual science. So wherever there is any spiritual practice it should be taken for granted that it stands on the Tantric cult. Where there is no spiritual practice, where people pray to God for the fulfilment of narrow worldly desires, where people's only slogan is "Give us this and give us that" – only there do we find that Tantra is discouraged. So only those who do not understand Tantra, or even after understanding Tantra do not want to do any spiritual practice, oppose the cult of Tantra.
Sarkar weaves continuity with the ancient philosophy ofTantra, infusing new insights in human psychology, social theory and in each individuals' roles as spiritual and "socio-economic-cultural-political" beings. Ananda Marga Tantra is claimed to have a broad metaphysical base which allows for ways of knowing, feeling and processing which go beyond intellectuality or limited rationality. Priorities are given to the spiritual development, as Sarkar notes, "spiritual life controls all other arenas of human life."[16] Ananda Marga Tantra is claimed to be a principle which if practiced will lead to the desired objective. The essence of Tantra is to awaken the latent spiritual force in the human personality and unify oneself with the Cosmic Consciousness.[17]
According to tantric tradition a properpreceptor and a proper disciple are both essential for success on the path of Tantra.P.R. Sarkar clearly explains[18] that, disciples are of three categories: 1) disciples that acquire spiritual knowledge when they are in close contact with the preceptor, but as soon as they are apart from him they forget all his/her teachings, 2) disciples that learn many things from the preceptor with great hardship, but do not take proper care to preserve those instructions. They lose their hard-earned knowledge out of negligence, 3) disciples that carefully preserve deep in their minds and hearts whatever they have learned from their preceptor by wisely putting those teachings into practice. This is the best category of disciples.
During the 1960s, the organisation expanded rapidly in India, sendingAcharyas as missionaries to other continents. Ananda Marga's popularity in India put it in direct confrontation with theCommunist Party inWest Bengal. In 1967, Ananda Marga headquarters came under attack by locals who were allegedly incited by Communist leaders.[19] Criticism of corruption in the Indian government by acharyas of Ananda Marga also put it in confrontation with Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi.[4]
In 1971,Sarkar was imprisoned in India for the alleged murder of five former Ananda Marga members, on what were later proved false charges.[4] The Ananda Marga organisation was banned and a number its leaders arrested.[4] In February 1973, Sarkar was poisoned in prison, allegedly by the jail doctor on orders from the higher echelons of government. On 1 April, after recovering his health, Sarkar began fasting in support of a demand for an investigation into his poisoning. That demand was never met. So he continued his fast for the next five years, four months, and two days, until 2 August 1978 when he was released from jail after having been proved innocent of all charges.[20]
TheBijon Setu massacre (Bengali: বিজন সেতু হত্যাকাণ্ড) was the killing and burning of 16sadhus and asadhvi of Ananda Marga, atBijon Setu,West Bengal,India, on 30 April 1982. Although the attacks were carried out in broad daylight, no arrests were ever made. After repeated calls for a formal judicial investigation, a single-member judicial commission was set up in 2012 to investigate the killings.
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