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Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Sanstha

Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or BAPS is a branch of the Hindu Swaminarayan sect 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 Swaminarayan Sanstha, later becoming BAPS) on June 5, 1907 CE by Swami Yagnapurushdas (Shastriji Maharaj), BAPS describes itself as "a socio-spiritual organization with its roots in the Vedas, revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the late 18th century."

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.

Activities

Moral
Cultural
Educational
Medical
Environmental
Womens Wing
Social Care
Relief Work
Spiritual Care
Tribal Care

Religion & spirituality Over 600 Mandirs (temples) and 9090 centres in 45 countries. All activities are centred around religion and God, but are not exlcusive to devotees. Devotees attend weekly assemblies at their nearest Mandir or centre where they pray, study scriptures and meet other devotees.

Social field Special social campaigns 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 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 Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the present leader of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. He is both President of the organisation and, and the Guru of devotees. According to his followers, Pramukh Swami Maharaj represents the essence of Hinduism, leading an life of celibacy, without 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 Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan(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 with over 600 temples and 9000 centres in 45 countries, its social work is also recognised 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

File:Bapstemples.jpg

BAPS Temples outside India

In November of 2005, the President of BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj - along with the Muslim President, Sikh Prime Minister, and Hindu Leader of the Oppostion - opened 'Swaminarayan Akshardham',an 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 IMAX movie theater, gardens, and a temple(mandir).

BAPS constructed the world's largest traditional Hindu temple outside India. BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden (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. The building 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 Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago is the USA's second traditional Swaminarayan Temple. The first, a similar, slightly smaller temple was opened in Houston, 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 IMAX 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. More information at http://www.mysticindia.com/

BAPS demonstrated notable religious tolerance after terrorist attack on Akshardham Temple in Gujarat by organising an all faith prayer assembly, defying worries of people that the terrorist attack may set fire again to the riots.

External links

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