Ramakrishna Mission

Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) is a Hindu religious and spiritual organisation headquartered in Belur Math, West Bengal. The mission is named after an Indian spiritual Guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The mission was founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda on 1 May 1897. The organisation mainly propagates the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta–Advaita Vedanta and four yogic ideals – Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja yoga. Apart from religious and spiritual teaching, the organisation carries out extensive educational and philanthropic work in India and abroad. This aspect came to be a feature of many other Hindu movements. The mission bases its work on the principles of Karma Yoga, the principle of selfless work done with a dedication to God. The Ramakrishna Mission has centres around the world and publishes many important Hindu texts. It is affiliated with a monastic organisation. Vivekananda was greatly influenced by his guru (teacher), Ramakrishna, who also believed in Universalism. The Math and the Mission are the two key organisations that direct the work of the Ramakrishna movement. The Ramakrishna Math, alternatively referred to as the Ramakrishna Order, is a monastic institution associated with the religious movement established by Ramakrishna in 1886. The primary emphasis of the Math lies in the cultivation of spiritual development and the dissemination of the movement's doctrines. The Mission, founded by Vivekananda in 1897, is a humanitarian organisation that carries out medical, relief, and educational programs. Both organisations have headquarters at Belur Math. The Mission acquired legal status when it was registered in 1909 under Act XXI of 1860. Its management is vested in a Governing Body. Though the Mission with its branches is a distinct legal entity, it is closely related to the Math. The elected trustees of the Math also serve as the Mission's Governing Body. Vedanta Societies comprise the American arm of the Movement and work more in the purely spiritual field than social welfare.