Radha Soami - Revision history

Stuee.Singh: add information for clarity and added references for clarity

2026-03-27T06:27:36Z

add information for clarity and added references for clarity

117.225.26.197 at 11:52, 24 March 2022

2022-03-24T11:52:51Z

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	However, some of these practices vary depending on the sect of the Radhasoami faith (Dinod, Beas, Dayalbagh)		However, some of these practices vary depending on the sect of the Radhasoami faith (Dinod, Beas, Dayalbagh)
	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Contemporary Sant Mat movements]]		* Contemporary Sant Mat movements
	*[[Radha Soami Satsang Sabha]], Dayalbagh		*[[Radha Soami Satsang Sabha]], Dayalbagh
	;Gurus		;Gurus
	* ~~[[Prem Saran Satsangi\|~~Gracious Huzur Dr. Prem Saran Satsangi]]		* Gracious Huzur Dr. Prem Saran Satsangi
	* [[Anand Swarup\|Param Guru Huzur Sahabji Maharaj]]		* [[Anand Swarup\|Param Guru Huzur Sahabji Maharaj]]
	*[[Hazur Rai Saligram Bahadur]]		*Hazur Rai Saligram Bahadur
	* [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] ''Lineage (ordered chronologically)''		* [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] ''Lineage (ordered chronologically)''
	**Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj		**Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj
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	** [[Charan Singh (Sant)\|Maharaj Charan Singh Ji]]		** [[Charan Singh (Sant)\|Maharaj Charan Singh Ji]]
	** [[Gurinder Singh\|Baba Gurinder Singh Ji]] ('''''1990–present) current master of this lineage.'''''		** [[Gurinder Singh\|Baba Gurinder Singh Ji]] ('''''1990–present) current master of this lineage.'''''
	*[[Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod~~\|Radha Swami Satsang Dinod]]~~ [https://www.radhaswamidinod.org/lineage.html Lineage]		*Radha Swami Satsang Dinod [https://www.radhaswamidinod.org/lineage.html Lineage]
	**[[Shiv Dayal Singh\|Swami Ji Maharaj]]		**[[Shiv Dayal Singh\|Swami Ji Maharaj]]
	**~~[[Salig Ram\|~~Huzur Rai Saligram Saheb]]		**Huzur Rai Saligram Saheb
	**[[Maharishi Shiv Brat Lal\|Maharishi Shivbrat Lal Ji Maharaj]]		**[[Maharishi Shiv Brat Lal\|Maharishi Shivbrat Lal Ji Maharaj]]
	**Param Sant Ram Singh Ji Arman		**Param Sant Ram Singh Ji Arman
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	**[https://www.radhaswamidinod.org/about-maharaj-ji.html Param Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj]		**[https://www.radhaswamidinod.org/about-maharaj-ji.html Param Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj]
	*[[Bhagat Munshi Ram]]		*[[Bhagat Munshi Ram]]
	*[[Kirpal Singh]] (''Disciple of [[Sawan Singh\|Baba Sawan singh Ji Maharaj]].'')		*Kirpal Singh (''Disciple of [[Sawan Singh\|Baba Sawan singh Ji Maharaj]].'')
	*[[Paul Twitchell]]		*Paul Twitchell
	== References ==		== References ==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

117.234.88.254 at 11:49, 24 March 2022

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	{{Short description\|Religious fellowship related to Sikhism and Hinduism}}		{{Short description\|Religious fellowship related to Sikhism and Hinduism}}
	[[File:SethShivDayalSingh.jpg\|thumb\|Shiv Dayal Singh founded the Radhasoami movement.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/>]]		[[File:SethShivDayalSingh.jpg\|thumb\|Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj founded the Radhasoami movement.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/>]]
	'''Radha Soami''', or RadhaSwami, or Radhasoami Satsang, is a spiritual organization founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh]] in 1861 on [[Basant Panchami]] Day in [[Agra]], [[India]].<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref>{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year= 1995\|publisher =Princeton University Press\|isbn= 0-691-01092-7\|page=90 note 5}}, Quote: "The date of Swami Shiv Dayal's first public discourse is Basant Panchami Day, February 15, 1861"</ref><ref>{{cite book\|author=David N. Lorenzen\|title=Bhakti Religion in North India: Community Identity and Political Action\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpSxJg_ehnIC \|year=1995\|publisher=State University of New York Press\|isbn=978-0-7914-2025-6\|page=67}}, Quote: "The movement traces its origins to Swami Shiv Dayal Singh, who began his public ministry in Agra in 1861."</ref> As per some sects, it derives its name from the word ''[[Radha]]'' meaning soul and ''Soami'' which refers to ''True God or [[One God]]'' .<ref>{{cite book\|author1= Kristen Haar\|author2= Sewa Singh Kali\|title=Sikhism\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC \| year=2009\|publisher =Infobase Publishing\| isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2\|page= 12}}, '''Quote:''' "The term Radhasoami is composed of two words: Radha and Soami – Radha was the favorite gopi (cowgirl) of the Hindu god Krishna and Soami literally means Lord. The term Radha symbolizes Lord Krishna's soul."</ref><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41a">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41\|year=1995\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to Krishna as lord (swami) of his consort, Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref>		'''Radha Soami''', or RadhaSwami, or Radhasoami Satsang, is a spiritual organization founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh\|Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj]] in 1861 on Basant Panchami Day in [[Agra]], [[India]].<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref>{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year= 1995\|publisher =Princeton University Press\|isbn= 0-691-01092-7\|page=90 note 5}}, Quote: "The date of Swami Shiv Dayal's first public discourse is Basant Panchami Day, February 15, 1861"</ref><ref>{{cite book\|author=David N. Lorenzen\|title=Bhakti Religion in North India: Community Identity and Political Action\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpSxJg_ehnIC \|year=1995\|publisher=State University of New York Press\|isbn=978-0-7914-2025-6\|page=67}}, Quote: "The movement traces its origins to Swami Shiv Dayal Singh, who began his public ministry in Agra in 1861."</ref> As per some sects, it derives its name from the word ''[[Radha]]'' meaning soul and ''Soami'' which refers to ''True God or One God'' .<ref>{{cite book\|author1= Kristen Haar\|author2= Sewa Singh Kali\|title=Sikhism\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC \| year=2009\|publisher =Infobase Publishing\| isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2\|page= 12}}, '''Quote:''' "The term Radhasoami is composed of two words: Radha and Soami – Radha was the favorite gopi (cowgirl) of the Hindu god Krishna and Soami literally means Lord. The term Radha symbolizes Lord Krishna's soul."</ref><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41a">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41\|year=1995\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to Krishna as lord (swami) of his consort, Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref>

	The Radhasoamis, states Mark Juergensmeyer, are considered in Punjab as an offshoot of [[Sikhism]], because the teachings of their founder were based, in part, on those of the founder of Sikhism – Guru Nanak and many recite verses from the ''[[Adi Granth]]'' during their worship.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7" /> However, they are also different from the [[Sikhs]] because they reject the Sikh idea that there are no present day Gurus beyond their first ten, many reject parts or all of the Khalsa Sikh dress code and rituals such as ''[[Karah Parshad]]''. The Radhasoamis are a religious fellowship who have accepted saints and living gurus from many places across the world.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title= Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year= 1995\|publisher =Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=7–8, 14–17 with footnote 6, 23, 55–57, 85–86}}</ref>		The Radhasoamis, states Mark Juergensmeyer, are considered in Punjab as an offshoot of [[Sikhism]], because the teachings of their founder were based, in part, on those of the founder of Sikhism – Guru Nanak and many recite verses from the ''[[Adi Granth]]'' during their worship.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7" /> However, they are also different from the [[Sikhs]] because they reject the Sikh idea that there are no present day Gurus beyond their first ten, many reject parts or all of the Khalsa Sikh dress code and rituals such as ''Karah Parshad''. The Radhasoamis are a religious fellowship who have accepted saints and living gurus from many places across the world.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title= Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year= 1995\|publisher =Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=7–8, 14–17 with footnote 6, 23, 55–57, 85–86}}</ref>

	In 2018, there were an estimated more than at most 7 million Radhasoami followers worldwide , with many subsects based on the Guru. Of these, the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] is the smallest<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> with at most 8 million followers.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004"/> Radhasoami competing subsects have their own headquarters. There is just one Radhasoami group in the world.<ref name="Lewis2002p590">{{cite book\|author=James R. Lewis\|title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lk8_ARNz-dYC&pg=PA590\|year=2002\|publisher=Prometheus \|isbn=978-1-61592-738-8\|pages=590–592}}</ref> The largest group's contemporaneous headquarters are in Beas, with parallel branches found in India and outside India.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7"/><ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Other subsects and movements influenced by Radhasoami include [[Divine Light Mission]], [[Eckankar]], [[Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness]], [[Science of Spirituality]] and others.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004">{{cite book\|author=Pierluigi Zoccatelli\|editor=Peter Clarke\|title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DouBAgAAQBAJ \|year= 2004\|publisher= Routledge\|isbn= 978-1-134-49970-0\|pages=508–509}}</ref> Many of these groups have tried to distance themselves, with some stating complete independence from the others.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Succession upon the death of previous guru has been a source of controversies and schism in the Radhasoami movement since the beginning.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>[[File:Gate 3 - Radha Soami Satsang Beas - Mohali 2016-08-04 5915.JPG\|thumb\|[[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] based out of [[Beas City\|Beas]] is the largest group.\|263x263px]]		In 2018, there were an estimated more than at most 7 million Radhasoami followers worldwide , with many subsects based on the Guru. Of these, the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] is the smallest<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> with at most 8 million followers.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004"/> Radhasoami competing subsects have their own headquarters. There is just one Radhasoami group in the world.<ref name="Lewis2002p590">{{cite book\|author=James R. Lewis\|title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lk8_ARNz-dYC&pg=PA590\|year=2002\|publisher=Prometheus \|isbn=978-1-61592-738-8\|pages=590–592}}</ref> The largest group's contemporaneous headquarters are in Beas, with parallel branches found in India and outside India.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7"/><ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Other subsects and movements influenced by Radhasoami include Divine Light Mission, Eckankar, Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, [[Science of Spirituality]] and others.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004">{{cite book\|author=Pierluigi Zoccatelli\|editor=Peter Clarke\|title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DouBAgAAQBAJ \|year= 2004\|publisher= Routledge\|isbn= 978-1-134-49970-0\|pages=508–509}}</ref> Many of these groups have tried to distance themselves, with some stating complete independence from the others.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Succession upon the death of previous guru has been a source of controversies and schism in the Radhasoami movement since the beginning.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>[[File:Gate 3 - Radha Soami Satsang Beas - Mohali 2016-08-04 5915.JPG\|thumb\|[[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] based out of [[Beas City\|Beas]] is the largest group.\|263x263px]]
	==Nomenclature==		==Nomenclature==
	According to Mark Juergensmeyer, the term Radhasoami literally refers to Radha as The Soul and ''Soami'' (''swami'', lord).<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41\|year=1995\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to lord (swami) of his Souls., Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref> According to Saligram, quotes Juergensmeyer, these terms are symbolic and mean "master of energy", derived from the Vaishnava understanding of "Radha as the power of energy of God" ([[Shakti]]). It is a referent to the consciousness in a person and the cosmic energy source, states Juergensmeyer.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/>		According to Mark Juergensmeyer, the term Radhasoami literally refers to Radha as The Soul and ''Soami'' (''swami'', lord).<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41\|year=1995\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to lord (swami) of his Souls., Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref> According to Saligram, quotes Juergensmeyer, these terms are symbolic and mean "master of energy", derived from the Vaishnava understanding of "Radha as the power of energy of God" ([[Shakti]]). It is a referent to the consciousness in a person and the cosmic energy source, states Juergensmeyer.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/>

117.225.43.155 at 11:45, 24 March 2022

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← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 24 March 2022
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	In 2018, there were an estimated more than at most 7 million Radhasoami followers worldwide , with many subsects based on the Guru. Of these, the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] is the smallest<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> with at most 8 million followers.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004"/> Radhasoami competing subsects have their own headquarters. There is just one Radhasoami group in the world.<ref name="Lewis2002p590">{{cite book\|author=James R. Lewis\|title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lk8_ARNz-dYC&pg=PA590\|year=2002\|publisher=Prometheus \|isbn=978-1-61592-738-8\|pages=590–592}}</ref> The largest group's contemporaneous headquarters are in Beas, with parallel branches found in India and outside India.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7"/><ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Other subsects and movements influenced by Radhasoami include [[Divine Light Mission]], [[Eckankar]], [[Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness]], [[Science of Spirituality]] and others.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004">{{cite book\|author=Pierluigi Zoccatelli\|editor=Peter Clarke\|title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DouBAgAAQBAJ \|year= 2004\|publisher= Routledge\|isbn= 978-1-134-49970-0\|pages=508–509}}</ref> Many of these groups have tried to distance themselves, with some stating complete independence from the others.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Succession upon the death of previous guru has been a source of controversies and schism in the Radhasoami movement since the beginning.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>[[File:Gate 3 - Radha Soami Satsang Beas - Mohali 2016-08-04 5915.JPG\|thumb\|[[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] based out of [[Beas City\|Beas]] is the largest group.\|263x263px]]		In 2018, there were an estimated more than at most 7 million Radhasoami followers worldwide , with many subsects based on the Guru. Of these, the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] is the smallest<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> with at most 8 million followers.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004"/> Radhasoami competing subsects have their own headquarters. There is just one Radhasoami group in the world.<ref name="Lewis2002p590">{{cite book\|author=James R. Lewis\|title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lk8_ARNz-dYC&pg=PA590\|year=2002\|publisher=Prometheus \|isbn=978-1-61592-738-8\|pages=590–592}}</ref> The largest group's contemporaneous headquarters are in Beas, with parallel branches found in India and outside India.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7"/><ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Other subsects and movements influenced by Radhasoami include [[Divine Light Mission]], [[Eckankar]], [[Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness]], [[Science of Spirituality]] and others.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004">{{cite book\|author=Pierluigi Zoccatelli\|editor=Peter Clarke\|title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DouBAgAAQBAJ \|year= 2004\|publisher= Routledge\|isbn= 978-1-134-49970-0\|pages=508–509}}</ref> Many of these groups have tried to distance themselves, with some stating complete independence from the others.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Succession upon the death of previous guru has been a source of controversies and schism in the Radhasoami movement since the beginning.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>[[File:Gate 3 - Radha Soami Satsang Beas - Mohali 2016-08-04 5915.JPG\|thumb\|[[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] based out of [[Beas City\|Beas]] is the largest group.\|263x263px]]
	==Nomenclature==		==Nomenclature==
	According to Mark Juergensmeyer, the term Radhasoami literally refers to Radha as ~~[[Soul\|~~The Soul]] and ''Soami'' (''swami'', lord).<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41\|year=1995\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to lord (swami) of his Souls., Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref> According to Saligram, quotes Juergensmeyer, these terms are symbolic and mean "master of energy", derived from the Vaishnava understanding of "Radha as the power of energy of God" ([[Shakti]]). It is a referent to the consciousness in a person and the cosmic energy source, states Juergensmeyer.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/>		According to Mark Juergensmeyer, the term Radhasoami literally refers to Radha as The Soul and ''Soami'' (''swami'', lord).<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41\|year=1995\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to lord (swami) of his Souls., Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref> According to Saligram, quotes Juergensmeyer, these terms are symbolic and mean "master of energy", derived from the Vaishnava understanding of "Radha as the power of energy of God" ([[Shakti]]). It is a referent to the consciousness in a person and the cosmic energy source, states Juergensmeyer.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/>

	The writings of ~~Swami~~ Dayal use the term ''~~[[Satnam\|~~Sat Nam]]'', rather than Radhasoami. The gurus and the tradition that followed him used the term Radhasoami during the initiation rites, meditation practices and as mutual greeting. This has led to the fellowship being commonly called Radha Soami.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/> In some subtraditions of Radhasoami, states Lucy DuPertuis, the guru's charisma is considered as the "formless absolute", being in his presence is equivalent to experiencing the incarnation of the [[Satguru]], the guru is identified as the Radhasoami.<ref>{{cite journal \| last=DuPertuis \| first=Lucy \| title=How People Recognize Charisma: The Case of Darshan in Radhasoami and Divine Light Mission \| journal=Sociological Analysis \| publisher=Oxford University Press \| volume=47 \| issue=2 \| year=1986 \| doi=10.2307/3711456 \| pages=111–124}}, Quote: "Various branches of Radhasoami have argued about the incarnationalism of Satguru (Lane, 1981). Guru Maharaj Ji has accepted it and identifies with Krishna and other incarnations of Vishnu."</ref>		The writings of Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji use the term ''Sat Nam'', rather than Radhasoami. The gurus and the tradition that followed him used the term Radhasoami during the initiation rites, meditation practices and as mutual greeting. This has led to the fellowship being commonly called Radha Soami.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/> In some subtraditions of Radhasoami, states Lucy DuPertuis, the guru's charisma is considered as the "formless absolute", being in his presence is equivalent to experiencing the incarnation of the [[Satguru]], the guru is identified as the Radhasoami.<ref>{{cite journal \| last=DuPertuis \| first=Lucy \| title=How People Recognize Charisma: The Case of Darshan in Radhasoami and Divine Light Mission \| journal=Sociological Analysis \| publisher=Oxford University Press \| volume=47 \| issue=2 \| year=1986 \| doi=10.2307/3711456 \| pages=111–124}}, Quote: "Various branches of Radhasoami have argued about the incarnationalism of Satguru (Lane, 1981). Guru Maharaj Ji has accepted it and identifies with Krishna and other incarnations of Vishnu."</ref>
	==Founder==		==Founder==
	Radhasoami movement was founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh\|Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj]] in [[Agra]]. His parents were followers of [[Guru Nanak]] of [[Sikhism]] and a local spiritual guru Tulsi Saheb.<ref>{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\| year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=15–19, 38–42 with footnotes}}</ref> After completing his education, Singh gained employment as a Persian language translator, left that role and spent increasing amount of his time to religious pursuits. His discourses attracted followers and thus the Radhasoami movement was founded when Swami ji gave initiation to Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj who practised Surat shabad yoga on the bank of river Beas and the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas\|Radha soami Satsang Beas]] (RSSB) or Dera Beas was Created.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1991p16">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=16–17 with footnotes}}</ref>		Radhasoami movement was founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh\|Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj]] in [[Agra]]. His parents were followers of [[Guru Nanak]] of [[Sikhism]] and a local spiritual guru Tulsi Saheb.<ref>{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\| year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=15–19, 38–42 with footnotes}}</ref> After completing his education, Singh gained employment as a Persian language translator, left that role and spent increasing amount of his time to religious pursuits. His discourses attracted followers and thus the Radhasoami movement was founded when Swami ji gave initiation to Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj who practised Surat shabad yoga on the bank of river Beas and the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas\|Radha soami Satsang Beas]] (RSSB) or Dera Beas was Created.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1991p16">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=16–17 with footnotes}}</ref>

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2022-03-24T11:43:31Z

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	The writings of Swami Dayal use the term ''[[Satnam\|Sat Nam]]'', rather than Radhasoami. The gurus and the tradition that followed him used the term Radhasoami during the initiation rites, meditation practices and as mutual greeting. This has led to the fellowship being commonly called Radha Soami.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/> In some subtraditions of Radhasoami, states Lucy DuPertuis, the guru's charisma is considered as the "formless absolute", being in his presence is equivalent to experiencing the incarnation of the [[Satguru]], the guru is identified as the Radhasoami.<ref>{{cite journal \| last=DuPertuis \| first=Lucy \| title=How People Recognize Charisma: The Case of Darshan in Radhasoami and Divine Light Mission \| journal=Sociological Analysis \| publisher=Oxford University Press \| volume=47 \| issue=2 \| year=1986 \| doi=10.2307/3711456 \| pages=111–124}}, Quote: "Various branches of Radhasoami have argued about the incarnationalism of Satguru (Lane, 1981). Guru Maharaj Ji has accepted it and identifies with Krishna and other incarnations of Vishnu."</ref>		The writings of Swami Dayal use the term ''[[Satnam\|Sat Nam]]'', rather than Radhasoami. The gurus and the tradition that followed him used the term Radhasoami during the initiation rites, meditation practices and as mutual greeting. This has led to the fellowship being commonly called Radha Soami.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/> In some subtraditions of Radhasoami, states Lucy DuPertuis, the guru's charisma is considered as the "formless absolute", being in his presence is equivalent to experiencing the incarnation of the [[Satguru]], the guru is identified as the Radhasoami.<ref>{{cite journal \| last=DuPertuis \| first=Lucy \| title=How People Recognize Charisma: The Case of Darshan in Radhasoami and Divine Light Mission \| journal=Sociological Analysis \| publisher=Oxford University Press \| volume=47 \| issue=2 \| year=1986 \| doi=10.2307/3711456 \| pages=111–124}}, Quote: "Various branches of Radhasoami have argued about the incarnationalism of Satguru (Lane, 1981). Guru Maharaj Ji has accepted it and identifies with Krishna and other incarnations of Vishnu."</ref>
	==Founder==		==Founder==
	Radhasoami movement was founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh]] in [[Agra]]. His parents were followers of [[Guru Nanak]] of [[Sikhism]] and a local spiritual guru Tulsi Saheb.<ref>{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\| year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=15–19, 38–42 with footnotes}}</ref> After completing his education, Singh gained employment as a Persian language translator, left that role and spent increasing amount of his time to religious pursuits. His discourses attracted followers and thus the Radhasoami movement was founded when Swami ji gave initiation to ~~[[Jaimal Singh\|~~Baba Jaimal Singh ~~ji]]~~ who practised Surat shabad yoga on the bank of river Beas and the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas\|Radha soami Satsang Beas]] (RSSB) or Dera Beas was Created.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1991p16">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=16–17 with footnotes}}</ref>		Radhasoami movement was founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh\|Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj]] in [[Agra]]. His parents were followers of [[Guru Nanak]] of [[Sikhism]] and a local spiritual guru Tulsi Saheb.<ref>{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\| year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=15–19, 38–42 with footnotes}}</ref> After completing his education, Singh gained employment as a Persian language translator, left that role and spent increasing amount of his time to religious pursuits. His discourses attracted followers and thus the Radhasoami movement was founded when Swami ji gave initiation to Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj who practised Surat shabad yoga on the bank of river Beas and the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas\|Radha soami Satsang Beas]] (RSSB) or Dera Beas was Created.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1991p16">{{cite book\|author=Mark Juergensmeyer\|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC\|year=1991\|publisher=Princeton University Press\|isbn=0-691-01092-7\|pages=16–17 with footnotes}}</ref>

	The Radhasoami tradition can be traced back to the spiritual master Shiv Dayal Singh (honorifically titled ~~Soamiji~~ Maharaj) who was born on August 24, 1818, in the north Indian city of Agra. He was influenced by the teachings of Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, who taught surat shabd yoga (which is defined by Radhasoami teachers as “union of the soul with the divine, inner sound”); guru bhakti (“devotion to the master”); and high moral living, including a strict lacto-vegetarian diet. The movement does not promote celibacy, however, and most of the masters in its various lineages have been married. The teachings seem to be related to forms of 18th- and 19th-century esoteric mysticism that were circulating at the time in northern India. The founding date of the movement is considered to be 1861 when Shiv Dayal Singh began publicly to give discourses.<ref name="oxfordbibliographies.com">https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399318/obo-9780195399318-0203.xml</ref>		The Radhasoami tradition can be traced back to the spiritual master Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj (honorifically titled Soami Ji Maharaj) who was born on August 25, 1818, in the north Indian city of Agra. He was influenced by the teachings of Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, who taught surat shabd yoga (which is defined by Radhasoami teachers as “union of the soul with the divine, inner sound”); guru bhakti (“devotion to the master”); and high moral living, including a strict lacto-vegetarian diet. The movement does not promote celibacy, however, and most of the masters in its various lineages have been married. The teachings seem to be related to forms of 18th- and 19th-century esoteric mysticism that were circulating at the time in northern India. The founding date of the movement is considered to be 1861 when Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji Maharaj began publicly to give discourses.<ref name="oxfordbibliographies.com">https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399318/obo-9780195399318-0203.xml</ref>

	After Shiv Dayal ~~Singh’s~~ death in 1878 he was succeeded by several disciples, including his wife Narayan Dei (“Radhaji”); his brother Partap Singh (“Chachaji”); Sanmukh Das (appointed head of the sadhus); the army soldier Jaimal Singh, Gharib Das of Delhi; and the postmaster general of the Northwest provinces, Rai Salig Ram, each of whom started their own distinct centers. After their deaths, multiple followers were claimed to be the rightful heirs, and this eventually led to a large proliferation of various masters and satsangs (“fellowships”) throughout India that were regarded by their followers to be the true manifestations of Shiv Dayal Singh and his teachings, described as Sant Mat (“the path of the saints”). The largest branch of the movement is the one at Beas, established by one of Shiv Dayal ~~Singh’s~~ disciples, Jaimal Singh, in the North Indian state of Punjab in the ~~1890s~~, and which has grown enormously over the decades under the guiding hands of each subsequent successor (from Sawan Singh to Jagat Singh and Charan Singh to the current master, Gurinder Singh). There are estimated to be two million initiates of the Beas masters worldwide. In Agra, the birthplace of the movement, there are three main satsang centers: Soami Bagh, where a large memorial tomb is being built to honor the founder; Peepal Mandi, which was founded by Rai Salig Ram who was then succeeded by his son, grandson, and currently his great-grandson, Agam Prasad Mathur; and the largest of the Agra-based centers, Dayalbagh, which is located across the street from Soami Bagh, and has flourished under the leadership of Kamta Prasad Sinha, Anand Sarup, Gurcharandas Mehta, Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab, and most recently as of this date Professor Prem Saran Satsangi. Other Radhasoami-related groups that have garnered a significant following include Ruhani Satsang in Delhi, founded by Kirpal Singh (b. 1894–d. 1974), a disciple of the Beas master, Sawan Singh; Manavta Mandir, established by Faqir Chand (b. 1886–d. 1981) in 1962 in Hoshiarpur in the Punjab; the Tarn Taran satsang founded by Bagga Singh; ~~[[Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod\|~~Radha Swami Satsang Dinod]], founded by Param Sant Tarachand Ji Maharaj (Bade Maharaj Ji), current master Param Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj and several others scattered through North and South India.<ref name="oxfordbibliographies.com"/>		After Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji's death in 1878 he was succeeded by several disciples, including his wife Narayan Dei (“Radhaji”); his brother Partap Singh (“Chachaji”); Sanmukh Das (appointed head of the sadhus); the army soldier Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj, Gharib Das of Delhi; and the postmaster general of the Northwest provinces, Rai Salig Ram, each of whom started their own distinct centers. After their deaths, multiple followers were claimed to be the rightful heirs, and this eventually led to a large proliferation of various masters and satsangs (“fellowships”) throughout India that were regarded by their followers to be the true manifestations of Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji and his teachings, described as Sant Mat (“the path of the saints”). The largest branch of the movement is the one at Beas, established by one of Seth Shiv Dayal Singh Ji's disciples, Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj, in the North Indian state of Punjab in the 1891s, and which has grown enormously over the decades under the guiding hands of each subsequent successor (from Baba Sawan Singh Ji Maharaj to Sardar Bahadur Maharaj Jagat Singh Ji and Maharaj Charan Singh Ji to the current master, Baba Gurinder Singh Ji). There are estimated to be two million initiates of the Beas masters worldwide. In Agra, the birthplace of the movement, there are three main satsang centers: Soami Bagh, where a large memorial tomb is being built to honor the founder; Peepal Mandi, which was founded by Rai Salig Ram who was then succeeded by his son, grandson, and currently his great-grandson, Agam Prasad Mathur; and the largest of the Agra-based centers, Dayalbagh, which is located across the street from Soami Bagh, and has flourished under the leadership of Kamta Prasad Sinha, Anand Sarup, Gurcharandas Mehta, Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab, and most recently as of this date Professor Prem Saran Satsangi. Other Radhasoami-related groups that have garnered a significant following include Ruhani Satsang in Delhi, founded by Kirpal Singh (b. 1894–d. 1974), a disciple of the Beas master, Sawan Singh; Manavta Mandir, established by Faqir Chand (b. 1886–d. 1981) in 1962 in Hoshiarpur in the Punjab; the Tarn Taran satsang founded by Bagga Singh; Radha Swami Satsang Dinod, founded by Param Sant Tarachand Ji Maharaj (Bade Maharaj Ji), current master Param Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj and several others scattered through North and South India.<ref name="oxfordbibliographies.com"/>
	==Beliefs and practices==		==Beliefs and practices==
	{{multiple image		{{multiple image

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	*a living ''guru'' (someone as locus of trust and truth),		*a living ''guru'' (someone as locus of trust and truth),
	* ''[[bhajan]]'' (remembering ''Sat Nam'', other practices believed to be transformative),		* ''[[bhajan]]'' (remembering ''Sat Nam'', other practices believed to be transformative),
	* ''[[satsang]]'' (fellowship, community),		* ''satsang'' (fellowship, community),
	* ''[[selfless service\|seva]]'' (serve others without expecting anything in return),		* ''[[selfless service\|seva]]'' (serve others without expecting anything in return),
	* ''kendra'' (community organization, shrine), and		* ''kendra'' (community organization, shrine), and
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	The Radha Soami Satsang believes that living gurus are necessary for a guided spiritual life.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> They do not install the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] or any other scriptures in their sanctum, as they consider it ritualistic. Instead, the guru sits in the sanctum with the ''satsang'' (group of Sikh faithfuls) and they listen to preachings from the Adi Granth and sing hymns together.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> They believe in social equality, forbid caste distinctions and have also attracted [[Dalit]]s to their tradition. They are active outside India too.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12">{{cite book\|author1= Kristen Haar\|author2= Sewa Singh Kalsi\|title=Sikhism\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC \| year=2009\|publisher =Infobase Publishing\| isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2\|pages= 12–13}}</ref>		The Radha Soami Satsang believes that living gurus are necessary for a guided spiritual life.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> They do not install the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] or any other scriptures in their sanctum, as they consider it ritualistic. Instead, the guru sits in the sanctum with the ''satsang'' (group of Sikh faithfuls) and they listen to preachings from the Adi Granth and sing hymns together.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> They believe in social equality, forbid caste distinctions and have also attracted [[Dalit]]s to their tradition. They are active outside India too.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12">{{cite book\|author1= Kristen Haar\|author2= Sewa Singh Kalsi\|title=Sikhism\|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC \| year=2009\|publisher =Infobase Publishing\| isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2\|pages= 12–13}}</ref>
	[[File:Rssd lineage.png\|alt=Radha Swami Dinod Lineage\|thumb\|316x316px\|Radha Swami Satsang Dinod, Lineage. ]]		[[File:Rssd lineage.png\|alt=Radha Swami Dinod Lineage\|thumb\|316x316px\|Radha Swami Satsang Dinod, Lineage. ]]
	The Radhasoami are strict vegetarians. They are active in charitable work such as providing free medical services and help to the needy. They do not believe in orthodox Sikh ritual practices such as covering one's head inside the temple or removing shoes, nor do they serve ''karah prasad'' (offering) at the end of prayers.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> Their basic practices include ''[[Surat Shabd Yoga]]'' (meditation on inner light and sound), initiation of disciple into the path by a living guru, obedience to the guru, a moral life that is defined by abstinence from meat, drugs, alcohol and sex outside marriage. They also believe that ''[[jivanmukti]]'' or inner liberation is possible during one's lifetime with guidance of the living guru.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>		The Radhasoami are strict vegetarians. They are active in charitable work such as providing free medical services and help to the needy. They do not believe in orthodox Sikh ritual practices such as covering one's head inside the temple or removing shoes, nor do they serve ''karah prasad'' (offering) at the end of prayers.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> Their basic practices include ''Surat Shabd Yoga'' (meditation on inner light and sound), initiation of disciple into the path by a living guru, obedience to the guru, a moral life that is defined by abstinence from meat, drugs, alcohol and sex outside marriage. They also believe that ''jivanmukti'' or inner liberation is possible during one's lifetime with guidance of the living guru.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>
	However, some of these practices vary depending on the sect of the Radhasoami faith (Dinod, Beas, Dayalbagh)		However, some of these practices vary depending on the sect of the Radhasoami faith (Dinod, Beas, Dayalbagh)
	== See also ==		== See also ==

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imported>Hwrdprkns: Correct typo for number of Radhasoami followers worldwide.

2021-08-26T18:50:02Z

Correct typo for number of Radhasoami followers worldwide.

New page

{{Short description|Religious fellowship related to Sikhism and Hinduism}}
[[File:SethShivDayalSingh.jpg|thumb|Shiv Dayal Singh founded the Radhasoami movement.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/>]]
'''Radha Soami''', or RadhaSwami, or Radhasoami Satsang, is a spiritual organization founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh]] in 1861 on [[Basant Panchami]] Day in [[Agra]], [[India]].<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref>{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC|year= 1995|publisher =Princeton University Press|isbn= 0-691-01092-7|page=90 note 5}}, Quote: "The date of Swami Shiv Dayal's first public discourse is Basant Panchami Day, February 15, 1861"</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=David N. Lorenzen|title=Bhakti Religion in North India: Community Identity and Political Action|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpSxJg_ehnIC |year=1995|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-0-7914-2025-6|page=67}}, Quote: "The movement traces its origins to Swami Shiv Dayal Singh, who began his public ministry in Agra in 1861."</ref> As per some sects, it derives its name from the word ''[[Radha]]'' meaning soul and ''Soami'' which refers to ''True God or [[One God]]'' .<ref>{{cite book|author1= Kristen Haar|author2= Sewa Singh Kali|title=Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC | year=2009|publisher =Infobase Publishing| isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2|page= 12}}, '''Quote:''' "The term Radhasoami is composed of two words: Radha and Soami – Radha was the favorite gopi (cowgirl) of the Hindu god Krishna and Soami literally means Lord. The term Radha symbolizes Lord Krishna's soul."</ref><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41a">{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41|year=1995|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=0-691-01092-7|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to Krishna as lord (swami) of his consort, Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref>

The Radhasoamis, states Mark Juergensmeyer, are considered in Punjab as an offshoot of [[Sikhism]], because the teachings of their founder were based, in part, on those of the founder of Sikhism – Guru Nanak and many recite verses from the ''[[Adi Granth]]'' during their worship.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7" /> However, they are also different from the [[Sikhs]] because they reject the Sikh idea that there are no present day Gurus beyond their first ten, many reject parts or all of the Khalsa Sikh dress code and rituals such as ''[[Karah Parshad]]''. The Radhasoamis are a religious fellowship who have accepted saints and living gurus from many places across the world.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7">{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title= Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC|year= 1995|publisher =Princeton University Press|isbn=0-691-01092-7|pages=7–8, 14–17 with footnote 6, 23, 55–57, 85–86}}</ref>

In 2018, there were an estimated more than at most 7 million Radhasoami followers worldwide , with many subsects based on the Guru. Of these, the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] is the smallest<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> with at most 8 million followers.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004"/> Radhasoami competing subsects have their own headquarters. There is just one Radhasoami group in the world.<ref name="Lewis2002p590">{{cite book|author=James R. Lewis|title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lk8_ARNz-dYC&pg=PA590|year=2002|publisher=Prometheus |isbn=978-1-61592-738-8|pages=590–592}}</ref> The largest group's contemporaneous headquarters are in Beas, with parallel branches found in India and outside India.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/><ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p7"/><ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Other subsects and movements influenced by Radhasoami include [[Divine Light Mission]], [[Eckankar]], [[Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness]], [[Science of Spirituality]] and others.<ref name="ClarkeClarke2004">{{cite book|author=Pierluigi Zoccatelli|editor=Peter Clarke|title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DouBAgAAQBAJ |year= 2004|publisher= Routledge|isbn= 978-1-134-49970-0|pages=508–509}}</ref> Many of these groups have tried to distance themselves, with some stating complete independence from the others.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/> Succession upon the death of previous guru has been a source of controversies and schism in the Radhasoami movement since the beginning.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>[[File:Gate 3 - Radha Soami Satsang Beas - Mohali 2016-08-04 5915.JPG|thumb|[[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] based out of [[Beas City|Beas]] is the largest group.|263x263px]]

==Nomenclature==
According to Mark Juergensmeyer, the term Radhasoami literally refers to Radha as [[Soul|The Soul]] and ''Soami'' (''swami'', lord).<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41">{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC&pg=PA41|year=1995|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=0-691-01092-7|pages=41–42 with footnotes}}, Quote: "The word Radhasoami literally refers to lord (swami) of his Souls., Radha" (p. 41); "The Beas group translates Radhasoami as 'lord of the soul' (p. 42).</ref> According to Saligram, quotes Juergensmeyer, these terms are symbolic and mean "master of energy", derived from the Vaishnava understanding of "Radha as the power of energy of God" ([[Shakti]]). It is a referent to the consciousness in a person and the cosmic energy source, states Juergensmeyer.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/>

The writings of Swami Dayal use the term ''[[Satnam|Sat Nam]]'', rather than Radhasoami. The gurus and the tradition that followed him used the term Radhasoami during the initiation rites, meditation practices and as mutual greeting. This has led to the fellowship being commonly called Radha Soami.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1995p41"/> In some subtraditions of Radhasoami, states Lucy DuPertuis, the guru's charisma is considered as the "formless absolute", being in his presence is equivalent to experiencing the incarnation of the [[Satguru]], the guru is identified as the Radhasoami.<ref>{{cite journal | last=DuPertuis | first=Lucy | title=How People Recognize Charisma: The Case of Darshan in Radhasoami and Divine Light Mission | journal=Sociological Analysis | publisher=Oxford University Press | volume=47 | issue=2 | year=1986 | doi=10.2307/3711456 | pages=111–124}}, Quote: "Various branches of Radhasoami have argued about the incarnationalism of Satguru (Lane, 1981). Guru Maharaj Ji has accepted it and identifies with Krishna and other incarnations of Vishnu."</ref>

==Founder==
Radhasoami movement was founded by [[Shiv Dayal Singh]] in [[Agra]]. His parents were followers of [[Guru Nanak]] of [[Sikhism]] and a local spiritual guru Tulsi Saheb.<ref>{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC| year=1991|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=0-691-01092-7|pages=15–19, 38–42 with footnotes}}</ref> After completing his education, Singh gained employment as a Persian language translator, left that role and spent increasing amount of his time to religious pursuits. His discourses attracted followers and thus the Radhasoami movement was founded when Swami ji gave initiation to [[Jaimal Singh|Baba Jaimal Singh ji]] who practised Surat shabad yoga on the bank of river Beas and the [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas|Radha soami Satsang Beas]] (RSSB) or Dera Beas was Created.<ref name="Juergensmeyer1991p16">{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC|year=1991|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=0-691-01092-7|pages=16–17 with footnotes}}</ref>

The Radhasoami tradition can be traced back to the spiritual master Shiv Dayal Singh (honorifically titled Soamiji Maharaj) who was born on August 24, 1818, in the north Indian city of Agra. He was influenced by the teachings of Tulsi Sahib of Hathras, who taught surat shabd yoga (which is defined by Radhasoami teachers as “union of the soul with the divine, inner sound”); guru bhakti (“devotion to the master”); and high moral living, including a strict lacto-vegetarian diet. The movement does not promote celibacy, however, and most of the masters in its various lineages have been married. The teachings seem to be related to forms of 18th- and 19th-century esoteric mysticism that were circulating at the time in northern India. The founding date of the movement is considered to be 1861 when Shiv Dayal Singh began publicly to give discourses.<ref name="oxfordbibliographies.com">https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399318/obo-9780195399318-0203.xml</ref>

After Shiv Dayal Singh’s death in 1878 he was succeeded by several disciples, including his wife Narayan Dei (“Radhaji”); his brother Partap Singh (“Chachaji”); Sanmukh Das (appointed head of the sadhus); the army soldier Jaimal Singh, Gharib Das of Delhi; and the postmaster general of the Northwest provinces, Rai Salig Ram, each of whom started their own distinct centers. After their deaths, multiple followers were claimed to be the rightful heirs, and this eventually led to a large proliferation of various masters and satsangs (“fellowships”) throughout India that were regarded by their followers to be the true manifestations of Shiv Dayal Singh and his teachings, described as Sant Mat (“the path of the saints”). The largest branch of the movement is the one at Beas, established by one of Shiv Dayal Singh’s disciples, Jaimal Singh, in the North Indian state of Punjab in the 1890s, and which has grown enormously over the decades under the guiding hands of each subsequent successor (from Sawan Singh to Jagat Singh and Charan Singh to the current master, Gurinder Singh). There are estimated to be two million initiates of the Beas masters worldwide. In Agra, the birthplace of the movement, there are three main satsang centers: Soami Bagh, where a large memorial tomb is being built to honor the founder; Peepal Mandi, which was founded by Rai Salig Ram who was then succeeded by his son, grandson, and currently his great-grandson, Agam Prasad Mathur; and the largest of the Agra-based centers, Dayalbagh, which is located across the street from Soami Bagh, and has flourished under the leadership of Kamta Prasad Sinha, Anand Sarup, Gurcharandas Mehta, Dr. M.B. Lal Sahab, and most recently as of this date Professor Prem Saran Satsangi. Other Radhasoami-related groups that have garnered a significant following include Ruhani Satsang in Delhi, founded by Kirpal Singh (b. 1894–d. 1974), a disciple of the Beas master, Sawan Singh; Manavta Mandir, established by Faqir Chand (b. 1886–d. 1981) in 1962 in Hoshiarpur in the Punjab; the Tarn Taran satsang founded by Bagga Singh; [[Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod|Radha Swami Satsang Dinod]], founded by Param Sant Tarachand Ji Maharaj (Bade Maharaj Ji), current master Param Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj and several others scattered through North and South India.<ref name="oxfordbibliographies.com"/>

==Beliefs and practices==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Ajaib e sirio.jpg
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| image2 = Sirio satsang.JPG
| width2 = 155
| image3 = Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi.png
| width3 = 225
| footer = Radha Soami fellowships and sects have featured gurus from many parts of the world.
}}

To the Radhsoamis, six elements form the framework of their faith:<ref>{{cite book|author=Mark Juergensmeyer|title=Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=slX3eRycszMC|year= 1995|publisher =Princeton University Press|isbn= 0-691-01092-7|pages=11–12, 40–42}}</ref>
*a living ''guru'' (someone as locus of trust and truth),
* ''[[bhajan]]'' (remembering ''Sat Nam'', other practices believed to be transformative),
* ''[[satsang]]'' (fellowship, community),
* ''[[selfless service|seva]]'' (serve others without expecting anything in return),
* ''kendra'' (community organization, shrine), and
* ''bhandara'' (large community gathering).

The Radha Soami Satsang believes that living gurus are necessary for a guided spiritual life.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> They do not install the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] or any other scriptures in their sanctum, as they consider it ritualistic. Instead, the guru sits in the sanctum with the ''satsang'' (group of Sikh faithfuls) and they listen to preachings from the Adi Granth and sing hymns together.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> They believe in social equality, forbid caste distinctions and have also attracted [[Dalit]]s to their tradition. They are active outside India too.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12">{{cite book|author1= Kristen Haar|author2= Sewa Singh Kalsi|title=Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YOI1nB_zTyAC | year=2009|publisher =Infobase Publishing| isbn=978-1-4381-0647-2|pages= 12–13}}</ref>
[[File:Rssd lineage.png|alt=Radha Swami Dinod Lineage|thumb|316x316px|Radha Swami Satsang Dinod, Lineage. ]]
The Radhasoami are strict vegetarians. They are active in charitable work such as providing free medical services and help to the needy. They do not believe in orthodox Sikh ritual practices such as covering one's head inside the temple or removing shoes, nor do they serve ''karah prasad'' (offering) at the end of prayers.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p12"/> Their basic practices include ''[[Surat Shabd Yoga]]'' (meditation on inner light and sound), initiation of disciple into the path by a living guru, obedience to the guru, a moral life that is defined by abstinence from meat, drugs, alcohol and sex outside marriage. They also believe that ''[[jivanmukti]]'' or inner liberation is possible during one's lifetime with guidance of the living guru.<ref name="Lewis2002p590"/>
However, some of these practices vary depending on the sect of the Radhasoami faith (Dinod, Beas, Dayalbagh)

== See also ==
* [[Contemporary Sant Mat movements]]
*[[Radha Soami Satsang Sabha]], Dayalbagh

;Gurus
* [[Prem Saran Satsangi|Gracious Huzur Dr. Prem Saran Satsangi]]
* [[Anand Swarup|Param Guru Huzur Sahabji Maharaj]]
*[[Hazur Rai Saligram Bahadur]]
* [[Radha Soami Satsang Beas]] ''Lineage (ordered chronologically)''
**[[Jaimal Singh]]
** [[Sawan Singh]]
** [[Jagat Singh (Sant)]]
** [[Charan Singh (Sant)]]
** [[Gurinder Singh]] ('''''1990–present) current master of this lineage.'''''
*[[Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod|Radha Swami Satsang Dinod]] [https://www.radhaswamidinod.org/lineage.html Lineage]
**[[Shiv Dayal Singh|Swami Ji Maharaj]]
**[[Salig Ram|Huzur Rai Saligram Saheb]]
**[[Maharishi Shiv Brat Lal|Maharishi Shivbrat Lal Ji Maharaj]]
**Param Sant Ram Singh Ji Arman
**Param Sant Tarachand Ji Maharaj
**[https://www.radhaswamidinod.org/about-maharaj-ji.html Param Sant Huzur Kanwar Saheb Ji Maharaj]
*[[Bhagat Munshi Ram]]
*[[Kirpal Singh]] (''Disciple of [[Sawan Singh|Sawan singh ji]].'')
*[[Paul Twitchell]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*{{note|Larson}} Larson, Gerald J. ''India's Agony Over Religion'' (1995). p. 136. SUNY Press (State University of New York) {{ISBN|0-7914-2411-1}}

== Further reading ==
{{Commons category}}
* Juergensmeyer, Mark (1991). ''Radhasoami Reality: The Logic of a Modern Faith'', Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. {{ISBN|0-691-07378-3}}
* Lane, David C (1992). ''The Radhasoami Tradition'', New York. Garland Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-8240-5247-8}}
* Schomer, Karine & William Hewat McLeod, eds (1987).''The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India'', Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1987. Academic papers from a 1978 Berkeley conference on the Sants organised by the Graduate Theological Union and the University of California Center for South Asia Studies. {{ISBN|81-208-0277-2}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1861 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Meditation]]
[[Category:Mysticism]]
[[Category:Sant Mat]]
[[Category:Radha Soami| ]]
[[Category:Hindu new religious movements]]