Brahmo Samaj: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Hindu reform movement}}
{{short description|Hindu socio-cultural reform movement}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{Refimprove|date=June 2020}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=June 2020}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=June 2020}}
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{{Infobox religion
{{Infobox religion
| name                = [[Brahmoism]]
| name                = Brahmo Samaj
| caption_bagcgj  =
| caption_bagcgj  =
| image              =  
| image              =
| imagewidth          =  
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| structure          =
| structure          =
| leader_title        = Pradhanacharya-1
| leader_title        = Pradhanacharya-1
| leader_name        = [[Ram Mohan Roy]]
| leader_name        = [[Raja Ram Mohan Roy]]
| leader_title1      = Pradhanacharya-2
| leader_title1      = Pradhanacharya-2
| leader_name1        = [[Dwarkanath Tagore]]
| leader_name1        = [[Dwarkanath Tagore]]
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| fellowships_type    =  
| fellowships_type    =  
| fellowships        =  
| fellowships        =  
| associations        = [[Brahmo Samaj]] ([[Adi Brahmo Samaj]] and [[Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]])
| associations        = Brahmo Samaj ([[Adi Brahmo Samaj]] and [[Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]])
| area                =  
| area                =  
| headquarters        =
| headquarters        =
| founder            = [[Ram Mohan Roy]]
| founder            = [[ Raja Ram Mohan Roy]]
| founded_date        = {{start date and age|1828|08|28|df=yes|p=y}}
| founded_date        = {{start date and age|1828|08|28|df=yes|p=y}}
| founded_place      = {{nowrap|[[Calcutta]], [[British Raj|British India]]}}
| founded_place      = {{nowrap|[[Calcutta]], [[British Raj|British India]]}}
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| other_names        = [[Adi Dharm]]
| other_names        = [[Adi Dharm]]
| publications        =  
| publications        =  
| website            = {{url|true.brahmosamaj.in/}}
| website            = {{URL|true.brahmosamaj.in/}}
| footnotes          =  
| footnotes          =  
}}
}}


'''Brahmo Samaj''' ({{lang-bn|ব্রাহ্ম সমাজ|Brahmô Sômaj}}, {{IPA-bn|bram.ho ʃɔ.b̤a}}) is the societal component of [[Brahmoism]], which began as a [[monotheist]]ic reformist movement of the [[Hinduism|Hindu religion]] that appeared during the [[Bengal Renaissance]]. It is practised today mainly as the [[Adi Dharm]] after its eclipse in [[Bengal]] consequent to the exit of the [[Tattwabodini Sabha]] from its ranks in 1839. The first Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1861 at [[Lahore]] by Pandit Nobin Chandra Roy.
'''Brahmo Samaj''' ({{lang-bn|ব্রহ্ম সমাজ|Brahmô Sômaj}}, {{IPA-bn|bram.ho ʃɔ.b̤a}}) is the societal component of [[Brahmoism]], which began as a [[monotheist]]ic reformist movement that appeared during the [[Bengal Renaissance]].


It was one of the most influential religious movements in India<ref>[[J. N. Farquhar]],  [https://archive.org/stream/modernreligiousm00farquoft/modernreligiousm00farquoft_djvu.txt ''Modern Religious Movements of India''] (1915), p. 29</ref> and made a significant contribution to the making of modern [[India]].<ref>"Brahmo Samaj and the making of modern India, David Kopf, publ. 1979 Princeton University Press (USA)."</ref> It was started at [[Calcutta]] on 20 August 1828 by Raja [[Ram Mohan Roy]] and [[Debendranath Tagore]] as reformation of the prevailing [[Brahminical Hinduism|Brahmanism]] of the time (specifically [[Kulin Brahmin|Kulin]] practices) and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century pioneering all religious, social and educational advance of the Hindu community in the 19th century. Its Trust Deed was made in 1830 formalising its inception and it was duly and publicly inaugurated in January 1830 by the consecration of the first house of prayer, now known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj.<ref>"Modern Religious movements in India, J.N.Farquhar (1915)" page 29 etc.</ref> From the ''Brahmo Samaj'' springs Brahmoism, the most recent of legally recognised religions in India and Bangladesh, reflecting its foundation on reformed spiritual Hinduism with vital elements of Judeo-Islamic faith and practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brahmosamaj.in |title=Official Brahmo website |publisher=Brahmosamaj.in |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawcommissionbangladesh.org/reports/36.pdf |title=Bangladesh Law Commission |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref>
It was one of the most influential religious movements in India<ref>[[J. N. Farquhar]],  [https://archive.org/stream/modernreligiousm00farquoft/modernreligiousm00farquoft_djvu.txt ''Modern Religious Movements of India''] (1915), p. 29.</ref> and made a significant contribution to the making of modern [[India]].<ref>"Brahmo Samaj and the making of modern India, David Kopf, publ. 1979 Princeton University Press (USA)."</ref> It was started at [[Calcutta]] on 20 August 1828 by Raja [[Ram Mohan Roy]] and [[Dwarkanath Tagore]] as reformation of the prevailing customs of the time (specifically Kulin practices) and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century pioneering all religious, social and educational advance of the Bengali community in the 19th century. Its Trust Deed was made in 1830 formalising its inception and it was duly and publicly inaugurated in January 1830 by the consecration of the first house of prayer, now known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj.<ref>''Modern Religious movements in India'', J. N. Farquhar (1915), p. 29 etc.</ref> From the ''Brahmo Samaj'' springs Brahmoism, the most recent of legally recognised religions in India and Bangladesh, reflecting its foundation on reformed spiritual Hinduism with vital elements of Judeo-Islamic faith and practice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://brahmosamaj.in/ |title=Official Brahmo website |publisher=Brahmosamaj.in |access-date=2012-10-15 |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023163011/http://www.brahmosamaj.in/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lawcommissionbangladesh.org/reports/36.pdf |title=Bangladesh Law Commission |access-date=2012-10-15 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202740/http://www.lawcommissionbangladesh.org/reports/36.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Meaning of the name==
==Meaning of the name==


The Brahmo Samaj literally denotes community ({{lang-sa|italic=yes|'samaj'}}) of men who worship [[Brahman]] the highest reality.<ref>page 1 Chapter 1 Volume 1 ''History of the Brahmo Samaj'' by Sivanath Sastri, 1911, 1st edn. publisher R.Chatterji, Cornwallis St. Calcutta. ''Brahmo'' (ব্রাহ্ম ''bramho'') literally means "one who worships [[Brahman]]", and ''Samaj'' (সমাজ ''shômaj'') mean "community of men".</ref> In reality Brahmo Samaj does not discriminate between caste, creed or religion and is an assembly of all sorts and descriptions of people without distinction, meeting publicly for the sober, orderly, religious and devout adoration of "''the (nameless) unsearchable Eternal, Immutable Being who is the Author and Preserver of the Universe''."<ref>[[Trust deed of Brahmo Sabha]] 1830</ref>
The Brahmo Samaj literally denotes community ({{lang-sa|italic=yes|'samaj'}}) of men who worship [[Brahman]] the highest reality.<ref>page 1 Chapter 1 Volume 1 ''History of the Brahmo Samaj'' by Sivanath Sastri, 1911, 1st edn. publisher R.Chatterji, Cornwallis St. Calcutta. ''Brahmo'' (ব্রাহ্ম ''bramho'') literally means "one who worships [[Brahman]]", and ''Samaj'' (সমাজ ''shômaj'') mean "community of men".</ref> In reality Brahmo Samaj does not discriminate between caste, creed or religion and is an assembly of all sorts and descriptions of people without distinction, meeting publicly for the sober, orderly, religious and devout adoration of "''the (nameless) unsearchable Eternal, Immutable Being who is the Author and Preserver of the Universe''."<ref>[[Trust deed of Brahmo Sabha]] 1830</ref>. Their worship was "Nirakar Brahma", so from Brahma they named their religion.


==Doctrine==
==Doctrine==
The following doctrines, as noted in Renaissance of Hinduism, are common to all varieties and offshoots of the ''Brahmo Samaj'':<ref>Source: The Gazetteer of India, Volume 1: Country and people. Delhi, Publications Division, Government of India, 1965. CHAPTER VIII – Religion. HINDUISM
The following doctrines, as noted in Renaissance of Hinduism, are common to all varieties and offshoots of the ''Brahmo Samaj'':<ref>Source: The Gazetteer of India, Volume 1: Country and people. Delhi, Publications Division, Government of India, 1965. CHAPTER VIII – Religion. HINDUISM
by Dr. C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar, Dr. Nalinaksha Dutt, Prof. A.R.Wadia, Prof. M.Mujeeb, Dr.Dharm Pal and Fr. Jerome D'Souza, S.J.</ref>
by Dr. C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar, Dr. Nalinaksha Dutt, Prof. A.R.Wadia, Prof. M.Mujeeb, Dr.Dharm Pal and Fr. Jerome D'Souza, S.J.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahir |first=Rajiv |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HBziwQEACAAJ&q=a+brief+history+of+modern+india |title=A Brief History of Modern India |date=2018 |publisher=Spectrum Books (P) Limited |isbn=978-81-7930-688-8 |pages=212 |language=en |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=30 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430144833/https://books.google.com/books?id=HBziwQEACAAJ&q=a+brief+history+of+modern+india |url-status=live }}</ref>


* Brahmo Samajists have no faith in any scripture as an authority.
* Brahmo Samajists denied that any scripture could enjoy the status of ultimate authority transcending human reason and conscience.
* Brahmo Samajists have no faith in [[Avatar]]s
* Brahmo Samajists have no faith in [[Avatar]]s (incarnations)
* Brahmo Samajists denounce polytheism and idol-worship.
* Brahmo Samajists denounce polytheism and idol-worship.
* Brahmo Samajists are against caste restrictions.
* Brahmo Samajists are against caste system.
* Brahmo Samajists make faith in the doctrines of [[Karma]] and Rebirth optional.
* Brahmo Samajists took no definite stand on the doctrine of [[karma]] and transmigration of soul ([[Reincarnation|Rebirth]]) and left it to individual Brahmos to believe either way.             * for them vedas are superior but not infallible, if conflict arise between vedas and reason, later will be taken into consideration
* raja ram mohan roy believe in universalism it is like ( for religion = vedas, but
For progress = western education)


==Divisions of Brahmo Samaj==
==Divisions of Brahmo Samaj==
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*[[Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]]
*[[Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]]


===Anusthanic versus Ananusthanic Brahmos===
===Anusthanic versus Ananusthanic (Non-Anusthanic) Brahmos===
To understand the differences between the two streams of Brahmo Samaj it is essential to understand that these implicit distinctions are based on [[caste]]. The Anusthanic Brahmos are exclusively either [[Brahmins]] or casteless, and exclusively adhere to Brahmoism and have no other faith. The Ananusthanic Brahmo Samajists, however, are from the remaining main caste divisions of Hinduism like [[Kayastha]], [[Baidya]] etc. and hence within the [[Karmic]] / [[Reincarnation|Rebirth]] wheel to eternally progress (i.e. ''Sanatana Dharm'') to God by moving up caste hierarchies, unlike anusthanic Brahmos for whom the next step after death is reintegration and renewal with 'God'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true.brahmosamaj.in/brahmo-anusthanic-ananusthanics.html |title=Anusthanic Brahmos, Ananusthnic Brahmo Samaj |publisher=World Brahmo Council}}</ref>
Anusthanic Brahmos comprise Adi Brahmos, Adi Dharmaites and many Sadharan Brahmos. Anusthanic Brahmos are exclusively adherents of the Brahmo religion and have no other faith.
 
The concept of the soul is anathema to Anusthanic Brahmos, which they consider to have been ruled out by the "1861 Anusthan"{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} and they instead refer to the soul as "being". Every "being", which they consider immortal, is a part of God, who they see as the singularity, author and preserver of existence. "Beings" are sent out by God for a mission, "Kriya" on completion of which the "being" reintegrates (re-absorbs) into God. <br><br>For Anusthanic Brahmos the next step after death is this reintegration, re-absorption and renewal with God.
<br><br>This corresponds to the 2nd "Adi" Prime Principle:{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}
<blockquote>Being is created from Singularity. Being is renewed to Singularity. Being exists to be one again with Loving Singularity.</blockquote>
 
Ananusthanic (Non-Anusthanic Brahmos) believe in the concept of immortal souls eternally progressing towards God. This implies a karmic and fatalistic belief, which is different to Kriayic Brahmoism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://true.brahmosamaj.in/brahmo-anusthanic-ananusthanics.html |title=Anusthanic Brahmos, Ananusthnic Brahmo Samaj |publisher=World Brahmo Council |access-date=29 August 2014 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903211957/http://true.brahmosamaj.in/brahmo-anusthanic-ananusthanics.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


==History and timeline==
==History and timeline==
===Brahmo Sabha===
===Brahmo Sabha===
On 20 August 1828 the first assembly of the ''Brahmo Sabha'' (progenitor of the Brahmo Samaj) was held at the North Calcutta house of [[Basu#Notables|''Feringhee'' Kamal Bose]]. This day was celebrated by [[Brahmo]]s as ''Bhadrotsab'' (ভাদ্রোৎসব ''Bhadrotshôb'' "[[Bhadro]] celebration"). These meetings were open to all Brahmins and there was no formal organisation or theology as such.<ref>"Socio-Religious Reform Movements in British India" By Kenneth W. Jones page 33-34, publ. 1989 Cambridge Univ. Press. {{ISBN|0-521-24986-4}} This ''Sabha'' was convened at Calcutta by religious reformer [[Ram Mohan Roy|Raja Rammohun Roy]] for his family and friends settled there. The ''Sabha'' regularly gathered on Saturday between seven o'clock to nine o'clock. These were informal meetings of [[Bengali Brahmin]]s (the "twice born"), accompanied by Upanishadic recitations in [[Sanskrit]] followed by [[Bengali language|Bengali]] translations of the Sanskrit recitation and singing of Brahmo hymns composed by Rammohun.</ref><ref>"Modern Religious movements in India, J.N.Farquhar (1915)"</ref>
On 20 August 1828 the first assembly of the ''Brahmo Sabha'' (progenitor of the Brahmo Samaj) was held at the North Calcutta house of [[Basu#Notable people|''Feringhee'' Kamal Bose]]. This day was celebrated by [[Brahmo]]s as ''Bhadrotsab'' (ভাদ্রোৎসব ''Bhadrotshôb'' "[[Bhadro]] celebration"). These meetings were open to all Brahmins and there was no formal organisation or theology as such.<ref>"Socio-Religious Reform Movements in British India" By Kenneth W. Jones page 33-34, publ. 1989 Cambridge Univ. Press. {{ISBN|0-521-24986-4}} This ''Sabha'' was convened at Calcutta by religious reformer [[Ram Mohan Roy|Raja Rammohun Roy]] for his family and friends settled there. The ''Sabha'' regularly gathered on Saturday between seven o'clock to nine o'clock. These were informal meetings of [[Bengali Brahmin]]s (the "twice born"), accompanied by Upanishadic recitations in [[Sanskrit]] followed by [[Bengali language|Bengali]] translations of the Sanskrit recitation and singing of Brahmo hymns composed by Rammohun.</ref><ref>"Modern Religious movements in India, J.N.Farquhar (1915)"</ref>


On 8 January 1830 influential progressive members of the closely related [[Kulin Brahmin]] clan<ref>"A History of Brahmin Clans" ({{IAST|Brāhmaṇa Vaṃshõ kā Itihāsa}}) in Hindi, by Dorilāl Śarmā, published by Rāśtriya Brāmhamana Mahāsabhā, Vimal Building, Jamirābād, Mitranagar, Masūdābād, Aligarh-1, 2nd edn. 1998. and also footnotes to [[Bengali Brahmin]]</ref> scurrilously<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Tagore,_Prince_Dwarkanath |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703142014/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Tagore%2C_Prince_Dwarkanath |archive-date=3 July 2015 |title=Tagore, (Prince) Dwarkanath |publisher=Banglapedia |date=2009-04-22 |access-date=2015-07-23 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> described as [[Pirali Brahmin]] ''ie.'' ostracised for service in the Mughal ''Nizaamat'' of Bengal) of Tagore (''Thakur'') and Roy (''Vandopādhyāya'') ''zumeendar'' family mutually executed the [[Trust deed of Brahmo Sabha]] for the first [[Adi Brahmo Samaj]] (place of worship) on Chitpore Road (now Rabindra Sarani), [[Kolkata]], [[India]] with [[Ram Chandra Vidyabagish]] as first resident superintendent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true.brahmosamaj.in/brahmo-trust-deed.html |title=Online copy of 1830 Trust Deed |publisher=brahmosamaj.in |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref>
On 8 January 1830 influential progressive members of the closely related [[Kulin Brahmin]] clan<ref>"A History of Brahmin Clans" ({{IAST|Brāhmaṇa Vaṃshõ kā Itihāsa}}) in Hindi, by Dorilāl Śarmā, published by Rāśtriya Brāmhamana Mahāsabhā, Vimal Building, Jamirābād, Mitranagar, Masūdābād, Aligarh-1, 2nd edn. 1998. and also footnotes to [[Bengali Brahmin]]</ref> scurrilously<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Tagore,_Prince_Dwarkanath |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703142014/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Tagore%2C_Prince_Dwarkanath |archive-date=3 July 2015 |title=Tagore, (Prince) Dwarkanath |publisher=Banglapedia |date=2009-04-22 |access-date=2015-07-23 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> described as [[Pirali Brahmin]] ''ie.'' ostracised for service in the Mughal ''Nizaamat'' of Bengal) of Tagore (''Thakur'') and Roy ''zameendar'' family, mutually executed the [[Trust deed of Brahmo Sabha]] for the first [[Adi Brahmo Samaj]] (place of worship) on Chitpore Road (now Rabindra Sarani), [[Kolkata]], [[India]] with [[Ram Chandra Vidyabagish]] as first resident superintendent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://true.brahmosamaj.in/brahmo-trust-deed.html |title=Online copy of 1830 Trust Deed |publisher=brahmosamaj.in |access-date=2012-10-15 |archive-date=3 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903211320/http://true.brahmosamaj.in/brahmo-trust-deed.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


On 23 January 1830 or 11th ''Magh'', the ''Adi Brahmo'' premises were publicly inaugurated (with about 500 Brahmins and 1 Englishman present). This day is celebrated by Brahmos as ''Maghotsab'' (মাঘোৎসব ''Maghotshôb'' "[[Magh (Bengali calendar)|Magh]] celebration").
On 23 January 1830 or 11th ''Magh'', the ''Adi Brahmo'' premises were publicly inaugurated (with about 500 Brahmins and 1 Englishman present). This day is celebrated by Brahmos as ''Maghotsab'' (মাঘোৎসব ''Maghotshôb'' "[[Magh (Bengali calendar)|Magh]] celebration").
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===Brief Eclipse of Brahmo Sabha===
===Brief Eclipse of Brahmo Sabha===
By the time of Rammohun's death in 1833 near Bristol (UK), attendance at the ''Sabha'' dwindled and the Telugu Brahmins revived idolatry. The ''zameendars'', being preoccupied in business, had little time for affairs of ''Sabha'', and flame of ''Sabha'' was almost exting
By the time of Rammohun's death in 1833 near Bristol (UK), attendance at the ''Sabha'' dwindled and the Telugu Brahmins revived idolatry. The ''zameendars'', being preoccupied in business, had little time for affairs of ''Sabha'', and flame of ''Sabha'' was almost extinguished.


===Tattwabodhini period===
===Tattwabodhini period===
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*Shyamacharan Bhattacharya
*Shyamacharan Bhattacharya
*Brajendranath Tagore
*Brajendranath Tagore
*Girindranath Tagore, brother of [[Debendranath Tagore]] & father of [[Ganendranath Tagore]]
*Girindranath Tagore, brother of [[Debendranath Tagore]] & father of [https://wp-en.wikideck.com/Ganendranath_Tagore Ganendranath Tagore]
*Anandachandra Bhattacharya
*Anandachandra Bhattacharya
*Taraknath Bhattacharya
*Taraknath Bhattacharya
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===First Secession===
===First Secession===
Disagreement with the Tattvabodhini came to a head publicly between the period of 1 August 1865 till November 1866 with many tiny splinter groups styling themselves as ''Brahmo''. The most notable of these groups styled itself "Brahmo Samaj of India". This period is also referred to in the histories of the secessionists as the "First Schism".<ref>Pt.Shivnath Shastri: Brahmo History- 1911.Page 106-107, 2nd edn.</ref>
Disagreement with the Tattvabodhini came to a head publicly between the period of 1 August 1865 till November 1866 with many tiny splinter groups styling themselves as ''Brahmo''. The most notable of these groups styled itself "Brahmo Samaj of India". This period is also referred to in the histories of the secessionists as the "First Schism".<ref>Pt. Shivnath Shastri: Brahmo History- 1911.Page 106-107, 2nd ed.</ref>


===Brahmo Samaj and Swami Narendranath Vivekananda===
===Brahmo Samaj and Swami Narendranath Vivekananda===


[[Swami Vivekananda]] was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj of India, and visited the [[Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]] in his youth.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtcoeaQIQdAC&q=swami+vivekananda+brahmo+samaj&pg=PA32 |title=Book: "Swami Vivekananda in India: A Corrective Biography" |date=31 December 1999 |first1=Rajagopal |last1=Chattopadhyaya |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited |isbn=9788120815865 |access-date=23 March 2017}}</ref>
[[Swami Vivekananda]] was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj of India, and visited the [[Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]] in his youth.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtcoeaQIQdAC&q=swami+vivekananda+brahmo+samaj&pg=PA32 |title=Book: "Swami Vivekananda in India: A Corrective Biography" |date=31 December 1999 |first1=Rajagopal |last1=Chattopadhyaya |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited |isbn=9788120815865 |access-date=23 March 2017 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923122512/https://books.google.com/books?id=EtcoeaQIQdAC&q=swami+vivekananda+brahmo+samaj&pg=PA32 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Current status and number of adherents===
===Current status and number of adherents===
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== Social and religious reform ==
== Social and religious reform ==
In matters of social reform the Brahmo Samaj attacked many dogmas and superstitions. It condemned the prevailing Hindu prejudice against going abroad (Kala pani). The samaj condemned practice of Sati (burning of widows), discouraged child marriage and polygamy, and crusaded for widow remarriage. The samaj attacked casteism and untouchability, though in these matters it attained only limited success. The influence  of the Brahmo Samaj movement did not extend significantly past Calcutta, however, and is considered to have had a fleeting impact.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahir |first=Rajiv |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HBziwQEACAAJ&q=a+brief+history+of+modern+india |title=A Brief History of Modern India |date=2018 |publisher=Spectrum Books (P) Limited |isbn=978-81-7930-688-8 |pages=215–216 |language=en |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=30 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430144833/https://books.google.com/books?id=HBziwQEACAAJ&q=a+brief+history+of+modern+india |url-status=live }}</ref>


After the controversy of underage marriage of Keshub Chunder Sen's daughter, the ''Special Marriages Act of 1872'' was enacted to set the minimum age of 14 years for marriage of girls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Brahma_Sabha |title=Brahma Sabha |publisher=Banglapedia |access-date=2015-07-23}}</ref> All Brahmo marriages were thereafter solemnised under this law. Many Indians resented the requirement of the affirmation "I am not Hindu, nor a Mussalman, nor a Christian" for solemnising a marriage under this Act. The requirement of this declaration was imposed by [[Henry James Sumner Maine]], legal member of Governor General's Council appointed by Britain. The 1872 Act was repealed by the [[Special Marriage Act, 1954]] under which any person of any religion could marry. The [[Hindu Marriage Act]], 1955 applies to all Hindus (including "followers" of the Brahmo Samaj) but not to the adherents of the Brahmo religion.
After the controversy of underage marriage of Keshub Chunder Sen's daughter, the ''Special Marriages Act of 1872'' was enacted to set the minimum age of 14 years for marriage of girls.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Brahma_Sabha |title=Brahma Sabha |publisher=Banglapedia |access-date=2015-07-23 |archive-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723131516/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Brahma_Sabha |url-status=live }}</ref> All Brahmo marriages were thereafter solemnised under this law. Many Indians resented the requirement of the affirmation "I am not Hindu, nor a Mussalman, nor a Christian" for solemnising a marriage under this Act. The requirement of this declaration was imposed by [[Henry James Sumner Maine]], legal member of Governor General's Council appointed by Britain. The 1872 Act was repealed by the [[Special Marriage Act, 1954]] under which any person of any religion could marry. The [[Hindu Marriage Act]], 1955 applies to all Hindus (including "followers" of the Brahmo Samaj) but not to the adherents of the Brahmo religion.


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
 
* [http://www.brahmosamaj.org The Brahmo Samaj]
* [http://www.brahmosamaj.org The Brahmo Samaj]
* [http://www.thesadharanbrahmosamaj.org The Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]
* [http://www.thesadharanbrahmosamaj.org The Sadharan Brahmo Samaj]
* [http://www.thebrahmosamaj.net Brahmo Samaj.net]
* [http://www.thebrahmosamaj.net Brahmo Samaj.net]
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahmo-Samaj Brahmo Samaj] in the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahmo-Samaj Brahmo Samaj] in the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
*[https://www.yoopery.com/2021/04/Biography-of-raja-ram-mohan-roy-in-details.html Biography of raja rammohan Roy]
*[https://www.yoopery.com/2021/04/Biography-of-raja-ram-mohan-roy-in-details.html Biography of Raja Rammohan Roy]


{{Bengal Renaissance}}
{{Bengal Renaissance}}
{{Hindu reform movements}}
{{Bengali Hindu people}} 
{{Portal bar|Hinduism|India}} 


[[Category:Brahmoism]]
[[Category:Brahmoism]]
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[[Category:Neo-Vedanta]]
[[Category:Neo-Vedanta]]
[[Category:Bengal Renaissance]]
[[Category:Bengal Renaissance]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:1828 establishments in India]]

Revision as of 08:09, 22 July 2023


Brahmo Samaj
Founder
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Website
true.brahmosamaj.in

Brahmo Samaj (Bengali: ব্রহ্ম সমাজ, romanized: Brahmô Sômaj, Bengali pronunciation: [bram.ho ʃɔ.b̤a]) is the societal component of Brahmoism, which began as a monotheistic reformist movement that appeared during the Bengal Renaissance.

It was one of the most influential religious movements in India[1] and made a significant contribution to the making of modern India.[2] It was started at Calcutta on 20 August 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Dwarkanath Tagore as reformation of the prevailing customs of the time (specifically Kulin practices) and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century pioneering all religious, social and educational advance of the Bengali community in the 19th century. Its Trust Deed was made in 1830 formalising its inception and it was duly and publicly inaugurated in January 1830 by the consecration of the first house of prayer, now known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj.[3] From the Brahmo Samaj springs Brahmoism, the most recent of legally recognised religions in India and Bangladesh, reflecting its foundation on reformed spiritual Hinduism with vital elements of Judeo-Islamic faith and practice.[4][5]

Meaning of the name

The Brahmo Samaj literally denotes community (Sanskrit: 'samaj') of men who worship Brahman the highest reality.[6] In reality Brahmo Samaj does not discriminate between caste, creed or religion and is an assembly of all sorts and descriptions of people without distinction, meeting publicly for the sober, orderly, religious and devout adoration of "the (nameless) unsearchable Eternal, Immutable Being who is the Author and Preserver of the Universe."[7]. Their worship was "Nirakar Brahma", so from Brahma they named their religion.

Doctrine

The following doctrines, as noted in Renaissance of Hinduism, are common to all varieties and offshoots of the Brahmo Samaj:[8][9]

  • Brahmo Samajists denied that any scripture could enjoy the status of ultimate authority transcending human reason and conscience.
  • Brahmo Samajists have no faith in Avatars (incarnations)
  • Brahmo Samajists denounce polytheism and idol-worship.
  • Brahmo Samajists are against caste system.
  • Brahmo Samajists took no definite stand on the doctrine of karma and transmigration of soul (Rebirth) and left it to individual Brahmos to believe either way. * for them vedas are superior but not infallible, if conflict arise between vedas and reason, later will be taken into consideration
  • raja ram mohan roy believe in universalism it is like ( for religion = vedas, but

For progress = western education)

Divisions of Brahmo Samaj

Anusthanic versus Ananusthanic (Non-Anusthanic) Brahmos

Anusthanic Brahmos comprise Adi Brahmos, Adi Dharmaites and many Sadharan Brahmos. Anusthanic Brahmos are exclusively adherents of the Brahmo religion and have no other faith.

The concept of the soul is anathema to Anusthanic Brahmos, which they consider to have been ruled out by the "1861 Anusthan"[citation needed] and they instead refer to the soul as "being". Every "being", which they consider immortal, is a part of God, who they see as the singularity, author and preserver of existence. "Beings" are sent out by God for a mission, "Kriya" on completion of which the "being" reintegrates (re-absorbs) into God.

For Anusthanic Brahmos the next step after death is this reintegration, re-absorption and renewal with God.

This corresponds to the 2nd "Adi" Prime Principle:[citation needed]

Being is created from Singularity. Being is renewed to Singularity. Being exists to be one again with Loving Singularity.

Ananusthanic (Non-Anusthanic Brahmos) believe in the concept of immortal souls eternally progressing towards God. This implies a karmic and fatalistic belief, which is different to Kriayic Brahmoism.[10]

History and timeline

Brahmo Sabha

On 20 August 1828 the first assembly of the Brahmo Sabha (progenitor of the Brahmo Samaj) was held at the North Calcutta house of Feringhee Kamal Bose. This day was celebrated by Brahmos as Bhadrotsab (ভাদ্রোৎসব Bhadrotshôb "Bhadro celebration"). These meetings were open to all Brahmins and there was no formal organisation or theology as such.[11][12]

On 8 January 1830 influential progressive members of the closely related Kulin Brahmin clan[13] scurrilously[14] described as Pirali Brahmin ie. ostracised for service in the Mughal Nizaamat of Bengal) of Tagore (Thakur) and Roy zameendar family, mutually executed the Trust deed of Brahmo Sabha for the first Adi Brahmo Samaj (place of worship) on Chitpore Road (now Rabindra Sarani), Kolkata, India with Ram Chandra Vidyabagish as first resident superintendent.[15]

On 23 January 1830 or 11th Magh, the Adi Brahmo premises were publicly inaugurated (with about 500 Brahmins and 1 Englishman present). This day is celebrated by Brahmos as Maghotsab (মাঘোৎসব Maghotshôb "Magh celebration").

In November 1830 Rammohun Roy left for England. Akbar II had conferred the title of 'Raja' to Rammohun Roy.[16]

Brief Eclipse of Brahmo Sabha

By the time of Rammohun's death in 1833 near Bristol (UK), attendance at the Sabha dwindled and the Telugu Brahmins revived idolatry. The zameendars, being preoccupied in business, had little time for affairs of Sabha, and flame of Sabha was almost extinguished.

Tattwabodhini period

On 6 October 1839, Debendranath Tagore, son of Dwarkanath Tagore, established Tattvaranjini Sabha which was shortly thereafter renamed the Tattwabodhini ("Truth-seekers") Sabha. Initially confined to immediate members of the Tagore family, in two years it mustered over 500 members. In 1840, Debendranath published a Bangla translation of Katha Upanishad. A modern researcher describes the Sabha's philosophy as modern middle-class (bourgeois) Vedanta.[17]. Among its first members were the "two giants of Hindu reformation and Bengal Renaissance", Akshay Kumar Datta, who in 1839 emerged from the life of an "anonymous squalor-beset individual", and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the "indigenous modernizer".[18]

First Covenant and merger with the Tattwabodhini Sabha

On 7th Pous 1765 Shaka (1843) Debendranath Tagore and twenty other Tattwabodhini stalwarts were formally invited by Pt. Vidyabagish into the Trust of Brahmo Sabha. The Pous Mela at Santiniketan starts on this day.[19] From this day forth, the Tattwabodhini Sabha dedicated itself to promoting Ram Mohan Roy's creed.[20] The other Brahmins who swore the First Covenant of Brahmoism are:-

  • Shridhar Bhattacharya
  • Shyamacharan Bhattacharya
  • Brajendranath Tagore
  • Girindranath Tagore, brother of Debendranath Tagore & father of Ganendranath Tagore
  • Anandachandra Bhattacharya
  • Taraknath Bhattacharya
  • Haradev Chattopadhyaya, the future father-in-law to MahaAcharya Hemendranath Tagore[21]
  • Shyamacharan Mukhopadhyaya
  • Ramnarayan Chattopadhyaya
  • Sashibhushan Mukhopadhyaya

Foundation of the Brahmo Samaj

In 1861 the Brahmo Somaj (as it was spelled then) was founded at Lahore by Nobin Roy.[22] It included many Bengalis from the Lahore Bar Association. Many branches were opened in the Punjab, at Quetta, Rawalpindi, Amritsar etc.

First Secession

Disagreement with the Tattvabodhini came to a head publicly between the period of 1 August 1865 till November 1866 with many tiny splinter groups styling themselves as Brahmo. The most notable of these groups styled itself "Brahmo Samaj of India". This period is also referred to in the histories of the secessionists as the "First Schism".[23]

Brahmo Samaj and Swami Narendranath Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was influenced by the Brahmo Samaj of India, and visited the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj in his youth.[24]

Current status and number of adherents

While the various Calcutta sponsored movements declined after 1920 and faded into obscurity after the Partition of India, the Adi Dharm creed has expanded and is now the 9th largest of India's enumerated religions with 7.83 million adherents, heavily concentrated between the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. In the Indian census of 2001 only 177 persons declared themselves a "Brahmo", but the number of subscriber members to Brahmo Samaj is somewhat larger at around 20,000 members.[25][26]

Social and religious reform

In matters of social reform the Brahmo Samaj attacked many dogmas and superstitions. It condemned the prevailing Hindu prejudice against going abroad (Kala pani). The samaj condemned practice of Sati (burning of widows), discouraged child marriage and polygamy, and crusaded for widow remarriage. The samaj attacked casteism and untouchability, though in these matters it attained only limited success. The influence of the Brahmo Samaj movement did not extend significantly past Calcutta, however, and is considered to have had a fleeting impact.[27]

After the controversy of underage marriage of Keshub Chunder Sen's daughter, the Special Marriages Act of 1872 was enacted to set the minimum age of 14 years for marriage of girls.[28] All Brahmo marriages were thereafter solemnised under this law. Many Indians resented the requirement of the affirmation "I am not Hindu, nor a Mussalman, nor a Christian" for solemnising a marriage under this Act. The requirement of this declaration was imposed by Henry James Sumner Maine, legal member of Governor General's Council appointed by Britain. The 1872 Act was repealed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954 under which any person of any religion could marry. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 applies to all Hindus (including "followers" of the Brahmo Samaj) but not to the adherents of the Brahmo religion.

See also

References and notes

  1. ↑ J. N. Farquhar, Modern Religious Movements of India (1915), p. 29.
  2. ↑ "Brahmo Samaj and the making of modern India, David Kopf, publ. 1979 Princeton University Press (USA)."
  3. ↑ Modern Religious movements in India, J. N. Farquhar (1915), p. 29 etc.
  4. ↑ "Official Brahmo website". Brahmosamaj.in. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Bangladesh Law Commission" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  6. ↑ page 1 Chapter 1 Volume 1 History of the Brahmo Samaj by Sivanath Sastri, 1911, 1st edn. publisher R.Chatterji, Cornwallis St. Calcutta. Brahmo (ব্রাহ্ম bramho) literally means "one who worships Brahman", and Samaj (সমাজ shômaj) mean "community of men".
  7. ↑ Trust deed of Brahmo Sabha 1830
  8. ↑ Source: The Gazetteer of India, Volume 1: Country and people. Delhi, Publications Division, Government of India, 1965. CHAPTER VIII – Religion. HINDUISM by Dr. C.P.Ramaswami Aiyar, Dr. Nalinaksha Dutt, Prof. A.R.Wadia, Prof. M.Mujeeb, Dr.Dharm Pal and Fr. Jerome D'Souza, S.J.
  9. ↑ Ahir, Rajiv (2018). A Brief History of Modern India. Spectrum Books (P) Limited. p. 212. ISBN 978-81-7930-688-8. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  10. ↑ "Anusthanic Brahmos, Ananusthnic Brahmo Samaj". World Brahmo Council. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Socio-Religious Reform Movements in British India" By Kenneth W. Jones page 33-34, publ. 1989 Cambridge Univ. Press. ISBN 0-521-24986-4 This Sabha was convened at Calcutta by religious reformer Raja Rammohun Roy for his family and friends settled there. The Sabha regularly gathered on Saturday between seven o'clock to nine o'clock. These were informal meetings of Bengali Brahmins (the "twice born"), accompanied by Upanishadic recitations in Sanskrit followed by Bengali translations of the Sanskrit recitation and singing of Brahmo hymns composed by Rammohun.
  12. ↑ "Modern Religious movements in India, J.N.Farquhar (1915)"
  13. ↑ "A History of Brahmin Clans" (Brāhmaṇa Vaṃshõ kā Itihāsa) in Hindi, by Dorilāl Śarmā, published by Rāśtriya Brāmhamana Mahāsabhā, Vimal Building, Jamirābād, Mitranagar, Masūdābād, Aligarh-1, 2nd edn. 1998. and also footnotes to Bengali Brahmin
  14. ↑ "Tagore, (Prince) Dwarkanath". Banglapedia. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  15. ↑ "Online copy of 1830 Trust Deed". brahmosamaj.in. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  16. ↑ Socio-Religious Reform Movements in British India By Kenneth W. Jones page 34, publ. 1989 Cambridge Univ. Press. ISBN 0-521-24986-4
  17. ↑ <2007: Brian Hatcher "Journal of American Academy of Religion"
  18. ↑ "Brahmo Samaj and the making of modern India, David Kopf, Princeton University press", pp 43–57
  19. ↑ "Rabindra Bharati Museum Kolkata, The Tagores & Society". Rabindrabharatiuniversity.net. Archived from the original on 7 March 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  20. ↑ "Bourgeois Hinduism", Brian Allison Hatcher. pg 57–58.
  21. ↑ "History of the Brahmo Samaj", S. Sastri. 2nd ed. p.81
  22. ↑ page.4 "Pakistan journal of history and culture, Volume 11", by National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (Pakistan)
  23. ↑ Pt. Shivnath Shastri: Brahmo History- 1911.Page 106-107, 2nd ed.
  24. ↑ Chattopadhyaya, Rajagopal (31 December 1999). Book: "Swami Vivekananda in India: A Corrective Biography". Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited. ISBN 9788120815865. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Brahmo Samaj FAQ Frequently asked Questions". Brahmo.org. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  26. ↑ Statewise census computation Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine by the Brahmo Conference Organisation
  27. ↑ Ahir, Rajiv (2018). A Brief History of Modern India. Spectrum Books (P) Limited. pp. 215–216. ISBN 978-81-7930-688-8. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "Brahma Sabha". Banglapedia. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brahmo_Samaj&oldid=397020"