Ramakrishna Mission
Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) is a Hindu religious, spiritual and philanthropic organisation headquartered in Belur Math, West Bengal. The mission is named after the Indian Hindu spiritual guru and mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Deva. The mission was founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on 1 May 1897. The organisation mainly propagates the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta–Advaita Vedanta and four yogic ideals – Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja yoga.
| Abbreviation | RKM |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1 May 1897 Calcutta, British India (present-day West Bengal India) |
| Founder | Swami Vivekananda |
| Type | Religious organisation |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Purpose | Educational, philanthropic, religious studies, spirituality |
| Headquarters | Belur Math, West Bengal, India |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 22.37°N 88.21°E |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Swami Smaranananda | |
| Affiliations | Advaita Vedanta |
| Website | belurmath |
| Part of a series on |
| Advaita |
|---|
|
Hindu philosophy |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
Apart from religious and spiritual teaching, the organisation carries out extensive educational and philanthropic work in India and abroad. This aspect came to be a feature of many other Hindu movements. The mission bases its work on the principles of Karma Yoga, the principle of selfless work done with a dedication to God. The Ramakrishna Mission has centres around the world and publishes many important Hindu texts. It is affiliated with a monastic organisation. Vivekananda was greatly influenced by his guru (teacher), Ramakrishna, who also believed in Universalism.