File under, "how the mighty have fallen", from Hinduism Today May 1995.
Of course, it was no more true of the past that it is today. It is now entirely false. Have they issued press releases, or note on their extensive websites, to ensure the public is aware of this change of policy?
My serious question is, how far have they had to redefine the word "benefit" and "benefiting from the teachings" in the same way that "giving visions" has changed from literally giving psychic visions in the early days to ... what ... standing around in white today? In my opinion, the word benefit in their minds has come to mean as little as sharing the same space as a Brahma Kumari follower. They teach and really believe becoming "benefactors" means nothing more than just signing up and dressing on white, it seems to me. Is there any guarantee that any given BK is an enlightened benefactor ... or is it just all marketing and PR of evangelist events designed to seek converts and bring in their assests?
The money, property and grant racking that goes from from obviously non-BKs and non-benefitee sources is one thing, it is becoming their business international. I am just contemplating their mindstate as they presenting their "benefit" to bodies such as the charity commission etc, e.g. "we 'brought benefit' to a thousand people who came to our public event".
The article also underlines the entirely fake "1936 version" of the "enlightenment" or first possession of the spirit they name Shiva of Lekhraj Kirpalani.
They [The Brahma Kumaris] have a unique policy of not asking for or accepting any money from anyone who is not "benefiting from the teachings". They receive no grants from governments or any other organizations. All funds come from students' voluntary donations.
In this way the Brahma Kumaris advance into the future as pure and humble servants of God, preparing the way for the Spiritual Age.
Of course, it was no more true of the past that it is today. It is now entirely false. Have they issued press releases, or note on their extensive websites, to ensure the public is aware of this change of policy?
My serious question is, how far have they had to redefine the word "benefit" and "benefiting from the teachings" in the same way that "giving visions" has changed from literally giving psychic visions in the early days to ... what ... standing around in white today? In my opinion, the word benefit in their minds has come to mean as little as sharing the same space as a Brahma Kumari follower. They teach and really believe becoming "benefactors" means nothing more than just signing up and dressing on white, it seems to me. Is there any guarantee that any given BK is an enlightened benefactor ... or is it just all marketing and PR of evangelist events designed to seek converts and bring in their assests?
The money, property and grant racking that goes from from obviously non-BKs and non-benefitee sources is one thing, it is becoming their business international. I am just contemplating their mindstate as they presenting their "benefit" to bodies such as the charity commission etc, e.g. "we 'brought benefit' to a thousand people who came to our public event".
The BK are not afraid to point out what most would rather ignore-the degenerate condition of morals in society and overemphasis on material acquisition and enjoyment. According to the BK, the gains of scientific knowledge and industrial advancement have been nullified by the increased human distress. Life is filled with hunger, poverty, disease, stress, conflict and many such maladies.
They hold a not uncommon tenet that the dawn of the New Age can only occur through the destruction of the old. The forces of purity and righteousness destroy evil on the spiritual level, but there are physical manifestations as well. An early BK textbook states, "This second force brings about Destruction on a physical level-civil war in every continent of the world. The third and final aspect of the powers of destruction is the stock of nuclear weapons man has created. The material already accumulated is not simply for keeping, but will be used very shortly.
But destruction is a means of complete purification-a cleansing. With that final act of nuclear war there will be libertion for all souls-return to their original home, the Land of Peace." They point out that much of this is already occuring.
The article also underlines the entirely fake "1936 version" of the "enlightenment" or first possession of the spirit they name Shiva of Lekhraj Kirpalani.