Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha: Difference between revisions

{{under construction |placedby= |section= |nosection= |nocat= |notready= |comment= |category= |altimage= }}

{{refimprove|date=November 2013}}

|motto        = ''Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca'' (Self-Realisation and Service to the Universe)

|type        = [[International nongovernmental organization|INGO]]

|leader_title = Purodha Pramukha

 

'''Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha''' (''society for the propagation of [[Ananda Marga]]''), sometimes abbreviated as '''AMPS''', is the foundation of [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]] for which he is best known. Sarkar founded this global, socio-spiritual organization in [[:wikipedia:Jamalpur, Munger|Jamalpur]], [[:wikipedia:Bihar|Bihar]], [[:wikipedia:India|India]] in 1955. From 1955 until his death in 1990, Sarkar frequently expanded the [[#Scope of AMPS|scope of AMPS]] and continually adjusted its inner workings.

AMPS is somewhat unique in having a strictly hierarchical composition that seeks a balanced yet full integration of [[renunciates]] with householders in a disciplined, coordinated cooperation. To implement this complex arrangement, Sarkar distinguished the [[#Structural side of AMPS|structural]] and the [[#Organizational side of AMPS|organizational]] sides of AMPS.

The '''organizational''' side of AMPS consists of elected organizational positions and some elected top-level boards. There are also advisory committees and boards (ACBs) for various departments as well as some executive committees and boards, all of which are typically constituted by an elected officeholder. For example, the Purodha Pramukha (the highest authority in AMPS), the Purodha Board, and the Central Committee are all elected by the body of all recognized [[purodhas]] (purodhas in good organizational standing). The Purodha Pramukha is the ex-officio ''chairperson'' of the Purodha Board and also the ex-officio ''president'' of the  Central Committee (often referred to as the ''president'' of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha). As president of the Central Committee, the Purodha Pramukha has the duty and authority to form the Central Executive.<ref name=CC1>{{cite book|ref=harv|last=Anandamurti|first=Shrii Shrii|title=Caryacarya Part 1|year=1995|ISBN=81-7252-028-X}}</ref> The chairperson of the Central Executive Commitee is the General Secretary of AMPS. The General Secretary has broad administrative and judicial powers.<ref name=CC1/>

Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha General (AMPS General) consists of 18 departments.

# Tribal People's Welfare (TPW) and Ek Manav Samaj (EMS)

  | footer = The Second President of ''Ananda Marga'', the late [[Acarya Shraddhananda Avadhuta]] (1919-2008).

| '''1955''' || January 5 (Jamalpur): Sarkar founded Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha.  

January 9: Sarkar officially inaugurated ''Ananda Marga Pracharaka Samgha''. The aim of the organization was the two-fold ideal: Self-liberation and all-round service.{{sfn|Dharmavedananda|1999|p=13 to 23}}

| '''1956''' || The first edition of Sarkar's ''Caryacarya Part 1'' (social code for Ananda Marga) came out with several chapters detailing elements of the organizational side of AMPS. [[Ananda Marga College]] was also founded at [[Anandanagar]].

| '''1958''' || 25 January: at [[Trimuhan]] ([[Bhagalpur]] district, [[Bihar]], India) "Renaissance Universal" (RU)<ref group=note>RU is the first of the 35 boards of the organization.</ref> and "Renaissance Artists and Writers Association" (RAWA) boards are founded.<ref group=note>RAWA is founded during a ''Dharma Maha Chakra'' (DMC) held in [[Bhagalpur]] (at the house of Aniruddha Prasad, one of Sarkar's disciples) in order to restore art to its true meaning.</ref> Sarkar publishes ''Yogic Treatment and Natural Remedies'' (Sarkar, P. R., 1957-Beng. 1983-Eng.)

| '''1959''' || On his fifth book ''Idea and Ideology'',<ref group=note>(Sarkar, P. R., 1961-2001), this is a collection of speeches delivered to higher ''Tattvika'' trainees from 27 May to 5 June.</ref> Sarkar exposes the fundamental traits of the ''Ananda Marga'''s Ideology.

From 15 to 28 March: Sarkar proposes ''[[Progressive utilization theory|Progressive Utilization Theory]]'' (PROUT),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prout.org/ |title=Home of PROUT |publisher=Prout.org |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref> a [[Socioeconomics|socioeconomic]] theory that is based on [[Neo-humanism]] and cardinal [[Value (personal and cultural)|human values]].  

| '''1961''' || Sarkar condenses the entire ''Ananda Marga'' philosophy within 85 [[aphorism]]s composed in [[Sanskrit]] in a book called ''[[Ananda Sutram]]'' (Anandamurti, S. S., 1961) (="aphorisms leading to [[ananda]], [[Divinity|divine]] bliss"). The book contains original [[concept]]s of [[metaphysics]], [[epistemology]], ethics and macrohistory.<ref group=note>For a full explanation of all the aphorisms see (Ānanda Mitra, Av., 1981)</ref>

| '''1962''' || Sarkar creates an order of [[monk]]s and [[nun]]s ([[Sannyasa|renunciate minister]]s or ''[[acharya]]s''<ref group=note>These ''ácáryas'' are [[full-time]] [[Workforce|worker]]s and fully ordained ministers. The juniors, known as ''[[Brahmacharya|brahmachariis]]'' and ''brahmacariniis'' for male and female respectively, are dressed up in a [[saffron]]-coloured top and a white bottom, while the seniors, known as ''[[avadhuta]]s'' and ''avadhutikas'', are dressed in full saffron attire.</ref>) and various [[training]] centers (''Prashiksana Matha'') in different parts of the world: [[Ydrefors]] ([[Sweden]]), [[Davao]] ([[Philippines]]), [[Varanasi]] and [[Bangalore]] (India) and [[Ghana]] (Africa).  

| '''1963''' || The "Education, [[Relief]], and [[Tribal]] and Women's Welfare Section" (ERAWS) of ''Ananda Marga'' is founded.{{sfn|Bussey|2010|p=79}} The service activities, such as schools, [[orphanage]]s and emergency relief work, that had started from the inception of ''Ananda Marga'' were now managed by ERAWS. ''Ananda Marga'' registered its headquarters at [[Anandanagar]], West Bengal.

| '''1964''' || The '''Ananda Marga Board of Education''' is formed.

| '''1965''' || The '''Women’s Welfare Department''' (WWD)<ref group=note>WWD is started to empower women to contribute and alleviate [[suffering]] of women in many parts of the world.</ref> and the "''Ananda Marga'' Universal [[Relief]] [[Team]]" ([[AMURT]]) are started. AMURT later became an international NGO with many very active teams in the areas affected by natural [[disaster]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amurt.net/ |title=Ananda Marga Disaster Relief |publisher=AMURT |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amurt.org/ |title=Amurt ORG |publisher=Amurt.org |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amurt.it/ |title=AMURT Italia - Volontariato Internazionale - Adozioni a distanza, donazioni, sostegno e volontariato |publisher=Amurt.it |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref>

| '''1967''' || The first ''acaryas'' leave the Indian [[subcontinent]] to propagate worldwide the spiritual philosophy and practices of ''Ananda Marga''.{{sfn|Ng|1995}}{{sfn|Miller|1999}}

| '''1973''' || Approximately 100 local centers teaching yoga, meditation, spiritual and social philosophies in many countries of the world are established.{{sfn|Ng, F.|1995}}{{sfn|Miller|1999}}

February 12: Sarkar claims claims to have been poisoned while in Bankipur Central Jail, [[Patna]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,907243,00.html|title=Religion: Violent Bliss|publisher=Time Magazine|date=May 14, 1973|accessdate=March 26, 2012}}</ref>{{sfn|Ghista|2011}}

April 1: Sarkar's demand for a judicial investigation in his [[poison]]ing<ref group=note>The poisoning causes serious health problems to the leader, partially damaging his sight.</ref> remains unanswered by the authorities and consequently he starts [[fasting]] on a daily glass of [[yoghurt]] water until his release on 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.proutglobe.org/2011/09/40-years-since-sarkar-was-jailed-poisoned/|title=40 Years Since Sarkar Was Jailed, Poisoned|publisher=Prout Global|date=January 2011|accessdate=March 26, 2012}}</ref>

| '''1975''' to '''1977'''  || "''Ananda Marga'' Relief Team [[Lady|Ladies]]" (AMURTEL) is started. This relief team is managed by women and initiates programs that raise the standard of health and education of women and their ren.

June 26: under the [[The Emergency (India)|state of emergency]] (which will last until March 21, 1977) imposed by the Indian government of [[Indira Gandhi]] most of his opponents, including ''Ananda Marga'', are outlawed and arrested. Over 400 of its schools in India are closed down, and numerous ministers and adherents are imprisoned with false charges. This situation, together with the arbitrary detention and the alleged poisoning of Sarkar, leads to a global campaign of protests by many followers of ''Ananda Marga''. As a desperate form of protest a few members of ''Ananda Marga'', against the will of their master, committed [[self-immolation]] in the late 1970s.{{sfn|Prins|2005|p=251}}{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=168 and 54-5}} In the wake of protests three members of the organization assault and injure an employee of the Indian Government in London.<ref group=note>They were sentenced to a total of 12 years on 1978 (see Birmingham Evening Mail, Saturday, November 4, 1978).</ref>

The board "Prevention of [[Cruelty]] to Animals and Plants" (PCAP) is founded.<ref name="pcap.ws">[http://pcap.ws/ Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Plants (PCAP)] (Retrieved 24 November 2012).</ref>

| '''1978''' || February 13 and June 15: some members of Ananda Marga are alleged to have been involved in violent acts to protest against the unjust detention and poisoning of P. R. Sarkar in India.<ref group=note>The accusations: 1)the bombing of the [[Sydney Hilton bombing|Sydney Hilton]] hotel during the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting]] in Australia (on February 13) and, 2)the conspiracy to murder the leader of the Australian National Front, Robert Cameron (on June 15). Evidence subsequently produced in court showed that Ananda Marga had been closely watched by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) since the movement arrived in Australia in the early 1970s. This included telephone taps, and other surveillance methods.

Subsequent to the appeal to the High Court, a judicial inquiry in New South Wales cast doubt over police informer, Richard Seary, a prosecution witness, on whose affidavits was primarily based prosecution ([http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/other/IndigLRes/car/1993/6/21.html Responding to Custody Levels – Compensation for Miscarriage of Justice]).

After a long judicial history the main prosecution witness was recognised as unreliable and the AM members were acquitted (1-[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1984/85.html ''Alister v R'' ("Hilton Bombing case") (1984) HCA 85.], 2-[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1984/85.html ''Alister v R'' ("Hilton Bombing case") per Murphy J (2) para 2 (1984) HCA 85.], 3-[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1984/85.html ''Alister v R'' ("Hilton Bombing case") per Wilson & Dawson JJ para 17 (1984) HCA 85.], 4-[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19911209005 Parliament Hansard: Hilton Hotel Bombing, Government of New South Wales, December 9, 1991, accessdate=2008-03-13 (First motion for an inquiry)], 5-[http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/hilton.html Pip Wilson (February 13, 2003). Lies, spies and the Sydney Hilton bombing, (accessdate=2008-03-16, archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-16)], 6-[http://www.benhills.com/articles/articles/SCM38a.html Ben Hills. The Hilton Fiasco. SMH 12 February 1998, p.11 (accessed 6 September 2010)]).

July 4: end of state of emergency in India: Sarkar is found innocent and acquitted on appeal.<ref>See [[Times of India|''Times of India'', July 5, 1978]].</ref>{{sfn|Melton|2010|p=105}}

| '''1979''' || May: Sarkar travels overseas visiting Europe (Germany, France, [[Italy]]<ref group=note>In Italy Sarkar lands at [[Milan]]'s airport but due to visa problems he is not allowed to access in the country.</ref> Spain, Netherlands, [[Sweden]], Switzerland and Ireland).{{sfn|Vijayananda|1994|p=80}}  

| '''1980''' ||Sarkar visits [[Taiwan]], Thailand, Hong Kong, Greece, [[Turkey]], Israel, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Island.{{sfn|Vijayananda|1994|p=80}}

September: Sarkar visits [[Jamaica]] and [[Venezuela]].{{sfn|Vijayananda|1994|p=80}}<ref group=note>On April, Sarkar does not get a visa for the USA due to his problems with the Indian government. (See MacDougall, C. D., 1983).</ref>

| '''1982''' || Sarkar introduces the philosophy of [[Neohumanism#Neohumanism|Neohumanism]]<ref group=note>On this subject see (Sarkar, P. R., 1982) and (Sarkar, P. R., 1987), (Ānanda Mitra, Ā. A. 1986). See also (Prasiidananda, A. A. 1990)</ref> and publishes several volumes on [[philology]].<ref group=note>Throughout his life Sarkar gave thousands of speeches on various themes which were further transcribed but not all yet published. The topics included spiritual philosophy, cosmology, history, anthropology, bio-psychology, farming, naturopathy, education, socioeconomic liberation, and other literary works.</ref> 

Sarkar began to compose what later would comprise of 5,018 songs collectively called [[Ananda Marga#Musical production|''Prabhata Samgiita'']] (Songs of the New Dawn).

| '''1996''' || The Supreme Court of India lifts the ban on government employees from being members of ''Ananda Marga'', and affirmed the legal status of the organization.

* {{citation|title=The Spiritual Philosophy of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti: a Commentary on Ananda Sutram |last={{aut|Ānanda Mitra Āc.}} |first= Avt. |year=1981 |location=DenverColorado |publisher=Ananda Marga Publications |ISBN=81–7252–154–5}}

* {{citation|title=Ánanda Márga Elementary Philosophy |author={{aut|[[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar|Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii]]}} |location=Jamalpur |publisher= Ananda Marga Pubs |year=1955 |ISBN=81–7252–117–0}}

* {{citation|title=Discourses on Tantra, vol. 1 |last={{aut|Anandamurti}} |first=Shrii Shrii (Ac. Vijayananda Avt. Editor) |location=Kolkata |publisher= Ananda Marga-Ananda Printers |year=1994 |ISBN=81–7252–112–X}}

* {{citation|title=Discourses on Tantra, vol. 2 |last={{aut|Anandamurti}} |first=Shrii Shrii (Ac. Vijayananda Avt. Editor) |location=Kolkata |publisher= Ananda Marga-Ananda Printers |year=1994 |ISBN=81–7252–112–X}}

* {{citation|title=A Guide to Human Conduct |last={{aut|Anandamurti}} |first=Shrii Shrii |location=Jamalpur |publisher= Ananda Marga Pubs |year=1957-1981 |ISBN=81–7252–103–0}}

* {{citation|title=Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies |last={{aut|Sarkar}} |first=Prabhat Ranjan |location=Jamalpur |publisher= Ananda Marga-Ananda Printers |year=1957 |ISBN= 81–7252–178–2}}

* {{cite book|title=Ananada Marga Caryacarya, part 1 |last=Anandamurti |first=Shrii Shrii |year=1995-6th ed. |publisher=''Ananda Marga'' Publications |ISBN=81–7252–028–X}}

* {{cite book|title=Ananada Marga Caryacarya, part 2 |last=Anandamurti |first=Shrii Shrii |year=1987-4th ed. |publisher=''Ananda Marga'' Publications}}

* {{cite book|title=Ananada Marga Caryacarya, part 3 |last=Anandamurti |first=Shrii Shrii |year=1992-4th ed. |publisher=''Ananda Marga'' Publications |ISBN=81–7252–154–5}}

* {{cite book|title=Ánanda Sútram |last=Anandamurti |first=Shrii Shrii |location=Jamalpur |publisher= Ananda Marga Pubs |year=1961 |ISBN=81– 7252– 027– 1}}

* Nandita, & Devadatta. (1971). [http://worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/1954270&referer=brief_results Path of bliss: Ananda Marga yoga]. Wichita, Kan: Ananda Marga Publishers.

* {{cite book|title=Problems of the Day |last=Sarkar |first=Prabhat Rainjan |location=Jamalpur |publisher= Ananda Marga Pubs |year=1957-1968 |ISBN=81-7252-019-0}}

* {{cite book|title=Idea and Ideology |author=[[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar|Sarkar, Prabhat Rainjan]] (Ac. Pranavnanda Avt. Editor) |location=Kolkata |year=1961-2001 |publisher=Ananda Marga Publications |isbn=81-7252-205-3}}

* {{cite book|title=Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies |last=Sarkar |first=Prabhat Rainjan |year=1957 first ed. in Bengali, 1983 first ed. in English |location=Jamalpur/Calcutta |publisher=Ananda Marga Publications |ISBN=81–7252–178–2}}

* {{cite book|title=The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism |last=Sarkar |first=Prabhat Rainjan |year=1982 |publisher=Ananda Marga Publications |location=Kolkata |ISBN=81–7252–168–5}}

* {{cite book|title=Neohumanism in a Nutshell, vol. 1 |last=Sarkar |first=Prabhat Rainjan |year=1987 |publisher=Ananda Marga Publications |location=Kolkata |ISBN=81-7252-184-7}}

* {{cite book|title=Neohumanism in a Nutshell, vol. 2 |last=Sarkar |first=Prabhat Rainjan |year=1987 |publisher=Ananda Marga Publications |location=Kolkata |ISBN=81-7252-184-7}}