One of the significant achievements of Swami Vivekananda is the rejuvenation and modernization of Hindu monasticism. As stated earlier, under the inspiration of Sri Ramakrishna, a monastic brotherhood by name Ramakrishna Math was started at a diapidated building in Baranagore, in North Kolkata. It was later moved to a better building in Alambazar, Kolkata. With the funds provided by a Western follower of Swami Vivekananda, a big plot of land was acquired on the western bank of the Ganga at a place called Belur, and the monastery was finally shifted there on 2nd January 1899.
It became a registered institution by name 'Ramakrishna Math' when, on 30 January 1901, Swamiji executed a Deed of Trust, and vested the power of its administration in a Board of Trustees consisting entirely on monks. Branches of Ramakrishna Math soon came to be founded in different parts of the country. Although rooted in the three thousand year old monastic tradition of India, and forming a part of the Ten orders (dashanami) established by Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D. the Ramakrishna order represents a new pattern of monastic life which some of the best elements of the monastic traditions of the East and the West.
One of the main features of this new pattern of monastic life is the emphasis on services. All monks of the Ramakrishna order when they are ordained as Brahmacharins (novices) take, apart from the vows of the chasity and poverty, a vow of service to the poor, the sick and the ignorant. The Ramakrishna Math centres are menat not only for the dwelling of monks but also for services to society.
Anothe feature of this new pattern of monastic life is its modern outlook. The emphasis is on inner purity and detachment rather than on outer show. The monks wear tailored garments, live in houses with modern amenties an use modern modes of communication and travel.
It became a registered institution by name 'Ramakrishna Math' when, on 30 January 1901, Swamiji executed a Deed of Trust, and vested the power of its administration in a Board of Trustees consisting entirely on monks. Branches of Ramakrishna Math soon came to be founded in different parts of the country. Although rooted in the three thousand year old monastic tradition of India, and forming a part of the Ten orders (dashanami) established by Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D. the Ramakrishna order represents a new pattern of monastic life which some of the best elements of the monastic traditions of the East and the West.
One of the main features of this new pattern of monastic life is the emphasis on services. All monks of the Ramakrishna order when they are ordained as Brahmacharins (novices) take, apart from the vows of the chasity and poverty, a vow of service to the poor, the sick and the ignorant. The Ramakrishna Math centres are menat not only for the dwelling of monks but also for services to society.
Anothe feature of this new pattern of monastic life is its modern outlook. The emphasis is on inner purity and detachment rather than on outer show. The monks wear tailored garments, live in houses with modern amenties an use modern modes of communication and travel.
Thirdly, the life of the monks, both individual and collective, is governed by definite rules and regulations originally framed by Swami Vivekananda, At present only unmarried young men in the age group 18-30 are admitted as preprobationers and four years of probationership, the seeker is ordained a Brahmacharin and after a further period of four years, if found fit he is ordained a Sannyasin and receives a new monastic name.
Another feature of Ramakrishna Math is its universal outlook. It admits into its monastic fold not only people belonging to different castes of Hinduism but also people belonging to another religions. Not only Indians from various regions speaking different languagess, but also Americans, South Americans, Russians, Japanese and people of other nationalities - all live together in peach in Ramakrishna monasteries like children of the same parents.
This is the miracle that Sri Ramakrishna has brought about. He was a great lover of mankind. His love knew no distinction of caste, creed or race. It is his love that is holding the whole monastic Order togeter. People join Ramakrishna monasteries not merely because of their attraction for monastic vocation but also because of their love for Sri Ramakrishna. Devotion to Sri Ramakrishna is yet another distinction feature of the new type of monasticism of Ramakrishna Math.
Unlike the Ramkrishna Math which is a purely institution, the Ramakrishna Mission is a public Association or Society open to monks as well as lay people. Any person who has faith in Sri Ramakrishna and his message and is in sympathy with the ideals and activities of the Ramakrishna Mission is eligible for its membership. Lay people help the monks in running educational, medical and other types of institutions. The Ramakrishna Mission was registered as a Society on 4 May 1909 which too has branches all over India and in some other countries.
Another feature of Ramakrishna Math is its universal outlook. It admits into its monastic fold not only people belonging to different castes of Hinduism but also people belonging to another religions. Not only Indians from various regions speaking different languagess, but also Americans, South Americans, Russians, Japanese and people of other nationalities - all live together in peach in Ramakrishna monasteries like children of the same parents.
This is the miracle that Sri Ramakrishna has brought about. He was a great lover of mankind. His love knew no distinction of caste, creed or race. It is his love that is holding the whole monastic Order togeter. People join Ramakrishna monasteries not merely because of their attraction for monastic vocation but also because of their love for Sri Ramakrishna. Devotion to Sri Ramakrishna is yet another distinction feature of the new type of monasticism of Ramakrishna Math.
Unlike the Ramkrishna Math which is a purely institution, the Ramakrishna Mission is a public Association or Society open to monks as well as lay people. Any person who has faith in Sri Ramakrishna and his message and is in sympathy with the ideals and activities of the Ramakrishna Mission is eligible for its membership. Lay people help the monks in running educational, medical and other types of institutions. The Ramakrishna Mission was registered as a Society on 4 May 1909 which too has branches all over India and in some other countries.
