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A brief outline of BAPS.
Ans: 1. BAPS
stands for: Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan
Sanstha
2. The Santha’s main objective: The spiritual
and social uplift of the whole of mankind.
3. Main belief: To identify oneself with Akshar and
to serve the supreme Godhead, Purushottam, with humility.
4. Established: 1907 CE, by Brahmaswarup Shastriji
Maharaj, Bochasan.
5. Total Children, Youth and Women’s centres:
9090
6. Total Bal/Balika forums: Over 5000
7. Dedicated and learned Sadhus : Over 700
8. Basic understanding: Shriji Maharaj is the supreme
Godhead, Gunatitanand Swami is the incarnation of Aksharbrahma
and the manifest form of the God-realised Sadhu, and Pramukh
Swami Maharaj is the gateway to salvation.
9. The organisation’s international social
welfare projects include: Anti-addiction drives; relief
to the victims of earthquakes-famines-floods, etc.; educational
services, medical services through hospitals, etc. BAPS
mandirs and over 160 social and spiritual projects.
10. The growth: maintenance and nourishment of Hindu
culture worldwide.
11. Main scriptures: Vachanamrut, Shikshapatri and
Swamini Vato
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Vows to be observed by the followers .
Ans: 1.
Never harm any living being.
2. Never swear.
3. Refrain from consuming alcohol, meat, eggs, tobacco,
cigarettes, etc.
4. Perform daily puja and apply the tilak-chandlo.
5. Never take things belonging to others without asking,
even if found on the roadside.
6. Never commit suicide.
7. Never steal.
8. Treat everyone with respect.
9. Never vilify any deities.
10. Attend the evening arti either in the mandir or
at the home mandir.
Avoid the company of children of ill repute. Never make offensive
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Our Supreme Godhead - Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
Ans:
-
Bhagwan
Swaminarayan is the Supreme Godhead.
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Birthplace: Chhappaiya (Uttar Pradesh), Samvat year
1837 Chaitra sud Nom, Ramnavmi, (3 April 1781 CE).
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Father: Dharmadev; Mother: Bhaktimata
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Childhood name: Ghanshyam
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Mastered all scriptures by the age of seven.
-
Left home at the age of eleven and became known as Nilkanth
Varni. Pilgrimage throughout the length and breath of
India for a period of 7 years, 1 month and 11 days.
-
Established the Swaminarayan Sampraday at the age of
21
-
Ordained 500 paramahansas.
-
Built Six Mandirs : Amdavad, Bhuj, Dholera, Vartal,
Junagadh and Gadhada.
-
His teachings are compiled in the Vachanamrut and codes
of conduct for devotees are given in the Shikshapatri.
-
In Samvat year 1886 returned to Akshardham on Jeth sud
10 (1830 CE).
-
Promised to remain ever present on earth through a lineage
of God-realised Sadhus who are the gateway to salvation.
-
Various other names He was known by: Ghanshyam, Nilkanth,
Sahajanand Swami, Shriji Maharaj, Harikrishna.
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The Special Characteristics of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
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Bhagwan
Swaminarayan continually dwells within Him.
-
He
has imbibed all the virtues described in the scriptures.
-
He
has never hurt anyone or thought ill of anybody.
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He
has always kept Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the forefront
of all his achievements.
-
For
the benefit of others he has shown no concern for his
body.
-
He
has cared equally for everyone regardless of their status,
wealth, caste or creed.
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