Brahma Sampradaya
Encyclopedia
The Brahma Sampradaya refers to the disciplic succession (sampradaya
) of guru
s starting with Brahma
in Hinduism
. The term is most often used to refer to the beliefs and teachings of Madhvacharya
and his Dvaita
philosophy. Sometimes it may also refer to the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
and his Gaudiya theology. A number of worldwide religious movements belong to this line, including ISKCON, a derivative of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Followers of this tradition believe that Vedic
knowledge descends from Brahma. In the Vedic conception, these sampradayas began at the creation of the universe and endure to the present moment in the person of the student's own guru. Due to the consistency of the transmission of knowledge, all the previous gurus are present in the teachings of the present spiritual master. The Vedic process assures that the transmission remains pure by assuring the qualifications of the transmitter.
Usually Brahma sampradaya is called Brahma-Madhva
sampradaya, because teaching comes through Madhvacarya.
Sampradaya
In Hinduism, a sampradaya can be translated as ‘tradition’ or a ‘religious system’, although the word commands much more respect and power in the Indian context than its translations in English does...
) of guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
s starting with Brahma
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
in Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
. The term is most often used to refer to the beliefs and teachings of Madhvacharya
Madhvacharya
Madhvācārya was the chief proponent of Tattvavāda "Philosophy of Reality", popularly known as the Dvaita school of Hindu philosophy. It is one of the three most influential Vedānta philosophies. Madhvācārya was one of the important philosophers during the Bhakti movement. He was a pioneer in...
and his Dvaita
Dvaita
Dvaita is a school of Vedanta founded by Shri Madhvacharya....
philosophy. Sometimes it may also refer to the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Vaishnava saint and social reformer in eastern India in the 16th century, believed by followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism to be the full incarnation of Lord Krishna...
and his Gaudiya theology. A number of worldwide religious movements belong to this line, including ISKCON, a derivative of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Followers of this tradition believe that Vedic
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
knowledge descends from Brahma. In the Vedic conception, these sampradayas began at the creation of the universe and endure to the present moment in the person of the student's own guru. Due to the consistency of the transmission of knowledge, all the previous gurus are present in the teachings of the present spiritual master. The Vedic process assures that the transmission remains pure by assuring the qualifications of the transmitter.
Usually Brahma sampradaya is called Brahma-Madhva
Madhva
Madhva may refer to:* Madhvacharya, Vaishnavite saint and founder of the Dvaita school of thought, at Pajaka, Udupi in Karnataka, India* Madhwas, a person belonging to the Dvaita school of thought...
sampradaya, because teaching comes through Madhvacarya.