Brahmo Conference Organisation
Encyclopedia
The Brahmo Conference Organisation (Sammilan) was founded on 27 January 1881 at Mymensingh Bangladesh
to maintain communication between Adi Dharm
and Sadharan Brahmo Samaj
after the 2nd schism of Brahmoism
in 1878. The stated objectives for founding the organisation included
In 1879 the Adi Brahmo Samaj at Kolkatta deputed Hemendranath Tagore
and Aghore Mukhopadhyaya to resolve theological differences with Sivanath Sastri
and Ananda Mohan Bose of the other Samaj.
In 1880 a famous proclamation is issued by 8 prominent Brahmos of Sylhet at Commila, calling inter alia for a common organisation to oppose the New Dispensation which "is totally opposed to Brahmoism".
On 27 January 1881 the organisation was formed at Mymensingh. The first President was Hemendranath Tagore
, the Secretary was Sivanath Sastri and the Treasurer was Raj Chandra Chaudhuri (son-in-law of Nobin Chandra Roy).
On 24 March 1881 the organisation was formally registered as a Society under the "Indian Societies Act, 1860" at Mymensingh.
After the untimely death of Hemendranath Tagore in 1884, differences again arose between the Adi Brahmos and Sadharan Brahmos in 1888. A furious row resulted in the Adi Brahmos legally shifting the Society to Lahore
in the Punjab
where Nobin Chandra Roy was settled.
In 1890, an unofficial splinter conference was convened at Dhaka Bangladesh by Bhubanmohan Sen and Sasibhusan Datta, with the tacit support of Sadharan Samaj.
In 1891, a rival Brahmo Sammilan Organisation was formed in Bangladesh, with the support of the Bhowanipore Sammillan Samaj, by non-Brahmin
factions of Sadharan Brahmo Samaj and Nabobidhan who had married inter-caste under Act III of 1872. The disagreements within the Sadharan Samaj over validity of caste in Brahmoism intensified and in 1907 the Brahmo Conference Organisation resolved that (for purpose of Census of India) "only such Brahmos who accept Trust principles of 1830 completely are entitled to the Brahmo name". Confronted with the results of the 1911 census, Sivanath Sastri was caused to dispute the census figures and retort in 1912 quoting Mr.S.Fletcher Williams "There are more Brahmos outside the Brahmo Samaj than within it". Till 1916 no Brahmin was openly associated with this Sammilan, however, in this year Sivnath Sastri accepted an invitation to be President of the rival Sammilani conclave.
In 1942 during World War II
elders of the Brahmo Conference accepted an invitation from Amar Chandra Bhattacharya to participate in the rival organisation's "unity" conclave at Dhamua (West Bengal), but they were assaulted there and the police had to be called in. Ever since that fateful day, the organisation has distrusted all peace efforts to unite the Brahmin and non-Brahmin factions within Sadharan Samaj.
In 1949 after the Partition of India
, the organisation was shifted to Kanpur.
.
of the organisation.
in a series of messages.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
to maintain communication between Adi Dharm
Adi Dharm
Adi Dharm refers to the religion of Adi Brahmo Samaj the first development of Brahmoism and includes those Sadharan Brahmo Samajists who were reintegrated into Brahmoism after the 2nd schism of 1878 at the instance of Hemendranath Tagore...
and Sadharan Brahmo Samaj
Sadharan Brahmo Samaj
The Sadharan Brahmo Samaj is a religious division of Brahmoism formed as a result of 2 schisms in the Brahmo Samaj in 1866 and 1878 respectively.-The Brahmo Samaj:...
after the 2nd schism of Brahmoism
Brahmoism
Brahmoism is a religious movement from the late 18th century Bengal originating the Bengali Renaissance, the nascent Indian independence movement and the wider Hindu reform movements of the period...
in 1878. The stated objectives for founding the organisation included
- to resolve the differences between the 2 existing Brahmic divisions of Adiism and Sadharanism,
- preach from every platform that the Nabobidhan (a dissenting sect) is not the Brahmo religion but totally opposed to Brahmoism.
History
In 1878 the 2nd Brahmo schism ensues resulting in formation of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj with the support of the Adi Brahmo Samaj. The remnant "New Dispensation" (Nabobidhan) sect creates confusion that they are also Brahmos and start a Samaj at Bhowanipore called Sammilan Samaj.In 1879 the Adi Brahmo Samaj at Kolkatta deputed Hemendranath Tagore
Hemendranath Tagore
This article is connected to Tagore familyHemendranath Tagore , Debendranath Tagore's third son, is notable for being the first ever Brahmo as he was the first child born in 1844 to any of the 21 Brahmos who swore the First Brahmo Covenant on 21 December 1843 at Calcutta...
and Aghore Mukhopadhyaya to resolve theological differences with Sivanath Sastri
Sivanath Sastri
Sivanath Sastri was a scholar, religious reformer, educator, writer and historian...
and Ananda Mohan Bose of the other Samaj.
In 1880 a famous proclamation is issued by 8 prominent Brahmos of Sylhet at Commila, calling inter alia for a common organisation to oppose the New Dispensation which "is totally opposed to Brahmoism".
- "Let us all, every Brahmo and Brahmo Samaj, combine to let the world know that the New Dispensation is not the Brahmo religion: That we have not the least sympathy for the creed : That the New Dispensation is totally opposed to Brahmoism."
On 27 January 1881 the organisation was formed at Mymensingh. The first President was Hemendranath Tagore
Hemendranath Tagore
This article is connected to Tagore familyHemendranath Tagore , Debendranath Tagore's third son, is notable for being the first ever Brahmo as he was the first child born in 1844 to any of the 21 Brahmos who swore the First Brahmo Covenant on 21 December 1843 at Calcutta...
, the Secretary was Sivanath Sastri and the Treasurer was Raj Chandra Chaudhuri (son-in-law of Nobin Chandra Roy).
On 24 March 1881 the organisation was formally registered as a Society under the "Indian Societies Act, 1860" at Mymensingh.
After the untimely death of Hemendranath Tagore in 1884, differences again arose between the Adi Brahmos and Sadharan Brahmos in 1888. A furious row resulted in the Adi Brahmos legally shifting the Society to Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
in the Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
where Nobin Chandra Roy was settled.
In 1890, an unofficial splinter conference was convened at Dhaka Bangladesh by Bhubanmohan Sen and Sasibhusan Datta, with the tacit support of Sadharan Samaj.
In 1891, a rival Brahmo Sammilan Organisation was formed in Bangladesh, with the support of the Bhowanipore Sammillan Samaj, by non-Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
factions of Sadharan Brahmo Samaj and Nabobidhan who had married inter-caste under Act III of 1872. The disagreements within the Sadharan Samaj over validity of caste in Brahmoism intensified and in 1907 the Brahmo Conference Organisation resolved that (for purpose of Census of India) "only such Brahmos who accept Trust principles of 1830 completely are entitled to the Brahmo name". Confronted with the results of the 1911 census, Sivanath Sastri was caused to dispute the census figures and retort in 1912 quoting Mr.S.Fletcher Williams "There are more Brahmos outside the Brahmo Samaj than within it". Till 1916 no Brahmin was openly associated with this Sammilan, however, in this year Sivnath Sastri accepted an invitation to be President of the rival Sammilani conclave.
In 1942 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
elders of the Brahmo Conference accepted an invitation from Amar Chandra Bhattacharya to participate in the rival organisation's "unity" conclave at Dhamua (West Bengal), but they were assaulted there and the police had to be called in. Ever since that fateful day, the organisation has distrusted all peace efforts to unite the Brahmin and non-Brahmin factions within Sadharan Samaj.
In 1949 after the Partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
, the organisation was shifted to Kanpur.
Beliefs
The Conference has certified 2 versions of the Fundamental Brahmo principles to be followed till such time as unity is achieved. These are also known as Brahmo Dharma BeejBrahmo Dharma Beej
This article is connected to Brahmoism, Brahmo Samaj and Brahmo and needs expansion. -Controversy:These are possibly the seed beej principles of Brahmo Dharma propounded by Maharishi Debendranath Tagore and founder of the Brahmo religion in 1850...
.
Anusthanic (Adi Brahmo) version
- There is only One "Supreme Spirit", Author and Preserver of Existence.
- There is no salvation and no way to achieve it.
- There is no scripture, revelation, creation, prophet, priest or teacher to be revered.
- There is no distinction.
Ananusthanic (Sadharan) version
- There is always Infinite Singularity - immanent and transcendent Singular Author and Preserver of Existence
- Being is created from Singularity. Being is renewed to Singularity. Being exists to be one (again) with Loving Singularity.
- Respect all creations and beings but never venerate them for only Singularity can be loved.
- Knowledge of pure Conscience is the One ruler of Existence with no symbol or intermediary.
True Brahmos False Brahmos
In a recent message titled "True Brahmos False Brahmos", the President of the Organisation has explained the creedCreed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
of the organisation.
- BrahmoismBrahmoismBrahmoism is a religious movement from the late 18th century Bengal originating the Bengali Renaissance, the nascent Indian independence movement and the wider Hindu reform movements of the period...
is the highest form of HinduismHinduismHinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, and is so very different from what passes for Hinduism today that Brahmos consider themselves to be "beyond the pale of Hinduism" and a separate religion altogether.
- A "True" Brahmo is either an adherent of Brahmoism to the exclusion of all other religions, or a person with at least one Brahmo parent or guardian and who has never denied his faith.
- "False" Brahmos are those who believe that "following" the principles of Brahmoism is sufficient. These people have given Brahmoism a very bad reputation. Prominent examples of such "False" Brahmos are "Keshub Chunder Sen" and Nabobidhan "New Dispensation" who have preached and propagated Rosicrucianism and other Masonic beliefs in the guise of Brahmoism. Even today they operate secret societies to attract neophytes to their symbolic devil worship in the name of Brahmoism.
Caste
The Secretary of the organisation circulated the current Brahmo position on casteCaste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
in a series of messages.
Casteism is allowed in Brahmoism
"The Trust principlesTrust deed of Brahmo SabhaThe modern religious philosophy of Brahmoism is based in part on the foundations of reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy's humanitarian philosophy, as exemplified by the Trust Deed of Brahmo Sabha, known to Brahmos as the 1830 Brahmo Trust Deed.-Brief history:...
refer to "all sorts and descriptions of people without distinction" This is not a prohibition against caste. It admits that people are of all sorts and description. It denies "distinction" among them. In other words people can be "sorted" into caste but the people within the "caste" cannot have distinctions. This Brahmic concept has even been incorporated into India's Constitution as a fundamental right.
- "Every person is equal, but if people can be reasonably classified then some classes can be more equal than others."
Brahmoism only for Brahmins
In another message the Secretary of the organisation clarifies that Brahmoism is only for Brahmins.- "Brahmoism then (as it is today) was a Religion for Brahmons of Brahmons by Brahmons."