PEACE PARK

Peace Park - A place to experience Peace.

The Brahma Kumaris Peace Park is both lovely and serene, It is the realisation of a dream, a natural environment where silence and recreation co-exist, The Peace Park is nestled between two famous peaks of the Aravall hills - the well known spiritual pilgrimage destinations of Guru Shikhar and Achal Garh.

The Park Is an oasis of natural beauty found only 8 kms from the Brahma Kumaris Headquarters in Mount Abu. Part of the charm of the park is that it is lovingly cared for by dedicated Brahma Kumars and Kumaris who delight in welcoming thousands of tourists to the park every day.

In addition to offering guided tours to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the environs, visitors are also introduced to the innate beauty of the Human soul, A short video presentation is available for visitors, which highlights concepts of interest within the teachings of Rajyoga. After the video, visitors are invited to experience the practical effects of Rajyoga Meditation in a choice of venues the open air grass hut, the stone cave, the bamboo meditation hut or if they choose they may simply find a quiet place in the naturally peaceful atmosphere of the park's gardens.

The park offers a perfect recreation retreat, with playing fields, picnic areas, swings, and nature walks, When you enter the park grounds, you find the unique Rock Gardens which play host to a wide variety of Succulents, The Park is landscaped to house an orchard area and citrus corner as well as floral displays which include ornamental shrubs, coleus, geraniums, hibiscus, climbers and creepers with the speciality of the park being rose garden.

SHANTIVAN

Shantivan - The Sprawling Campuses (Forest of Peace)

As you drive from Abu Road towards Mount Abu, you find to your left- just six kilometers away a magnificent Complex - known as Shantivan (Forest of Peace). The new Complex was in response to the ever-growing world-transforming activities of the Brahma Kumaris through spiritual education and training. Equally important is the role of the Complex to provide an excellent venue for holding such programmes as conferences, spiritual congregations and educational and other retreats.

The main attraction of Shantivan is its awe-inspiringly massive Diamond Jubilee Hall, built in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the institution. Majestic in art, architecture and equipment, it has the distinction of having a very high seating capacity. It can accommodate about twenty thousand people!

In addition to this gigantic structure, Shantivan has one main conference hall and six smaller halls. The seating capacity of the conference hall is 1200 with facility for simultaneous translation in six languages. Each of the smaller halls can accommodate three hundred fifty for conducting lectures, seminars, workshops, etc.

There are two intensive meditation halls and a spiritual museum which instantly inspire inner peace and are a source of super-sensuous joy, which is nowhere to be found in this mundane world.

Residential buildings in the Complex have a capacity of lodging about fifteen thousand people . Some of them have very significant names: Vardani Bhawan(The house of Blessings), Vishwa Kalyani Bhawan (World Benefactor House) and Farishta Bhawan ( House of Angels) - to mention only a few.

Gyanamrit Bhawan ( House of the Nectar of Knowledge) houses the printing department. It is responsible for meeting the printing needs of the Institution. It is here that two of the monthly magazines of the institution - Gyanamrit and World Renewal - are published.

Shantivan has in it all modern means of communication, transport, well-laid-out roads, electricity, and solar energy.

No account of a complex, providing lodging can be complete without making a reference to the arrangements for preparing and serving food. Shantivan has very big kitchens and dining halls with modern gadgets and equipments.

Gyan Sarovar

Gyan Sarovar (Lake of Knowledge)

In 1991, to provide a training facility for the institution's outreach into all areas of society, Brahma Kumaris started building the campus for “The Academy for a Better World” over an area of 28 acres of land near it’s headquarters, Madhuban . Within a few years a relatively barren patch of land was transformed into a modern village complex in a quiet rural setting. In addition to the spiritual environment, the academic atmosphere of this campus equals that of many institutions of higher learning.

The Academy offers residential programmes and courses on the development and practical implementation of human, moral and spiritual values and principles.

The campus includes :

• Universal Harmony Hall, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,600 people with simultaneous translation equipment for 16 languages.
• An International Spiritual Art Gallery, housing sculptures, morals, audio-visual and laser displays, and other artwork from around the world.
• An International Centre for Higher Learning comprising 13 seminar and training rooms.
• Spiritual Application & Research Centre (SpARC).
• Accommodation for up to 1,500 people.

• Kitchen and dining facilities capable of serving 1,200 people at a time.
• The recycled water of 3 man-made lakes which irrigate the 15,000 trees planted to provide fruits and vegetables and maintain the rural retreat atmosphere.
• Solar water heater for cooking; the telephone exchange, computer and emergency lighting systems are powered by solar and wind energy.
• There is also a unique waste treatment plant capable of treating 200,000 liters of washing, kitchen and bathroom waste water a day, of which nearly 80% is available for re-use.

In 1996, the Academy was presented to Habitat II, the second UN Conference on Human Settlements held in Istanbul, Turkey. It was recognized as part of the Best Practice Initiative for Human Settlements.

Msg. Of The Day

To be stable means to be firmly set on the seat of self-respect.

Contemplation:

When we are stable in the seat of self-respect, we will be able to

take criticism in the right way. If we work with ego, we will be

upset by even a little criticism that comes our way. On the other

hand, our stage of being in a stage of self-respect will enable us

to learn from all situations.

Application:

When someone criticises me, I need to tell myself that I am a

leader, for it is only a leader who is criticised. I should check

and see if I can learn something from the comment that I get and

incorporate it in my life. If there's nothing for me to learn I just

have to set myself in my seat of self-respect.

Msg. Of The Day

Perceive Positively

True self-awareness, plus the ability to choose our perceptions of

life, the universe and everything, is the basis of free will.

Every situation and scene in front of us has so many possibilities

in terms of how we perceive and interpret. If someone is 10% selfish

and 90% generous what should we focus on, what should we perceive

first within them? Most of us are now well trained to perceive and

focus on the negative, the selfishness in others, and to follow it

quickly with accusation and judgment.

We forget that what we perceive is what we empower within another

and, more importantly what we perceive is what we empower within

ourselves in that moment. And what we choose to see is usually what

we get. So how important is it that we choose to perceive only the

best, the highest, the greatest in another, even if it's only a half

a percent?

Bosses and parents - take note!! Don't forget - your perception is

your reality. Your perception is what you project. And what you

project is what comes back!

MADHUBAN - PANDAV BHAVAN

Madhuban - The Head Quarters

Pandav Bhavan - (Forest Of Honey)

In the north of the enchanting land of India, the Aravali Mountains rise from the parched desert plains of Rajasthan. Chief among them is Mount Abu. In ancient texts and folklore, Abu is praised as a holy place, and is associated with the names of sages and seers. Even today, numerous temples and hermitages are to be found in the area. Many former Rajput Kings built their palaces and summer houses-several of which have stood the test of time-in the surrounding hills. Nestled in the cool heights of the mountains is the rustic hill station of Mount Abu and, just a 10-minute walk away, you find the international headquarters of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa-Vidyalaya , fondly called 'Madhuban' (meaning 'Forest of Honey'). A living social laboratory and a largely self-sufficient community, it is the place to which a large international family of practicing yogis comes each year. When a person steps inside the holy land of Madhuban, one can feel pure spiritual vibrations that give immense experience of lasting peace and inner joy not available elsewhere. This is because it is the place of divine descent of incorporeal God Shiva; it has long been the karma bhoomi(the land of divine actions) of the founder father Prajapita Brahma and Mateshwari Saraswathi. It is the place where thousands of spiritual effort makers converge to do intense meditation and as a result one could see for themselves the peaceful vibrations evident in the campus. When you discover the true inner happiness and peace and forget the burden on the soul , you would realize that Madhuban is the greatest pilgrim center.

In the Madhuban campus, the principal attractions are the Meditation Hut, Meditation Room and Tower of Peace. Meditation Hut is the place where our founder father, Adidev Prajapita Brahma did intense meditation for spreading vibrations of peace for all the souls of the world. As the name denotes and as one could feel, the Tower of Peace is the tower from where peaceful vibrations emanate for the benefit of the entire world. It is the place where the mortal remains of the founder father were laid to rest. The Universal Peace Hall, also known as 'Om Shanti Bhawan', is the main hall on the Vishwa-Vidyalaya campus An attractive, free-spanning structure, the hall seats 3,000 people and has translation facilities for sixteen languages. The hall has been the venue of major annual international conferences since its construction in 1983 and is visited daily by over 8,000 tourists.

Madhuban hosts a minimum of 35,000 residential guests annually and is home to 500 permanent residents, who operate the 42 departments required to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the constant row of visitors and students from around the world. One department looks after accommodation, others take care of laundry, transport gardens, audio-visual, electrical supplies, sanitation and so on. The kitchen can cater meals for upto 4,000 people at a time; additional specialised kitchens produce toli (much- favoured sweets prepared by cooks in a meditative state of mind) and 'chai', a spiced Indian tea. Everyone works in the atmosphere of harmony, and guests are often amazed as the tasks are accomplished without any obvious direction of supervision.

MEDITATION

OM SHANTI - These two words represent the essence of the teachings of Yoga. "Om" means "I am a soul" and "Shanti" means "Peaceful". Hence "I am a peaceful soul".

The most important journey you can take is the journey within. This is a journey to the truth of who you really are. This is the place, just beyond every day consciousness, where spiritual empowerment begins. Spiritual power gives you the power to choose creative thinking rather than automated thinking, response rather than reaction, peace, love and harmony rather than stress, conflict and chaos.

Meditation enables you to embark on this inward journey. Raja Yoga meditation gives you a clear spiritual understanding of yourself, helps you re–discover and use the positive qualities already latent within you, enables you to develop your strengths of character and create new attitudes and responses to life

Meditation also helps you disconnect from damaging habits of thought, feeling and reaction. This results in a conscious, positive release of energy which improves the quality of your attitude, actions, and interactions.

The process of going within, disconnecting from harmful habits, connecting to your innate spiritual resources, and reconnecting with your external life, is personally empowering in a lasting way.

Meditation is taught as a method of raising self-awareness leading to self–realisation. Meditation stills the mind and empowers the intellect to achieve insight and understanding of the spiritual laws and principles which sustain harmony and can bring natural renewal at all levels of life on earth.

HISTORY

HISTORY


In 1937, the institution Prajapita Brahmakumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya was formally established in Sindh, Hyderabad (now in Pakistan). The institution has a very unique, unexpected and interesting beginning in an atmosphere of incredible divinity. The institution was established by the incorporeal God Father through the human medium.The process of the establishment of the institution and the divine force behind it can be clearly understood when we get glimpses of some extraordinary events that unfolded in the life of an ordinary man called Dada Lekhraj, who himself had the least idea of what was to follow later. With the establishment of the institution Prajapita Brahmakumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Dada Lekhraj was called Pitashri Prajapita Brahma, the father of humanity and people called him Brahma Baba. Pitashri Brahma followed the directions of God at every step of his life. He always had good wishes for everyone and carefully guided many to their predestined aim.

The University came into being under the name "Om Mandali" and consisted of only a handful of men, women and children living in Hyderabad. Dada Lekhraj experienced a series of profound visions. The visions revealed spiritual truths about the nature of the soul and God, the Supreme Soul. These concepts were simple in their expression but their meaning so deep that they awakened a powerful sense of recognition in those with whom the visions were shared. A year after its establishment, the organization moved from Hyderabad to Karachi. For fourteen years, until after the partition of India and Pakistan, the founding group of 300 individuals, lived as a self-sufficient community spending their time in intense spiritual study, meditation and self transformation. In 1950, the community moved to Mount Abu, a quiet place reputed for its ancient spiritual heritage. Nestled high up in the Aravali mountains of Rajasthan, it provided an ideal location for reflection and contemplation.
Brij-Kothi was their first home. This building was located in a vast expanse of bare rocks, uninhabited except for a few recluses living in small caves. A few years later, the community moved to another site which remains the University's world headquarters - Madhuban (meaning 'Forest of Honey'). The potential of the place did not go unnoticed as the location offered opportunities for expansion. The courtyard of Madhuban, which serves as a meeting place for students from around the world, was once two large stables. These structures were the first to be transformed into classrooms and living quarters. With every year, there came an addition in the form of an extension or new building. In 1952, Brahma Baba, as Dada Lekhraj had become known, felt that it was time to reach out to the rest of India and share this knowledge, as he was aware of the devastating scars the troubled independence process and partition had left on peoples' lives. A few sisters left their haven and moved to Bombay and Delhi 'on service'. Their task was to establish study centers where the knowledge of Raj Yoga would be taught. Today, there is scarcely a town in India where the name of Brahma Kumaris has not been heard. Madhuban serves as the nucleus of the Brahma Kumaris' centers worldwide and Mt. Abu, 'the Father's mountain' is regarded as a pilgrimage place by many who are in search of spiritual rejuvenation.

As an international Institution, the Brahma Kumaris offer people of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn meditation and deepen their understanding of universal principles and innate values through a variety of educational programmes, courses and learning resources. As a worldwide family of individuals from all walks of life, the Institution provides a caring, co-operative and supportive environment which encourages individuals to bring out the best in themselves. As a global organisation co-ordinating worldwide community projects, the Institution has created opportunities for people in 129 countries to participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at creating a better world where people live in peace and harmony. Above all, the Institution emphasises the benefits of moral and spiritual approaches to life. It enables people to develop attitudes and behaviour which stem from universal core values.

INTRODUCTION

Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya OR Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization (Brahma Kumaris in short) is a unique Vishwa Vidyalaya (university) and a well known spiritual value based educational institution. The institution has gained global acceptance and unique international recognition. The institution believes in the parenthood of God and the brotherhood of man and is open to the people of the entire globe irrespective of their caste, creed, age and social, economic or political status.

As a worldwide family of individuals from all walks of life, the Brahma Kumaris offers an education in human, moral and spiritual values. To meet the challenge of change, it initiates dialogue and presents a fresh vision of the future. It recognizes the intrinsic goodness of all human beings and teaches meditation to help each one rediscover their inner resources and strengths. The main focus is the development of human potential. They aim at bringing harmony in human relations and changing the attitudes and outlook of man so that there is the spirit of brotherhood, love and co-operation.

As an international institution, the Brahma Kumaris offers people of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn meditation and deepen their understanding of universal principles and innate values through a variety of educational programmes, courses and learning resources. As a worldwide family of individuals from all walks of life, the institution provides a caring, co-operative and supportive environment, which encourages individuals to bring out the best in themselves. As a global organization, the institution has created opportunities for people across the world to participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at creating a better world where people live in peace and harmony