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== History ==
== History ==
{{Yama-Niyama}}
{{Yama-Niyama}}
On 1939 August 2, (at 8:30&nbsp;pm, on the [[:wikipedia:full moon|full moon]] day of ''Shravani''<ref group=note>''[[Shraavana|Shravan]]'' is the fifth month of the Indian lunar calendar, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August. It is the month of festivals, commemorating the precedence of the sacred over all aspects of life.</ref> ''Purnima''<ref group=note>''[[wikipedia:Shraavana|Shravani]]'' ''[[wikipedia:Purnima (day)|Purnima]]'' is the [[wikipedia:Full moon|full moon]] in the month of ''Shravan''.</ref>), Sarkar imparted tantric initiation to Kalicharan Bandyopadhyay (after aka Kalikananda Avadhuta) at the ''Kashi Mitra Ghát́'' on the bank of the [[:wikipedia:Bhagirathi|Bhagirathi]] river in [[:wikipedia:Kolkata|Kalikata]] (aka Kolkata or Calcutta), [[:wikipedia:West Bengal|West Bengal]], India. This was the start of Sarkar's formal teaching. Sarkar was 18 years old at the time. From 1941 until 1954, Sarkar continued teaching the techniques of tantra<ref group=note>P.R. Sarkar clearly explained in his books the meaning of [[Tantra]]:  "What is ''Tantra''? The process of transforming (latent divinity) into the Supreme Divinity is known as ''Tantra sadhana''... The significance of the term ''tantra'' is 'liberation from bondage (the bondage of dullness or staticity)'. The letter ''ta'' is the seed (sound) of dulness. And the root verb ''trae'' suffixed by ''da'' becomes ''tra'', which means 'that which liberates' - so the spiritual practice which liberates the aspirant from the dullness or animality of the static force and expands the aspirant's (spiritual) self is ''Tantra sadhana''. So there cannot be any spiritual practice without ''Tantra''. {{cite book |title=Discourses on Tantra |volume=2 |author=Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (Ac. Vijayananda Avt. Editor) |city:Kolkata |publisher= AMPS-Ananda Printers |year=1994}} "''Tantra'' in itself is neither a religion nor an 'ism'. Tantra is a fundamental spiritual science. So wherever there is any spiritual practice it should be taken for granted that it stands on the ''Tantric'' cult. Where there is no spiritual practice, where people pray to God for the fulfillment of narrow worldly desires, where people's only slogan is "Give us this and give us that" – only there do we find that Tantra is discouraged. So only those who do not understand ''Tantra'', or even after understanding ''Tantra'' do not want to do any [[spiritual practice]], oppose the [[cult]] of ''Tantra''." (Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii, 1959).</ref> to a select few in [[:wikipedia:Jamalpur, Munger|Jamalpur]] (in Bihar, India), while employed as an accountant of the [[wikipedia:Indian Railways|Indian Railways]]. In 1955, Sarkar founded the [[Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha]], taking on the role of its first president. Sarkar then resigned from his job with the Indian Railways to dedicate his full time to that mission. From 1955 until his death in 1990, Sarkar not only went on expanding the scope and global penetration of the Samgha, but he also continuously amplified the teachings and practices of his Ananda Marga. Among other things, in the course of those 35 years, he produced over 200 books on a wide range of topics, he extensively expounded his social theory ([[PROUT]]), he set forth his ultra-positive social outlook ([[Neohumanism]]), and he composed 5,018 songs ([[Prabhat Samgiita]]). To promote his Ananda Marga, Sarkar created a cadre of spiritual teachers, known as [[tattvika]]s and [[acarya]]s. Those teachers who became renunciates were initiated by Sarkar into the [[wikipedia:Shaivism|Shaivite]] order of [[avadhuta]].  
On 1939 August 2, (at 8:30&nbsp;pm, on the [[:wikipedia:full moon|full moon]] day of ''Shravani''<ref group=note>''[[Shraavana|Shravan]]'' is the fifth month of the Indian lunar calendar, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August. It is the month of festivals, commemorating the precedence of the sacred over all aspects of life.</ref> ''Purnima''<ref group=note>''[[wikipedia:Shraavana|Shravani]]'' ''[[wikipedia:Purnima (day)|Purnima]]'' is the [[wikipedia:Full moon|full moon]] in the month of ''Shravan''.</ref>), Sarkar imparted tantric initiation to Kalicharan Bandyopadhyay (after aka Kalikananda Avadhuta) at the ''Kashi Mitra Ghát́'' on the bank of the [[:wikipedia:Bhagirathi|Bhagirathi]] river in [[:wikipedia:Kolkata|Kalikata]] (aka Kolkata or Calcutta), [[:wikipedia:West Bengal|West Bengal]], India. This was the start of Sarkar's formal teaching. Sarkar was 18 years old at the time. From 1941 until 1954, Sarkar continued teaching the [[Yoga|yogic]] techniques of tantra<ref group=note>P.R. Sarkar clearly explained in his books the meaning of [[Tantra]]:  "What is ''Tantra''? The process of transforming (latent divinity) into the Supreme Divinity is known as ''Tantra sadhana''... The significance of the term ''tantra'' is 'liberation from bondage (the bondage of dullness or staticity)'. The letter ''ta'' is the seed (sound) of dulness. And the root verb ''trae'' suffixed by ''da'' becomes ''tra'', which means 'that which liberates' - so the spiritual practice which liberates the aspirant from the dullness or animality of the static force and expands the aspirant's (spiritual) self is ''Tantra sadhana''. So there cannot be any spiritual practice without ''Tantra''. {{cite book |title=Discourses on Tantra |volume=2 |author=Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (Ac. Vijayananda Avt. Editor) |city:Kolkata |publisher= AMPS-Ananda Printers |year=1994}} "''Tantra'' in itself is neither a religion nor an 'ism'. Tantra is a fundamental spiritual science. So wherever there is any spiritual practice it should be taken for granted that it stands on the ''Tantric'' cult. Where there is no spiritual practice, where people pray to God for the fulfillment of narrow worldly desires, where people's only slogan is "Give us this and give us that" – only there do we find that Tantra is discouraged. So only those who do not understand ''Tantra'', or even after understanding ''Tantra'' do not want to do any [[spiritual practice]], oppose the [[cult]] of ''Tantra''." (Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii, 1959).</ref> to a select few in [[:wikipedia:Jamalpur, Munger|Jamalpur]] (in Bihar, India), while employed as an accountant of the [[wikipedia:Indian Railways|Indian Railways]]. In 1955, Sarkar founded the [[Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha]], taking on the role of its first president. Sarkar then resigned from his job with the Indian Railways to dedicate his full time to that mission. From 1955 until his death in 1990, Sarkar not only went on expanding the scope and global penetration of the Samgha, but he also continuously amplified the teachings and practices of his Ananda Marga. Among other things, in the course of those 35 years, he produced over 200 books on a wide range of topics, he extensively expounded his social theory ([[PROUT]]), he set forth his ultra-positive social outlook ([[Neohumanism]]), and he composed 5,018 songs ([[Prabhat Samgiita]]). To promote his Ananda Marga, Sarkar created a cadre of spiritual teachers, known as [[tattvika]]s and [[acarya]]s. Those teachers who became renunciates were initiated by Sarkar into the [[wikipedia:Shaivism|Shaivite]] order of [[avadhuta]].


=== Chronology ===
Unlike most other tantric or yogic missions, Ananda Marga has only one Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. After his demise, the role of Marga Gurudeva was not passed on to a successor. Hence, the fundamental philosophy and practices of Ananda Marga are fixed.  
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Date !! Events
|-
| '''1939''' || August 2: Sarkar initiates his first disciple.
|-
| '''1954''' || November 7: For the first time, Sarkar addresses all his disciples at a spiritual gathering.{{sfn|Dharmavedananda|1999|p=13 to 23}}
|-
| '''1955''' || January 5: Sarkar declares his ''Ananda Marga'' (Path of Bliss).
January 9: Sarkar officially inaugurates the ''Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha'' ("Organization for Propagation of the Ananda Marga"). The motto of the organization is ''Átmamokśárthaḿ Jagaddhitáyaca'' (liberation of self and service to all).{{sfn|Dharmavedananda|1999|p=13 to 23}}
 
At Rampur Colony, Jamalpur, Sarkar conducts the first ''Dharma Maha Cakra'' (DMC).<ref group=note>A spiritual discourse that ends with Sarkar, as Guru, blessing those in attendance with his ''varabhaya mudra''.</ref>
 
March 15 to 28: Sarkar creates his first ''[[acarya]]s''. Sarkar's first books<ref group=note>Sarkar signed in the name of Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar when discussing [[sociology]], economics, [[philology]] and various other subjects including children's tales, and in the name Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti when focusing on spiritual topics.</ref> were published. The first book was ''[[Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy]]''.<ref group=note>This book contains the elementary philosophy of the Ánanda Márga mission (see Anandamurti, S. S., 1955).</ref> The second book was ''[[Problems of the Day|Problem of the Day]]''.
|-
| '''1956''' || Sarkar expounds his social code, ''Caryacarya'' (''carya''="dos"; ''acarya''="don'ts") in three volumes (Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii, 1995-6th ed.).
The [[Ananda Marga College]] is founded at [[Anandanagar]].
|-
| '''1957''' || Sarkar dictates the book ''A Guide to Human Conduct'' (Anandamurti, S. S., 1957-1981), in which he sets out the ten principles of yogic morality, ''Yama-Niyama''.
|-
| '''1958''' || 25 January: at [[Trimuhan]] ([[Bhagalpur]] district, [[Bihar]], India) "Renaissance Universal" (RU)<ref group=note>RU is the first of the 35 boards of the organization.</ref> and "Renaissance Artists and Writers Association" (RAWA) boards are founded.<ref group=note>RAWA is founded during a ''Dharma Maha Chakra'' (DMC) held in [[Bhagalpur]] (at the house of Aniruddha Prasad, one of Sarkar's disciples) in order to restore art to its true meaning.</ref> Sarkar publishes ''Yogic Treatment and Natural Remedies'' (Sarkar, P. R., 1957-Beng. 1983-Eng.)
|-
| '''1959''' || On his fifth book ''Idea and Ideology'',<ref group=note>(Sarkar, P. R., 1961-2001), this is a collection of speeches delivered to higher ''Tattvika'' trainees from 27 May to 5 June.</ref> Sarkar exposes the fundamental traits of the ''Ananda Marga'''s Ideology.
From 15 to 28 March: Sarkar proposes ''[[Progressive utilization theory|Progressive Utilization Theory]]'' (PROUT),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prout.org/ |title=Home of PROUT |publisher=Prout.org |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref> a [[Socioeconomics|socioeconomic]] theory that is based on [[Neo-humanism]] and cardinal [[Value (personal and cultural)|human values]].
|-
| '''1961''' || Sarkar condenses the entire ''Ananda Marga'' phylosophy within 85 [[aphorism]]s composed in [[Sanskrit]] in a book called ''[[Ananda Sutram]]'' (Anandamurti, S. S., 1961) (="aphorisms leading to [[ananda]], [[Divinity|divine]] bliss"). The book contains original [[concept]]s of [[metaphysics]], [[epistemology]], ethics and macrohistory.<ref group=note>For a full explanation of all the aphorisms see (Ānanda Mitra, Av., 1981)</ref>
|-
| '''1962''' || Sarkar creates an order of [[monk]]s and [[nun]]s ([[Sannyasa|renunciate minister]]s or ''[[acharya]]s''<ref group=note>These ''ácáryas'' are [[full-time]] [[Workforce|worker]]s and fully ordained ministers. The juniors, known as ''[[Brahmacharya|brahmachariis]]'' and ''brahmacariniis'' for male and female respectively, are dressed up in a [[saffron]]-coloured top and a white bottom, while the seniors, known as ''[[avadhuta]]s'' and ''avadhutikas'', are dressed in full saffron attire.</ref>) and various [[training]] centers (''Prashiksana Matha'') in different parts of the world: [[Ydrefors]] ([[Sweden]]), [[Davao]] ([[Philippines]]), [[Varanasi]] and [[Bangalore]] (India) and [[Ghana]] (Africa).
|-
| '''1963''' || The "Education, [[Relief]], and [[Tribal]] and Women's Welfare Section" (ERAWS) of ''Ananda Marga'' is founded.{{sfn|Bussey|2010|p=79}} The service activities, such as schools, [[orphanage]]s and emergency relief work, that had started from the inception of ''Ananda Marga'' were now managed by ERAWS. ''Ananda Marga'' registered its headquarters at [[Anandanagar]], West Bengal.
|-
| '''1964''' || The "''Ananda Marga'' Board of Education" is formed.
|-
| '''1965''' || The "Women’s Welfare Department" (WWD)<ref group=note>WWD is started to empower women to contribute and alleviate [[suffering]] of women in many parts of the world.</ref> and the "''Ananda Marga'' Universal [[Relief]] [[Team]]" ([[AMURT]]) are started. AMURT later became an international NGO with many very active teams in the areas affected by natural [[disaster]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amurt.net/ |title=Ananda Marga Disaster Relief |publisher=AMURT |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amurt.org/ |title=Amurt ORG |publisher=Amurt.org |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amurt.it/ |title=AMURT Italia - Volontariato Internazionale - Adozioni a distanza, donazioni, sostegno e volontariato |publisher=Amurt.it |date= |accessdate=2012-06-12}}</ref>
|-
| '''1967''' || The first ''acaryas'' leave the Indian [[subcontinent]] to propagate worldwide the spiritual philosophy and practices of ''Ananda Marga''.{{sfn|Ng|1995}}{{sfn|Miller|1999}}
|-
| '''1969''' || The first ''Ananda Marga'' "Sectorial office" is created in "New York Sector" (whose jurisdiction is [[North America|North]] and Central America together with the [[Caribbean]]) was opened in [[Carbondale, Illinois]], USA.{{sfn|Ng|1995}}{{sfn|Miller|1999}}
|-
| '''1971''' || Sarkar is arrested and [[imprisonment|imprisoned]] with false accusations (the truth will be established in a re-trial only in 1978 after more than seven years of imprisonment).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://proutglobe.org/prsarkarlegal/Sheppard-Report-9Aug1976.pdf|title=Report on the Ananda Marga leader Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar (Baba) in Patna, India|author=The International Commission of Jurists (Geneva) and The International League for the Rights of Man (New York)|date=August 9, 1976|accessdate=March 26, 2012}}</ref> Under a declared [[Opposition (politics)|opposition]] from the [[Indian government]], Sarkar receives [[Life imprisonment|life sentence]].{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=168}}
|-
| '''1973''' || Approximately 100 local centers teaching yoga, meditation, spiritual and social philosophies in many countries of the world are established.{{sfn|Ng, F.|1995}}{{sfn|Miller|1999}}
February 12: Sarkar claims claims to have been poisoned while in Bankipur Central Jail, [[Patna]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,907243,00.html|title=Religion: Violent Bliss|publisher=Time Magazine|date=May 14, 1973|accessdate=March 26, 2012}}</ref>{{sfn|Ghista|2011}}
 
April 1: Sarkar's demand for a judicial investigation in his [[poison]]ing<ref group=note>The poisoning causes serious health problems to the leader, partially damaging his sight.</ref> remains unanswered by the authorities and consequently he starts [[fasting]] on a daily glass of [[yoghurt]] water until his release on 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.proutglobe.org/2011/09/40-years-since-sarkar-was-jailed-poisoned/|title=40 Years Since Sarkar Was Jailed, Poisoned|publisher=Prout Global|date=January 2011|accessdate=March 26, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| '''1975''' to '''1977'''  || "''Ananda Marga'' Relief Team [[Lady|Ladies]]" (AMURTEL) is started. This relief team is managed by women and initiates programs that raise the standard of health and education of women and their ren.
 
June 26: under the [[The Emergency (India)|state of emergency]] (which will last until March 21, 1977) imposed by the Indian government of [[Indira Gandhi]] most of his opponents, including ''Ananda Marga'', are outlawed and arrested. Over 400 of its schools in India are closed down, and numerous ministers and adherents are imprisoned with false charges. This situation, together with the arbitrary detention and the alleged poisoning of Sarkar, leads to a global campaign of protests by many followers of ''Ananda Marga''. As a desperate form of protest a few members of ''Ananda Marga'', against the will of their master, committed [[self-immolation]] in the late 1970s.{{sfn|Prins|2005|p=251}}{{sfn|Barker|1989|p=168 and 54-5}} In the wake of protests three members of the organization assault and injure an employee of the Indian Government in London.<ref group=note>They were sentenced to a total of 12 years on 1978 (see Birmingham Evening Mail, Saturday, November 4, 1978).</ref>
 
The board "Prevention of [[Cruelty]] to Animals and Plants" (PCAP) is founded.<ref name="pcap.ws">[http://pcap.ws/ Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Plants (PCAP)] (Retrieved 24 November 2012).</ref>
|-
| '''1978''' || February 13 and June 15: some members of Ananda Marga are alleged to have been involved in violent acts to protest against the unjust detention and poisoning of P. R. Sarkar in India.<ref group=note>The accusations: 1)the bombing of the [[Sydney Hilton bombing|Sydney Hilton]] hotel during the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting]] in Australia (on February 13) and, 2)the conspiracy to murder the leader of the Australian National Front, Robert Cameron (on June 15). Evidence subsequently produced in court showed that Ananda Marga had been closely watched by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) since the movement arrived in Australia in the early 1970s. This included telephone taps, and other surveillance methods.
Subsequent to the appeal to the High Court, a judicial inquiry in New South Wales cast doubt over police informer, Richard Seary, a prosecution witness, on whose affidavits was primarily based prosecution ([http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/other/IndigLRes/car/1993/6/21.html Responding to Custody Levels – Compensation for Miscarriage of Justice]).
After a long judicial history the main prosecution witness was recognised as unreliable and the AM members were acquitted (1-[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1984/85.html ''Alister v R'' ("Hilton Bombing case") (1984) HCA 85.], 2-[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1984/85.html ''Alister v R'' ("Hilton Bombing case") per Murphy J (2) para 2 (1984) HCA 85.], 3-[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1984/85.html ''Alister v R'' ("Hilton Bombing case") per Wilson & Dawson JJ para 17 (1984) HCA 85.], 4-[http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19911209005 Parliament Hansard: Hilton Hotel Bombing, Government of New South Wales, December 9, 1991, accessdate=2008-03-13 (First motion for an inquiry)], 5-[http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/hilton.html Pip Wilson (February 13, 2003). Lies, spies and the Sydney Hilton bombing, (accessdate=2008-03-16, archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-16)], 6-[http://www.benhills.com/articles/articles/SCM38a.html Ben Hills. The Hilton Fiasco. SMH 12 February 1998, p.11 (accessed 6 September 2010)]).
The perpertrators have never been found. Evidence that Australian security forces may have been responsible led to the New South Wales parliament unanimously calling for an inquiry in 1991[1] and 1995.[2]  The Government of Australia vetoed any inquiry.</ref>
July 4: end of state of emergency in India: Sarkar is found innocent and acquitted on appeal.<ref>See [[Times of India|''Times of India'', July 5, 1978]].</ref>{{sfn|Melton|2010|p=105}}
|-
| '''1979''' || May: Sarkar travels overseas visiting Europe (Germany, France, [[Italy]]<ref group=note>In Italy Sarkar lands at [[Milan]]'s airport but due to visa problems he is not allowed to access in the country.</ref> Spain, Netherlands, [[Sweden]], Switzerland and Ireland).{{sfn|Vijayananda|1994|p=80}}
|-
| '''1980''' ||Sarkar visits [[Taiwan]], Thailand, Hong Kong, Greece, [[Turkey]], Israel, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Island.{{sfn|Vijayananda|1994|p=80}}
September: Sarkar visits [[Jamaica]] and [[Venezuela]].{{sfn|Vijayananda|1994|p=80}}<ref group=note>On April, Sarkar does not get a visa for the USA due to his problems with the Indian government. (See MacDougall, C. D., 1983).</ref>
|-
| '''1982''' || Sarkar introduces the philosophy of [[Neohumanism#Neohumanism|Neohumanism]]<ref group=note>On this subject see (Sarkar, P. R., 1982) and (Sarkar, P. R., 1987), (Ānanda Mitra, Ā. A. 1986). See also (Prasiidananda, A. A. 1990)</ref> and publishes several volumes on [[philology]].<ref group=note>Throughout his life Sarkar gave thousands of speeches on various themes which were further transcribed but not all yet published. The topics included spiritual philosophy, cosmology, history, anthropology, bio-psychology, farming, naturopathy, education, socioeconomic liberation, and other literary works.</ref> 
Sarkar began to compose what later would comprise of 5,018 songs collectively called [[Ananda Marga#Musical production|''Prabhata Samgiita'']] (Songs of the New Dawn).
|-
| '''1986''' || Sarkar began to propound the "Theory of ''[[Microvita theory|Microvita]]''".<ref group=note>Which can be defined as small, subtle [[Entity|entities]] which he said are the foundation of all [[existence]]</ref> The "''Microvita'' Research Institute" is founded to begin the researches on this field.
|-
| '''1990''' || September 7: Sarkar founds ''Ananda Marga Gurukula''.
October 21: Sarkar dies at 3:10&nbsp;pm. Acarya Shraddhananda Avadhuta is elected from the body of ''purodhas'' as President of the ''Ananda Marga'' global organization and ''Purodha Pramukha''.<ref group=note>He served in that capacity until his death in 2008.</ref>
|-
| '''1991''' || ''Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team'' receives recognition as an NGO by the United Nations.
|-
| '''1996''' || The Supreme Court of India lifts the ban on government employees from being members of ''Ananda Marga'', and affirmed the legal status of the organization.
|}
</div>


== Disciplines, Teachings and Practice ==
== Disciplines, Teachings and Practice ==

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