Ramakrishna Mission is a philanthropic and spiritual organization founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 in Kolkata, India, with the aim of spreading the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, a 19th-century Indian mystic and saint. The organization is based on the principles of Vedanta, a Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the unity of all religions and the divinity of every soul.
The mission's activities include providing educational, medical, and relief services to the poor and needy, conducting spiritual retreats and meditation programs, and promoting interfaith understanding and harmony. The organization runs numerous schools, colleges, hospitals, and other charitable institutions across India and around the world.
The mission has branches in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The mission's headquarters is located in Belur Math, a temple complex on the banks of the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India.
The mission's work is inspired by the ideals of service, renunciation, and spiritual realization. It seeks to promote the welfare of all beings, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion, and to awaken the spirit of selfless service and devotion in individuals.
The philosophy of Ramakrishna Mission is based on the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, who emphasized the unity of all religions and the divinity of every soul. The mission's philosophy is deeply rooted in the Vedanta philosophy, which is based on the ancient scriptures of the Hindu tradition.
The Vedanta philosophy teaches that all beings are divine and that the ultimate reality is beyond the realm of the senses and the mind. It also emphasizes the importance of self-realization and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through the practice of meditation, self-discipline, and service to others.
The philosophy of Ramakrishna Mission also emphasizes the importance of service to humanity, especially to the poor and needy. The organization believes that selfless service is the best way to realize one's own divinity and to help others realize their own potential.
The mission's philosophy promotes the values of truth, non-violence, purity, self-control, and compassion. It also emphasizes the importance of harmony between different religions and cultures, and seeks to promote understanding and respect for diversity.