Q. What is Chinmaya Mission?
Chinmaya Mission is a Hindu spiritual and cultural organization engaged in the study of Vedanta, a sacred and ancient tradition, also known as the science of inner transformation achieved through knowledge, practice and seva (service).
Q. How is the study of Vedanta taught at the Mission’s center?
The study of Vedanta is taught to young, nurturing minds by following the Vedic ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’.
In Sanskrit, ‘Guru’ means teacher and ‘Shishya’ means student.
The students meet the teachers once every week to study and learn the teachings of Vedanta and the Hindu Dharma.
Q. Who can join the Chinmaya Mission?
The Chinmaya Mission is open to anyone who wishes to grow spiritually by studying the Advaita Vedanta, irrespective of their caste, creed or nationality.
The mission has something to offer to every individual who wishes to contribute his/her talents/ skills; be it a child, a teenager, an adult, a parent or a grandparent.
Q. What are the practices that a Chinmaya Mission member is expected to follow?
The only practice that a Chinmaya Mission member is expected to follow is ‘being good and doing good’. The core spirit of Chinmaya Mission is Jnana (knowledge) – where the individuals are encouraged to understand one’s Self.
There is no other rigid rules or scheme of practices that a member needs to follow. Every individual may choose his/her own path and make self-effort to progress at their own desired pace.
Q. What is the main philosophy of the Chinmaya Mission?
The main philosophy of Chinmaya Mission’s teachings and activities are based on the philosophy of the Advaita Vedanta, as propagated by Shri Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 CE). This philosophy speaks of the One Reality.
Q. How does a member attain spiritual growth upon joining the Chinmaya Mission?
Though Chinmaya Mission shows the path to attain spiritual knowledge through the teachings of the Advaita Vedanta, attaining spiritual growth depends on an individual’s own interest and effort to learn and put the knowledge into practice. However, through regular study and Satsang, individuals who come to the mission do find themselves calmer and happier.
Q. How is Chinmaya Mission different from other religious organizations?
It is the teachings of the Chinmaya Mission based on the Prasthana-Trayi (i.e. The Brahmasutra, the Upanishad and the Bhagavat Geeta) that makes it different from other religious organizations. Also, these teachings are not based out of one particular Master but, the wisdom and ancient teachings of the Rishi parampara that is taught and practiced. Another unique aspect of the mission is the language that they follow and the ease of access to the teachings.
Q. How does one benefit from joining the Chinmaya Mission?
Quoting the words of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananada…
“Chinmaya Mission will never teach you anything, but it is an organization where we all come together to learn. The science of Reality and the path of God-realization are the main subjects that you will learn in the Chinmaya institution.
There are subsidiary attempts such as sharpening your personality, blazing up your intellect, oiling your emotions, refitting your relationships, recharging your convictions, replenishing your values – in short, you’ll die, and in your place a more brilliant man will be born.
If you are ready for this Self-resurrection, come to the cavalry – The Chinmaya Mission.
Our mission’s work is to replace the ‘beast’ in us with the ‘best’ in us.”
The mission thrives on the sole idea:
“To give maximum happiness to maximum people for maximum time."
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