18 Facts About BAPS

1.

BAPS engages in a host of humanitarian and charitable endeavors through BAPS Charities, a separate non-profit aid organisation which has spearheaded a number of projects around the world addressing healthcare, education, environmental causes, and community-building campaigns.

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2.

Basis for the formation of BAPS was Shastriji Maharaj's conviction that Swaminarayan remained present on earth through a lineage of Gunatit Gurus, starting with Gunatitanand Swami, one of Swaminarayan's most prominent disciples, and that Swaminarayan and his choicest devotee, Gunatitanand Swami, were ontologically, Purushottam and Akshar, respectively.

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3.

Followers of BAPS believe that the Ekantik dharma that Swaminarayan desired to establish is embodied and propagated by the Ekantik Satpurush, the Gunatit Guru.

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4.

BAPS instructed Shastri Narayanswarupdas, who now began to be referred to as Pramukh Swami, to ennoble Satsang under the guidance of Yogiji Maharaj.

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5.

BAPS travelled to Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Tororo, Jinja, Kampala, Mwanza and Dar es salaam.

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6.

BAPS's travels inspired the local devotees to begin temple construction projects.

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7.

BAPS gave Dr Patel the names of twenty-eight satsangi students to help conduct [satsang] assemblies.

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8.

Under his leadership, BAPS has grown into a global Hindu organisation and has witnessed expansion in several areas.

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9.

BAPS's work has been built on the foundations laid by his gurus – Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj.

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10.

BAPS embarked on a series of overseas tours beginning in 1974 as the guru.

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11.

BAPS's travels were motivated by his desire to reach out to devotees for their spiritual uplift and to spread the teachings of Swaminarayan.

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12.

BAPS continues the legacy of the Aksharbrahma Gurus by visiting BAPS mandirs worldwide, guiding spiritual aspirants, initiating devotees, ordaining swamis, creating and sustaining mandirs, and encouraging the development of scriptures.

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13.

Philosophy of BAPS is centreed on the doctrine of Akshar-Purushottam Upasana, in which followers worship Swaminarayan as God, or Purshottam, and his choicest devotee Gunatitanand Swami, as Akshar.

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14.

Furthermore, BAPS believes that by understanding the greatness of God's choicest devotee, coupled with devotion and service to him and God, followers are able to grow spiritually.

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15.

BAPS included practical aspects of living life such as not committing adultery and respecting elders, gurus, and those of authority.

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16.

BAPS has constructed two large temple complexes dedicated to Swaminarayan called Swaminarayan Akshardham, in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, which in addition to a large stone-carved mandir has exhibitions that explain Hindu traditions and Swaminarayan history and values.

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17.

BAPS Charities is a global non-religious, charitable organisation that originated from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha with a focus on serving society.

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18.

From Walkathons or Sponsored Walks that raise funds for local communities to supporting humanitarian relief in times of urgent need or from community health fairs to sustaining hospitals and schools in developing countries, BAPS Charities provides an opportunity for individuals wishing to serve locally and globally.

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