Ramakrishna Mission was founded in the year 1897 in India by Swami Vivekananda, the foremost disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. It is a non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organization which has been engaged in various forms of humanitarian and service activities. At present, there are 176 centres around the world.

Ramakrishna Mission in Malaysia officially came into existence in the year 2001. Its President is the monk of the Ramakrishna Order: Headquarters at Belur Math, India. The centre’s activities are guided by these inspiring words of Swami Vivekananda:

“If a man’s wants can be removed for an hour, it is helping him indeed; if his wants can be removed for a year, it will be more help to him; but if his wants can be removed forever, it is surely the greatest help that can be given to him. Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries forever; any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time. It is only with the knowledge of the spirit that the faculty of want is annihilated for ever; so helping man spiritually is the highest help that can be given to him.”

The Emblem

Swami Vivekananda himself conceptualized the emblem of Ramakrishna Mission, beautifully depicting the synthesis of four yogas (holistic spirituality), the practice of which will lead to spiritual unfoldment.

“The wavy waters in the picture are symbolic of Karma, the lotus of Bhakti, and the rising-sun of Jnana. The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga and awakened Kundalini Shakti, while the swan in the picture stands for Paramatman. Therefore, the ideal of the picture is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Yoga, the vision of the Paramatman is obtained”.

-Swami Vivekananda

 The Ideal

Swami Vivekananda has stated that the ideal of Ramakrishna Mission is ‘Atmano mokshartham jagad hitaya cha’ (For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world).

This is achieved by following the teachings of Vedanta philosophy which are simplified and made practical through the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. It does not deal with the occult or the sensational and offers no easy shortcuts.

The message of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda is impersonal and rational. It is not a creed but includes all creeds and maintains that they are different expressions of one truth. Therefore all are welcome. Though the services rendered are free of charge, free will donations are accepted.