1st Edition
New Horizons of Faith Religious Socialisation in Brahma Kumaris and Ramakrishna Movement
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Glossary
1 Introduction
2 New Hindu Religious Movements: Towards a Conceptual Understanding
3 The Brahma Kumaris: A Socio-Historical Analysis
4 The Ramakrishna Movement: A Socio-Historical Analysis
5 Social Construction of Charisma: The Case of Brahma Kumaris and Ramakrishna Movement
6 Acquiring Identity and Becoming Members: The Case of Brahma Kumaris and Ramakrishna Movement
7 Embodying Faith through Socialisation: Body, Celibacy, and Marriage
8 Conclusion
References
Index
Biography
Rajeev Dubey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Banaras Hindu University. He did his MA, MPhil, and PhD in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Prior to his current position, he taught at Tripura University (a Central University), Agartala. His areas of specialisation include the Methodology of Social Sciences and the Sociology of Religion. He has published extensively in reputed national and international journals and has contributed chapters to several edited volumes. He has also served as a Visiting Fellow at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and as an Associate of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.
'As a purely instrumental notion of 'productivity', 'efficiency' and 'success' fails to appease our psychic agony and existential restlessness, we witness the emergence of new religious movements, and the popularity of a galaxy of 'charismatic' gurus offering us diverse packages of meditation techniques, mindfulness and instant salvation. Under these circumstances, Rajeev Dubey's rigorously researched book- a creative blend of penetrating sociological insights and empirical observations of Brahma Kumaris and Ramakrishna Movement-has acquired special relevance.'
- Avijit Pathak, Professor (Retired), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
'Rajeev Dubey’s insightful exploration of New Religious Movements’ lesser-known lifestyles offers a comparative view of their formations, imagination, and socialisation. This book thoroughly examines the diverse cosmological views, social realities, and human conditions expressed by two Hindu NRMs: the Brahma Kumaris and the Ramakrishna Movement. It will prove enlightening and indispensable to scholars across disciplines.'
- Biswajit Ghosh, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Burdwan
'Combining theory with empiricism, the book deftly grapples with a series of binaries: tradition versus modernity, sacred versus profane, sacralisation versus instrumentality, ritualism versus utilitarianism, religion versus new religious movements. One finds an answer to what happens when religion reinvents itself in response to the forces of change. The volume is a rich discourse on Sociology of Religion imbued with rigour, criticality and reflexivity.'
- Bikram Keshari Mishra, Professor & Head, Department of Sociology, Ravenshaw University
