The Prabhuji Mission

By Swami Ramananda

Prabhuji Mission is a Hindu religious, spiritual, and charitable organization founded by H.H. Avadhūta Bhaktivedānta Yogācārya Śrī Ramakrishnananda Bābājī Mahārāja. Its purpose is to preserve the “Retroprogressive Path,” which reflects Prabhuji’s vision of Sanātana-dharma and advocates for the global awakening of consciousness as the radical solution to humanity’s problems.

Apart from imparting religious and spiritual teachings, the organization carries out extensive philanthropic work in the USA, based on the principles of karma yoga, selfless work performed with dedication to God.

Prabhuji Mission was established in 2003 in the USA as a Hindu church aimed at preserving its founder’s universal and pluralistic vision of Hinduism.  After his visit to New York in 2000, Prabhuji realized that it was the most suitable place to found a religious organization. He was particularly attracted by the pluralism and respectful attitude of American society toward freedom of religion. He was impressed by the deep respect of both the public and the government for religious minorities. After consulting with his masters and requesting their blessings, he relocated to the United States and founded the mission.

Although he did not seek to attract followers, for 15 years (1995–2010), Prabhuji considered the requests of a few people who approached him asking to become his monastic disciples. Those who chose Prabhuji to be their spiritual master voluntarily accepted vows of poverty and life-long dedication to spiritual practice (sādhanā), religious devotion (bhakti), and selfless service (seva). Although Prabhuji no longer accepts new disciples, he continues to guide the small group of veteran disciples of the contemplative monastic order he founded called Ramakrishnananda. The mission does not accept new monastic disciples and is closed to visitors from 2010.

Prabhuji was appointed as successor to the lineage by his master, who officially conferred upon him the sacraments of the sacred order of avadhūtas and gave him the name H.H. Avadhūta Bhaktivedānta Yogācārya Śrī Ramakrishnananda Bābājī Mahārāja. He also requested him to accept the responsibility of continuing the line of disciplic succession of avadhūtas, or the sacred paramparā, officially appointing him as guru and directing him to serve as successor and sole representative for the present generation. Prabhuji is also a disciple of H.D.G. Bhakti-kavi Atulānanda Ācārya Mahārāja, who is a direct disciple of H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda.

The Prabhuji Mission operates a Hindu temple called Śrī Śrī Bhagavān Yeshua Jagat Jananī Miriam Premānanda Mandir.‎, which offers worship and religious ceremonies to parishioners. The extensive library of the Retroprogressive Institute provides its teachers with abundant study materials to research the various theologies and philosophies explored by Prabhuji in his books and lectures.

The Avadhutashram monastery educates monastic disciples on various aspects of Prabhuji’s approach to Hinduism and offers them the opportunity to express devotion to God through devotional service by selflessly contributing their skills and training to the Mission’s programs.

The Mission publishes and distributes Prabhuji’s books and lectures and operates humanitarian projects such as the “Prabhuji Food Distribution Program,” a weekly event in which dozens of families in need from Upstate New York receive fresh and nutritious food and the “Prabhuji Toy Distribution Program,” which provides the less privileged kids with abundance of Christmas gifts.

Even though the monastery does not accept new residents, volunteers, donations, collaborations, or sponsorships, the public is invited to participate in daily religious services and devotional festivals at the Śrī Śrī Bhagavān Yeshua Jagat Jananī Miriam Premānanda Mandir.