The Prabhuji Mission

Prabhuji, H.H. Avadhūta Śrī Bhaktivedānta Yogācārya Ramakrishnananda Bābājī Mahārāja, visited the United States in 2000 and during his stay in New York, he realized that it was the most appropriate 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. In 2003, the Prabhuji Mission was born, a Hindu church aimed at preserving his universal and pluralistic vision of Hinduism.

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 Ramakrishnananda Monastic Order that he founded.

Prabhuji was appointed as Ācārya by his guru, H.D.G. Avadhūta Śrī Brahmānanda Bābājī Mahārāja. He is the continuation of a line of disciplic succession of avadhūtas and its only representative in the present generation. Prabhuji is also a disciple of H.D.G. Bhakti-kavi Atulānanda Ācārya Mahārāja.

The main purpose of the mission is to preserve Prabhuji’s teachings of Pūrvavyāpi-pragatiśīlaḥ Yoga, or Retroprogressive Yoga, which advocates for a global awakening of consciousness as the radical solution to humanity’s problems.

The Prabhuji Mission operates a Hindu temple called Śrī Śrī Radha-Śyāmasundara Mandir, which offers worship and religious ceremonies to parishioners. The extensive library of the Retroprogressive Yoga 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, 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.

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 Radha-Śyāmasundara Mandir temple.