Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was an 19th century Indian mystic, one whose religious beliefs are based on spirituality and practices outside of traditional religion, reformer, and saint who, in his own lifetime, came to be hailed by people of all classes as a spiritual embodiment. He was given Dheeksha by Bhairavi Brahmani on tantric meditation technique and Yogi Totapuri taught Ramakrishna to adopt the role of renunciant and learnt a nondualist form of Vedanta philosophy. One extraordinary quality of Ramakrishna’s message was its universal appeal to a broad cross section of Indian society. In the West, religions like Christianity and Judaism tend to be exclusive, and find the contradictions that arise from a religion that is too broad to be objectionable. If one religious approach is right, then others must be wrong. However, the Indian mind tends to more readily accept someone like Ramakrishna who preaches universality of religion and accepts and even promotes individuality in the seeker’s approach to God.
Finally, for those with a strong sense of Hindu nationalism, Ramakrishna’s chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda, entered onto the world stage by doing a keynote address at the World Parliament of Religions meeting in Chicago in 1893, and he electrified his audience. Hindus for generations could point to their indigenous traditions with pride after his exemplary speech. Vivekananda also promoted a more activist form of Hinduism, which focused on education, feeding the poor and developing libraries and other institutions as part of Ramakrishna’s work.
His works were a way of showing Hindus that It was not only the Christian missionaries that could benefit society, but that Hindu religion was also valuable with respect to improving society and combating social ills. Ramakrishna died of cancer of the throat in 1886, leaving his wife Sarada Devi who was considered a saint in her own right to take charge of his disciples and carry on his message.
Sri Ramakrishna Ashram was founded around 1961 by the late Dr Rama. It started blooming when Sri R. Govindasamy, a Tamil school teacher from Limbongan, Malacca, took over the management 1975. He was known to be a devotee and loyal practitioner of the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He performed poojas in various temples, residence and wherever his services are needed. Very quickly his efforts to educate the people in Malacca brought apprentices for performing poojas and devotees of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna. The group met periodically at Sri R. Govindasamy’s house and conducted prayers and travelled in an old van to the neighboring estates and towns and throughout Malaysia & Singapore to spread this noble cause.
Sri R Govindasamy, while still in his teacher’s job, spend most of his valuable time organizing spiritual activities throughout Malaysia and even Singapore. As the number of devotees grew, the need arose to look for a bigger place and to have a Ramakrishna Ashram legally registered with the Welfare Department of Malaysia.
In July 1991 a bungalow belonging to National Land Finance Cooperative from Kuala Lumpur, was bought out in Jalan Tengkera, Malacca. With the formation of Ramakrishna Ashram and a new building, Mr. Govindasamy aggressively commenced spiritual prayers and activities in the ashram.
He also started taking in some children from broken family and various difficult surroundings and housing them in the ashram. Most of the children were and those who came from homes that had a lot of problems thus affecting the children, psychologically and emotionally. Very soon a good number of children, both boys and girls were given shelter, food and education that they deserve. Ramakrishna Ashram became not only a religious house but one that cared for wayward children. In recognition to his unwavering service to mankind, the ambassador of Sri Lanka then Sri Rasadurai honoured him with the name “Swami Srila Sri Paramahamsa Thasar”.
Swami Paramahamsa Thasar attained Maha Samadhi ( passed away ) peacefully in 23rd March 1997 after several years of battling cancer. After his passing, the work was carried on by his wife Madam Thaiwane, Datuk P. Gunasilan and later the youngest son of Swami Paramahamsa Thasar, Dr. G Balamurali.
In the year 2013, the organization was brought under the auspices of the Jabatan Kebajikan Negara and acquired a name change to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna, Malaysia. The Registrar of Societies was duly informed. The Welfare Department who constantly monitored our progress and the progress of the children.
We proudly admit that the organization had grown leaps and bounds from where it began, In regard to number of children. Though our hardest hurdle this year is the sustainability since the rising expenses in these times and a substantial reduction in the Welfare funding. Thus, our attempts to reach out and get help and hope to the Almighty that our voices are heard.
