- Hinduism in Romania
There is relatively little history of active practice of Hinduism in Romania, although many prominent
Romania n thinkers have had an interest in Hindu thought, and since theRomanian Revolution of 1989 there have been some converts.Before 1989
Mihai Eminescu (1850–1889), Romania's most prominent poet, was familiar with theUpanishad s and drew upon them for images and concepts. For example, he wrote a poem entitled "Tattwamasi ," whose content deals with the identity of Atman andBrahman . [ [http://www.hinduwisdom.info/quotes61_80.htm Quotes 61–80] , hinduwisdom.info, which cites D.P. Singhal, "India and World Civilization", p. 252. Accessed online 18 February 2007.]ince 1989
The
Divine Life Society and theVedanta Society has a publishing house named Lotus inBucharest . They publish books on Vedic philosophy (Vivekananda ,Ramacharaka ,Krishnananda ). The leader of Divine Life Society is honorary member A. Russu, accountable to the headquarters inRishikesh , India.Valea 1993]Transcendental Meditation has been in Romania for many years. It was prohibited by theNicolae Ceauşescu regime, but has flourished again after the revolution, especially among intellectuals. The strongholds of TM are Bucharest andCluj-Napoca .ISKCON has established small communities at least inBucharest andTimişoara . In the latter city they hold monthly conferences in the Polytechnical Institute.ISKCON (the "Hare Krishnas") is the largest Hinduist association in country.
The
Theosophical Society and theAnthroposophical Society are represented especially in Bucharest, Timişoara and Cluj. They seldom call themselves by these names, rather they name themselves "Para-Psychological Research groups". Their beliefs are very syncretistic, mixing Eastern beliefs.Sathya Sai Baba devotees are also present in Romania.The
Sahaja Yoga movement, is led by a female guru, Sri Mataji Nirvala Devi. The followers of this “instantYoga ” are numbered by the thousands in about 10 cities.Indians in Romania
There are currently about 1000 [http://www.mea.gov.in/foreignrelation/romania.htm] Indians living in Romania, most of them in
Bucarest .Notes
References
*Ernest Valea, [http://www.dci.dk/?artikel=195 New Religious Movements in Romania] , Spirituality in East and West / Update and Dialog nr. 2 (volume 2. no. 1), February 1993
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