BRAHMO SAMAJ

 One God
Om Ekamevadwiteeyam
Satyam jyanam anandam brahma
Anandarupam amritam yadivibhuti
Shantam shivam advaitam
Shuddham apapabiddham.

O, Supreme One,
Thou art the one without a second,
Thou art Brahma — the source of all truth, wisdom and happiness,
Thou art infinite, eternal, serene and pure.

 Q1 What is the "Brahmo Samaj" ?
A1 The Brahmo Samaj is the social order ('Samaj' = "community") of the Brahmo religion. Though few may commit to the purity, metaphysical rigour and intellectual discipline of the Brahmo Religion, the number following its principles (ie. the Samaj) are legion.

Q2 Is Brahmoism a religion or a philosophy? Can one adopt Brahmoism whilst retaining one's current faith.
A2 Brahmoism is a religion. It is the newest of the 9 officially classified religions of India. The philosophy behind Brahmoism is 'Brahmo Dharma'. Any person who believes that there is only one infinite "God" can "follow" Brahmoism by subscribing to membership of a "Brahmo Samaj" while retaining their own religion.

The following doctrines, as noted in Renaissance of Hinduism, are common to all varieties and offshoots of the Brahmo Samaj:
Brahmo Samajists have no faith in any scripture as an authority.
Brahmo Samajists have no faith in Avatars.
Brahmo Samajists denounce polytheism and idol-worship.
Brahmo Samajists are against caste restrictions.
Brahmo Samajists make faith in the doctrines of Karma and Rebirth optional.

Principles of Brahmo Samaj

The following prime principles are accepted by the vast majority of Brahmos today.
On God: There is always Infinite Singularity - immanent and transcendant Singular Author and Preserver of Existence - He who is manifest everywhere and in everything, in the fire and in the water, in the smallest plant to the mightiest oak.
On Being: Being is created from Singularity. Being is renewed to Singularity. Being exists to be one (again) with Loving Singularity.
On Intelligent Existence: Righteous actions alone rule Existence against Chaos. Knowledge of pure Conscience (light within) is the One (Supreme) ruler of Existence with no symbol or intermediary.
On Love: Respect all creations and beings but never venerate (worship) them for only Singularity can be adored.