fbpx
Wikipedia

Aumism

December 20, 2023

Aumism is a minor religious sect founded in 1969 by Gilbert Bourdin (1923–1998). Centered on the "holy city" of Mandarom, near Castellane in the French Alps, it has approximately 400 members, down from 1200 at its peak. It is a synthesis of a number of religions, most prominently Hinduism.[1] Its name derives from the mystical "aum" sound used in Hindu meditation, which is said to be the sound that gave birth to all other sounds.[2] There is debate about whether Bourdin's founding of the Ashram (Holy City) of Mandarom in 1969[2] marked the beginning of the Aumist movement.

Mandarom, seen from the other side of Castillon Lake

Aumism is founded upon five "truths":

  1. Death is nothing but a change of state[2]
  2. Suffering arises from the fear of moving forward[2]
  3. Pain makes one take "giant steps towards God"[2]
  4. Evolution is a law which dictates that every being must have the attainment of a higher level as its purpose[2]
  5. Final truth on "the ultimate goal to be reached".[2]

The Aumists believe that the Earth is itself a living being,[3] and that every animal is connected to a group soul.[3] Aumists are told not to cause animals to suffer.[3] They also believe in several "ages" of time, like the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Copper age.[3] Aumists also reject modern technologies.[3]

Bourdin edit

Gilbert Bourdin (June 25th, 1923 – March 19th, 1998), also known by several other names such as Hamsananda Sarasvati,[2] Imam Mahdi Manarah,[2] Melkitsedeq,[2] and "His Holiness Lord Hamsah Manarahthe(Manarah)",[2] is the founder of the Aumist movement. He was born in Martinique. Bourdin spent time in the French Civil Service[3] before engaging in a spiritual journey that led him to Aumism. Bourdin founded the Aumist movement in the mid-to-late 1900s after immersing himself in many religions; namely Shingon Buddhism, Indian Sufism, Jainism, and Tibetan Buddhism.[2] Bourdin was influenced by Indian Guru Swami Sivananda Sarasvati after traveling to Rishikesh in 1961[2][3] where he was initiated as a sannyasin and received the name Hamsananda Sarasvati.[2] This marked the beginning of a spiritual journey, where Bourdin spent time learning from and practicing multiple religions.[2] Bourdin returned to France in 1962 where he spent that winter in a cave in Vaucluse. There, he taught yoga to his very first disciples and afterwards published multiple books on yoga,[2] the first of which was titled Naturopathie et Yoga.[3] In 1967, Bourdin founded the Association of the Knights of the Golden Lotus,[2] which later became the Association of the Triumphant Vajra.[2] In 1969, Bourdin founded the Ashram of Mandarom. At a ceremony on August 22, 1990, years after the foundation of the Aumist Movement, Bourdin was crowned "Cosmoplanetary Messiah".[2]

After his death in March of 1998, Bourdin was prohibited from being buried at Mandarom by the French government.[3] His body was then to be buried in Grasse, but the Mayor, Jean-Pierre Leleux, vetoed that burial as well. Bourdin's body was ultimately buried on April 6, 1998, in a small cemetery near Castellane.[3]

Mandarom edit

The holy city of Mandarom Shambhasalem was founded in 1969, about 50 kilometres northwest of Cannes. Bourdin progressively built a number of temples and statues between 1977 and 1990.[2] Amongst these is a 22-metre statue of Buddha Maitreya, constructed in 1981, and a 21-metre statue of "Cosmic Christ" wielding a sword and shield, constructed in 1987. In 1990, a 33-meter statue of Bourdin was constructed at Mandarom. The legitimacy of the building permit was later challenged, and eventually, in June 2000, the statue was deemed illegal after a long legal dispute.[4] As a result, it was demolished by the authorities on 6 September 2001.[4][5][6] The sect denounced the demolition of Bourdin's statue, saying that it was comparable to the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan by the Taliban in Afghanistan earlier in the year.[4][6]

Controversies edit

In a 1996 report released by a commission of the French government, the Aumists at Mandarom were included on a list of 172 "dangerous" cults.[3] The French government's anti-cultism was heightened after the suicide-homicides at the Order of the Solar Temple in 1994.[3] In the 1990s, French television networks publicly attacked the Aumists and government-backed anti-cultists like Jean-Marie Abgrall carried out a campaign against the group, organized by the Association de Défense de la Famille et des Individus (ADFI).[3] Between 1992 and 1995, Mandarom was raided by French police officers on several occasions where Bourdin and other members were repeatedly arrested.[3][7]

In 1994, Florence Roncaglia, a former member of the Aumists accused Bourdin of molesting her in the 1980s when she was 15.[3] On June 12, 1995, a raid on Mandarom took place and Bourdin was arrested. He was released on June 30, 1995. Bourdin remained awaiting trial until his death in 1998. Others came forward and in 2000 two people were paid a total of 250,000 French Francs by the Victim Compensation Commission.[3]

In the late 1990s, the government created a "Mission to Fight Cults", presided over by Alain Vivein.[3] The Aumists also faced opposition from ecologist groups, who objected to the Aumists' construction of temples and in particular the 33-meter statue of Bourdin.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Lewis, James; Peterssen, Jesper (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 218. ISBN 9780195156836.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Lewis, James R.; Petersen, Jesper Aagaard, eds. (2004-12-09). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/019515682x.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-515682-9.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Introvigne, Massimo (1999). "Holy Mountains and Anti-Cult Ecology: The Campaign Against the Aumist Religion in France". Social Justice Research. 12 (4): 365–375. doi:10.1023/A:1022073109646. S2CID 140520801.
  4. ^ a b c "French guru crashes to earth", BBC News, 6 September 2001.
  5. ^ Thierry Boinet, "Statue of Cult Leader Destroyed", Associated Press (WorldWide Religious News), 6 September 2001.
  6. ^ a b Pierre Thebault, "'Cosmoplanetary' French statue plunges to earth", Reuters (WorldWide Religious News), 6 September 2001.
  7. ^ "Mandarom – Aumist Religion – Hamsah Manarah". www.cesnur.org. Retrieved 2021-10-22.

External links edit

  • Aumisme.org


 

This religion-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

 

This biographical article about a French religious figure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

December 20, 2023
aumism, minor, religious, sect, founded, 1969, gilbert, bourdin, 1923, 1998, centered, holy, city, mandarom, near, castellane, french, alps, approximately, members, down, from, 1200, peak, synthesis, number, religions, most, prominently, hinduism, name, derive. Aumism is a minor religious sect founded in 1969 by Gilbert Bourdin 1923 1998 Centered on the holy city of Mandarom near Castellane in the French Alps it has approximately 400 members down from 1200 at its peak It is a synthesis of a number of religions most prominently Hinduism 1 Its name derives from the mystical aum sound used in Hindu meditation which is said to be the sound that gave birth to all other sounds 2 There is debate about whether Bourdin s founding of the Ashram Holy City of Mandarom in 1969 2 marked the beginning of the Aumist movement Mandarom seen from the other side of Castillon LakeAumism is founded upon five truths Death is nothing but a change of state 2 Suffering arises from the fear of moving forward 2 Pain makes one take giant steps towards God 2 Evolution is a law which dictates that every being must have the attainment of a higher level as its purpose 2 Final truth on the ultimate goal to be reached 2 The Aumists believe that the Earth is itself a living being 3 and that every animal is connected to a group soul 3 Aumists are told not to cause animals to suffer 3 They also believe in several ages of time like the Golden Age Silver Age Bronze Age Iron Age and Copper age 3 Aumists also reject modern technologies 3 Contents 1 Bourdin 2 Mandarom 3 Controversies 4 References 5 External linksBourdin editGilbert Bourdin June 25th 1923 March 19th 1998 also known by several other names such as Hamsananda Sarasvati 2 Imam Mahdi Manarah 2 Melkitsedeq 2 and His Holiness Lord Hamsah Manarahthe Manarah 2 is the founder of the Aumist movement He was born in Martinique Bourdin spent time in the French Civil Service 3 before engaging in a spiritual journey that led him to Aumism Bourdin founded the Aumist movement in the mid to late 1900s after immersing himself in many religions namely Shingon Buddhism Indian Sufism Jainism and Tibetan Buddhism 2 Bourdin was influenced by Indian Guru Swami Sivananda Sarasvati after traveling to Rishikesh in 1961 2 3 where he was initiated as a sannyasin and received the name Hamsananda Sarasvati 2 This marked the beginning of a spiritual journey where Bourdin spent time learning from and practicing multiple religions 2 Bourdin returned to France in 1962 where he spent that winter in a cave in Vaucluse There he taught yoga to his very first disciples and afterwards published multiple books on yoga 2 the first of which was titled Naturopathie et Yoga 3 In 1967 Bourdin founded the Association of the Knights of the Golden Lotus 2 which later became the Association of the Triumphant Vajra 2 In 1969 Bourdin founded the Ashram of Mandarom At a ceremony on August 22 1990 years after the foundation of the Aumist Movement Bourdin was crowned Cosmoplanetary Messiah 2 After his death in March of 1998 Bourdin was prohibited from being buried at Mandarom by the French government 3 His body was then to be buried in Grasse but the Mayor Jean Pierre Leleux vetoed that burial as well Bourdin s body was ultimately buried on April 6 1998 in a small cemetery near Castellane 3 Mandarom editThe holy city of Mandarom Shambhasalem was founded in 1969 about 50 kilometres northwest of Cannes Bourdin progressively built a number of temples and statues between 1977 and 1990 2 Amongst these is a 22 metre statue of Buddha Maitreya constructed in 1981 and a 21 metre statue of Cosmic Christ wielding a sword and shield constructed in 1987 In 1990 a 33 meter statue of Bourdin was constructed at Mandarom The legitimacy of the building permit was later challenged and eventually in June 2000 the statue was deemed illegal after a long legal dispute 4 As a result it was demolished by the authorities on 6 September 2001 4 5 6 The sect denounced the demolition of Bourdin s statue saying that it was comparable to the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan by the Taliban in Afghanistan earlier in the year 4 6 Controversies editIn a 1996 report released by a commission of the French government the Aumists at Mandarom were included on a list of 172 dangerous cults 3 The French government s anti cultism was heightened after the suicide homicides at the Order of the Solar Temple in 1994 3 In the 1990s French television networks publicly attacked the Aumists and government backed anti cultists like Jean Marie Abgrall carried out a campaign against the group organized by the Association de Defense de la Famille et des Individus ADFI 3 Between 1992 and 1995 Mandarom was raided by French police officers on several occasions where Bourdin and other members were repeatedly arrested 3 7 In 1994 Florence Roncaglia a former member of the Aumists accused Bourdin of molesting her in the 1980s when she was 15 3 On June 12 1995 a raid on Mandarom took place and Bourdin was arrested He was released on June 30 1995 Bourdin remained awaiting trial until his death in 1998 Others came forward and in 2000 two people were paid a total of 250 000 French Francs by the Victim Compensation Commission 3 In the late 1990s the government created a Mission to Fight Cults presided over by Alain Vivein 3 The Aumists also faced opposition from ecologist groups who objected to the Aumists construction of temples and in particular the 33 meter statue of Bourdin 3 References edit Lewis James Peterssen Jesper 2004 Controversial New Religions Oxford Oxford University Press p 218 ISBN 9780195156836 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Lewis James R Petersen Jesper Aagaard eds 2004 12 09 Controversial New Religions Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 019515682x 001 0001 ISBN 978 0 19 515682 9 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Introvigne Massimo 1999 Holy Mountains and Anti Cult Ecology The Campaign Against the Aumist Religion in France Social Justice Research 12 4 365 375 doi 10 1023 A 1022073109646 S2CID 140520801 a b c French guru crashes to earth BBC News 6 September 2001 Thierry Boinet Statue of Cult Leader Destroyed Associated Press WorldWide Religious News 6 September 2001 a b Pierre Thebault Cosmoplanetary French statue plunges to earth Reuters WorldWide Religious News 6 September 2001 Mandarom Aumist Religion Hamsah Manarah www cesnur org Retrieved 2021 10 22 External links editAumisme org nbsp This religion related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp This biographical article about a French religious figure is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aumism amp oldid 1148657266, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.