Not a Single Penny
Why do individuals volunteer at BAPS?
“I can not imagine the amount of service hours this organization does! I still can not believe that no one gets paid to do this!”
During Diwali, I gave a tour to an individual who had visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chicago, Illinois. At the end of the tour, these were the two sentences he said aloud.
And this was not just said by one individual, but this sentiment was shared by all the individuals I spoke to that day — How is BAPS able to get hundreds of volunteers to be dedicated towards a single vision?
In the realm of global organizations, BAPS stands out not only for its impactful initiatives but for the unwavering dedication of its volunteers. Known as karyakars, these individuals spearhead the organization’s spiritual and charitable activities.
Karyakars plan, execute and lead the activities from weekly local spiritual activities to building institutions of better living.
Naturally, one may wonder how over 100,000 karyakars collectively donate over 20 millions of hours towards the organization’s activities?
Who are these volunteers?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a volunteer is, “a person who does something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it.”
BAPS, established in 1907, thrives on the selfless service of its volunteers karyakars. In 1972, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (spiritual leader of BAPS from 1971–2016) realized the necessity of establishing a formal volunteer management system to organize volunteers across the various BAPS activities across the world. Astonishingly, it began with 11 volunteers in 1972.
This infrastructure would be revolutionary in shaping the next 50 years of the organization’s activities with over 100,000 volunteers worldwide in 2024.
These volunteers — known as karyakars — are dedicated volunteers that serve year-round in planning, developing and executing the spiritual activities of BAPS.
These activities, grounded in the principles of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, range from weekly assemblies, conventions, running schools, anti-addicition campaigns, disaster relief and everything in between.
Karyakars come from diverse backgrounds, spanning across different age groups, professions, and nations. Despite their personal commitments and professional careers, each volunteer shares a common commitment to the values of BAPS.
Each karyakar is a BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu, who practices the disciplines and philosophy of the tradition. They strive to live by the values of Sanatan Dharma (i.e., Hinduism) and the practices laid out by Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the gurus of BAPS.
So WHY do thousands volunteer at BAPS?
This is the most common question I get as a volunteer of BAPS myself.
It is important to note that the volunteers do this in their free time outside of their career and family commitments. The number of hours put on the weekdays and weekends is how the organization continues to run.
Some argue that volunteers at BAPS serve because they wish to gain recognition, social status or financial compensation.
The unique aspect of BAPS is that there is no permanent marker of one’s service to the organization. Each mandir (Hindu house of worship) that is built does not have a “donation wall” in which it displays an individual’s contribution. Neither is there any stone at BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville written with an inscription of the 12,500 volunteers who helped build the landmark.
If social status was true, then why would a well-respected doctor in New Jersey volunteer to clean bathrooms weekly at the local BAPS mandir for years. Or why would a consultant teach youths on a weekly basis. Or why would a dentist create graphics for large-scale dioramas for Diwali without their name on a single panel.
Volunteers are not paid and are not offered any monetary compensation for their service. Not a single penny. Individuals willingly give up their time, energy and resources to serve.
Some may say that individuals volunteer at BAPS because they want to serve others.
While this seems true, the fact is that there are thousands of non-profit organizations that promote peace, conduct humanitarian efforts and promote peace in the world. The World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) states that there are currently over 54,000 active non-governmental organizations in over 190 countries.
BAPS is just another non-governmental organization that has been granted Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. So simply wanting to serve society is not the foundational reason.
Some may speculate that individuals volunteer because it connects them to one’s cultural identity and Hindu faith.
BAPS has made strides, especially outside of India, in preserving and promoting Hindu values and Indian culture through building mandir — Hindu places of worship, youth activities, spiritual assemblies and celebration of Hindu festivals.
But this can be said about any other Hindu organization.
According to a study conducted in 2003 titled, Hindu Diaspora and Religious Philanthropy in the United States, there are over 200 Hindu places of worship and 500 Hindu organizations in the United States. BAPS is just similar to another Hindu organizations, with its foundational values of dharma, truth, non-violence, devotion and spiritual knowledge.
So why do individuals volunteer is it? What is the reason for their selfless service?
Unus pro omnibus…
In Latin, there is a phrase, “Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno” — “One for all, all for one.”
In any organization, when the members are united towards the same vision, they naturally will have success.
When you ask any of the thousands of volunteers the purpose behind their service, it is one reason… or more aptly, one individual —
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the guru and spiritual leader of BAPS.
This response might pose skepticism: Why dedicate to serving a spiritual leader, especially for many who have never personally met Mahant Swami Maharaj?
Despite many volunteers not having personally met Mahant Swami Maharaj, there is a deep and profound connection with the guru that transcends physical presence. Even if a volunteer hasn’t had met Mahant Swami Maharaj personally, his presence is felt profoundly through his discourses, actions, and impact on the community.
The BAPS tradition explains that the guru is the ideal disciple of God, who is a vessel in which one can experience the happiness of God. Kabir, a 15th century poet from India, said
“If God and guru are standing before me, whom should I bow down to first? I bow down to my guru as he will lead me to God.”
The volunteers’ service is a form of devotion and a form of spiritual growth to connect with God and the guru. The intention behind a volunteer’s service is solely to become pure and attain the blessings of God and guru.
It is because of this pure love and connection, that when the guru has a vision, the volunteers will bring the vision to life. Mahant Swami Maharaj leads by example, inspiring projects for the better living of society. These projects are fundamentally spiritual and inspiring that volunteers natually feel gravitated towards serving .
This is why when Mahant Swami Maharaj asked for volunteers to complete the building of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, over 12,500 volunteers showed up!
This is why when Mahant Swami Maharaj wished to celebrate his guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s birth centenary celebration, over 80,000 volunteers created heaven on earth.
And through these projects and regular activities, individuals feel a sense of fulfillment, develop emotional intelligence and discover one’s spiritual growth.
One volunteer said it nicely, “Just as one breathes to stay alive, for a karyakar of BAPS, serving is their lifeline.”
This is why the karyakars of BAPS are willing to sacrifice their time, energy and resources because the service is a means to connect with God and their guru.
All for one — His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj — and one for all — the volunteers of BAPS.
This was written in honor of BAPS Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav — the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the BAPS volunteer management system.
