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Swami Vivekananda envisioned a bright future for India and the rest of the world, when many men and women inspired by the ideals of renunciation would take to a life of monasticism coupled with social service activities. The result of this was the formation of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, centred at Belur Math in West Bengal, India, and later of the Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission centred at Dakshineswar, in Calcutta, India.

Swamiji's original vision was to establish a Math (monastic centre) for women first and one for men later, as he believed that a bird can not fly on only one wing. He said, "Hence it is that my first endeavour is to start a Math for women". Also "with Holy Mother as the centre of inspiration, a Math is to be established on the eastern bank of Ganga. As Brahmacharins and Sadhus (monks) will be trained in this Math (Belur Math) so in the other Math also Brahmarinis and Sadhvis (nuns) will be trained". But India and specially Bengal at that time was not ready to let him work towards the formation of Women's Math. Yet as proved later, the dream and wish of a Saint never goes unfulfilled. Fifty years of his passing away, the dream came true. In 1959, came the establishment of first independent women's monastic organisation under Ramakrishna order.

The Ramakrishna Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission were formed as Order of Nuns parallel to the Monks of Ramakrishna Math and Mission.

Both wings comprise two sister organizations: the Math (Monastery) and the Mission. The Math and the Mission are engaged in charitable and philanthropic activities: the former lays emphasis on spiritual development of people and the latter gives priority to welfare work. The Order runs many centres world - wide, while many affiliated centres are run by lay devotees. The motto that the twin organizations follow is the one that Swami Vivekananda put before them: "Atmano mokshartham jagaddhitaya cha" - Doing good to the world with a spirit of worship and thus paving the path for one's own salvation.

Following the two- fold ideal set forth by Swami Vivekananda - to strive for one's own spiritual enlightenment, and to serve mankind looking upon each person, irrespective of colour, creed or nationality, as the veritable manifestation of God- the Ramakrishna Order not only has many temples, but also runs numerous hospitals, charitable clinics, schools and colleges. It conducts extensive and varied relief operations, mainly in India and Bangladesh. The Order also administers rural development programmes in India in the areas of agriculture, small - scale cottage industry, general education and health care. The schools, colleges and hospitals administered by the Ramakrishna Mission are acknowledged as being among the best in India.

Swami Vivekananda, the founder of the Order, was the first to preach the profound message of Hinduism to the Western World. As a delegate to the parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, the Swami created a sensation with his wonderful oratory and magnetic spiritual personality. He travelled throughout America and Europe preaching the ancient message of Hinduism. He preferred to call it Vedanta because the essence of Hinduism is contained in the ancient holy books of the Indo-Aryans called the Vedas and Upanishads. The centres of the Ramakrishna Order in the West are therefore called Vedanta Centres or Vedanta Societies.

The Ramakrishna Order places the utmost importance on personal spiritual unfolding and selfless service. Inspired by the idea of the harmony of all faiths, its Centres encourage adherents of different faiths to meet in a spirit of friendship and mutual appreciation, and to learn from one another without having to give up their own faith. In the words of Sri Ramakrishna: "God has made different religions to suit different aspirants, lives and countries all doctrines are only so many paths; but a path is by no means God Himself. Indeed one can reach God is one follows any of the paths with whole hearted devotion."

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