Missionary

===Hindu missions===
[[Hinduism]] was introduced into Java by travellers from India in ancient times. Several centuries ago, many Hindus left Java for [[Bali]] rather than convert to [[Islam]]. Hinduism has survived in Bali ever since.<ref>Hintz, Martin. Indonesia (series: Enchantment of the World). Chicago: Childrens Press (1993), pg. 30–31.</ref> [[Dang Hyang Nirartha]] was responsible for facilitating a refashioning of Balinese Hinduism. He was an important promoter of the idea of moksha in Indonesia. He founded the Shaivite priesthood that is now ubiquitous in Bali, and is now regarded as the ancestor of all Shaivite pandits.<ref>Pringle, p 65</ref>

[[Shantidas Adhikari]] was a [[Hindu]] preacher from [[Sylhet]] who converted King [[Pamheiba]] of [[Manipur]] to Hinduism in 1717.<ref name="SLM">[http://www.manipuronline.com/Features/August2002/manipurimuslimfoundation15_2.htm Foundation of Manipuri Muslim History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043152/http://www.manipuronline.com/Features/August2002/manipurimuslimfoundation15_2.htm |date=2007-09-27 }} Manipur Online – August 15, 2002</ref>

Historically, Hinduism has only recently had a large influence in western countries such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada. Since the 1960s, many westerners attracted by the world view presented in Asian religious systems have converted to Hinduism.<ref>NW, 1615 L. S., Suite 8. Washington, and Inquiries, DC 20036 USA202-419-4300 | Main202-419-4349 | Fax202-419-4372 | Media. America's Changing Religious Landscape, 2015, http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/.</ref> Many native-born Canadians of various ethnicities have converted during the last 50 years through the actions of the [[Ramakrishna Mission]], [[ISKCON]], [[Arya Samaj]] and other missionary organizations as well as due to the visits and guidance of Indian gurus such as Guru Maharaj, [[Sai Baba of Shirdi|Sai Baba]], and [[Rajneesh]]. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has a presence in New Zealand, running temples in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

[[Paramahansa Yogananda]], an Indian [[yoga|yogi]] and [[guru]], introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and [[Kriya Yoga school|Kriya Yoga]] through his book, ''[[Autobiography of a Yogi]]''.<ref>Bowden, p. 629</ref>

[[Swami Vivekananda]], the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission is one of the greatest Hindu missionaries to the West.

====Ananda Marga missions====
[[Ananda Marga|Ānanda Mārga]], [[organization]]ally known as Ānanda Mārga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS), meaning the ''[[samgha]]'' (organization) for the [[Wave propagation|propagation]] of the ''[[Buddhist Paths to liberation|marga]]'' (path) of ''[[ananda]]'' (bliss), is a [[Social issues|social]] and [[Spirituality|spiritual]] movement<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5JRen1UxLkoC |title=Social Constructionism and Theology |first=C. A. M. |last=Hermans, G. Immink |author2=A. De Jong |author3=J. Van Der Lans  |year=2002 |publisher=BRILL |page=47|isbn=978-90-04-12318-2}}</ref><ref name="Chryssides">{{cite book|title=Exploring New Religions |last= Chryssides|first=George D.|author-link=George D. Chryssides|year= 1999| publisher=[[Continuum International Publishing Group]] |page=370 |isbn= 978-0-8264-5959-6}}</ref> founded in [[Jamalpur, Munger|Jamalpur]], [[Bihar]], [[India]], in 1955 by [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]] (1921–1990), also known by his spiritual [[name]],<ref>According with many Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, master and disciples often have a spiritual name in addition to that given to them by their parents.</ref> Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti.<ref>Ánandamúrti, as he was called by his early disciples, is a Sanskrit word meaning "Bliss personified".</ref> Ananda Marga counts hundreds of [[Ananda Marga#Organisation and Activities|mission]]s around the world through which its members carry out various forms of selfless service on Relief. (The social welfare and development organization under AMPS is Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team, or AMURT.)<ref>For an example of AMURT activities see: [http://www.amurt.org/ amurt.org] or [http://www.amurt.net amurt.net] or [http://amurthaiti.org/AMURT-HAITI/AMURT-Haiti.html amurthaiti] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518212515/http://amurthaiti.org/AMURT-HAITI/AMURT-Haiti.html |date=2012-05-18 }}</ref> Education and women's welfare The service activities of this section founded in 1963 are focused on:<ref>For more detailed information: [http://am-bhagavatadharma.com/ananda-marga-pracaraka-sa%E1%B8%BFgha/eraws/ ERAWS] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20110129004529/http://eraws.com/ eraws.com] or [http://amyogaspace.com/eraws-education-relief-and-welfare-section amyogaspace-eraws] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526072146/http://amyogaspace.com/eraws-education-relief-and-welfare-section |date=2013-05-26 }}</ref>
* Education: creating and managing primary, post-primary, and higher [[school]]s, research institutes 
* Relief: creating and managing children's and students' homes for destitute children and for poor students, cheap hostels, retiring homes, academies of light for deaf dumb and crippled, invalid homes, refugee rehabilitation 
* Tribal: tribal welfare units, medical camps 
* Women's welfare: women welfare units, women's homes, nursing homes