provides a school for its own children as well as
children from the larger community. First drawn
to Hinduism by the inclusiveness of its tenets,
Ma has incorporated many Hindu practices in
an interfaith setting at Kashi Ashram. Temples
devoted to GANESHA, HANUMAN, SHIVA, DURGA,
KALI, LAKSHMI, SARASWATI, KRISHNA, the DASHA
MAHAVIDYAS, and Ma’s teachers are on the grounds
of Kashi. Spiritual practices include MEDITATION,
KALI YUGA, KIRTAN, and DARSHAN from Ma, and
celebration of Hindu holy days. Kashi commu-
nity also includes temples and shrines devoted to
Judaism, SIKHISM, Christianity, and Buddhism.
In 1990, Ma founded the River Fund, Kashi’s
service organization, and inspired the founding
of Mary’s House, a home for children who have
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
In 1994, she founded the River House, a respite
for those with AIDS and other life-challenging
illnesses. She and her students work with indi-
viduals who suffer from AIDS, homelessness, and
abuse and those near death. She has become an
advocate for those who have human immunodefi-
ciency virus/AIDS (HIV/AIDS), for gay rights, and
for the rights of women and minorities. Through
the River Fund, which she founded in 1990, she
and her students engage in service to communi-
ties around the world.
In 1996, Ma founded the Dattatreya Kali
Saraswati Order of monks and SANNYASIS (renun-
ciants). She has developed the teaching of Kali
Yoga, a system of ASANAS (postures) drawn from
ancient roots and adapted for modern times, as
well as spiritual teachings in the traditions of
KUNDALINI and tantric yoga (see TANTRISM). Kali
Yoga emphasizes the divine feminine and selfless
service to humanity.
Ma teaches internationally and regularly gives
satsang group teaching in Florida, California, and
New York. Her interest in joining people of diverse
faiths led to her nomination as a trustee in the
Governing Council of the Parliament of the World’s
Religions. She has worked with Tenzin Chogya,
brother of the Dalai Lama, to establish World Tibet
Day to honor the culture of Tibet and to raise
awareness of the plight of the Tibetan people.
Ma has taken an active role in the interfaith
movement and is a delegate to the United Reli-
gions Initiative. She serves on the advisory boards
of the Institute of Religion and Public Policy and
Equal Partners in Faith.
Also an artist, Ma Jaya has created works illu-
minating Hindu themes that have been shown in
numerous galleries and museums. In 2004 Ma Jaya
was honored by inclusion in the International Hall
of Honor at Morehouse College, and she received
the Inter-Parliamentary Paradigm of Peace Award,
ratified by 26 governments around the world.Further reading: Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, “Kali Who
Swallows the Universe,” Parabola, Summer 1998, pp.
18–21; ———, “There Are No Throwaway People: The
Journey from Brooklyn to God.” One Heart Magazine,
November 2000, pp. 32–35; ———, “Teach All Ways
for All Ways Are Mine,” Journal of the Communal Studies
Association (2002); ———, “How the AIDS Pandemic
Changed My Life” in Awakening the Spirit, Inspiring the
Soul (Sebastian, Fla.: Skylight Paths, 2004); Andrew
Cohen, “Compassion in Action.” What Is Enlighten-
ment? Spring/Summer 2001, pp. 66–67; Lavina Mel-
wani, “The Selfless Life of Serving Siva in All: Ma
Jaya Sati Bhagavati, AIDS Angel of Kashi.” Hinduism
Today, February 1999, pp. 37–38; Regina Sara Ryan,
The Woman Awake: Feminine Wisdom for Spiritual Life
(Prescott, Ariz.: Hohm Press, 1998), 192–202; Wayne
Teasdale, The Mystic Heart (Novato, Calif.: New World
Library, 2001).jewels of Jainism, three See JAINISM.
jiva See JAINISM; VEDANTA.
jivanmukta
A jivanmukta (living liberated one) is a person
who has succeeded in escaping from the cycle ofK 214 jewels of Jainism, three