Radhasoami Satsang Beas

Introduction

Is an offshoot of the Radhasoami Satsang
Contains elements of both Sikhism and Hinduism
Rejects the militant form of Sikhism and accepts the teachings of only the first five Sikh Gurus^[1].
Believe in initiation and guidance by a living Guru
Defines God as the union between radha (symbolizing the soul) and Soami (the master)
Split into various factions after the death of its founder. The other branches are the Radhasoami Satsang Dayalbagh and the Radhasoami Satsang Dinod.
The various gurus in this sect over time have been:
1. Shiv Dayal, from 1861 to 1878
2. Jaimal Singh Ghuman, from 1878 to 1913
3. Sawan Singh Grewal, from 1913 to 1948
4. Jagat Singh, from 1948 to 1951
5. Charan Singh Grewal, from 1951 to 1990
6. Gurinder Singh Dhillon, from 1990 onwards
There is little-known sect called Radhasoami Dera Baba Bagga Singh which has a separate line of teachers after Jaimal Singh, starting with Baba Bagga Singh

Initiation by the Guru after taking the following vows:
- Vegetarianism
- Abstaining from alcohol
- Two and a half hours of meditation every day
The meditation is called Surat Sabd Yoga
Company of like-minded people (satsang) is considered essential and usually takes place on the morning of each Sunday.
Their ritual greeting is "Radhasoami".

In India, the Radhasoami Beas movement holds vast properties which often are alleged to encroach upon public land.^[2]
The Gurus have been mostly from one extended family and from upper class Jats.
The mantra is kept secret by the initiates.
There have been suicides reported or Radhasoami followers because of the insistence of their spouse on non-vegetarian food. (Reference needed)
The Gurus openly accept veneration and the meditation involves focusing on their face. The photographs and posters of the Gurus, taken in studio conditions, are distributed far and wide.
The Gurus give subjective interpretations of passages in the Bible etc. to endorse their world-view when talking to Westerners.

Kirpal Singh, a follower of Sawan Singh Grewal (one of the Radhasoami Beas Gurus), started a sect of his own. It is called the Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission. There is also a somewhat related group called the Ruhani Satsang^[3].