Volume 15, No. 2 • Special Edition 2009

Address all correspondence and subscription orders to: American Vedantist, West Communications Inc. PO Box 237041 New York, NY 10023 A Directory of the -Sarada Email: [email protected] Vivekananda Movement in the Americas Volume 15 No. 2 Donation US$5.00 Special Edition 2009 (includes U.S. postage) american vedantist truth is one; sages call it variously e pluribus unum: out of many, one CONTENTS Encouraging Community among Vedantists...... 2 Vivekananda’s Message to the West...... 3 Developing Vedanta in the Americas — An Interview with ...... 5 A Directory of the Ramakrishna-Sarada-Vivekananda Movement in the Americas...... 10 Reader’s Forum Question for this issue...... 27 In Memoriam: Swami Sarvagatananda Swami Tathagatananda...... 29 Response to Readers’ Forum Question in Spring 2009 issue Vivekananda and American Vedanta Sister Gayatriprana...... 34 The Interfaith Contemplative Order of Sarada Sister Judith, Hermit of Sarada...... 36 MEDIA REVIEWS Basic Ideas of and How It Is Transmitted Swami Tathagatananda Review by Swami Atmajnanananda...... 38 Beyond Tolerance: Searching for Interfaith Understanding in America Gustav Niebuhr Review by John Schlenck...... 39 The Evolution of God Robert Wright Review by William Page...... 41 Media Preview Sound Recording: Days on Earth: A Musical Trilogy on the Life of ...... 43 Contributors’ Notes...... 44

published quarterly by vedanta west communications inc. ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY AMONG VEDANTISTS Since its founding in 1996, Vedanta West Communications has tried to foster communication among Vedantists in the West. Organizations inspired by the ideals of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri and Swami Vivekananda are sometimes at considerable distance from one another, each with its own membership and identity. A sense of shared commitment and dedication can help to strengthen and deepen the spiritual life of all of us. This special edition of American Vedantist is intended to help bring these organizations and their members in closer touch with each other. Satsang, or holy association, is a pillar of spiritual life in all traditions. To be with fellow devotees, sharing thoughts, aspirations, and service, giving encouragement and mutual support in times of difficulty, is something we all need, as a plant needs nourishing soil in which to grow. The mutual love and respect of the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, both monastic and lay, can be seen as a template for spiritual community, and also as a foundation on which we can continue to build. We hope the Directory of the Ramakrishna-Sarada-Vivekananda Movement in the Americas featured in this issue of American Vedantist will serve as a resource for Vedantists who have occasion to visit other locations where there are Vedanta devotees, or who wish to contact one another by telephone and e-mail. The Directory also offers a brief historical record of the continuing expansion of Vedanta in the West. This strengthening of love and support among Ramakrishna- Sarada-Vivekananda Vedantists is not intended to exclude members of other spiritual communities in and outside the tradition of Vedanta. There are wonderful, sincere, spiritually oriented people in all traditions. Indeed, if we are true followers of the founders of our movement, we must strive to practice Holy Mother’s last injunction that “no one is a stranger… the whole world is your own.” But at the same time let us grow in an environment that supports and strengthens us in our own path. If you know of any groups in the Ramakrishna-Vedanta tradition that we have failed to mention, please let us know and we will expand our list. —The Editors american vedantist 2 special issue 2009 SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S SUMMATION OF HIS MESSAGE TO THE WEST, AND HIS VISION FOR PREACHING VEDANTA HERE:

When it was pointed out to Swami Vivekananda in America that Hinduism is not a proselytizing religion, he replied: “I have a message to the West as Buddha had a message to the East.” Q: Do you intend to introduce the practices and rituals of religion into America? A: I am preaching simply philosophy. —Complete Works, Vol. V, page 314

“Swami Vivekananda had learned the need of the West for the philosophy of Vedanta and he had seen how the philosophy could be applied to every problem of modern man. He was now ready to nurture the seed he had planted into a sturdy tree whose roots would strike deep and whose branches would give shelter to the world.”

— Marie Louis Burke (), Swami Vivekananda in the West: New Discoveries (Calcutta: , 1984), Volume 2, p. 330. special issue 2009 3 american vedantist Swami Swahananda on his 87th birthday american vedantist 4 special issue 2009 DEVELOPING VEDANTA IN THE AMERICAS: An interview with Swami Swahananda

American Vedantist (AV): Swami, at age 88, most men would be retired and relaxing – yet in September you have a trip scheduled to new centers that you are starting, and others that you already started. Why? Swami Swahananda (SW): My doctor said, “Swami, we don’t know how stroke comes.” —I had a stroke about 14 years ago— “If you lie down you may get it; if you roam about you may get it.” So I thought, better philosophically decide whether you want to lie down or move around. Our whole life we are inspired by Swamiji, that we must manifest our rajas; our active tendency is to be manifested. But, our combination is (with a) contemplative life, That’s always in the background. And then, when you become old, capacity lessens, of course. But in one sense, there is more influence, because people accept your ideas more easily, and your circle of devotees, admirers, increases. And also I had the idea—a sort of a passion, you could say—that Swamiji’s ideas must be spread out. Spread out, but instead of leaving it to chance, or to God, in that way. God has given us some capacity; we must try in our own circle—we cannot change the whole world—to do something, instead of simply “lazying” or relaxing. I don’t consider that relaxing is very beneficial to myself—that idea. And constant inspiration of Swamiji is we must try to do something. I used to move around lecturing, too, but now more purposively I go to certain groups who have a desire to organize—the idea of an organization, the idea of an ashrama. You go and give a lecture, a few people may be impressed. But you don’t see the result. Whereas if a place is organized, an ashrama or a center is organized, then it will be continued. And there will be some people who will be close; at least 25 people will be more actively attached to the place, and then often feel that they are doing something. There is some meaningfulness in their life, also. So that is how I wanted them to come out and manifest Swamiji’s idea—that we should do something for society. Modern education makes people conscious of their society. Some are more socially oriented, some are not; but that difference of temperament is there. In our the ideal is considered a combination, and everybody will have to contribute something to the society, even those who are contemplative types. As an organization we can say we get involved with activities, but there is always encouragement of deeper spiritual life. That is special issue 2009 5 american vedantist what really attracts people— is why I organized some private deeper attraction—more than the centers. My major argument immediate attraction if you “do was, you yourselves run it, you something.” So that is the major yourself lecture, you must express inspiration behind my life. And yourselves. through God’s grace my health is Say you want somebody not too bad. I don’t have constant to be religious, and learn some pain. If there were constant pain, religious songs. Why should they probably I would not be able to learn unless there is a forum to keep up the enthusiasm. But it is sing? And to sing there must be better to wear out than to rust out, an audience. So that is the reason that is a saying. that if you want to keep up these Our values, you need not merely books was fond of telling—he was our but their self-expression through General Secretary—“Change of singing, writing—expressions— work is a rest.” When you change dramas, magazines. These are the your occupation or your interest, ways that they will help the society it is rest. Swami Shankarananda, but also express themselves. who gave us sannyas, when he That’s why (I) encourage them, was President, he called our whole telling, “I need not monopolize batch and said, “ I know that you all all the services, you are to do.” I will be specializing in , think that management type is, study and service; but I would in a sense, better. So of course, we like you to develop a hobby, so try to advise people who can (do) that when you (have) moments of some specific institution building. down-ness and monotony, you can AV: These new centers—from have something of interest.” something you said before—you I think my interest was more, had been visiting in Pittsburgh, for at one time, studies; scholarship example, for some 30 years before was the interest. But as I grew old- you started a center there. Is that er, (it became) this type of ashra- true of all the centers you have mas, or expansion—encouraging started—that you have been going others. Not that I myself want to a long time? do too many things, because my SW: Yes. The first center I started management style is to inspire was in San Jose (California). I others to do it. Why should I do was in Berkeley and there was no it? That was my idea. That way the money, no money for a building. other people also manifest their Still I gathered people and different energies, they open up. Secondly, ideas were there. So I told the I can do more centers; otherwise, I interested people, we can’t go for am bound down to one place. general public. Just gather a few Find out other people and give people and give them scope. I was them scope; that is the idea. That trying to organize people to come american vedantist 6 special issue 2009 and stay there; for that we required (It) was my idea, as I suggested at least a house. (Note: the San Jose to : Today or tomorrow house continues as a branch of the you must give the foreigners— of Berkeley—see Americans and others—some Directory for details.) scope. Earlier generation you So, San Jose we did, Stockton could claim, they were very highly we did (note: now closed), San religious people. Now, (there are) Diego we did (after Swami some —seniors, 60 years Swahananda had come to head old, they should go and start the Vedanta Society of Southern something—not just one man, California in December 1976)— every time at least two or three these three, then Washington, should take part in the work. D.C. and Ridgely (Vivekananda Those who are ready, first start Retreat, Ridgely). These are the five them as “sub-heads”—at a new centers “inside” the organization center, but under the supervision (under the direct guidance of the of the top swami, and under a top Ramakrishna Mission). center, which will loan money. (The Then three centers till now Swami laughed as he said this.) have come up: Phoenix (Arizona), The condition being that when Dallas (Texas) and Pittsburgh you pay off the loan, you will be (Pennsylvania). Phoenix and head of the center. (More laughter) Dallas, initial money—entire And then there will be energy to money, I have given. Then try for it. Independence—give it. gradually I introduce our monastics Any group, you give freedom, and to go—as soon as a monastic goes responsibility also. it gathers momentum. AV: There are already some Initially some enthusiasm other informal groups operating is there (among the devotees). throughout the , But day after day after day the South America, and Canada. If people who have everyday duties, any of them reading this article are it is difficult for them to give too inspired to want to associate more much time. (And) for them to give closely, should they contact you? money is more difficult. So that is SW: I have been contacted by two the reason I decided to invest, and or three groups who want to start gradually the center should return a center. From some literature, the money. But even if they cannot or some swami has told them I return the money—I’m only am interested, so they contact asking—I put up some of my own me. Three places asked me how money. But mainly (we depend to organize – can I help to do on) devotees, five or six devotees something? If there were more that can give big money. Once I monastics it would be easier. organize, some people are willing Even though some devotees are to give extra money. available, and capable, but we are special issue 2009 7 american vedantist not able to get facilities for them. the 21st Century, people will accept Our organization would need to it, theoretically at least. That was be bigger. his (Abhedananda’s) prediction. That is one problem – we don’t So, ideas will be accepted, but not have facilities. always in the name of Vedanta, at least not in the next 50, 60 years. AV: One final question, Maharaj. In 2109, what do you think Vedanta Abhedananda said, in future will have become in the Americas? we may be a “nameless” religion. Because the moment you say SW: I explored this point very Vedanta – Oh, this is a Hindu idea, much, particularly in this country or Indian idea. So, organizationally, (the U.S.). Many people have felt I don’t think there will be one that we will become huge like the organization—there will be many, Catholic Church. I don’t believe many different varieties. this is possible in modern days – I discussed it with Swami Swahananda, a senior and many others. What do we of the , is the visualize? minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern My conviction is—and after California. He is a disciple of Swami having much discussed it I find , a direct disciple of Sri no reason to change it—our orga- Ramakrishna. Swami Swahananda nization will have to be in many joined the Ramakrishna Order in groups—separate organizations, 1947 and received (final like Catholicism in that sense— vows) in 1956. varieties of sacred groups. Mono- lithic organization is no more pos- After joining the Order, he served in sible. the Madras Math and, later, as editor of the Order’s scholarly publication, My feeling is many the “”. He came to the organizations will have to come United States in 1968 as the Assistant up in different parts of the Minister of the San Francisco Vedanta world—nationalistic ideas will get Society and was later appointed head mixed (in it); other things will get of the Vedanta Society of Berkeley, mixed up. I don’t think there will California. Immediately prior to be one organization for the entire coming to this country, the swami world. Even one religion may not was head of the New Center, be there. the premier center of the Ramakrishna gave Order in the capital of . th a lecture: “Religion of the 20 In December of 1976 he was Century”—the Age of Reason has transferred to Hollywood, the come, the intellectual—people will headquarters of the Vedanta Society of be more liberal, open and rational. Southern California. Swamiji also believed (this)… By american vedantist 8 special issue 2009 here are two kinds of greatness—one influ- T ences people as long as the person lives in the body, and the other remains firm and continues to exert its power even after the death of this mortal frame. Leaders of spiritual thought belong to the second category. Like roses they fall to the ground and their petals are scattered. But the gentle spring breeze carries the sweet fragrance of their message to distant lands. Swami Vivekananda is one of these leaders whose thoughts are traveling far and wide, even though he is gone from our midst. His spir- itual power has not dimin- ished; on the contrary, it has gained momentum through the passage of time. The year 1963 marks the birth cente- nary of that spiritual genius, who lives even today in his work and in the memory of those who had the good fortune to meet him. i

Old Temple in San Francisco The oldest Vedanta building in America special issue 2009 9 american vedantist A DIRECTORY OF THE RAMAKRISHNA-SARADA- VIVEKANANDA MOVEMENT IN THE AMERICAS

VEDANTA SOCIETIES OF head, Swami Tathagatananda. THE RAMAKRISHNA The Center has been at its present ORDER location since 1921. Schedule: Sunday services at 11 1894: The Vedanta Society of AM; Tuesday and Friday classes New York at 8 PM This first Vedanta Society in the Contact information: Western World was founded by Vedanta Society of New York Swami Vivekananda (Swamiji) in 34 West 71st Street 1894, pre-dating the establishment New York, NY 10023 of the Ramakrishna Mission Phone: 212-877-9197 in Calcutta in 1897. Following Fax: 212-877-9198 Vivekananda’s success at the E-mail: [email protected] World Parliament of Religions Website: www.vedantany.org in in 1893, an eager group of students wanted further 1900: The Vedanta Society of study and practice under the Northern California Swami’s guidance. Swamiji arranged for three of his brother During his second stay in the disciples, Swami , United States, Swami Vivekananda Swami Abhedananda and Swami lectured and taught for three , to continue his work months in San Francisco, Oakland, in New York and nearby states. and Alameda. Students from both Saradananda was called back to sides of San Francisco Bay wanted India by Swamiji in 1898 to serve to form an organization that as the administrative head of the would continue their study after newly formed Swamiji left. On April 14, after and Mission. Turiyananda went to one of Swamiji’s evening lectures, Northern California to continue the Vedanta Society was formed Swamiji’s work there in 1900. for the dual purpose “of assisting Swami Abhedananda continued Swami Vivekananda in his work as head of the New York center in India and studying Vedanta until 1910. He was succeeded in Philosophy.” By the time Swamiji 1912 by Swami Bodhananda, a left San Francisco he had decided disciple of Swami Vivekananda; to send Swami Turiyananda as his in 1951 by Swami Pavitrananda, a successor. disciple of Swami Brahmananda; and in 1977 by the Center’s present american vedantist 10 special issue 2009 Shanti Ashrama away from the disturbances of urban life. A devotee in Los Angeles, where Vivekananda had worked prior to The New Temple coming to San Francisco, observing some of the earnest young disciples The New Temple, located at the of Swami Abhedananda, realized corner of Fillmore and Vallejo the need for a Vedanta retreat Streets in San Francisco, is now the and gave Vivekananda a piece of Society’s headquarters. Dedicated property in Northern California in 1959 under the leadership for that purpose. Within a week of , who after Swami Turiyananda arrived headed the Center from 1931 to in San Francisco on July 26, 1900, 1969, the New Temple houses a he set out for the land. Shanti variety of activities. The Center Ashrama, as he named it, became has been headed by Swami his headquarters for the next two Prabuddhananda since 1970. The years. Fifteen months of his stay in Society maintains a and California he spent there teaching, a convent near the New Temple. meditating, and chanting. Schedule: Sunday lectures at 11 The Old Temple AM; Wednesday lectures at 8 PM Swami , another Contact information: brother disciple of Vivekananda, Vedanta Society of Northern succeeded Swami Turiyananda in California 1903. In 1905, under his direction, 2323 Vallejo St. the Society began construction of San Francisco, CA 94123 a temple on Webster Street. This Phone: 415-922-2323 was the first Hindu temple in the Email: [email protected] Americas. Completed before the 1906 earthquake, it survived the 1909: The Vedanta Centre of quake. The Old Temple, still in existence, houses an auditorium, a shrine, and living quarters for The Vedanta Centre of Boston was monks and male devotees. founded in 1909 by Vivekananda’s youngest disciple, Swami Olema Retreat Paramananda. After his passing In 1946 the Society acquired a away in 1940, leadership of the 2200-acre property in the village Centre passed to his niece, Srimati of Olema, about an hour’s drive Gayatri Devi, who continued north of San Francisco. There it Vedanta work in America until maintains a monastery, and a her passing away in 1995. For retreat where spiritual seekers of later history of Vedanta in all faiths may meditate and study Boston, see Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of , below. special issue 2009 11 american vedantist Paramananda lectured and a substantial house at 1206 N.W. taught extensively throughout 25th Avenue — its first permanent the United States. He founded home. Ananda Ashrama in Southern California in 1923 as an extension Scappoose Retreat of the Vedanta Centre in Boston, On the 100th birthday anniversary and in 1929 founded an ashrama of Sri Ramakrishna in February in Cohasset on the South Shore 1936, the Society purchased 120 of Massachusetts. For further acres of wooded land 20 miles information on these centers, from Portland, for a retreat. A see Organizations not under the temple at the Retreat was built and guidance of the Ramakrishna dedicated during the Holy Mother Order which starts on page 24. centenary year, 1953-1954. This is the first Hindu Temple of its kind 1925: Vedanta Society of in the Northwest. Portland Swami Devatmananda was , a disciple succeeded in 1954 by Swami of Swami Brahmananda, came to Aseshananda, a disciple of Holy the United States in 1923 in order Mother. Swami Shantarupananda to assist Swami came from India in July 1991 to in San Francisco. At the invitation assist Swami Aseshananda, and of Vedanta students in Portland, has served as minister–in-charge Prabhavananda came from San of the Vedanta Society of Portland Francisco and gave public lectures. since Swami Aseshananda’s With the active encouragement demise in 1996. of Swami Prakashananda, the Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; Vedanta Society of Portland Tuesday classes 7 PM; Thursday was established in November classes 7:30 PM 1925 under the care of Swami Prabhavananda. It was officially Contact information incorporated in October 1928. Vedanta Society of Portland 1157 SE 55th Avenue Swami Prabhavananda moved to Portland, Oregon 97215 Hollywood in 1929, to start the Phone (503) 235-3919 Vedanta Society there. That same Email: [email protected] year, Swami Vividishananda was www.vedantasociety.org sent from India to take charge of the Portland Centre. In 1932, he was succeeded by Swami 1928: Vedanta Society of Devatmananda, who had worked Providence briefly at the New York Vedanta Society, In spite of the Depression, The Vedanta Society of Providence the Society managed to purchase is located in the heart of the city, american vedantist 12 special issue 2009 near . It was Pasadena home. Thirty years later, founded by Swami Akhilananda, one of the sisters, Mrs. Carrie Mead a disciple of Swami Brahmananda, Wyckoff, became acquainted with in September 1928 and has been Swami Prabhavananda, who was located on Angell Street since 1930. then head of the Vedanta Society Akhilananda gave regular classes of Portland. Mrs. Wyckoff owned at Brown University and other a house in the Hollywood hills, educational institutions. He also which she offered to the swami started a center in Boston in 1941. as a gift. In 1929, Prabhavananda Swami Sarvagatananda was sent moved to Hollywood from to assist him in 1954. After Swami Portland to establish the Vedanta Akhilananda passed away in 1962, Society of Southern California. he became the minister in-charge In 1934, the Society was and continued until his retirement officially established as a non- in 2001. Swami Yogatmananda has profit organization “to promote headed the Center since July 2001. harmony between Eastern and Western thought, and recognition Schedule: Sunday services at 5 of the truth in all the great religions PM; Tuesday and Friday classes at of the world.” Monastic programs 7:30 PM for men and women were started Contact information in the 1940s. Vedanta Society of Providence Swami Prabhavananda led the 227 Angell Street Society until his death on July Providence RI 02906 4, 1976. Later that year, Swami Phone (401) 421-3960 Swahananda moved from the Email: [email protected] Vedanta Society of Berkeley to www.vedantaprov.org become the spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern 1930: The Vedanta Society of California. Southern California Information and a large selection The Vedanta Society of Southern of books on Vedanta and other California (Society) was founded religions are available in the in 1930 in Los Angeles. The Hollywood, Santa Barbara, and Society has branch centers in Trabuco bookshops. Some books Santa Barbara, San Diego, South are also available at the San Diego Pasadena, and Trabuco Canyon (in Monastery. Orange County). Contact information: The history of the Society General questions should be can be traced back to Swami directed to [email protected]. Vivekananda’s visit to Los Angeles Website: www.vedanta.org. To in late 1899, when he stayed with order books on spirituality and the Mead sisters in their South religion as taught by the world’s special issue 2009 13 american vedantist faith traditions, and associated Phone: (323) 254-1546 items for worship and meditation, Email: [email protected] visit www.vedanta.com. Center Addresses: 1930: Vedanta Society of Chicago (from 1955, the HOLLYWOOD Vivekananda Vedanta Society) 1946 Vedanta Place Swami Gnaneswarananda, a Hollywood, CA 90068-3996 disciple of Swami Brahmananda, Phone: (323) 465-7114 inaugurated the Vedanta Society Email: [email protected] of Chicago in January 1930. In Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; addition to giving interviews weeknight classes Tues. through and holding public and private Sat. 7:30 PM; classes in Spanish, classes. Gnaneswarananda also Thursdays 2:30 PM taught his students Indian music. SANTA BARBARA In 1933, he organized a convention of American-based swamis at the 927 Ladera Lane time of the second Chicago World’s Santa Barbara, CA 93108 fair and the 40th anniversary of the Phone: (805) 969-2903 of Swami Vivekananda’s first visit Email: [email protected] to America. After his passing away Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM in 1937, Swami Vishwananda was sent from Bombay in 1938 TRABUCO CANYON to take over Gnaneswarananda’s 19961 Live Oak Canyon Road work, reaching Chicago in May P.O. Box 408 1938. After his demise in 1965, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678 Swami Bhashyananda was Phone: (949) 858-0342 appointed head of the Center. Email: [email protected] From the beginning his work Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; was distinguished by vigorous Wednesday scripture classes 8:30 expansion. A new temple, located PM near the University of Chicago, was dedicated in September 1966. SAN DIEGO In 1968, the Society purchased 80 acres of land for a Monastery 1440 Upas Street and Retreat in the township of San Diego, CA 92103-5129 , Michigan. Construction Phone: (619) 291-9377 of a temple was begun in 1971. The Email: [email protected] Retreat now contains a temple, Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM library, museum, bookstore, SOUTH PASADENA auditorium, dining hall, and guest facilities for retreatants. 309 Monterey Road An annual Children’s Camp was South Pasadena, CA 91030 established at the Retreat. Swami american vedantist 14 special issue 2009 Bhasyananda also encouraged the 1933: Buenos Aires (Argentina) formation of Vedanta Centers in The Ramakrishna Ashrama different parts of the United States and Canada and sent several At the request of local students of American monastics to lead these Vedanta, the Ramakrishna Math centers. sent Swami Vijayananda, a disciple of Swami Brahmananda, to found Swami Chidananda came from a center of the Ramakrishna Math India in May 1991 to assist in Argentina in December 1932. Swami Bhashyananda, After The Ramakrishna Ashrama was Bhashyananda became seriously started in Buenos Aires in 1933 and ill in 1993, Chidananda was shifted to suburban Bella Vista in appointed Minister-in-Charge of 1941. Swami Vijayananda and local the Center. Under his leadership, students translated a number of the Society purchased land Ramakrishna Vedanta books into in Glen, Illinois for Spanish. Swami Paratparananda the establishment of the Sri succeeded Swami Vijayananda in Ramakrishna Universal Temple. 1973 and was succeeded by Swami The Center relocated to the new Pareshananda, the present head of property in 2008. the Ashrama, in 1988. Under Swami Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; Pareshananda, the Ashrama has Tuesday and Friday classes 7:30 opened a branch in Buenos Aires PM city at Estados Unidos 2451, Barrio de San Cristobal. Contact information: Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Schedule: Chicago Bella Vista: Sunday 4 to 7 PM www.vedantasociety-chicago.org Satsang Sri Ramakrishna Universal Temple San Cristobal: Fridays 7 PM 14630 S. Lemont Road scripture class; Saturdays 6 PM Homer Glen, IL 60491 Satsang Tel: (708) 301 - 9062 Email: infirmation@ Contact information: vedantasociety-chicago.org Ramakrishna Ashrama Gaspar Campos 1149 Vivekananda Monastery & Bella Vista 1661 Retreat, Ganges Buenos Aires 6723, 122nd Avenue, Phone: 541-666-0098 Fennville, MI 49408 E-mail:pareshananda@ Tel: (269) 543 - 4545 ramakrishna.org.ar Email: gangesmonastery@ Website: http://ramakrishna.org.ar vedantasociety-chicago.org

special issue 2009 15 american vedantist 1933: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center Center of New York of New York 17 East 94th Street History and general information New York, NY 10128 Phone (212) 534-9445 (from , a disciple Monday through Saturday, of Holy Mother, founded the between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Eastern Time) Center of New York in 1933. The Fax (212) 828-1618 Center maintains a temple in Email: [email protected]. New York City and a summer net cottage at Thousand Island www.ramakrishna.org Park, New York, where Swami Vivekananda lived and taught Vivekananda Cottage in the summer of 1895. In 1968, P.O. Box 1084 Swami Adiswarananda was sent Thousand Island Park, NY 13692 to assist Swami Nikhilananda, Telephone: (315) 482-3031 and on the latter’s passing away in www.ramakrishna.org/activities/ 1973, became head of the Center. TIP/visitors_info.htm In December 2007, following the death of Swami Adiswarananda, 1938: Vedanta Society of St. Swami Yuktatmananda was Louis selected by the Ramakrishna Order to be the Center’s Minister , a and Spiritual Leader. Previously, disciple of Swami Brahmananda, Yuktatmananda had served for founded The Vedanta Society more than a year and a half as of St. Louis in 1938. He had the minister of the Order’s newly good fortune of seeing Swami accepted branch, the Vedanta Vivekananda in 1901, and later he Center of St. Petersburg, Florida. met Sarada Devi and nine direct The Vivekananda Cottage is disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. The located about 360 miles from swami was a great scholar and New York City, near the Canadian wrote several books on Vedanta. border on Wellesley Island on the After leading the Vedanta St. Lawrence River. It is generally Society of St. Louis for 41 years, available during the months of Satprakashananda passed away in July and August as a place of 1979. pilgrimage for devotees who wish Swami Chetanananda, who had to visit. served as assistant minister of Schedule: Sunday services 11 AM; the Vedanta Society of Southern Tuesday and Friday classes 8 PM California from 1971 to 1978, came to St. Louis in March 1978. Contact Information He became head of the Center american vedantist 16 special issue 2009 after the passing away of Swami Schedule: Sunday lectures at 11 Satprakashananda. AM; Tuesday classes at 7:30 PM Schedule: Sunday services 10:30 Contact information AM; Tuesday and Thursday The Vedanta Society of Western classes 8 PM Washington 2716 Broadway East Contact information Seattle, WA 98102-3909 Vedanta Society of St. Louis Phone: 206.323.1228 205 S. Skinker Blvd., Fax: 206.329.1791 St. Louis MO 63105 Email: [email protected] Phone 314-721-5118 Website: www.vedantastl.org Tapovan Retreat Send email direct from the website 23217 27th Ave. NE Arlington, WA 98223 1938: Vedanta Society of Phone: 360.435.6373 Western Washington 1939: Vedanta Society of Swami Vividishananda, a disciple Berkeley of Swami Brahmananda, after working in several American The Vedanta Society of Berkeley cities, founded the Ramakrishna was founded by Swami Vedanta Center of Seattle in 1938. Ashokananda in 1939 as a branch In 1979 the center changed its center of the Vedanta Society name to The Vedanta Society of of Northern California. Swami Western Washington. The building Shantaswarupananda was its at 2716 Broadway Ave East, which resident minister for many years. the Society now occupies, was It became an independent center purchased in 1942. in 1970 under the direction of Swami Swahananda. During Swami Bhaskarananda, the present Swahananda’s time in Berkeley the head, was sent by the Order to assist center established a branch in San Swami Vividishananda in 1974. Jose. Swahananda was succeeded Under Swami Bhaskarananda’s in 1976 by Swami Swananda and leadership the Society has enjoyed in 1985 by the Society’s present considerable growth, including head, Swami Aparananda. the purchase and development of a beautiful 21-acre retreat Schedule: Sunday lectures at 11 property called Tapovan, 45 miles AM; Thursday scripture classes at from Seattle, and the purchase 8:00 of Vivekananda House — which serves as the monastic residence — Contact information: situated across the street from the Vedanta Society of Berkeley present Temple in Seattle. 2455 Bowditch St. Berkeley, CA 94704-2429 special issue 2009 17 american vedantist Phone (510) 848-8862 the Center was founded by Swami Email vedantaberkeley@earthlink. Ashokananda in 1949 as a branch net of the Vedanta Society of Northern www.vedantaberkeley.org California. It acquired its present property of seven acres on Mission San Jose Branch Avenue the following year and was 1376 Mariposa Ave named The Church of Universal San Jose, CA 95126-2629 Philosophy and Religion. A small Phone (408) 294-5976 chapel was completed and formally dedicated in February 1953. The 1941: Ramakrishna Vedanta present temple with monastic Society of Massachusetts living quarters was completed and dedicated in 1964. In 1970 the The RVSM was founded in 1941 church became an independent by Swami Akhilananda, a disciple center of the Ramakrishna Order of Swami Brahmananda. Under and its name was changed to The Akhilananda’s leadership, the Vedanta Society of Sacramento. Society acquired a retreat property Swami Shraddhananda was in Marshfield, MA. After his appointed head of the Center. passing away in 1962, Swami Since his passing in 1996, Swami Sarvagatananda, a disciple of Prapannananda has been in charge. Swami , led the Vedanta Society for forty years Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; until his retirement in 2002. Swami Wednesday scripture class at 7:30 Tyagananda is currently the head PM; Saturday evening discourse at of the Vedanta work in Boston. 7:30 PM Schedule: Sunday Satsangs 11 AM; Contact information: Thursday Study Group 7:30 PM; Vedanta Society of Sacramento Wed. & Sat. Arati and Meditation 1337 Mission Ave 6 PM Carmichael, CA 95608 Phone (916) 489-5137 Contact information Fax (916) 489-3248 Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Email: [email protected] Massachusetts www.vedantasacto.org 58 Deerfield Street Boston, MA 02215 1959, affiliated 2006: Email: [email protected] Vedanta Center of St. Peters- Website: www.vedantasociety.net burg, Florida

1949, affiliated 1952: Vedanta The Vedanta Center of Saint Society of Sacramento Petersburg, Florida is the newest branch of the Ramakrishna Order At the request of local devotees, outside India. It became an official american vedantist 18 special issue 2009 Center of the Order in 2006. The 1968, affiliated 1989: Vedanta Center is located in the beautiful Society of Toronto Old Southeast neighborhood of the city on the west coast of Tampa Bay. At the request of local devotees, and under the guidance of Swami The Center was started by Rev. Bhashyananda, the Toronto Cen- Malcolm McBride Panton, a stu- ter was inaugurated in 1968 by dent of Swami Nikhilananda, as Swami . Swami the Church of Spiritual Philosophy Pramathananda was appointed its and Vedanta Center. Swami Nikh- head in 1989 as the Center became ilnanda and later his successor at formally affiliated with the Ramak- the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda rishna Order. Since the passing Center of New York, Swami Adis- away of Swami Pramathananda in warananda, used to visit the St. 2003, Swami Kripamayananda has Petersburg Center almost every been in charge. winter. After Rev. Panton passed away, leadership of the center Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; passed to Swami Adiswarananda, scripture classes most Fridays several of whose followers contin- ued to maintain regular services Contact information: at the Center. Repeated requests Vedanta Society of Toronto to the Ramakrishna Order for af- 120 Emmett Avenue filiation were finally honored Toronto, Ontario M6M 2E6 in 2006. Swami Yuktatmananda Phone: (416) 240-7262 came from India to head the Cen- Web: http://www.total. ter. After Swami Adiswarananda net/~vedanta passed away in 2007, Swami Yuk- tatmananda was appointed head 1974, affiliated 1999: - of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Vedanta Ashrama, Sao Center of New York and was suc- Paolo (Brazil) ceeded in St. Petersburg by Swami Ishtananda. Visits from Argentina by Swami Schedule: Sunday services 11 AM; Vijayanananda and his successor, Wednesday study group 7:30 PM Swami Paratparananda, led to the establishment of the Center in Contact information 1974. The Ashrama was formally Vedanta Center of Saint Petersburg affiliated with the Ramakrishna 216 19th Avenue SE Order in 1999 with the appointment St. Petersburg, Florida 33705 of Swami Nirmalatmananda as Telephone: (727) 896-9840 its head. Swami Sunirmalananda E-mail: [email protected] was sent to assist him in 2004. Website: www.vedantaflorida.com The Center maintains a retreat in Embu Guaco. In 2006, the centers in Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and special issue 2009 19 american vedantist Belo Horizonte were made sub- 1990, affiliated 2006: Centro centers of the Sao Paolo Center. Ramakrishna Vedanta - Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Schedule: Sunday lectures 5:30 PM; Wednesday scripture classes 7:30 PM; Saturday talks 5:30 PM Beginning in 1957, Swami Vijay- ananda, head of the Center in Ar- Contact information: gentina, and his successors began Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashrama visiting Rio every year, and from Largo Senador Raul Cardoso then on devotees in Rio wanted 204 Vila Clementino to have a center. Their group reg- CEP: 04021-070 Sao Paulo istered as a Vedanta Society in Phone/fax: (11) 5572-0428 1990. The Center obtained a large E-mail: [email protected] building which was inaugurated Website: www.vedanta.org.br in 2002 by , then General Secretary of the Ra- makrishna Order. In 2006, the Cen- SUB-CENTERS AFFILIATED ter became a sub-Center of the Ra- WITH THE RAMA- makrishna Vedanta Ashrama, Sao KRISHNA ORDER Paolo. Swami Nirmalatmananda, head of the Sao Paolo Center, is its spiritual leader. 1947, affiliated 2006: The Vedanta Society of Kansas City Schedule: Sunday meetings 5 PM; Thursday classes 8 PM Swami Satprakashananda founded the Vedanta Society of Kansas City Contact information: in 1947. The Kansas City Society is Centro Ramakrishna Vedanta Rio a sub-center of the Vedanta Society de Janeiro of St. Louis. It became officially -af Rua Paula Matos 162, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro filiated with the Ramakrishna Or- Tel: 21-22243295, 25511208, der in 2006. Swami Chetanananda, 38723183 head of the St. Louis Society, is its e-mail: [email protected] spiritual leader. Schedule: Weekly services most 1990, affiliated 2006: Centro Sundays at 10:30 AM. Ramakrishna Vedanta de Curitiba (Brazil) Contact information: Vedanta Society of Kansas City The Curitiba Center was founded 8701 Ward Parkway by local devotees in 1990. In 2006, Kansas City, MO 64114 it became a sub-Center of the Ra- Phone: 816-444-8045 makrishna Vedanta Ashrama, Sao [email protected] Paolo. Swami Nirmalatmananda, www.vedantakc.org head of the Sao Paolo Center, is its spiritual leader. american vedantist 20 special issue 2009 Schedule: Saturday lectures 5 PM; 1997: Vivekananda Retreat, Tuesday classes 7:45 PM Ridgely Contact information Swami Vivekananda visited Centro Ramakrishna Vedanta de Ridgely Manor, the country Curitiba estate of Frank Leggett (the first Rua Prof Hostílio Araújo, 120 president of the Vedanta Society Curitiba - PR, 82110-130, Brazil of New York) on three occasions in Phone: (41) 3027-2102 the 1890s. Three brother disciples E-mail: centro@vedantacuritiba. of Swamiji also visited during org.br that period. Over the following Website: www.vedantacuritiba. century, many other swamis and org.br devotees visited the estate as a place of pilgrimage. In 1997 the 1997: The Vedanta Center of property became a sub-center of Greater Washington, DC the Vedanta Society of Southern California under the guidance of VCGWDC is a sub-center of the Swami Swahananda. Pravrajika Vedanta Society of Southern Gitaprana is the minister in California. After nearly a century residence. of visits to the Washington area by swamis of the Ramakrishna Schedule: Classes Saturdays and Order, and at the request of local Sundays 10:30 AM, Tuesdays, devotees, The Vedanta Society Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30 PM of Greater Washington, DC was inaugurated in 1997 with Swami Contact information: Swahananda of the Southern Vivekananda Retreat, Ridgely California Center as its spiritual P.O. Box 321 leader. Swami Atmajnanananda is Stone Ridge, New York 12484 minister in residence. Phone: 845 / 687-4574; fax 845 / 687-4578 Schedule: Sunday lectures 11 AM; E-mail: [email protected] Wednesday and Friday classes at 8 Website: www.ridgely.org PM 2001, affiliated 2006: Centro Contact information Ramakrishna Vedanta, Belo Vedanta Center of Greater Horizonte (Brazil) Washington, DC 3001 Bel Pre Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 Local devotees started the Cen- Phone: 301-603-1772; ter and acquired a house in 2001. fax: 301-460-5459 The Center was affiliated with the E-mail: [email protected] Ramakrishna Order in 2006 as a Website: www.vedanta-dc.org sub-center of the Ramakrishna Ve- danta Ashrama, Sao Paolo. Swami special issue 2009 21 american vedantist Nirmalatmananda, head of the Sao 1978 Vancouver: Vivekananda Paolo Center, is its spiritual leader. Vedanta Society of British Columbia (Canada) Schedule: Sunday lectures with scriptural study 5 PM Under the spiritual guidance Contact information: of Swami Bhaskarananda of Centro Ramakrishna Vedanta the Vedanta Society of Western Rua Faria Lobato, 389 Washington. Bairro Santa Amélia - Pampulha CEP 31555-050, Belo Horizonte - Schedule: Meetings first Sunday of MG each month 11 AM; first and third Phone: (31) 3427-5995 Wednesdays of each month 7:30 PM E-mail: [email protected] Contact information: Website: www.vedantabh.org.br The Vivekananda Vedanta Society of British Columbia Unit #4, 638 East 5th Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia V5T UNAFFILIATED CENTERS 1J2 UNDER THE GUIDANCE Phone: (604) 876-1557 OF RAMAKRISHNA E-mail: k_bhatsunshine.net ORDER SWAMIS Website: www.vedanta-seattle. org/ 1973: Vedanta Society of Calgary (Canada) 1980s: Vedanta Center of Atlanta Local devotees under the guidance of Swami Bhashyananda started In the 1980s Swami Yogeshananda the Center in 1973. came to Atlanta to introduce Vedanta to the South. A non-profit Schedule: Meetings 2nd and 4th organization was established a few Sundays of each month 2 to 4 PM years later under the name of The at INCA: 826, Edmonton Trail, NE Eternal Quest to promote the study Contact information: and practice of Vedanta. Meetings Vedanta Society of Calgary and classes were held in various P.O. Box 6171 rented locations. Afterwards, Station ‘D’ with the help of friends, a house Calgary, Alberta T2P 2C8 was purchased in Tucker, GA to Telephone: (403) 208-9139 establish a permanent center, now (Dr. Ramananda Chatterjee) known as the Vedanta Center E-mail: [email protected] of Atlanta. A new chapel was Website: www.vedantacalgary.com completed in October 2006 and dedicated on January 13, 2007. In January 2009, the Vedanta Society american vedantist 22 special issue 2009 of Southern California sent Swami the Vedanta Center of Washing- Brahmavidyananda to Atlanta ton DC. Monthly retreats are led to carry on the work started by by swamis visiting from all over Swami Yogeshananda. America and abroad. Schedule: Sunday discourses 11 Schedule: Sunday meetings 10:30 AM; Thursday classes: 8 PM AM; Wednesday classes 7 PM Contact information: Contact information: Vedanta Center of Atlanta Vedanta Society of Greater 2331 Brockett Road, Houston Tucker, GA 30084 5906 Cypress St., Phone/fax: (770) 938-6673 Houston, TX 77074 www.vedanta-atlanta.org Phone (713) 270-1127 (Email can be sent from this site.) Email: [email protected] www.houstonvedanta.org 1997: Sociedad Vedanta de Puerto Rico 2004: Vedanta Society of Northern Colorado Founded by local devotees in 1997, the Society hosts visiting swamis The Center, incorporated as The and pravrajikas and conducts Institute of Living Universal occasional retreats. Values, was started by Pravrajika Akhandaprana of the Vedanta Schedule: Weekly Saturday worship Society of Southern California and and meditation 6 AM and 6 PM. local devotees. Contact information: Schedule: Sunday family service Sociedad Vedanta de Puerto Rico 11:15 AM; Thursday study class P O Box 194989 7:30 San Juan, PR 00919-4989 Phone: (787) 764-9692, 406-5000 Contact information: E-Mail: [email protected], Phone; (Sivea Key) 970-219-8916 [email protected] E-mail: InstituteOfLUV@comcast. net or [email protected] 2002: Vedanta Society of Website: www. Greater Houston livinguniversalvalues.org

Vedanta Society of Greater Hous- 2006: Ramakrishna Ashram, ton was founded in 2002 and is Phoenix under the spiritual guidance of Swami Chidananda, Minister of The Center is under the spiritual the Vivekananda Vedanta Society guidance of Swami Swahananda, of Chicago and Swami Brahma- head of the Vedanta Society of rupananda, Assistant Minister at Southern California. The resident special issue 2009 23 american vedantist minister is Pravrajika Akhanda- encouragement of Swami Swa- prana. hananda. Schedule: Sunday meetings at 11 AM Schedule: Occasional lectures by visiting swamis Contact information: Ramakrishna Ashram Contact information: 1138 E Henry Drive Phone (Gulati): 919-493-2507 Tempe, AZ 85256 E-mail: [email protected], Phone: (480) 968-2194 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website:http://vedantanc.org Web: http://vedanta-phoenix.org 2009: Ramakrishna Vedanta 2006: Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashrama, Pittsburgh Society of North Texas Inaugurated September 2009 by Ramakrishna Order swamis began Swami Swahananda. visiting the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the 1960s. At the encourage- Contact information: ment of Swami Swahananda of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Ashrama, Vedanta Society of Southern Cali- Pittsburgh fornia, the Center was registered 417 Beatty Road in 2006. A house was purchased in Monroeville, PA 15142 Irving and a monastery and chapel Phone: (Susmita Ghosh) 412-372- were inaugurated in 2007. Pravra- 8950, 412-215-0864 jika Brahmaprana serves as Resi- E-mail: ramakrishna.vedanta.pitt@ dent Minister. gmail.com Schedule: Sunday talks 11 AM; Thursday and Saturday classes 7 PM ORGANIZATIONS NOT Contact information: UNDER THE GUIDANCE Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of OF THE RAMAKRISHNA North Texas 119 W. Scotland Drive ORDER Irving, Texas 75062 Phone: 972-252-4673 (HOPE) 1923: Ananda Ashrama, La Email: [email protected] Crescenta, CA Website: http://vedantadfw.org founded Anan- 2008: Ramakrishna Vedanta da Ashrama in 1923 as a peaceful re- Society of North Carolina treat for spiritual study and prayer. (Raleigh) Set in wooded hills northeast of Los Angeles, the Center maintains Started by local devotees with the a chapel and living quarters for american vedantist 24 special issue 2009 resident monastics and lay devo- 1991: Mother’s Trust / Rama- tees. Reverend Mother Gayatri krishna Sarada Ashram Devi headed the ashram from 1940 until her passing away in 1995. She Mother’s Trust / Ramakrishna was succeeded by Reverend Moth- Sarada Ashram was founded er Sudha , the current leader. by women monastic disciples of Swami Bhashyananda in 1991, Schedule: Sunday services at and is affiliated with the Sri Sri 11 AM; Thursday classes on Saradeshwari Ashram in Calcutta, Bhagavad-Gita at 7 PM which was founded in 1895 by Contact information: , Sri Ramakrishna’s Ananda Ashrama only woman monastic disciple. P.O. Box 8555 The ashram has an outreach La Crescenta, CA 91224-0555 program, The Lakeshore Interfaith Phone (818) 248-1931 Community, a welcoming forum Fax (818) 248-0958 where every spiritual tradition Website: www.vedantacentre.org may share its treasures, and also engages in other service 1929: The Vedanta Centre, programs. A Holy Mother temple Cohasset, MA was dedicated in 1998. The community has both monastic and The Centre was founded by Swami lay members. The leader of the Paramananda as an extension of ashram is Mataji Gauribrata Puri the Vedanta Centre of Boston. Devi. After Paramananda passed away Schedule: Sunday Interfaith in 1940, leadership of his work Services 11 AM; Friday classes at passed to Reverend Mother 7 PM Gayatri Devi, and the Cohasset Centre became the headquarters Contact information: of her work. The current head is Mothers Trust Mothers Place Reverend Mother Sudha Puri. Ramakrishna Sarada Ashram Lakeshore Interfaith Community Schedule: Sunday services at 11 6676 122nd Ave. Ganges, MI. USA AM: Thursday meditation and Phone: 616 566-4318 study classes at 7 PM Website: www.motherstrust.org Contact information: Vedanta Centre (Mailing Address) 1992: Sri Sarada Society, 130 Beechwood Street Albany, NY Cohasset, MA. 02025 Phone (781) 383-0940 The Sri Sarada Society was formed Fax (781) 383-6386 in 1992 as a devotee organization Website: www.vedantacentre.org dedicated to promoting the study special issue 2009 25 american vedantist of the life and teachings of Sri PO Box 1364 Sarada Devi, viewing her example Honoka’a, HI 96727 as an inspiration through which Phone: 808-990-3354 the principles of Vedanta may find full and practical application in SRV Portland - 1993 Western life. The Society sponsors SRV Oregon visits to the U.S. by nuns of the Sri 4204 SE 31st Ave Sarada Math, the women’s monas- Portland, OR 97202 tic order in India, and encourages Phone: 503-774-2410 informal retreats by small devo- SRV San Francisco - 1993 tee groups, which may be held in Healing Center of San Francisco one’s own home. 465 Brussels St., Contact information: San Francisco, CA 94134 Sri Sarada Society 415-468-4680 P.O. Box 38116 Albany, New York 12203 1996: Vedanta West Phone (518) 869-6088 / Fax (518) Communications Inc. 869-6084 Website: http://srisarada.org General information and philosophy 1993: SRV Associations Vedanta West Communications Inc. (VWC) was founded in 1996 SRV (Sarada-Ramakrishna-Vive- to foster the development of West- kananda) is a spiritual community ern Vedantic forms of expression. whose members are dedicated to VWC publishes the quarterly jour- living a divine life as taught and nal American Vedantist, releases exemplified by Sri Ramakrish- CDs and cassettes under the label na, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vedantic Arts Recordings, pub- Vivekananda. It operates centers lishes scores of sacred music, and in Portland, Oregon, San Francis- supports other projects to commu- co, and Hawaii. It also offers spiri- nicate Vedantic idealism through tual retreats and pilgrimages to art and service. Vedanta West India, publishes many books and Communications is convinced that devotional music CDs, a yearly Vedanta’s spiritual philosophy has paper magazine called Nectar of universal meaning not limited to a Non-dual Truth, and a free, online particular civilization. An impor- newsletter. Its spiritual leader is tant part of Vivekananda’s work Babaji Bob Kindler. in the West was the formulation Contact information: of Vedantic teachings in language website: www.srv.org that is not culture-specific. SRV Hawaii – 1993, 2003 american vedantist 26 special issue 2009 Contact information: READERS’ FORUM Vedanta West Communications Inc. Our Fall issue will be devoted to PO Box 237041 the Motherhood of God, which New York, NY 10023 is especially celebrated in the au- Phone (212) 877-4730 tumn and early winter season, be- Fax (212) 769-4280 ginning with and con- Email [email protected] tinuing through the birthday of Sri www.vedantawest.org Sarada Devi. 1998: The Interfaith In the early days of the Ramak- Contemplative Order of Sarada rishna Movement, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi was still living. Based at the Hermitage of the Rock, At that time very little was writ- high above Boulder, Colorado, The ten about her, and it was difficult Interfaith Contemplative Order to obtain her photograph. The of Sarada (OSA) was founded in emphasis was almost entirely 1998 as an international outreach on Sri Ramakrishna and Swa- for interfaith contemplatives with mi Vivekananda. This began to a background in the Vedanta change with the observance of the philosophy. For details, see article Holy Mother Centenary in 1953- on page 36. 54. People, especially women, came forward to celebrate her life Contact Information: in a way that surprised the lead- The Interfaith Contemplative ers of the movement. Sri Sarada Order of Sarada Math, the women’s monastic orga- POB 1535 nization, was founded at that time. Nederland, Colorado 80466 Since then, writings about her and Voice Message: 303-618-2543 pictures of her have become more Email: contemplative.vedanta@ and more available, and she has yahoo.com become as popular and revered as Sri Ramakrishna. New lay organi- zations have sprung up in which she is the primary figure. Question for this Issue Why do you think Mother Sri Sarada Devi has become increas- ingly prominent and popular? What does she mean to you?

special issue 2009 27 american vedantist Swami Sarvagatananda at the Marshfield retreat

american vedantist 28 special issue 2009 IN MEMORIAM: reminds us of the Upanishadic period when teachers asked their SWAMI students to do various types of menial work to prepare their SARVAGATANANDA minds to receive the highest Truth. (1912—2009) The Satyakama Jabala and Swami Tathagatananda Gautam episodes come to mind (Chandogya Up., IV: 4-15). With (Eulogy delivered at the memorial remarkable optimism, he faced service in Boston, May 16, 2009) the difficulties and hardship of With a heavy heart we announce the journey and despite much that on May 3, 2009 our most suffering he fulfilled his Guru’s Revered Swami Sarvagatanandaji command with a cheerful heart. of hallowed memory passed away Narayan Maharaj hailed from peacefully in the early morning South India. He was in his early hours while he was sleeping. He twenties. His Herculean journey, was 97 years old. He lived in full beset with numerous difficulties, awareness nearly to the very end conspicuously reveals the mettle of his life. I spoke to him over the of his character. He walked phone from New York on April 15 nearly a thousand miles without and he was fully conscious at that much money, trudging through time. unknown regions, without knowing the local language, with The Revered Swami was no road map in his hand. With a the senior-most monk of our cool brain, with Lord’s Name on Order working in the West. He his lips, and a dynamic spirit, he joined the Ramakrishna Order in achieved the goal. He reached 1935. His Guru, Revered Swami on February 7, 1935 and Akhandanandaji, was a direct remained there for nine years disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and until February 1943. It may be President of the Ramakrishna remembered that he got spiritual Order. Swami Sarvagatanandaji initiation from Revered Swami (Narayan Maharaj, his pre-monastic Akhandanandaji in 1936 and name) wanted to join the Order. sannyas (final monastic vows) He met Swami Akhandanandaji from Revered Swami Virajanandaji in Bombay and received spiritual Maharaj in 1944. Unfortunately, initiation from him in 1936. Swami Swami Akhandanandaji passed Akhandanandaji told him to walk away in 1937. barefoot all the way from Bombay to the Ramakrishna Ashrama at Revered Swami Sarvagata- Kankhal, near Hardwar.1 This nandaji was a unique monk and a great Karma Yogin. With per- 1 According to another account, it was severance, patience, and whole- Swami Sarvagatannda’s own idea to hearted loving service he stayed in go barefoot. special issue 2009 29 american vedantist the Kankhal Ashrama and never mined Soul”). Swamiji’s prophecy spared himself in serving Swami was fulfilled. Kalyanananda. This made him When Swami Kalyanananda very dear to the Swami. Though had to leave Kankhal in 1937 due he was a junior brahmachari, Na- to ill health, he handed over the rayan Maharaj was eminently key to the Ashrama’s safe to Swa- trustworthy; his entire mind was mi Sarvagatananda, even though focused in rendering various types he was the junior-most brahm- of service with a compassionate achari. He asked him to manage attitude. In this way he endeared the Ashrama in consultation with himself to one and all. Swami the secretary of the Ashrama and Kalyanananda and the Ashrama other senior swamis. Several se- depended on his service. Revered nior monks were present at that Swami Kalyanananda was a dis- time. When Swami Sarvagatanan- ciple of Swami Vivekananda, who da refused to accept his new re- had commanded him to serve the sponsibility, Swami Kalyananand- poor at Kankhal. Thus Swamiji’s aji told him that by taking the key, dream of serving the poor in the he would not be the “boss”—he Kankhal area was fulfilled to a would be the servant of all. He large extent. Not only that; the ac- advised him to consult with ev- tivities of the Kankhal Ashrama eryone first and then to manage and the Swami’s dedicated work the Ashram. That itself reveals his were highly appreciated by the trustworthiness and competence. conservative community of Sad- Subsequently, Headquarters in- hus as well as by the lay people. structed all future secretaries of Kalyan Maharaj looked upon pa- that Ashrama to work in consulta- tients as the embodiment of God, tion with Narayan Maharaj. I be- and thereby he fulfilled Swamiji’s lieve that during the entire period spiritual training satisfactorily in of his work in Kankhal, he never his own life. took leave for tapas or pilgrimage. On one occasion in his young- Swami Kalyanananda worked for er days at Belur Math, Swami thirty-six long years at Kankhal Kalyanananda had been asked before passing away in 1937. Actu- to bring nearly 40 pounds of ice ally speaking, the year 1937 gave from Calcutta. The young, hard- Swami Sarvagatanandaji two hard working and devoted Kalyanan- blows: the demise of his Guru and anda brought that heavy chunk of Swami Kalyanananda, his men- of ice, carrying it on his head all tor. the way from Calcutta to Belur In 1942, Swami Ranganatha- Math. It touched Swamiji’s heart nanda came from Rangoon to so profoundly that he forecast that walking all the way on one day Kalyanananda would be foot. When he reached Belur Math known as a Paramahamsa (“Illu- he was reduced to a skeleton and american vedantist 30 special issue 2009 weighed only 35 kg. Headquarters ilanandaji of the Ramakrishna Ve- sent him to Kankhal for recupera- danta Society of Boston and Provi- tion and wrote to Swami Sarva- dence. His noble qualities of head gatananda to take good care of and heart were now pressed into the Swami, “as he is a jewel of our service for the development of the Order.” Swami Sarvagatananda two ashramas. After the passing indeed rendered the most valu- away of Swami Akhilananda in able and sincere service in making 1962, he became the head of these Swami Ranganathanandaji happy, two centers and began his mean- cheerful, and filled with optimism. ingful, loving and inspired min- Within four months, he was his istry. He had to face innumerable former self and began to play vol- difficulties created by a group of leyball. Swami Ranganathananda devotees, including threats to his was now ready to work. Begin- life. They created a pandemonium ning with those days at Kankhal, during the memorial ceremony the bond of unique friendship and of Swami Akhilananda. Mr. Pel- loving intimacy grew between lini and other trusted devotees them. When Headquarters asked always protected the Swami. No Swami Ranganathananda to take other Swami that I can recall ever charge of the Ashrama, he faced such a critical situation in was ready to go, provided Head- this country. Through the grace of quarters would allow Swami Sar- Sri Ramakrishna, in due course of vagatananda to work under him. time, peace prevailed in the Ash- At the request of Headquarters, rama and Swami Sarvagatanandaji Swami Sarvagatanandaji was sent was able to lead his normal, peace- to work in the Karachi Ashrama ful life. during the crucial period of 1943 The Marshfield area which is when India was passing through known as the Sarada Retreat Cen- a critical political situation. Un- ter was much developed at his ini- derstandably reluctant to leave tiative. Our dear Brother George Kankhal, Swami Sarvagatanan- labored hard and many devotees daji nevertheless went with a rendered valuable service over the loving heart to serve Swami Ran- years to make it a retreat center ganathananda at the Karachi Ash- that today supplies spiritual food rama. to thousands of people. Revered Swami Sarvagatanan- For nearly forty years, without daji also served as the head of the ever sparing himself, he single- Vizag Center for some time before handedly managed the two cen- receiving the order from Head- ters and conducted spiritual re- quarters to go to Boston. I believe treats every summer. Such a heroic it was 1954 when he arrived in and overwhelming task would America to work as the assistant completely unnerve an ordinary minister to Revered Swami Akh- person. Working diligently with special issue 2009 31 american vedantist unique devotion and dynamism, embraced the monastic life: one in he steadily built up his congrega- Hollywood, two in San Francisco tion. He achieved signal success and one in India. His zeal to serve as an inspiring speaker and witty the Lord, his enthusiasm, and his humorist—this is known to us all. loving behavior inspired the co- He was a genial, sympathetic, and operation of hundreds of devotees loving counselor with pure ideals who have benefited immensely who consoled and inspired thou- through their association with the sands. He was a familiar and dis- Swami. One Dutch couple was tinguished figure in the intellectu- particularly fond of him; the Dutch al community around Boston. He lady remained for some time in also conducted weekly services in Boston to be near the Swami. Swa- the chapel of M. I. T. and occasion- mi Sarvagatanandaji went to India ally spoke in the chapel at Harvard in 1971. Swami Sarvagatananda University. knew Swami Ranganathananda Swami Sarvagatanandaji was intimately from his Kankhal days; more than a man of eminent quali- then he worked with him in Kara- ties; he was an earnest man sin- chi. Due to their loving friendship, cerely endeavoring to do a very when Swami Ranganathananda serious work in the world. He was was President, he repeatedly and one-pointed in looking after the in- earnestly requested Swami Sarva- terests of all his devotees. He was gatanandaji to visit him in India. so dedicated to these aims that he So Swami Sarvagatanandaji went never traveled within this country again with a group of devotees. In or beyond it for his own purposes. spite of his advanced age and fail- Greater still was his ethical stat- ing health, he accepted the chal- ure, noble spiritual life and exem- lenge and boldly faced the difficul- plary character. He did much to ties of this arduous journey to see broaden, sweeten and deepen the Revered Swami Ranganathanan- intellectual, moral and spiritual da. On this second visit to India he consciousness of his congregation. also went to Holland to see Swa- Everyone received new light from mi Sarvatmananda, who worked him. with him as an assistant minister for several years and visited other He was a man of integrity of devotees also, much to the joy of character. He tried to implement that Dutch couple. all that he preached in his own Great souls make a deep and life—there was no dichotomy be- tween his life and teaching. Hun- lasting impact in the hearts of dreds and thousands of people devotees. The devotees of Revered were highly benefited by his- ge Swami Sarvagatanandaji at both nial manner, compassionate heart, centers give ample testimony of patience and forbearance. Under his loving nature. In this regard, his inspired guidance, four girls the prominent name of George american vedantist 32 special issue 2009 comes to my mind. George came those who came in contact with to the Boston Center and became him. Twice blessed are those who a full time worker. His numerous helped him in various ways—sin- services there contributed to its cerely and wholeheartedly for growth, particularly his allegiance the growth of the Center. Thrice to Revered Maharaj, which is re- blessed are those who developed markable. Out of sheer devotion, their spiritual life under the guid- George cheerfully assumed a dif- ance of the Revered Swamiji. ficult task despite his heavy- du The Vivekacudamani, verse ties at the Center. Culling from 3, says: “There are three things Revered Swami Sarvagatananda’s which are rare indeed and are due weekly lectures, George compiled to the grace of God—namely a hu- and published them in two large man birth, the longing for libera- volumes. It is a work of great de- tion, and the protecting care of a votion. By glancing through these perfected sage.” In one sense, we books, any reader will discover all do have this great privilege the depth of Swami Sarvagatanan- in varying degree, but still, to da’s knowledge of the scriptures. my mind, Revered Swami Sarva- His scholarship in these two vol- gatananda was very conspicuous- umes has created a deep impact ly fortunate in having the bless- in the minds of readers all over ings of his Guru, Kalyan Maharaj the world. George took care of and the other Swamis. Revered Swami Sarvagatanandaji during his last years. It was only a To my mind, he was a great year ago that, advanced in age and and venerable monk of our Or- failing in health, our dear Brother der—I am making no distinction, George could no longer cope with but my inner mind compels me the strain of looking after the Swa- to think of him as a great vener- mi. able monk of our Order. I am ex- tremely fortunate to have seen and To all of us, Revered Swami to have known him a little dur- Sarvagatananda was known as an ing my thirty years of life in New earnest spiritual seeker. Here we York City. Although I did not have have what was central and vital in much personal contact with him, him. His life was one of spotless by reading his book, You Will Be integrity and honor. He led a sim- a Paramahamsa, I have formed my ple, unostentatious life. Through opinion about his sterling quali- his purity of heart and loving na- ties of head and heart. It has been ture, he rendered valuable and a great blessing to know a Swami commendable service to his con- of such caliber in our Order, even a gregation and to many others. He little intimately. I pay my reveren- was very close to our Center, and tial homage at the lotus feet of the many of our older devotees knew Revered Swami. May his soul rest him very intimately. Blessed are in peace. special issue 2009 33 american vedantist RESPONSE TO READER’S of the material world, must turn to realization of their inner spiritual po- FORUM QUESTION IN tential mapped out in Vedanta, not SPRING EDITION in terms of the culture of India, but in terms of Western science, psy- The Question: What are you willing chology, transcendental philosophy to do, to help assure that Swami Vive- and spirituality. In expounding this kananda’s vision of an American Ve- vision, Vivekananda drew liberally danta is fulfilled? on the language and concepts of the Vivekananda and American German Idealists, American Tran- Vedanta scendentalists, and European Posi- tivists, thus speaking all the more Sister Gayatriprana directly to the Western audiences who hung on his words. I was very pleased to see in the Spring 2009 edition of American Ve- These two agendas are in no dantist the emphasis on the work way contradictory or in disagree- of Swami Vivekananda, whom you ment. They both join spirituality to recognize as the source of Western the contemporary world, but mov- Vedanta. I am also very grateful for ing in different directions, as it were. your call for suggestions to “assure Together they supply a yin-yang, that Swami Vivekananda’s vision holistic picture of the ways contem- for an American [Western] Vedanta porary humanity can express itself is fulfilled.” and realize its full potential, not only in the inner worlds, but also in the My own take on this subject physical world. is that first we must thoroughly familiarize ourselves with what In that context, I feel that the Vivekananda’s message for the need of the moment is for Western- West actually is. My own study of ers to acquaint themselves with the Vivekananda over forty years has Western teachings of Vivekananda. convinced me that he not only had Fortunately these are readily avail- a message for India, but also one able at the Ramakrishna Monastery for the West, which he himself an- Trabuco’s Press in the form of ten nounced in Brooklyn in December volumes of Vivekananda’s Western of 1894 (CW, Vol. 5: Q and A at the Works compiled, edited, and pub- Brooklyn Ethical Society, p. 314). lished by Western monastics. And while both of these messages Here you will find Vivekanan- derived directly from the vision of da’s teachings to Westerners com- Sri Ramakrishna, they do have dif- piled in a coherent and rational way, ferent emphases, almost certainly reflecting the progression of his own because the needs of India and the work in the West. First come the West are different. India, he stated principles of universal religion fol- again and again, needed to manifest lowed by the concept that spiritual in terms of the contemporary, sci- life is a systematic development of entific, democratic and humanistic consciousness, both ideas in har- world the millennial wisdom of its mony with contemporary Western sages, while the West, masters of thought. Then you will discover the science that unlocks the secrets the four as taught in the West american vedantist 34 special issue 2009 by Vivekananda, followed by his Sister Gargi does not mention it, Vi- Western treatment of the difficult vekananda’s works had a profound subjects of maya and evolution of effect on and through consciousness. Further volumes are him Gandhi and our own Dr. King, in progress, covering the vision of which Uma Majmudar is currently what a fully realized soul is in the studying and writes about so beau- context of Western Vedanta with il- tifully in the Spring issue. lustrations of this ideal from the life It is time for Westerners, like of Vivekananda himself. Vivekananda, to acknowledge the This series has built on the greatness of their Western heritage, insight of Swami Ashokananda, and to begin to engage with the lit- whose work also appears in the erature which documents it. One Spring American Vedantist, that Vi- work which has come out recently vekananda’s work became progres- is Oriental Enlightenment: The En- sively more and more expansive counter between Asian and Western and more and more deep as time Thought, by J.J. Clarke. (New York: progressed. There have been pro- Routledge, 1997) This volume fo- tests that this could not be pos- cuses on the Western tradition up to sible because, as a perfected soul the present day and demonstrates he could in no way “evolve”; but how Asian thought has introduced from a Western standpoint, there is whole new ways of working out our no reason to doubt that the depth problems, without rejecting West- of his teaching was revealed as he ern culture. Precisely the agenda moved deeper and deeper into the that I find in the Western works of needs and yearnings of the Western Vivekananda. soul. This was how he manifested We have to mold Vedanta ac- Vedanta in the physical world. cording to our own tradition, with This principle is also worked the help of the spiritually inspired out in each of the individual vol- teachings of Vivekananda, which umes of the Western Works, largely can encompass both India and the following the chronological order West in an integral way. In sev- of the materials on each of the sub- eral volumes I hope to publish in jects presented. It also lies behind the near future, I cover many areas the magisterial six-volume series of Western culture and concern to on Swami Vivekananda in the West by which Vivekananda’s teachings are Sister Gargi (Marie Louise Burke), related in several dimensions, dem- who was commissioned by Swami onstrating their relevance and the Ashokananda himself to demon- effects they have already had on strate the history behind the pro- Western culture. And, God willing, gression of Vivekananda’s teach- I hope to bring out a video series on ings. In these volumes we see how how Vivekananda took the spiritual profoundly Vivekananda met the message of Sri Ramakrishna and needs of some of the West’s most en- molded it into the twin teachings for lightened thinkers, Nikola Tesla, Ed- India and the West. That will be my ward Carpenter and William James contribution to Western Vedanta. being some whose names and mes- Just pray that I live long enough to sage still resonate today. And, while get it done. special issue 2009 35 american vedantist THE INTERFAITH CONTEMPLATIVE ORDER OF SARADA A Profile, Summer 2009

Sister Judith, Hermit of Sarada place for the Nederland Interfaith Contemplatives group sponsored The Hermitage of the Rock is by the Order, as well as the center situated at an altitude of 8,250 feet for all the Order’s online interfaith in the mountains above Boulder, work. The members of the Order Colorado. It is the home of the are mature contemplatives, with Interfaith Contemplative Order backgrounds in Buddhism, Advai- of Sarada (OSA), first founded in ta Vedanta, Protestant Christian- 1998, as an international outreach ity and Catholicism, Cherokee and for interfaith contemplatives with other Native American spirituali- backgrounds in the Vedanta phi- ties. Everyone is actively involved losophy. Entering the south-facing in being a part of the interfaith ma- door, one is greeted by a bronzed trix in which the Order of Sarada sign directing all to “Remove Thy finds its home in the larger society. Shoes”, and inviting one to enter in The Order conducts an online the spirit of the Order’s maxim: The Interfaith Talking Circle Ceremony Silence is our Teacher; the Presence for its members, as well as an on- is our Mother. line Satsang, to Beside the inner door, there is attract of new members. In addi- a wreath made of lodgepole pine- tion, members regularly contribute cones and dried summer wild- contemplative poetry, prose and flowers; there are also garlands of artwork of an interfaith nature, the local wild sage, and strings of to various publications. All of the feathers donated by the resident members have been formally affili- western red flickers, magpies, and ated longterm with different faith ravens. Fox, bear, raccoon, and coy- communites, before taking vows as ote all visit the hermitage compost, interfaith contemplatives. for impromptu vegetarian fare. The In October 2002, a Sarada-Ra- hermitage is located in the small makrishna devotee took the details mountain town of Nederland, of the Order’s intention and mis- which boasts of a renovated Car- sion to the feet of Mataji Bandana ousel of Happiness in the center of at Sri Sri Saradeshwari Ashram in the town, complete with music and Calcutta, India. Mother Bandana an adjacent puppet theater for the heard all with great interest, and children. All around the hermitage gave her blessings to the Interfaith are the magnificent mountains of Contemplative Order of Sarada the Indian Peaks Wilderness. during Durga Puja at the Calcutta For now, the Order of Sarada is ashram. The Order had first started non-residential. Although the her- in 1998, with the inauguration of mitage is private, it is the meeting the Contemplative Vedanta Sup- american vedantist 36 special issue 2009 port Network (CVSN), which encouraged interfaith correspondence and dialog within a wide variety of seekers from many paths. By 2002, and with these blessings of Mataji Bandana, the Order began to accept stu- dents and associate members into a nonlocal interfaith community based in Nederland, Colorado. Students and associate members get to “try out” what it is like to be a member of an interfaith contemplative order, before making formal commitment as either a Dedicated Contemplative (OSA) or a Solitary Contemplative (OSAh). Community members, or Friends of the Order, join us in an Interfaith Agreement and become eligible to share in the online contemplative community, as well as to receive our newslet- ter. Future projects include a Contemplative Vedanta website and annual retreats for the members who live outside of Colorado. Contact Information: The Interfaith Contemplative Order of Sarada, POB 1535, Nederland, Colorado 80466, USA. Voice Message: 303-618-2543 Email: [email protected]

Hermitage of the Rock, Nederland, Colorado special issue 2009 37 american vedantist MEDIA REVIEWS

Scholar Reading a Book Painting by Jan Zaremba www.janzaremba.com/sumi-e Basic Ideas of Hinduism and ing. They will also be familiar with How It Is Transmitted both the depth of his understanding and the breadth of his knowledge, Swami Tathagatananda as well as his familiarity with the greatest thinkers of both the East Vedanta Society of New York and the West, including not only Paperback 255 pp. $14.00 2009 and religious thinkers, Swami Atmajnanananda but also historians and poets, psy- chologists and scientists. And they Don’t be fooled by the title of will not be surprised to find many Swami Tathagatanandaji’s latest gems and nuggets hidden through- book. It is not a mere primer on Hin- out the pages of this book. duism, and certainly not a dry ex- In many ways, Basic Ideas of position of concepts, practices, and Hinduism is an extension of an ear- precepts of Hinduism and Vedanta. lier book by the Swami. In his in- Those who are familiar with the troduction, he refers to the present swami’s earlier books know quite work as “an edited compilation of well the creative nature of his mind the Prologue to my book Journey and the original quality of his writ- of the Upanisads to the West.” The american vedantist 38 special issue 2009 reader should not assume from this Swami Tathagatanandaji has, that Swami Tathagatananda is sim- without question, written another ply rehashing old material. On the very important book. I am sure it contrary, there is a freshness and will prove to be of great interest and originality to the book that makes value, both to the beginner in Ve- it seem an entirely new work. Each danta, looking for a single volume of the various topics discussed reads which covers all of the basic ideas like a mini-essay, filled with insights of Vedanta from different points of and illustrated by quotations from view, as well as to the long-time stu- the great thinkers of various cul- dent searching for new insights. tures, countries and religions. And though an unmistakable sense of Beyond Tolerance: Searching pride in the spiritual accomplish- for Interfaith Understanding ments of India and her great saints in America and sages peeps through in many places, one also feels a deep sense Gustav Niebuhr of fairness and admiration for all Viking, Penguin Group, New York traditions. The reader will find no hard cover 218 + xxxviii pp. $25.95 hidden agenda to prove the superi- 2008 ority of any one belief system over another simply on the basis of na- John Schlenck tional pride. All views are shown At a time when religion-in- equal respect, with emphasis on the spired violence and intolerance are underlying harmony and sympathy much in the news, Gustav Niebuhr between different traditions. (great nephew of theologian Rein- The second section of the book hold Niebuhr) brings heart-warm- on the transmission of Hinduism ing good news and encouragement, is similarly an expanded version of and also a challenge. Niebuhr, as- an earlier essay written by Swami sociate professor of religion and Tathagatananda. Here again we public communications at Syracuse see the swami’s wonderful grasp of University, traveled the length and history and his vast knowledge of breadth of the United States in re- the great thinkers of the West. Also cent years documenting grass roots included at the end of the book are efforts of religious individuals and several independent essays on vari- organizations to reach out to people ous important Vedantic topics, such of other faith communities. What he as the concept of the Self in Advaita found was surprising and vastly un- Vedanta and the theory of evolution derreported. in Hinduism, as well as an essay on the influence of Sri Ramakrishna Consider South Brunswick, and Swami Vivekananda on the New Jersey. Immediately after the West. All of these are reprints from attacks on the World Trade Center Swami Tathagatananda’s contribu- on 9/11, religious leaders of differ- tions to the Bulletin of the Ramakrish- ent denominations and police offi- na Mission Institute of Culture and the cials coordinated efforts to protect Vedanta Kesari. the local mosque. This expression special issue 2009 39 american vedantist of communal solidarity grew into great practical importance. We can’t ongoing religious dialogue and per- afford to wait until all people believe sonal friendships across religious that all religions are true. There are lines. On that same day in Seattle, urgent reasons to find ways to un- at a Muslim school in a non-Muslim derstand, respect and accept people neighborhood, neighbors placed whose viewpoints are different from bouquets of flowers and handwrit- our own, even if we think our reli- ten notes of encouragement saying, gion is the best. “Not all Americans blame all Mus- One important way to achieve lims.” Soon the Church Council of this respect and understanding is to Greater Seattle provided volunteers work together on socially beneficial around the clock to guard the school projects. A young American Mus- against vandals. In suburban De- lim, Eboo Patel, founded Interfaith troit, within seven months after 9/11, Youth Care, an expanding network the spiritual leader of the Islamic of students from different faith Center of America had received and groups engaged in service projects. accepted more than 85 invitations Patel told the author, “The main idea from churches, colleges, schools was to get young people to identify and other groups to speak on Islam. the source within their own religion These are striking, but by no means for the values—like hospitality and unique, events showing that reli- compassion—that overlapped with gious harmony and understanding those of other religions.” are achievable through active effort. Living in a pluralistic society This outreach toward under- based on freedom of choice is a big standing and a wider sense of com- advantage, an advantage the United munity echoes Swami Vivekanan- States has had since the beginning. da’s words of more than a century Our Founding Fathers set the tone. ago. Like Vivekananda, Niebuhr Washington addressed the Jewish argues that tolerance is not enough. congregation in Newport, Rhode Is- But how do you get beyond toler- land: “It is now no more that tolera- ance to true acceptance? If you start tion is spoken of, as if it was by the with Ramakrishna’s and Vivekanan- indulgence of one class of people, da’s realization that all religions are that another enjoyed the exercise of paths to the same spiritual goal, this their inherent national gifts… All is not a difficult step. And Niebuhr possess alike liberty of conscience gives due credit and appreciation to and immunities [privileges] of citi- Vivekananda’s contribution to inter- zenship.” A year before writing the religious understanding in America. text of the First Amendment, Madi- But for the large number of peo- son declared: “Freedom arises from ple who have mutually exclusive a multiplicity of sects, which per- views of the universe, is it possible vades America, and which is the to bridge the gap? Niebuhr believes best and only security for religious that it is, through the expansion of a liberty in any society.” Since that sense of community to include peo- time, America’s religious diversity ple of different viewpoints. This is of has grown to an extent that even the american vedantist 40 special issue 2009 Founding Fathers might have found eral books on the evolution of the difficult to imagine. concept of God in Western religion: Karen Armstrong’s A History of God, Niebuhr quotes sociologist Jack Miles’s God: A Biography, and Mark Juergensmeyer: “It is difficult now Robert Wright’s The Evolution to belittle and kill a person whom of God. Armstrong is a former nun, one knows and for whom one has no Miles a former priest, and it is evi- personal antipathy.” One might add, dent that they are trying to salvage difficult but not impossible. Think something from the damage to re- Rwanda, or Nazi Europe, or India at ligious belief inflicted by scientific the time of partition. Niebuhr sums materialism, the “new atheism,” up his intent: “What interests me and religion-based terrorism. in writing this book is the idea that some people choose to build net- Wright is a self-proclaimed ma- works that deliberately cross bound- terialist who is trying to understand aries in an era in which religious religion as a product of political and differences are so explosive… At its economic forces, but he too seems heart, it’s a grassroots educational interested in salvaging something process in which the goal is to gain from the onslaught. He traces our knowledge about individuals and ideas about the nature of deity from their beliefs in a way that lessens their earliest beginnings as a multi- fear… This book is based on visits plicity of local, often savage nature- and conversations with some of the spirits, to the God of contempo- people who have participated in rary Jewish, Christian, and Islamic this countertrend, my effort to learn monotheism: a single, invisible, uni- what they were up to and why.” versal overlord with a deep concern for morality. Vedantists are perhaps uniquely positioned to contribute to this pro- In Wright’s view, Yahweh was cess. But are we making the effort originally a storm deity, one god to reach out? It is easy to think we among many in the Middle East, have already arrived at the place of who took on the characteristics of inter-religious acceptance and there- some of his competitors and eventu- fore don’t need to make any further ally sought to displace them all. The effort. Niebuhr’s emphasis on build- changes in the concept of his nature ing cross-religious community can were conditioned by the political be a needed corrective to any sense dynamics of the region, in which the of complacency on our part. confederated tribes of Israel were a minor player and the predominant The Evolution of God powers were Egypt, Assyria, Baby- lonia, and later Persia. Robert Wright Among other theories, Wright Little, Brown & Company, New York, speculates that the Israelites were Paperback 568 pages $16.00 2009 never slaves in Egypt. They were actually Canaanite hill tribes who William Page clashed with their coastal and Recent years have given us sev- plains-dwelling cousins. Goodbye special issue 2009 41 american vedantist to Moses, the exodus from Egypt, one. Somebody should tell this to the Ten Commandments, and the our contemporary Islamic terrorists. forty years of wandering in the wil- Wright’s central thesis emerges derness! One wonders how this stu- late in the book, and it’s based on pendous epic managed to emerge if the belief that God requires us to be the Israelites were living in the hills moral. Insofar as that belief civilizes of Canaan all the while. us and makes us behave morally, it Wright theorizes that Jesus was takes on a creative reality of its own. a chauvinist whose doctrine of love The impulse to morality that flows was limited to the Jews, as evi- from it (Wright calls it moral order, denced by his remarks disparaging moral direction, even moral truth) the Gentiles (e.g., Matthew 5: 48, 6: is the closest thing we have to God. 7, 6:33). Anecdotes showing his re- You could even call it divine. gard for Gentiles, such as the cur- This seems an odd position for ing of the centurion’s servant and a self-professed materialist to take. the parable of the Good Samaritan, But here things get interesting, be- were added later. cause Wright starts to speculate It was the apostle Paul who ide- about “the source of the moral or- alized Jesus and broadened his doc- der.” He thinks that it is something trine of love to include all human- extremely subtle, abstract, and be- kind. Paul’s motivation was not en- yond our knowing, and suggests tirely altruistic. He wanted to con- that it may be analogous to the vert the pagan world to Christianity. “ground of being” postulated by the He could hardly have done that if Protestant theologian Paul Tillich. Jesus’ doctrine of love had remained “Could it be,” Wright muses, “that limited to the Jews. thinking of this source, and relating to this source, as if it were a personal Wright sees in simi- god is actually an appropriate way larities to Moses and the idealized for human beings to apprehend that Jesus. Muhammad is like Moses be- source, even if more appropriate cause he led his people from a place ways might be available to beings of oppression (Mecca) to a place of less limited in their apprehension?” freedom (Medina), and because he (446.) was a political leader and lawgiver. He is like the idealized Jesus because This will ring a bell for Vedantists, he taught love and brotherhood. insofar as we believe that devotion to a personal god is a valid way of Wright downplays the frequent approaching the impersonal Abso- imprecations against infidels in lute. In Wright’s thinking, personal the Qur’an. He notes that you can gods are illusions. But if thinking of cherry-pick the Qur’an to prove a the mysterious “source of the moral variety of viewpoints, but maintains order” as if it were a personal god that the weight of Quranic verses is a valid way of approaching it, suggest that it is for God to punish then that source can be construed infidels in the next life and for Mus- as somewhat analogous to Brah- lims to practice forbearance in this man. After all, in Vedantic thinking, american vedantist 42 special issue 2009 Brahman is the source of everything. Libretto by Erik Johns Music by If it were not the source of the im- John Schlenck 2 CDs Vedantic Arts pulse to morality, that would come Recordings $29.95 as a surprise; and who knows what depths our Brahman hides? According to the Bhagavad- Gita, the Divine Power comes again Theists are bound to be disap- and again for the good of the world. pointed. If personal gods are illu- sions, to try to approach a deeper When the Divine Power came truth through them must seem a as Sri Ramakrishna, his retinue in- quixotic adventure indeed. And cluded a personality of such power even if a “source of the moral order” and attainment that we celebrate exists, theists will find it pretty thin him in his own right — Swami gruel. The impulse to morality is an Vivekananda, known affectionately admirable thing, but pales beside as Swamiji. the vigor of the interventionist, of- Vedantic Arts Recordings (VAR) ten-feisty, sometimes-anthropomor- will soon release a new recording of phic god depicted in the Abrahamic a major work on Swamiji: Days on religions. Theists want a god with Earth: A Musical Trilogy on the Life personality, a god they can worship, of Swami Vivekananda. Composed love, and pray to. You can’t pray to by Erik Johns and John Schlenck, this an impulse. You might try praying work originally was performed in to the source of that impulse, but it sections at the annual Vivekananda would be a lot more satisfying if you July 4th Festival of the Vedanta Soci- could identify that source. ety of New York. The annual festival But maybe theists need to grow has been held every year since 1962, up. A morality that springs from and was hosted at the country home within is obviously superior to a of Erik Johns until his passing away morality imposed from without. in 2001. Since then the event has You can’t worship it, but who ever been held at Vivekananda Retreat, claimed that the sole object of reli- Ridgely. gion is to have something to wor- Days on Earth is mainly the sto- ship? A higher object would be an ry of “Swamiji in the making.” Sec- inner transformation for the better. tion One is narrated by his mother, Wright seems to be saying that if Bhuvaneshwari Devi; it begins with there is anything, however subtle her prayer to Lord for a son and beyond our range of knowing, and ends when Narendra (Vive- that brings about such transforma- kananda’s pre-monastic name) en- tion, although we may not call it ters college. Section Two is devoted God, it’s the closest thing to God primarily to Narendra’s discipleship we’ve got. under Sri Ramakrishna. It ends af- ter the Master’s passing, when his MEDIA PREVIEW young disciples take monastic vows at Antpur on Christmas Eve, 1886. Days on Earth: A Musical Trilogy on the Life of Swami Vivekananda Section Three, Part One, tells of special issue 2009 43 american vedantist Swamiji’s life as a wandering monk, climaxing with his meditation on the rock at Kanyakumari. Part Two starts with Swamiji at the Parliament of Re- ligions and evokes his Herculean efforts to fulfill his mission over the next nine years. The final section tells of his passing away and concludes with a joyous celebration of the Divine Power that comes again and again for the good of the world. This two-hour composition is scored for tenor soloist, chorus, two nar- rators, and instrumental ensemble, and is performed on this recording by world class musicians. VAR expects the recording to be released in Novem- ber of this year. Please see the enclosed flyer for ordering Days on Earth at a special pre-publication price.

Contributors’ Notes

SWAMI SWAHANANDA is minister-in-charge of the Vedanta Society of Southern California and its several sub-centers. He joined the Ramakrishna Order in 1947 and served at its main center in Madras, where he was Editor of the Order’s scholarly journal Vedanta Kesari before coming to the United States in 1968. E-mail: [email protected]. SWAMI TATHAGATANANDA is minister-in-charge of the Vedanta Society of New York. He joined the Ramakrishna Order in 1956 and served at centers of the Order in Madras and Calcutta before coming to the United States in 1977. E-mail: [email protected]. SISTER GAYATRIPRANA is a writer on Vivekananda Vedanta with a background in the neurosciences. Formerly a monastic member of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, she recently retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico. E-mail: [email protected]. SISTER JUDITH THACKRAY, Hermit of Sarada, is a founding member of the Interfaith Contemplative Order of Sarada. Email: [email protected]. SWAMI ATMAJNANANANDA, a monastic member of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, is minister-in-residence of the Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, D.C. E-mail: [email protected]. JOHN SCHLENCK, a composer of music, is Associate Editor of American Vedantist and Secretary-Treasurer of Vedanta West Communications. He is a resident member and Secretary of the Vedanta Society of New York. E-mail: [email protected]. WILLIAM PAGE retired from teaching English at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. He has been connected with the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Massachusetts since 1960 and is a member ofthe Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Thailand. E-mail: [email protected]. american vedantist 44 special issue 2009 Volume 15, No. 2 • Special Edition 2009

Address all correspondence and subscription orders to: American Vedantist, Vedanta West Communications Inc. PO Box 237041 New York, NY 10023 A Directory of the Ramakrishna-Sarada Email: [email protected] Vivekananda Movement in the Americas