VEDANTA SOCIETY OF
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Explore Sri Ramakrishna "He is born in vain who, having attained the human birth, so difficult to get, does not attempt to realize God in this very life."
(1836 - 1886) Explore Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi "I tell you one thing – if you want peace, do not find fault with others.
Rather see your own faults. Learn to make the whole world your own.
No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is your own."
(1853-1920) Explore Swami Vivekananda "My ideal, indeed, can be put into a few words, and that is: to preach unto mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement of life."
(1863 - 1902) Explore The First Hindu Temple
in the West, Built in 1905 Explore

Vedanta is the oldest of the major living religions of the world. It affirms that all religions lead to the same Truth — “Truth is one; sages call it by various names” (Rig Veda). Vedanta teaches that the essence of all beings and all things is Spirit, infinite and eternal, unchanging and indivisible. It emphasizes that a person’s true nature is this divine Spirit, identical with the inmost being and reality of the universe and that the goal is to actualize this truth in one’s life.

Our Temple is Open

We have reopened the temple for visitors.

Visitors must be fully vaccinated against COVID, and able to show proof of vaccination. A mask must be worn over the mouth and nose while on the Temple premises, and social distancing is enforced. We sanitize all public spaces carefully to help ensure your safety. We regret that unvaccinated children may not enter the temple.

Vaccination: you will be required to show your vaccination card at the door confirming that you are fully vaccinated and booster shot within 6 months.

  • New Temple is open to visitors all weekdays except for Tuesdays from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • We plan to resume these activities in several phases. Effective September 11, 2022, the following in-person services will be resumed under Phase I of the Temple Re-opening Plans:
    • Sunday Lectures and Question-Answer (Q&A) Sessions
    • Vedanta Scripture  Classes
    • Bookshop
    • Sunday School
    • Re-Opening of Child-Care Services 

    Please contact the Vedanta Society office at 415-922-2323 for additional details concerning all of our services.

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Sri Ramakrishna’s Birthday Celebration

SRI RAMAKRISHNA’S BIRTHDAY
SATURDAY · FEBRUARY 25 · 10 A.M. · NEW TEMPLE

On Saturday, February 25, a special worship will be performed in honor  of Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday at 10 o’clock in the morning. The program will also include meditation, chanting, devotional singing, readings from the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, flower offerings by devotees, and takeout prasad.

 We hope that you will be able to join us on this most auspicious occasion either in person or online.
 Note: Child care will be provided.

You can also watch the event online:
• YouTube   Facebook    Livestream

Upcoming Special Programs

SHIVARATRI
SUNDAY· FEBRUARY 19 · 7:30 P.M. · NEW TEMPLE

On Sunday, February 19, we will celebrate Shivaratri, the night dedicated to Lord Shiva, with a worship at 7:30 p.m. at the New Temple. After refreshments there will be chanting, reading, and meditation in the auditorium from 9 till 10:30 p.m.

There will be no morning lecture that Sunday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

REGULAR EVENTS

29 Jan 2023
SUNDAY LECTURE View
Sunday, 11:00 AM
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna
by Swami Vedananda
03 Feb 2023
Bhagavad Gita Class View
Friday, 07:30 PM
Bhagavad Gita Class
by Swami Tattwamayananda
05 Feb 2023
SUNDAY LECTURE View
Sunday, 11:00 AM
Sri Ramakrishna's Contribution to Interfaith Dialogue
by Swami Tattwamayananda

MONTHLY BULLETIN

Current month's programs
Current month's programs

OFF-CAMPUS LECTURES

From The Lectures Of Swami Tattwamayananda, Minister-in-Charge

Explore

The Yoga Sutras give a comprehensive guide to the mind and how to befriend the mind. Swami Tattwamayananda emphasizes the importance of Yamas and Niyamas

May 1, 2020 Watch

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verses 49-54. The lecture was given by Swami Tattwamayananda on May 17, 2019. - Why does the mind refuse to cooperate?  

January 3, 2016 Watch

QUOTES

http://Holy%20Mother

My child, you have been extremely fortunate in getting this human birth.  Have intense devotion to God.  One must work hard.  How can one achieve anything without effort?

Holy Mother

http://Sri%20Ramakrishna

Rely on Him, be like the dry leaf at the mercy of the wind.

Sri Ramakrishna

http://Swami%20Vivekananda

Only he who loves, can rule.

Swami Vivekananda

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LATEST VIDEOS

Vedanta Society of Northern California

Vedanta Society of Northern California (sfvedanta.org) was founded in 1900 by Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda, along with his brother disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, also founded the Ramakrishna Mission in India. Sri Ramakrishna was Swami Vivekananda's Guru and learned Advaita Vedanta from Tota Puri. Puri is one of the 10 monastic orders founded by Adi Shankara Acharya.

Swami Tattwamayananda, the ex-Acharya of Belur Math, is the minister in charge of the society.

Shanti Ashrama Pilgrimage Lectures: Once a year, members from nearby Vedanta Societies, including those from San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Sacramento, and Portland visit the Shanti Ashrama. Discourses by Swami Prasannatmananda (BerkeleyVedanta.org) and Swami Tattwamayananda (SFVedanta.org) delivered in 2014 are also available on this channel.

Vedanta Society of Northern California
On Saturday, February 25, a special worship will be performed in honor of Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday at 10 o’clock in the morning. The program will also include meditation, chanting, devotional singing, readings from the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, flower offerings by devotees, and takeout prasad. Child care will be provided. We hope that you will be able to join us on this most auspicious occasion either in person or online. Vedanta society of Northern California www.sfvedanta.org
Sri Ramakrishna’s Birthday Celebration on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 10 AM
YouTube Video VVV1UDRvRjBCSFRoQl9xc0NfTEE3RkxRLlIwN19hbUlpZG00
13th Chapter: Verses 29, 30, 31, 32; Summary of 2nd chapter 29th verse: “A spiritual person realizes that all actions of the mind and body (thoughts, words and deeds) take place at the superficial or material level. Our true nature is Atman, which is unchanging and actionless. This Atman when joined with samskaras makes us do things.” 30th verse: “A person who understands that the world of plurality that we experience is built upon one single point – he attains the highest realization.” All experiences that we have are expressions of the same divine spark in innumerable forms. Spirituality expands into the realm of everyday life. In the beginning, there is a line of demarcation between the secular and spiritual. As we evolve, the secular becomes spiritualized – the line of demarcation disappears. Work becomes an act of worship. We can start our spiritual journey at any moment in life. Karma Yoga is the art of doing all activities from a spiritual perspective. When we begin to do our actions as karma yoga, we board the bus for our spiritual destination. When Buddha saw old age, disease and death, and the serenity of a monk, he began his spiritual journey. 31st verse: “The Atman is beginningless. It neither acts nor is attached.” In the 18th verse of the 4th chapter, Lord Krishna says: “One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is a Yogi.” He is (1) Buddhiman – wise person, who understands Swadharma (2) Yuktaha – a Yogi (3) Krtsna-Karmakrt – does everything with a smile, unattached. We should do our actions with full efficiency but stay detached from the results. Then we won’t have anxiety and mental fatigue from worrying about the results. 32nd verse: This verse compares the Atman to space. Space is everywhere but it is not affected by anything. It remains detached but accommodates everything. Similarly, the Atman is present everywhere but remains unaffected. Gita begins with an invocation which in summary means: “O’ Mother Gita, I bow down to you who rain down blessings of the nectar of Advaita.” 47th verse of the 2nd chapter says: “You have the right to action, but not to the results thereof. You should not be attached to inaction either.” Gita presents Swadharma as a way to stay properly active. Swadharma is our natural way of work and that we feel perfect harmony with. When we do our Swadharma, we derive inner contentment. Swami Trigunatitananda’s was a traveling monk before coming to the US. In 13 years, he built the old temple, shaped the Vedanta Society, built a printing press, preached across the city and inspired people to renounce. All along, he never felt he was doing anything. Gita ends with the verse: “Wherever the ideals of action and contemplation are present, there will be victory, prosperity, success and stability of life.” Vedanta Society of Northern California Website: sfvedanta.org
Bhagavad Gita Class 128 - Practicing Detachment | By Swami Tattwamayananda
YouTube Video VVV1UDRvRjBCSFRoQl9xc0NfTEE3RkxRLmc1WW42QkM3aHEw
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Bookshop

Bookshop at the Vedanta Society of Northern California

We carry a selection of the best in all the major religious traditions and contemporary spirituality; translations of Sanskrit religious classics; and many children’s books that are both attractive and meaningful.

A partial listing is given here for online ordering and many more are available in the bookshop itself. Inquiries are welcome.

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Explore the Monastic Life

“For One’s own enlightenment and for the good of the world.”
– atmanamokshartham jagad hitaya ca

The Motto of the Ramakrishna Order (a traditional monastic order founded by Sri Ramakrishna in 1896; Organized by Swami Vivekananda in 1897).

In pursuit of this ideal, monastic life includes a variety of spiritual practices, such as meditation, worship, and scriptural study, as well as routine tasks of maintenance and service. For those interested and qualified, the monastic path may be meaningful and fulfilling. A monastery and convent are maintained by the Society, giving an opportunity to qualified young men and women to devote themselves exclusively to spiritual life.

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Please write to the Minister-in-charge at [email protected] to inquire.