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.

  • New Temple is open to visitors all weekdays except for Tuesdays from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Please check the website or monthly bulletin for updates.

The bookshop and library remain closed. Please visit our bookshop online.

SUMMER RECESS

                      Monday, June 27 ― Saturday, September 10, 2022
There will be no lectures or classes during the summer recess except for the Sunday evening class. Services will resume on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

 

The Foundational Texts of Indian Philosophy Class has been canceled until August 14th. The next class will be on Sunday, August 21st at 6:00 PM.

GURU PURNIMA
&
CELEBRATION OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION'S
― 125TH ANNIVERSARY ―

Saturday • July 16, 2022 • New Temple  10 A.M.

GURU PURNIMA

We cordially invite you to the New Temple on Vallejo Street on Saturday, July 16, at 10 a.m., as we celebrate Guru Purnima, the day devoted to honoring the spiritual teacher, as well as the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Tattwamayananda will conduct the worship. Our special guest will be Swami Chetanananda, minister in charge of the Vedanta Society of St. Louis, will give a special lecture on “The Ramakrishna Mission: 125th Anniversary” as part of our celebration of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Ramakrishna Mission.

The program will include a worship (puja), chanting, meditation, devotional music, arati, and a special talk by Swami Chetanananda.

Links for the in-person event for those who cannot attend:
YouTube and Livestream.

July 16, 2022
July 16, 2022

UPCOMING EVENTS

REGULAR EVENTS

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
We will celebrate Guru Purnima, the day devoted to honoring the spiritual teacher, on Saturday, July 16, at 10 a.m. Swami Tattwamayananda will conduct the worship. Our special guest will be Swami Chetanananda, minister in charge of the Vedanta Society of St. Louis. The program will include a worship (puja), chanting, meditation, arati, and a special talk by Swami Chetanananda. After the worship, Swami Chetanananda will give a special lecture on "The Ramakrishna Mission: 125th Anniversary" as part of our celebration of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the Ramakrishna Mission. Please continue to monitor our website for the latest information, and please email temple@sfvedanta.org for any inquiries. Vedanta Society of Northern California Contact Us: Email: temple@sfvedanta.org Website: sfvedanta.org
Guru Purnima Celebration & 125th Anniversary of Ramakrishna Mission
YouTube Video VVV1UDRvRjBCSFRoQl9xc0NfTEE3RkxRLmo3bHFQTEJBODR3
The Foundational Texts of Indian Philosophy by Swami Tattwamayanandaji (Hosted by the Stanford Hindu Students Association) Sundays, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. PDT Classes will be held only online each Sunday evening. YouTube Link: https://rebrand.ly/Stanford-Vedanta-Lectures-YouTube Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfvedanta/ Zoom Link will be available on our Website. Podcast: https://sfvedanta.org/podcast/ Description: Indian Philosophy, spanning over more than six thousand years, represents a unique intellectual, cultural and spiritual heritage of human civilization. It is not only “love of learning” (as philosophy is usually defined) or just an intellectual journey in search of the highest truths of life and existence, but it is also a quest for their practical realization in our everyday life. The different schools of Indian philosophy were established by great preceptors from time immemorial to enable their students to manifest the highest ethical and spiritual values in their lives. In interpreting the doctrines of particular schools of thought I have attempted to keep in touch with their respective foundational texts in Sanskrit or, in dealing with the Buddhist schools, with the texts in Pali. In phase 1 we will be discussing the different schools of Vedanta (one of the ‘Āstika Darśana’s) beginning with Advaita, to be followed by the schools of Ramanuja, Madhva, Vallabha, Nimbarka, Baladeva, and others. Please continue to monitor our website for the latest information, and please email temple@sfvedanta.org for any inquiries. Vedanta Society of Northern California Contact Us: Email: temple@sfvedanta.org Website: sfvedanta.org
9. The Foundational Texts of Indian Philosophy : Advaita | By Swami Tattwamayananda
YouTube Video VVV1UDRvRjBCSFRoQl9xc0NfTEE3RkxRLkFfTjNJMTF4eVVJ
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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.

Learn More

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.