StreamingNew Temple
The New Temple is located at the corner of Vallejo and Fillmore Streets in San Francisco. Dedicated in 1959, the New Temple is the main center of activities of the Vedanta Society. Services are held on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings in the New Temple auditorium. A scripture class is held on Friday evenings in Vivekananda Hall. Child care is provided during the Sunday lectures. The birthdays of the world’s great spiritual teachers, as well as other special occasions, are celebrated at the New Temple. All are welcome at these services.
LOCATION
2323 Vallejo Street
(Fillmore and Vallejo)
Lecture Service
Sundays,
11 a.m. – 12-15 p.m.
Vesper services
Wednesday, 7.30. – 8-15 p.m.
Devotional singing, worship, and meditation.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sundays,
11 a.m. – 12-15 p.m.
TEMPLE HOURS
The New Temple is open daily for meditation from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except on Tuesdays, when the temple is closed.
Minister-in-charge
Swami Tattwamayananda
Interviews with Swami Tattwamayananda may be scheduled by those who wish to know more about Vedanta. Specific instruction and guidance are given by the swami to anyone who earnestly wants to undertake spiritual practice. Those wishing to make appointments with the swami may do so by telephoning 415-922-2323 or by e-mailing: [email protected].
The Monthly Bulletin
The Monthly Bulletin may be received by e-mail or by mail. For an e-mail bulletin, please fill out this form. To receive a bulletin in the mail, please telephone the office, 415-922-2323, on any weekday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or e-mail [email protected] with your name and address.
Membership
Membership in the Society is open to anyone who accepts the principles of Vedanta, who can participate regularly in its activities, and who receives the recommendation of the swami in charge.
Parking
Parking is available on the street only. As it is a residential neighborhood, parking is usually readily available during daytime hours on weekdays.
New Temple Altar
The altar of the New Temple has been designed to represent, as fully as possible, the Vedantic concept of God. On the upper part is the Sanskrit word OM, which is regarded as the world symbol of Divinity in all its aspects. Since Vedanta recognizes that God has many aspects—transcendental and immanent, formless and with form—the all-inclusive OM was proposed by Swami Vivekananda as the most appropriate symbol of worship in a Vedanta temple.
Beneath OM are enshrined Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Sri Ramakrishna. The representations of these three great teachers express reverence for all the great teachers of the world and respect for the religions they have inspired. Also enshrined on the altar are Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother, was Sri Ramakrishna’s first disciple, and in the latter part of her life she carried on his ministry. Her life was one of total purity, selflessness, compassion, and, above all, of great spiritual experience and power. Swami Vivekananda was Sri Ramakrishna’s foremost apostle. In addition to his own immense spiritual attainments, his brilliant intellect, wide learning, and profound feeling for humanity, the swami inherited the vast spiritual powers of his Master.
Wednesday Vespers:
Wednesday, 7:30 P.M.
On Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, there is a vespers service that consists of the singing of five traditional hymns sung at evening in most centers of the Ramakrishna Order world-wide. This is followed by a short meditation.
Sunday lectures:
Sunday, 11:00 A.M.
Every Sunday morning at 11AM, except during the summer and winter recesses, a lecture is held in the New Temple auditorium. This is followed by a question and answer session in an adjacent hall, to which all are welcome. These lectures and discussions, led by swamis or senior nuns, are chosen for their relevance in clarifying spiritual and philosophical issues encountered in religious practice.
Sri Sarada Library
The Sri Sarada Library is open on Sundays, following the lecture, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., and at other times by appointment. All may use the reading room; nonmembers are welcome to borrow books with the approval of the swami in charge.
Located on the third floor of Vivekananda Hall, the library has a collection of over 10,000 volumes. In addition to covering the full spectrum of Vedanta literature, including scriptures and Ramakrishna Order books, the library also has an extensive collection on the world’s major religions and philosophies, as well as biographies and writings of mystics, saints, and other spiritual seekers.
The library provides an atmosphere conducive to reading and study in a beautiful setting offering a sweeping view of San Francisco Bay.
Swami Vivekananda Centenary Hall
Located in the New Temple, the Swami Vivekananda Centenary Hall serves as a multipurpose room for the Society’s weekly classes, music programs, and luncheons. The hall is also used as a meeting place for groups whose members wish to learn more about Vedanta philosophy and religion. Those interested in visiting the New Temple may call the secretary for more information.
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