Vedanta Society of New York

Coordinates: 40°46′33.6″N 73°58′40.8″W / 40.776000°N 73.978000°W / 40.776000; -73.978000
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Vedanta Society of New York
Vedanta Society of New York is located in Manhattan
Vedanta Society of New York
Location in Manhattan
General information
StatusActive
TypeHeritage place, religious organization
Address34 West 71st Street
Town or cityNew York
CountryUnited States
Coordinates40°46′33.6″N 73°58′40.8″W / 40.776000°N 73.978000°W / 40.776000; -73.978000
InauguratedNovember 1894
OwnerRamakrishna Mission
Website
vedantany.org

Vedanta Society of New York (VSNY) was the first Vedanta Society founded by the Indian Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda in New York in November 1894.[1][2][3][4] In 1897, Swami Abhedananda, another disciple of Ramakrishna, came to the United States and took charge of the society. He was the president of the society until 1921. The Vedanta Society is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math religious monastic order and the Ramakrishna Mission.

History

Establishment

In 1893, Vivekananda went to the United States and joined the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago. He was a delegate representing Hinduism and India. After the conclusion of the Parliament, he travelled to many American cities including Minneapolis, Memphis, Detroit and New York. Almost everywhere he went he received a cordial welcome. On 16 May 1894, he delivered a lecture at Harvard University. In November 1894, Vivekananda established the first Vedanta Society in two rented rooms at 54 West 33rd Street in Manhattan, New York City.[5]

1894–1921

Vivekananda travelled to many other places in the United States and England and returned to India in 1897. Abhedananda, another direct disciple of Ramakrishna, went to the United States in the same year and took charge of the society. He was its president until 1921, when he returned to India. As president, Abhedananda helped structure the society and had it incorporated under New York law.[6]

1921–present

The society initially operated out of a rented house and was relocated several times. In 1921, the society established settled headquarters at 34 West 71st Street, which remains its address.[3][7]

The society has had six presidents since inception. Swami Tathagatananda was the president since 1977 until his death on 25 June 2016.[3] Swami Sarvapriyananda was appointed as Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of New York, and assumed his duties on January 6, 2017.

Activities

The society is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math religious monastic order and Ramakrishna Mission, and houses a library, bookstore and prayer hall. They conduct weekly lecture classes on The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Seminars and conventions are also regularly organised.[8]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Gupta 1986, pp. 118–119
  2. ^ Rinehart 2004, p. 391
  3. ^ a b c "Vedanta Society of New York history". Vedanta Society of New York. Archived from the original on 12 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  4. ^ Jackson, Carl (1994). Vedanta for the West. Indiana University Press. p. 115. ISBN 0-253-33098-X.
  5. ^ Vrajaprana 1999, pp. 80–88
  6. ^ Gallagher & Ashcraft 2006, p. 3
  7. ^ Quinn 2009, p. 2
  8. ^ "Vedanta Society of New York activities". Vedanta Society of New York. Archived from the original on 12 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.

Sources