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About Ananda Ashrama
ANANDA ASHRAMA was founded
in Southern California in 1923 by Swami Paramananda as an extension
of the Vedanta Centre in Boston. Situated in the foothills of the
Sierra Madre Mountains, at an altitude of more than 2000 feet, the
ashrama covers 120 acres of hillsides, canyons and meadows. Trees,
gardens and rock-lined pathways provide a peaceful retreat for spiritual
study and prayer.
The ashrama is a non-sectarian place of worship dedicated to all
the religions of the world, where people of different faiths may
come together and worship the One Spirit Who is called by many names.
Our philosophy is based on the universal teachings of Vedanta as
expounded by India's 19th century mystic and world teacher, Sri
Ramakrishna. His chief disciple Swami Vivekananda brought Vedanta
to the West in 1893.
The Vedanta Centre of Boston was founded in 1909 by Vivekananda's
youngest disciple, Swami Paramananda. Another Ananda Ashrama was
established on the South Shore of Massachusetts in Cohasset in 1929.
This sister ashrama is now the permanent headquarters of the Vedanta
Centre.
Ananda is the Sanskrit word for bliss. An ashrama is a spiritual
retreat. Ananda Ashrama, therefore, is a retreat where one strives
to live by and practice spiritual life in order to realize the joy
of the Divine.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the centers in the United States is to present authentic
knowledge of Indian philosophy, as well as to stimulate better understanding
between the East and West on a spiritual basis. Through our services
and classes, we emphasize practice of the universal truths taught
in all great religions: love and service together with study, prayer
and meditation. Our primary aim is to stress the life of selfless
dedication and to create an atmosphere of serenity and peace. We
also have two sister ashramas in Calcutta, India. The mission of
these ashramas is to train and serve destitute women and children
through schools, an orphanage, and a shelter.
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