Introductory Brochure

Introduction

Vedanta (or “Hinduism,” as it is often but less correctly called) is the philosophy and religion which have evolved from the teachings of the Upanishads, the concluding and essential portions of the Vedas. The Vedas are a collection of ancient scriptures of India, the oldest religious writings known. The word “Vedanta” is in fact another word for the Upanishads. It means the end (anta) and fulfillment of spiritual knowledge (veda). The term “Vedanta” includes not only the Upanishads themselves but the whole body of literature developed from them right down to the present day. It can be called the common basis of India’s many sects.

The basic teaching of Vedanta is that the essence of all beings and all things – from the blade of grass to the Personal God – is Spirit, infinite and eternal, unchanging and indivisible. Vedanta emphasizes that human beings too are this divine Spirit, identical to the inmost being of the universe. There is, therefore, only one reality, one being, and, in the words of the Upanishads, “Thou art That.”

This supreme reality, called Brahman, cannot be described: the most one can say about It is that It is Sat-Chit-Ananda – Absolute Being, Consciousness, Bliss. Vedanta recognizes, however, that the absolute Brahman becomes manifest in various aspects and forms and is known by various names. In other words, Brahman, or God, is both formless and with form, impersonal and personal, transcendent and immanent. Vedanta declares that people can realize God in many aspects and by many paths; they can realize him directly and vividly in this life and in this world – and this is indeed the true purpose of human life.

 
A Brief History

Throughout the centuries, India has produced many great saints and illumined teachers. One of the greatest of these was Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886). Because he had direct experience of a single truth behind India’s many sects and discovered this truth behind other religions as well, his life and teachings embody the idea of religious universality. His intense spirituality attracted a group of young disciples who, on his passing, formed a monastic community, later to be called the Ramakrishna Order. One of his young monks, Swami Vivekananda, came to America as a representative of Hinduism at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893. A great success, he was invited to remain. Vivekananda delivered lectures and classes in the United States for about three years and founded the first two Vedanta Centers. The parent organization in India, now called the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, operates about 150 centers in that and other countries, ministering to the social, economic, educational and emergency needs of the public.

 
The Vedanta Center of Atlanta

There are now fifteen centers devoted to Vedanta in the United States. Under the spiritual guidance of the Math and Mission, each center is nevertheless independent and selfsupporting, operated by its own Board of local citizens. The work of teaching meditation, philosophy, and devotion to God was started in the Atlanta area in the late 1970s under the guidance of Swami Bhashyananda of the Chicago Society. The present teacher, Swami Yogeshananda, an American member of the Ramakrishna Order, has spent many years in Atlanta. The Atlanta Center, while not yet affiliated with the Math and Mission, is expecting to be so in the near future.

 
The Chapel

The new chapel, completed in October 2006 and dedicated in January 13, 2007, is a vivid reminder of the commitment of the Vedanta Center of Atlanta devotees. What do the symbols in the chapel represent? At the top of the “shrine” is the symbol OM – the ancient name of the Ultimate. This represents Deity in both Impersonal and Personal forms. The photograph of Sri Ramakrishna shows him absorbed in samadhi, the highest state of meditation. Next is the photograph of Sarada Devi, or the Holy Mother as she is lovingly called – his partner in life and mission. Both were celibate. Swami Vivekananda is shown in meditation. These are flanked by artists’ renderings of Buddha and Jesus; there are other sacred figures below. The announcement of the daily and weekly services conducted at the Center is posted by the door. Anyone is welcome to enter and use the silence for prayer and contemplation. Swami Yogeshananda welcomes your inquiries. He may be contacted by email or phone.