The Vedanta Society of New York (VSNY) is affiliated with the Ramakrishna Order of India. In fact, VSNY is the Order's first Center started by Swami Vivekananda, in 1894. It was an historical event for the Order, for the seed of the world-wide Ramakrishna Movement was sown here in New York over a century ago.

Vivekananda was the first teacher of Vedanta to come to the West, who drew wide acclaim by his historic addresses at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893. After the conclusion of the Parliament, a group of American students interested to learn more about Vedanta gathered about the Swami, and the first Vedanta Center in the West started in New York City.

It was an humble beginning in two rented rooms at 54 West 33rd Street in Manhattan. After moving to different rented houses in Manhattan several times between 1894 and 1921 (see details), VSNY finally settled down at its current and permanent address (34 West 71st Street) on the west side of Central park, a few blocks south of the Museum of Natural History.

For over a century now, the society has been serving the spiritual seekers of all faiths, age, nationality, cast,and creed by offering Sunday services and

weekly classes on Vedanta as propounded in the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna.
 

Minister

Swami Tathagatananda, a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order, is the resident spiritual leader of the VSNY since 1976. The Swami is a disciple of Swami Virajananda (the sixth President of the Ramakrishna Order and a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, the founder of VSNY).

Swami Tathagatananda continues the rich tradition of the Society in public work that includes Sunday morning services at 11:00, classes during the week each Tuesday and Friday evening, and outside speaking engagements on Vedanta and Hinduism. (see this month's program). In keeping with the Society's historical role of publishing, the Swami, a prolific writer, continues to publish valuable contributions to Vedantic literature (see Articles).

The Swami is glad to give interviews to spiritual seekers who wish to know more about Vedanta or the practice of Meditation.
All appointments must be made in advance
.

Services

Services at the Vedanta Society of New York are held on Sundays at 11 AM and on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8 PM. All are welcome.
For further information, please see this month's program.

Where We Are

For our address and location please see the map.

Books

The bookstall at the rear of the chapel is open to the public before and after services and classes. Books may also be purchased by mail. Please send email to VedantaSoc@aol.com for Book and Price List.

Membership

Anyone who is in sympathy with the principles of Vedanta is welcome to become a member of the Society, subject to the approval of the Swami. The privilege of membership includes spiritual guidance under direction of the Swami and use of the lending library.

For addresses and phone numbers of other Vedanta Centers in USA, Canada, South America, Europe and Asia (outside India), please see the complete list of Vedanta Centers World-wide.