Vedanta Society of New York

Vedanta Society of New York
Location in Manhattan
General information
Status	Active
Type	Heritage place, religious organization
Address	34 West 71st Street
Town or city	New York
Country	United States
Coordinates
Inaugurated	November 1894
Owner	Ramakrishna Mission

Vedanta Society of New York (VSNY) was the first Vedanta Society founded by the Indian Hindu monk, Vivekananda in New York in November 1894. In 1897, Abhedananda, another disciple of Ramakrishna, who came to the United States and took charge of the society. He was the president of the society until 1921. Currently, 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.

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.

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 the society's address.

The Society has had six presidents since inception. Tathagatananda has been president since 1976.

Activities

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