The Vedanta Society of Portland, Oregon is an affiliated branch of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, Howrah, India. The Center offers encouragement and guidance to spiritual seekers through lectures, readings, discussions, publications, rituals, Karmayoga and personal guidance based on Universal teachings of various scriptures and teachers by cultivating Self knowledge building character. Yoga is promoted for physical wellbeing and study of Sanskrit and Hindi is promoted for intellectual expansion.
Vedanta Society of Portland is maintaining a 289 acre beautiful forest sanctuary in Scappoose. It is dedicated to promote Interfaith activities by maintaining shrines of various religions and by organising Interfaith meetings inviting religious leaders from various streams. This beautiful pristine forest was developed by a band of dedicated volunteers on a clear-cut land. It is open to general public to enjoy the peace and beauty of this hallowed place. It takes a lot of resources to maintain its trails and shrines. Support from generous public and benevolent institutions will be appreciated and acknowledged. We are happy to inform all that the adjacent 169 acres landed property has also been added to the Vedanta Retreat on March 17, 2020.
The city of Portland is situated between snow-clad Mt. Hood and the Pacific Ocean and at the confluence of two perennial rivers - the Willamette and the Columbia. It is the largest city in the state of Oregon, the seat of Multnomah County in the Pacific Northwest and situated between 45.52 lattitude and - 122.68 longitude.
The Center was established in the year 1925 by Swami Prabhavananda and gradually developed into its present stature by the efforts of many illustrious monks and devotees such as Swamis Devatmananda and Aseshananda.
The Center offers encouragement and guidance to spiritual seekers through lectures, readings, discussions, publications, and personal interviews.
“Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to carry that out in your life. ”
“God is everywhere but He is most manifest in man. So serve man as God. That is as good as worshipping God.”
"As clouds are blown away by the wind, the thirst for material pleasures will be driven away by the utterance of the Lord's name."
The Vedanta Society of Portland, Oregon is an affiliated branch of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math, Howrah, India. The Center offers encouragement and guidance to spiritual seekers through lectures, readings, discussions, publications, rituals, Karma yoga, and personal guidance based on Universal teachings of various scriptures and teachers by cultivating Self-knowledge building character.
Forthcoming Events
At the Vedanta Temple
1157 SE 55th Ave, Portland
January 23 Sunday, 11 a.m. 12:15 pm. A Program on Swami Vivekananda
Please join us -
https://tinyurl.com/vedantaPdxZoom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUvpPUB3nzQ&ab_channel=VedantaPortland
January 29 Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 pm. Swami Vivekananda Puja
At the Retreat Temple
Vedanta Retreat, 23000 Gilkison Rd, Scappoose
Daily Midday service: 11 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
This service is not regularly performed now due to winter
The Vedanta Retreat is open from dawn to dusk.
There is no need to obtain prior permission to visit it.
Please park your vehicle in
Gilkison Road if you are visiting the Retreat.
Please do not block the two gated fire lanes at any time.
Please be contemplative and not bring pets.
Please browse the Retreat section for your other questions and important information.
The weekly classes will resume in February 2022.
(Portland local time (PST) and days are mentioned below)
https://tinyurl.com/vedantaPdxZoom
Sundays at 11 a.m. : Bhagavad Gita (simple version)
Sundays 3-6 p.m. : Meditation at one's own place
Mondays at 5:15 p.m. : Sanskrit (limited)
Thursdays at 7:35 p.m.: Inspired Talks
Fridays at 7:35 p.m. : Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play
Saturdays at 7:35 p.m. : Vivekachudamani
Please click the link below to access these programs-
Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: Veda Chanting and Bhajan
https://tinyurl.com/VedantaVedaChanting
Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.: Viveka Youth Program
Daily Hours:
7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Daily Morning Worship and Meditation
Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Daily Evening prayers, Reading and Meditation
Every day from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
(Singing songs, readings from the Gospel of
Sri Ramakrishna, and meditation)
Weekly programs
(Please check monthly calendar for exceptions)
Sundays: at 11 a.m. Bhagavad Gita
after Vesper singing Rama-Nama
Sundays: 3 pm-6 pm Meditation
at one's own place/Vedanta Temple
Mondays: 5:15 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.
Sanskrit Class for Beginners
Wednesdays: 7:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Free Yoga Classes (now suspended)
Thursdays: 7:35 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.
Inspired Talks
Fridays: 7:35 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.
Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Veda Chanting and singing of Bhajans
Saturdays: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Viveka Youth Forum
Saturdays: 7:35 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.
Vivekachudamani
Monthly
1st Saturday - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (April - October)
Karma Yoga by the Friends of Vedanta Retreat
2nd Saturday - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Karma Yoga Vedanta Temple, Portland
3rd Saturday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (TBA)
Antar Yoga at the Vedanta Retreat, Scappoose
4th Saturday - Other Programs (TBA)
5th Saturday* - 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. (TBA)
Open Devotional Music session in Holy Mother's House Other functions (TBA)
* occasional/to be announced
All sincere seekers are cordially welcome to participate in our programs. There is no need of obtaining prior permission to attend our programs. A newcomer who is interested to know more about Vedantic way of life should seek an appointment with the minister between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Please give 2/3 options. Please park your vehicle at the SW side of the Vedanta Temple.
Please visit the following websites
For Audio lectures of Swami Aseshanandaji Maharaj
https://soundcloud.com/user-350874388
For Videos https://www.vedanta-portland.org/video
For Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/vedantasocietyportland/ https://www.facebook.com/vedantaretreatscappoose/
Swami Chandrashekharananda and Swami Aparananda
What is Vedanta?
Vedanta is the essence or the gist of knowledge enshrined in the Vedas, the sacred and the most ancient scriptures of India. These scriptures were revealed to pure hearted seers (Rishis). It is the broadest religious philosophy and universal way of living.
Method: Whatever we are today it is due to the effect of our past actions and accumulated impressions about us. Our actions were inspired by our thoughts and beliefs.
