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 120 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.
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.
Special Events
At the Vedanta Temple, Portland
Worship of Sri Ramakrishna
on His Birth Anniversary
at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020.
Classical Music and Sitar Recital
at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Daily Hours :
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Morning Worship and Meditation
On all days from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Daily Evening prayers
On all days from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Singing songs, readings from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and meditation)
Weekly (check monthly calendar for exceptions)
Sundays
Lecture Service 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Guided Meditation session 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Rama-Nama after Vesper singing
Mondays
Sanskrit Class for Beginners 7:35 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Tuesdays
Ramayana video show 7:35 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesdays
Free Yoga Classes 7:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursdays
Ishavasya Upanishad 7:35 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Fridays
Sri Ramakrishna and His 7:35 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Divine Play
Saturdays
Class on Panchadashi 7:35 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Monthly
1st Saturday - Karma Yoga by the Friends of Vedanta Retreat (April - October)*
2nd Saturday - Karma Yoga - in Main Temple*
3rd Saturday - Antar Yoga 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (TBA)
4th Saturday - Other Programs (TBA)
5th Saturday* - Open Devotional Music session in Holy Mother's House from 5 -6 p.m. and other functions (TBA)
* occasional/to be announced
* From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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 Main Temple.
Vedanta Retreat, Scappoose
There is no need to obtain prior permission to visit the Vedanta Retreat in Scappoose. Please park your vehicle at the Gilkison Road if you are visiting the Retreat. Please browse the Retreat section for your other questions.
What is Vedanta?
Vedanta is one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophies and one of its broadest. Based on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta affirms the oneness of existence, the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions. Vedanta is the philosophical foundation of Hinduism; but while Hinduism includes aspects of Indian culture, Vedanta is universal in its application and is equally relevant to all countries, all cultures, and all religious backgrounds.
The Ramakrishna Order, with headquarters in Kolkata, is one of the largest and most respected religious orders in India and in the world. The Order was inspired by the great saint, Sri Ramakrishna, who was born in Bengal in 1836. Shortly before his passing away in 1886, Ramakrishna encouraged his young disciples to formally renounce the world by giving them the ochre cloth of renunciation. He entrusted the care of these young men to his foremost disciple, Swami Vivekananda, who later, in 1897, founded the Ramakrishna Order.
