by Swami Tathagatananda

We are very happy to announce that the Vedanta Society of New York will begin its celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on Sunday, June 3, 2012, at 11 AM. Three senior members of the Society, dedicated to its work for many years—Bill Conrad, John Schlenck, and Bill Davis—will speak on how Vivekananda has inspired their lives. This is the first Vedanta Center in the West, started by Swami Vivekananda in 1894, even before the establishment of the head monastery of the Ramakrishna Order at Belur in 1898. The celebrations will continue through this year and next, culminating in a three-day program on the weekend of May 17-19, 2013. Participants will include swamis of the Ramakrishna Order, well known musicians, scientists, writers, and speakers, representatives of world religions, and members of the Society. There will also be a service program to give food to needy persons.

Swami Tathagatananda has been the head of the Vedanta Society of New York since 1977.