The San Diego Monastery is a branch of the Vedanta Society of Southern California.
The Monastery is located near Balboa Park, at 1440 Upas Street, San Diego.
The Monastery holds weekend lectures, evening classes, meditation and vesper services.
A lecture is given every Saturday at 11 AM at the Monastery. The lectures cover different aspects of the Vedanta philosophy and related subjects. The lecture usually lasts for one hour followed by a Questions and Answers session.
Often the Monastery will hold classes on selected topics as well as spiritual discussions. These are usually held on Tuesdays or Friday evenings.
From time to time, the monastery holds retreats that address special topics. These events require advance registration and, sometimes, a small fee is requested.
To celebrate the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda, a Puja is held at the monastery. The Puja usually starts at 10 AM on a Sunday and concludes around 1 PM with Prasad lunch provided to all of the attendees. In addition, Puja is held close to Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birthday).
History
The foundation for the Vedanta Monastery of San Diego was established well before its dedication ceremony and opening on the Lord Krishna’s birthday in 1983, in the homes of devotees.
Violet Eaton (Shankari), a long-time devotee, had moved to Del Mar, where she installed a shrine and opened her home for Vedanta gatherings. Other devotees in the area were happy to have a place to gather nearby, after having traveling to the Vedanta Society of Southern California’s Hollywood Temple for many years. To their delight, monastic (both monks and nuns) started coming to Shankari’s home to give classes. When Shankari decided to move back East, classes continued in the La Mesa home of Marian Harrington (Girija).
Under the stewardship of Shakari and Girija word of Vedanta in San Diego spread. As the number attending classes grew, Swami Swahananda felt the time was right to establish a permanent Vedanta Center and the present house was purchased for this purpose. The center was developed and continues through the dedicated, cooperative effort of monastics, devotees, and friends.
Eventually, the San Diego Vedanta Monastery was recognized as an official branch center of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. Krishna Puja is the center’s yearly ”grand”- celebration, marking its founding.