"As long as I live, so long do I learn." ~ Sri Ramakrishna
The first Hindu seminary of its kind rooted in the universal teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the great world-teacher and incarnation of divinity who taught the transcendent unity of religion, the motherhood of God, and the mystical path of love and devotion.
Help Kali Mandir purchase the adjacent property
Seminary Expansion
It is a very large property - 5 parcels that stretch over 3.6 acres. The land includes the large lot directly across the road from Kali Mandir and continues to the top of the hill. It overlooks the temple and the beauty of Laguna Canyon. Combined with the present property, this would give Kali Mandir Ramakrishna Ashram more than 4 acres of land in Laguna Beach.
The property has a round house on the hill with incredible views (pictured on left) that will be the home-campus for the Ramakrishna Seminary, housing our growing research library of nearly 8000 books, as well as serve as a lecture hall and community meeting space for classes in yoga, music, chanting, and bal vihar (children's religious education).
The lower lot at street level would immediately solve our parking problem by increasing our dedicated parking spaces from 12 to 40. This lower lot has a full-size mobile home which could serve as guest quarters for visiting devotees and students on retreat. On the terraced hill there is room for multiple kutirs (cottages) for ashram residents and visitors.
We are seeking to serve serious and sincere students who desire to:
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deepen and broaden their understanding of Hindu spirituality, philosophy and practice, including matters of culture, tradition, and etiquette
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commit themselves to personal spiritual development
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be of greater service to the Divine in the world
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study religion from a non-sectarian perspective
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emphasize and invigorate religious pluralism and cultural authenticity
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receive training in traditional exegesis of Hindu scriptures
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explore the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and of sages, saints and mystics
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engage in theological discourse at a post-secondary level
About Us
Ramakrishna Seminary is an educational institution dedicated to the training of serious spiritual aspirants scholars, theologians, teachers, priests, and practitioners in the broad and deep teachings of Sanatana Dharma. We are focused on the practical applications of religious thought and philosophy to the active spiritual lives of our students. Emphasis is given to personal spiritual development, cultural authenticity and service of God in the world.
Courses
We offer on-campus and distant learning courses covering a wide range of topics such as Hinduism, Tantra, Vedanta, Yoga, ritual, temple worship, meditation, mantra, the Divine Feminine, sacred music, subtle anatomy, world religions, Ramakrishna studies, pastoral care, priest training, lives of saints, etiquette, ethics, scripture, interfaith relations, history, mysticism, and
philosophy
Dean of Seminary
(Pradhanācharya)
Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati is a Hindu ascetic, priest, educator, and spiritual preceptor. He has more than thirty years experience in presenting the teachings and practices of Sanatana Dharma, Indian philosophy and the Hindu devotional schools. He and the faculty and staff are passionately dedicated to developing Ramakrishna Seminary as an institution that strives to approach these practices, systems and customs respectful of traditional understandings while being informed by contemporary scholarship.
