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.
Foundations
New six-week course starts October 12th!
Foundations give a structure its support, but the foundation itself must be based in a place that is secure, according to principles that are sound. In this six-week course lead by Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati, we will explore the entwined histories of Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach and the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata, and examine the traditions of bhakti and Shaktism which have inspired and influenced the principles, understandings and practices of Kali Mandir and the Ramakrishna Seminary.
Topics we will discuss include:
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The founding of Kali Mandir
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The founding of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple
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Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, & Swami Vivekananda
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The development of the Bhakti movements
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Shaktism, the worship of the Goddess
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Bhakti in the Mother-Child Relationship
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Traditions and standards
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Lineages and Influences
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Ritual as the Language of Devotion
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Tradition beyond sectarianism
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.