The Vedanta Centre of Sydney is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the dissemination and practice of Vedanta philosophy in Australia. It operates as an official branch of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, India, and is recognized as a registered charity under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) with the ABN 26745853272RR0001.

History and Affiliation

The centre traces its origins to 1984 when it was initially established as an extension of the Ramakrishna Mission, which was founded in India in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda's spiritual predecessor, Sri Ramakrishna. In 1990, the Vedanta Centre of Sydney was formally started, and by the year 2000, it became affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math at Belur Math, India, solidifying its role as an official branch of this renowned spiritual organization. Since then, the centre has not only served the Sydney region but also acted as a hub for other Vedanta centres across Australia, many of which have grown to have resident monks and are evolving into full-fledged Vedanta Centres themselves[2][4][5].

Mission and Activities

The Vedanta Centre of Sydney is committed to promoting Vedanta, which is considered India’s ancient and dominant religious philosophy. Vedanta emphasizes universal spiritual truths and the unity of all existence, made accessible globally through the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. The centre conducts regular spiritual programs, worship services, and festivals that are open to the public. One such annual event is the celebration of Sri Shiva Ratri, which involves special worship, rituals, and distribution of prasad to participants[1][5].

Leadership

The centre is led by Swami Sridharananda, who serves as the Minister-in-charge. Under his leadership, the centre continues to uphold the teachings and traditions of the Ramakrishna Math, fostering spiritual growth and community engagement among devotees and the wider public[4].

Location and Registration

Based in Ermington, New South Wales, the Vedanta Centre of Sydney is registered as a charity under the ACNC, ensuring transparency and compliance with Australian nonprofit standards[3].

Through its educational and spiritual activities, the Vedanta Centre of Sydney plays a significant role in promoting interfaith harmony and the philosophical heritage of Vedanta in Australia.

[1] https://vedantaaustralia.org [2] https://vedantaaustralia.org/about_us.php [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/e7e40f21-38af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/profile [4] https://belurmath.org/vedanta-centre-of-sydney/ [5] https://sheppartoninterfaith.org.au/?p=6670