US Hindu monks plan new house of worship

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Hindu monks plan new house of worship

Tuesday, February 4, 2003

By Kati Phillips

Staff writer

 

 

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An order of Hindu monks who have worshipped in Chicago since the

1930s may become the second Hindu congregation in the southwest

suburbs.

The Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Hyde Park expects to close in May

on their $887,000 purchase of 15 wooded acres at 147th Street and

Lemont Road in unincorporated Homer Township.

 

The Vedanta Society, home to four swamis of the Rama Krishna Order,

plans to build an ashram, or temple, with chapel seating for 500, a

dining room, library, book store, living quarters and guest rooms for

devotees on retreat.

 

Pending annexation approval by Homer Glen, construction of the Sri

Ramakrishna Universal Temple would begin in spring 2004. The swamis

hope to move from Hyde Park in 2005.

 

"We need more space, particularly we need parking," said Swami

Varadananda. "Most of our congregation is out in the suburbs."

 

The new facility will be open daily for worship, and the main Sunday

service will draw about 250 people. Classes will be held on Tuesday

and Friday evenings.

 

Varadananda said the new ashram won't compete with the Hindu Temple

of Greater Chicago, just five miles to the north in Lemont.

 

The society draws worshippers interested in Vedanta, one of six major

Hindu philosophies. The Lemont temple incorporates more rituals from

Indian tradition, he said.

 

Vedanta swamis accept all religions as valid paths to God. For

example, through Vedanta, a Christian can learn about meditation and

apply it in a Christian context.

 

The Vivekananda Vedanta Society was founded in 1930 at 120 E.

Delaware Place in Chicago. Worshippers met for a time at 506 Deming

Place and then in 1954 moved to 44 E. Elm St.

 

With the assistance of a staunch devotee, Chester Carlson, founder of

Xerox, the society moved to its present location at 5423 S. Hyde Park

Blvd. in 1967.

 

The society is named for its founder Swami Vivekananda. He is

credited with introducing Hinduism to the U.S. during the Parliament

of Religions, part of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.

 

"That was the first interfaith gathering in history," Varadananda

said.

 

The society went before the Homer Glen planning commission in

December.

 

Officials liked the swamis' plan to preserve the natural features of

the 15-acre plot, but the society still needs to apply for annexation.

 

"I think it's a low-intensity use which appears to be in keeping with

the character of Homer Glen," village manager Glenn Spachman said.

 

John McIntyre, community development director for Homer Glen and

Homer Township, said he would welcome the ashram.

 

"We all recognize the spiritual life is very important to community,"

he said. "One thing people miss in the suburbs is the lack of

continuity that a church can bring to a little town. A church serves

as an anchor in a town during rapid change."

 

Kati Phillips may be reached at kphillips or (708)

633-5976.