18.06.2018
Dedication of the Eire Vedanta Society Centre in Dublin
Over the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June, The Eire Vedanta Society Centre was dedicated and inaugurated in 17 Dromheath Gardens, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15. This community stands in the Hindu tradition. The Centre stands in the heart of a living, diverse community and opposite Ladyswell Infant School. The Assistant General Secretary of The Ramakrishna Mission and international visiting swamis were joined by the Indian Ambassador Mrs Vijay Thakur Singh for this historic event. Members of Dublin City Interfaith Forum (DCIF), of which Archbishop Jackson is a member, had the specific opportunity to meet with the swamis in Mulhuddart and the archbishop took the opportunity to bring greetings from the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. He also presented them with a copy of the most recent Church of Ireland History.
The community currently consists of two monks who will live in 17 Dromheath Gardens, supported by a committee formed by the community. Their role is to encourage and to facilitate members of all World Religions to find peace at the heart of their being and of their religious activity and also to encourage spiritual mindfulness. The Reverend Swami Purnanandaji Maharaja is well known to those who are active in Dublin Inter Faith life. He is now joined by an Indian swami who has come directly from Singapore, having previously been living and praying and teaching in South Africa. The inspiration of the presence in Ireland of these monks is a woman from Dungannon, County Tyrone, Margaret Noble (1867–1911), who met and was inspired by Swami Virekananda and became Sister Nivedita. She was tireless in her work for education of women and girls in Calcutta and across India and a campaigner for Indian Independence.
The community has bought and converted a disused shop. On the ground floor is a shrine with prayer space along with a library and meeting room. Upstairs there is a kitchen along with three room, one for each swami and one waiting for further occupancy. Commenting on his visit the archbishop said: ‘I was very struck by the simplicity of the development in Mulhuddart, by its faithfulness and its peaceableness and its openness to everyone. I was equally struck by the willingness of people of peace to share their religion in a neighbourhood in Ireland unconditionally.’
The invitation is wide open to any of us to visit. The address is: 17 Dromheath Gardens, Buzzardstown, Dublin 15 D15 E762. For further information please contact Swami Purnanandaji at purnananda.swami@gmail.com