The History of our Association

The Ramakrishna Vedanta Association of Thailand was founded in February, 2004 by Revered Swami Damodarananda Maharaj, a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order. Originally its name was the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Thailand.

Revered Swami Damodarananda visited Bangkok from February 18 through March 30, 2004, and stayed at the Hindu Samaj. During that time, he gave lectures at the Hindu Samaj, the Sanskrit Centre of Silpakorn University, the Oriental Academy and the Geeta Ashram. He met several Indian devotees at the Hindu Samaj, and they formed and still form the nucleus of our group.

Since then, we have conducted periodic satsangs—religious gatherings featuring the singing of hymns and devotional songs, chanting of mantras, readings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, and occasional talks. At various times we have been honored by visits from monks of the Ramakrishna Order such as Swami Smaranananda, Swami Vimokshananda, Swami Tanmayananda, Swami Muktirupananda, Swami Shantatmananda, Swami Atmeshananda, Swami Supriyananda, Swami Sashikantananda and Swami Jitmanasananda, among others.

On November 28, 2013, we were officially registered with the Royal Thai government under our current name, the Ramakrishna Vedanta Association of Thailand. We draw our inspiration from the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and the Vedanta philosophy as expounded by Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. While we are not officially affiliated with the Ramakrishna Math and Mission in India, we recognize their authority, look to them for leadership and guidance, and rely on them for advice, encouragement and moral support. Our group is overseen spiritually by Swami Samachittananda, head of Ramakrishna Mission Singapore.