www.chinmayabakersfield.org

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA, July 9, 2006: The Chinmaya Mission Worldwide celebrated another milestone on July 9, 2006 with the opening of Chinmaya Mission Bakersfield. It now has 243 mission centers around the globe. The mission activities were originally started in India in 1951 by Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda. After attaining his Mahasamadhi in 1993, the mission has been carried forward by Gurudev Swami Tejomayananda. The inauguration of the new center in Bakersfield was graced with an opening address by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji who gave upadesh on two topics, “Instead of trying to improve the world, change yourself. When you change, the world around you will change,” and “Serve others – that is the only way to make this world a better place.” Several other Acharyas of the mission were in attendance as well as religious leader Mohan Priyacharyaji Maharaj from Kalimpong, West Bengal, and representatives from other religious organizations in Bakersfield. Political leaders from the community expressed their appreciation to the Hindu community and they emphasized the United States Constitution’s right to practise one’s own religion. The news release by the Anil Mehta, President of the mission, explains, “The activities in Bakersfield were first started by Guruji in 1992. Since then the Chinmaya family has continued to grow. The seed planted in 1992 has borne fruit today in this beautiful new center. The building has a main hall seating 400 people and Krishna with cow as a Deity. It has 8 classrooms, Acharya quarters, dining lounge, library, and office. It has weekly Balvihar and various adult study groups, yoga and meditation classes, Hindi and Gujarati classes, and gita chanting. Celebration of Hindu festivals are some of the other activities. Chinmaya Bakersfield also organizes an annual seminar on Meditation and Stress Management related topics in collaboration with Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.”

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