Old Vedanta Temple

This is the first Hindu temple in the Western United States^{11905. The temple survived the 1906 earthquake and fire unscathed and served as a refuge for the less fortunate neighbors.} and one of the most striking buildings in San Francisco. Swami Trigunatitananda^{2https://biographies.rkmm.org/m/holy-trio-and-direct-disciples/a/trigunatitananda-swami-1} intended it to express the thought that every religion is an equally valid path to the same spiritual goal and an expression of the same truth. He said “This Temple may be considered as a combination of a Hindu temple, a Christian church, a Mohammedan mosque, a Hindu Math or monastery, and an American residence.”^{3https://sfvedanta.org/the-society/old-temple/the-story-of-the-first-hindu-temple-in-the-west/} Each architectural feature reflects a different religion or a different facet of Hinduism. For instance, the crenellated castle tower represents medieval Christianity.^{4Swami Trigunatita felt a close spiritual connection to Christ and every year celebrated Christmas with a fifteen-hour service.}

Swami Trigunatita was leading Sunday Service when a former student detonated a bomb. Eyewitnesses state that the Swami stepped forward to shield his congregation. The bomber was killed on the spot, and Swami Trigunatita died later of his injuries.

^{11905. The temple survived the 1906 earthquake and fire unscathed and served as a refuge for the less fortunate neighbors.}1905. The temple survived the 1906 earthquake and fire unscathed and served as a refuge for the less fortunate neighbors.
^{2https://biographies.rkmm.org/m/holy-trio-and-direct-disciples/a/trigunatitananda-swami-1}https://biographies.rkmm.org/m/holy-trio-and-direct-disciples/a/trigunatitananda-swami-1
^{3https://sfvedanta.org/the-society/old-temple/the-story-of-the-first-hindu-temple-in-the-west/}https://sfvedanta.org/the-society/old-temple/the-story-of-the-first-hindu-temple-in-the-west/
^{4Swami Trigunatita felt a close spiritual connection to Christ and every year celebrated Christmas with a fifteen-hour service.}Swami Trigunatita felt a close spiritual connection to Christ and every year celebrated Christmas with a fifteen-hour service.