Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 22, 1906

THE first Hindu temple in America was dedicated last month in San Francisco. It is a structure with an auditorium capable of seating one hundred and fifty persons. It indicates the progress of the Hindu or “Vedanta” philosophy and religion in the Western world.

The following statement “explanatory” of the religion for which this structure stands, made at the time of the opening of the temple by the Hindu leader, Swami Trigunatita, shows its essentially spiritualistic nature:—

Vedanta is neither a philosophy nor a theology nor religion, neither a science nor a system of faith nor a theory; neither is it a scripture nor a code of laws nor a discipline; neither an object nor a subject nor an idea. Neither is it made by man, by sage, nor by prophet. It is not made at all; it is ever existent. It is neither of this age nor of the bygone golden age alone. It is neither of this world alone, nor of the sun or the moon, nor of even heaven alone. Vedanta is said to be, for that reason, infinite and eternal. It is the philosophy of philosophies, the religion of all religions, and the science of all sciences. It is the end and aim of all these. It is the very terminus of everything; nay, it is beyond all. It is the knowledge after which all philosophies, all sciences; all religions, have ever been searching.

Who can understand such a religion? Who can grasp it? Contrast such mysticism with the sermon on the mount. Contrast such a religion with a religion that can be understood by children. Contrast such a nebulous platform with that of “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” The one is spiritualism; the other is Christianity.