Letters to the Zoning Administrator Concerning SRF's Request to Create a Private Mausoleum on Mt. Washington

Back to Letters Home

Note: Opinions expressed in letters are those of individuals, and not of any organization

Dear Mr. Brown:

I am writing to you because of how strongly I feel about SRF's proposal to build a Mausoleum on the their grounds at Mt. Washington, and to move the remains of Paramhansa Yogananda to this site. I have been a disciple of ParamhansaYogananda for many years, and I know first-hand what a blessing it is simply tobe able to visit the crypt of this great master at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Although Yogananda left his body almost fifty years ago, one cannot help but feel a profound blessing by simply meditating as he taught, absorbing the sanctity of the vibration that permeates the crypt.

I know that I am but one of thousands of devotees from around the world who have come in pilgrimage to this holy spot. The truth that shines so clearly in his teachings will attract thousands more onto this path with each passing year. Many of those will also feel called to visit his tomb.

If Yogananda's remains are relocated to Mt. Washington, I will continue to come in pilgrimage. The sad truth is that SRF, while it is an organization that Yogananda himself started, seems clearly to have forgotten so many of his most important precepts and teachings. Yogananda called his temple the 'Church of All Religions.'  Despite this, and despite the fact that SRF claims to be the only organization that truly represents Yogananda's teachings, SRF shows not only a lack of acceptance, but actual hostility toward other groups that seek only to follow Yogananda's teachings and to share them with others.

SRF has already shown itself to be unwilling to open itself willingly to followers of Yogananda who are not SRF members. Should this same attitude and behavior manifest with respect to Yogananda's remains (should they be re-located onto SRF property) there is no doubt in my mind that I will not be the only disciple to be deeply affected by such attitudes and behaviors. While it has been a number of years since I felt called to express my opinions and feelings through the medium of civil disobedience, I have done so on numerous occasions in the past and would certainly be willing to do so again. I should think that traffic problems due to increased flow would be the least of your worries. The real concern here would be when traffic is no longer able to flow at all.

Clearly the remains of this saint were never meant to become the private property of any organization. Perhaps this issue will become the seed issue that provides an 'opportunity' for SRF to work together in harmony with other organizations to find a solution that works for all concerned. I have not the slightest doubt that that is exactly what Yogananda would want for his 'Church of All Religions.'

I will continue to pray that a resolution to this matter is found that will keep the remains of this saint in a place that everyone is able to visit freely. If all of Yogananda's followers are able to work together to achieve such a goal, that alone would be a remarkable and very positive outcome. On the other hand, if SRF is allowed to try to sequester Yogananda's remains at their Mt. Washington site, many of his followers will work together in a different way  to let SRF and the world know that such an outcome is simply unacceptable.

I urge you to look deeply into this matter, and to listen to whatever guidance truly inspires you. I pray that you will make the right decision.

Sincerely,

Note: Opinions expressed in letters are those of individuals, and not of any organization

Back to Letters Home

HOME | A UNIVERSAL SHRINE | WHO OWNS YOGANANDA'S BODY? 
HOW YOU CAN HELP |  PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA | ABOUT US | LINKS
Email: info@yoganandashrine.org