Vision and History
The Vision The Ananda Pavilion of Gratitude is meant to be a reflection of our spiritual path of Self-realization and of the understanding that Paramhansa Yogananda has given us about the transition from life with a physical body to life without one. This transition is part of “the soul’s long journey through time and space.” As a reflection of this understanding, the Pavilion is a place of spiritual upliftment, of gratitude and remembrance, and of meditation and prayer. It is a place to reflect on and remember the truth of our own deepest reality: That we are souls that are part of the all-pervading, ever-existing Divine consciousness.
The Site The Pavilion of Gratitude is situated in a “forest garden” that includes a beautiful area of oak trees and a view of Lotus Lake. The open air Pavilion will include benches and an altar. The open air Pavilion includes benches and an altar. The Garden is a place for gratitude and remembrance, meditation and memorial service. We hope you will enjoy it when you are at Ananda Village.
History about the Memorial Site The Pavilion of Gratitude site was blessed in 1993 by Swami Kriyananda during a large event at Ananda Village called the Pilgrimage to Joy. At that time this site was designated for a Chapel of Divine Inspiration which wasn’t able to be built then. Now, 25 years later, we are able to enjoy the wonderful blessings of this site through the Pavilion of Gratitude.
Dedication of the Pavilion of Gratitude
On Sunday, June 16, 2019 there was a lovely Dedication for the new Pavilion of Gratitude. This happened following the Sunday Service in the Yogananda Amphitheater. There was a procession with chanting around Lotus Lake which ended at the Pavilion on the far side of the lake. The statues of Babaji and Master were carried in the procession and then placed on their pedestals at each side of the altar. A rose from the altar was then placed on each statue. Nayaswami Parvati led a prayer and then said a few words about the Pavilion. One of the purposes of it is to attune more deeply to the soul’s transition at death from a physical body to the astral realms and beyond. Paramhansa Yogananda described this transition in detail and talked about ways to understand its significance. A number of his writings on this subject can be found in The Wisdom of Yogananda book series: Karma & Reincarnation. We hope you will enjoy visiting the Pavilion of Gratitude when you next come to Ananda Village.
Cement Pour and Pavilion Installation
Memorial Donations
The funds to build the Pavilion of Gratitude are provided by the Ananda Janaka Foundation from Memorial donations we receive. Further development of this special area will happen as we receive additional donations.
Memorial donations can be made on the Ananda Janaka Foundation website, on the Ananda Remembers page.
Donations may also be made by check made to Ananda Janaka Foundation, and mailed to:
14618 Tyler Foote Rd. #242 Nevada City, CA 95959
All donations are gratefully welcomed.