Chinmaya Mission was founded in 1953 by devotees of Swami Chinmayananda in India. They formed the nucleus of a movement of spiritual rennaissance that now encomppasses a wide range of spiritual, educational and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and outside its shores. The Mission is administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust , Mumbai, headed by Swami Tejomayananda.

Following the teacher-taught tradition (guru-sisya parampara) since time immemorial, Chinmaya Mission makes available the ageless wisdom of Vedanta, the knowledge of the One Reality, and provides the tools to realize that wisdom in one's own life. To give maximum happiness to the maximum number for the maximum time is the tenet that drives members to uplift humanity beyond selfish and sectarian attitudes and activities. Each person's gain is manifold: personal growth, heightened efficiency, contentment, and living in peace and harmony.

Please watch the video about Chinmaya Mission, by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

Chinmaya Mission Portland

It was the visit by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanand to a devotee's house in Portland sparked the establishment of Chinmaya Mission Portland. Please click this link to read more about the visit.

Initially, the Bala Vihar classes started with handful of kids whose parents were devotees of Swami Chinmayananda and who had strong faith in the principles taught by Gurudev. They felt that Bala Vihar classes will impart spiritual knowledge to thier children. The classes were held in the homes of the participants. Then, as more and more kids joined the program, the classes moved to Beaverton Community Center, where the program was held for nearly 7 years. As the number of students who enrolled increased, the programme moved to BAPS and then to the current location - Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Today, Chinmaya Mission Portland has 100 members, with nearly 125 kids participating in the Bala Vihar program and 4 adult study groups. Chinmaya Mission Portland members meet at Mittleman Jewish Community Center every Sunday at 9:20 AM. The center follows the Beaverton School District calendar for their class schedule. After the regular Bala Vihar and adult study groups, Yoga and Sanskrit classes take place. More details on these programs can be found in the corresponding links. Chinmaya Mission Portland also has a small library. They also have a book store where publications from Chinmaya Mission are available.

Chinmaya Mission Portland is run by dedicated volunteers. Volunteers perform duties of teachers, festival co-ordinators, etc. Please read the following article about voluntarism / seva written by Param Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda.

Please watch the video made by our Junior CHYK Gautam Varma about Chinmaya Mission Portland, The Mission and The Vision (April 4, 2009).