Bridged by Tolerance

Jenny Colon

Anthropology 121

Professor Leanna Wolfe

04/08/13

There is a deep sense of peace and serenity found within Lake Shrine.

Primary Hindu in nature – there lies an open embrace for all religions to come peacefully together and coexist.

There exists a stillness and a tolerance for cultural and religious diversity. It is quiet and not much is heard beyond the passing of another individual in one of the multiple pathways. The the wind in the trees or the animal life moving around the lake.

Never had I experienced such a place.

Spiritually and psychologically I was left a great sense of fulfillment.

Entrance to Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

Publicly opened in 1950 by Paramahansa YoganandaAttracts thousands by an international scaleA cell phone free zone. Where one must use their indoor voice outdoors.

New Temple

Constructed in 1996Lecture, and mediation services are conducted by Monks who reside at Lake Shrine (Sunday Classes for children are also conducted)

The Gandhi World Peace Memorial

Enshrines a portion of the ashes of Mahatma GandhiDepicted as “Divine Mother” as the Chinese representation of GodSituated on either side of the sarcophagus is Kwan Kin (Goddess of Mercy)Imported from China, Medium consists of Marble

Golden Lotus Archway

Situated just behind the

archway a man engages in the

practice of Tai Chi

Through the Archway…

Preceding the archway is a pathway which runs alongside Lake Shrine and is beautifully decorated with various religious symbols and quotes from various religious texts.

A monk engages in deep mediation.

Visitors at Lake Shrine

The space is occupied by a culturally diverse group of people.Notice the lovers in the background enjoying a casual date while the woman in the forefront is in deep thought and is dressed in religious attire.

Court of Religions

Located just outside the “Visitor’s Center”Represents the five principal world religions and bears their symbolLeft to Right: Wheel of the Law for Buddhism, Cross for Christianity, Sanskirtcharacter for Aum for Hinduism, Star of David for Judaism, Star and Crescent for Islam

Visitors Center

Visitors of Lake Shrine casually gather outside the visitors center exchanging information they have obtained and gaze across the lake.

A woman sits on a bench and reads a pamphlet. Both enjoying the quiet and stillness of their environment.

Notice the Windmill Chapel in the background – Individuals participate in Mediation services. Photography is not allowed.

Animal Life at Lake Shrine

Two turtles swim together and appear to form the sacred symbol of Ying and Yang.

This symbol is Taoist in nature and found it to be interesting as it was not one of the religions represented in the Court of Religions.

A Buddhist Statue

This statue of the Buddha was not readily noticed along the pathway. It was not until I saw it from afar that I had realized of its existence.

I found it be very representative of Buddhism – as it is not obviously seen but truly exists all around us.