The Ramakrishna Vedanta Society owns a retreat at Marshfield Hills, Massachusetts, where the summer programs are held. About 30 miles southeast of Boston and 2 miles or so from the ocean, the retreat is named "Sarada Ashrama" and is dedicated to Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
It was in the year 1946 that 61 acres of forested land was purchased by the Vedanta Society in Boston, under the leadership of Swami Akhilananda. In the summer of 1947, a special worship with "homa" was held at Marshfield with Swamis Viswananda, Yatiswarananda, Bodhananda, Vividishananda, and Akhilananda participating. Swami Akhilananda used the retreat to build up the spiritual lives of sincere seekers of Truth. As someone said, "He gave his lifeblood for Marshfield."
In the early 1970's, because of new zonal restrictions, the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society sold away much of the land and retained only 15 acres for its activities. In the months of July and August every year, the place comes alive with swamis and devotees in residence in the four cottages on the retreat campus. Daily prayer and meditation, informal discussion and personal interviews are the main activities, in addition to a week-long intensive retreat on a pre-selected theme and a week-long children's camp. The retreat also hosts one public program, the Krishna Festival, which is held on a Sunday immediately following Krishna's birthday.
The proximity of the retreat has made it possible for even the members of the Vedanta Society in Providence, RI, to participate actively in all the programs. Over the years, Marshfield has become a focal point in bringing together the Boston and Providence Vedanta communities into one happy and united Vedanta family.
The mailing address of the retreat is: Sarada Ashrama, Marshfield Hills, MA 02051. Phone: (781) 837-9037. Information about the retreat can be had by calling the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society (617) 536-5320 or emailing at boston@vedantasociety.net .
