group for two years until his death in 1954. Then, Faye Wright, graduate of Highland Park’s Franklin High class of 1932 — as American as apple pie — was elevated to the role of swami. She became master of the cult of the lotus blossom, head of a religious sect steeped in the traditions of the mystic East. The lotus blossom superimposed on the Christian cross is the symbol of her faith. She rules from SRF’s Main Build ing of the World on top of Mount Washington at 3880 San Rafael Ave. Her robe, as that of the sisterhood of the SRF, is a stunning ochre sari. “ The color is of the East. It stands for cheerfulness. Joy in renouncing the world for God,” explains Daya Mata. SRF’s Mount Washington head quarters consists of Several buildings set in gorgeous gardens crowning the hill. The Main Building houses the sect’s administrative offices and dormi tories for 65 nuns. Nuns and monks have separate chapels, separate dining facilities and seldom see each other, Daya Mata related. Neither is permitted to leave the premises except for necessary shopping trips and special events, which include annual visits with their families. Self-Realizationists are vegetarians. They believe in daily Yoga exercises for the harmonious development of body, mind and soul. They do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages. A favorite beverage is hassi — yo gurt, honey, lime and ice water. Self-Realizationists say their ap proach to God is through silent med itation. They frequently quote Psalms 46:10: “ Be still and know that I am God.” Their services, on Sundays, and Thursdays, are simple — chanting in Eastern tradition and meditation. “ Christ said, ‘Pray unceasingly.’ Gandhi said, ‘Sit quietly and talk to Him,’ ” observes Daya Mata. “We talk to God when we meditate, talk to Him as a friend, pour our hearts out to Him. We pray to God, to Jesus Christ and to the saints of all religions. ‘'We believe in original Christian ity as taught by Christ. Christianity is being crucified all the time by those who do not understand or even bother to study His teachings.” Daya Mata claims 10,000 followers in Southern California, with India and this area being the sect’s princi pal religious centers. There are SRF churches in San Diego, Encinitas, Long Beach, Hollywood and Pacific Palisades.
mid air. Sunday School at the Lake Shrine is aboard a houseboat. At the SRF India Center, 4860 Sim- set Blvd., 30 nuns serve vegetarian lunches and dinner daily to members and anyone else interested in trying a new adventure in eating. The nuns live in dormitories at India Center. “We are different. We have dedi cated our lives to the cause of uniting the world’s religions in a greater un derstanding and harmony,” says Daya Mata, the Mormon girl who found a strange new religion in the City of the Angels and stayed on to become its spiritual leader and Holy Mother of Compassion.
One of the most unusual churches in the Southland is the SRF' chapel in the threestory Dutch Windmill at the group’s beautiful Lake Shrine. The 10-acre shrine at 17190 Sunset Blvd., near the sea, open to daily public visitation, includes towering Golden Lotus Archway gateway to the Gandhi Peace Memorial. Ashes of Gandhi A sarcophagus at the shrine con tains some of Gandhi’s ashes. There’s a life sized statue of Christ on a knoll which is illuminated at night. To passing Sunset Blvd. motorists the Christ statue appears suspended in
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