2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 162
Commending the Chinmaya Movement.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2026
WHEREAS, the Chinmaya Movement was founded by His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda, a revered spiritual teacher and visionary leader whose life's work revitalized the timeless wisdom of Vedanta and brought the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and other sacred texts to millions around the world; and
WHEREAS, beginning in 1951 with the first Bhagavad Gita Jñana Yajña , Swami Chinmayananda initiated a powerful spiritual renaissance by presenting ancient scriptural wisdom in a clear, practical, and contemporary manner, inspiring countless individuals to pursue self-knowledge, ethical living, and service to others; and
WHEREAS, guided by the inspiring vision to “give maximum happiness to maximum people for maximum time,” the Chinmaya Movement has grown over the past 75 years into a global spiritual and educational organization dedicated to the uplifting of humanity through knowledge, devotion, and selfless service; and
WHEREAS, today, the Chinmaya Mission, the organization leading the Chinmaya Movement, operates more than 350 centers worldwide, including more than 60 centers in North America, serving communities through spiritual education, youth development, cultural preservation, and humanitarian outreach programs; and
WHEREAS, within the Commonwealth, the Chinmaya Mission's community enriches the spiritual and cultural life of the region through vibrant centers such as Chinmaya Somnath in Northern Virginia and the Richmond chapter of the Chinmaya Mission, which serve as hubs for spiritual study, youth leadership development, cultural education, and community service; and
WHEREAS, through programs such as Bala Vihar for children, youth leadership initiatives, Vedanta study groups, and community outreach activities, Chinmaya Mission's centers bring together hundreds of families across the Commonwealth, fostering intergenerational learning and strengthening communities through shared values of knowledge, devotion, and service; and