The entrance to the ashram's temple is a gateway inscribed with the words, Satchidananda Ashram, meaning "The Ashram of the Holy Trinity." 'Sat' is being, 'chit' is knowledge, and 'ananda' the bliss of divine union, a Hindu term for Godhead. The three-faced form adorning the gateway depicts God the Father as masculine, an androgynous image representing Jesus and a feminine face suggestsing the Holy Spirit.

Next, we encounter a cosmic cross (the ashram's log) made of stone and mounted on an inverted lotus, a Hindu symbol of purity and divine love. The cross symbolizes the union of male and female, mind and matter. In its center is the Sanskrit inscription "Om" representing Christ as the Divine Word, as Logos, or Shabda Brahman - the soundless sound that echoes in all of creation. The wheel represents samsara, the cycle of birth and death, which we must all break though to achieve mokshar( liberation).

The Vimana, or dome, above the temple’s sanctuary was designed by Jyoti Sahi, a brilliant artist and one of Bede Griffiths' early disciples. Fashioned just like a Hindu temple’s cupola, this vimana is constructed using symbolism from the Bible. Redeemed humanity and redeemed creation find their evolution in Christ, who is depicted seated in various yoga postures.

Here you see a statue of Jesus in the Lotus, like a yogi. Four adjoined statues face the four cardinal directions sitting knee-to-knee in the classic lotus posture. They are situated in a large black lotus, and even Jesus is black, like the black Madonna, signifying that this is a divinity of the earth. We use this place to practice yoga, meditation and chanting.

This is the sanctuary of the temple at Shantivanam with its inner sanctum in the far back. It is enshrouded in darkness because the divine presence is a mystery to the mind, but not to the heart! The stone tabernacle houses the consecrated host and the stone altar is used by the priest who celebrates the Eucharist in an Indian rite liturgy. This elaborate ceremony involves all the elements of traditional Hindu rituals such as fire, incense and flowers.

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