Breaking News! Hindu spiritual leader Sri Daya Mata aka Faye Wright, who was the president of one of the most influential Hindu groups in the United States, passed away on Tuesday. She was 96.

 

Daya Mata had spent her life advocating for the power of meditation (Yoga). Born on January 31, 1914 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a prominent family of the Mormon Church, Sri Daya Mata had been fascinated by the personality and preaches of Paramahansa Yogananda in 1931 and joined Yogananda's ashram.

 

After Yogananda's death, she became the president of the Yogoda Satsanga (YSS) Society of India and Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) of Los Angeles, California.

Now the organization has more than 600 temples, centers and retreats in 60 countries including in the United States. All the monks and female members boast of adopting Indian names and teach to respect all religions and its faith.

It is believed that SRF under the presidentship of Sri Daya Mata remains most influential, popularizing Hindu ideas in the United States after Swami Vivekananda.

The love for Hindu religion was developed after the American lady had met with Sri Yogananda in Salt Lake City when she was 15. Sri Daya Mata is the author of three spiritual books: 'Only Love: Living the Spiritual Life in a Changing World', 'Finding the Joy Within You: Personal Counsel for God Centered Living', and 'Enter the Quiet Heart: Creating a Loving Relationship with God'.

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