Lecture On Radhastami by Prabodhananda Sarasvati Swami on 02 Sep 2014 at ISKCON Vrindavan
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Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 07 Chapter 14 Text 15 How a householder should see devotees by Bir Krishna Goswami on 08 Oct 2014 at Sydney
(Bir Krishna Goswami spent his childhood in Long Island, New York. As an academically gifted student at North Western University, he began reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Impressed by Srila Prabhupada's scholarship and saintliness Bir Krishna Swami became a member of the Krishna conscious community in Gainesville, Florida in 1971.)
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Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 07 Chapter 07 Text 18 Life is not a Combination of Matter by Prahladananda Swami on 21 Sep 2005 at Denver
(HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeared in this world in 1957 in England. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in London in 1975 and was initiated in that year with the name Ilapati dasa by ISKCON’s founder-acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. )
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Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 08 Chapter 16 Text 24 by Vijaya Prabhu on 15 Nov 2014 at Los Angeles
(Vijaya Prabhu is one of the best dentist in San Diego. Before I went to her I tried many other dentists in San Diego and my search ended when I met her. I and my kids have been with her for more than 10 years now and are very satisfied.)
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Lecture On Journey of Self Discovery by Radha Gopinath Prabhu in 2014 at Bhaktivedanta Hospital
(Radha Gopinath Prabhu is disciple of Radhanath Swami.)
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Lecture On Chaitanya Charitamrita Chapter 05 Text 18 No Indigestion in the Spiritual World by Prahladananda Swami in 2014 at Dallas
(Prahladananda Swami was born in 1949, in Buffallo, New York. He studied at the University of Buffalo, where he received a full scholarship. In January 1969 he joined ISKCON and rceived both initiations that year from Srila Prabhupada.)
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Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 05 Chapter 13 Text 13 The Real Forest of Enjoyment by Lokanath Swami on 15 Oct 2014 at Vrindavan
(Born in Aravade, a small village Maharashtra, Indian, he went to Mumbai for studying. In the year 1971, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was touring India with his foreign disciples and had organized a pandal program in Mumbai.)
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Topics covered in the ISKCON Disciples Course:
- Guru-tattva and the Guru-parampara System
- Srila Prabhupada ISKCON Founder Acarya and Preeminent Guru
- Types of Gurus
- Relationship between ISKCON Guru and ISKCON Authorities
- Gurus outside of ISKCON
- Guru-padasraya
- Selecting a Guru
- Following Initiation Vows
- Guru-puja and Vyasa-puja
- Worship of ISKCON Gurus
- Guru-vapu and vani seva
- Guru-tyaga
- Developing Cooperative Relationships in a multi guru environment
Background:
At the 2014 Annual General Meetings of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission in Mayapur, the GBC resolved that devotees wishing to take initiation from an ISKCON guru will be required to first pass the ISKCON Disciple Course. The resolution will be effective from Janmastami 2015).
The ISKCON Disciple Course grew from the ISKCON Guru Seminar, created in 2008 to help new devotees taking up the service of guru learn from those that had gone before them, and be successful and effective in preaching and caring for devotees.
“While creating that seminar, we realized that we needed the other side too,” says ISKCON Communications Director Anuttama Das, one of the course developers. “We needed to share a mature understanding of what it means to be a guru within ISKCON with those devotees that are taking up that service. But we also needed to more directly help devotees becoming disciples.”
This course is ISKCON’s first standard training system for new members in regards to the specific duties of initiated disciples, and deals with a series of important topics on what it means to be a disciple in ISKCON.
The course begins with the topic of guru-tattva, or what it means to be a guru. “In the course we study a lot of what Prabhupada wrote and spoke about guru,” Anuttama says. “How the guru is to be respected as God’s ambassador. And how although in the disciple’s eyes, the guru is the representative of God, the guru sees himself as the humble servant of his own spiritual master.”
The course also focuses a lot on Srila Prabhupada’s unique, preeminent (meaning surpassing all others) position as Founder Acharya of ISKCON.
“We remind people how much Prabhupada is very much an integral part of the life of every devotee in ISKCON,” says Anuttama. “We read Srila Prabhupada’s books; we see his murti; we chant his pranam prayers in kirtan; his picture is on the altar; and we hear lectures given on his books.”
The three different gurus are also discussed – the preeminent Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada; one’s many siksa gurus such as temple presidents, bhakta leaders, or anyone who gives spiritual instruction; and for those who decide to become more serious and take vows, the diksa guru.
“All three work together, throughout our lives,” says Anuttama. “And collectively, they form and give guidance to our spiritual life.”
Another section of the course covers how to select a diksa guru. “Sometimes there may be a misunderstanding that I should pick a guru based on who’s got the most disciples, or is the best singer,” Anuttama says. “But those are not appropriate ways. Rather, we should select a guru based on who inspires us, sets a good example and is dedicated to their own spiritual master.”
The course is down-to-earth and realistic. The course teaches about the importance of initiation vows and why we take them & some of the challenges one might face in future.
The course also teaches about how to respond if their guru has spiritual difficulties. According to Anuttama, this is not only a 21st century problem, but something that has precedent in Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes and even as far back as the Mahabharata.
“We’ve seen in the past that sometimes spiritual leaders have difficulties, and their disciples are not prepared to cope with it,” he says. “So we want to prepare all disciples in the future. We particularly emphasize that if our diksa guru has difficulty, we always have our connection with Srila Prabhupada, Lord Krishna, ISKCON, and our siksa gurus.”
Towards the end of the course, there is a lesson on relationships within ISKCON, and how initiation within the society also means ‘taking up the family business’ of spreading Krishna consciousness and helping others awaken their spiritual life.
Throughout the course they also learn about the duties of being a disciple, the different ways of serving the guru, and the importance of respecting all Vaishnavas.
The course took about a year to create under the auspices of the GBC Guru Services Committee, the Mayapur Institute, and ISKCON Communications, with the input of senior devotees, diksa and siksa gurus, and educators from around the world. It is based mostly upon Srila Prabhupada’s books and lectures, as well as the writings of the six Goswamis of Vrindavana.
In the early days of ISKCON, Anuttama recalls, devotees would get initiated quickly without even being quite sure what it meant, and many left just as quickly.
“Obviously we weren’t very good at training devotees and helping them understand the seriousness of the commitment,” he says. “But now I think that courses like this give testimony to the maturity of ISKCON, and show that we’re understanding the need to train members about how to make a serious commitment to their spiritual life based on a very broad and mature understanding of Krishna consciousness.”
Spiritual life’s not just about a pep-talk,” he concludes. “It’s about a lifelong commitment, and we need to strengthen people in how to do that in a balanced and mature way.”
Pictures above - This course is blessed by His Grace Anuttama Prabhu, His Grace Atul Krishna Prabhu & Her Grace Laxmimoni Mataji
For those already initiated - the course material is available free online. Please study this course material. It will help you strengthen your spiritual foundation - read more
Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 49 Text 20-21 In Transcendental Relationship there is no Termination by HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami on 31 Aug 2014 at ISKCON Chowpatty
(HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami completed his B.E. from M.S University Baroda, MBA from Bombay University & worked for some time in a multinational Bank. He was initiated by the spiritual name His Grace Devamrita Dasa.)
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Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 01 Chapter 08 Text 30 Inexpensive one way Fight to Goloka by Prahladananda Swami on 20 July 2014 at Bulgaria
(Prahladananda Swami was born in 1949, in Buffallo, New York. He studied at the University of Buffalo, where he received a full scholarship. In January 1969 he joined ISKCON and rceived both initiations that year from Srila Prabhupada.)
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Lecture On Material Body by Sankarsana Prabhu on 30 Aug 2014 at Timisoara
(In obedience to Srila Prabhupada, Sankarshan Das Adhikari has fully taken up the banner of pure devotional service to the Supreme Godhead, and made it his life's mission to spread the Krishna consciousness science as far and wide as possible throughout the world.)
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Lecture On Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 03 Chapter 29 Text 05 Escape from the Cave by HH Bir Krishna Goswami on 13 Sep 2014 at Labasa
(Bir Krishna Goswami spent his childhood in Long Island, New York. As an academically gifted student at North Western University, he began reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Impressed by Srila Prabhupada's scholarship and saintliness Bir Krishna Swami became a member of the Krishna conscious community in Gainesville, Florida in 1971.)
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Lecture On Rendering Service by Kavichandra Swami on 07 July 2013
(He is a disciple of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1947. In 1967, in Tucson Arizona, he met devotees of Lord Krishna. Kavichandra Maharaja moved to Dallas, Texas, where there was a school in Krishna Consciousness for his three-year-old daughter.)
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Lecture On Devotees Put You in Anxiety For A Reason by Bir Krishna Goswami on 23 Aug 2014 at New Goloka
(Bir Krishna Goswami spent his childhood in Long Island, New York. As an academically gifted student at North Western University, he began reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Impressed by Srila Prabhupada's scholarship and saintliness Bir Krishna Swami became a member of the Krishna conscious community in Gainesville, Florida in 1971.)
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Lecture On Why Srila Prabhupada installed Deities other than Gaura Nitai by Sivarama Swami on 14 Nov 2014 at India
(Sivarama Swami was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1949. His family immigrated to Canada where some years later in 1970 he first came in contact with Srila Prabhupada's teachings, via his transcendental books.)
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Lecture On Species of Life by Sankarsana Prabhu on 14 Sep 2014 at Vrindavan
(In obedience to Srila Prabhupada, Sankarshan Das Adhikari has fully taken up the banner of pure devotional service to the Supreme Godhead, and made it his life's mission to spread the Krishna consciousness science as far and wide as possible throughout the world.)
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*(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2014, Pretoria, South Africa, House Program)*
There are many stories to tell of Brahmananda. In the early days, Brahmananda became Prabhupada’s trusted representative. His nature was that he was completely surrendered to Prabhupada’s desire. Whatever Prabhupada would say, he would do it. I think if any quality is outstanding in his character, it is loyalty. He is the most loyal servant you can imagine, completely loyal to Prabhupada. Whatever Prabhupada said, *“Okay, that is what we are going to do, whatever it is.”* That is not so easy and that is not so often found in anyone. That is why Brahmananda got this unique position of being so close to Prabhupada.
In fact, of all the devotees in the early days, Brahmananda was the leader. Prabhupada chose him as the leader. When they were saying that we should select a treasurer, we should select a secretary and a president, then Brahmananda said, *“Satsvarupa would make a good secretary.*” Gargamuni, his nickname was Garga-money, so he was the obvious person for the treasurer. Prabhupada said, *“You should be the president.”* That was it and from that day on, Brahmananda was in charge of everything and it was quite amazing.
First of all, Prabhupada had this Bhagavad-gita manuscript which he wanted published. It was very difficult to do so but he told Brahmananda, *“Just get it published.”* Easier said than done, you know. Get it published? How? Well anyway, there was one man who worked for the Macmillan publishing company who had put in an order through the mail. So, Brahmananda decided to do some follow up and go there hoping to get some connection but it turned out the man was just working in the accounts department and had nothing to do with publishing. So, it did not look good at all.
Just then, the chief editor came into the office of the accountant and Brahmananda saw this opportunity. He said to the man, *“Here, I have a Bhagavad-gita by A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami Prabhupada and I would like to offer the manuscript to you for publication.”* The man said, *“A Bhagavad-gita? A Bhagavad-gita!? We just finished a series of spiritual topics and we need a Bhagavad-gita to complete it! I will take it.”* That was it! Macmillan, a big company, was publishing Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita. That was Brahmananda. Prabhupada was very eager to carry on with book publication.
Eventually they got to Japan and got some cheap prices. The Krsna book was meant to be printed there. Brahmananda was negotiating with the printers and telling them how to do and so on. But it was not ready when Brahmananda had to leave, he had go back, catch his flight. Although they promised it would be ready, it was not ready. So he was very disappointed and he knew that Prabhupada would be really disappointed. As he was going up the steps of the plane, suddenly this limousine, this large limousine just pulled up onto the tarmac and drove right up to the plane and all the executives of Dai Nippon printing company came out. Brahmananda saw all these people he had been working with and he went down the staircase. They just brought out this box and they gave it to him.
Brahmananda went on the plane and he just ripped open the box and took out a silver copy of the Krsna book and the man next to him asked, *“What is that?”* He said, *“That is a book, it is about Krsna. It is published by my spiritual master, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami and it is been sponsored by George Harrison.”* The man said, *“How much is it?”* *“$20.”* The man said, *“Okay, I will take it.”* (laughing). He bought the book!
So when Brahamanda came to America, he felt a little bit embarrassed to give Prabhupada this box that was ripped open and Prabhupada said, *“How many books are there?” *
He said, *“Twenty-four, Srila Prabhupada. There were twenty-five but now there are twenty-four.”*
Prabhupada said, *“Oh.”*
He said, *“Yes, I sold one book on the plane.”*
Prabhupada said, *“That is very nice.”* Then Prabhupada had a copy in his hands and said, *“All these other ones can be sold also.”* He looked at his copy and he said, *“This one can be sold also.”*
They were all sold and Prabhupada was very, very pleased. So Brahmananda was a very close and intimate representative of Srila Prabhupada and practically like his son in so many ways, so close.
Lecture on We Forgot to Chant by Bir Krishna Goswami on 05 June 2014 at New Goloka
(Bir Krishna Goswami spent his childhood in Long Island, New York. As an academically gifted student at North Western University, he began reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Impressed by Srila Prabhupada's scholarship and saintliness Bir Krishna Swami became a member of the Krishna conscious community in Gainesville, Florida in 1971.)
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Lecture on The Yamuna River by HG Sankarsana Prabhu on 25 Sep 2014 at Vrindavan
(In obedience to Srila Prabhupada, Sankarshan Das Adhikari has fully taken up the banner of pure devotional service to the Supreme Godhead, and made it his life's mission to spread the Krishna consciousness science as far and wide as possible throughout the world.)
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Lecture On Trusting devotees by Sivarama Swami on 01 Sep 2014 at Moscow
(Sivarama Swami was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1949. His family immigrated to Canada where some years later in 1970 he first came in contact with Srila Prabhupada's teachings, via his transcendental books.)
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