I was on my way to an evening talk by Radhanatha Swami, and when I got off the subway, I saw a young man and offered him Srila Prabhupada’s books. He found them interesting and gave a donation for them.
Then I asked whether he would like to go to the evening program and learn something about the ancient Vedic wisdom of India from a very interesting and wise devotee of Krsna.
He said that he was a little busy, but that he may be able to make it. So I gave him the address.
During the lecture, to my surprise, he showed up and took a seat. Later I noticed he was really absorbing what Maharaja was saying. After the talk he spoke with Radhanath Swami for a long talk. He ended up traveling with Radhanath Swami on his whole tour of Italy. Now he’s living in the temple in south Italy called Sankirtan Dhama.
your servant,
Vraja Sundara Dasa
Vijaya Prabhu’s comment: Vraja Sundara Prabhu is the leading book distributor in Italy. He and seven other men travel all over south Italy. They are very serious devotees. A few days ago I was with them, giving a class, and it happened to be Bhima Ekadasi, so I asked whether anyone was fasting. All of them raised their hands, and they followed the vow of no prasad and no water all day, till the next morning. Even on regular ekadasis they take this vow. Also, no one goes on the internet. They’re just absorbed in reading Prabhupada’s books and distributing them. Prabhupada wrote, to one devotee, “Our only motto should be, "read and distribute books.” These devotees are seriously following this instruction of Srila Prabhupada. You can see these devotees in the photo.
The devotees there recently purchased a temple/house and 80 acres of land, two hours north of Rome. There they grow olives, wheat, vegetables and some fruits, it’s a beautiful piece of property. Bhakti Shakti Prabhu is the organizer behind this project. They also have a moving temple in a huge diesel trailer which they take to nearby cities, plus another diesel trailer they use for a stage when they have festivals.
ISKCON Desire Tree's Posts (19448)
Sort by
His appearance may have gotten your attention. The man in the faded orange robe walking through downtown Ottawa Wednesday hopes his message does too. Hare Krishna monk Bhaktimarga Swami is walking from New York to San Francisco to tell people along the way to take some time out for peace and introspection.
Swami says life is so busy for people these days, they’ve forgotten the ways of their ancestors. He says people need to connect with the spiritual side.
Swami says the walk with nature along the Illinois and Michigan Canal has been wonderful, even though it has been very hot at times this week. Thunderstorms gave him a different challenge Wednesday. It’s harder work to walk on a soggy trail, so he got a few blisters. But he used a pair of dry socks to wipe off some space on a bench at Allen Park for himself and this news writer to tell of the experience.
Swami is walking 20 miles per day. So it may take him until next year to get to San Francisco. Since his message is about patience, that won’t bother him. And he’s walked across Canada, the country he was born in, four times. So he knows what to expect mentally and physically.
In other walks, Swami has crossed Ireland, Guyana, Israel, and Trinidad. His nickname, The Walking Monk, is on his business cards. Besides his marathon walks, Swami teaches a form of yoga and directs plays that tell stories from ancient India.
Cultures and rituals are the icons of Jogjakarta. For the people here culture and rituals are important parts of their life. “Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it” (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967)
This year the art communities in Malioboro organized the Grebek Apeman Festival, pronounced apem-maan. Apem means cake and during this carnival different types of cake and vegetables are piled up like a mountain and later distributed to the vsitors. Grebek refers to the visitors who compete to get a piece of the cake from the cake mountain. Government authorities arranged the Malioboro Street, Jogjakarta for the carnival on 04 June 2016 to welcome the Ramadan 1437 H. By the mercy of Lord Jagannath the organizers approved the participation of devotees with Jagannath on chariot to take part in the parade. Then started the preparation.
The group of devotees who were supposed to arrive from Bali found that the train tickets were all sold out. Now who would cook for the devotees, decorations, kirtan? Everything seemed to be falling apart. Just at the last moment a group of devotees arrived by flight and after their arrival everybody got back their enthusiasm and the preparations resumed in full swing. A small test from the Lord.
“The faith increases in Krsna consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krsna. Serving Krsna is unlimited and He can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord…..” (SPL to Brahmananda, 20th February, 1968).
After the remarkable ratha yatra festivals this year at Cilegon, Surabaya, Kuala Kapuas, Lombok and Jember, all devotees were bubbling with enthusiasm and vigor to once again chant and dance in ecstasy in the second ratha yatra of Malang. In Malang, like last year, the Percussion Festival provided the opportunity for our devotees to bring Jagannath Ratha Yatra to the carnival parade. Immeiately after the Ratha Yatra at Surabaya, the chariot along with Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra arrived at Malang. The altar for the deities was arranged in the lobby of Police mess. Preparation started early in the morning. Everyone was very happy and jubilant. Some devotees were arranging garlands, some serving prasad to the devotees, some distributing books and a team of devotees were reassembling the parts of the chariot. Others devotees prepared the prasadam in Bhaktivedanta Namahatta, Codo, about one hour from the location of the chariot.
For distribution to the general public 1 tons of oranges arrived, sponsored by Dina Dharini mataji, which was offered to the Lord. Balinese and bharata natyam dances were performed by the devotee girls to open the ceremony. Speech was given by the leader of Malang Hindu Parisad, that he really appreciated the festival. Short class about the origin of ratha yatra was given by HH Kavicandra Swami Maharaj. A recorded lecture from HH Subhag Swami Maharaj covering Jagannatha’s pastimes, Prabhupada’s instructions and personal sadhana to remain fixed up in Krsna Consciousness was translated by Sachi Putra prabhu. Taking the opportunity, H.H. Kavicandra Swami Maharaj presented a mahaprasad flower garland to Mr. Moch Anton, the mayor of Malang. Behind the kirtan team followed a group of dancing gopis all dressed in beautiful Vedic attire attracting the attention of many. Then arrived the chariot of Jagannatha beautifully decorated with an abundance of flowers, with its effulgent golden yellow dome shining brightly in the night. Even though most of them belonged to other faiths they also joined in to sing the Hare Krishna maha mantra. This was quite an inspiration for the devotees who had one more ratha yatra coming up at Jogjakarta.
In Jogjakarta the preparation for the chariot was done at the Kepatihan complex. Because of the limited of devotees, the committee of the ratha yatra divided the devotees into some groups. Every group had their on duty from cooking, making garlands, decorate the chariot and packed the prasadam that would be distributed to the devotees and people on the ratha yatra. The preparation finished At 16.00 pm. Jagannath arrived from Bantul and so did the group of devotees from Narayana Smrti.
The special guest who came to the ratha yatra was, Mr. Ida Bagus Wika Krishna, Director of Hindu Society and counselor Jogjakarta. The hindu parisad of Jogjakarta also came to the festival. They were happy to participate in the ratha yatra. The melodious bhajans were sung by devotees before the ratha yatra ceremony started. They were received warmly by the devotees. After arati the guests offered coconuts to the Lord to invoke auspiciousness. Then the chariot was pulled to the place where other participants were already waiting.
The sun began to set and Malioboro Street became crowded, and the hot bhajan lead by Sundar Gopala brahmacari flooded the air with the melodious Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Many visitor stopped by the chariot and took pictures of the chariot which was decorated with many lamps. At 19.00 the parade was started. One by one the participant passed in front of Lord Chariot as if they presented their performance for the Lord. When the time for the Lord entering the Malioboro street some how many people came to hold the rope of the chariot and pulled the chariot along the street. It was like Jagannath Puri Ratha yatra where people very crowded around the Lord’s chariot. The group of gopis dancer danced greacely in front of the chariot. The melodious powerful kirtan were sung by devotees along the ratha yatra that invited many people to sing and dance with the devotees. As Srila Prabhupada wrote in his letter “And if there is chanting of Hare Krsna, even the soul is there for a short time, Oh! he will hear and become advanced. This sound vibration is not material, it is spiritual and powerful beyond our conception. So it cannot be hindered in any way by something material; it surpasses all these material barriers”. (SPL to Mukunda and Janaki, 28th February, 1968.) Two devotees also dressed as Hanuman and Jatayu attracted many visitors and took pictures with them. When the chariot arrived in front of the stage of honour, more people crowded around the chariot. When other participants turned left in the front of the stage, the Lord chariot went straight to the Alun-alun Keraton. The ratha yatra finished at the East side of Alun-alun Utara Keraton Jogjakarta. Everyone was happy and felt blissful participating on the ratha yatra.
Million thanks to our devotees who tirelessly worked to make the ratha yatra successful. We offer our obeisances to HH Kavicandra Maharaj, GBC Indonesia, who took out time to be with the devotees inspire them. Abundant Thanks to HH Ramai Maharaj also. HH Srimat Subhag, has always been inspirational to the ratha yatra team, Indonesia, and most importantly, for linking up our lives with Jayananda Prabhu. Jai Srila Prabhupada.
Gauranga Mahaprabhu, the most munificent incarnation of the Supreme Lord Krishna, distributed the Holy Name to the world. On the fun-filled festival of chida-dahi (chipped rice) Gauranga Mahaprabhu performed a wonderful pastime with His associates on the bank of Ganga river. Raghunath Das offered a wide feast of chida-dahi to everyone present. There were multitudes of people. They filled not just the platform where Mahaprabhu, Nityananda prabhu sat with Their associates, but even below it. Those who could not fit there, sat beside the Ganga river, and yet again who could not fit there, stood inside the sacred water of Ganga! The atmosphere was filled with merrymaking and reverence, both together in the same breath.
The devotees across the ISKCON world celebrate the festival by enjoying the prasadam feast together by the side of a river or water body. However, the devotees connected to the IDVM (ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry-India) decided to celebrate chida-dahi in a differently– not by replicating the pastime, but by following the instructions of Gauranga Mahaprabhu. They decided to distribute Harinam freely like Raghunath Das Goswami’s wide spread feast to the Lord and to all and sundry who were present on the occasion. The Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra team had travelled to almost 70 villages and had taken a break during the blistering Indian summer and monsoon. Gour Gopal prabhu and Jananivas prabhu who were one of the leading members of the Yatrateam and also the follow-up program in Janagaon area, decided to take the Yatra to one nondescript village named Yaddugudem, not very far off from their preaching area. The village was suggested by one of their congregation members, Bhakta Paramadhama. He served as a Headmaster in the village school. The day decided for it was chida-dahi festival.
The two-member team realized that the Yatra bus and their other paraphernalia which they had kept dedicatedly for the purpose, was no longer there with them in the city as they had anticipated. Since a new Yatra bus was yet to be arranged, other associated objects were kept at the last spot of Yatra (hundreds of miles away from them). However, their spirit was unbeatable. Having full faith in the blessings of their Guru and Mahaprabhu, they decided to go for it despite it.
Telangana region poses unique challenge, especially because of its discredit of topping liquor consumption in the whole India (according to a recent survey). In the evenings, all the people (including women) are addicted to wine and cannot be without meat on a regular basis. The souls which appear as human beings during day time, take a very different form as the sun sets. Addressing them to take up the highest dharma was a challenge bigger than any other.
On Saturday, June 18, 2016 New Govardhan (Secunderabad), was a happening place. Gour Gopal prabhu rendered special prayer and puja to the presiding Lordships of Sri Sri Radha-Kunjabihari after abhishek. By 3:30 pm Sripati prabhu, the senapati of the Yatra reached to pick up Gour Gopal prabhu, Haridas prabhu (who had come from very far off despite high fever) and Bhakta Kaushik. Loading the necessary paraphernalia the big car set off to take other participating devotees along. A small group of seven devotees including Jananivas prabhu, Rasamandal prabhu, Satyamadhava prabhu, and Bhakta Babu (Sripati prabhu’s car driver) besides the afore mentioned devotees set off towards the village.
Yaddugudem in Telugu has an interesting meaning. Yaddu implies bull and gudem is village, therefore the village of bull. Within two hours the devotees entered the village. One 61-years old Sri Ram temple appeared right at the entrance of the village. It also marked the center of all village activities! It was interesting to know that the villagers still followed the practice of assembling in the temple to sing the glories of Sri Ram in padyams every Ekadasi. The village could be considered as one of the cleanest that they had ever visited during their Yatra. It was also the greenest village. Their spiritual inclination was showing in everything – in their daily activities. Later the devotees also realized that the village was completely vegetarian, with a few stray cases of meat eating appearing in the newer generation. This was a pleasant surprise for the devotees, especially in the Telangana region. Jananivas prabhu compared it to Prahlad maharaj’s appearance in the clan of demons.
As the villagers realized the arrival of Yatra devotees, they gave a hearty welcome to all of them right at the entrance of their village, Sri Ram temple! They personally washed every devotee’s feet with water and welcomed them. After sweet exchanges, the program moved forward. Bhakta Paramdham had well coordinated every activity with necessary ground work. Haridas prabhu offered the bhoga to the deities of Sri Ram for distribution. Thereafter the Yatra team walked to a community hall, which was slated to be the venue of the program. As the devotees reached there, they could see eager faces of children, women and other villagers. One beautiful gomata was also there, waiting for the performance of her ceremonious worship.
The day’s program opened with the announcement of program schedule to the villagers. Haridas prabhu performed the Gau puja while Gour Gopal prabhu sang the arati. Gomata was nicely worshipped with kumkum and haldi besides other items like incense stick, lamp and flowers. The beautiful cow basked in the moments of glory, enjoying the deserved attention and reverence. Invoking auspiciousness and seeking blessings from gomata, the devotees came out on the winding village lanes, performing grama sankirtana. Before that Gour Gopal prabhu sought the blessings of Gauranga Mahaprabhu on the special day of Chida-dahi festival by soulfully singing Shikshastakam.
The group moved on melodiously chanting – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishnan Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Gour Gopal prabhu was like the Pied Piper of Hamelin (nay Yaddugudem). Everybody moved mesmerized by the melody and sweetness (Madhurashtakam) of Holy Name. Having innate inclination for spirituality, kirtan and music, the villagers could easily chant the mahamantra without difficulty. Singing and dancing with devotees, the villagers followed the Yatra team devotees enthusiastically. Regardless of age, gender, race, caste etc. they joined in seamlessly to chant and dance, and dance and chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Finally, the Yatra devotees returned to the Community Hall to take their program to the next step. It was encouraging to see that the whole village was participating in full attendance. There was a turnout of about 200-250 villagers from that small village of mere 70 families! This was more than what the devotees had expected from this pocket of Telangana.
Speaking in the local dialect, Jananivas prabhu introduced them to the identity and contribution of ISKCON. Sripati prabhu took over the mike to elaborate about the Founding Acarya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, about 50 years of ISKCON, about His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami’s special interest in villages, and IDVM’s initiative (under His Holiness’ blessing) of conducting Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra, the goals and objectives of the Yatra. He gave an open invitation to everybody to participate in that Yatra. Sripati prabhu had very interestingly based his lecture on Parikshit maharaj’s encounter with kali as he attacked the bull. In a very lucid way he also detailed the four legs of dharma and their importance in spiritual progress, the relationship between Mother Cow and dharma; and finally how the act of killing cow/ bull is killing dharma.
Thereafter, Jananivas prabhu again took over to introduce the spiritually hungry villagers to the dharmas of the four yugas and Harinam being the yuga-dharma for Kaliyuga. He elaborated how Harinam is the only great attribute of the age of Kali which can be compared to ocean of faults:
kaler doña-nidhe räjann
asti hy eko mahän guëaù
kértanäd eva kåñëasya
mukta-saìgaù paraà vrajet [SB 12.3.51]
All the villagers listened very carefully as Jananivas prabhu connected the age of degeneration to the old rich culture of Indian villages and their cow-centric life. He juxtaposed the present scene of rising cow slaughter, economy based on cow slaughter and worse still the government encouraging such a set up. Building on different interesting stories, Jananivas prabhu gave an oral glimpse of scene inside a slaughter house. Everybody present there was aghast to hear the account. All the 250 hands were lifted to take the vow to protect Mother Cow. They pledged not to send a single cow to slaughter from their village. As the lecture wound up, Haridas prabhu rendered ecstatic kirtan despite high fever and bad health. Last but not the least, the most sumptuous phase of program –prasadam – it was lavishly distributed to everybody till their full satisfaction. Mahaprabhu’s mercy was flowing.
The verse from Padma Purana proved itself true:
nama cintamanih krsnas, caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purna suddho nitya mukto, ‘bhinnatvan nama naminoh
Despite challenges of weather, situation and absence of requisite paraphernalia, the devotees could successfully conduct the Yatra in Yaddugudem. Seeing the mercy of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, the devotees’ spirits were elated. Night had already set in. Appointing Bhakta Paramadham as the future point of connect, the devotees left to move on to the new day. The next day being Sunday, Gour Gopal prabhu and Jananivas prabhu had to travel once again (about 170 kms) for their regular follow up program in the area. Anyone could see, each one of them was totally drenched in the heavily showering mercy of Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Completely inundated, they jubilantly packed up for the day. What a day! What a fulfilling way of celebrating Chida-dahi festival in the Yatra style!!
Whenever there is congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord, Gaura Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Lord Gauranga, immediately appears and is worshiped by sankirtana-yajna. [Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.36]
Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki Jai!
Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra ki Jai!
Source:http://www.iskconvarnasrama.com/home/lord-gaurangas-mercy-flows-in-yaddugudem-village/
Mother Locanananda passed away (1949-2016)
Her Grace Locanananda devi dasi joined ISKCON in Mexico city in 1975 when she went with her son to a Sunday feast. She had grown up a devout Catholic, and embraced the practice of Krishna consciousness wholeheartedly, giving away her meager belongings to join the temple. When her son asked, “Can we stay here?” She smiled and said, “Yes.” enrolling him in the gurukula there. She received initiation from His Holiness Hridyananda das Goswami in 1979, and served Sri Sri Radha Madana Gopala in Mexico city as a cook and engaged in Deity worship there until 1987 when she moved to New Vrindaban. She continued these services for Sri Sri Radha Vrindavanacandra until 1992.
After serving in New York, she came to Columbus, Ohio where she lived from 2004-2010. Until her final days, she stayed in Los Angeles’ New Dvaraka temple and the Mexico City temple. She carried her japa beads, Krishna book and Nectar of devotion always. She had immense humility, love for one and all, expressed in her motherly nature. Often, stream of tears would flow from her eyes when she read about Krishna, gazed at the Deities or just heard about Him in classes.
A month before her departure from this world in Los Angeles, she was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer. In her last days, she was immersed in chanting harinaam, listening to Srila Prabhupada tapes and reading Krishna book and Nectar of devotion. She passed away comfortably in hospice care with her son Hari-venu and her cousin Gokula by her bedside chanting for her. Hari-venu Prabhu is trying to raise money for her cremation. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. For more details, please call Hari-venu at (949) 300-2605.
Dallas police are looking for two men who broke into a Hare Krishna temple the night of June 13 and stole thousands of dollars in property.
The burglars picked a lock or rattled a gate in the parking lot of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple in Old East Dallas, property manager Mike Meyer said.
The temple, at 5430 Gurley Ave., also houses Kalachandji's, a vegetarian restaurant that was founded a few years after the temple in the 1970s.
Once inside, the men went into a bedroom where a priest was sleeping and barricaded him in using a TV to block one door and a chair to jam a second door, Meyer said. The men entered the priest's office and stole his computer and billfold with about $100 of cash, Meyer said.
Then the men headed downstairs, where they grabbed tools, Meyer said. He estimates the intruders took about $8,000 worth of property.
The ungrateful, inappropriate and irrational ways in which people act can infuriate us to no end. We deal with our anger by letting it loose (passionate and vengeful outbursts) or locking it up (emotionally disconnecting). Both expressions, however, are indicative of our own shortcomings. Allowing someone else’s negativity to displace our own consciousness, means there is still work to do. We seek emotional deposits from others because we haven’t become full in ourselves. But isn’t that natural? Aren’t relationships based on mutual emotional dependency? Surely it’s reasonable and legitimate to expect some human decency in our social intercourse.
Well, in one sense yes, but if you understand the nature of this world, the power of material psychology and the inherent weakness of each individual, then you won’t be surprised when people aren’t so forthcoming. Only when we are internally nourished and solidly connected to the original spiritual source, can we wholeheartedly give ourselves and remain unaffected by the reciprocation (or lack of) that we receive.
Impractical, unattainable and utopian? Well, that is the saintly challenge before us. Spiritualists are extraordinary, not simply because of their knowledge, faith or dedication, but because of their unique and outstanding character. Their conduct is entirely different from the ‘common’ person. They incessantly give the best of themselves, again and again, because something deeper is impelling them to continue. It reminds me of Mother Teresa’s famous poem:
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may cheat you;
Be honest and sincere anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
History has documented a long list of saints, but what about now? The world could do with a few more spotless personalities, and we all have our part to play. If not me, then who? If not now, then when? Nobody feels qualified, it won’t be easy, and there will never be an ideal time. Along with dynamic projects to change the world, I’m increasingly thinking about the ‘Inside Job.’ Our life contribution is not simply based on what we do, but also who we are. To be more humble than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, perpetually offering respect to others, and expecting nothing in return. As I fall short of these exalted ideals, I pick myself up, dust myself down, and continue to confront my inflated pride and ugly ego. The ‘Inside Job’ is testing but exciting. It’s a work in progress, and I’ll have to start putting some overtime in.
Has anyone heard the story of a devout atheist who became convinced that he was God after meeting a Hindu? While certain free-thinkers and sceptics are susceptible to changes of belief, many of them are intelligent and caring people, in the material sense.
Bertrand Russell explains: “Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.”
Being avowed atheists or agnostics does not always mean being tyrants like Nero, Caligula or Stalin. “I refuse to be labelled immoral because I am Godless,” is a usual response to pious accusations given by religionists perhaps a little too sure of themselves.
To such people someone like Gore Vidal retorted: “I am a born-again atheist.” Here is another demeaning remark: “I always like a dog so long as he isn’t spelled backwards.” (G.K.Chesterton)
In fact, one of the main causes of disbelief among intellectuals is the attitude of smug believers and what they believe in. We have to admit that religion infiltrated with man-made ideals and which has a tainted history, does not appeal to them. It is also off-putting when people who want to share their religion with you almost never want to share yours with them.
What are ‘religious’ people capable of? “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.” (Pascal,1670) Here is another shared perception: “Men will wrangle for religion; write for it; die for it; anything but live for it.” (C.C.Colton)
Doesn’t Srimad Bhagavatam reject man-made motivated religion? Perhaps some of these thinkers are on to something when they warn about these things. “You can safely assume that you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates the same people as you do.” (Anne Lamott)
Is there enough love in this world of ours? “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.” (Jonathan Swift,1711)
Of course, believers can get defensive when certain strange beliefs are examined. For many, religion is answers that can never be questioned. We may ask, if people do not want their beliefs laughed at, why do they have funny beliefs? But then, “It is a test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” (G.K.Chesterton)
Sadly though, fear reigns when reason fails. “God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.” (Voltaite) Here is some wisdom from Thomas Jefferson: “Question with boldness even the existence of God; because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage to reason, than that of blind-folded fear.” So where does the theory that religious people are meant to be happier than Godless people fit in?
George Bernard Shaw had an answer: “The fact that a believer is happier than a sceptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one.” Can we be certain about this? Or is “certainty” a dirty word for some?
“The whole problem of the world is that fools and fanatics are so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” (Bertrand Russell) Thomas Jefferson waded in here back in 1785: “What has been the effect of religious coercion? To make half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites.”
With utmost certainty, how many believers answer “Yes” when asked if they have seen God face to face? The very wise Six Goswamis of Vrndavana never claimed to have seen God: “O Queen of Vrndavana, Radharani! O Lalita! O Son of Nanda Maharaja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamuna? Where are you?” (Sri Sri Sad-Goswami Astakam)
The difference between philosophy and religion can be quite telling. “A little philosophy inclineth men’s minds unto atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.” (Francis Bacon,1625) But still, does the rational side of man benefit our world? Not according to Bertrand Russell: “It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence of this.”
Elsewhere, the same Mr Russell gave quite a succinct piece of rationality on how to become happy: “The secret to happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible.” That he could say something like this must be attributed to this: “In some awful, strange, paradoxical way, atheists tend to take religion more seriously than the practitioners.” (Jonathon Miller)
On this note some hints of religiosity pierces through the vagaries of voidist and impersonal atheist thought: “My religiosity consists in a humble admiration of the infinitely superior spirit that reveals itself in the little that we, with our weak and transitory understanding, can comprehend of reality. Morality is of the highest importance, but for us, not for God.” (Albert Einstein)
Since morality ranks highly for humanists and free-thinkers alike they have little time for man-made religion: ““You never see animals going through the absurd and often horrible fooleries of magic and religion. Only man behaves with such gratuitous folly. It is the price he has to pay for being intelligent, but not, as yet, intelligent enough.” (Aldous Huxley)
With many cases of religious extremism tormenting or instilling fear into people we can hardly blame certain bright thinkers for their agnosticism: “Religion is a fashionable substitute for belief.” (Oscar Wilde)
With all these quotes we can better understand the frustration of thinking people. If given a credible, intelligible presentation of genuine spirituality they may happily apply themselves. They want the truth just as much as spiritual seekers want it: “There’s something in every atheist itching to believe, and something in every believer itching to doubt.” (Mignan McClauglin)
These itchy sentiments can manifest as almost religious feelings: “The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses or lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real estate, but friendship, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith.” (Bertrand Russell)
While attempting to relieve their itch for truth the usual temptations for being a controller can impede the flow. Just as the atheist was made a ‘God’ by a Hindu, Mr Russell had a bigger chance at Godhood: “I was told that the Chinese said they would bury me by the Western Lake and build a memorial to my memory. I have some slight regret that this did not happen, as I might have become a God, which would have been very chic for an atheist.”
Hare Krishna! Your servant, Kesava Krsna Dasa – GRS.
Despite this fast changing world where promiscuity encouraged by the hedonist approach to life is overtaking almost everywhere, India still preserves its age old veneration towards celibacy. The vast majority of girls and boys still remain celebate till their marriage and even post-marriage lead a regulated life. Of course in cities, this ‘conservative’ species are on the brink of extinction, and even when preserved, generally make the person a butt of ridicule and curiosity. However, fortunately in villages it is still a norm.
What is it which still allows the virtue of celibacy still thrive in India? It would be interesting to know this as this would help us build a similar structure elsewhere.
A country’s spiritual culture can be felt in its social structure. A broad system is supported by number of social systems that in turn help realizing the primary objective. The primary Indian philosophy rests on the principles of karma, punar janma (rebirth) and departure for param dhama when one is successfully able to break the cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Even the common people were aware of the two big obstacles on the path of spiritual evolution:
bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānāḿ / tayāpahṛta-cetasām
vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ / samādhau na vidhīyate [BG 2:44] [In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence, and who are bewildered by such things, the resolute determination for devotional service to the Supreme Lord does not take place.]
Therefore, we had the social structure that encouraged “simple living and high thinking”. Sex desire, identified as the most serious obstacle was thus most cautiously addressed. Its seriousness can be understood if we remind ourselves that every jiva has enjoyed this facility in so many forms (84,00,000 forms atleast) in the body of a dog, cat, rabbit etc and still we are foolishly chasing it again – punah carvita carvitam –
śrī-prahrāda uvāca
matir na kṛṣṇe parataḥ svato vā / mitho ‘bhipadyeta gṛha-vratānām
adānta-gobhir viśatāḿ tamisraḿ / punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām [SB 7.5.30] [Prahlāda Mahārāja replied: Because of their uncontrolled senses, persons too addicted to materialistic life make progress toward hellish conditions and repeatedly chew that which has already been chewed. Their inclinations toward Kṛṣṇa are never aroused, either by the instructions of others, by their own efforts, or by a combination of both.]
Even an illiterate fool knows that sexual attraction is the most fatal one, containing the seed of one’s material attachment and spiritual suicide it was addressed in several ways in the social set up.
puḿsaḥ striyā mithunī-bhāvam etaḿ / tayor mitho hṛdaya-granthim āhuḥ
ato gṛha-kṣetra-sutāpta-vittair / janasya moho ‘yam ahaḿ mameti [SB 5.5.8] [The attraction between male and female is the basic principle of material existence. On the basis of this misconception, which ties together the hearts of the male and female, one becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life’s illusions and thinks in terms of “I and mine.”]
Celibacy and chastity. A boy is encouraged to remain celebate with its supportive system of encouraging a girl to be chaste. Chastity and celibacy are interdependent virtues. One virtue helps the other to prosper. A girl’s natural attribute of shyness was encouraged in the culture. It not only fortified her defence, but also supported a brahmacari’s vow to remain a celibate. Even Srila Prabhupada gave the famous example of a sweeper woman who would not enter because of shyness. The men had to get up and make way for her to enter. Her shyness had only made men to get in her honor. Bashfulness is considered a woman’s most precious ornament and evokes honor and respect by civilized people. This idea was further effected by subsystems that did not allow free mixing of girls and boys at any stage of life. A girl was always protected, by her father and brother before marriage, by her husband after marriage, and by her son in the absence of her husband. Even schooling was done separately. Girls were homeschooled in different arts that suited their temperament and their role to support and serve their husbands. Even princess Uttara (ref. Mahabharat) was trained in the art of dancing at the palace itself (by Arjuna in disguise as Brahnalla); even Queen Madri (King Pandu’s wife), Kaikeyi (wife of King Dashrath) were well versed in the art of charioteering during war. There is famous instance of Satyabhama driving Krishna’s chariot when He defeated Narakasura. The women were well trained to follow their temperament, but they were never sent outside to schools along with boys or other men. Though now women are encouraged to be financially independent, go out to study, play and work; but earlier it was unimaginable. Queen Draupadi, one of very chaste women, had never been beheld even by wind or sun [Mahabharata, Sabha Parva]! Those were the ideals of chastity then! As India is replete with wonderful examples of chaste women, no wonder there have been similar examples of celibate men like Hanuman, Parashuram, Haridas Thakur, the goswamis of Vrindavan, Narada muni, Sukadev Goswami, Bheeshma pitamah and so on.
Education. Observance of the vows of celibacy and sense control are so important in defining a person’s intelligence and memory that first phase of a man’s period that of student life was in itself defined as brahmachary, followed by grhastha, vanyaprastha, and sannyasi. Out of the four, three ashrams are based on observance of complete celibacy. The exception, grhastha phase, a man was allowed to mix with women but that too in restriction.
“Srila Prabhupada: One thing is that we teach our boys how to become (brahmacari)-how to live the life of celibacy, how to control their senses. In Vedic culture, marriage generally doesn’t take place until the boy is about twenty-four or twenty-five and the girl is about sixteen or seventeen. And because they are experiencing the spiritual pleasure of Krsna consciousness, they are not simply interested in sex life. So we don’t say “don’t mix with women,” or ,”Stop sex life.” But we regulate everything under the higher principle of Krsna Consciousness. In this way everything goes nicely.”
Further, again there was subsystem of education methodology, curriculum and the facts related to a students’ eligibility for receiving education.
Education had never been a money minting industry, as it has turned now. It was given free for the sake of spreading knowledge of self realization and training a class of realized leaders of the society. No wonder even the kings were rishis and great yogis. Parikshit maharaj, Yudhisthir, Dashrath, Janaka, Sri Ram are just a few to name.
Unlike the modern schooling system where even the transportation buses, classes are air conditioned, giving a glimpse of luxury and comfort; Vedic system had system of gurukulas where life was sans sense gratification and of austerity and surrender. The student served the guru with humility and remained 24/7 under constant observance and training by a qualified teacher or acharya, who was himself a great example of what he preached. Even the Supreme Lord, as a student set the example by serving His guru Sandipani muni just like any other student and doing ‘menial’ work as collecting wood from the forest etc.
“The brahmacaris, or students under the care of a bonafide spiritual master, control the mind by abstaining from sense gratification. A brahmacari hears only words concerning Krishna consciousness; hearing is the basic principle for understanding, and therefore the pure brahmacari engages fully in harer namanu kirtanam — chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord. He restrains himself from the vibrations of material sounds, and his hearing is engaged in the transcendental sound vibration of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna.” [Commentary by Srila Prabhupada.BG 4.26]
The educational content was not based on the speculative information furnished by the scientists whose science keeps changing its statements every day and motivated historians who would distort the facts to suit their ulterior motives. Time was regarded precious and every moment was utilized in realizing the higher truth, emphasis was not on body but on soul which is eternal. The curriculum was thus based on eternal truths, the shastras.
Further, there was no room for co-education. Boys lived separately in the gurukula under the able guidance of a qualified acharya, while the girls were educated at home by other senior women of the family and of the village. In Vrindavan, we have the example of Purnaswasi playing the role of mentor to the girls. In a few cases, they were also trained by other qualified teachers, but all at home itself.
The acharya had complete freedom to accept a student based on the latter’s qualification become his student. (So different from modern system where it is only the ability to pay the fat fees that defines their ability to get admitted in a particular school. We have examples of acharayas rejecting a student’s request in the history. For instance, Dronacharya rejected Karna and Ekalavya’s request to be their students. The relationship between the student and the teacher was of mutual love, trust and great reverence. Truth was the founding principle. We learn that Karna in his ambition to become the world’s archer wanted to receive training and education from Parasuram and lied to his teacher to learn the art. He claimed himself to be a brahmana, but later when the truth got revealed to Parasuram in a very touching situation, Parasuram did not hesitate to curse Karna. So stringent were the rules of eligibility to education and learning (education for all?). No wonder every man was trained to see every woman other than his own wife as his mother.
Social systems. Celibacy is like going upstream. This desire has been indoctrinated in the jivas through different lakhs and lakhs of bodies; surprisingly still it has not exhausted itself and it is difficult to give it up totally in favor of the Lord for just one life. The Indian social system recognized the great power that Maya devi wielded. The structure of social system was therefore designed to be a matrix of wonderful rules that encouraged celibacy and chastity. The institution of child marriage was one of them. In our village in UP it is still prevalent. The children, after a thorough check of the background and other related details of the boy and girl by the family elders, are married at the age of 6 years or so. When they become matured and are appropriately trained and educated (somewhere round 24 years or 25 years) another ceremony called gauna takes place. Prior to this ceremony the girl and the boy though married, do not stay together. After the solemnization of this ceremony the girl begins to come to the boy’s house for different festivals and slowly over a period of a year or so she begins to permanently stay at her in-law’s place. Since the two are married at quite a young age, love for each other grows over time and there is no room for anxiety of partner-hunting. There is no concept of divorce or remarriage or even abortion; there is therefore no equivalent for these words in Hindi language.
Since men and women are comparable to butter and fire, they need to not only kept separate but attraction is further minimized by the dressing code. The nakedness of animals was not emulated by men as they were constantly aware of the significance of a human body and its goal. A decent woman was expected to keep her head covered and cover herself nicely. Srimati Radharani is the epitome of a woman’s grace, no man had ever held her, even her feet are never visible except on Her appearance day. Laxman, as Sri Ramji’s brother sets the ideal of conduct even with a sister in law. He had never beheld Sita devi’s face and could recognize only her anklets as he had always seen Her feet while touching them for blessings. A married woman or girl is immediately recognizable by their sindoor in the parting, red bindi, toe rings, mangal sutra round her neck, and clamor of bangles while draping themselves in a sari (the 6 yard wonder) to avoid confusion. Similarly men covered themselves decently in a dhoti, kurta and angavastram (also known as angoccha).
This purity in thought and action was further cemented by healthy eating habits and varnasrama system. This is why Srila Prabhupada on seeing a few sannyasis failing to keep their vows of celibacy compassionately gave the solution of reviving the institution of daiva varnasrama in the society.
Daiva Varnasrama set up is like a safety net to save the spiritual trapeze artists from falling in the circus of material life. Celibacy is purity in thought and action; and thus a great force, which is so much required. Hare Krishna!
[The article had originally appeared in The Eight Petals. The author can be contacted at: Vrindavanlila.brs@gmail.com]
The first Kulimela, held in New Vrindaban, West Virginia in 2006, was an effort by ISKCON’s second generation to move away from party-style gurukuli reunions and explore their identity and what they could accomplish both materially and spiritually.
The 10th anniversary of that Mela, which also took place in New Vrindaban from June 15th to 19th this year, took those themes further and showed new levels of maturity and stability amongst the Kuli community, while still being full of joy and celebration.
With a large percentage of the Kulis that attended the 2006 Mela now raising their own children, the 10thanniversary festival focused on celebrating family and building community.
Acyuta Dasi sings at the 24 Hour Kirtan
Around 700 people flooded into the emerald hills of New Vrindaban for the event. They included Kulis from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe and South and Central America; but also over 100 of the Kulis’ children, as well as a sizeable amount of first generation devotees. This was part of organizers’ efforts to broaden the meaning of the word “Kuli” which literally just means “community.”
No longer just “youth” as they’re still often erroneously known as throughout ISKCON, the second generation attendees themselves ranged in age from teens to mid-forties, many of them working professionals, parents, and valued contributors to their communities.
Ganga Sheth and Anapayini Jakupko dazzle with their Gambling Match dance from the Mahabharat
This audience, of course, was perfect for the Mela’s themes of family and community, and therefore many of its nearly thirty seminars were geared towards such themes. There were classes on parenting, homeschooling, child protection, finding the right marriage partner and permaculture.
Meanwhile two plenary sessions saw a panel of experts in their fields talking about the importance of family and community in ISKCON and how to improve it, with questions and comments from participants. There were also classes on drama, Indian classical music, Sanskrit grammar, cooking, and yoga.
Krsna Tone invites kid dancers on stage to join in with his Krsna-infused dance music
Other seminars focused on healing, taking a serious look at the trauma that ISKCON’s second generation have historically gone through and how to care for oneself. Outstanding issues of child protection and other areas of strained relationship between ISKCON’s first and second generations were also discussed, with attempts at understanding and progressing.
And in the most well-attended session of the Mela, Karnamrita Dasi and Ananta Vrindavana Das, both alumni of Dallas and New Vrindaban Gurukulas, were honored and presented with a plaque by the Kulimela Assocation for their “unique contributions and sacrifices as a pioneer member of our community.”
Kulis from the UK hard at service in the kitchen
A heartfelt affair, the ceremony was full of laughter and tears, and generated a newfound appreciation for our brothers and sisters. The hope is that it restarts a tradition born in 2006 of regularly honoring Kulis’ service, inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s assertion in the Nectar of Instruction that “The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges between devotees.”
Such loving exchanges were a constant throughout the Mela, with Kulis seen throughout tightly embracing old friends, taking prasadam together and sharing their deepest thoughts in confidence. Service was also a huge part of that expression of love, with volunteers cooking and washing pots in the kitchen, giving the morning Bhagavatam class, and working crazy hours to set up the tents, stages and other facilities. Meanwhile teenagers from the Kirtan Experience tour chanted constantly in the all-day bhajan kutir.
Kulis get hot-air balloon rides over New Vrindaban
Of course, there was plenty of time to cut loose and have fun too. A sports field was active throughout, and every evening from 6:30pm till late, Kulis of every age shared their talents to entertain and uplift. There was magic by Dattatreya Yogesvara, comedy by Ekendra Das, Bharatanatyam by Anapayini, a fashion show by Kuli designers, dance music with a Krishna conscious twist by Krsna Tone and funky kirtan with the Mayapuris, among many, many more acts. All created a sense of togetherness, support and celebration, as everyone danced and sang to their heart’s content.
Caring for our children was a huge focus of the Mela and was evident during the entertainment, with Krsna Tone inviting a huge group of little kids to dance on stage with him and take bows afterwards. The Mela also featured an all-day kids camp run by Vraja Johnson with help from parent volunteers that cared for nearly 100 kids throughout, giving them arts and crafts, storytelling, a gardening experience, Prabhupada’s Palace tour, lots of play time and their own fashion show.
Getting ready to send lanterns into the sky
“There’s practically no better way to express our themes of family and community than taking care of the future generation,” says co-organizer Chaitanya Mangala Das, whose brother Bhima headed up the Mela.
Reflecting on this 10th anniversary of Kulimela, Chaitanya feels that it was a definite success. “When we look around and see elements of our four main objectives – serving together, building community, transforming hearts, and empowering each other – happening everywhere, and done with smiling faces, we know that we’ve achieved our goal,” he says.
Source:http://iskconnews.org/kulimela-blends-service-fun-family-and-community,5649/
Madhvacarya das, ACBSP, left his body.
We are sorry to inform the devotee community that His Grace Madhvācārya prabhu, Śrīla Prabhupāda disciple, left this world past Sunday 19 of June. He and a group of other devotees were celebrating his mother’s 95 birthday anniversary when he just felt on the ground, he passed away en route to the hospital surrounded by devotees. There will be last rites services at the Mexico City ISKCON temple next Friday July 1st.
It is worthy to add that his mother, Śrīmatī Rocana devī dāsī, is Śrīla Prabhupāda’s elder disciple still on the planet at 95 years old. She has several sons and daughters initiated and grandsons and granddaughters.
This summer and fall, for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, the GBC Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture will run conferences on simple living in four continents. It hopes that the conferences will also launch a support network for ISKCON farms around the world.
The Ministry was first established in 1998 by Balabhadra Das of the International Society for Cow Protection (ISCOWP), who emphasized working with oxen and encouraged devotees to take up cow protection as a key part of their mission.
Taking over from him in 2014, Shyamasundara Das from the UK emphasized the paradigm that Ahimsa milk comes with a high price, because of the amount of work that goes into caring for cows throughout their lives. He also focused on caring for and providing accommodation for ISKCON’s cow protectors, with the slogan that “you cannot protect if you’re not protected.”
Together with Hungary’s New Vraja Dhama farm, Balabhadra and Shyamasundara also launched an annual European farm conference in 2008, held in a different location every year. This year, however, will be the first time that there are conferences in four continents.
The locations will be Gaura Vrindavana farm in Brazil, South America from August 5th to 7th; Gita Nagari in Pennsylvania, North America from August 15th to 17th; Villa Vrindavana in Italy, Europe from September 20th to 22nd; and Nilachala Dham and Govardhana Eco Village in Maharashtra, India for Asia from October 5th to 7th.
All the conferences will focus on community building and a more natural way of living. In Gaura Vrindavana, Purushatraya Swami and his team are organizing discussions about organic farming, cow protection, bamboo production, and the role of unconventional plants in diets.
In Gita Nagari, there will be discussions about how to help ISKCON North America’s farm communities – which are quite distant from one another – work together more closely, creating synergy and a mood of cooperation.
The 9th annual European conference, in Villa Vrindavana, will be organized this year by senior householder Gunagrahi Das, who has made a living from organic farming, and will feature Krishna Ksetra Swami as a keynote speaker. Topics will include organic agriculture and cow protection, olive oil organic production, and ox power.
Leaders of the GBC Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture
In Asia, Damodar Dulal Das from Nilachal Dham and Sanat Kumar from Govardhan Eco-Village are planning possible topics for their conference including producing medicine from cow products and finding a market within ISKCON for them, organic farming, meeting all the Deities’ needs, and farmer’s outreach.
The conferences have already inspired a mood of cooperation, with the UK’s Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hungary’s New Vraja Dhama and Italy’s Villa Vrindavana sponsoring 14 delegates from different farm communities to attend the European edition. Meanwhile ECO-V in New Vrindaban, West Virginia has sponsored 12 delegates to attend the North American conference; and the Nilachala Dham farm has sponsored 100% of the Asian conference.
The conferences aim to give attendees the experience of learning from others, to help them envision the power of a collective effort, and to provide a jumping off point for building an international support network for ISKCON’s farm communities.
“There are many devotees around the world who are very skilled in various areas of agriculture, who have been doing organic farming or living in a sustainable way for many years, but we are not connected to them right now,” says conference coordinator Kalakantha Das, who is himself an experienced agriculturist from Brazil.
“This network would enable devotees with different areas of expertise to participate in our conferences, teach, invite others to visit their projects and train them on location, etc,” he adds. “It would also encourage them to publish educational materials that could be seen by people all over the world, creating a shared knowledge base on different topics. The network would also help define ISKCON-wide policies on different areas of agriculture and cow protection.”
Besides this network, the planning of the intercontinental conferences have sparked a flurry of other supporting activities. In Gita Nagari, devotees have already contacted local groups working with organic agriculture, youth and leadership, the Amish community, and dairy production. In Brazil, local ISKCON leaders have agreed to start a national department for cow protection, agriculture and sustainability.
For his part, Kalakantha will speak about the network in Alachua next May, and at ISKCON Russia’s biggest festival in September; and is working with Alachua and New Vrindaban on creating cooperation between North American farms.
Smita Krishna Swami will connect the efforts of the farm conference to ISKCON leadership by representing it at the next European Leaders’ Meetings.
And organizers hope to use the conferences to find representatives for the GBC Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture in different continents.
Meanwhile all this is leading up to a big international farm conference in 2018, with delegates from all over the world, and ISKCON experts as well as mainstream experts like environmentalist Vandana Shiva.
“There we’re going to discuss the future of farming and cow protection in ISKCON, as well as sustainability in temples,” says Kalakantha. “We’re trying to diminish the distance between the city and the farm – connecting city preaching to the farms, farm production to city restaurants, that kind of thing.”
Kalakantha also hopes that the annual conferences and the network it spawns will support expansion and new farm communities, and create a culture of recognizing devotees working on farms and making them feel valued.
“There are so many activities that go beyond just the conferences,” he says “And they are but a starting point to bringing devotees together around a more natural way of living.”
Source:http://iskconnews.org/four-continent-conference-to-launch-support-network-for-iskcon-farms,5646/
Lecture on Utilizing the Human Form of Life to Realize Our Lost Relationship with Krishna by HH Giriraj Swami on 05 Jun 2016 at Potomac
(Giriraj Swami was born Glenn Phillip Teton in the home of a respected Chicago lawyer. He met His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.)
To Listen and Download - click here
Lecture on History Repeats Itself by HH Indradyumna Swami on 11 Jun 2016 in London
(Indradyumna Swami is a disciple of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a Sannyasi traveling preacher, and a guru or spiritual teacher in the Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition. Each year Indradyumna Swami circles the globe teaching the message of the Bhagavad Gita and introducing people to kirtan chanting of the Hare Krishna maha mantra.)
To Listen and Download - click here
A movement was born back in ’66. It was a courageous step by one 70 year-old saintly person who had faith that the teachings of the bhakti tradition could enrich, change, transform, and ultimately transcend lives. Alone in New York in service to his spiritual master, he and a handful of young followers made it happen. 50 years later it flourishes.
At the time of signing the incorporation document for ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada drafted seven purposes for his new society. These were his hopes, dreams, and wishes for his service to the world – what he valued, what was important, and what he wanted to see happen in order to empower people to achieve a complete understanding of the self. The purposes can be more than guidelines for his organization. They can speak to us as individuals and make our spiritual life shine.
- Education to unite
When asked ‘Why have you come to America?’ Prabhupada replied, ‘I have come to teach what you have forgotten’. An educator at heart, Prabhupada wished to impart spiritual knowledge and techniques ‘in order to check the imbalance of values in life and achieve real unity and peace in the world’. If we can realize a higher sense of ourselves as individuals, an identity beyond our bodily concept, we can achieve a platform of equality. A culture of respect can grow there, and respect is the cornerstone of peace and unity.
On an individual basis this means should we read, learn, study, and reflect – daily. Let’s not get so busy that we don’t have time. We short change ourselves too often and forget that world peace starts at home. It’s how we look at, and interact with, the person right next to us.
- A sense of Krishna
Who is God? What does He do? Is God male? Female? How can we begin to accommodate the vastness of these questions, the search for the source of life and the purpose of why we exist? This second purpose presents two main books – Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, one spoken by Krishna and one spoken about Krishna. Marvelously detailed and written in beautiful verse, these books are like doors to the spiritual world. By reading them we can become conscious of Krishna, aware of His presence in our lives, as clearly as we can feel the earth beneath our feet.
- Connected Community
Community brings identity, and a sense of belonging. The third purpose speaks of bringing people together and nearer to Krishna. Through community and shared goals we can help each other, and humanity at large ‘develop the idea that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna)’. I love how Prabhupada writes ‘develop the idea’. The spiritual journey, our life journey, is long and sometimes difficult. Developing anything takes time, what to speak of our relationship with God. Communities, safe places where we can find support and assistance on the path, are essential.
Note to self: How can I shake off the feeling that I can go it alone? How can I be a better community member and give more in service and support? Can I be more open to receive and be nourished by the presence of others in the community?
- Kirtan Together
Here Prabhupada identifies the key practice of the Krishna consciousness movement – coming together and chanting Krishna’s sweet and sacred name. He wants his society to ‘teach and encourage’ this. By chanting together our one small voice for love becomes stronger, we feel connected with humanity, and we are moved closer to Krishna by the grace and energy of others. By placing krishna in the center, our individual sense of self is awakened and also our regard for everyone else as unique and valuable spiritual beings. The dust on the mirror of our mind begins to clear and we see life from a whole different perspective. Find kirtan and find yourself there.
- Sacred Places
It’s true that God, and the sacred, is everywhere. This world is all His energy and even the most ordinary of ordinary can be understood as pure spirit. That doesn’t exclude the need for specific locations dedicated exclusively to God which is described in this 5th purpose as ‘a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna’. Such places in our neighborhoods and communities are as important as parks in large urban dwellings. Sacred places bring fresh air to the soul, and invite us to deepen our experience of life as we connect and feel the shelter of Krishna there.
To practice this purpose visit, support, and be a part of a sacred place. Visit many! Support many! They are oases in the desert of material existence.
- Better Ways to Live
In the sixth purpose, Prabhupada wants to bring the members together to live a ‘simpler and more natural way of life’. The context of our lives is the earth and it’s elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether. We share that with other humans, plants and animals. If we can move away from manufacturing and consuming artificial, unnatural and unnecessary things and move towards simpler and sustainable ways, the whole world would take a turn for the better. With global warming, this is the need of the hour. It’s a humbly stated purpose but so very important. Put this one on your fridge for a daily reminder to simplify your life.
- Writings to Share
In service to the other six, the final purpose establishes the publishing and distribution of writings to ‘achieve the aforementioned purposes’. When Prabhupada started his mission in 1966, and wrote these seven purposes, it would be only eleven years later when he would leave this world. During this time, as he built his new society, writing, publishing and distributing spiritual literature was one of the main activities. He himself would rise at 1am every morning and translate treasured sanskrit teachings to share with the world. He also encouraged others to to write.
The seven purposes of ISKCON encapsulate his legacy. They are the goals of a society he personally established and wanted it to achieve. From world vision to personal experience the seven purposes outline components necessary to inform and support an authentic spiritual journey to understanding the essence of life. Prabhupada stood for all of us the day he wrote these purposes and the world is a better place because of him doing so. Let us stand with him now and make it a better place for others.
Everyone wants to be original – to offer something unique to this world. They want to contribute to the welfare of this world by showing their unique identity. This desire to show off originality is very natural and common in this world. In fact, this idea is promoted right from kindergarten.
As for devotees are concerned, they do the exact opposite. They do not offer anything unique to this world. They simply repeat what has already been spoken for thousands of years. In other words, they do not take pride in “borrowed plumes”. Peacocks look very beautiful with their plumes especially when the rainbow is out. If we borrow a plume from a peacock and show it off as our own, what credit do we get? Therefore, devotees give all credit to the teacher or Guru who teach to repeat knowledge as it is.
Unlike materialistic people who take pride in their originality, devotees express humility in the repetition of knowledge. This is one way to remain humble.
Hare Krishna
http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/06/originality-vs-borrowed-plumes.html
Recently my good friend Padmapani Prabhu, sent me this link to his page Prabhupada Connect where he has just posted the Vaisnava Journal in a pdf format. We will be posting all five issues here as well, for our readers, so you can download and save to your computer or just read online. Today we are posting Vol. 1, No. 2 as a free pdf download.
click on link to veiw or save; Vaisnava Journal Vol 1, No. 2
The Vaisnava Journal
by Padmapani das
The Vaisnava Journal was created to help devotees work through our differences in a respectful and co-operative manner with the aim of preserving the loving mood in our spiritual family after the physical departure of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. Although only five issues were printed and distributed over the next two-and-a-half years, the magazine was popular and well received by many leaders, members and friends of ISKCON.
Over the years, I’ve been approached by numerous devotees requesting copies of The Vaisnava Journal. Since I have only one set available, I was unable to comply until now. Please have a look at our humble attempt to serve Srila Prabhupada and his great mission during a time of change in our movement’s history.
In particular, I’d like to draw your attention to the Vaisnava Forum (letters section) which was launched to help facilitate a healthy dialogue among all participants. The mood was friendly and hopeful to which the devotees responded in kind. Writers and contributors read like a who’s who list of ISKCON members at the time. If anything, the journal proved that devotees of all persuasions can relate to one another with respect and godbrotherly love. This was Srila Prabhupada’s instruction and desire for us all.
“Perhaps you may know that there are many political parties in a country but when the country’s total responsibility has to be executed, they become combined. To have some little disagreements among yourselves is not very unnatural because we are all individual beings. But as we are working on behalf of Krishna, we should always forget our personal interests and see to the prime cause.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, January 21, 1969)
Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/06/23/the-vaisnava-journal/
The first time I saw Srila Prabhupada was in the L.A. airport. I think it must have been about 200 devotees went to greet him. We were a huge crowd and the loud kirtan and everyone was pushing forward, and there was a space above the partition where the passengers were coming out and you were able to see if it was a tall person. I remember a Stetson hat came by and something else came by, and then we could understand.."Is that.. ? No, that's not Prabhupada." We kept pushing forward more and more and the kirtan was bigger and bigger; and then I felt someone pushing behind me and I thought that's odd because I'm at the back of the crowd, I was a very new devotee.
So then I turned to look and there were two businessmen behind me, mid-20's, suits and briefcases and everything else, but they were looking and looking to see who we were waiting for. Then suddenly we saw a danda raised above the partition and we knew, "Oh, Prabhupada must be coming." So then Prabhupada came out and we all paid our obeisances and there was the most amazing feeling like a tidal wave rushing through me from the very depths of my being and pouring out, and I cried and cried and cried. Then finally when I stood up to go and follow the devotees who were following Srila Prabhupada, I turned and these two businessmen were standing there with tears pouring down their faces. That was such an amazing experience to see how they were touched just by a moment's association with Srila Prabhupada.
Source:http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/06/srila-prabhupada-airport-arrival.html
Sri Sharad Tripathi, Member of Parliament (MP) elected from Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, visited the ISKCON Temple in Balaramdesh on 20th June 2016 at about 7:30 PM during his Balaramdesh visit. He gave a speech in the Temple Hall. In his speech, he praised ISKCON’s devotional activities and services. He also glorified their Lordships, Vrindavan Dham and Mathura Dham (the speech is recorded and is available with HG Venkatesa Govinda Dasa).
While leaving the Temple Hall, I indicated HG Sridhar Madhava Prabhu to introduce the MP to His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, Minister for ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) and explain about his global Go Seva program through IDVM’s initiative of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign.
A brief but fruitful meeting took place between His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja and the Indian MP in Maharaja’s quarters. During the meeting, Maharaja highlighted the importance of Go Seva, the IDVM’s ongoing OM Sri Surabhi Campaign, the interdependence of cow protection movement and village life and so on. His Holiness also gave prasadam to the Honorable MP. The Honorable MP said that he would help establish an ISKCON center in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
While handing over the IDVM-India pamphlets to Mr. Tripathi I told him how Maharaja in his 5-days spiritual discourse had highlighted the grave situation of migration to cities. His Holiness had shown how thousands of families were leaving villages and going to town and cities. Therefore, India’s traditional or the village culture was disappearing. To stop and reverse this trend the IDVM Ministry, under the inspiration of His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami, has undertaken the Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra, which involves travelling to different villages and preaching the villagers to remain in the villages leading a simple life in Krishna Consciousness with Mother cow and Mother Earth.
The Honorable MP was jubilant to hear this and praised Maharaja’s noble work and carefully kept the pamphlet with him.
I also requested him that His Holiness’ mission be shared with the Central Government and other higher officials particularly with Srimati Menaka Gandhi and the Esteemed Prime Minister of India Honorable Narendra Modi. The MP responded positively and said that the Central Government could do many things in this regard and then left the temple.
Mangal Aarti Devi Dasi: A few days ago I was distributing books in Dundas Square, Toronto, when I stopped a young man from Germany who was on vacation. I showed him a copy of “Beyond Birth and Death” and said a little something to pique his interest. In the middle my talk an elderly man distributing free copies of the Koran walked over from the corner and tried to hand him some books on Islam. Here’s what ensued:
The Muslim representative encouraged the German to take his books, saying “You should research all religions.” I didn’t get angry at this intrusion but tried to sympathize with the older man, recognizing that he had a genuine desire to share his spiritual and cultural values for the benefit of others. This is purifying for any heart, I thought.
Then came the reply from the German: “No, thanks, I’m fine with this one [Prabhupada’s book].” As for me, rather than becoming proud of having won the bout of the books, I felt compassion for the Muslim and tried to minimize the feelings of rejection and dejection he must have felt. I prayed for a swift end to his negative feelings. After the German boy gave me ten euros and walked away, I turned away from the elderly man, trying not to give him the impression I was reveling in his defeat. I had a few moments to reflect on how often I’d tried to go out on a limb to present Krishna consciousness to someone, only to receive a big blow to my false ego in return.
Just then a boy named Joseph walked up to me. He introduced himself as someone who’d once visited our Toronto temple. He was eager to purchase a few books. I was curious about how fascinating the flow of interactions on book distribution can sometimes be. As he was explaining his interest, he revealed his true intention. He had come as an ambassador from the Muslim man. Joseph told me that the man had asked him to approach me to ask what we were all about. I decided the best thing would be to go over myself and present the Bhagavad-gita to the elderly gentleman personally. I wanted to make him my friend. He took a “Bhagavad-Gita As It Is” on Joseph’s donation, and I walked away with some books on Islam. It was a cultural exchange and a successful real-time interfaith dialogue.
Your Servant,
Mangal Aarti Devi Dasi
