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Fire Strikes ISKCON Again

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 23, 2010 at 10:56am
Fire Strikes ISKCON Again

First we lost Aindra Prabhu to fire, then a fiery explosion took out our Leicester Temple in the UK. Now, a massive wild fire has engulfed Pandavas Paradise, our 1000 acre Hare Krishna retreat center in the grassy plateaus of central Brazil (Chapada dos Veadeiros).

Though a common occurence at this time of the year, this wild fire was allied with a powerful wind. We are coming to the end of the dry season here, it is very dry and we haven’t had a drop of rain for about 120 days now.

Despite the best efforts of the team of 13 volunteers fighting the fire, we lost our best guesthouse, recently renovated and redecorated, with three comfortable guest rooms and a storage area.

Here’s a picture of the guesthouse and one of its rooms before:




And here’s what’s left:




The landscape now appears bleak but by Krishna’s mercy our other buildings were saved, despite the land around them being badly burnt. A spark of fire, carried by the wind, landed on the grass roof of our temple and the roof caught fire but one of our volunteers bravely climbed up and managed to put out the fire. Fortunately nobody was hurt and the deities are safe.







The fire has left us with a loss of tens of thousands of dollars, but we have wasted no time in lamentation, knowing well that everything Krishna does is for our benefit. We have started a campaign to raise funds for reconstruction and have already received dozens and dozens of emails, and donations are beginning to come in.

If you can help too, please let us know.


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Ratha Yatra Festival in Colombo

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 23, 2010 at 10:00am


Ratha Yatra Festival in Colombo

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will conduct its annual Ratha Yatra program for the 12th consecutive year.

The chariot carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subadhra will leave the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple at 188, New Chetty Street, Colombo 13 on September 22 around 7 am and the chariot will make its way back to the temple on the same day around 2 pm and prasadam will be distributed to all the devotees.



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Book Distribution in Taiwan

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 22, 2010 at 8:01am


I usually keep some small books like "Perfection of Yoga" and "Beyond birth and death" in my bag. I try to distribute them to anyone who seems a little favorable. Taxis are pretty commonplace in Taiwan and I do take them quite often. When it's time to get off, the driver usually extends his hand towards the back seat and then I put a book in his hand. Sometimes they take it and I say they can donate the taxi fare, which is usually NT$ 70 or 100 ie US$2 or 3.

This afternoon when I was leaving home, a lady was leaving from the apartment across our house. We were in the elevator together and I commented that she looked a lot like the lady who lives in the apartment across from our house. She said "yes" that lady is her sister. Then I said you even talk like her, the resemblance was uncanny. So then we walked out of the apartment building and suddenly I remembered that I had a "Beyond birth and death" in my bag. So I took it out and showed it to her and she took it so I asked for a donation. She said she will get it from her car. She took her purse from the car and gave me NT$2000 ie US$60!!!

I was so amazed! I didn't know whether I should keep the money or try to return it to her. In the meantime she got in her car and drove off.


ys,
Krishna Bhavna dd
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Real Life story -Cured for Service to Krishna

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 19, 2010 at 10:00am


Cured for Service to Krsna

Their disease was supposed to be terminal, but they’ve survived for lives of inspired and inspiring devotional service.
By Gopal Hari Das

THE CROWDED BUS JERKED to a stop. A concerned father and mother, Mukunda and Mina Gandhi, struggled out. With them were their two children, Chirag (7) and Vishal (3), in wheelchairs. Both boys were victims of Pseudohypertrophic Muscular Atrophy, an incurable, terminal disease that gradually destroys all the muscles in the body.
Pushing the wheelchairs forward, the parents walked to the base of famous Mount Abu in Rajasthan. Their destination was a large cave atop the mountain. They had been told that in the cave lived a four-hundred-year-old baba (renunciant). He was an accomplished tantric who could cure any disease.

The wheelchairs could move no farther. The determined parents lifted the children onto their shoulders and proceeded up the steep mountain. Thorns pierced their feet and the sun burned their skin, but they trudged on, seeking a cure for their incurable children. At last they reached the cave. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they
saw the old baba. He looked remarkably young, and his body was covered in ash. Next to him were his fellow babas. Many of them were naked, with long matted hair, and they all held the trisula—Lord Siva’s trident weapon. It was a frightening sight.

Mukunda explained the reason for their visit. The baba said that he would need to find out whether the children were curable. He picked up a human skull and, holding it up to his ear, began talking to some higher spirit. He then set the skull down and said, “Yes, your children shall be cured. But I need some herbs from Nepal. These herbs will cost about twelve thousand rupees.” The parents quickly realized that they had fallen into the hands of robbers in the guise of saints. Fading Hopes This was not the first time the Gandhis had been baffled in their attempt to find a cure for their children. Over the last seven years, they had tried every possible cure—allopathic, homeopathic, ayurvedic, tantric, and acupuncture. They had also consulted doctors in America, but all of them had pronounced Chirag and Vishal incurable. The doctors said they wouldn’t live past eighteen.

Mukunda and Mina escaped from the cave and ran down the mountain as fast as they could, carrying Chirag and Vishal in their arms. Sweating and panting, they boarded the first bus back to Ahmedabad, their hometown in Gujarat, never to see the babas again. Soon, Chirag and Vishal began going to school, despite their ill health. By
the time Chirag turned fifteen, both parents had resigned themselves to the fact that there was no cure and had decided to let fate run its course. The parents lost interest in religion, while the boys developed a deep interest in science and the meaning of life. “As time passed,” Chirag remembers, “I reached twelfth grade and Vishal
entered eighth. Both of us were doing well in our studies. But our physical condition was worsening. We were becoming weaker, and our bodies seemed uglier than before. We began facing difficulties in eating and other ordinary activities. Our speech was unclear. Our parents were very worried.”

Gita To The Rescue:

At the age of seventeen Chirag completed high school, but he didn’t have enough strength to pursue further studies. One day, he asked his father what he should do to use his time. His father was sitting in his office. He looked up at the five editions of Bhagavad-gita on his bookshelf, randomly pulled out one, and gave it to Chirag. It was Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Chirag read the book and found answers to questions he had been asking throughout his life. He persuaded his father to take him to the Krsna temple in Ahmedabad. Soon, the entire family became devoted members of the temple and attended the Sunday Feast every week. As the doctors had predicted, however, in his eighteenth year Chirag became very ill. He was taken to the hospital and put under strong medication. He became extremely thin, and doctors warned that he had only a few more days to live.
But amidst all of this, Chirag never forgot the temple. He remembered that the next day was Gaura Purnima, the appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He asked his father to go to the temple with Vishal for the whole day, and to bring him there in the evening. His father agreed, although Vishal was also quite sick at the time.
Vishal had faith in the power of Krsna's holy name. At the temple on Gaura Purnima, he chanted 108 “rounds” of the maha-mantra on his beads, from six in the morning until seven in the evening. At four o’clock, Mukunda brought Chirag, who was on intravenous support. After viewing the deities, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, they both went home.
That night, Chirag drank some caranamrta (water that has bathed the deities) that he had brought with him from the temple, and went to sleep. The next morning, when Chirag awoke, he had miraculously regained his normal strength. The crisis was over. Soon after, Chirag and Vishal received initiation from His Holiness Gopal Krsna Goswami, and were given the names Caturatma Dasa and Visvarupa, respectively.

Today, despite their illness, they perform immense service for Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. They lead kirtanas expertly and give classes at the temple. Visvarupa has translated Srila Prabhupada's Path of Perfection into Gujarati. And although they cannot walk, they make yearly visits to Mayapur, Jagannatha Puri, Vrndavana, Dwarka, and other holy places. The brothers’ most successful activity in spreading Krsna consciousness is a
youth program they have started in their home. By holding regular kirtanas and discussion groups, they have touched the lives of hundreds of young people. The brothers have become spiritual mentors for the youth, encouraging them in Krsna consciousness. “Caturatma and Visvarupa are role models for me,” says one young man. “Their
determination and faith are inspiring. If they can be good devotees in the face of such adversity, why can’t I?” The brothers, now 23 and 19, have no worries about the future.
“Lord Krsna nourishes and maintains every living entity,” says Caturatma. “He promises in the Bhagavad-gita, ‘Surrender to Me. I will protect you. Don’t be afraid.’ We don’t consider our bodies to be miserable anymore. Actually, our disability has made life blissful: So many people come to express their sympathy, and we take the opportunity to tell them about the science of Krsna consciousness.”

-Gopala Hari Dasa
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Is this spark plug 500,000 yrs old? - Latest Ancient Discovery

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 14, 2010 at 10:25am
Evidence that Advanced Technology existed 500,000 yrs back!


While mineral hunting in the mountains of California near Olancha during the winter of 1961, Wallace Lane, Virginia Maxey and Mike Mikesell found a rock, among many others, that they thought was a geode - a good addition for their gem shop. Upon cutting it open, however, Mikesell found an object inside that seemed to be made of white porcelain. In the center was a shaft of shiny metal. Experts estimated that it should have taken about 500,000 years for this fossil-encrusted nodule to form, yet the object inside was obviously of sophisticated human manufacture. Further investigation revealed that the porcelain was surround by a hexagonal casing, and an x-ray revealed a tiny spring at one end. Some who have examined the evidence say it looks very much like a modern-day spark plug. How did it get inside a 500,000-year-old rock.

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Giriraj Swami Nectar

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 14, 2010 at 9:27am


Krsna Bamani dasi:
I was going to say one more thing. You already explained it. But in today's world, fanatical Muslims or fanatics in any religion--they may be chanting God's names, yet so much violence is going on. They may chant, for example, "Allah, Allah," yet engage in so much violent activity. They are "God's warriors," so to speak. So, you have explained that there are ways to chant God's names properly.

Giriraj Swami: Correct. One must avoid that offense of offending devotees, and devotees are there in every tradition. One may take the name of God in one's own tradition, but if he is inimical to devotees in other traditions, that is an offense, not only against the devotees but against the holy name. And if one commits offenses against the holy name, one doesn't get the benefit. In fact, it is described that when you offend devotees, the holy name is offended and withdraws its mercy. So even though such fanatics are mouthing God's name, it is almost as if God has left. He has withdrawn His mercy from them, because they are offensive.

Of course, offending devotees is the worst, but offending anyone--causing pain to any living entity--is prohibited. That is the complete injunction. And that is one reason why we don't kill animals or eat flesh.

So, it is not just a question of mouthing God's name. One should be in the proper consciousness, the proper mood of service to God and to the devotees of God--in whatever tradition, culture, or community they may be. We should respect and appreciate all genuine devotees, servants of God, and encourage the devotees and chant the holy names. That will bring us all success, and one day the holy name will reveal Himself to us, and we will see Krsna face to face.


prabhu kahe,--"vaisnava-seva, nama-sankirtana
dui kara, sighra pabe sri-krsna-carana"



The Lord [Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu] said, "You should engage yourself in the service of the servants of Krsna and always chant the holy name of Krsna. If you do these two things, you will very soon attain shelter at Krsna's lotus feet." (Cc Madhya 16.70)

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Contamination of Ghee

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 12, 2010 at 11:30am



Dear ghee enthusuiasts,

Hare Krishna!

Contamination of ghee is a world-wide phenomena. Queensland Butter Board ghee in the green can (QBB) used to be a reputable ghee here in Australia. In fact it was the first ghee ever produced here, back at the turn of the 20th century, when lack of refrigeration in remote farms in Queensland made butter storage problematic.

Apparently it has finally shut down it's operations here in Australia, but the name and label is used in Malaysia. There has been big scandal about finding gross contaminants in it, specifically pig products, so it has successfully offended Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Vaisnavas alike.

"This product constitutes of decolorized and deodorized lard (pig fat) in semi-solid state with permitted additives giving the product color, flavor and aroma similar to that of pure ghee color, flavor and aroma.”

(full original report is below)...

This should certainly put you off buying ghee from dubious sources. Here in Australia I strongly urge my cookery students to only by Allowrie ghee and never anything imported.



dasa,

Kurma

...........................................................................


Hare Krishna!

We have just received information that the report we lodged with the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) a couple of months ago to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee from supermarket shelves to check whether they are contaminated with animal lard or oil or chemicals has turned in some positive results with serious implications for all devotees and leaders in our Krishna-conscious society.


CAP, acting on the complaints received from us and other parties, communicated the matter to the government's Islamic Development department (JAKIM), who in turn got the Chemistry Department to do some testing. The Chemistry department have tested at least one brand of supermarket "ghee" which had featured prominently in most of the complaints, QBB brand, and reportedly found it to be mixed with "doubtful elements".


CAP president and veteran campaigner of consumer rights SM Mohamed Idris issued a press statement in Penang yesterday with the following warning to Muslims and all vegetarians:


"JAKIM and the Chemistry Department have tested the ghee and found it to contain doubtful elements and therefore cannot be consumed by Muslims and other vegetarians."


The full text of his statement is included below.

In the meantime, JAKIM has withdrawn their "halal" certification from QBI Packaging Sdn Bhd, the suppliers of QBB "ghee". They posted the following statement on their website today:


Adalah dimaklumkan bahawa JAKIM telah mengambil keputusan untuk menggantung Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia kepada Syarikat QBI Packaging Sdn Bhd sehingga
JAKIM berpuas hati status kehalalan produk berkenaan berkuatkuasa 19 Ogos 2010.
Oleh yang demikian, QBI Packaging Sdn Bhd adalah dilarang serta merta menggunakan logo halal Malaysia pada semua produk berjenama QBB Pure Ghee.


Sekian, terima kasih

- Pegawai Perhubungan Awam JAKIM

Tarikh : 24 Ogos 2010
Sumber : Unit Perhubungan Awam JAKIM
Editor : PRO JAKIM

CAP is now calling the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism to immediately ban the sale of QBB ghee in Malaysia.


Now what are the repercussions of all the above developments for ISKCON members?

Firstly, it confirms our suspicions about supermarket "ghee" being potentially contaminated with animal lard/oil/chemicals. And I wouldn't limit the suspicions to QBB brand alone.


Previously Ajamila Prabhu did his own testing of another well-known brand of supermarket "ghee" that he had purchased (a bucket, for about RM120), showed us the horrible results, and dumped the entire bucket.


If we cannot trust supermarket "ghee" anymore, what are we to offer our Deities now, especially the Deities in the temple, since pure ghee is an essential element of ISKCON Deity worship?


The question wouldn't arise if ISKCON temples here maintained their own goshallas (cow shelters) , as many ISKCON temples in India do. Until we reach that standard, the compromise is to heat and clarify ghee

from butter (at least so long as they don't adulterate the butter with dubious elements)

Better still is to churn butter from cream or curd and clarify the ghee from it, as our Varnasrama Dharma Council coordinator Radha Ramana Prabhu is doing at the ISKCON Kluang centre.


At our National Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday, we distributed a "Cow Protection and Eco-Friendly" checklist to all ISKCON branch chairmen and temple presidents to fill in. This is to help us monitor the current standards being maintained at their respective centres/temples and measure their rate of improvement towards the desired standards.

Of the nine questions on this checklist, two pertain to ghee:


5. Standard of Ghee offered to the Deities

A. Ghee churned and clarified by devotees from milk/cream produced by devotees

B. Ghee churned and clarified by devotees from milk/cream produced by non-devotees

C. Ghee clarified by devotees from butter produced by non-devotees

D. Ghee made by local milkman

E. Ghee from retail stores




6. Is all Deity cooking done with only Ghee of at least 'C' standard (as above) or higher, without resorting to oil or other substitutes?


A. Yes
B. No

From the results filled in, we found that many centres are still offering "ghee" purchased from retail stores. After they have read this report of the latest developments, we hope that the leaders of these centres will raise their standards immediately to at least C-standard (if not higher) as stated above in the checklist's question

#5.You can help in the exercise by asking your local tp/branch chairman/committee what kind of ghee they are offering the Deities?

Below is the statement from CAP, and our series of communications with them in pursuing this matter.


In Vaisnava service,
Goloka Candra dasa

----- Original Message -----
From: "Uma" <idris_md@streamyx.com>

To: <goloka@vastuproperty.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:23 AM
Subject: RE: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

23rd August 2010

URGENT PRESS RELEASE IMMEDIATELY STOP THE SALE OF QBB GHEE

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism to immediately call for the withdrawal of sale of QBB ghee being sold in Malaysia.

This is in view of the fact that the halal status of the ghee has been withdrawn by the Jabatan Kebangsaan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) on the grounds that it contains doubtful elements.

CAP has been liaising with JAKIM on the authenticity of the halal status of the ghee since July this year. In a reply to CAP of 20th August 2010, JAKIM had informed CAP that they were withdrawing the halal status of the ghee until they were convinced with the halal status of the product.

JAKIM and the Chemistry Department have tested the ghee and found it to contain doubtful elements and therefore cannot be consumed by Muslims and other vegetarians.

CAP calls on Malaysians to immediately stop consuming the ghee until its contents have been verified to be halal by JAKIM.

The Ministry of Domestic Trade Cooperative and Consumerism must immediately call for the total withdrawal of the product from the shelves as this is a serious matter and needs urgent action.


SM Mohamed Idris
President
Consumers Association of Penang

No. 10 Jalan Mesjid Negeri
11600 Penang
Tel: 04 8299511 Fax: 04 8298109 email: idrismd@tm.net.my



__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5387 (20100823) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.




__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 5391 (20100823) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.



-----Original Message-----
From: goloka@vastuproperty.com [mailto:goloka@vastuproperty.com]

Sent: Tuesday, 24 August, 2010 11:16 AM
To: Uma
Subject: Re: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

Dear Uma,
I searched for jakim's website and finally found the information on the withdrawal of the halal status at this url: http://www.islam.gov.my/portal/lihat.php?jakim=4835

It will be more helpful if you include the above url in your future communications to other members of the public who have similar queries on this subject. Secondly, you mentioned that you have issued a statement yesterday.

To whom?
Where is it available online?
If there's no embargo on it, and if this statement is indeed meant for public consumption, can you kindly forward it to us today instead of us having to wait for it to be published somewhere (and then having to search for it)?


Regards,
Goloka

----- Original Message -----
From: "Uma" <idris_md@streamyx.com>

To: <goloka@vastuproperty.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 8:32 AM
Subject: RE: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of

ghee

Dear goloka

Greetings.

The information on the withdrawal of the halal status can be seen on the JAKIM website.


Please do refer to it.

We have issued a statement yesterday and trust it will be published tomorrow.

Thank you

Uma



-----Original Message-----
From: goloka@vastuproperty.com [mailto:goloka@vastuproperty.com]

Sent: Tuesday, 24 August, 2010 8:08 AM
To: Uma
Subject: Re: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

Dear Uma,
It will helpful for our members if you can forward us the full text of the information you have received from JAKIM. Also, the full text of the statement that you have issued, together with the chemistry lab report.

Thank you.


Regards,
Goloka

----- Original Message -----
From: "Uma" <idris_md@streamyx.com>

To: <goloka@vastuproperty.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:35 AM
Subject: RE: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee


Dear goloka

Greetings.

We just informed yesterday by JAKIM that they have withdrawn the halal status of the QBB ghee because of doubtful elements found by the Chemistry department. We have issued a statement on the matter.

Thank you.

Ms. Uma



-----Original Message-----
From: goloka@vastuproperty.com [mailto:goloka@vastuproperty.com]

Sent: Monday, 23 August, 2010 8:09 PM
To: Uma
Subject: Re: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

Dear Ms Uma,

Just to double-check, are you saying that none of the items mentioned below, that is, animal lard or vegetable oil or chemicals, were traced to any significant extent in the ghee samples?

Appreciate if your analysis can provide a breakdown of the contents of the ghee samples tested. The manufacturers generally label their products as "pure ghee" (which means that the contents should be mainly milk fats).

Thank you.

Regards,
Goloka

----- Original Message -----
From: "Uma" <idris_md@streamyx.com>

To: <goloka@vastuproperty.com>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 12:32 PM
Subject: RE: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

Dear ms. Goloka

Yes, and it was not traced. However, awaiting new information on the product.


Hope to receive the response before end of next week.

Uma


-----Original Message-----

From: goloka@vastuproperty.com [mailto:goloka@vastuproperty.com]

Sent: Friday, 20 August, 2010 9:51 AM
To: uma
Cc: cap1@streamyx.com

Subject: Re: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

Dear Ms Uma,

Greetings.

We would like to know if there has been any progress in the testing of sample cans of ghee on retail shelves by the Consumers Association of Penang. It has been more than two months since the testing started.

Regards,
Goloka



----- Original Message -----
From: "uma" <idris_md@streamyx.com>

To: <goloka@vastuproperty.com>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 4:58 PM
Subject: Re: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee

Dear ms. Goloka

Greetings.

We are in the midst of testing the product.


thank you

Uma

----- Original Message -----

From: <goloka@vastuproperty.com>
To: <cap1@streamyx.com>

Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 12:45 AM
Subject: testing facilities to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee


Dear Sir,
It has come to our attention that many brands of ghee being marketed in Malaysia contain cow and pig lard or vegetable oil or chemicals, all disguised to look like ghee. We would like to know whether CAP has testing facilities, or can point us to any organisation with such testing facilities, to verify the contents of sample cans of ghee taken randomly from shop shelves.


SInce it is important to our members that the ghee used in our cooking and religious ceremonies be uncontaminated (especially no animal lard), we appreciate your advice in this matter.

Thank you.


Regards,
Goloka Candra dasa

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Malaysia

2 April 2010
Attention: Ms. Tan Poh Hong
CEO
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
5, Maxwell Road
Tower Block, MND Complex
Singapore 069110

Dear Madam

We wish to inform your goodself that for years, our consumer group as many other faithful consumers have been using “QQB” Ghee for various delicacies and religious functions without doubt, with full confidence that the said product is manufactured from the milk of dairy cows by its highly reputable manufacturer based in Queensland , Australia .
However, lately, we found that although the colour and aroma had now varied much, the taste seemed to be somewhat different. Therefore, we investigated this matter and concluded the following matters:
Its manufacturer Butter Producers’ Co-operative Federation Ltd (BPCF) addressed as No. 489, Kingsford Smith Drive , Hamilton , Brisbane , Australia had ceased operations in September 2006 and was no longer listed in the website of Australian trade authority being http://www.austrade/gov.au. In fact the satellite picture as the website http://maps./google.com shows that the following site is vacant land.

Printed on the tin is that the said product is manufactured from milkfat of dairy cows of Australia and in even smaller and rather unclear script, it is mentioned that its manufacturer is Q.B.I. Packaging Sdn Bhd, No. 19, Lorong Keluli 1C, Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Raja Selatan, 41050 Shah Alam, Selangor DE.,Malaysia and that the said product is manufactured under license from QBB (Pte.) Ltd., Singapore .


QBB Pte Ltd.., Singapore was originally the sole agent for “QBB” Ghee for Malaysia , Singapore and Brunei and it is not clear whether at the time when BPCF ceased operations in 2006, the “QBB” trademark rights were transferred from BPCF to QBB Ptd Ltd., Singapore . We suspect that Q.B.I. Packaging Sdn Bhd and QBB Ptd Ltd., Singapore are together carrying an act of piracy i.e. producing and selling a product whose legitimate manufacturing and sales rights were not transferred to them by its original manufacturer BPCF who was since wound up.


The report of an analysis conducted by a reputable food technology laboratory in Australia on the contents of a 2-lb tin of this product, where the said tin was taken from Malaysia to Australia by one of our group members, mentions the following:-
“This product constitutes of decolorized and deodorized lard (pig fat) in semi-solid state with permitted additives giving the product color, flavor and aroma similar to that of pure ghee color, flavor and aroma.” (Original report is with the sender of this letter).


Therefore, our consumer group had to boycott the use of this product as:-

a) Our muslim members cannot use this product as it is haram by religion

b) Our Hindu and Sikh members cannot use this product for burning of ghee lamps, religious functions or for preparing sweetmeats as places of worship which forbid the use of any animal oil/animal fat.

c) Our vegetarian Buddist friends who only consume vegetarian diet cannot consume the said product.

We believe that the “QBB Ghee” sold in Malaysia , Singapore and Brunei ever since BPCF closed down, is a product which is violating the related laws on the principle of “misrepresentation of label”. Therefore we hope that your goodself will take the appropriate action to stop the sale of this product.

Thanking you.

Letter signed by Mohd Kadir bin Mohd Karim (I/C
No. 601223-10-6157)
Secretary of Kumpulan Konsumer Satu Malaysia
(KKSM)

Note: Copy of this letter and analysis report sent to YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Abd. Khalid bin Ibrahim, Menteri Besar Selangor DE.

From :
SENIOR OFFICER,
ENGINEERING ((x53160)/65403160)


From :
Officer,
ENGINEERING SUPPLIES ((x14995)/65414995)

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An Appeal From ISKCON Vrindavan Goshala

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 10, 2010 at 3:30pm


“So our Krishna consciousness movement is not a sentimental movement. It takes care of all-round social organization. It is not something like religious sentiment. Everything should be taken care of. Therefore we say cow protection cow protection.” (Srila Prabhupada - 25 Nov 75-London)
The ISKCON Vrindavan Goshala makes an urgent appeal to its worldwide community of devotees, the goshala which houses over 385 cows, bulls and calves are in urgent need of 30 acres of grazing land, winter and summer sheds, upgraded medical care,and other facilities.
The goshala started by Srila Prabhupada in 1975 is providing Krishna Balaram, Radhe Shyam and Gaura Nitai with milk everyday.
Goshala director, Pran Govind Das said,'' We are making this appeal to all our devotees,friends and well-wishers to come forward and help in this dire time of need. The cows of Srila Prabhupada's goshala needs these facilities and our meagre collection of funds cannot support the growing expenses of the goshala.
It is said in all scriptures that by worshipping, feeding, housing and touching the cow all of ones sinful life is destroyed and the most fortunate person enjoys prosperity, good health and never sees the abode of Yamaraj.''
The existence of all living entities depends upon the cow. She awards all of life's objectives. She is the main cause of the production of all types of food grains. She is also the cause of the ingredients and the food offered in sacrifice to the demigods. Simply by her touch and sight, she purifies all living entities. She produces nectrean objects like milk, yogurt and ghee. Her calves, when grown up as bulls, carry heavy loads and help produce food grains. By her milk procucts she helps the demigods perform sacrifice. (Gomati Vidya from Vishnu Dharmottara part 11- 42/49 to 58).
To make an online donations please visit: www.goshala.com/sponsorship.
To send a cheque or draft made payable to:
ISKCON Goshala
Krishna Balaram Mandir
Raman Reti, Vrindavan – 281121
District Matura (U.P. India)
For further information please write to Vraj Raj Kumar Das on goshala@iskconvrindavan.com . Mobile no:91-9634575869.
Visit Krishna Balaram's cows at www.goshala.com


Read more…

The Sacrifice of Nama Yajna

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 10, 2010 at 8:38am


From HH Sacinandana Swami's newsletter Amrta-vani


Dear Devotees,
Please acecpt my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We are constantly working on and preparing fabolous Amrta-vani training newsletters. But in the meantime, while we prepare, we don't want to stop sending you spiritual inspirations:



The Sacrifice of Nama Yajna - Singing the Holy Name


A nama-yajna is exclusively for the pleasure of Krsna and doing it, all participants can become priests. You might ask how you can become a priest of the Holy Name? Lord Caitanya has given the following answer: Make your ears the sacrificial pit. The sacrificial spoon or ladle is your tongue. Use that tongue to pour the ghee of the Holy Name into the ears and then you will see how in your heart the fire of bhakti will rise high and strong. In other words, when we chant the Holy Name, we have to do it with absolute attention. We should be like priests, who sit before the yajna pit and chant the mantras in order to invoke the presence of the Lord. What a wonderful example.

Furthermore the devotees have to consciously sacrifice time, energy and give full attention to their intention. Krsna will be pleased by this sacrifice beyond measure and reward them with extra time and energy. If you have less time - chant more! Yes, the more we give to Krsna the more He responds. Very important for those who chant is to access the area of the heart.
It should not be just lips which are moving or feet which are dancing. No, chant from the heart. Our heart should move and our heart should dance. To enliven the heart in chanting is best done by chanting with a feeling of Radha Krsna sambandha or a relationship to the Deities who are glorified in the Maha mantra. Think about the persons whose name you chant. Think of Them in a loving way. Glorify Them, praise Them and chant in a prayerful mood: "O Radha and Krsna, please engage me in Your service. Please take residence in
my heart and in my senses, so that I can be your purified servant."

I wish you all the best in your efforts in this beautiful nama yajna!


Sacinandana Swami
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Boxer Mohammad Ali's advice to his daughter

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 10, 2010 at 8:00am
Boxer Mohammad Ali's advice to his daughter


An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing.

Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:

“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them." He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
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ISKCON’s largest ‘Goshala’ coming up near Tirupati

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 9, 2010 at 5:30pm


TIRUPATI: The country’s largest ‘Goshala’ in the network of International Society for Krsna consciousness (ISKCON) is coming up 50 km northwest of the temple city of Tirupati.ISKCON has decided to make use of the 50 acres of land donated by a philanthropistin Rangannagarigadda village of Chinnagottigallu mandal by setting up astate-of-the-art cow protection centre to house a whopping 2000 heads of cattle.Given the area’s contiguity to the Talakona forest, known forits serene ambience and dense foliage, the Goshala is expected to have alot of grazing fields and lush-green meadows.

Besides, its location just 4 km. from the Tirupati-Anantapur stretch of NH 205 will also address the logistical issues.The present ‘Goshala’ situated behind the ‘Lotus Temple’ on Hare Krishna Road was established way back in 1982 with just three cows. It which are housed at the Akkarampalli branchon the city outskirts. The has now grown into a full-fledged facilitywith 280 animals, half of ashram has native breeds like Kapila, Ongole,Punganur, Gir etc.

The new ‘Gosala’ is expected to prevent the distress sale of aged and handicapped cows to slaughterhouses to give them a ‘decent life at the twilight’.Apart from using the milk and other byproducts for performing ‘Abhishekam’ and making ‘Prasadam’, the authorities are also making the most of the cow urine and dung, which are abundant in medicinal properties, by producing drugs to treat cold,allergy, skin diseases,kidney ailments, diabetes, cosmetics etc.“Wegather, filter, boil and use the distilled urine for the medicalproducts”, says Revatiraman Das, head of ISKCON’s Tirupati unit.

After the Tirupati centre which provides mid-day meals everyday to 28,000 children of State-run schools,the upcoming facility is also providing free meals to 15,000 children of Piler, Chinnagottigallu and Yerravaripalem mandals. Apart from donations in the form of money, peoplecan also adopt cows and avail IT exemption.Details on adoption can behad on 0877-223 0009.
Read more…

Who is God?

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 9, 2010 at 9:26am



Who is God?

Question: Different religions claim their God to be the real God. Sometimes, certain people claim to be incarnations of God. Some consider God personal, others, impersonal. Who actually is God?

Answer: God has nowadays largely become an object of naļve sentiment and blind faith. However, knowledge of God is a precise and profound science. Based on that divine science, let’s address these questions one by one:

As science begins with definition of the object under study, let’s begin with the definition of God. The Vedanta Sutra (1.1.2) gives a definition that agrees broadly with the conception of God in the major world religions: “God is the source of everything.” Just as there is one source of illumination for the whole world, which is called sol in Mexico, surya in Hindi and sun in English, similarly, there is one source of all existence, who is called Allah in the Islamic tradition, Jehovah in the Judeo-Christian tradition and Krishna in the Vedic tradition. On a superficial reading, the Vedic texts may seem polytheistic, thus making the Vedic gods appear to be like the pagan gods whose worship the Semitic religions forbid. But a deep and guided study of the Vedic scriptures reveals that, though they contain multifaceted rituals for multilevel forms of worship, they are conclusively
monotheistic. That’s why the epithets to glorify Krishna in the Vedic tradition (e.g. Bhagavad-gita 10.32: “Of all creations I am the beginning and the end and also the middle”) are strikingly similar to the biblical eulogies of God (e.g. Revelations 22.13: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end…”)


In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna demonstrated his godhood by displaying to Arjuna his universal form, wherein lay everything and everyone in existence: the planets, stars and universes as well as all living beings – celestial, terrestrial and sub-terrestrial. If those who claim to be God cannot similarly display that they are the source of everything, we can safely reject their claim to godhood.


If God is the source of everything, then he must be the source of both the form-endowed things and the formless things that we see in this world. To be their source, he must himself have both these aspects. But how can he have form and also not have form? The Vedic texts explain with the example of the sun. The sun has form as a celestial globe and is formless as its widespread effulgence. Similarly, God has a form as the Supreme Person, Krishna, and is formless as the all-pervading effulgence, known as brahman. Just as the sun globe is the source of the sunlight, Krishna is the source of the Brahman, as is confirmed in the Gita (14.27).

(The author is associate-editor of ISKCON’s global magazine)
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Nectar - Distribute Books in All Circumstances

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 7, 2010 at 5:00pm
We were about to drive from Townsville, in North Queensland, to Brisbane, a distance of about 400 km. There is a big market in Townsville that I thought would be great for harinam and book distribution. But my wife felt a bit sick and wanted to leave right away so that we wouldn't get to our destination too late in the evening. I agreed with her proposal. So we set off with no plans to do books -- but Krsna had other plans.

I stopped in a side street to wash some fruit to eat on the way. There was a young guy sitting on a bench, so I decided to show him some books. He very happily took a Gita and a Dharma, giving a nice donation. Thus our journey began on an auspicious note. When we stopped on the way for some nuts and fruit, the shopkeeper took a cookbook. Later we stopped in a park to take lunch prasadam, some kichari and halava. We had just started our lunch when my wife said I should offer prasadam to some backpackers who had pulled in for lunch. They were not interested, but then I noticed two young men nearby, and when I invited them they enthusiastically came over and sat down for prasadam. We showed them some books, and they happily took a Gita and Cookbook for a nice donation.

After the backpackers had left I went to wash our plates, and I noticed a lady walking some dogs. I asked if she would like to try some vegetarian prasadam. She eagerly came over with her husband and partook of some kichari and halava. They also eagerly took a "Renunciation Through Wisdom" and a copy of Kurma's cookbook.

Finally we arrived at our destination. I had to stop at a gas station for directions to a friend's place. The lady behind the counter was on the phone talking about mashed potatoes for dinner -- how boring! She gave me directions. Then I mentioned that we had beautiful cookbooks which would leave her mashed potatoes for dead, and that we also had books containing solutions to stress. She said she had eaten our food at a lot of music festivals and loved it. (All glories to Braj Gauranga Prabhu and his team, who do the catering for hundreds of thousands of people throughout Queensland, and in fact all of Australia -- every year.) The lady enthusiastically purchased a copy of Kurma's cookbook, an SSR, and a "Renunciation Through Wisdom" all for $60.

Originally we had planned to just drive, but because we slightly desired to give people the topmost mercy in the form of Srila Prabhupada's books, Krsna made some wonderful arrangements.
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Jagannatha Rathayatra in Agra

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 6, 2010 at 7:12pm

Lakshman (das) Vrindavan (IN): Sri Sri Jagannath in Agra!!! Astonishing
though, see it as a reality to believe it. The Lord will be visible to
the naked eyes at the New ISKCON Centre at Kamala Nagar in Agra.
Devotees eager to witness this grant consecration ceremony- a feast to
the eye, ear and tongue- may please join us.

Rathayatra

From : Sri Mano-Kameswar Mandir, Agra

To : Sanjay Place, Agra

Date : Friday, the 17 September 2010

Time : 1.00 PM

Organiser : International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

Founder Acarya : His Divine Grace A. C, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Contract : Hari Vijaya Das, Mobile : 09897538392

The immaculate deities of the trio-siblings- Jagannath, Baldev and Subhadra- reached Agra at the New ISKCON Centre opened recently as a
branch of the ISKCON Vrindavan. Our supplications first to the Lord.

The Lord journeyed in Utkal Express from Bhubaneswar to Agra. The Lords were scheduled to travel in AC, but at the last moment decided to
move with the public in 3 tier with no reservation, for They had the
least thoughts to stake Their sublime state of equanimity right from
start. The Divine Triplets were dropped out at Dholpur to alter their
attire. The redressed Divinities stood out for darshan to the public
for a brief while and then proceeded to Agra seated in an open
mini-truck accompanied by a sankirtana party. The Lord gave darshan to
several devotees on either side of the pass way. The Trio were greeted
by a large crowd of devotes at many places in Agra. A procession of 51
cars accompanied the Lord’s carrier from Agra Stadium and a band too
joined soon after. Wherever the Lords gave darshan, palatable prasadams
and sweet drinks were offered in plenty to the pious gatherings. The
welcome songs to Jagannath and the Hare Krishna mahamntra vibrated the
air and thrilled the crowd. The Lord’s journey stretched around
5-6 hours to reach at the New Sri Jagannath Mandir, the new preaching
centre for the ISKCON devotees.

Significance of Rathayatra :

Intricate sentiments symbolise the grand rathayatra festivities connecting the event with the return of Lord Krsna to Vrindavan from
His pompous life in Dwaraka to meet His heart throbs. The palace of
Dwaraka represents the residence of Jagannath, an enticing enactment of
Lord Krsna’s scintillating pastime. At Puri, Krsna and His fraternal
associates dwell as living Deities to wipe off the sufferings of His
devotees in this mutilated age of kaliyuga. The Gundicha represents the
Vrindavana, where His eternal associates Radharani, the gopis and gopas
dwell. The visit of Jagannath to Gundicha symbolises the visit of
Syamasundara to meet His youthful associates of Vrindavan and the seven
days stay there reminds His enchanting moments of rasa-lila with the
loving company of their association. Many have enacted this colourful
event and many have coined articulating words of gesture to glorify
their touching love of Lord with the glories of Vrindavana.

Engrossed in separation with Radharani, Lord Krsna travelled to Kurukshetra from Dwaraka accompanied by Balarama and Subhadra and met
Radharani, His ever loving friend in Goloka Vrindavan. Dragged in
ecstatic love, Krsna was arrested in sentiments and His limbs dragged
in his body. Lord Caitanya was the manifest love of Radharani and He
carrying Jagannath to Gundicha reminds Radharani wanting to take away
Lord Krsna from Dwaraka to Vrindavan.

The Rathayatra became so famous because Lord Krishna-Balaram’s appearance of Gaura-Nitai. Lord Caitanya’s ecstatic dance half a
millennium ago created sensational ethos in the minds of the people and
it continued and it spread far and wide across the globe. The
Madhya-lila (13.1-2) with the translation of Srila Prabhupad tells,

sa jiyat krsna-caitanyah shri-rathagre nanarta yah

yenasij jagatam citram jagannatho api vismitah

“May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya, who danced in front of the car of Sri Jagannath, be all glorified! By
seeing His dancing, not only was the whole universe held in wonder, but
Lord Jagannath Himself became very much astonished.”

jaya jaya sri-krsna-caitanya nityananda

jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrinda

“All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya and Prabhu Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacarya! And all glories to the devotees of Lord Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu!”

The glories of Rathayatra :

The Narada Purana (uttara kanda 52.12) reveals the conversation between Lord Narayana and Lakshmidevi about Purushottama kshetra
(Jagannath Puri),

pratimam tatra tam drstva svayam devena nirmitam

anayasena vai yanti bhavanam me tato narau

“A person who sees the Deities there built by the Lord Himself will easily find the path to reach My abode.” Anyone seeing the Deities of
Lord Krsna, Balarama and Subhadra at Jagannath Puri during their
leisure outage of rathayatra means buying a ticket to reach the Supreme
Abode of Vaikuntha, the eternal world of no worries. The Lord promises
that His devotees who take all pains to gather at Puri during the
rathayatra will be rid off their miseries and may reach the eternal
abode of Goloka Vrindavana and enjoy their life in association with
Lord Krsna, Radharani and their close accomplices.

It is said that the participants in the festivities will be blessed immensely by Lord Jagannath (Krsna) such as (1) By the sight of
Jagannath’s merciful large two eye globes, the devotee will be blessed
with astute purity of mind and spiritual elevation; (2) Observing the
rathayatra will dissipate the sins committed by the embodied person in
the past births; (3) The accompanying person in the rathayatra will
receive opulence at par with Lord Vishnu even if he hails from a poor
family; (4) Dancing, singing and chanting in the rathayatra entourage,
the participant will be elevated to a level superior to yogis; and (5)
Active participation in the rathayatra by any means will receive the
utmost blessings of Lord Jagannath.

The glories of rathayatra are inimical to imprint in mind the symbolic love of God to His devotees. Srila Prabhupada said, “If you
participate in these car festivals, as stated in the scriptures, rathe
ca vanam drstva punar janma na vidyate…. If you kindly see these
Jagannath deities riding on these cars or these processions, and as
Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted the Hare Krsna mantra in front of this car,
then according to the Vedic scripture, in your next life you’ll go
back, back to Godhead.” Those who participate in the festival have a
food for thought in the years to come and it may drag down even to the
final moments of their life to affix the attention in the eventful
pastimes of Jagannath as Krsna tells in Bhagavad Gita (8.5-6),

anta-kale ca mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram

yah prayati sa mad-bhavam yati nasty-atra samshayah

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty-ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya sada tad bhava bhavitah

“Towards the end of life and at the time of departing the body, he who remembers Me will undoubtedly attain My nature. Whatever a living
being thinks at the time of leaving his body, that alone he attains for
being always absorbed in that state.” Those devotees who always chant
and prostrate at the holy feet of Lord Jagannath uttering the
mahamantra (HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA; HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE
RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE) ordained by the Lord Krsna Himself in the
form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and propagated all over the world by Srila
Prabhupada will be blessed with perfect devotion to God forever, which
is said to be superior to liberation.

nilacala nivasaya nitwaya paramatmane

balabhadra subhadrabhyang jagnnathayate namaha

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Hare Krishna temple cleared just before explosion - BBC news

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 5, 2010 at 11:30pm

A Hare Krishna temple in Leicester was evacuated seconds before an explosion almost destroyed the building, according to fire crews.

A religious celebration was being held at the property in Thoresby Street when one of the occupants went to disconnect a gas cylinder being used for cooking.

Leicestershire Fire Service said the man noticed the valve was leaking and got everyone out with moments to spare.

It was a "miracle" no-one was killed, watch manager Bill Smith said.

'Saved lives'

He said "Most of the guests were in and around a marquee area just outside the building. In the kitchen they had a large LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder hooked up to a large gas ring.

"After the meal they disconnected the pipe from the cylinder but the cylinder kept leaking.

"The person who disconnected the cylinder realised the danger of the gas leaking. He ran out and got everybody to run over to the other side of the road.

"Within 30 seconds there was a large explosion. He has no doubt saved the lives of many people with his actions."

A number of people suffered minor injuries and shock, but nobody was seriously hurt in the blast, which shook nearby homes.

A third of the terraced building was destroyed and was left too unstable for emergency services to enter.

There were initial reports that worshippers could have been trapped inside or underneath rubble left by the blast, which happened at 1430 BST.

'Walking wounded'

Firefighters went into the building to conduct a search but it became too unstable to send more in so an urban search and rescue dog was used to scour the wreckage.

The fire service later confirmed everyone had been accounted for.

BBC reporter Jonathan Cecil said he had seen a couple of "walking wounded" outside the temple after the explosion.

East Midlands Ambulance Service said four people, including a firefighter, were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Nima Gajjar, spokeswoman for Iskcon Leicester, which organised the festivities to mark Lord Krishna's "Appearance Day", said: "We were nearing the end of lunch and that was when it happened. My friend's daughter came up to me and said there was a gas leak.

"The moment she said it I got up, went towards the kitchen area and could smell gas.

"As soon as I smelled it I told everyone to move. As I was there it sounded like a gush of wind.

"As the gush came I remember shouting out 'Run, run', and we got them out. We were picking up each other's kids. I had my son, someone else had my daughter, and as we just got out it exploded.

"We were lucky, so lucky."

Eyewitness Fatima Khatri said: "We were all working and we suddenly heard a big bang and for one split second we thought it was a bomb, so we all ran to the window.

"Suddenly we heard the other bang and we saw all these flames coming out and we just could not believe it because the whole street was shaken up."

Dillon Kidger, who works for a roofing company in the same road as the temple, said the explosion was "that loud that the building shook".

Demolition teams were being brought in to make the building safe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-11182497


Debris cleared from Leicester blast temple

Work is continuing to clear debris from a Hare Krishna temple in Leicester after a gas explosion.

About 30 people evacuated the temple in Thoresby Street just before the blast at 1430 BST on Friday. Windows were blown out and doors inside damaged.

At the weekend, demolition teams were busy clearing what was once the outer section of the temple.

The garage of an adjoining house was destroyed and residents had to leave while engineers checked the building.

'Sadness'

A religious celebration had been taking place just before the explosion.

Fire crews said one man noticed a leaking valve on a gas cylinder used for cooking and managed to get everybody out with moments to spare.

Some people suffered minor injuries and shock, but nobody was seriously hurt.

One female devotee from the centre said: "I think now we're realising that actually we're all right, we know we're OK.

"Sadness is kicking in, this is our home - this is our home more important to us than where we sleep and cook or whatever. This is our home, this is Krishna's home."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-11192794



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Devotees escape a gas blast in temple

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 5, 2010 at 9:30am
LONDON — A gas explosion ripped through a ISKCON Leicester temple in England on Friday destroying part of the building but leaving no one injured.
Rescuers combing the rubble for trapped devotees said everyone was accounted for. "The temple has been burnt, basically destroyed, but no one was hurt, that is the best news," said Varsana Devi-Dasi, a spokeswoman for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Temple officials said the explosion was caused by a gas leak at the temple. Gauranga Sundara Das, said the gas leak started in the temple kitchen when about 30 people gathered at there to celebrate Srila Prabhupada's appearance day. The devotees heard the sound of gas escaping and got out on time.
Read more…

9th Annual Vaishnavi Retreat, New Vrindavan

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 5, 2010 at 6:30am
9th Annual Vaishnavi Retreat
October 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2010
For Women, by Women
New Vrindaban, W.Va

Come experience early fall in the glorious Appalachian foothills in the
shelter of New Vrindaban Dhama.
Nourish your mind, body and soul in the spiritually enlivening
association of Vaishnavi’s from around the country as you spend the
weekend immersed in a retreat reflecting the mood and teachings of His
Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Included this year:
A full session dedicated to Srila Prabhupada memories
Inspiring workshops and seminars
Daily Japa & Sastric study Kirtan
Yoga and Campfire bhajans
Healthy Prasadam (vegetarian meals).
Many classes will be led by direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada.

Retreat fee:
$161
Includes all meals during the Retreat dates.
Does NOT include accommodation & transportation fees.
The fee covers the retreat costs without profit motivation.
Only you will profit!

Accommodation:
304-843-1600 ext. 111
Mention Retreat for reduced rates:
$18 per night per person shared room w/ two or
$15 per night shared w/ three

Airport Pick-up &
Return:
$75 ($40 one way)
Nearest Airport - Pittsburgh International-PIT

Greyhound Station:
Wheeling only: $35 round trip ($20 one way)
*For registration please call 304-845-9591 , write to us at
servingkrishna@aol.com or visit our website at www.vaishnaviretreat.org

Download POSTER:
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A stroke of good fortune

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 4, 2010 at 12:11pm


A few years ago my wife Krsna Rupa and I met an Indian gentleman named Gyan who was interested in the Srimad Bhagavatam set. We went to his house to show him the books, did kirtan and gave him some prasadam. He ended up getting $1600 worth of books; the Srimad Bhagvatam set, Caitanya Caritamrta, Lilamrta, Hari Sauris books etc.

We would go and visit occasionally, do a program and he would gradually pay for the books. But one day I lost his phone number. So we drove around to his house only to find it vacated. I had no forwarding address so I thought I would never see him again. He still owed $1000 on the books!

About 2 years later I suddenly got a phone call. The voice sounded weak and eventually he told me his name was Gyan. He said some time ago he had a debilitating stroke which took a long time to recover from as he was an elderly man. He said he felt really bad that he had not paid for the books and had not got in touch. He felt the stroke was some sort of karma for his negligence. I assured him it was OK and he invited us around to do more programs and has now paid for the books. He seems to be alot more serious about Krsna consciousness since the stroke and he really gets absorbed when we do kirtan and speak about Krsna consciousness.

Rupa Raghunatha dasa
Sydney Australia

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Rocking Devotion on Janmashtami

Posted by ISKCON Desire Tree on September 4, 2010 at 11:00am


NEW DELHI: Delhiites turned up in lakhs to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna at city temples such as Iskcon and Birla Mandir on the occasion of Janmashtami on Thursday. It's one of the biggest festivals for Hindus. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit was also present at Birla Mandir to offer prayers.

The Iskcon Temple in south Delhi alone drew over five lakh people to be a part of its grand celebrations. A large number of youngsters, too, visited the temple despite the heavy downpour. And not only bhajans and kirtans, but rock music was also part of the festivities here. A group of young devotees IIT graduate Sunder Das and other IIT alumni had even set up a special camp for scientific vedic studies at Iskcon. "We wish to spread the basic messages of vedic spirituality in the modern day scientific language. We have a better shot at bridging the gap with the youth if we speak their language,'' said Das, who is in his thirties.

As part of special attractions, Iskcon had organized a 24-hour kirtan. At least 4 lakh people were distributed prasadam. A huge number of people stood in queues to offer milk to the Lord, who was believed to be sitting with Radha on a swing. Little children dressed as young Krishna could be seen running around inside the temple.

"The number of devotees who visit the temple on Janmashtami doubles each year. Rock music and scientific presentations are a part of our campaign to spread the messages of Lord Krishna amongst the Indian youth,'' said Rishi Kumara Dasa, director (English media) Iskcon temple.

Lord Krishna also finds many devotees in foreigners, who could be seen dressed in saffron with their head shaved. Some have even given up their original names to show their love for the God. Krishna Surama Das, who is from Armenia, has decided to live in Iskcon temple for the rest of his life. He is the lead singer of one of the rock bands that performed on Thursday.

Among the other city temples that saw a huge turnout was Birla Mandir at Mandir Marg, where chief minister Sheila Dikshit also offered her prayers.

With traffic restrictions in place and a huge number of security personnel deployed at Mandir Marg, commuters had to go towards Gole Market to avoid getting stuck in jams.


Read more: Rocking devotion on Janmashtami - Delhi - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6482222.cms?prtpage=1#ixzz0yXIFOi69

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