Blog

On Saturday, April 1, I was fortunate to attend the annual "Hash Bash" -- a rally for the legalization of marijuana (misdirected rally -- sure!) -- where Deva Madhava Prabhu from the ISKCON Yipsalanti,
Michigan, temple had organized a full day of sitting harinama kirtan and book distribution in the middle of the University of Michigan campus at Ann Arbor, near a prominent street corner, a great location.

Ann Arbor is a historical place for ISKCON, because in that city Indradyumna Swami and several other godbrothers came in touch with Vishnujana Swami and subsequently joined ISKCON!

Thousands were in attendance, mostly young people of student age, but there were others. During the ongoing kirtan I took the opportunity to
try to distribute a few books.

A young girl of university student age was with her mother. I asked them, "Have you received a book today?" I handed her an Easy Journey.
They were observing the kirtan and some devotees dancing.

She gave a generous donation, so I also gave her a Chant and Be Happy. I pointed out John Lennon's and George Harrison's pictures on the
cover cover to her mother, while remarking, "They are from our generation."

One of the takers, who spoke with me at length, was a dentist of Palestinian origin, from Nazareth - the home of Jesus Christ.  He was
with his wife, who was wearing a cross on a necklace, so I assumed they were Christians.

His name was Abe -- the anglicized form of the Arabic "Ibrahim" -- which he confirmed during our talk.  He gave a donation and got an
Isopanishad and Easy Journey.  We had a long philosphical talk. He knew something about Vedic culture and yoga and was curious to
know more.

One devotee present, an initiated devotee from India who is also a successful businessman (I was told) asked me: How do I do this? I want
to distribute books too!

I responded: "You just approach people individually and ask them if they have received a book today."

He then started to approach those observing the kirtan, and he too distributed some books!

A couple of pictures of the dentist at the "Hash Bash" are attached.


Basu Ghosh Das (ACBSP)