By Madhava Smullen
Books are the Basis Week, run by the ISKCON Ministry of Education from September 22nd to 28th, is encouraging devotees worldwide to read Srila Prabhupada’s books by providing resources and guidelines, and facilitating grassroots level engagement.
The Week is part of a larger effort to “enhance the culture of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books globally.” It was officially added to ISKCON’s calendar in 2020, after the society’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) accepted a proposal from the Ministry of Education during their Annual General Meeting. A GBC resolution also supported the initiative.
“Books are the Basis is a very ambitious project – our vision is that we’d like Srila Prabhupada’s books to be the most widely read spiritual books in the world,” says Ministry of Education Co-Minister Tapana Mishra Das. “And our mission is that we’d like to significantly increase the reading of Prabhupada’s books amongst ISKCON devotees. So during Books are the Basis Week we encourage ISKCON leaders, managers, teachers, individuals, familes and communities around the world to emphasize the importance of reading Prabhupada’s books every day, and create study groups and sangas so that devotees feel more encouraged to participate in reading.”
Devotees who want to be involved can participate in one or all of six levels of engagement laid out at iskconeducation.org, according to their ability and time. At level one, they can share promotional videos like an invocation from Srila Prabhupada instructing devotees to read his books; an inaugural address from GBC Chairman Bhakti Chaitanya Swami; a guide on how to celebrate locally from Tapana Mishra Das, and an inspirational call-to-action from senior devotees.
Level two involves daily participation throughout Books are the Basis Week. Devotees can watch and share 64 one-on-one interviews conducted with ISKCON leaders since last September, and available at the Ministry of Education Youtube channel. In these interviews, leaders from around the world such as Malati Devi Dasi, Devamrita Swami, Kadamba Kanana Swami, Dina Sharana Devi Dasi, Bhanu Swami, Jayapataka Swami and many more offer insight into how Srila Prabhupada’s books changed their lives; the benefits of reading to one’s spiritual life and services; and insightful tips on how to make daily reading a reality.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/books-are-the-basis-week-encourages-devotees-to-read-prabhupadas-books,8013/
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