By Anuradha dasi,
Sometimes all it takes is one spark—one big inspiration that touches one small person—to set something extraordinary in motion. That is the story of how a seed planted in Butler, Pennsylvania, sixty years ago grew into the worldwide Hare Krishna movement. And yesterday, a group of devotees from New Vrindaban retraced that history, rediscovering both Srila Prabhupada’s first steps in America and the spirit of devotion that continues to ripple outward.
The journey began with one of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples living in New Vrindaban, Kripamaya Das—not the UK Kripamaya, but our Kripamaya: a musician, artist, and creative director. In his late sixties, he returned to study and went on to create an extraordinary Ramayana musical. But perhaps his most defining quality is his single-minded question: How can I make Srila Prabhupada accessible?
It was Kripamaya who approached Jaya Krsna Das with the idea of arranging a commemoration in Butler for the sixtieth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America. With great determination, he began visiting Butler weekly—connecting with radio stations, libraries, and the local YMCA (the historic Cubs Club)—to raise awareness for this milestone.
I had never been to Butler until yesterday. Even the name intrigued me. In my colonial upbringing, a “butler” meant someone who served—meeting every need, bringing what was required at just the right time. Wasn’t that, in a way, what Srila Prabhupada did here? Serving up the holy name, serving up philosophy, and serving up Krishna consciousness to a culture hungry for meaning. The coincidence of the name “Butler” felt like one of Krishna’s little twists in the great theatrical drama of life.
And Butler itself is beautiful: historic stone churches, goldenrod fields buzzing with bees, thoughtful little shops, yoga studios, and a deep sense of community.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/from-butler-to-the-world-a-journey-back-to-where-it-all-began/
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