Dear ISKCON Community Members,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
We received the sad news of a beloved member of the Bhaktivedanta Manor Community in the UK passing from this world as a result of the coronavirus.
In light of the seriousness of the situation, we request you to follow the protocol put into place by your local temple management to minimize the risk of infection.
We also request all of our ISKCON communities, temples, and centers to adhere to the
"Srimad Bhagavatam explains that the material world is a place of constant danger: padam padam yad vipadam na tesam … the place where there is danger at every step. We are constantly confronted with a myriad of challenges in this world and it only worsens as Kali-yuga progresses. The devotee’s only shelter is the lotus feet of the Lord. The more we take shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet the more we become freed from the effec
Devotees who are always hesitating in completing the sixteen rounds of chanting the Hare Krsna mahamantra may say, “You know, I just cannot do it. It is too difficult!” These people do not advance very much even if they are having difficulties in chanting. We are tolerant, we understand that it can be difficult to immediately go to sixteen rounds, but one must still get there. One cannot just remain on eight rounds because that is just not good enough! Eight rounds means another birth; eight me
It was very late December in 1958, the disappearance day anniversary of Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura. His elderly disciple, initiated in 1933 as Abhay Caraëäravinda Däsa, was sitting alone in Våndävana. Outside his window, the sacred Yamunä River flowed by peacefully – but his heart was in turmoil. He felt so helpless and hopeless. What service did he have to offer as a meaningful gift of gratitude to his Gurudeva on this most painful yet precious day? Any attempt to even remember hi
A few weeks ago, Dhanurdhara Swami approached the GBC Executive Committee with the idea of possibly being reinstated as a member of ISKCON. The GBC EC has discussed the topic and issued a statement:
"Dear Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
A few weeks ago, Dhanurdhara Swami approached the GBC Executive Committee with the idea of possibly being reinstated as a member of ISKCON.
The GBC EC sought out the opinions of a number of affected parties such a
The darkness of kali yuga is everywhere around us, but it is also within us. This is the main problem! It is said that when we are looking at a jewel, that ornament appears to look more beautiful when placed against a blackish background. So in this way, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur explained that at the time of the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, kali yuga had become darker. It is said that kali yuga showed its darker feature during this time, just to highlight the golden avatar. So now
Dear Srutidharma Prabhu,
My humble obeisances to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acarya of Bhaktivedanta Manor.
An interviewer asked Srila Prabhupada: How would I recognize a true follower of the Krsna consciousness movement by his behavior? What would his outward expressions be?
Srila Prabhupada: He’d be a very perfect gentleman, that’s all. You could not find any fault in him.
Srutidharma Prabhu, You are that perfect gentleman!
•Tolerant and patient and never got angry with
From Back to Godhead
Developing the quality of empathy has many benefits for aspiring devotees of the Lord.
When I was doing my clinical psychotherapy internship in graduate school, a supervisor stressed connecting with our clients through realized empathy. Most of his interns came from privileged backgrounds, and he felt we needed more than just a theoretical understanding of our clients’ pain.
My first session in “experiential empathy” was with Doris, who suffered from schizophrenia. A sligh
With Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading around the world, ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has issued a statement to all ISKCON centers advising precautions to avoid further spread of the virus.
Based on recommendations from local officials, many temples in the U.S. have put their Sunday Feasts and other public events on hold at least until early April, and schools are temporarily closing.
Meanwhile in the UK the Hare Krishna Festivals program has cancelled upcoming festival
Sharing a few afterthoughts of the recently concluded Vrindavan Yatra. Feeling extremely grateful for all the places of the pastimes of the Lord that I got to see this time in Vrindavan. There were a lot more places to be seen but Vrindavan is unlimited like the Lord so, the places of Lord's pastimes are also unlimited. Therefore to expect to see all the holy places in a few days is unrealistic. But, one can try to relish the few places one gets to see and genuinely feel grateful that at least
Spiritual Safari 2020 which was planned to visit Bangladesh for 20 days got cancelled and safari is being organised at Mayapur with various activities planned for the guests.
Devotees from more than 25 countries including China are chanting dancing, serving, remembering, absorbed in Krishna consciousness and sheltered by the Holy dham.
On first day, safari team did Harinam at Goshala and spent the day there to hear about cow and land protection, and to live in simplicity and gratefulness.
Oth
We must understand that we all depend on the sankirtana movement; we all depend on the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Nobody should think, “Oh, but I am from a different background! See, I am doing this on the strength of my own culture.” No, culture is hollow. Culture has become empty; empty rituals without any meaning.
Prabhupada however gave us the meaning of all of this Vedic literature, and Prabhupada is the representative of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the carrier of the sankirtana moveme
There is no hopelessness. Anyone can attain the spiritual perfection. Satam prasangan mama virya-samvidah. (SB 3.25.25) [“In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.”]
T
I recently saw a loving father who was selflessly taking care of his mischievous child. I was observing the exhibition of his tolerance. I was left wondering about all the troubles I must have given my parents and the extent of tolerance and patience they must have exhibited in raising me up.
Friday, 13th March 2020
Dear Devotees,
Hare Krishna
Please accept our humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In response to the pandemic status of the COVID-19 (also known as Coronavirus), the templemanagement of ISKCON TORONTO has already put safety measures in place to reduce the risks and impact on our community and our campuses. These measures are in compliance with the recommendations from Health Canada.
The si
By Giriraj Swami
Today we continue our celebration of the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna who descended in the age of Kali in the role of a devotee. He appeared on what we now call Gaura-purnima, in the evening of the full moon day in the month of Phalguna. At the time, there was a lunar eclipse, and as was the tradition, as recommended in scripture, Hindus immersed themselves in the Ganges and chanted the holy names. Eclipses are considered inaus
