By Sri Nandanandana dasa (Stephen Knapp)
I was asked to look into this a few years ago by someone who knew of my research abilities. But I have not been able to until now because of other priorities. But this topic has come up before, that actually there were two different Buddhas that played the part to establish Buddhism and its principles of ahimsa and nonviolence and its monist philosophy.
In the following material, we will look at the evidence that seems to indicate that there was first th
From Back to Godhead
By Mayapur-shashi Dasa
Reflections on an article written by Srila Prabhupada in 1956 and on how we as Vaishnavas should think of Lord Buddha today.
In the May 5, 1956, issue of Back to Godhead, Srila Prabhupada published his article “Lord Buddha: The Emblem of Theism.” The opening paragraph informs us of the transcendental poet Sri Jayadeva Acharya’s worship of Lord Buddha. Srila Prabhupada then quotes the poet’s Sanskrit prayer to the ten incarnations of the Personality of
By Karnamrita Das
Part one: The Metaphysic of Simultaneous, Inconceivable, Oneness, yet Difference
“In my unmanifested form
I pervade the Universe,
though I’m present everywhere
I am also apart from all.” [Bg 9.4]
In the broadest sense
Krishna is everything--
with more knowledge and focus
we learn about His energies.
Within the One Energy
there is spiritual variety
as Krishna is like the sun
his energies, the sunshine.
Here is Chaitanya’s metaphysic
of simultaneous, inconceivable
Oneness yet di
The qualities that degrade us are, unfortunately, so familiar, near and dear to us. They are “the wealth of the evil”(āsura-sampada). Krishna lists them in Gita (16.4):
dambho darpo ’bhimānaś ca krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca
ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm
Dambha means being super loud about how wonderful we are, and extremely quiet about how lame we are.
Darpa is the root of the Sanskrit word for mirror (darpana). It means admiring oneself, fawning over one
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 3.10 at a home program.
“‘In the Age of Kali, the sankirtana-yajna (the chanting of the names of God) is recommended by the Vedic scriptures, and this transcendental system was introduced by Lord Caitanya for the deliverance of all men in this age.Sankirtana-yajna and Krsna consciousness go well together. Lord Krsna in His devotional form (as Lord Caitanya) is mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.32) as follows, with special reference to the s
I spent time in Vrindavan by Krsna´s grace. I had not deserved it but somehow or other, I joined there. I had the good fortune of being in the place where Krsna was so present and where Prabhupada was so present. In the Krsna Balarama mandir in every nook and corner, there was such a strong focus on Prabhupada that I understood: IT IS about Prabhupada. I saw the leaders of the movement coming to Vrindavan and I heard from them too. I heard Tamal Krsna Maharaj say, “In Vrindavan we cannot accept
I have a disciple who always signs their letters with ‘your mercy case’ instead of the usual ‘your servant’. It has been consistent over many years and it is nice. It sounds good to think with that mentality, ‘I am your mercy case!’
Whatever reminds us of our humble position, that is an asset! When we are seeing ourselves as fallen, then we feel a need for shelter. As soon as we think, “Well I know it all. I have been around for a long time,” then the difficulty begins. We immediately start to
Bonds of Love: Girija Devi Dasi.
Girija, a devout Christian, became interested in Krishna consciousness when she learned of Srila Prabhupada’s respect for and openness to all bona fide, sincerely practiced religions.
As I got older I saw my religion declining and felt sorry. I tried Sri Aurobindo’s ashram for a year, then I tried Maharishi, then went to a convent to be a nun, but these weren’t what I was looking for. Then in 1976, when I was 24, I went to the Govardhana-puja festival at the M
By Ramai Swami
ISKCON Mayapur welcomes worldwide devotees to join us on the joyous occasion of celebrating the appearance day of Sri Narasimhadeva, Sri Narasimha Caturdasi festival 2018. This year, the festival falls on 29th April. A three days festivities including Narahari Nama Kirtan, adhivas, Maha abhisheka and Sri Narasimha Katha are planned for this year’s festival.
Sri Sthanu Narasimhadeva of Mayapur has a special place in the hearts of devotees worldwide. He is famous as performer of various pastimes,
Personal Letters from Srila Prabhupada
As a genuine spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada takes personal responsibility for the advancement of each of his students in the spiritual life of Krsna consciousness. Although now his transcendental instructions are available in book form, when Srila Prabhupada first began the Krsna consciousness movement, the only way his new disciples could get the answers to their many questions was to ask Srila Prabhupada personal
By Karnamrita Das
Some persons caught up in the counter-culture of the late '60's and '70's felt that all materiel prospects were void and society's status quo, miserable stagnation. Thus, as if in a life and death battle, they intensely felt compelled to search out meaning and happiness on the spiritual quest, appearing as their only hope. This free verse poem, inspired by the months I spent in the redwood forest in Muir Woods in Marin County [near San Francisco, California], condenses the bac
By Chaitanya Charan Das
"When we approach Krishna, his supreme attractiveness captivates us, especially if we approach him by associating with devotees and therein absorb their devotional mood."
gopāla iti matvā tvāṁ pracura-kṣīra-vāñchayā
śrito mātuḥ stana-kṣīram api labdhuṁ na śaknuyāt“O Lord! Thinking that you are gopāla (the protector and herder of cows), I approached you hoping to get lots of milk. But you [cheated me in turn and] put me in such a condition that now I cannot even atta
The GBC EC, on behalf of the GBC body, wishes to offer its deepest respect to Sriman Vrndavan Chandra De, on the occasion of his passing from this world.
Vrndavan Chandra De was the youngest son of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Due to his appearance in such an exalted family, he was brought up very lovingly as a Vaisnava devotee of Lord Krsna.
When Srila Prabhupada joined the movement of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, he would host Gaudiya Math sannyasis and br
Lecture by HH Radhanath Swami
Srila Prabhupada has told us that the culmination of all of our preaching in Krsna Consciousness is to induce people to wholeheartedly chant the holy names of Krsna. The chanting of the Holy names must continue. Srila Prabhupada said we can do without temples, we can do without everything. We don’t need money. If we can get it, we will use it. We don’t need property. If we get it we will use it. We don’t need vehicles. If we get it we will use it. We don’t need go
Radhanath Swami was invited to speak on the subject of ‘Conscious Leadership’ at the Houses of Parliament last month. The event was sponsored by Shailesh Vara MP and attended by representatives of all Parties, including the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Faith and Society, Mr. Stephen Timms MP. Radhanath Swami’s presentation was preceded by a more intimate meeting in Shailesh Vara MP’s office, which also included Lord Dholakia, Baroness Warsi, Seema Malhotra MP, Oliver Dowden MP
By Urmila Devi Dasi
Because Krsna’s name has immense spiritual power, we must be careful how we use it.
This article discusses the offense of sinning while relying on the power of the holy names to protect one from the reactions to the sin.
The students of my Government class and I sat hushed, without even rustling papers, listening to the amazing story in the courtroom. At least it amazed these fifteen- and sixteen-year-old students whose lives never touched those of drug addicts and criminal
Nowhere else in the world can you walk along the roads, Lanes, and pathways and be constantly reminded of the Lord’s Holy Name than in Sri Vrindavan Dham. The street names, the names of the buildings, the signs on the shops, the Radha and Krishna names painted on the compound walls, and hearing the kirtans of the Holy Names being sung as you pass by the different ashrams throughout the city. Automatically you must surely start chanting without even realizing you are doing it.
I recall the day
Just like us, the Lord has feelings. When someone glorifies the Lord, He is happy but if someone speaks ill words, the Lord feels pain in His heart. The pastime between Varaha and Hiaranyaksha is a display of Lord's feelings.
Hiranyaksha spoke of Lord Varaha "When You fall dead with Your skull smashed by the mace hurled by my arms, the demigods and sages who offer You oblations and sacrifice in devotional service will also automatically cease to exist, like trees without roots." Hearing this t
By Akhandadhi Das
A friend of mine recently revealed a personal moment of spirit in action. She had been chronically abused by her father and this had led to an array of deep psychological issues during adulthood. Three years ago, her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Reluctantly, she agreed to support her mother on a visit to the hospital. My friend recalled the moment she saw the man who had ruined her life. Lying on the bed, hooked up to monitors and drips, he looked so weak and hel
