A commemorative one-off magazine entitled “The Hare Krishnas: Celebrating 50 Years” is set to be released in early 2016 for distribution at celebrations and events throughout ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year.
The attractive 64-page publication, packed with beautiful full-color photos, will be printed on quality matt paper with a firm cover. It is aimed at everyday men and women from all walks of life – academics, students, next-door neighbors, teachers, members of other religions, the media, young and old.
“It’s intended to help the general public quickly grasp what ISKCON is, who founded this movement and what is its history, what members believe and what the movement does,” says project manager and ISKCON Australia communications director Bhakta Das.
The magazine, developed and published by ISKCON’s international communications team under the guidance of its Governing Body, will be much more than just a commemorative publication.
After the first English version print run of 100,000 copies in late December, followed by several reprints shortly after, it will be given some minor edits so that it can be used by devotees to give basic information to the general public about ISKCON for years into the future.
“Currently our movement does not have a publication in which most aspects of ISKCON are explained,” Bhakta says. “Our team aimed to create a ‘one stop shop’ publication, which can inform the general public about the many aspects of the Hare Krishna Movement, such as how it came into existence; its heritage; the good works ISKCON does around the world; how it has grown into a major religious influence over the past 50 years; and finally, that it educates the reader about the Vedic truths so carefully presented in Srila Prabhupada’s books.”
The magazine’s cover features a young devotee with his smiling daughter, and subheadings including “Who are the Hare Krishnas now?” “ISKCON in the World Today” “The Joy of Devotion” and “Festivals, Food, Philosophy, Outreach.”
Inside, a welcome address by ISKCON Communications Minister Anuttama Das forms a connection with readers by talking about how we all seek happiness in different ways, yet it often seems elusive and temporary. To find deeper, eternal happiness we must look to the world’s wisdom traditions.
“The bhakti tradition, or the yoga of devotion, informs us that at our core we seek to love and be loved,” Anuttama writes. “Our deepest pleasure comes not from possessing, but from giving – not in controlling, but in sharing. It lies in making meaningful contributions by serving others. Ultimately, it is to know, love, and be loved by the Divine.”
He goes on to explain: “The Hare Krishna Movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is a global community connecting to each other, the world around us, and to God through service and the reciprocation of love.”
Anuttama describes how ISKCON members come from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. They include policemen, priests, plumbers, homemakers, professors, doctors, IT professionals, taxi drivers, students, parents, and grandparents. But they share a goal to find eternal happiness through such service and loving exchanges.
Bhaktimarga Swami and Damodara Pandit's piece on Krishna Culture
Anuttama concludes by inviting readers to learn more about ISKCON and the devotional tradition it represents: “We welcome you to visit any of our communities, read some of our tradition’s great literatures, sample our tasty, sanctified vegetarian food, and join us in experiencing the joy of devotion.”
Other articles in the magazine are written by ISKCON ministers in their respective fields such as farming, deity worship and book distribution; as well as prominent leaders like Mukunda Goswami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhanu Swami, Drutakarma Das, Radhika Raman Das, and more.
Some of the pieces include “Master with a Mission,” about how ISKCON began with Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the Western World; “Lessons to Live By,” about learning and the culture of education; “Back to Basics,” about devotee farmers and their simple eco-living and high thinking; “The Finely Tuned Universe,” which asks the question ‘Has science overstepped its boundaries?’ and “Crossing Boundaries,” about how Hare Krishnas help to bridge religious divides.
There are also many other articles about different aspects of Krishna consciousness.
Primarily, however, “The Hare Krishnas: Celebrating 50 Years” is a pictorial publication.
Visakha Dasi's article about Srila Prabhupada
“We researched extensively, and received many contributions of the most stunning and evocative photos from ISKCON photographers around the world,” Bhakta says. “The majority of the photos were taken by two amazing devotee photographers, Ananta Vrindavan Prabhu and Bhakta Trevor Gore Prabhu. Other photos came to us from the BBT archives and many other contributing photographers.”
The inside back cover of the magazine is an invite to the reader, and provides a space for local ISKCON centers to insert their details with either a sticker or a stamp.
Distribution of the magazine will be coordinated by various distribution centers in the different continents beginning in January. From the distribution centers, it will be delivered to temples, centers and restaurants.
After the initial English print runs, editable Indesign files of the magazine will be made available for regions that require another language. Volunteers in those regions will then make their own adjustments under ISKCON Communications Ministry’s editing regulations, which will be provided along with the files.
An excerpt from an article about Deity worship
“The quality of this publication is something we can all get excited about,” says Bhakta. “We anticipate that this publication will be distributed not only by ISKCON’s book distributors, but even more so, by ISKCON’s congregational members. We encourage the ISKCON worldwide congregation to assist in the distribution of the magazine by continually purchasing copies from their respective temples or centers and personally giving them to their work colleagues, fellow students, next-door neighbours, media or local politicians.”
“The mission of this magazine,” he concludes, “Is to spread the glories and information of this wonderful Krishna Consciousness Movement, ISKCON, and its Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada far and wide to as many as possible, especially in the anniversary year and beyond.”
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ISKCON leaders can enquire about pricing and order “The Hare Krishnas: Celebrating 50 Years” from Bhakta Das at bhakta@iskcon.net.au. Congregational members may contact their local ISKCON leaders.
Source:http://iskconnews.org/new-50th-magazine-will-serve-as-introduction-to-iskcon,5257/
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