In May of 2006, a young man who had been born into a family of devotees, who had gone to and been abused at different ISKCON gurukulas in the 70’s and 80’s, committed suicide. A huge outpouring of emotion surged through the Vaishnava community, especially on the internet. On the Chakra website, in addressing abuse in ISKCON, someone wrote:
“How can somebody take disksha from Prabhupada, chant for many years, study the shastra for many years, and end up abusing their power like this? How can som
"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
By Graham M.SchweigThirteen scholars from the US and UK came together at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California during the weekend of February 21st through the 23rd for a historic symposium focused on preserving the literary legacy of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. Entitled “The Posthumous Editing of a Great Master’s Works,” the symposium was organized by GTU faculty member Graham M. Schweig, and hosted by the Mira and Ajay Shingal Center for Dharma Studies and it
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
By Amit Patel
Srutidharma Prabhu, as I reflect on your glorious life and departure from this world, hear the deeply moving remembrance by so many from all over the community, near and far. I will miss that kind smile the most and that nod of your head, those reassuring words you would share even as you walked past. You made everyone you came across feel cared for. Despite so many responsibilities, you gave your time when it was needed the most with undivided attention. From a moment’s associati
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
Srutidharma Das, the beloved son of Raojibhai and Dhanlaxmi Patel, and younger brother to Mukesh, was born in Jinja, Uganda in 1958. As a twelve-year-old boy he made the journey to London with his family and grew up in Wembley.
Around the same time, the early devotees of Krishna came from America and eventually started a temple at 7, Bury Place near the British Museum. It was there, at age 19, that the young Shailesh Patel met Srila Prabhupada and became very impressed with his words and missio
Gaura Mandali, a new Kirtan Academy for children – with plans to introduce adult classes soon – has launched in the New Raman Reti ISKCON community in Alachua, Florida.
The project’s director and, so far, sole teacher Thakura Das, grew up in a setting perfect for meditating on the Holy Names, and had a strong attraction to kirtan from early on.
Born and raised on the Nova Gokula farm in Brazil, simple living and high thinking was the norm for Thakura.
“My dad was the cow
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
On March 12th, 2020, the Executive Committee of ISKCON's Governing Body Commission issued a statement about the suggested protocol for temples and individuals to follow during the corona virus pandemic:
Dear ISKCON Community Members,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Yesterday, 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 th
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
