Author Archives: Dandavats

How A Mormon Spring Break Ritual Came To Include A Whole Lot Of “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama”
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Hare KrishnaBy Spencer Dew

Last year, for the twentieth anniversary of the festival, 80,000 people were reportedly in attendance, with that crowd estimated to be about 90% Mormon. The festival in Spanish Fork has spawned a series of smaller events in other cities run by a travelling team from the Utah temple and has also given birth to the popular “Color Run” phenomenon, employing the same kind of powdered, cornstarch-based colors, and the same spirit of carnivalesque engagement in “sharing love.” Mormon festival-goers are led in chanting Sanskrit mantras and instructed in the metaphysical ramifications of such chanting. They are lectured on vegetarianism, on the true nature of knowledge and reality and the self, and invited to participate in the burning in effigy of a demonic “witch.” They will throw “colors” made from biodegradable powder that billows out as great plumes, and they will smear and smack and rub such colors on fellow festival-goers, with whom they will dance and whom they will frequently be enjoined to hug—all expressions of love, explicitly interpreted by the organizers as manifestations of the ultimate model of love, Krishna.

Global Duties & Responsibilities of the GBC – Executing Srila Prabhupada’s Will
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Hare KrishnaBy the GBC

This document describes the collective service of the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The listed functions derive primarily from Srila Prabhupada’s direct instructions. Some details have been shaped, however, by insights gained over decades of observation and experience. The GBC members collaborate to fulfill their various global responsibilities and individually contribute according to their capacity, area of expertise, personal inclination, and specific requirements. It is not expected that every member will display excellence in every aspect; at the same time, absorption in and loyalty to the core elements of Srila Prabhupada’s mood and mission are expected from every GBC member. In fulfilling its mandate, the Body shall involve as many qualified assistants as necessary to accomplish its duties, organizing them in as many offices, ministries, and departments as required.

A year full of celebrations for ISKCON50 in Germany
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Hare KrishnaBy Hemanga Gopal Dasa

18 April 2016 ISKCON50 Presentation at the Interreligious Forum (IFH) ISKCON Hamburg Bhakti Yoga Zentrum 2 17-22 May 2016 Narasimha Caturdasi Festival ISKCON Jandelsbrunn Simhachalam 3 25 June 2016 Participation at Parade of Cultures Downtown Frankfurt 4 01 July 2016 Prabhupada Tirtha Schloss Rettershof – Memories and Activities Romantikhotel Schloss Rettershof 5 17 July 2016 Srila Prabhupada’s Tirthas in Hamburg ISKCON Hamburg Bhakti Yoga Zentrum 6 17 July 2016 Special ISKCON50 Celebration ISKCON Vienna 7 30 July 2016 Ratha Yatra Berlin ISKCON Berlin Jagannatha Tempel 8 20 +21 August 2016 Ratha Yatra Cologne ISKCON Köln Gauradesh 9 29 October 2016 Interreligious Conference ISKCON Wiesbaden Hari

Devotees Invited to Refresh and Renew at Reimagined Festival of Inspiration
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhava Smullen

One of the first of the retreat-style festivals currently so popular in ISKCON, Festival of Inspiration, launched in New Vrindaban in 2000, has always offered something a little unique. Now, in its 17th year, with the tagline “Rethink. Refresh. Renew,” FOI is again taking a fresh approach, offering an exciting new inspirational experience based on feedback from devotees about what they like. “Whereas previous Festival of Inspirations were a high-speed puzzle of eighteen different short presentations you could choose from, we now plan to offer people an immersive experience that they can dive into and experience together,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban temple president Jaya Krsna Das. “We also want to provide them with practical tips they can implement in their day-to-day lives.”

ISKCON GBC – Minutes Of The Annual General Meeting – February 2017
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By the GBC

Global Observance of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi: Whereas Sri Ramanujacarya, the great Vaisnava saint who lived between 1017 and 1137, requires no introduction to the saintly, especially the Vaisnavas; Whereas Sri Ramanujacarya’s 1000th anniversary is being celebrated around the world this year, 2017. According to the Sri Vaishnava calendar, his 1000th appearance day is on May 1, 2017; Whereas although 1000 years have passed since the appearance of Sri Ramanujacarya, the years have not dulled the level of adherence to his teachings and attraction to his exemplary life. Millions of people now base their spiritual practices and religious conceptions on his words in both southern India, and due to emigration, in the western world also. In many parts of the world, ISKCON is associated very strongly with the Sri Vaisnavas; Whereas our Gaudiya Acaryas including Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura have all referenced and commented on the teachings and life of Sri Ramanuja; Whereas Srila Prabhupada used Sri Ramanuja`s works, amongst others, to give us the “Bhagavad-Gita As It Is”; Whereas ISKCON Sriperumbudur and Kanchipuram are organizing grand celebrations this March in which international devotees, sannyasis, and leaders are participating in the 10 day festival at Sriperumbudur, the birth place of Acarya Sri Ramanuja; Whereas following in the tradition of our acaryas, it would be a great opportunity for ISKCON to get the mercy of Sri Ramanujacarya, and to enhance our already good relationships with the Sri Vaishnava community globally, by having a “Global Observance” throughout the year, or particularly leading up to May 1, 2017; RESOLVED: That ISKCON centers worldwide have a “Global Observance of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi”, leading up to May 1, 2017, or anytime through the year 2017, with suitable events and glorification befitting the venerable and worshipable Vaisnava Acarya.

Over 5000 people participated in ISKCON’S celebration of the 1000th Year Anniversary of Srimad Ramanuja Acharya
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Hare KrishnaBy Nanda Priya Nivedita Devi Dasi

The ancient city of Madurai visited by pilgrims year-round witnessed a rather unique event on the 26th March, 2017. More than 5,000 people from different walks of life gathered together in one of Madurai’s biggest outdoor auditoriums, Gandhi Mandapam, eager to celebrate the 1,000th Anniversary of a Stalwart Saint, Acharya and Guru, Srimad Ramanuja Acharya. ISKCON Madurai, under the inspiration of HH Jayapataka Swami and leadership of HG Balaram Govinda Das and HG Shanka Dari Das, Temple President of ISKCON Madurai, organized the grand event.HH Ranga Ramanuja Jeeyar along with many other senior Sri Vaishnava Priests were the guests of honor. Seen along with the guests of honor on the dais was a Murti of Srila Prabhupada, HH Jayapataka Swami , HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami, HH Bhakti Nityananda Swami, HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami and HH Bhakti Mukunda Swami. The event began with an Abhishek to the deity of Ramanuja Acharya. The Jeeyar spoke about the glories of Sri Ramanuja Acharya and his eminent role in spreading Vaishnavism all over the Indian subcontinent and now practically all over the world. He thanked ISKCON for organizing such an extravagant event and was very pleased that the followers of Vaishnavism celebrated the 1000th Anniversary in unison.

Interview
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By Prahladanda Swami “In Alabama the police asked why I was wearing a dress. I didn’t know it, but devotees had already been arrested there for “wearing a dress.” That’s what it was like in the South in 1971″ He hitchhiked from Miami to Houston wearing…

Sankirtan Orientation Seminar 101 (ISV and Toronto)
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Srila Prabhupada’s mission was to write and distribute transcendental books far and wide so that it can change people’s lives. He has quoted that even 1% become devotees, it will change the entire world. As we are continuing to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, here is an opportunity to learn the art of distributing his books through a dynamic and hands on seminar. After a successful and inspiring seminar last year, on the request of devotees, we present the Sankirtan Orientation Seminar 101 (SOS 101) once again for your pleasure. We are also adding a new location in the east coast (Toronto) this time.

New branding for Food for Life Global
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This symbol they created for Food For Life Global instills a devotion to spiritual equality, respectively drawing inspiration from the famous ‘Tilak’ symbol that shows a sacred commitment to the teachings of Krishna. This is a mark the Food For Life community already identifies with and the way in which the Tilak has been structured, it can be interpreted as a person with their arms reaching out – suggesting openness, joy, and acceptance.

Shastra Dana report for December 2016 to February 2017 (Sweden)
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Mukunda dasa: The Shastra Dana programme has now existed for almost eight years. From August 2009 – March 2017 we have distributed approx 18,550 books Srila Prabhupada wrote to Cyavana das on the 26th December 1971: ”Distribution of books and magazines is our most important activity. Without books, our preaching has no solid basis”

International Girls’ Mela at Rajapur
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Gaurangi Hillel: We teenagers go through a very special phase in life. We want to gradually establish ourselves in this world, and we want to be accepted as individual and almost grown-up personalities, with our own desires, talents, inclinations, hopes and plans for our future. We don’t like to be corrected and instructed by our parents any longer – we have heard this for so many years! Now we need other role models, heroes and mentors, who guide and inspire us. It does not mean that we are ungrateful to our parents – no, we are forever grateful for all the care and love our parents have given to us, but now we want to be treated and respected as adults, and we want to see our parents as friends to whom we may turn whenever we feel like.

ISKCON’s Govardhan Eco Village (GEV) wins Water Digest Water Award 2017
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Hare KrishnaBy Anand Caitanya das​​

On behalf of Govardhan Eco Village, Vrajendra Nandan Prabhu, ISKCON India Communications Head went to receive the Water Digest Award. The Awards were graced by several prestigious personalities such as Shri Vipul Goel, Cabinet Minister for Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Ministry of Environment & Ministry of Industrial Training, Government of Haryana; Ms. Dana Kursh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel; Mr Mitrasen Bhikajee, Senior Programme Specialist, Natural Sciences, UNESCO; Hon’ble Justice Dr. Mukundakam Sharma, (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India); Mr. D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM & Shri. K. B. Biswas, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board

Sripad Aindra Prabhu Appearance Day
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Hare KrishnaBy Iskcon vrindavan

Born and brought up in the countryside in America, in a very liberal household, Sripad Aindra Prabhu was from his very childhood an expert musician and was inclined towards spiritual realization. Although in his childhood he was exposed to various influences of this age of kali, as soon as he came into the association of devotees, within a very short span of time he gave up all his relations in this material world and took the process of Krishna consciousness to heart. In the year 1973, Aindra Prabhu joined the International society for Krishna consciousness and dedicated his entire life to the movement for the pleasure of his spiritual master Srila Prabhupad. In the beginning years he was engaged in distributing books, performing sankirtan and also helping with deity worship, till the year 1986, when he visited Mayapur for the festival marking the 500 hundred years of Mahaprabhu’s birth. In Mayapur he had a desire to start a travelling Sankirtan party but for various reasons this idea of his did not manifest and he came to Sri Vrindavan dham, where he was to spend the rest of his life in the service to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar.

An Ekadasi Memory
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Today being Ekadasi, I was considering whether or not to go out on an errand, and I recalled an incident that took place on Ekadasi in Madras in 1971. Achyutananda, Bhavananda, and I were based in a supporter’s house, and Bhavananda and I were in the mood to go out and preach. Acyutananda, however, said, “No, it’s Ekadasi. We shouldn’t go out. It’s inauspicious. And besides, it looks like rain.” But we thought, “Oh boy, he is so attached to external rules and regulations. We have the real spirit of preaching. We are not going to worry about Ekadasi or some rain.”
When we went out, there was only a light drizzle, but within minutes the sky poured down rain. And the rain didn’t stop; it came down heavier and heavier. In Madras then, at least where we were walking, there was not much of a drainage system—just an open ditch two or three feet deep, lined with concrete. And as the storm continued, the channel filled with water, and soon we couldn’t distinguish between the water on the street, the water in the ditch, and the water in the fields beyond.

Meeting The Dalai Lama in Vrindavan
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Hare KrishnaBy Indradyumna Swami

Yesterday on parikrama with a group of devotees in Gokul, Vrindavan we passed by Karshni Ashram run by Sharanananda Ji Maharaja. When we noticed a small crowd gathering outside we stopped to inquire what was happening. Much to our amazement we were told that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was visiting. We were even more surprised when the leaders of the asrama invited us to meet with him. We spent part of the morning discussing spiritual topics with him and then participated in a yajna and Siva puja in his honor. Later in the afternoon he did a public program that was attended by many important spiritual leaders from Vrindavan. As we drove away after the program I turned to one of our devotees and said, “It’s pretty amazing isn’t it? Of all places, we met the Dalai Lama in Gokul, Vrindavan!”

Barn Ready, Rock Steady: Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhava Smullen

Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi’s service is often not easy. In the wintertime temperatures regularly drop below freezing. The couple have to break the ice in the water trough so that the cows can drink. They struggle to clean the barn when the cow dung is frozen to the floor and the shovel. And they’ve had to wear heavy layers of clothes and gloves, still shivering because the freezing wind blows right through cracks in the doors and walls. Recent developments, fortunately, have made winters more manageable. Former ECO-V project manager Mukunda Das installed foam insulation in the barn, filled up all the cracks, added a layer of paneling on the walls, and put in new insulated doors; while Mother Jayasri’s son Vasudeva Gosh donated a powerful heater, turning the barn into a warm shelter.

The Legend is Back in Mo-town!
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Hare KrishnaBy Uma devi dasi

When Arjun Bhattacharyya started telling us that Agnideva Prabhu, the legendary Agnideva Das, was coming to Detroit, most of us didn’t believe him. In the spirit of serving a dear and surrendered disciple of Srila Prabhupada, many of us offered to assist in preparing his residence. But our hearts weren’t quite ready to accept that he would actually come; it would be too painful if it didn’t work out and with Prabhu so in demand, we had every reason to think it wouldn’t. But Krishna can make anything happen and He sure did! Agnideva Prabhu came and his depth for kīrtan and bhajan stole the hearts of Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Novi, Farmington Hills… the heart of Michigan.

Books Are The Basis bulls And Cows Provide The Oasis
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Hare KrishnaBy Daiva dasa

Iskcon Silicon Valley has a most solid reputation for taking wholeheartedly the order of guru and Gauranga, with ‘books are the basis’, as their battle cry. There is no doubt that this community of hard-working, humble and empowered Vaishnavas, will manifest amazing results with this latest venture into cow culture, knowing that all the books that have been distributed, all the seeds of bhakti that have been planted will one day result in millions of people wanting to take up the life of bhakti.  Then we will be sufficiently ready on the farms, where the ‘cows and bulls create the oasis’, for all to take up ‘simple living, high thinking’, living as Krishna Himself lives surrounded by cows and bees in the land of milk and honey.