Planet ISKCON

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The post ​Bhagavatam study 61 1.12.21-29 The prophecy of a glorious death is not inauspicious appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Devotees of Hare Krishna have handed out cupcakes in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. More celebrations took place at the Radha-Krishna Temple in Soho, where the Hindu-inspired spiritual movement has had a centre for 47 years. Processions of Krishna followers have become a familiar sight on streets. They chant the Hare Krishna mantra and distribute books and vegetarian food. To mark the occasion, the deities at the temple were offered new outfits and a feast was held. Continue reading "Hare Krishna celebrate 50 years in London
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On a joint initiative themed “Day of Gratitude”, ISKCON-London and the Bhaktivedanta Manor distributeed 5,000 cupcakes to commuters at key locations in central London on July 13th.The grand finale of the month-long celebration will be the Kirtan on the Thames Boat Event on 31st July. This National Signature Event will be a day of chanting, dancing and feasting on a cruise around the famous landmarks of London. 

Three hundred devotees have joined Indradyumna Swami's tour this year. They spend two days in each town focusing on harinam during the day and a festival in the evening. The response of the people is overwhelming, as this video by Ananta Vrindavan dasa reveals.

The Inspiration Series is a set of video clips where ISKCON leaders speak about the importance of ISKCON's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2016, with a view to encouraging active participation from the worldwide community of devotees. In this episode. His Holiness Radhanatha Swami speaks about the importance of ISKCON 50.

The Mayor of London receives his cupcakes and congratulates ISKCON on turning 50.
Live on BBC coverage of ISKCON 50 celebration...

Harinam in Prague, Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses, one increases his love for Krishna. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, preme pum-artho mahan: one’s main concern should be to increase one’s attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to increase one’s love for Him. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.24 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/91m3YZ

Among their many plans for ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary, ISKCON Mumbai’s four temples – Juhu, Mira Road, Khargar and Chowpatty – have launched a website that allows devotees to submit their written offerings to Srila Prabhupada in the shape of e-cards. With the project they aim to collect 108,000 e-card offerings from devotees worldwide, which would shatter the previous Guiness World Record of 65,000 e-cards submitted.

The ISKCON 50 Global office launched the Inspiration Series videos on July 13^th, the exact day that ISKCON was incorporated as a legal entity fifty years ago in 1966. The Inspiration Series is a set of over 16 short videos that feature ISKCON leaders explaining the importance of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and encouraging devotees to participate enthusiastically all over the world. 

The ISKCON 50 Global office launched the Inspiration Series videos on July 13th, the exact day that ISKCON was incorporated as a legal entity fifty years ago in 1966. The Inspiration Series is a set of over 16 short videos that feature ISKCON leaders explaining the importance of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and encouraging devotees to participate enthusiastically all over the world. They can be viewed on the YouTube channels of ISKCON 50 and ISKCON Desire Tree. The series which was produced by ISKCON 50 and filmed by ISKCON Desire Tree features ISKCON leaders such as Radhanatha Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhakticharu Swami, Bhakti Purushottam Swami Anuttama Das, Devakinandan Das, Rameshvara Das and several others. Continue reading "ISKCON 50 Inspiration Series videos launched on Incorporation Day
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Bhaktivinoda Thakura considered the Siksastakam to be of such sublime importance that he wrote a full commentary on it. Drawing from his commentary, as well as the wisdom given by his preceding and succeeding acaryas, including and especially our Srila Prabhupada, this seminar will illumine the breadth and the depth of bhakti-yoga centered on the chanting of the holy names:

The post “Relishing Shikshashtakam” – Course in New Raman Reti, Alachua, Florida appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhaktivedanta Manor: Today’s gratitude offering to Srila Prabhupada (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our centers are like the oasis in a vast desert. In the desert there is no water, but occasionally if one is fortunate he may come in contact with an oasis and he is saved. Similarly in this material world we are drying up due to a lack of spiritual knowledge. Our ISKCON centers are meant to give relief to the dried up conditioned souls who are searching after the nectar of joyful life. Letter to Bhagavan, December 18, 1970.
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Answer Podcast

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Answer Podcast

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Talk at Bhaktivedanta Hospital

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Amrta-sundari about how to develop determination to do the right thing and Lakmsi about the guru returning to save the unsuccessful disciple.

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ISKCON50 cake art by Anuradha Devi Dasi of the Manor. The seven purposes. In 1965, a 69 year-old spiritual teacher from India arrives in the West and settles among the hippies of New York’s Lower East Side. From a tiny storefront, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami starts a revolution of consciousness influencing tens of thousands in the US and worldwide. But what happens to his spiritual movement , the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), after their charismatic leader’s passing? Will it survive? Will it change? Can an ancient Eastern religious tradition be relevant in the modern 21st century?
Read more: https://goo.gl/arL2aW

Gorgeous!! The murti of Srila Prabhupada decorated today for the 50th anniversary of Iskcon in Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK.
And a s...

Srila Prabhupada’s Divine Lotus Feet (Album with photos) by Padmapani Das.
“The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are three very powerful substances. By rendering service to these three, one attains the supreme goal of ecstatic love for Krishna. In all the revealed scriptures this is loudly declared again and again. Therefore, my dear devotees, please hear from me, for I insist again and again: please keep faith in these three and render service to them without hesitation. From these three one achieves the highest goal of life – ecstatic love of Krishna. This is the greatest mercy of Lord Krishna.” (Caitanya-caritamrita, Antya-lila 16.60-63)
Find them here: http://goo.gl/GxrmyN

Happy 50th Anniversary ISKCON! (International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc.)
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder - Acharya!
July 13, 1966
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
(Pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York)
We, the undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York, do hereby make, subscribe and acknowledge this certificate as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation shall be INTERNATIONAL
SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
SECOND: The purposes for which the corporation is organized are:
(a) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
(b) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagawat Gita and Srimad Bhagawatam.
© To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at largo, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
(d), To teach and encourage the Samkirtan movement congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
(f) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
(g) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
THIRD: The corporation shall have the power, either directly or indirectly, either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, to do any and all lawful acts and things and to engage in any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful, suitable, desirable, or proper for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering, or attainment of any or all of the purposes for which the corporation is organized, and to aid or assist other organizations whose activities are such as to further, accomplish, foster, or attain any of such purposes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the corporation shall exercise only such powers as are in furtherance of the exempt purposes of organizations set forth in Section 501© of the Internal Revenue Code and its Regulations as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended from time to time.
FOURTH: The corporation is not organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no member shall be entitled to any distribution or division of its remaining property or its proceeds, and the balance of all money and other property received by the corporation from any source, after the payment of all debts and obligations of the corporation, shall be used or distributed, subject to the order of the Supreme Court of the State of New York as provided by law, exclusively for purposes within those set forth in Article SECOND of this certificate and within the intendment of Section 501© of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and its Regulations as the same now exist or as they may be hereafter amended from time to time.
FIFTH: The operations of the corporation are to be conducted principally within the State of New York.
SIXTH: The principal place of worship of this Society is intended to be located at No. 26 Second Avenue in the City, County and State of New York.
SEVENTH: The number of trustees of the Society shall be nine.
EIGHTH: The names and addresses of the trustees until the first annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
MICHAEL GRANT 110 Bowery, New York, N. Y.
JAN OSLUND 110 Bowery, New York,.N. Y.
JAMES S. GREENE 324 East 6th Street, New York, N. Y.
The names and addresses of the trustees until the second annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
PAUL GARDINER 38 East 76th Street, New York, N. Y.
DONALD W. CHAPDELAINE 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
RAYMOND MARAIS 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
The names and addresses of the trustees until the third annual meeting of the corporation are as follows:
NAME ADDRESS
KARL YEARGENS 218 Centre Street, New York, N. Y.
RAPHAEL BALSAM 26 Second Avenue, New York, N. Y.
ROBERT LEFKOWITZ 1847 49th Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
NINTH: The first annual meeting for the annual election of trustees shall be held on July 6, 1967, at 7:00 P.M. at No. 26 Second Avenue, in the City, County and State of New York.
TENTH: The matters set forth in paragraphs FIRST through
EIGHTH of this certificate were determined at a meeting held for that purpose pursuant to Section 192 of the Religious Corporation Law on July 6, 1966 at No. 26 Second Avenue in the City, County and State of New York. Said meeting was held pursuant to due written notice as provided in Section 191 of the Religious Corporation Law.
ELEVENTH: All of the subscribers to this certificate are of full age and all are members in good and regular standing of the church seeking incorporation through the filing of this certificate by admission with full membership therein in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have made, subscribed, and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this 13th day of July, 1966.
[signed:] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Carol Bekar, Raymond Marais
STATE OF NEW ‘YORK) SS:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK)
On the 13th day of July, 1966 before me personally came A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA, SWAMI, RAYMOND MARAIS and CAROL BEKAR to me known and known to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing certificate of incorporation and they severally acknowledged to me that they severally executed the same.
STEVEN J. GOLDSMITH
NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF NEW YORK
NO. 81-1489875
Qualified in New York County
Commission Expires March 30, 1967
STATE OF NEW YORK )
SS:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )
STEVEN J. GOLDSMITH, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he maintains an office for the practice of law at Two Park Avenue, Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York; that he is the attorney for the subscribers to the annexed certificate of incorporation of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.; that he has made diligent search of the records of the Clerk of the County of New York, and as revealed by such search, that no prior corporation with the same or similar name as INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC. has filed a certificate of incorporation in New York County. [handwritten:] The undersigned affirms this made under penalty of perjury.
[signed:] Steven J. Goldsmith

ISKCON turns 50 today. And I would like to acknowledge that significant milestone by expressing my gratitude towards this "framework" established by Srila Prabhupada, without which, I and millions of others would not have had access to Krsna consciousness. That ISKCON, an organisation operating within the material world (but, according to Srila Prabhupada, not exclusively - there is a Goloka/Navadvip branch) to have faults should not be a surprise, nor a legitimate basis for withdrawing one's support, participation or appreciation. Just as a material body - even one inhabited by a sincere devotee - is not immune to pathogens or disease, an organisational vehicle operating within the material world, is susceptible to all of the issues that can plague any organisation. For us to become disillusioned or cynical because of these very real challenges suggests a naive idealism or perhaps a "consumer/enjoying mentality." ISKCON is a gift bequeathed to us by Srila Prabhupada - a framework for associating and cooperating with other devotees in pursuance of offering Lord Caitanya's benediction to the masses. Should we be surprised or dismayed that there are some very real challenges in operating such a Society at this current time (Kali Yuga) and in dealing with the exponential growth which continues to typify ISKCON throughout the world, dealing with matters for which we have had precious little training or historical precedents? Continue reading "“ISKCON, with all thy faults, I love thee.”
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Netherlands Introduces ‘Bhagavad-gita’ To 5th Graders.
Schools are arguably the most effective means of enacting the aims of integration. Texts/passages from scriptures such as the 'Bhagavad Gita’ and 'Upanishads’ have caught the imagination of primary education system in the Netherlands. Many 'sayings and teachings’ from such spiritual Hindu scriptures are incorporated now in the Netherlands Schools system with the aim of making world education compulsory starting from 5th grade onwards.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/3yjiVk

The Russian church is appalled by this new law. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law last week a measure punishing any kind of religious evangelization outside of churches, which some observers have called one of the most restrictive move in "post-Soviet history." "This new situation resembles the Soviet Union in 1929. At that time confession of faith was permitted only in church," Hannu Haukka, president of Great Commission Media Ministries, told National Religious Broadcasters, according to Breitbart News. "Practically speaking, we are back in the same situation. These anti-terrorist laws are some of the most restrictive laws in post-Soviet history." Continue reading "Thousands Fasting After Russian President Putin Signs Law Banning Evangelism Outside of Churches
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Turning fifty this year, the International Society for Krishna consciousness (Iskcon) started by the then 70-year-old Swami Prabhupada has lost none of its youthful vim and vigour. Swamiji made his way to the US from West Bengal to spread the message of Sri Krishna in the western world. He reached there in 1965 and a year later, established the first temple of Iskcon at New York. Soon after, he sent off three couples to the UK who, like wandering minstrels, would sing the Hare Krishna mantra, in their famous kirtana style.They were walking down Soho when they bumped into Beatles George Harrison and John Lennon. Harrison accosted them: “Hare Krishna, where have you been? I have been waiting to meet you.” Continue reading "50 Years Of Krishna CONSCIOUSNESS
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A Taste Of Things To Come! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Woodstock is still days away but people are already floodin...

Over fifty years ago in September 1965, an elderly Indian monk stepped off the piers of New York harbour wearing orange Indian robes and sporting a dignified vaishnava tilak mark on his forehead. He was carrying just seven dollars, a few sets of clothes and two trunk-loads of books. The aristocratic looking monk was A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who had been sent by his spiritual master from India to preach the message of the Bhagavad-gita to the western world. In just ten short years, Srila Prabhupada, who came to America almost penniless, established a worldwide community of devotees practising India’s ancient science of bhakti-yoga, wrote 75 books, and established over 108 centres across five continents, that made ‘Hare Krishna’ a household name all over the globe. Continue reading "50 years of ISKCON – the joy of devotion
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July 13. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Don Drifting Away.
Don was a test of Swamiji’s tolerance. He had lived in the storefront for months, working little and not trying to change his habits. He had a remarkable speech affectation: instead of talking, he enunciated his words, as if he were reciting from a book. And he never used contractions. It wasn’t that he was intellectual, just that he had somehow developed a plan to abolish his natural dialect. Don’s speech struck people as bizarre, like it might be the result of too many drugs. It gave him the air of not being an ordinary being. And he continually took marijuana, even after Swamiji had asked those who lived with him not to. Sometimes during the day his girlfriend would join him in the storefront, and they would sit together talking intimately and sometimes kissing. But he liked the Swami. He even gave him money once. He liked living in the storefront, and Swamiji didn’t complain.
But others did. One day an interested newcomer dropped by the storefront and found Don alone, surrounded by the sharp aroma of marijuana. “You been smoking pot? But the Swami doesn’t want anyone smoking here.” Don denied it: “I have not been smoking. You are not speaking the truth.” The boy then reached in Don’s shirt pocket and pulled out a joint, and Don hit him in the face. Several of the boys found out. They weren’t sure what was right: What would the Swami do? What do you do if someone smokes pot? Even though a devotee was not supposed to, could it be allowed sometimes? They put the matter before Swamiji.
Prabhupada took it very seriously, and he was upset, especially about the violence. “He hit you?” he asked the boy. “I will go down myself and kick him in the head.” But then Prabhupada thought about it and said that Don should be asked to leave. But Don had already left.
The next morning during Swamiji’s class, Don appeared at the front door. From his dais, Swamiji looked out at Don with great concern. But his first concern was for ISKCON: “Ask him,” Prabhupada requested Roy, who sat nearby. “If he has marijuana – then he cannot come in. Our society …” Prabhupada was like an anxious father, afraid for the life of his infant ISKCON. Roy went to the door and told Don he would have to give up his drugs if he entered. And Don walked away.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

In 1965, a 69 year-old spiritual teacher from India arrives in the West and settles among the hippies of New York’s Lower East Side. From a tiny storefront, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami starts a revolution of consciousness influencing tens of thousands in the US and worldwide. But what happens to his spiritual movement , the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), after their charismatic leader’s passing? Will it survive? Will it change? Can an ancient Eastern religious tradition be relevant in the modern 21st century?

The documentary short “Hare Krishna: 50 Years of Service and Joy,” showcasing the society’s many impressive contributions, released back in February for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, by now has reached over a hundred thousand people all over the world. The film had over forty thousand viewers on YouTube, and was screened in 28 countries and 51 cities during large public festivals, temple programs, VIP-, interfaith-or educational events attended by various audiences.

Don Drifting Away