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Talk at Bhaktivedanta Hospital

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By Kesava Krsna dasa

There exists an enormous market in the genre of gossip and rumour, which explains the great popularity of TV soap operas the world over. Repetitive themes of spiritual scandal, heresy, and deviation make for indulgent absorption, especially for one experiencing a dreary devotional continuation. Such curious excitement about the who’s who in spiritual circles issuing from suspect forums can be the stuff that kills the cat of the devotional creeper without even knowing it. Exercising the right for free speech and discrimination and disguising all manner of invectives and negativity with polished philosophy and zealous concern, these expressions are intended to destroy tender faith, and help harden the heart to repeat the abusive cycle of fault-finding in others. Faultfinders are fond of using various tactics to impose their superiority in argument, but when pitted against proper adherence to vaisnava culture these same tactics become their downfall. The use of certain types of logic though appealing to many, in fact lay bare the inner workings of a distressed condition, much like seeing an ugly tortoise without it’s shell. Continue reading "Beware! The fault-finders
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Invitation to the 10th Hare Krishna Convention Malaysia 2016.
Dear Devotees, Friends and Supporters,
We are officially announcing this year national convention. To give you small summary on what’s in store we will have to go back to 1971.
Srila Prabhupada visited Malaysia in 1971. Here, Srila Prabhupada continued his vigorous preaching programmes, covering 4 major towns from central to north Malaysia within 5 days. While pursuing the purpose he came for, in that trip, he visioned a temple. Our very first Radha Krishna temple in Malaysia ,The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion & Understanding was opened on Balarama Purnima, August 29 last year in Penang .
This year is ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. All over the globe ISKCON centres are celebrating this 50th anniversary with great pomp. Every activity whether it is street chanting, Ratha Yatra, book distribution, prasadam distribution, knocking on doors preaching, etc are being multiplied this year. Even temples are being built to commemorate the 50th anniversary.
ISKCON Malaysia similarly is focusing on and pushing ahead congregational preaching through the door to door Gita Upadesham, Bhakti Vrksa and public programmes. The Mahabharata quiz competition amongst Tamil school children is another innovative programme to educate children and grab the attention of the teachers. Thousands of school children are taking part all around the country.
And now, for this year, ISKCON Malaysia will have a Maha gathering of devotees from not only all over Malaysia but from all over Asia and other parts of the world. In the heart of it the ISKCON youths of Malaysia are thinking of starting a revolution, a spiritual revolution as seen fit, as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of ISKCON.
In celebration of the glorious 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, ISKCON Malaysia is bringing back the 10th National Convention. This will be a FOUR day event, from Thursday the 15th September 2016 till Sunday the 18th September 2016, which will be held at the Temple of Devotion and Understanding (TODU), Penang. Bring along your family and friends to join us. First class Kirtan, Bhajans, Prasadam, Arati, Yoga, Seminars, Workshops etc await you.
World renowned swamis such as the Governing Body Commissioners for ISKCON Malaysia and world itinerant preacher Srila Jayapataka Swami and Srila Bhanu Swami, ISKCON Malaysia President Srila Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami, China mission preacher Bhakti Vigna Vinasa Narasimha Swami, and Nitai Priya prabhu would also be there to get everyone swirling and dancing. HH Bhaktivinoda Swami an expert invited to rekindle the local youth development scene. World renowned Mahabharata and Ramayana speakers HG Jagat Saksi prabhu and HG Markendaya Rsi prabhu, would be here to transport us to a higher dimension with their expert narrations. From the Congregational Development Ministry, HG Iksvaku prabhu would be present. An event like this does not come every year or every 10 years. It is once in 50 years.
The theme for the convention this year is rEVOLution: Be the change you seek. We are striving to give each devotee an experience of genuine protection and inspiration to remain happy, enthusiastic and grateful to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission throughout their lives. We see this as a great opportunity to bring devotees together in a mood to Enrich, Grow and Contribute.
We would like to cordially invite each and every one of you. Please consider this as our personal invitation and we hope each of you will be able to join this year and help us start a spiritual revolution.
You can register now at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NFdUbnmbvUZ44DDhK1OUpiD4w_maxISRvSRRz3PbIeE/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link
Watch our video teaser at https://youtu.be/zVOqakyZ90Q
For more information, please visit us at http://todu.my/10th-iskcon-malaysia-convention/ or follow us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/events/1695411764052082/
Thank you for your support.
Your Servants
The National Convention Team

By Akincana Krishna das

HH RP Bhakti Raghava Maharaja arrived at Damodardesh on 21st June after a brief stop at Balaramdesh. During his 4 days visit, Maharaja spoke at various house programs introducing the congregation to the Om Sri Surabhi Campaign as well as enlightening the devotees on a lesser known essay, Gita Nagari (1956 Edition of Back to Godhead) written by ISKCON Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The essay propounds four different waves by which Srila Prabhupada wanted to spread the message of Lord Caitanya in every town and village around the globe namely, 1. Sankirtan Movement, 2. Deity Worship Movement, 3. Spiritual Initiation Movement and, 4. Classless Society Movement (Daiva Varnasrama Dharma). Continue reading "OM Sri Surabhi Campaign reaches the Gulf shores
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By Amala Prema devi dasi

The Bhakti Tree has been serving prasadam and taking every opportunity to promote kirtan and prasadam through catering at Newcastle University, at public events and through its Friday kirtan evenings at the restaurant. This time, The Bhakti Tree hosted His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami on June 24th at its weekly Friday Fest evening. This was His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami’s second visit after a year. Maharaj led kirtan and gave a talk on the divinity of Supreme, the self and the Maha-mantra. Maharaj encouraged the congregational chanting of Hare Krishna to create a fast and powerful impact on our spiritual understanding. He also inspired everyone to personally practice chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. He made relevant points on the power and divinity of the maha-mantra, which is not subject to interpretation, but which can be experienced by personally taking the step to try and practice it. He gave the audience tips on how to practice mantra meditation and to practically balance daily routines and spiritual life by focusing on time management and developing the quality of being selfish for our own sadhana, especially japa. Continue reading "The Bhakti Tree, Newcastle Outreach Through Kirtan and Prasadam
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Ratha Yatra Lisboa, Spain, 2016 (Album with photos)
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June 28. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Highest Sense. “Every second of human life is meant for making an ultimate solution of the problems of life, i.e., repetition of birth and death and revolving in the cycle of 84 lakhs of different species of life.” – Swami A.C. Bhaktivedanta
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

The Highest Sense

BY LAKSHMAN DASA

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The significance and glories of Ratha Yatra

Intricate sentiments symbolise the grand Rathayatra festivities connecting the event with the return of Lord Krshna to Vrindavan from His pompous life in Dwaraka to meet His heart throbs. The palace of Dwaraka represents the residence of Jagannatha, an enticing enactment of Lord Krshna’s scintillating pastime. At Puri, Krshna and His fraternal associates dwell as living Deities to wipe off the sufferings of His devotees in this mutilated age of kaliyuga. The Gundicha represents the Vrindavana, where His eternal associates Radharani, the gopis and gopas dwell. The visit of Jagannatha to Gundicha symbolises the visit of Syamasundara to meet His youthful associates of Vrindavan and the seven days stay there reminds His enchanting moments of rasa-lila with the loving company of their association. Many have enacted this colourful event and many have coined articulating words of gesture to glorify their touching love of Lord with the glories of Vrindavana.

Engrossed in separation with Radharani, Lord Krshna travelled to Kurukshetra from Dwaraka accompanied by Balarama and Subhadra and met Radharani, His ever loving friend in Golola Vrindavan. Dragged in ecstatic love, Krshna was arrested in sentiments and His limbs dragged in his body. Lord Caitanya was the manifest love of Radharani and He carrying Jagannatha to Gundicha reminds Radharani wanting to take away Lord Krshna from Dwaraka to Vrindavan.

The Narada Purana (uttara kanda 52.12) reveals the conversation between Lord Narayana and Lakshmidevi about Purushottama kshetra (Jagannatha Puri),

pratimam tatra tam drstva svayam devena nirmitam

anayasena vai yanti bhavanam me tato narau

“A person who sees the Deities there built by the Lord Himself will easily find the path to reach My abode.” Anyone seeing the Deities of Lord Krshna, Balarama and Subhadra at Jagannatha Puri during their leisure outage of Rathayatra means buying a ticket to reach the Supreme Abode of Vaikuntha, the eternal world of no worries. The Lord promises that His devotees who take all pains to gather at Puri during the Rathayatra will be rid off their miseries and may reach the eternal abode of Goloka Vrindavana and enjoy their life in association with Lord Krshna, Radharani and their close accomplices.

It is said that the participants in the festivities will be blessed immensely by Lord Jagannatha (Krishna) such as

(1) By the sight of Jagannatha’s merciful large two eye globes, the devotee will be blessed with astute purity of mind and spiritual elevation;

(2) Observing the Rathayatra will dissipate the sins committed by the embodied person in the past births;

(3) The accompanying person in the Rathayatra will receive opulence at par with Lord Vishnu even if he hails from a poor family;

(4) Dancing, singing and chanting in the Ratharatra entourage, the participant will be elevated to a level superior to yogis; and

(5) Active participation in the Ratha yatra by any means will receive the utmost blessings of Lord Jagannatha.

The glories of Ratha yatra are inimical to imprint in mind the symbolic love of Lord to His devotees. Srila Prabhupada said, “If you participate in these car festivals, as stated in the scriptures, rathe ca vanam drstva punar janma na vidyate”. If you kindly see these Jagannatha deities riding on these cars or these processions, and as Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted the Hare Krsihna mantra in front of this car, then according to the Vedic scripture, in your next life you’ll go back, back to Godhead.” Those who participate in the festival have a food for thought in the years to come and it may drag down even to the final moments of their life to affix the attention in the eventful pastimes of Jagannatha as Krishna tells in Bhagavad Gita (8.5-6),

anta-kale ca mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram

yah prayati sa mad-bhavam yati nasty-atra samshayah

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty-ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya sada tad bhava bhavitah

“Towards the end of life and at the time of departing the body, he who remembers Me will undoubtedly attain My nature. Whatever a living being thinks at the time of leaving his body, that alone he attains for being always absorbed in that state.” Those devotees who always chant and prostrate at the holy feet of Lord Jagannatha uttering the mahamantra (HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE) ordained by the Lord Krishna Himself in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and propagated all over the world by Srila Prabhupada will be blessed with perfect devotion to Lord forever, which is said to be superior to liberation.

Below are the Ratha yatra dates for ISKCON Malaysia in various parts of the country. Be sure to take part in any of of them to get the mercy of the Lord.

6 July: SJMKL/BM
9 July: JB/Teluk Intan
17 July: Kuantan
23 July: Ipoh Mengelembu Mini
13 August: Bahau
31 August: Taman Kenari
3 Sept: CH
10 Sept: Skudai
15-18 Sept: Hare Krishna Convention
16/24 Sept: Kluang
1 Oct: Sitiawan
8, 9, 10, 11 Dec: TODU Youth Kirtan Mela
16 Dec: Sg Petani
17 Dec: Klang
23 Dec: TODU
24 Dec: Saturday Penang
26 Dec: Sg Siput

Block your dates from the 15th - 18th of September 2016 NOW. Wondering why? The Youths of ISKCON Malaysia are joining hands to organise the most spectacular ...

BY ISKCON MALAYSIA YOUTH

SEBERANG JAYA - Block your dates from the 15th - 18th of September 2016 NOW.  Wondering why? The Youths of ISKCON Malaysia are joining hands to organise the most spectacular event of the year, The 10th ISKCON Malaysia Convention, at the Temple of Devotion and Understanding (TODU), Penang.

We promise you a convention full of excitements, with more interesting activities and less seminars. There will be explosive Kirtan by our renowned Kirtaniyas of ISKCON that you will never want to miss. So, come and join us for this spiritual retreat. For more information,  please stay in touch with us!

We are pleased to inform that the online registration for The 10th ISKCON Malaysia Convention is ready. Please click on the following link to register online: http://bit.ly/1XKwQD8

For further assistance on your accommodation during the convention, click here.

Devotees attending from overseas who need assistance in booking their accommodation, kindly contact Nila Madhava  prabhu at Nilamadhavalim@gmail.com

For any enquiries, you can contact us at: info.nationalconvention@gmail.com

Disciples of HH Tamala Krsna Goswami came from around Australia, New Zealand and Fiji to celebrate their Guru Maharaja’s 70th birthday and Vyasapuja over 3 days.

The festivities were held at Sydney temple and on Vyasapuja day God-brothers and God-sisters were invited to speak.

Vedavyasapriya Maharaja, Subhag Maharaja, Pratapana, Cittahari, Jayasri, Camari and I spoke. This was followed by disciple homages, which continued into the afternoon.

The next day was a big Maha Harinam followed by a wonderful feast.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 April 2016, Radhadesh, Srimad Bhagavatam 7.8.14-16)

Demoniac tendencies remain with the living being for a very long time. Even when we take on the process of devotional service, it does not mean that all the influence of previous demoniac activities are gone. There are so many traces of demoniac tendencies in our consciousness that still make us think that we are controllers; this tendency is very strong. Some time we are controllers but on behalf of Krsna. So, be a controller for Krsna and at the same time do not claim any power from it. Do not to take advantage of the position that we gain from being in ‘control’  as it is difficult to be a servant in that role. Simply see that we have received a position of power for the sake of being a servant. This is the idea.

Just like in the biblical context, we find the description that man received dominion over all the living entities and over the entire universe. But what did man do rather than protect the animals? Man began to feast on the flesh of the animals which does not take into consideration the desire of the Supreme Lord, where it is said:

balaṁ balavatāṁ cāhaṁ
kāma-rāga-vivarjitam, (Bhagavad-gita 7.11)

The strength of the strong is meant to protect the weak. In this way, human beings who are more intelligent than animals are meant to protect the animals.

This understanding is not possible for a conditioned soul and since we are in the world predominated with conditioned souls, we need guiding principles in society. We need education in society. Without education, we cannot expect that people are simply going to do the right thing. The conditioned soul is contaminated with demoniac mentality, contaminated with the misused tendency to control, and contaminated with the tendency to enjoy what is not his property, that which is the property of the Supreme Lord. That understanding goes very deep, including our bodies, even our bodies are the property of the Supreme Lord. So it is a huge adjustment and even upon hearing again and again from Srimad Bhagavatam, still the tendency is there to forget.

We forget or we look for a compromise between personal interest and the interest of Krsna. Krsna has provided for that within varnasrama. He has provided for us to have that compromise where we can say, “How much for Krsna? And how much for me?” Of course, ultimately it has to come to the point of giving our life cent per cent for Krsna. Just as we see how Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura, as a householder, said, “I am no longer maintaining this household for myself. This I am doing so now, as your servant, on your behalf. It is your household. It is your facility which will only be used now for preaching Krsna Consciousness.”

In this way, our entire life is meant to be dedicated to spreading the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in this world and that is the opposite of the demoniac mentality.

Ratha-yatra in Paris (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna and the sound vibration “Krsna” are nondifferent, so if one loudly vibrates Hare Krsna, he will be able to think of Krishna immediately. This process of chanting is the best process of self-realization in this age; therefore Lord Caitanya preached it so nicely for the benefit of all humanity. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jEGcTY

Well Received In Moldova (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Moldova, a small landlocked country between Romania and Ukraine, has a unique culture all it’s own. By the mercy of Lord Caitanya our festival tour was well received in the capital, Chisinau, and several other towns and villages. In fact, everywhere in the world where we take our festival program people are fascinated by the spiritual culture of Krsna consciousness and chant and dance with us in great ecstasy.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/b8wKeM

Dear Vaishnavas, here are some stories from Czech devotees who distribute Srila Prabhupada’s book and Krsna’s prasadam. I also want to apologize that my english is not perfect.:-)
I was distributing in one industrial city and in the late afternoon suddenly one lady seeing me that I am distributing books came to me and very humbly gave me a piece of paper and asked me if I by the chance have these books. When I looked to the paper there was a complete list of Srila Prabhupada’s books and there was also written-Author:His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I was really amazed. Then the lady told me whole story that her son wants her to buy these book for him for Christmas. She was out whole day searching for these books in every bookstore in the town and everywhere they told her that they don’t have these books. Suddenly at the and of the day she saw me and she decided to approach me. She happily took five books for her son.
Mahasringa prabhu met one christian and after some strong discussion the Christian decided to give small donation and took TLC. And then the christian challenged him that he will give him more donation if Mahasringa promised to him that he will pray for forty days to Jesus Christ. Mahasringa told him that he will pray to God for forty days and told him that he must also read this book every day at least for forty days. So the Christian gave a nice donation and promised that he will read Teachings of Lord Chaitanya.
Kesava Puri prabhu met one young boy and invited him to his home telling him that his mother was interested in these books. When he met his mother she said to him that she is already waiting for him. The lady was interested in omen cards and told him that she can foretell the future. She took ten books.
Hari lila mataji was distributing prasadam in one busy town and after some time she got hard time and nobody wanted anything. After some time one gentleman came and told her: “Dear lady how it is possible?! Why nobody wants to buy this from you? I was sitting in this restaurant and watching you for some time. You are working so hard and nobody wants anything.” Then he gave her nice donation and took many packages of prasadam and went back to the restaurant. She went to the car and took some books for this man. When she came to him he very happily gave her big donation and took all the prasadam she had.
Vidyavacaspati prabhu brahmacari (51 years old) met one young crazy boy and showed him some books. Then the boy in a crazy manner started to speak: No No No I cannot read these books, I cannot read these esoteric books, my psychiatric doctor doesn’t allow me this". Vidya with father-like compassion looked to him and told him “My dear boy don’t speak like a fool. These books can really cure you.” The boy started to look around him and then he bought two books.
Radhika Ramana prabhu was distributing in a prefabricated block of flats and nobody wanted to take any book. Then he decided to change the “mantra” and started to simply tell them that he is a Hare Krsna monk and that these books are for them. In the last entrance, he distributed twelve books.
Loka saranga prabhu also distributed door to door and by the elevator, he met a young lady, she was a drug addict. He told her that he has books about ancient Indian philosophy and she immediately asked him if he has the Bhagavad Gita. When she saw the BG she immediately started to beg Bg from him telling him that she didn’t have much money. Then she brought him some money and two silver earrings.
In one old block of flats, residential area of people working in the mines, I met a little-drunked man and woman. They told me that their 21 year old daughter is a little bit interested in these things but for 6 years she is suffering from schizophrenia and that she doesn’t want to come and look at these books. I insisted that she must look at these books and then I gave the books to parents and they went to her room. After some minutes they came back and they bought a Bg for her. I gave them my email address and this girl after some days thanked me that I was there with Bg.
Mandalibhadra prabhu our head cook in one of our Govinda restaurant for two years fed one strict vegan with halava, butter cookies and many nice butter-milky foodstuffs always telling him that there is no problem with this food and his vegan diet. After two years this boy decided that he will end with his veganism and will start to be vegetarian. When he came to know that he already broke his veganism he started to laugh like anything. This boy purified by transcendental prasadam is now living in Nama-hatta chanting 16 round, following regulative principles.
Bhaktin Elen met one young homeless beggar and he told her that he has some of our books and that he really wants Bg. But he had no money and everything he collected on the street he spent for food. She told him that he can come every afternoon to our Govinda restaurant and take some resting prasadam which was not distributed during the day and spend his collected money for books. He agreed and in the afternoon he bought a Bg and his plan is to buy the whole set of Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Kesava Puri met a young boy and he told to Kesava that he is from a near village and he came to town to buy some spiritual books. Kesava gave him two books and the boy happily went back to his village.
I was distributing in one village and I entered to one very old house and nobody was there. After some hours I came back in the same way to the van and I saw that before this old house there is a car standing. The house was little far away from the street but I decided to go there. The whole house looked very mystical and the whole atmosphere started to be very tense but not negatively. Doors were opened and when I entered the house there was a middle aged man greeting me and looking very mystical to me. Immediately he agreed to buy these books for his relative and gave a nice donation buying eleven books. I was remembering that somewhere I heard that sometimes demigods descending to the earth to buy books from the devotees.
Hope these stories can give you some inspiration yours servant Gadadhara dasa

By Radhapad Das

The annual Panihati Chida Dahi Mahotsav (yogurt and chipped rice festival) or the famous Dandamahotsav is celebrated on the 13th day of bright moon in the month of Jyestha (May-June). This festival was first celebrated by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami (Son of a wealthy landlord of Adi-Saptagram) on the orders of Lord Nityananda Prabhu (Incarnation of Lord Balaram) in the year 1516 on the same day. Saturday, 18th June this year marks the 500th anniversary of this festival. In addition to this, ISKCON is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the year. The Panihati branch, next to ferryghat boasts to be one the rare ISKCON centers on the bank of Ganges with a well maintained bathing ghat. Strategically located next to Mahotsavatala on the one hand, Raghava Bhawan on the other, with deities of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Srila Prabhupada, Goddess Jagadhatri, and Lord Shiva in His two forms as Tarakeshwar and Gangadhar this center has a lot to promise. On this occasion the devotees of the ISKCON center Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Mandir at 37, Gauranga Ghat Road at Panihati were all fired up and distributed free Chida Dahi prasadam to 20,000 visiting pilgrims. Continue reading "500th Anniversary of Chida Dahi Festival 2016, ISKCON Panihati serves 20,000 pilgrims
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Brahmananda Prabhu ki jaya!
Deena Bandhu Das: One of the great pillars of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, Sriman Brahmananda Prabhu, left this world one year ago on June 7 that corresponds in the Vaisnava calendar to the 6th (sasti) day of the dark half of the month of Vamana. This year that tithi comes today on the 26th of June. I was extremely fortunate and honored last year to light his funeral pyre at the Yamuna, since his younger brother Gargamuni was too devastated to do it.
We can’t begin to do justice to his glories. He was one of Srila Prabhupada’s first disciples. He was the first temple president in ISKCON. By his devotion to Srila Prabhupada’s order, he was the first to go to such places as Turkey, Pakistan, and Africa, some of these places being quite dangerous!
Brahmananda Prabhu, carefully following Srila Prabhupada’s order, was the one who was able to get His Divine Grace’s Bhagavad-Gita As It Is published by the very famous Macmillan Company. And that was after so many other companies had rejected Brahmananda’s plea for them to print it.
We could go on forever, but suffice it to say, Brahmananda Prabhu was the genuine Prabhupada Man, a great luminary in the sky of ISKCON, an enormous storehouse of nectarean Prabhupada Katha, and an ocean of love for Srila Prabhupada!

Istanbul.

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By Mahatma das

Our false ego prevents us from looking at our own faults. It makes it difficult for us to acknowledge our faults and therefore, instead of being introspective, we see those faults in others. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur said, “Because I am myself honeycombed with faults, I see the faults of others”. If you spot it, you have got it. In the realm of psychology it is said that if something about someone really bothers you, it’s usually because you have that fault. Of course, we usually don’t accept or acknowledge this. This is a powerful way to understand ourselves better. Say “Thank you!” One executive coach that works with very successful people teaches them to be open to feedback. He says that they when receiving feedback they must not use the words, “But”, “No”, and “However.” They should just say “Thank you!” Continue reading "Humility and Faultfinding
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It’s raining a lot during this Jagannath Ratha-yatra (1 min video)
But still, devotees are amazing at Bangkok Thailand!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/yqiWfh

By Vijaya Dasa

Texas is known for being big in everything. Well, now, Dallas is doing big in book distribution: No. 3 in the USA for May. The temple had a great month with 3,695 book points: an increase of 824%. The temple president, Nityananda Prabhu, is enthusiastic to distribute full sets of Srila Prabhupada's books, and this is where most of the book points are coming from. He's a great example of an ISKCON leader. While in Slovenia, I had the honor of distributing books with a veteran book distributor, Prahladananda Swami. In two years he'll celebrate his own golden jubilee; in other words, he's been distributing Srila Prabhupada's books for the past forty-eight years. While in Ljubljana, he approached someone he thought would be favorable, and she was and she got the mercy. You'll see from the attached photo why he knew she would be favorable. Continue reading "WSN May 2016 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Giriraj Swami: Today Hema Malini, the famed performer from India, visited the ISKCON Los Angeles temple, and I was reminded of when she and I were together on the stage of the ISKCON auditorium in Juhu, Mumbai. It was December, during the book-distribution marathon, and after the performance I asked the audience to come forward to purchase sets of Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamra, for concessional rates. The response was slow, so I leaned over and asked her if I could announce that she would autograph one book from each set, and she kindly agreed. After the announcement, people jumped out of their seats and rushed toward the stage, standing in long queues to get their sets of Srila Prabhupada’s books. And I thought, “This is the proper use of her name and fame—to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books.”

Today Hema Malini, the famed performer from India, visited the ISKCON Los Angeles temple, and I was reminded of when she and I were together on the stage of the ISKCON auditorium in Juhu, Mumbai. It was December, during the book-distribution marathon, and after the performance I asked the audience to come forward to purchase sets of Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamra, for concessional rates. The response was slow, so I leaned over and asked her if I could announce that she would autograph one book from each set, and she kindly agreed. After the announcement, people jumped out of their seats and rushed toward the stage, standing in long queues to get their sets of Srila Prabhupada’s books. And I thought, “This is the proper use of her name and fame—to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 05/15/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari.

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Radha-Krishna, Vraja

Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Designate Remaining “Project” Topics to ECO-V Managers

Jamuna Jivani will compile a list of ECO-V’s projects list for everyone to review and the managers can discuss in their regular Thursday meetings.

2. External Grant Request: ISKCON Alachua

The Board indicated it is not currently funding additional external grants. Chaitanya Mangala will respond to Mukhya prabhu’s request and inform her.

3. Kripamaya’s Sabbatical Request

In anticipation of the opening of his upcoming Ramayana musical work, Kripamaya has requested a three-month sabbatical from June to August. The Board has agreed to this request with the stipulation that he be available should an additional Director be necessary to constitute a quorum for a vote.

4. Mukunda’s Monthly Report

Mukunda reported on the previous month’s projects:

• Working with, and engaging Krsna Nama prabhu part-time in various hands-on projects.
• Repaired the gates at the flower garden.
• Repaired some fencing at Nandagram and Bahulaban
• In the process of providing and taking inventory of the needed equipment to our various service locations.
• Helped with some of the logistics for Festival of Inspiration and Kuli Mela ‘16.
• Continuing to act as Chair of the Steering Committee meetings and help with the recent Village Association expansion.

Anticipated projects for the upcoming month:

• Clean and organize the area outside of the milking goshala
• Build a fence for Dharma the bull
• Continue to prepare sites to be used for upcoming festivals

5. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report

Nitaicandra reported on the previous month’s projects:

• Ordered ox yokes (should be ready soon)
• Planted potatoes with Ranaka and Ray
• Started summer vegetable and flower seeds indoors about three weeks ago. Caitanya Bhagavat was caring for them.
• Cows have been moved to Bahulaban. Caitanya Bhagavat is caring for them.
• Tilled and planted a cover crop in community garden
• Krsnanama prabhu composted and mulched about 75% of our young trees in Madhuban.
• Mukunda and Krsnanama prabhus have been helping with the clean-up of the community garden
• A half dozen or so devotees claimed garden space in the Community Garden
• Strawberries arrived
• Vidya and Julie planted out flower starts in the teaching garden and her gardens.
• Meeting held at the Goshala to discuss how to best serve the cows, cow herds and guests. We came up with a plan to improve the overall appearance and ease of use, including moving the dung pile, improving drainage, adding gravel to road and parking area, and painting.

Anticipated projects for the upcoming month:

• Covering young fruit trees for cicada protection
• Planting out early seeds
• Plant strawberries
• Plant starts (tomatoes, eggplant, okra, peppers, herbs, etc.)
• Heavy mulching
• On-going maintenance
• As soon as the ox yokes arrive, we will kick start the ox program and resume training.

6. Monthly Team ECO-V Meetings

Ranaka, Mukunda and Nitaicandra are establishing monthly meetings for those involved in ECO-V projects with the intention of increasing camaraderie and cooperation between team members.

7. ECO-V’s Involvement in Kulimela 2016

For the upcoming Kulimela Festival, ECO-V plans to:

• Prepare sites to be used, including moving stones from the stage area, making the sites look presentable, building a fence and removing trees
• Offer tours of various locations with cows and gardens
• If possible, offer demos or workshops

8. Upstairs Bahulaban Barn Community Center Proposal Update

The Board has determined that in order to proceed with any plans for usage, first they must investigate possible health code requirements and have an evaluation made by a structural engineer. The Board asked Mukunda and Ranaka to work on those two issues and report their findings.

9. Village Association Liaison  – Service Description & Funding Request

The Board had a brief discussion on the topic, but due to time constraints, agreed to wait until the next meeting for further discussion.

10. Funding for Dump Trailer

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to invest in equipment to support its ongoing farming-related projects.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $10,250 for the purchase of a dump trailer.

June 27. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Remembering the Early Exchanges with Swamiji.
If the spiritual world is the real goal, then why do I keep going back to that infinitesimal span of time – the 1966 days? Prabhupada’s lila was so sweet then, and it was also a special time for me, the time when he lifted me out of the cycle of birth and death. I cannot help remembering it now. That remembrance reinforces my conviction not to fall back into material life. I am not clear yet, I am surrounded by temptations. I have not completed the process. My material desires can still attract me, especially if I forget how implicated in the material world I was before I met Prabhupada. But I gratefully remember those days in 1966, the first days of my spiritual life and the first days of Prabhupada’s mission in the West, by falling on my knees and thanking him.
I remember in the very early days when Swamiji started looking for a new building in New York City. We didn’t get one, and we had to stay at 26 Second Avenue. But there were adventures connected with the search. One time, we saw a place on the second floor somewhere that required a lot of work. The room was filled with lumber and was very dirty. After we checked it out, we went back to 26 Second Avenue and sat with Swamiji in his room. Swamiji turned to me and asked, “Mr. Secretary, what did you think of the place?” I gave my opinion, feeling important because of the way Prabhupada had addressed me. I was touched that he asked my opinion.
Why do I ever forget these little exchanges? Why don’t I always remember them and know that Prabhupada loves me, that my real relationship with him consists of typing for him, writing for him, always being his affectionate servant?
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Remembering the Early Exchanges with Swamiji

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 05 September 2016, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Initiation Lecture)

When we speak about the third offence to the holy name, we speak about disobeying the orders of the spiritual master. But let us think about it in a different way – instead of disobeying orders, one can talk to the spiritual master. The spiritual master can always change the instruction if it can be changed. If the order is unchangeable then he can help us by giving us inspiration to carry on. So really, if the order is too difficult, then one must simply take shelter.

But if somehow, one disobeys the order of the spiritual master, even then we still turn to the spiritual master because the spiritual master is our best friend and therefore he cannot be surprised, in terms of our behavior, it is not possible. If that happens, the spiritual master will very patiently say, ‘Alright, you broke everything, what to do… Let’s pick up the pieces and let’s put your spiritual life back together.’

So he is not going to condemn us for whatever we have done, for whatever mistake we have made. No! He will simply say, ‘Okay, now we have to deal with this.’  Of course, sometimes one gets entangled very much. I remember someone got entangled in a drug habit after initiation. Then the spiritual master said, ‘Well, we have a problem here! It’s going to take some time and it won’t be easy to solve it, but anyway we are in this together.’  In that way, the spiritual master is always with us.

Three stories from distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Tulasi Devi Dasi: I tried to speak to one man who quickly said, “No. No time! I said, "No time? What’s your job”? “Drug salesman”. “Really, what’s the biggest selling product”? “Maalox (for ulcers). "No time? You better take time to read this book or you’ll gave to take Maalox like everyone else”. He then said, “You’re right”. And quickly took a book and gave a donation.
I was speaking to a simple farmer who didn’t want a book but somehow in our conversation it came out that all his friends are dying of cancer, left and right. We were speaking about death and getting more serious about why we’re here. He then revealed to me that one real close friend of his had two months to live – cancer in the liver. And he told me that he wouldn’t want to be told that he had only two months to live. So I said, “I would! "Then I showed him the inside cover of S.B of Pariksit Maharaj how he only had seven days to live and that it was a blessing, a big warning for us to get serious in our spiritual life and forget everything else. Whew! What a benediction it would be!”
He completely changed, lit up and said, “Yes, your right! And took a book to find out more.
Boy, Baptist. "No, against my beliefs. I’m satisfied with blind faith.” I said, “No, we need philosophy. Just like Jimmy Swaggert, he also has blind faith. But he’s still on the 10th class spiritual platform with no philosophy. We should progress with philosophy and devotion, if we act on that blind faith, then God becomes pleased and gives us deeper realization, then it is no longer useless blind faith. Then we do more of what the Lord wants and He gives us more realization. So these books are filled with all kinds of knowledge of those progressing through the different stages of spiritual life”.
He then said, “That makes sense”, and took the highest philosophy of Krsna consciousness in the form of one of Prabhupada’s books.
Your Servant,
Tulasi Devi Dasi