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How can I understand the mysterious things I saw in my out-of-body-experience?
Hanuman and Arjuna and the Mood of the Vaishnava
Giriraj Swami
Today many devotees are celebrating the appearance of Sri Hanuman, the eternal servant of Lord Ramachandra. On this occasion, I remember a beautiful explanation Srila Prabhupada gave on the significance of Hanuman being on the flag of Arjuna’s chariot—and the mood of the Vaishnava:
“Just as nowadays every nation has different types of flags, so Arjuna also had his flag on the chariot . . . The flag was on the top of his chariot, and it was marked with Hanuman, Vajrangaji, who fought for Lord Ramachandra. Arjuna is fighting for Krishna. So, he is following the footsteps of Vajrangaji. Vaishnavism is like that. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah. The Vaishnava should follow his previous mahajana, authority. That is Vaishnavism. We don’t manufacture ideas. We simply accept the behavior or the activities of previous acharyas. There is no difficulty.
“In the fighting principle, Arjuna is fighting for Krishna, and he is following the previous fighting acharya, Hanumanji. Therefore he has depicted his flag with Hanuman, that ‘Hanumanji, Vajrangaji, kindly help me.’ This is Vaishnavism. ‘I have come here to fight for Lord Krishna. You also fought for the Lord. Kindly help me.’ This is the idea, kapi-dhvajah. So in any activities of the Vaishnava, they should always pray to the previous acharya, ‘Kindly help me.’ Vaishnava is always thinking himself helpless, and begging help from the previous acharya.
“Just like in Caitanya-caritamrta, you will find the author, at the end of every chapter:
sri rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa
In every line he is thinking of Rupa-Raghunatha, previous acharyas. ‘Let me surrender to the Gosvamis and they will help me how to write.’ You cannot write. That is not possible.
“So this is Vaisnava’s policy. Vaisnava thakura, tomara kukkura, baliya janaha more. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung, ‘My dear Vaishnava Thakura, just accept me as your dog. As the dog works by the indication of the master . . .’ He will give his life. Dog has a good qualification. However strong a dog may be, when the master orders, he will give his life. This is dog—faithful, so faithful to the master. So Bhaktivinoda Thakura is praying, Vaisnava thakura, tomara kukkura, baliya janaha more: ‘My dear Vaisnava Thakura.’ Vaisnava thakura means guru. ‘Kindly accept me as your dog.’ And he describes—I forget the exact language—that ‘I will always try to protect you. As a dog keeps watch, so I will watch so nobody will come to disturb you. And whatever little prasada you’ll give me, I’ll be satisfied.’ That is dog’s qualification. The master is eating, but the dog will never come unless the master gives a little morsel. He is satisfied. He is satisfied.
“So this is Vaishnavism, to follow the previous acarya. This is Vaishnavism.”
(Talk by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on Bhagavad-gita 1.20, July 17, 1973, London)
Can two souls be present in the same body?
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April 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa…
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April 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: In the back of the loft I noticed a little curtain – an Indian madras type of curtain – and so I decided to peer into that area. I looked in and there was Swami Bhaktivedanta sitting there cross-legged in saffron garments, with the markings on his forehead and nose and his hand in the bead bag. Even though he looked like the real thing, he seemed more approachable and I said, “Hello,” and he looked up. I said, “Swami Bhaktivedanta?” and he said, “Yes.” I said, “I am Howard Smith.” I was expecting to sit down, so I said, “Excuse me, I have to take off my shoes,” and he said, “Why do you want to take off your shoes?” I said, “I don’t know – I saw all the shoes out there.” And he said, “I didn’t ask you to take your shoes off.” I said, “What are all those people out there doing?” and he said, “I don’t know. And they don’t know what they’re doing. I am trying to teach them and they seem to be misunderstanding me. They are very confused people.”
Then we sat and talked and I liked him a lot right away. I mean, I’d met a lot of other swamis and I didn’t like them too much. I don’t think it’s fair to lump them all together and say, “Those swamis in India.” He was very, very basic, and that’s what I seemed to like about him. He not only made me feel at ease, but he seemed very open and honest – like he asked my advice on things. He was very new in the country.
I thought his ideas stood a good chance of taking hold because he seemed so practical. His head didn’t seem to be in the clouds. He wasn’t talking mysticism every third word. I guess that is where his soul was at, but that isn’t where his normal, conversational consciousness was at.
Then he told me that several people had told him that the Voice would be a very good place to be written up, and that basically it would reach the kind of people who already perhaps had a leaning or interest in what he was preaching. I said I thought he was correct. He asked me if I had read any books or knew anything about Indian culture. I said no, I didn’t really. We talked a little and he explained to me that he had these books in English that he had already translated in India. He handed those to me and said, “If you want more background, you can read these.”
It was obvious to me that I was not talking to some fellow who had just decided that he had seen God and was going to tell people about it. He seemed to be an educated man, much more so than myself. I liked his humbleness. I just plain liked the guy.
He explained everything I wanted to know – the significance of what he was wearing, the mark on his forehead, the bead bag. I liked all his explanations. Everything was very practical. Then he talked about temples all over the world and he said, “Well, we have a long way to go. But I am very patient.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7
ISKCON 50 Meditations: April 22, 2016
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Village Voice Reporter
Historic Times
→ travelingmonk.com
It was an action packed weekend as the Beijing devotees opened their new temple, we did an initiation ceremony and then held kirtan at the famous Great Wall of China. Historic times for Krsna consciousness in the Land of the Great Red Dragon. Srila Prabhupada, we are your servants. We will go anywhere in the [...]
100,000 Wishes from China Offered to Vrindavan Wish Tree
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An intimate gathering of enthusiasts met under the tree at Kaliya Ghat in Vrindavan, and offered over 100 000 desires gathered on the interactive sculpture dress called “Mandala of Desires” (Blue Lotus Wish Tree) that was on display at the China Art Museum in Shanghai, from December 2015 to February 21. 2016, as part of the exhibition called “Forms of Devotion”, organized by the Belgian MOSA museum and Teamwork from India, and curated by Sushma K. Bahl and Archana Sapra.
Launch of “Monks in Manhattan” the Novel
→ ISKCON News
Monks in Manhattan started out as a screenplay and went through a number of incarnations as such. In the final year or two before his departure, Jnanagamya Dasa he turned the screenplay into an entertaining novel. Very few novels have been produced by contemporary members of the Hare Krishna devotee community, and certainly none with the ambition, scope, humor, and philosophical depth of this one.
Harinama and book distribution in Sydney (Album with photos)Sri…
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Harinama and book distribution in Sydney (Album with photos)
Sri Harinam Sankirtan Nectar 21-04-16
This evening was filled with yet another wave of ecstatic Harinam Sankirtan. We had around 22 devotees including 2 kids who attended the Harinam. Thanks once again to everyone who came forward to support the harinaam and also a big welcome to a few new families who were attending the weekly harinaam for the very first time.
We would like to encourage the entire ISKCON Sydney congregation to please come and attend Harinam according to your time and ability at least once a week, fortnight, every 3 weeks or on a monthly basis. By participating in spreading the holy name you will for sure please Srila Prabhupada and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.
Thanks to Book distribution team Sriman Nrsimha Prabhu, Radha Vinod Prabhu, Dhira Lalita Prabhu and Bhakta Kirtan.
Amazing day for book distribution tonight:
Bhagavad Gita HB-2
Bhagavan Gita SB-3
Chant and be happy-3
Perfection of Yoga-1
Srimad bhagavatam-1
Science of self realisation-1
The most amazing part of the night was that Kirtan Prabhu distributed books for the first time today and he distributed a Gita and Srimad bhagavatam. And the finale was that while we were walking towards the station Kirtan spoke to a girl from the vegan society and she ended up getting 3 books. Srila Prabhupada transcendental book distribution ki jai.
See you all next Thursday 6.30 pm Town Hall.
Sri Harinam Sankirtan ki jaya !!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VugCin
Competition among devotees
→ Servant of the Servant
As long as we are in the world, there will be competition. Even if we choose not to compete, people will compete against you. With this competitive mentality, we enter the environment of devotees and perform services like preaching, kirtan etc. Some do well and some do not. Those who do well, if they have this competitive pride, they will feel proud and those devotees who do not do well, if they have the same pride, they feel inferior and less worthy (viz. inferiority complex).
How to get over this sense of inferiority complex?
How to get over this sense of inferiority complex?
- We should not first compare ourselves with other devotees.
- Other devotees who do well in their services, we feel happy for them that Krishna has empowered them to do so much and in that way we honor them.
- But when other devotees compare, we take that comparison as an inspiration to reach our best but not in a competitive way to do better than the other.
- In all of this, we try to do our best and appreciate that Krishna has given me the ability to do even this small service.
- Ultimately, Krishna is attracted to a devotee who wants to serve the great and not want to be great himself. Since Krishna is the greatest great, we want to serve Him and serve His great devotees.
It reminds me of the story where when Hanumanji asked the spider to step aside as he was doing big service in constructing the bridge by throwing boulders onto the sea and the spider was rolling dust towards the sea. Seeing Hanumanji's attitude of service, Lord Rama responded saying that for Him both services are equal since both are doing to their capacity.
Therefore, the moral of the story is we do not compare ourselves with anyone and simply we go deeper in our service to cultivate a mood of humility and respect others in that process without pride or competition.
Hare Krishna
Jayadvaita Swami Book Wins Benjamin Franklin Award
→ ISKCON News
Vanity Karma, a new book by ISKCON guru Jayadvaita Swami, has been presented with the 2016 Benjamin Franklin gold award by the Independent Book Publishers Association. Published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, it won best book of the year in the category of “religion.” The award was presented on April 8th at in Salt Lake City, Utah. The book, subtitled “Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita, and the Search for the Meaning of Life,” explores two profound wisdom texts – one a book from the Old Testament of the Bible, the other Lord Krishna’s words to Arjuna.
Oldest 24-Hour Kirtan Festival in West Celebrates 17 Years
→ ISKCON News
Over 2,000 people from the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe are expected to attend the 17th annual 24-Hour Kirtan in Birmingham, England from Saturday April 30th to Sunday May 1st. Today, it’s a huge bank holiday weekend draw. But back when the event – the oldest 24-Hour-Kirtan Festival in the Western world – began in 1999, attendance was muchsmaller. It all started with a group of Pandava Sena teenage youth, fans of the year-around 24-Hour Kirtan program in Vrindavan, India.
Two Devotee Women Co-author Popular Yoga Book
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For the first time ever, two women initiated into the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya published a popular book that emphasizes the bhakti tenets in two of the world’s most revered yoga texts: the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras. Last month, Krishna Kanta Dasi (Catehrine Ghosh) and Braja Sevaki Dasi (Braja Sorensen) released Yoga in the Gita: Krishna and Patanjali—The Bhakti Dimension, with Golden Dragonfly Press.
A Devotional Model for Health & Financial Self-Sufficiency
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Our health has a crucial influence on a quality of our daily life and efficiency in our devotional service. The reality however is that devotees are often deprived of a proper and consistent healthcare due to either lack of resources or proper knowledge.
Padayatra Newsletter 2016.
Reports from different countries
50…
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Padayatra Newsletter 2016.
Reports from different countries
50 padayatras for ISKCON’s 50th birthday
History of Padayatra
Inspiration from Srila Prabhupada
Various quotes and letters
Padayatra Hall of Fame
Padayatra manual
Photo gallery
Videos and films
Audio
Schedules and Contacts
To download the pdf document click here: http://www.padayatra.com/padayatra-newsletter-2016/
The Conch – Newsletter of New Govardhana Hare Krishna Community…
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The Conch - Newsletter of New Govardhana Hare Krishna Community - April Issue.
EDITORIAL ADVISOR – H.H. Mukunda Goswami
GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT – Urvasi devi dasi
PHOTOGRAPHY - Urvasi devi dasi and Trevor Gore
EDITORIAL BOARD
Damodara Pandit dasa
Govardhana Seva dasa
Krishna Rupa devi dasi (ACBSP)
Mandakini devi dasi
To download the pdf document click here: http://goo.gl/q9zt0O
Can people’s intelligence be improved by giving external inputs?
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Training our minds to discriminate between mater and spirit
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Conversation.
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Can two souls swap their bodies?
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Are our decisions taken by the soul or the mind?
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Is there any information in the universe other than that available through the senses?
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Can the soul see and have all sense perceptions without the body?
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WSN March 2016 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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By Vijaya Dasa
Hare Krsna,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Chowpatti, “the simple temple” inspired by Radhanatha Swami, had a great month in March, distributing over eleven thousand books in Mumbai, an increase of 641%. That’s a nice offering during this 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s founding.
Phoenix, in Mauritius, also had a good month: about 4,000 book points and an increase of 999%. It’s a small island, and the devotees are steadily distributing books to these fortunate islanders year after year.
As I was passing through the Istanbul airport a few days ago, en route to Moscow, I distributed a book to another traveler in transit through Turkey. Turkey doesn’t allow ISKCON to have a temple, though we do have a restaurant. It may have been the first and only book so far distributed in the Istanbul airport, a breakthrough for Turkey.
Your servant,
Vijaya Dasa
For complete results
go to www.SankirtanNewsletter.com (password: wsnhome)
Deadline for scores is the 15th of the next month
WORLD WORLD SANKIR NEWS LETTER
WWW WWW SSS TAN NEWS NEW
WWW WWW SSS SSS NEWSLE NEW
WWW WWW WWW SSSSS NEW NEWS NEW
WWW WORLD WWW SANKIR NEW NEWS NEW
WORLD WORLD SSS TAN NEW LETTER
WWW WWW SAN SSS NEW NEWSL
WW WW KIRTAN NEWSL ETTER
*********************************************************
W O R L D S A N K I R T A N N E W S L E T T E R
*********************************************************
March 2016 4/20/2016
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this page
contains the following results for the month of March 2016.
World Totals Page 2
Monthly Congregation and Weekend Warriors Page 2
Monthly Continents Page 3
Monthly Top Ten Temples by Size Page 3
Monthly Top Ten Temples by Continent Page 4
Monthly Top Teams and Individuals Page 5
Monthly All Countries Page 6
Monthly All Temples Page 7
Monthly All Prabhupada Disciples Page 8
Cumulative Top Ten Countries Page 9
Cumulative Top Ten Temples Page 9
Cumulative Top 50 Individuals Worldwide Page 9
**** Page 2 ****
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* -- OFFERING TO SRILA PRABHUPADA -- *
* *
* During the month of March 2016, 122 temples reported *
* distributing the following number of books: *
* *
* 73,639 Maha-big books *
* 29,817 Big books *
* 35,833 Medium books *
* 142,909 Small books *
* 39,755 Magazines *
* 3,393 BTG subscriptions *
* 953 Full sets *
* *
* 342,311 literatures for the month *
* 1,143,008 literatures year-to-date *
* 523,193,420 literatures worldwide since 1965 *
* *
* All glories to Srila Prabhupada! *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WORLDWIDE BOOK DISTRIBUTION
Total Literatures Distributed
Books (Millions)
16.........................................................................
14X........................................................................
X x
12X.....X..................................................................
X X
10X.....X.x.x.................x............................................
X x X X X x X X _ x _ x
8XX...X.X.X.X...........X.X.X.X.X.X..................................._.X.X
XXX x X X X X x X X X X X X x X X X X
6XXX..X.X.X.X.X.X.......X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.......................x.X.X.X.X.X.X
XXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x x X X X X X X X
4XXXX.X.X.X.X.X.X.....X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X...........x.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X
XXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X _ x X X X X X X X X X X X X
2XXXX.X.X.X.X.X.X.x.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X
XXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
0XXXX_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X_X
78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 15
Getting Top Ten Individuals for March 2016
World Sankirtan Newsletter
CONGREGATIONAL PREACHING
March 2016
Congregation and % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Weekend Warriors Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 WW Baltimore Jiv Bal USA 4243.00*+112% 2121* 0 2 0 0
2 WW Team ISV Week Sil USA 2531.50*+167% 1210* 1* 0 442* 0
3 WW Toronto WW Tor Can 379.00* +41% 153* 8 79 102 0
4 LA Sastra Dana LA USA 256.00 na 0 40 432 0 0
5 WW Dallas Dal USA 126.75 -17% 24 34* 67* 45 0
6 WW Nairobi WW Nai Ken 101.25 -83% 0 25 38 229 0
7 WW Arkadelphia W Ark USA 14.25*+338% 5* 2 4* 1 0
(%)Change compared (*)New record
to monthly average for this year
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS BY CONTINENT
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - ASIA
1 Bhagavat Ashraya Mum Ind10144.75*+140% 4544* 80 189* 3529 0
2 HH Radhanatha Sw Mum Ind 6300.00 na 3150 0 0 0 0
3 Hemagiri d Mum Ind 2943.00 -28% 1044 201 375 1866 0
4 Radha Krsna d Mum Ind 2620.25 -18% 1079 142* 318* 645* 0
5 Pavitra Hari d New Ind 2000.00 -22% 1000* 0 0 0 0
6 Nandanandana Gov Tir Ind 1999.50 -1% 767 94 90* 1252* 116
7 Revati Raman d Tir Ind 1937.25 +23% 803 29 40 1129 0
8 Tirtha Krishna d Tir Ind 1930.80 -17% 722 130 120 1108 160*
9 Nava Gauravara d Tir Ind 1696.25 -29% 672 69 47 1039 0
10 Kaunteya Sakha d Tir Ind 1684.50 -14% 707 54 28 810 0
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - NORTH AMERICA
1 Prema Sankirtan LA USA 2063.75* +50% 485* 740* 193* 993 90
2 Bk Storm LA USA 1901.65* +5% 539 336* 369 1037 439*
3 Bhrgupati d LA USA 1801.50*+772% 353* 634* 405* 1036* 0
4 Nidra dd Den USA 1297.25* +78% 512* 158* 62 337* 0
5 Gauranga Prema d LA USA 1152.25* +29% 219* 366* 663* 67 0
6 Raya Nitai d TBB USA 1142.75 +16% 10 543* 761 797* 0
7 Bk Carlos TBB USA 911.75 -11% 31 399* 505 793* 0
8 Bk Karim TBB USA 901.75*+125% 1 460* 507* 745* 0
9 Bk Joey TBB USA 610.75* +24% 44 200* 451* 389* 0
10 Bk Oscar LA USA 521.00*+999% 97* 127 161 478* 0
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - CIS
1 Ekacakrapriya d Rov Ukr 1119.00 na 420 144 0 540 0
2 Bk Holodkov Khe Ukr 1086.50*+158% 0 684* 680* 250 0
3 Visnu d Kie Ukr 1030.50 -48% 514 0 4 2 0
4 Acharyaratna d Per Rus 837.00 -1% 383 0 142 0 0
5 Bk Klubkov B. Per Rus 510.50 -15% 9 80 300 1050* 0
6 Sacisuta d Min Bel 465.50*+572% 192* 55* 42 22* 0
7 Murari Gupta d Mos Rus 407.50* +39% 197* 6 15* 0 0
8 Ragalekha dd Eka Rus 361.00*+154% 100 161* 0 0 0
9 Bk Nediak Eugene Dne Ukr 323.75*+535% 62* 0 240* 319* 0
10 Ekacakra d Min Bel 323.00*+228% 120* 0 96 140* 0
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - EUROPE
1 Krpa Sindhu d Sim Ger 1577.50*+102% 783* 1 21* 0 0
2 Gopal Raya d Swa Wal 1093.50* +66% 417* 81* 357* 0 0
3 Advaita Simha d Sim Ger 937.00*+252% 439* 0 118 0 0
4 Anukampana dd Sim Ger 907.50*+152% 367* 30 287* 0 0
5 Munindra Gana d Sim Ger 678.50*+152% 217* 61 367* 0 0
6 Bk Simon Bha Eng 645.00* +39% 304* 0 74 0 0
7 Bk Nikhil Bha Eng 641.50* +31% 300* 0 83 0 0
8 Mantriraja d Swa Wal 544.00* +42% 212* 6 228* 0 0
9 Jay Gauranga d Rom Ita 504.50*+131% 5 0 989* 0 0
10 Sankirtan d Pra Cze 482.25 +385% 17 447 0 5 0
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - AUSTRALASIA
1 Ghanashyam Govin Syd Aus 1932.00 +49% 814 186* 80 312 0
2 Urugaya d Syd Aus 626.00* +58% 287* 1 38* 128* 0
3 Bhava Vibhushana Syd Aus 600.50 -18% 255 6 100* 138 0
4 Sriman Nrsimha d Syd Aus 372.50* +85% 174* 0 40* 18* 0
5 Kamsari Sena d Syd Aus 364.00* +48% 138* 4* 107* 122 0
6 Dhira Lalita d Syd Aus 346.75 +12% 146 22* 49* 33 0
7 Hansa d Syd Aus 279.75 -53% 127 5* 0 83 0
8 Govardhana d Syd Aus 252.75 +28% 94 1 94 67* 0
9 Ameyatma d Per Aus 138.70 +26% 35 16* 74 52 27
10 Sahasraswarupa d Per Aus 72.00 -71% 36 0 0 0 0
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - LATIN AMERICA
1 Ekatvam d Gur USA 75.00 -14% 0 0 80 140* 0
2 Atavi Krishna d Gur Pue 4.50 -83% 0 0 0 18 0
TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS - AFRICA
1 Satyabhama dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
2 Akuti dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
3 Vinata dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
4 Prana Priya dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
5 Hindrani dd Pho Mau 356.25 na 0 0 0 1425 0
6 Ruma dd Pho Mau 268.25 na 5 0 0 1033 0
7 Saunaka Rsi d San SA 153.00 na 59 25 10 20 0
8 Raghuvar d Pho Mau 144.00 na 72 0 0 0 0
9 Vrajeswari dd Pho Mau 142.50 na 11 2 52 370 0
10 Nrsimha Caitanya Pho Mau 100.00 na 0 0 0 400 0
(%)Change compared (*)New record
to monthly average for this year
**** Page 3 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
MONTHLY CONTINENTS
March 2016
% of M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs Full
Continent (temples) Points World Books Books Books Books Mags Sets
_________________________________________________________________________
1 Asia (23) 129574.10 53% 41011 13387 6672 77008 51362 782
2 North America (19) 43798.05 18% 14063 6467 7115 20533 4835 157
3 CIS (30) 29779.65 12% 8967 4584 8913 11095 314 0
4 Europe (27) 21814.40 9% 6346 2707 8573 7302 3034 4
5 Australasia (4) 6900.65 3% 2389 1183 748 2053 524 7
6 Latin America (13) 6809.50 3% 640 1358 3563 9556 10 0
7 Africa (6) 4545.40 2% 223 131 249 15362 34 3
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP TEN TEMPLES BY SIZE
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
TOP TEN LARGE TEMPLES (41+ devotees)
1 Mumbai-Juhu Ind 20777.00 -34% 8597 531 1845 8518 0
2 Vrindavan Ind 18048.00 -11% 2452 7209 0 23740 0
3 Mumbai-Chowpatty Ind 18002.00*+641% 8434* 598* 211* 1686* 90
4 Pune Ind 15843.05*+117% 5768* 233* 391 13587* 2526
5 Los Angeles USA 14653.50* +9% 3184 3654* 3424 11158* 1300*
6 Tirupati Ind 12561.55 -22% 4336 480 434 6733 8196
7 Moscow Rus 10765.75 +6% 3509 963* 4237* 2665 0
8 New Delhi Ind 9962.70 -49% 1781 1804* 731 10586 15847
9 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng 3913.75* +33% 1510* 15 1657* 201 0
10 Ujjain Ind 3292.00 -19% 910 820 938 720 30
TOP TEN MEDIUM TEMPLES (21-40 devotees)
1 VV Nagar Ind 8624.00 -9% 1025* 0 245 1326 14688
2 Sydney-North Aus 5269.50* +22% 2175* 401* 562* 950* 0
3 Simhachalam (NJNK) Ger 4568.00*+190% 1966* 92 1088* 0 0
4 Salem Ind 3428.45 -40% 1305 129 379 1281 505
5 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind 3231.20 -54% 1000 0 0 0 7676*
6 Chennai Ind 3187.75 -39% 956 445 802 1399 800
7 Denver USA 2904.25* +40% 1026* 273 227 1051 2030*
8 Mexico City Mex 2754.00 -32% 274* 415 2190* 2784 0
9 Minsk Bel 2099.25*+154% 711* 192* 541* 859* 0
10 Perm Rus 1577.50 +18% 464 107 519 1132 0
TOP TEN SMALL TEMPLES (6-20 devotees)
1 Phoenix(MA) Mau 3964.15*+999% 131* 7* 80* 14617* 9*
2 Surat Ind 2555.25 -62% 636 250* 50 2603* 858
3 Silicon Valley(ISV USA 2531.50*+167% 1210* 1* 0 442* 0
4 Swansea Wal 2486.50* +32% 846* 128* 1333* 0 0
5 Bali Ind 2448.00 na 1103 45 154 480 0
6 Rajahmundry Ind 2420.50 -21% 868 294 359 844 0
7 Chicago USA 1916.95 +39% 622* 163 394* 1245* 17
8 Bhopal Ind 1770.00* +17% 770* 179* 31 142 0
9 Curitiba Bra 1279.00 -20% 164 441 681* 678 0
10 Dnepropetrovsk Ukr 1224.50*+498% 254* 22* 776* 1226* 0
TOP TEN MAHA-SMALL TEMPLES (1-5 devotees)
1 Baltimore USA 4243.00*+304% 2121* 0 2 0 0
2 TBB TSKP USA 4187.25 0% 112 1959* 2365 3287* 0
3 Prabhupada Bhavan- Cze 1815.50*+141% 133* 1486* 0 254 0
4 Rovno Ukr 1182.75*+999% 420 180 33 585 0
5 Batticaloa Sri 851.50*+999% 364* 111* 7 36* 0
6 Brahmapur Ind 472.75*+420% 155* 82* 57* 157* 130
7 Hartford USA 464.35* +45% 179* 40* 14 115 42
8 Recife Bra 447.00 -1% 0 0 4 1780 0
9 Bologna Ita 441.50 -60% 175 0 183 0 0
10 Zagreb Cro 207.00 -25% 18 10 0 644 0
**** Page 4 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP TEN TEMPLES BY CONTINENT
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________
TOP TEN TEMPLES - ASIA
1 Mumbai-Juhu Ind 20777.00 +32% 8597 531 1845 8518 0
2 Vrindavan Ind 18048.00 +34% 2452 7209 0 23740 0
3 Mumbai-Chowpatty Ind 18002.00 +999% 8434 598 211 1686 90
4 Pune Ind 15843.05 +226% 5768 233 391 13587 2526
5 Tirupati Ind 12561.55 +17% 4336 480 434 6733 8196
6 New Delhi Ind 9962.70 -23% 1781 1804 731 10586 15847
7 VV Nagar Ind 8624.00 +83% 1025 0 245 1326 14688
8 Salem Ind 3428.45 -10% 1305 129 379 1281 505
9 Ujjain Ind 3292.00 +21% 910 820 938 720 30
10 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind 3231.20 -31% 1000 0 0 0 7676
TOP TEN TEMPLES - NORTH AMERICA
1 Los Angeles USA 14653.50 +64% 3184 3654 3424 11158 1300
2 Baltimore USA 4243.00 +506% 2121 0 2 0 0
3 TBB TSKP USA 4187.25 +50% 112 1959 2365 3287 0
4 Denver USA 2904.25 +110% 1026 273 227 1051 2030
5 Silicon Valley(ISV USA 2531.50 +300% 1210 1 0 442 0
6 Chicago USA 1916.95 +108% 622 163 394 1245 17
7 Laguna Beach USA 1102.60 +88% 421 62 19 630 316
8 Sacramento/TYM USA 674.85 +323% 272 41 41 271 16
9 Hillsborough, NC USA 639.85 +43% 107 39 20 1267 601
10 Toronto Can 610.50 +45% 227 25 146 212 11
TOP TEN TEMPLES - CIS
1 Moscow Rus 10765.75 +59% 3509 963 4237 2665 0
2 Kiev Ukr 2918.00 +127% 1186 130 518 628 0
3 Minsk Bel 2099.25 +281% 711 192 541 859 0
4 Perm Rus 1577.50 +77% 464 107 519 1132 0
5 Ekaterinburg Rus 1459.25 +268% 611 186 37 131 0
6 Dnepropetrovsk Ukr 1224.50 +999% 254 22 776 1226 0
7 Izevsk Rus 1219.15 na 245 94 563 1289 314
8 Rovno Ukr 1182.75 +999% 420 180 33 585 0
9 Kherson Ukr 1153.75 +258% 20 693 704 275 0
10 Lutsk Ukr 976.75 na 373 180 6 191 0
TOP TEN TEMPLES - EUROPE
1 Simhachalam (NJNK) Ger 4568.00 +336% 1966 92 1088 0 0
2 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng 3913.75 +100% 1510 15 1657 201 0
3 Swansea Wal 2486.50 +164% 846 128 1333 0 0
4 Budapest Hun 2262.95 +127% 464 349 1 3323 1547
5 Prabhupada Bhavan- Cze 1815.50 +261% 133 1486 0 254 0
6 London-Soho Eng 1117.25 -40% 222 69 948 521 0
7 New Vrajadham-Hung Hun 1069.40 +21% 199 235 21 1292 1029
8 Zurich Swi 639.75 +141% 167 150 255 113 0
9 Rome Ita 567.50 +357% 27 0 1027 0 0
10 Villa Vrndavana Ita 516.10 +138% 151 0 424 0 21
TOP TEN TEMPLES - AUSTRALASIA
1 Sydney-North Aus 5269.50 +83% 2175 401 562 950 0
2 Auckland Loft New 1152.75 +124% 96 670 20 967 390
3 Perth Aus 267.50 +45% 72 21 160 68 55
4 Wellington New 210.90 +33% 46 91 6 68 79
TOP TEN TEMPLES - LATIN AMERICA
1 Mexico City Mex 2754.00 +2% 274 415 2190 2784 0
2 Curitiba Bra 1279.00 +19% 164 441 681 678 0
3 Santiago Chi 647.25 +42% 5 32 401 1619 0
4 Itajai Bra 481.00 +100% 98 112 0 692 0
5 Recife Bra 447.00 +48% 0 0 4 1780 0
6 Pouso Alegre Bra 391.00 +169% 15 246 0 460 0
7 Guadalajara Mex 337.75 +100% 65 75 90 351 0
8 Cueramaro Mex 238.00 -75% 14 0 110 620 0
9 Gurabo (PR) Pue 79.50 -4% 0 0 80 158 0
10 Natal Bra 69.50 +100% 0 0 0 278 0
TOP TEN TEMPLES - AFRICA
1 Phoenix(MA) Mau 3964.15 +999% 131 7 80 14617 9
2 Nairobi Ken 211.25 -56% 10 55 73 399 0
3 Sandton Sou 174.75 +73% 64 29 12 47 0
4 Kisumu Ken 86.00 na 18 31 0 66 25
5 Mafikeng Sou 78.00 +276% 0 9 77 122 0
6 Pietermaritzburg Sou 31.25 na 0 0 7 111 0
**** Page 5 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TEAM BOOK DISTRIBUTION
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Individuals Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 Gaur Lila d Pun Ind 2948.50 na 1468 1 0 46 0
2 Radheshyam d Pun Ind 2500.00 na 0 0 0 10000 0
(%)Change compared (*)New record
to monthly average for this year
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Individuals Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 Bhagavat Ashraya Mum Ind10144.75*+140% 4544* 80 189* 3529 0
2 HH Radhanatha Sw Mum Ind 6300.00 na 3150 0 0 0 0
3 Hemagiri d Mum Ind 2943.00 -28% 1044 201 375 1866 0
4 Radha Krsna d Mum Ind 2620.25 -18% 1079 142* 318* 645* 0
5 Prema Sankirtan LA USA 2063.75* +50% 485* 740* 193* 993 90
6 Pavitra Hari d New Ind 2000.00 -22% 1000* 0 0 0 0
7 Nandanandana Gov Tir Ind 1999.50 -1% 767 94 90* 1252* 116
8 Revati Raman d Tir Ind 1937.25 +23% 803 29 40 1129 0
9 Ghanashyam Govin Syd Aus 1932.00 +49% 814 186* 80 312 0
10 Tirtha Krishna d Tir Ind 1930.80 -17% 722 130 120 1108 160*
11 Bk Storm LA USA 1901.65* +5% 539 336* 369 1037 439*
12 Bhrgupati d LA USA 1801.50*+772% 353* 634* 405* 1036* 0
13 Nava Gauravara d Tir Ind 1696.25 -29% 672 69 47 1039 0
14 Kaunteya Sakha d Tir Ind 1684.50 -14% 707 54 28 810 0
15 Krpa Sindhu d Sim Ger 1577.50*+102% 783* 1 21* 0 0
16 Nidra dd Den USA 1297.25* +78% 512* 158* 62 337* 0
17 Vishwambhar Maha Pun Ind 1269.25 na 476 60 82 865 0
18 Nityadham d New Ind 1231.20* 0% 0 0 0 0 7676*
19 Gauranga Prema d LA USA 1152.25* +29% 219* 366* 663* 67 0
20 Raya Nitai d TBB USA 1142.75 +16% 10 543* 761 797* 0
21 Ekacakrapriya d Rov Ukr 1119.00 na 420 144 0 540 0
22 Gopal Raya d Swa Wal 1093.50* +66% 417* 81* 357* 0 0
23 Bk Holodkov Khe Ukr 1086.50*+158% 0 684* 680* 250 0
24 Bk Inderjit Popl Pun Ind 1041.60*+195% 439* 40* 82* 180* 49
25 Visnu d Kie Ukr 1030.50 -48% 514 0 4 2 0
26 Neel Kantha d New Ind 960.00* 0% 0 0 0 0 9600*
27 Advaita Simha d Sim Ger 937.00*+252% 439* 0 118 0 0
28 Sundar Caitanya Mum Ind 924.50 -21% 462* 0 1 0 0
29 Nilacala Narayan Tir Ind 920.40 -24% 0 0 0 0 2478
30 Bk Carlos TBB USA 911.75 -11% 31 399* 505 793* 0
31 Anukampana dd Sim Ger 907.50*+152% 367* 30 287* 0 0
32 Bk Karim TBB USA 901.75*+125% 1 460* 507* 745* 0
33 Srutakirti d Bat Sri 851.50 na 364 111 7 36 0
34 Caitanya Seva d Pun Ind 846.00 na 423 0 0 0 0
35 Acharyaratna d Per Rus 837.00 -1% 383 0 142 0 0
36 Swethadvipa Nara Raj Ind 772.00 -31% 320 42 67 226 0
37 Jagannath d Mum Ind 754.25 -38% 287 0 339* 43 0
38 Advaita Simha d Ujj Ind 725.00 +2% 270 149* 62* 20 0
39 Nitya Mukta d Tir Ind 718.70 -64% 286 23* 27* 420* 52
40 Anirudha Swarup Mum Ind 703.25*+299% 230* 60* 249* 235* 0
41 Munindra Gana d Sim Ger 678.50*+152% 217* 61 367* 0 0
42 Bk Simon Tor Eng 645.00* +39% 304* 0 74 0 0
43 Bk Nikhil Tor Eng 641.50* +31% 300* 0 83 0 0
44 Urugaya d Syd Aus 626.00* +58% 287* 1 38* 128* 0
45 Satyabhama dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
46 Akuti dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
47 Vinata dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
48 Prana Priya dd Pho Mau 624.75 na 7 0 0 2443 0
49 Bk Joey TBB USA 610.75* +24% 44 200* 451* 389* 0
50 Bhava Vibhushana Syd Aus 600.50 -18% 255 6 100* 138 0
(%)Change compared (*)New record
to monthly average for this year
**** Page 6 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
ALL COUNTRIES
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Country (Temples) Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
________________________________________________________________________
1 India (19) 125106.35 -16% 39295 13189 6511 73979 51362
2 United States (14) 34010.70 -9% 9464 6337 6697 19676 4518
3 Russia, CIS (17) 18822.90 -48% 5617 3019 5783 6588 314
4 Ukraine, CIS (12) 8857.50 +134% 2639 1373 2589 3648 0
5 United Kingdom (3) 7517.50 +24% 2578 212 3938 722 0
6 Australia (2) 5537.00 +86% 2247 422 722 1018 55
7 GermanyAustria (6) 5295.00 na 2224 116 1462 0 0
8 Mauritius 3964.15 +999% 131 7 80 14617 9
9 Hungary (2) 3332.35 +49% 663 584 22 4615 2576
10 Mexico (3) 3329.75 na 353 490 2390 3755 0
11 Brazil (7) 2737.75 -37% 277 835 688 4019 0
12 Indonesia 2448.00 +100% 1103 45 154 480 0
13 Italy (5) 2259.60 +38% 422 0 2827 0 21
14 Belarus, CIS 2099.25 na 711 192 541 859 0
15 Czech Republic 1815.50 +45% 133 1486 0 254 0
16 New Zealand (2) 1363.65 -29% 142 761 26 1035 469
17 Malaysia 1024.25 na 198 0 0 2513 0
18 Sri Lanka 851.50 na 364 111 7 36 0
19 Canada (3) 735.50 -54% 232 31 187 566 11
20 Chile 647.25 -87% 5 32 401 1619 0
21 Switzerland 639.75 +538% 167 150 255 113 0
22 Lithuania (2) 398.00 -52% 85 116 13 422 0
23 Kenya (2) 297.25 -49% 28 86 73 465 25
24 South Africa (3) 284.00 -46% 64 38 96 280 0
25 Croatia 207.00 na 18 10 0 644 0
26 China 144.00 na 51 42 0 0 0
27 Sweden (3) 135.50 na 13 11 39 316 0
28 Norway 107.70 na 32 0 0 0 437
29 Puerto Rico 79.50 na 0 0 80 158 0
30 Romania 59.25 na 7 6 0 157 0
31 Bosnia 47.25 -79% 4 16 17 59 0
32 Suriname 15.25 na 5 1 4 5 10
(%)Change compared
to Mar last year
**** Page 7 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
ALL TEMPLES
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Temples (size) Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 Mumbai-Juhu (L) Ind 20777.00 -34% 8597 531 1845 8518 0
2 Vrindavan (L) Ind 18048.00 -11% 2452 7209 0 23740 0
3 Mumbai-Chowpatty ( Ind 18002.00*+641% 8434* 598* 211* 1686* 90
4 Pune (L) Ind 15843.05*+117% 5768* 233* 391 13587* 2526
5 Los Angeles (L) USA 14653.50* +9% 3184 3654* 3424 11158* 1300*
6 Tirupati (L) Ind 12561.55 -22% 4336 480 434 6733 8196
7 Moscow (L) Rus 10765.75 +6% 3509 963* 4237* 2665 0
8 New Delhi (L) Ind 9962.70 -49% 1781 1804* 731 10586 15847
9 VV Nagar (M) Ind 8624.00 -9% 1025* 0 245 1326 14688
10 Sydney-North (M) Aus 5269.50* +22% 2175* 401* 562* 950* 0
11 Simhachalam (NJNK) Ger 4568.00*+190% 1966* 92 1088* 0 0
12 Baltimore (MS) USA 4243.00*+304% 2121* 0 2 0 0
13 TBB TSKP (MS) USA 4187.25 0% 112 1959* 2365 3287* 0
14 Phoenix(MA) (S) Mau 3964.15*+999% 131* 7* 80* 14617* 9*
15 Bhaktivedanta Mano Eng 3913.75* +33% 1510* 15 1657* 201 0
16 Salem (M) Ind 3428.45 -40% 1305 129 379 1281 505
17 Ujjain (L) Ind 3292.00 -19% 910 820 938 720 30
18 New Delhi(Punj.Bag Ind 3231.20 -54% 1000 0 0 0 7676*
19 Chennai (M) Ind 3187.75 -39% 956 445 802 1399 800
20 Kiev (L) Ukr 2918.00* +13% 1186 130* 518* 628* 0
21 Denver (M) USA 2904.25* +40% 1026* 273 227 1051 2030*
22 Mexico City (M) Mex 2754.00 -32% 274* 415 2190* 2784 0
23 Surat (S) Ind 2555.25 -62% 636 250* 50 2603* 858
24 Silicon Valley(ISV USA 2531.50*+167% 1210* 1* 0 442* 0
25 Swansea (S) Wal 2486.50* +32% 846* 128* 1333* 0 0
26 Bali (S) Ind 2448.00 na 1103 45 154 480 0
27 Rajahmundry (S) Ind 2420.50 -21% 868 294 359 844 0
28 Budapest (L) Hun 2262.95 +52% 464 349 1 3323* 1547*
29 Minsk (M) Bel 2099.25*+154% 711* 192* 541* 859* 0
30 Chicago (S) USA 1916.95 +39% 622* 163 394* 1245* 17
31 Prabhupada Bhavan- Cze 1815.50*+141% 133* 1486* 0 254 0
32 Bhopal (S) Ind 1770.00* +17% 770* 179* 31 142 0
33 Perm (M) Rus 1577.50 +18% 464 107 519 1132 0
34 Ekaterinburg (M) Rus 1459.25*+145% 611* 186 37 131 0
35 Curitiba (S) Bra 1279.00 -20% 164 441 681* 678 0
36 Dnepropetrovsk (S) Ukr 1224.50*+498% 254* 22* 776* 1226* 0
37 Izevsk (S) Rus 1219.15 na 245 94 563 1289 314
38 Rovno (MS) Ukr 1182.75*+999% 420 180 33 585 0
39 Kherson (S) Ukr 1153.75* +79% 20 693* 704* 275 0
40 Auckland Loft (S) New 1152.75* +12% 96 670* 20 967* 390
41 London-Soho (M) Eng 1117.25 -60% 222 69* 948 521 0
42 Laguna Beach (S) USA 1102.60 +25% 421 62 19 630* 316*
43 New Vrajadham-Hung Hun 1069.40 -19% 199 235 21 1292 1029
44 Kuala Lumpur (M) Mal 1024.25* +86% 198* 0 0 2513* 0
45 Lutsk (S) Ukr 976.75 na 373 180 6 191 0
46 Batticaloa (MS) Sri 851.50*+999% 364* 111* 7 36* 0
47 Kirov (S) Rus 779.00* +89% 164* 74* 333* 842* 0
48 Sacramento/TYM (S) USA 674.85*+182% 272* 41* 41 271* 16
49 Santiago (S) Chi 647.25* -5% 5 32* 401* 1619* 0
50 Hillsborough, NC ( USA 639.85 -5% 107 39 20* 1267* 601*
51 Zurich (S) Swi 639.75* +61% 167* 150 255* 113 0
52 Toronto (S) Can 610.50 -3% 227 25 146 212 11
53 Odessa (S) Ukr 608.50*+622% 206* 29 177* 316* 0
54 Uhta (S) Rus 601.00 na 0 601 0 0 0
55 Rome (S) Ita 567.50*+128% 27* 0 1027* 0 0
56 Dallas (M) USA 564.85 +23% 181 73 132* 177 196*
57 Tyumen (S) Rus 563.25 na 251 5 60 105 0
58 Villa Vrndavana (L Ita 516.10* +58% 151* 0 424 0 21*
59 Itajai (S) Bra 481.00* 0% 98* 112* 0 692* 0
60 Brahmapur (MS) Ind 472.75*+420% 155* 82* 57* 157* 130
61 Hartford (MS) USA 464.35* +45% 179* 40* 14 115 42
62 Milan (M) Ita 455.50 -50% 55 0 691 0 0
63 Vellore (S) Ind 452.75 -27% 172 100* 0 35 0
64 Recife (MS) Bra 447.00 -1% 0 0 4 1780 0
65 Bologna (MS) Ita 441.50 -60% 175 0 183 0 0
66 Ufa (S) Rus 436.25 na 157 12 9 423 0
67 Berlin (S) Ger 435.50 +41% 168 1* 197 0 0
68 Zaporozhye (S) Ukr 417.50 na 70 87 220 322 0
69 Kaliningrad (S) Rus 400.00 na 200 0 0 0 0
70 Pouso Alegre (S) Bra 391.00* +80% 15* 246* 0 460* 0
71 Volzhskiy (S) Rus 353.00 na 0 353 0 0 0
72 Guadalajara (S) Mex 337.75* 0% 65* 75* 90* 351* 0
73 Prabhupada Desh (M Ita 279.00* +47% 14* 0 502* 0 0
74 Kaunas (S) Lit 275.00 -41% 58 76 12* 308 0
75 Perth (S) Aus 267.50 -4% 72 21* 160 68 55
76 Cueramaro (S) Mex 238.00 -83% 14 0 110 620 0
77 Nairobi (S) Ken 211.25 -71% 10 55 73 399 0
78 Wellington (S) New 210.90 -34% 46 91 6 68* 79
79 Zagreb (MS) Cro 207.00 -25% 18 10 0 644 0
80 Leipzig (S) Ger 200.00 -4% 63* 11 126 0 0
81 Magadan (S) Rus 195.00 na 0 195 0 0 0
82 Nellore (M) Ind 187.00 -63% 30 0 10 488 0
83 Kishinev (MS) Ukr 179.00 -93% 41 51 92 0 0
84 Sandton (S) Sou 174.75 -13% 64* 29 12 47 0
85 Abakan (MS) Rus 150.00 na 0 150 0 0 0
86 Nagpur (S) Ind 146.00 -45% 52 23 2* 72 0
87 Amravati (S) Ind 144.40 -82% 48 12* 26 62 16
88 Shanghai (S) Chi 144.00 -97% 51 42 0 0 0
89 Vilnius (S) Lit 123.00 -16% 27 40* 1 114 0
90 Oslo (S) Nor 107.70 -29% 32 0 0 0 437
91 Ryazan (S) Rus 94.00 na 0 94 0 0 0
92 Kisumu (S) Ken 86.00 na 18 31 0 66 25
93 Cologne(Gauradesh) Ger 80.00 -35% 26 10 36 0 0
94 Gurabo (PR) (MS) Pue 79.50 -36% 0 0 80 158 0
95 Novokuznetzk (S) Rus 78.00 na 0 78 0 0 0
96 Mafikeng (S) Sou 78.00* +88% 0 9* 77* 122* 0
97 Montreal (S) Can 74.50 na 0 2 6 278 0
98 Stockholm (M) Swe 71.75* +70% 7* 0 37* 157* 0
99 San Diego (M) USA 69.75 na 14 22 25 29 0
100 Natal (S) Bra 69.50* 0% 0 0 0 278* 0
101 Petrozavodsk (S) Rus 68.00 na 0 68 0 0 0
102 Florianopolis (MS) Bra 66.00* +53% 0 36* 0 120* 0
103 Vinniza (MS) Ukr 60.25*+265% 21* 0 22* 29* 0
104 Almvik (L) Swe 59.25 -46% 6 7* 1 159 0
105 Timisoara (S) Rom 59.25 +1% 7 6 0 157* 0
106 Sevastopol (MS) Ukr 52.00 na 26 0 0 0 0
107 Vancouver (S) Can 50.50 -50% 5 4 35 76* 0
108 Tiraspol (S) Ukr 47.50* +23% 13 0 34* 18* 0
109 Sarajevo (S) Bos 47.25 -5% 4 16* 17* 59 0
110 Kurgan (S) Rus 44.75 na 16 0 25 1 0
111 RupanugaVedicColle USA 43.75 -100% 10 8 30 3 0
112 Prokopievsk (S) Rus 39.00 na 0 39 0 0 0
113 Chernigov (MS) Ukr 37.00*+771% 9* 1 7 58* 0
114 Pietermaritzburg ( Sou 31.25 na 0 0 7 111 0
115 Paramaribo (S) Sur 15.25*+122% 5* 1 4 5* 10
116 Arkadelphia (S) USA 14.25*+338% 5* 2 4* 1 0
117 German Congregatio Ger 8.00* +60% 0 2 12* 0 0
118 Gothenburg (S) Swe 4.50 -36% 0 4 1 0 0
119 Manaus (S) Bra 4.25 -96% 0 0 3 11 0
120 Goloka Dhama (S) Ger 3.50 -36% 1 0 3 0 0
(%)Change compared (*)New high
to monthly average this year
**** Page 8 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
PRABHUPADA DISCIPLES
March 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Prabhupada Disciples Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 Bhrgupati d LA USA 1801.50*+772% 353* 634* 405* 1036* 0
2 Nidra dd Den USA 1297.25* +78% 512* 158* 62 337* 0
3 Cakri d Dallas Dal USA 172.65 -32% 68 0 0 117 74*
4 Svavasa d LA USA 144.00 na 72 0 0 0 0
5 Shankar Pandit d Chi USA 140.25*+576% 45* 0 0 201* 0
6 Trai d Bol Ita 45.50 -89% 11 0 47 0 0
7 Cekitana dd Per Aus 27.50*+104% 0 0 50* 10 0
(%)Change compared (*)New record
to monthly average for this year
**** Page 9 ****
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP TEN COUNTRIES (CUMULATIVE)
January thru March, 2016
% M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Country (Temples) Points Change Books Books Books Books Mags
________________________________________________________________________
1 India (25) 524064.85 -12% 179386 44558 37137 272867 160673
2 United States (25) 131949.50 +24% 39462 24475 25268 57382 14918
3 Russia, CIS (30) 55966.90 -11% 18900 6714 11779 22128 314
4 United Kingdom (3) 20851.00 +30% 7029 504 10845 3466 0
5 Australia (4) 17821.80+130% 7371 831 2212 4406 413
6 Mexico (4) 15461.00+112% 1306 4265 8306 17724 0
7 Ukraine, CIS (15) 15223.50 +22% 5142 1774 3805 5052 0
8 Italy (8) 14392.90 +23% 4120 0 12266 0 85
9 GermanyAustria (7) 10064.10 +25% 3874 613 3406 0 1
10 Hungary (2) 8961.45 +15% 1926 1746 340 10463 5777
(%)Change compared to Jan-Mar 2015
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP TEN TEMPLES (CUMULATIVE)
January thru March, 2016
Points % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Temples (size) (Months) Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 Mayapur (L) Ind 131236.50(2) -2% 54309 10176 12786 24198 0
2 Vrindavan (L) Ind 58538.00(3) +81% 14696 16971 0 48700 0
3 Mumbai-Juhu ( Ind 52238.00(2) -39% 20640 2509 4552 24692 0
4 New Delhi (L) Ind 48865.15(3) -41% 10877 3335 7446 60977 48089
5 Tirupati (L) Ind 44821.85(3) +13% 14828 1792 1625 27995 27316
6 Los Angeles ( USA 41489.40(3) +27% 9628 9456 10420 29202 2669
7 Moscow (L) Rus 31043.75(3) +21% 12029 2259 5960 6987 0
8 Pune (L) Ind 30426.75(3) +23% 12068 491 873 17621 5521
9 Mumbai-Chowpa Ind 22859.45(3) +104% 10489 828 421 3201 275
10 RupanugaVedic USA 21222.30(3) +48% 7434 5207 353 1376 6268
(%)Change compared (*)Better than
to Jan-Mar 2015 last year
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TEAM BOOK DISTRIBUTION (CUMULATIVE)
January thru March, 2016
Points % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Individuals (Months) Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 Puspa Gopa May Ind 26624.75(1) na 10838 340 2095 14245 0
2 Ajit Govin New Ind 6318.75(1) na 0 0 0 25275 0
3 Gaur Lila Pun Ind 2948.50(1) na 1468 1 0 46 0
4 Radheshyam Pun Ind 2500.00(1)*+302% 0 0 0 10000* 0
(%)Change compared (*)Better than
to Jan-Mar 2015 last year
World Sankirtan Newsletter
TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS (CUMULATIVE)
January thru March, 2016
Points % M-Big Big Medium Small BTGs
Individuals (Months) Change Books Books Books Books Mags
_______________________________________________________________________
1 s Puspa Go May Ind 26624.75(1) na 10838 340 2095 14245 0
2 Bhagavat A Mum Ind 14366.75(2) +17% 6645 80 229 3529 0
3 Madhusunda New Ind 10360.00(3) +83% 3770 340 2856 4208 0
4 HH Jayapat May Ind 8200.00(2) -40% 4100 0 0 0 0
5 Pavitra Ha New Ind 7150.00(3) na 1600 0 0 15800 0
6 Hemagiri d Mum Ind 7036.25(2) +39% 2406 511 1085 4683 0
7 Tirtha Kri Tir Ind 6556.80(3) -31% 2420 410 404 4158 501
8 Nava Gaura Tir Ind 6463.00(3) na 2459 372 219 4250 10
9 Ananda Kir LA USA 6350.10(3) +21% 1965 979 530 4648 141*
10 s Ajit Gov New Ind 6318.75(1) na 0 0 0 25275 0
11 HH Radhana Mum Ind 6300.00(1) na 3150 0 0 0 0
12 Bk Jay Khu LA USA 6273.20(2) +13% 1758 891 900 5560 262
13 Nandananda Tir Ind 6055.35(3) -23% 2309 287 295 3773 444
14 Radha Krsn Mum Ind 5821.50(2) -53% 2478 263 619 1172 0
15 Gokuleshwa Mum Ind 5612.50(2) +410% 2275 1000 10 230 0
16 Kaunteya S Tir Ind 5602.25(3) na 2128 244 185 4039 0
17 Bk Storm LA USA 5511.85(3) +234% 1649 796 1160 3119* 581*
18 Krishna Bh RVC USA 5443.40(2) +138% 1910 1280 3 408 2399
19 Mayapur Ca May Ind 5437.75(2) +134% 1731 1846 190 139 0
20 Paramesvar RVC USA 5353.25(2) +14% 1731 1458 0 367 3415
21 Keshav Mur New Ind 5350.00(1) -31% 1800 0 0 7000 0
22 Prema Sank LA USA 4812.75(3) +354% 1236 1367 304 3251 90*
23 Nitya Mukt Tir Ind 4725.35(3) +426% 1943 65 75 1721* 786
24 Ghanashyam Syd Aus 4520.50(3) na 1965 302 198 758 0
25 Banamali M May Ind 4251.75(2) na 1504 1050 100 575 0
26 Bipin Biha May Ind 4211.75(2) +4% 1550 230 913 1701 0
27 Narayan Pa Sha Chi 4187.00(2)* na 1570* 160* 0 3548 0
28 Harinam Kr May Ind 3764.75(2) na 1562 26 1082 295 0
29 Nityadham New Ind 3693.60(3) +95% 0 0 0 0 23028*
30 Mahapuran May Ind 3678.00(1) -45% 1520 300 76 1200 0
31 Tirtha Gov May Ind 3585.00(2) +111% 800 626 2352 732 0
32 Revati Ram Tir Ind 3511.25(2) na 1416 97 95 2139 0
33 Gaur Sunda LA USA 3401.10(2) na 1580 160 113 92 16
34 Nilacala N Tir Ind 3347.30(3) na 0 0 0 0 9020
35 Gaur Lila Pun Ind 3326.00(2) na 1659 7 1 2 0
36 Tusta Ram May Ind 3294.50(2) na 1456 206 170 366 0
37 Deva Krsna RVC USA 3258.00(2) +28% 1326 542 0 256 0
38 Kishor Gop May Ind 3153.50(2) +181% 1568 5 20 10 0
39 Raya Nitai TBB USA 3118.25(3) +73% 223 1171 2356 1293 0
40 Visnu d Kie Ukr 3030.50(2) +999% 1514 0 4 2 0
41 Bk Carlos TBB USA 2963.25(3) na 407 812 1792 1765 0
42 s Gaur Lil Pun Ind 2948.50(1) na 1468 1 0 46 0
43 Gauranga P LA USA 2943.75(3) na 463 928 1891 577 0
44 Kamal Naya May Ind 2926.50(2) na 1368 8 30 670 0
45 Patit Uddh May Ind 2906.75(2) -6% 1322 174 158 39 0
46 Neel Kanth New Ind 2880.00(3) -1% 0 0 0 0 28800
47 Gopal Bala May Ind 2827.00(2) na 1276 56 438 0 0
48 Nidra dd Den USA 2758.75(3) +17% 982 353 462 843 0
49 Sahasra Ne New Ind 2753.50(1) na 1049 82 320 1278 940
50 Udar Gour May Ind 2696.00(2) -55% 1348 0 0 0 0
(%)Change compared (*)Better than
to Jan-Mar 2015 last year
Is memory stored in the brain or the soul?
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Answer Podcast
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New North American TOVP Office Opens
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A new office for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium – ISKCON’s upcoming flagship center in Mayapur -- has opened in Alachua, Florida, USA. The office will locally process North American donations, maintain good relationships with donors, and make sure that their contributions are properly managed.
During out-of-body experiences how does the soul stay connected with the body?
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Sri Balarama’s Rasayatra
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By Deena Bandhu Das Balarama was the second body of Krishna himself and the depth of his real self was like the depth of a million oceans. He came to Vraja from Dvaraka and stayed during the two months of Chaita and Vaishakh to console Sri Nanda, Yasoda and the others. He pleased his sakhas in various ways. There also Balarama gave solace to all the Krishna priyas and charmed his own dear and loving gopis by having lilas with them. At that time Krishna killed Sankhachuda. Then Krishna and Balarama both performed divine lilas with their own lovers and played Holi. Only a learned devotee can describe the beauty of these celestial activities. In Sri Krishna Caitanya Carita Murari Gupta says; "Look at Rama and Krishna who are covered with jewels and suitably dressed for spring time. In a humorous mood they performed their kelis with their own beautiful Vraja ladies. They are gracefully dancing and singing in a delightful mood with their pretty gopis. Continue reading "Sri Balarama’s Rasayatra
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How can we know for sure that the soul exists?
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Govindas in Hungary: Hungry in Hungary. (Album with photos)
This…
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Govindas in Hungary: Hungry in Hungary. (Album with photos)
This place is ever-busy!
Kurma das: Maha prasadam sweets from Hungary’s New Vraja farm community are available at the downtown Govindas.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ZOkCft
Vitamin B12 deficiency and dementia – a serious and urgent matter
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By Dr. med. Ludwig Jacob
As a medical doctor, Ph.D. and specialist in vegetarian and vegan diets, (I wrote a 500-page medical book quoting over 1400 scientific studies on this), my research and personal experience with the health problems of senior devotees have shown clearly that we urgently need to improve and re-think our eating and health habits. The world-wide devotee community has already a large percentage of cardiovascular diseases and of neuro-degenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson with the high probability of developing an epidemic. One of the easier ways to revert these causes is to increased vitamin B12, which lacking causes high levels of homocysteine in the blood.
The lack of vitamin B12 and too high homocysteine can cause dementia, Alzheimers disease, heart disease, nerve damage, brain shrinkage, stroke, fatigue, memory loss, miscarriage, mental illness, and many more. People who already have Parkinson or dementia urgently need to supplement B12.
The insidious problem with a chronic lack of B12 is that in the early stage there are no or little symptoms and is, therefore, often not treated on time. Once it has done serious damage, it cannot be cured. Please allow me to share some important information about it with you.
How do we get vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that your body does not produce itself, which means you must get it via your diet or supplements. Milk products contain little B12 and require a lot of B12 for their digestion. After the age of 50, dairy products no longer meet our needs for B12, and supplementation is a must. Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in the elderly. This is because stomach acid decreases as you get older, and stomach acid is essential for your body to absorb vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent not only among the known risk groups of elderly persons, vegetarians, vegans, pregnant women, and patients with kidney disease or intestinal disorders.
In general, those most at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
• Vegetarians and vegans
• People over 50
• People who regularly use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or taking metformin
• People with Crohn’s disease, colitis, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Women with a history of infertility or miscarriage
The NIH, the highest US health authority, recommend that EVERYBODY above 50 should supplement B12 in their diet, as the absorption from food after that age is often insufficient, since it is dependent on intrinsic factors and stomach acid concentration.
How do we test it?
It is a simple blood test. The cheapest way is to test homocysteine, as it shows a lack of active B12. Homocysteine should not be below 12 μmol/L.
If you test B12, the values that are considered normal are often already too low and you may suffer from a lack of active B12! Experts suggest a B12 level of no less than 450 pg/mL.
Oral Vitamin B12 Supplements or injections?
Many people, including the elderly, those with intestinal disorders, vegetarians and vegans, benefit greatly from Vitamin B12 supplements. There is, however, one problem with supplementation, which is the poor absorption rate of oral vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is the largest vitamin molecule known. Because of its large size, it is not easily absorbed. Therefore, oral B12 supplements are often grossly ineffective. This is why vitamin B12 is often given via injection, especially for people with absorption issues. Sublingual (under your tongue) sprays are also effective. You need 500-1000 mcg of B12 orally if you do not absorb it well. For younger, healthy people who absorb well 5-10 mcg of vitamin B12 daily is usually sufficient.
In summary: blood tests show how well you absorb B12 and whether you need B12 orally or intramuscular (a little injection into the muscle, make sure the dose is high enough, e.g.500-1000 mcg).
What can we change to stay healthy?
As confirmed with Dr.Pradyumna at the Vedic Village Clinic, who treat many devotees with neuro-generative diseases, these diseases are connected with the high consumption of paneer and cheese. He is an expert Ayurvedic doctor and named the high dairy consumption, like paneer, as the number one cause for the high rate of neuro-generative diseases in Western devotees. It is a well-established scientific fact that all neuro-degenerative diseases start with these protein deposits in the brain.
Some B12 is found in paneer, but it contains too much methionine which causes high homocysteine. It is proven that high homocysteine increases the risk of Alzheimer 5-fold. In normal population this is often due to high meat consumption, but we can also reach this by a high cheese and milk intake, as usually found in a devotee diet.
Studies show that not only homocysteine is produced by the metabolisation of methionine, but also other methionine metabolites increase damages to the cardiovascular and nervous system.
Cheese and other dairy sources also increase homocysteine in the elderly. In addition, they are loaded with a lot of saturated fatty acids that are known to increase Alzheimer risk.
Unhealthy diet and too little sleep.
It was recently proven that protein deposits in the brain are eliminated during sleep. So a high diet of milk products and little sleep are a fatal combination – a rather typical situation for many devotees. In addition to sufficient intakes of folic acid, Vitamin B6, and mainly B12, omega-3-fatty acids like flax seed oil, freshly ground organic flax seeds, chia seeds or rape seed oil, choline or betaine are also needed. Betain is found in quinoa whilst cholin is found in soya products. It is essential to reduce and normalise the amount of milk protein, especially rich paneer and the combination of dairy and sugar in the diet. Our high consumption of cheese and sugar also add to the cancer burden with strong evidence especially in regard to prostate cancer and breast cancer.
It is not the daily small cup of milk Srila Prabhupada recommended that makes us ill – it is the daily cheese, milk, fat and sugar products that does (such as paneer, cheese srikand, burfi, fried milk sweets etc).
Rates of brain shrinkage may depend on omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins
A new study reveals that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (the kind found in fatty fish like salmon) may determine whether Vitamin B treatment can slow down brain shrinkage. Higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids has previously been linked to larger brain volume in older adults. Researchers from University of Oxford, led by Dr. David Smith, examined data from the VITACOG trial, a 2-year randomised, placebo-controlled trial, examining the effects of Vitamin B treatment on brain shrinkage and memory loss in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. People with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA combined above 590 μmol/L or 186 mg/l).) have up to 40% less brain shrinkage if treated with B Vitamins. But in people with low blood levels of omega-3s ((EPA and DHA combined below 390 μmol/L or 123 mg/l)), B Vitamin treatment had no effect on brain atrophy. As noted by the authors, “There was a significant interaction between B vitamin treatment and plasma combined omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) on brain atrophy rates.”
As in old age the conversion of plant omega-3 to long chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (essential for brain health), you may consider taking a supplement with DHA and EPA from algae.
If homocysteine is already high, B12 alone may not suffice but needs to be combined with choline, good amounts of omega-3-fatty acids, folic acid, and Vitamin B6. For prevention B12 supplementation is usually sufficient and the lack of it is the main reason for increased homocysteine.
Vegetarians can be very healthy, if they get it right!
The Adventist vegetarians are proven in very large and excellent health studies that have run now for decades to be the healthiest and longest living people on the planet. They are a Christian faith group for whom wholesome living expresses their religious conviction that the body must be honoured as God’s temple. The Adventist’s nutritional council recommends a vegetarian diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and moderate quantities of legumes, nuts, and low-fat milk products. Among Adventists it is generally recommended that foods containing sugar, saturated fats, cholesterol, and salt should be eaten on only rare occasions. The consumption of soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea, and any other caffeine-containing beverages are not accepted by Adventists. Even the vegetarian Adventists eat very little milk products (an average of 150 ml of milk) and quite a bit of soya. Healthy vegetarian men lived by average more than 13 years longer than other Californian men of the same age group!
The body as a temple of God! Let us take care of it properly, it is part of our service of the Lord.
Final advice off topic: After getting up in the morning drink at least half a liter of warm water. It can save your life. We lose at least 0,5 liter of liquid during the night by breathing and sweating, even more in hot climates. So our circulation dehydrates and our blood thickens. This is the main reason why the risk of stroke and heart attack is three time higher after getting up in the morning.
Dr. med. Ludwig Jacob
If you want to know more scientific facts and details:
B12 deficiency, high homocysteine, the upcoming dementia epidemic
Science and pure observation show that many members of the worldwide devotee community are complicit in this epidemic of neuro-degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. I am a emdical doctor, Ph.D. and specialist in vegetarian and vegan diets. My 500-page book on nutrition and lifestyle has become a bestseller amongst M.D.s, nutritional scientists and naturopaths in Germany. It was edited and lauded by the world-wide leading expert on vegetarian diet, Prof. Claus Leitzmann, an officially elected “living legend” amongst the world-wide elite of nutritional scientists. My book is not based on personal opinion or hearsay but on sound science, over 1400 cited studies and with excellent reviews from experts.
My research and personal experience with devotees disturbingly shows me that we urgently need to improve our eating and health habits. In Mayapur I talked to approx. 30 elderly devotees who were blissfully unaware of the essential need of B12, (including three devotees with Parkinson), the lack of B12 and high homocysteine.
Pathogenesis of Alzheimer and Parkinson are very similar, just in different parts of the brain. So Parkinson presents earlier. Both have the same specific protein deposits. It is clear that all neuro-degenerative diseases start with these protein deposits in the brain.
Studies show that not only homocysteine, which is made by the metabolisation of methionine, but also other methionine metabolites increases damage to the cardiovascular and nervous system. In addition, it brings a lot of saturated fatty acids that are known to increase Alzheimer risk. Also milk and other protein sources can increase homocysteine in the elderly.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that your body does not produce, which means you must get it via your diet or supplements. Vitamin B12 is essential for the maintenance of your central nervous system, including the conduction of nerve impulses and producing the myelin sheath, which protects and “insulates” your nerves. Vitamin B12 is among the stored vitamins, which is why specific clinical symptoms become only apparent when chronic deficiency is already manifest and pronounced. Chronic Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in irreversible neurological disorders and haematological alterations like microcytic anaemia and pernicious anaemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency yields only non-specific symptoms which is why it is often not recognised and treated on time. To catch latent shortage persons in risk groups should have their Vitamin B12 levels tested every two to three years. Nitrosative stress is notorious in causing rapid Vitamin B12 depletion. If Vitamin B is known to be deficient it must be supplemented initially in high dosages.
Studies from the USA Framingham trial show nearly 40 percent of the USA population may have suboptimal blood levels of vitamin B12, which is a level low enough to experience neurological symptoms. Another 9 percent were considered deficient in the vitamin, while 16 percent were near deficient. Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in the elderly. This is because stomach acid decreases as you get older, and stomach acid is essential for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Many symptoms often attributed to ageing may actually be due to Vitamin B12 deficiency. This includes memory loss, cognitive decline, muscle weakness and more. Low levels were common in young people and the elderly alike.
Why Low Levels of Vitamin B12 Are Often Missed
Most physicians do not routinely test their patients’ Vitamin B12 levels. Levels considered “normal” in the USA may still be too low. Normal ranges of Vitamin B12 in the USA are 200 pg/mL to 1100 pg/mL, even though people at the lower end of this spectrum (between 200 pg/mL and 350 pg/mL) often have symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Various studies show that B12 levels below 308 pmol/L more than triple the risk of premature loss of brain volume (brain atrophy) compared with people with B12 levels above 386 pmol/L. In fact, if your levels are below 600 pg/mL, you might be suffering from B12 deficiency. Integrative medicine practitioner Chris Kresser explains, “In Japan and Europe the lower limit for B12 is between 500 to 550 pg/mL, the level associated with psychological and behavioural manifestations such as cognitive decline, dementia and memory loss.”
Experts who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiencies suggest treating all patients who are symptomatic and have B12 levels less than 450 pg/mL. This is especially true if homocysteine is increased. Low levels can also lead to mental fogginess, memory troubles, muscle weakness, and fatigue, one of the hallmark signs.
Vitamin B12 also plays a role in:
• Proper digestion, food absorption, iron use, carbohydrate and fat metabolism
• Healthy nervous system function
• Promotion of normal nerve growth and development
• Help with regulation of the formation of red blood cells
• Cell formation and longevity
• Proper circulation
• Adrenal hormone production
• Healthy immune system function
• Support of female reproductive health and pregnancy
• Feelings of well-being and mood regulation
• Mental clarity, concentration, memory function
• Physical, emotional, and mental energy
Vitamin B12 Is Crucial for Mental and Cognitive Health
Vitamin B12’s role in brain and mental health is particularly significant and can cause a range of neurological disturbances that mimics depression, dementia and confusion, as well as serious mental illness. B-group vitamins may slow brain shrinkage by as much as seven-fold in brain regions specifically known to be most impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Among participants taking high doses of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, blood levels of homocysteine were lowered, as was the associated brain shrinkage — by up to 90 percent.
Oral Vitamin B12 Supplements Are Difficult to Absorb
Many people, including the elderly, those with gut disorders and vegetarians and vegans, could benefit from adding extra vitamin B12 to their diet. There is one problem with supplements however, which is the poor absorption rate of oral Vitamin B12 supplements. Vitamin B12 is the largest vitamin molecule known. Because of its large size it is not easily absorbed passively like most other supplements, making many, if not most, oral B12 supplements grossly ineffective. This is why vitamin B12 is often given via injection, especially for people with absorption issues. Sublingual (under your tongue) sprays are also effective, as they allow the large B12 molecule to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream.
Specifics of treating vitamin B12 deficiency
With gastrointestinal tract impairment (atrophic gastritis, troubled secretion of the intrinsic factor in the stomach, resection of the terminal ileum) it must be checked whether a high dosed oral supplements (e.g. 0,5 – 1 mg per day as sublingual tablets) is sufficient to correct the deficiency or whether intramuscular administration will be required. A high dose of oral substitution can in most instances achieve similar good results as an intramuscular supply. The degree of success should be monitored by laboratory analysis. If the deficit originated in the insufficient intake through food sources and was successfully remedied by high dosed Vitamin B12 administration, a daily dose of 10 μg may already be adequate to subsequently maintain proper levels.
How Hyperhomocysteinemia Leads to Dementia
In hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine levels can range from 14 micro-moles/litre all the way up to 100 micro-moles/litre in severe cases. Elevated homocysteine damages endothelial cells that line blood vessels and induces thrombosis that can lead to heart attacks and stroke. Homocysteine produces breaks in DNA and induces apoptosis (a programmed cell suicide) that is a major cause of neuronal death in dementia. Numerous studies offer clues as to the various ways in which high levels of homocysteine induce the vascular and neuronal damage implicated in the development of dementia. Experiments in cell cultures show that homocysteine can directly kill neurones of the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory. Cell death was induced by oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis.
Homocysteine and Brain Shrinkage:
VITACOG is a two-year trial of homocysteine-lowering B-vitamins in individuals over 70 years with mild cognitive impairment. Participants were given either a high dose B-vitamins (0.8 mg folic acid, 0.5 mg vitamin B12 and 20 mg of vitamin B6) or a placebo. Their rate of brain shrinkage was measured by a series of MRI scans. Complete scans were available for 83 placebo and 85 treated individuals. Homocysteine levels fell by 22.5% in treated subjects but increased by 7.7% in those given a placebo.
As in earlier studies, higher homocysteine was associated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage. But brain shrinkage was significantly less (slowed by 30%!) in treated individuals with an initial homocysteine level >9.5 μmol/L. Remarkably, after treating with B vitamins, those with the highest initial homocysteine levels (>13 μmol/L) had a rate of brain shrinkage 53% lower than the placebo group.
In summary, VITACOG shows that a combination of high dose B12, folic acid and B6 significantly slows brain shrinkage in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and raised homocysteine. The team has now looked in greater detail at brain scans from 156 volunteers who took part in the VITACOG study. Rather than focusing on total brain shrinkage, as reported in 2010, they now looked at shrinkage in different regions of the brain. Of the 156 volunteers that took part in the study, 77 had homocysteine levels greater than 11.06μmol/L. Compared to participants with lower levels, those with higher homocysteine had a faster rate of shrinkage specifically in the parts of the brain known to be affected in Alzheimer’s disease. B vitamin treatment slowed the shrinkage in these particular regions by almost 9-fold (from 5.2% to 0.6%) over the two-year period. In contrast, B vitamin treatment had no effect on participants with lower levels of homocysteine.
Rates of brain atrophy may depend on omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B
A new study reveals that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA (the kind found in fatty fish like salmon) may determine whether vitamin B treatment can slow brain shrinkage. Higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had previously been linked to larger brain volume in older adults. Researchers from University of Oxford led by Dr. David Smith examined data from the VITACOG trial, a 2-year randomised, placebo-controlled trial examining the effects of vitamin B treatment on brain shrinkage and memory loss in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. People with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids had up to 40% less brain shrinkage if treated with B vitamins. But in people with low blood levels of omega-3s, B vitamin treatment had no effect on brain atrophy. As noted by the authors, “There was a significant interaction between B vitamin treatment and plasma combined omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) on brain atrophy rates. In subjects with high baseline omega-3 fatty acids (>590 μmol/L = 186 mg/l), B vitamin treatment slowed the mean atrophy rate by 40 percent compared with placebo.
B vitamin treatment had no significant effect on the rate of atrophy among subjects with low baseline omega-3 fatty acids (<390 μmol/L = 123 mg/l). High baseline omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a slower rate of brain atrophy in the B vitamin group but not in the placebo group. It is also suggested that the beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids on brain atrophy may be confined to subjects with good B vitamin status.”
Transforming Lawn into Abundant Food Garden
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Transforming a high maintenance lawn into an abundant food producing system, including building a contour dam and swale. For more information, visit: http://trustnature.com.au
All India Padayatra Returns After Month Long Break.
By Acarya…
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All India Padayatra Returns After Month Long Break.
By Acarya Dasa. The All India padayatra had spent almost a month in Navadipa Mandal. All the padayatris are so fully engaged in walking from one city to another during the year, that they do not have a chance to hear lectures or kathas from senior devotees. The padayatris therefore attended the sravan utsava[1] or festival of hearing in Mayapur which Acarya Dasa said was a “feast for our ears – we eagerly awaited this occasion throughout the year.” The padayatris also attended the Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama and took darsana of the various lilasthalis of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
On March 28th after spending almost a month in Navadvipa Mandal sheltered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu we were back on India’s streets. The padayatris are full of energy and enthusiasm to continue with our mission of preaching and book distribution all over India. We now have 30 devotees in our party after having begun this leg of the padayatra in ISKCON Chennai. After our month long break we experienced a malfunction with our tractor. When the tractor is not in use, the wheels are removed. Now that we were ready to continue on our journey we had attached the wheels onto the tractor again. After traveling about 10 kilometers the wheels of the tractor came loose and a few of the book cartons that were loaded onto the tractor fell – but by the mercy of the Lord no one was injured and the books were not damaged. We managed to repair the wheels and continued with the journey.
This year the Tamil Nadu branch of the ‘Back to God Magazine (BTG)’ printed 40 000 special issues in the Tamil language in honor of the All India Padayatra. After reading this issue many people became aware of this wonderful padayatra that travels all over India, and our achievements. The magazine interviewed the padayatris, and I being the padayatra leader gave them further details. The magazine featured articles about padayatra, the realizations of the padayatris and the various preaching activities of our party- and on the front cover of the magazine was a picture of our Lordships, Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar with the padayatris. There are about 30 000 BTG members in Tamil Nadu, all of whom received a copy of this special issue and our party also distributed 10 000 more issues on our travels. We were very encouraged and happy by the articles featured in the BTG magazine.
Summer has begun and our journey is filled with more hardships. People often wonder who these people are walking in the heat and scorching sun. We walk more than 15 kilometers every day. Sometimes we don’t get good accommodation and we are forced to sleep in the shade of tin roves where it’s very hot. The bulls who carry the ratha sometimes do not get cold water to drink and the padayatris contract ‘prickly heat rash’, an itchy rash of small, raised spots that causes stinging or prickly sensation on the skin. The chances of sun stoke are also high. When we walk the hot wind blows but we are under the full shelter of Guru and Gauranga. We do not care about this body and we leave everything to the Lord – to please the Lord and our spiritual master we carry on with this mission without any hindrance. When Nitai Gaurasundar and Srila Prabhupada are on the ratha, how can we stop? They are our only shelter and They will take care of us, we are fully confident about this. As our Gurudev, Lokanatha Swami says, “A devotee should always be full of enthusiasm, he should be uttsahi (one should always be excited)” So we walk with these words in our hearts and everything becomes easy with his mercy.
Sri Sri Nitai Gaursundar ki…jai!
All India padayatris ki………jai!
Daily Darshan: April 21st, 2016
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Jagad Guru – Hip Hop Style
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A hip hop song by Gaura Klein to celebrate ISKCON 50th anniversary and Srila Prabhupada.
Why We Need to Tell More Stories
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Stories can change your life. Stories define what we believe in and how we navigate life. This article really sums it up well. A video by Jay Shetty (Ghanashyam Das).
A Day with a Monk
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A video featuring an ISKCON monk in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Villa Vrindavana Experience (4 min video)Villa Vrindavana lies…
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Villa Vrindavana Experience (4 min video)
Villa Vrindavana lies on the rolling Tuscan hills of Chianti, in the district of San Casciano Val di Pesa, not far from Florence. The central building was built during the Renaissance and it is surrounded by a large Italian garden and by a park of mostly wooded land spreading out over about 90 acres. The villa was built in the sixteenth century as a residence for noble people. It was designed by the famous architects of that time. Some important personalities lived and stayed here, including Niccolò Machiavelli. After being passed from owner to owner several times, at the beginning of the nineteenth century the historic building became part of the heritage of the Fenzi family, who were important Florentine magnates. They renovated the building and enriched the garden with rare and exotic plants from around the world. During the World War II, the villa was the headquarters of the troops who were fighting in the area and it was also a scene for some clashes. After a long period of decline and neglect, in 1979 Villa Fenzi was taken over by ISKCON, which renamed it after the eternal abode of Krishna. Since then it has been called Villa Vrindavana. Villa Vrindavan Firenze Garden At the beginning Villa Vrindavana hosted a community structure with a mostly monastic vocation, but then the spread in society of the Hare Krishna movement made it open its doors to the public and its social activities. Today Villa Vrindavana is a spiritual place, a point of reference and a seat of worship for a growing number of people. Besides its magnificent Temple Room, Villa Vrindavana also offers large multipurpose rooms where conferences, seminars, courses, and workshops are run. Recently, a large part of the premises has been completely refurbished and today there are a dozen of rooms for guests attending courses and activities, or participating in spiritual retreats organised in the villa.
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Sravan Kirtan Mela in Bangladesh
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Devaki Devi Dasi: Our this year’s Convention at Rup Sanatan Smriti Tirtha was especially vibrant. Around 4500 practicing devotees assembled from all corners of Bangladesh to attend this transcendental Sravan Kirtan Mela, which began on the 17th of February and concluded on the 20th evening.
We welcomed HH Lokanath Maharaja, HH Krsna Ksetra Maharaja, HH Bhakti Purusottama Maharaja, HG Nitai Priya Prabhu (the wonderful kirtaniya from Ghana), and HG Akincana Krsna Prabhu who is also becoming more and more known for his amazing kirtans, and his good wife. HH Jaya Pataka Maharaja was also expected to attend, but unfortunately he could not participate due to health reasons.
My inspiration to help arrange for such events is the purport of Madya 3, 203, where Srila Prabhupada expresses the following: “If one has the proper means and wealth, he should occasionally invite the devotees of Lord Caitanya who are engaged in preaching all over the world and hold a festival at home simply by distributing prasadam and talking about Krsna during the day and holding congregational chanting for at least three hours in the evening. This procedure must be adopted in all centers of the Krsna consciousness movement.”
We were spending three days swimming in an ocean of nectar, hearing wonderful seminars during the day, and chanting the holy name in the evenings. The devotees were so determined to absorb themselves in the transcendental atmosphere, that they did not even perceive the external inconveniences which were there due to hosting such a large crowd of devotees in very simple facilities. Nowhere else in the world are devotees so eager to hear and chant in the association of sadhus, that they joyfully accept even to most simple and austere conditions without complaining! This is their good fortune, which qualifies them to receive so much mercy…..
Every single morning Their Lordships Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Radha Madana Mohan and Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra were so gorgeously dressed. The pujaris were endeavoring with devotion and must have been directly inspired by the Lord Himself, which transfered us to Goloka Vrindavan.
As usual I played the role of the hosting mother, overseeing the entire arrangement and welcoming all the devotees and respected sadhus, and trying my best to serve them and tend to their needs. The VIP prasadam was out of this world – such large and unique variety of dishes prepared with love and devotion, and offered to Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan. The lunch consisted of around 35 to 40 preparations – simply incredible! And each and every dish was so extraordinary and unique in its taste and flavor. Here in Bangladesh we can understand what Srila Prabhupada meant when he said: “The Bengalis are the only ones who know how to eat…!”
The atmosphere was so light and jolly, and everybody was transported to a higher level of happiness.
We concluded the transcendental gathering celebrating Lord Nitayananda’s appearance, with the festivities of Nityananda Katha, abhishek accompanied by sweet kirtans lead by HH Krsna Ksetra Maharaja, followed by a sumptious feast. And in the evening we lost ourselves in wonderful kirtan.
At the closing ceremony I offered a little gift to our sadhus in order to conclude the loving exchange. I had been pondering what we could offer to them: something practical, and something typical Bangladeshi. Of course, Bangladesh is famous for its good mrdangas, but such a gift would most likely be more of a burden than of any use. And HH Lokanath Maharaja laughingly agreed with this! Bangladesh is also known to have the best moskito nets. But again, also this idea was not so appealing. I opted for the third idea: Bangladesh is famous for having the best gamchas in the world! Long lasting due to the good quality, and nice colors and designs. So I offered to all our honorable guests a set of gamchas, and especially to HH Lokanath Maharaja and HH Krsna Ksetra Maharaja I expressed the hope that every morning while taking bath they may remember us devotees in Bangladesh, and thus we would surely occupy a tiny little corner within their hearts, which will give us hope that they will visit us once again in the near future….! Needless to say, their hearts were charmed, and the assembled devotees were amused. HH Krsna Ksetra Maharaja exclaimed to the full audience: “Devaki Mataji is the mother of Bangladesh….! And it’s so nice to have a mother, isn’t it…?!” In his closing words HH Bhakti Purusottama Maharaja stated: “Our Guru Maharaja has given us Diksa, and Devaki Mataji is making sure that our bhakti lata receives nourishment….” I couldn’t help but remembering the example of a family: the father is the official head of the family. But who runs the show? It’s the mother, who makes sure everyone is cared for…..
Our honorable guests also received a good quality woolen chadar which gave more weight to our humble gift, showing our gratitude for their uplifting and nourishing association.
On the 21st of February many of us took the journey overland to Mayapur…..
Which service is ideal – service according to our nature or service that is the need of the hour?
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When Brahma is a brahmana, why does he make and provide weapons to others?
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