Planet ISKCON

Class at New Jersey
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Srimad Bhagavatam Class at ISKCON, Columbus, Ohio
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This woman here is the official reception director for VIP's coming to Paris. In fact, she was the woman who arranged for Srila Prabhupada's reception at the Paris City Hall. The protocol was made very clear to us - that when we go into the reception room, everyone should stand and the mayor will give his opening remarks and then Srila Prabhupada can reply. The way it worked out was somewhat different.

The mayor waited and Prabhupada sat, and the mayor started getting nervous and Prabhupada sat. Then everyone was looking at Srila Prabhupada and I leaned over and said, "Srila Prabhupada, they're waiting for you to stand." Srila Prabhupada looked at me and said, "I'm supposed to stand for who?" and refused to stand. So the mayor started his remarks and gave his greeting to Srila Prabhupada seated, probably the first time in the history of the country that anyone had been received in City Hall without standing up. Then when the mayor was finished saying how Paris has always been such a spiritual city, Srila Prabhupada stood at that moment and said, "Mr. Mayor, you have spoken very nicely about how France is such a spiritual country, etc.

Let us examine what is spiritual," and went right for the jugular, that there is a soul within the body and any government that is unaware of the difference between the soul and the body is a demonic government. "Just like your Napoleon Bonaparte," (he pronounced the name "Napoleon Bona-partee"), "he said, 'I am France.' France is there. Where is Napoleon? The soul is gone. Where has it gone? This is the importance of proper spiritual training is to understand the difference between the body and the soul

- Following Srila Prabhupada - Rememberances by Yogeswara das

Srila Prabhupada ki jay!
Hare Krishna

Sunday, October 11^th, 2015
Pigeon Lake, Alberta

Saturday, October 10^th, 2015
Pigeon Lake, Alberta

Friday, October 9^th, 2015
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Thursday, October 8^th, 2015
Danville, Pennsylvania

Wednesday, October 7^th, 2015
Berwick, Pennsylvania

The post Manjari d.d. asks questions on spontaneous devotional service appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! Reflecting on Half a Century
“Bhakta Tom,” he said the first week, “we’re going out to chant Hare Krishna. Please come with us.” His sincerity encouraged me. He regularly organized the inspiring chanting and dancing on the streets. Tall and charismatic, he played a drum and led the singing. Once, on seeing Jayananda entering the temple, Prabhupada paused his lecture and said of him, “Jayananda looks like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Yes! He was tall and stout and strong. Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” Sri Caitanya benevolently gave humanity a dispensation, five hundred years ago, to chant Krishna’s names as the sufficient means of spiritual deliverance. Just a recipient of the grace of Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya, I lacked any further qualifications to join the Hare Krishna movement.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20424

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 August 2015, Stockholm, Sweden, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.6.6)

Srimad Bhagavatam is not a technical manual about the creation as that is not its purpose. Srimad Bhagavatam describes the creation and the essential reason why it describes the creation is to explain how at every stage, creation is intimately connected with the Supreme Lord. That is the essence – to understand how creation is intimately connected with the Supreme Lord. It is not about nuts and bolts, and so on. Bhagavatam is the book which is dedicated to the glorification of the Supreme Lord. That is where it gets its name – Bhagavat means everything related to Bhagavan, the Supreme Lord. So the creation is very much related to Bhagavan, he is part of it at every stage and this is what Bhagavatam is trying to make us understand.

When we see anything material, we can always remember that it is not material at all. It may appear material but actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead is behind everything, at every moment. His involvement is always there, and even after the whole world has been created, still he is involved with the three modes of material nature. The essence is that he never leaves us alone. He is there, at every stage when the living being enters into the material world, not only as Paramatma, but in so many expansions…

In so many ways, Krsna is involved with our material sojourn or our material situation; never for a moment are we abandoned. Never for a moment are we without Krsna, but it appears to be so – when our original knowledge of the Supreme Lord becomes covered and we forget conveniently about his existence.

Krishna conscious Crosswords
Number 13 - SANATANA
Solve them online here: http://goo.gl/leS4g5

Miami Beach Harinam Party, Florida (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra without offences, all of one’s sinful actions are surely atoned for immediately, but one should not commit such deeds again, for that is an offence. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.16.14 Purport)
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Hare Krishna! Butler, Pennsylvania: The First Testing Ground
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami: After a month I really loved the swami (Mrs. Agarwal relates). I felt kind of protective in a way, and he wanted to go to Philadelphia. But I couldn’t imagine—I told him—I could not imagine this man going to Philadelphia for two days. He was going to speak there, and then to New York. But he knew no one in New York. If the thing didn’t pan out in Philadelphia, he was just going to New York, and then there was no one. I just could not imagine that man … it made me sick. I remember the night he was leaving, about two in the morning. I remember sitting there as long as he could wait before Gopal took him to Pittsburgh to get on that bus. Gopal got a handful of change, and I remember telling him how to put the money in the slot so that he could go up to the bus station to take a bath, because he was supposed to take a bath a few times a day. And Gopal told him how to do that, and told him about the automat in New York. He told him what he could eat and what he could not eat, and he gave these coins in a sock, and that’s all the man left us with.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20421

The post Daily Darshan – October 13th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Mangal Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath; 5th October 2015

Prabhupada was not demanding in Butler. For himself, he kept his strict sadhana of chanting and hearing, his Bhagavatam writing, his vegetarian diet offered to Krishna. But he didn’t demand much from others.

Prabhupada was not demanding in Butler. For himself, he kept his strict sadhana of chanting and hearing, his Bhagavatam writing, his vegetarian diet offered to Krishna. But he didn’t demand much from others.

“It is very encouraging to see devotees begin the process and stay with the process for decades. I can see from this assembly that we are extending ourselves to others. The only way our family is to grow is if we extend ourselves. That is good for us and for the people to whom we extend ourselves. Srila Prabhupada has given us so many wonderful programs by which we can extend ourselves.”

10.03.15,Vyasa-puja Skype with Dallas, Carpinteria

“Stones and sticks will break my bones, but words will never harm me.” This saying urges us to become thick-skinned and not let people’s harsh words hurt us. It is an expression of a conscious intention, a rallying call to steel oneself against painful words, whose power to injure is conveyed in another aphorism: “Words hurt more than swords.”

The Sinister Shapeshifter                                          

The dynamics underlying these two paradoxical sayings can be understood from a pastime in the Ramayana. When Rama was living in the forest with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana, they became the target of a conspiracy by the demon king Ravana who wanted to abduct Sita. He instructed one of his demon associates, a shapeshifting wizard named Maricha, to assume the form of a spellbindingly beautiful deer. It danced and pranced near Rama’s forest cottage, captivating the tenderhearted Sita. She desired the deer as a pet to alleviate the austerity of forest life. Further, when their exile ended and they returned to Ayodhya, she could gift it as a memento to her mother-in-law Kaushalya.

Pointing to the deer, Sita requested Rama to get it for her. Lakshmana, who was by Rama’s side, peered at the deer. Where Sita saw disarming beauty, Lakshmana saw disconcerting peculiarity. Remarking that the deer looked too beautiful to be real, he pointed out that other animals were staying away from it. Given that deer are not predators, such fear for the deer among other animals was suspicious.

The Ramayana here points to an uncanny ability of animals to perceive things beyond human perception – an ability that some people living in, say, earthquake-prone areas sometimes testify to. Unusual behavior such as fearfulness and noisiness among dogs, horses and other similar animals often comprises a forewarning of an impending quake.

Based on the deer’s unusual appearance and the other animals’ uncharacteristic response to it, Lakshmana inferred that the deer was actually a demon. Sita, however, was so captivated that she neglected Lakshmana’s inference and beseeched Rama again. Rama didn’t have the heart to say no to her. She had given up so much for his sake in following him to the forest, and he, being bereft of all royal resources, had been able to give her so little in return. So, he decided to fulfill this small desire of hers by catching the deer.

On seeing Rama approaching, the deer took off into the forest. Rama gave chase and soon they both disappeared deep into the wilderness. Rama pursued the deer for nearly an hour. Whenever he closed in on it, it would escape by taking a giant leap, far bigger than what any deer would be capable of. Or it would just mystically disappear and reappear at a distance, as if teasing Rama. Tiring of its many tricks, Rama concluded that Lakshmana had been right: The deer was definitely a demon in disguise. Angered at its deception and wary of the danger it posed, he abandoned his plan to catch it alive and decided to instead kill it. Taking careful aim, he shot an arrow at the deer. Pierced mortally, the deer fell. The demon’s shapeshifting abilities deserted him and he relapsed into his normal form as Maricha. Despite being fatally wounded, he summoned whatever residual abilities he had and imitated Rama’s voice, calling to Lakshmana and Sita for help. His loud call resonated for several miles all around.

The Terrible Accusation

On hearing the call, Sita became overwhelmed by anxiety and agony. Lakshmana remained undisturbed, having full faith in Rama’s ability to deal with any danger. He reassured Sita that the voice was not of Rama but of a demon impersonating as Rama.

But because the impersonation was so good, Sita didn’t feel reassured by Lakshmana’s words. Instead, she felt agitated by his actions or, more precisely, by his inaction. Fearing that Rama might be in danger – a danger that might degenerate to disaster if he was not helped – she urged and begged Lakshmana to go to Rama. On seeing her brother-in-law unmoved and unmoving, she felt desperately driven to somehow trigger him into action. In a frenzy of anxiety, she uttered words that cut Lakshmana deeper than had the sharpest arrows of the fiercest demons in the toughest of the battles he had fought. Sita insinuated that he had lusty designs towards her; he had come to the forest just to wait for an opportunity to act on those designs; and he was refusing to go to Rama’s help so that, with Rama eliminated by the demon, he could have his way with her. Shrieking that his evil designs would never succeed, she declared that she would rather die than be touched by Lakshmana.

Sita’s words shocked Lakshmana. When he had always venerated Sita like his mother, to be accused of having lusty intentions towards her was horrifying. Further, he had the heart of a warrior who loved a good fight. Yet on Rama’s instruction he had subordinated his martial instinct and accepted the role of a passive guard for Sita away from the scene of action while Rama played the role of the heroic warrior who bested demons. Despite having exhibited such dutiful subordination again and again, to be accused of doing nothing – and doing nothing so as to further his lusty desires – was excruciating. Most of all, Lakshmana loved his brother so much that he would have without even a moment’s hesitation laid down his life for Rama’s sake. To be accused that he was knowingly and intentionally staying passive while Rama was being killed was totally unbearable.

Lakshmana knew that Rama was in no danger and that Sita would be put in danger by being left alone. Yet he could see no other way to stop Sita from hurling any more unbearable accusations at him, so he left her and went to search for Rama. Before departing, he drew a circle around the cottage, invested it with mystic protective power and requested Sita to stay within it. Then he departed, following his brother’s trail deep into the forest.

Soon, he met Rama who was rushing back towards the cottage. On seeing Lakshmana, Rama immediately reproached him for having left Sita alone and unguarded. Lakshmana explained the words with which Sita had goaded him to leave. But Rama brushed them aside, telling Lakshmana that he shouldn’t have taken so seriously her sentimental words spoken under anxiety. Put another way, Rama essentially stated: Don’t ascribe ill-intention to what is spoken in tension.

Rama’s words helped Lakshmana to calm down. They both realized that a conspiracy was afoot. The demon’s taking on a deer form to captivate Sita, its evasive flight into the forest to take Rama far away from Sita and its final cry in the voice of Rama to get Lakshmana away from Sita had all been parts of a scheme to make Sita alone and defenseless in the cottage. Her harsh words to Lakshmana had unwittingly furthered the conspiracy, as had Lakshmana’s reaction to those words. Realizing the great danger Sita would be in, they both rushed back to the cottage. But it was too late; she had already been abducted.

The battle between the head and the tongue

Sita and Lakshmana are transcendental, being intimate associates of Rama – by their actions, they assist him in his pastimes according to his divine plan. So, rather than judging whether Sita was wrong in speaking those hurtful words or whether Lakshmana was wrong in taking those words too seriously, we can focus instead on how we can choose carefully our words and our responses to others’ words.

In the backdrop of this pastime, let’s revisit the two starting sayings about the power of words. The saying “words can never hurt me” can be seen as an exhortation to the injured party to not take hurting words too seriously. The saying “words hurt more than swords” can be seen as an exhortation to a potential injurer, the person about to lash out verbally. At different times amidst life’s vicissitudes, we can be either the injured or the injurer. So depending on context, both these sayings can guide us.

Life’s unpalatable reality is that, no matter how nice we are to people, they will sometimes speak hurting words. When such words come from our loved ones, they often hurt much more than when they come from our antagonists. Pain is often a function of expectation and preparation. When we expect a punch, we steel ourselves against it – the punch still hurts, but the hurt is decreased by our preparedness. However, when we expect a pat and receive a punch instead, the punch catches us unawares and hurts us more. Similarly, when we are with our antagonists, we expect hurting words and steel ourselves against them. But when we are with our loved ones, we expect kind words. When we receive harsh words instead, those words sting intolerably, as happened with Lakshmana on hearing Sita’s accusatory words.

Still, we can prevent passing words from causing lasting ruptures in our relationships by meditating that words spoken in tension seldom reflect intention. Tension often makes our head lose the battle with our tongue. And we end up speaking hurting words without really meaning what we are saying. Just as we are prone to this human weakness, so are others. Just as we would want others to excuse us for such lapses, we too should excuse others’ similar lapses.

A question may surface: “Even if someone speaks when in tension, should absolutely no intention be ascribed to their words? No matter how stressed they might have been, doesn’t the very fact that they spoke certain things suggest that they must have thought something in that direction earlier? After all, if there is smoke, shouldn’t there be some fire somewhere?”

A more pertinent question is: Should we be judging others based on the contents of the smokiest chambers of their heart? Would we want others to judge us by that standard?

We all are contaminated by many past negative impressions, and we live in a culture that further contaminates us. So, dark thoughts may surface within us even against our intentions. The Bhagavad-gita (03.36) mentions that there exists within our psyche something that impels us forcefully towards actions that are against our intentions. If people were to be judged and condemned for the dark thoughts that might pass through their minds – thoughts that occasionally come out as words – then we would probably have to condemn ourselves first. So, if someone who is usually kind-hearted suddenly speaks something harsh, we needn’t let that one outburst overshadow the past track record. Why let a potentially lasting relationship become a hostage of one verbal lapse?

By the arrangement of nature and ultimately of God, we can see only others’ expressions and actions, not their thoughts. This barrier in perception serves as an essential protector of all relationships. If everyone could see everything that passed through everyone’s minds, everyone would be shocked by the unworthy thoughts that incidentally pass through others’ minds, thereby making any relationship almost impossible to sustain. The barrier between our thoughts on one hand and our words and actions on the other hand provides us room for self-regulation, for restraining our lower side and expressing our higher side. Thus, we can attain self-mastery and gradually bring out the best within us.

If we are on the verge of speaking without thinking, we can create a pause button for ourselves by, say, counting till ten or, better still, chanting the holy names of God ten times. If anger keeps choking us internally, we can vent it out in a journal, thus getting it out of our system without scorching others, as it would if spoken directly to them. Getting the anger out of our system will calm us down. Then we can revisit what we have written and use our intelligence to evaluate whether our anger is justified. If it is, we can determine the most appropriate way of expressing it so that we can help in clarifying any misconception and rectifying any misdemeanor.

The divine center for relationships

The point of relationships is not internecine condemnation, but synergistic elevation. We are not here to see through each other; we are here to see each other through. Keeping this cooperative focus in mind can make our relationships symbiotic, not antagonistic.

Such a vision of relationships based on mutual cooperation is easier to sustain when we study scripture and internalize a spiritual vision of life. When we understand that we are eternal spiritual beings on a multi-life journey towards God, we see others as co-pilgrims on this journey. We will be together for a brief lifetime, and we don’t know what our destination will be thereafter. From this long-term perspective, we can see other’s occasional harsh words as accidental –something like an unintentional elbow jab while traveling in a crowded train.

No doubt, harsh words from loved ones cut far deeper than does an elbow jab. And overlooking them is far tougher because the doubt lingers that some ill-intention might have been lurking somewhere. When we have been badly hurt, we may need to convey in some appropriate way the magnitude of the wound and the gravity of the wounding words. Further, the healing of our emotions and the restoration of our trust may need time – time during which the hurting party demonstrates the absence of any ill-intention through consistent actions. Depending on the situation, the specific measures we take to help heal the relationship may vary. But underlying these varying specifics is the common denominator of the willingness to let go off the past.

By holding on to something that someone might have unintentionally spoken during a tense situation, we poison our consciousness and paralyze our capacity for loving interactions. By choosing instead to focus on the good side of our loved ones and overlooking any uncharacteristic lapse, we can preserve the steady relationship that can help bring out our higher side – and the higher side of others too.

Further, by practicing bhakti-yoga regularly, we can bring God into the center of our lives and our relationships. Then we can see others as connected with God and see all interactions as opportunities to grow in spiritual devotion. Sometimes, we may want a God-centered relationship, the other party may not want to be God-centered or may not be acting in a godly way. Still, if we center our heart on God by taking fervent shelter of him, we can get the solace and strength necessary to endure the disappointment in that relationship. Then we will understand that we are acting in that relationship not so much to serve them as to serve God through them – so our behavior with them should be determined not just by how they behave but by how God would want us to behave in that situation. Such a meditation can empower us to respond to insensitivity with maturity.

Acting with this vision, we can not only improve our relationships with others but can also increasingly relish our supremely fulfilling relationship with him. By focusing on God and how we can best serve him, we can choose words and actions that are growth-inducing.

Sita and Lakshmana, despite their distressing interaction, were centered on the service of Rama. And by keeping his service at the center of their lives, they were able to put aside this terrible interaction and move on in their relationship. Sita and Lakshmana met again at the end of the climactic war against Ravana’s vicious hordes. Neither Sita nor Lakshmana mentioned their traumatic parting. Even before that, neither of them blamed the other for what had happened. Lakshmana recognized that what Sita had spoken out of trepidation, not suspicion – and let her words pass. So can we.

 

The post Intention in tension? (Ramayana Reflections 6) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Please join us each day for some very important devotees association broadcasting the glories of the Holy names EACH DAY - ALL DAY www.mayapur.tv select the channel "TheJapaRoom"

INDIA MELA in Osaka, Japan (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pwZdyZ

The December Marathon: 10% Increase in Book Distribution (2 min video) Sponsor Bhagavad Gita Sets! Vaisesika Dasa: Now’s the time to start the push! Our most important offering to Srila Prabhupada on the 50th year of his incorporating ISKCON by giving him a report of our cooperative efforts to substantially increase the distribution of his unparalleled books to people all over the world. Please join the push! Now’s the time! Last night, our ISV congregation sponsored 7,500 Bhagavad-gitas in less than 20 minutes! Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zxvAU3

Hare Krishna! GBC College: Second Residential Completed
Govardhana Ecovillage, Mumbai, Sept 28 – Oct 9 – The first group of participants to GBC College for Leadership Development completed the second residential session, thirteen days of training and association. The GBC has been reviewing the zonal configuration of the world and has identified and ratified more than 150 zones (and more are coming, as the bigger zones get gradually subdivided into more manageable sizes). At present the GBC College course focuses on preparing Zonal Supervisors to populate those zones. The devotees who answer the call to service go through a one year curriculum that includes a number of online courses, the Action Learning Project and two residential sessions of a couple of weeks each.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20402

Mauritius Preaching tour (135 Photographs)
Deena Bandhu Das: Enjoy Arjun Bhattacharyya’s pics of our Mauritius Journey! Including a visit to the amazing Pomplemousses Botanical Gardens. Enormous Arjun trees and lily pads one yard across! See the beautiful beaches of Mauritius and relish the Deity Pics
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EoAjhb

The Journey of Nara, Naryana and Anasuya (7 min video)
Nara and Narayana (two oxen) and Anasuya (a young cow) journeyed from West Virginia to Florida. They are all rescued cows. They are once again starting a new life by moving to Florida. See what cows do when they find themselves in a new environment.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/OTbfOQ

Anuttama Das speaks during Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in US 50th Anniversary celebrated in Boston (8 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/8Df3dI

Srimati Dasi’s meditation on Srila Prabhupada
What follows will be a meditational exploration—so please relax and keep your mind and heart—and ears!—wide open…but no problem if you close your eyes!
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/EJ9nnL

Hare Krishna! 3 Pillars of ISKCON Durban
I have just returned home after a festival at the temple and still feel the positive energy, warmth, and love shared among many friends who have now become more like family. As I entered the temple this evening, the sound of the conch shell resonated and an emphatic melody of devotional song permeated the air as the altar opened for the arati. The temple was packed, and the many friends around me clapped their hands, danced, and sang in glorification of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Under the dim temple lights, all focus was on the magnificent deities of Sri Sri Radha-Radhanatha. A mood of devotion and a spirit of togetherness pervaded the atmosphere. I was fortunate to be raised in Krishna consciousness. My parents were Hare Krishna devotees from before the opening of the Sri Sri Radha-Radhanatha temple, and I have never missed a Rathayatra festival or a major festival at the temple. I therefore feel a close connection to the congregation, the driving force behind the temple’s operations. Although ISKCON Durban has over thirty departments, I feel a special connection to three pillars of the temple: congregational development, the Rathayatra festival, and the Food For Life initiative. It’s easy to identify a connection between the three: the temple’s emphasis on growing and nurturing the congregation has produced an inspired congregation whose spirit of service spearheads outreach programs like Rathayatra and Food For Life.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20391

The post Rasa Parayana asks, whom should devotees make their istadeva – Krsna or Lord Caitanya? appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Daily Darshan – October 12th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna! How the Essence of Religions Came From Vedic Culture
As we look over the various cultures and religions of the world, we may ask if all religious systems are divine. Though they seem to conflict with each other on various points, still there are many areas of truth in which they all agree. Or you could say that some of the same essential truths can be found within each of them. And by a careful comparison, we can trace the essence of that truth back to what was originally explained in the Vedas, the oldest of all written texts, and, more importantly, what was the most developed of all cultures and philosophies. In this way, we can also trace these essential truths back from one religion to another, and how the Vedic culture influenced Zoroastrianism, which influenced Judaism, which influenced Christianity, which influenced Islam. However, each succeeding religion became more distant from the original spiritual teachings and understanding, until each one thought that, rather than offering truths and processes to be followed, they promoted the idea that they were also the only way, superior to all else. When, actually, they were becoming increasingly narrow in their views, and less able to give people true enlightenment by showing how to uplift their consciousness to perceive the spiritual dimension, but demanding merely blind faith to follow it or go to hell, or some other such thing.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20386

Hare Krishna! Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka – Travel Adventures from Boston, New York City, Albany
Krishna-kripa Das: Realizations from the senior devotees attending the festival for the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Boston. These include Bhaktimarga Swami, Candramauli Swami, Giriraja Swami, Navayogena Swami, Niranjana Swami, Romapada Swami, and Malati Devi Dasi. I share wisdom from senior devotees at the Harinama Ashram in New York City, namely Abhirama and Rama Raya Prabhus and their guest sannyasi speakers, Jayadvaita Swami and Candrasekhara Swami. In particular I have notes on Radhastami lectures by Candramauli, Giriraja, Navayogendra, and Radhanath Swamis.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20381

HG Dayal Gauranga Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-10-02, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06.15.17-19

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/13/2015

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, Madhava Gosh and Ranaka

Participating Advisors: Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

Recording secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Appreciation Gifts for INV and ECO-V Staff and Volunteers

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to offer a token of appreciation to the INV and ECO-V staff and volunteers.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $1,500 as a budget for plaques and t-shirts to distribute during the December meeting weekend.

2. Gopal’s Garden School Funding for 2015-16

Gopal’s Garden requested $15K towards the current school year operating budget.

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to continue to support the education of children in the New Vrindaban community.

RESOLVED: The Board approves $15,000 for the Gopal’s Garden School 2015-16 academic year.

3. Nitaicandra’s Welcome & Start

Nitaicandra arrived in New Vrindaban about a week ago. He has already begun serving in his new role by spending time in the gardens and with the oxen.

4. Mukunda’s Monthly Manager Report

Mukunda reported on the previous month’s progress:

•  Palace Greenhouse: The new heater has been hooked up but there are other repairs that still need to be done.
• Aviary: The waterline to the aviary has been repaired. The aviary will continue to be renovated.
•  Trailer for Nitaicandra: Most of the repairs have been finished. Nitaicandra is taking care of the final touches.
•  Valley Barn Conference Room: Renovation will begin next month.
•  Village Council Steering Committee: The committee is making progress on defining the purpose of a Village Association.
•  Coaching: Mukunda has begun regularly coaching several INV department heads.
• Recycling Program: Mukunda contacted local officials regarding the establishment of a pilot program.
•  Bahulaban: Vyasasan did more work on the barn and sealing the exterior is nearing completion.
• Temple Flower Garden: A new door has been installed on the shed, but it still needs more work.

5. ISKCON North American Environmental Awareness Initiative

Gopal Lila of The Bhumi Project made a presentation at the recent North American GBC meetings on an environmental initiative governed by the Oxford Center of Hindu Studies. They plan to engage ten NA temples. ECO-V and INV have been invited to be part of the pilot project and look forward to receiving more information on how they can get involved.

6. On-Site Meetings December 4-6

The meetings will begin after lunch on Friday and end around 5 pm Sunday.

7. Meatless Mondays

West Liberty University has begun a Meatless Mondays campaign and is encouraging local groups and businesses to participate. Kripamaya requested an endorsement and a contribution of $300 from ECO-V, to which the Board agreed.

Prabhupada spent his autumn weeks peacefully and actively in Butler. He gave a number of one-time lectures in colleges and institutions and spoke every evening with guests at the Agarwal home.

Prabhupada spent his autumn weeks peacefully and actively in Butler. He gave a number of one-time lectures in colleges and institutions and spoke every evening with guests at the Agarwal home.

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