Planet ISKCON

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modiji Message for Srila Prabhupada’s Journey to USA (2 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/0qiiXA

Devoees visited today Mutty Lal seal school in Kolkata, where Srila Prabhupada studied when he was a small child.

Hare Krishna! Journey that gave ISCKON to the world completes 50 years
“ISKCON will unveil an intricately carved sculpture of Shrila Prabhupada measuring 2.05 metres made of brass with a granite pedestal at Kidderpor Dock, Kolkata from where he began his Journey to West 50 years ago. Since Bengal was the place from where he left, the main programme will be happening there.” The journey that gave the world International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISCKON) will be completing 50 years on Thursday. Celebrations will take place in all the major ISKCON temples in the city and 400 temples across the world.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19008

The Boys Campus of Sri Mayapur International School after the flood (Album with photos)
The waters of the flood are gradually retiring, time to clean the debris.
See them here: https://goo.gl/VaKmPT

So I had an opportunity to do an update on palliative care given the recent controversies over the Liverpool care pathways and the changes in “ do not resuscitate” implementation; these changes are to reassure individuals and family that life limiting illness doesn’t mean your put onto a path that ultimately leads to death.

However the underpinning foundations of palliative and end of life care services remain the same and one of the area’s that we are told to be aware of in care planning is that of spirituality, but even this has changed.

Many years ago when I first covered this subject we talked preliminary about faith and how this can impact on the person’s perceptions and also to be mindful of both faith and cultural requirement’s; given that the surrounding area was mainly Christian and Jewish we looked closely at the needs of these two groups.

So I was interested to see how this area of health care has developed, shocked wouldn’t describe my feelings, spirituality no longer covers faith, it’s family, pets, TV; me and one other member of the group mentioned faith and belief, well this isn’t important unless they mention it came the reply.

My impression at the end of the course was that as a society we are less accepting that this body we are in is limited in time, we will have to die this is the law of nature; and that the importance of faith and acknowledgement of a creator god (krishna) is a sign of weakness rather than a sign of inelegance and strength.

It did however make me return to a discussion I had with a group of health care professional devotees some years ago; the devotee population us ageing, the disciples who served Srila Prabhupada so nicely are getting to that stage were they need to be cared for in such a loving way.

Is it time to look at a small retirement village, residential and nursing provisions, so that both the spiritual and physical body can be cared for in the best way.

After all the original hospitals were actually a part of the monasteries, the monks and nuns would care for the individual taking sanctuary. Society understood that life would end and so it was both body and soul that was cared for, redemption would be sought so that when your time has come to leave you return to Sri Krishn’s loving arms.

After all do I want to enter into a care system who’s main aim is to reinforce the delusion that I am this body?

Hare Krishna! Devotees from 106 countries practice yoga to mark ISKCON 50th anniversary
Devotees from 106 countries practised bhakti yoga together at the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra here, creating a record for “Most Nationalities in a yoga lesson” with the Guinness World Records, while another 105 devotees sang Bengali choir to set the record, ISKCON vice-president V N Das claimed. “Inspired by the fact that in June India created a world record in New Delhi for most number of people participating in a yoga lesson, we today decided to make yoga more popular around the world by creating another record for the Guinness World Records. And today we are happy to say that we have successfully done it,” Das told PTI. The three-day celebrations, which started here today would be observed across the globe along with the ‘Journey to West’ of its founder Acharya A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19005

Hare Krishna! Iskcon celebration held
ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), an organisation engaged in spreading the message of love and camaraderie in the society today celebrated the golden jubilee of its founder A. C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada’s journey to the USA where he set up the organisation. Among the dignitaries who were present include West Bengal Bengal governor Keshrinath Tripathy, Retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi, to name a few. While eminent danseuse Dona Ganguly and her troupe performed a dance programme, there was also a yoga session, in which representatives from over 109 countries took part.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19002

Interested In Seeing A Sample Of The Works Of Director/playwright The Walking Monk, Bhaktimarga Swami? (9 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/PYpXE2

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 06 April 2015, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture: The secret of spiritual advancement)

I do a puja every day to my sila from Govardhan. Taking Govardhan silas, or the sacred stones of Govardhan, is not a cheap thing and if everybody takes a stone of Govardhan then one day, I wonder what will be left in Vrindavan so I am in two minds about it but Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave a Govardhan sila to Raghunatha Das Goswami who was a renunciant, so our claim is first.

When it comes to Govardhan worship, our claim as renunciants is first, not that everybody and his aunty must have Govardhan because when you are a householder, you can have deities. We have Govardhan because we are on the road, we are moving, we do not have a house and we do not have a big altar so we have a small sila because we can move that way. For householders, it is deity worship and you can dress them nicely.

Anyway, I have my Govardhan sila and it is very nice because I am living with Krsna and he is tolerating me. I am staying in the same room as Krsna; that is something. I am sorry for Krsna but what to do, he tolerates me and I am his servant. I awaken the Lord in the morning and later, I offer him a bath, I offer him scented oil, I offer him decorations with dots on his face, I offer him sandalwood and tulasi leaves, then I put him on a silver throne and I will make arrangements to decorate his altar in various ways. Then I will offer him arati and various paraphernalia and finally, I will offer him bhoga – different preparations; and I do this every day and that is a sacred element in my life and nothing can change that!

Visit our darshan page to see more photos of Giriraja.

Today has been a wonderful day to contemplate my personal part in this International society for Krishna Consciousness and I returned to a thought from some time ago, what if?
What if Srila Prabhupada didn’t take the instructions of his spiritual master seriously? Deciding he is too old or too busy or even may be it’s the responsibility of the other disciples to bring this knowledge of Krishna Consciousness to the West?
What if Srila Prabhupad’s own disciples didn’t take his instructions seriously? What if my own guru maharajah decided he is too busy theirs more important things to do with his time, after all theirs other disciples can do this.
What if his own disciples decided it wasn’t important to follow our guru maharajah instructions? And what is that instruction? To help distribute Srila Prabhupadas, to spread the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness, to enthuse those we need to take up a life of bhakti.
If they had all passed the book, deciding it’s not their responsibility were would I be?
Lost in the gutter of material suffering, listening to a mind that would send me in a whirlpool of nonsensical ploys to try to enjoy and make the most of life never knowing of it’s true aim.
But Srila Prabhupada took the instruction’s seriously and came to the west, translated scriptures in a way that those from the west could read and understand, showed practically how the practice of bhakti makes life easier and sense in a nonsensical world. His personal touch inspired and touched the hearts of all he met.
And that included my own guru maharaja, who read the books and took so nicely to the simple process Srila Prabhupada set out for his disciples; this came his lifetime work. And his disciples followed and distributed Srila Prabhupad’s books and innovated ways to capture those who are sincerely looking for a way out of material suffering.
That person was me.
So the question arises as we remember the love Srila Prabhupada showed is are we reciprocating that love, am I reciprocating that love? Am I helping in the mission in spreading Krishna Consciousness, to give this jewel to others?
By being the best devotee I can and showing the love Srila Prabhupada showed us by following the instruction of guru and distributing books, distributing prasadam and helping other in making steady and sustained progress in their own efforts in bhakti.
That has been my pondering today.

After 30 glorious years of performance, including almost 20 international tours, UK's Bhaktivedanta Players marked their outstanding contribution to devotional art with a gala performance of The Mahabharata. This was a brand new production conceived and directed by Jaya Krishna das, and acted by a cast of more than 20.

The Ten Point Campaign: how we can play our part in making the world a better place.
All the members of the Krishna devotee community are deeply committed to helping you in any way possible. We want you to enjoy Krishna consciousness and make new friends. So here are some suggestions we think you’ll find helpful.
Read them all here: https://goo.gl/yYD3Lv

Gaurangi devi & The Romford nama hatta choir, performed at Srila Prabhupada's centennial year celebration in Sri Dhama Mayapur in 1996.

Presentation of the awards by the Guinness Book of Records for yoga and choir.

The sculpture of Srila Prabhupada’s Jaladuta voyage that was gifted to the city of Kolkata.

By the time Srila Prabhupada passed away, there were more than 100 branches of his ISKCON in all the major cities of the world. That was in 1977, only 12 years after he first sat under a tree in a park in New York City, alone.

The wonderful Hare Krisha Sankirtana preaching tour finds great success in Poland! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: As we stepped onto the beach for harinam yesterday a gentleman approached me and said, “We’re all so happy to see you.” In my mind I offered his words to Srila Prabhupada and prayed that I could continue with this service for many lifetimes to come.
See them here: https://goo.gl/4E1nXX

Celebrating 50 years of Srila Prabhupada, Jaladutta Yatra (Album with photos)
Some photos from the mega event currently ongoing in Kolkatta. It can been seen live on http://www.dandavats.com.
See the photos here: https://goo.gl/Sa4eo2

In 1965, fifty years ago today, an elderly Indian gentleman boarded a steamship in Calcutta. He was a saffron-robed sadhu – a holy man – bound for America, a place he had never visited before, and a place where he had no friends. Almost 70, he had spent the last eight years in the medieval town of Vrindavan, the home of Lord Krishna. In the last years of his life he wanted to give his spiritual message to the world, but at such an advanced age in a foreign country, and with no support, what could he do? How many would listen to him?

He sat under a tree in a park in New York City, played on some small hand cymbals, and sang the Hare Krishna mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Surprisingly, some young people walked over, sat down, and joined in with this strange chant. They listened with interest when he spoke of yoga and of how meditation could take them to a higher level of consciousness. Later, in a small shop front temple, they watched, fascinated, as he performed the traditional arati ceremony with incense, bells and lamps, and followed him as he showed them how to chant the mantra using wooden beads. He even cooked vegetarian meals for them, with delicious, exotic-sounding names: dahl, subji, chapatti, pakorah, samosa, halavah, laddhu and gulabjamon. The young people had never experienced anything like this before. Gradually he taught them how to live a good and simple life, free from bad habits and confusing ideas. The elderly sadhu’s name is now known to all: His Divine Grace Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; and his young followers became the Hare Krishna Movement.

By the time Srila Prabhupada passed away, there were more than 100 branches of his ‘International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ (ISKCON) in all the major cities of the world. That was in 1977, only 12 years after he first sat under a tree. Now there are more than 600 places where his followers gather to sing the Hare Krishna mantra, study his teachings, and conduct religious festivals. Even in Russia more than 10,000 honour Srila Prabhupada as their guru, just as they do in Africa, the Amazon, China, and even in the Arctic Circle. It is a remarkable achievement for one elderly sadhu and a few followers.

Srila Prabhupada was remarkably gifted. He was an expert Sanskrit scholar, an articulate speaker, a generous teacher and a compassionate and understanding spiritual preceptor. He had an unshakeable conviction in the reality of Krishna, the Supreme Godhead, and his communion with that same Krishna nourished and informed his every move. But he said that anyone could achieve the same success by introducing some simple spiritual practices into their daily life. As many thousands of his followers have found, by spiritualizing our life we can become peaceful, happy and contented, and by sharing what we know with others – just as Srila Prabhupada did – we can play our part in making the world a better place.

The Ten Point Campaign

1. Recite the Hare Krishna mantra on a circle of 108 wooden beads. This is known as japa One time round the beads each morning is for beginners, four times round as a daily minimum is for committed members, and sixteen ‘rounds’ is the standard for experienced practitioners. Japa meditation is the basic practice of devotees of Krishna.

2. Read the books translated and commented by Srila Prabhupada. Along with the well-known Bhagavad-gita there is the Srimad Bhagavatam. Its 18,000 verses were Srila Prabhupada’s life work and not only continue the philosophical teachings of Shri Krishna found in the Gita, but also describe Krishna’s divine appearance within this world, as well as accounts of his many avatars. Srila Prabhupada also published the Caitanya Caritamrita, the biography and detailed teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Krishna’s most recent incarnation. There are also the important works of Srila Rupa Goswami, medieval disciple of Caitanya, such as Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu and Upadeshamrita, as well as one of the principal Upanishads, the Isha Upanishad. Srila Prabhupada’s books provide authentic and time-tested wisdom, and their careful study creates a strong foundation for spiritual life.

3. Sing the Hare Krishna mantra and other melodious songs accompanied by musical instruments. This very popular devotional activity, known as kirtan, can form the basis of many family and communal gatherings.

4. Join together with others to discuss the teachings and their practical application in your life. Hold kirtan and chant japa Treat these gatherings as your personal spiritual community.

5. Offer a practical service to your local temple or group. Find something you like to do and spend one or two hours each week in volunteer service. This will be of great help to the mission and will be spiritually purifying and uplifting for you. Through this service, known as seva, the philosophy comes to life.

6. Give up any bad habits you have, or at least try to minimize them. Remove all meat and fish from your diet, as they are the products of violence. Avoid impure items such as eggs, onions and garlic as they pollute the system. Abandon all forms of intoxicant. Try to live simply, without exploitation of the world or others around you.

7. Create a sacred space in your home. A small altar dedicated to Krishna will sanctify your entire house. Offer pure foods to Krishna by placing them before his image. Eat only food which has been made sacred by offering, known as Krishna prasadam. If you can, light lamps or candles, and offer incense and flowers each day on your altar.

8. Be generous to others – share what you have learned and experienced with them. Answering spiritual enquiries, giving out leaflets or books, distributing free Krishna prasadam, and taking part in public kirtans and festivals; all these are a blessing for you and to others.

9. Celebrate the festivals and honour the days of fasting. Learn how celebrating special days can help your spiritual growth. Do not eat any grains, beans and legumes or items that contain them on the holy days of ekadasi, the 11^th day of the moon which comes twice in a month.

10. Make friendship with those who are spiritually strong. Meet with them regularly and enquire from them. Avoid those who seek to minimize your spiritual commitments. Create a strong friendship with at least one sadhu – an experienced and knowledgeable devotee of Krishna who shows interest in your spiritual progress.

All the members of the Krishna devotee community are deeply committed to helping you in any way possible. We want you to enjoy Krishna consciousness and make new friends. So here are some suggestions we think you’ll find helpful:

Sanga

In many towns there are Krishna groups known as sangas that meet regularly. At these gatherings, which generally last for 90 minutes, you can enjoy uplifting kirtans, a lively and informative talk or discussion on Bhagavad-gita, and often an arati ceremony – a festive traditional offering of lamps, incense and flowers. And of course, there will be delicious Krishna prasadam at the end. With members like yourself you’ll find support and encouragement. If there is not a sanga conveniently close by, you might like to play host to a gathering in your house or a nearby venue.

Sankirtan

Krishna appeared in this world five hundred years ago in His avatar of Sri Caitanya. In this form He travelled from town to town in India singing the Hare Krishna mantra and teaching the people how to live a spiritual and Godly life. Srila Prabhupada did the same and so do we, his followers. There are great spiritual blessings to be gained by anyone who shares the message of Krishna or the holy name of Krishna with others. Our weekend public kirtan programmes – known as sankirtan – visit different neighbourhoods all over London and beyond. We hold lively and melodious musical kirtan, give out prasadam, sell books, and generally bring a temple festival atmosphere to the city streets. Sometimes as many as 40 Krishna devotees are in one place at a time. If you come and take part, even for an hour, you will enjoy it.

Seva

Spiritual life according to the Bhagavad-gita is not all about stillness and contemplation. Meditation also gives rise to vigorous and practical activities fully dedicated to God. Temples are set up as places where both aspects of spiritual life are practiced, and where the opportunity of practical service is always available – and needed! Devotees like to come to the temple and offer one or two hours of volunteer service; whatever they like to do can be offered to Krishna. In the city temple there is caring for guests, driving, cleaning, preparing for festivals, cooking, and simple administration work; and in the country temple (in addition to all of those) there’s looking after cows and bulls, gardening, farming, and assisting the large number of pilgrims who visit.

Sadhu

We all need a sadhu in our life; someone who is a good spiritual example, knowledgeable with teaching skills and a pleasant manner; that has experience and is willing to help us move forward. A friendly guide on your path can lift your spirits, help you work round obstacles or make it through difficult patches, and will always be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance if you want it. Those who have such a senior guide in their life have found it very helpful and so we highly recommend it to all members of our community.  Our mentorship system is available for all committed members. Later on, after a period of enjoying the tangible benefits of spiritual practice, you may like to consider making your lifetime vows. This is an important step in spiritual life when you dedicate yourself to Krishna under the guidance of a qualified preceptor, or guru, thus becoming a disciple, or sishya. This spiritual initiation is offered to all those who chant a minimum of sixteen rounds each day, uphold and understand the required disciplines and teachings, and demonstrate steadiness in their spiritual life.

The post 50 years to this day… appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! Offering to Srila Prabhupada
As of August 13, 2015 – the 50 year Anniversary since departure of Jaladhuta on Kolkata dock, ISKCON can report there are: CENTRES 602 ISKCON Temples World wide 65 Farms / Eco Villages 54 Educational Institutes: Including primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary Colleges 110 Vegetarian Hare Krishna Restaurants worldwide DEVOTEES 75,000 devotees in ISKCON have received initiation (taken clerical vows) 7 million worshippers attend an ISKCON centre annually 2000 home study / worship (Bhakti Vriksa) groups meet regularly worldwide (consisting some 30,000 devotees) BOOKS 516 million books have been published by the BBT and distributed worldwide
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18995

Teaching vacancy at Sri Mayapur International School
If you have experience teaching Mathematics to 14-18 year olds and can commit to at least one year’s teaching in the holy dham this could be an ideal service for you.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18998

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada’s one step to enter Jaladuta – A giant leap in humanity’s spiritual evolution!
More than forty years before, during their first meeting, Bhaktivedanta Swami’s guru, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, had instructed him to preach the message of Lord Krishna to the English speaking world. Thus, after a lifetime of preparation, at the age of 69, Bhaktivedanta Swami, later to be known as Srila Prabhupada, left for the New World not seeking riches, but to teach and distribute the greatest wealth of India and the East—knowledge of God, or “Krishna Consciousness”.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18992