
Gaura Purnima 2015 – SJMKL
Gaura Purnima 2015 – SJMKL
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Gaura Purnima 2015 – SJMKL
→ ISKCON Malaysia Photos
Gaura Purnima 2015 – SJMKL
→ ISKCON Malaysia Photos
Gaura Purnima 2015 – SJMKL
→ ISKCON Malaysia Photos
Glorification of HH Jayapataka Swami from HH Radhanath Swami
→ ISKCON Malaysia
BY RADHANATH SWAMI
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
Jayapataka Swami is a senior disciple of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
He was born John Gordan Erdman on April 9, 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA to John Hubert and Lorraine Erdman. He was born into opulent surroundings, his grand-father being the founder of a large paint factory, which was a multi-million dollar concern at the time of his birth. Later HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja was glad to see that his name – Gordan John (Gour Dhan Jan) – already suggested what Srila Prabhuapda confirmed, that he and two other devotees were formerly associates of Lord Caitanya and that they had taken their birth in the west to facilitate spreading Krishna consciousness around the world.
In 1968, Gordan John took first initiation in Montreal, Canada and was given the name Jayapataka dasa brahmachari and he was very soon awarded 2nd initiation in New York. On the day of the most auspicious Radhashtami in 1970, in Calcutta, Srila Prabhupada personally performed the fire sacrifice and Jayapataka dasa got his sannyas initiation.
Jayapataka Swami started as GBC secretary in 1976 in East India which includes Bihar, Odisha and Bengal. From 1980 to 1999 he was the GBC for South-East USA, as well as South America. He is also the GBC for Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, the Far East and Assam.
He is also the Minister of Congregational Preaching and Minister of Congregational Development, and the Vice-chairman of the World Hindu Federation.
Presently he is one of the senior initiating spiritual masters of ISKCON, a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC), and is a divisional trustee for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT).
Taking devotees to the holy place
Srila Prabhupada wanted Mayapur to be a center where devotees from all over the world could conglomerate and be strengthened spiritually to continue their preaching. In March 1974, the first Gour Pournima festival was held. Four hundred devotees from America, England, Europe, South America, Australia, India, and other parts of the world joined in the festival.
So, for the first time in 1974, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja led groups of devotees on parikrama (pilgrimage) to local holy places. This visit to Mayapur would constitute the first half of the devotees’ Indian pilgrimage; after ten days they were scheduled to go to Vrndavana.
The Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama has been continuing ever since with the number of devotees participating increasing each year in the thousands. During these parikramas, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja takes care of not only the spiritual earnestness of all the devotees but as a perfect host, he also sees to it that they are comfortably situated.
Serving in Mayapur
There were 5 other devotees with HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja in Mayapur. As funds were short, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja began engaging in agriculture. He studied several books, learnt different methods and got the best crop. Local farmers were surprised and wanted to learn from him. This helped build a lasting relationship with the local people. Maharaja taught them modern techniques of agriculture and the farmers taught him Bengali. He began to give classes in Bengali where his few listeners would correct him in his language and soon he began to perfect his knowledge of the language. Jayapataka Maharaja had wanted to learn even in 1968 when he was in the West but it did not seem necessary there. His desire was fulfilled automatically when he was sent down to Bengal by Srila Prabhupada.
At Calcutta, Jayapataka Maharaja began to learn Bengali by going out to buy fruits and vegetables. Along with the other devotees, he conducted house programs, organized pandal programs, and personally went out on nagar sankirtan and book distribution though there was so much violence in the city.
An expert traveller
Jayapataka Maharaja’s flight to India gives already the hint of his expertise in traveling with the most mileage and least expense possible.
He flew for 48 hours in what was the “cheapest flight in history” flying Montreal – London – Brussels – Bombay – Calcutta.
Service to BBT
Jayaptataka Maharaja, (then Jayapataka dasa) began to render a number of services for ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. The first most important was the service as the president of ISKCON Montreal. Srila Prabhupada wrote him in a letter, “For the present I think you cannot leave Montreal… Your service is much too valuable there.”
While in Montreal, His Holiness was engaged in the service of printing books and dispatching them to other ISKCON Centres around the world. In a letter dated 6th October 1968, Srila Prabhupada wrote him, “I am interested in starting the press, so if you can manage it will be very nice.” His service to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust continued in India and continues until today as he is one of the trustees of the BBT.
Later, on the instruction of Srila Prabhupada, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja went to Toronto to open a center there. Later he wrote to Srila Prabhupada enquiring about his service and Srila Prabhupada told him to go to India on a long visa as “we have a great deal of work to do there”.
HH Jayapataka Swami said:
“My disciples expect some special instructions from me. Srila Prabhupada had instructed me to distribute 10,000 big books and 100,000 small books every month. So I need a lot of help. I don’t know how much that is now with interest because that was told in the 1970s, so with interest, maybe that is much more now. The Mayapur Sankirtan parties help me by distributing books but anyone here can help me pay my debts to Srila Prabhupada.”
Initiation
In just two months after visiting ISKCON, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja decided to commit himself to the principles of ISKCON. Jayananda prabhu shaved his head and everyone was surprised to see that within two months of coming in contact with ISKCON, he had shaved up and joined in. In 1968, Gordan John took first initiation in Montreal, Canada and was given the name Jayapataka dasa brahmachari and he was very soon awarded 2nd initiation in New York.
Re-awakening
As he was preparing to leave for India, he met the devotees of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, founder acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, doing kirtan and distributing BTGs at the park. When one devotee approached him to take a copy of the BTG, he was stunned to see the tilak on his face and experiencing some strange feelings he began to run. After running a few minutes, he stopped to contemplate on what he had seen and how he had been so much affected. It was the experience of seeing something after a long time, a re-awakening of something that had been dormant and hidden from his memory. He walked back to the park but by then the devotees were gone!
Searching for a spiritual teacher
When Jayapataka Maharaja was eleven years old, at the suggestion of his grandfather he cured himself of a skin disease by calling on the name of God. At 14, he graduated almost effortlessly in the very top of his class from St.John’s academy, a college preparatory school. He was offered full scholarships including tuition, books, fooding, lodging plus incidental expenses by several major universities around America. He accepted admission into Brown University. There, as a fresh enrollee, he was so much moved by a guest lecture on the life of Buddha that he lost all interest in his studies and began searching for a spiritual teacher. After some time of searching and austerity he concluded he would have to go to India to find his spiritual teacher.
Gour Dhan Jan
Jayapataka Swami was born John Gordan Erdman on April 9, 1949 (the Ekadasi after Ramanavami) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA to John Hubert and Lorraine Erdman. He was born into opulent surroundings, his father’s father being the founder of a large paint factory, which was a multi-million dollar concern at the time of his birth. Later HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja was glad to see that his name – Gordan John (Gour Dhan Jan) – already suggested what Srila Prabhuapda confirmed, that he and two other devotees were formerly associates of Lord Caitanya and that they had taken their birth in the west to facilitate spreading Krishna consciousness around the world.
Greetings from Radhanath Swami
Dear HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I on this special and sacred day of your Vyasa Puja I wish to extend my sincerest gratitude to you. Your lifetime of devotional service, at times in most difficult situations is a tribute to your surrender and your love for Srila Prabhupada, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the vaisnava community. It is a joy to see how your wisdom and compassion are uplifting people to Krishna all over the world.
I feel your encouragement upon me is Srila Prabhupada’s priceless blessing.
Your are a great inspiration in my life.
With my sincerest gratitude and prayers for your good health,
Your servant,
Radhanath Swami
SB Class by H.H. Sivarama Swami at Iskcon Delhi, 02.04.2015 (51…
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SB Class by H.H. Sivarama Swami at Iskcon Delhi, 02.04.2015 (51 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/09Wxj9
HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-03-29
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HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-03-29 SB Canto 06 05 15
Donations for New Bhaktivedanta Centre for Vedic Arts & Culture in Ipoh
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HG Daru Krsna Prabhu / SB 10.81.21-23
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Impurely Imitation, But Eventually Waking Up
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(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
[Originally posted on October 10, 2012] By participating in regular spiritual practice we learn to see through the scriptures and to think spiritually beyond the material duality of good or bad, happy or sad, etc. What might seem to others like an ordinary life of work, school, and/or family, is for a devotee of Krishna, full of meaning, with lessons everywhere—if we are willing to look. Our ability to look for the seeds of instructions and mercy depends to a large extent on our positive absorption in Krishna thought and remembrance, or we could say our attitude toward life—what we look for or give energy to. On the one hand we see everywhere the shortcomings of matter in a life with no spirituality (or even how material attachments and desires in ourselves slow our spiritual progress). On the other, we also see the arrangement of Krishna, and how we are being guided and helped.
Though there are perhaps unlimited perceptions of a life, in general we could say that there is a negative material perspective, and a positive spiritual one. By this I don’t mean to imply that difficult challenges or seemingly “bad” things don’t happen to a devotee, but that an advanced devotee always knows that behind the problematic situation is an important lesson which may lead to more dependence on Krishna. Depending on Krishna means a less stressful life and a life lived in increasing happiness and devotional advancement. Everyone on the path of bhakti knows that the goal of Krishna prema (love for Krishna) is the highest ideal. To the extent that we realize and act on this, to that extent we will experience deeper joy, and even ecstatic moods in our spiritual practices. If our spiritual life seems stagnant or stuck, we can take note of what we are doing that doesn’t foster our spiritual life, and increase or begin those recommended practices for being Krishna conscious. Our life can seem complex, and yet the solution to our problems is simple, requiring that we believe in the possible by the power of grace as we focus on the holy name and devotional service.
Yoga Retreat
→ Bhakti Lounge - The Heart Of Yoga in Wellington
Bali Nama Hatta
→ Ramai Swami
In Bali there are at least 5 or 6 home programs going on in any week of the year. The devotee community is mainly grhastha and they live all over the island.
Will Bring Back The Mood
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Gita 06.31 – See oneness in Krishna’s various manifestations – not Krishna and the soul
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Gita daily Podcast
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SB Class by H.G.Sankarshan Prabhu at Iskcon Vrindavana’s…
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SB Class by H.G.Sankarshan Prabhu at Iskcon Vrindavana’s Krishna Balarama Mandir, 03.04.2015 (55 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/cNUMEj
How Diane Lane (an American famous actress) got Srila…
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How Diane Lane (an American famous actress) got Srila Prabhupada’s “The Perfection of Yoga” booklet by Drumila prabhu, book distributer. (9 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/TP6ZUz
Artistic Holidays at Prabhupada Desh – Italy 13-19 July 2015…
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Artistic Holidays at Prabhupada Desh – Italy 13-19 July 2015 Transcendental Art Seminar
For spreading Krsna conscious art and for the pleasure of those who are fond of art, we propose a seminar of painting. The intensive seminar will be conducted by two excellent and famous artists, direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Ram Dasa Abhirama and his wife Dhrti Devi Dasi. They will accompany the students in a complete experience of art by teaching them the traditional classic techniques to produce a painting and they will also bring their students in an intense meditation on the form of Lord Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16638
New Vrindaban Members Appreciate Each Other in Moving Ceremony
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New Vrindaban Members Appreciate Each Other in Moving Ceremony
By Madhava Smullen
March 15th saw the second installment of a new tradition for New Vrindaban – holding “service appreciation ceremonies” in honor of devotees who have contributed their valuable time and effort in the development of the community.
During the first, at the ISKCON New Vrindaban and Eco-Vrindaban Board Meetings in November last year, long-time residents Madhava Gosh Dasa and his wife Vidya Dasi were honored for their more than forty years of service to the cows and gardens.
At the conclusion of this year’s spring Board Meetings, seven more devotees received attractive cherrywood plaques thanking them for their valued service.
Beginning the ceremony, ECO-V Board Chairman Bhima Dasa honored outgoing garden manager Kacey Orr for her exceptional work towards the development of local food production.
Several devotees then expressed how Kacey, an experienced local farmer, had brought the community gardens through a difficult transitional phase, and in just one year attracted many volunteers, produced large quantities of vegetables used in the Deity, devotee and restaurant kitchens, and laid the groundwork to make moving forward easier.
Kacey is now going on to work with an organization that provides organic food to low income families; but she has clearly left her mark on New Vrindaban, judging by the outpouring of affection and gratitude from residents.
“Everyone who worked closely with Kacey was infected by her incredible enthusiasm – she can make anyone smile, and you could feel that her soul was really in her service,” said President Jaya Krishna Dasa. “We will keep you in our hearts, Kacey, and I hope we cross paths again.”
Next the newest Board Member of ISKCON New Vrindaban, Ananga Manjari Dasi, presented a plaque to Jamuna Dasi, who has been on the board for twenty years since 1985 and a community member since 1980.
Jamuna dasi receives plaque from Ananga Manjari dasi
Everyone then shared their appreciation of Jamuna, especially her kindness, gentleness, approachability and wisdom. Board members like Anuttama Dasa were particularly grateful for her balancing the sometimes “over-abundance of testosterone” in the boardroom with her well-thought out perspectives that always put people at the forefront.
Gopalasyapriya Dasi then gave a personal example of how caring Jamuna was. Telling a story about how Jamuna had looked after her in just the way she needed when she was overstressed in her service, Gopa moved herself and many others in the room to tears. “I’m just so thankful to know her,” she said.
Incoming ECO-V Board Chair Bhima Dasa then led the group in honoring his predecessor Navin Shyam Dasa and his wife Krishna-Priya Dasi, who were unable to be there that day.
Now a U.S. attorney living in Dallas, Texas with Krishna-Priya and their two children, Navin helped the organization GEETA when it began the process of becoming ECO-V in 2010. He also helped set up the legal mechanisms by which the ECO-V board now runs, and served as its chair from 2012 to January 2015.
Appreciating Navin, devotees spoke about how he was always the calm and meticulous voice during turbulent times, making sure everything was done right and keeping everyone on course.
They pointed out how he also applied his sharp legal mind to thoroughly studying all Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on cow protection, and working to make sure New Vrindaban’s cow care would be sustainable into the future. And all this while caring for a young family, going through law school at Temple University full time, and graduating as valedictorian in his class!
Next, current co-GBC Anuttama Dasa thanked Malati Dasi – who was in hospital with pneumonia – for her work as co-GBC for 15 years. He noted her “unbelievable energy and enthusiasm,” her pivotal role in developing and managing Festival of Inspiration for 13 years, her global contribution as the first Vaishnavi on the GBC body, and her role on the Prabhupada’s Palace Restoration Committee.
“She has also helped the New Vrindaban community tremendously by being a great source for what Prabhupada would do or say in any given situation,” he said, while others expressed gratitude for her association and her constant stream of rare Srila Prabhupada anecdotes.
Some also spoke of her big heart. There was strong emotion in Thakura Dasa’s voice as he recounted how he had been “on the fringe” for 20 years, and no one was more important in bringing him back than Malati. “She’s one of the greatest gifts in my devotional life in a very, very long time,” he said.
Community and board members alike are praying for Malati’s health, and hope that she will continue to play an important role, giving her guidance and sharing her energy.
Finally, Chaitanya Mangala Dasa, a joint board member who grew up in New Vrindaban, presented Kripamaya Dasa and Krsna Bhava Dasi with a special lifetime appreciation plaque for their nearly forty years of service in the community.
Telling the story of their life of service with an accompanying slideshow, Chaitanya Mangala recounted how they both joined ISKCON in 1971, and were initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1972. They were then married in 1974 in Buffalo, New York.
After doing various services such as book distribution and fundraising, they moved to New Vrindaban in 1979 with their two children Krishna Balarama and Krishnapriya.
In the 1980s, they took care of life membership, raised their children and put on some of ISKCON’s best plays with the Brijbasi Players. In the 1990s, they managed the Palace Lodge, coordinated festivals, and ran bhakta programs.
In the 2000s, Kripamaya and Krsna Bhava worked with the cow protection and congregational departments.
Today, Kripamaya is a charter member of the board of ECO-V, which he helped start in 1998. His music classes and his wife’s art classes are treasured by children attending the Gopal’s Garden School. And together, they run the gift shop at Srila Prabhupada’s Palace, where they have also organized regular sangas in Prabhupada’s gorgeous temple room for the past two years. These sangas have brought New Vrindaban residents together to share memories and appreciations before Prabhupada’s murti, inspiring them and revitalizing relationships.
As the slideshow ended, a cavalcade of love and appreciation for the two burst forth from community members. Some devotees spoke about Krsna Bhava’s positivity, her dedication to chanting sixteen rounds a day, her excellent listening skills and her first-class cooking of bharatas, halava and malpuras for Sri-Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra’s Tuesday morning offering.
Others talked of Kripamaya’s scholarship, the way he lights up while singing kirtan, his ambition in going back to college in his fifties to study music, and his Ramayana opera.
“They’re both really strict, dedicated devotees, and a fantastic example of the ideal,” said Jamuna, while Sankirtan Dasa called them “wonderful surrendered souls.”
In response, Krsna Bhava said, “We’re feeling very grateful for our experiences in New Vrindaban – there have been both hard times and good times to learn from. It’s always been a blessing to live close to the temple and Krishna and so many wonderful devotees.”
Kripamaya added, “We ask for the blessings of all the assembled Vaishnavas that we have many more years to serve here at New Vrindaban.”
In closing, Chaitanya Mangala, who introduced the idea of the service appreciation ceremony, recited the translation of Verse 4 from Rupa Goswami’s Nectar of Instruction, his favorite book, which discusses the six “symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.”
He then quoted the purport, where Srila Prabhupada writes: “Even in ordinary social activities, these six types of dealings between two loving friends are absolutely necessary,” and further clarifies, “The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges between devotees.”
“It’s something I hope we can all start to take to heart,” Chaitanya Mangala commented.
And from the moving and heartwarming evening full of laughter and tears – from a community of devotees who have been through so much but continue to hold such deep love and appreciation for each other – it’s clear that many in New Vrindaban are ready to do just that.
Hare Krishna! “The Pizza Effect”
The main course arrived: pizza….
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Hare Krishna! “The Pizza Effect”
The main course arrived: pizza. The devotees were thrilled, since this is a much loved treat in these parts – but only when offered to Krishna, natch! “Hey,” one devotee quipped, “What about pizza? How does this relate to Krishna consciousness?” Luckily, I had been writing about just such a subject in a recent project for a major academic press. I am writing a high school reference book on Hinduism, and in my research I came upon an interesting reference to pizza.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=260
Hare Krishna! The Brahmachari And The Chaste Wife
One may ask…
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Hare Krishna! The Brahmachari And The Chaste Wife
One may ask how it was that the brahmacari was obliged to maintain his aged mother? Since he had devoted himself to religious pursuits and was strictly following the vows of brahmacarya, would he not be free from this obligation as per the following injunction of Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.41? Anyone who has completely given up all worldly relationships and has taken absolute shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, who gives us salvation and who alone is fit to be taken shelter of, is no longer a debtor or servant of anyone, including the demigods, forefathers, sages, other living entities, relatives, and members of human society.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=681
To know what we must be satisfied with, we must first tackle the difficult question “What is my quota.”
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(English/Russian)
The post To know what we must be satisfied with, we must first tackle the difficult question “What is my quota.” appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Hare Krishna! Pili Pokhara Pastime
By Sivarama Swami
One morning…
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Hare Krishna! Pili Pokhara Pastime
By Sivarama Swami
One morning Mother Yasoda resolved to propose the match of Radha and Krsna to the queen of Varsana. While Radhika was preparing to go home, Yasoda held her hand and said, “Radha! You are now of marriageable age. I know no one more suited for You than my son.” Taking Radha’s small hand in hers, Mother Yasoda gazed at the auspicious signs on Radha’s palms. With tears in her eyes, Yasoda reached for a tray of turmeric and gently wiped Sri Radhika’s pinkish palms until they were colored yellow. “Radha! Do you know what this means?”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16631
Living and practicing Krsna consciousness as if there is no tomorrow
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Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.13 in Moscow. (English/Russian)
The post Living and practicing Krsna consciousness as if there is no tomorrow appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Harinama at the Kuznetsk bridge, Moscow! The two-hour kirtan in…
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Harinama at the Kuznetsk bridge, Moscow! The two-hour kirtan in praise of Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Sacisuta (Album with photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/hc9Y2n
ISKCON Temples To Be On India’s Tourist Maps
On Wednesday, 1st…
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ISKCON Temples To Be On India’s Tourist Maps
On Wednesday, 1st April 2015, Minister of State of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma (who is also a MP from Gautam Budh Nagar, Nodia, UP, from BJP) visited the Noida ISKCON temple. The objective of the meeting was to seek the minister’s help in linking ISKCON’s spiritual tourism to India’s tourism map and recognising ISKCON’s participation in promoting Indian Vedic culture around the world. The Minister arrived at 11am and after taking darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Dev, then went to the meeting room where Gopal Krishna Goswami gave him a maha garland and some maha prasadam from Vrindavan. Gopal Krishna Goswami presented showed two short videos to the Minister, one about the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) in Mayapur, one about the Krishna-valley Indian Cultural Center and Ecovillage in Hungary as an example of ISKCON’s work in the areas of cow protection, promoting vegetarianism, Indian culture, yoga, spiritual education and in bringing foreign visitors to India.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/jmExzW
Hare Krishna! Watering the Tree of Love
If you don’t love…
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Hare Krishna! Watering the Tree of Love
If you don’t love everyone, it means that you are not loving Krsna. Using the root and leaves example, if the leaves are looking healthy, it is to be understood that the root is receiving nourishment.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16628
Hare Krishna! Muslim girl in Mumbai wins Bhagavat Gita contest…
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Hare Krishna! Muslim girl in Mumbai wins Bhagavat Gita contest by Iskcon, held in Jan 2015
Mumbai: Marryam Siddiqui, a Muslim girl, has won first prize in an inter-school Bhagavad Gita competition which was held in Jan 2015 in Mumbai.
The 12-year-old Class VI student of Cosmopolitan High School won the ‘Gita Champions League’ contest for explaining the teachings of the scripture in the best possible manner. Around 3,000 students participated in the event, which was organised by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) in January 2015.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16625
Hare Krishna! Pure existence
Selves are beings that experience,…
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Hare Krishna! Pure existence
Selves are beings that experience, centers of consciousness, subjects. Matter does not experience; it is without subjectivity, it is completely an object. Selves live; matter is lifeless. When the selves enter the alien, material energy, they acquire and animate bodies ma& out of lifeless matter. Driven by a desire to forget Krishna and their relation to Him, they identify themselves with bodies of matter- In this way the self becomes a divided being.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32
Hare Krishna! Devotees’ strike
I was thinking about those…
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Hare Krishna! Devotees’ strike
I was thinking about those devotees in our movement who have stopped to drink milk at all. I have realized it is a form of strike. I use to drink proper milk but I will strike with you. We should get boards, stand before temple on Sunday feast of LOVE as Srila Prabhupada established and demand our spiritual rights. We should have signs like this: “We giving you donations and you buying cars, BUT WE WANT COWS!” “You give to our children poisonous food and milk, instead of liberating us, you are implementing us into ugra karma.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16620
Vrindavan clean-up after the storm (Album with…
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Vrindavan clean-up after the storm (Album with photos)
Srutakirti prabhu: Vrindavan hail storm-one day after. So much clean up. The hail was traveling almost sideway as if being shot from a gun with great velocity. At the temple many broken limbs, branches and leaves all over the ground. Animals hurt, peacocks perished. One brahmacari in the temple room this morning with a large bandage on his head. Today is the eclipse and all the temples are closed. Vrindavan is such an intense place and Radha Krsna are in control. Whatever happens here is ultimately for the good of everyone here. The locals are never shaken and take everything in stride. They clean up and life goes on again. Today it is cool and cloudy, not hot and dusty as one would expect. Vrindavan Experience!
See them here: http://goo.gl/KkHrDB
Thousands of people turned up for Durban’s 27th Ratha…
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Thousands of people turned up for Durban’s 27th Ratha Yatra festival (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Thousands of people turned up for Durban’s 27th Ratha Yatra festival along the beachfront yesterday. The 5-hour parade captured the attention of both locals and tourists as 3 large chariots rumbled through the streets. The festival continues for 3 more days with attractions in an assortment of tents, large and small, not far from the beach. I was happy to be out and about once again, sharing with the world the wonder of Krsna consciousness though the eye of my camera.
See them here: http://goo.gl/7x4jNO
April 4th, 2015 – Darshan
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The post April 4th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Mangala Arati Iskcon London
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Mangala Arati Iskcon London
HG Rupanuga Prabhu – Poverty & Prestige / SB 10.81.17-20
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HH Rtadhvaja Swami T-ball vs World Series @ The Darshan Room
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4 Minute Krishna Podcast – Nityananda Chandra – To get a body like Mozart
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Tuesday, March, 31st, 2015
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Where You Step
The circular trek around the temple means you meet puddles. In the wee hours of the morning the grounds with grass, shrubs and trees become wetted by censored sprays of water, leaving pools of water in spots.
My dear friend Kadamba Karana Swami, whom I met on the temple path simply said, “You have to know where to step,” referring to the puddles.
I could take the casual remark as metaphor on life: “You walk and take precautions while on your journey.” Yes, you won't want to get your socks wet, nor do you want to make bad decisions about directions in life.
I had the good fortune to have lunch with this Dutch monk. For a renunciant it is a natural obligation to eat with, talk with and maybe a peer of like-minded. In Sanskrit you call it sanga. Our
guru, Srila Prabhupada, used the term “association”.
We talked about aging, arthritis, family, food, the world. It's not much different from any other dialogue, coming from any other person, only the insertion of Krishna is always there. Oh! We reminded ourselves, “You have to know where you step”.
May the source be with you!
6 KM
Monday, March 30th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
No Regrets!
My first full day in Durban gives the chance for a more regulated schedule. Okay! So I started with circling around the temple, on foot of course. “This might be the safest place in South Africa,” I thought. “What would disturb me, or anyone for that matter, in this peaceful spot in Chatsworth, a Durban suburb?”
Mina birds flit from tree to tree. I don't consider that a distraction though, not even the trees, as flowering or as fragrant as they are. They only enhance the meditation that's wanted.
I was informed that a group from Canada was arriving at the temple today. Some adolescents were coming for a cultural experience. I asked the temple management if I could meet with them. Request granted!
At 11 AM I was asked to break from drama rehearsal to speak to the group, who were surprised to meet a Canuck who's a monk. I briefed them on our weekend festival, the Festival of the Chariots. Naturally I also extolled the glories of pilgrimage, explained my familiarity with the Trans Canadian Highway” which I hope may be renamed the Transcendental Highway one day.” (They laughed.)
Also, to visit the temple room where I engaged in practice for the second drama, four young men in white short-sleeved shirts came through the door. Instantaneously, “Mormons!” I thought. For four decades there has been a congenial resolution between the Mormons and the Krishnas, Yes, they were American and from the state of Utah.
“On a mission?” I asked.
“Yes for two years,” was their answer.
“And then you get looked after?”
“Yes, we get a wife and so on,” said one of the fellows as they laughed.
“Good system!” I remarked and bearing in my own mind that I have no regrets to staying single all this life.
May the Source be with You!
7 KM
Sunday, March 29th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Behind the Chariots? I Don't Know
I can’t boast about any walking today. It took two flights to get to Durban from Mauritius, hence no time to trek. When we did arrive I was shown the below article in “The Independent” Saturday's addition. I guess you could call it a promotion for the festival we are involved with. “Meet the Man Behind the Chariots” by Arthi Sanpath.
As a young student, Canadian, Bhaktimarga Swami, had a yearning for an alternative life, and encouraged by the mysticism of the Beatles, he was drawn to a monastic lifestyle.
Swami, from Ontario, Canada, also known as the Walking Monk, is in charge of the productions at the Festival of Chariots, which will be held at the old Durban Drive Inn over the Easter weekend.
“Our heroes of the time, the Beatles, were dabbling with the mysticism of the east and so I was attracted to alternative living. I was a fine arts student, trying my hand at painting and sculpting, but I ran into a brick wall, so to speak,” said Swami, formerly known as John Peter Vis.
“Like many youths, after the counter-culture of the 1960's I sought a different purpose to life from the routine pointlessness of “live to die”. I aspired to a depth that would promise more.”
When a few monks visited his college in northern Ontario, he listened in on the conversation, and he said, “One thing led to another.” While he didn't complete his studies he found his passion for the arts encouraged within the Hare Krishna movement.
“I have a new drama called Blue Mystic which features some of the aspects of Krishna's earlier life. We will have a cast of Zulu, Indian and African participants. I am looking forward to it. Then another play called Sati looks at the interaction between Sati and Shiva. It’s more of a triangle dynamic involving Shiva's-in-law, Daksha. You can expect contempt, loyalty, love. We'll incorporate traces of the east and west and Africa.”
Swami has walked across Canada, Mauritius, Ireland, Israel, Trinidad and Guyana. He calls it his “downtime”.
“It’s through the walking that you get inspiration. The creative side of an individual becomes enhanced through the treks. I began my first walk across Canada in 1996, a result of both happy and troubled times the year before. Even a monk is confronted with ‘challenges’.”
He next plans to walk from Boston to New York, and plans to walk a route in Africa, should he be up to it. “Let’s see how the legs hold out, I am going on 63.”
May the Source be with you!
0 KM