Another year has passed
→ KKSBlog

The 12th of April is the Appearance Day of Kadamba Kanana Swami according to the Western calendar. Even though the official Vyasa Puja celebration will take place on the 26th in Radhadesh, today is still a special day for all those who are close to him. Here is a trip down memory lane with a slide-show of pictures of Kadamba Kanana Swami.

014 019 013 KKS 062 058 044 066 JAS in Paris #3 IMG_4478 kks028 kks-sktfest06.07 hall program DSCN0348 KKS_Vidyavacas kks041 Protivanov_2004_007 Vrindavan05-1_129 KKS_harinam.1JPG KadambaKannaSwami.sized kks043 Protivanov_2004_132

The Japa Zone
→ Japa Group

Try to concentrate so much that you forget everything around you and you forget about what is going on in your life - no thoughts enter your mind and you are totally absorbed in the sound of Krsna's names.
This is the zone and it's a wonderful place to be - with Krsna, getting His association through sound and remembering the Lord.

The Japa Zone
→ Japa Group

Try to concentrate so much that you forget everything around you and you forget about what is going on in your life - no thoughts enter your mind and you are totally absorbed in the sound of Krsna's names.
This is the zone and it's a wonderful place to be - with Krsna, getting His association through sound and remembering the Lord.

Hare Krishna! Maya’s Friend Norm Lord Krishna’s deluding…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Maya’s Friend Norm
Lord Krishna’s deluding potency, works with certain energies that have the capacity to make material life seem like normal life. As we go about our everyday activities in the material world, we are continuously confronted with the normality, or normalness, of material existence. In other words, we are constantly bombarded with the notion that material life, with all its mundane rationality, constitutes normal life and that this world is where we belong. As Srila Prabhupada affirms, however, material life, which is devoid of love of Lord Krishna and service to Him, is very abnormal.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16755

Hare Krishna! The Divine Form Then, as if by divine providence,…
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Hare Krishna! The Divine Form
Then, as if by divine providence, an art college friend, upon returning from a visit to Bangkok, gave me some rice-paper rubbings taken from bas-reliefs of divinities of the temple of the reclining Buddha. Although I didn’t know it at first, the images depicted the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra. I immediately appreciated the combination of delicate exquisiteness and divine irresistible power that Ramachandra personified while upon His chariot, bow drawn, ready to slay His evil enemy.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16752

The Art of Sankirtan (video) Sankirtan stalwarts share their…
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The Art of Sankirtan (video)
Sankirtan stalwarts share their journey and experiences on the sublime art of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. Watch these amazing devotees expertly distribute Lord Chaitanya’s unalloyed mercy in the form of Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books like ‘The Bhagavad-gita As it is’, 'Srimad Bhagavatam’, 'Science of Self Realization’, etc. Listen to what makes them tick, how they deal with rejection, why they love what they do, and how they do it. Join in on the action on the streets where they meet the multitudes.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/6CSJsR

Auckland NZ: Harinam with HH Janananda swami. (Album with…
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Auckland NZ: Harinam with HH Janananda swami. (Album with photos) Kumeu, New Zealand
Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
See them here: http://goo.gl/tM0YsY

Bhaktivedanta Academy Hiring Pre-Kindergarten Teacher’s…
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Bhaktivedanta Academy Hiring Pre-Kindergarten Teacher’s Assistant
The Bhaktivedanta Academy, a spiritually-centered pre-k thru 10th grade school, located in Alachua, Florida, is seeking applicants for the position of Middle School Subject Area Teacher for our International Baccalaureate 7th through 10th grade Middle Years Programme*.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16743

Blissful Kirtan Mela Mauritius (Album with photos) Srila…
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Blissful Kirtan Mela Mauritius (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge-comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods-is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
See them here: http://goo.gl/yoefmp

Hare Krishna! The Issue of the Proto-Indo-European…
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Hare Krishna! The Issue of the Proto-Indo-European Language
There has been an attempt to explain the origins of such languages as Sanskrit, Greek and Roman for many years. This is because there has been a recognition of many similarities between them, but the exact original language which they have derived from has never been identified. So they say that it is now extinct, but they call it the Proto-Indo-European Language (PIE). This has now given way to the groupings of many other languages that are now included in what has become the “family” of 439 languages and dialects (as of 2009) of Indo-European languages.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16739

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on Enthusiasm I am overjoyed…
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Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on Enthusiasm
I am overjoyed to hear that your enthusiasm for chanting is increasing. As our contaminations are removed by chanting, the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes will be revealed to us in the holy name. There is no point in making a separate effort to artificially remember the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes. The Lord and His name are one and the same. This will be understood clearly when the coverings in your heart are removed. By chanting without offenses you will personally realize that all perfections come from the holy name. Through chanting, the distinction that exists between the self, and the gross and subtle bodies, is gradually effaced and one realizes one’s own spiritual form. Once aware of the spiritual body, as one continues to chant, one sees the transcendental nature of the Lord’s form.
Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16709

Giriraj Swami’s Books Now Available in E-book Format
Giriraj Swami

WTS_coverCoverMany devotees have requested that my books be made available in e-book editions. I am pleased to announce that Watering the Seed (Revised and Expanded) and Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective are now available as e-books on Amazon. And we hope to have them available soon in other formats, from other vendors. Please click below:

WATERING THE SEED: Revised and Expanded
Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective

Village Council Proposed at New Vrindaban Community Dialogue
→ New Vrindaban

By Madhava Smullen

Nearly 40 New Vrindaban residents and board members gathered for a community dialogue on March 14th, 2015 to discuss starting a Village Council, which could provide residents with a voice and facilitate a more comprehensive community governance.

After a sweet kirtan and introductions all around that created a mood of warmth and humor, Joint Board Member Chaitanya Mangala Das introduced the topic, saying that the non-profit religious corporate structure New Vrindaban has used until now was like “trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.”

“Corporations, with their legal frameworks, rules and restrictions,” he said, “Don’t work for a more democratic body involving people in this kind of community setting.” He added that the Village Council concept was a new attempt by the Joint Boards at an ongoing effort to involve the broader community.

The inspiration behind the idea, he explained, came from a 1973 quote by Srila Prabhupada, instructing the leaders of New Vrindaban to “Go on acquiring the surrounding lands and in this way we will establish a local self-governing village, and show all the world a practical example of spiritual life as Krishna Himself exhibited in Vrindaban.” 

Chaitanya Mangala further summarized the Village Council proposition with three buzz words – small, local, and simple.

“Small: the proposed council could consist of five to eight key representatives from the ECO-V and ISKCON New Vrindaban Boards, the Advocacy Sanga, and other community interests such as local non-profits or businesses,” he said.

“Local: since the new council will represent the New Vrindaban village, members will have to live in it and be able to meet face to face on a regular basis,” he went on. “And simple: there should be few preconditions made before the Council is formed, with the focus on simply getting the group in a room talking on a regular basis.”

Chaitanya Mangala also pointed out that while a subcommittee consisting of Joint Board Members Dayavira Das, Ananga Manjari Dasi, Madhava Gosh Das, and president Jaya Krishna Das, had worked on the Village Council concept, they intentionally hadn’t filled in more specific details, leaving that for the Village Council “steering committee” to do.

As the discussion opened up to the floor, Nityodita Das of the community’s Advocacy Sanga expressed his group’s appreciation that two of its top priorities – devotee care and governance – where also being made a priority by New Vrindaban leadership.

He said that apathy in the community was to some degree caused by frustration at having no avenue to influence its direction. The Village Council, if successful, would be a helpful solution.

He concluded that a more inclusive system was needed so that people could express themselves, and pointed out that in the end all parties wanted the same thing – for New Vrindaban to be a more loving, Krishna conscious, united community.

Next Jesse, also from the Advocacy Sanga, expressed appreciation for the developments but also disillusionment. After spending a year-and-a half in the Advocacy Sanga, what he saw as a similar effort to the proposed Village Council, he felt they had failed to create a bridge between the temple management and community members, and was skeptical that a new organization would have any impact. However he did hope that it would.

Advaita Das responded with an impassioned, inspirational speech in which he opined that the Advocacy Sanga was a success – and that the current plan for a Village Council wouldn’t be happening without it.  He also echoed Nityodita’s thoughts on apathy being a problem in New Vrindaban, which he felt was a result of people not being appreciated and recognized.

Commenting that this was an opportunity for residents to take responsibility for creating what they want, ECO-V’s new project manager Mukunda Das suggested that they didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. “We can learn about the specifics of creating a Village Council,” he said, “From many successful intentional communities that already have Village Councils.”

Professor Burke Rochford, who has studied ISKCON since the 1970s and written many scholarly books and articles about it, was then invited to offer his reflections on the idea.

Calling it “an important conversation,” he said, “New Vrindaban, in contrast to other ISKCON temples, was specifically envisioned by Prabhupada as a community, and while that makes it a different and special place, it also makes for certain inherent challenges that other temples don’t have.”

Rochford mentioned that when he surveyed the New Vrindaban community some years ago, one thing that stood out to him was how the residents felt alienated because of the emphasis on the place (as being a holy pilgrimage) rather than on the people.

“Ten years later, the conversation is very similar,” he said. “But now’s the time for it to lead to something. This is your community, and the Village Council is an opportunity for the voices of the people to be heard.”

Rochford’s observations were echoed in the discussion that followed, with many saying they felt community members were not being put first and expressing the wish for an overall increase in focus on devotee care.

Advaita then turned the conversation back to the practicalities of a working Village Council, commenting that it was critical that the Joint Boards were represented on the Council and were attentive to the residents, to ensure that decisions are supported at the board level.

Meanwhile Nityodita offered the Advocacy Sanga’s open Wednesday meetings as a venue to continue developing the Village Council.

As the dialogue wound down, New Vrindaban co-GBC Anuttama Das observed that its general mood had been a positive one of “there may be disagreements, but let’s try to improve things together.” He quoted Bhaktivinode Thakur as saying, “progress is a gradual series of adjustments moving in the right direction.”

He acknowledged that trust needed to be rebuilt, which was a two-way street. He added that he saw the afternoon’s dialogue as real tangible progress and said, “If we work together, Krishna will continue to move us forward.”

In closing, Chaitanya Mangala said that the input and participation of every single person present mattered. He expressed that while there was no specific vision yet, the process of getting a Village Council up and running had been started.

Moving on, the Joint Boards, the Advocacy Sanga, and other groups and individuals will come together to formulate a practical plan.

“This could create a wonderful example of what Srila Prabhupada wanted us to do when he made his famous statement, ‘Your love for me will be shown by how much you cooperate to keep this institution together after I am gone,” concluded ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krishna Das.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Path of Perfection: Another new ebook from the North…
→ Dandavats.com



The Path of Perfection: Another new ebook from the North European BBT!
The perfect life - the life that achieves the goal of yoga - is dynamic and full of activity, Srila Prabhupada says. It connects us with the Supreme Spirit in straightforward, practical ways and resonates with truth. These absorbing talks show us how the Gita’s timeless teachings can help us walk the path of perfection.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16724

Sadhu Sanga Retreat Books Up Two Months in Advance The Sadhu…
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Sadhu Sanga Retreat Books Up Two Months in Advance
The Sadhu Sanga Retreat, to be held from May 22nd to 25th, has been completely booked up since last weekend, although offsite accommodation spots are still available. The retreat will be held at the Art of Living Foundation’s International Meditation Center in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains in Boone, North Carolina, where there are motel-size rooms with private bathrooms.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/7a5xwK

Hare Krishna! In the Lap of Mother Nature God is our supreme…
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Hare Krishna! In the Lap of Mother Nature
God is our supreme father, and one of His energies, nature, is our mother. A mother nourishes her child with the milk from her body, and she also sees to the overall development of her child by imparting proper culture and education. Similarly Mother Nature cares for her innumerable children by providing grains, fruits, flowers, and medicinal herbs, and she showers her motherly affection on us by giving invaluable lessons, guiding us on the journey of life.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16727

New Vrindaban Hosts Palace Rose Garden Workshop Apr. 11, 2015
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Everyone is invited!

Palace Rose Garden Pruning Workshop

Saturday, April 11, 2015 at10:00 am

Rose Trellis at Prabhupada's Palace Rose Garden

Rose Trellis at Prabhupada’s Palace Rose Garden

Paul Zimmerman, an expert rosarian who is helping the Palace Rose Garden become organic, will be leading a pruning workshop in the Palace Rose Garden. You can check out his website: Paul Zimmerman Roses.com. He is traveling up from South Carolina and will be here at New Vrindaban through Monday April 13.

We will be planting approx 150 bare rooted rose bushes throughout the community on Sunday and Monday and welcome all who would like to help. We have even purchased seven new shovels for the occasion. He is extremely knowledgeable and a lot of fun to be around.

Please come for the pruning workshop on Saturday, and/or if you can help with planting Sunday and Monday…that would be wonderful!

See Her Grace  Gopalasyapriya dasi  for details 304 843 9808

Another New E-book from the North European BBT
→ ISKCON News

BBTmedia is happy to announce that The Path of Perfection by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is now available in all flavors at bbtmedia.com. In February 1969 Srila Prabhupada gave a series of lectures on the yoga system as it is discussed in the sixth and eighth chapters of the Bhagavad-gita. The Path of Perfection is a collection of these talks.

Rama Naumi, 2015
→ KKSBlog

Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived in Johannesburg on the eve of Rama Naumi (27 March). That evening, he attended a nama hatta program in the suburb of Benoni. This preaching initiative is still in its developing stages however Maharaj’s presence attracted a crowd that exceeded the expectations of the hosts. In his lecture, Maharaj quoted Srila Prabhupada and said that there is only one religion because there is only one absolute truth! He spoke further on devotional service to Krsna and towards the end of the lecture, he focused on Lord Ramachandra.

On Saturday, the Rama Naumi program began promptly at 2pm at the Lenasia Temple, south of Johannesburg. The presiding deities at this temple are Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari. A very spirited mood permeated the atmosphere as sixteen devotees took their seats for initiation. Many well-wishers, friends and family members attended the ceremony to give support to the candidates. The following devotees were recipients of first initiation: Parjanya das, Arca-murti dd, Thirumala dd, Satyarani dd and Hrdaya Caitanya das. Second initiation was bestowed upon: Aditi dd, Srivasa Pundit das, Vrindavan Vilasini dd, Atma Tattva das, Girivaradhari das, Prema Mayi dd, Keshava Bharati das, Rasa Parayani dd, Acharya das, Jnana-samudra das and Caru-candi dd. In his address during the ceremony, Maharaj spoke on the need for mercy and blessings in our lives, as well as the importance of cultivating a lifestyle that will support our vows.

After the ceremony, Maharaj gave a lecture on the significance of Rama Naumi which included some dramatic narration of pastimes from the Ramayana. The day ended on a very personal note with Maharaj sharing the following story…

When I first went to India, Lord Ramachandra was the first deity I ever saw because the first temple I went to was of Lord Ramachandra and that was my temple! It was a small round temple and later on, they renovated and made it into a big marble temple. Oh, I miss my small round temple; it was so nice; the deities were really close but now they are high up and far away.

Then, when I went to Benares, I picked up the Sri Rama Jaya Rama mantra from a temple. It was playing twenty-four hours a day and after a while, it goes into your head. When I was back in Europe, that mantra was still playing in my head, “Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama; Sri Rama, Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama!”

Then when I mother was in her final days, I did not know what to do! What do you do!? She was dying of cancer. I was alone with her in the room and thought, “What do I do! I have to do something sacred. Let me sing that holy temple song – Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama!” And I sang it for her as she left this world.

So I got the mercy of Lord Ramachandra although I was covered by ignorance, and somehow or other, I was able to bless my mother with his holy name! So I am grateful and indebted to Lord Ramachandra. How can I ever forget the name of Lord Ramachandra? I was chanting the name of Lord Rama every day for four years before I started chanting Hare Krsna! Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama; Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama!

On this day, my attraction to Lord Ramachandra has been reawakened. But the end of this Ramayana is too much, just too much (Lord Ramachandra banishing Sita devi)! No, I’ll be a Krsna bhakta! I will worship Lord Krsna. Yes, kecit kevalaya bhaktya vasudeva-parayanah (SB 6.1.15), Vasudeva Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead who says that my devotee will never perish, na me bhaktah pranasyati (BG 9.31). Ultimately, the full mercy of the Lord is manifested in Krsna. It goes beyond dharma; it goes to the platform of love. When love transcends dharma, that is what we see in Krsna. Therefore we are serving Krsna as our isthadev, our worshipable deity!

 

Photos

Visit flickr to see all the pictures!

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Audio

KKS_JHB_28 March 2015_Rama_Naumi_Bhajan

KKS_JHB_28 March 2015_Rama_Naumi_Initiation Lecture

KKS_JHB_28 March 2015_Rama_Naumi_Ramayana Lecture

KKS_JHB_27March2015_Nama_Hatta_Benoni

 

Lost & Found in India – Amazon Releases a New E-book by Mayapur Author
→ ISKCON News

Since Prabhupada set foot on New York soil, “Hare Krishna” has become a household word. What many don’t know, however, is that he wanted, too, that “Mayapur” become similarly known to the world. The beauty, peacefulness, and mantra soundtrack of Mayapur decorate the pages of Lost & Found in India, weaving their way through what is otherwise one person’s story of why they live in India.