“I do not have to pay?”
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 19 January 2015, Bhaktivedanta Manor, England, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.10.23)

Misers hold on to whatever wealth they have and do not want to share, and the result is they are being deprived. So here we are in Europe, we brought wealth from all over the world. We got it by hook or Captain Cook, somehow or other, we brought it in. Here it is and now we are sitting on it. But gradually, it is running out. London is still going strong but if you go a bit North, people are poor! It is like, England is sinking in poverty. I am sorry to bring it up so early in the morning but it is happening. Why is it so? Because of this miserliness, because of just bringing it all in for us, instead of giving it out. The more we give out, the more everything will happen. That is our movement. Our movement is based on the principle of namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah (CC Madhya 19.53).

sp_prasad_distIt is a movement of extraordinary generosity. We see that when Srila Prabhupada was present, it was like that. Even when I joined, at that time, the Sunday feast was still fifteen incredible preparations. I mean absolutely incredible. Every single one of them was like, “Whew!” You know, I mean the rice was loaded up with cashews and paneer balls and what not. Oh! What to speak of the other preparations. Everything was ecstasy. There was abundance and nobody paid. It was all for free. The guests would just come and would eat to the max. Then they would get packages to take home. That is how it was. No wonder people were joining like anything! (laughter) It was just inconceivable – such generosity!

That purchases people. This movement will only spread through generosity. It is generosity that makes people feel indebted, “It is amazing, they give you all these things! What kind of people are these? I cannot believe it.” That is what it will do it. That is what will actually bring people. Incredible generosity!

5Say, “Yeah, but then how will we live?”

Do not worry, because generosity breeds generosity. That is the principle of this movement. When we are just generous then people will say, “Wow, that is amazing. You are giving all these things away. I want to help.” Then they start to give money and just give… This whole spirit of giving, that is the spirit of this Hare Krsna movement. Then people will join and everyone is welcome.

In this way, this movement is a wonderful movement based on this maha-vadanyaya. This principle of just being incredibly generous. Vaisnava generosity is something amazing. It is about giving, not only what you have, more than that, it is about giving yourself.

 

Bhakti Centre Opening
→ Ramai Swami

11024732_10203418250889551_4461502993199154036_n10448790_10203418260129782_6802871730194864846_n

The inauguration of the Bhakti Tree Centre in Newcastle was very enlivening. Over 250 plates of prasadam was distributed on the night.

Jayadeva prabhu gave a wonderful performance and Sri Prahlad led an hour long blissfull kirtan.
Everyone was impressed with the attractive design and decoration of the Bhakti Tree.
10406810_10203418261729822_5277344620985227155_nphoto

Bookmarks
→ TKG Academy

Have you ever heard of a Public Library located in a Mall? Bookmarks is a Dallas Public Library for Children at Northpark Mall. It hosts many programs for young children, one of which we took part of earlier this month.

We arrived early, allowing time for snack and exploring the library’s “treasures”. Indeed, we found quite a few. From puzzles, to computers equipped with learning materials, to a very inviting little “reading-nook”. The program began with an introduction of the continents of Africa and America, using a large air-filled globe, which the children got to bounce and toss around. Then the history of slavery was narrated, accompanied with songs, ending with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Our 1st grade students just earlier that week, on Presidents’ Day, learned about the presidents and got the chance to share their knowledge and name the president who signed the document.

The excitement wasn’t saturated until we took a detour and climbed up and down the nearby escalators. Just for fun!

Sunday, March 1st, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Crowds


Most of the senior monastic people, what we call sannyasis, have left Mayapur for other pilgrimage sites in India or have left for their areas of responsibility in their respective places on the globe.  The numbers of pilgrims to Mayapur, however, have not diminished - but only increased. 

The various places of devotion, worship, and sanga (classes or chanting) are crammed situations at times.  What do you expect with an additional 8,500 pilgrims coming as an influx on top of the thousands already here?  The other areas of "clogging" are where the food is served.  And with today being ekadasi, a day of abstaining from grain, the congestion at serve-out zones is no less.

Meals are sponsored every day.  Some people opt for a more hopeful efficiency at numerous food stalls and restaurants.

I was taken by the fully capacitated pandal, a rather elegant bamboo-framed colourful tent, which drew a Russian audience to hear the day's Bhagavatam class, presented by "yours truly" (translation provided).  Hours later our final performance of "Blue Mystic" was executed at the same location - a packed house again.

That was satisfying enough!  However, in my brief walk to our accommodation, the fire in me changed directions.  A motorcycle came tearing through the crowd.  One driver and two passengers (three young men) occupied the machine and I truly "chewed them out" for their inconsiderate, careless nature.  My final words were, "Sell your monster!  Learn how to walk!"

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Saturday, February 28th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

Last Day


It's the last day of the month but dates as we (humans) have established according to the movements of heavenly bodies like the sun and moon, mean as little to certain creatures in the dhama (sacred ground) here in Mayapur.

Just outside our room in the Gada Building is a hornet's nest.  Affixed to the ceiling, these brown-winged fellows buzz around not bothering anyone very much.  They have their purpose, to multiply and survive.  You just have to watch yourself when hanging your wet clothes out to dry over the balcony wall.

An just around the corner by the stairwell leading to the ground level, you find, a dove set to roost within a light fixture.  The fixture is shaped like a sea shell, so it appears cupped, perfect for laying twigs in and leaves for nesting.  The construction of this nest is a team effort.  I assume it's the female that's sitting upon the bulb.  It must be warm for her.  The second dove goes out, presumably the male, gathering the goods for the nest.  I see him regularly.  He's busy.  And I'm sure Feb 28th means nothing to the love couple.  Only their love and instinctive plans means everything.

Now, to one of my room-mates, today has become significant to him.  Jon and I got our accommodation almost a month ago.  With his initiation he's now Jnanagamya.  Jnanagamya pointed out to me on one of my breaks in the room that actor Leonard Nimoy passed away on this day.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Facebook.  I liked his character, Mr Spock.  I was an extra in one of his movies, Holy Matrimony."

"Congratulations!  I guess it's a great day."  I thought somewhere along the line Krishna blesses everyone in some way, shape, or form.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Friday, February 27th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapur, India

It Started At the Shoe Rack


After a modest morning walk I was destined for the Pancha Tattva Hall and then the adjoined Radha Madhava Temple.  There is an arrangement for parking your shoes.  For those we call Srila Prabhupada disciples (students) a separate shoe rack is reserved.  While other racks are available for others pilgrims' shoes are apparently dispersed on the ground at the temple's entrance.  The shoe rack for those of us in the mature category (Srila Prabhupada disciples) it is three-fifths empty.  In 1977 when I first came to India, Mayapur, for pilgrims, we had one sole guru.  There were over five thousand of us and practically all of the pilgrims were "us."  Now in 2015 a number of the early day pilgrims are aged and some have passed on.

It's just an observation.  The gathering in the temple was for a sit down to a class on the Bhagavatam.  I was one of those sitting down but my seat was higher because today was my turn to deliver the class.  I was accommodated on the vyasasan, the seat of the representative of Vyasa, the great compiler of Vedic knowledge.

It's a larger audience than usual, five hundred or so, and yet a greater listening audience over the air waves was additionally present.

Two points made which I recall at the time of my sending this entry are as follows based on 6.4.27-28 from the Bhagavatam:

1)  As fire is found in wood, as spirit is found in all life forms, so also Supersoul is realized by the sincere human.

2)  More important than the sacred sound is the devoted because where there is devotion there is the sound.

This evening a second audience became a reality.  To a packed house in the Samadhi Auditorium came to view our "Little Big Ramayan" drama.

I was humbled by the response of both crowds.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Dallas World Aquarium
→ TKG Academy

On February 20, 2015 TKG Academy Middle Elementary students went to the Dallas World Aquarium, the finale for their Oceanography Unit.  Take a look at all their other accomplishments in this unit here.

Hare Krishna! Bhaktivedanta Hospice: Aid for the Journey…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Bhaktivedanta Hospice: Aid for the Journey Home
Shortly before passing away in Vrindavan, a devotee requested her spiritual master to establish a “Back to Godhead” clinic there for Srila Prabhupada’s followers. The land is adjacent to the parikrama road trod by pilgrims during their devotional walks around Vrindavan. It is a sacred grove of mostly kadamba and tamala trees known as Giriraj Bhag (“Giriraj’s garden”). For five generations it belonged to the family of Sri Padmanabha Goswami, hereditary priests and caretakers of Vrindavan’s Radha-ramana Temple.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15967

Hare Krishna! Why are Women in today’s India not Safe The…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Why are Women in today’s India not Safe
The Bhagavad-gita (16.21) identifies lust, anger, and greed as the “three gates leading to hell.” Present-day society is unfortunately well equipped to aggravate the disease of lust. Obscenity has become so common in movies, TV, advertisements, Bollywood songs, and so on. Some leading newspapers and magazines are stuffed with semi-nude pictures of women just to increase circulation. Internet and mobile pornography is at its peak. Even in cricket tournaments like IPL semi-clad cheerleaders are brought in to entice the audience.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15964

Great Pacific Garbage Patch
→ TKG Academy

Middle Elementary students have been busy!  In January, they became Oceanographers as part of their Science and Social Studies Unit on Oceans. Here are a few of their accomplishments!  Ocean Currents Experiment, Geographical Regions, Oceans Book Swap, Layers of the Ocean Posterboard Project, Marine Pollution, Why Not to Eat Fish, and the Dallas World Aquarium Field Trip.  Full “gallery” of pictures is at the end of the blog.

Ocean Currents:  Currents travel around the continents, mixing the warmer waters surrounding the equator with the cooler waters from the poles. Students replicated this by blowing through straws to create wind, and seeing how ice cubes melt, and boiling water mixes, with different colored drops of food coloring.    After they stopped shrieking in excitement, they recorded their observations.

 

Continental Shelf, Continental Slope and Ocean Floor:  Students built their own Ocean Wall, where they labeled and described geographical locations in the ocean.  Seamounts, Trenches, Underwater Volcanoes, Coral Reefs, etc.  They were given assigned jobs and independantly worked, with little teacher’s assistance, to create their Ocean Wall.

Oceans Book Swap:  For research, students brought a total of 21 different ocean books from the library and home!  At research time, they sat at 2 books, gathered as much information as they could into their Science Notebooks, and then 15 minutes later, swapped the books with the next student.  This enabled them to determine which books would be helpful for their project.


Layers of the Ocean Posterboard Project:  This was the finale to the session!  Students studied almost 100 sea creatures, all set in the different layers of the ocean.  They researched, gathered facts, made mini-books, painted and presented their findings to the class.

Marine Pollution:  After studying the ecosystems in the ocean, we were surprised to learn about all the pollution dumped by humans!  Among other books, we read Abigail the Happy Whale and her decision to work with the other sea animals remove all the pollution on the ocean floor.  Did you know that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an area of pollution greater than Texas?  Students wrote persuasive expository pieces to convince us to keep our oceans clean!

Eating Fish:  Because of all the toxins in the ocean, fish have also become poisonous.  Students were able to explain why eating fish, harmful for one spiritually, is also harmful from a biological health standpoint!

We ended the unit with a field trip to the Dallas World Aquarium.  How amazing it was to see all of the creatures that were studied in real life!    Field trip pictures can be found here.

 

 

 

Hare Krishna! Narada Muni – The Father of Devotional…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Narada Muni – The Father of Devotional Service
NARADA MUNI is exalted in Vedic texts as one of the twelve mahajanas, or great authorities on eternal truth. Details of his life and teachings are recounted in the Narada Purana, the Padma Purana, and throughout Srimad-Bhagavatam. So advanced is his level of spirituality that in these texts he is even sometimes called “Bhagavan,” a term usually reserved for the Supreme Lord, and in the Bhagavad-gita (10.26) Lord Krsna Himself says, “Of the sages among the demigods, I am Narada.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15961

Maha Harinama in Israel for Gaura Purnima, 5/03/2015 (Album 81…
→ Dandavats.com



Maha Harinama in Israel for Gaura Purnima, 5/03/2015 (Album 81 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When there is large-scale congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, we keep our temples open for everyone to join, and by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu this policy has given good results. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 17.35 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/3WrjR8

Guest leaves his body amongst devotees chanting the Lord’s…
→ Dandavats.com



Guest leaves his body amongst devotees chanting the Lord’s Names!
Kadamba Kanana Swami: There was this man lying on the floor, flapping and totally grey… and, you know, he was clearly on the edge and there were three hundred devotees chanting Hare Krsna for him. The temple president called the emergency number and a helicopter came flying in. These men in red overalls came out of the helicopter and tried to revive the man with electric shock but three hundred devotees were chanting and praying, “Let him die!” because what better way to go than with three hundred chanting devotees! They could have revived him and put him in a hospital on some respirator and he may have lived a few days longer until somebody pulled the plug but instead, it was better to let him die in the middle of the kirtan which was his best chance.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/rH4AkV

A happy ending
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 January 2015, Soho Temple, England, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.77.33-37)

Protivanov_2004_161I like to tell this story. I was in the Czech Summer Camp one year and it was prasadam time. So the devotees went into the prasadam hall and I was expecting to hear, “Sarira avidya-jal…” but instead, I heard, “Namaste Narasimhaya…” The wrong song! What was going on, so I went to have a look.

There was this man lying on the floor, flapping and totally grey… and, you know, he was clearly on the edge and there were three hundred devotees chanting Hare Krsna for him. The temple president called the emergency number and a helicopter came flying in. These men in red overalls came out of the helicopter and tried to revive the man with electric shock but three hundred devotees were chanting and praying, “Let him die!” because what better way to go than with three hundred chanting devotees! They could have revived him and put him in a hospital on some respirator and he may have lived a few days longer until somebody pulled the plug but instead, it was better to let him die in the middle of the kirtan which was his best chance.

We started to ask around, “Who was he?” One devotee knew and said that he was someone who had always bought books. He had bought many books over the years, including the Bhagavatam, and recently he had finished reading the Bhagavatam. The devotee had invited him to Summer Camp and that was the first day that he had ever chanted japa and walked around Tulasi… and then, he just collapsed during prasadam! It was all so auspicious. When the corpse was being taken away, everybody was saying, “Jaya… Haribol…” The mood was not heavy because we had appreciated that somehow or other, this man had made an eternal connection in his life!

Protivanov_2004_150 Protivanov_2004_154 Protivanov_2004_159 Protivanov_2004_158 Protivanov_2004_161

 

Join us for Sunday Love Feast – March 8th, 2015 from 11:00am to 2:00pm — Hear and associate with Her Grace Kamala Gopi Devi Dasi for this Sunday’s vedic discourse.
→ ISKCON Brampton


Sunday Love Feast for All

When?
Sunday,March 8,2015
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32
krishna-varnam tvishakrishnam
sangopangastra-parshadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi su-medhasah
Translation
In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform Congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

Sun Love Feast Program
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                            
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan
 

COMING UP AHEAD

Papamocani
Fasting.....................on Mon March 16,2015
Breakfast.................on Tue March 17,2015 b/w 7.26am-11.26am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.


Ramanavami
Celebration in March(We'll keep you updated for the date & Timings)

rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan
nānāvatāram akarod bhuvaneṣu kintu
kṛṣṇaḥ svayaṁ samabhavat paramaḥ pumān yo
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who manifested Himself personally as Kṛṣṇa and the different avatāras in the world in the forms of Rāma, Nṛsiṁha, Vāmana, etc., as His subjective portions.( Bs 5.39)
*For Volunteering please do contact Radha Gopinath Das radhagopinathdas@hotmail.com.

*For sponsorships/financing the event do contact Amogha lila Dasa alokearora@hotmail.com.
**Details of the program will be posted when we come closer to the event**
 
Nectar of Instruction Course
Starting first Saturday(April 4th) of April 2015,9am-12pm
For more details contact:His grace Vaishnava Dasa
via email- vaishnavadas@me.com
or call at- 905.790.9972

Originally written in Sanskrit by Srila Rupa Goswami, the greatest spiritual genius of medieval India. Now translated and explained by Srila Prabhupada, "The Nectar of Instruction" is the key to enlightenment for all seekers on the path of spiritual perfection.

Home Deity Worship-2 hour Seminar
will be conducted at ISKCON Brampton on 5th April by The North American Deity worship minister His Grace Jayananda das.

This Seminar will be open to devotees who are in all levels - newcomers, 1st initiated devotees and 2nd initiated devotees.
Contact:
For registration,timings and further details please contact our local head Pujari His Grace Vidyanidhi Krishna Dasa  via email- vikas27801@yahoo.com
 
ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

Gift Shop

Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.
 

Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy

Hundreds of bhaktas received initiation in Mayapur on Gaura…
→ Dandavats.com



Hundreds of bhaktas received initiation in Mayapur on Gaura Purnima day
An initiation ceremony took place on auspicious Gaura Purnima day (5th Mar, 2015) in auspicious Mayapur dham. Around 300 devotees got initiated from HH Jaya Pataka Swami Maharaj .There were several others who became Maharaj’s aspiring disciples. Many devotees also took His shelter on the occasion. The ceremony took place in Namhatta prasadam hall and it went from morning till late afternoon. The program started with a lecture by HH Danavir Goswami. He told the assembled devotees about importance of human life and how by practice of bhakti one develops brahmanical qualities listed in Bhagavad Gita. This was followed up with a lecture by HG Sankarsan Nitai Prabhu in both English and Bengali. He explained the ten offenses against chanting of the Holy Names. He concluded his talk by saying that diksa is glorious but the disciples need to be serious in carrying out their vows.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/a3kqFH

*URGENT*Black colour knee sized lady’s jacket with car keys in it is exchanged!!!
→ ISKCON Brampton

Hare Krishna

Last Thursday (After Gaura Purnima Celebration) someone has mistakenly worn another mataji's black jacket(with the car keys in one of its pocket) instead of her own.

Please return it as soon as possible and get your own jacket back.

Please Contact immediately:
Pawan Berry prabhu at 416.315.8494 or ISKCON Brampton at 416.648.3312


Your cooperation will be very much appreciated.
ISKCON Brampton Management