New Vrindaban Board Meetings Involve Residents
→ New Vrindaban

Community Dialog on the topic of a possible “Village Council” at the onsite Joint Board Meetings in New Vrindaban

The weekend of March 14 and 15, 2015 was a jam-packed, exciting and informative two days for NV.  There used to be two weekends a year when the two Boards of Directors, namely  ISKCON New Vrindaban ( INV)  & ECO-Vrindaban would get together with their managers and staff so all involved could connect and communicate.  Starting two years ago, however, the joint board members decided to expand these weekend gatherings and open them up for all New Vrindaban residents and well-wishers to participate as well.

During the weekend of March 14 and 15, the activities were divided into four sections:

  1. Sat. morning: Dept. Heads presented their yearly reports- accomplishments and goals.
  2. Sat. afternoon the Community Dialog sessions were held - formal opportunities for board and community members to interact and share concerns with each other, the goal being to improve overall relationships. This year a Village Council idea was introduced.
  3. Sunday morning, everyone was invited to go on a tour of the spots around New Vrindaban that are being improved and/or renovated, such as the Deity kitchen at the RVC temple, and the ox barn at Bahulaban, and more.
  4. Sunday after the feast there were service appreciations given for some devotees who have been serving New Vrindaban for some time in different capacities but have recently stopped these services.

And, in between, on Sat. evening there was a relaxed, yet informative event at Prabhupada’s Palace.   Sankirtan prabhu gave his dramatic, visual powerpoint  presentation called “How the Hare Krsna Mantra Came to the West”. 

The account in this article is a glimpse into Saturday afternoon’s discussion, just one of the weekend’s events, to inform anyone who missed it.  There will soon be a series of detailed articles written by Madhava Smullen who also participated in the weekend activities.

Of particular interest to the residents of New Vrindaban was a lively community dialog,, after lunch on Saturday March 14, 2015, which was well attended by many community members. Chaitanya Mangala introduced the topic of a possible Village Council for New Vrindaban, which is just in the idea stage with no details worked out yet.  The proposed Council could ideally consist of a body of local devotees working together, where all residents could feel that they have an increased voice in their community of New Vrindaban.

Chaits mentioned how previously leaders of New Vrindaban had made valiant efforts to manage a community through a non-profit religious corporate structure, but this doesn't work because the required legal structures have restrictions that can’t be transformed into a broader democratic system. Therefore, we need to approach this from a broader perspective.

Chaits emphasized three buzz words for such a Village Council: small, local and simple.

"Small: Let’s just have a few people on the Council, at least to begin with. Later it can expand as needed."

"Local: The members should be available to regularly meet face to face, for optimum effectiveness and communication."

"Simple: Let’s create as few pre-conditions as possible, so as not to restrict the group from starting. They can develop the rules they will operate under as they move forward."

Then the discussion was opened up.  Devotees were expressing themselves very respectfully, but frankly as well.  Many remarked afterwards that this was a mature discussion coming out of people’s honest desires to have a “village voice”.  That is, the residents of New Vrindaban want a voice in how the community is run, so they spoke up frankly, but also showed much appreciation for the current leaders and managers and all the challenges they’ve faced.

The feeling of resignation that is sometimes evident in NV over the years was mentioned as one of the many challenges. This apathy has different sources.  There is much skepticism that things will change, yet others still have hope.  Some devotees have complained that, in their opinion, New Vrindaban is being run as more of a corporation than a spiritual institution.  Some asked what kind of influence would a Village Council really have on the decision-making process in New Vrindaban.  The NV Advocacy Sanga has been discussing many of these issues for the last year and a half.

One devotee appreciated that this year has been identified by Jaya Krsna prabhu as the year of “deepening relationships”.  Just as we have to continuously deal with the structure of the roads and buildings of NV, dealing with ongoing devotee relationships is also essential.

A suggestion came up for us to possibly study how a few successful intentional communities run and what their successes are based on.  Mukunda das said, “Those communities, although they may not be based on spirituality, have many of the “0’s” in the equation, but we have the “1” (Krsna) to make it perfect.  So we can still learn from them.”

An old friend and well-wisher of the Hare Krsna movement, Burke Rochford, a professor of sociology, was present at the meetings. He expressed that he sees these types of dialogs as very important. He said that since Srila Prabhupada had set up New Vrindaban as a community, as opposed to a city temple, that we have had to face certain special challenges.  He has also come to understand that the voices of the residents need to help shape the direction of New Vrindaban.

There was a short discussion on the topic of the Sunday feast. People were expressing both sides, namely what enlivens and what sometimes discourages the devotees’ attendance.

Although many topics were touched upon, the themes that were recurring throughout the afternoon were the need for the residents’ voices to be heard and the challenge of rebuilding trust.  It was suggested that a Village Council could address these types of concerns for a win/win situation.

The NV Advocacy Sanga announced that the Sanga will continue the discussion of a Village Council and try to come up with a solid proposal from their side.  They also expressed their wish, along with the joint Board members, that this healthy, open discussion will continue in the community at large.

Third annual Bhaktivedanta Swami Lecture today at WITS University
→ Jayadvaita Swami

The third annual Bhaktivedanta Swami Lecture will be held today at the Business School of WITS University in Johannesburg. The speaker will be Bhuta Bhavana Dasa. Here’s the link to click to see the lecture streamed online.

Time:
Johannesburg: 7:30 pm
London: 5:30 pm
New York: 1:30 pm

The post Third annual Bhaktivedanta Swami Lecture today at WITS University appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

As The Phoenix From The Flames, A Grand, Beautiful New Temple Is…
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As The Phoenix From The Flames, A Grand, Beautiful New Temple Is Rising From The Debris!
When Cyclone Hudhud raged through the province of Andhra Pradhesh on India’s East Coast on October 12th 2014, it caused serious damage to ISKCON Visakhapatnam, leaving devotees feeling demoralized.
But like the proverbial phoenix from the flames, a grand, beautiful new temple is rising from the debris. Construction began on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima on March 15th this year, and the monumental 67,000 square foot temple is expected to be completed by Nityananda Trayodasi in Feburary 2018.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/fQ1mnX

Hare Krishna! Religion of Non-envy By His Divine Grace A.C….
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Hare Krishna! Religion of Non-envy
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
So the Krishna consciousness movement is not for the persons who are envious. It is a movement to train people how to become non-envious. Yes, it is very first-class scientific movement not to become envious. Any religion system, if there is jealousy, it is not religion. We should understand what jealousy is. Jealousy means that you are rightful owner of something; I won’t allow you to take it. This is jealousy; try to understand it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16417

Hare Krishna! Some Confusion in ISKCON Regarding Fasting Bhanu…
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Hare Krishna! Some Confusion in ISKCON Regarding Fasting
Bhanu Swami: In ISKCON, there is some ambiguity in the term “fasting”. This ambiguity is reflected in the VCal computer program, and it is often perpetrated in many printed calendars produced by ISKCON centers. Sometimes “fasting” means fasting from grains all day, as on Ekadasi. Sometimes it means not eating anything, even non-grain prasad, until a certain time, as in the phrases “fasting till noon on Ekadasi” (which is mentioned for the Ekadasis that occur before Vamana and Varaha Dwadasis) or “fasting till moonrise” (which is mentioned for Gaura Purnima).
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16413

Glorious 40th Anniversary of ISKCON Vrindavan (Album 95…
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Glorious 40th Anniversary of ISKCON Vrindavan (Album 95 photos)
HG Deena Bandhu prabhu welcoming guests for the opening of the 40th Festival Entertainment with the beginning of manasa Vrndavana Parikrama, along with a slide show of Vrndavana photos on large screen with Krsna Balarama’s classical musicians
Parividha prabhu presenting his KRSNA cultural cabaret.
Madhura Theatre from Moscow presenting Agni and Butterfly
Manipuri dancers presenting the six Seasons of Rasa Dances and their Martial Arts
See them here: http://goo.gl/Ht8ASq

Indian Government Agrees to Restore Yamuna River’s “Ecological Flow”
→ ISKCON News

The Indian government has finally agreed to restore the Yamuna’s ecological flow through several steps demanded by protestors, beginning with bringing the sacred river under the Environment Protection Act within two to three months. The move is a huge victory for the Free Yamuna Campaign of Braj (the land of Lord Krishna’s pastimes), which has been fighting for years now to restore the beleaguered river.

Mega New Visakhapatnam Temple Rises Out Of Cyclone Hudhud Destruction
→ ISKCON News

When Cyclone Hudhud raged through the province of Andhra Pradhesh on India’s East Coast on October 12th 2014, it caused serious damage to ISKCON Visakhapatnam, leaving devotees feeling demoralized. But like the proverbial phoenix from the flames, a grand, beautiful new temple is rising from the debris. Construction began on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima on March 15th this year.

Vindhyavali’s wifehood vs the Consumer Culture of Marriages
→ ISKCON News

In the consumer culture of marriage,one's commitment of wife-hood or husband-hood lasts as long as the spouse is meeting one's emotional and monetary needs. People want it out as soon as they see their needs not be met.  It is fascinating to contrast the current measurement of success in marriages with Vindhyavali's view of her husband Bali Maharaja losing everything and becoming completely poverty stricken.

ISKCON Malaysia Youths Bhakti Groove Program (Album 6…
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ISKCON Malaysia Youths Bhakti Groove Program (Album 6 photos)
KLANG - The second Bhakti Groove Youth gathering for this year was held on 21st March 2015 hosted by the ISKCON Klang Youth. It brought together more youth from the state of Selangor together. Around 30-35 youths attended the program which lasted about 3 hours. After a short kirtan, one of the youth members, Gauravani Dasa gave a half an hour talk in conjunction with the upcoming Rama Navami festival. Interestingly he spoke about the manifestation of lust, greed and anger which is represented by Ravaana, the evil character in the Ramayana. And to curtail this, we need to dovetail all our activities and thoughts to be Krishna Conscious centric.
See them here: http://goo.gl/RM6Szi

Hare Krishna! Kali-yuga loses: River Yamuna to come back to…
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Hare Krishna! Kali-yuga loses: River Yamuna to come back to Braja Vrndavana!
Bhaktisiddhanta Swami: A most positive event within the century, and unprecedented victory in the age of Kali; a new government supports the saints and sadhus in their concerns for preservation and restoration of the Yamuna, the wife of the Supreme, the cynosure of cultural India. As stated in the Skanda Purana the prediction of disappearance of the Yamuna after 5,000 years of entrance into the Kali-yuga; has been temporarily delayed because of the presence of the devotees of the Lord.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16409

No Outer Reflections—Only Inner Connection
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

No reflection photo No mirrors_zpsmj6bfvdh.jpg
Hearing celestial sounds like wind chimes but with ethereal notes of cavernous resonance and depth that gave me goose bumps, I wondered if I was dreaming, or in some heavenly place. Rising up from bed, I was wide awake—at least I felt super awake, yet strangely for me, fascinated and enlivened. The unusualness and loveliness of the reverberations were quite astonishing, as was the fact that I couldn’t make out a direction from where it was coming from. I felt like I was wearing surround sound headphones or in a room with speakers in every direction, included up and down.
Feeling joyfully confused I was curious if I was hearing through my physical ears, or from within? I couldn’t tell, though I knew this was an extraordinary, other worldly experience. Every cell in my body was also vibrating to the all-pervading concert.

I rose and turned on the light. Looking around, it was my room alright, yet it seemed it was breathing, or moving to the music. Everything was pulsating, contracting and expanding. I saw the room and its contents as moving flecks, atoms, I guessed, and the particles of air seemed like flowing, effervescent mist. No, I wasn’t on drugs—I know what that’s like from my past. This was not a chemical hallucination. I was so sure of that—as sure as I live and breathe and experience, but even more than that, as I was hyper alert, yet in the most natural way possible.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the light. There were no mirrors, but just the bare unpainted walls where mirrors had been. Instead of a mirror image, I could sense myself as a conscious being. Wow, that was quite an improvement! Actually everything seemed divine and in harmony. Every part fit with every other part. Nothing was separate from the Source, yet each thing had its own existence, but in perfect cooperation. I thought, “This is how life should be.”

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Insulting Shiva
→ The Enquirer

“Great sages, please hear me,” Dakṣa exclaimed. “Divinities and fire-gods please listen, too. I will speak about the ways of good conduct.”

Seeing Dakṣa staring intensely at Śiva while saying this, everyone became nervous. Dakṣa did not want them to interrupt, so he said, “I will not speak out of hatred, but I cannot ignore the facts.”

Glaring continuously at Śiva, Dakṣa declared, “This one shamelessly ruins the glories of those who protect the worlds! His pride pollutes the paths of good behavior! He accepted a position as my dependent by pretending to be a good man and taking the hand of my daughter in a proper marriage performed by learned priests, with sacred fire and mantra – but this was all a sham! His deceitful, monkey-eyes stole the hand of my honest, doe-eyed daughter! It is obvious that he does not truly accept me as his father-in-law, for he refuses to show me any honor by rising from his seat or even saying anything at all to welcome me!

“I did not want to give my dear daughter to him – for he breaks all rules, follows no norms, and is proud and filthy. Giving my daughter to him was like giving philosophy to a construction worker! He lives amidst corpses, surrounded by horrible ghosts and spirits. He wanders naked, laughing and crying like a lunatic with disheveled hair. He ‘bathes’ in the ash of funeral pyres, and ‘dresses’ in a necklace of bones and skulls from the dead. His name is the only thing ‘auspicious’ (śiva) about this inauspicious creature! Only lunatics would love this lunatic, who protects the most insane creatures! He is dear only to those whose own soul is as dark as his!

“I only gave my superb daughter to him – the ill-hearted, impure master of madness – only because our Supreme Leader, Brahmā, ordered it.”

[Bhāgavatam 4.2.9 ~ 16]

Vraja Kishor dās – www.VrajaKishor.com


Tagged: Bhagavata Purana, Daksha, Sati, Shiva

Czech, March 2015
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Report by Klara

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAKadamba Kanana Swami arrived in Prague on Thursday, 12 March, in the late afternoon. He traveled from Berlin by train and there were about twenty-five devotees waiting for him at the railway station, with enthusiastic kirtan.

In Friday morning’s lecture, Maharaj spoke mainly about pure devotional service. During the day, he gave his association to some devotees through darshans and in the evening, he presented a very deep and serious lecture. Maharaj said that we should work on ourselves to become better people and that we have to WANT to change ourselves – it is not automatic. He went on further to say that our duty is to develop the qualities of a devotee and to become pure devotees, and anything that impedes us in achieving this goal, we should kick out from our lives.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe next morning’s lecture, was about paying respects to all living-beings, about being creative in giving out mercy and about all of us having to be real well-wishers. In the afternoon, Maharaj went to Harinam Mandir, which is a preaching center in downtown Prague. There, he led a really ecstatic kirtan and gave another very inspiring lecture. He spoke about the transcendental boat which is now anchored in Prague and which we should not let sail away. Also, we should not wait too long to buy tickets because we do not know how much time we have and there are not enough tickets for everyone. The temple room was totally packed that some devotees even had to stand in the hallway but the spiritual atmosphere was nice.

Sunday was the last day of Maharaja’s stay and he started the day with leading sweet kirtan at mangala arati – just like the previous days. Then he spoke about the sixty-four aspects of devotional service, that we should be eager about service and that the essence is not to convince people but to engage them in service. Again, he mentioned the point of creativity. The kirtan at the Sunday feast was amazing and surely pleased the presiding Deities Sri Sri Nitai-Navadvipacandra who were beautiful and luxuriously dressed. During the afternoon lecture, Maharaj touched on almost all chapters of Bhagavad-gita and inspired the audience to read the book and to those who did not have a copy yet, to buy one. Maharaj left just after the lecture and traveled to Leipzig, Germany.

CZ_Feb2015 (25)He stayed in Leipzig for two nights at the house of Mahibharta Prabhu and his wife Jana. On Monday afternoon, he attended a public program, with kirtan and a lecture, in the new Leipzig temple. Early on Tuesday morning, he departed for Amsterdam where he took his flight to South Africa on Wednesday (18 March).

As usual, it was really wonderful to spend time with Maharaj and we can hardly wait for his association, deep scriptural explanations and sense of humor during his next visit which should be at Czech Summer Camp in the beginning of July.

All glories to HH Kadamba Kanana Swami!

Visit flickr to see all the photos.

Hare Krishna! Krishna Balarama Citra-kavya O Krishna, sanctifier…
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Hare Krishna! Krishna Balarama Citra-kavya
O Krishna, sanctifier of the world! You are always favorable to the inhabitants of all the planets of the universe, including the demigods, who are able to give all sorts of material favors, and You bring happiness to everyone. O Lord of time, protector of the devotees! The whole existence rests within You, the Cupid of Vrindavana. Please remain dwelling happily here, being present before our eyes according to Your own will
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16402

Looking for Preschool Teachers!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Inspired by the success of Krishna conscious schools in various parts of the world, the devotees in the Greater Toronto Area are inspired to begin with a Krishna conscious pre-school in Toronto, Canada.  Below is the formal job description:

Full time preschool teachers required for a new Krishna Conscious preschool in the Toronto, ON, Canada Area. The school is scheduled to launch in Fall 2015.

Seeking role models of high moral character and strong Krishna Conscious lifestyle who can enthusiastically impart knowledge of Krishna consciousness.

A successful candidate for this position will possess the following skills and qualifications:

  • High ability to organize and multi-task
  • Professionalism, creativity and eagerness to learn
  • Loves working with pre-school children
  • Strong English language skills, including written and oral communication
  • A MACTE or AMI certificate is an asset.
  • Current First Aid / CPR Certification
  • At least one year experience teaching in a preschool environment

The salary will be commensurate to the experience and at par with the market standard. We will consider sponsoring work permits for suitably qualified individuals if necessary.

Please forward your CV and a covering letter - please be sure to include your answer to "Why do you want to teach at a Krishna Conscious PreSchool". For more information please contact - kids@torontokrishna.com

Museum of Sacred Art The Museum of Sacred Art- MOSA at…
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Museum of Sacred Art
The Museum of Sacred Art- MOSA at Radhadesh, Durbuy about 100 Km from Brussels opened in 2009 with a dedicated focus on the traditional and living arts of India revolving around the theme of devotion.
Set within the campus of a beautiful nineteenth-century chateau near the historic town in the Belgian Ardennes, it has now expanded its brief to include contemporary Indian art from across different spiritual traditions and faiths. The museum has also opened a branch in Italy at Villa Vrindavan near Florence where a magnificent heritage building is getting restored to house MOSA.
Funded primarily by Martin Gurvich, its founding director, the MOSA collection has been diligently built during his various visits to India over the years. The museum makes a unique platform for exposure of Indian art in the West. It features work that artists of the sub-continent have continued to create over the centuries with renewed vigour and in new presentations. With work by masters and young artists, MOSA has over one thousand artworks in its collection. There are paintings, sculptures, photography,installations, digital, and video art creations, representing major spiritual traditions of the world. This it is hoped will encourage interfaith dialogue through the arts. In the two galleries at Radhadesh, exhibitions of works from the collection are held from time to time. And when the new purpose-built museum, currently on plans, is ready, it will house the main collection. Meanwhile a selection of the works that makes the Forms of Devotion exhibition and project will be touring select museums around the world.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/NCiKzt

Hare Krishna! She Won, I Lost! My wife showed an equal…
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Hare Krishna! She Won, I Lost!
My wife showed an equal disinterest in religious matters. Although she would attend religious functions held in her village, her main purpose was to entertain herself with some singing and dancing that’s all. But one day, in 2008, she met an ISKCON devotee who hailed from our village. This devotee was trying to establish Krishna consciousness here, and my wife was very much influenced by him. She immediately adopted the devotional principles whole heartedly and repeatedly urged me to take up too.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16399

Lovely Planet is now in Malaysia
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY SIMHESWARA DASA

Peter with Tyaga Caitanya Dasa at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR - During the past month we had the fortune to associate with 60 year old Peter Quest (not Richard Quest of CNN) from Darlington, England. He has been staying at our New Godruma Dhama farm and travelling with me around the country to help make video clips of our ISKCON Malaysia activities.

Peter interviewing Adi Purusha Krishna Dasa. A video clip on Srila Prabhupada is in the making

Daily Srimad Bhagavatham class in Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur. A team of 14 Russian devotees have been with us helping to spread the Lord's message throughout Malaysia

Srila Prabhupada gave a lecture in May 1971 at Mariamman temple, Teluk Intan

Sri Sri Doyal Nitai Gaura Hari in ISKCON Teluk Intan

Log onto www.lovelyplanettv.com/travel-resources.html to view his clips on the ISKCON Malaysia activities.

Praying for protection at New Godruma Dhama farm
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY SIMHESWARA DASA


LANCANG, PAHANG, MALAYSIA - A few days ago I read that the Meteorological Department is preparing for extreme weather such as cyclones and hurricanes brought about by climatic change and global warming. At the same time the head of the department said they cannot predict dates as Malaysia does not have the expertise.


For the past three years we were hit with such strong winds at Lancang. Our farm suffered some building damages which we got repaired within 14 days. However we lost about 3 Jackfruit trees. Some pictures of last year's damages can be seen here.

Jackfruit tree uprooted


So we pray for the protection of Their Lordship again and prepare ourselves as well.

Roof of our bungalow was blown off



Seberang Jaya – Temple Update 25/3/2015
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY SIMHESWARA DASA
We are working as much as possible to schedule to.complete the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple building project.
Today 1st load of granites arrived, hence the mezzanine floor works will commence soon.


HH Janananda Goswami is at the project site and said that the temple is looking stunning and he also raised some positive concerns which we will be addressing.

Vindhyavali’s Wifehood vs the Consumer Culture of…
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Vindhyavali’s Wifehood vs the Consumer Culture of Marriages
Instead of seeing marriage as a committed partnership where spouses help one another in their advancement, marriages have been reduced to mundane material partnerships.In the consumer culture of marriage,one’s commitment of wife-hood or husband-hood lasts as long as the spouse is meeting one’s emotional and monetary needs. People want it out as soon as they see their needs not be met. It is fascinating to contrast the current measurement of success in marriages with Vindhyawalli’s view of her husband Bali Maharaja losing everything and becoming completely poverty stricken. Bali Maharaja was the grandson of Prahlada Maharaja and the king of the daityas and he had also conquered the heavenly planets. However he had given all his wealth and possessions in charity to Lord Vamana Deva and he was held captive by Him.Having nothing and no one he had just surrendered his head to the lotus feet of Lord Vamana.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16395