Message From the Chairman (Year of 2014)
- TOVP.org

2014 was a banner year for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridham Mayapur.

Construction continued to outpace expectations, buoyed by a robust fundraising campaign. The construction of the main dome is nearing completion, and the auxiliary domes are now being constructed. The project has entered a new phase of construction beginning a new contract for laying the brick walls. The brickwork reveals a new dimension of progress as the construction site becomes gradually transformed into a recognizable and massive temple.

The construction of the main altar is also progressing rapidly. In the future, thousands of people from all over the world will stand in the vast temple room to chant and dance before Sri Panchatattva, Sri Sri Radha Madhava and the Guru parampara. Simultaneously, the altar for Lord Nrisimhadev is progressing under His separate dome beside the main temple room.

The centerpiece of the temple complex will be the grand chandelier which will hang in the main dome of the TOVP. It will serve as a model of the universe to provide visitors an enlivening tour of the various regions of the cosmic creation according to descriptions in the Fifth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam and detailed instructions in the 1976 letter of Srila Prabhupada to Mr. Dhani. The TOVP team of artists and scholars have worked diligently to create a scale model of this chandelier inside a model of the main dome. This will help demonstrate how the mechanism of the planets will work as an exhibition inside the dome space.

As far as fundraising, our very competent team headed by Radha Jivan prabhu and Braja Vilas prabhu have been traveling around the world collecting for the project with enthusiastic success.

$5,000,000.00 has been collected from around the world in 2014, mostly from sincere supporters in South Africa under the leadership of Bhakti Chaitanya Swami, as well as in the Middle East. An additional $3,500,000.00 has been pledged. The BBT continues to generously support the project year after year, as outlined by Srila Prabhupada.

During Kartik this year my wife, Svaha devi dasi and I traveled to Vrindavan where an evening session was organized in the gardens of the MVT lawn. 200 + devotees attended, and several sanyasis. Radha Jivan and Braja Vilas prabhus introduced the Gratitude Platinum, Gold and Silver Coins to the audience and the total collection that evening was $1 million. One devotee from Doha took a platinum coin, Jayasri devi dasi from Sydney took 2 platinum coins at $250,000 each. Also donated was one gold coin at $108,000 and several silver coins at $11,000 each.

After Vrindavan we travelled to Dubai, Bahrain and Doha, where just in the devotee community we collected in pledges $2 million. Our ISKCON congregation is identifying with this “Gratitude Coin” program and many are finding it possible to pledge participation in one of the three levels. The gratitude is in reference to expressing gratitude to Srila Prabhupada as the 50th anniversary of Iskcon approaches in 2016. The others in the audience were gladly contributing $1600 for a gold brick and this way were are able to solicit participation from the devotees of every category.

I also want to mention some specific donations. Devamrita Swami kindly steered one of his disciples to give one million dollars to the TOVP project, for which we are extremely grateful for his exemplary leadership. Also Guru Gauranga from South Africa and Florida has given and pledged well over a million dollars. For these and the countless smaller donations which are propelling this project towards completion, may Srila Prabhupada give unlimited blessings.

In 2015, the TOVP team will be carrying the “holy shoes of Lord Nityananda prabhu” to many of the major temples in the world, asking the congregation to come forward to fulfil the Prophecy of Nityananda Prabhu in building this adbhut mandir. The tour will travel to South East Asia, Australasia, North America and parts of Europe with the intension of unifying the congregation of the world, and together offer this temple to Srila Prabhupada as our collective gratitude for giving us ISKCON for the last 50 years.

Praghosa prabhu, our vice chairman, has made the proposal to make 2015 “The Year of the TOVP”. We will be presenting this idea in Mayapur for the blessing of the GBC. In 2015 we are looking forward to the auspicious event of placing the kailash and chakra on the top of the main dome. It will be fabricated of stainless steel and coated with a gold, mirror finish of titanium nitrate. We pray to continue to receive the blessing and well wishes of Vaisnavas from around the world.

Thank you very much.

Ambarisa das

The post Message From the Chairman (Year of 2014) appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/21/2014
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ECO-Vrindaban Logo New Vrindaban ISKCON

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/21/2014

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam, Kripamaya (partial), Madhava Gosh (partial), and Ranaka.

Participating Advisors: Radha-Krishna, Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Managers: Mukunda

Recording secretary: Jordanna

1. Eco-Friendly Housing Committee

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to authorize an executive committee to plan and oversee the building of an eco-friendly house, which will be utilized both as ECO-V staff housing as well as a showcase/prototype for future eco-friendly housing in New Vrindaban.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board authorizes an executive committee of Ranaka, Navin Shyam, Madhava Gosh, and Chaitanya Mangala to work on the eco-friendly housing project. This committee will bring a budget request to the full board for approval when ready. Mukunda will soon be a full time ECO-V manager with certain powers and responsibilities designated to him throughout the planning and building process.

2. Introduction of New ECO-V Advisors

The ECO-V Board Members welcomed Radha-Krishna and Sri Tulasi Manjari to their first meeting as Advisors to the Board.

3. Gopal’s Garden Grant Proposal, 2014-2015

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to continue its support of a school in the New Vrindaban community.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a grant of up to $15K for the 2014-15 school year of Gopal’s Garden.

4. $31K for Purchase of Two Used Tractors

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to continue supporting gardening initiatives in New Vrindaban.

RESOLVED: The Board allocates up to $31K for the purchase of a hay tractor and a garden tractor.

$24K will be reallocated from previously approved funds for auction purchases, plus $7K of additional funding.

5. $1K for ECO-V Crew T-Shirts

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to increase awareness of the organization by creating t-shirts for crew members and giveaways.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $1K for the initial printing of ECO-V t-shirts.

6. New Vrindaban Eco-Village

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support the creation of an eco-village in the New Vrindaban community.

RESOLVED: The Board resolves to make the following changes to the current Madhuban Eco-Village projects:

·  combine the “Madhuban House Design” and “Madhuban Pond and Road” projects

·  rename the combined project “Eco-Village at New Vrindaban”

·  defund “Madhuban Ox Barn Design”

The balances for these projects (a combined total of $3,500) will be reapplied as seed funds for the new Eco-Village project.

7. Protected Dairy Processing

Ranaka reported that the topic of improving protected dairy processing at the Temple Kitchen was raised during the December Joint Board Meeting. At that time it was agreed this is primarily an INV Temple management issue. Jaya Krsna and other managers are aware and addressing it.

8. Spring 2015 Onsite Meeting

The next onsite meeting will be held March 14-15, 2015.

Proper Utilization of Time, December 31, Mumbai
Giriraj Swami

12.31.14_03.MumbaiGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17.

“Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead. SB 2.3.17.

Giriraj Swami: “One may raise the question that by rising and setting the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone but it also decreases the duration of life for those who utilize their time chanting and hearing about Krishna.  But, the Bhagavatam says it does not decrease their duration of life. How is that so? Because chanting and hearing about the glories of the Lord prepares one for eternal life with Krishna. And the rising and setting of the sun does not decrease the devotees duration of life but it brings them closer to their eternal life with Krishna. So, this is how we should use our time.”

12.31.14_01.Mumbai12.31.14_02.Mumbai12.31.14_04.Mumbai12.31.14_05.Mumbai———————————–

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17

Kirtan Standards by Jayadvaita Swami
→ KKSBlog

post-header-Featured-jas

A new addition to the Blog in 2015 is Featured Posts on Jayadvaita Swami. Posts in this category have been selected as they have proven to be very popular and well viewed over the years. Also included are articles that have very good quality content like special quotes or transcripts and super-quality audio or video recordings. See more in “Featured Posts on Jayadvaita Swami”.

Here is the first post of many to come:

Kirtan Standards

Jayadvaita Swami has been promoting standards on kirtan for a decade already. He started in March 2004 with a three day Kirtan Reform Workshop and he has continued ever since. You can listen to the recordings below. Recently, in October 2014, he gave a two day seminar on Kirtan Standards in Mumbai, ISKCON Juhu.This seminar was recorded by ISKCON Desire Tree and they have published both videos on Youtube.

1) Kirtan Standards Seminar – October 2014 

Day 1

If you cannot view the video below then visit Youtube

 

Day 2

If you cannot view the video below then visit Youtube.

2) Kirtan Reform Workshop – March 2004

The Kirtan Reform Workshop is part of the official seminar series by Jayadvaita Swami. Audio recordings are presented below.

A look at the trends within modern ISKCON kirtan and hearing about Srila Prabhupada’s standards and instructions for kirtan. Kirtan is one of the most important limbs of devotion service, and getting it right is crucial. A must for all kirtaniers, temple leaders and devotees who want to know what makes good kirtan.

Download audio (zip)

Stream this seminar (m3u. Plays with iTunes, Foobar, etc)

Day 1

If you cannot see the audio player below then visit archive.org.

 

Day 2

If you cannot see the audio player below then visit archive.org.

 

Day 3

If you cannot see the audio player below then visit archive.org.

 

 

New Years Eve Kirtan
→ Ramai Swami

IMG_1131IMG_1127

Around the world people celebrate New Years Eve by partying and fireworks. The devotees taking advantage of this situation usually go out on harinama, book and prasadam distribution.

The world harinama party, consisting of brahmacaris who travel around from country to country, headed up a big New Years harinama at Surfers Paradise. They were joined by local devotees who chanted and danced in ecstasy.IMG_1135IMG_1086

Emerald Isle Reveals Kirtan Gem in Gopagana’s “Sixth Rainfall”
→ ISKCON News

So far, “Sixth Rainfall” has been a hidden kirtan gem, with only a few homemade copies making the rounds amongst its creator’s friends. But the word is starting to spread about the unique project – an epic eight-hour boxset that was born in Gopagana Das’s home studio near the lake island temple of Govindadvipa in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Canada Couple Try to Live Prabhupada’s “Simple Life”
→ ISKCON News

A husband and wife devotee couple are trying to live a simple life on Canada’s Prince Edward Island according to ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s instructions – with inspiring results. Gaura Nitai Das, originally from Scotland, and Lala Gopala Dasi, a Cree native from the White Bear reservation in Saskatchewan, Canada, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada at Bhaktivedanta Manor near London in 1976.

31st night The New Year Eve Fest in Mayapur (Album 36…
→ Dandavats.com



31st night The New Year Eve Fest in Mayapur (Album 36 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A pure devotee cannot forget the Supreme Lord for a moment, and similarly the Supreme Lord cannot forget His pure devotee for a moment. This is the great blessing of the Krishna conscious process of chanting the maha-mantra. (Bhagavad-gita 9.14 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/WmUpcq

ISKCON-Delhi, New Year Cultural Program: 31-12-2014 (Album 21…
→ Dandavats.com



ISKCON-Delhi, New Year Cultural Program: 31-12-2014 (Album 21 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the holy name of God-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-eventually he will see Krishna’s form, realize Krishna’s qualities, and remember Krishna’s pastimes. That is the effect of the pure chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (A Second Chance, 16)
See them here: http://goo.gl/ZjEYbc

Radhakunda Seva – December 2014 Photos and Updates (Album 86…
→ Dandavats.com



Radhakunda Seva - December 2014 Photos and Updates (Album 86 photos)
Happy New Year, dear friends! A Baba from Badrinatha is celebrating the New Year in Radha Kunda with an offering of 108 tons of food preparations for Srimati Radharani! 2015 is being welcomed with fireworks, heaps of prasad laid out along Radha Kunda’s stairs, and brilliant décor draped from Radha Kunda’s temples. Tomorrow, January 2nd, the Badrinatha Baba plans to feed all the villagers in the thirty or so villages surrounding the Radha Kunda area. It brings us great happiness to witness Vaishnavas doing such wondrous service at Radha Kunda.
See them here: http://goo.gl/477kdN

Midnight-Harinam in Stockholm, Sweden (Album 13 photos) Srila…
→ Dandavats.com



Midnight-Harinam in Stockholm, Sweden (Album 13 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We can chant Hare Krishna, and Krishna will immediately become available. Krishna is available in this easy way, for which there are no hard and fast rules. We can chant at any time and immediately get Krishna. Just see the mercy of Krishna! (Teachings of Queen Kunti, 8, Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/oCusQN

Sankirtan Festival in Budapest, Hungary for the 2014 book…
→ Dandavats.com



Sankirtan Festival in Budapest, Hungary for the 2014 book distribution Marathon (Album 18 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The name Krishna and the Personality of Godhead Krishna are identical. There is no difference in the absolute realm between the name, form or person of the Absolute Truth because in the absolute realm everything is transcendental bliss. (Srimad Bhagavatam, Introduction)
See them here: http://goo.gl/GfSZQE

New Year Message from His Holiness Jayapataka Swami (11 min…
→ Dandavats.com



New Year Message from His Holiness Jayapataka Swami (11 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting Hare Krishna one fixes his mind always on the Supreme Lord. One example often given is that of the caterpillar that thinks of becoming a butterfly and so is transformed into a butterfly in the same life. Similarly, if we constantly think of Krishna, it is certain that at the end of our lives we shall have the same bodily constitution as Krishna.
(Bhagavad-gita, 8.8 Purport)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/y3Z1aQ