‘DEVI’: Devotional Empowerment Voluntary Initiative. Arising…
→ Dandavats.com



‘DEVI’: Devotional Empowerment Voluntary Initiative.
Arising from the women’s conference held earlier this year and part of Lotus Women and Krishna Care, an initiative called the DEVI Project was launched at the Manor’s Janmashtami festival. ‘DEVI’ is an acronym for Devotional Empowerment Voluntary Initiative and its aims are to empower, inspire, connect and protect women and girls. DEVI’s activities are broken down into the following initiatives: • DEVI Empower, to offer training and workshops to women; • DEVI Events, to arrange scheduled events throughout the year; • DEVI Connect, to network with women of other faith groups; • DEVI Survey, to conduct annual surveys among women; and • DEVI Protect, to offer a referralbased service for women facing domestic violence. DEVI is non-sectarian and seeks to help all women irrespective of belief, religion or race. If you would like to know more, email: devi@krishnatemple.com Also visit their Facebook page, under the name ‘DEVI - Devotional Empowerment Voluntary Initiative’. Follow them on Twitter: devi_108krishna
http://goo.gl/WLQtHQ

Changing Bodies in Vrindavana Dear Devotees, PAMHO. AGTSP. Does…
→ Dandavats.com



Changing Bodies in Vrindavana
Dear Devotees, PAMHO. AGTSP.
Does anyone know of a good source of timed lighting which would work on Indian elecricity to systematically light up the spirt soul in the heart regions of these 14 figures? The only ones who do it here do it on such a big scale, it would cost thousands of dollars.
Your servant,
Parvati devi dasi
Vrndavana Samadhi
parvati.acbsp@pamho.net

The Walking Monk Salad Dressing Bhaktimarga Swami: I just have…
→ Dandavats.com



The Walking Monk Salad Dressing
Bhaktimarga Swami: I just have to share with you what I consider delicious; The Walking Monk Salad Dressing. I’m a sucker for salads only when not naked. The salad will have to have some dressing. Offer it to your deity or picture of Krishna with mantras and you’ll find something divine.
Read it here: http://goo.gl/wB2X9N

Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban: “Loving Krishna”
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

New Vrindaban Bahulaban Cows Amburish 1975

Amburish prabhu herding cows at Bahulaban, 1975.

“The cows, the trees, the cowherd men and gopis, their chief engagement was loving Krsna, and in New Vrindaban we want to create this atmosphere and thereby show the whole world how practical and sublime our movement is.” – Srila Prabhupada, July 1973.

Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.

Bali TV
→ Ramai Swami

IMG_1066IMG_1064

Denpasar is a city of about 4 million people so there are many devotees who live in the area and attend the temple.

As a follow up to the Bhagavad-gita recital at the Tanah-lot temple, Bali TV came to our Jagannatha Gauranga temple to film, interview and tape my lecture.
They specifically asked questions about Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita as it is.
IMG_1065

“Tell people it is the real thing…”
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 13 April 2013, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.33)

ISKCON_Book_Distribution_035_WTo our book distributors, I would like to say this. When you are distributing books on the street, it is tough because people are not waiting for you. They did not come out to the streets to buy books. They came for another reason and then suddenly some extra-terrestrial comes, in his orange dress, and tries to put a book in their hands, “Woah. Noooooooooo! Not interested.”

But sometimes, somebody is just a little absent-minded and you just like, “Bang!” put the book in his hands. You know, he has got it in his hands. Then he stands there looking at it and then you tell him, “Yes, yes, we are not selling them. This book is for you.”

BV_book distribution“For me? Really? Oh.” And he has it in his hands. That is the nature of the hand; the hand wants to grab. And once the hand has grabbed it, then the hand does not want to let go. So, they have to have the book in the hand. Once they have the book in the hand, the hand wants to keep it even if the mind does not like it. “It’s mine.”

It is hard to let things go from your hand once you have got it. So then, you know, okay, some people will buy the book but there are also many people who say no. But those who had it in the hand but gave it back and said no, they will think about it, you know what I mean, like I said, it stays in the mind. They will be a little curious, “What was it anyway?”

Therefore, the people that say no today are the ones that are going to say yes tomorrow! They are already preparing the ground. So, do not worry about all those people that say no, it is okay. At least they got in contact; they had the chance and they let it go and they will start to think about it. And the next time a book is offered to them, they will think like well maybe…

Then sometimes, somebody walks up to you, out of nowhere and says, “Oh, can I have one of those books?” That is one of those guys that said no before and who has been thinking about it and finally, just on his own, comes and takes it. So in this way, we should penetrate with this knowledge because it is the real thing. We can tell people it is the real thing and it is! That is the nice thing and therefore sooner or later people will turn to it!

This Is My Time For Chanting
→ Japa Group

"Japa requires concentration. You obviously can’t do two things at once, such as watch television and chant on your beads. If you attempt that, it is offensive chanting and of little value. So you have to make up your mind, “This is my time for chanting,” and put other things aside."

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Book Marathon 2014 – Join the Effort!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

At the Hare Krishna Centre, the month of December is a busy one, as we celebrate our annual Srila Prabhupada Marathon - a collective effort by Hare Krishna temples around the world to share the knowledge of ‘Bhagavad-Gita’ and other spiritual books with public in a grand way. To-date, over five hundred million pieces of Vedic literature have been distributed around the world by ISKCON.  There are many ways for you to get involved!

The Gift of Knowledge - "Sastra Dana"
In the Bhagavad-Gita, Sri Krishna states, “For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.” (BG 18.68 & 69)

Taking this instruction to heart, your Toronto Hare Krishna Centre has been distributing tens of thousands of these spiritual books, including a whopping 50,000 last year, and hopes for another 50,000 in 2014. Many of these books are placed in hospitals, hotels, community centres, immigration centres, waiting rooms and other publicly accessible spaces through the generous donations of our community.

Thus, we are asking for your help with “Sastra Dana” or sharing of knowledge, by sponsoring Bhagavad-Gitas or even other Vedic texts. For example, sponsoring 108 hard-bound Bhagavad-Gitas is $1,080, 108 soft-bound Gitas is only $540, and 108 other smaller Vedic books is $216. You can give as much as your heart desires.

Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrta Full Sets on Sale!
December is typically a time to give and receive gifts and there is no better time to give your family a set of Srimad Bhagavatam or what is called the ripened fruit of all Vedic literature. The complete Srimad Bhagavatam set contains 12 cantos in a beautiful 18 volume hardbound set.

We brought in a large shipment, and in order to share this gift, it is being offered at a discounted price of $299, or around only $16 a book! This is the last few weeks that it will be offered at $299 (or $29 per month on a payment plan!), before the price likely increases to better reflect the actual cost and shipping. Please reserve your copy now before we are sold out! The Srimad Bhagavatam sets are also available in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and many other languages.

If you already have the Srimad Bhagavatam, we don’t want to leave you out! We are making the entire 9 volume Caitanya Caritamrta available for $129, or just around $14 per book!

Please reserve your set and make Srila Prabhupada’s desire come through that every respectable person should have a full set at home. Please drop by the “Bring Auspiciousness Home” table at Sunday Feast, contact toronto.sankirtan@gmail.com or call 1-888-412-7088 to reserve your set from the limited inventory.

25 Fun and puzzling Krishna Trivia Questions – #20 is my fav
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

  • 1 Answer

    ‪#‎KRISHNATRIVIA‬ At what store, in what city did Arjuna first meet Krishna? And what sparked their friendship?
  • 2 Answer

    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What fruit lost the battle with Krishna's quads during his pre and early teens? Clue: Nectar of Devotion. ‪#‎krishnatrivia‬
  • 3 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: With what 5 arrows does Krishna pierce the hearts of His devotees?
  • 4 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What name did one of Śrīla Prabhupāda's relatives give him when he was born?
  • 5 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Does anyone remember what Krishna did when Rukmini fainted from His teasing?‪#‎krishnatrivia‬
  • 6 Answer
    Philosophy Trivia: How does the disagreement between Māyāvādī impersonalist philosophers (absolute monist) and Vaiṣṇavas (inconceivable dual & non-dual existence) prove that the Vaiṣṇavas are right?
  • 7 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Where is Śrīla Prabhupāda's place of worship, his office, and his home?
  • 8 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Which story in the Bhāgavatam features a dragon? Closed book test only. No internets either.
  • 9 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What did people call Nityananda Prabhu when he went to school, how was he addressed? Ref Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Adi līlā
  • 10 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What happens when you bathe Krishna and his land with Ganga and celestial cow milk?
  • 11 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Who does Krishna tell? "You are more dear to me than Balarama."
  • 12 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Who is Kamsa actual father?
  • 13 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What made Narada laugh when he visited Krishna in the many palaces in Dwaraka?
  • 14 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Why did the demigods warn Kaṁsa about Devakī?
  • 15 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What is the weapon of Lord Chaitanya? (Ref: Jīva Gosvāmī's Kramasandarbha and/or Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta)
  • 16 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: beyond the 1/4 is the 3/4. Explain.
  • 17 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Why is Śrī Krishna ontological position called fourth dimension above that of His Maha Vishnu form? (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta)
  • 18 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: What color is Krishna's hair? (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2nd canto 2nd chapter)

  • 19 Answer

    ‪#‎krishnatrivia‬ Who are the six Vegans that you have to get to listen to you before you can be a real teacher? Let's see who get it first.
  • 20 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: Which avatar stops beings in invisible cloaking spaceships from interplanetary galactic genocide by the strength of his transcendental fashion show?

    If you already heard the answer from me don't post it.
  • 21 Answer

    ‪#‎KRISHNATRIVIA‬: What the name of the holiday that happens today (Halloween 2014) that inspired Rādhāranī to dress in a costume as a cowherd boy?
  • 22 Answer
    KRISHNA TRIVIA: what is the description of Mother Yaśodā skin color? Hint, answer can be found in the Nectar of Devotion & Krama Dipika
  • 23 Answer
    TRIVIA: What color turban did Krishna like to wear in Vrindavan?

  • 24 Answer 
    ‪#‎KRISHNATRIVIA‬ What unique Sanskrit word was used to describe the Yadus in Ch 70 of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam?
  • TRIVIA: why did the demigoddesses in Dvarpara Yuga pray for the Buddha Avatar?

Today is The Day!
→ ISKCON Malaysia

Today is the day we have been waiting for so eagerly. Yesterday's prelude to Kirtan Mela in Malaysia was the best appetizer that one could have had. The voice and music was divine to hear and we were given snippets of nectar of the Holy Name by the various kirtaneers during the actual Kirtan Mela. The mood was set, and even romantic under the canopy with shimmering lights, and the environment was cool with the showers from heaven it seemed. 

HH BB Govinda Swami made it clear that we have to be serious when we chant the Holy Names during the next two days of the Kirtan Mela to get the full benefit of the sankirtna yajna. Chant from your heart, be meditative and get rid of the biggest offense to Holy Name when you chant, which is wait for it... your handphone!! Keep them all switched off in the temple hall, absolutely no photo-shooting which distracts the kirtaneers and focus on the first word of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra which will in turn get you focused on the next 15 words of the Mahamantra. 

Stay focused and the Holy Name, will enter within your heart through the holes of your ears, which showers unparalleled nectar upon your soul.

Join us and let the Holy Name take you to a new paradigm. 

Don't forget to visit us at

ISKCONMALAYSIA.COM

to get the kirtaneer program schedule

Friday, November 14th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

The Walking Monk Salad Dressing
Sackville, NB
 
I just have to share with you what I consider delicious; The Walking Monk Salad Dressing.  Creator of the recipe: Radha Krishna Dasi from Montreal.
 
     (Makes approximately 750ml 2.5 cups)
     1/2 cup yogurt
     1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes (flakes)
     3 tablespoons tamari
     3 tablespoons olive oil
     2 tablespoon lemon juice
     2 1/2 tablespoon buckwheat honey
     1 teaspoon sweet paprika
     1 teaspoon ginger powder
     1/2 teaspoon asefateda (hing)
     1/2 teaspoon black pepper
 
     Put all ingredients in a mason jar and shake until smooth.
 
I'm a sucker for salads only when not naked.  The salad will have to have some dressing.  Offer it to your deity or picture of Krishna with mantras and you'll find something divine. 
 
Speaking of executing a ritual, I was graced with occasions to speak at two universities about rites of passage.  Firstly, at St. Thomas University I demonstrated a puja (worship procedure) for a standard arati.  It involves incense, flame, water, towel, flower, bell, and blowing conch.  I think it was a treat for Professor Parkhill's students.
 
Then in Sackville, New Brunswick, the practice of kirtan was highlighted at Mount Allison University with students of Barb Clayton.  This was delectable as was the first group and as is the salad dressing.
 
May the Source be with you.
 
5 KM

Thursday, November 13th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

With and Without Zoro
 
Fredericton, NB
 
With all the talk in recent years about Global Village realities where cultural distinctions merge into a corporate-intended melting pot we may wonder if unique identities even stand a chance for a place in society.  Some believe that you can never wipe out or merge distinctiveness completely; that the world will also appear to function on a unity in diversity basis in one way or another.
 
I found interesting that as a guest speaker to a class on Religious Studies at St. Thomas University on the path of Krishna Consciousness, Prof. Parkhill, our invitee, was embarking on a theme 'How We Other Others'.  My assumption on this topic is how and why people build walls between each other, overall the dynamics behind seeing the guy on the other side of the fence as different and passing fast judgement on him.
 
In any event, my presentation was done, students seemed satisfied with responses to questions and we finished with a happy kirtan.
 
Wade, a resident of Fredericton, was kind to take me to O'Dell Park with its windy trails through new and old growth.  He's been employed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and also with the provincial government as a speech writer for politicians.  “I'd rather chop wood and stick it in a neat pile than write those speeches”, Wade admitted to me as we walked with his lanky grayhound dog Zorro.  Wade, by the way, chants Hare Krishna on his wooden beads daily.  Today trailed and talked and at intervals identified trees like the dense hardwood tree called ironwood, the hemlock and the balsam fir which is the popular Christmas tree.
 
Wade and I moved on, without Zorro, to the local Hindu temple along with Nitai Rama, Sahil, and Nirmana.  All went super well.  Prof. Parkhill came and a gathering of people, origins from all over India.  We dwelt on 18:65 and 66 from the Gita, had our puja (worships) and then delighted in prasadam.  That food was extremely hot.  I wanted to get the fire hose.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 KM

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Blissed out in Moncton
 
Moncton, NB
 
Moncton appears to have a lively art community so far as I can see.  Not cancelling out librarians who are open minded folks plus massage therapists, earth people and so this was the genre of people who came to Kimberly's place for our kirtan in the evening. 
 
From the get-go , response to the maha mantra was phenomenal.  It was not just about people moving their tongue and lips.  It was about moving the whole body.  That's why I say, from the start of the mrdanga drum beat, Sahil, with his crisp tapping was able to stir up and shake up the maya or illusion within us.  Some people just didn't want to sit down on a cushion or chair.  Their conviction was to stand and then get 'carried' (physically) by the sound of drum and mantra. 
 
The last time I conducted kirtan in Moncton it occurred when I walked through the town in 2012 with my fourth cross-country trek in progress.  The venue was someone's back yard .  The space was filled with all these free spirited people, and like this evening, every single person took to moving every muscle.  It was a deja-vu experience, for sure.
 
At the end of our final kirtan I asked participants how they felt in one word.  Here's what they said, 'elated', 'joyful', 'open', 'carried', 'blissful', 'free'.  And the last person Sahil, himself, who felt all the descriptive words possible were already used ended up with the word 'speechless'.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
2 KM

Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

On the Island


George knows the Krishnas from Centre Island in Toronto in the summertime.  Here we are, Sahil and I, at Canada’s east coast, far far from Toronto, and he knows us for our colossal festival in mid-July. 

George works for the immigration department.  He’s interested in people.  We got to meeting and chatting with him just as we were wrapping up our little kirtan at the Victoria Park Boardwalk.  Our conversation was centred around the topic of “people” and the multicultural world in which we live, of a domain of many tribes, nations, races, and customs.  George, being of oriental origin, knows all too well how accommodating has been to accepting multiple peoples from around the world. 

The common factor is that we are not Canadian or Chinese or American, we are all humanity.  The ultimate commonality, however, is that we are all spiritual beings.  This topic, I felt, I need not address to George, he already knows.  How he delighted in seeing the name Krishna on the mantra card I gave him.  How he excitedly talked about Krishna’s food.  He was embracing the whole spiritual concept merely on the basis of his own experience.  What an awesome encounter it was to be with him. 

Sahil and I moved on to the residence of Shoba, who is always the perfect host.  At her home, we met with familiar faces that come to her place at least annually when I visit.  They are practically all professionals, some retired from the South East Asian community.  On every one of these occasions, I speak from a verse of the Gita.  “This time,” I wondered, “what can I offer them that they do not have?  Ah, yes, beads for mantra meditation.”

And so I demonstrated the use of beads.  Practically everyone went away with a set anticipating to their use and to the great aid that a set of beads can offer in the spiritual regimentation and purification of things. 

May the Source be with you!

9 KM