Websites from the ISKCON Universe
New Year Kirtan Mela 2015, Iskcon Los Angeles (Album 125 HR photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The difference between a devotee and a nondevotee is this, just like the bee and the fly: the bee always is attracted by the honey and flies go to the open sores. So the devotee is only attracted by the good qualities in other people and does not see their faults. Letter to Badrinarayana, November 7, 1971.
See them here: http://goo.gl/ERLHFd
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
Preachers living in ISKCON temples follow this advice daily. They rise early and gather for maṅgala-ārati before the temple Deities, chant kīrtana and japa, hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class, and honor prasādam in the association of devotees. Strengthened by this morning program, they go out to preach in the most materialistic places in the world, offering people a chance to receive Krishna’s mercy in the form of literature, prasādam, or hari-nāma. In the early evening the preachers return to the temple for more chanting and hearing. While they are with the nondevotees, they do not compromise their devotional principles, and thus they keep their hearts aloof from the modes of material nature and bad association.
Narada Bhakti Sutra 3-45
I was reflecting back on my year and noticed how much easier devotional life is whilst stopping at the temple, even my 16 rounds are usually completed before 4-30 and their is always time to read and discuss Srimad Bhagavatam with the many inspirational devotees.
However a majority of my time is spent outside of the temple, the work devotional duties become a fine balance especially when looking at japa and reading/hearing from both the Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam
This got me thinking and analysing my day, and how I use my time is it productive and wise?
My thoughts turned to this and it was something I discussed during my last stay at The Manor, in the day their is always a few spare 10minutes either waiting for one thing or another. How am I spending this time?
It occurred to me in this small 10 minute break I could do one steady unrushed round of Japa and one complete verse including purport of a chosen scripture; the smart phone also allows me access to HH Sivarama Swami’s podcast which is always short and inspirational, or to read a small article written by one of our amazing devotees either using the link on planetiskcon or dandavats.com.
Many devotees like myself who spend a long time outside of direct association use social media, it is wonderful so many images of Sri Krishna and postings of devotee activities but be careful if your like me it could easily distract
Each of these spare 5 or 10 minutes soon add up, used wisely I noticed an increase which also meant a more joyful productive day.
As Srila Prabhupada said “Don’t waste time chant Hare Krishna”
It occurred to me I have been a first class fool misusing these precious 10 minutes studying the inside of my eyelid’s, so that’s my New Years resolution right their to not waste time and make the most of these spare 10 minute’s.
May be you may want to join me after all what’s 10 minutes in your day, it too will make a difference in your day.
Hare Krishna
Goura Vrindavana, Brazil (Album 120 photos)
Half way between Sao Paulo & Rio there is a beautiful farm of 800 hectares of Atlantic Rain Forest.
See them here: http://goo.gl/NmFo6x
Village preaching with Harinam kirtan in Farrukhabad UttarPradesh (Album 9 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one renders even a small amount of sincere devotional service, Krishna becomes obliged to elevate such person; and what to speak of one whose entire life and soul has been dedicated to Krishna’s service. Letter to Harer Nama, November 6, 1969.
See them here: http://goo.gl/s4ARPo
New Year Kirtan Program in Dubai (Album 74 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Although materialists who are addicted to experimental knowledge and the so-called “scientific method” cannot place their faith in the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, it is a fact that simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra offenselessly one can be freed from all subtle and gross material conditions. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.74 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/9vw8uz
The post The miracle of the holy name – kirtan evening in Swansea appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Vraja Parikrama (Album 250 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya’s spiritual master instructed Him that one must read Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly and with scrutiny to gradually become attached to the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.73 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/O1YA4u
News Year Eve Harinam in Gold Coast, Australia (Album 40 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that since His spiritual master ordered Him only to chant the holy name of Krishna, He always chanted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra according to this direction (“krsna-mantra” japa sada-ei mantra-sara). (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.72 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/9ftFIm
The post January 2nd, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
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
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.
Mangla Arti of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;29th Dec 2014
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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Answer Podcast:
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Holy Name Meditation Podcast:
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Giriraj 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.”
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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:
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.
If you cannot view the video below then visit Youtube
If you cannot view the video below then visit Youtube.
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)
If you cannot see the audio player below then visit archive.org.
If you cannot see the audio player below then visit archive.org.
If you cannot see the audio player below then visit archive.org.
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:
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.
Bhagavatam-daily podcast:
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.
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 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
Harinama-sankirtana 31/12/2014 in Chisinau, Moldova (Album 42 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Padma Purana, Krishna says, mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tisthami narada: “O Narada, I am present wherever My devotees are chanting.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 17.132 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/GbGhFy
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
The post Book distribution festival kirtana appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Answer Podcast:
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Answer Podcast:
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