ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre Charity Fund Raising Dinner Presentation
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY  VANISHRI ADHARMA SATRU

PENANG - Held on the 28th September 2014, the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre in Seberang Jaya, Penang organized a gala dinner to raise awareness and funds for the almost complete Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding. Highlighting some of the activities held at the temple currently, this presentation is based on a modern track in contrast to the previous presentation highlighting the ISKCON activities around the world.

Shankari the Cow’s Recovery
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Shankari showing off her fancy red cast that Dr. Andy put on for her.

Shankari showing off her fancy red cast that Dr. Andy put on for her.

When we last reported on Shankari, she had just broken her leg & had been shipped up to OSU Vet Hospital to have metal plates/screws & a cast put on her leg.

Shankari sporting her blue, weight-bearing cast. Eagerly looking at the photographer for another handful of fresh cut grass.

Shankari sporting her blue, weight-bearing cast. Eagerly looking at the photographer for another handful of fresh cut grass.

In June, doctor’s came out & x-rayed her again & decided the red cast could be taken off & a weight-bearing blue cast could be put on next. After having the blue cast on for about a month, the local vet came out, gave another x-ray & decided she was ready to be cast free.

 

Shankari munching on some comfrey plants

Shankari munching on some comfrey plants

In August,  Shankari was given a little patch of pasture that she can munch on, though she’s still was not ready for much mobility. Radhanath Prabhu has been regularly bringing her comfrey plants to aid with her healing & monitoring her mobility to determine when she will be allowed to hang out in the small pasture at the Big Barn.

Shankari eating some hay. You can see her healed right leg which is larger than the left due to bone calcifying around the hardware.

Shankari eating some hay. You can see her healed right leg which is larger than the left due to bone calcifying around the hardware.

As of September, Shankari has been given the freedom to roam in the small pasture in front of the big barn. Radhanath Prabhu reported that she is doing well & that she will now run towards you if you happen to bring some jaggery when you come & see her. It seems Shankari’s injury has made her all that much sweeter. She loves to have company especially if they bring food (please consult with the cowherds prior to feeding her anything).

Shankari licking her nose after a refreshing drink of water.

Shankari licking her nose after a refreshing drink of water.

Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes, prayers, good vibes, donation & whatever else to aid in Shankari’s recovery. Without the support of the community it would not have been possible for Shankari to have such an amazing recover. Go-Mata Ki Jaya!

Let Other Things Wait
→ Japa Group

Doing other things while chanting is not good. Still, sometimes out of expediency you do it. But you should try to put off so-called expedient actions until after chanting. Chant at a designated time and chant loudly. Let other things wait.

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Monday, September 29, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

North York, Ontario
 
Back In
 
I am back in Canada, but still moving around. I was booked with Krishna Club at York University to speak on “A Day in the Life of a Monk.”  To reach the location on campus for sitting in the round, I decided to walk two thirds of the way there to Sheppard and Bathurst.
 
A young woman, Sonia, was waiting at the street corner near Holy Blossom Synagogue, when she saw me cross.  I heard her audible question over the traffic noise. “Are you a monk?”  I did a pedestrian u-turn and got to the spot of her standing point.
 
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.”
 
We got to talking. I wish she could have attended the talk I was delivering.  All along my trek on Bathurst I could see there were responsive people, including Jewish private school students, and Catholic Filipino folks now off from work.
 
I was reminded of the multicultural world we live in, not much different from the town I was raised in.  We had people of varying backgrounds, a veritable potpourri of folks.  English, French, Belgian, Dutch, Czechs, Italians, etc.  Even a brown Trinidadian man came to move to town to teach mathematics at the high school.
 
Eventually I did get picked up by Yura and Aastha for the balance of the trip to York U.  Aastha does standup comedy.  On her request, she had asked for topics she might include in her act.
 
“Why not open the Bhagavad-gita and derive some ideas from there – topics such as karma , dharma, the three modes, yoga, liberation, and happiness to begin with?”  Happiness is a topic she’s already been toying with, hence the question, “What else?”
 
We met with students in the round and delineated on a day in the life to a degree.  I believe the young minds were transported.  But I think the kirtan at the end of the session allowed themselves to travel for a moment extra-terrestially.  
 
May the Source be with you!
 
10 KM

Sunday, September 29th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk


Philadelphia, Pensylvania
 
Germantown and Beyond
 
Nikhil, a chap from Virginia, and I took to trekking along Germantown Avenue.  Architecturally, it has a European flavor with its homey-looking shops, cobblestone roads, tight lanes, and just charm.  Going east, it starts to take on a more gloomy, almost ghetto-like feel.
 
Being Sunday morning, you see the odd person at 7am on their way to work. A coffee shop employee, perhaps.  There is always a very devout mama who’s dressed in her Baptist best, hat a la mode and all.  A young teenaged black dude was darting down the street in a stark white shirt, tie, and spiffy suit.  As I was told last year on my visit here, this area became the first integrated neighbourhood in America.  Blacks, whites, southerners, northerners, new immigrants and earlier established folks all got along.  Spirituality may have had something to do with that.  Nikhil and I can see plenty of churches, even seminaries in the districts. The Lutherans have a gorgeous ground for their seminary students, just minutes from our ISKCON centre.
 
Several theology students did visit our temple and in fact, watched our play, “Little Big Ramayaan.” The audience – students and congregants – were so responsive. It seems that the signature line to this play is the final one.  When narration tells, “Relationships have always been complicated. Even on the divine Absolute realm.”   And of course what resonates with the audience also is Ravana’s line “You disgust me,” amplifying the general disdain that a worldly person has for the world.  Ravana is the nemesis of ego, something we can all relate to.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Mayapur ToVP
→ Ramai Swami

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Rainy season in Mayapur doesn’t stop construction going on at the Temple of Vedic Planetarium. The stainless steel superstructure for the main dome is progressing steadily and a lot of work has been done on the planetarium structure itself.

Even though at this time of year it is hot, humid and rainy, there are still numerous visitors to Sridhama Mayapur. In the afternoon the devotees hold talks and kirtan in the parks and many people gather around to hear and participate.
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Gurudeva offering
→ simple thoughts

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Dear Gurudeva,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to you on this special day of your appearance.
Were would I be without the shelter of your lotus feet, were would I be without your guidance and direction, what would I be doing if it wasn’t for your instructions?
During your latest UK visit their was great sadness at Bhaktivadanta Manor the feeling of neglect and separation in hearing your wonderful class and direction the inspiration in distributing your guru maharajas own books, the diligence in keeping it real with practical guidance on how to increase our desire to read and hear about Krishna and to serve others.
It is for me anyway easy to become neglectful forgetting how fortunate one is having the shelter of such an amazing and tolerant servant as yourself; dedication and focused on keeping each and every one of your disciples and aspiring disciples enthusiastic in our own service.
Words are inadequate as always to express the feelings one has, remaining humbled and inspired and with immense gratitude for being under the shelter of one such as you.
Thank you
Yours Humbly
Dhirabhakta Das

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Unfavorable Christian Helps Sell Srila Prabhupada’s Books!
→ Dandavats.com

My husband (Prithusrava dasa) & I went to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for four days of book distribution. On the first day, a Christian carrying a 6' x 10' sign reading "Surrender now to Jesus before it's too late" plus other Christian warnings, was shouting and parading back and forth just fifty feet from us for about an hour. When he noticed us distributing Bhagavad-gita, he took it upon himself to inform the students how demonic the Gita is and to warn them to stay away from "those Moonies." A number of students approached us and, whether interested in a book or not, thanked us for our peaceful style. Read more ›

A short presentation of the upcoming Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Seberang Jaya, Malaysia (5 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding. The first Iskcon temple in Malaysia, a temple for spiritual worship, a temple that combines the best of both the magnificant Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan and the majestic Jagannath Puri temple in Orissa, and a temple desired by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Read more ›

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-09-30 15:22:00 →

1967 September 30: " There is no necessity of stopping questioners by dogmatic statements. We are not lacking in philosophy - by the grace of Krishna we have got ample stock to answer anybody's intricate philosophical questions. You must now be careful so that people may not misunderstand us to be a second edition of the hippy movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-09-30 14:53:00 →

1975 September 30: "The Institute will be primarily for those who have not entered our temples. It will be official for the general mass but there will be no difference between our temples and the Institute. It will be a formal education and they will get degree but the subject matter should not be different from what is in the temples."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Right and wrong definitions of success in grihastha life
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Lecture Podcast

Lecture Summary:

Don’t offend bhakti by minimizing its potency unfavorably in comparison with the problems of grihastha ashrama (g. a.)

Pessimistic attitude towards g a becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy

Pendulum in definitions of success:

  1. Extreme: adopt grihamedhi’s definition eg “all this bhakti is too much.” Regular practice of sadhana ensure that we don’t get carried away by materialistic conceptions of success
  2. Extreme: adopt renunciate's definition eg. “see wife and children as temptations”

Balanced: see as opportunity to serve Krishna

Find individual comfort level for practicing bhakti

Success is not just leaving the world and coming to Krishna in the temple, but also taking Krishna from the temple to the world

Have healthy respect for profession – don’t alienate professionals

Don’t alienate children – “My parents made me feel bad about myself for not being a reincarnation of Prahlad Maharaj”

ISKCON’s maturation from the revolution mode to the re-establishment mode

Revolution – get joy in breaking down things including respected and essential edifices of social and spiritual stability including g. a.

SP adopted a hands-off policy towards g. a. because no sense of commitment

To glorify giving up of family responsibilities to those who never had an ethos of responsibility leads to a culture of irresponsibility

But re-establishment requires patience, learning and a service mood

 

Saturday, September 27th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Franklin’s Lookalike Spoke

I had asked the fellow dressed like Benjamin Franklin what his favourite quote was.  It is my second visit to the Chariot Festival in Philly, and it being such an historical city, and one of their proud father of the nation, in fact, was Mr. Franklin, whom had an incredible brain.  So I asked him for some wisdom.  The local man in period costume answered my question, “I have many sayings, but my chosen favourite is about talent that is hidden and not put to use is like a sundial in darkness.”

“I like that.  I thank you,” I said.  And then he went to Rome through the booths at the festival which is one block from the steps that the famous icon, Rocky Balboa, ran up and down at the art museum.

I had a chance to hear and see talent from the main stage.  Yadunatha from New York is a standup comedian, who pokes fun at ourselves, the Krishna monks.  He always cracks me up.  Talk about hidden talent.  I don’t happen to know his stage name, but he’s a great entertainer.  Just after his act came a local dance troupe presenting Odissi dance items.  The dancers were good, it just went on too long, leaving the audience with no break.  Then came our group performing “Little Big Ramayan”.  Now, I cannot speak objectively on the performance, but from my side I believe they executed their parts quite well despite challenges such as the slippery floor causing Ravana to fall off the stage.  All the performers had the chance to display their abilities – talent that’s not exhibited unless someone comes along to present the opportunity and discovers something wonderful. 

Regarding walking I believe that in this day of sophisticated mobilization, walking is a hidden talent, we have it in us.  If one gives it a chance, one will see how it benefits us in so many ways.

May the Source be with you!

10 klickaroos.

Friday, September 26th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Row The Boat

I made sure to trek a trail before the long 8 hour drive to Philly.  A group of 11 of us split between two rented vans made the pleasant journey through a  portion of upstate new York and Pennsylvania which is absolutely scenic.  The 11 of us were the invited drama troupe to the city’s Chariot Festival.  But one more person from California was to meet us in Philly to make the cast complete.  He was number 12.  I’m sorry to say that his cancelation at the last minute was disappointing.  He chose to be lazy.  He’s talented, this was a golden opportunity for him, he just didn’t make it to the airport in time.  Missed his flight and the ticket we paid for became dissolved.  He was just unable to get it together, although he had all the time.  This threw off our plans for a full cast.  Fortunately a capable actor/devotee was contacted and came to save the day.  My consideration is that everyone in life should endeavour to be that team player.  I am reminded of a phrase by Jean Paul Sartre, “Only the guy who is not rowing has time to rock the boat.”

Two elements checked what could have been an anger fit for me.  Number 1, the people I do have, 11 or so, are just a dream to be with.  They are cooperation personified.  Secondly, I was moved with some pity for the lost soul who lost our confidence, especially after not having apologized.  He must really be struggling in life.  He’s young, and it’s obvious he’s making some mistakes.  I will not give up on him should he choose to reach out for help.

Anyways, once reaching the city of brotherly love, we worked with our extra (Jon by name) and he was a fabulous replacement. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Thursday, September 25th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
 
About Grandma Gatewood
 
I trekked some of the streets today in Toronto (what else is new?) but I felt my mind to be miles away on a lonely but what's become a popular trail.  After an article about a trail-blazing walker was forwarded to me I felt to be backtracking and backtracking with this person.
 
The person referred to is Emma Rowena Gatewood.  An excellent book was recently published delineating her story and how she saved the well-known trail in America's east coast - the Appalachian Trail.
 
In 1955 Emma, known to many as Grandma Gatewood, became the first woman to hike the entire 2,168 mile (3,489 km) trail.  She did so in sneakers and carried an army blanket, a raincoat, shower curtain, and a change of clothes.  She took to harvesting wild plants and also carried cheese, nuts, and dried fruit along with dried (well you know we Hare Krishnas don't eat meat).
 
Now I was only 3 when this remarkable person accomplished this amazing feat, with her feet.  She is regarded as a pioneer for ultra-light hiking.  Awesome also is that she hiked the Appalachian Trail once again in 1960 and again at age 75 three years later.
 
This give me hope that age (I'm almost 62) is not a restriction for achieving long distance pilgrimage.  Her journey reminds me of the incredible hikes of yogis in the Himalayas who carried nothing, sometimes not even clothes on their back.  It is also reminiscent of what I've read about the Pandava princes of the Mahabharat when they made their final foot trek through the mountains.
Totally inspiring! 
 
May the Source be with you!
4 KM

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

The Grapes In Fall


I grabbed a grape while on the walk
Chewed in time to the stepping Croc
Felt the sun that reds the face
Walked along all o’er the place

Down Dupont, a road so plain
Stepped in stride and felt no pain
Moved those limbs in perfect swing
Like light flight on a feathered wing

I sang a song, a mantra low
Picked up speed and went not slow
I had my heart inside my shoes
There was no need to sing the blues

Chant and trek, trek and chant
I beat the mind which says, “I can’t”
I consumed a meal, mmm…  so good
Tummy’s fire liked the food

We monks ate with appetite
Eating veggies – a sense delight
“Enough’s enough,” we told the cook
Subuddhi had us on a hook

Then step by step I went on foot
The others cycled on the route
I spotted this grape, was so awesome
I imagine it was once a blossom

It hung from vine by a wall
A feature of the season we call “Fall”


May the Source be with you!

10 KM