This has been on my Bucket List for a long time and it wasn't disappointing. 24/7, 365 days a year, six hours a day, rain, snow or shine, Rama Raya prabhu has a wonderful group of sweet and sincere devotees and friends that are totally absorbed in this blissful service. It was very enlivening for and old crudgeon as my self to be in the association of these very serious and sweet young devotees. It was also ecstatic having Vishnujana, Harinamananda and Gaura Karuna from the World Samkirtan Party there during my visit. If in NY do yourself a big favor and sit in and be captivated. Read more ›
While dying, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, intending to call his son Narayana. Nevertheless, he attained the spiritual world. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with faith and reverence? (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.49) Read more ›
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23.
“Srimati Radharani is a tenderhearted feminine counterpart of the supreme whole, resembling the perfectional stage of the worldly feminine nature. Therefore, the mercy of Radharani is available very readily to the sincere devotees, and once She recommends such a devotee to Lord Krsna, the Lord at once accepts the devotee’s admittance into His association. The conclusion is, therefore, that one should be more serious about seeking the mercy of the devotee than that of the Lord directly, and by one’s doing so (by the good will of the devotee) the natural attraction for the service of the Lord will be revived.”
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18.
“Anyone from any part of the world who becomes well conversant in the science of Krsna becomes a pure devotee and a spiritual master for the general mass of people and may reclaim them by purification of heart. Though a person be even the most sinful man, he can at once be purified by systematic contact with a pure Vaisnava. A Vaisnava, therefore, can accept a bona fide disciple from any part of the world without any consideration of caste and creed and promote him by regulative principles to the status of a pure Vaisnava who is transcendental to brahminical culture.”
1969 September 25: "Dress has to be accepted according to the taste of others and foodstuffs accepted according to the eater's taste. So if you think this kind of dress will attract more people, you can dress yourself in that manner. But our real dress is the tilaka and sikha." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969
1970 September 25: "It appears they were advised to come to India and join Tirtha Maharaj. It is now clear that my Godbrothers take objection to my being called Prabhupada and on this point they want to poison the whole Society - that is now clear." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1970 September 25: "You will remember I called you not Gargamuni but Gargamoney. Whenever I required some money I approached you and you were kind to pay me immediately. So please continue your capacity in this way. That will please Krsna." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1971 September 25: "Krishna will give you all intelligence how to push on this movement. Now we are giving commentary on the Western philosophers. I never studied philosophy or science but Krishna has given me the intelligence how to defeat their nonsensical proposals." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1971 September 25: "Secure the tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra and hold a fire yajna. Then the devotees should hear the tape individually, privately, through the right ear. They should repeat each word. Then get the threads on their bodies." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1975 September 25: "The District Court has given us the permission 'for as long as the country lasts.' By the grace of Krishna may your country last forever, and may the justice also live a long time and may you go on selling my books. That is my desire." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
1975 September 25: "In your country the girls are being exploited. They are taught to be independent so they become playthings for sex. So where is the freedom? I want that they live, man and wife together, chant Hare Krishna and be happy." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
In Sri Dham Mayapur, the largest temple in the world is presently being erected, the Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Temple of the Vedic Planetarium or “TOVP” for short.
Our Founder Acharya, Srila Prabhupada stated, “Now you all together make this Vedic Planetarium very nice, so that people will come and see. From the description in the Srimad Bhagavatam you prepare this Vedic Planetarium. My idea is to attract people of the whole world to Mayapur” Thus this project is a fulfillment of Srila Prabhupada’s wish and devotees from all over the world are coming together to help in the construction of what has been dubbed the “temple for the next millennium”.
Earlier this year, the TOVP Canada team was formed in order to have a coordinated effort to participate and collect funds for selected key elements of the TOVP project. Our initial collections from Canada will go towards the purchase of a “lightning arrester system” which will protect the temple and in particular the central dome from lightning strikes.
The inaugural event for TOVP Canada is a special visit of H.G. Radha Jivana Prabhu on the weekend of October 4th and 5th with a special discourse at ISKCON Toronto’s Sunday Feast on October 5th.
Radha Jivana Prabhu comes from a well established Vaishnava family in Rajasthan. He was educated in Doon School and graduated from St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, after which he joined ISKCON in Shri Dham Mayapur in 1978. He served as the Vice President of Calcutta temple, director of BBT in Mayapur and a member of the administrative council in India. After serving in Mayapur for 14 years he shifted to Alachua, Florida, a large devotee community in America. Over the last two decades he has become a successful businessman who also provides employment for numerous devotees.
Radha Jivana Prabhu is a dedicated disciple of H.H. Tamal Krishna Goswami and actively supports a preaching center in Guanzao China. He has been a major donor in the construction of ISKCON Dwaraka, Rajkot as well as projects in Mayapur. Currently he is active in building the beautiful Las Vegas ISKCON temple.
During the last decade, Radha Jivana Prabhu has been involved in the protection of Brajdham Vrindavan where he was actively engaged in fighting the mining of the sacred hills of Braj where Krishna’s past times took place. After a great deal of effort he succeeded by convincing the government to declare the hills of Braj as protected forest land. He also financed and organized residents of Braj to perform Harinam kirtan in their villages every morning and in this way was able to influence thousands of villagers in and around Braj to participate in Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan movement.
For the last few years Radha Jivana Prabhu has headed a team of devotees to undertake the challenging service of persuading the government to clean the Yamuna River by organizing major public demonstrations throughout Braj. Last year he even marched to Delhi with fifty thousand people to highlight the plight of Yamuna River.
Most recently he has been asked by the GBC to take up the challenging work of raising $50 million in funds for the construction of the TOVP and is coming to present this “Once in a Millennium” opportunity to devotees in the Greater Toronto Area.
Pierre Edel (Premamaya Vasudeva Das) a beautiful soul carrying French and Russian origins started his journey at the Russian 'The Voice' programme. Having Lord Jagannath upfront and kanthimala on his neck, he started sharing his loving heart with hundreds of thousands of people.
Wednesdays & Sundays 6pm Each evening will introduce a fresh topic for contemplation interwoven with music, mantra and meditation.
Wed 1 Oct Jumping Power for Life’s Hurdles
Sun 5 Oct What is Kirtan?
Wed 8 Oct Chant 4 Change
Sun 12 Oct Roots of Kirtan
Wed 15 Oct Intro to Yoga Psychology
Sun 19 Oct Being for Real in a World of Labels
Wed 22 Oct Sweeter and Smoother Relationships
Sun 26 Oct The Heart of Yoga – 6 Hour Kirtan*
Wed 29 Oct Happy Heart Everyday Wednesdays Wednesdays $10/$5 for students w ID Sundays Koha
Yoga + Kirtan + Dinner Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Sundays 5pm A warm-up 45 minute Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class to free the body, then fly high into the Kirtan Programme at 6pm. Tuesdays & Wednesdays $12 Sundays Koha
Drumming Workshop + Dinner Tuesday 7 & 14 October 6pm
Learn introductory techniques to the Mridanga, a two-sided clay drum originating from India. If you have your own mridanga please bring it, otherwise some will be available. $10
Jam Night Kirtan + Dinner Tuesday 21 & 28 October 6pm Bring your ukulele, tambourine, guitar, your own voice, come clap your hands, any instrument welcome! or sit back and absorb the Kirtan. Open for everyone. $10
*6 Hour Kirtan! + Dinner Sunday 26 October 5pm–midnight (includes 1 hour dinner interlude) Indulge in the ultimate sound experience. A variety of Kirtan leaders & bands will lead us through a non-stop evening. Come by for as much as you can, for what promises to be an awesome night! Koha
We host Events occassionally for the Local Community. The programs are posted on this page for coming up Festivals or Events.
Damodara-Masa-2014
Weekly Program 25-09-2014
Srila Prabhupada Appearance 20-08-2014
Janmastami 17-08-2014
Radhastami 03-09-2014
Balaram Jayanti 09-08-2014
Jhulan Yatra 06-08-2014
Sri Prahalada 05-07-2014
Gaura Purnima 15-03-2014
Damodara-Masa-2013
BCs August Festive Season Calendar 17-08-2013
Monday Movies 03-12-2012
Jhulan Yatra Festival 10-08-2011
Lord Balaram's Appearance Day 13-08-2011
Janmastami Invitation 20-08-2011
Vyasa Puja Invitation 24-08-2011
Sri Radhastami 03-09-2011
Bhaktivinoda Thakur's Appearance Day 10-09-2011
Haribhakti Dey 22-10-2011
The Mayapuris
Mayapuris Tour 2011 - 26-10-2011 (BCGC)
Mayapuris Tour 2011 & Diwali Celebration - 27-10-2011 (BBSLSC)
Mayapuris Tour 2011 - Peace Yoga 30-10-2011
Govardhan Puja 29-10-2011
Damodara Masa 2011
Vaiyasaki Das 21-12-2011 - BCGC
Vaiyasaki Das 22-12-2011 - BBSLSC
Vaiyasaki Das 23-12-2011 - DURRUMBLE
Vaiyasaki Das 27-12-2011 - PYMC
Nityananda Trayodasi 04-02-2012
HH BV Madhava Swami 07-03-2012
Gaura Purnima 10-03-2012
HH Bhanu Swami 28-03-2012
Ram Navami 31-03-2012
Food Yoga 14-04-2012
Nrshimha Chaturdasi 05-05-2012
Gundica Marjana 17-06-2012
Surfers Paradise Festival 20-6-2012
HG Padma S Das 21-07-2012
Yoga Class by Jayita at BCGC 02-07-2012
Jhulan Yatra 01-08-2012
Balaram Jayanti 04-08-2012
Janmastami Invitation 11-08-2012
Vaiyasaki BCGC 05-08-2012
HH Vedavyasa Goswami 19-09-2012
Radhastami 22-09-2012
HH Sacinandana Swami 03-10-2012
Madhava Kirtan 03-10-2012
Empowerment Yoga with Jayita 20-08-2012 to 06-12-2012-B
Abhay Charan Movie Night 17-08-2012
ANNOUNCEMENT:Bhakti Centre Gold Coast of Surfers Paradise invites everyone to DAMODARA LILA. Please see program details for full information. All Welcome!
The late summer has brought us a bounty of vegetables and a mountain of work preparing for the fall. The teaching garden is filled with fall colors as the mums, calendula, daisies, and lilies have begun to bloom. As the summer flowers and vegetables have completed their season the beds containing annual flowers (one that do not grow back in the spring) are being cover cropped. In the photo above daikon radishes are growing around daises yet to bloom. Other cover crops in the teaching garden include vicia vilosa (winter legume), wheat, and rye.
Colors of fall at New Vrindaban
In the Garden of Seven Gates it has been all about harvesting, building, and planting. Yes, I said planting; this time of year it is difficult to keep up the same early summer pace in the garden. Weeds start to win the epic battle with the garden, some plants start to struggle, and just keeping up with the harvest in a daunting task all its own. However, to really get the most of your garden don’t miss out on the often forgotten benefits of fall planting. In early August we seeded cabbage, spinach, lettuce, radishes, and beets which all love the fall weather and are fairly quick to harvest (none more than 60 days). At the end of August we seeded for our winter greens high tunnel with many of the same crops and added kale. The buckwheat field is now filled with an infinity of beautiful radish greens. In the terraces where vegetables like tomatoes and sweet potatoes were growing it is now cover cropped for the fall and will return early in the spring. For weeks we had beautiful fields of giant sunflowers, the seeds are now drying to be shared with the community. Their former home is now a field of rye.
Sunflowers in the back field of the Garden of Seven Gates
With more green beans to come, squash harvest, greens, and amaranth we still have a lot of picking to do. The test plot of giant golden amaranth has proven not only to be sustainable (no irrigation, no fertilizer, no pesticides), beautiful (most plants are over 9 feet tall filled with seeds) it produced an incredible bumper crop of amazing gluten free complete grains. Which will be harvested after the first frost.
Amaranth in the Garden of Seven Gates
Another exciting harvest this year was sweet potatoes. This is a crop I suggest for everyone that can create some form of raised bed in their garden. When planted under the right conditions a single plant slip yields 8-10 lbs of sweet potatoes. We had enough to set up a “grown on site” sweet potato fry booth at the Festival of Colors. We had a wonderful response and were very excited to share our harvest with people from many different communities.
As the New Vrindaban gardens transition to fall I will leave you with a quote from Rose G. Kingsley….. “In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November.” The Autumn Garden 1905
A very important aspect of our Japa is chanting with faith and how we reach that. Mahatma dasa gives a very informative and practical talk on this subject.
Hare Krishna! It’s been a while — since the last time we talked I’ve relocated to New Vrindaban, it’s been quite a lovely journey immersing myself in this eclectic community & landscape. Real life is such that my virtual life has somewhat suffered which to me is a wonderful thing. At any rate my husband […]
The rural community of New Vraja Dhama in Hungary, with 207 devotees and 50 cows, is Sivarama Swami’s offering of love to his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Over two decades of selfless hard work by the Hungarian devotees has produced one of the finest projects in ISKCON. The presiding deities, Radha Syamasundara, are worshipped with [...]
Associating with other bhakti-yogis will help us to develop the strength of hope and faith. In school, usually we find the teacher that affected us the most was the person who appreciated what we could do. From a material prospective I wasn’t a very good student. But when I think back about my studies, my favorite teacher was not the person who gave the most profoundly comprehensive talks, but rather the person who believed in the potential of what I could do. He saw something in me that I was too distracted to recognize myself. So this teacher, he brought that quality and later, when I went to India and met my guru Srila Prabhupada, it was magnified ever that much more. Read more ›
When the Hare Krishna mantra is chanted by many men together, it is called sankirtana, and as a result of such a yajna there will be clouds in the sky (yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg.2.14]). In these days of drought, people can gain relief from scarcity of rain and food by the simple method of the Hare Krishna yajna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport) Read more ›
Kali-yuga continues for 432,000 years, of which only 5,000 years have passed. Of the balance 427,000 years, the 10,000 years of the sankirtana movement inaugurated by Sri Caitanaya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago provide the opportunity for the fallen souls of Kali-yuga to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and thus return home, back to Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.5.23 Purport) Read more ›
This weekend Kirtan London celebrated it's 2 year anniversary with a 6 Hour Kirtan in the Park! ... and an amazing picnic! Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us the last 2 years, we hope to share lots more kirtan with you in the future! Read more ›
It is imperative that all devotees in Krishna consciousness practice chanting some mantra. Certainly one should chant the Hare Krishna mantra, which is the maha-mantra, or great mantra, and also one should practice chanting cintamani-prakara-sadmasu or the Nirsimha strotra (ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho, yato yato yami tato nrsimhah) (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.3.1 Purport) Read more ›
If we simply place ourselves at the lotus feet of Krishna by taking to Krishna consciousness and keeping always in touch with Him by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we need not take much trouble in arranging to return to the spiritual world. By the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this is very easy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.53 Purport) Read more ›
In today’s age, many students are trailing on unrighteous paths by indulging in self-destructive habits like alcoholism, smoking and having illicit relations, and resultantly the students are thus suffering from anxiety, hyperactivity, and indulgence in violence and watching obscene contents etc.
To present a positive alternative & taking an opportunity of World Holy Name Festival, the devotees of ISKCON Pune launched a colorful and vibrant Program in schools, intended to introduce students with ‘Hare Krishna’ mahamantra chanting and spiritual concepts through melodious kirtans, skits, short talks etc.
Around 4000 students across the Pune in various schools attended these programs. Read more ›
My doctor friend and student, Vikas Pandit (AKA Jagannatha Mishra and I) had trekked the night before along Lake Ontario. To me, it’s a haunting place with some currents of obnoxious smells from the local Stelco plant. The wind blew warmly and strongly against our bodies. Trees danced, but to the exclusion of their legs. Waves of water lapped against the sandy edge of the beach. It was eerie in a nice kind of way, and the sensation encouraged a long awaited 6 hour straight sleep to follow – a rarity.
Jagannatha drove me to the ISKCON Brampton Centre this morning where kirtan, philosophy and food occupied mid day. Then I was driven to Toronto for a second delivery of words. This time, readings from “Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint”. I had chosen passages that would illustrate in what I’d call ‘mind blowers’. For those amongst the community who have become familiar with some of our rigid practices regarding eating habits, such as no chocolate, no onion stricture, I read about the loopholes, or flexibilities, that our guru implemented. He was obviously teaching the lesson that while it is good to exercise self-discipline, one must bear in mind that time, place, and circumstance have their utility. From the book, here’s what one person, Kaushalya, recalls in this regard:
“A lady had prepared a huge and delicious vegetarian feast for us, but there were onions throughout the vegetables. One of the men leaned over to Prabhuapda and whispered, ‘Prabhupada, there are onions in the vegetables,’ Prabhupada looked over at him angrily and said, ‘Quiet, eat, it doesn’t matter, just eat.’ He didn’t want to offend her. Being an appreciative guest was more of a concern to him than the fact that there were onions in the vegetables. He ate it and complimented her on her cooking. “Another time we were served chocolate, and we all thought, ‘Oh, we’re not supposed to eat chocolate because it’s got caffeine in it.’ Prabhupada said, ‘Eat it.’ He was casual in some ways and strict in other ways. I think his principle was he didn’t want to offend our hosts by being a stickler for the rules and regulations. It was a great example.” May the Source be with you!
I like the crowd at Shanti Yoga Studio on Main Street in Hamilton. The hosts, Alex and Jay, are so accommodating. The people that come to partake in our kirtan and talk are eager, receptive and responsive.
I teamed up with the Gaura Shakti Bhajan Band, and with Keshava, who does so well with being emcee to our bhakti presentation. Our experience is that it doesn’t take much to take this group from the lotus sitting position, to elevate up to standing and jumping for chants and dance.
The mantrasused: “Om namo Bhaghavate vasudevaya”, a Ram mantra, and finally, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare”. Each successive sound got better, more inclusive (participation wise) and became indicative of surrender.
We are looking at 60 people who have the heart and fervour of the Kelowna, BC response this last summer.
How was the food at the end? Marvelous! Our chef, Sachi, put out her best. Her best love and creativity. It was prasadam (blessed by God). I also had the floor to present Tales From Trails, highlighting the practice of an ancient past – walking with purposeful intent. I relayed to the group how a motorist stopped to offer a ride one day this summer. I apologized, “I can’t take rides, I’m walking the nation.”
“Is this for personal growth?” he asked.
And I said, “Absolutely, I’m being totally selfish.”
This in many ways was the message of the night, “Be selfish! Get strong in order to help others.” If the chanting doesn’t do it (get you in shape) then I don’t know what will. Ultimately it’s an individual and collective effort.
This has been on my Bucket List for a long time and it wasn't disappointing. 24/7, 365 days a year, six hours a day, rain, snow or shine, Rama Raya prabhu has a wonderful group of sweet and sincere devotees and friends that are totally absorbed in this blissful service. It was very enlivening for and old crudgeon as my self to be in the association of these very serious and sweet young devotees. It was also ecstatic having Vishnujana, Harinamananda and Gaura Karuna from the World Samkirtan Party there during my visit. If in NY do yourself a big favor and sit in and be captivated. Read more › 
While dying, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, intending to call his son Narayana. Nevertheless, he attained the spiritual world. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with faith and reverence? (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.49) 
Associating with other bhakti-yogis will help us to develop the strength of hope and faith. In school, usually we find the teacher that affected us the most was the person who appreciated what we could do. From a material prospective I wasn’t a very good student. But when I think back about my studies, my favorite teacher was not the person who gave the most profoundly comprehensive talks, but rather the person who believed in the potential of what I could do. He saw something in me that I was too distracted to recognize myself. So this teacher, he brought that quality and later, when I went to India and met my guru Srila Prabhupada, it was magnified ever that much more. 
When the Hare Krishna mantra is chanted by many men together, it is called sankirtana, and as a result of such a yajna there will be clouds in the sky (yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg.2.14]). In these days of drought, people can gain relief from scarcity of rain and food by the simple method of the Hare Krishna yajna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport) 
Kali-yuga continues for 432,000 years, of which only 5,000 years have passed. Of the balance 427,000 years, the 10,000 years of the sankirtana movement inaugurated by Sri Caitanaya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago provide the opportunity for the fallen souls of Kali-yuga to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and thus return home, back to Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.5.23 Purport) 
This weekend Kirtan London celebrated it's 2 year anniversary with a 6 Hour Kirtan in the Park! ... and an amazing picnic! Thanks so much to everyone who has supported us the last 2 years, we hope to share lots more kirtan with you in the future! 
It is imperative that all devotees in Krishna consciousness practice chanting some mantra. Certainly one should chant the Hare Krishna mantra, which is the maha-mantra, or great mantra, and also one should practice chanting cintamani-prakara-sadmasu or the Nirsimha strotra (ito nrsimhah parato nrsimho, yato yato yami tato nrsimhah) (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.3.1 Purport) 
If we simply place ourselves at the lotus feet of Krishna by taking to Krishna consciousness and keeping always in touch with Him by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we need not take much trouble in arranging to return to the spiritual world. By the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this is very easy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.53 Purport) 
We were invited to perform the invocation for the Dallas City Hall Council Meeting. The verse I choose is Bhagavad Gita 7.8 
In today’s age, many students are trailing on unrighteous paths by indulging in self-destructive habits like alcoholism, smoking and having illicit relations, and resultantly the students are thus suffering from anxiety, hyperactivity, and indulgence in violence and watching obscene contents etc.
To present a positive alternative & taking an opportunity of World Holy Name Festival, the devotees of ISKCON Pune launched a colorful and vibrant Program in schools, intended to introduce students with ‘Hare Krishna’ mahamantra chanting and spiritual concepts through melodious kirtans, skits, short talks etc.
Around 4000 students across the Pune in various schools attended these programs.