В поисках незыблемого металла
- TOVP.org

Если мы ищем совершенство, то ничто не может стать нашей преградой. Этому можно найти множество подтверждений и следующий рассказ как раз служит доказательством.

18 сентября Виласини деви даси, представитель команды ТОВП и наш главный архитектор, прибыла в Шанхай, с целью встретиться с технической командой местной Корпорации металлов – ведущей в производстве и поставке металлов и сопутсвующих товаров.

Для Калаша, Чакры и нескольких других элементов снаружи Храма была выбрана нержавеющая сталь с золотой отделкой. Необходимыми требованиями с нашей стороны были – не менее 500 лет стойкости покрытия и низкие затраты на его поддержание. После интенсивных поисков Бхаскара дас и Парвата Муни дас решили нанести на покрытие из нержавеющей стали нитрид титана. Китай всегда занимал лидирующие позиции на рынке в производстве металлических изделий высшего качества. Так же было установлено, что китайцы владеют инфраструктурой, которая позволяет выполнить поставленую задачу за 45 дней, тогда как их индийским коллегам понадобилось бы 5 лет. По этому мы выбрали Шанхайскую Корпорацию металлов (ШКМ) – компанию, зарекомендовавшую себя очень хорошо.

Благодаря значительной поддержке Садбхуджи даса ( исполнительный директор), Парваты Муни даса и Бхаскары даса (команда по исследованиям), Виласини провела предварительные переговоры с ШКМ, после которых вышеупомянутая встреча была назначена на 19 сентября 2014. Ключевой темой стало обсуждение с технической командой методологических особенностей и используемой логистики.
Шанхай показался Виласини модернизированным и мультикультурным мегаполисом с необычным сочетанием старого и нового.

ШКМ с большой теплотой встретили Виласини. Их мастерство можно было видеть на образцах, находящихся в офисе. Первое впечатление дало нам большие надежды.

smc-sample-work-web

ШКМ одна из лидирующих компаний не только в Китае, но и во всем мире. Она имеет 13 офисов и филиалов в Азии, Европе и Америке. Их технологии и технические знания впечатляют, хотя не сильно промотируют свою продукцию.

Виласини пришлось приложить некоторые усилия, чтобы получить всю необходимую информацию.

Слева направо: Марк, Майкл, Брайан (управляющий директор), Виласини, Нишантх.

В общем, встреча прошла успешно. ШКМ также предостваили образцы 1.2 мм нержавеющей стали, покрытой нитрид титаном, с золотым и голубым оттенками, которые будут использоваться для Калаша и других архитектурных элементов.

Встреча была успешной для обеих сторон. Были достигнуты следующие соглашения:

  1. ШКМ предоставят все компоненты в соответствии с нашими требованиями
  2. Также они окажут техническую поддержку в установке

У Виласини также была возможность встретиться с некоторыми местными преданными и поучаствовать в киртане.

По милости Кришны и благодаря усилиям Виласини поездка была успешной. 3 дня она практически ничего не ела. Итог можно подвести последующими впечатлениями из ее дневника:

Узкие глаза, автомобилей гонки,
Откуда-то бегут все и куда-то.
В Китай приехала я не на отдых
Но дом чтоб возвести для Гауранги,
Как минимум на сотень пять лет стойкий

kirtan

The post В поисках незыблемого металла appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Seeking an Immutable Metal
- TOVP.org

When it is perfection that is being pursued, there is nothing that can deter your success. There isn’t a dearth of corroborative examples and the following account is surely one such.

As a representative of the team, Vilasini devi dasi, the Head Architect for ToVP arrived at Shanghai on 18th September. The purpose of this visit was a meeting with the technical team of Shanghai Metal Corp., a leading name in the manufacture and supply of metal and allied products.

Going the conventional way, Stainless Steel with a gold finish, was the material of choice for the Kalash, Chakra and a few other elements on the temple exterior. The key requirements for the coating included a longevity of at least 500 years and low maintenance. After intensive research by Bhaskara Das and Parvata Muni Das, Titanium Nitride was picked as the material for coating the stainless steel . China has always been one of the forerunners in providing metal products of unmatched quality in the market. Also, it was found during the research they had the infrastructure to complete the task at hand in around 45 days which their Indian counterparts took at least 5 years to finish. Hence, a Chinese company of good repute, Shanghai Metal Corp. (SMC) was identified.

With extensive support from Sadbhuja Das (Managing Director), Parvata Muni Das and Bhaskara Das (Research team), Vilasini conducted the preliminary discussions with SMC, post which the a fore-mentioned meeting was scheduled for the 19th of September, 2014. The key agenda of the meeting was to consult with the technical team on the methodological specifics and logistics involved.

On her arrival, Vilasini found Shanghai city to be a modernized and multicultural metropolis with a charming mix of the old and new.

Vilasini was warmly welcomed at SMC. Their excellent workmanship was visible in the samples on display in their office. This was definitely a reassuring first impression.

smc-sample-work-web

SMC is one of the top companies in China as well the world with around 13 offices and subsidiaries located throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Their technology and technical knowledge is most impressive although they were unforthcoming about promoting their products.

With much prodding and nudging, Vilasini did succeed in gleaning all the required information from them.

From left to right: Mark, Michael, Bryan (Managing Director), Vilasini and Nishanth

By and large, it was a successful meeting. SMC also provided samples for 1.2mm Stainless Steel with Titanium Nitride coating in gold and blue shades which will be used for the temple Kalash and other architectural elements.

The meeting was concluded satisfactorily on both ends with the following points agreed upon

  1. SMC will supply all components done as per our requirements
  2. They will also provide technical support for installation

Vilasini also had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a few devotees in Shanghai and be a part of the kirtan during a yoga convention while she was there.

It is Krishna’s mercy and to Vilasini’s credit that this was indeed a successful trip and that she managed to survive those 3 days on food almost amounting to nothing. The trip could be summarized in the following impressions from her diary:

Racing cars, stretched eyes, babies in pairs,
People running hither and others running thither,
I enter the Chinese realm, not to holiday,
But to put a cap on Gauranga’s home,
For 500 years that it should stay.

kirtan

The post Seeking an Immutable Metal appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Damodara Program
→ Dandavats.com

With barely two weeks to the start of the auspicious Damodara month, which according to the Vaisnava scriptures is the holiest of all months, we are happy to offer you a user-friendly “Damodara-kit” to facilitate your celebration of this wonderful pastime. This can be used in the temple, devotees’ homes and where ever you may conduct the Damodara program. The Damodara program has been developed to assist the collective participation of congregations and has an outstanding success reaching over a 100,000 people in just one month in Malaysia. The Congregational Ministry wants to assist you in implementing this amazing program in your area. Read more ›

Srimad Bhavatam lecture by H.G Bhakta Rupa Prabhu at ISKCON Juhu of Mumbai, 2014-09-28 (video)
→ Dandavats.com

Simply by taking prasada and taking part in chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, ordinary persons are being considerably elevated. Saubhari Muni regrets that he had bad association even in the deepest part of the water. Because of the bad association of the sexually engaged fish, he fell down. A secluded place is also not secure unless there is good association. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.6.51 Purport) Read more ›

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-10-01 04:10:00 →

1951 October 1: "Mayavadins have cast a cloud over Bhagavad-gita and therefore common people are misled by them. It is not at all necessary that an ailing person shall oblige all classes of physicians for the sake of their being medical practitioners only. The patient must be treated by such physician only who is able to cure him."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

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