ISKCON Participates in Hindu Forum of Europe General Assembly
→ ISKCON News

Several ISKCON leaders participated in the Hindu Forum of Europe’s General Assembly meetings in Savona, Italy on July 3rd and 4th this summer. “We’re trying to make sure that Hinduism is considered an official religion in EU countries, not an obscure sect,” says HFE President Radj Bhondoe. “So far it’s only officially recognized in three EU countries: the Netherlands, the UK and recently Italy. So there’s a lot of work to do.”

Joyful Balaram Poornima Celebration at Sri Jagannath Mandir Kuala Lumpur (Album 188 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

On 10th August Sri Jagannath Mandir Kuala Lumpur celebrated Sri Balaram Purnima in a grand manner .The festival started from mangala arati .The whole atmosphere was filled with joy. Later for deity greeting more congregation members gathered in the temple hall. When the curtain was opened the Lordships gave darshan with new multi-coloured outfits. Darshan arati was followed by Guru Puja. Then the Lordships Sri Sri Krsna Balaram was brought to the abhisheka mandapa and They were bathed with many auspicious items. After abhishekam while the Lordships were being dressed up H.G Simheswara Prabhu , Regional Secretory ISKCON Malaysia, spoke and inspired everyone highlighting the glories of Lord Balarama. Read more ›

Saturday, August 9th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk


Vancouver, British Columbia

The Change Within the Change


On a trail you’ll never see the foliage along the way to be the same as before.  Plants come up to replace old ones.  New invasive ones will eventually be invaded.

It was only three weeks ago that I was walking this trail in prime farmland and it was not hard to see the transitory nature of what happens along both sides of me.

Humans seem to always respond to the plant dynamics. For instance, the blackberry bushes come in like an army.  It’s vines hug (or choke) trees.  They climb fences and start to crawl on the trail or rail.  Someone will come along with a serious cutting instrument to fight back the invasion.  It appears to be one siege after another on behalf of both sides.

It looks like some people give up the comfort and just let nature in the form of colder weather get the aggressors to tone down.  Perhaps it’s like letting old age take to natural course, to subdue youthful passions.

Today also brought me to Stanley Park as it did so may other people.  I was impressed with a man who, as an artist, balanced irregular shaped rocks upon other rocks turning the nook along the beach at English Bay into a gallery to view with awe.  No double, a strong wind or a strong wave will change that and make it disappear.  Hence, a rearrangement of the physical continues on. 

This was my observations our humble chanting party breezed through the crowd along the attractive beach.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Bhakti Retreat Switzerland (Album 68 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

This years' Bhakti Retreat in Switzerland had special momentum. The organizers' goal was to facilitate spiritual experiences as much as possible - which they evidently did. Lots of devotional association, kirtan and katha was embedded in detailed care for life's necessities (like nourishing and delicious food) and a breathtaking landscape filled with energy which rejuvenated the body and mind during the breaks. Read more ›

Harinama in Pula, Croatia (Album 36 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The holy name and the Lord Himself are the same. Krsna personally positioned the chanting of His holy name at the very top of all auspicious activities. He is fully independant, autocratic and omnipotent. All processes have come into force due to His energy. He invested karma kanda with his material energy, and jnana kanda with his impersonal energy. Krsna then invested of His own accord His entire personal potency in the syllables of His holy name. There is no point in objecting to these arrangements. An intelligent person will therefore carefully avoid offending the allpowerful name of the Lord. Read more ›

Queens, New York – Rath Yatra & Balarama Purnima (Album 84 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Simply by namabhasa chanting one gains all the results of the paths of karma and jnana. So if mere namabhasa offers such wonderful results, then surely the pure name will offer so much more, unlimitedly. Therefore, whatever results the scriptures say are gained from chanting are easily obtainable by the devotee who is attached to the pure name. Read more ›

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/14/14
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

New Vrindaban Swan Lake Chatra 1983

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/14/14.

Similar to last week, since the people in the photo are not easily recognizable we’ll ask a broader question.

This week’s challenge: How many devotees can you name who were part of the New Vrindaban construction crew around the time of this photo?

Extra credit: When and where was this photo taken? (hint: same as last week!)

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit Website.

Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!

Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.

ISKCON New Vrindaban Logo

Don’t centralize – train for individual growth
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“You want to make big plans for centralization of management. I do not at all approve of such a plan. Do not centralize anything. … The movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments and action not for making  bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility…”
(Letter to Karandhar in ‘72)

- Srila Prabhupada

Reflections on the Soul
→ Seed of Devotion


January 3rd, 2013

Today I went to Tim Carter's ash immersion ceremony.

Our small party took a boat to the other side of the sacred river Ganga. When the actual ceremony began, Tim's family members gathered around and the ashes were brought out. I had been asked to lead everyone in singing, so I began to sing the Hare Krishna melody that Lilananda Prabhu had composed in honor of Tim. Seeing those ashes of Tim felt strange. The pile of ashes was gray and formless.

Those ashes couldn't be Tim. They couldn't.

Tim was in the melody I was singing.

Nevertheless, there was something so complete and powerful about the ceremony, recognizing this deep need for closure, to release a soul to Krishna. When Jananivas Prabhu packed mud around the ashes and poured and sprinkled different substances on the ashes, I felt as though Tim was getting cooled from a high fever. Like, "Ahhh... at last, you're letting me go."

There was a timeless moment when I stood on the banks of the river, the wind blew my sari, and the sun glinted off the water and shone on my face. I watched the sacred ceremony unfold to put Tim to rest. I had a moment of realizing that we will all die, our bodies will all become ash one day. Memories of us will also fade.

There must be a soul. There must be a soul, an eternal soul that is bright and beautiful and eternal.





Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-14 02:10:00 →

1958 August 14: "I wish that a personality like yourself may accept the leadership. Responsible gentlemen who are managing all other affairs, must also take up the responsibility of this missionary activity as well then it will successful. I hope you will take the matter very seriously and do some practical service for the satisfaction of the Lord."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

Has the Lord come under Maya in Kali-yuga that he is not able to protect Deities
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Ajay Gauranga Prabhu

During Moghal empire the kings broke many temples as well as beautiful deities. Few Sultans kept those deities as stepping stone of their Mosques so that people would trample it. It gives chance to impious people or Mayavadis to say that Lord is not able to protect Himself because He is currently under influence of Maya. So He will not be able to protect His devotees also. Hence what should be our answer to them?

Answer Podcast

Why were Indian rulers other than Shivaji not empowered by the Lord to protect Vedic culture?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Ajay Gauranga Prabhu

Recently I read few pages about Indian history. I was shocked to know how India was till 10th century & how it is now. There were beautiful temples having beautiful deities. There were many spiritual universities. There were many nice vaishnavas.

But Moghals ruled around 500 years followed by Britishers for about 200 years. There were lots of persecutions done by Moghals. Each & every ruling Sultan destroyed innumerable temples, killed Vaishnavas, broke beautiful deities just because there was some cultural & philosophical difference between what they followed & what Indians followed.

Also King Shivaji could resist these invaders in quite good amount in Maharashtra, Kranataka as well as Tamilnadu. Then why his descendants were not enough empowered like him?

Also we see in consecutive years there was Maratha kingdom but due to lack of cooperation between each other they lost their ruling thus few Britishers could easily rule India. Thus Britishers systematically destroyed Indian spiritual heritage simultaneously killed many cows.

Hence should we see this as Lord’s plan to create impious atmosphere because living entities in kaliyuga don’t want spiritual atmosphere. Also is this right understanding that Lord wants to create impious atmosphere as per the karma of the people in this age?

Answer Podcast

ISKCON Scarborough – Special Krsna Janmastami program coming Sunday‏ at 10.30 am
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

 A special Krsna Janmastami program will take place at ISKCON Scarborough coming Sunday – 17th August 2014

Schedule for Friday - Sri Krsna Janmastami celebrations:
10.00 am- Grand abhishek on the deities of Sri Radha Krsna
10.30 am- Tulasi Arti
10.45 am – Guru Puja
11 am- Janmastami class by His Grace Gaura das prabhu /His Grace Kaliyapahni das prabhu
12 noon- Arti
12.30 pm- 1 round of group chanting of Maha Mantra

Devotees fast until midnight on this day


Sri Krsna Janmastami
The auspicious day of the appearance of Lord Krishna is celebrated all over the world as Sri Krishna Janmastami. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Shraavan. Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in Mathura as son of Vasudeva and Devaki.

In Bhagavad Gita 4.8, Lord Krsna teaches the reason for his descend:

paritranaya sadhunam

vinasaya ca duskrtam

dharma-samsthapanarthaya

sambhavami yuge yuge

"To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium".


In Bhagavad Gita 4.9, Lord krsna teaches us how to get out of this wheel of misery

janma karma ca me divyam

evam yo vetti tattvatah

tyaktva deham punar janma

naiti mam eti so 'rjuna

"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna".


The Appearance day of Srila Prabhupada  falls on Monday 18th August.

Vyasa-puja means "worship of Vyasa," Vyasa being the compiler of the Vedic scriptures and thus the original spiritual master.

Devotees honour Srila Prabhupada - our Param Guru on the spiritual master's appearance day (a respectful term for "birthday") because he authentically transmits the teachings of Vyasa.
Although ISKCON has many spiritual masters, or acaryas, Srila Prabhupada, the founder-Acharya, holds a permanent position of special esteem. So just as when he was physically present (1965 through 1977), each year devotees gather on his appearance day to praise him and recall his glories.

Devotees fast until noon on this day

Special feast on Friday- 22nd August 2014:

We will have a grand feast on this day to celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day on 22nd Aug 2014
We invite you, your family and your friends to join us for the Janmastami  celebration coming Sunday at 10.30 am

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address: 

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website: 

www.iskconscarborough.com

  

Special Feast & Grand celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Brampton/Mississauga
→ ISKCON Brampton

GRAND CELEBRATION TIMINGS :
5:00am to 9:00am  -- Morning programs
9:00am to 5:00pm  -- Temple closed for Grand Celebration preparation
5:00pm to Midnight -- Janmashtami Celebration.


Grand Celebration & Special Feast

When?

Sunday,Aug 17th,2014
Program starts at 5.00pm

Where?

6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen

Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!
Program Schedule
MANGAL AARTI PROGRAM:
5:00am Mangal aarti/ Kirtan
5:30am Sri Nrsingadeva Prayer
5:35am Tulasi aarti/ Kirtan
5:50am Welcome announcements
6:00am Congregational Japa
6:30am Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Jayarasheswari Devi Dasi
7:15am Guru Puja/Kirtan
7:30 am onwards Garlands & Decorations
EVENING FESTIVITIES:
5.00pm Guru Puja / Kirtan
5.15pm Welcome Announcements
5:25pm Srila Prabhupada memories - Movie
6:30pm Gaura aarti / Kirtan
6:55pm Sri Nrsingadeva Prayer
7:00pm Announcements
7:05pm Adharam Madhuram' by Hladini Group
7:35pm Announcements
7:40pm SRI KRISHNA MAHA ABHISHEK (Kalash & Bhoga Offerings)
8:40pm Announcements
8:45pm Special JanamastamiPresentation by Sunday school
9:00pm Certificate giving ceremony for BCEC students
9:10pm Games
9:40pm Kirtan time
10:10pm Announcements
10:15pm Krishna Janamastami Class by HG Vaisnava Dasa
11:00pm Countdown kirtan
12.00pm Midnight aarti & kirtan
Sponsorships:
"If anything is donated to a devotee of lord Visnu in the name of lord Visnu,the charity is said to be pure and the only solution for liberation."
[Hari Bhakti Vilasa,11.64,Skanda Purana]

Sponsor a Kalash
If you and your family would like to participate in the bathing ceremony(Mahabhiseka Ceremony) of  lord Krishna,please don't forget to sign-up for a kalash-$108/family so may we may reserve one for your family.

**Janamastami Maha Feast**............$251
**Janamastami special Sringara**......$351
**Special Midnight Floral dresses**....$301
**others**

Please contact Krsna smaran Devi Dasi(kavitabalram@yahoo.com) or call @ 416.648.3312.

Volunteering:
For service opportunity,please contact Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi (premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com)

About Janmashtami:(Fasting till midnight)
paritranay sadhunam
vinsaya ca duskrtam
darma-samsthapanrthaya
sambhavami yuge yuge


"To deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants, as well as to restablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear millennium after millennium."
In Bhagavad-gita, the Lord says that" His appearance, birth, and activities, are all transcendental, and one who understands them factually becomes immediately eligible to be transferred to the spiritual world. "
– Chapter 3: Birth of Lord Krishna, Krishna Book by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The sublime meaning of Sri Krishna's birthday is His arrival for a reunion festival of loving exchanges with His eternal ecstatic servants.Janamastami is therefore an advent of the deliverer.
You may find a beautiful class on Janamastami by Srila Prabhupada here
 http://prabhupada.krishna.com/janmashtami-lecture-london

 Offerings for Sri Krsna
"If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower,  fruit or water, I will accept it."(BG-9.26)
You are invited to bring vegetarian offerings (no onion, garlic, eggs, vinegar) of food for Krishna.[In brand new aluminium one or two serving sized container]
*Nothing store-bought. Must be fresh and home-made.
*No tasting or sampling. Krishna must be the first to taste your offering.
Kirtan Etiquette Workshop

 On Saturday August 16th,2014 @ 9.30am(sharp) by His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami.
This workshop is open to everyone. We encourage all of those who are engaged in kirtan seva at ISKCON Brampton -Kirtanyas, kartal players, Mrdanga players and other musical instruments to attend this workshop. This is one of the GBC's resolutions to follow proper kirtan etiquette in all ISKCON centres.

*Handouts will be provided please do confirm your attendance ASAP with Aindra Dasa.(vdussoye@gmail.com)
*Prasadam will be served.

**Please stay behind for maha-clean up**

Maha Clean-up & Temple Decor
On Aug 16th,2014

We humbly request everyone to stay behind for the pre-Janamastami festivities and help with the cleaning of the temple.
Appearance of Srila Prabhupada(Fasting till noon)
celebration on Aug 18th,2014 @ 7.00pm

Sponsorships:

**Srila Prabhupada Maha Feast**..........$251
**Pushpabhiseka Ceremony**...............$151

About Vyasa Puja Celebration
"Sri-Guru-Carana-Padma,Kevala-Bhakati-Sadma,Bando Mui Savadhana Mate"

"The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the abode of pure devotional service.I bow down to those lotus feet with great care and attention."
-[Prema-bhakti-candrika]

Vyasa-puja is an annual celebration by the devotees of Lord Krishna to offer homage to their guru, or spiritual master. Vyasa-puja means “worship of Vyasa,” Vyasa being the compiler of the Vedic scriptures and thus the original spiritual master.

The ceremony takes place on the spiritual master’s appearance day (a respectful term for “birthday”). Disciples honour their guru because he authentically transmits the teachings of Vyasa.

Although the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has many spiritual masters, or acaryas, Srila Prabhupada, its founder-Acharya, holds a permanent position of special esteem. So just as when he was physically present (1965 through 1977), each year his disciples and followers gather on his appearance day to praise him and recall his glories.

**Details of the program will be posted shortly**

IB's 2ND Festival of Chariots
WHAT: An Indian multi-cultural festival will be celebrated with entertainment for Children and the whole family. There will be live music, singing, Kids performances, book fair, question & answer booth and free vegetarian snacks. A special feature of the celebration is the Ratha Yatra Parade, the oldest known parade in the world, and the Festival of India.
WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 2014, 11 am to 4pm;
WHERE: Gage Park, Brampton
WHO: All are welcome. Free admission. Wholesome fun for kids and the entire family
SPECIAL: VERY VISUAL event with colourful traditional costumes and flower decorations.**Photography is permitted**

All are warmly invited to attend this joyous, colourful festival, free of charge. Take advantage of a rare chance to experience the vibrancy of India, right here in Brampton.
For more info, please contact:
Aindra Dasa.
email: iskconbrampton@gmail.com
http://iskconbrampton.blogspot.ca/p/ratha-yatra.html


**Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated**

Kamsa’s moment of doubt
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 09 May 2014, Bhaktivedanta Manor, England, Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.23.36)

kks_serbia_RY_2014In the Nectar of Devotion, we have a description of Kamsa’s moment of doubt. I like it! Kamsa sits on his throne in Mathura, in his ultimate mood of demoniac nature, and he is thinking, “Hah, what can Krsna do to me? Nothing! I have powerful malice. So many. I mean Keshi, you know Keshi, the ultimate personification of power. What is this Krsna going to do to me?”

Just then, the messenger runs into the court, “Your majesty, your majesty, your majesty. Tragic news!”

Kamsa, “WHAT?”

“Your majesty… Keshi!”

 Kamsa, “Noooo, not Keshi!

“Your majesty, Keshi is no more.”

Kamsa, “No, he (Krsna) is too powerful, he is inconceivable! How is it possible? Maybe, maybe I should just surrender unto him? But what would people say, imagine me, Kamsa! No, I could not do that! Maybe then I should just go to Vrindavan and inflict pain on the residents. But how can I go when I’m too afraid to leave the palace because of Krsna.”

Isn’t it nice that even Kamsa, for a moment, was thinking, “Maybe I should just surrender!” Just see, that gives us hope. If that can come up in Kamsa’s head and heart then anybody has a chance. That is nice. Even the demons are touched by Krsna. Krsna is Bhagavan.

 

Greetings From the New Vrindaban Gardens 8-14
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

 

Teaching garden entrance New Vrindaban ECO-Vrindaban

Beautiful new entrance to the teaching garden.

As we have entered into August the weather has been anything but typical.  The abundant rain has allowed us to use almost no irrigation. But the lack of sunshine, cold temperatures, and constantly wet plants has caused  devastation to our crop of tomatoes. Late blight has struck nearly all of the 600 tomato plants in the Garden of Seven Gates.  Next year we will move the crop, use all new supports, and increase the potassium in the early season.   For more information about late blight check out this link. http://www.longislandhort.cornell.edu/vegpath/photos/lateblight_tomato.htm.   On a very positive note we have been doing tons of flowers and vegetable harvesting. We are currently picking: tomatoes, peppers, swiss chard, kale, green beans, basil, mint, beets, radishes, cucumbers, dill, watermelons, lettuce, bittermelon, raspberries, and much more.  Within the next few weeks we will be harvesting squash, sweet potatoes, soy beans, amaranth, sunflower seeds, and pole beans. Flowers have been thriving and we have a beautiful abundance and great variety.  Each day flowers are picked for the deities and for the Pushpa Abhishek festival we were able to pick 154 gallons of marigolds.

New Vrindaban fruit

First two ripe golden watermelons.

The rain has been great for germinating new seedlings.  This week we started  fall seedlings: cabbage, beets, kale, spinach, kohlrabi, and peas.  We are also starting to plant cover crops.  One of the fields that has been resting to increase soil fertility first had a crop of buckwheat and has now been planted with daikon radishes.  With 1 acre we will have unlimited greens and radishes and what we don’t use will be used as a ground breaking compost.

Garden of seven gates seeding New Vrindaban ECO-Vrindaban

Seeding cover crops

New Vrindaban Garden ECO-Vrindaban

Daikon Radish field

The most exciting improvement in the Garden of Seven Gates has been the reconstruction of two former greenhouses.  We are building a hot house (heated green house) for both our spring and fall seedlings.  We are also building two high tunnel greenhouses one for year round greens and the other for season extending flowers. The three greenhouses are located within the gates of the Garden of Seven Gates.  As we enter into the late summer we will continue to plant and harvest while plans for next years gardens are already being drawn out. Happy Harvesting!

New Vrindaban Teaching Garden ECO-Vrindaban

Marigolds in the Teaching Garden

Harinama in Croatia, Makarska (Album 21 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The exaggerations in the karmakanda section of the Vedas appeal to ambitious materialists. Concessions to selfishness are absent from the scriptural presentation of the method of chanting the holy name in pure devotion. The scriptures frankly declare that the results of the karmakanda process are merely transient sensual enjoyments, whereas the results of chanting the holy name and engaging in Krsna's service are eternal and permanent. Read more ›

Kirtan Etiquette Workshop with His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami on Saturday August 16th,2014 @ 9.30am(sharp)
→ ISKCON Brampton

On Saturday August 16th,2014 @ 9.30am(sharp) by His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami.

This workshop is open to everyone. We encourage all of those who are engaged in kirtan seva at ISKCON Brampton -Kirtanyas, kartal players, Mrdanga players and other musical instruments to attend this workshop. This is one of the GBC's resolutions to follow proper kirtan etiquette in all ISKCON centres.

*Handouts will be provided please do confirm your attendance ASAP with Aindra Dasa.(vdussoye@gmail.com)
*Prasadam will be served.