HG Nityananda Chandra Prabhu / The story of Durachara – Bhagavatam set presentation
HH Bhakti Sundar Goswami / SB 10.68.01-06
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On Leaving ISKCON
→ The Enquirer
On Leaving ISKCON
There are, basically, two ways of defining “ISKCON.” One is socio-political and the other is spiritual.
(1) The socio-political definition is: “One who abides by a specific set of laws established by a specific government body, is a member of ISKCON.”
(2) The spiritual definition is: “One who helps the expansion of Krishna Consciousness throughout the world, especially via the mercy of A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupāda, is a member of ISKCON.”
For the remainder of the discussion lets refer to the socio-political definition of ISKCON – because we can simply know that anyone who abandons the spiritual ISKCON makes a grave mistake.
Before proceeding, let’s remember the purpose of ISKCON, as envisioned by her founder: to facilitate the growth of Krishna Consciousness within individuals, and as a result, in society at large.
There are, basically two reasons for leaving socio-political ISKCON, as there are also two reasons for staying.
The two reasons for leaving:
(1) Due to the fact that sociology and politics are relative entities, they are inherently prone to limitation. It is not possible to legislate laws and rules that work well for everyone all the time. Therefore in some cases, devotees will experience that the socio-political atmosphere within ISKCON is unworkable for them as individuals, and they flourish more easily after establishing themselves in some setting that is less directly under the control of ISKCON’s government.
Put briefly, the first reason for moving outside socio-political ISKCON is that it does not, for that individual, accomplish its objective: fostering their Krishna consciousness — at least not as effectively as some other socio-political option.
(2) The second reason for leaving ISKCON is that the person does not have a sincere interest in fostering Krishna Consciousness, and eventually they come to realize that the socio-political climate of ISKCON fails to foster their ulterior ambitions adequately, and they leave to create some living situation more conducive to their ulterior motives.
The two reasons for “staying” in ISKCON are similar:
(1) The individual finds that ISKCON is a great inspiration and reliable guide to their personal advancement in pure devotion to Śrī Krishna.
(2) The individual finds that the socio-political climate of ISKCON is an excellent “prey” for their material ambitions towards leadership, security, or whatever.
So, we should be able to recognize that it is possible to stay in socio-political ISKCON for good and bad reasons, and it is possible to move away from socio-political ISKCON for good and bad reasons.
We should not disagree, insisting that there is never a valid reason to move outside the socio-political influence of one’s guru’s institution. After all, our own Śrīla Prabhupāda, ISKCON’s founding ācārya, moved outside the socio-political borders of his own Guru’s institution, the Gauḍiya-Math (and his Guru, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvati Prabhupāda, also instructed his disciples with a very similar, “If you want to express your love for me, cooperate with one another and do not tear my institution apart.”) What’s more, even Śrīla Prabhupada’s guru himself moved outside the socio-political borders of his own father and guru’s institution, the Viśva Vaiṣṇava Rāja Sabhā.
Within the scope of reason #1, there is something more important. It is not just the fault or glory of the governing body that makes or breaks ISKCON. More, much more, it is the fault or glory of the individuals making up the masses who populate ISKCON.
In my own life I have role models, heroes and gurus both within and outside of the socio-political borders of ISKCON. Without any lessening of love and respect for those who established themselves outside the socio-political borders of ISKCON, I think I really have to pay my most appreciative and sincere extra respects to those who manage to continue to work within ISKCON’s boundary, despite the significant challenges inherent in doing so, trying constantly to serve her by improving her efficacy as a instrument for spreading Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Krishna consciousness, and patiently tolerating her sometimes deeply stubborn unwillingness to improve. But I also deeply respect those who develop their Krishna consciousness effectively in whatever socio-political setting, since after all Śrīla Prabhupada’s first and foremost desire is that we become Krishna conscious.
This is more than enough discussion of this topic, I believe. Let us not become distracted from the essence and trapped the in maze of externals. Let all people, from this or that branch of Mahaprabhu’s tree, pick up karatala and mrdanga and dance together while singing Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare – from a heart full of budding love for Śrī Krishna, by the grace of Śrī Guru.
Śrī Śrī Nitai Gaura Premānande Hari Hari Bol.
A deeper meaning of life
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 June 2014, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.13.17)
People do so many things; like again the world cup has come and again, people are waving flags. Gradually, it is building up towards a finale and the tension is building up; it is getting more and more exciting. In that way, we stay engaged. It is something to do. But then, what is the meaning of it?
It is a way of killing time, it is a way of just trying to have some enjoyment. It does not have a deep meaning; we are not really making serious progress in life. Life is meant for inquiring into the Truth, into the Absolute Truth, like athāto brahma jijñāsā, what is the goal of life?
When it comes to football, Srila Prabhpada once said, “We think we are the players but in actuality, we are the ball because at any moment, we can be kicked and we are just out of here.” So therefore, we are the ball, not the players!
So when looking at life, this is not just a playground; a field for a game. We should see that the aim of life is happiness, “But why am I not getting this happiness? And how can I actually attain happiness?” These kinds of questions are about the deeper meaning of life, and until one begins to ask such questions, one will just waste his time and not make real progress.
Life is meant to grow and life is meant to develop better qualities, as a person. Then we can say, “Yes, I have made some progress.” Otherwise, material progress – you have it for a while and then it breaks down again; that is the nature of material life! So, here we are focusing on a discussion which aims at rising above the temporary reality and reconnecting ourselves with eternal reality.
You Must Reform
→ Japa Group
"Japa is an important part of devotional life. If your japa is not up to standard, this is serious. You must reform. That is, out of your regret may come success. Prabhupada used to say, ‘Failure is the pillar of success.’ Assess yourself, and try to improve your chanting of Hare Krishna."
From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
A nice entry
→ Traveling Monk
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- Donec posuere vulputate arcu.
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- Sed aliquam, nisi quis porttitor congue
45 Down, 3 To Go
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The 5242th birthday of Krishna celebrated in Khabarovsk, Russia (Album 25 photos)
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The celebration took place in the temple of the Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Khabarovsk. Followers of the Bengali Vaishnava tradition come together to celebrate this day, hold public rituals and offerings, and then arrange a holiday feast. Read more › Radha Syamasundara’s (Iskcon Hungary) Altar renovation: At The stone-carver (5 min video)
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We say that if Krishna is truth, the world is also truth because the world is a manifestation of Krishna's energy. So if Krishna is true, how His energy can be false? The Mayavadis preach so-called monism, but they always distinguish brahma and maya. They say brahma is true, maya is false. We say maya is true, and because it is Krishna's energy, she must be employed in Krishna's service. Letter to Gopal Krishna, June 5, 1969. Read more › Humility and qualification as the means to enter into Radha-Krsna’s pastimes
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The post Humility and qualification as the means to enter into Radha-Krsna’s pastimes appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Vedic Janmastami-Abhishek ceremony in Mayapur (Album 150 HR photos)
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The sound of the spiritual world is nectarean and eternal, whereas the sound of the material world is hackneyed and subject to end. The sound of the Holy Name - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
- everlastingly increases the enthusiasm of the chanter. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.21.22 Purport) Read more › Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Celebration in SJMKL
→ ISKCON Malaysia
ebe nama sankirtana tiksna khadga lanaantara asura jivera pheliba katiyayadi papi chadi dharma dura dese yayamora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya
A visit to the wood-carver responsible for the amazing new altar of New Vraja-dhama, Hungary (5 min video)
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With Sivarama Swami Read more › Devotees perform Harinama in Tel Aviv’s central bus station and distribute Krishna prasadam (Album 88 photos)
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A devotee is not afraid of going to hell if he has the opportunity to hear the glories of the Lord constantly. This is the advantage of chanting Hare Krishna. One may be put in any condition, but God gives him the prerogative to chant Hare Krishna. In any condition of life, if one goes on chanting he will never be unhappy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.15.50 Purport) Read more › Hare Krishna Festival in Poland still working miracles! (Album 56 photos)
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Indradyumna Swami: We have just 3 days left on our summer festival tour in Poland. Our bodies ache, but our souls hanker for even more .... Read more › HH Kadamba Kanana Swami – Nrsimhadev prayers + Jai Radha Madhava, 21.07.2014
→ Gouranga TV - The Hare Krishna video collection
HH Kadamba Kanana Swami – Nrsimhadev prayers + Jai Radha Madhava, 21.07.2014
Srila Prabhupada Identifies a Possible 8th Temple for His Grand Vision of New Vrindaban – November 1975
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
“According to our program we will have to construct seven temples, Govindaji, Gopinatha, Madana-Mohana, Syamasundara, Damodara, Gokulananda and Radha-Ramana. And later on if possible, Rangunatha also.”
– Excerpt from a letter Srila Prabhupada wrote, November 1975.
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Click here to read the rest of the letter.
Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.
The holy name’s potency is not meant to justify perpetuating our sinful mentality
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Thursday, August 21st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday, August 20th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:45:00 →
"Today at about 1/30 p.m. I enquired from wheel-room that we have come only 400 miles off the Indian coast. My sea-sickness is still continuing. I take my meals once only but today I could not take my full meals although I was fasting yesterday."
Jaladuta Journal :: 1965
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:43:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:38:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:37:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:32:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:29:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:25:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:21:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
Janmastami event – 08/23/14
→ Mayapuris.com
| Who | Janmastami event |
| When |
Saturday, August 23, 2014
8:00pm
-
All Ages
|
| Where |
(map)
|
| Other Info | Join us in Houston, Texas at the George R Brown Convention Center on Saturday, August 23rd. We'll be performing at 8pm at the 25th Anniversary Janmastami celebration. |
Our Default Japa Setting
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What is reality and what is the dream?
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 July 2014, Prague, Czech Republic, Lecture at Govindas)
Imagine! Imagine that we had no other duties, only one duty. Imagine that we would be free to just serve Krsna. What would it be like?
It would be amazing, wouldn’t it? So, that is possible in Vrindavan. That is the most amazing thing about Vrindavan. You can just go there and worship Krsna and people will help you. There, it is possible to do just that. No need for any compromise.
“Yeah, but that is a dream! Nice dream but not realistic!”
I understand.
Or, is Prague the dream and Vrindavan the reality? Are we now in the dream and will we wake up in Vrindavan? What is reality and what is the dream? What if you wake up one day and you are in Vrindavan?
“My God! Prague was only a dream! I never thought of that!”
Actually, that is the truth but who will believe me? But, if you chant Hare Krsna, one day you will see that Vrindavan is the reality and Prague is the dream. So, all I will say is chant Hare Krsna and one day you will wake up in Vrindavan.
i-Gnore
→ Tattva - See inside out
So why is it so hard to humbly receive the sincere feedback of others?
We can’t see – it’s difficult to see the picture when you’re inside the frame. Entangled in our own emotions, perceptions, habits, and opinions, we struggle to go beyond. A neutral observer can clearly see things that we are completely oblivious to. Our modes of functioning, however, become so engrained that we convince ourselves we must be right, and conveniently disregard any opinions to the contrary.
We don’t want to see – success, we feel, is to be ‘perfect,’ and when that perfection is questioned, our pride awakens to defend. More important than perfection, however, is progress. A spiritually successful day is one where we improve, refine and develop ourselves, and how is that possible if we’re unaware of our shortcomings? Stagnate in the illusion of perfection or progress in the reality of struggle – the choice is ours.
Constructive critics actively craft our spirituality. Why not take their words seriously and embrace the opportunity to improve? Even when their feedback is out-and-out wrong, we’d do well to avoid disregarding it completely. Can we still learn a principle from what is being said? Even if the details are wrong, could the feedback apply to us in a different way? Can we see it as a warning of what not to do? Can we use their seemingly inaccurate analysis as an opportunity to exercise humility? All high ideals, I know, but that’s what makes a sincere spiritualist so special. The great saints demonstrated how even the harsh criticism of a faultfinder can enrich our spiritual growth, what to speak of the earnest words of concerned friends.
Vyasa-puja Homages, August 18, New Dvaraka, Los Angeles
Giriraj Swami
“Srila Prabhupada said that even if the disciple cannot follow all the regulations strictly, simply by the spiritual master glancing favorably on him, the disciple can make spiritual advancement. The best offering we can give to Srila Prabhupada and the predecessor authorities is that we actually become advanced in Krishna consciousness, and become empowered to do the impossible—because to spread Krishna consciousness around the world is virtually materially impossible for people with our backgrounds. But by the unlimited mercy of such a close associate of Krishna as Srila Prabhupada, it becomes very possible.”
—Banabhatta dasa
The following Devotees shared their heartfelt remembrances and realizations during Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja (birthday) celebrations.
- Naikatma dasa
- Balai dasi
- Drutakarma dasa
- Kriyashakti dasi
- Satyanarayana dasa
- Devadahiti dasi
- Mriganatha dasa
- Jagajannani dasi
- Bhargava dasa
- Mukunda Datta dasa
- Banabhatta dasa
- Gopal Ananda dasa
- Punyattama dasa
- Narahari dasa
- Bhojadeva dasa
- Arcita dasa
Lord Balaram Appearance @ New Vrindavan.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
Lord Balarama was incarnations of Lord Krishna glorified in the Vedic Puranas and Itihasas. Krishna is the spiritually manifest Supreme Person, whose internal spiritual energy is the all-pervading Brahman. He is glorified as Narayana, Vasudeva, Mahavishnu, Hari, Vishnu, and many other names. Shiva and Brahma are said to be His qualitative expansions. He is the Supreme Lord, the Lord of all universes. Everything emanates from Him and dissolves back in Him. He is the cause of creation, maintenance, and dissolution of everything and every living entity.
Please click here for more photos
Janmasthami-Samskaras at Iskcon Mayapur (Album 44 HR photos)
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As soon as you offer yourself to be enjoyed by Krishna as servant, according to His order you serve, then immediately you are in the spiritual world. If you want to remain in the spiritual world, this temple is the spiritual world. We are not living in Melbourne. This temple is not Melbourne. It is Vaikuntha. It is Vrindavan. So if you stick to this temple service, Krishna's service, then you are not in this material world. Melbourne, June 25, 1974 Read more › Meet the glorious crew of GOVINDA Cafe in IRKUTSK, Russia (Baikal lake) (Album 9 photos)
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To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.33.6 Purport) Read more › Vrindavan Iskcon temple gets improvements (Album 8 photos)
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This is the first of several beautiful inlaid stone paintings which are placed on the outside of the temple. Also the deity kitchen gets larger. Read more › https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARNfP_oUSuE
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Recent Galleries
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Please view our recent galleries: Jhulan Yatra Janmastami Day Dress Janmsatami Night Dress Janmastami Abhishek Janmastami Samskaras Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja
The post Recent Galleries appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Harinama in Vienna, Austria (Album 20 photos)
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By chanting the holy name of Krishna one is cleansed of the dirt that accumulates in the mind. One can purify the mind either by the breathing process or by the chanting process, just as one can purify gold by putting it in a fire and fanning it with a bellows. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.28.10 Purport) Read more › 




