Janamastami Sponsorship Opportunities
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

ISKCON Toronto invites you, your family and friends to celebrate the weekend of our most significant summer festival of the year, Janmastami: the appearance of Lord Krishna. Festivities will take place over three days:

Saturday, August 16th, 2014: 4pm-10pm
Participate in the magical atmosphere of resounding kirtan with six hours of non-stop kirtan!

Sunday, August 17th, 4pm-midnight!
Sunday marks the actual day of Lord Krishna’s appearance. Come and enjoy the beautiful darshan of our deities Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinath in their splendid flower decorations and outfits (special darshan at midnight), swing baby Krishna in his opulent swing, enjoy an opulent feast and more! Free parking has been arranged on Pears Avenue (visit our website for more information).

Monday, August, 18th 11am-3pm
Vyasa puja or the celebration of the appearance of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.


There are a number of sponsorship opportunities for this grand festival:

Janmashtami Feast: $1501
Maha-Abhishek with jeweled conch: $751(Sponsors get to bathe Sri Sri Radha Krishna and to take home the conch as well as a special souvenir gift)
Abhishek: $401 (Sponsors get to bathe Sri Sri Radha Krishna and to take home a special souvenir gift)
Flower Decorations: $1001
Garlands: $750
Festival decorations: $500
Sponsor Jhula: $2000
Arati during the day: $51
Sponsor Special Midnight Arati: $108
Butter For Lord Krishna: $501
Cake: $351, $251, $175

For more information about sponsorship please contact satyabhama@torontokrishna.com

Oh my Lord, make me dance!
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture at House Program)
Sp_smilingPrabhupada danced on so many occasions! But the most importance statement about Srila Prabhupada’s dancing is not his dancing in the Avalon ballroom, in the San Francisco concert, nor is it in London at the famous London Ratha Yatra where Prabhupada went up and down in love and ecstasy.

The real dancing that Srila Prabhupada did is described in the Markine Bhagavata Dharma. When the Jaladuta had just landed in New York, Prabhupada began to write about how he was just a kāṣṭhera puttali – a puppet, a wooden doll, a marionette, just a puppet on strings, “Make me dance. Oh my Lord, make me dance.” In other words, to become the willing instrument of Krsna, in Krsna’s hands, as Krsna desires it! There, Prabhupada really danced! And the amazing thing that happened is that the puppet itself turned into a puppeteer and subsequently, so many puppets danced in the hands of that puppeteer. Prabhupada made so many men dance according to his will!

He made them go to remote places. He made them really do something very substantial. That was Prabhupada, he was a general undoubtedly, driving a mission to go forward, to conquer the world. There is no doubt about that. Prabhupada said he had no problem except one problem which was that he could not think small, and that was a fact! He never could think small. He would always think big, so big that it would blow the mind of all. There is no one who does not feel that Prabhupada’s big thinking exceeds anything that they ever thought; that is a fact!

But that is Guru; he has a greater vision about our life than we have ourselves. He wants something greater from us than what we would do on our own. Therefore, Guru is always challenging us to do more, to go beyond our limits.

 

Janmashtami Schedule
→ New Vrindaban

Labor Day Weekend Temple Program
Sat. Aug. 30, 2014
5:00 am       Mangala Arati
5:45 am       Japa session-Introduction class
7:00 am       Milking the cows (at the Goshala)
7:30 am       Sringar Darshan
7:40 am       Guru Puja
8:00 am       Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Ramesvara Prabhu
10:00 am      Govardhana Parikrama
12:30 pm      Rajbhoga Arati Kirtan by Parampara Prabhu
1:00  pm      Bhagavad-Gita Class by Ramesvara  Prabhu
1:30  pm     LUNCH PRASADAM
2:30  pm      Janmastami Katha by Sankirtan Prabhu
3.30  pm      Kirtan by Sacidevi
4:30 pm       Sudarshana Maha Yajna
5:30 pm       Sankalpa For Kalash Donors
6:00 pm       Go-Puja in the Cow Barn
6:30 pm       Krishna Katha by Sankirtan Prabhu
7:00 pm       Gaura Arati and Narasimha Arati by Parampara 
7:45 pm       Rap Show 
8:00 pm       Kalash Abishek and Kirtan
10:30 pm      Swan Boat festival
continued below..

<<<>>>

Janmashtami Temple Program
Sunday Aug.31, 2014
5:00 am       Mangala Arati
5:45 am       Japa session-Introduction class
7:00 am       Milking the cows (at the Goshala)
7:30 am       Sringar Darshan
7:40 am       Guru Puja
8:00 am       Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Gaura Natraj Prabhu
10:00 am      Govardhana Parikrama
11:00 am      Dahi Handi Celebration – Breaking of Pots
1:00 pm       Rajbhoga Arati Kirtan
1:30 pm       Sunday Feast Lecture By Ramesvara Prabhu
2:00 pm     LUNCH PRASADAM
2:30 pm       Krishna Katha by Sankirtan Prabhu
3.30 pm       Kirtan by Sacidevi
6:15 pm       Go-Puja in the Cow Barn
7:00 pm       Gaura Arati and Narasimha Arati by Parampara Prabhu
7:45 pm       Kirtan by sacidevi
8:30 pm       Shayan Darshan with Sacidevi
8:45 pm       Swan Boat
10:00 pm     Garbha Dance and Kirtan
<<<>>>

Again more social media problems
→ simple thoughts

Share

Social media interpretation or misinterpretation?
Theirs two ways to read and understand social media but even the smallest posting can lead to conflict.
For me however given that all my social media accounts give the right to reply I often scratch my head when someone is upset because they heard via 3 party individuals that I had said such and such.
Well did you not think to question or contact me for clarification?
Don’t get upset stew over it speak, you could even e-mail me directly most blog replays remain posted unless offensive towards devotees.
Today I received an email the individual was upset but also a little misinformed regarding my view of Cardiff Rathayatra.
I want to stress that all devotees should make the effort to travel to the Welsh capital and join this sweet Rathayatra as both of my articles shared on Dandavats and here on my blog stressed. Their was one personal incident I missed out although it was tweeted (the tweet was reported) as it was unimportant to share on articles used to encourage others to travel to Wales and join in.
The Rathayatra had arrived in Coopers Fields at 2pm as logged on the video I took as Sri Jagannath entered and was taken into the tent, I had sadly to leave at 3pm and sadly as I left their had been no Krishna Prasadam served and yes sadly disappointed given leaving for a 12 hour shift stupidly I had not made contingency plans for prasadam.
So I tweeted my sadness at leaving without tasting the wonderful prasadam noting if I could have stayed it would have been given and indeed it did 30 minutes after but sadly too late for me to enjoy.
The tweet was accurate I had been in the field for 1 hour but health and safety had to be cleared and we know how problematic that is.
However social media and twitter allows a reply and I received non only a curt e-mail today from one upset devotee who is not on my twitter feed, interesting.
I wondered why their was no “haribol prasadam arrived 3-30 ;-) amazing prasadam” may be a picture “a little late but amazing prasadam as always” allowing me a chance to retweet as social media allows.
After all the festival was scheduled to continue till 5 I left at 3 and sadly it was my loss that’s the way it goes, I’ve asked if their is any pictures of the prasadam and devotees serving so I can share that’s social media for you so if anyone has any please forward them to me (it will be great fully received and shared on Twitter)
However again I feel the need to again remind people that the blog, twitter are my social space and should be read with this in mind, these will include disappointment like missing out on a plate of prasadam.
And that you have the right to reply and question either in the comment’s, e-mail or in person
However I do acknowledged that to hear someone left a festival without enjoying Krishna prasadam is well embarrassing this was not the intention disappointed yes and who wouldn’t be given how awesome the local prasadam is.
I hope this clarification helps
Cardiff Rathayatra is amazing and next year make sure your their you will have the best visit to cardiff anyone can have, just make sure you keep your calendar free to remain for the full event and not leave early like me
And that’s why I missed out I left
Now that’s a lesson learnt
Don’t leave
Hare Krishna

CDM – Ceto Darpana Marjanam This Saturday!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Please join us this Saturday August 16th, 2014 when we are going to clean the temple once again! On the third Saturday of the month, devotees have gotten together for Ceto Darpana Marjanam (CDM) to focus on cleaning the temple and cleaning our hearts. This month's CDM is extra special as we all gear up for the weekend festivities of Sri Krishna Janmastami!

As always, the day is guaranteed to be packed with service, fun, and of course prasadam (vegetarian feast). So please come out and join us! Your association will be appreciated and it's a great way to start the weekend's festivities.

Here are the details:

Date: Saturday August 16th, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM sharp to about 2:00 PM
What to wear: Clothes that you are willing to get a little dirty.
What to bring: Just yourself! We'll provide everything else you'll need.

If you have any questions about CDM or want to RSVP, feel free to contact us at psenaToronto@gmail.com.

Harinama in China Town, London (3 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

"The transcendental vibration of hari-nama-sankirtana is imported from the spiritual world. Thus although materialists who are addicted to experimental knowledge and the so-called "scientific method" cannot place their faith in the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, it is a fact that simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra offenselessly one can be freed from all subtle and gross material conditions. The spiritual world is called Vaikuntha, which means "without anxiety." In the material world everything is full of anxiety (kuntha), whereas in the spiritual world (Vaikuntha) everything is free from anxiety. Therefore those who are afflicted by a combination of anxieties cannot understand the Hare Krsna mantra, which is free from all anxiety. In the present age the vibration of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is the only process that is in a transcendental position, beyond material contamination. Since the holy name can deliver a conditioned soul, it is explained here to be sarva-mantra-sara, the essence of all Vedic hymns." Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi lila 7:74 Read more ›

Monday, August 11th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Vancouver, British Columbia

Every Day

Every day of one’s life, one should ride on the power of a message.  Walking for me is down time, if not, up time, because you have opportunity then to elevate the consciousness.  I always try to have one of the many empowering statements of the Bhagavad Gita to dominate the day and to be with me when I’m moving my feet. 

Today’s verse came not so randomly, but was triggered  by someone’s question.  Verse 3.26 came to me like some divine dove that did dive down from the sky.  It’s about encouragement.  Here it is, along with the transliteration:

na buddhi-bhedaṁ janayed
ajñānāṁ karma-saṅginām
joṣayet sarva-karmāṇi
vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran

So as not to disrupt the minds of people attached to the fruitive results of prescribed duties, a learned person should not induce them to stop work, rather, by working in the spirit of devotion, he/she should engage them in all sorts of activities.
 
Here, the message is not to discourage people, but to encourage and inspire them in the spirit of devotion.  The task left to those who will take up this obligation then, is to ask ourselves, “What can I say or do to inspire service in others?”

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Sunday, August 10th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Vancouver, British Columbia

Free Plum


“Free Plum” read the sign tacked onto the tree trunk.  I guess the reason for the singular and not the plural to the word ‘plum’ is that it must have been scripted by the tree’s proprietor who doesn’t have English as their first language.  I couldn’t’ find a plum during this morning’s walk at least from the branches overhanging by my walking path.  Those golden balls of juice were visible on the other side of the owner’s fence.

“There will be other opportunities,” I thought while in last for an organic fruit.  Who can blame me?”

Well, I did find another plum tree.  I helped myself to one delicious edible and moved on.  I trekked by more berry bushes, orchard gardens.  The smells emanating from the various growth was phenomenal.  The experience reminded me of a statement by Chanakhya Pandit regarding a dominant plant in a garden known for its fragrance and size and how in the illustrious dynasty of the moon, Sri Krishna had been born taking dominance.

You might say that it’s purely a coincidental situation when I was ear marked to give a class.  It just so happened that the verse from the ‘Bhagavatam’ was centered on the sun and moon dynasties and that Krishna shines through as the dominant person in that lineage.  Cool, isn’t it?

May the Source be with you!

12 KM

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.





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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