Planet ISKCON

Sivaram Swami at Kirtan Mela Mayapur 2014 Day 3

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

To be merited rights is a metaphysical concept.  There is no scientific or secular logic that procures rights upon an individual.  Therefore this subject must be approached metaphysically with logic and reason.

The first question is: what is it that is being granted rights?  If there is no logical understanding of the self or individual, then we cannot progress further.

In an American history we had slavery because it was said that dark-skinned people did not have souls. But where is the logic in that?  By simple analysis one can see that the symptom of the soul or self is consciousness.  As soon as the soul leaves the body, that body no longer carries its beauty and luster. That same symptom of consciousness is equal whether one is a man or a woman, dark-skinned or light, or human or animal.   All feel pain and pleasure.   However, because our society’s understanding of the self and consciousness is lacking depth, a large foolish section of society makes claims that animals are without souls and therefore without inherent rights.

Another large and equally foolish section of society will make claims that the unborn individual is also without rights.  This is all because there is no clear understanding of the self which is the foundation of the discussions of rights.  But there are books, such as the Bhagavad Gītā As It Is, that deal with this subject with such clarity that it can shock most people.  Such clarity is necessary to govern social structures in a progressive way.

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

My Reply: Varnaśrama Dharma is not fully viable in this modern age, Kali-yuga. The only completely viable dharma in this yuga is hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana. (“harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam, kalau nastyeva nastyeva nastyeva gatir anyataḥ”).

That said, Varnāśrama Dharma is still partially viable – and the general principles are still useful and valid. The Gita’s concept of Varnāśrama Dharma is not a janma (birthright) system at all, it is a guṇa-karma system (“catur-varnyam mayā śṛṣtāṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgasa”) – a system based on your actual character and deeds. You are born into a brahmin family, but that does not mean that you have brahmin dharma, it means that it might be relatively easier for you to adopt brahminical occupations and character traits. But until and unless you adopt the deeds and character of a brahmana you are not a brahmana, instead you are “brahma-bandhu” (the relative of a brahmana). Of course, the caste system has degraded so extensively that most likely a person born into a so-called brahmin family today could often be brahma-bandhu-bandhu-bandhu-bandhu (the relative of a relative of a relative of a relative of a brahmana).

In kali-yuga, Varṇāśrama Dharma is not primary, it is secondary. Hari Kīrtana is primary. As a secondary dharma, the specific exact details and strictures of Varṇāśrama are not important, it is mainly the essential concepts and fundamentals of the system that are still reasonably viable today. Perhaps in the future things could possibly change for a few centuries or so, enabling Varṇāśrama to be a little more viable than it currently is. Currently the only useful thing is to recognize ones character and deeds as being most akin to either intellectual, administrative, mercantile, or artisan. And based on that, cultivate a few essential qualities intrinsic to each category. For example one with a primary intellectual bent needs to cultivate simplicity and honesty. One with a primary administrative bent needs to cultivate political knowledge and respect for intellectuals. One with a primary mercantile bent needs to cultivate the knowledge related to their field and the giving of ample charity, and one with an artisan bent needs simply cultivate their art/technical field along with the quality of helpfulness when called upon.

Krishna’s advice here in the 3rd Chapter of Gītā is translated to modern terms with more integrity when we use the word “responsibilities” rather than “duties” especially if by duties we begin thinking of some particular social structure like the caste system or some semi-workable concept of Varṇāśrama Dharma. He is advising Arjuna, “you have your responsibilities. Stick to them. Sticking to your responsibilities is always noble and pure and will always uplift your character and your life. Even when your responsibilities seem to be hard, or seem to be debased and difficult – stick to them at all costs.”

– Vraja Kishor das

www.vrajakishor.com

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 June 2013, Vrindavana, India, Srila Prabhupada Pastimes Lecture)

Question: What is the purpose of group chanting?

Obviously when we do things together, it gives us support in different ways – it gives support in a positive way and also in another way like when your mind thinks, ‘Oh, I am so ill today, I am not well, I need some rest! Oh, rest!!’

When you are alone, who will tell you not to do it but when you are with the vaisnavas, then it looks so bad. Therefore, it also keeps check and balance. In this way, the association of devotees gives us support and protection from our lower nature. In front of the vaisnavas, we will behave better than when we are alone. So, chant with the vaisnavas!

O friend, by great good-fortune you have attained this body where you have heard Vrndavana’s wonderful glories and learned that everything in this world is like a dream. Don’t, don’t, don’t put any faith in the mind and body. Run to Vrndavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-80 Translation.]

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Materially, everyone wants to satisfy his senses, and he wants God to be the order supplier for such satisfaction. The Lord will satisfy the senses of the living entities as much as they deserve, but not to the extent that they may covet. But when one takes the opposite way – namely, when one tries to satisfy the senses of Govinda without desiring to satisfy one’s own senses – then by the grace of Govinda all desires of the living entity are satisfied.

- Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Chapter One: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra 1.32-35

Every month we will be interviewing students of TKG Academy gurukula.  Some of our students started school through TKG Academy preschool or kindergarten. Others moved to Dallas with their families and started in later grades. TKG Academy has students that come from Vaisnava families and others who are just being introduced to Krsna Consciousness through the gurukula. All of these students have one thing in common: parents that were searching for an educational alternative that included a tight knit, loving environment that teaches their children above standard academics from a dedicated staff of teachers that go above and beyond the  call of duty as educators.

Madhava is a 6 year old Kindergarten student at TKG Academy from Boston, MA. He is a third generation Vaisnava, whose grandparents are disciples of Srila Prabhupada. He is in his 2nd year attending TKG Academy.

Every month we will be interviewing students of TKG Academy Gurukula.  Some of our students started school through TKG Academy preschool or kindergarten. Others moved to Dallas with their families and started in later grades. TKG Academy has students that come from Vaisnava families and others who are just being introduced to Krsna Consciousness through the gurukula. All of these students have one thing in common: parents who were searching for an educational alternative that included a tight knit, loving environment that teaches their children above standard academics from a dedicated staff of teachers that go above and beyond the  call of duty as educators.

Gaurang is a 7 year old, 2nd grade student from Massachusetts. His parents are both initiated disciples of  His Holiness Radhanath Swami. He is in his first year as a TKG Academy gurukula student.

Every month we will be interviewing students of TKG Academy Gurukula.  Some of our students started school through TKG Academy preschool or kindergarten. Others moved to Dallas with their families and started in later grades. TKG Academy has students that come from Vaisnava families and others who are just being introduced to Krsna Consciousness through the gurukula. All of these students have one thing in common: parents who were searching for an educational alternative that included a tight knit, loving environment that teaches their children above standard academics from a dedicated staff of teachers that go above and beyond the  call of duty as educators.

Zion is 11 year old, 6th grade student at TKG Academy gurukula. His family is from the East Dallas area. He has been attending TKG Academy since 3rd grade.

Students in the upper elementary reinforce parts of speech by classifying sentences in grammar.

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Harinam in Leicester square,
London.
Singer is Jenny who runs Matchless Gifts, former singer with the Bellestars.

It’s not uncommon to bump into members of the Slits, Sex Pistols or Clash at Matchless Gifts,
your servant
Parasuram Das

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 2-23-2014.

 Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECOV Board of Directors:  Anuttama (partial attendance), Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Krpamaya, Navin Shyam, and Ranaka. Madhava Gosh did not participate in the Utica Shale gas lease discussion and vote (due to a conflict of interest).

Advisors present: Jaya Krsna

1.   Used equipment purchase

WHEREAS:  The ECOV Board wishes to acquire proper equipment for its gardening projects, and to facilitate a smooth winding down of the operations of the Small Farm Training Center on INV & ECOV managed properties.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes up to $6,000 for acquiring implements from the SFTC, including a transplanter, plastic layer/bed former, and chisel plow.

2.   Utica Shale Gas Lease

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to proactively respond to the proliferation of natural gas drilling in and around New Vrindaban so as to minimize the risk of harm to the land and its residents and maximize any potential gains.

RESOLVED: Upon consideration of the inquiries from the New Vrindaban Advocacy Sanga (contained in e-mails dated February 13 and 19) and the respective legal opinions of Mr. William Leon (dated January 30 and February 19), which addressed the following issues:

• Terms of the lease;
• Conflicts of interest;
• Proxy voting by directors;
• Voting by non-resident directors;
• GBC involvement;
• Due diligence on the part of directors;
• Air and water quality protections; and
• Proposed well pad placements,

and after thorough examination of the terms of the proposed leases, in light of the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, the best interests of the community under the circumstances, and the principle of yukta vairagya (as described by Varsana Swami in his paper entitled “Yukta Vairagya and the Gas Drilling Contract”), the ECOV Board hereby authorizes its officers to execute lease agreements as to the Utica Shale formations underlying ECOV-owned lands, subject to the following two internal commitments by the Board:

1) If requested by the legal owner of an affected property, ECOV shall ensure testing of any water supply within a thousand feet of well pads located on either INV or ECOV-managed properties, in accordance with a regimen prescribed by an industry expert;

2) ECOV shall provide a grant of at least $350K toward renovation of Srila Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, to be provided on a matching basis to any funds expended by INV.  This grant shall supersede the previous grant of $100K and loan of $100K, which are both hereby defunded.

Mangala Arati of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, ISKCON Temple,Chowpatty,Mumbai;24th Feb. 2014

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