Friday, February 21st, 2014
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Mayapura, India

Fabric of the Gods

Anywhere that you roam in India, village or city, you are like to see cloth blowing in the wind.  It could be on someone's person, a woman's sari's end flapping in the wind or even a man traditionally dressed in dhoti or lunghi doing the same.
 
What I like about wearing cloth that may be caught in the hands on an airy day is that from a distance the ongoing and onleaving motorists see more of you.  In my walks through Canada people have been able to see me from a distance.  The cloth is an extension of yourself.  In volume there is more of you.  My mission is to strike a controversy so the monk's attire helps apart from the unique colour.
 
Now I'm bringing up the topic of material as in fabric, because cloth was used like crazy today.  In our delivery of the "Gita Concise" the drama held in the Nama Hatta Building, an aqua with silver thread fabric was used to portray creeks, a much more expansive strip of cloth conveyed an ocean.
 
The play went exceedingly well, the evening session of cloth took the shape of a mellow fashion show, the first of it's kind in Mayapura.  Shukala from Australia and Mandali from Croatia are both fashion designers, who put together a VANDE supported event, "Fabric of the Gods".  Maybe we should describe it as a fabric show instead of a fashion show.  It was a marvelous display of Vaisnava attire from different sectors of India showing the diversity of style.  Colours were vibrant.  Cloth was sick.  The models were modest.  There was no cat walk.  How did I get involved?  And being a monk?  Well as chair person for VANDE, an initiative for promoting the arts, I've got an in.  Besides I was requested to be at least one of the hosts introducing the scenes along with friend Kripomoya from England.  Organizers felt that if a sanyasi monk would back the show it would give the stamp of approval.
 
The venue, the Samadhi Auditorium, was packed even though there was minimal promotion.  It just goes to show there are social needs even within a spiritual community.  In my opinion it was a 'clean' show.  Licentiousness was not an issue otherwise little old me 'monk' wouldn't tolerate.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 KM

Thursday, February 20th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapura, India

The Innovative Monk

He was very strict with himself.  It was his birth anniversary today.  Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati is the guru of our guru and had been celibate all his life, that would make him a life long monk.
 
This morning we heard not about his austere nature but more about his innovation and creativity in drawing the masses towards spirituality.  Born in the eastern part of India, Orissa, he had established from that section of India a mission called "Gaudia Math" ending up with 64 branches or chapter.  When it comes time to 'display' or put on exhibits on spiritual life he taught big and did big.
 
Imagine a carnival set up for a fair which was inclusive of the latest pop music (we are talking about the 1920s), a popular theatre troupe with professional entertainers, wrestling, boxing and innocent amusements.  All featured on a square mile lot near the Ganges, this secular entertainment constituted half of the space while the second half demonstrated spiritualism.  There was also a luxury cruise arranged for dignitaries and along there were books on display by gurus of various denominations and followings.  Meat was also served and ready for the VIPs, he had just about everything in place to lure the masses.  Successful he was.  Outgoing with ideas? Yes very much so.
 
Bhaktisiddhanta was not just a monk he was an intellectual.  When it came time to deal with Britished ruled India, his eloquent use of the English language surprised statesmen and VIPs from that community with his use of language and erudition.
 
British imperialism was the strong hold in India and the social political climate of the time was to have the British leave forever.  Subash Chandra Bose also known as Nettaji was a powerful revolutionary at the time and he approached Bhaktisiddhanta about his recruiting so many bright young men and that they would be much better put to use in the army.
 
Bhaktisiddhanta, however, refuted any attempt by others to discourage the mission of spreading higher consciousness.  He also had a reputation as the Simgha Guru (Lion Guru) as challengers of philosophy and theology would be intimidated by him.  He was a powerful speaker and physically was a towering figure as well.
 
He stood up for the truth in the most absolute way.  He was staunch with himself and liberal when communicating in a growing world of liberalism.  We have the greatest reverence for him.  His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura "harmony is possible only when one has attained a firm footing in the dharma or the function of the soul".
 
May the Source be with you!
 
6 KM

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-02-22 12:24:00 →

1972 February 22: "On the carbon-copy contract you neglected to initial the last clause. Also I have added to Section XII: 'As well as the 48 pages of illustrations for which the Author reserves the right to publish for any purpose he may determine." So when MacMillan Co. has duly signed, then the thing is done, I am satisfied."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Radhapati prabhu’s Samadhi Inauguration (Album 50 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

H. G. Radhapati Prabhu Disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Radhapati Prabhu loined in Hawaii and who volunteered to go to Brazil to start the first temple. He then served in LA protecting the sankirtana devotees distributing books in LAX. He suffered several injuries in Viet Nam prior to his surrender to Srila Prabhupada. One of the injuries he received in Nam left him with a brain tumor that caused epileptic seizures. He came to Vrindavan about 16 years ago prepared to leave his body. He is a devotee of Sri Yamuna Devi. He served in Food for Life and Care for Cows for many years and served many local Vrajabasis selflessly. He is a person who is free from greed and is offenseless. He is in the loving hands of Sri Krsna. Read more ›

New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ February 21, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

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To body, home, wife, and possessions don’t uselessly think “I” and “mine”. With help from the guru’s words cut the shackles of illusion. Go at once to Vrndavana, the beginning of the kingdom of bliss. Live there on fruit and other simple food, and always remember the pastimes of Vrndavana’s king.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-69 Translation.]

Please click here for more photos

Japa Is The Quiet Prayer
→ Japa Group

Japa is the quiet prayer. You say it loud enough so you can hear it, but it’s mostly for yourself. Radha and Krishna can hear you. They’re close by, so you don’t have to shout. But they’re listening carefully, so you pronounce with great care. Put your heart into it.

Hear me, Lord. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Over and over, the thirty-two syllables are repeated.

From Bhajana Kutir #78
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Busy BEEs
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Mother Nrtya Kishori says”I can no longer read a story which is not connected with the sound we are learning. My preschoolers have become so aware of the beginning sounds that they were puzzled and question me about having an apple for snack when we learned about “Dd”.
They bring items from home and use various materials to familiarize themselves with the shapes and sounds of the letters. For “Cc”, for example, we made and shared sandwiches of cookies with cream. We shaped the letter from cotton balls, which looked like clouds. For “Bb” we made bears and butterflies from dry leaves and for “Ee” filled an envelope with cutout pictures which begin with this sound. We also read about “The Little Engine that Could.”

We like to observe the passing seasons and mark each with its typical symbols. We made tissue paper pumpkins, craft stick scarecrows and finger-painted trees in fall. We made a snowman during an icy week.

The students enjoy working and playing together. The all-time favorite is the “clinic”. Sometimes the doctor is so busy, that she has 3 patients waiting in line! Building, cooking, performing a puppet show together and singing songs are some of our daily highlights.
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An essential question
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2009, South Africa, Lecture)

kks_EUHow is it that the all good, all merciful and kind, Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is just full of love, who is just the well-wisher and friend of every living being; who cares about every little plant, every little jiva (living entity); how is it that the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Controller, has arranged all these varieties of suffering that exist in this world? That question is very difficult to answer.
But it is an essential question for us if we want to love Krsna. We have to resolve this question. Otherwise, how can we love Krsna? If deep down in our heart there is any doubt about Krsna being in any way responsible for the suffering in this world, then how will we ever develop love of God?
In this world, we see that the difficulties and the suffering are there for only one reason. Krsna is indeed unlimited and full of love. But it is not an impersonal type of love which is kind of warm like the sun and blessing everyone – it is not that! It is a personal type of love and Krsna, in this mood, cannot wait any longer. How long is it going to take? Are you going to come back or not? It is taking too long! The Lord cannot wait forever and ever for us to just stay here in the material world, life after life, whilst eternally fallen and still not turning around! It takes too long, thus he has built in the material world some mechanism of suffering to bring us to our senses and make us turn back to him.

 

 

Denmark bans Koshar and Halal Slaughter
→ simple thoughts

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“My dear uncle, what is that religion that you are eating your mother and father?” (Title, but maybe not to put the quote in as it might be misunderstood by someone, April 5th 1967)

“Denmark bans kosher and halal slaughter as minister says “animal rights come before religion.”

Denmark’s government has brought in a ban on the religious slaughter of animals for the production of halal and kosher meat,after years of campaigning from welfare activists. The change to the law,announced last week and effective as of yesterday has been called “anti-semitism” by Jewish leaders and “a clear interference in religious freedom,” by Muslims

Independent newspaper 20 Feb

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-bans-halal-and-kosher-slaughter-as-minister-says-animal-rights-come-before-religion-9135580.html

What is kosher anyway? You can not eat food that has blood in it, eer is it not just hinting at a vegetarian diet? It’s like passing stool without passing water,not going to happen.

Lately I found that intelligent young people are horrified with religion; preach to university students, and religion has a bad name, really bad, I don’t need to go through a list of atrocities committed in the name of religion.

Should we present ourselves as a religion? I much prefer the idea of presenting spiritual life,Santana Dharm, and keep religion at a healthy distance.

Even Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita is not so keen on religion,
18.66 BG

sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

Your servant
Parasuram Das UK

Yajna Means Work for Vishnu
→ The Spiritual Scientist

yajnesvar bhagavaner santos lagiya
niyamita karma kara asakti tyajiya
ar yata karma hay bandhera karana
ataeva sei karya kara nivarana
bhagavada santosartha karmera prasanga
yata kichu acarana saba mukta sanga

Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.

- Srila Prabhupada, Gitar Gaan - Bengali Poetic Edition of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is - Chapter 3 - Verse 9

Bengali Poetic Edition of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is

New Noida Temple Wows at Three-Day Grand Opening
→ ISKCON News

Thousands poured into ISKCON’s architecturally stunning new Radha Govind Dev Mandir and Bhaktivedanta Academy in Noida, Uttar Pradesh for its grand opening from February 11th to 13th. Two thousand national and international ISKCON devotees stayed overnight for the festival, with that number rising to 5,000 during the day on the 11th and 12th.

Wonderful Abhishek of Srila Bhaktisiddantha Sarasvati Thakur in Iskcon Delhi (Album 88 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Statements of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura: 1. We are put to test and trial in this world. Only those who attend the kirtana of the devotees can succeed. 2. Every spot on earth where discourses on God are held is a place of pilgrimage. 3. Possession of objects not related to Kṛṣṇa is our main malady. 4. Let me not desire anything but the highest good for my worst enemies. 5. As dalliance with the body in luxury increases, so wanes the spirit of service of the Lord. 6. Those favored by God find their paths set by thorns. Read more ›

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Sold By Leading Russian Bookstore Chain
→ ISKCON News

Bukvoed, one of Russia’s leading bookstore chains, has been selling Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is from a prominent stand at one of its specialist stores in St. Petersburg since last year. The bookstore, called “The Shop of the Most Essential Books: In All Senses,” stocks about 60,000 titles, with many unique books on spiritual traditions, world religions, spiritual practices, history, astrology, philosophy, psychology, health and business.