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Pushkar, in Rajasthan, is the home of the only major temple of Lord Brahma in India. As Brahma is the head of our sampradaya [ Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya ] we visited his temple and asked his blessing’s to carry on the mission of our disciplic succession. In that spirit we held a blissful harinama [...]

Dear UK GCB, UK Management and UK ISKCON Community

Over the past few weeks sadly I have been sent upto 100 Instant Messages via Facebook per day, it wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn’t for the content or the fact that they are sent anonymously; although I have been able to locate several to their source the individuals concerned have made sure that I have no way of replying.
However it does enhance my understanding of Cyber-Bullying as several messages have asked me to either kill myself or they will kill me; I have also been described as a lover of child molesters. I can understand why we have seen a state of suicides given the personal way these messages are written, the fear they create and after receiving so many it appears to be the only way out to stop such emotional hurt.
Can I respectfully answer the main points of these Cyber-Bullies

1, I do not condone nor will I allow abuse of children in any form
2, I will if see such abuse, report and even go to court over this

As these cyber-bullies are relating to one particular case I would like to respectfully point out some key facts.

1, That as requested my video footage was checked and no incriminating evidence was on it
2, My details was given and I was told that the Police would contact me, they didn’t and I found out subsequently the case had been dropped
3, That upon request I submitted a full statement both to the families solicitor and to the relevant authorities within ISKCON.
4, That when a copy was sent back for me to sign it had been changed and included a passage that I personally had not witnessed and thus felt unable to sign
5, I discussed the changes with the families solicitor, who had neither seen my original nor was aware of any changes, we discussed the legal ramifications of such changes and upon her advice withdrew the statement from the legal process; given the nature of the changes and again on the advice of the families solicitors was given little option of also withdrawing it from the relevant ISKCON authorities.

So I am a little bemused that who ever has been discussing the case has not also forwarded on these small but vital facts, and am saddened that it has led to individuals targeting myself suggesting that the best thing I can do for society is to hang myself.

Sadly the few I have managed to trace turned out to be initiated devotees which is of greatest disturbance.

It would their-fore be helpful if there is also built in safeguards for those who report or submit statements that they are neither:
1, pressured or asked to submit false information into their witness statements.
2, that if a statement has to be withdrawn upon the advice of a solicitor or member of the legal profession that this be duly noted including the reasons why
3, if there is a resultant cyber-bullying or personal bullying that this be dealt with quickly without delay; and if necessary a general statement by the management of the individuals character and that they are not siding with or helping to protect child molesters

On a personal note it has given me great insight into how cyber-bullying works and the psychological effects so will help me be better able to help those who find themselves a victim of such crime.
And that hopefully those few who are targeting me will take on-board these few additional bits of information and desist from such attacks.

Pushkar, in Rajasthan, is the home of the only major temple of Lord Brahma in India. As Brahma is the head of our sampradaya [ Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya ] we visited his temple and asked his blessing's to carry on the mission of our disciplic succession. In that spirit we held a blissful harinama samkirtan party throughout the town, much to the delight of Pushkar's residents. [ Photos by Ananta Vrindavan das ] Read more ›

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjLRBHwn

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The pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill is the only pastime of Lord Krishna when al the residents of Vrindavana are present Read more ›

 

Dear Devotees and Friends

Please accept blessings of Sri Sri Radha Krishna. All glories to Srila Prbahupada.

The annual Fremantle parade is taking place this Sunday the 10th of November. As in previous years we will be participating in it by taking our Ratha Yatra cart and the Deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra . We are inviting you all to come along and help pull the cart .

Fremantle parade is organized by the Fremantle council and there will be many other floats. We also take our Rath cart along with the Deities of Jagannath , Baladeva and Subhadra and do Ratha yatra in the streets of  Fremantle. It will be very nice and very Joyful. Please come and join us

H H RAMAI SWAMI will be joining us for the Fremantle parade
This year the parade has a starting point IS NEW LOCATION

WHICH IS LITTLE HIGH STREET, THE CARPARK 19 NEAR CLIFF STREET
Parade will start from “CLIFF STREET” and follow the following route:

Route

This year the parade will be begin at the Roundhouse/Car parks 19 & 19a and end at Car Park 20 (Marine & Essex Street). Please see Parade Route Maps.
The route:
Start at Roundhouse
Straight into High Street
Right onto Market Street
Left onto South Terrace
Right onto Essex Street
Finishing at Car Park 11 (Marine & Essex Street)
It is in ONE Direction

PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PARADE ROUTE MAP.
To participate in the parade you need to assemble at Cliff Street Car park by 2.30 PM . Please wear devotional attire.

Please contat Yadusrestha prabhu on 0423 696 537 or myself on 0422 045 525 if you need any more information.

Event: Fremantle Parade
Date : 10 November
Day: Sunday

Assembly Time: 2.30 PM
Parade Starting point: Cliff Street, Fremantle

Parade Starting Time: 4 PM
Parade Finishing Time: 5 PM

Contact: Yadusrestha Prabhu — 0423 696 537
Sita Rama lakshmana das – 0422 045 525

Sita Rama Lakshman Dasa

PS: There is no reserved parking for the participants, you have to make your own arrangement or please take a train to Fremantle station.

 

 

 

Dear Devotees and Friends,
We would like to invite you all for the Disappearance day celebrations of our founder Acharya His Divine Grace Abhay Caranaravinda Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada ( Srila Prabhupada ).
Date: 7th November 2013
Day: Thursday

The program is as follows
4.30 AM Mangala Arati led by Srila Prabhupada
7.00 AM Darshan arati and Gurupuja
7.30 AM Damodara Arati — offering lamp to Sri Damodara
7.45 AM Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Srila Prabhupada

10.30 AM Vaisnava Bhajans
11.00 AM Glorification of Srila Prabhupada ( Offering Homages )
12.00 Noon Bhoga Offering
12.30 PM Pushpanjali ( offering Flowers )
12.45 PM Gurupuja and Kirtan to Srila Prabhupada
1.30 PM Honoring the feast prasadam

Special Evening Program:
6.30 PM Bhajans
7.20 PM Special Arati to Srila Prabhupada
( The time of his departure from this world)

Please come and join in glorifying Srila Prabhupada “Who built a home where the whole world can live”.
If you like to sponsor the feast or the flowers and receive unlimited blessings from Srila Prabhpada please contact
Shyama Saran dasa — 0439 969 002
Sita Rama Lakshmna dasa — 0422 045 525
Sita Rama Lakshman Dasa

 

The self manifested deity out of the Saligram Shila, over 500 years old heritage temple where standards of worship are highest in Vrindavan. Radha Raman Temple was established by Gopal Bhatta Goswami. He is one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan who followed the principles of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu strictly. This beautiful Deity is self-manifested from a saligram sila and has a mystic smile on his face. Read more ›

February, 1974 the temple purchased its own building on Woodland Street in Germantown. The next year was very auspicious. In 1975, ISKCON of Philadelphia was formally incorporated, Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai were installed and Srila Prabhupada came to Philadelphia to personally take part in the Rathayatra parade and festival. Read more ›

12 Hour Kirtan Sept 2013 – Hare Krishna Melbourne

No Costume

Mississauga, Ontario

Last evening the wind had been howling.  Trees and branches were astir with leaves hissing.  It was a perfect sound effect and atmosphere for Halloween.  My dear godbrother Krishna Das explained that the Pagan event had to do with the honouring of coming together of two worlds, and that a thin veil existed between them, the evil and the good.  People would mask themselves hoping to stave off the evil forces.

Like most things these days, traditional events take on a heavy commercial edge.  I had walked to “Theatrics Plus” on Yonge Street.  It’s a popular ghoulish costume store run by a good family whom I consider good friends over many years.  I’ll actually go there sometimes to buy costumes and other props for upcoming dramas staged at the ashram.  Sanjita, the owner, looked a little worn out serving customers up ‘til 1 AM.

“Now, Halloween is bigger than Christmas and Santa Claus,” she said.

It seems that people must have something to celebrate, to have something to go crazy over.  We need something to do.

In any event I ended up purchasing what I needed – outfits to portray a male and female cakora bird, for a Ramayan pastime.  After the purchase I readied myself for a gathering of great souls at Toronto’s west end in Mississauga.  The couple hosting the event at their home had a major purpose in mind for my visit. Recently, home owner, Dharan Dev, who hails from Madurai from South India, received a shipment of an entire Bhagavatam book set in the Tamil language.  It sounded like a purposeful event to me.  I felt honoured to attend.  I was to cut the ribbon which was actually a plastic strap binding a cluster of books together.  So I cut it (applause).

Then I spoke from chapter 1, verse 3:

“Oh expert and thoughtful souls, relish the Bhagavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures.  Its message emanates from the lips of Sukadeva Goswami…”

Who is Sukadeva Goswami?  He is an incredible monk who left home at age 16 and he sustained a renounced disposition, and is also the orator of this book.  Wherever he travelled on foot he did so unclothed, as he had no attachments.  No costume for him – ever.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Humour’s Okay

Scarborough, Ontario

Recently I pulled out one of those Christian tracks, you know, a small fold out that promotes the Jesus stuff.  I have no qualms with Jesus.  He’s totally cool.

This particular fold out has 101 of the world’s funniest one liners.  You’re supposed to get a good laugh and then you warm up to their message at the end.  The copy was given to me six years ago from a newspaper reporter in a town in eastern Ontario while I was on my third trek across Canada.  He came out to the street to interview me.  I felt him to be a bit biased, he asked, “Why did you get into this?”  Meaning Bhakti Yoga, Krishna Consciousness.  Anyways, I thought to share a selection of these one liners.  It’s Halloween, you can scream if you want.

1.       Time is what keeps things from happening all at once.
2.       Never answer an anonymous letter.
3.       I don’t suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
4.       No one is listening until you make a mistake.
5.       Campers: nature’s way of feeding mosquitoes.
6.       Always remember that you are unique; just like everyone else.
7.       Consciousness:  that annoying time between naps.
8.       There are three kinds of people:  those who can count, and those who can’t.
9.       I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.
10.   Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
11.   Out of my mind.  Back in five minutes.
12.   As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in public schools.
13.   Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep.
14.   You can’t have everything; where would you put it?
15.   Okay, who stopped the payment on my reality cheque?
16.   We are born naked, wet and hungry, then things get worse.
17.   Eat right, stay fit, die anyway.
18.   God made mankind.  Sin made him evil.
19.   Don’t steal.  The government hates competition.
20.   For every action, there’s an equal and opposite criticism.

And by the way, monks can laugh.  I hope you do too.  If you’d like a second installment, let me know.

May the Source be with you!

5 Km

Going into western Oklahoma, I had certain shots that I knew I wanted to get. My previous travels through left me with a slew of digital photos that I wanted to retake with film – specifically expired slide film shot through the Imperial Savoy.

I’d drive miles upon miles to take a photo of an abandoned post office. The one in Bridgeport is all the more perfect because it still announces itself as a post office, even though it’s spent decades as an abandoned building.

–

Flickr.

1967 November 4: "Every minute I think of you and and as you have asked me to go to San Francisco while returning from India, I am trying to fulfill my promise."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1970 November 4: "Our actions are all meant for pleasing Krishna. If we act always in this consciousness automatically everyone will be attracted to devotional service, and this is the secret of our preaching work."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 November 4: "It is for your daring and active nature that I have chosen you. So just open two nice centers immediately and that will link-up our world wide chain of centers. Please report to me fortnightly and always distribute my books wherever possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 November 4: "It is very encouraging to hear that my Sannyasis are traveling and preaching. Visit existing temples and this will enliven the devotees tremendously. We must keep our centers strong. This will be the greatest preaching program."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 November 4: "So far the paintings you have sent, they are bona fide but for the ordinary man they appear sensual. So better not to display such paintings, not even in our temples."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1975 November 4: "Now I am getting old, so if you can do things without me, that will be a great pleasure for me. Still if I get the chance, I will come for the Ratha Yatra festival."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 4: "Although Krishna is no longer present physically from the materialistic viewpoint, still Bhagavad-gita continues. So the best way to associate with the Spiritual Master is to follow his instructions. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vani exists eternally."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 4: "You are doing solid work, even alone, and I am very pleased. This is the test for a sincere devotee. Simply by carrying out the order of the Spiritual Master, ones success in spiritual life is guaranteed. I thank you for your endeavor."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

We created quite a stir as our party of 300 devotees visited the famous deities and holy places of Jaipur. People were impressed that so many foreigners have seriously taken up Krsna consciousness. It is all the desire of Lord Caitanya and the mercy of our beloved spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.

"Chant 16 rounds daily without fail and observe the four regulative principle. In this way, you can realize Krishna in every step of life."

Letter to Yogamaya devi das
Tehran 14 March, 1975

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03-11-2013 SB 9.10.32 Diwali’s Significance, Durban, South Africa.mp3

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