Planet ISKCON

Leaving Impressions

Toronto, Ontario

Nature likes to show off and leave an impression.  I wasn’t the only one to notice.  There were lots of outdoor enthusiasts strolling through Chorley Park and the adjoining ravine as I was.  Sunday, today, was sunny, revealing rusty-red and glowing-yellow trees.  People took their time to absorb by ambling along or taking a seat on a log or clicking their cameras to register something worthwhile.

If I could just dwell on this theme of impressions then I will share.

Today is Diwali, the festival of lights, the New Year.  At this time you can take a fresh look at you.  It’s review time in addition to living in the moment through a unique celebration.  There’s colour, sounds, and great tastes.

Diwali is a recall of King Ram’s homecoming at the optimistic times of Treta Yuga.  After 14 years of a fateful exile.  Ram returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya along with his wife, Sita, brother, Lakshman, and a whole set of new friends, a simian race.  They were greeted very regally.  They were so much missed and loved.

A few days prior I had been asked to see what I can insert for the festival held at the temple, so quickly, in a matter of three days, we pulled together a presentation of monologues, excerpts from a recent book, ‘Rama Smarana’, produced by Krishna Ksetra.  The delivery of the reading and miming by actors left an impression.  I’m usually set out to do that.  It is the veritable obligation of a monk to leave an inspirational spiritual impression.  I thought a bit about what fuels impressions and it seems to me the answer is other impressions.

At the program was our chief guest, city counselor, Kristyn Wong-Tam.  She wowed the crowd and then stayed on after her allotted time to chant with a few of us after feasting.  Here we have a very accessible person who’s a good listener and as a rep of the city she offered the various services that her post provides.  It clearly was not just an official visit, she happens to be an official who is really a friend.  We were impressed.  Let us all try to impress with a selfless cause.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

1967 November 5: "If possible the persons involved must be requested to send a letter of regret and apology for the mistake they have done. This incident of separation from our society is accidental. The fact is that once combined in Krishna Consciousness, one cannot be separated at any time."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 November 5: "I have given you a list of good behaviors for the devotees. The person who is a devotee must develop those good qualities. The provocation was set in motion by his uncalled for behavior but in future we shall be very much careful to deal in such provocative situations."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1972 November 5: "All these things are nonsense inventions. Simply perform our kirtana. Such inventing spirit will ruin our movement. People may come to see, some will become devotees, but such devotees will not stay because they are attracted by some show and not by the real thing."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 November 5: "Another change, another change, every day another change. Gradually the Krishna Consciousness idea will evaporate. Our standard is to have kirtana, start temples. Don't manufacture ideas."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1975 November 5: "This is very funny thinking. You want to spend for a boat and he wants to take sannyasa. First, there is no sanction to purchase this boat. And is sannyasa so cheap? This is nonsense. He is not fit. He will become a victim."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 5: "If somebody does not go in one line with the rest of the godbrothers, he can remain separately, but it does not mean that he may disobey the principles that I have laid down. So long as one follows the principles, he continues to be my disciple."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 5: "Why are you always calling on the telephone? Are you such important men that you have to call all over the world? We are poor men sons, what can I do?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Dear Devotees & Friends,

We would like like to inform you all that we will be having the association of two senior Sanyasis ( Disciples of Srila Prabhupada) who will be visiting Perth . Thew details are as follows:

HH Devamrita Swami

Arriving on Thursday 07 November  will be here till Saturday 09 November

Programme:

Thursday 07 November – Disappearance day celebration of HDG Srila Prabhupada

Friday 08 November — Srimad Bhagavatam class at 7.30 AM

Special Class on Balancing material and spiritual life with examples of devotees from Gaura lila at 7.30 PM
Saturday 09 November — Srimad Bhagavatam class at 7.30 AM

Special Class on Balancing material and spiritual life with examples of devotees from Krishna lila at 7.30 PM

 

HH Ramai Swami

Sunday 10 November till Tuesday 13 November

Maharaj will be participating in the Fremantle Parade Rathayatra in Fremantle

 

Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 November

 

Srimad Bhagavatam class at 7.30 AM and

Damodarstakam at 7.20 Pm and  a Short class after that

 

Pleease come and take advantage of their association and hear about Krishna Consciousness and clarify any doubts one may have.

 

Thank you

This album gives us a glimpse into the material and spiritual opulences of India that are quickly disappearing. We were in awe visiting both Nathdwar and Udaipur, where Ananta Vrindavan das expertly captured the emotions of people and places with his camera.

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.32.

“For His devotees, the Vraja-vasis, who were fully surrendered to Him and completely dependent on Him, the seven days that Krishna held Govardhana Hill aloft were the greatest transcendental festival. Generally, during the daytime when He went with the cowherd boys to pasture the cows, He would be together with them, but the devotees in the Vrindavan village would be in separation. Then when Krishna returned in the evening and entered the home of Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yasoda, the friends who were with Him during the day would be in separation. In Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan, every day there was always meeting and separation. But for the seven days of the Govardhana lila, all the residents of Vrindavan were with Krishna continuously. So it was a great festival. They did not lose at all; rather, they gained immensely. This demonstrates the principle that if we surrender to Krishna we don’t lose, but we gain many times over.

Govardhana-puja talk

If you know any of my writing, you know I like to put things as clear and simple as possible. But when the entire Śrīmad Bhāgavatam gets summarized in four short verses… even putting it as simple as possible is still going to bend our brains. Still, I hope that if you apply your human intelligence (it doesn’t have to be Einsteinian) to this English rendition – you’ll discover for your self many things that are the treasure you deserved to discover as a result of thousands of lifetimes of effort.

Today, here is the first verse of the four-verse original kernal of Bhāgavatam, translated from Canto Two, Chapter Nine, Text Thirty-Three according to the guidance of the sampradaya of Śrī Caitanya.

aham evāsam evāgre
nānyad yat sad-asat param
paścād ahaṁ yad etac ca
yo ‘vaśiṣyeta so ‘smy aham

Hari: Only I exclusively exist – at the very beginning, at the end, and throughout the duration of everything else.

Brahmā: What exactly do you mean by “everything else”?

Hari: Every effect, and every cause. I am the causeless cause of all causes, the beginningless beginning of all beginnings, existing before, after and during everything else.

Brahmā: What do you mean by “exclusively exist”? Why do you use the word exclusively?

Hari: My existence is unique because it is self-effecting. I am beyond all cause and effect. I exist without dependence on any other circumstance. I exist simply as the self-manifesting experience of blissful existence.

Brahmā: Then, in the very beginning, are you all alone – a singular entity without plurality displayed in names, forms, qualities, and active expressions?

Hari: It can be poetically said that I was singular. But actually all pluralities of individuality eternally exist within my singular existence – as the mechanisms essential for the self-manifest experience of blissful existence.

Brahmā: If you are the only factuality before, after and during everything – then everything we see and everything we don’t see is actually you?

Hari: Yes. You asked to know my natural or material form – it is everything you will see during the manifestation of the universe. You also asked to know my supernatural or spiritual form – it is beyond cause and effect, existing before the beginning and after the end of everything else.

In the above, large text represents direct translation, small text represents clarification of the meaning, via Śrīdhara Swāmī, Jīva Goswāmī, Viśvanātha Cakravartī, and Swāmī Prabhupāda.

Very nice Japa questions and answers with Giriraj Swami and Sacinandana Swami. Email subscribers please click the large blue post link to hear the audio.

If I remember right, this was from my first time using FujiChrome Provia 100D (RDP), which was the first Provia 100, I believe. I grabbed a bunch of this expired stock off of Ebay last spring, rerolled several rolls onto 620 spools specifically so I could shoot it in the Imperial Savoy. I’m not sure really what I was thinking aside from wanting to use expire 100iso slide film. I’m pretty happy with the results though. The color shifts aren’t incredibly drastic, but the saturation is fantastic. Look at that sky, people!

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Flickr.

Mahabaleshwar is a holy place about 240 Kilometres south east of Mumbai on top of the Sahyadri Mountain Range. Srila Prabhupada visited this place in 1976 and stayed at one life member’s house.

The post Govardhan Puja Festivities appeared first on Mayapur.com.

We always have fun when we come up to the Northeast Side of this wonderful country, God Bless America.

This time I’ll get straight to the point and let you know what, when, and where so we can chant and dance the night away.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 6th
Join us for a dynamic Kirtan Yoga class with Loren Russo @ Jivamukti Yoga, NYC.

THURSDAY, NOV 7th
Sacred Sounds is one of our favorite events of the year and it gets better every time!
This year we will be sharing the stage with:


8:30PM
Rutgers Student Center MPR

FRIDAY, NOV 8th
Kirtan @ Yogamaya NYC!

135 West 20th Street, 6th Floor b/w 6th & 7th Ave, New York, New York 10011

SATURDAY, NOV 9th
It’s been a tradition for a few years now and we are definitely honored to be a part of such an on going tradition.
It is a ‘One of a Kind’ Diwali celebration because it takes place at Princeton University Chapel

SUNDAY, NOV 10th
Before heading out to Radha Govinda Mandir in Brooklyn, we will be visiting Mark @ Grand Street DPNY!

We are of course excited for all the events happening but personally doing Kirtan with the Radha Govinda Bhasis in front of Radha Govinda carries such sweetness, it is truly incomparable.

The post Divali – Festival of Lights – Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The post November 4th, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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

The post Govardhana-puja appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Learning full dependence on Krsna from the Vraja-vasis appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

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 ›