Planet ISKCON

24 Hour Kirtan at New Vrindavan – 2013 – Kirtan by Acyuta Gopi DD

So everyday I make a prayer for chanting better japa. I make this as my daily practice. Thus I have incorporated into my day the simple prayer, here is the prayer.

“Oh my dear Lord Krsna, I will always chant my rounds in a mood of surrender. Krsna please help me to chant this way in a mood of complete dependence and surrender to the holy name.”

From The Process of Improving Habits
by Mahanidhi Swami

So everyday I make a prayer for chanting better japa. I make this as my daily practice. Thus I have incorporated into my day the simple prayer, here is the prayer.

“Oh my dear Lord Krsna, I will always chant my rounds in a mood of surrender. Krsna please help me to chant this way in a mood of complete dependence and surrender to the holy name.”

From The Process of Improving Habits
by Mahanidhi Swami

To hear this holy name meditation podcast, please click here

A boat in an ocean keeps bobbing due to the unending waves. To stay steady, it needs an anchor.

Similarly, the waves of unending dualities – heat and cold; pleasure and pain; honor and dishonor – keep our mind perpetually restless. To steady it, we need an anchor.

The best anchor is Krishna. To understand why, let’s consider two related meanings of the word “anchor.” As a noun, it refers to the heavy object to which the boat is fixed. As a verb, it refers to the act of fixing a boat to a heavy object.

Krishna is the ultimate anchor in both senses of the word, as can be inferred from the Bhagavad-gita (09.13). Here’s how.

Krishna being the supreme unchanging reality is never affected by any material change, as indicated in the verse by the describers bhutadim (the source of everything) and avyayam (imperishable, unaffected by time). Thus, he is the best anchor to stabilize our mind.

Moreover, Krishna is not an insentient object or an indifferent principle; he is a living, caring person. When we try to fix the mind on him, he doesn’t passively watch us struggling to reach him. He extends himself towards us – and extends himself far more than we extend ourselves towards him. This he does through his internal potency which this verse refers to as daivim prakrtim (divine energy). Krishna is nondifferent from his energies – especially his internal energy which manifests the love and grace of his heart. Through this energy, he infuses us with devotion, thereby enabling our mind to naturally gravitate towards him (bhajanty ananya manaso).

Thus is Krishna the best anchor for the mind – as the best destination for thought and the best expressway to that destination.

***

O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.

As I sat gazing out of the window this morning, i saw a coffin being pulled out of a car and into a church. Friends, family and strangers looked on by the pavement.

"Japa is an important part of devotional life. If your japa is not up to standard, this is serious. You must reform. That is, out of your regret may come success. Prabhupada used to say, ‘Failure is the pillar of success.’ Assess yourself, and try to improve your chanting of Hare Krishna."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

"Japa is an important part of devotional life. If your japa is not up to standard, this is serious. You must reform. That is, out of your regret may come success. Prabhupada used to say, ‘Failure is the pillar of success.’ Assess yourself, and try to improve your chanting of Hare Krishna."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

From: Vikram Kumar

Why this question is my last question, why I'm believing so much that all lectures seems right(what is said by isckon devotee) no question comes. Is it blind faith? Is it harmful for me or it is good only?

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

From Narendra Bhati

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

From: vivektiwari

According to vedic culture we are not just body and mind but we are soul and we as a soul already a part of supreme soul(Krishna) and our main aim of life is to go back to the supreme soul. then why do take birth on the earth  means why do we get indulge in birth and rebirth cycle?

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

From: shreyashnadage

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

From: Mounika

wherever our intention is there then our attention goes there right? That means
senses goes to sense objects then we get
Desires ( here mind comes into picture? or Intelligence comes into picture?)
Thoughts( Thinking feeling Willing)?
words & actions?
Prabhuji , could you please explain above terminology ?? How do they come into action and in what sequence?I am very confused about it..

Prabhuji actually what is the role of mind and what is the role of Intelligence?
Can you clear my doubts with example?

Do we have to first purify  our mind? and then Intelligence and finally our existence??? what is the sequence?

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 December 2012, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.6.31) 

Sometimes we have people who are so much into the rules and regulations but with that, they are not helping us because they make the process inaccessible to the general public. We see that Prabhupada didn’t do that. Therefore Prabhupada told us that in deity worship there are three principles which are important: cleanliness, punctuality and simplicity.

Simplicity is nice because it makes it accessible. It means that even if you are not a specialist, you can still do it – which is important. If we become so much wrapped up in so much rituals, so much rules… then only professional pujaris can manage it. So Krsna consciousness is simple for the simple.

I will end with a statement from Tribhuvanatha. It is not recorded anywhere in the vedabase but not everything Prabhupada said or did was recorded, believe it or not! There are some things that devotees just remember.

Satsvarupa Maharaja, when he was interviewing people for the Lilamrta, had a strict standard that he would not include stories that came from one person only. He would take only stories that were confirmed by a second person. I think that in general, it is a good policy but if the person is of a very high calibre, like Tribhuvanatha, then we will accept.

Tribhuvanatha said that Prabhupada made the statement once, in an arrival address, that Krsna consciousness is so simple, you might just miss it. I really find that a very profound statement.

 

 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 December 2012, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.6.31) 

Sometimes we have people who are so much into the rules and regulations but with that, they are not helping us because they make the process inaccessible to the general public. We see that Prabhupada didn’t do that. Therefore Prabhupada told us that in deity worship there are three principles which are important: cleanliness, punctuality and simplicity.

Simplicity is nice because it makes it accessible. It means that even if you are not a specialist, you can still do it – which is important. If we become so much wrapped up in so much rituals, so much rules… then only professional pujaris can manage it. So Krsna consciousness is simple for the simple.

I will end with a statement from Tribhuvanatha. It is not recorded anywhere in the vedabase but not everything Prabhupada said or did was recorded, believe it or not! There are some things that devotees just remember.

Satsvarupa Maharaja, when he was interviewing people for the Lilamrta, had a strict standard that he would not include stories that came from one person only. He would take only stories that were confirmed by a second person. I think that in general, it is a good policy but if the person is of a very high calibre, like Tribhuvanatha, then we will accept.

Tribhuvanatha said that Prabhupada made the statement once, in an arrival address, that Krsna consciousness is so simple, you might just miss it. I really find that a very profound statement.

 

 

Check out my 15 second video of a dish I prepared recently :

1. Cut the Okra ends
2. Heat Oil
3. Crackle Mustard seeds
4. Add Hing
5. Drop the Okras
6. Add Turmeric, Cumin and Coriander powder (optional – paprika or red chilli powder for the extra kick)
7. Cover and cook till Okras are tender
8. Add Salt to taste and even drop a little butter on them
9. Serve with hot white rice

Took me about 10 mins to make the dish along with rice.

No Obstacle Course

Thunder Bay, Ontario

People love Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. He’s adorable, a little chubby, accessible, exotic and full of good luck. Luke was selling Ganesh in his figurine form off the table at a stall. The Krishna Culture Festival of India in its 4th year running is going down the trail of continued success. I had walked Cumberland Avenue from Victoria Avenue, the location of our new meditation room/Indian Store, Sanskriti, to destination Marina Park to attend the fest.

My only real obligation, an agreement made with organizer Prem Kishor was to start the event with lighting a dhiya, a cotton ghee wick before milling around in the crowd. The flame represents the presence of God. Dignitaries from the city councils and other various VIPs also lit their wicks and then spoke. When the mic passed over to me, I mentioned that this program is staged to lift the body, mind and spirit.

The emcee was Jordan as was the case last year. Since that time he has become a lawyer. He showed up in smart looking kurta and jeans. Last year it was a kurta and shorts. As we sat down for a minute or two, the jeans at the knee revealed a hole. He joked after this discovery that the hole makes it all the more chic, and that if he were to have a pair of pants with paint splashes on it, it would be commercially a piece of top dollar clothing.

People came to check out the food, samosas even outdid Ganesh in sales. Books were also picked up, Chant and Be Happy, a pocket sized BBT book has the Beatles on the cover, along with our guru Srila Prabhupada. That was selling along with Gitas and cookbooks.

The volunteers, numbering at least 50, are newly arrived Indian students who were doing just about everything to cater to a Canadian crowd of ancestry from Finland, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, England, Quebec, and First Nations. I spent a good hour with a couple who fore-parents hailed from the swamp and muskeg up North. They were intrigued with the dance and music on the stage – traditional story telling about the pastimes of Krishna. The park provides a natural beautiful background of the Earth’s largest body of water, Lake Superior, and there we find the Sleeping Giant, a massive rock formation, which is according to legend, a retiring native chief, there to rest for a while. To one couple I met, typical fair haired Thunder Bay residents, who know something about deities from India, I remarked, “You’ve got your very own reclining Vishnu here."

There was no beer served, no meat, and I don’t think anyone was missing what to some of us are taboos. All had a good time, all 5,000+, not bad for a city of 100,000 people. There seemed to be no obstacles. It is said that Ganesh removes hurdles on the path of devotion. That seemed to apply at the festival today.

8 KM

No Obstacle Course

Thunder Bay, Ontario

People love Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. He’s adorable, a little chubby, accessible, exotic and full of good luck. Luke was selling Ganesh in his figurine form off the table at a stall. The Krishna Culture Festival of India in its 4th year running is going down the trail of continued success. I had walked Cumberland Avenue from Victoria Avenue, the location of our new meditation room/Indian Store, Sanskriti, to destination Marina Park to attend the fest.

My only real obligation, an agreement made with organizer Prem Kishor was to start the event with lighting a dhiya, a cotton ghee wick before milling around in the crowd. The flame represents the presence of God. Dignitaries from the city councils and other various VIPs also lit their wicks and then spoke. When the mic passed over to me, I mentioned that this program is staged to lift the body, mind and spirit.

The emcee was Jordan as was the case last year. Since that time he has become a lawyer. He showed up in smart looking kurta and jeans. Last year it was a kurta and shorts. As we sat down for a minute or two, the jeans at the knee revealed a hole. He joked after this discovery that the hole makes it all the more chic, and that if he were to have a pair of pants with paint splashes on it, it would be commercially a piece of top dollar clothing.

People came to check out the food, samosas even outdid Ganesh in sales. Books were also picked up, Chant and Be Happy, a pocket sized BBT book has the Beatles on the cover, along with our guru Srila Prabhupada. That was selling along with Gitas and cookbooks.

The volunteers, numbering at least 50, are newly arrived Indian students who were doing just about everything to cater to a Canadian crowd of ancestry from Finland, Germany, Italy, Ukraine, England, Quebec, and First Nations. I spent a good hour with a couple who fore-parents hailed from the swamp and muskeg up North. They were intrigued with the dance and music on the stage – traditional story telling about the pastimes of Krishna. The park provides a natural beautiful background of the Earth’s largest body of water, Lake Superior, and there we find the Sleeping Giant, a massive rock formation, which is according to legend, a retiring native chief, there to rest for a while. To one couple I met, typical fair haired Thunder Bay residents, who know something about deities from India, I remarked, “You’ve got your very own reclining Vishnu here."

There was no beer served, no meat, and I don’t think anyone was missing what to some of us are taboos. All had a good time, all 5,000+, not bad for a city of 100,000 people. There seemed to be no obstacles. It is said that Ganesh removes hurdles on the path of devotion. That seemed to apply at the festival today.

8 KM

The human body is like a junction. One may either take the path of liberation or the path leading to a hellish condition.

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.2 purport

Answer Summary: Real guilt comes between us and the things that take us away from Krishna, not between us and Krishna. If guilt stops or slows us in taking shelter of Krishna, then we should recognize it to be pseudo-guilt, the temptation for self-centeredness masquerading as guilt. By firmly rejecting pseudo-guilt, we can regain our devotional enthusiasm.

Answer: Just as nature has provided us an immune system that protects us physically, it has also provided us an inner immune system that protects us emotionally and spiritually. This inner self-defense mechanism is centered on our conscience, the inner voice that prods us towards the right path and away from the wrong path. By patting us when we act honorably and pinching us when we act dishonorably, it coaches us for making choices that preserve and promote our inner health. When our conscience pinches us, we feel that pinch as guilt.

 

No guilt?

If we don’t feel any guilt at all, then it indicates that we are afflicted by a spiritual version of AIDS; our inner immune system has been sabotaged by a serious malady – possibly the infection caused by the permissiveness, even licentiousness, of the culture around us. We need to treat our intelligence with a serious study of scriptures. This will re-educate us about universal inexorable moral and spiritual principles, thereby reviving and rejuvenating our conscience. Then guilt will start acting to protect us from wrong choices.

 

Guilt spurs, not deters, spiritually

To understand how guilt is meant to spur, not deter, us in devotional service, let’s explore the health metaphor further.

When we ingest something unhealthy, we start feeling physical discomfort, maybe a vomiting sensation. This discomfort is meant to serve a corrective and a preventive purpose: to spur us to correct the condition by taking medicines and to deter us from repeating that dietary mistake.

Similarly, when we do something wrong, we start feeling emotional discomfort, a guilty sensation. This guilt is meant to serve a corrective and a preventive purpose: to spur us to correct the condition by taking the medicine of the devotional remembrance of Krishna and to deter us from repeating that moral mistake.

 

Central to the recovery of our inner health is our clear understanding of the healing potency of Krishna consciousness. The Ishopanishad (mantra 8) declares the Absolute Truth to be shuddham (pure) and apapa-viddham (untouched by sin). Srila Prabhupada translates these respectively as antiseptic and prophylactic, thereby underscoring the therapeutic value of contact with the Absolute Truth.  The medicine metaphor runs consistently through the writings of great seers ranging from the medieval saint King Kulashekhara to the modern scholar-devotee Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who proclaim poetically and repeatedly that the holy name of Krishna is the most easy and efficacious cure for all worldly contaminations. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written many songs that express guilt and remorse. (Of course, he is an ever-liberated eternal associate of the Lord who by divine arrangement played the role of a Bengali intellectual-seeker – an avid reader and thinker who after exploring many philosophies and paths finally discovered the glory and the supremacy of Krishna’s message of love coming through Lord Chaitanya.) Through his songs, he shows us by example how we should feel guilty and repentant for our past misdeeds and present weaknesses. Significantly, his songs conclude with a fervent plea to the Lord for grace coupled with an admission of his inability to reform himself.

This thought-flow in his songs illustrates the role of guilt in spiritual recovery. Just as the discomfort caused by sickness is meant to highlight our urgent need for the medicine, the guilt caused by wrongdoings is meant to highlight our urgent need for Krishna.

 

The trap of pseudo-guilt

However, the forces of illusion often tempt us with a sinister misinterpretation of guilt. Instead of thinking, “I am so fallen, therefore I need Krishna desperately”, we think, “I am so fallen that I will never be able to go close to Krishna, so what is the use of practicing devotional service?”

What’s wrong with such thinking? To understand, let’s rephrase it in terms of a patient’s mentality: Instead of thinking, “I am so sick, I need the medicine desperately” the patient thinks, “I am so sick that I will never become healthy, so what is the use of taking the medicine?”  Such thinking might be valid if the patient was incurable, but the scriptures stress repeatedly that we are never spiritually incurable. For example, the Bhagavad-gita (4.36) declares that whatever be our conditionings, we can go beyond them by authentic spiritual knowledge and practice. Our moral disqualification is a fact, but it is more than compensated for by Krishna’s moral qualification – he is supremely pure and supremely purifying. And more importantly, he is supremely merciful and is ready, even eager, to help us become pure.

When guilt keeps us fixated on our own impurity and doesn’t let us focus on Krishna’s purity and mercy, then what we are feeling is not guilt but temptation masquerading as guilt. After all, anything that keeps us away from Krishna and keeps us self-obsessed is a temptation – even if it doesn’t make us do anything wrong. As such pseudo-guilt discourages us in our efforts to go closer to Krishna, it definitely keeps us away from him.

Actually, pseudo-guilt soon makes us do wrong things too – if not directly, then at least indirectly. Just as the sickness of a patient who doesn’t take medicines worsens, our moral sickness worsens when we don’t take the medicine of Krishna consciousness due to the discouragement caused by pseudo-guilt. As we don’t let ourselves relish the higher happiness of remembering Krishna, our need for pleasure and the memory of lower pleasures kindled by our recent fall makes us succumb again to those very indulgences that we were repenting. Thus, pseudo-guilt first berates us for having done wrong things and then beguiles us into again doing those very things. Again and again. Such are the devious ways of pseudo-guilt!

We need to intelligently see through the guilt-trap and firmly break through it by wholeheartedly taking shelter of Krishna. No matter what our past lapses, if we practice devotional service diligently, then gradually lapses will become a thing of the past. The present though challenging will be fulfilling because we will vigorously combat and conquer temptations. And as we become increasingly purified, the future will become less challenging and more fulfilling. Till finally all temptations will disappear and Krishna will appear in our heart to welcome us to a life of pure love and eternal joy.

 

 

Verse 4.1: The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.

History and experience can teach us so much. In fact, the great bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada would say (and I paraphrase):

First class intelligence is hearing about the mistakes of others and not committing them. Second class intelligence is making mistakes, learning from them and trying to avoid making them again and third class intelligence is making mistakes and not learning from them.

The Bhagavad-gita is giving us the opportunity to exercise first class intelligence. As we hear in today's verse, this science of yoga has not just appeared randomly. It has been passed along for lifetimes upon lifetimes to the most intelligent and empowered personalities. We are so lucky to now have the opportunity to hear that same knowledge - unadulterated and just as powerful. By following this process we have an opportunity to save ourselves time, effort and disappointment.

One of the great lessons that the Gita teaches us is that of learning to manage expectations. At the beginning of the Gita, we see Arjuna expressing his doubts and misgivings to Krsna. But if you look a little deeper, you find something more - Arjuna is stating that he has certain expectations and is worried that by doing the right thing, those expectations will not be met.

Is that not what we go through everyday? We all have expectations of ourselves, of situations and perhaps the trickiest of them all - of others.

At the heart of expectation is the belief that somehow we will be happier if x, y, z manifests.

Is that not really it, if we strip away all the other coverings? It's a belief. There is no actual guarantee that we will be happier, but we have built the expectation to work out a certain way in our heads that just the thought of it not playing out leaves us more miserable than we originally were!

So how do we practically manage expectations? For advanced bhakti yogis, the answer is simple. They understand that they are not this body but the eternal spirit soul. Since many of our expectations are related to the material, temporary world and relationships that are based on the body, not the soul, such yogis realize that disappointment is inevitable. Essentially, they don't put much stock in it and choose to rest their expectations on the grace of the Divine who never disappoints.

For those of us who may not be on that level, what are we to do?

Recognize that expectations rest on a belief of happiness, not a guarantee.

This can help ease the sting of disappointment, keep things in perspective and help us not to flip out when we are caught in the tight claws of expectation. For many, when we don't get what we expected it tends to weigh heavily on the mind, causes us to speculate and drives us mad.

The next time this happens, give yourself and others a break. Failed expectations can actually be the greatest gift we can receive if we can just approach it in the right perspective. It reminds us that true happiness lies within and doesn't rest in the hands of others.

Verse 4.1: The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.

History and experience can teach us so much. In fact, the great bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada would say (and I paraphrase):

First class intelligence is hearing about the mistakes of others and not committing them. Second class intelligence is making mistakes, learning from them and trying to avoid making them again and third class intelligence is making mistakes and not learning from them.

The Bhagavad-gita is giving us the opportunity to exercise first class intelligence. As we hear in today's verse, this science of yoga has not just appeared randomly. It has been passed along for lifetimes upon lifetimes to the most intelligent and empowered personalities. We are so lucky to now have the opportunity to hear that same knowledge - unadulterated and just as powerful. By following this process we have an opportunity to save ourselves time, effort and disappointment.

One of the great lessons that the Gita teaches us is that of learning to manage expectations. At the beginning of the Gita, we see Arjuna expressing his doubts and misgivings to Krsna. But if you look a little deeper, you find something more - Arjuna is stating that he has certain expectations and is worried that by doing the right thing, those expectations will not be met.

Is that not what we go through everyday? We all have expectations of ourselves, of situations and perhaps the trickiest of them all - of others.

At the heart of expectation is the belief that somehow we will be happier if x, y, z manifests.

Is that not really it, if we strip away all the other coverings? It's a belief. There is no actual guarantee that we will be happier, but we have built the expectation to work out a certain way in our heads that just the thought of it not playing out leaves us more miserable than we originally were!

So how do we practically manage expectations? For advanced bhakti yogis, the answer is simple. They understand that they are not this body but the eternal spirit soul. Since many of our expectations are related to the material, temporary world and relationships that are based on the body, not the soul, such yogis realize that disappointment is inevitable. Essentially, they don't put much stock in it and choose to rest their expectations on the grace of the Divine who never disappoints.

For those of us who may not be on that level, what are we to do?

Recognize that expectations rest on a belief of happiness, not a guarantee.

This can help ease the sting of disappointment, keep things in perspective and help us not to flip out when we are caught in the tight claws of expectation. For many, when we don't get what we expected it tends to weigh heavily on the mind, causes us to speculate and drives us mad.

The next time this happens, give yourself and others a break. Failed expectations can actually be the greatest gift we can receive if we can just approach it in the right perspective. It reminds us that true happiness lies within and doesn't rest in the hands of others.

In this day and age, everything has become superficial and artificial. People are estimated based on looks, income, wealth, social prestige, etc So corporations in pursuit of money understand this artificial age and promote to the fullest to gain money.

If we are aspiring to become spiritual, we have to aspire to look beautiful from inside and not so much outside. We should aspire saintly qualities. This will attract Krishna.

Anyways, below is a video that nicely shows the artificial nature of beauty.

 

Hare Krishna

In this day and age, everything has become superficial and artificial. People are estimated based on looks, income, wealth, social prestige, etc So corporations in pursuit of money understand this artificial age and promote to the fullest to gain money.

If we are aspiring to become spiritual, we have to aspire to look beautiful from inside and not so much outside. We should aspire saintly qualities. This will attract Krishna.

Anyways, below is a video that nicely shows the artificial nature of beauty.

 

Hare Krishna

When material thoughts enter your mind, just say “No, thank you.” But you cannot give up something unless you have something better. So you can’t say no unless you chant the Hare Krsna maha mantra every day.

BY SIMHESVARA DASA

REGIONAL SECRETARY ISKCON MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR - This is the first announcement for the upcoming Malaysian preaching tour of ISKCON GBC member and Co-Zonal Secretary for Malaysia, HH Jayapataka Maharaj Swami. Also appended is programme schedule for the upcoming Malaysia Hare Krishna Convention to be held at the Hare Krishna Farm in Lanchang, Pahang.

 

Who will be joining HH Jayapataka Swami?

1. HH Bhanu Swami, ISKCON GBC member and Co-Zonal Secretary for Malaysia
2. HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami, ISKCON Malaysia President
3. HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami, itinerant preacher
4. HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami, ISKCON GBC Deputy and Co-Zonal Secretary for Kerala.

Convention Fee: RM125 (Covers prasadam, infrastructure, etc)

Accommodation: 

At Our Farm 

RM60 for those wishing to stay at farm. Farm stay for ladies will be dormitory style, only 60 - 80 beds available. First come first serve basis. For men accommodation will be Mayapur Parikrama style. About 200 men can be accommodated. Mats, pillows and mosquito nets will be provided for all. 

Nearby Farm

We may also be able to get some accommodations nearby our farm. This is however limited. Will also be on a first come first serve basis. 

Mentakab (Nearby Town)

We will be providing telephone numbers, addresses, e-mails addresses and rates for rooms of hotels in Mentakab. This is for for those who prefer hotel accommodation and who do not mind driving about 45 minutes to and from farm and hotel.

For those adventurous

Those who wish to be adventurous and skip the RM60 accommodation fee can bring along their camps, caravans, vehicles, etc (but will have to pay convention fee) We will designate spots for campsite. This is limited to MEN only.

Activities planned for convention?

1. Naming of farm project
2. Installing plaque
3. Launch of 1 Acre model farm 
4. Devotee care forum with Co-Zonal Secretaries
5. Bhakti Vrksa seminar
6. Visit to Elephant sanctuary (optional)
7. Jagannatha Kite Festival
8. Giant chess competition
9. Campfire with Kirtan
10. Boat festival
11. Swim at waterfalls

We encourage devotees to come forward and give helping hands for convention organization, especially those who can stay with us at the farm a few days before the convention.

This preliminary announcement is made so that devotees will be able to make plans ahead of time and be with us for the MAHA SANGA with Their Holinesses.

Please write to me at srktdu@gmail.com for enquiries and bookings. Or call 03-7980 7355 for more information.

1968 July 17: "I am already informed about your Kirtana activities and its success. I think Krishna is dictating us to adopt this method for propagating the Sankirtana movement all over the different cities, towns and villages on the surface of the globe, because that was the prediction of Lord Caitanya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 July 17: "Henceforward our plan should be to push Sankirtana and sell our publications. For books, Brahmananda, for magazine, Rayarama, for Sankirtana, Mukunda, and for suggestion, my humble self."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 July 17: "There are many Vaisnava temples there, if any big temple is in difficulty financially, we can take charge of this temple and improve it and maintain it nicely. So if you know of any prospective temples where this could be arranged, please inform us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1973 July 17: "I understand you wish to remain as householders living outside the temple that is perfectly all right. However, as a householder you cannot go into the streets and hold sankirtana and sell our books as a means of maintenance. This is not a good idea for householders."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 July 17: "Yes, it will be very nice if the Chinese boys come there to the Hong Kong center. That is our mission - that local boys take up interest in our movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 July 17: "All our sannyasis will be present there. You also come there as a regular sannyasi and take part. That is my desire. So long I am living I wish you all be strictly under my guidance without any fratricidal disagreement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 July 17: "We are selling 30-40 lakhs around the world so we shall expect at least sales in India of one lakh of Rupees per month. Did the Oberoi-Sheraton Hotel purchase our books? The hotels must purchase our books for putting in their rooms."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975