Planet ISKCON

On October 14 and 15 ISKCON devotees worldwide will celebrate and participate in the most auspicious and historic occasion of the Grand Welcome Ceremony of the new Prabhupada murti to the TOVP: Srila Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsava.

To commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s 125th Appearance Anniversary Year, we have invited His Divine Grace to reside in the TOVP and inspire and guide us in its completion and opening. From his room where he will be worshiped daily, he will be able to view all the construction activities from a private CCTV screen.

The TOVP festival management team has arranged for a wonderful two-day event consisting of kirtan melas, talks by ISKCON leaders and Prabhupada disciples, yajnas, a 5 item abhisheka ceremony, as well as the first-ever Sampradaya Samelan (summit) with representatives of the four Vaishnava Sampradayas. The complete schedule is now available to download and view below, and the entire program will be broadcast live on Mayapur TV and other social media platforms.

View and download the Ceremony Schedule.

We also encourage our readers to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event by sponsoring an abhisheka for Srila Prabhupada as part of our worldwide $1 million Guru Dakshina offering to His Divine Grace to help complete the temple.

Visit the Welcome Ceremony page to sponsor an abhisheka TODAY!

ABHISHEKA AND SEVA SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

1. SACRED WATER BATHING – $25 / ₹1,600 / £20 (sponsor for each family member)
2. COPPER COIN BATHING – $300 / ₹21,000 / £250
3. SILVER COIN BATHING – $500 / ₹35,000 / £400
4. GOLD COIN BATHING – $1,000 / ₹71,000 / £800
5. PLATINUM COIN BATHING – $1,600 / ₹1 Lakh / £1,300
6. SAMSTAPAK ACHARYA SEVA – $10,000 / ₹7 Lakh / £8,000

– Coin donors will receive the abhisheka coin
– Samstapak Acharya donors will receive a 5″ replica murti
– Installment payments are available

DONOR COIN CARDS

Donors will receive the coin used to ‘bathe’ Srila Prabhupada in these beautiful, specially designed cards.

5″ replica Prabhupada murti

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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A large group of devotees gathered in Dharamshala, a beautiful and refreshing city located on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountains. This place boasts of being home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. It is also one of the wettest places in the region. The atmosphere here is cool and pleasant for the most part of the year Continue reading "Report of Krsna Balaram Shobha yatra, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
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Shri Bhupender Yadav, India's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister appreciates ISKCON & Govardhan Eco Village for organizing VALUE EDUCATION OLYMPIAD for 2,32,000 students worldwide in collaboration with UN-Environment programme. Continue reading "India’s Environment, Forest and climate change minister appreciates ISKCON
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For the first time in ISKCON history, and to honor the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of Srila Prabhupada, the TOVP management is organizing an online Sampradaya Samelan (summit) that includes the head acharyas of the four Vaishnava sampradayas.

On October 14, during the first day of the Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP, a ZOOM call will ensue for this purpose and also be broadcast by Mayapur TV as part of the two-day welcome event. All four acharyas as well as other sampradaya representatives will participate in a panel discussion on the state of Vaishnavism in the modern world, organized and monitored by His Grace Gauranga das.

See the Summit Overview for schedule timings. The names and photos of all participants are below.

There are four sects of worshipful devotees of the Lord, and the chief amongst them are the Brahma-sampradaya, Rudra-sampradaya and Shri-sampradaya, descending directly from Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, respectively. Besides the above-mentioned three sampradayas, there is the Kumara-sampradaya, descending from Sanat-kumara. All of the four original sampradayas are still scrupulously engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord up to date, and they all declare that Lord Kṛṣṇa, Mukunda, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no other personality is equal to Him or greater than Him.

Srila Prabhupada SB 1.18.21, Purport

That parampara should be followed. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarshayo viduh (BG 4.2). If we want to understand really Vedic literature, then we must follow the parampara system. There are four sampradayas, parampara: the Ramanuja Sampradaya, Madhvacarya Sampradaya, Vishnu Svami Sampradaya, Nimbarka Sampradaya. So, we belong to the Madhvacarya Sampradaya.

Srila Prabhupada lecture on BG 13.8-12 — Bombay, 9/30/73

Sampradaya Samelan Moderator

Shri Vaishnava Sampradaya

Rudra Sampradaya

Nimbarka Sampradaya

Madhva Sampradaya

Vaishnavism is not a new religion or recently invented philosophy. It is actually the oldest religion and philosophy of all, and even more so, it is the eternal function of the jiva in relation to the Supreme Lord, sanatana dharma. That function is loving devotional service in one of five primary relationships, neutrality, servitorship, friendship, parental affection and conjugal love.

This transcendental knowledge, sambandha jnana, has been carried throughout time from guru to disciple in the parampara disciplic succession by four main Vaishnava sampradayas, Sri (Lakshmi), Brahma, Rudra and Kumaras. Within the last 5,000 years these are represented respectively by Ramanuja, Madhvacharya, Visnuswami and Nimbarkacharya.

There are four sects of worshipful devotees of the Lord, and the chief amongst them are the Brahma-sampradaya, Rudra-sampradaya and Shr-sampradaya, descending directly from Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, respectively. Besides the above-mentioned three sampradayas, there is the Kumara-sampradaya, descending from Sanat-kumara. All of the four original sampradayas are still scrupulously engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord up to date, and they all declare that Lord Kṛṣṇa, Mukunda, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no other personality is equal to Him or greater than Him.

Srila Prabhupada SB 1.18.21, Purport

That parampara should be followed. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarshayo viduh (BG 4.2). If we want to understand really Vedic literature, then we must follow the parampara system. There are four sampradayas, parampara: the Ramanuja Sampradaya, Madhvacarya Sampradaya, Vishnu Svami Sampradaya, Nimbarka Sampradaya. So, we belong to the Madhvacarya Sampradaya.

Srila Prabhupada lecture on BG 13.8-12 — Bombay, 9/30/73

As Srila Prabhupada says, ISKCON is a branch of the Madhva Sampradaya, and specifically from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And it should be clear that, while there are slight differences in the moods of worship, all four sampradayas affirm Krishna, Narayana and Vishnu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all jivas as His eternal servants.

Now, for the first time in ISKCON history and to honor the 125th Appearance Anniversary Year of Srila Prabhupada, the TOVP management is organizing a Sampradaya Samelan (discussion). On October 14, during the first day of the Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP, a ZOOM call will ensue for this purpose, which will also be broadcast by Mayapur TV as part of the two-day welcome event. All four acharyas as well as other sampradaya representatives will participate in a panel discussion to talk about the state of Vaishnavism in the modern world, organized and monitored by His Grace Gauranga das.

This video by Shri Cheena Jeeyer Swami, head of the Sri Sampradaya of Ramanujacharya is the first of four by the current acharyas of the four sampradayas in which Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON and the TOVP are glorified. The Maharaja is quoted saying:

“In the past we had Sankaracharya. Then we had Ramanujacharya. In recent times I could not think of anyone except A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the acharya of these modern times.”

 
We are very pleased and excited to present these four videos to all ISKCON members to commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s 125th Appearance Anniversary Year and his Grand Welcome Ceremony to the TOVP on October 14 & 15. With the above in mind, we hope our readers, recognizing the importance of this Samelan and these glorifications of Srila Prabhupada, will take this opportunity to sponsor an abhisheka of Prabhupada’s murti for this historic occasion. Visit the Welcome Ceremony page on the TOVP website for more information.

Read more about the content and schedule of the Sampradaya Samelan. It will be broadcast live on Mayapur TV during the October 14 ceremony.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Follow: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
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This video of HH Jayapataka Swami was made in 2020 in preparation for the planned installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP in February of this year. Due the pandemic, the installation was rescheduled for October this year, but again has been postponed to 2022.

Instead, we are observing a Grand Welcome Ceremony to greet His Divine Grace to the TOVP on October 14 & 15. The video still reflects the mood we are trying to maintain with the Prabhupada Is Coming! theme, and the planned abhishekas will still be performed at the Welcome Ceremony. Hare Krishna!

ABHISHEKA AND SEVA SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS

1. SACRED WATER BATHING – $25 / ₹1,600 / £20 (sponsor for each family member)
2. COPPER COIN BATHING – $300 / ₹21,000 / £250
3. SILVER COIN BATHING – $500 / ₹35,000 / £400
4. GOLD COIN BATHING – $1,000 / ₹71,000 / £800
5. PLATINUM COIN BATHING – $1,600 / ₹1 Lakh / £1,300
6. SAMSTAPAK ACHARYA SEVA – $10,000 / ₹7 Lakh / £8,000

– Coin donors will receive the abhisheka coin
– Samstapak Acharya donors will receive a 5″ replica murti

DONOR COIN CARDS

Donors will receive the coin used to ‘bathe’ Srila Prabhupada in these beautiful, specially designed cards.

5″ replica Prabhupada murti

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Follow: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
WhatsApp: https://m.tovp.org/whatsapp6
Instagram: https://m.tovp.org/tovpinstagram
App: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Store: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/

The bittersweet aesthetic of “My Sweet Lord” touched the hearts of millions. Love in separation is one of many aesthetic qualities in Vaishnava theology, and some of these qualities are illustrated in George’s other lyrics. In making observations about George’s songs, I am not arguing that he attained the highest states of bhakti, nor do I want to pass judgment on anyone. George was seriously spiritual-minded. The Vaishnava journey to Krishna, in progressive stages of love, is reflected in his songs. He struggled in life, found some balance, and never departed from his convictions. Westerners especially can easily learn something about the theology of bhakti as George expressed it. Continue reading "The Vaishnava Path in George Harrison’s Songs
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Ramsden Park, Toronto

Through the Park

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once wrote “The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.”

I see beauty in quiet and being solo can calm me down. It brings out the best in me. I believe also in more walking/less squawking.

There was an awesome number of people in the park today. Lots of activity. Picnics. Soccer balls chased by young boys and dogs. Basket ball hoops busy and guys dribbling, making popcorn sounds. Whatever happened to baseball? There’s a baseball diamond but that’s empty. Elderly folks are out catching the sun as they go at steady, slow pacing. The tennis court is full while the dog park area is full of running canines. Lots of motion, no commotion.

Everyone seems happy. No bickering.

That’s what parks are supposed to do – calm the passion in you. They are doing their dharma, duty.

I’m walking through this and feeling quite at home. I’m a monk and different in life-style, but I’m also one with this human fun. I see these folks, young and old, just moments, seconds away from the sport of kirtan. Simply the God-Presence needs inserting. What will it take to bring the more joyful aspect of Krishna in this green space? No, I really wouldn’t want to impose. For now, I’m content to walk through all this joy and let people get used to and love a monk and appreciate what he stands for.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Yorkville, Toronto

Loose Tongue Monster (About Gossip)

My latest poem:

Gossip is the cowardly unofficial occupation of a jerk

Volunteers are either on part or full-time work

Call it a toxic tongue, a plague worse than a pandemic

A dirty and dark behind-the-back dynamic

A casual chat where the truth is not confirmed

A devil’s radio whose broadcast can’t be reversed

Gossipy people have nothing of substance to say

Fabrications from their mouths are always on display

It’s a syndrome, a condition of verbal diarrhea

They are rumour addicts like alcoholics on tequila

Do take note that those who gossip to you

Will inevitably and eventually gossip about you

And those who know so little about you

Suddenly become an authority having all the goods on you

Perhaps the greatest human offender is the gossiper

Though feeling their contribution the status of a philosopher

Little do they know that gossip, a lethal weapon

Will act karmically as if to beckon

Like a boomerang that’s suddenly released

And comes back to haunt and strike like a beast

So stay away from this back stabbing game

Stay away from fault finders who bear no shame

Stay away from Loose Tongue Monsters of Derision

And hold hands with folks who have some vision

A superior investment to being critical

Is to point out the good in an individual

Don’t let that big fat mouth try to obstruct

Two good listening ears poised to reconstruct

Any hope for a rumour monger perhaps is our deep prayer

A call for a miracle, compassion, and help on a major repair

-Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

May the Source be with you!

3 km

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

Fortunate

Once a week I get to see godbrothers (go bros for short) and godsisters (I prefer no abbreviation here) on Zoom. These souls I have the greatest reverence towards. Many of them are pioneers of Krishna Consciousness. That makes them very special.

This call occurs every Wednesday. To me it’s administration day because the discussion involves amazing challenges that they take on. At least in my context of thought I perceive them as heroes because they tackle some overwhelming issues at times. You can say It’s dirty work. They discuss and plan through incredible hurdles.

Their age? Many of them are in their seventies so they are not the most photogenic looking folks but they possess beautiful hearts. They are a blessing, being children of the guru, Prabhupada, either through diksha or shiksa; initiation or being a good student respectively, or both.

What brings people to such an illustrious status is their great ability to share ideas, to listen to other’s ideas, come to a decision and consensus and then implement.

Although I’m part of the group, I cannot claim to be on their level of intelligence or surrender. I became part of the team by luck, by chance, by mercy. I am fortunate to be the observer of great minds coming together.

May the Source be with you!

Rosedale, Toronto

What the Big Deal About Cleaning

One of our members expressed an apprehension about cleaning but my argument on the point goes like this: “Our whole culture is about cleaning, whether it be the heart, your temple, your house or your car. As Vaishnavas we spend, or should spend, at least a small portion of our day in cleansing.” In the context of a traditional ashramor mandir (temple), cleansing becomes a major component. Monks give considerable time to clearing and cleaning, even if it means the backyard and front yard.

And why not do it?

Look at the marvelous workout it provides. Look at the outstanding therapy it offers. So, from the standpoint of body, mind, and spirit; cleaning, purging, ablution, washing, dusting, sanitizing and sterilizing are a big part of claiming success in life.

Our guru, Prabhupada, used to say that his guru (Bhaktisiddhanta) would have new monks wash pots. (That’s what I did yesterday due to shortage of staff. I loved it.)

There is nothing lighter and brighter to life than getting rid of clutter. Clutter, chaos and crap are easy to have fall in place, but it takes strong will and intent to remove that which blocks the way.

I recall, on my first Canada walk, a trucker carrying logs had lost control and the timber was strewn all over that portion of the TransCanada Highway. So I, and others (motorists), pushed them to the side so traffic could flow again.

I would like to bring to your attention the story of Chaitanya and his cleaning ecstasy program.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

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 Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date: 3rd Oct 2021

Day: Sunday

Time: 11 am to 12 noon

Topic: The Glories of Haridas Thakura

Speaker: HG Adi Gadadhar Das

Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09

HG Adi Gadadhar Das

Adi Gadadhar Das was introduced to Krishna consciousness by Gaur Gopal Prabhu and Gaurānga Prabhu in August 1998 at the age of 18 years while studying at Grant Medical college and JJ Hospital, Mumbai. He completed the Bhakti shastri course taught by Caitanya Charan Prabhu. He received first and second initiation from HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. He currently serves as the congregation director for ISKCON Atlanta. He is a physician and completed his medical training at Emory university. He serves as a Geriatric Hospitalist and lives in Atlanta with his wife Radhabhava Devi and two children Gopal and Maithili.

ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada, M1V4C7

Website: www.iskconscarborough.org

Email:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

Surendra Singh, an engineer and ISKCON devotee, has distributed Bhagavad-gita As It Is, celebrated Janmastami (Lord Krishna’s appearance day), and practiced Krishna consciousness with fellow scientific expedition team members at the Indian Antarctic research station “Maitri.” Antarctica, the Earth’s southernmost continent, is home to the the South Pole. It is the world’s coldest, driest and windiest continent, […]

The post Devotee Engineer Distributes Bhagavad-gita and Celebrates Janmastami in Antarctica appeared first on ISKCON News.

In a model similar to that of Gainesville’s Krishna House, thirty-five students from local universities are currently living and developing their spiritual lives at the Hare Krishna Training Centre (HKTC) in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Meanwhile 10 to 15 each are staying at satellite centers in nearby Eldoret and Juja, while many more […]

The post Kenya’s Hare Krishna Training Centre Gives Students Ashram Experience appeared first on ISKCON News.

Ekadasi is the 11th day of the lunar phase of the Moon. Indira Ekadasi is celebrated in the Krishna Paksha (waning Moon phase) in the month of Ashwin (September–October). Since this Ekadasi falls on the Pitru Paksha (15 days in the month of Ashwin dedicated to ancestors), it is also known as ‘Ekadasi Shraddh.’ This […]

The post Indira Ekadasi and the TOVP 2021 appeared first on ISKCON News.

On October 14 and 15 ISKCON will combinedly celebrate the Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP – Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsava. Prabhupada will now be personally present in the TOVP to inspire and direct us for its completion. This is Gaudiya Vaishnava history manifesting right before all our eyes, as predicted by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Five abhisheka options are available to sponsor, four pure metal coins and the Sahasra Jal Abhisheka (Sacred Water Abhisheka) composed of water from 125 sacred rivers, kundas and sarovaras gathered throughout India. This abhisheka seva presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for every devotee to participate in welcoming Srila Prabhupada to the TOVP as your personal expression of gratitude to our Founder-Acharya for the priceless gift of Krishna consciousness he has mercifully bestowed on us.

The coin abhishekas are composed of very small 100% pure metal coins that will be touched to Prabhupada’s head, and are as follows:

COPPER COIN BATHING – $300 / ₹21,000 / £250
SILVER COIN BATHING – $500 / ₹35,000 / £400
GOLD COIN BATHING – $1,000 / ₹71,000 / £800
PLATINUM COIN BATHING – $1,600 / ₹1 Lakh / £1,300

Donors will receive the coin used in the abhisheka in beautifully designed coin cards (see images below) as a special heirloom to keep in their family for generations to come.

Go to the Prabhupada Abhisheka Page TODAY and sponsor a coin.

DONOR COIN CARDS

Donors will receive the coin used to ‘bathe’ Srila Prabhupada in these beautiful, specially designed cards.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Follow: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
WhatsApp: https://m.tovp.org/whatsapp6
Instagram: https://m.tovp.org/tovpinstagram
App: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Store: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/

On September 1st, 2021 a specially designed and minted coin commemorating the 125th Appearance Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada this year was released by Indian Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi. This historic honoring of Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON is most important for the future of ISKCON and humanity.

The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium has acquired 108 of these coins to provide to well-wishers and supporters who would like to own this coin as an heirloom in their family for generations, and also support the continued construction of the TOVP. In the video Braja Vilasa displays the coin along with the attractive box and sleeve it comes in, all shipped to you anywhere in the world.

The coin is available for $1,250 / ₹1,25 Lakhs / €1,250 / £1,250. A two-year installment payment plan is an option for long-term payments. That’s a payment of $50 / ₹3700 / €85 / £37 a month for two years.

Reserve your coin today as supplies are limited!

To reserve your coin, use the following buttons:

RESERVE YOUR COIN NOW! (International)   

RESERVE YOUR COIN NOW! (India Only!)   

 
SRILA PRABHUPADA 125TH APPEARANCE ANNIVERSARY YEAR KI JAYA!

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Follow: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
WhatsApp: https://m.tovp.org/whatsapp6
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A big surprise in August was the comeback of Lima, Peru. I haven't seen a score from Lima for quite some time. The devotees did 2,420 book points, which was a 999% increase for the same month from a year ago. I've distributed books in Lima many years ago. The people are nice, but they don't have much laksmi. Continue reading "WSN August 2021 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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On the eve of a momentous event – the auspicious day of the official Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP on October 14 and 15 – an important event happened: the transfer of the murtis of Jaya and Vijaya, the two divine gatekeepers of the TOVP, to their permanent place at the main entrance to the Temple.

These murtis were completed, painted and varnished a few months ago and have now been moved to their permanent location. Work will begin on the manufacturing of massive lotus-shaped concrete bases, which will be covered from the outside with exquisite sandstone from Jaipur. We hope that on the approaching celebration of the welcome of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, all devotees and visiting guests will be able to receive darshan of Jaya and Vijaya in all their glory.

Hare Krishna!

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Follow: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
WhatsApp: https://m.tovp.org/whatsapp6
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App: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
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Store: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

I’ve Been Seeing Them

While sitting at a park bench, a curious soul came next to me. She is part Cree, part French, which makes her a Metis. She started talking even before an introduction. “I sometimes go to Govinda’s to eat.” That kicked off a conversation with loads of questions.

A section of the conversation was her appreciation of seeing regularly, before Covid, two monks, one handicapped, walking up and down Avenue Road routinely. “Please tell these two men that I’ve been seeing them, as I live on the same street, and they’ve inspired me with their walking and chanting.”

“I will,” I said as I’m now sure she’s talking about Dharmaprana and Dakshin, two of our elder monks.

My new friend asked about the chanting and so I gave her my mantra card which reads “Please try the following mantraand shine: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.” Translation ‘Oh Awesome Creator, allow me to be of blissful service to You and the world.’”

I explained that “Hare” refers to God Feminine and Krishna refers to God Masculine and Rama refers to the pleasure of serving the Divine Mother and Divine Father.

More questions came – many – and it was a pleasure to share from my side. As a follow up I invited this very sweet woman, a film-maker by profession, to any of our morning classes at 9:30 a.m.

Nice day in the park.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Hospitals on University Ave

Taking a Walk to See Mary

There we went swiftly on our feet – Dhruva from Calgary, Satya from Montreal and I – down University Ave in the hospital district. Many of these establishments are renowned for their research on cancer, heart disease and children’s diseases. “Oh, and look, there’s Mount Sinai Hospital next to us,” I pointed out, “where two months ago I had my knee surgery.”

Our purpose for walking here was not necessarily to show the boys a haven for sightseeing. That the area is not. Rather, one of us, Satya, is involved in a feature film on the iconic silent-film star, Mary Pickford, and I thought to bring them to a monumental bust of the grand lady on University Avenue, right in front of Sick Kids Hospital. She apparently was born in a house at that spot. Funny thing is that she was highly admired as “America’s Sweet Heart” during the silent-picture era, but in fact her body was Canadian.

From a total perspective of a monk like me, I would just say that she was an entertainer and, as a service to humanity offered, joy to many. She is also documented to have an affinity towards spirituality in the form of a book, “Why Not Try God?”

Pious woman, indeed.

There was a time when God was important in people’s lives, in fact it was very prevalent in Protestant-dominated Toronto and that was true in 1892, when she was born.

Thanks, Mary, for sharing faith and wisdom.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

High Park, Toronto

Something Special

Something special happens on Saturday with events that occur at Toronto’s popular High Park. I can’t confess to know all that goes on at this green piece of relief from Big City dynamics, but one thing is for sure – people come here for peace. The venue, in fact, is so sought after and relatively but serenely busy that traffic is closed here on holidays and weekends. Those of us who are chant-and-dance lovers make it a point to take full advantage of this wonderful spot every Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

Off of Bloor Street near Colborne Ridge we gather where people of tranquil minds funnel in and out and where an elderly fellow plays his sax from a park bench belching out tear-jerking classics like “Days of Wine and Roses.” I don’t know how long he sits there but to me he’s a permanent and welcoming fixture who gives to the atmosphere.

Heads turn and smiles project off the faces at the free flow of human limbs in a dance and chant tradition of monk Chaitanya, who is most influential to this day since he inaugurated this bliss in the early 16^th century. It is so crazy to see that this tension-releasing program of love and tenderness goes on in many fine corners of the world.

I’m happy to hear and receive pics of devotees celebrating Krishna’s birthday in Antarctica. Perhaps the Beatles’ “I am the Walrus” was prophetic with the lyrics, “penguins chanting Hare Krishna.”

May the Source be with you!