Websites from the ISKCON Universe
We have been so pained by the reports of devotees getting the virus, and especially those leaving their body or having long-term debilitating effects. As the virus continues or gets worse in many parts of the world, you can expect periodic reminders from us imploring you to remain cautious as we enter the new calendar year.
HH Jayapataka Swami: I had some devotees, who were rendering personal service for me. They all stay together in the same room. Somehow they turned positive for the coronavirus. And thus had to be retired for treatment. There was pre-occupation, that I might have got infected by them. So they tested me, but by Krsna’s mercy, I turned out to be negative. And so did the other persons serving me.Read More...
Auspiciousness is the most sought-after element of human society today given the fact that we are compelled to carry a large baggage of the pandemic. Though the beginning of the end is in sight now . What better way to repose our faith into Spirituality than dedicating our time, energy and emotions in chanting the […]
The post ISKCON Celebrates New Year in Its Signature Style appeared first on Mayapur.com.
ith HG Mondakini Devi Dasi. Personal pastimes, instructions and so much more
By Lilamayi Radha dasi For the past 3 years, ISKCON Hong Kong has launched an outreach Sri Damodara Street program during the all auspicious Kartik month. This year was no exception. Devotees set up a mini mobile temple on the street and warmly invited the passers-by to offer ghee lamps to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Yasoda Damodara Deities. This program was accompanied with sweet chanting of the holy names, lovely prasadam and book distribution. In the face of the epidemic, we immensely felt that the message of Godhead was much needed in the society to give both the dressed and distressed light and hope. Continue reading "ISKCON Hong Kong-Sri Damodara Street Program 2020
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In 2007 the GBC RESOLVED:
“Whenever the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection rules that an offense is such as to restrict a person from serving in ISKCON in positions of leadership (including but not limited to offices of GBC, minister, zonal secretary or temple officer), the restriction must include the position of initiating guru. This restriction shall apply to all previous and future decisions of the Central Office of Child Protection.
A devotee initiated by a guru subsequently affected by this resolution is considered to have been duly initiated under the authority of ISKCON and the GBC and is recognized as an ISKCON member in good standing with all the privileges of an initiate. Other questions that may arise in the application of this law should be referred to the Executive Committee of the GBC.”
In 2007 the ISKCON CPO CLARIFIED:
“We can categorically state that Dhanurdhara Maharaja, and any others with similar CPO decisions, may not act as initiating spiritual masters in ISKCON.”
In 2020 the ISKCON North American GBC CONFIRMED:
“So the conclusion is that the North American GBC Council are not willing to make any changes in Dhanurdhara Swami’s status and he will remain outside of ISKCON in North America.”
In 2020 the ISKCON CPO CONFIRMED:
“Dhanurdhara Swami remains outside of ISKCON North America. His choice to live as a sannyasi and a guru is his own independent choice.”
This was because Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma could not joke freely and Yaśodā could not liberally pamper the boys because of the presence of Nanda and his brothers. However for Kṛṣṇa’s relatives the evening meal was a hundred times more blissful because the entire family could eat with Kṛṣṇa. It was a million times more blissful for Yāśodā because of seeing the bliss of the relatives.
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The post The Monk’s Podcast 84 with Madhavananda Prabhu – From Sentimentality to Spirituality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Those eighteen days(1) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
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The post Gita Jayanti special – part 1 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Yorkville, Toronto
Be Practical
We have often heard our guru, Prabhupada, define jnanamas knowledge and vijnanam as applied knowledge. The first word is theoretical and the second is practical.
Practical application, even common sense, is the way I tried to best steer my presentation tonight, to devotees in Kazakstan and surrounding areas; known as Central Asia. The topic title was “When I Rains, Use an Umbrella,” with subtitle “Be Practical.” I’m quite passionate about the theme of not allowing sentiment to inhibit one’s spiritual growth. Permit discernment to have some say. We call bhakti-yoga, buddhi-yoga at times—uniting with the Supreme with heart and intelligence. Buddhi refers to intelligence.
Those listening from far away seemed to enjoy the talk, followed by a question session. They also enjoyed the opening four minutes and sixteen seconds of the excerpt from the musical, “Singing in the Rain,” where Gene Kelly is strutting his stuff, dancing in a downpour. In this perfectly choreographed piece, he is seen with his umbrella opened up. Then he decides to draw it closed and takes in the rain, almost as if to transcend the wetness. It certainly was a creative way to open up a class or discussion on Krishna Consciousness.
What a great feeling it was, communicating and seeing these great souls from the other side of the world. I also had the pleasure of connecting with the Oakville crew. With them we are going over the Gita’s Chapter 16, reviewing the dark side of the soul.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Yorkville, Toronto
The Gita & Christmas
At noon, Alberta time, I Zoomed a class to out community in Edmonton, explaining the significance of the day. First of all, I spoke about the parallels of Christ and Krishna and then more emphatically detailed the wisdom factor that they both delivered for the benefit of humanity. The comparative notes were appreciated by the listeners. I feel an obligation to share with our congregants the importance of viewing the similarities between traditions and not overly emphasizing distinctions.
One area of activity that both Krishna and Jesus had in common, which I failed to mention, was their adherence to the walking culture. Jesus, for instance, did much travel on foot from place to place. The only recollection I have of his using another conveyance was when he rode on a donkey while being greeted palms.
Krishna, on the other hand, used so much leg muscle as a cowherd, walking the expanse of pastures with His friends and the calves. These thoughts came to mind when I was doing one of those brief walks through the snow-shoveled sidewalks of Yorkville, just metres away from our temple ashram. In fact, my walk was short due to a commitment of reading Chapter Six from The Gita, entitled “Dhyana Yoga.”
Quite a few people were online listening, not just to my segment of Chapter Six, but the entire seven hundred verses, a task of listening for about three hours. And while the reading was occurring through the audible level of my phone’s speakers, in the next room over, the kitchen, our cook was listening to the Sanskrit version. The atmosphere was surcharged with goodness.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
It might be sunny on one side of the street and raining on the other. We may choose to walk on the sunny side, but the rain might come on that side too. So in this way, we have to accept the direction of time. In real life, we do not want to take this; we want to change the destiny. But in reality, we have to take the destiny and make adjustments to it. That is the only independence that we really have!
The article " Destiny – can we change it? " was published on KKSBlog.
Following the recent release of the audio version, the Bhaktivedanta Players performed this drama on Bhakitvedana Manor's new Sri Krishna Haveli stage to have it filmed. (Due to precautions against the Coronavirus, a live audience was not permitted).
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HG Daivi Shakti Mataji in ISKCON Vrindavan (video)
Rasa-tatt...Read More...
By Sarvopama dasa I resolve to set my sights on the highest possible goal. Srila Prabhupada said he would know his movement was successful if even one of his disciples became a pure devotee. My chances to satisfy this desire of my gurudeva are about as good as a snowflake in hell. Nonetheless I resolve to try or die trying. Continue reading "Resolutions for the New Year
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243 Avenue Rd., Toronto
Banging Bells
“O restless night!” actually it is supposed to be “O Holy Night” which we, residents of our ashram, attempted to declare, at the very least with our bells, chiming exactly at 6 p.m. Our neighbour down the street, Pauline by name, takes up these initiatives of enthusing all on the street to recognize the Covid medical workers. It was only a two-minute blast of bells. As best we could, those who responded did so in concert.
What makes the night “holy” is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Additionally, for us Krishna-ites the Gita was spoken by Krishna to Arjuna, hence generating one of the most prominent philosophical truths on earth.
From our end of the street (as we are located at a juncture) our David arranged the bells. He handed me a wind chime which I shook energetically. There were actually just a few of us, each armed with some sort of a ring-a-ling instrument.
The time could not have been clocked better. The daytime rain had transformed into big, puffy snowflakes creating a magical mood. Indeed, the sky persisted in its whiteness, as did the sidewalks, rooftops and car tops. Green became white. May I suggest that we view this colour transcendentally? For instance, it is the skin color of Balarama, listed as one of the popular ten avatars. We can also consider the pure whiteness of Rama’s consort, Sita. Her complexion is like that.
What we really got to taste was a Christmasy flavour. Perhaps Krishnasy, being that Bhagavan Krishna had something to say on the day of significance.
May the Source be with you!
0 km
Yorkville, Toronto
Bells
It started to sprinkle almost immediately after I set foot on the sidewalk. The timing couldn’t have been more precise. The good thing about this occurrence is that I was forced to find each and every location which had a bench with some shelter over it.
I was actually planning to make it to Queen’s Park but the rain forced me to go halfway to Yorkville. I am good and prepared for a real rain shower when I’m in the area and when I don’t want to stray too far from the ashram.
At each bench I covered one round of japa chanting on the beads. I know that at this time Christmas Carolers go out on the street and sing spiritual. For instants, in Winnipeg, Vrinda, our fearless leader there, told me of how in her neighbourhood folks got together to belch out those classic holy songs with devotion. Recently someone asked me if I have a favourite Christmas song and I confessed that amongst the regular songs it is “Silver Bells” by the Supremes.
However, I was out there going bench-hopping and chanting the song “Hare Krishna,” which is a meditation on sacred sound. There was an optimism in the air amongst pedestrians.
By the way, at 6 p.m. tomorrow the members of the ashram, along with our neighbourhood, will be ringing whatever bells in the house we have, ring-a-ling-ing them in support of those fighting Covid.
Cheers!
May the Source be with you!
2 km
Brahmananda Puris's sudden and unexpected departure from this world affected me very deeply and as I'm sure it has affected all of you as well who are participating in this broadcast. Brahmananda's qualities were very broad, very deep. As a person, as an individual, as a leader or even as a supporter of projects that had meaning to him, he was in many ways unsurpassed.
For me I saw that his devotion to the Mayapur Project, by which he assisted in the purchase of enormous amounts of land there, as well as other projects related to book production, were dear to him, and accomplished an enormous amount for that which he cared about at the time. And I saw him act in a manner which was devoted, selfless and, above all, filled with energy and enthusiasm to do the right thing.
I hope you enjoy the new 25-minute tutorial and ten reasons why I still love Vaisnava attire and would pick a dhoti over pants any day.
The year 2020 was a most difficult year for all of us due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic. With TOVP construction halted for almost eight months and a significant loss to our regular income stream, we had to make the difficult decision to push back the Grand Opening to 2023, and reschedule the installation of […]
The post ToVP 2021 New Year’s Message! appeared first on Mayapur.com.
With HH Giriraj Swami, HH Lokanath Swami, HG Bhima Prabhu, HG Vaisesika Prabhu and many more
Giriraj Swami begins at about 1:12:10.
Several of our devotees are still fighting COVID. Please continue your prayers of support.
Yesterday in Iskcon Delhi on the occasion of Gita Jayanti my son (Krishna) vigorously Distributed Bhagavad-Gitas carrying in his little hands. He sold few.. At last got a gentleman who sponsored 5 cartons..(160 Gitas)
December 26, the disappearance anniversary of the hidden jewel of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Vibhu Chaitanya Prabhu. He alone cooked for 17 years all the offerings to the Deities. He arrived at the kitchen at 2:30am and left at 1 pm and then again from 3:30pm to 10pm. Prabhupada told him he didn’t have to chant rounds, just chant while cooking. The most exquisite melodies emanated from the kitchen. When he could no longer stand, for years he meticulously gave out the charanamrita
By the GBC SPT The New Year is traditionally the time for resolutions. The turn of the calendar brings both the opportunity to reflect on the last 12 months and the chance to begin planning for the next dozen. As you think about yours, GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) brings to you live interview with Sri Radha Govinda Dasi to help you keep up with the resolutions, better decision making, leading through crisis and grow tall in Krishna Consciousness. Continue reading "Lousy New Year’s Resolutions No More! (video)
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By Prishni Devi Dasi The BIHS workshop was designed to facilitate intellectual discourse engaging 5th Canto cosmographical models frequently discussed within ISKCON. The workshop explored historical and contemporary models along with new research that enhances the rich devotional culture engaging this topic. The Director of the BIHS, Brahmatirtha das (MS Geology), one of the founding members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute who participated in the original 1977 “Life Comes From Life” conference held in Vrindavan while Srila Prabhupada was present, explained, “We are striving to elevate the discourse to a level suitable for publication in appropriate academic circles so that the efforts of the many Vaishnavas can be appreciated by the intellectual communities while remaining loyal to our tradition.” Continue reading "Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies 2020 Workshop on Fifth Canto Cosmography
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Fifty-one years ago, on December 26, 1969, in Boston, Srila Prabhupada awarded me second initiation. He said, “Sucih means purified. And another meaning of sucih is brahman. A brahman means purified. Those who are going to be sacred-threaded today should remember that they are being accepted as sucih, as brahman. After chanting for six months or one year, it is supposed that he has already become purified. Now he should be recognized that he is purified. So this sacred thread means recognition. Sacred thread means one should understand . . . Just like one understands a man is learned by the degrees M.A., B.A., or Ph.D., similarly, when there is sacred thread it is understood that he has undergone the purificatory process under superior management, or guidance of spiritual master. This is called upanayana in Sanskrit. Upanayana: bringing him more near. The first initiation is the beginning of purification, and offering the sacred thread means bringing him more near. The principle is that those who are ordinarily initiated should not touch the Deity. Only those who are in sacred thread, they should touch. This is the system.”
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Ramsden Park, Toronto
Namaste!
I really prefer to get my vitamin D by catching some sun when I go for my daily stepping. But what if the full day is ridden by clouds like it often is these days? By the time my calls and Zooms are completed it’s dark. The daylight is over. Although it is normally an intense time during Christmas, with the current virus lockdown all is a “silent night." Even the natural world appeared still. Not a raccoon’s scratchy claws against a tree’s bark would be heard. To fill the ether within earshot I did chant my japa mantras.
My chanting these days, by the way, is dedicated to victims of Covid that I know. Also on my list are Indira, a very committed Krishna member from Mississauga, and Jim, a brother-in-law, who's struggling for his life, like Indira. My chanting is a prayer or an appeal for Krishna‘s mercy in assisting these good souls.
Good souls! Yes, they are all around us. Goodness pervades. It doesn’t always appear as such yet deep down inside there is a spark of purity in all of us.
As I was completing my tranquil appeal-for-help walk on Roxborough St. I saw, in the distance, a silhouette of a woman coming my way. The municipal lights shone in such a way as to create a well-covered and well-dressed stylish person heading east toward the affluent homes of Rosedale. I walked. The image walked. I walked. The image came closer—a woman. I walked and wondered, “Will she say anything?" I walked. She walked. Closer we came. “Namaste!" She said. “Hare Krishna!“ I said.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Ramsden Park, Toronto
Two Lights Felt
Saturn and Jupiter were to come very close together from the earth’s viewpoint. They were to appear as a bright star. I decided to execute my walk through Ramsden Park, doing a back-and-forth pacing where there is less interference by high-rise buildings. Unfortunately hazy clouds actually blocked the view. My anticipation for this darshan(sighting) became deflated. Being equipoised was my only refuge.
Now, have any of you ever listened to “The Planets" by music composer Holtz. If you have not, then you’ve wasted 50% of your life. Let your ear catch the piece, “Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity.” It is so irresistibly captivating. Very optimistic in spirit. Then there is “Saturn, Bringer of Old Age." It starts off with a mysterious calm, picks up its intensity and finishes with a beautiful resolve.
The power of listening to this music by Holtz is such that it leaves you in wonder. You feel like a tiny speck that exists in modesty within the vast world.
While ambling along through the park this evening I could only gaze at a blurry moon and watch the dozens of ice skaters merrily go about, in smooth stride under the brightly lit fixtures that are sub-level to the trees. I did come to terms with the inability to see the luminaries above. Like the soul which is hard to be seen but can be felt. However it can certainly do some observing. The planets of prominence tonight were not to be viewed but sensed. Jupiter brings on joy. Saturn commands calmness. I was feeling both as I wrapped up my stroll.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
By Ernesto Londoño This is a revolutionary article from the New York Times in the USA. It came out today. It's a long time coming! And it speaks of Krsna consciousness in a very favorable way as well! A big bravo for Ms.Tavares! Please notice Srila Prabhupada's photo on the wall in the photo. All glories to His Divine Grace!. Ms. Tavares, a Hare Krishna who describes cooking as a sacred act that brings her closer to God, says, “There is a shift of consciousness underway.” Continue reading "New York Times features devotees in a vegetarian promoting article
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“A person who is constantly engaged in reading literature enunciating the cultivation of Vaisnava devotional service is always glorious in human society, and certainly Lord Krsna becomes pleased with him.” Nectar of Devotion 12, Hearing the Revealed Scriptures
ISKCON Nepal releases a new Melodious Hare Krishna Rock Kirtan as an offering for Gita Jayanti. It is like a story mode that targets to preach Bhagavad Gita to an audience.
This is a devotional rap telling how to get free from anxiety in this pandemic.
Sing and dance along to this catchy and inspiring tune! We guarantee you will have this on repeat.