TOVP Pujari Floor Grand Opening, February 13 – A Landmark and Historic Event
- TOVP.org

On February 13, 2020, the auspicious Divine Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada, the TOVP staff and all of ISKCON will celebrate another milestone event in the progress of the construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium: the inauguration of the Deities’ completed new pujari floor.

This 2.5 acre floor consists of over 20 specially designed Deity seva rooms built to the highest construction standards, with state-of-the-art modern facilities to enable the impeccable service of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva, Sri Nrsimha and the Guru Parampara in Their long-awaited new home for hundreds of years to come.

The celebration begins at 9am with a special procession from the current temple bringing Srila Prabhupada, Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and small Radha Madhava to the TOVP where they will be offered the first view of all the rooms of the Pujari Floor. The complete schedule is below and the entire event will be viewable live or recorded on www.mayapur.tv.

21 of the rooms on the Pujari Floor have also been selected for eager donors to sponsor. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to directly serve ISKCON’s Main Deities at our World Headquarters in sacred Sridhama Mayapur won’t come again. You can personally serve Their Lordships by financing the completion of one of these rooms, and have your name placed over the entrance as the sevaite responsible for this unique service. Make your pledge today and receive Their Lordships’ eternal blessings.

For more information go to the TOVP Rooms of Worship page here.

Grand Opening Schedule

9:00 – Svagata: Welcoming the Deities, Padukas and Srila Prabhupada
9:30 – Invocation Prayers
9:45 – Addresses by Senior Vaishnavas
11:30 – Vastu Puja/Homa Yajna
12:15 – Puspanjali for H.D.G Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur
12:30 – Pujari Kaksha Udghatana: Pujari Rooms Opening
2:00 – Bhandara: Celebration Feast

 

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The post TOVP Pujari Floor Grand Opening, February 13 – A Landmark and Historic Event appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Vasanta Pancami
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Hare Krishna

Bhurijana dasa: Even ducks and other birds of Vrindaban participate in Krsna's wonderful pastimes. "Some boys imitated flying birds by running after the bird's shadows on the ground, some imitated the beautiful movements and attractive postures of the swans, some sat down with the ducks, sitting silently, and others imitated the dancing of the peacocks.

Read More...

(This post has been viewed 4880 times so far)

Auckland program
→ Ramai Swami

When I arrived in Auckland the devotees had already lined up a few home programs and the first was at the home of Suryacandra Krsna and family, who are wonderful devotees originally from India.

It is a beautiful double story house and on the first floor there is a great view of the bay and the city of Auckland. As usual, we started the evening with kirtan, then lecture and questions and finally prasadam.

Tuesday, January 21st, 2020
→ The Walking Monk


Port of Spain/Paramaribo

Walk I Didn't Do In Two Ways

Time to move on.  I had a great brunch with dear friend, Guru Prasad Swami.  He was also on the move.  After he left, I was left with a queue of people, each of whom just wanted to have a few minutes with me, in private.  Some advice.  Some direction.  Some blessing.

I could see the talent in the community.  But now, it was time to go.  Off to Port of Spain Airport where I gathered a few more souls for a few last minutes.  And as I was giving attention, I could see out of the corner of my eye, a senior Christian priest ambling along rather slowly with cane in hand, and all the while keeping a good composure. 

Old-school-down-to-basics man, I thought.  He had his jet-black regalia on.  We didn't meet.  I had my crew and he had his parishioners enjoying his company.

Okay, so now, it was really time to go.  I said my good-byes through a group hug, passed through security and onward-rolling luggage down a main hall, before reaching my gate.  There was a massive billboard suspended from the ceiling.  It had a message.  Could be misleading.  It read: "Walk."  A little ambiguous at first.  I felt guilty putting no time into walking today. 

A little closer look and I could see what the real promotion was all about and it was quite opposite to a message of health.  Johnnie Walker, "Black Label," a brand of Scotch whiskey is one of those duty-free items picked up by air travellers.  The letters WALK were so prominent.

Off to Suriname and a house program.  Jyoti turned 11.  It's her birthday. We tried to keep the guest happy.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Monday, January 20th, 2020
→ The Walking Monk


No Man's Land, Tobago

Less Formal

Sometimes it feels as if one day of chilling out, of comrade relaxation, is equal to a whole 365 days of formality.  And so it was on this day of 1/20/20 that the bonding which took place amongst us, over a trip to Tobago—with the fun of it all—and being in the water, over the sand and under the sun, just accomplished miracles.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B7kxS9agtEO/?igshid=drjf1l0vh75q

At the Tobago Airport, a rather muscular, nice man, by the name of Cool Runnings, approached our crew from Guyana and Trinidad, about taking one of those glass-bottom boats for a sail.  Along with playing over ocean waters, we snorkelled, swam, chanted and did some improvisational sports, making our journey a holistic venture.

From my Cuban experiential visits in the water, I introduced ‘sadhana in the waves’ to the guys.  We experienced such fun in the spirit of Krishna, and with praise to Tulasi, a sacred basil plant that grows in abundance here—although a little less in a gorgeous mangrove, in a place called No Man's Land.

Chickens are thriving in Tobago, with roosters dominating in the flock.  They were demonstrating the pecking order, going after our veggie toss-outs with aggressive speed at our picnic site.  The irony is that they are also seen to loiter just outside the chicken restaurant called "Rooster" right next to the airport. 

We ran into some snags with the airlines, thus causing us to spend a night over.  Islanders are nice folks, including Cool Runnings.  I just wish the people could be more conscious of trash that's left around.  If all those party-goers at the ‘Carnival’ would give a day for cleaning up, I’m sure the planet would be happier. 

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Sunday, January 19th, 2020
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Longdenville, Trinidad

Notable Stroll

It is now customary that, while still in the dark just before dawn, I go for a notable stroll with comrades, across the street from the temple,  The usual features are there in that modest residential neighbourhood—the potholes in the road, half-built homes, and canines who bark and gather like a bunch of gangsters.  They, the gangsters, are not much to worry about.  They can be loud.  They can come forward to huff and puff, but they are not a match for our bhakti brigade. We are merely walking and chanting softly on our beads.  Sure, they are territorial, but we will let them live in their instinct, because let it be known, it is also an illusion.  Territory belongs to the Supreme. 

I look up.  Perhaps my comrades are also looking at the sky and at a greater power—the moon.  Now careful, we go on.  The potholes are pools.  We had several showers last night.  Clouds had let loose their contents.

One more feature of this hood is that many of the homeowners happily like us.  It is evident when the rare motorist comes by, or a homeowner greets us with a "Haribol," "Sita Rama" or even, "Hare Krishna."  Hearing such terminology is relaxing and reassuring. 

Incidentally, in the afternoon, a kirtan mela was held—an uproarious one—at the temple.  Guru Prasad Swami also spoke about the value of sacred sound in the dark pit of Kali-yuga.  I backed his remarks by saying that chanting dissolves that which is dark, spooky and threatening. https://youtu.be/eATyEBIoLyU

https://youtu.be/t3OMCmbWF64

May the Source be with you!
2 km






Saturday, January 18th, 2020
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Chaguanas, Trinidad

Sun and Sound

After a good catching-up rest at the Longdenville ISKCON Centre, I, along with a good number of devotees, hopped into another one of those colourful Chariot Fest events in the downtown of nearby Chaguanas.  My dear Godbrother, Guru Prasad Swami, and I were whisked into a devotee-owned warehouse and office for quick, simultaneous interviews by two TV stations.  Another one followed after our parade.

It was a hot one—both the weather and kirtan.  Somehow in Trinidad, overcast conditions had prevailed all week, until today, and then there were the blaring loud-speakers as well, which give an event like this the usual Trinidadian flavour.

The streets were crowded.  It was the perfect place to be.  I believe with the chanting, dancing and drumming, there was a shaking of the whole town.  The mayor joined us as well as a rep from another government level.  The youth carried the show with their exuberance, and the established business persons and seniors stood by with donor-backing. 

I went from the chill to the frying pan in terms of the elemental conditions, but that is what happens for me in the winter months.  My constant companion on this day was an umbrella over my head protecting me from the merciless sun, while my friend, Guru Prasad, kept his ear-plugs in place.  Lots of smiles dominated the program, including the euphoric stretching smile of Jagannatha, the central figure.

May the Source be with you!
6 km








NASN December 2019 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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By Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of December 2019. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN December 2019 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Mother Kulangana remembrances, Bhakti Centre
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Mother Kulangana had a special affinity for milk products from childhood as a result of keeping cows on her family farm. Thus, she was naturally attracted to cooking the milk sweets the devotees offered to Krishna every day. She quickly became an expert cook, mastering the various recipes, skills and techniques required for milk sweet making. Another gift which gave Mother Kulangana no end of pleasure, was painting the sweets with food colouring.

(This post has been viewed 330 times so far)

Welcome to Sravan Utsava
→ Mayapur.com

On behalf of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, Ashtasakhis, Panca-tattva and Prahlad-Nrsimha, the ISKCON Mayapur Gaura-purnima festival committee would like to humbly extend an invitation to all residents, visiting guests and tourists to attend our Sravana Utsav program which will be held from the 18’th to 21’st of February, […]

The post Welcome to Sravan Utsava appeared first on Mayapur.com.

HH Jayapataka Swami gave Harinam initiation to 950 candidates
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HH Jayapataka Swami gave Harinam initiation to 950 candidates in Bangladesh.
Here is a recent video of him trying to encourage the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books with a Tulabhara.
Tula means scale and bhara means weight. Traditionally, someone sits on one side of the scale and on the other side rice with shell, coconut, banana, different fruits will be stacked, until it is equal to the weight of the person. Then this bhoga is offered to the Lord. Here it seems that the weight of His Holiness in books will be distributed to lucky souls!!!

(This post has been viewed 374 times so far)

The Only Remedy That Can Bring About a Peaceful and Happy Life, January 20, Houston, Houston
Giriraj Swami

 

Posted by Giriraj Swami on Monday, January 20, 2020.

“Unless one is protected by the mercy of the Lord, no remedial measure can act effectively. One should consequently depend fully on the causeless mercy of the Lord. Although as a matter of routine duty one must of course accept other remedial measures, no one can protect one who is neglected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this material world, everyone is trying to counteract the onslaught of material nature, but everyone is ultimately fully controlled by material nature. Therefore even though so-called philosophers and scientists try to surmount the onslaught of material nature, they have not been able to do so.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.19 purport.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.19

Sun Love Feast – Jan 26th 2020 – Vedic discourse by Her Grace Prema Gaurangi Mataji
→ ISKCON Brampton




Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 

And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one
who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 - 12:55    Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

COMING UP AHEAD

Bhaimi Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Wed Feb 5th, 2020
Breakfast................  on Thu 6th Feb, 2020 b/w 7:29am – 9:56am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or
simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures
and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through
regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 




ONGOING PROGRAMS

Adult Education At The Temple
ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values.
Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness
and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the
same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com


Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates,
quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed
to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna
consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make
Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your
loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your
visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs
inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Lecture on Hospice Care, January 19, Bhaktivedanta Medical Association, Houston
Giriraj Swami

“It is quite encouraging to help someone leave their body in Krishna consciousness with the expectation that they wont have to take birth again in the material world but will go back to Godhead. I have spoken to people that have said that helping someone leave their body at the time of death was a very sacred time for them.”

Hospice Care (Right click to download)

Cheaters to Teachers
→ ISKCON News: Latest Stories

You have a 20-second window to make an impression – they stop, you size them up, put in a spiritual pitch, something interesting, inspirational and endearing, and wait for a reaction – hit, miss or blank… anything could happen! One thing is for sure – people are perceptive. They can sniff out any sense of superficiality, selfish motive, or insecurity within moments.

Krsna – The Ultimate Chess Player
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 May 2019, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.11.25)

It is important to always turn to Krsna and remember that Krsna will decide. Krsna has His plan. We can think of a chess board where we are a pawn on the chess board. So as a pawn on the chess board, we can see the squares that are closest to us. Oh, there is a horse coming! We can see that, so then we must watch out. But while there are a few squares around us that we can see, we cannot oversee the whole board. We cannot oversee the whole game. Krsna, however, is the chess player and He can see seven moves ahead. He is the ultimate chess player and so He knows everything! We can see the horse coming but we cannot see more than the immediate circumstances that we are in. All we can see is what is happening in our life right now and we see it as something good or something bad. But how do we know if something is really bad? How can we ever know?

Prabhupada told us a story about a King. There was a King and he was in the Royal Court where he was playing with an arrow and this arrow had a very sharp head. As the king was playing with this arrow, he made a wrong move and he cut a little piece of his finger. Well that was a national disaster! I mean, a piece cut off the royal finger. The whole kingdom had to lament about the royal finger. But there was one minister who said to the King, “Your majesty, this was a good thing. This has happened for a reason.” Of course, the King got really upset at the minister saying that it was good that the royal finger got cut off. “You think it was good? Well then it will also be good if you are put in the jail for a while!”, the King ordered. So in next moment, the soldiers came and dragged the minister off and threw him in the dungeons. After a few days, the King went into the forest for some hunting, but when he was in the forest, he got caught by some dacoits. These dacoits were worshipping Mahabhairava, which is the ghastly form of Durga, and so they decided that they would offer the King to Mahabhairava for auspiciousness. So these dacoits were getting the King ready for the sacrifice with the ornaments and all, but then they saw a piece was missing from the King’s finger. According to their tradition, if there is a piece missing, the person could not be offered. Oh no! So then, they allowed the King to go. After the King came back, he was thinking about his minister and called for him. He told the minister that he was right. “It was good after all that I cut that piece off my finger because it saved my life, but one thing I do not understand is why it was good that you were in jail… how is that good?”, the King asked. The minister replied that it was very good actually that he was in jail, because if he was not, he would have been with the King on the hunting trip and when the dacoits let the King go, they would have sacrificed him (the minister) instead. So in this way, Krsna can see so many moves ahead and we simply cannot. So we may think sometimes that our current circumstances are bad, but maybe what is bad now later turns out to be good. So in this way, Krsna is actually protecting us.

The article " Krsna – The Ultimate Chess Player " was published on KKSBlog.

Just focus on Krishna!
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A lady, member of the congregation, went to her local Hare Krishna Temple president and said, I won’t be attending the Temple anymore.
He said, May I ask why??
She said I see people on their cell phones during the services, some are gossiping, some just ain’t living right, they are all just hypocrites…
The Temple president got silent, and he said, ok… But can I ask you to do something for me before you make your final decision?

(This post has been viewed 375 times so far)

Mayapur Panchakros Parikrama
→ Mayapur.com

Tomorrow is Pancha krosa Parikrama – going on Parikrama by walk in and around Mayapur. We will leave from Srila Prabhupada bhajan kutir on 25th Jan by 5 a.m., taking sankalpa ( spiritual vow) to perform this Parikrama. The Parikrama will proceed through Jagai -Madhai ghat, Ganga nagara, Bharadwaja Tila, entering Simantadwip and visiting Jagannath […]

The post Mayapur Panchakros Parikrama appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ISKCON Scarborough – Srimad Bhagavatam Katha- Interactive presentation- Lord Krsna Rescues His Teacher’s Son – 25th Jan 2020- 4 pm to 6 pm
→ ISKCON Scarborough



Hare Krsna
Please accept our humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Our 31st month - interactive, multimedia SB katha will be held at ISKCON Scarborough from 4 pm to 6 pm. Admission is free and prasadam will be served.

You will also get printed notes to take home with you for your future reference of the pastime.

All are welcome and there are no pre-requisites.

Topic: Lord Krsna Rescues His Teacher's Son
Date: 25th Jan 2020 (Saturday)
Time: 4 pm to 6 pm
Summary of the pastime: This chapter describes how Lord Krsna and Lord Balaram travelled to the ocean at Prabhäsa where Lord Krsna killed the conch demon Pancajana, took the Pancajanya conch shell and then travelled to the planet of Yamaraja, the lord of death to retrieve the son of their Spiritual master Sandipani Muni.

SB 2.2.37: Those who drink through aural reception, fully filled with the nectarean message of Lord Krsna, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to the lotus feet of Him [the Personality of Godhead].


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough, Ontario,
Canada, M1V4C7
Website: www.iskconscarborough.org
Email:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com