TOVP Progress Report – November 2019
- TOVP.org

In this short update video Sadbhuja prabhu, TOVP Managing Director, describes the colossal pillar top called a ‘Capital’ that will be used on top of numerous key pillars on the external structure of the temple.

In architecture the capital (from the Latin caput, or “head”) or chapiter forms the topmost member of a column (or a pilaster). It mediates between the column and the load thrusting down upon it, broadening the area of the column’s supporting surface.


 

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The post TOVP Progress Report – November 2019 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Day 9 – Braja Parikrama 2019
→ KKSBlog

Vrindavan Parikrama

Day 9 brings us to the home of Lalita Sakhi close to Radharani’s residence in Varsana. Lalita Sakhi is one of Srimati Radharani’s 8 principle girlfriends. And the trip also takes us to Deha Kund; the place where the cowherd boys would have lunch with Krishna.

Videos

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Uchagaon

Deha Kund

Photos

Photos by Svasti-Gopinatha, Tamala Krsna, Gauravani, Padmanabha, Zoltan, Gopali, Tamala Krsna, Tattva Darsana and others

Braja Parikrama 2019 Schedule

  • 1st Nov – Govinda kund, Tribhuvanatha Samadhi, Nrsimha temple Puncari
  • 2nd Nov – Gosvami Temples Vrindavana
  • 3-5 Nov Jaipur
  • 6th Nov – Yavat, Vrindakund
  • 7th Nov – Sanket, Anjanoka
  • 8th Nov – Vrindavan Parikrama
  • 9th Nov – Unchagaon
  • 10th Nov – Rest
  • 11th Nov – Kamyavan
  • 12th Nov – Garuda Govinda, Rama Tala

The article " Day 9 – Braja Parikrama 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

Comedy of Observational Science
→ simple thoughts

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Sat watching one of the UK leading comedians explain why God doesn’t exist and as always it’s observational. With all comedy the thing that makes it funny is the ability to take what we see and package it in such a way that it hits the funny bone.

So as the act continues the comedian started to back up the observation with what is acceptable science fact to add plausibility to the act. Indeed it would be hard in some ways to argue against the material being presented.

Isn’t this how science works?

We observe then extrapolate from this a conclusion, all observational and can be replicated time and time again to come up with the same observed outcome. This way it becomes true given other scientists can replicate and agree. So great universities are set up and these conclusions are presented and accepted after all I’ve seen it with my own eyes and they don’t lie.

Presentation is key and this way knowledge is gained

Yes we know are senses are imperfect and our eyes can be fooled by optical illusions; indeed animals can be found with better sight, hearing and sense of touch. But knowing this it is still widely acceptable to use these imperfect senses to conclude and come up with fact.

Reading Srimad Bhagavatam we see how Lord Krishna has made the material universe and material nature and how it works in great detail; and also in even greater detail how karma works in this material world.

It’s not understanding of karma that means we can observe and conclude, it’s hard to understand collective karma and also how great evil can exist. Indeed the comedian used these reasons as a basis to dispute the existence of a creator and why the principal of evolution is correct.

It’s easy to accept observational studies but much harder to accept the spiritual study, but understanding what happens not only to ourselves but what happens around us makes greater sense with real knowledge. And with this real knowledge we can apply it universally and get the same results. 

However it means we need to first accept that karma means as an individual taking responsibility for our own actions and that what happens to us is a result of both current and past actions. This is the difficulty as no knowledge of past actions are available so I can conclude being a nice person that these nasty actions against me are unjust and thus observational I can conclude there is no god.

Understanding this premise means that I can alter my reactions knowing not only why these things happen but there temporary nature, real knowledge and understanding helps one gain context.

Science is observational without real insight whilst vedic knowledge is observational with real insight, it took a comedy show to help me realise this.

Relishing Tapovan (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



Relishing Tapovan (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we visited the forest of Tapovan where the young gopi girls of Vrindavan performed austerities to get Krsna as their husband. In that small, but idyllic set of woods, we heard how the girls ate simply for one month, bathed daily in the cold waters of the Yamuna river and prayed continuously to the goddess Katyayani. At the end of the month they went to Chir Ghat, some distance down the river, where Krsna fulfilled their deep spiritual desires. We relished our time at Tapovan!

(This post has been viewed 296 times so far)

Giving Thanks to Whom?
→ Dandavats



Giving Thanks to Whom?
Mahesvara Das: At the end of this month the people of America celebrate the event called “Thanksgiving”. As the title implies, the whole purpose of this event is to stop and become consciously grateful for the things we have each been given. Traditionally people take this time to give thanks to God for the gifts of the bountiful harvest and the blessings of family, friends, and good health etc.
Of course, the holiday assumes an acceptance that there is a God to give thanks to. But for all those who reject the Vedic conclusion that the three stages of God realization culminate in the Personality of Godhead referred to there as Lord Sri Krishna, the whole concept of Thanksgiving becomes an absurd event.

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Tolerate and Transcend
Giriraj Swami

Speaking on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.47 on January 22, 1975, in Juhu, Bombay, Srila Prabhupada appealed to us not to be preoccupied with the temporary miserable and happy conditions of life but to put a permanent end to the real problems of life and make our lives successful:

“Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, says personally, ‘These are your miseries.’ What? Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi: [birth, death, old age, and disease (Gita 13.9)] ‘Repetition of birth and death.’ This is your real misery of life. What you are thinking as this misery or that misery are all temporary. They are all under the laws of material nature. You cannot get out of it. . . . So long as you are under this material nature, you have to accept this birth, death, old age, and disease. This is your real misery. We are thinking of temporary miserable conditions. Shastra says, ‘You don’t require to adjust temporary material misery or happiness, because they will come and go. You are destined to a certain type of miserable condition of life, a certain type of so-called happy life. They will automatically come and go, just like seasonal changes.’ Agamapayino ’nityas tams titiksasva bharata (Gita 2.14). We are very much happy when we are in a very good condition of life. But that will also not stay. That will also go away. Then miserable condition. Cakravat parivartante sukhani ca duhkhani ca. Sometimes happy, sometimes miserable. So, if you are actually interested to get out of miserable conditions, then try to get out of these four miserable conditions of life: janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. That is intelligence. Don’t be bothered with the temporary miserable or happy conditions. They will come and go. Tams titiksasva bharata. If you cannot bear, then try to tolerate. That is the qualification of a brahman. Satyam samo damas titiksa, tolerance. We should not be disturbed—‘Now I am in miserable condition.’ Tolerate. The miserable conditions will come in this material world. Don’t be very much happy when you are in happy condition of life; neither become mad in miserable condition of life. Chant Hare Krishna and make your life successful. That is required. This is the propaganda of this Hare Krishna movement, or Krishna consciousness.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Char Dham Parikrama with Indradyumna Swami – Badrinath
→ ISKCON News

Badrinath is famous as one of the larger Char Dhamas of India;. They are Ramesvaram, Jagannath Puri, Dwarka and Badrinath. Situated high in the Himalayas on the banks of the Alakananda river Badrinath has been visited by great saintly persons since time immemorial. The deity in the temple is self-manifested from a salagram sila and is two feet high. Nearby is the cave where Srila Vyasadeva wrote down the Vedic scriptures. The border of China is only a few meters away.

Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Toronto, Ontario

Meeting Tony

Achuta is a young father originally from Tamil Nadu, who is now living in Qatar. He is exploring Canada as a place to move to.  He happily accepted my proposal for a one hour walk.  We did so in a drizzle, in a nearby neighbourhood of the temple/ashram.  We both chatted and compared notes, so to speak, on the differences between the three cultures of India, the Middle East and Canada.  Our conclusion was that while there are variant ways to do things, in the end, everyone is often quite the same in terms of habits based around self-centredness. 

As we were in conversation (and still in drizzle and darkness) a younger man walked up to me, wanting my attention.

"Are you a monk?"

"Yes I am, a Krishna monk from around the corner at the Krishna temple on Avenue Road."

He went on to say, excitedly, "In my ancestry, there have been a good number of monks and nuns." 

He identified himself as Roman Catholic by birth and said  his name was Tony.  “They were so gifted and insightful.  Are you like that?”

I believe he was implying that people of the cloth, who lead a life of simplicity, are perceptive and often healers; they do good works. So I explained that through study of ancient teachings, like those of the book, Bhagavad-gita, and through the mercy (kindness) of my teacher/guru, I've become a lot more sensitive and benevolent.

We were now at the entrance of the subway, and he mentioned he had to break it off and depart.  We shook hands.  Achuta saw and heard our talk and was impressed with Tony's inquisitiveness.  Personally, I like the way some conversations go from a negative analysis to a positive experience.  We walked back to Govinda's where I met Stephen Phillips, who was happy on Krishna prasadam. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4i3gDWgCkH/?igshid=1umh561toifr7

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Tuesday, November 5th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Toronto/Markham

A Birthday

The boiler in our building has some challenges; it’s leaving the interior rather cool in temperature. Govinda’s Restaurant, located inside, is warm, however, it’s being heated by a separate unit. I hung out here for a good portion of the day until it was time to go for my walk in the direction of Dhira Nitai’s home. It’s his birthday. He is sixty-nine today.

I made my way through Rosedale, then onto the Danforth to what is known as Greektown, and just before I entered a growing Islamic community, I was picked up by two devotees of the Scarborough temple. They took me to Dhira Nitai’s basement apartment. With a mini birthday cake, we celebrated this fine bhakti yogiof a man. About twenty of us fit into his modest-sized space.

I had to pardon myself for an hour to take some private time on a conference call. (We monks do have diverse responsibilities.) Once the call was completed, we swung our hearts into the Damodara song, and then offer a candle to the images of Baby Krishna and His mother, Yashoda. It has become a custom amongst some of us Krishna-ites to do a bit of house-hopping, sing the same song, and then offer candles in this month of Kartik.

What a nice bunch of people, and all with such good intentions. When Dhira Nitai blew out his birthday candle, I asked him to tell us his wish, and he said what the group wanted to hear: “That we will have a larger property with a larger building to accommodate more people.”

Of course he was talking about the current local ISKCON facility, and how he wishes to see an increased sharing of higher consciousness. He is thoughtful!

May the Source be with you!
5 km



Monday, November 4th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


St. John’s, Newfoundland

Dear Great Trail

Marshall and I took to a second chunk of the Great Trail, beginning at Bowring Park and going west. Nice place, really, with water cascading. This morning, I took to some analysis of the trail along Waterford River and wanted to express my feelings.

Dear Great Trail,
             
You are not so ‘great’ as you may think you are. In fact, because you are rendering many services to others, you appear to be meek, and humble. You are bearing the weight of my roamers pounding on you daily. The feet of humans, dogs, and the many wheels of rubber must be crushing you at times. It must also be unpleasant when the heat is soaring, the rain is pouring, and when snow and ice are covering you.

I see that you have partnered up with diverse trees and grasses along your two sides, and that various stones rest upon your very self. Judging by my own ambling upon you, I find that you are level-headed, with the exception of a few depressions, here and there, upon your surface. Puddles on your path are rare. It looks like you have someone caring for you, in terms of maintenance.

There is a beautiful aspect to you, but I believe you are under-appreciated. Perhaps more people could take advantage of your services. There is much more of a hectic element on the road running parallel to your edge. Traffic is crazy along there, especially at rush hour.

You have a certain gravity, yet another of your good qualities. Now that I’ve left you, in hindsight I believe you are a ‘Great Trail, after all.

Sincerely,
The Walking Monk

May the Source be with you.
5 km



‘May All Be Blessed – Hari Om’ by Jahnavi Harrison MUSIC VIDEO
→ ISKCON News

A prayer for the blessing of all of humanity released in collaboration with Radha Krishna Records. The prayer is taken from the prayers of Prahlad Maharaj as found in the Srimad Bhagavatam 5:18:9 The song was produced by Shammi Pithia and Jag (a.k.a Jagannatha Suta) and released as part of the Mantra Lounge Vol. 2 release from Radha Krisna Records Music video is by Raj Hirani at Filmwork Studio.

Srila Prabhupada’s disciple HG Vidarbha-Kanya Devi Dasi left her body
→ Dandavats



Srila Prabhupada’s disciple HG Vidarbha-Kanya Devi Dasi left her body yesterday, November 8. She was initiated in 1970 in Philadelphia! In the photo, she is in a green sari holding her son Nimai Chandra! She was previously married to Vrndavan Chandra! He has asked for the devotee’s prayers for her!

(This post has been viewed 340 times so far)

Day 8 – Braja Parikrama 2019
→ KKSBlog

Vrindavan Parikrama

Day 8 circles around Vrindavan. Blessed is the land of Vraja, where the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma, dwells in the form of a mountain range in Varsana, to have the dust of the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha-Krsna’s lotus feet on the head: where the maintainer, Lord Visnu, has assumed the forms of Govardhana and Visnu-parvata: where the moon-crested Lord Siva has taken up residence as Nandisvara Hill in Nandagrama: and where Sri Uddhava, the best of Hari’s servants, lives as a blade of grass, a small shrub or a creeper on the bank of Kusuma-sarovara.

Videos

If you cannot see the videos below visit our youtube channel. Dont forget to subscribe!

Sringar Vat

Kesi Ghat

Vamsi Ghat

Photos

Photos by Svasti-Gopinatha, Tamala Krsna, Gauravani, Padmanabha, Zoltan, Gopali, Tamala Krsna, Tattva Darsana and others

Braja Parikrama 2019 Schedule

  • 1st Nov – Govinda kund, Tribhuvanatha Samadhi, Nrsimha temple Puncari
  • 2nd Nov – Gosvami Temples Vrindavana
  • 3-5 Nov Jaipur
  • 6th Nov – Yavat, Vrindakund
  • 7th Nov – Sanket, Anjanoka
  • 8th Nov – Vrindavan Parikrama
  • 9th Nov – Unchagaon
  • 10th Nov – Rest
  • 11th Nov – Kamyavan
  • 12th Nov – Garuda Govinda, Rama Tala

The article " Day 8 – Braja Parikrama 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

A visit to Bhaktivedanta Research Centre in Kolkata (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



The Bhaktivedanta Research Centre in Kolkata was happy to welcome HG Ananga Mohan Prabhu from the ISKCON Kolkata Temple at the library. He was fascinated to see the rare collection of the library especially the handwritten songbook of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He was notified about the recent projects in which he showed great interest. Overall he was very satisfied to see the progress of the BRC

(This post has been viewed 312 times so far)

New Temple Construction In Mauritius (Album of photos)
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New Temple Construction In Mauritius (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna’s Lila in Vrndavana is prakata or manifest Lila, and the same is going on eternally in the spiritual realm, which is known as aprakata or nonmanifest. Krishna’s planet and Krishna’s pastimes are going on eternally, and the same is manifested before the conditioned souls at certain intervals, once in one day of Brahma, exactly as the sun is visible for 12 hours once a 24 hour cycle of and night. When the sun is visible it is called prakata, and when the sun is not visible that is called aprakata or unmanifested. Non-manifested therefore does not mean there is no existence, but the terms are used in relation to the visibility or nonvisibility to the limited conditioned souls. Letter to Shyamasundara, May 14, 1970.

(This post has been viewed 301 times so far)

The Passing Away of Bhismadeva-Bhisma Panchaka
→ Mayapur.com

Bhisma-panchaka is five days dedicated to Bhismadev, The son of mother Ganga and his father King Shantanu-Bhismah santanavo birah. He is the Grandfather of Pandavas, descendant of Great king Bharata in Kuru dynasty .The period falls in the last 5 days of the month Kartik,the resounding 5 days of chaturmasya. It is said to commemorate […]

The post The Passing Away of Bhismadeva-Bhisma Panchaka appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Teamwork Lessons from the Ramayana
→ Dandavats

Being a leader does not always mean leading from the front, it means being part of the team. It means working together through all the obstacles and focusing on the common goal. In ISKCON that goal is service to Guru and Krishna. This is a uniting factor that keeps our society strong, through the tough and the easy.
(This post has been viewed 312 times so far)

Rolling in Govardhana’s dust (Album of photos) Bhakti…
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Rolling in Govardhana’s dust (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: Today we did a partial Govardhana parikrama. We are going to do the whole parikrama over 4 days, so as to absorb as much of the lilas and moods as possible. Today we went from our place in Govardhana town, through Annakuta Ksetra, stopping at the Balarama temple in Anniyor village, then at the Gopala Prakata Sthali, visiting the Radha Govinda temple at Govindakunda, and then to a special private place for katha and darshan of the hill, overlooking the kunda.
Find them here: http://bit.ly/2WTV4ji

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Congo gets Lord Damodar’s mercy on Diwali day!!
→ Dandavats

By Yogesvara Gopinath das

After Maharaja’s talk Papa Yedeva gave a talk and surprisingly he quoted few verses of Bhagavad-gita in his speech. He spoke on eating habits for human beings and offering to Krishna. He confirmed the supremacy of Lord Krishna also. Towards the end of his speech, he mentioned that he is building a Church in the outskirt of the city and planning to keep a deity of Lord Krishna also so African people can be introduced to Krishna Consciousness. This seems to be a big milestone as at the moment practically there is no presence of Krishna Consciousness in the country. Continue reading "Congo gets Lord Damodar’s mercy on Diwali day!!
→ Dandavats"

Extraordinary Beauty (Album of photos) Indradyumna Swami: This…
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Extraordinary Beauty (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: This photo album shows the extraordinary beauty of Kishori-kunda where Srimati Radharani would take Her bath each morning while living at Yavat with Her ‘husband’ Abhimanyu. Many wonderful pastimes have taken place there, including King Kamsa turning into a Vraja-gopi upon touching the sacred water of the lake one day! There are also photos of our visit to Ter Kadamaba, where Krsna herded the cows 5,000 years ago and where Rupa Goswami wrote Upadesamrita 500 years ago.
Find them here: http://bit.ly/2pUUSUN

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TOVP Progress Report (2 min. video)
→ Dandavats

Sadbhuja Das: Hare Krishna everyone! Please have a look at this short video clip of a progress report of some exterior works, located at the front entrance at the temple. This is quite a monumental piece of embellishment, which I think you all will find very interesting.
(This post has been viewed 341 times so far)

The TOVP #GivingTuesday International Fundraiser 2019
- TOVP.org

Like Earth Day and other International events, #GivingTuesday is a worldwide occasion to encourage people at least one day a year to be charitable to causes they support. It takes place the first Tuesday after the observance of Thanksgiving in the U.S. and this year falls on December 3. Last year, on short notice, was the first time we attempted to take advantage of this event in the U.S., and our efforts yielded over $50,000. This year we are going worldwide with this fundraiser and our goal is to double that figure by raising $108,000 for the Grand Opening of the Pujari Floor on February 13, 2020.

On this International Day of Giving please give generously to complete the Deities’ Pujari Floor and complete this monumental project by 2022. There will be several options to make donations from different parts of the world on the website page. You can sponsor an altar brick, a Square Foot or just make a general donation. If you have an outstanding balance on your previously made pledge you can also use this opportunity to make a payment. No amount is too small and we are grateful for your support.

DONATIONS TO THE TOVP FOUNDATION IN THE U.S. ON FACEBOOK WILL BE MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR!!! Read more on the link below.

Please become a TOVP Ambassador and tell all your devotee family and friends to also participate in the TOVP #GivingTuesday International Fundraiser to open the Pujari Floor in 2020 and complete the TOVP by 2022.

Use the link below for more information. The donation portal is now open in case you wish to donate before December 3. Thank you for your support.

The TOVP International #GivingTuesday Fundraiser

The post The TOVP #GivingTuesday International Fundraiser 2019 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Sun Love Feast – Nov 10th 2019 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Anant Prabhu
→ 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 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

COMING UP AHEAD

 Utpanna Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Fri Nov 22nd, 2019
Breakfast................  on Sat Nov 23rd, 2019 b/w 7:21am – 10:29am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we follow a complete fast from eating and drinking. We 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.

ONGOING PROGRAMS


Vedic Education & Learning For Grownups
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.


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.