Chatri Floor Progress (Sep, 2019)
- TOVP.org

The flooring in one of the Chatris is finally completed!

The detail work was done a couple of days ago, and now we are currently cleaning and polishing the surface. It is looking quite stunning, and we hope to commence the flooring in the other Chatris very soon.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Chatri Floor Progress (Sep, 2019) appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Prabhupada’s Palace Listed in National Historic Registry
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Please join us next weekend for Prabhupada’s Palace 40th Anniversary Celebration. On August 28th 2019, Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Society, the Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service. During the upcoming weekend, Sept 27 – 29, we will dedicate a bronze plaque to commemorate these momentous occasions.

Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Society
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Celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s 54th arrival anniversary to the United States with great news!!
On August 28th 2019, Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Society, the Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service. During the upcoming weekend, Sept 27 - 29, we will dedicate a bronze plaque to commemorate these momentous occasions.

Visiting and preaching in Iskcon Barnaul, Russia (Album of…
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Visiting and preaching in Iskcon Barnaul, Russia (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Live with the minimum necessities. Don’t increase your necessities unnecessarily. This is Vedic civilization. And the modern civilization is ever increase your necessities – a machine for shaving your cheek. Another machine, another attention diversion. More machine means more diversion of attention. I have to take care, more technician, more technologies. Simply if one razor can shave, can make my cheek very clean, where is the necessity? Formerly, at least we Indian know that go to a blacksmith and he prepares a razor, very nice razor. You pay him four annas, and it will last for your life and shave your cheek very nicely, daily or occasionally. But the modern civilization means that in everything there must be machine. That is the advancement of material… But the sastra says, “What is the use of taking so much labor?” Kastan kaman. Kastan means with so much labor. If you create some convenience by the so-called machine use, you create so many other inconveniences. Just like we have got now motorcar. Of course, it is convenience. But there are many inconveniences. Formerly people used to find everyone within the village. Now, because we have got big, big motorcars, we have to go thirty miles to find out a doctor. So the other inconveniences are also increased. Now we have to find out petrol and flatter the Arabians, “Give me petrol.” And if I stop manufacturing, then there is unemployment. In this way we are becoming implicated. By the so-called advancement of civilization, we are becoming implicated to these material activities and we are forgetting our real business, self-realization, what I am. Athato brahma jijnasa. The real business is to enquire about Brahman, about atma, Paramatma, but we are forgetting that. –From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 7.3 – London, March 11, 1975
Find them here: http://bit.ly/2mObrQv

THE ECSTATIC KISUMU (KENYA) RATHA YATRA 2019 (Album of…
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THE ECSTATIC KISUMU (KENYA) RATHA YATRA 2019 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: You are working as a medical practitioner. So you earn lakhs of rupees. Give to Krsna. That is tam abhyarcya. Then you become perfect. That is also confirmed in Bhagavata. Atah pumbhir dvija-sresthah [SB 1.2.13]. Everyone is working according to varna and asrama. So svanusthitasya dharmasya. Anyone who is serving according to his dharma – an engineer, a doctor, or somebody else, according to his occupational duty he is serving – but he has to see, svakarmana tam abhyarcya samsiddhim labhate. It is Gita.

*Time Bombs*
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*Time Bombs*

In the late 1980s a man called Terence had picked up a few books from our early-days as brahmacharis in Sydney, and he left them on the shelf over his TV. He was a regular, working, tax-paying Aussie family man. Got lost in the mesh of the material world and never read the books.

How to decide what to do
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Naperville, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How to decide what to do appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Guru or Krsna?
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 8 April 2019, Amritsar, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.37)

Question: Whose mercy is more important, Guru or Krsna?

There is no difference between the mercy of Guru and Krsna, no difference whatsoever. The Guru is the direct representative of Krsna in each of our lives. In the beginning, we naturally see that the Guru is more accessible because he is here in our world and he speaks to us directly. Sometimes he would chastise us, and sometimes he would encourage us. So the Guru has the power to correct us.

Krsna on the other hand is silent. Now, He may be speaking to us, but we cannot hear Him. So in the beginning, we need the mercy of the Guru so that we can eventually obtain the mercy of Krsna. Ultimately however, both their mercy is the same. The mercy of the Guru is the same mercy that flows from Krsna. If Guru has any mercy, where does he get it from? Dharmam tu sakshad bhagavad pranitam (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.19) – The origin of all religious principles is Krsna. So whatever spiritual mercy that the Guru has, he has got it from Krsna. That mercy from Krsna is all he can give us.

Therefore, in the beginning, the mercy of the Guru is more important because it is the Guru who holds our hand, takes us to Krsna and then leaves us with Krsna so that we can eternally serve Him.

The article " Guru or Krsna? " was published on KKSBlog.

Sri Kshetra Parikrama 2019
→ Mayapur.com

WELCOME TO SRI KSHETRA PARIKRAMA PURI DHAMA 14-17TH NOVEMBER 2019 On behalf of ISKCON Mayapur, we would like to welcome you to celebrate our 15th anniversary of Sri Kshetra Parikrama. This parikrama dates back to the time of Vidyapati, who was one of Lord Jagannatha’s most intimate worshippers, serving under the great King Indradyumna. Following […]

The post Sri Kshetra Parikrama 2019 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ISKCON’S BIGGEST GATHERING OF LEADERS – ILS 2020 – Leading ISKCON into the Future
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By ILS staff

ILS 2020 Invitational Video. ILS 2020 promises to be the largest gathering of ISKCON leaders to date. Five hundred devotees attended ILS in 2012 and the numbers have been steadily increasing. This will be our 5th ILS gathering, and we are anticipating 1500 devotees from all over the world. Please be one of them! Those who joined Prabhupada’s mission in the 60’s and 70’ are anxious to see ISKCON’s management and leadership transferred safely into competent hands. This was the message Srila Prabhupada’s gave to his followers when he reached his mid-seventies. Continue reading "ISKCON’S BIGGEST GATHERING OF LEADERS – ILS 2020 – Leading ISKCON into the Future
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Become Attached to Devotees, September 20, Columbus, Ohio
Giriraj Swami

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.20

Mahatma is a synonym of sadhu. It is said that service to a mahatma, or elevated devotee of the Lord, is dvaram ahur vimukteh, the royal road of liberation. Mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimuktes tamo-dvaram yositam sangi-sangam (Srimad-Bhagavatam. 5.5.2). Rendering service to the materialists has the opposite effect. If anyone offers service to a gross materialist, or a person engaged only in sense enjoyment, then by association with such a person the door to hell is opened. The same principle is confirmed here. Attachment to a devotee is attachment to the service of the Lord because if one associates with a sadhu, the result will be that the sadhu will teach him how to become a devotee, a worshiper and a sincere servitor of the Lord. These are the gifts of a sadhu. If we want to associate with a sadhu, we cannot expect him to give us instructions on how to improve our material condition, but he will give us instructions on how to cut the knot of the contamination of material attraction and how to elevate ourselves in devotional service. That is the result of associating with a sadhu. Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.20 purport.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami: “Association doesn’t just mean to be in the same physical place at the same time, but it means to receive instructions on devotional service and to apply the instructions.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.20 (Right click to download)

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Chatham, Ontario

Pulling Out Self-Portrait

At 5:20 a.m., I opted to walk to Union Station from our ashram.  I was looking forward to the train trip that would land me in Chatham, my birth place.  It wound up being a three-and-a-half-hour ride, but seemed like minutes.

My sister, Rose Ann, husband, Jim, and a dear couple from Detroit’s daughter and friend greeted me at the Chatham station, the location where, forty-four years ago, I shocked my parents by informing them of my intention to leave college and become a serious monk.  It’s an historic place for me.

We drove to Erieau, a fishing village of the past, and a location where, as children growing up, our dad took us to the beach in the summer for excellent swimming and catching some energy from the sun.  The transistor radio we brought with us and sat on the sand was our constant companion as teenagers.

Today’s crew trekked the pier.  We could not dodge the white poop from gulls and cormorants on its surface.  It was everywhere.  We drove along a portion of the “Underground Railway” where Black slaves journeyed  almost two centuries ago seeking refuge from the days of onslaught in the deep south.

We dined at the Indian restaurant in Chatham, browsed through Rose Ann and Jim’s bookstore, where my sister pulled out an acrylic self-portrait I had rendered at age eighteen, before I committed to becoming a monk.  Yes, that was me alright, with hair and all.  We also lazied at Tecumseh Park before I embarked on the train journey.

May the Source be with you!
7 km




Monday, September 16th, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

This Weekend—The Embassy

This coming weekend, the second Vaisnava men’s retreat, called Man-tra Retreat, will be held in New Vrindavan, West Virginia.  I will be presenting a drama: “The Embassy” by playwright, Bhasa.  The drama centres on the episode where Krishna makes an appeal to Duryodhana for land promised to the clan of the Pandavas.  Krishna is referred to as an envoy.  Here is an excerpt of rich and intense dialogue in progress.

Duryodhana:  Master Envoy, you know nothing of state affairs.  Kingship belongs to brave princes who defeat their foes.  It never goes by begging in this world, nor by charity to the poor.  Would they win sovereignty, let them join forthwith in battle, or else go as they will to seek peace in hermitage inhabited by men of tranquil minds.

Krishna:  Duryodhana!  Speak not so harshly to your kin.  Though by store of merit, one attains royal glory, yet should one cheat a kinsman or a friend all one’e efforts are in vain.

Duryodhana:  Master Envoy—Thou hadst no pity for King Kamsa, sister’s brother of thy sire.  Why should we feel pity for these our constant enemies?

Krishna: Do not think that was my fault.  Many a time had he brought sorrow on my mother by the loss of her sons…

May the Source be with you!
4 km



Sunday, September 15th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Hamilton/Owen Sound

Wild Ginger

Daniel did the whole eight kilometre stretch barefoot. That was a very daring and bold step to take, in the opinion of the rest of us.  We were a dozen in number, trekking the Bruce Trail with its up and down terrain, stopping at the occasional growth of wild apples, pears, and grapes.  We were impressed with David’s knowledge of what a forest offers more at the ground level.  He foraged some wild ginger root, something I was curious about, but unaware of what it looks like.

A young woman, Krishna, who lives in our temple ashram,brought wraps for our picnic, and Pushta-Krishna, from Mississauga, brought members from our community, who in turn, contributed to the eatables.  It was like a gourmet meal, really, and passersby admired our spread of food as we sat lotus-positioned near Tiffany Falls, a big attraction in the Hamilton area.  All in all, it was a bonding event.

Well, Pradhyumna and I moved on to the north, to hook up with Nanda Maharaja in Brampton. From there we proceeded to Owen Sound—and with more wild ginger. The Hanna family in that city greeted us with old-time-hug hospitality.  Yes, we chopped the ginger into the tiniest of pieces to toss into the dahl (our second meal of the day) followed up by chanting and more walking;  this time along the dock of Georgian Bay.  Just lovely!

The day was blessed with acquaintance of people, nature, and what they both produce.  The chanting done was just an absolute plus.

May the Source be with you!
11 km







Not Ebola but Haribola!
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Not Ebola but Haribola!
From His Holiness Maha Vishnu Swami. We wish him a speedy recovery so that he can go very soon on the streets on Harinam!
Maha Vishnu Swami: “Dear Concerned wellwishers,
Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
When I was preaching in DR Congo recently, I was infected with malaria by a naughty karma- inflicting mosquito.

Toowoomba Rathayatra
→ Ramai Swami

Every year, the city of Toowoomba, which is about 100 kilometres west of Brisbane, celebrates the “Flower Festival” at the beginning of Spring.

One of the special attractions is the parade that goes through the streets and ends at a beautiful park downtown.

We are told that there are 50,000 to 100,000 people who come out to watch the floats and we have our smaller Ratha cart from the Gold Coast Bhakti Centre included.

Needless to say that when Lord Jagannatha and his devotees went past, the crowd enthusiastically clapped and waved. Our Rathayatra “float” won 1st prize, which it has done for the last five years.

The devotees from Radhadesh perform Harinama during the big manifestation “Strike for Climate” in Brussels (Album of photos)
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The devotees from Radhadesh perform Harinama during the big manifestation “Strike for Climate” in Brussels (Album of photos)
This Harinama Sankirtana is actually the permanent solution to all problems of humanity. By glorifying the Lord, thanking Him, pleasing Him and being in harmony with His will there will be a higher taste and happiness so that people will get detached from irresponsible sense gratification which destroys the planet and the self. But how many can understand this?

Two Srimad Bhagavatam sets to one person at once!
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Two Srimad Bhagavatam sets to one person at once!
Shastrakrit Das: Material desires are never satisfied no matter how hard we try and still we want more of the same. Spiritual desires, on the other hand, Krishna satisfies them more than we even desire.
This nice second-generation Indian man on his own walked over to my book table and put a generous donation in my donation box. I took the opportunity to show the Bhagavatam set and explain to him a bit about the glories of The Bhagavatam. Being so pious he was visibly moved and wanted it but he had a dilemma. His wife, himself and children only read in English. On the other hand, his parents, in-laws, relatives, read only in Gujarati. So he was confused. So praying to Pancha tattva I tried my luck. I asked him why he doesn’t take one set In English and one set in Gujarati? He gladly agreed. We both were in disbelief that such an exchange took place. As he was driving away he kept looking at me. I was all trembling. Never in my life I was able to distribute 2 sets to a stranger on the street. Must be all you devotees encouragement & blessings

A Devotee of the Lord is Guaranteed Eternal Life, September 19, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17 at a home program in Dallas.

“Similarly, a moment passed in the association of a pure devotee by hearing and chanting the transcendental messages of the Lord is a perfect guarantee for eternal life, for returning home, back to Godhead. Mad-dhama gatva punar janma na vidyate. In other words, a devotee of the Lord is guaranteed eternal life. A devotee’s old age or disease in the present life is but an impetus to such guaranteed eternal life. Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17 purport.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17 (Right click to download)