BBT News
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Hare KrishnaBy the BBT

June 21st is the beginning of summer. Summer means that most students are away from school for two months, many more people are engaged in outdoor activities, and there are more visitors/tourists come to your city/town. We suggest that you carefully study the best distribution spots in your area. Make a strategy for distributing books in those areas and place orders for appropriate titles as soon as possible. Don't forget to include foreign-language titles (Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, etc.) appropriate for visitors to your area. We can help to prepare ourselves for a summer of mass book distribution by reflecting on Srila Prabhupada's statements included. Srila Prabhupada-ki jaya! Continue reading "BBT News
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Srila Prabhupada Memories – First Time Seeing Srila Prabhupada
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Hare KrishnaBy Niranjana Swami

I oftentimes say, when devotees ask me to speak about Prabhupāda, that I can say my only qualification is that I happened to be on the planet at the same time that Prabhupāda was spreading the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement. I took part in his mission, but I didn’t really have so much personal exchange or association with him. I did get the opportunity to see him many times: a few times in the United States, twice in New York as well as in Philadelphia, and also in Mayapura and Vṛndavana. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada Memories – First Time Seeing Srila Prabhupada
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Gita 18.10 Take the route that takes us to the destination, not the route that looks the easiest
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 18.10 Take the route that takes us to the destination, not the route that looks the easiest appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavatam study 86 1.16.19-24 Understanding what all things cause distress to the earth
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

The post Bhagavatam study 86 1.16.19-24 Understanding what all things cause distress to the earth appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

If someone can memorize a lot of verses, is that due to their determination or their memory?
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Answer Podcast

The post If someone can memorize a lot of verses, is that due to their determination or their memory? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Meditate while chanting
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2008, South Africa, South Coast Retreat)

We must go deeper in our meditation. Chanting is to be accompanied by meditation, so we must meditate on who Krsna is. I make it a point that I always meditate while I am chanting, in the sense that when I read something about an aspect of Krsna that strikes me, the thought continues to travel in my mind while I am chanting. So I am always trying to remember Krsna while chanting, which is very important. The more we remember Krsna, the nicer it is. Another essential element to enliven our chanting is hearing – so we must always be able to hear Krsna’s holy name while chanting.

The article " Meditate while chanting " was published on KKSBlog.

Daksha-Shiva conflict 1 – How misconceptions give rise to conflicts – Hindi
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Belgaum, Inida]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Daksha-Shiva conflict 1 – How misconceptions give rise to conflicts – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

ISKCON Scarborough – 8th Annual 64 round chanting day on Sunday – July 1st, 2018 (Canada day)
→ ISKCON Scarborough



Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

A gentle reminder for devotees to be at ISKCON Scarborough at 7.30 am tomorrow morning for breakfast prasadam so that the chanting can commence at 8 am.


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7


Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.org


We are pleased to announce that our 8th annual 64 round chanting day will take place coming Sunday- 1st July 2018 from 8 am onward.


We will have our regular Tulasi arti, guru puja and main arti as usual on this Sunday.

Sumptuous breakfast and lunch prasadam will be served on this day.

Every year several devotees take part in chanting 64 rounds at ISKCON Scarborough that takes place on CANADA DAY or the weekend of Canada day.

It is difficult to complete 64 rounds by ourselves at home. However, when we are in the association of other devotees, we get inspired and motivated to chant the 64 rounds.

Further details about chanting the 64 rounds:
When we chant 64 rounds, we chant over 100,000 names of the Lord!

• 1 Hare Krsna Maha Mantra(HKMM) = 16 names of the Lord - consisting of 3 transcendental words of Hare, Rama and Krsna (“Hare” is the internal energy of the Lord which is non-different from the Lord, “Krsna” means all attractive and “Rama” means reservoir of all pleasure).

• 1 round in a japa mala = 108 Hare Krsna Maha Mantra= 1728 names of the Lord (16 names of the Lord in 1 HKMM X 108 times in a japa mala)

• 16 rounds = 27,648 names of the Lord (16 names of the Lord in 1 HKMM X 108 times in a japa mala X 16 rounds)

• 64 rounds = 110,592 names of the Lord (16 names of the Lord in 1 HKMM X 108 times in a japa mala X 64 rounds)



Why chant 64 rounds of Hare Krsna Maha Mantra?
Caitanya Bhagavat (by Sri Vrindavan das Thakur)- Antya Khanda- chapter 9 verses 116 to 125:

“As the devotees invited the Lord (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) to take His meal in their houses, the Lord took the opportunity to teach them all this topic.
When invited to take a meal, the Lord smiled and said, “First you should become a laksesvara [The word laksesvara is a combination of laksha (“hundred thousand”) and isvara (“master”). In common usage, it would refer to someone who possessed a hundred thousand rupees.].
“I take meals only in the house of a laksesvara.” Hearing this, the brahmanas became worried.

The brahmanas offered prayers to the Lord, “O Gosaani, what to speak of a hundred thousand, none of us possess even a thousand.

“If You don’t accept meals from us, then let our entire household be burnt to ashes.”

The Lord replied, “Do you know who is a laksesvara? He is someone who daily chants a hundred thousand holy names.

“I call that a person a laksesvara. I take meals in only such a person’s house, not in the houses of others.”

Hearing this merciful statement of the Lord, the brahmanas gave up their anxiety and became joyful.

“O Lord, we will chant a hundred thousand names. Please therefore take Your meals in our houses. It is our good fortune that You are teaching us in this way.”

All the brahmanas then began to chant a hundred thousand names everyday so that they could offer food to Lord Caitanyacandra.


Importance of Chanting the Holy names of the Lord:

Srimad Bhagavatam: 6.3.31:
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore, the chanting of the saṅkīrtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously.

Caitanya Bhagavat Adi Khanda 16.94 – Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakur
“Even if my body is cut into pieces and I give up my life, I will never give up chanting the Lord’s holy name.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32/Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 3.52/ Caitanya Caritamrta Madya Lila 6.103/ Caitanya Caritamrta Madya Lila 11.100/ Caitanya Caritamrta Madya Lila 20.342/ Caitanya Caritamrta Antya Lila 20.10
In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

Padyavali- Srila Rupa Goswami:
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name, sins tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaraja’s scribe Citragupta becomes happy and gazes at the chanter’s toenails with awe and reverence, and Lord Brahma prepares madhu-parka to worship him. O Lord, what more can we say than this?

Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51:
My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna Hama-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom

Padyavali- Srila Rupa Goswami:
May Krsna's holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness, the destruction of Kali-yuga’s sins, the most purifying of all purifying things, the saintly person’s food as he quickly traverses the path to the spiritual world, the pleasure-garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play, the life of the righteous, and the seed of the tree of religion, bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.


We invite you, your family and friends to ISKCON Scarborough on 1st July to take part in this auspicious event.

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:
www.iskconscarborough.org

Shastrakrit Das: It was a hot and quiet evening and we were just…
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Shastrakrit Das: It was a hot and quiet evening and we were just sitting there praying for some mercy. Out of nowhere, this really pious lady approaches the book table with her family. She points to Srimad Bhagavatam first canto and Krishna book asking, ‘how much?’
I said, “for Krishna book, you can give some donation, but the Bhagavatam is $200.”
She was surprised, ‘why this one book Bhagavatam costs so much?’
I told her, ‘Because it’s not just one book it’s an 18 volume set.’
She insisted that she just wants that one book that’s on display. I explained to her how Bhagavatam is non-different from Krishna so we cannot break the Bhagavatam set just like we don’t want to break the deity, and whoever keeps a full set of Bhagavatam in their home even the demigods worship that home. She goes, “ok ok ok I surrender. Put all the books in my car.“

Climate Change and the Ecology of our Hearts
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Hare KrishnaBy Karuna Dharini devi dasi

Scientists and politicians will certainly grapple to put forth a positive solution for the problem of climate change. Meanwhile devotees need only try to make this earth as nice as possible in the form of Krishna conscious environments such as nice temples, big kirtans, eco-friendly farms, prasadam restaurants, etc., in order to encourage others and our own selves in self-realization. At the same time we keep in mind that Krsna has meant this planet for our rectification, not for permanent residence. The ecology of the heart is the beginning of any hope for external change. Ecology devoid of the study of humanity’s relationship with the Supreme Living Being will always be the study of living beings in a crisis. Continue reading "Climate Change and the Ecology of our Hearts
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Enlightenment: Brahma gayatri mantra
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Hare KrishnaBy Urmila devi dasi

Through study of the benefits and nature of the Brahma gayatri, those of us who already have received this mantra from a bona fide guru can deepen our meditation when we chant daily at sunrise, noon, and sunset. Those of us who haven’t received the gayatri mantra can meditate thrice daily on the light of the sun as Krsna, the eye of the Lord that is actually sustaining everything. To qualify ourselves for initiation into chanting the gayatri mantra, we can have a life filled with light, with goodness. As the Vedas say: Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, which means “Do not remain in darkness, come to the light.” (lecture Bhagavad-gita 2.16 — Mexico City, February 16, 1975). Krsna in the Gita describes goodness as being symptomized by all the gates (senses) of the body are illumined by knowledge. In a practical sense, such a life means we only allow illuminating, enlightening, uplifting things to enter our senses. For example, one eats only vegetarian food offered to Krsna.Then one has a life that is filled with light. Continue reading "Enlightenment: Brahma gayatri mantra
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Who Is a Guru
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Hare KrishnaBy His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

If one wants standard transcendental knowledge, not upstart knowledge, one must receive it from the parampara system, the disciplic succession. Another meaning of the word srotriyam mentioned above is "one who has heard from a guru in the disciplic succession." And the result of this hearing will be brahma-nistham, "He is firmly fixed in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." He has no other business. These are the two main qualifications of a bona fide guru. He does not need to be a very learned scholar with an M.A., B.A., or Ph.D. No. He simply needs to have heard from the authority in disciplic succession and be fixed in devotional service. This is our system. Continue reading "Who Is a Guru
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Sun Love Feast – Jul 1st, 2018 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Nand Maharaj 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

Yogini Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Mon Jul 9th, 2018
Breakfast................  on Tue Jul 10th, 2018 b/w 5.45am – 9.17am

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 


Festival of India - Sat Jul 28, 2018

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.

Snana Yatra
→ Ramai Swami

On the full-moon day, sixteen days before Rathayatra, Lord Jagannatha is bathed. He becomes sick and is confined to rest for fourteen days. He is then offered special care until He comes out for Rathayatra.

A special bath of Jagannatha takes place on the Purnima of Jyestha month, to commemorate the appearance day of Lord Jagannatha. According to Skanda Purana when Indradyumna Maharaja installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day considered to be the appearance day of Lord Jagannatha. 

When Jagannatha was absent from the temple, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who could not see Him, felt separation and left Jagannatha Puri to go to a place known as Alalanatha. 

Will Krishna be more pleased if we feed the hungry than offer opulent bhoga to the Deities?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post Will Krishna be more pleased if we feed the hungry than offer opulent bhoga to the Deities? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita 18.09 Renunciation in goodness means to know that we as parts just need to do our parts
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 18.09 Renunciation in goodness means to know that we as parts just need to do our parts appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavatam study 85 1.17.13-18 Parikshit M delighted in his spiritual opulence, not his material opulence
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

The post Bhagavatam study 85 1.17.13-18 Parikshit M delighted in his spiritual opulence, not his material opulence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Why does the Bhagavatam say that literature glorifying Krishna is imperfectly composed when such literature is meant to attract people to Krishna?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post Why does the Bhagavatam say that literature glorifying Krishna is imperfectly composed when such literature is meant to attract people to Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gundica Clean Up – June 30, 2018
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Please join us on Saturday, June 30th for a very special clean up!

As you may already know, on July 14th we will be holding our 46th annual Festival of India (Ratha Yatra) and every year we clean the temple two weeks in advance. This is following the example set by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who held the first Gundica Clean Up some 500 years ago. This year we will be cleaning the temple on Snana Yatra, which is the day their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Sri Baladeva and Sri Subhadra are bathed. After this bathing ceremony, all three fall ill and go into seclusion in order to get better. After two weeks, They will re-emerge for Ratha-Yatra. It is important that the temple is clean for when Lord Jagannatha makes His appearance after recuperating from being ill for two weeks.

So please join us for this amazing service. We promise it's going to be a fun day!

Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, June 30th, 2018
Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00PM
What to wear: Clothes that you are willing to get a little dirty.
What to bring: Just yourself! We'll provide everything else you'll need.

Snana-Yatra Festival – July 1, 2018
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

A sure sign that the annual Ratha-Yatra (Festival of India) is just around the corner (July 13-15, 2018) is the annual Jagannatha Snana-Yatra festival!

Snana-Yatra is a wonderful festival, wherein Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra will be bathed amidst amazing kirtan and chanting!

After the bathing ceremony (Snana-Yatra), Lord Jagannātha becomes "sick". He is therefore removed to His private quarters, where no one can see Him.

During the Ratha-Yatra Festival on July 14th, Lord Jagannātha will once again come before the public. Thus for thirteen days after the bathing ceremony, Lord Jagannātha is not visible to any visitors! Don't miss out this last opportunity to see Lord Jagannatha before his grand Ratha-Yatra festival!

Hall of Fame
→ ISKCON News

Vrindavana is like a hall of fame. Everywhere you turn there are stories, landmarks and temples commemorating the saintly people who lived here. Ironically, they never wanted any fame.

Back to Godhead Magazine’s Quiet Hero Yamaraja Das Passes Away
→ ISKCON News

He was 69 years old, and was BTG’s longest-running servant, having worked with Srila Prabhupada’s beloved magazine for 42 years. Yamaraja spent his final days meeting with devotees, hearing how they came to Krishna consciousness and speaking about service to the Lord. He also shared his own heartfelt realizations about how Srila Prabhupada “gave us the real deal.”