Planet ISKCON

Now that many of our devotees are getting old, becoming sickly, leaving bodies, there is a special need to help them remember Krishna at the time of death so that it makes their journey back home back to Godhead more pleasant.

Around twenty-five young persons attended a residential youth camp organized by ISKCON Youth Forum Varchha in Surat, which had a unique activity-based format of learning, modelled using techniques from the Institute of Education at the University of London.

By TOVP staff

The temple programs, though attended by a small number of devotees due to the holiday season in Italy, were still most ecstatic and inspiring. Greeting the Padukas and Sitari, we were met by bight faced devotees who enthusiastically chanted the Holy Names, bathed the Deities and listened attentively to talks by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus. Once again, the response from the small number of devotees was overwhelming and the total pledges for both temples was 81,000 Euros/97,000 USD. With hearts fixed on the service of the Lord, these devotees gave their best. Continue reading "TOVP Euro Tour Days 11 & 12: Italy
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ISKCON Wellington’s Higher Taste restaurant has been operating for many years and is still going strong. There are lots of people who come throughout the day, right up until 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday.

TP Jagjivan took me in one evening and even though it was late, there were people having their dinner there. I was fortunate enough to get a sample serving of the delicacies on offer, which I enjoyed very much.

 

Chandan Yatra 2018 darshan for 7th May 2018 at ISKCON Chowpatty (video)

Kirtan Simha Festival in Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Srimad-Bhagavatam is the easiest way of directly approaching Krsna. Isvarah sadyo hrdy avarudhyate ‘tra krtibhih susrusubhis tat-ksanat (SB 1.1.2). Diverting even a little of one’s attention toward Krsna and activities in Krsna consciousness immediately enables one to achieve the highest perfection of life. This is the purpose of the Krsna consciousness movement. Lokasyajanato vidvams cakre satvata-samhitam (SB 1.7.6). The secret of success is unknown to people in general, and therefore Srila Vyasadeva, being compassionate toward the poor souls in this material world, especially in this age of Kali, has given us the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srimad-bhagavatam puranam amalam yad vaisnavanam priyam (SB 12.13.18). For Vaisnavas who are somewhat advanced, or who are fully aware of the glories and potencies of the Lord, Srimad-Bhagavatam is a beloved Vedic literature. After all, we have to change this body (tatha dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]). If we do not care about Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, we do not know what the next body will be. But if one adheres to these two books – Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam – one is sure to obtain the association of Krsna in the next life (tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so 'rjuna [Bg. 4.9]). Therefore, distribution of Srimad-Bhagavatam all over the world is a great welfare activity for theologians, philosophers, transcendentalists and yogis (yoginam api sarvesam [Bg. 6.47]), as well as for people in general. –From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to SB 10.12.7-11
Find them here: https://goo.gl/C3ozoY

Damodar Prabhu – Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (video)
Steven Covey’s 7 Habits and how they apply to Japa and Krishna consciousness in general
How Srila Prabhupada exemplified the 7 Habits
Prioritising your life
Avoiding distractions
The power of routines
What is a Private Victory and why is it important
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/bDY7w2

Faith means to believe as we do not have a direct experience of the subject in question.  Faith is the beginning of Krishna Consciousness philosophy because we do not have direct experience or perception of Krishna.  Therefore, we put faith in scripture (shastra) revealed by great saints and great saints (sadhu). This is the process.

It is unlike other religions or processes because in other religions/paths, faith means direct faith upon God. God from our material position is not accessible, henceforth, such direct faith upon God will be at best sentimental for the entire life of the believer. Such sentimental faith is not a good idea since it will succumb to material temptations and will be without deeper realizations. Such sentimentalist will invariably live a material life with a dogmatic belief of a God or supernatural being. Such faith is dogma and not recommended.

Therefore, the process of putting faith in the intermediary/pure via medium is more objective and experiential and deepens our realizations. So although we are in the business of faith like other paths and religions,  still our faith is based on direct perception (not sentimental) of the pure via medium (Guru, Sadhu and Shastra) and using them as a springboard we try to experience the Transcendent Lord. When we have a direct experience, at the juncture faith becomes a fact!

Hare Krishna

Kadamba Kanana Swami: Holland is known as a free haven for everyone. That is well known, but why is not well known.
The Catholics controlled the North of Europe and forced people to pay a tax. England, Germany, and Holland rebelled, and because Holland was smallest, it was attacked by Spain in a war which lasted 80 years. People were born during the war, and they died during the war.
William of Orange liberated the country. Orange became the color of the freedom. Thus the Dutch are attached to their orange and their freedom. Holland thus became a haven for those who were oppressed and seeking freedom.

In Russia there was one criminal who understood that very soon he would be caught by the police. He decided to take shelter of a Hare Krishna temple and pretend to be a new person interested in Krishna consciousness to avoid being caught. He followed the devotional program strictly so he would not be suspected, and after several months he decided he actually wanted to become a devotee after all. He told the devotees his story, and they said he could become a devotee, but that he would have to turn himself into the police first. When the judge heard his case, he was given a minimal sentence and allowed to live with the devotees.

Tulasi Dasa from Bulgaria: a famous actor in Bulgaria, Fahradin Fahradinov (left in the photo), is visiting Radhadesh with us and ...

[Congregation program at Cincinnati, USA]

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Satyanarayana: Zaid from Iraq. This articulate man showed great interest in the Arabic Gita, giving a large donation to obtain it f...

Простившись с Шри Шри Панча-таттвой в Нью Йога-питх Дхаме в Словении в среду, 25 апреля, мы отправились в 3,5 часовое путешествие до Прабхупада-деши в Альбеттоне, Италии, а 26 апреля проехали еще 2 часа, чтобы попасть на программу в Милан. Как всегда, мы ощущали, что Господь руководит каждым нашим шагом.

Хотя в связи с отпускным сезоном в Италии программы посетило небольшое число преданных, оба мероприятия были крайне экстатичными и вдохновляющими. Падуки и ситари встретили сияющие вайшнавы, с энтузиазмом воспевавшие святые имена. Они омыли Божества и внимательно выслушали презентации Джананиваса прабху и Враджа Виласа прабху. Мадху Севита прабху, Джи-би-си и президент миланского храма, выступил в роли переводчика на итальянский язык.

И вновь отклик небольшого числа преданных был ошеломительным: общая сумма обещанных пожертвований в этих двух храмах составила 81 тысячу евро/97 тысяч долларов США. Поглощенные служением Господу, эти преданные постарались изо всех своих сил.

Мы хотим поблагодарить Джи-би-си Италии, Мадху Севиту прабху, и президента храма Прабхупада-деша, Гуручарана даса, а также Читрарупини деви даси (ученицу Шрилы Прабхупады), за организацию храмовых программ. Своими вдохновением и примером они пробудили в сердцах всех преданных удивительный дух служения Святой Дхаме Шри Майяпуру.

Вся слава Господу Нитьянанде! Вся слава Господу Нрисимхе! Вся слава всем преданным Господа!
Следующая и последняя программа нашего тура пройдет в Цюрихе, Швейцарии в субботу, 28 апреля.

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Прабхупада-деша в Альбеттоне, Италия

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

Милан, Италия

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Евротур ХВП, день 11-ый и 12-ый: Италия appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Departing New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Slovenia and Sri Sri Pancha Tattva on Wednesday, April 25th, we drove 3½ hours for the program at Prabhupada Desha in Albettone, Italy, and then another 2 hours to Milan for the program on April 26th. As usual, we felt the Lord guiding us every step of the way.

The temple programs, though attended by a small number of devotees due to the holiday season in Italy, were still most ecstatic and inspiring. Greeting the Padukas and Sitari, we were met by bight faced devotees who enthusiastically chanted the Holy Names, bathed the Deities and listened attentively to talks by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus. Madhu Sevita prabhu, the GBC and temple president of the Milan temple assisted by translating into Italian.

Once again, the response from the small number of devotees was overwhelming and the total pledges for both temples was 81,000 Euros/97,000 USD. With hearts fixed on the service of the Lord, these devotees gave their best.

We want to thank the GBC of Italy, Madhu Sevita prabhu and temple President of Prabhupada Desha, Gurucaran das, as well as Citrarupini devi dasi (ACBSP) for organizing the temple programs. Due to their inspiration and leadership they have invoked a wonderful service attitude towards the Holy Dhama of Sri Mayapur in the hearts of all the devotees.

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

Our next and last program on the tour will be Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday, April 28th.

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Prabhupada Desha in Albettone, Italy

Milan, Italy

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 10 February 2013, Simhachalam, Germany, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.1.34)

It is very interesting how Vrindavan is the abode which can offer pure devotional service. Both qualitatively and quantitatively, Krsna consciousness is established (in Srimad Bhagavatam) and therefore Srila Prabhupada wanted us especially to distribute Srimad Bhagavatam. He said that Srimad Bhagavatam should be placed in every house on the planet. To really make the Bhagavat the knowledge of the entire world, the basis, the foundation of knowledge of the world.

It is also said in Caitanya Caritāmṛta, completely in line with Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, that Lord Caitanya and Lord Niyananda will drive out the five influences of nescience through the Bhagavat. Then Krsna Das begins to invoke the catuḥ-ślokī Bhagavatam which is the whole Bhagavatam as it was received by Lord Brahma which is stated in the commentary of Sridhara Swami.

So in this way, we can see that Lord Caitanya is truly a representative of the Brahma Madhava Gaudiya Sampradaya. He is a representative of Lord Brahma. When he found the Brahma Samhita in South India, he danced in ecstasy and then distributed it amongst the devotees and it became very famous. It is still establishing very clearly, the same conclusion as the Srimad Bhagavatam. So the Bhagavat is our message – Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam is our message.

 

The article " Knowledge for the entire world " was published on KKSBlog.

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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Bhakti Swarupa Caitanya Swami at Iskcon Los Angeles, May 5, 2018 (video)

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Brampton, Toronto, Canada]

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Hampi Yatra with Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, May 2018 (Album with photos)
Hampi, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Ham...

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Toronto, Canada]

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[Youth meeting at ISKCON, Toronto, Canada]

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Iskcon Durban, South Africa, reports for MAY/JUNE 2018.
Living With Srila Prabhupada, A Journey to Faith, Book Review: Five Y...

Latest News from Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula - HARE KRISHNA SCHOOL in Murwillumbah, Australia.
It is with great honor and ha...

[Program at ISKCON, Montreal, Canada]

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[Talk at Concordia State University, Montreal, Canada]

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Leadership & Managment course.
I would like to invite you and the devotees serving in your temple and surrounding areas to a Leadership and Management Course (LMC).

Clearwater Beach, FL 2018 - Festival of Chariots (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The whole point is that one should begin Krsna consciousness immediately. Suppose one thinks, “After finishing my sporting life, when I am old and there is nothing else to do, then I shall go to the Krsna consciousness Society and hear something.” Certainly at that time one can take up spiritual life, but what is the assurance that one will live to an old age? One may die at any time; so postponing one’s spiritual life is very risky. Therefore one should take the opportunity now to advance in Krsna consciousness. That is the purpose of this Society: to give everyone a chance to begin Krsna consciousness at any stage of life. And by the process of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, advancement is very quick. There is an immediate result. -From: The Transcendental Teachings of Prahlada Maharaja by Srila Prabhupada
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Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia HQ’s Sankirtan Warriors (Album with photos)
Sankirtan warriors, tell me something, how do you feel when you distribute Srila Prabhupada books? Even if you are tired and you are almost giving up, after trying the entire day but the moment you distribute one book, the pleasure and heart satisfaction that is derived from it, will inspire you to keep distributing more and more books. It is the feeling of spiritual bliss that you have to experience yourself!
Today (6 May 2018) the devotees of SJMKL did book distribution activities in conjunction with the festival of Kumbha Ambhisegam at Krishna temple, Brickfields. Despite the scorching heat, it didn’t stop the devotees from speaking to someone about Krishna and distributing Srila Prabhupada books. Srila Prabhupada had said that the secret of spiritual life is to manifest the desire of the previous Acharyas. Many of times, Srila Prabhupada has mentioned on how important is book distribution, how it is pleases his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, how does it please Srila Prabhupada whenever someone gives him book distribution report and most importantly how much benefits does a person derive from reading these books.
Especially today, the crowd obtained so much spiritual benefits; they watched the ceremony, they get the sprinkles of the abhisek water and most importantly they got themselves Srila Prabhupada’s books. By Lord Caitanya’s mercy, we distributed many Bhagavad Gita and Krishna books and that brings us to a letter written by Srila Prabhupada to Jananivas prabhu on 5 March 1971 “Our book distribution program is most important work. Anyone reading our Krsna book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion and Bhagavad Gita As It Is, is surely to become a Krishna Conscious person. Therefore somehow or other we must push on this literature distribution program, either through schools, college, libraries, life membership programs or ordinary sales.”
We would like to thank the President of Krishna Temple, Mr. Thanga Perumal for being very kind to give us a stall and allow us to do book distribution activities. Thanks to all the wonderful devotees who came forward to help and to do this most essential service that pleases the Lord Caitanya and the Acharyas! Brhad Mrdanga Ki! Jai!
Total book scores for today:
*Bhagavad Gita: 21,*
*Krishna book: 11,*
*Mahabharata: 3,*
*Medium books: 8,*
*Small books: 30*
Find them here: https://goo.gl/DsTxXq

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