Live and let live
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 October 2017, Canberra, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 4.27.27)

As ISKCON devotees, we are not meant to be fundamentalists! It takes great intelligence to apply the scriptures therefore whenever things are not clear then there needs to be a discussion amongst senior vaisnavas and we try to reach some conclusions. It is not all cut and dry. Every tradition has its fundamentalists and so does the Hare Krsna movement. We have plenty of them, like the Ritviks. They are trying to reduce things to where it is all black and white, and no shades of grey. It is either bonafide or it is off! Simple as that, nothing else. That is fundamentalism!

Back in the day, we had differences with some senior Gaudiya Math leaders. At that time, ISKCON leaders were much younger and the Gaudiya Math were very senior leaders who had great appeal. They were from India and everyone thought, “Whatever comes from India must be better.” That is not necessarily so with all due respect to India. There is also Kali-yuga in India.

At that time, there were differences and when there are differences then we have to decide what is bonafide and what is not. If something is not exactly the same as what Srila Prabhupada had said then we cannot immediately consider it ‘to be wrong’ – and it is as simple as that. No, it is not that simple because they (Gaudiya Math) are not Prabhupada’s disciples, they are coming from another lineage and they have a different emphasis. We may all agree that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead but how are we going to deal with raganuga-bhakti (devotional service executed with feelings of spontaneous love, NOD 15) which was one of the issues at the time.

Prabhupada made it clear to us that we should wait until we have the adhikara – the qualification. But persons in other lineages may be a lot more liberal about raganuga-bhakti. That is their prerogative and we, as followers of Prabhupada, are not meant to follow that. We are followers of Prabhupada and we are committed to following Prabhupada, even if some other Gaudiya vaisnavas have the right to have another approach, it is not for us.

That settles it and we do not have to make offences because if we go into a fundamentalist mode, “One is bonafide, the other one is off,” then we may just blaspheme senior vaisnavas and it is not our business. The real understanding is that we are committed to our lineage and that is it!

In this way, we are safe. We follow our acarya and we offer all respects to the other vaisnavas; we live our lives and co-exist. This is an example from our ISKCON history of how fundamentalism can create offences which are not beneficial and therefore fundamentalism should not be engaged in.

When we are dealing with Gaudiya vaisnavas, we must always remain respectful because they are in our life. There may be differences but still, we are in one family. We are respectful to all four Sampradayas (spiritual lineages) although we do not agree with them. Madhva Sampradaya does not accept that Krsna is the original Ādi–puruṣa. We accept Krsna as Ādi–puruṣa, not Ādi–puruṣa as Krsna. They will not accept; they accept Visnu as the origin and Krsna as the incarnation. Well you know, we could argue about that but this is not our main business to go around arguing with the other Sampradayas because by following their path, they can also attain Vaikuntha. So, we do not fight with these other Sampradayas. If there is any fighting propensities in us and we want to fight then go fight with the mayavadis (the impersonalists).

 

Jacksonville, FL, United States: We had an ecstatic Harinama…
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Jacksonville, FL, United States: We had an ecstatic Harinama Sankirtana party this morning! (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One should take shelter of Krishna-Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose protective power is so great that it cannot be equaled in the material world. However powerful the reactions of one’s sins, they will immediately be vanquished if one chants the name of Hari, Krishna, Balarama, or Narayana. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.16 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/gtHze1

Iskcon New Govardhana: NYE Harinama at Surfers Paradise (Album…
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Iskcon New Govardhana: NYE Harinama at Surfers Paradise (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Authorities who are learned scholars and sages have carefully ascertained that one should atone for the heaviest sins by undergoing a heavy process of atonement and one should atone for lighter sins by undergoing lighter atonement. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, however, vanquishes all the effects of sinful activities, regardless of whether heavy or light.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.16)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/LRjceL

Kirtan 50 in Dallas
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Hare KrishnaBy Giridhari Swami

From Dec. 29-Jan. 1, Nitai Caran and I had the great fortune of attending Kirtan 50 in Dallas. The festival kicked off on Friday evening with Giriraj Swami Maharaja speaking to us about the importance of chanting the holy name offenselessly. Krishna's name is non-different from Him and therefore has full potency to purify the heart, provided we chant without offense. Niranjana Swami Mahara, Bada Haridas Prabhu and B.B. Govinda Swami Maharaja all led beautiful, soul-stirring kirtans that melted the hearts of all three hundred devotees that attended. Harinama sankirtana ki-jaya! Hare Krishna maha-mantra ki-jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki-jaya! Continue reading "Kirtan 50 in Dallas
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Radha Raman Festival
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Hare KrishnaBy Indradyumna Swami

On the kind invitation of Pundrik Goswami, of the Radha Raman temple in Vrindavan, we have been invited to participate in his week long service to the famous deity of Radha Raman. Today we participated in a parade through town and many arotikas in the temple. We had the honor to lead kirtan in front of Radha Raman and take full prasadam from His plate. Participating in the seva this week is a unique opportunity, for in the early days of our movement Srila Prabhupada often encouraged his disciples to learn deity worship from the Radha Raman temple. One special mercy was that I had darshan ( from a distance ) of a Govardhan-sila worshipped by Gopal Bhatta Goswami. We thank our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, for gradually revealing to us the glories of this transcendental abode. Continue reading "Radha Raman Festival
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Book Distributors Break Down Barriers With New BBT Language Cards
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhava Smullen

“Kindly help me,” was Srila Prabhupada’s heartfelt request to devotees in Los Angeles in 1975. “Print as many books as possible in as many languages as possible, and distribute throughout the whole world. Then the Krishna consciousness movement will automatically increase.” Today, the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust has translated Prabhupada’s books into 89 languages, but there are still unique challenges in getting them to people. What if you’re a book distributor in a foreign country? Or you want to share books with foreign-language speaking immigrants in your own country? Continue reading "Book Distributors Break Down Barriers With New BBT Language Cards
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Hare Krishna the Movie Coming Soon to Theaters in Latin…
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Hare Krishna the Movie Coming Soon to Theaters in Latin America!
The independent Documentary Film: “HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It All,” had its world premiere at Illuminate Film Festival on June 3rd in Sedona, AZ. It sold out in 30 minutes and won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Film. This was followed by a North American release in theaters beginning in New York City on June 16th, 2017, where the opening weekend saw the Film have the highest weekend per-theatre average of box office proceeds among all reported releases in the USA. In India, which started on December 15th, the Film has been playing on over 400 screens across the country.
Now the Film is making its way around the world and is the time for Latin America to have a glimpse of Prabhupada’s greatness! With your help, we would like to cause an IMPACT in Latin America with this Film.

Here is how you can help:

1. Suggest responsible, well educated and dynamic persons to work with us on marketing and distributing the Film.
2. Pass on any contacts you have in the film distribution industry or contacts you have with movie theater owners.
3. Study our Outreach Guide & Toolkit and follow its instructions
4. Promote the Film on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Radio, TV and every possible means of communication.
5. Recruit the help of celebrities to promote the Film.
6. We already have the Film with Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.

Director John Griesser (a.k.a. Yadubara das) said at the release of the Film, “It is exciting beyond words to revisit Prabhupada’s extraordinary life and share it with others in a Film I feel offers rare insights into his multifaceted personality and enduring message of happiness and hope.”

A variety of American publications agree:

“An uplifting spiritual experience regardless of one’s personal beliefs or religion.” - Red Carpet Crash
“HARE KRISHNA! achieves a cinematic flow that takes you out of the theatre and into the moment.” - LA Yoga
“…effectively summons an evocative moment in time.” - LA Times

We are counting on you to make this Film a complete success throughout Latin America.

Please get involved today by replying to this email.

Gratefully,

Lilananda Dasa
Lilananda.acbsp@gmail.com

New year’s eve at ISKCON Zagreb, Croatia (Album with…
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New year’s eve at ISKCON Zagreb, Croatia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krishna. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.11)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HxdkxY

Sri Krishna Pushya Abhisheka
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“*Krishna was just a toy in the hands of the Gopis, so one day the Gopis decided that we shall decorate Him. Pusyabhisheka means a ceremony to decorate the deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, cloths. After there should be lavish feasting and a procession through the streets, so that all the citizens should see how […]

The post Sri Krishna Pushya Abhisheka appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Sacramento Bhakti Yoga: TYM’s Book distribution report for…
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Sacramento Bhakti Yoga: TYM’s Book distribution report for the entire 2017. Thanks to all the devotees, well-wishers and sponsors. We beat last years record!
BBT CUMULATIVE REMITTANCE TOTALS
January—November 2017
TYM (Sacramento Bhakti Yoga) gave more than $13.252
to Srila Prabhupada’s Book Trust (USA) for 2017.
$3600 more than 2016. More than a 36% increase this year.
More than 28 Srimad Bhagavatam sets went out and more than 2500 books got distributed.
Thanks to all devotees, sponsors, and well-wishers!
Donations were about $11,000 in total.
Prabhupada: That is the most successful. Wherever book distribution is going on nicely, that is successful.
Because people are in gross ignorance. They are taking this temporary life as everything. Very horrible condition. We are trying to explain what is the actual life.[Moring Walk - 1975 Denver]

Transcendental Visit
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I was invited to lunch with Bhakti Caru Maharaja during his recent visit to Sydney. This was arranged at the home of one of his disciples. I must say that it was so nice because his disciples are such good cooks.

Maharaja told me that he would be travelling to Noumea, New Caledonia, to have a program in a conference hall of a prominent hotel there.

I thanked him for making the effort to spread Krsna Consciousness in that part of the world, which in my role as a GBC, I also oversee.

Ambarisa Prabhu Invitation to the Chakra Installation Ceremony, 2018
- TOVP.org

Ambarisa prabhu officially invites one and all to the historic and momentous installation ceremony of the Chakras onto Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s domes on February 7th, 2018.

To sponsor an abhisheka for one or both Chakras go to:
https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

Below is a general invitation flyer for the ceremony which you can copy and share with other devotees online and print and post at your local temple. We hope you can attend this historic occasion.

Installation Ceremony Invitation can be downloaded by clicking the button below.

DOWNLOAD PDF  

The post Ambarisa Prabhu Invitation to the Chakra Installation Ceremony, 2018 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Almviks Gard (Jarna, Sweden): Every Monday all the children and…
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Almviks Gard (Jarna, Sweden): Every Monday all the children and some adults come together and do seva for the cows. We brush them, milk them, feed them and clean the barn. Afterwards, we take prasadam together at different devotees homes. Everyone becomes happy and enlivened by serving Krishna’s cows! (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Bo33ZH

HG Dharmadhyaksha Prabhu ACBSP left his body. Rasangi Devi Dasi:…
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HG Dharmadhyaksha Prabhu ACBSP left his body.
Rasangi Devi Dasi: My dear Godbrothers and Godsisters, I am sad to report that Dharmadhyaksha das left his body today at around 6:15 PM. As you may know he has had mini-strokes, high blood pressure and other issues and was in a skilled nursing facility receiving round the clock care. I saw him this week and read scripture to him while listening to chanting. His son Maitreya has been visiting him regularly which made him so very happy. Dharma has dome some amazing service for our Srila Prabhupada by preaching in the universities all over California during the mid 70’s. He was a brilliant man who used his intelligence to serve a higher cause and always wanted to help this planet heal from hypocrisy and violence.

Saturday, December 30th, 2017
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Ajax, Ontario

Good Crew, Good Brew

I was quite amazed by the turn-out of family and supporters for Kiran, age twenty-four, who was recently deceased, the cause being car collision related.  Hundreds of people came, mostly from the Guyanese community, to attend the last rites ceremony, done Vedic style in a crematorium/funeral home in Ajax.

The love which emanated from parents, siblings and friends was quite powerful.  Upon hearing the eulogy, I could understand he was quite the kind-hearted type and you could see the reciprocation pouring out.  I wish I had known him better.

They are good souls who enter into the course of your day to make your day.  And so, after the funeral, my world, for the rest of the day, was filled with mostly the younger set, the cast and crew of our production of “Many Mothers, Many Fathers.”  A good crew.  A good brew.

What a co-operative group it is, an international one, consisting of Canadian born to Israeli, Ukrainian to Mexican and Indian.  The story, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” is centered around a king—Chitraketu—of the Surasena dynasty who lost his son to poisoning.  Out of the tragedy comes a reconciliation of jealous exchange and conflicting relations.

The young boy, Nimai, six, who plays the dead son, is stunningly good at doing just that—playing dead.

I guess we all do that—play dead—for the soul (the real me) does not perish.

May the Source be with you!

3 km



Friday, December 29th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Cold

I spoke to someone from Florida today, Dattatreya, a magician, and he told me they have a cold snap like everywhere else in North America.  Temperatures there are at 3 or 4° Fahrenheit.

“Imagine then how we are doing up north?” I asked.

In speaking to others, Mother Nature appears to be showing an ugly, fierce side.  In Fort McMurray, the plummeting figure was -54° Celsius, outdoing the lowest temperatures of the furthest north.  Fort McMurray is the place in Alberta known for its oil enterprises, with its tar sands nearby.  That news came from Abhidheya in Vancouver.

Then Savyasacin of Brampton told me last night at our play practice that Toronto and other cities around are speaking about possibly cancelling the New Year’s celebrations due to such intense, frigid situations.

The conditions are such that I’ve not been bearing the extreme outdoors, but I’ve been taking those walks of mine inside our temple room.  It seems to work, although the air quality outside is probably better.  Probably sterilized.  It’s quite remarkable just how extreme it can get.

Mother Nature, you definitely have some might.  Thanks for teaching us tolerance.  It takes me to Verse 2:14 from the Gita.  “The dualities of the world need to be accepted.”  It’s a lesson in life.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


Thursday, December 28th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

A Loss, But Not Lost

A young man, Kiran, 24, a member of our community, suddenly lost his life in an auto accident while on his way to work.  While this may be just another one of those news items, one that we often become insensitive to because it is a story repeated over again and again, it really shakes the ground you stand on when it’s close to home.

“Kiran used to attend the temple when he was much younger,” said his distraught mum, Srimati, when I spoke to her over the phone.  “The car spun out of control when someone hit him.  It’s very hard.”

You could hear the pain in her voice as we conversed.  It’s understandable.  A soul comes into your life, is your dependant for a quarter of it, and so the attachment is very real.  Then if you have one of those families where the lifestyle is a wholesome one, your dependant starts doing things for you and eventually a beautiful reversal takes place.  In your senior years, he/she looks after you.  You have him/her and you have God.  You’re not lonely and you’re attached to the love given.

It then becomes difficult to have one such person suddenly drop out of the picture, although the Divine friend, God-in-the-heart, remains as a blesser and a guide.

We, the friends of the family, are compelled to be totally behind you and support you through prayer and mantra.  There are many folks in this world who lose family through mishaps of a shocking kind and we give our hearts out to you.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

2017 – In Appreciation. Ananda Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi: As…
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2017 - In Appreciation. Ananda Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi: As the new year just started I am appreciating many things gained in 2017, especially all the different devotees who brought joy and inspiration to my life. I was therefore delighted when I came across a verse from the Caitanya Caritamrita (a biography on Lord Caitanya, the great revolutionary teacher of Bhakti in the 15th Century). “Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Out of all auspicious and beneficial activities, which is best for the living entity?” Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “The only auspicious activity is association with the devotees of Kṛṣṇa.” Madhya 8.251. Auspicious and beneficial - words that are not used a lot these days. Friendship with devotees, opportunities to sing and dance together, to study together, and to serve together brings good fortune and great benefit to our lives. It’s considered the best of activities for us, and the only auspicious one! So thank you, dear devotees, for creating many opportunities for sanga (association) all around the DC metro area. Thank you for gathering at the Temple on Sundays and Festivals, and weekdays for service, for meeting in Silver Spring and Georgetown for Harinam (outdoor kirtan), for the sweet Saturday program at the Institute, for Bhakti Yoga DC in the heart of the capital, for Bhakti Clubs and Krishna House at UMD and George Mason, for satsang in yoga studios, for seminars and japa retreats, for the Baltimore Temple and Radha Madhava, for Jiva Daya and their love of books, for Nama Hatta’s (small home groups) that meet weekly, for home programs that happen here and there, for Sunday School and Krishna Kids, summer camps and kirtan trips, for the Bhakti Lounge on Sundays, for Gita and Bhagavatam study groups, for Soundcloud and Sages, for Instagram darshan, for growing FFL, for celebrations and pujas - in times of joy and sadness, for Sunday Serve, for book tables and bakeries where we gather and talk and laugh, for our two cows, Gita and Vani, who love us all and for our neighbors in Richmond and the wonderful ahimsa milk farm at Gita Nagari. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for starting all of this. You have given us the gift of friends, mentors, teachers and gurus on this kevala ananda kanda, this path of spiritual joy. May we always appreciate that - and them.