Euro RGB launches an Internal Communication Committee
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By Sukanti Radha dasi In our everyday devotee life, communication helps us build relationships by allowing us to share our experiences, needs and helps us connect to each other. Good communication in our ISKCON society will help us in decision-making and planning, ease out efficient service strategies, facilitates efficient co-ordination, maintain managerial efficiency and thereby
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Manmohin Dasi’s Beautiful “Story and Ode to Srila Prabhupada”
Giriraj Swami

My Story and Ode to Srila Prabhupada

Born into dense illusion, one of countless conditioned souls;
doomed to endless births and deaths while playing different roles.

My life a hell that made no sense, trying drugs I took my chances;
searching faces on streets and buses, hoping to find someone with answers.

Religion as I knew it seemed a total farce,
and the diet of dead animals weighed heavy on my heart.

So, trapped, I studied different books, became an avid reader:
Leary, Huxley, Buddhism, a short little Bhagavad-gita.

Though small and insignificant, I searched for knowledge true.
If there was a kindly God, I begged for but a clue.

The summer of ’69 found my younger brother and me in Boston.
Along with other seekers, we’d go to Harvard Square quite often.

One special day before us danced a group in orange bed sheets.
Intrigued, we watched, chanted along, and were given some “simply wonderful” little round white sweets!

Who were these people? What’d they find? What did their mantra mean?
Swarup and Manmohini soon became two new additions to Prabhupada’s spiritual team!

Now the how and why this Prabhupada came is quite a blessed miracle.
He melted hearts and changed the lives of even us very cynical.

He understood our sorry plight with Godless lives so vacant,
and pure devotees of his kind can never be complacent.

And so he came from far abroad and risked his life to save us.
He taught us how to speak, eat, dance, and even renamed us!

He cut through our illusions using knowledge like a sword,
explaining that as spirit souls we’re meant to love and serve the Lord!

Embodiment of compassion and of the purest selfless love,
it seemed his every movement was choreographed from above!

All moves had grace and purpose, never wasting precious time,
engaging every single soul in Lord Chaitanya’s line.

The Prabhupada cookies, Prabhupada medicine, Prabhupada hat and two step were all so charming and unique.
And those cookies that he handed out were sweetest of the sweet!

For twelve amazing years he walked and talked and lived right in our midst.
Who could have ever fathomed a benediction such as this?!

All desperate searches ended as our lives began anew.
Our love for him propelled us to do things we’d never before do.

With his beaming smile in class one day Brahmananda said some humorous facts.
He proudly said that in the beginning we were like Prabhupada’s guinea pigs, or better still, laboratory rats!

Soon told to wed the temple cook, someone I didn’t favor,
I’d share the glory of opening new temples and so I didn’t waver.

Right afterwards, I called my mom to tell her I was now a married woman.
When asked his “real” name, I said, “Hold on—I have to find and ask him.”

“You married him,” she shouted, “and you don’t even know his name?
This time you’ve really done it. You’ve gone totally insane!”

Irate, she slammed the phone down hard (an act that wasn’t new),
but actually this time I kind of saw her point of view.

There was no doubt about it: crazy was the truth.
Crazy to please my glorious master, crazy with gratitude.

Crazy with happiness to understand all facets of this life,
to have and to hold the holy names, which counteract all strife.

Thrilled to play an active role in Prabhupada’s great mission,
armed with his books that reveal all that is real, far beyond our limited vision!

So, yeah, I’d dance in the streets wearing sheets and marry a guy I didn’t know!
It’s the least I could do for my beloved guru, for this Prabhupada we all loved so.

I’ll proudly state for the record, my fervent plea is that,
I again obtain the rare boon, though spoken in jest, to be among those compared to a Prabhupada Guinea pig or a laboratory rat.

Thank you, Srila Prabhupada. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

All glories to you, Srila Prabhupada!

Manmohini dasi

Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival
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ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performances, clothing, jewelry, food, and craft stalls, a children’s play area, a beautifully hand-decorated forest depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes, […]

The post Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival appeared first on ISKCON News.

Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performances, clothing, jewelry, food, and craft stalls, a children’s play area, a beautifully hand-decorated forest depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes, […]

The post Bhaktivedanta Manor Celebrates Milestone with 50th Annual Janmashtami Festival appeared first on ISKCON News.

BHAKTIVEDANTA MANOR MARKS HISTORIC MILESTONE BY CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ANNUAL JANMASHTAMI FESTIVAL
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By Radha Mohan Das ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, the spiritual sanctuary donated by the Beatle George Harrison in 1973, celebrated a historic milestone this week after hosting the Temple’s 50th annual Janmashtami festival. The festival featured live music, performances, clothing, jewellery, food and craft stalls, a children’s play area, a beautifully hand-decorated forest depicting scenes from
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Special Tamil Lecture | Guest Speaker
→ Hare Krishna Auckland

Special Tamil Lecture | Guest Speaker

"Glories of Vaishnava" by His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami

Join us for an illuminating evening of spiritual insight as His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami shares his wisdom on the "Glories of Vaishnava" in the Tamil language. This special event will take place at the Wesley Community Centre, Tarapunga Room, on September 15th, 2023.

🕡 Date & Time: September 15th, 2023 | 6:30 PM
🏛️ Location: Wesley Community Centre, Tarapunga Room
📍 Address: 740 Sandringham Road, Mt Roskill

His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami, a revered spiritual leader, will delve deep into the profound significance and virtues of Vaishnava, offering timeless teachings that hold universal appeal.

This event is a unique opportunity for our Tamil-speaking community.

Mark your calendar and extend this invitation to your friends and family. Let's come together for an evening of spiritual enrichment and cultural celebration.

We eagerly anticipate your presence at this special event!

Special Tamil Lecture | Guest Speaker

Special Tamil Lecture | Guest Speaker
→ Hare Krishna Auckland

Special Tamil Lecture | Guest Speaker

"Glories of Vaishnava" by His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami

Join us for an illuminating evening of spiritual insight as His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami shares his wisdom on the "Glories of Vaishnava" in the Tamil language. This special event will take place at the Wesley Community Centre, Tarapunga Room, on September 15th, 2023.

🕡 Date & Time: September 15th, 2023 | 6:30 PM
🏛️ Location: Wesley Community Centre, Tarapunga Room
📍 Address: 740 Sandringham Road, Mt Roskill

His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda Swami, a revered spiritual leader, will delve deep into the profound significance and virtues of Vaishnava, offering timeless teachings that hold universal appeal.

This event is a unique opportunity for our Tamil-speaking community.

Mark your calendar and extend this invitation to your friends and family. Let's come together for an evening of spiritual enrichment and cultural celebration.

We eagerly anticipate your presence at this special event!

Special Tamil Lecture | Guest Speaker

Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold Named One of 40 Most Beautiful Places in US
→ ISKCON News

Insider Travel, with over 8 million followers on Facebook, published their 2023 roundup of the 40 most beautiful places to visit in the US, and Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold is on this prestigious list. Their recommendations are selected, in part, from a wide variety of travel sites and visitor reviews of must-see locations that span […]

The post Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold Named One of 40 Most Beautiful Places in US appeared first on ISKCON News.

ISKCON Mourns and Pays Tribute to His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi
→ ISKCON News

It is with gratitude and deep sadness that ISKCON extends their heartfelt condolences to the Family of Prince Buthelezi, the Zulu Nation, and followers of Prince Buthelezi, Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party. ISKCON’s relationship with Prince Buthelezi dates back over four decades, wherein he helped secure the land on which the […]

The post ISKCON Mourns and Pays Tribute to His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi appeared first on ISKCON News.

“My Cherished Desire”
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Vyasa Puja Offering 2023 “My Cherished Desire” Dear Srila Prabhupada, Please accept my most humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to you! My dear spiritual master, as we find ourselves in the twilight of our lives, my godbrothers, godsisters and I are coming face-to-face with the harsh realities of material
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Vyasa-puja Poem –  by Sesa das
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‘Twas Srila Prabhupada on the Vyasasana A Poem Composed by Sesa das Jaya Radha Madhava Kunja Bihari Eyes closed, karatalas ringing Head trembling, full voice singing Tempo building then crescendoing Obeisance to Guru, blessing to all beings ‘Twas Srila Prabhupada on the Vyasasana Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya Three times the Sanskrit invocation rang out Calling
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