Planet ISKCON

The post Gaura Purnima Abhishek 2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 March 2017, London, United Kingdom, King’s College Programme Lecture, Sex Drugs and Rock ‘n Roll)

When I was a teenager, I moved to Amsterdam which is 25km from where I grew up. At that time, there was no internet but just near to where I stayed was the Dutch Society for Sexual Reform and they had all these posters which said, “If you’re a guy and like guys, call this number… If you like kids, call this number… If you like dogs, try this number!” So all this was there on the window and you could call at anytime. I walked past there every day and I started to think about it and it looked a bit sick to me to be honest and the one thing that struck me was that THE WORLD IS OVERSEXED!

I mean sex is okay but it is not always what you think it would be, at least that was my first experience. I haven’t always been a celibate monk as I am now and there was a time when I had experimented and one day while walking in the street an old, old song started playing in my head, “Is that all there is… Is that all there is?” Is this it? Is this what the big hype is all about? The whole world is making such a big deal to it and is this it! Gosh, is this what I am supposed to get excited about? I was a bit… a bit disappointed. Anyway as time went by, I grew up and got used to it. It got the better of me, what can I say!?

But I did realise that the world is oversexed and we give it more importance that it has in life. Sex has a place and certainly that is fine but SEX IS NOT THE GOAL OF LIFE and if it does become the goal of life, then you get weird people – like the strange men looking at all the prostitutes, people who sell it, people who buy it – the weird people who just see sex as the goal of life; excessive behaviour.

Well, there is nothing wrong with sex but when that is all there is to a relationship when it is only about the flesh then it has no meaning. But, I wanted more out of life, I wanted more depth, I wanted more out of relationships, more real exchanges – not just external affection but something real, some real appreciation – call it love, call me romantic, call me whatever you want but I wanted more depth.

With a topic like this, I am not speaking from the platform of a monk. So far from what I was speaking was the pre-monk days; so far these were just my human observations and my reflections as an individual.

Kolkata-Mayapur also by Ferry/Shuttle now!
This is the new Ferry/Shuttle on Mother Ganga at Prabhupada Ghat in Mayapur Dham. Th...

Sunday, Govardhana sannyasa ceremony

Gaura Purnima Celebration in Iskcon Detroit (2017) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: My dear King, do not be agitated and ...

On the day of initiation you will be promising to follow the regulative principles and to chant sixteen rounds every day. You may also be promising to read Srila Prabhupada’s books and to remain faithful to his society. Your guru will give a talk either on the significance of initiation or on the ten offences to the Holy Name. Three strands of tulasi beads will be placed on your neck. You will be asked to perform acaman – a purifying ritual involving sipping water and saying a mantra. You will then be called forward to make your obeisances to Srila Prabhupada and to your guru. Then you will be asked to recite the vows. You’ll be handed your chanting beads, and then given a name ending in dasa or dasi, indicating that you are now initiated. A fire sacrifice follows during which you’ll join in the chanting of prayers to the members of the Vaishnava parampara and the Deities. During the fire sacrifice you will be directed to offer grains into the flames. It is traditional for the new disciple to beg for some alms to give to the spiritual master immediately after the fire sacrifice. Continue reading "Steps to Initiation
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Theology Students of Nairobi “drink” the Vedic Scriptures (Album with photos)
We were invited to one of the famous university in Nairobi to speak about the Vedic culture. All the students were impressed with the knowledge.we distributed over 100 books in 20 minutes.
One professor commented “if you had gone on for another half an hour I would have converted to being a Hare Krishna”
A Muslim scholar commented, “in all my study I haven’t experienced such deep knowledge”.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/U4AFkv

New Bhaktivedanta Swami sign installed on a public road.
Srila Prabhupada: …a hellish civilization artificially increases the conditions of life, and existence becomes intolerable for everyone. The foolish leaders of a godless civilization try to devise various plans to bring about peace and prosperity in the godless world under a patent trademark of materialism, and because such attempts are illusory only, the people elect incompetent, blind leaders, one after another, who are incapable of offering solutions. If we want at all to end this anomaly of a godless civilization, we must follow the principles of revealed scriptures like the Srimad-Bhagavatam and follow the instruction of a person like Sri Sukadeva Gosvami who has no attraction for material gain. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 2.2.6

New Iskcon Temple Project for Mauritius launched (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Photos from our programme last night in Mauritius. We launched the new temple project there, along with Bhakti Caru Maharaja and Bhakti Brnga Govinda Maharaja. Chief guest was the Minister of Public Infrastructure for the government of Mauritius, Mr Nandkumar Bodha, a very nice man who has helped Srila Prabhupada’s movement greatly there.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fheiDK

ISKCON-London’s Gaura Purnima 2017 celebrations (Album with photos)
Please find below photos from Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Appearance Day at ISKCON-London.
The Radha-Krishna Temple was joined by devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor for maha harinama sankirtan along London’s famous Oxford Street.
Slideshow (please turn on sound):
http://davidc.zenfolio.com/gaura_purnima_2017/slideshow
Gallery:
http://davidc.zenfolio.com/gaura_purnima_2017
With best wishes,
Hare Krishna,
David

Home programs are ever popular in Denpasar and every visiting guru, sannyasi and senior devotee is invited every time they come.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the home of Brajarasa das and his family for an evening of kirtan, lecture and prasadam.

Brajarasa first met the devotees in England some twenty years ago while doing some post graduate study. When he came back to Bali he soon became a devotee.

Maha Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one does not know what is honesty, how can he be honest? But if you know what is honesty, then you can be honest. You must know the order of God. And if you follow that, then that is honesty. If I know that everything belongs to Krsna, I will not use anything without His permission. That is honesty. Even if you drink a glass of water without knowing to whom it belongs, you are a thief. So you may think, “I am honest,” but actually you are a thief. You must remember Krsna, “Oh Krsna, it is Your creation, so kindly allow me to drink.” Therefore a devotee always thinks of Krsna. In all activities he thinks, “Oh, it is Krsna’s.” This is honesty. So without Krsna consciousness everyone is a rascal, a thief, a rogue and a robber. From: Perfect Questions Perfect Answers
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Yamuna Boat Festival 2017 by Iskcon Vrindavan (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Bahurupa – Bombay 22 November, 1974
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The Awards ceremony which was held at Y B Chavan Auditorium Mumbai on 16th March, 2017 saw a gathering of eminent individuals from various sectors like FMCS, Transport, Finance, Healthcare and Social Work. The event was presided over by the esteemed panel consisting of Mr Deepak Premnarayan – President IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Niraj Bajaj – Chairman, IMC RBNQ Award Trust, Mr Suresh Lulla- Chairman IMC RBNQA as well as members of the Managing Committee of the IMC. The Chief Guest for the evening was Dr R. A. Mashelkar, FRS – National Research Professor & President, Global Research Alliance. Dr Anil Kakodkar – Chairma, Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission was honored with the IMC Juran Quality Medal 2016. Continue reading "ISKCON Food Relief Foundation receives IMC Ramakrishna Bajaj National Quality Award
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Skill Development.
Personal development expert, Brian Tracy, writes: “Here is one of the greatest questions you will ever ask and answer: ‘What one skill, if I developed and did it in an excellent fashion, would have the greatest positive impact on my career?’”
One should ask the same question about one’s bhakti practice.
Asking this question is vital because, unlike regular career skills that become obsolete, bhakti skills are eternally relevant and potent. By seriously dedicating oneself to any one of the processes of bhakti, one will attain perfection.
Rupa Goswami writes:
“Pariksit Maharaja attained salvation simply by hearing, and Sukadeva Gosvami attained salvation simply by chanting. Prahlada Maharaja attained salvation by remembering the Lord. The goddess of fortune, Laksmidevi, attained perfection by worshiping the Lord’s lotus feet. Prthu Maharaja attained salvation by worshiping the Deity of the Lord. Akrura attained salvation by offering prayers, Hanuman by rendering service, Arjuna by establishing friendship with the Lord, and Bali Maharaja by offering everything to the service of the Lord.”

Caitanya Mahaprabhu narrowed this field when Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya asked Him which of the practices is the most essential in the execution of devotional service. Mahaprabhu replied that nama sankirtana, the chanting of the holy names of Krishna, is the most important. (Cc Madhya 6.241)

Similarly, in East Bengal there was a brahmana named Tapana Misra, who could not ascertain the objective of life or how to attain it. After being directed in a dream to approach Caitanya Mahaprabhu to ask Him about the proper path in life, Mahaprabhu instructed him that the basic principle of success is to chant the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (Cc Adi 16.15)

Humans are especially equipped to cultivate and develop skills of all description. But, those who want to quickly overcome all miseries of life and attain complete success by developing love for God should dedicate themselves to the chanting of Krishna’s divine names.

Sukadeva Goswami confirms this in this very famous statement to Maharaja Pariksit: “O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.” (SB 2.1.11)

Develop your skill for chanting Hare Krishna with full enthusiasm and attention each day, as this will have the greatest positive impact on every aspect of your life.
Vaisesika Das

Guilt.
Question: Is guilt for past deeds a good thing? I feel guilty of past mistakes done when there was no knowledge of Krishna Consciousness; however, that guilt makes me sad and dejected. How to counteract feeling low out of guilt and rather use that realization to become more determined and enthusiastic for Krishna Consciousness.
Romapada Swami: Since Bhaktivinoda Thakur uses the term ‘regret’ instead of guilt, I am going to respond to your question using the term 'regret’ instead.
The connotation of 'regret’ for some wrong we may have committed more readily lends itself to serving as an impetus for forward progress; 'guilt’ often conveys a mood of lamentation and despondency, which weaken determination to move forward to a better place.
Regret for past deeds is a good thing as long as it does not impede one’s current spiritual progress. Rather regret can serve as an impetus to further develop/nurture our feelings of gratitude towards the most merciful Lord and His devotees. The Lord as a loving father, who is ever merciful forgives the devotee who sincerely repents for his past mistakes and at the same time seeks the Lord’s shelter.
In the purport of SB 1.19.2 Srila Prabhupada writes in connection to Parikshit Maharaj’s feeling of repentance of putting a dead snake around Samik Muni: “The pious king regretted the accidental improper action done by him on the gravely powerful Brahmin who was faultless.
Such repentance is natural for a good man like the king and such repentance only delivers a devotee from all kinds of sins accidentally committed by the devotee. The devotees are naturally faultless.
Accidental fault committed by a devotee is sincerely regretted and by the Grace of the Lord, all sins unwillingly committed by a devotee, are burnt into ashes in the fire of repentance.“
Instead of feeling low and dejected we can take the same feelings to submit ourselves to the Lord through sincere prayers of forgiveness and committing ourselves with determination to His service. Having such reflections will help us transform our consciousness and to make a
resolution: "I am going to dedicate this moment, this day, this year, and this life for a single purpose, namely is to serve the Lord and His devotees.”
Also the ability to come out of feeling sad and dejected and to come to the platform of being enthusiastic and determined in the process of Krsna Consciousness depends on our cultivation of inner faith in the Lord through the association of devotees.
We can begin to nurture our faith through reading of the scriptures (especially reading the pastimes from Srimad Bhagavatam where great devotees like Parikshit Maharaj are expressing their feelings of regret for their actions), hearing and chanting in association with devotees.

Ratha Yatra in Vrindavan, 17.03.2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The preacher must love the people. Otherwise why he is taking? He can do it for himself at home. Why he is taking so much trouble? Why in eighty years old I have come here if I do not love? So who can love better than a preacher? Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk–May 17, 1975, Perth
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‘Do Religions Cause Peace or War?’
An interreligious dialog, held in ISKCON Germany/Austria’s headquarters near Frankfurt from April 21st to 23rd, will discuss the very topical question, ‘Religion: Peacemaker or Cause of War?”
This will be the third annual such event organized by ISKCON and Religions for Peace, the largest international coalition of world religion representatives dedicated to promoting peace.
About 100 people will attend this April’s event. Devotee speakers will include Dina Sharana Dasi, who is the GBC for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Lichenstein, and a representative for ISKCON and Vaishnava-Hindus in interreligious dialog.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/t3NRQ5

The Ramayana features an emotionally and intellectually riveting conversation about the interplay of destiny and human initiative. This conversation occurred at one of the epic's defining moments: the moment when Rama, about to be crowned prince regent, was instead sentenced to forest exile for fourteen years. While Rama gracefully accepted the exile as the will of destiny, His faithful younger brother Lakshmana was outraged by the injustice and called for rebellion. Rama calmly responded that He considered His exile the will of destiny and so intended to accept it. He said that nothing else could explain how His stepmother Kaikeyi, who had loved Him like her own son and whom He had served like His own mother, had suddenly become so malevolent towards Him. Rama hadn't done anything to offend Kaikeyi and certainly didn't deserve to be exiled. Yet His exile was the boon that Kaikeyi had extorted from her husband, the monarch Dasharatha. Rama deemed obedience to His father His duty, one He intended to follow unflinchingly. Continue reading "Fatalism or Pragmatism?
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On the tenth anniversary of the first Kulimela, Kulis explore how to create a new and better world for future generations. There’s a consensus that focusing on healthy marriages and happy families will make for a stronger ISKCON. Kulis are encouraged to invest in the future by teaming together on projects that positively affect children in their local communities. They also discuss making lots of small specialized groups in their communities to encourage members’ interests and make them feel like they belong. The conversation is always empowering. “We are the community, we are the temple, we are ISKCON,” says audience member Syamasundari Dasi from Alachua. “So if something needs to be done, we must step up and do it ourselves.” Continue reading "Kulimela: The Next Generation
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The post The cause of fanaticism is not excessive devotion but inadequate devotion appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Iskcon of Silicon Valley - GauraPurnima 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I am very glad to learn also that you are feeling joy while chanting the mantra Hare Krishna. Yes, it is exactly like this. If anyone chants this mantra in good faith and in simple understanding, then surely this transcendental vibration will act immediately in spiritual bliss. Please therefore continue to chant this mantra as many times as possible throughout the day and night. I do not think there is any inconvenience or loss on your part if you do so all the time. Even when you are walking, you can softly chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, or even when you are on the bus going to somewhere you can also chant. When you are working with your hands you can also chant and when you are resting or going to take rest you can also chant. Even in your toilet room while taking bath you can also chant. In this way there is no limitation or restriction for chanting this Holy Name of God, Krishna, and His Energy, Hara. In doing this business there is no loss, but there is very great gain which is transcendental realization. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Minoru, Kenji – Los Angeles 22 April, 1970
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, November 2011, Mayapur, India, Caitanya Caritamrta Seminar – Part 4)

The divinity of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has been established. It comes up many times that he is clearly the Supreme Lord. There were many miracles which are related to this. This is expected since whenever you deal with the Supreme Lord, there will be miracles.

Before his birth, mother Śacīdevī saw celestial beings. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very small, they could hear a child, with ankle bells on, running around in the house but no one was running around. There were footprints in the house which they thought were from the śālagrāma-śilā but then, they saw that the marks of the footprints of Visnu were the same marks on Nimai’s feet, but he was too small to run! So how was all this possible?

On Ekadasi, there was a great offering being made in the house of Hiraṇya and Jagadīśa, and a huge feast was being cooked. Nimai was feeling very sick that day and he said that the only thing that could cure him was some of that prasadam. But how did he know that they were having such an offering in that house? Nobody else knew but somehow or other, Nimai knew and that was mystical!

He was extremely learned! Later, as a preacher, he went into the Jhārikhaṇḍa forest where he made the tigers and deers chant Hare Krsna, and embrace each other. The tigers and deers were kissing each other, which was quite a miracle! He cured Vasudeva, the leper, from the disease. He also cured Sanatana Goswami’s sores.

About one million years ago, Lord Ramachandra was showing Sugriva how very powerful he was and that he was able to defeat Bali. Therefore, Lord Ramachandra took an arrow and shot it through seven tall trees. Those trees were there when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to South India. He embraced those trees and as he embraced those trees, they disappeared, one after another. It has been said that they went to the spiritual world!

When Lord Jagannatha’s chariot did not want to move, he pushed it with his head. The king called in big wrestlers but they could not move the chariot. Then he got elephants to pull the chariot but still the chariot would not move! But, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the back of the chariot and pushed it lightly with his head, then it started to roll down the road – the ropes were lying in the hands of people but they were not pulling at all, the chariot was just moving on its own.

So these are just some of the miracles but the main miracle that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu shows us is his outstanding symptoms of love of God and that is the real topic of the Caitanya Caritamrta!

Devotees of Czech Republic celebrate Gaura Purnima (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna a...

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