Temple Profile: ISKCON Netrakona, Bangladesh By Nila Kamal…
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Temple Profile: ISKCON Netrakona, Bangladesh
By Nila Kamal das
Name: Sri Sri Jagannath Vallabha Mandir
Address: Netrakona, Bangladesh. 20.8823147
Website: www.iskconnetrakona.org
Presiding Deities: Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, Gour Nitai and Radha Govinda.
Temple Management: Jay Ram das, Anantadev das and Tulsi das.
When did it open? The official opening of the temple was on the 2nd of January 2016.
Location: Netrakona is located in the Northern part of Bangladesh near the Meghalaya border. The population here is around 70% Hindu whilst the rest are Muslim.
Known for: It’s hard working brahmacari ashram. There is also a wonderful training system in the brahmacari ashram in which the senior devotees mentor the other devotees with their spiritual insights and exemplary behaviour and etiquette.
Number of residents: 26 full time saffron brahmacaris.
Number of visitors: 10 to 15 on weekdays. 100 on Fridays and Sundays and up to 4000 on festival days.
Best time to visit: Ratha Yatra (July), it attracts near to 4000 individuals from all around Bangladesh.
HH Subhag Swami sent three of his brahmacari disciples in 2010 to go to Netrakona. From there they rented a small place and started preaching. They organised the first Ratha Yatra in 2011 and it turned out to be a huge success. As the number of congregation devotees increased, the need for a permanent residence for Jagannath was clearly evident. The devotees began looking for land nearby and when Subhag Swami visited Netrakona in 2012, he suggested that the land opposite the preaching centre was suitable.
Local devotees headed by Jay Ram das, Anantadev das and Tulsi das worked extremely hard day and night collecting funds for the land. At times they would eat very meagrely and that too only after returning from completing their daily quota. (It should be noted that these three brahmacaris were based in India for a number of years prior to coming to Bangladesh. They came to a foreign land and that too without a single penny in their pocket.) By Krishna’s mercy, they were able to purchase that land in 2013. After a lot of planning, finally in August 2015 construction started. Resident devotees worked round the clock, with each and every brahmacari helping in the construction work. The grand opening of the temple was set for the 2nd of January 2016, where Netrakona devotees celebrated the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and the 75th Vyasa Puja of Subhag Swami. The opening of the temple attracted near to 3000 devotees from all over Bangladesh.
Now Sri Sri Jagannath Vallabha Mandir is a fully fledged ISKCON temple with devotees from across India and Bangladesh visiting regularly. The brahmacaris are actively preaching in college and universities and they visit on a weekly basis several Nama Hattas locally.

A year full of celebrations for ISKCON50 in Germany
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Hare KrishnaBy Hemanga Gopal Dasa

18 April 2016 ISKCON50 Presentation at the Interreligious Forum (IFH) ISKCON Hamburg Bhakti Yoga Zentrum 2 17-22 May 2016 Narasimha Caturdasi Festival ISKCON Jandelsbrunn Simhachalam 3 25 June 2016 Participation at Parade of Cultures Downtown Frankfurt 4 01 July 2016 Prabhupada Tirtha Schloss Rettershof - Memories and Activities Romantikhotel Schloss Rettershof 5 17 July 2016 Srila Prabhupada’s Tirthas in Hamburg ISKCON Hamburg Bhakti Yoga Zentrum 6 17 July 2016 Special ISKCON50 Celebration ISKCON Vienna 7 30 July 2016 Ratha Yatra Berlin ISKCON Berlin Jagannatha Tempel 8 20 +21 August 2016 Ratha Yatra Cologne ISKCON Köln Gauradesh 9 29 October 2016 Interreligious Conference ISKCON Wiesbaden Hari Continue reading "A year full of celebrations for ISKCON50 in Germany
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WSN February 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy Vijaya Das

Good news in Vrindavan: Rohininandana Balarama Prabhu distributes books in Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi almost daily, and he recently told me that in the past two years he's collected the contact information of about three hundred people interested in staying in touch with him to learn about Krishna consciousness. So every week he gives two classes to them. Some chant japa. One lady is a pilot flying the Airbus 880 planes. She said, "I was so unhappy before coming in contact with you people and reading these wonderful books, but now I'm so happy." Rohininandana Balarama used to successfully do business in Melbourne. In 2009 he heard about an event that sounded like Bollywood, and being Indian, he checked it out. It was a Hare Krsna program -- Indradyumna Swami's traveling festival. He listened to Indradyumna Swami's lecture, which answered questions that were recently on his mind, and left with a Gita. Up to that point at his job, everyone was working hard, but then his boss told him he could work from home. And to his surprise, the company didn't give him work for three months, but still paid him. He took it as an opportunity to read the Gita. Now he's distributing books in Vrindavan, preaching at colleges in that area, and focusing on his contacts. Continue reading "WSN February 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Devotees Invited to Refresh and Renew at Reimagined Festival of Inspiration
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhava Smullen

One of the first of the retreat-style festivals currently so popular in ISKCON, Festival of Inspiration, launched in New Vrindaban in 2000, has always offered something a little unique. Now, in its 17th year, with the tagline “Rethink. Refresh. Renew,” FOI is again taking a fresh approach, offering an exciting new inspirational experience based on feedback from devotees about what they like. “Whereas previous Festival of Inspirations were a high-speed puzzle of eighteen different short presentations you could choose from, we now plan to offer people an immersive experience that they can dive into and experience together,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban temple president Jaya Krsna Das. “We also want to provide them with practical tips they can implement in their day-to-day lives.” Continue reading "Devotees Invited to Refresh and Renew at Reimagined Festival of Inspiration
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ISKCON GBC – Minutes Of The Annual General Meeting – February 2017
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By the GBC

Global Observance of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi: Whereas Sri Ramanujacarya, the great Vaisnava saint who lived between 1017 and 1137, requires no introduction to the saintly, especially the Vaisnavas; Whereas Sri Ramanujacarya’s 1000th anniversary is being celebrated around the world this year, 2017. According to the Sri Vaishnava calendar, his 1000th appearance day is on May 1, 2017; Whereas although 1000 years have passed since the appearance of Sri Ramanujacarya, the years have not dulled the level of adherence to his teachings and attraction to his exemplary life. Millions of people now base their spiritual practices and religious conceptions on his words in both southern India, and due to emigration, in the western world also. In many parts of the world, ISKCON is associated very strongly with the Sri Vaisnavas; Whereas our Gaudiya Acaryas including Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura have all referenced and commented on the teachings and life of Sri Ramanuja; Whereas Srila Prabhupada used Sri Ramanuja`s works, amongst others, to give us the "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is"; Whereas ISKCON Sriperumbudur and Kanchipuram are organizing grand celebrations this March in which international devotees, sannyasis, and leaders are participating in the 10 day festival at Sriperumbudur, the birth place of Acarya Sri Ramanuja; Whereas following in the tradition of our acaryas, it would be a great opportunity for ISKCON to get the mercy of Sri Ramanujacarya, and to enhance our already good relationships with the Sri Vaishnava community globally, by having a "Global Observance" throughout the year, or particularly leading up to May 1, 2017; RESOLVED: That ISKCON centers worldwide have a "Global Observance of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi", leading up to May 1, 2017, or anytime through the year 2017, with suitable events and glorification befitting the venerable and worshipable Vaisnava Acarya. Continue reading "ISKCON GBC – Minutes Of The Annual General Meeting – February 2017
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Is there any reference to the subconscious mind in the Vedic literature?
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Anwser Podcast


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Spirituality in the age of Science (Science – Modern)
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[Online Wednesday feast class for Boston devotees from Seattle]

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Should we see non-philosophical devotees as not needing intellectual conviction or as weak because of intellectual malnourishment?
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The Supremely loving one
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2009, South Africa, Untitled Lecture)

How is it that the all good, all merciful and kind Supreme Personality of Godhead who is just full of love, who is just the well-wisher and friend of every living being, who cares about every little plant, every little jiva, how is it that the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Controller, has arranged all the varieties of suffering that exist in this world?

This question is very difficult to answer but it is an essential question for us if we want to love Krsna. We have to resolve this question. Otherwise, how can we love Krsna? If deep down in our heart there is any doubt about Krsna being in any way responsible for the suffering in this world, then how will we ever develop love of God?

In this world, the difficulties and the suffering are there for only one reason. Krsna is indeed unlimited and full of love but it is not an impersonal type of love. It is a personal type of love and Krsna, in this mood, cannot wait any longer. How long is it going to take, are you going to come back or not to the spiritual world? It is taking too long!

The Lord can’t wait forever and ever for us to just stay here in the material world, life-after-life, whilst eternally fallen and still not turning around! It takes too long, thus he has built into the material world some mechanism of suffering to bring us to our senses and make us turn back to him.

Dhanaraj, Balaraj and Ananda
→ Servant of the Servant

Once upon a time there lived a king in Benaras with 3 sons named Dhanaraj, Balaraj and Ananda.

Suddenly one day the king left his body and the kingdom was seized by the minister.

The minister took charge of the kingdom and cheated the 3 prince by giving them a small house to live in a village which was located outside the kingdom.

Now these three began to contemplate on the situation.

The eldest one asked, “What is the finest thing in the world?”

The youngest one said,  “I dont know?”

The middle one Balaraj said, “Power is the finest thing, the minister would not have snatched our kingdom without power.”

The elder prince disagreed saying, “The finest thing in the world is money. With money we can have power also. I will go to China and return with lots of money.”

Prince Balaraj said,  “I will go to Turkey and raise a big army.”

The brothers decided to meet at the same place after 10 yrs .

Years passed by and one fine day a huge army came from one side and a huge caravan full of gold and jewels came from the other.

They were led by Dhanaraj and Balaraj, both the brothers embraced each other.

Dhanaraj told Balaraj, “I am the richest man in the world. I can bribe your soldiers.”

Balaraj proudly said “My soldiers can loot your money.”

They looked out for their younger brother Ananda. He came out from the small house with a young woman and 2 children.

Dhanaraj and Balaraj asked “Did you find the finest thing in the world?”

Ananda said, “Yes. I have found that contentment is the finest thing in the world, without it power and wealth are all useless.”

The brothers suddenly realized that its true, still they wanted to fight the Minister.

Ananda laughed and told that the Minister died years ago and people wanted to make him the king. But he was too contented to leave. So, all their efforts had been in vain.

Here we see that the youngest prince Ananda was happy with whatever he had and thus was living peacefully.

Moral of the story.

If you are happy with whatever you have, i.e. you are content with what you have there is no regrets. Then there is no desire and if there is no desire, you will be peaceful.

Here is the verse from the shastras which says:

santosha trishu kartavyah svadhaare bhojane dhane
santosha trishu na kartavyah svaadhyaah japa dhaanayoh

“One should be always satisfied with these three things:
1) their spouse
2) the food
3) the amount of wealth they obtained.

One should never be satisfied with these three things:

1) the amount of scriptural study
2) the amount of chanting
3) amount of charity they perform

We always want to accumulate wealth for future, want to build a house, take up life insurance policies and what not.

Every one tries to possess more and more. How much ever we endeavor we shall get only that which is in our prarabdha.

Lord is taking care of our needs right from the time we are in our mothers womb. As soon as the child comes out mothers body is filled with milk. Still we try to make all arrangements. This is because we don't have faith in him.

Hare Krishna

5,000 People Gather to Honor Ramanjua Acharya
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The ancient city of Madurai visited by pilgrims year-round witnessed a rather unique event on the 26th of March, 2017. More than 5,000 people from different walks of life gathered together in one of Madurai’s biggest outdoor auditoriums, Gandhi Mandapam, eager to celebrate the 1,000th  Anniversary of a Stalwart Saint, Acharya and Guru, Srimad Ramanuja Acharya. ISKCON Madurai, under the inspiration of Jayapataka Swami and leadership of Balaram Govinda Das and Shanka Dari Das Temple President of ISKCON Madurai, organized the grand event.

New VIBe! (Visual Interactive Bhagavad-gita As It Is…
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New VIBe! (Visual Interactive Bhagavad-gita As It Is ebook)
Gaudacandra dasa Adhikari: I am excited to share with the devotee community and abroad the new VIBe!
Replete with over two hundred full-color images, this digital Visual Interactive Bhagavad-gi-ta- As It Is edition is certain to stimulate and enlighten any reader with its ancient yet thoroughly timely teachings. This digital edition comes with: Intro video, a visual table of contents, links to important chapter sections, glossary, appendix, scroll view, the ability to highlight text in different colors, in-margin notes, “my notes” section, chanting section, study cards, search, dictionary, bookmarks, quizzes, links to relevant videos, audio and study links, training videos, full screen, zoomable art galleries, sketch book, correspond with the publisher from within the book, etc. “Glorification of the Gita” added - one of the nine supplemental and inspirational chapters. A true portable “portal” into transcendence when stress hits or not!
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/YDnrud

ISV Harinaam in Paloalto – March 24th 2017 (Album with photos)…
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ISV Harinaam in Paloalto - March 24th 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krsna consciousness movement is the greatest boon to humanity because it keeps one always engaged in Krsna’s service. The devotees think of Krsna, act for Krsna, eat for Krsna, sleep for Krsna and work for Krsna. Thus everything is engaged in the service of Krsna. A total life in Krsna consciousness saves one from material contamination. Srila Prabhupada; SB 4.30.19 purport
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xfhjIk

And so Britain’s slow exit begins…
→ The Vaishnava Voice

euro

Today is the day Britain begins its two year period of exiting from the European Union, the official beginning of what has been termed ‘Brexit.’ The country is surprisingly divided over our immanent departure from what started out as a trading partnership in 1973, and then gradually became ever more a state of monetary, legal and political union.

Perhaps its because of that creeping amalgamation of Britain into a European super-state, a situation that our forbears didn’t sign up for, that a majority of British people felt uncomfortable and wanted out. It was a slim majority, but a majority nonetheless.

To my American friends: Brexit is nothing like Texit, the idea of Texas leaving the union of the states of America. When your forbears signed documents to create the USA, they knew they were creating a political union – one nation with no national borders between the states. When Britain signed up there was no such agreement.

So today the exit begins.

 


Over 5000 people participated in ISKCON’S celebration of the 1000th Year Anniversary of Srimad Ramanuja Acharya
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Hare KrishnaBy Nanda Priya Nivedita Devi Dasi

The ancient city of Madurai visited by pilgrims year-round witnessed a rather unique event on the 26th March, 2017. More than 5,000 people from different walks of life gathered together in one of Madurai’s biggest outdoor auditoriums, Gandhi Mandapam, eager to celebrate the 1,000th Anniversary of a Stalwart Saint, Acharya and Guru, Srimad Ramanuja Acharya. ISKCON Madurai, under the inspiration of HH Jayapataka Swami and leadership of HG Balaram Govinda Das and HG Shanka Dari Das, Temple President of ISKCON Madurai, organized the grand event.HH Ranga Ramanuja Jeeyar along with many other senior Sri Vaishnava Priests were the guests of honor. Seen along with the guests of honor on the dais was a Murti of Srila Prabhupada, HH Jayapataka Swami , HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami, HH Bhakti Nityananda Swami, HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami and HH Bhakti Mukunda Swami. The event began with an Abhishek to the deity of Ramanuja Acharya. The Jeeyar spoke about the glories of Sri Ramanuja Acharya and his eminent role in spreading Vaishnavism all over the Indian subcontinent and now practically all over the world. He thanked ISKCON for organizing such an extravagant event and was very pleased that the followers of Vaishnavism celebrated the 1000th Anniversary in unison. Continue reading "Over 5000 people participated in ISKCON’S celebration of the 1000th Year Anniversary of Srimad Ramanuja Acharya
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“RAMAYANA”Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Lord…
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“RAMAYANA”
Srimad Bhagavatam describes how Lord Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in a transcendental human form as Lord Ramacandra in His eighteenth incarnation and exhibited superhuman powers. The name, form, qualities, and pastimes activities of this form are depicted in the great treatise of Ramayana. There are different versions of Ramayana in different parts of India and in different parts of the world yet the acaryas all accepted Valmiki Ramayana as the original version.

A Hindu Shrine Amidst A Buddhist Monastery
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Hare KrishnaBy Kumudaksa Dasa

For the last four years a Cambodian youth has been inspired to organize an elaborate yearly Hindu worship within the monastery of a major Buddhist temple (Pagoda) in Phnom Penh with the approval and consent of the local head monk. Not only is it a Hindu worship program, indeed the initiative has developed into the manifestation of a Hindu shrine within the Buddhist compound. On Sunday, April 26, 2017, a group of devotees from our Hare Krishna base center in Siem Reap travelled to the capital city to attend a shorter version of their yearly event that the group celebrates in the month of December. As we entered the Pagoda compound we were led to the place where for the last 4 years Bhakta Karney has been 'step by step' unfolding a Hindu rendering of ancient Cambodian Vedic gods and goddesses in an area especially assigned for such worship, reminiscent of a revival of ancient Cambodian Hindu worship. We were pleasantly surprised to see a group of some 30 Hindu Cambodians all engaged in making various arrangements for the elaborate worship soon to follow. Some were making flower garlands for the large stone-carved deities of Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu. Others were placing candle lamps and flower vases on the small altar that had the small Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishna along with Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and a photo of Srila Prabhupada. They had also prepared flower petals to be offered to all the deities. As darkness set in, the various colored lights placed in front of the altar produced a special effect. Continue reading "A Hindu Shrine Amidst A Buddhist Monastery
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Keep the fire going…
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 13 July 2010, Japa Talks)

The current temple of Lord Jagannatha in Puri is 800 years old and during that time, the fire in the kitchen of the Lord has never gone out. In the same way, we must keep the fire of our bhajan going and make sure it never goes out. Every day we must throw big logs of: worshipping the deities, serving and hearing from the vaisnavas, and chanting the Hare Krsna mahamantra. Then that fire will burn forever and increase and increase – let us just add more fuel as much as we can to the fire of pure devotional service!

 

GBC College – Graduation Ceremony – February 2017
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Hare KrishnaBy Vrsabhanu das

At the recent GBC Meetings in Sridham Mayapur, the GBC College was pleased to present 32 graduates from the GBC College to the assembly of GBC members. As HG Rupanuga Prabhu (President of the GBC College) called out the names of the graduates, HH Romapada Swami handed them their graduation certificates, HH Bhakti Charu Swami gave them a pavitra (in the colours of the GBC College and offered to Lord Nrsimhadev) and HG Gopal Bhatta Prabhu gave them a GBC College bag. HG Tapan Misra Prabhu, the top student in this group of graduates, spoke briefly expressing his gratitude for the wonderful opportunity he was given to attend the College. He considered the companionship that was established to be most important. He also appreciated having the senior leaders speaking with them about the importance of organizing ISKCON. Continue reading "GBC College – Graduation Ceremony – February 2017
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Environmental Award Given to Our Temple!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Saturday, March 11, 2017, Faith and the Common Good hosted their Annual Forum at the University of Toronto's Multi-Faith Centre.  The theme of the Annual Forum was, "Exploring the Future of Sacred Space: The Practical and Spiritual".  Various informative presentations were given and our temple also had a chance to present a recent Farmer's Market project that we undertook.

Later during the event, our temple was announced as the winner of the 2016 Greening Sacred Spaces Award.  We were selected as winners for: (1) re insulating and installing a new roof on our building, (2) changing the majority of the light bulbs in our building to LED lights, and (3) hosting a mini-farmer's market for the neighbours.

Our Krsna Fun School (Sunday School) also hosted a member of Faith and the Common Good who taught our children about the importance of living in a way that respects Mother Earth!

Check out a few pictures from the Annual Forum below:





Cooking for Krishna – Brussels Sprouts & Cream
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is starting a new online cooking series called "Cooking for Krishna" wherein delectable dishes from famous Hare Krishna cookbooks will be lovingly prepared and shown in a step-by-step fashion.  This series is presented by one of our very nice devotees of our Toronto Hare Krishna community, Lyudmila Mataji.  We hope you enjoy!  Please leave your comments below!

Cooking for Krishna - Brussels Sprouts, Potatoes and Peas with Sour Cream
By: Lyudmila Tamahina
Preparation and Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes
Yield: enough for 4-6 persons

Introduction
Today's recipe is from the famous Hare Krishna Cookbook, "Cooking with Kurma" by Kurma Dasa.  You can pick up your copy of this amazing book at the temple!



Step One - Ingredients:
  • 2 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1.25 cm (½ inch) cubes, 500 g, weighed after peeling
  • Ghee or oil for deep-frying
  • 1 cup (250 ml) green peas
  • 2 tablespoon of ghee or oil
  • 10-15 fresh curry leaves
  • ½ teaspoon (2 ml) yellow asafetida powder
  • 750g small, firm Brussels sprouts, ends cut off and cut in half lengthwise
  • ½ teaspoon (2 ml) ginger powder
  • ½ teaspoon ( 2 ml) turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ( 2 ml) cayenne powder
  • 1-1½ teaspoons ( 5-7 ml) salt
  • 1 cup (250 ml) sour cream at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon ( 20 ml) chopped fresh coriander leaves or parsley


Step Two:
Rinse the potatoes cubes in cold water. Drain and pat them dry. Place enough ghee/oil in a deep pan or wok that will well cover the quantity of potatoes. Heat the ghee/oil to 190°C/375°F. Deep fry the potato cubes for 8-10 minutes or until they are lightly golden brown.



Step Three:
Remove the potatoes and drain them on paper towels.


Step Four:
Place the peas in the small saucepan and cover them with water. Bring to the boil, and cook the peas for 5-8 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside, reserving the water.


Step Five:
  • Heat the 2 tablespoon of ghee or oil in a 3 litre/quart saucepan over moderate heat.
  • When fairly hot, drop in the curry leaves and saute them for a few moments.
  • Sprinkle in the yellow asafetida powder, stir momentarily and then drop in the Brussels sprouts halves. Saute them in the fragrant oil for 3-4 minutes.





Step Six:
  • Sprinkle in the black pepper, ginger powder, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt, stir to mix and add ½ cup (125 ml) water.
  • Stir briefly, place a lid on the saucepan and cook over moderate heat for 10 minutes.





Step Seven:
Add the peas, potatoes, and herbs and then fold in the sour cream.



Step Eight:
Serve Krishna first!


Step Nine:
Serve immediately.


Bhaktimarga Swami Visits Timmins, Ontario
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

A few weeks ago, Bhaktimarga Swami ventured 700km north of Toronto to visit Timmins, Ontario.  His visit was expertly organized by one of our active young members of our community Raseshvara Madhava Dasa and Maharaj conducted various programs in the city.

Maharaj's visit was also covered by the local CTV News!  Check out some pictures of Maharaj conducting a program at a local yoga studio below.













Seminar: Nurturing with Nutrition
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Seminar: Nurturing with Nutrition
with Brajamanjari Devi Dasi

"In Kali-yuga, the duration of life is shortened not so much because of insufficient food but because of irregular habits. By keeping regular habits and eating simple food, any man can maintain his health."
Srimad Bhagavatam (1.1.10)

Did you know that nearly 40% of calories consumed by children ages two to 18 are empty calories, the unhealthiest kinds of calories? Half of these calories come from sugary fruit drinks, cake, cookies, donuts, ice cream, pizza and more. These foods can create problems with digestion, congestion and allergies! And the immunity depends on healthy and vibrant digestion during childhood and beyond.

With just few simple dietary tips, you can make a huge difference to your child’s development: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually!

Ayurveda, the ancient Vedic system of holistic healing, provides huge amounts of valuable insights into the diet and lifestyle of childcare. In this special seminar, Brajamanjari devi dasi will be sharing wisdom on the topics of:
  • Building natural immunity
  • Improving fire of digestion
  • Best food combinations
Date: Sunday, April 9, 2017
Time: 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Green Room
RSVP: education@torontokrishna.com

About the Speaker:
Brajamanjari dd is a Shakha Vansiya Ayurveda (SVA) Health Educator and Ayurvedic Nutrition Consultant. She has completed the SVA Pulse and marma cause with Vaidya Mishra and has undergone Ayurvedic Nutrition and Culinary training at Bhagavat Life institute,NYC


What your phone can teach you about your mind 4 – Let bhakti change your memory
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[Talk at ISKCON, Seattle, USA]
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What your phone can teach you about your mind 3 – Check your energy drainers
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[Talk at ISKCON, Seattle, USA]
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Lord Rama’s Appearance Day – Tue, April 4, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple will celebrate the Appearance of Lord Ramachandra - Rama Navami.

Lord Ramachandra is Krishna's avatar who ruled the earth as the ideal king. He appeared more than two million years ago. Under the order of His father, Lord Ramachandra lived in the forest for fourteen years, along with His wife, Sita Devi, and His younger brother, Lakshmana.

After the powerful demon Ravana kidnapped His wife, Lord Ramachandra rescued her, with the help of His faithful servant Hanuman, and killed Ravana along with Ravana's armies. The history of Lord Ramachandra's pastimes is recounted by the sage Valmiki in his Ramayana.  Everyone is welcome to attend this special festival!

Festivities will take place on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hare Krishna Temple!

Welcoming Niranjana Swami and Madhavananda Dasa
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is excited to welcome both Niranjana Swami and Madhavananda Dasa to our community from Tuesday, April 11, 2017 to Thursday, April 13, 2017.  They will be presenting a special three-day series program entitled, "Sadhu Sanga, Krishna Nama" which will feature a two-day seminar and a third day of kirtan.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has taught that offering respect to others is essential for spiritual advancement. From the material point of view, offering respect to others is the symptom of culture. Any society that lacks an understanding of why and how to offer regard and polite veneration to others is in a dying condition. Similarly any individual who lacks such understanding is in a dying condition spiritually.

Schedule:
  • Seminar - Day One with HG Madhavananda Dasa
    • Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Seminar - Day Two with HG Madhavananda Dasa
    • Wednesday, April 12, 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Kirtan Night with HH Niranjana Swami
    • Thursday, April 13, 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Topics during the special two-day seminar will include:
  • how to offer respect to all, including non-devotees
  • the poison of faultfinding and Vaishnava aparadha
  • respecting secular and devotional authorities
  • respecting all types of devotees; 
  • respecting the Holy Name and guru
  • respect within marriage
  • respect to ladies and mothers
  • association with Vaishnavas of various levels
  • the basis of Vaishnava relationships: respect, service, and forgiveness
  • Krishna-kirtana and Krishna-katha as the basis of devotee relationships.
RSVP for this special three-day festival using the form at the bottom of this post.




The Walking Monk 2017-03-28 23:14:00
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Thursday, March 23rd, 2017
Toronto, Ontario


Mitch’s Class


Mitch is a high school teacher from Etobicoke, and he brings his Grade 12 class every year to our ashram.  They came with their curiosity while visiting various spiritual institutions on a field trip for the day.

I sensed they liked their hour or so in the temple portion of our facility.  Mitch told me that one of the girls in the group could walk on her hands.  She, born of Delaware-Cree parents, succeeded in doing just that, at my request, during our exercise in kirtan.  Tony, and two other male students—I didn’t catch everyone’s names—got into their own freelance dance inside our formed circle.  Mitch also took a turn, dancing in that circle.

The class had lots of questions on a philosophical note.  I try to keep everything rather interactive during these sessions.  The students were handed flower petals, and, after chanting mantras together, strew them at the feet of Srila Prabhupada’s murti(statue), a daily traditional practice found in Vaishnava temples around the world.

I noticed the group was diverse in ethnic background, and intelligent and attractive, physically.  They looked like models, a good percentage of them.  Ultimately what’s in the heart is important and to that end, we need to reorganize its beauty.

One chap asked about dealing with the sex urge and briefly I expressed that we have to learn to resist, and that every time there’s some excitement, we must consider time, place and circumstance.  A word of advice was, “Before you are intimate with someone be good and ready—psychologically, economically, etc.  Be ready to take care of the person for a lifetime.”

May the Source be with you!

7 km

The Walking Monk 2017-03-28 23:14:00
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Friday, March 24th, 2017
Toronto, Ontario


From the Phone


I did a bit of telephone reception today.  People call in for darshan times.  “What time is the temple open?” is a rather standard question.  They wish to know when they can see God.

The callers are mostly members of the East Indian community.  Engrained in the culture of India is the desire to have a viewing of the icons of Krishna, Shiva, Ganesh and so on.  These images serve as focal points for people.  Let’s call them deities.  Those deities are tangible images in which to channel thoughts desires and wishes.  They have a power invested within that emanates from their very presence when approached in the proper mood and spirit.

The mood we are talking about is the mood of humility.  Humility is often the most difficult emotion to invoke in ourselves.  To feel humble is to feel moments of truth.  In reality, we are small in comparison to the universe and the entire creation itself.

I explained to some students the other day that I like walking because whether its trees, mountains, the vast prairie or even buildings, I am, in their midst, relatively tiny.  I sometimes view these creations, whether compiled by man or nature, as deities.  I feel comfortable in either environments and that, of course, includes being before the deities of Krishna.

It is an important and compelling part of the day when I stand or dance and sing before the deity.  I am moved to be humble and free.


May the Source be with you!

God is Great, and God is Good
Giriraj Swami

Today God is great, good, and beautifulI had a simple but profound realization: God is great, and God is good. If he were good but not great, He could not help us fully. And if He were great but not good, He could harm us. But He is great, and He is good, and He is always mindful of all the infinite living entities. These thoughts brought to mind a verse Srila Prabhupada often quoted from the Katha Upanishad (2.2.13):

nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam
eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman

“He is the prime eternal among all eternals. He is the supreme conscious being among all conscious beings. And He alone is supplying all the desired necessities of life for the many other living beings.”

I had heard these words before, but today they came to life. Now I pray to always remember the good, great Supreme Godhead and serve Him with gratitude and appreciation. As the same verse in the Katha Upanishad continues,

tam pitha-gam ye ’nupasyanti dhiras
tesam santih sasvati netaresam

“The wise souls who worship Him in His abode attain everlasting peace. Others cannot.”

Hare Krishna.

—Giriraj Swami