Forbes Magazine Covers ISKCON50 Gala in Washington DC
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The renowned International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding by revered spiritual leader A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada with an elaborate black-tie gala in Washington DC late last month. The event brought together scores of religious, academic and political leaders from across the country to celebrate the life of Swami Prabhupada and the influential, global organization his work inspired.

Unique living beings
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, December 2011, Sasolburg, South Africa, Lecture)

devprayag_-_confluence_of_bhagirathi_and_alaknanda

Vedic culture says that nature will respond according to the behaviour of people. The behaviour of nature is directly related to the behaviour of people on the planet. This is something that I never thought of before coming to Krsna consciousness, it had never occurred to me. And the reason for this correlation is because nature has a divine origin – behind nature is the Supreme Lord and everything in this world is going on under the control of the Supreme Lord. As the Bhagavad-gita explains, ‘Not a blade of grass moves without the will of the Lord’.

It is not that he is personally involved with every aspect of it, no, these things are simply going on by his will, by his desire. He does not need to sit in the control room and make sure that nature takes its course but still, nature is acting according to a divine plan. One does not exclude the other.

It is not that we are not in this world… we are! It is not that spiritual life means that we do not deal with this world. Of course, we deal with this world – we live in this world and we have to take care of it but it is not the all and everything.

In most traditions, whether we are looking at a more Asian traditions where Hinduism became predominant…. or even Far East Asia where Buddhist tradition are more prevalent, whatever it maybe, we find that in all these kinds of traditions, the human form of life is recognized to be in a unique position amongst all other forms of life! The human form of life stands out in that sense. In the human form, of life one is held responsible for one’s actions. This is a common understanding.

ISKCON Celebrates 50 Years Since Its Founding
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Hare KrishnaBy Ronak D. Desai

Anuttama Dasa, the gala’s primary organizer who serves as ISKCON’s Communications Minister and Governing Body Commissioner, noted “It was humbling to see government officials, religious leaders, and academic scholars all come together to honor Swami Prabhupada and the religious society he began that has made significant contributions to the areas of philosophy, culture, literature, religious freedom, and social welfare in the last 50 years.” ISKCON’s followers include some of the country’s most prominent figures. Alfred B. Ford, great-grandson of car magnate Henry Ford, is one of the organization’s leading figures and addressed the gala regarding ISKCON’s landmark spiritual project in West Bengal inspired by the teachings of Swami Prabhupada, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Former Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs recounted in his famous 2005 commencement speech to Stanford University how he relied on ISKCON temples to feed himself: “I didn’t have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends’ rooms. I would walk the seven miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it.” Continue reading "ISKCON Celebrates 50 Years Since Its Founding
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Charge, donation or contribution (which is the sweetest exchange?)
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Charge, donation or contribution

I’ve been pondering these three words, how interchangeable are they and how easy it is to cheet if their misapplied

We often ask for a donation especially on book distribution, if you give me a donation you can have a book whilst showing them a wonderful book that will transform their life. Then we withdraw the book if the donation is small, or we go no it has to be £x; unwittingly we can cause offence, they asked for a donation I gave and they took away (I’ve had individuals who felt cheeted by this). Best if asking for donation show small booklet, if donation given they take no matter how small; if they donate a bigger sum of laxmi perfect, wow this is so kind please take this book, massaging the false ego but also a loving exchanges.

As devotees our aim is to have these loving exchanges, they may or may not take a book the aim should be to leave such a sweet exchange that they praise the devotees, maybe next time a book will be taken.

My thoughts are never far from controversial matters and one of the most controversial is paid courses that are becoming the normal this dispite Srila Prabhupada instructions that if they come to the temple it is free (a hard concept to grasp); although Srila Prabhupada was skillful in making sure they took a book and asking for a small contribution.

I like that word contribution, the act of assisting in something you believe in; one gives in many ways to what is termed good causes and the greatest cause is to relieve the burden of mankind with the glories of Sri Caitanya’s sankirtan movement.

But back to my thoughts (it’s my personal thoughts to which you may or may not agree)

I wish to become initiated, how wonderful the most successful move one will ever make; now enrol in this system and sign up for these mandatory course’s (yes mandatory it’s for your own good one day maybe not now but one day you’ll appreciate it)

One is presented with a bill

So what is it?

Not a donation, although many argue this is the case
May be a contribution, but contribution means it is like a donation from the heart based upon ones means and inspiration
A charge? Yes we are Charing the information will not be imparted unless their is an exchange.

But Srila Prabhupada said if come to the temple no charge, indeed he did give instruction on charging, if I’m dig institution or education centre and I ask you to come speak; wisdom is this Srila Prabhupada knew it is acceptable indeed normal to charge.

My thoughts is this, we give course free

Then at the end we suggest that if they feel inspired a small contribution (individuals can decide how much) can be made to help in continuing to put on these valuable courses full of knowledge and insight.

This way we are not seen as either cheating or profiteering, nor going against Srila Prabhupada instructions not to charge if they come to temple.

Yes some will laugh and give nothing, some a little, some a lot; but if we trust in Sri Krishna the way Srila Prabhupada did laxmi will always be their.

And we make sure they leave with the respective books, inspired to read and ask questions as their studied nicely.

My thoughts best not present with bill, upfront charges; but give freely

Inspired the person will contribute and give donations, which over the years I’ve been happy to do; always a sweet exchange and indeed as I analys my own situation I’ve given more than is asked upfront price and not feel cheeted; but I do when asked for upfront charges

But then it’s a suggestion

And you may suggest I’m just bitter as I’ve been charged to see my own Guru Maharaja, now that remains a painful and bitter pill to swallow

Life in the temple of Donetsk, Russia and distribution of…
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Life in the temple of Donetsk, Russia and distribution of prasadam, October 26, 2016 (Album with photos)
Once Hari-sauri, for his second volume of his diary, he wrote to a Professor Tom Hopkins, who is a very good friend of ISKCON, been following ISKCON since the mid-‘60s and has very good feelings. So he asked him to write a foreword to his second volume, and this was over the phone. I think Hari-sauri was in Alachua, and Tom Hopkins was…he’s a professor of the Sanskrit Department somewhere, I can’t remember the university. Anyway, Tom Hopkins just laughed and laughed over the phone. He said, “You know, the Christians have a few books about Jesus, and the Muslims have some books about Mohammad. But you Hare Krishnas, you have a book for every day in the life of Srila Prabhupada.” (Sridhara Swami)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tzJAib

ECO-Vrindaban Offers Opportunity for New Maintenance Person
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ECO-Vrindaban (ECO-V) – which strives to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s mandates for simple living and cow-protection at New Vrindaban in West Virginia, USA – is on the lookout for a new construction and maintenance person for its ongoing operations. A non-profit entity launched in 1998, ECO-V works closely with ISKCON New Vrindaban in the areas of cow protection and gardening activities. The organization looks after a total of around 800 acres.

Festivities in the highest capital City on this planet: La Paz…
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Festivities in the highest capital City on this planet: La Paz in Bolivia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada how to attain perfection after Srila Prabhupada’s departure, Srila Prabhupada replied, “When you chant harinama purely, then the sun of love of Godhead will rise in your heart. You will then see everything clearly, as when the sun rises in the morning sky. You’ll see Krsna and you’ll see yourself and I will be there and will instruct you. Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book 2008 p. 47.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wHZas3

Italian Parliament Celebrates ISKCON 50th
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On October 4th, in Rome, Italy, an extraordinary event took place at the House of Representatives of the Italian Parliament. The opportunity for ISKCON to acquire national visibility in such an important setting is a huge step towards to finally officially recieve the status of a "religious movement" from the Italian government along with the rights to maintain chaplancies in hospitals and schools, to be exempt from some taxes, and to receive tax donations. 

Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri
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Hare KrishnaBy Chandan Yatra Das

Gadeigiri is a beautiful village situated amidst the tranquil solitude of rural Orissa (less than two-hour drive from Cuttack and nearly three hours from Jagannatha Puri Dhama), surrounded by lotus-filled ponds and green paddy fields. Gadeigiri has a most interesting history. The village is named after its founder, Gadai Giri, a great devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who hailed from Midnapore in Bengal, some 300 years ago. This village is extremely special as Lord Gopal Jiu came here especially from Sri Vrindavana Dhama in response to the desire of His devotee Gopal Giri and has stayed here for over 250 years. During that time Gopal Jiu has manifested many unique and amazing pastimes. The history of those pastimes as well as that of the Giri family have been passed down for the last ten generations. Continue reading "Sri Gopal Jiu Temple at Gadeigiri
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Trick or Sweetball: How Vaishnavas Celebrate Halloween. “I…
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Trick or Sweetball: How Vaishnavas Celebrate Halloween.
“I think we need to find the right balance,” says GBC Communications Minister Anuttama Das. “As a grandparent, I’ve seen with my three grandchildren that having fun is such an important part of their youthful lives. So when we learn how to Krishna-ize ordinary holidays, it helps our kids grow up not feeling that they’ve missed anything by being devotees. Instead, they feel that by being devotees, they get to do everything that everybody else does, with the added pleasure and excitement Krishna conscious culture brings.”
All around North America and other countries where Halloween is celebrated, ISKCON devotees are doing just that – putting creative spins on the popular holiday to Krishna-ize it.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/dtbKMw

Anand Utsav at Patna.On 23rd October ISKCON Congregation Forum…
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Anand Utsav at Patna.
On 23rd October ISKCON Congregation Forum Patna conducted Anand Utsav (Festival of Joy) at Boring Road, Patna. More than 300 people attended the festival. Hg Jagdish Shyam Das(President, ISKCON Gaya) delivered a lecture on “Need of Inner Engineering”. He highlighted the need of connection to self and Divinity should be the highest priority. All the people enjoyed the aarti and Kartik deep dan(lamp offering) to Lord Damodar. Program finished with the distribution of delicious prasadam. About 50 Srila Prabhupada books were distributed.

Vrindavan, Vrindavan, Vrindavan
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Hare KrishnaBy Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura

Vrindavan is wonderful. The two sweet fair and dark splendors named Radha and Krsna are wonderful. Pure love for Their lotus feet is wonderful. He who has faith in Them and rises to the spiritual world is wonderful. The rare soul who understands these truths is wonderful. I worship two splendors who are more handsome than millions of Rati-Kamadevas, who have stolen the glory of millions of Laksmi-Narayanas, whose forms are effulgent as gold and sapphires, and who enjoy pastimes in the forest of Vrindavan. Let us worship the Person more splendid than a blue lotus and sweeter than the nectar handsomeness of all other forms of Godhead, who wanders in a forest filled with nectar from Radha’s feet. Even glorious Laksmi-devi, who rests on Lord Narayana’s chest, cannot taste the supremely sweet nectar Radha’s maidservants always taste in many ways. O dear friend, please worship Radha in Vrindavan forest. Continue reading "Vrindavan, Vrindavan, Vrindavan
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What role does time play in differentiating between wants and needs?
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Why was Bharat Maharaja punished with a deer body for his compassion?
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When Krishna is in our heart and knows our desires, why do we need to pray to him?
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ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat in Gita-Nagari
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Hare KrishnaBy Preeti Sharma

It was a truly transformative experience where pioneers in healthcare and leaders of the society gave us seminars and presentations about how to bring Krishna consciousness into our daily life and everyday medical practice. It deals with transformation, leadership, and spirituality in medicine. It was an enriching experience where devotees in healthcare profession gathered and experienced enlivening fellowship. We were deeply blessed by the association of senior and sincere devotees who wanted to bring Krishna consciousness into their profession. Continue reading "ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat in Gita-Nagari
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How Rama tests Bharata – and how we can pass the test of desires
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Bhagavatam class at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK

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Lessons in life
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 September 2016, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.25)

kks_aus

In this chapter, the passing away of Bhismadev, in the purport to this verse there is a list of challenges for society at large to improve their quality of life. The first challenge is, “Not to become angry!” We remember Upadesamrta, the Nectar of Instruction Verse 1, vaco vegam manasa krodha vegam, one must control the pushings of anger. So even when anger is pushing, one must somehow or other subdue it. Bhismadev also said that in order to conquer anger, one must learn to forgive because it is very difficult to judge with two types of measurements – measurement for others and different measurements for ourselves. For ourselves, there are so many explanations for our mistakes, “It wasn’t really my fault. It was just circumstances. I didn’t intend it that way…” whereas for others, “How could they do that! This is outrageous.” We judge them different and the same extenuating circumstances are not being considered so Bhismadev points out that we must learn to forgive. We have to see that others make mistakes because then we can overcome anger.  

Forgiving is not necessarily the same as forgetting. If someone has committed an abominable activity, we may forgive but it does not mean that we forget. We will remember but we will also keep a special eye – if someone puts his fingers in the money box then after that we keep him at a distance from the money box obviously. So forgiving and forgetting is not necessarily the same. Also, there may be a point when we forget, it depends on the seriousness of the offence.

Sometimes though, anger is required. Sometimes, it is necessary to send out a signal that from now it is too much. This has to stop. BANG, fist on the table! Everyone needs that also. It is not that anger per se is bad. Those who are envious sometimes deserve anger. Those who are envious of devotees, we need to sometimes check it with anger. That is also there. But Bhismadev is referring to uncontrolled anger. Controlled anger has a place. Srila Prabhupada would also get angry at times but his anger was always related to Krsna and to whatever was favourable to Krsna. When there was neglect, Prabhupada was not tolerating that. He would point it out!

Tuesday, October 25th, 2016
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Mumbai, India
  
Parting from Meetings
  
Kirtan, classes, walking, eating—these are the things that excite.  I came to Mumbai for meetings, but as meaningful as topics on the agenda can sometimes be, six-hour days, for several consecutive ones, are very draining.  It’s the above items that keep me alive.

This morning, I delivered a class from the Bhagavatam book where, the stoic sadhu (holy man) was speaking with Vedic ruler, Prahlad.  The sadhu spoke of his own past, confessing about desires pulling  and carrying him to phases of confusion, thus he struggled until he changed his lifestyle to the current one.  He reached a conclusion about life.  It must be simple.  It must be peaceful.

The waves of desires are like the wind that pushes a boat.  This is analogous to an intelligent person’s wit being derailed by “insatiable” desires.  After speaking for an hour’s length, I felt, by the mercy of guru, that I had succeeded in keeping the room of devotees perked up.  Fortunately for them, it wasn’t two three-hour sessions.

I began wrapping up, packing my meagre bags, thus terminating my stay in Mumbai.  Everyone did take care of us old boys in our sixties and soon-to-be seventies.  Succession is badly needed, by the way.  I have my strategy, my choices, my plans of action.  Personally, I feel the need to go back to walking and meeting people.

Up ahead is the western half of the U.S. and then a section of the Camino in Spain, thank God!

I thanked Pavan, a local yoga teacher, for exercises I could employ in the airport and elsewhere.

May the Source be with you!


0 km

Monday, October 24th, 2016
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Mumbai, India
  
The Cradle of Civilization Rocks
  
A few more monks in white (indicating they are novices) joined us for the beach walk.  At this rate, after a few days, we would have an army.  Strength is in numbers.

Here in India, a sense of Krishna consciousness is expanding.  Membership is on the rise.  Temples, schools, goshalas(cow sanctuaries) and restaurants are also on the rise.  Of course, India is the land of Bharat, named after the pious king.  It is the land of dharma.  People here have a soft spot for spirituality.  Some scholars postulate that notions of spiritual practice all began here.  In that regard, I would cheer the posters you sometimes see.  “Incredible India!”

We might take note of Mark Twain’s statement: “This is indeed India, the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags…”  He went on to say, “India is the cradle of civilization.”  Most things were given birth here, but I can appreciate his conclusion on the positive and objective side of things.

As mentioned yesterday, the beach is nice but there’s too much trash.  Yes, India is the land of extremes; of gods and demons—when you consider the great epics like Ramayana and Mahabarata and the tales they tell.

I once had a conversation with world-renowned Indologist, A. L. Basham, who visited and spent some time residing at our Toronto Temple.  I had simply  extended an invitation for him to come.  In his book, The Wonder That Was India,  he noted how the growth of Krishna Consciousness outside of India was a remarkable thing.  Also in his book, he attempted to correct the negative stereotypes of India.

May the Source be with you!


4 km

Sunday, October 23rd, 2016
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Mumbai, India

Surrender to the Sand
  
Some of the young monks from the area offered an invite to walk the Juhu Beach as the sun was about to arise.  I surrendered.  We took to the beach to walk and to engage in japa (bead chanting)—both, simultaneously.

During daylight hours and perhaps even at night, much Durga-puja goes on.  It is worship of the Goddess.  This entails the use of flowers, garlands and many coconuts.  Unfortunately, most worshippers are not very responsible with their paraphernalia.  The items are left to the waves, sand and water.

We do a bit of dodging of these articles for passageway.  In the course of the walk, pedestrians do greet us.  They know our clothes.

“Hare Krishna!” they say, and we reciprocate.

“There goes Guru Prasad Swami,” I point out.  The Juhu Beach is a daily trail for him.  Just about everyone and every object comes here.  Dogs who are stray love the beach.  Crows also make their appearance.  There's always foodstuff they can poke and tear at.

It’s a sweatsession, the walking part.  Humidity is in the air.  The slight breeze does little to temper the situation.  But, the association makes it also a sweet session.

We did some photos.  Iconic poses. (Check Instagram: the walking monk).

One more thing about today, after the walk, it was guru-puja time at the temple.  Cameras—both hand-held and one hooked up to a big crane—were moving about.  What a privilege it was to be asked to lead the song with cameras coming and going.

May the Source be with you!


6 km

Badrinath in Vrindavan
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It is said that all holy places in India exist in their original forms in Sri Vrindavan Dhama. Indradyumna Swami and his parikrama group visited Badrinath (Badrikasrama) a two-hour drive from Vrindavan town through the countryside. As they approached Badrinath they were surprised to see a small mountain range. A video by Ananta Vrindavan.