Planet ISKCON

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Does the soul choose its parents in its next life? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Do the Puranas talk about caste by birth and the Gita, caste by qualities? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Why were the lower castes so abused in the caste system, though it was given by Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Won’t saying that don’t pursue worldly pleasures demotivate students from academic performance? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How can we control sense gratification? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How do we reconcile Bhagavatam cosmology with scientific cosmology? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post What is ISKCON doing to address the fear that terrorists may attack temples? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Why would kshatriyas, especially devotees like Arjuna, hunt? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How can we serve cooperatively with devotees without aggravating mutual conflicts? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Julie Zauzmer

Washingtonpost.com: “We used to worship different forms of God, all the forms of God. … We were like a supermarket of gods,” said Manoharan, an IT contractor for the Department of Homeland Security . Not long after Manoharan and Jeyabalan moved to the United States in the late 1990s, they were told by a relative about a palace in West Virginia built in the style of an Indian shrine. So they decided to take a sightseeing trip. “And right in this place,” Manoharan says, pointing at the ground in the West Virginia temple, he picked up his first copy of one of Prabhupada’s many books. Now, standing in the same spot years later, he points out the book that changed his life to his 10-year-old daughter Hamsika. He came to believe what the book said, he tells Hamsika — that there was only one God, Krishna, and that he should worship only the deities who are forms of Krishna. Continue reading "After 50 years, Hare Krishnas are no longer white hippies who proselytize in airports
→ Dandavats"

​Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Soho Street, London, UK

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Pressing on when things don’t make sense appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Is bhakti meant for setting things right in our life or for liberating our soul? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Why was Arjuna Krishna’s favorite among the Pandavas? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post How did Draupadi have so much devotion for Krishna, more than that of even the Pandavas? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Among the Gita’s four varnas, what is your varna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Does Krishna tell Arjuna that you are a kshatriya at the level of a brahmana? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Divya Alter noticed there weren’t many places to sit down and enjoy a meal based on Ayurvedic principles in New York City. Enter Divya’s Kitchen. Her new vegetarian restaurant, opening Wednesday in the East Village at 25 First Ave., is located in the same building as Alter’s Ayurvedic culinary school, Bhagavat Life, which she runs with her husband.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​If we don’t grieve at someone’s death, aren’t we devaluing them? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

We cause ourselves lots of stress and anxiety by needlessly thinking about the difficulties of the past and worrying about things that may never happen. This video will help understand this phenomena and how to press stop when I mind goes out of control. Please enjoy and share! website: panditdasa.com

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.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Is our next body shaped by our desire or by our mind? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Does the Gita recommend doing yajna-dana-tapa or giving it up? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A Summer Morning

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

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.

By 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
→ Dandavats"

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 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 (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 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

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. 

By 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
→ Dandavats"

Jaipur 2016 (Album with photos)
Walking through the streets of Jaipur on our way to see the beautiful Sri Sri Radha- Gopinath....

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 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.

By 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
→ Dandavats"

National TV Channel in Cochabamba, Bolivia, ATB - News, interviewed HH Maha-Vishnu Swami, the Harinama Ruci and local representative...

​Talk at Mind Body Soul Forum, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK

Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Near death experiences demystified appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​How does bhakti counter anxiety? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.