Hare Krishnas at Inter-Cultural Dialogue in Phoenix
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Phoenix, October 27, 2008
The Fifth Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner was held at Hyaats Regency Hotel in downtown Phoenix. Keynote speaker was Jannah Scott, Policy Advisor, Faith & Community Initiatives Office of Governor Janet Napolitano ISKCON of Phoenix was invited and allotted VIP Table in the front of the podium. Jannah - a great friend of ISKCON- greeted us with Hare Krishna and gladly posed for a photograph. In past, she has accepted blessed garlands on several occasions from Sri Radha MadhavaHari. She spoke about “togetherness” during her keynote address, and quoted Governor’s first inaugural theme of One Arizona- many people, many lands but one Arizona!
The Roundtable Discussion at our Table included topics such as : what was your first impression of meeting some one from a totally different culture and background; and
what can you do to share the message of love and peace with other faiths! Bhava das, President, ISKCON Phoenix explained that Hare Krishna movement in America was founded in 1966 by A C BhaktiVedanta Swami Prabhupada and basically it spreads spirituality among all irrespective of whether one is a Hindu, Muslim or Christian by faith. Then Bhava dasa offered a prayer before accepting fruits for dinner and VIPs prayed together including Honorable David Lujan, Member District 15, Arizona House of Representatives, FID Executive Director Mustafa Gunozu; FID Secretary & Treasurer Sadik Kucuksari, Taylor Swick, Art al Centro and Prayag Narayan Misra, Director- Communications, ISKCON of Phoenix.
When invited by the Mistress of Ceremonies to represent the ideas shared during the roundtable discussions Dr Misra went to the podium and spoke about the practice of exchanging gifts with six neighbors for past 14 years in Chandler’s Tradition East Development, as it brings friendship, togetherness and mutual understanding between neighbors. Audience of two hundred guests
including Dr. CT Wright, Chairman, McCain for President 2008 and Kelly Paisley, Director, Obama for President 2008. cheered with chanting of Hare Krishna and raised both hands while attentively listening to the meaning of MahaMantra that Lord is all attractive, He is all pleasant, and we offer our loving services to Him and pray to be engaged as His servant.
The VIPs accepted SriKrishna Janmashtami 2008 Souvenir- which contained a Proclamation from Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for the third year in a row.
See http://www.dandavats.com/?p=5756
We greeted every body with Hare Krishna and Namaste and others joyfully reciprocated with folded hands along with posing for photos.
P H O T O From left: Bhava dasa, Temple President, ISKCON of Phoenix; Deb Morgaina,CEO & President,Avalon Consulting;Jannah Scott, Policy Advisor, Faith & Community Initiatives Office of Governor Janet Napolitano, and Dr Prayag Narayan Misra, Director, Communication, ISKCON of Phoenix, Arizona.
Dr Prayag Narayan Misra, Advocate Minority Business Development
Director, Communications, BhaktiVedanta Cultural Center
Senior Vice President & Director, ABASYS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Member of the Board of Directors, ARIZONA INTERFAITH MOVEMENT
(480)705 4900 Temple ; ( 480) 814 1372- Direct
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It is a healthy sign of cultural evolution that Krishna Consciousness is being more and more accepted as a mainstream religion and cultural focus for more and more Americans. As evidenced by the recent election of Barack Obama, the American landscape is not homogeneous. More and more, the population of the US is a melting pot of people other than caucasians. The cultural needs of these people need to be mainstreamed.
Actually, Krishna consciousness is a spiritual Krishna-centric (God-centered) lifestyle. Bhakti yoga can benefit all theistic people. Theistic people recognize to a greater or lesser extent, the “higher taste” of connection with God. Self-centered life is simply painful for a more advanced soul who more and more relishes Hari-katha, topics about God. Therefore, in teaching the public, it must be emphasized that whatever the religious conviction one may have, they will be benefitted by better understanding the principles of bhakti-yoga, the moment to moment practice of spiritual life. And, the simple method endorsed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, God Himself, is the glorification of the many Holy Names of God. Whether they chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra or other names of God, they will be engaged in Sankirtan, the Yuga dharma.
So, while it is nice to go to celebritory dinners, the opportunity should be taken by the Krishna conscious monks and householders to promote Chaitanya Maharprabhu’s message for the benefit of the suffering souls. And, “SMILE” in those pictures, bhais. Hare Krishna.
Yours in service, Pusta Krishna das