By ISKCON 50 Global CommitteeISKCON's 50th anniversary committee launched a new look website last week with the aim of making it more user-friendly and to make up-to-date information much more accessible. "The ISKCON 50 website acts like a communication hub for all news and resources that can help our temples celebrate the 50th anniversary properly," explained Romapada Das, International Coordinator for the 50th anniversary. "In particular, we urge temples to visit the resources section of our website from where...
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- 4 Jul 2016
By Romapada DasThe 50th anniversary of ISKCON's incorporation falls on 13th July 2016. Although Srila Prabhupada signed the legal documents on 11th July, the actual certificate of Incorporation is dated the 13th July. Hence, it was from this day that ISKCON became a recognised legal entity. There is some confusion amongst the actual date as the Vaishnava calendar says that the Incoporation Day falls on 28th July. This date is according to the position of the moon (the tithi), and hence the Vaishnava calendar dat...
- 4 Jul 2016
By Carsani devi dasiOverlooking some of the farm’s most picturesque countryside, eight new cabins provide comfortable accommodation consisting of a double bed, two single beds, a small kitchenette and en-suite bathroom. Two meals a day are also included in the price – breakfast and dinner. In addition, there are nine rooms available for visitors in the current Guesthouse Retreat located on the hill facing the temple. These are of various sizes, and are suitable for singles, couples and family groups. Other ...
- 3 Jul 2016
By Hari Narayana DasPeople are all originally situated on the platform of Krsna consciousness in their eternal personal relationship of love of Krsna. But due to forgetfulness people become familiar with the material world or maya. To enhance the spirit of devotional service, Srila Prabhupada traveled around the world distributing nectar and spreading the glories of the Lord. He also introduced the ways of performing devotional service to the Lord. Rendering devotional service to Sri Krishna can be done in many w...
- 3 Jul 2016
By Jatayu dasaISKCON was formed by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada who is a perfect student of such literatures. So where is the fault? The fault lies in me, in my heart. Not in ISKCON. Look at it closely, whatever faults are found in ISKCON some are ones that I myself brought into it. Of course, ISKCON was formed so that any man or woman suffering from the pangs of material life can come and learn to free themselves from such troubles. But the troubles and problems I find in ISKCON are not ISKCON's, they ar...
- 1 Jul 2016
By Mukunda GoswamiIt was a hot, muggy day in lower Manhattan during the month of May 1966. I pedalled to 26 Second Avenue where I met the Swami, a friend named Carl and the rental agent, Paul Gardiner, a short, chunky man who was wearing blue denim trousers and a white, short-sleeved t-shirt. We hired the storefront at 26 Second Avenue for $100 per month and a first-storey flat in the same building for $85 per month. The storefront soon became a temple, and the Swami lectured there every day. By October he was ho...
- 1 Jul 2016
By Syama Sakhi devi dasiSituated in the idyllic mountain scenery of the ISKCON Hare Krishna community in Eungella, NSW, the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula School is the only Hare Krishna school in Australia. It is a small but enthusiastic school with a current enrolment of 90 students and 17 teaching and support staff. The school was established more than 30 years ago, serving the community and its children by providing quality education that follows the Australian curriculum and offering spiritual guidance and men...
- 1 Jul 2016
By Madhavananda DasWe have two choices as to which court we want to work in. The first court is that of the empowered demigod and mahājana devotee Sri Yamaraja. The second court is the court of Lord Nityananda. Working in Yamaraja's court means assisting his chief lieutenant Citragupta, whose job it is to note down all of the mistakes and sinful acts of conditioned souls.
...- 30 Jun 2016
By Hayagriva DasOn the 10th of June around 70 devotees coming from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto assembled in the Buddhist Retreat Center Pho Da Son in Val-des-Monts, Canada - a perfect setting to go into seclusion for three days and dive deeply into another reality: Harinama eva kevalam - the holy name alone is everything. The participants were keen to embark on this transcendental journey under the expert guidance of Devaki Mataji, and their hearts and minds were open in order to capture insights into the secret...
- 30 Jun 2016
By Nrsimha Krsna das We had a small summer marathon last week with International Yoga Day Celebrations and HH Sivarama Swami's visit to Istanbul. In Turkey we attended 2nd IYD Celebrations which was held in public in a campus of one of the most prestigious Universities of Turkey. Event was very well organized and Indian Consulate in Turkey also supported it as they do all over the world. You might know that Istanbul is a huge city. From one side to another city is 270 km long. So, there was many IYD events in dif...
- 30 Jun 2016
By Yudhistir Govinda DasYou may be glad to learn that a week ago the Government of India appointed Rasaraja Prabhu (Dr. Ravi Gomatam) to serve as a Visiting Professor for the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) for the academic year of 2016-2017 to lecture at selected premiere institutions. The invitation was extended through the Ministry of Human Resource Development - the apex body dealing with all forms of education in India. The invitation letter explained the nature of this prestigious job which...
- 29 Jun 2016
By Madhavipriya Devi DasiAt last, the ethics of compassion and non-violence, even at the dinner table, have made their way to the Italian Parliament! It happened on Friday, June 24, thanks to the intervention of Shriman Matsyavatara Prabhu (Marco Ferrini), invited by the deputees, who spoke about the theme of "Prevention and Education on Nourishment." Many highly qualified speakers specialized in scientific disciplines participated at the conference and discussed the themes in terms of health and the environmen...
- 29 Jun 2016
By Braja Vilasa DasIn order to further the above purposes, and with Ambarisa prabhu’s full approval and inspiration, we have formed a TOVP communications team at our Mayapur office, staffed by several initiated and dedicated devotees. In order to reach devotees in different countries throughout the world, they will be actively making calls around the clock. In the years to come they will serve many functions in improving our service both to you and to the TOVP, such as: 1. Inspiring devotees around the world a...
- 28 Jun 2016
By Akincana Krishna dasHH RP Bhakti Raghava Maharaja arrived at Damodardesh on 21st June after a brief stop at Balaramdesh. During his 4 days visit, Maharaja spoke at various house programs introducing the congregation to the Om Sri Surabhi Campaign as well as enlightening the devotees on a lesser known essay, Gita Nagari (1956 Edition of Back to Godhead) written by ISKCON Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The essay propounds four different waves by which Srila Prabhupada wanted...
- 28 Jun 2016
By Amala Prema devi dasiThe Bhakti Tree has been serving prasadam and taking every opportunity to promote kirtan and prasadam through catering at Newcastle University, at public events and through its Friday kirtan evenings at the restaurant. This time, The Bhakti Tree hosted His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami on June 24th at its weekly Friday Fest evening. This was His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami’s second visit after a year. Maharaj led kirtan and gave a talk on the divinity of Supreme, the self and the M...
- 28 Jun 2016
By Radhapad DasThe annual Panihati Chida Dahi Mahotsav (yogurt and chipped rice festival) or the famous Dandamahotsav is celebrated on the 13th day of bright moon in the month of Jyestha (May-June). This festival was first celebrated by Srila Raghunath Das Goswami (Son of a wealthy landlord of Adi-Saptagram) on the orders of Lord Nityananda Prabhu (Incarnation of Lord Balaram) in the year 1516 on the same day. Saturday, 18th June this year marks the 500th anniversary of this festival. In addition to this, ISKCO...
- 27 Jun 2016
By Vijaya DasaTexas is known for being big in everything. Well, now, Dallas is doing big in book distribution: No. 3 in the USA for May. The temple had a great month with 3,695 book points: an increase of 824%. The temple president, Nityananda Prabhu, is enthusiastic to distribute full sets of Srila Prabhupada's books, and this is where most of the book points are coming from. He's a great example of an ISKCON leader. While in Slovenia, I had the honor of distributing books with a veteran book distributor, Prahl...
- 27 Jun 2016
Premvilas das: Her Grace Locanananda devi dasi joined ISKCON in Mexico city in 1975 when she went with her son to a Sunday feast....
- 26 Jun 2016
By Giriraj dasaPeople generally pray for material benefits: “O God, give us our daily bread. Give me nice position. Give me nice wife, nice following or this or victory,” so on, so on, so on, simply for material enjoyment. My Guru Mahäräja used to say that if we pray to God for all these nonsense things, it is just like a man goes to a king and the king says, “Whatever you want you can ask from me,” and if the man says, “Kindly give me a pinch of ashes.” It is like that. If we ask from God for some ...
- 26 Jun 2016
By Ratna Devi DasiChatris are elevated dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture. They are commonly used to depict the elements of dignity and honor in architecture. The word chatri means “canopy” or “umbrella.” The word chatri is also used to refer to the small pavilions that mark the corners and roof of entrance of a major building. They are widely used in palaces or in forts. They originated in Rajasthani architecture and were used as memorials for kings and royalty. These pavilio...
- 26 Jun 2016
By Hari Narayana DasFor distribution to the general public 1 tons of oranges arrived, sponsored by Dina Dharini mataji, which was offered to the Lord. Balinese and bharata natyam dances were performed by the devotee girls to open the ceremony. Speech was given by the leader of Malang Hindu Parisad, that he really appreciated the festival. Short class about the origin of ratha yatra was given by HH Kavicandra Swami Maharaj. A recorded lecture from HH Subhag Swami Maharaj covering Jagannatha’s pastimes, Prabhupad...
- 26 Jun 2016
By Romapada SwamiThe Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth is fully independent, svarat and the living entities being parts and parcels of the Lord, have minute independence/free will. Minute free will is an inherent quality of the soul and it can never be taken away from a living entity at any time (in the material or spiritual world). We choose (due to our minute free will), and there are outcomes for our choices but these outcomes cannot be independently determined or created. All endeavors, foll...
- 25 Jun 2016
By Kesava Krsna DasaWith many cases of religious extremism tormenting or instilling fear into people we can hardly blame certain bright thinkers for their agnosticism: “Religion is a fashionable substitute for belief.” (Oscar Wilde) With all these quotes we can better understand the frustration of thinking people. If given a credible, intelligible presentation of genuine spirituality they may happily apply themselves. They want the truth just as much as spiritual seekers want it: “There’s something in every athei...
- 24 Jun 2016
By Laxmimoni dasiIf Srila Prabhupada visited you, Maybe just for a day or two, And came by unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room, To such an honored guest, And all the food you'd offer, Would be the very best. And you would keep assuring him, You're glad to have him there, That serving him within your home, Is a joy beyond compare.
...- 23 Jun 2016