By Kanupriya Devi Dasi
The Institute for Spiritual Culture was inaugurated on the 5th of March in the Mayapur Goshala. Even though it was the first day of the Navadvip Mandala Parikrama, around 150 devotees decided to definately not miss this historic event. The Pandal with its warm colour combinations and beautiful flower decorations created a welcoming and festive atmosphere. Guests were received with flower garlands while devotees from Bangladesh were chanting in kirtan.
The Board Members HH Sivarama Swami, HH Niranjana Swami, HH Bhakti Purusottama and HH Badrinarayan Goswami (who had taken Sannyas the very same morning) blessed the event with their presence, seated on the raised platform. Devaki Mataji opened the program with a short welcome. Even though she was sick and had almost lost her voice, she nevertheless gave a clear introduction to the topic of spiritual culture, quoting verse 2.69. from Bhagavad Gita, stating how spiritual and materialistic culture are like day and night, based on opposing world views and ideologies, and thus being ultimately incompatible. Any culture promoting God consciousness as the goal of life is based on the same universal principles. And unless we clearly recognise these principles and preserve them, we can easily lose them – in the name of reformation, as it has happened in other spiritual cultures such as Christianity for example. The foremost purpose of the Institute for Spiritual Culture is to train and educate our ISKCON devotees in these underlying principles of spiritual culture, which will empower them to consciously choose how much of which culture they want to adopt within their life, and thus facilitate the gradual internal transformation which Krsna consciousness is meant to bring about.
HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami was connecting the topic of spiritual culture with village life, illustrating how knowingly or unknowingly our habits and attitudes carry us through our devotional practice, if they are based on spiritual culture. HH Badrinarayan Maharaja elaborated on the importance of Varnashram, remembering how Srila Prabhupada had stated that 50% of his work is unfinished, since he had not found the opportunity to introduce the principles of Varnashram. Maharaja warned us not to whimsically jump over the roles and duties prescribed to us, according to the body and nature we have been given in this life time. After all the Varnashram system is giving us sign posts how to progress by executing our purifying duties within Krsna consciousness. HH Sivarama Swami gave the concluding words of wisdom equating spiritual culture with the laws of conduct coming from the spiritual world – the behavior followed in the spiritual world in order to give the highest pleasure to the Lord. He explained how development of love to Krsna is not independant of our conduct and our obligations towards others, which help us to purify ourselves. And he referred to the principles of anukula and pratikula: accepting what is favorable and rejecting what is unfavorable for our devotional life. Srila Prabhupada had encouraged us to simply add Krsna to our life and our usual habits, which certainly begins our devotional life. But as we continue practicing Krsna consciousness, our rights and obligations change, and ultimately we have to transform our lives and our hearts by giving up the unfavorable elements, and cultivate favorable habits and attitudes. And spiritual culture supports this transformational process.
Devaki Mataji concluded the discussion explaining how materialistic culture promotes envy and competition, whereas spiritual culture promotes care and selfless service to one another. Spiritual culture is after all Krsna’s culture, wherein every section of society is perfectly cared for, by everyone executing their purifying duties. Thus Devotee Care can only flourish within our society as we more and more recognise the importance of spiritual culture.
A beautiful plaque for the Institute for Spiritual Culture was unveiled, which was later mounted near the entrance of the Goshala Building, where the Institute is located. Finally several students who had taken the course “Exploring the Roots of Spiritual Culture” during January performed a little skit illustrating in a humerous way the different world views and attitudes of young ladies influenced by the two opposing cultures. The skit was well received and brought the audience to laughter while at the same time giving some food for thought.
Devaki Mataji concluded the event by asking for blessings and giving away beautiful little cows in charity to the brahmanas, gift-wrapped in cute little boxes – a loving exchange which created an affectionate atmosphere.
HH Niranjana Swami lead the final kirtan, and everyone took prasadam – the general devotees at the Pandal, while the Board Members, disciples of Srila Prabhupada and senior devotees were escorted to the rooms of the Institute for Spiritual Culture in the Goshala Building to take prasadam there. The entire atmosphere was surcharged with a festive and auspicious mood, and devotees were very pleased at our humble endeavors to serve them in Vaisnava hospitality.
The entire program and announcements on upcoming courses can be viewed on www.therootsofspiritualculture.net