– The Mayapur Experience –
By Samba das
The Sri Mayapur Masterplan Committee’s sub division, dealing with Exhibits and Museums is seeking help to envision and develop a series of Exhibits and Museums to be included in the development of the City of Mayapur. It is important to understand that we are not speaking of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. Rather these facilities will be featured in the town that surrounds the ToVP.
Srila Prabhupada said that people would come to Mayapur to see “…the architectural culture, they’ll come to see the civilization culture, the philosophical culture, the religious culture by practical demonstration…”
He wanted our city to be based on ‘Vedic Culture’, a culture of education and elevated behavior. We have an opportunity to design a series of exhibits and museums; both static and living that will bring out the fullness of Srila Prabhupada’s vision. He described that by using western talents to develop Mayapur it would become “unique in the world”. We have no fixed plan as to how this can be achieved but we know it should be unique!
One of the concepts in our ongoing masterplan work over the years was that, as one enters the city one experiences a gradual transition from the mundane world that eventually leads to the Darshan of their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Madhava in their wondrous transcendent, cosmological temple.
One way this transition could be realized would be through the cities architecture, making it more and more grand, otherworldly and inspiring as one moves towards the temple. Another way would be to bring visitors through a series of ‘immersive’ environments, each of which builds an increasing sense of expectation.
There are a number of ‘living’ museums and ‘cultural’ villages that re-enact the way people used to live. This is something we could do to show the historic precedents of Vaisnava life and culture. We would also need practical demonstrations based on what can be achieved today. We are to implement vedic culture according to our current time place and circumstance. This should be a tangible part of the Sri Mayapur experience.
For example: We could start with a series of exhibits/experiences that demonstrate the falsehood of the bodily conception and the eternality of the soul. This can then lead into demonstrations of the teachings of our previous acaryas, establishing the position of Mahaprabhu and the dissemination of his teachings. This could be done using dioramas (as seen at Akshardham) or some other media. Next could be experiences or demonstrations that show the superiority of the vedic way in terms of quality of life; that vedic existence is not simply ‘abstract’, but rather that it is a sophisticated, rich, colorful, compassionate and deeply satisfying way. We can then demonstrate how this leads to a life of worship and dedication that ultimately delivers us to the transcendental world of Goloka…
We need to think outside of the box.
Prabhupada wanted Mayapur to be a place of constant festivity and enlightenment. An intelligent plan of facilities is required. A variety of permanent and temporary pavilions and other venues can be situated throughout, in the streets, avenues and parks, in which all kinds of festivals, demonstrations, exhibitions, or discourses, great and small, can take place continuously.
There are many ways in which we can make our Mayapur City “unique in the world”. The above suggestions are simply to give an idea of the scope of the work; we are seeking creative suggestions.
We are seeking artisans, visionaries and developers who can give some time to think deeply about the task Srila Prabhupada has charged us with. We need to cater to a wide audience, from simple Indian villagers to wealthy international intelligentsia.
Whatever is conceived of, it should be practically achievable. There are many things to consider: the sub tropical climate, floods, irregular power supply, lack of proper infrastructure, lack of available equipment or suppliers, etc.
If you are interested to participate please write to Samba Das at gregvanclark@airpost.net with details of your experience.
If you need any more information please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank You.
Your servant
Samba das
Dandavats and Hare Krishna.
There are several ideas that come to mind:
1. Mayapur is the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya, and hence the birthplace of the Sankirtan Movement. The universality of glorification of the many Names of God in Vedic and other spiritual cultures can be emphasized. God is the purifying principle…better yet, the sound of His Holy Names are. Practicality of remembrance of the Holy Names in all conditions of life and occupations can be shown by displays or even dioramas. The Eight Prayers of the Sri Sri Sikshaskatam can be used as a backdrop.
The Kali Yuga can be discussed with dharma’s 3 legs broken and so on.
2. In the village of Mayapur, what better place to highlight the efficacy of a self sufficient Vedic community. When Gandhi spoke of cottage industries in the villages, he could foresee the poor outcome of tens of millions of villagers moving to the cities only to find themselves living on the sidewalks, and doing the work of animals. Small is beautiful and practical.
Cow protection can also be highlighted, and the inefficient use of land to produce cattle for meat as well(an economic reason), but also the fine ideals of the cow being the provider of milk, a super-excellent source of protein and nutrients without killing the cow.
3. The vision of Bhaktivinode Thakur must be shown…it is an obvious important display.
The World comes to Mayapur, as predicted by him! There also the Vaishnava literatures printed in so many languages can be displayed and sold.
4. Finally, fulfillment of the Holy Name being revealed in every town and village of the world. Srila Prabhupad, a saktyavesh avatar without any doubt. How he went with no money or acquaintances and then created a worldwide movement, making all of this possible.
Respectfully submitted,
Pusta Krishna das
Dear Pusta Krishna Prabhu.
Your points are excellent and all of them should certainly be included in the development of the Sri Mayapur City.
The land here is beyond any mundane considerations of monetary value, it is actually touchstone. I would like to see the construction of a building whose sole purpose is to enshrine the vision statements of Srila Prabhupada and the previous acaryas, using large format photographs, graphics, videos etc. It would demonstrate the reasons why Srila Prabhupada purchased the lands here, how we have gone about fulfilling his vision and our plans to carry out what is yet to be done. Our acaryas vision was very clear, we owe it to them to glorify that vision in such a way that we are always reminded of it and strive to fulfill it.
Thank you!
Your servant
Samba das