{"id":21539,"date":"2015-11-15T14:39:13","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T13:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=21539"},"modified":"2015-11-15T14:39:13","modified_gmt":"2015-11-15T13:39:13","slug":"weve-already-done-it-in-the-past-so-we-can-do-it-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=21539","title":{"rendered":"We\u2019ve already done it in the past, so we can do it again!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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FIFTY PADAYATRAS FOR ISKCON\u2019S FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY <\/b> <\/p>\n

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By Gaurangi Devi Dasi (Padayatra Ministry\u2019s coordinator)<\/p>\n

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We\u2019ve already done it in the past, so we can do it again !<\/b><\/p>\n

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The Padayatra Worldwide Ministry headed by Lokanath Swami started to work on its offering of 50 padayatras<\/i> on Gaura Purnima 2014. To this day 22 padayatras<\/i> have taken place, 8 are planned and 20 remain to be done by all of you.<\/p>\n

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We are inviting all the devotees worldwide to participate in this glorification of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. This goal of 50 padayatras <\/i> is very feasible, as padayatra<\/i> is basically a low-cost project of variable duration that can be carried out in many different styles – a one man venture like Bhaktimarga Swami in Canada; a weekend padayatra<\/i> as an outing for the congregation around your city or your farm; a summer padayatra <\/i>; an annual walk or a continental or trans-continental walk. Padayatra<\/i> can be done in different ways, according to the geography of your country, your available time, resources and manpower: with or without a bullock cart, with a horse to pull the cart, or just as an extended harinama<\/i>. You can walk and drive if you live in a country with long empty or desert stretches, or you can walk and fly (or take a boat) if you want to move from island to island. To get more ideas, tips and practical guidelines go to our Padayatra website.<\/p>\n

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Another reason why we think this goal of 50 padayatras<\/i> is very feasible is that the Padayatra Ministry already achieved a much larger goal in the past. At the time of Srila Prabhupada\u2019 Centennial in 1996, we offered 105 padayatras, <\/i>some of which took place during the Padayatra Week which was scheduled just before World Holy Name Day. The Silver Jubilee of ISKCON could well be the occasion to revive the Padayatra Week. Every year the World Holy Name Week is gaining more and more momentum and scope. What better way to celebrate this special week than with a padayatra<\/i>, as devotees in Mauritius have already been doing for a few years ?<\/p>\n

Unlimited benefits for you, your temple, your congregation, your family and your yatra <\/h1>\n

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Here are a few of the numerous benefits of going on padayatra<\/i>:<\/p>\n

– Getting purified and rejuvenated by chanting all day long<\/p>\n

– Fulfilling Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s desire to see the holy name resounding in every town and village of the world<\/p>\n

– Engaging the oxen in serving Their Lordships instead of being kept idle on our ISKCON farms and goshalas<\/i><\/p>\n

– Getting in shape by walking and dancing, and engaging in physical activities (setting up the padayatra<\/i> camp,caring for the oxen, etc)<\/p>\n

– Escaping the daily routine, either at home or in the temple<\/p>\n

– Seeing the hand of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai in daily happenings and miracles<\/p>\n

– Traveling in the company of devotees and a cart carrying the Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada<\/p>\n

– Trying out new services: cooking, advance party reporting, organising, contact with the media, etc<\/p>\n

– Distributing books the easy way, with the harinama<\/i> party in the background<\/p>\n

– Having lots of healthy spiritual fun<\/p>\n

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50thize your padayatra<\/b><\/p>\n

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The chosen key public message for ISKCON\u2019s 50th anniversary is – THE JOY OF DEVOTION – is being perfectly exemplified by padayatris<\/i> chanting, dancing, traveling and serving together in great bliss. Padayatra, being always in contact with all sorts of publics, is a program that can easily fulfill all of the ISKCON50\u2019s goals:<\/p>\n

– To inspire a better and larger public appreciation for values and contributions of Krishna Consciousness <\/p>\n

– To make Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON Founder-Acharya, more known and appreciated<\/p>\n

– To unite and inspire devotees in celebration<\/p>\n

– To get increased attention: media, government, interfaith communities, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders <\/p>\n

– To enhance and improve ISKCON\u2019s reputation <\/p>\n

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What you can do to 50thize your padayatra:<\/p>\n

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–Include key ISKCON50 messages <\/b>in speeches, display the World Exhibit and commemorative merchandise, screen the films, and position logos in artwork. Also consider special features focussed around 50th themes like plays about Srila Prabhupada or anniversary mementos. <\/p>\n

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–Use the materials that will be provided in coming months by the international team<\/b>, including – logos, banners and posters ; exhibition material, theming, and media messages ; publication material \u2013 ISKCON50 magazine, films, and exhibit. Include the logo within all your invitations and posters, mention ISKCON50 in all interactions with stakeholders such as media, government, donors, and congregation <\/p>\n

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-Replace the showing of \u00ab Your ever well-wisher \u00bb with the <\/b>Acharya <\/b><\/i>Film <\/b> being released in 2015. It will draw a lot of attention to Srila Prabhupada\u2019s life and achievements. Another ISKCON movie is also planned and information will become available as it progresses<\/p>\n

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–Show the \u2018Joy of Devotion\u2019<\/b>, a documentary project which is a visually compelling and educational film that conveys Srila Prabhupada\u2019s key messages, the movement he built and how ISKCON continues to transform the lives of both its members and the people of the world. It will directly cover about 20 interviewees in 14 cities in 9 countries in 6 continents. This film will be perfect to showcase ISKCON throughout your 2016 initiatives. <\/p>\n

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– Display the exhibit<\/b> encapsulating all the different aspects of our Krishna conscious culture. It will be made available to print out at your convenience.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

– Make your own banners<\/b> (Padayatra celebrates ISKCON 5Oth anniversary), fliers\/brochures, with the help of the material provided by the ISKCON50 team.<\/p>\n

–Get VIPs <\/b>(local councillors, Indian business leaders, cultural ambassadors, favourable celebrities, and heads of relevant organisations) to come to your padayatra event<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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– Disseminate educational materials that will enhance the understanding of ISKCON<\/b>: fliers, brochures, and especially the ISKCON50 magazine<\/b>. The ISKCON50 Magazine is a special commemorative magazine being produced especially for ISKCON50. It will highlight ISKCON\u2019s major achievements over 50 years and also highlight stories and experiences from local centres around the world. Articles included in the magazine are – \u2018The History of ISKCON\u2019, \u2018The Many Faces of ISKCON\u2019, \u2018Yoga and Kirtan\u2019, \u2018Science, Art and the Krishnas\u2019, \u2018A World of Festivals\u2019. Make sure you order them timely.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

–Increase your prasadam distribution<\/b> on the road and during festivals<\/p>\n

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– Increase book distribution<\/b> (with more Lilamritas on Srila Prabhupada) A target has been set to achieve 12 million books in 2016. Subscribe public libraries, interested community groups, and educational institutions. <\/p>\n

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–Distribute the special edition of Back To Godhead <\/b>for the 50th anniversary. <\/p>\n

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– Launch or end your padayatra at one of these commemoration dates<\/b> (or celebrate at any time of your walk):<\/p>\n

– August 13, 2015: the day that Srila Prabhupada left for America on the Jaladuta<\/p>\n

– July 13, 2016: incorporation of ISKCON<\/p>\n

– Other dates connected to Srila Prabhupada: vyasa-puja day, day he visited your temple or yatra, etc<\/p>\n

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– Inform the media about the 50th anniversary theme of your padayatra and increase your media exposure<\/b>: where possible appoint a padayatra media coordinator (could be your country\u2019s communication coordinator). They will receive specific instructions in the form of media messages, statements, and press releases but also broader guidelines from the ISKCON Communications Ministry in order to effectively engage the media. The different media forms to consider are \u2013 television news channels, radio shows, newspapers, trends on social media, and other modes through the internet <\/p>\n

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– Hold Srila Prabhupada seminars,<\/b> and sessions for sharing memories and realisations of Prabhupada.<\/p>\n

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-Hold various seminars for devotees during your walk:<\/b><\/p>\n

Besides the outreach efforts, it is equally important to focus inward and cultivate our devotees\u2019 sense of well-being and pride within their communities. During padayatra, you can enhance devotee care by replicating initiatives that are taking place within our international units focused on community, such as \u2013 Mayapur Congregational Development Ministry, Grihasta Vision Team, ISKCON Youth Ministry, Appreciation Event, etc <\/p>\n

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For more information, news and resources:<\/b><\/p>\n

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