{"id":5053,"date":"2008-01-06T11:13:19","date_gmt":"2008-01-06T10:13:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=5053"},"modified":"2008-01-06T11:18:07","modified_gmt":"2008-01-06T10:18:07","slug":"5053","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=5053","title":{"rendered":"Friends of the BBT Newsletter – January 08"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter please visit http:\/\/friendsofthebbt.org\/newsletter\/Jan08.html<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In loving service to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
\n Founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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\"masthead\"<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2008 <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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In This Issue… <\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Spotlight <\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Bengal<\/strong> Beats the Big Mridanga<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

by Madhava Smullen<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bengali BBT emerged in Mayapur in 1977 to humble beginnings. Only Bhagavad Darshan<\/em>, a monthly Bengali edition of Back to Godhead<\/em> magazine, and several small booklets, gave any hint of what was to come.<\/p>\n

When Shyama-Rupa Dasa joined the team in 1984, things hadn\u2019t gotten much grander. \u201cIn those days, the BBT offices were crammed into one room,\u201d he says. \u201cWe also had a press with two small printing machines, and a city office near the Kolkota temple.<\/p>\n

But only a few of Srila Prabhupada\u2019s books had been translated into Bengali, and we had to use both our Mayapur Press and
\n an outside offset press in Kolkata to print them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, Shyama-Rupa considered himself fortunate. Originally from Kolkata, Srila Prabhupada\u2019s birthplace, he was sure that working for the BBT had always been in the stars for him. This destiny was only further confirmed when he joined ISKCON and authorities immediately gave him BBT work as his first service. <\/p>\n

But it was hearing a quote from Srila Prabhupada, \u201cThe BBT is my heart and soul,\u201d that really sealed the deal for him. From then on, Shyama-Rupa decided he wanted it to be his heart and soul, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce in the old BBT days, before I became a manager,\u201d he recalls, \u201cMy co-devotee Brihat Kirtan Prabhu, one worker named Asit, and I were still printing at 1a.m. at night. Suddenly my Guru Maharaja, Jayapataka Swami, entered our press room. \u2018Why are you printing so late at night?\u2019 he asked.<\/p>\n

\u2018Tomorrow is the mailing date for our newspaper, Hare Krishna Sankirtan Samachar<\/em>,\u2019 we answered, \u2018But the printing has not been finished yet. So here we are.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cGuru Maharaja was pleased, and blessed us, \u2018Please continue throughout your whole life with this sincerity, and you will be perfectly serving Srila Prabhupada.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n

This blessing made Shyama-Rupa determined to continue his service for as long as possible. \u201cIt is Srila Prabhupada\u2019s mercy that he has granted my desire,\u201d he says now. \u201cAnd I\u2019m still here.\u201d<\/p>\n

And we\u2019re glad he is. Now the General Manager and official publisher, he\u2019s seen the Bengali BBT grow into something Srila Prabhupada would be truly proud of.<\/p>\n

Read the rest of the article here >><\/a><\/font><\/p>\n

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News in Brief <\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Land Purchased for the BBT\u2019s Sanskrit School<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Srimad-Bhagavata Vidyapitham, the BBT\u2019s Sanskrit School for training brahmanas and new translators, has just purchased over five acres for its brand new campus. <\/p>\n

Only one mile from Govardhan Hill and close to Chandra Sarovara, where Krishna held many of His rasa-lila pastimes, the land\u2019s location is well suited for creating a  peaceful, sattvic environment. <\/p>\n

The campus now under development will house sixty students as well as teachers and staff. It will be beautifully landscaped, and the buildings \u201430,000 square feet\u2014will feature classrooms and a library of more than four thousand volumes.<\/p>\n

Anticipation is high for this, one of the most exciting projects ISKCON has seen in many years. Friends of the BBT would like to thank Gopal Bhatta Dasa for his generous contribution towards making this possible and Trinadapi
\n Sunicena Dasa for his hard work in securing the land. We will keep you updated on further developments<\/p>\n

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BBT Meetings<\/h3>\n

The latest BBT meetings were held from November 7 through 9 in
\n Vrindavana dhama in India, and attended by BBT trustees, directors, managers and staff from around the world. Were they productive? Absolutely, and we\u2019re pleased to bring you the highlights:<\/p>\n

First off is the Oral History Project, an attempt to capture the history of the BBT and its books. Through interviews with individuals who were involved in the early days of ISKCON, the BBT will track the history of its book production, helping to preserve Srila Prabhupada\u2019s legacy and our future enlightenment.<\/p>\n

Another project is the BBT\u2019s IT Google Group, an online discussion forum for IT professionals who\u2019d like to help the BBT make Srila Prabhupada\u2019s books available through the internet, e-books and more. If you\u2019re an IT professional and you\u2019d like to help, you can join at groups.google.com\/group\/bbt-it. <\/p>\n

Were you inspired by last year\u2019s Pra-bhupada Marathon? If so, the BBT is doing their best to make it easier for you to continue distributing books throughout the year. A subcommittee consisting of BBT Trustees and experienced book distributors will consider the pricing
\n and availability of BBT books for sale
\n by individual devotees, especially
\n householders.<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s more: if you need to brush up on your philosophy before heading out onto the streets, you\u2019re in luck. Our very own Pancharatna Dasa will coordinate an effort to create online versions of Urmila Dasi\u2019s study guides on Bhagavad-gita As It Is<\/em> and other important books.<\/p>\n

Finally, book distribution could be truly growing with the times. BBT Trustee Brahma Muhurta Dasa and veteran book distributor Vaisesika Dasa have teamed up to create DVDs for public distribution.<\/p>\n

So look out for a new era of modern enlightenment!<\/p>\n

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The BBT Art Seminar<\/h3>\n

This year, the first-ever BBT Art Seminar was held in Vrindavana, India, from October 20 to November 12. Taught by veteran ISKCON artists Dhriti Dasi and Ram Dasa Abhirama Dasa, the course was attended by eighteen devotee artists from around the globe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that this group set the mood for the future of devotee artists,\u201d Dhriti says. \u201cThey approached the seminar with great enthusiasm and a determined desire to truly grasp the essence of devotional art.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each day of the course was packed with activity. Mornings were reserved for life drawing and lessons on anatomy and form, and in the afternoon students worked on an oil painting of their choice from scripture. These activities were supplemented with lessons on composition, values, color, transcendental form, aesthetics, drama, and painting technique. <\/p>\n

Dhriti and Ram Dasa based the Art Seminar on actual processes and techniques used by the BBT Art Department, presenting their students with a book showing the progression of prominent BBT paintings from sketch to finished work. \u201cI think it was interesting and eye opening for them to see the amount of preparation that went into each painting,\u201d Dhriti says.<\/p>\n

Students were also treated to \u201cparikrama painting,\u201d as the class ventured out into the early-morning mists of Vrindavana, taking inspiration from the sights and sounds of the holy dhama. And there were evening excursions too. \u201cOnce we all took a boat ride across the Yamuna and then painted the Madana Mohana temple as the sun set,\u201d Dhriti recalls. \u201cIt was an experience that filled us all with peace and joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the students, being able to paint Krishna was their life\u2019s dream. For the teachers, passing on their knowledge was a dream, too. \u201cWe tried to convey how sweet and intense a meditation it is to paint Krishna,\u201d Dhriti says. \u201cWhen you mix an artist\u2019s natural love for his art with a strong desire to depict the Supreme Lord and His pastimes, you get a truly potent combination.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, the course yielded some remarkable results, with at least five high-quality paintings nearly completed. And the response from all the students was unanimously positive\u2014many say they hope to return for future seminars.<\/p>\n

Perhaps a new generation of BBT artists has been born with this seminar. We can only wait and see\u2026<\/p>\n

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Distribution Story of the Month<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


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A Taste of Real Happiness<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

by Ahaituki Bhakti Dasi<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I was distributing books in the small Finnish town of Kausala, and handed one woman Teachings of Queen Kunti<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is about Krishna?\u201d she asked me. \u201cI\u2019ve heard of Him, but I don\u2019t know anything about Him. This\u2019ll be a very interesting read.\u201d<\/p>\n

We talked for a long time about how to find real, spiritual happiness, and she asked many intelligent questions. At long last a girl that looked like she could potentially take a book walked by. Since I was still engaged in conversation, I couldn\u2019t present her with a book. But suddenly the woman I was talking to noticed the girl too and called out, \u201cCome here and see these books! Take one for yourself! They\u2019re about Krishna! You\u2019ll love them!\u201d<\/p>\n

When the girl came over, I handed her a book and the woman began animatedly  glorifying it and explaining the philosophical points we had just discussed. I stood watching with equal parts bemusement and awe, until the girl bought the book, and they both went their separate ways.<\/p>\n

I was left to reflect on how straight after our discussion on real happiness, the woman had gotten a taste of it by distributing Srila Prabhupada\u2019s book.<\/p>\n

Visit our website for more stories like this >><\/a><\/font><\/p>\n

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Download the PDF version here.<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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SRILA PRABHUPADA
\n SPEAKS ABOUT BBT<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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\u201cOne Day
\n They Will Realize<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSatsvarupa:<\/strong> They get nice attendance on Sunday. Many people come.<\/p>\n

Prabhupada:<\/strong> There is good hope.<\/p>\n

Satsvarupa:<\/strong> Oh, yes. Good book distribution here too.<\/p>\n

Prabhupada:<\/strong> That is the most successful. Wherever book distri-bution is going on nicely, that is success- ful, because people are in gross ignorance. <\/p>\n

They are taking this temporary life as everything. Very horrible condition. We are trying to explain what is the actual life…. <\/p>\n

Only hope is that you distribute books, as much as possible, whole Europe, whole America. If they come to some day, they will realize what is this value. <\/p>\n

One day they will realize what valuable books we have left for the study of the whole world. That will come.” <\/p>\n

   Morning walk, June 28, 1975, Denver<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Book Distribution Totals for October <\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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During the month of November 2007,
\n 92 temples reported distributing the
\n following number of books:<\/em><\/p>\n

Books and magazines: <\/strong>248,304<\/p>\n

2007 year to date:<\/strong>3,241,456 <\/p>\n

<\/strong>459,492,664  literatures<\/strong> distributed worldwide since 1965.<\/p>\n

All glories to
\n Srila Prabhupada!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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BECOME A MEMBER <\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Experience the sweetness of supporting Srila Prabhupada’s book mission. <\/em><\/p>\n

Join us today and receive a free poster of Srila Prabhupada<\/em>\n <\/p>\n

\"poster\"<\/font><\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/a><\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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TELL A FRIEND <\/font><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Know others who are concerned about the BBT? Help us get the word out.<\/p>\n

Tell a Friend >><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS <\/font><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Visionary Members:<\/strong>
\n Ambarisa Dasa
\n Kamlesh Patel
\n Dulal Candra Dasa and Arci Dasi <\/p>\n

Benefactor Members:<\/strong>
\n Atitaguna Dasi
\n Srinivas Kolluri
\n Ilan Chester <\/p>\n

Innovator Members:<\/strong>
\n Pravin Patel
\n Paul Buschoff
\n Krishna Priya Jani
\n Nicholas Rabe <\/p>\n

Sponsor Members:<\/strong>
\n Margaret Baba
\n Vir Nanda
\n Raj K. Chadha
\n Manish Vanodia
\n Laxmi-Nrsmgha Dasa
\n Vinod Vani Dasi
\n Nama Hatta Katowice
\n Rupanuga Dasa <\/p>\n

Advocate Members:<\/strong>
\n Frederic Jacques
\n Ramkumar Manoharan
\n Meera Sharma
\n Marino Ifurung
\n Jaya Govinda Dasa
\n Malati Dasi
\n Mahatama Dasa
\n Vrnda Devi Dasi
\n Gadagraja Dasa
\n Tsurit Schwefel
\n Dinesh Chand
\n Rashmi Bajaj
\n Arun Subramaniam
\n Srinivas Palakala
\n Navin Verma
\n Lani Singh
\n R. Beca
\n Ramesh Neeraj
\n Jim McNelis <\/p>\n

Contributor Members:<\/strong>
\n Jennifer Olson
\n James Reese
\n Micheal Miley
\n Sri Nrsimgha Dasa
\n Kanti Dasi
\n Manmohini Dasi
\n Dhirasanta Dasa
\n Balai Dasi
\n Carl and Stella Herzig
\n Svarupa Dasa
\n Josh Einhorn
\n Citi-Sakti Dasi
\n Wolfgang Schwarting
\n Walter Reuther Dickmeyer
\n Ramatirtha Dasa
\n Kurma Gour Dasa
\n Hanka Adamus
\n Dulal Bhatterjee
\n Premendra Shivhare
\n Jagdish Sharma
\n Sundaresan Raman
\n Ilayaraja Balachandran <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Copyright 2008 Friends of the BBT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"HareBy Friends of the BBT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Srimad Bhagavata Vidyapitham, the BBT’s Sanskrit School for training brahmanas and new translators, has just purchased over five acres for its brand new campus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,76],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-distribution","category-newsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5053\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}