By Kalakantha DasSacred texts lie at the very heart of human history, where they are much more than pieces of paper bound between covers. Sacred texts are dynamic literary creations that possess incredible beauty and power, which can be applied for a variety of purposes. The Bhagavad-gītā, for example, has been recited orally for generations, published in hundreds of editions, translated into dozens of languages, performed on stage, painted on canvas, debated in courtrooms, employed...
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- 15 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us meet and hear from two of the devoted unsung heroes from Srila Prabhupada's army who marched fearlessly with him to spread Krishna consciousness in Every Town and Village (throughout the globe)
...- 14 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us meet and hear from one of the most dedicated and devoted disciple of Srila Prabhupada who marched fearlessly with him to help him bring a revolution of Krishna Bhakti in Russia.
...- 14 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us meet and hear from one of the silent warriors of Srila Prabhupada's army who marched fearlessly with him to spread Krishna consciousness in Every Town and Village.
...- 13 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us meet and hear from one of the silent generals from Srila Prabhupada's army who marched fearlessly with him to spread Krishna consciousness in Every Town and Village.
...- 13 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us meet and hear from one of the rare gems of Srila Prabhupada's army who marched fearlessly with him to establish Krishna consciousness in Every Town and Village.
...- 13 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamLet us meet and hear from one of Srila Prabhupada's silent warrior who helped him spread Krishna consciousness fearlessly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Let us immerse in the mystery behind the untold history.
...- 13 Aug 2020
By The GBC[Guideline] Whereas Srila Prabhupada should be worshiped in ISKCON in a manner befitting his status as the founder Acarya of ISKCON. Our worship of His Divine Grace is an expression of our love and respect for him;
...- 13 Aug 2020
By Indradyumna Swami“Thus Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur advocated that every devotee, under the guidance of an expert spiritual master, preach the Bhakti movement, Krishna Consciousness, all over the world. Only when one is mature can he sit in a solitary place and retire from preaching all over the world. Following this example, the devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness now render service as preachers in various parts of the world. Now they can allow the spiritual master to retire from active preaching work. In the last stage of the spiritual master’s life, the devotees ...
- 13 Aug 2020
By Dravida dasaDue to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, this year the BBT published Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja book in pdf format only. You can download the book by clicking the llink included
...- 13 Aug 2020
By Madhava SmullenA Global Phenomenon! In total, from April 18th to May 3rd more than 400 singers along with participants in over 150 countries joined together online for 360 hours, or 15 days of nonstop live Maha-Mantra Kirtan. Chanters hailed from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Hawaii, Germany, Indonesia, South Africa, Kenya, Iceland, Guyana, Slovenia, Mauritius, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the US, the UK and many, many more countries. Over 1,400 posts were made on the Global Pandemic Kirtan Facebook page, mostly kirtan videos. There were 1.2 million reactions to these videos from around the world, and 5...
- 12 Aug 2020
By Tulsi Gabbard2020 is certainly a year that will not soon be forgotten. For most, if not all, of us, it has brought about many unexpected changes. Changes to our daily routines, our work, and even our relationships. Whenever we’re put into difficult situations, it gives us the opportunity to take shelter in the loving protection of the Supreme Lord, our Supreme Friend. It propels us to reflect upon and draw upon the lessons we've learned from the past and also to consider what changes we can make to live a better life, now and in the future. So if we take the opportunity to slow down and connect with w...
- 12 Aug 2020
By Lindsay PeytonDrive-thru movies are making a comeback — and even concerts are getting on board to adhere to social-distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic. So as members of ISKCON — International Society for Krishna Consciousness — prepared for their most sacred day of the year, Janmashtami, the anniversary of Krishna’s birth, Saranga Thakur Dasa wondered: Why don’t we do a drive-thru festival?
...- 12 Aug 2020
By Giriraj SwamiPersonally, He has nothing to gain. But He comes out of His mercy, to deliver us. The material world is compared to a prison house, and we, conditioned souls, are the prisoners. We are restricted, like prisoners. We can't just go anywhere and everywhere, wherever we want. Liberated souls can travel anywhere in the universe. They don't need spaceships or any other such contraptions. They can move about freely. But we, conditioned souls, are bound. We are not allowed to leave this planet very easily, and even ...
- 11 Aug 2020
By ISKCON CommunicationsThe North American press release for Janmastami. Janmastami celebrations at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temples in North America and around the world will look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Janmastami falls on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in North America. ISKCON temples in North America will be hosting simple, socially distanced Janmastami programs where guests and devotees are invited but can only stay for a short period of time and only pre-packed meals are served. All guidelines by local governments such as masking will also be ...
- 10 Aug 2020
By Sankarsana Rama DasIt was a great honor to meet New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Arden today. I gave her the gift of the most valuable transcendental knowledge Bhagavad Gita. She mentioned that she has heard Mahatma Gandhi talked about Bhagavad Gita quite a lot and she was very happy and grateful to receive it.
...- 10 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamThe glorious advent of Lord Krishna or Janmastami is celebrated with charming grandeur and magnificent pomp worldwide by millions of exuberant Vaishnavas. Due to the outbreak of a global pandemic, the entire devotee community has been urged to celebrate Janmastami at home. Since the pandemic, the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning Team has been providing useful resources online. For this Janmastami we have compiled a celebrate-at-home Janmastami portfolio, which is a compilation of guidelines and instructions to make your Janmastami experience delightful and filled with...
- 9 Aug 2020
By the GBC Executive SecretariatStatement by GBC Executive Chairman, Ramai Swami, on the occasion of Sri Krsna Janmastami (3 min. video)
...- 9 Aug 2020
By the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning TeamDear ISKCON Leader, please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. In June 2020, the GBC SPT – Strategic Planning Support unit published a Temple Re-opening Guide and a decision-making Toolkit to support you in your efforts to re-open your temple. You will find attached, additional materials we have developed to assist you in facilitating the safe re-opening of your temple to the public.
...- 7 Aug 2020
By Gauranga DasWe are happy to share that over the last two years, in addition to the preservation work in the library, the team at BRC has made significant strides in conducting pioneering research in the field of Gaudiya Vaishnavism in collaboration with international universities led by reputed devotee scholars worldwide. We have also started MA and PhD programs on Gaudiya Vaishnavism in affiliation with Mumbai University wherein students are being guided by international devotee scholars.
...- 7 Aug 2020
By Srimati Devi DasiMahaprabhu’s lips quivered in the ecstasy of jubilation as He sang the glories of the Holy Name. His effulgent body, stoked and fueled by prema, illumined the small dark room to reveal His two constant night companions. In great ecstasy He said to Srila Svarupa Damodara in a faltering voice, “My ears are dying of thirst. Sing! Sing, My dear friend! Sing the glories of the all-merciful Holy Name.”
...- 5 Aug 2020
By Danavir GoswamiA synonym for the word guru is acarya which means one who teaches by example. Guru means preacher and preacher means acarya— äcära pracära. A devotee who executes sadhana bhakti carefully for many years may be allowed to accept disciples. A main qualification for one’s becoming a guru in the first place was his strict adherence to the practices defined by his spiritual master. After some time however if that devotee, now guiding disciples, relaxes his sadhana due to “being advanced,” or to “preaching,” or some other reason, is it not a fly in the ointment? ...
- 5 Aug 2020
By Giriraj DasaAs we come into Krishna consciousness then many a times we may get lost in the philosophy itself. The mind too likes newer subjects and intellect is also satisfied by gaining deeper understanding. However we should be careful not to feel satisfied remaining at these levels. Most of us do understand that our real position in the material world is not unlike that of a criminal put in a prison for reform. Criminals can also, rather they do, have high level of mental and intellectual capabilities!
...- 5 Aug 2020
By Pradyumna dasFor ten years, we have printed Srila Prabhupada Tributes and sent a free copy to each devotee who wrote for it. But this year, the pandemic that struck made us uncertain about whether our printers could provide the book on schedule, or even if we could deliver the physical books to all contributors. And so, for the first time, we have produced the book in electronic form only.
...- 3 Aug 2020