By the TOVP TeamAll ISKCON devotees worldwide are undoubtedly inspired and enthused by the rapid progress of the TOVP construction over the last five years. The temple superstructure is complete, the finished domes and chatris await their kalashes and chakras, external embellishments are being added, murtis of the parampara and assorted sculptures are in various stages of production, various artisan work forges ahead, electric and plumbing work continues, marble laying has begun, an elaborate Lightning Arrester system is being installed, and much more is all going on simultaneously. As we e...
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- 5 Dec 2016
By Nayana Manjari DasiOn a Friday, September 23rd our team embarked on a second padayatra in Bolivia in honour of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. This time our route followed the ancient Inca roads found in the Andes Mountains. We walked for three-days along a road known as ‘El Chorro’ which starts in the mountains and ends in the rainforest 52 kilometres away. This road is between 500 and 1000 years old and was built by the Tiahuanaco (Tiwanku) and sometime after it was improved upon and used by the Incas. Later, the Spanish conquerors used it and even up until recently it was used to c...
- 4 Dec 2016
By Jaganmohini devi dasi and Subal Shyam dasAs a Manipuri Vaishnava and a studious scientist student from the prestigious University of California - Irvine, USA, Sripada maharaj won the heart of his spiritual master H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in their very first meeting. It was Sripada Maharaj's scientist colleague Ramananda Raya (Dr. Ravindra Rao) who introduced maharaj to Srila Prabhupada. As maharaj recalls, Srila Prabhupada and maharaj looked intently at each other's eyes for a few moments and then Prabhupada spoke. In their first meeting, while appreciating the temples...
- 4 Dec 2016
By Gaurangi DasiWhen we talk about cow protection, we should not forget that it goes hand in hand, or rather hoof in hoof, with putting oxen to work. Otherwise, what will happen to the all the bulls that take birth? When bulls are neutered they are called oxen; they then loose their passionate nature and become very apt, and happy, to use their strength to work in the fields, to pull the handle of an oil-pressing machine, or to haul heavy loads. Padayatra is one of the ways in which to put them to work, and also to directly engage them in the service of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai by pulling T...
- 3 Dec 2016
By HareKrishna FestivalsUKFor the 15th anniversary of the disappearance from the this world of His Grace Tribhuvanatha Prabhu, at the end of November 2016, devotees premiered at Bhaktivedanta Manor a special 30 minute movie featuring footage of historic and pioneering preaching activities around the world and especially in Africa, and audio remembrances of Tribhuvanatha Prabhu and his preaching efforts. They also spoke and shared memories at the program. After the program at the temple they continued for Maha Harinama Sankirtana, more than 100 devotees in Central London attended. The same ...
- 3 Dec 2016
By Purushottam Nitai DasSince the day I came to know about God, I was told that God is the giver of everything and so I should unhesitatingly ask him to fulfil all my desires. And from that day or rather from that moment onwards I have always treated God just like a shopping mall from where I can buy anything and everything. The only difference is that in a mall I need to pay but in front of God I do not need to pay. Yes it is true that sometimes like many others I have put some paper notes or coins in a hundi (donation box) in a temple. But here too the desire is less to share the wealth w...
- 2 Dec 2016
By BalGovind DasHG Rasamandala Prabhu, Director of ISKCON Educational Services, facilitated a four day Devotee Care Course-2, pilot course at ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), Wada from 27th to 30th Oct 2016. It was organized by Revatiraman Prabhu, Chairman of the Devotee Care Committee and Gauranga Prabhu, Divisional Director for Devotee Care Committee. Rasamandala Prabhu was given the responsibility of creating a world class Course on Devotee Care in the VTE style and was given all the resources created by the Devotee Care Committee over 6 years. The efforts have been kindly sponsored b...
- 2 Dec 2016
By Anand Caitanya dasISKCON Govardhan Eco Village, a 100 acre sustainable farming community and retreat center, based near Mumbai, India received the Green World Environment Award 2016 in the international campaign to find the world's greenest countries, companies and communities. They competed against more than 500 other nominations in the Green World Awards for Environmental Best Practice and were presented with their trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation in The Fantastic Cube, Bucheon City Hall, South Korea on October 28, 2016. Narayana Prabhu and Kamaleksana Mataji from Sr...
- 2 Dec 2016
By Vaiseshika DasaMany “Warriors” are householders who have family obligations and who work during the week to earn their livelihood. But despite their busy professional and family lives, these devotees, eager for the nectar that comes from direct preaching, go out on weekends to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. But the “Weekend Warrior” comes in all shapes and sizes: Kids, students, temple managers, retired book distributors, and congregational members of ISKCON are all joining the swelling ranks of the “Weekend Warriors.”
...- 1 Dec 2016
By Members of Krishna SambandhaNovember 29, for the first time in the history of Chile and its Courts of Justice, a concert was held in the Hall of Honor of the Supreme Court. Never before had there been a musical presentation in this space of great patrimonial and historical value for our country. The concert, consisting of an exhibition of classical and devotional music from India, was performed by Krishna Sambandha, composed of members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This activity was initiated with a speech by His Excellency Mr. Hugo Dolmestch, Preside...
- 1 Dec 2016
By Syama Sakhi devi dasiRecently, Gurukula principal, Vinod Bihari dasa, joined 29 other principals and Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, in a meeting organised by the AIS (Australian Independent Schools of NSW) in Sydney. Vinod Bihari gave a presentation on the programs implemented by the Gurukula that have led to such enormous success. Vinod Bihari talked about how the school is focusing on best instructional practices that tailor to student learning. The Gurukula has also pioneered a coaching model whereby a specialist educator from the US gives real-time feedback to teachers in th...
- 30 Nov 2016
By Ramanuja dasRam Ghat on the banks of Mandakini Ganga, the caves of Gupt Godavari, the ever pleasing Kamad-giri or the sacred mountain on which Lord Ramachandra set up His residence - which is considered to be as good as Giriraj Govardhan in Vrindavan and many other pastime places of Lord Rama decorate Chitrakoot as beautiful ornaments which have attracted the minds of saintly personalities since time immemorial. Many ashrams would very happily and hospitably welcome the devotees and gladly agree to allow them to take prasadam which they provide free of cost to the sadhus every day. Lectu...
- 30 Nov 2016
By Sankirtana DasIs it any wonder that we would want to retreat from a world that offers news of constant strife? What have we to look forward to? A world of uncertainty, a lackluster economy, a people divided, everyone talking past one another, hurtling slogans and accusations, and never connecting nor really listening to one another. With these burdens weighing upon us, meditation doesn’t seem to be enough. Maybe it’s downright ineffective! At the end of her article, Ms. Whippman evokes some studies which conclude that the results of meditation are “underwhelming” and that i...
- 30 Nov 2016
By Indradyumna Swami I was remembering this evening one incident about how merciful Lord Caitanya is to even the most fallen, sinful rascals. As Prabhupada mentions, Jagai and Madhai--they were not comical characters; they were deeply sinful criminals. I remembered how once we were doing a Christmas marathon in Paris and we would send our devotees to the train stations. The girls particularly would go on the trains and distribute books to the people just before the train left. As the train started to go, they would jump off. One young French girl, small girl, very pretty girl, very delicat...
- 29 Nov 2016
By Giriraj dasaWe can understand how pure is the service which Tulasi offers to Sri Krsna. So we should always endeavor after becoming the servant of Tulasi devi. I do not know who has taught you that part of a Tulasi plant may be cut off and then replanted? From the Tulasi plant you can cut off only leaves for offering them to Krsna, never for cutting and planting. That is an offence. The manjaris (seeds) can be offered in water and it makes the water fragrant and tasteful. And the manjaris can be planted for growing new Tulasi plants. Yes, the prayer you have enclosed is bona fide. Tulasi...
- 29 Nov 2016
By ISKCON Coimbatore“Goloka Goshala” was inaugurated at ISKCON Coimbatore temple premises on 27th November 2016, for the pleasure of Their Lordships Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, by the chief guest, Sri S.P. Velumani. Hon. Minister of Tamilnadu Municipal Administration, in the auspicious presence of HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami Maharaj, Temple President and Zonal Secretary of ISKCON. A special plaque marking the occasion was also unveiled by the chief guest. The inauguration function was graced by the presence of special dignitaries like Sri.P.Nagarajan (Member of Parliament),Sri...
- 29 Nov 2016
By Chirag DangarwalaIn order to understand what selfishness is, let us first of all examine what the self is, generally speaking people consider the body which is seen with the naked eye to be the self and selfishness in this regard is the tendency to please the body or the senses, i.e sense gratification. Some consider the mind as the self and engage themselves in mental speculation and excessive thinking and selfishness in this regard is the tendency to please the mind at the cost of others. Some others consider the intelligence as the self and they are engaged in philosophical discussions and debates, and ...
- 28 Nov 2016
By Matty DreadTues Nov 29 will be the 15th anniversary of George's passing. All things will pass, but not the memory of how much George inspired us to discover the Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna. To celebrate the life of George Harrison, I was asked to make a short film about his life. Pretty hard to squeeze into fifteen minutes, the life of someone so prolific as George Harrison. George, a kind, warm, friendly, humble and a great devotee of Lord Krishna. Here, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada tells Geroge he is a demigod, that Krishna gave him a high position in this life.
...- 28 Nov 2016
By Vaisesika Dasa"Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected."
...- 28 Nov 2016
By Tamohara dasThe ISKCON GBC is pleased to announce that appointment of Kamlesh Krishna das as the International Director of the ISKCON Child Protection Office. He succeeds Champakalata devi dasi in this role, and is already actively involved in the service. We thank Champakalata Prabhu for her many years of dedicated service to child protection in the ISKCON Society. Prior to joining ISKCON Kamlesh Krishna Prabhu worked with the Ministry of Defence in London for a number of years, covering roles in various departments such as defence public relations, personnel management and procuremen...
- 27 Nov 2016
By Prahladananda SwamiI am happy to introduce the 4 th issue this year of the ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry newsletter. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada explained that an advanced devotee and preacher out of humility takes the vows and dress of a tridandi sannyasi. Previous to the reintroduction of tridandi sannyasa by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada, advanced Vaishnavas who were renounced, often became paramahamsa sannyasis and wore the white dress of a babaji. To keep himself in a position of a servant of his paramahamsa guru, a disciple keeps himself in the formal 3rd stage of ...
- 27 Nov 2016
By Mayapur Sasi dasaYou may have heard that the Russian government is trying to stop book distribution. It passed a law that does not allow anyone from any religion to promote his beliefs, and if anyone gets caught, he invites a big fine. When the devotees in Russia heard this, it caused them transcendental anxiety. Devotees are known to be quite fearless, however, so they continued distributing anyway. One devotee was caught and went to court. Fortunately, he had a good lawyer. So the judge did not rule that the devotee had done something wrong. Rather, he threw out the case. That was the ...
- 26 Nov 2016
By Promila ChitkaraIt was December – the month of Srila Prabhupäda’s book marathon! We were quite excited when we began book distribution. We remained excited throughout. The thought of reaching out to unlimited number of souls thrilled me. The results we achieved were seemingly in proportion to our efforts. Actually, the mercy we received during this time was much beyond the external effort or internal state. There were times when nothing seemed to work out, but then everything worked out at once. The first time when we got zero response I had this feeling Krishna would do something j...
- 25 Nov 2016
By Krishna-kripa dasI share an excerpt of a letter from Srila Prabhupada, and a quote from his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I share inspiring selections from Vaishnava Compassion and Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. I share notes on lectures Prahladananda Swami gave at 26 Second Avenue and The Bhakti Center. I share notes on a lecture by Adi Purusha Prabhu, who does Food for Life in New York City, and part of a conversation with Bhaktivinode Prabhu, a Prabhupada disciple who plays drum on harinama in Washington, D.C. I share notes on an excelle...
- 24 Nov 2016