By Kesava Krsna DasaWe oftentimes hear devotees say that their preaching efforts might become easier if a disaster strikes somewhere, or everywhere. More suffering should mean more turning towards spirituality and God. Will things be as simple as this? Would thinking like this be a tacit admission that we cannot preach successfully in “normal” times? In the event of a disaster, how do we know if the devotees themselves will not be immune to its likely trauma and effects, so as to impact on their own preaching abilit...
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- 19 Jul 2016
By Keshav Murari DasIndia’s government-owned TV channel, Doordarshan National aired a one-hour programme about ISKCON on July 13th, featuring a studio interview with Keshava Murari Das, President of ISKCON Rohini (New Delhi), interspersed with several video clips about different activities of ISKCON. He explained how Srila Prabhupada started the movement and continued to speak about the achievements of ISKCON today such as the movement’s expansion into 650 centres, distribution of 300 million plates of free p...
- 19 Jul 2016
By Srigarbha dasWith over ten thousand people taking part, this year was the biggest ever Ratha Yatra held aa Netrakona, Bangladesh. Jagannath Vallabh Temple, ISKCON Netrakona celebrated its 6th Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival from the 6th till 14th of July with grand success. Around 8 years back this centre started with only three brahmacharis- Jayram Das, Tulasi Das and Anantadev Das, simply distributing Srila Prabhupada books. No facilities for accommodation, practically going hungry at times having nothing to ...
- 18 Jul 2016
By Dharmatma DasIt takes an incredible effort to cook for 16,000. Parasuram prabhu and a stellar crew have been doing this faithfully for over 12 years. Titiksu prabhu expertly procures the required donations and Parasuram goes about assembling the massive amounts of ingredients. Vonunteers beging cutting up, frying, steaming and roasting on Saturday and the heavy duty cooking done by Para, Acintya Rupa and Arjuna prabhus begins at midnight. Ony the best for Lord Jagannath's Feast; Ghee, cream, Panir, and first ...
- 18 Jul 2016
By Zayani BhattAs a continuation of the celebration of Incorporation Day – the day Srila Prabhupada received the certificate stating that ISKCON was officially incorporated – and the 50th year anniversary of ISKCON, Bhaktivedanta Manor held the grand opening ceremony of the Srila Prabhupada garden to honour the spiritual leader and founder of ISKCON along with his disciples. Devotees from across the country and many of Srila Prabhupada’s direct disciples from around the world, gathered on the 16th of July...
- 18 Jul 2016
By Kalasamvara DasDignitaries and well-wishers spent the afternoon at the local hare Krsna temple as part of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON movement receiving the mercy of the Deities, placing Garlands and performing the abhiseka of Srila Prabhupada. They all spoke with great Enthusiasm about being in the Association of devotees and expressed how we have something very special, something they don't find at other programs they attend. They appreciated the spiritual contribution ISKCON has made ...
- 17 Jul 2016
By Radhanath SwamiI was born and raised in the United States, and I saw all around me so much wealth, so much luxury, such nice telephone system and road systems, and televisions and everything else, and I saw so much power, but to myself and so many people of my generation it was so hollow, it was so shallow, because you see greed could never satisfy the heart. Bhagavad-Gita tells that greed is like fire, the more you feed it, the hungrier and more it needs. When people are trampling on each other, exploiting ea...
- 17 Jul 2016
By Ananda Murti Devi DasiIt may be known by now how many Ratha-yatra festivals are being conducted every year in different countries and cities spanning across continents, of the world. It is really impressive though to get, even a little glimpse of them, through this gallery, of what it really means! One can only imagine how many hours, days and weeks of preparations and expense all these festivals needed for their realization, with the sole motive of pleasing Srila Prabhupada and spreading the glories of Lord ...
- 17 Jul 2016
By Mayapur Sasi dasaFor the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of June 2016. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
...- 16 Jul 2016
By Madhuha DasIn a Talk at the Radha-Govinda Mandir in Calcutta on March 24, 1976 Srila Prabhupada said: And that is the inspiration of my devotional life. Then I asked my father that “Give me Radha-Govinda Deity; I shall worship.” So my father was also Vaisnava. He gave me small Radha-Govinda Deity. I was worshiping in my house. Whatever I was eating, I was offering, and I was following the ceremonies of this Radha-Govinda with my small Deity. That Deity is still existing. I have given to my sister. So then ...
- 16 Jul 2016
By Zayani BhattAs a part of Incorporation Day celebrations, the Manor hosted esteemed members of various religious organisations for a discussion about devotion (bhakti) in Vaishnavism and Christianity. On Thursday 14th July, individuals from BAPS Swaminarayan, the Interfaith Network UK, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and various churches from around the region, gathered at Srila Prabhupada theatre to hear guest speakers Rev Kumar Rajagopalan, from the London Baptist Association and Saunaka Rsi Das from...
- 15 Jul 2016
By Romapada DasMajor newspapers and TV channels across four continents covered the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s incorporation on 13th July with positive stories that reached out to millions of people around the world. The BBC UK, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Chicago Tribune, the Times of India and India’s government-owned DD National TV gave extensive coverage to the history of ISKCON, the achievements of Srila Prabhupada and local events happening in their area. BBC London broadcast a two-min...
- 15 Jul 2016
By Mukunda-anghri dasThe ISKCON/TAIWAN yatra celebrated the 50years of the establishment of ISKCON by holding a grand retreat at the resort in Daxi which is about 50km from the capital Taipei. Devotees from all over Taiwan and visiting devotees from HongKong,China and Philippines attended this 2 nights 3 days celebration.The hall was decorated nicely with a Murti of Srila Prabhupada and posters all over the hall highlighting the achievement of ISKCON worldwide in last 50years. The celebration was organized unde...
- 15 Jul 2016
By Zayani Bhatt“Srila Prabhupada’s incorporation of ISKCON was more than just a gesture of creating a non-profit, it was an act of defiance, a stake in the ground against the atheists to say that this is Krishna Consciousness and it is here to change the world.” – Yogeshwara Das On the 13th of July 1966, 50 years ago, Srila Prabhupada received the certificate stating that ISKCON was officially incorporated. After having braved the tumultuous sea for thirty-five days, and two heart attacks aboard the Jal...
- 14 Jul 2016
By Nrtya Kisori DasiThe Phoenix is a cyclically regenerated bird: it obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor; sometimes decomposing leads to rebirth. TKG Academy may be one such example. Srila Prabhupada desired good education and training for ISKCON’s children. He thus established Gurukulas, beginning with the Dallas Gurukula in 1972. He gave instructions for the proper care of the children, their practices and the contents of their studies. Unfortunately, imperfections in the execution...
- 14 Jul 2016
By the BBCDevotees of Hare Krishna have handed out cupcakes in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. More celebrations took place at the Radha-Krishna Temple in Soho, where the Hindu-inspired spiritual movement has had a centre for 47 years. Processions of Krishna followers have become a familiar sight on streets. They chant the Hare Krishna mantra and distribute books and vegetarian food. To mark the occasion, the deities at the temple...
- 14 Jul 2016
By ISKCON 50 Global OfficeThe ISKCON 50 Global office launched the Inspiration Series videos on July 13th, the exact day that ISKCON was incorporated as a legal entity fifty years ago in 1966. The Inspiration Series is a set of over 16 short videos that feature ISKCON leaders explaining the importance of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON and encouraging devotees to participate enthusiastically all over the world. They can be viewed on the YouTube channels of ISKCON 50 and ISKCON Desire Tree. The series which...
- 13 Jul 2016
By Damodara DasaISKCON turns 50 today. And I would like to acknowledge that significant milestone by expressing my gratitude towards this "framework" established by Srila Prabhupada, without which, I and millions of others would not have had access to Krsna consciousness. That ISKCON, an organisation operating within the material world (but, according to Srila Prabhupada, not exclusively - there is a Goloka/Navadvip branch) to have faults should not be a surprise, nor a legitimate basis for withdrawing one's sup...
- 13 Jul 2016
By Stoyan ZaimovThe Russian church is appalled by this new law. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law last week a measure punishing any kind of religious evangelization outside of churches, which some observers have called one of the most restrictive move in "post-Soviet history." "This new situation resembles the Soviet Union in 1929. At that time confession of faith was permitted only in church," Hannu Haukka, president of Great Commission Media Ministries, told National Religious Broadcasters, acco...
- 13 Jul 2016
By Reena SinghTurning fifty this year, the International Society for Krishna consciousness (Iskcon) started by the then 70-year-old Swami Prabhupada has lost none of its youthful vim and vigour. Swamiji made his way to the US from West Bengal to spread the message of Sri Krishna in the western world. He reached there in 1965 and a year later, established the first temple of Iskcon at New York. Soon after, he sent off three couples to the UK who, like wandering minstrels, would sing the Hare Krishna mantra, in the...
- 13 Jul 2016
By Romapada DasOver fifty years ago in September 1965, an elderly Indian monk stepped off the piers of New York harbour wearing orange Indian robes and sporting a dignified vaishnava tilak mark on his forehead. He was carrying just seven dollars, a few sets of clothes and two trunk-loads of books. The aristocratic looking monk was A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who had been sent by his spiritual master from India to preach the message of the Bhagavad-gita to the western world. In just ten short years, S...
- 13 Jul 2016
By Prabhupad Dev DasGeorgetown, Guyana: Wait is over. Dreams coming true and the multi storey Grand HARE KRISHNA STUDY CENTRE (HKSC) is finally opening amidst joy and happiness. Located at a prime location next to the University of Guyana, this Temple will be officially opened on exact date July 13, 2016, commemorating with the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON incorporation. Please join us in these mega celebrations and help us make it a Grand success.
...- 12 Jul 2016
By Parama Rupa dasPetals of ISKCON’s Lotus was the theme of this year’s Memorial Day weekend retreat. The celebrations commemorated 50 years of ISKCON’s formation, recognizing and honoring some of ISKCON’s contributions to the world today and gearing up for the next 50 years of service, devotion, and joy. Several of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and senior devotees—including HH Romapada Swami, HG Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, HG Tamohara Prabhu, HG Krsnanandini Mataji, HG Vraja Lila Mataji, HG Lokadhyaksa P...
- 12 Jul 2016
By Hari Narayana dasOrganizing such great festival was not easy because it needed great effort to make it successful. The committee of the festival had made preparations since six months back. Formerly they were supposed do the festival in one beach in Gianyar but seeing that they were unable to procure the permission from the local authority then they decided to have the festival at Mertasari Beach again where the devotees had a very successful cida dahi festival last year. A week before the festival the commit...
- 12 Jul 2016