By Madhava SmullenDevotees in Stockholm, Sweden, are campaigning to save their Hare Krishna Center, which has served the public for 34 years and is the oldest Hindu temple in the city. Every three years so far, the Center has renewed its lease with its landlord, Familjebostader (Family Residences), a property company that is owned by the Municipality of Stockholm and builds properties for public benefit. But in December 2014, the company cancelled ISKCON’s rental contract, effective September 2015, with plans to use the building for another purpose. While this is a legal practice, the ...
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- 30 Apr 2016
By Rsiraja DasCosmology has been of great interest to devotees ever since Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his disciples to construct the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. However, since the Vedic cosmic model is so different from the modern one, devotees often struggle with many common differences such as heliocentric vs. geocentric models of the “solar system”, flat vs. round descriptions of the planets, rotating vs. stationary models of the Earth, the enormous mountains which cannot be observed, etc. Somewhat surprisingly though, devotees unquestioningly accept “higher” and “lower...
- 29 Apr 2016
By Zayani BhattAs a part of ISKCON’s 50th year celebrations, devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor, academics from around the country and students from Bath Spa University gathered at the picturesque and quaint university on Saturday 23rd April to talk about their shared interest in the Hare Krishna movement. The day, organised in collaboration with Religions, Philosophies and Ethics at the University, was dedicated to talks, presentations and a panel discussion on the history of ISKCON including its greatest achievements and challenges, its position within the larger British Hindu community ...
- 29 Apr 2016
By Brittany NunnDavis is Hindu. His family is a part of the Hare Krishna community in East Dallas and is heavily involved at Kalachandji’s, the Hare Krishna temple that moonlights as a vegetarian Indian buffet. He was afraid the other students would spurn him if they found out. “My family is weird because I have an Indian religion, I live in America, but my dad’s side of the family is African, so my middle name is African,” he says. “Because of my religion I’m vegetarian, so that’s kind of weird.” He went to TKG Academy in elementary school where he was surrounded by other...
- 28 Apr 2016
By radhanathswami.comOn April 22nd, 2016 Radhanath Swami joined faith leaders from around the world at Church Center of The United Nations in New York City to encourage world leaders to sign the Paris agreement on climate change. The event (The Interfaith Climate Change Statement To World Leaders Handover Program) was mainly organized by GreenFaith, in partnership with a number of faith based organizations. Although a climate change agreement was made in Paris, each individual country that signed on still needs to approve it through their respective parliaments and legislative bodies. The ...
- 27 Apr 2016
Nila Kamal das: It is said that ‘simplicity is vaisnavism’. Krsna Mayi Mataji was the embodiment of this statement, her dealings and behavior just like that of a child....
- 26 Apr 2016
By Giriraj SwamiMuch has been said about the power of positive thinking, that the secret to success is to think positively about what you want to achieve and that such thoughts will attract positive results--practically without limit. Such claims may foster a sense of optimism about the possibilities for material success, but how realistic are these claims, and how beneficial are these approaches and techniques? I have always been impressed by Srila Prabhupada's bold, frank realism and find it a refreshing relief from so much naive, sentimental optimism. After all, we are in the material world, and w...
- 26 Apr 2016
By Prem Sindhu Gauranga DasFrom 11th to 13th April, an enthusiastic and energetic group of 60 devotees arrived in the Holy Dhama of Govardhana for a Holy name retreat under the guidance of H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and H.G. Srivasa Prabhu from Africa. The devotees in attendance were from several countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Malaysia, Brazil and India. They came to the shelter of Haridasavarya Govardhana, the greatest of the devotees of Lord Krishna, to receive spiritual impartations, to be touched by the Holy presence of H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and to get motiva...
- 25 Apr 2016
By Steven BrownPlanners unanimously gave consent for a new community building at a Hindu temple. The Hertsmere Borough Council's planning committee officially granted planning permission for a new development on the grounds of Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Aldenham on Thursday. The application is to build a two storey community building or a Haveli, as well as relocating the existing poly tunnels, greenhouses and playground. Gauri das, managing director at the temple, said: “We are exceptionally pleased to receive planning permission to build our community facility at Bhaktivedanta Manor. ...
- 25 Apr 2016
By Yadava Hari DasaSix Nuns from Santikari Catholic Dormitory visited ISKCON's Youth Ashram, Narayana Smrti Ashram in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They would learn about Bhakti Yoga and Hare Krishna movement. At night, they read Bhagavad Gita and discussed about Bhakti Yoga. They followed all daily programs at ashram nicely. After they decided to stay in the ashram for one night, they continued to ask about Bhakti Yoga and Hare Krishna movement. Subhananda prabhu and Surya Locana prabhu, who are the authorities of the ashram gave them nice explanations about those topics. Fortunately, the nuns s...
- 24 Apr 2016
By Hari Narayana dasThe final place of the Rata yatra was Jember. The devotees attended from around cities in Indonesia such as Bali, Banyuwangi, Malang, Rembang, Surabaya, and Probolinggo. They came by train, bus and other small car with their family and friends. The devotees started pulled the Lord at 07.00 pm. local time. The melodious kirtan brought people from all directions. Very soon the route became full of people, mostly from other faiths; there were people everywhere – young and old, and the chariot with the Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra stood magnificiently....
- 24 Apr 2016
By Mayapur Institute157 students earn bhakti degrees. The Director, Padmanayana das, informed that the Mayapur Institute started in the year 2000 with just 3 Bhakti Sastri students and today after 15 years of operation, 157 students from 30 different countries are receiving graduation certificates. To date, 2500 students have graduated from Mayapur Institute. Definitely, this must be a great joy to Srila Prabhupada. Mayapur Institute is fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision sincerely over the last 15 years.
...- 23 Apr 2016
By Abhay Charan dasa Govinda’s Restaurant, the only vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the Ohio Valley area, officially opened for the season on Friday, March 25th, to the delight of visitors and locals alike, having been closed for the winter. This hidden gem, tucked away in the serene Appalachian foothills, is definitely a must go. Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant offers a wide range of menu options for its visitors. While authentic Indian cuisines is the specialty, delicious Italian dishes, including lasagna, pasta and pizza are on the menu. For the not so adventurous palate, America...
- 23 Apr 2016
By Kesava Krsna DasaHave we ever considered how many outstanding ‘harmless’ little doubts remain with us as we endeavour for perfection in Krishna consciousness? Some spiritual practitioners feel quite comfortable harbouring certain philosophical question marks that challenge our rationality, thinking them to be docile reasoning tools. Is there room for quaint musings that can be put aside until perhaps we get a boost of faith? “For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.” (BG 4.40) Most of us are, or were conditioned by universally accepted ‘rational...
- 22 Apr 2016
By Ravindra Svarupa dasaDuring my initial encounter with Krishna consciousness, I was puzzled, and then troubled, by the absence of any consideration of “rights”—human rights, civil rights—in the social teachings of Shrila Prabhupada, who took great pains to elucidate an ideal “Vedic society.” It seemed to me that rights ought to be a central concern of this or any other social ideal. Moreover, the social order he extolled as exemplary—indeed as divinely ordained—was unapologetically hierarchical. All the more need for rights, I thought. Isn’t respect for rights the great...
- 22 Apr 2016
By Vijaya DasaChowpatti, "the simple temple" inspired by Radhanatha Swami, had a great month in March, distributing over eleven thousand books in Mumbai, an increase of 641%. That's a nice offering during this 50th anniversary of ISKCON's founding. Phoenix, in Mauritius, also had a good month: about 4,000 book points and an increase of 999%. It's a small island, and the devotees are steadily distributing books to these fortunate islanders year after year. As I was passing through the Istanbul airport a few days ago, en route to Moscow, I distributed a book to another traveler in transit t...
- 21 Apr 2016
By the TOVPOn Thursday, April 14th, in conjunction with the auspicious appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, the new U.S. TOVP office celebrated its Grand Opening in Gainesville, Florida. The new office is located in a house donated exclusively for TOVP use by Ambarisa prabhu and will serve as the communications and fundraising headquarters. The celebration also coincides with the formation of the new U.S. non-profit, TOVP Foundation Inc., whose Chairman is Sesa das, also the newly appointed Chairman of the GBC. T...
- 21 Apr 2016
By Dr. med. Ludwig JacobAs a medical doctor, Ph.D. and specialist in vegetarian and vegan diets, (I wrote a 500-page medical book quoting over 1400 scientific studies on this), my research and personal experience with the health problems of senior devotees have shown clearly that we urgently need to improve and re-think our eating and health habits. The world-wide devotee community has already a large percentage of cardiovascular diseases and of neuro-degenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson with the high probability of developing an epidemic. One of the easier ways to revert th...
- 21 Apr 2016
By Govinda dasaParasurama Prabhu, who runs the Food For All centre in London, grew up in Ireland at a time when it was considered very strange to be anything other than a Catholic. In fact, he never met anyone from a different religion until he was eighteen, when he met a protestant. The story of how he joined the Hare Krishnas is interesting. In 1983, when he was eighteen, he seriously prayed to the Virgin Mary to reveal to him the absolute truth. Being a lay missionary for many years, he repeated a verse from the Bible: "Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] s...
- 20 Apr 2016
By Gaurangi Devi DasiThroughout 2016 ISKCON will celebrate its 50 years since its incorporation on July 13, 1966. The Padayatra Worldwide Ministry started to work on taken place, 10 are planned and 14 remain to be done. Each different padayatra in the same country is counted as one, unless they are continuous or annual walks. This system allows us to honour the several padayatras taking place in India and other large countries. Most of the following suggestions are based on the contents of the Internati...
- 20 Apr 2016
By Gaurangi Devi DasiThe 2016 Padayatra Newsletter is very attractive and innovative. Lokanath Swami liked it so much that he was thinking of printing an extra 1000 copies. Most were distributed here is Mayapur during the ILS (ISKCON Leadership Sanga) and the festival. It is not feasible to mail one to every temple, but I tried to make sure that most temples got one, provided I met representatives from that country. In any case you can download this issue, and previous ones, from the padayatra website (padayat...
- 19 Apr 2016
By Satyananda Krishna DasHG came in contact with one of Srila Prabhupada’s disciple HG Gopal Prabhu and started practising Krishna Consciousness while associating with Srila Prabhupada’s early soldiers in Malaysia. His Grace started his preaching during his younger days from 1960’s where he formed his own troop of Sankirtan Devotees and conducted congregational chanting frequently in nearby premises.HG got the opportunity to met Srila Prabhupada during Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Malaysia in the year of. ...
- 19 Apr 2016
By Ajita dasaA series of earth works have recently been completed at New Govardhana. By this venture the main lake, ‘Manasi Ganga’, has been cleaned and land reclaimed behind the Retreat Centre and the old dairy. Manasi Ganga was excavated in the early 80’s during Ramai Swami’s management. The lake was then used for various water sports and festivals. It gradually became infested by a highly invasive lily called Nymphanea Mexicana. One characteristic of this lily is the strong smell emanating from the ro...
- 19 Apr 2016
By Radharani Priya devi dasiLocal ISKCON devotees attended the second annual “Gold Coast Multi-Faith Community Dinner”. The event was hosted by the Queensland Police force at St Anna’s Greek Orthodox Church on the Gold Coast. It was an evening to ‘share a meal and build a community.’ About 200 guests attended, including dignitaries from Queensland’s police force - local Superintendents, Inspectors, Officers, Police Chaplains, as well as the leaders and representatives of all faith groups here on the...
- 19 Apr 2016