ISKCON's Minister of Communications, Anuttama Dasa, spoke in October at the World Parliament of Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a Panel entitled "Understanding and Mitigating the Dangers of Manipulation, Undue Influence and Abuse within Religious and Spiritual Communities." Anuttama was joined by Dr. Michael Langone, the Executive Director of the International Cultic Studies Association. Both discussed potential problems of spiritual leadership and the means of avoiding abuse through training, accountability, and transparency.
Showing posts with label iskcon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iskcon. Show all posts
Halloween Evening Harinama at New York's Union Square
ISKCON News: Nov. 6, 2015, 5:43 a.m.
Rama Raya Das wraps up an intense Halloween evening kirtan and costumed passersby dance with devotees and later offer lamps to Damodara. Rama Raya then offers his concluding speech.
Monk walks through valley on 900-mile pilgrimage
Standard Speaker: October 8, 2015
On Wednesday, the Hare Krishna monk passed through Butler and Sugarloaf townships on his 900-mile pilgrimage to western Pennsylvania in memory of his guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the International Society of Krishna Consciousness.
Swami hopes his 20-mile-a-day hike will raise awareness to his spiritual teacher and all teachers. He started his spiritual journey in Boston on Sept. 20 and celebrated his 63rd birthday on Monday while on the road sleeping under the stars.
“This is the best time of the year to walk,” he said, sitting at a picnic table near the Pilot Travel Center in Sugarloaf Township. “It’s rare to see someone walking on the road.”
Most of his walk through New England and even Pennsylvania was among the mountains and trees, and on Wednesday opened up to the state’s rolling hills and rural farmland, he said. He joked his traditional orange garb blended in with the pumpkins.
Swami believes walking allows people to experience the world and see the sights, he said.
“I’m not a fan of the automobile,” he said. “The sights are there, but you whizz by. Life should not be a blur.”
Walking also lends clarity and gives people time to process their thoughts and future plans, and reflect on their past.
“We shouldn’t be walking faster than a donkey,” he said. “We should take time to slow down and think about things that are important as a human being. It’s easier to hit divinity.”
Plus, he meets new people on his journeys. The upbeat monk said he waves to people passing by and often shares a laugh with those who stop to talk.
“They can be fun,” Swami said, recounting the day a police officer approached him one morning, because someone called about someone in orange lying on the side of the road. The officer said he checked out the report because prisoners who escape would be in orange jumpsuits.
One of the folks he met along the way, Tre’von Stapleton of Windsor, Connecticut, joined him on his journey.
“I asked for a guiding light from the universe and a few days later we met,” he said.
The pair, who have a support vehicle following them, hoped to log another 12 miles before stopping for the night on their westward pilgrimage. After reaching Butler, they’ll return east to New York City.
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| Bhaktimarga Swami, the Hare Krishna walking monk, stops for a break near the Pilot Truck Stop on Route 93 in Sugarloaf Township Wednesday after walking 8 miles of his daily 20-mile trek. Swami left Boston, Mass., on September 20 walking his way to Butler in western Penn. by walking 20 miles per day. |
Swami hopes his 20-mile-a-day hike will raise awareness to his spiritual teacher and all teachers. He started his spiritual journey in Boston on Sept. 20 and celebrated his 63rd birthday on Monday while on the road sleeping under the stars.
“This is the best time of the year to walk,” he said, sitting at a picnic table near the Pilot Travel Center in Sugarloaf Township. “It’s rare to see someone walking on the road.”
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| Bhaktimarga Swami stops for a break near the Pilot Truck Stop on Route 93 in Sugarloaf Township. |
Swami believes walking allows people to experience the world and see the sights, he said.
“I’m not a fan of the automobile,” he said. “The sights are there, but you whizz by. Life should not be a blur.”
Walking also lends clarity and gives people time to process their thoughts and future plans, and reflect on their past.
“We shouldn’t be walking faster than a donkey,” he said. “We should take time to slow down and think about things that are important as a human being. It’s easier to hit divinity.”
Plus, he meets new people on his journeys. The upbeat monk said he waves to people passing by and often shares a laugh with those who stop to talk.
“They can be fun,” Swami said, recounting the day a police officer approached him one morning, because someone called about someone in orange lying on the side of the road. The officer said he checked out the report because prisoners who escape would be in orange jumpsuits.
One of the folks he met along the way, Tre’von Stapleton of Windsor, Connecticut, joined him on his journey.
“I asked for a guiding light from the universe and a few days later we met,” he said.
The pair, who have a support vehicle following them, hoped to log another 12 miles before stopping for the night on their westward pilgrimage. After reaching Butler, they’ll return east to New York City.
Appearence day of Lord Vamana Dev
Special Darshan at Sri Radha Madhava ISKCON Mandir, Sridham Mayapur, India, for the appearence day of Lord Sri Vamana Dev. 25th September, 2015.
Source: Aradhya Gouranga Dasa Photography
When Israelis chanted 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'
IndiaToday.in: Harish, Israel, September 6, 2015
The devotees staged plays portraying episodes from Krishna's childhood life, besides singing and dancing late into the night to the beatings of tabla and dholak and as harmonium, jhaal and flute played for hours.
The festival of Janmashtami was celebrated with full fervor in Israel as hundreds of devotees, mostly Jews, chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama" descended here from across the country to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
Kibbutz Barkai, one of many agriculture-based collective communities in Israel, is located close to a small township of Harish, which has come to be identified with followers of Lord Krishna popularly known here as "Hare Krishnas".
Several devotees along with their families have settled down in Harish and religiously practice the tenets of the sect they learnt about during their visits to Vrindavan and Mayapur in India.
The fanfare surrounding the celebrations has also caught the attention of many others who see it as a must-see event. "I have a strong attraction towards Indian culture but this group has also contributed majorly to the strong inclination and I haven't missed out on these celebrations since I was introduced to them some 14 years ago," said Karen, who came from a small town near Jerusalem.
The devotees staged plays portraying episodes from Krishna's childhood life, besides singing and dancing late into the night to the beatings of tabla and dholak and as harmonium, jhaal and flute played for hours.
"This is probably the biggest gathering of devotees in years and we made adequate arrangements having sensed such a massive turnout. The popularity of the teachings of the sect has been constantly on the rise in Israel and it doesn't come as a surprise," a devotee said .
The practices of the sect "brings a welcome relief amid the chaos surrounding the region, lifting people's spirits", another devotee said. Krishna Prasadam, comprising 108 vegetarian dishes, was served to the guests after the cultural programmes.
The devotees staged plays portraying episodes from Krishna's childhood life, besides singing and dancing late into the night to the beatings of tabla and dholak and as harmonium, jhaal and flute played for hours.
The festival of Janmashtami was celebrated with full fervor in Israel as hundreds of devotees, mostly Jews, chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama" descended here from across the country to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
Kibbutz Barkai, one of many agriculture-based collective communities in Israel, is located close to a small township of Harish, which has come to be identified with followers of Lord Krishna popularly known here as "Hare Krishnas".
Several devotees along with their families have settled down in Harish and religiously practice the tenets of the sect they learnt about during their visits to Vrindavan and Mayapur in India.
The fanfare surrounding the celebrations has also caught the attention of many others who see it as a must-see event. "I have a strong attraction towards Indian culture but this group has also contributed majorly to the strong inclination and I haven't missed out on these celebrations since I was introduced to them some 14 years ago," said Karen, who came from a small town near Jerusalem.
The devotees staged plays portraying episodes from Krishna's childhood life, besides singing and dancing late into the night to the beatings of tabla and dholak and as harmonium, jhaal and flute played for hours.
"This is probably the biggest gathering of devotees in years and we made adequate arrangements having sensed such a massive turnout. The popularity of the teachings of the sect has been constantly on the rise in Israel and it doesn't come as a surprise," a devotee said .
The practices of the sect "brings a welcome relief amid the chaos surrounding the region, lifting people's spirits", another devotee said. Krishna Prasadam, comprising 108 vegetarian dishes, was served to the guests after the cultural programmes.
Hare Krishna school achieves top marks in NAPLAN
ABC North Cast NSW, Australia:14 September, 2015
Hare Krishna school, Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula, has gone from failing several NAPLAN categories to performing above the national average in all of them.
Hare Krishna devotees established the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula school in 1980 at Eungella on the outskirts of Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales, Australia.
The school began with a handful of students but has grown to more than 70.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula hasn't performed well in National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing since the test's introduction in 2008, failing several categories up until three years ago.
However, the introduction of new teaching programs has resulted in students outperforming others across the nation in this year's tests.
Students performed above the national average in all categories in the compulsory literacy and numeracy exams.
The school also performed above the average achieved by other Australian independent schools, with an 84 per cent increase in average score growth.
Principal Victor Machevsky said Hare Krishna community attitudes to education had slowly changed since the school was established.
"Throughout the developing history of the school, the devotees have seen the need for children to continue developing the values of the Hare Krishna movement, but at the same time to become competent and confident members of broader society," he said.
"That's where we are at the moment, bringing in research-based approaches to literacy and numeracy learning."
Hare Krishna school, Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula, has gone from failing several NAPLAN categories to performing above the national average in all of them.
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| Premarvati is the kindergarten teacher at Hare Krishna school Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula: "As a teacher, I do not use NAPLAN to measure the child's success. I'm very happy that they're doing well in NAPLAN now though. In past years, we've been a very small school so we've only had a few kids who sit for the test. There are some kids who always do well, and there are some kids not in the core program who have struggled. With the new program we've introduced, we're seeing results and it's very pleasing." (ABC North Coast: Samantha Turnbull) |
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| Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula principal Victor Machevsky: "The school has participated in NAPLAN tests over the years and we were somewhat struggling with our performance. For the past three years we've been working on the quality of instructional practices and, in particular, on explicit direct instruction where we unpack the skills of reading into very small, understandable chunks. This year, we're seeing the results of those few years of hard work by the teachers. The school has performed above the national average in all the areas of literacy and numeracy." (ABC North Coast: Samantha Turnbull) |
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| Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula Year 3/4 teacher Keli Dorman: "I love teaching here because it's a spiritually based school as well, so we're able to integrate our philosophy into a lot of our learning areas. So, for example, a lot of writing tasks we might do might be focused on some of our spiritual stories. Also, it's such a small school that we're able to give a lot of individual attention to our students that you maybe can't get so much in a really large school. We have a shared vision and I think that's what makes it so good here." (ABC North Coast: Samantha Turnbull) |
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| Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula student Vrinda, nine: "It's very fun here and you get to learn a lot of things. I like the teachers, I like my friends, I mostly like everything about it. I'm really good at maths and science. When I grow up I want to be a singer." (ABC North Coast: Samantha Turnbull) |
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| Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula student Nayana, nine: "Our school is surrounded by mountains, trees and cows. I like that we're all Hare Krishna devotees. My favourite activities are maths and English. Mum got me an e-reader for my birthday and I've been reading a lot on that - Magic Marks the Spot, Harry Potter, Tiger's Curse. I want to be an author because writing stories is fun." (ABC North Coast: Samantha Turnbull) |
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| Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula student Danakeli, eight: "I love our assemblies because we can chant and sing Krishna's names. I also really love ballet. I want to be a ballerina when I grow up." (ABC North Coast: Samantha Turnbull) |
The school began with a handful of students but has grown to more than 70.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula hasn't performed well in National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing since the test's introduction in 2008, failing several categories up until three years ago.
However, the introduction of new teaching programs has resulted in students outperforming others across the nation in this year's tests.
Students performed above the national average in all categories in the compulsory literacy and numeracy exams.
The school also performed above the average achieved by other Australian independent schools, with an 84 per cent increase in average score growth.
Principal Victor Machevsky said Hare Krishna community attitudes to education had slowly changed since the school was established.
"Throughout the developing history of the school, the devotees have seen the need for children to continue developing the values of the Hare Krishna movement, but at the same time to become competent and confident members of broader society," he said.
"That's where we are at the moment, bringing in research-based approaches to literacy and numeracy learning."
New Gurukula Set to Open Near Sochi, Russia by 2017
ISKCON News, Sept. 11, 2015
Construction is set to begin on a new dayschool gurukula near Sochi, Southern Russia sometime this spring, with plans to open in September 2017. With no other gurukulas currently in operation in Russia, it may be under high demand as the only one of its kind.
The gurukula is planned in Baranovka, a small village 15 kilometers from Sochi City Center, which devotees have dubbed “Balaramovka.”
The devotee community there, started by the late leader of ISKCON’s Sastric Advisory Council Purnachandra Goswami in 2009, consists of about fifty devotees. Meanwhile the nearby Sochi ISKCON community is about 200-strong with many children.
The gurukula will be built on a recently donated half-acre plot 100 meters from the Baranovka ISKCON temple. A small house has already been constructed on the property for Amala Rasa Das, who will move with his wife Svetlana and their two children from Ukraine this October to develop the gurukula project and serve as its director.
The gurukula, named after Purnachandra Goswami, will be housed in a 7,500-square-foot, two-storey building with four classrooms, a large kindergarten room, an altar room for Gaura Nitai that will accommodate 150 children and parents, a kitchen, and a break room for teachers.
The gurukula will open with facilities for kindergarten (3 to 7 years old in Russia), as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. Later, it will introduce the remaining grades up to age 17.
Using examples from already existing gurukulas around the world, the day will begin at 6:30am with mangala arati, guru puja and a short Bhagavatam class, before launching into the regular government-required academic program. Extra curricular activities will include music classes on mridanga and harmonium, sports, martial arts, dancing, sewing, painting and more.
Because of the obstacles to becoming a licensed school in Russia, the gurukula will be classified as a homeschool program, and students will take their exams at a local government school.
At least 15 students are expected to enroll when the gurukula first opens in 2017, and at least 50 from all over Russia once it opens for all grades up to 17 years old.
“Already, many devotees have heard of our plans and are calling us to ask about enrolling their children,” says project manager Nadezhda Drobzheva.
Enrollment will be strict – parents will be required to follow the four regulative principles of Krishna consciousness, chant sixteen rounds of japa a day, and have a regular bhakti practice at home.
But managers say it’s all so that children get the full benefits of the spiritual environment the gurukula is trying to create; an environment that protects them from the harmful effects of the typical Russian government school, where, according to Nadezhda, they would learn bad habits like smoking and drinking from as young as ten.
“This gurukula was Purnachandra Goswami’s dream – he felt that taking care of our children is perhaps the most important thing in Krishna consciousness,” she says. “Because they are our future.”
Construction is set to begin on a new dayschool gurukula near Sochi, Southern Russia sometime this spring, with plans to open in September 2017. With no other gurukulas currently in operation in Russia, it may be under high demand as the only one of its kind.
The gurukula is planned in Baranovka, a small village 15 kilometers from Sochi City Center, which devotees have dubbed “Balaramovka.”
The devotee community there, started by the late leader of ISKCON’s Sastric Advisory Council Purnachandra Goswami in 2009, consists of about fifty devotees. Meanwhile the nearby Sochi ISKCON community is about 200-strong with many children.
The gurukula will be built on a recently donated half-acre plot 100 meters from the Baranovka ISKCON temple. A small house has already been constructed on the property for Amala Rasa Das, who will move with his wife Svetlana and their two children from Ukraine this October to develop the gurukula project and serve as its director.
The gurukula, named after Purnachandra Goswami, will be housed in a 7,500-square-foot, two-storey building with four classrooms, a large kindergarten room, an altar room for Gaura Nitai that will accommodate 150 children and parents, a kitchen, and a break room for teachers.
The gurukula will open with facilities for kindergarten (3 to 7 years old in Russia), as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. Later, it will introduce the remaining grades up to age 17.
Using examples from already existing gurukulas around the world, the day will begin at 6:30am with mangala arati, guru puja and a short Bhagavatam class, before launching into the regular government-required academic program. Extra curricular activities will include music classes on mridanga and harmonium, sports, martial arts, dancing, sewing, painting and more.
Because of the obstacles to becoming a licensed school in Russia, the gurukula will be classified as a homeschool program, and students will take their exams at a local government school.
At least 15 students are expected to enroll when the gurukula first opens in 2017, and at least 50 from all over Russia once it opens for all grades up to 17 years old.
“Already, many devotees have heard of our plans and are calling us to ask about enrolling their children,” says project manager Nadezhda Drobzheva.
Enrollment will be strict – parents will be required to follow the four regulative principles of Krishna consciousness, chant sixteen rounds of japa a day, and have a regular bhakti practice at home.
But managers say it’s all so that children get the full benefits of the spiritual environment the gurukula is trying to create; an environment that protects them from the harmful effects of the typical Russian government school, where, according to Nadezhda, they would learn bad habits like smoking and drinking from as young as ten.
“This gurukula was Purnachandra Goswami’s dream – he felt that taking care of our children is perhaps the most important thing in Krishna consciousness,” she says. “Because they are our future.”
Sri Krishna Janmastami, ISKCON Mauritius Island
Photos of the amazing Sri Krishna Janmastami Festival at ISKCON Mauritius (African Island), Sri Krsna Balaram Mandir.
Report by Sripad Deena Bandhu das
Photos by Arjun Bhattacharyya
Report by Sripad Deena Bandhu das
Photos by Arjun Bhattacharyya
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| Sripad Deena Bandhu das bathing the Lord |
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| Sripad Arjuna prabhu das, the first Franco-Mauritius initiated of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami |
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| The class by Sripad Deena Bandhu prabhu in hindi was broadcasted by the Hindu Channel of Mauritius |
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| Sripad Deena Bandhu prabhu with the one Minister of Mauritius Government |
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| Extatic kirtan! |
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| Sripad Deena Bandhu prabhu with the Minister of Enviroment from Mauritius |
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| Bathing Sri Govardhan Maharaj |
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| More than 15 000 appeared to pay respects to Lord Krishna at Sri Janmastami |
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| Dance presentation! |
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| The beutiful Sri Krsna Balaram Mandir at Mauritius Island, Africa |
Janmastami night at Krishna Balaram Mandir, Mauritius, 15,000 people came for the amazing darshan of Sri Sri Krishna...
Posted by Braj Darshan on Monday, September 7, 2015
Propagating Krishna Consciousness
INDIAN EXPRESS
By Narayana Vishwanath, 24th August 2015
CHENNAI: On the eve of Janmashtami festival, which is being celebrated with grandeur in Chennai, I met the ever smiling Bhanu Swamiji, a Japanese, who was attracted by the faith and spirituality shown by the devotees of Hare Krishna Movement in Japan, and is currently a commissioner of the Indian governing body of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Can you tell me the genesis of this organisation?
This spiritual institution was founded by Swami Prabhupada, also the founder of Bhakthivedanta Institute, to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society and to educate all people in the technique of spiritual life, in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve “real unity and peace” in the world, simultaneously propagating a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatham.
What was the need for such an institution to revive god consciousness?
When various philosophers were propounding different philosophies about god, the Indian youth were lured by the glamour and freewheeling lifestyle of Westerners. They abandoned their ancient Vedic traditions, blindly following the West, and the future was bleak, hence the institution to revive people in ‘God consciousness’.
Are you trying to convert people to Krishna conscious belief?
Emphatically, I say no. The science and academic division of ISKCON recognised that scientists and scholars were primarily responsible for propagating ‘materialism’ in this world and if they join the movement, the resultant ‘metamorphism’ would be enlightening.
Our mission is a ‘non sectarian and monotheistic movement’, to promote the well being of society, teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to Bhagavad Gita as the jewel of “India’s spiritual wisdom” spoken by lord Krishna.
I am an Advaiti, We believe in singular concept of god and I are one and the same. How can this be reconciled?
Vedic scriptures reveal that spiritual life begins, when one inquires, into the nature of absolute truth, the supreme god. We also recognise that the supreme god has unlimited names, such as Rama, Buddha, Vishnu, Jehovah, Allah etc.
The ultimate goal is to develop loving relationship with the supreme god.
Can you enlighten me on the efficacy of congregational chanting of mahamantra - hare Krishna hare Rama?
This form of worship has been propounded, by Sri Chaitanya, as accepted by the Vedas, as the most effective means of “Self Purification” in this age. The Vedas describe the “Mantra” as a prayer to the lord - ‘please lord engage me in your service’.
What is the impact of your mission?
Many may not know, Swami Prabhupada introduced the Vedic system of primary and secondary education in the West by founding the ‘Gurukula’ schools in Dallas, Texas and other places at a time when colleges did not give adequate recognition to spiritualism. However, Swami Prabhupada’s most significant contribution is his books, which are highly respected by scholars, for their authority, depth and clarity and used as text books in numerous college courses.Krishna consciousness is so important that it can’t wait as no political system can help humanity, which is the verdict of Vedic scriptures. It is certainly remarkable to note that ISKCON has grown in scores of countries, with more than 300 centres and hundreds of farm commodities.
By Narayana Vishwanath, 24th August 2015
CHENNAI: On the eve of Janmashtami festival, which is being celebrated with grandeur in Chennai, I met the ever smiling Bhanu Swamiji, a Japanese, who was attracted by the faith and spirituality shown by the devotees of Hare Krishna Movement in Japan, and is currently a commissioner of the Indian governing body of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Can you tell me the genesis of this organisation?
This spiritual institution was founded by Swami Prabhupada, also the founder of Bhakthivedanta Institute, to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society and to educate all people in the technique of spiritual life, in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve “real unity and peace” in the world, simultaneously propagating a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatham.
What was the need for such an institution to revive god consciousness?
When various philosophers were propounding different philosophies about god, the Indian youth were lured by the glamour and freewheeling lifestyle of Westerners. They abandoned their ancient Vedic traditions, blindly following the West, and the future was bleak, hence the institution to revive people in ‘God consciousness’.
Are you trying to convert people to Krishna conscious belief?
Emphatically, I say no. The science and academic division of ISKCON recognised that scientists and scholars were primarily responsible for propagating ‘materialism’ in this world and if they join the movement, the resultant ‘metamorphism’ would be enlightening.
Our mission is a ‘non sectarian and monotheistic movement’, to promote the well being of society, teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to Bhagavad Gita as the jewel of “India’s spiritual wisdom” spoken by lord Krishna.
I am an Advaiti, We believe in singular concept of god and I are one and the same. How can this be reconciled?
Vedic scriptures reveal that spiritual life begins, when one inquires, into the nature of absolute truth, the supreme god. We also recognise that the supreme god has unlimited names, such as Rama, Buddha, Vishnu, Jehovah, Allah etc.
The ultimate goal is to develop loving relationship with the supreme god.
Can you enlighten me on the efficacy of congregational chanting of mahamantra - hare Krishna hare Rama?
This form of worship has been propounded, by Sri Chaitanya, as accepted by the Vedas, as the most effective means of “Self Purification” in this age. The Vedas describe the “Mantra” as a prayer to the lord - ‘please lord engage me in your service’.
What is the impact of your mission?
Many may not know, Swami Prabhupada introduced the Vedic system of primary and secondary education in the West by founding the ‘Gurukula’ schools in Dallas, Texas and other places at a time when colleges did not give adequate recognition to spiritualism. However, Swami Prabhupada’s most significant contribution is his books, which are highly respected by scholars, for their authority, depth and clarity and used as text books in numerous college courses.Krishna consciousness is so important that it can’t wait as no political system can help humanity, which is the verdict of Vedic scriptures. It is certainly remarkable to note that ISKCON has grown in scores of countries, with more than 300 centres and hundreds of farm commodities.
Devotees from 106 countries practice yoga to mark ISKCON 50th anniversary
Zee News, August 13, 2015
Kolkata: Over a hundred devotees on Thursday participated in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness' (ISKCON) celebrations to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
Devotees from 106 countries practised bhakti yoga together at the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra here, creating a record for "Most Nationalities in a yoga lesson" with the Guinness World Records, while another 105 devotees sang Bengali choir to set the record, ISKCON vice-president V N Das claimed.
"Inspired by the fact that in June India created a world record in New Delhi for most number of people participating in a yoga lesson, we today decided to make yoga more popular around the world by creating another record for the Guinness World Records. And today we are happy to say that we have successfully done it," Das told PTI.
The three-day celebrations, which started here today would be observed across the globe along with the 'Journey to West' of its founder Acharya A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada.
West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi and other distinguished personalities from different fields were present at ISKCON's cultural programmes, as part of its celebrations held at the Netaji Indoor stadium here today.
It was from this city that Prabhupada left India on his historic journey to the West at the age of 69 on August 13, 1965 to preach the message of God Krishna to the world.
In 2016, events would be launched around the world to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Prabhupada's founding of the ISKCON, in New York City, on July, 13, 1966.
Kolkata: Over a hundred devotees on Thursday participated in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness' (ISKCON) celebrations to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
Devotees from 106 countries practised bhakti yoga together at the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra here, creating a record for "Most Nationalities in a yoga lesson" with the Guinness World Records, while another 105 devotees sang Bengali choir to set the record, ISKCON vice-president V N Das claimed.
"Inspired by the fact that in June India created a world record in New Delhi for most number of people participating in a yoga lesson, we today decided to make yoga more popular around the world by creating another record for the Guinness World Records. And today we are happy to say that we have successfully done it," Das told PTI.
The three-day celebrations, which started here today would be observed across the globe along with the 'Journey to West' of its founder Acharya A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada.
West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi and other distinguished personalities from different fields were present at ISKCON's cultural programmes, as part of its celebrations held at the Netaji Indoor stadium here today.
It was from this city that Prabhupada left India on his historic journey to the West at the age of 69 on August 13, 1965 to preach the message of God Krishna to the world.
In 2016, events would be launched around the world to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Prabhupada's founding of the ISKCON, in New York City, on July, 13, 1966.
When people danced to 'Hare Rama, Hare Krishna' in Beijing
Hindustan Times, Beijing: Aug 02, 2015
The “prasadam” were fresh grapes, cookies and tiny condiments in wrappers. The devotees were mostly young Chinese.
And, it was a rare interactive session held by senior members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Beijing on the Bhagvad Gita combined with insights into yoga on Saturday afternoon. On sale outside the auditorium was a new version of the Gita in Chinese.
Copies of the "Bu Jian Fan Ge" in Chinese or “Bhagvad Song” sold rapidly from the counter as visitors picked up their copies for the price of an entry ticket at 200 yuan (Rs 2000).
In the auditorium, musicians from India played the mridangam, flute and harmonium as trained singers sang “bhajans” and the well-known tune of “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” associated with devotees of Krishna.
It was at the end of the programme when literally the entire room full of people removed their chairs, made space at the centre and danced to the chant for nearly 45 minutes.
“The talk (on the Gita) was not about religion. It was more about connecting people. Use Yoga and the teachings of the Gita to connect people,” Chang Ann, a Chinese yoga teacher and one of the organiser of Saturday’s event, told HT.
“We cannot talk openly about religion here,” Chang added.
On stage, 68-year-old Swami Kavicandra from the US talked about what the Gita said about happiness and how transient it was. At the end of his simultaneously-translated talk, the stage was thrown open for a few questions, with the queries to the Swamis on life, loneliness and marriage.
“More than 8000 copies of the new Gita have been sold in China till now. Earlier, scholars translated it. But it was just a translation. They did not have “Bhakti”. We need to transfer knowledge from one language to the other,” Gaudiya, a follower of the Bhakti movement saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, from south China said.
On a muggy Saturday afternoon in Beijing among a few hundred Chinese, that “bhakti” was quite apparent.
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| People dancing to the Hare Rama Hare Krishna chant during the ISKCON session in Beijing |
The “prasadam” were fresh grapes, cookies and tiny condiments in wrappers. The devotees were mostly young Chinese.
And, it was a rare interactive session held by senior members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Beijing on the Bhagvad Gita combined with insights into yoga on Saturday afternoon. On sale outside the auditorium was a new version of the Gita in Chinese.
Copies of the "Bu Jian Fan Ge" in Chinese or “Bhagvad Song” sold rapidly from the counter as visitors picked up their copies for the price of an entry ticket at 200 yuan (Rs 2000).
In the auditorium, musicians from India played the mridangam, flute and harmonium as trained singers sang “bhajans” and the well-known tune of “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” associated with devotees of Krishna.
It was at the end of the programme when literally the entire room full of people removed their chairs, made space at the centre and danced to the chant for nearly 45 minutes.
“The talk (on the Gita) was not about religion. It was more about connecting people. Use Yoga and the teachings of the Gita to connect people,” Chang Ann, a Chinese yoga teacher and one of the organiser of Saturday’s event, told HT.
“We cannot talk openly about religion here,” Chang added.
On stage, 68-year-old Swami Kavicandra from the US talked about what the Gita said about happiness and how transient it was. At the end of his simultaneously-translated talk, the stage was thrown open for a few questions, with the queries to the Swamis on life, loneliness and marriage.
“More than 8000 copies of the new Gita have been sold in China till now. Earlier, scholars translated it. But it was just a translation. They did not have “Bhakti”. We need to transfer knowledge from one language to the other,” Gaudiya, a follower of the Bhakti movement saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, from south China said.
On a muggy Saturday afternoon in Beijing among a few hundred Chinese, that “bhakti” was quite apparent.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple annual family open day on Saturday
Watford Obersver, UK: Tuesday 28 July 2015
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple will host its annual family open day on Saturday, August 1.
Activities will include face painting, henna tattoos, a bouncy castle, yoga and meditation, as well as a chance to join an afternoon prayer service.
Visitors will be able to explore Bhaktivedanta Manor and its 60-acre site, including woodland and a farm, which was donated to the Hare Krishna movement by George Harrison in 1973.
Visitors will be provided with free parking and a free vegetarian lunch, as well as having the opportunity to buy sweet and savoury Indian vegetarian food.
Srutidharma Dasa, Temple President, said: "Bhaktivedanta Manor is a unique and beautiful place with so much to offer - it is rich in history, spirituality and in beauty. There really is something for everyone here.
"I would encourage all our visitors, young and old, to join in the fun, explore the wonderful grounds and enjoy a day out with a difference."
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| Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple annual family open day on Saturday |
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple will host its annual family open day on Saturday, August 1.
Activities will include face painting, henna tattoos, a bouncy castle, yoga and meditation, as well as a chance to join an afternoon prayer service.
Visitors will be able to explore Bhaktivedanta Manor and its 60-acre site, including woodland and a farm, which was donated to the Hare Krishna movement by George Harrison in 1973.
Visitors will be provided with free parking and a free vegetarian lunch, as well as having the opportunity to buy sweet and savoury Indian vegetarian food.
Srutidharma Dasa, Temple President, said: "Bhaktivedanta Manor is a unique and beautiful place with so much to offer - it is rich in history, spirituality and in beauty. There really is something for everyone here.
"I would encourage all our visitors, young and old, to join in the fun, explore the wonderful grounds and enjoy a day out with a difference."
Rath Yatra Celebrated in Various Parts of Kolkata
Kolkata, Press Trust of India, Updated: July 18, 2015
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| West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offering prayer to Lord Jagannath during ISKCON Rathyatra in Kolkata on Saturday. (Press Trust of India) |
Rath Yatra was today celebrated in various parts of the city with traditional religious fervour.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated ISKCON's 44th Rath Yatra from its temple on Albert Road.
The colourful chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra, pulled by thousands of devotees from India and abroad, moved through the major city roads amid the joyous chants of 'Jai Jagannath' and 'Hare Krishna'.
The chariots moved through various roads of the city and reach the Brigade Parade Ground (Maidan) where it will remain till July 25.
City Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, Trinamool MP and popular film actor Dev besides actress Koel Mallick, singer Indranil Sen were also present among others.
The chariots would return to the ISKCON temple on July 26 on the day of "Ultarathayatra" (return journey).
With Rathyatra and Eid falling on the same day this year, ISKCON authorities changed the yatra route in solidarity with the Muslim population and in order not to cause them any problem.
Over 15 lakh devotees from around 100 nations are expected to participate in this year's ISKCON's Rath Yatra, a functionary of the religious group said.
During these eight days, several cultural programmes like dance performance of Dona Ganguly's group and Vedic songs by Russian devotees, are scheduled.
Students pursuing Ph.D at IIT-Kharagpur's Electronics department would present a shadow dance on the essence of Bhagavad Gita.
Chariot festivals were organised all over the city in which hundreds of devotees participated.
Indian Minister of Agriculture Visits ISKCON Nairobi
By: Dvaraka-vasini Dasi ISKCON News on July 17, 2015
On July 12th 2015, Shriman Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundaria Indian Minister of Agriculture, during his official trip to Kenya, visited ISKCON Nairobi. The minister was received by temple president Umapati Das at the entrance, and some special mantras were also recited for invoking auspiciousness and welcoming the minister into the temple.
The Minister was escorted by the Hindu Council Chairman Shriman Nitin Malde, and industrialist Shriman Ashok Shah.
After offering his respects to the temple Deities, the minister proceeded to have prasadam lunch served by the Vaishnavi Sanga girls. Mr. Mohanbhai was very happy to honor the Ekadashi maha prasadam.
The minister concluded his trip to the temple by sharing a very nice story with the temple congregation, which had gathered for the Sunday feast program. The minister talked about a small boy who had unflinching faith in Krishna. Once the boy had to undergo a heart surgery, said the minister. The boy requested the surgeon to be careful during the surgery as he had Krishna in the heart. During the operation, the minister explained, the surgeon saw the heart was beyond repair, so he just stitched the boy up.
When the surgeon was washing his hands, he heard the boy ask if he saw Krishna inside the heart. To the surgeon’s amazement, the boy fully recovered.
The minister concluded his story by blessing the temple congregation that they also have that unflinching faith in Krishna and have the Lord in their hearts always.
The minister was also gifted the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, in Gujarati and English. He was surprised to see that the Bhagavad Gita has been translated into Gujarati as well.
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| Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundaria Indian Minister of Agriculture |
The Minister was escorted by the Hindu Council Chairman Shriman Nitin Malde, and industrialist Shriman Ashok Shah.
After offering his respects to the temple Deities, the minister proceeded to have prasadam lunch served by the Vaishnavi Sanga girls. Mr. Mohanbhai was very happy to honor the Ekadashi maha prasadam.
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| Paying respects to the Deities |
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| Prayers before prasadam |
The minister concluded his story by blessing the temple congregation that they also have that unflinching faith in Krishna and have the Lord in their hearts always.
The minister was also gifted the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, in Gujarati and English. He was surprised to see that the Bhagavad Gita has been translated into Gujarati as well.
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| Umapati Das and Mr. Mohanbhai |
Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Vrindavna Chandrodaya Mandir
Vrindavan,Uttar Pradesh : 16.11.2014
I am delighted to be amongst you in Vrindavan today. I congratulate ISKCON for conceiving a unique project of this kind. I understand that the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, the foundation stone for which was laid on 16thof March this year, shall be an architectural marvel seeking to recreate the glory and the times of Lord Shri Krishna. It shall enable thousands of pilgrims who congregate at Vrindavan every year the opportunity of experiencing new levels of spiritual consciousness.
2. I also take this opportunity to convey my deep appreciation and respect for His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the founder Acharya of ISKCON, who spread the message of Krishna consciousness all over the world. A celebrated spiritualist and author, his influence continues to resonate in the hearts of Krishna devotees all over the world even today.
3. It was the great saint and philosopher, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who, alongwith his disciples, established temples in Vrindavan and led the cultural renaissance in the fifteenth century. He was instrumental in making Vrindavan the seat of bhakti and in disseminating its principles, as enunciated in our ancient texts, throughout India. I am happy that the proposed temple seeks to continue and build on this glorious tradition.
4. Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, who has conceived this temple project, has aptly stated that this temple will not be just a mere edifice of concrete and steel, but a living and dynamic institution, and a center of learning and education. The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir will strive to disseminate the philosophical message of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam in an easy to understand and rational manner –that message is particularly relevant for us as a society today. While we as a nation move up the developmental ladder, it is essential that our spiritual core, which forms the bedrock of our civilization, remains undiluted and strong as ever.
5. Ladies and Gentlemen, India is one of the oldest and culturally rich civilizations in the world. As we now make the transformative change from being a developing to a developed economy, there will be immense pressures on our socio-economic and moral fabric. It is, therefore, imperative that we reconnect to our spiritual dimensions. There can be no better way of doing this than spreading the Bhagvad Gita’s message of universal love and humanity. I congratulate ISKCON for their efforts in highlighting and propagating the timeless teachings of Lord Krishna across the world.
6. I am particularly happy to learn about the various initiatives that are being contemplated for the upliftment of society under the aegis of this Project, including welfare programmes for the widows of Vrindavan and the restoration, upgradation and rejuvenation of the important sites of Braj. The Akshaya Patra program through which ISKCON is providing mid-day meals to nearly 1.4 lakh children in 2160 schools in Mathura District for the last decade is a noble initiative indeed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
7. Srimad Bhagavatam describes the four pillars of spirituality – truthfulness, compassion, austerity and purity. Civilized societies exist and operate within the framework of these values. Lord Krishna, through His timeless teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, has shaped the intellectual, cultural and spiritual mindscape of India for several millennia. It is, thus, only appropriate that Vrindavan strives to become a world renowned center for spiritual enlightenment, from where the message of divinity and peace resonates across all humanity.
8. I am glad to know that Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh have taken various initiatives towards making Vrindavan a hub of religious tourism. The present project adds a new dimension to these initiatives and shall hopefully generate positive spin- offs both for local society and the economy. I am confident that ISKCON will continue to partner both the Central and the State Governments in their efforts aimed at social change and reformation.
9. I once again wish the Project and the entire ISCKON team all success in their endeavors.
Thank you.
Jai Hind!!
Source presidentofindia.nic.in
Inside the world of a Hare Krishna
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| (Photo: Bernard Wilchusky / Central Florida Future) |
It began with a chant. In a small house off Rouse Road, in the center of the shrine room's wood-paneled floor, a bald man in saffron robes shifted from foot to foot, singing the words of his faith: hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare, hare rama, hare rama, rama rama, hare hare.
It's a form of worship called mantra meditation. It's one among a number of methods of devotion practiced by the members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness — known colloquially as the Hare Krishnas — as a means to come closer to their God and a state of mind called Krishna Consciousness.
"Chanting clears the mind; it's a way of attracting God to us," said Trivikrama Swami, the temple's elder acolyte. "People falsely believe they are at the center of the universe, so Krishna created the physical world to fulfill that belief. Chanting reminds us that we are not the center of the world, that there are things greater than us in the cosmos."
Trivikrama Swami has been an initiated member of ISKCON since 1966. Since his initiation, when he swore to remain celibate and devote his life in service to God, he has traveled the world — Japan, Korea, Poland, England and more — before placing his roots at the ISKCON Temple here in Orlando.
"I felt that, well, I've been all over the world, I've practiced in pretty much every country, but I figured I'd be more effective here, as an American," Trivikrama Swami said. "After my spiritual master left the world in 1977, we [his disciples] had a bit of leeway to choose where to go and practice."
The ISKCON Temple in Orlando was established in 2003, though its members have been practicing in the local area for many years beforehand, using space provided at various Hindu temples in the local area. The temple boasts a shrine, vegetable garden, community kitchen and living space for its six resident devotees, in addition to serving as the community's focal point for festivals and high holy days.
Life for the temple's resident devotees begins promptly at 4 a.m. They wake, wash and begin chanting on a string of prayer beads before the temple's first service at 5 a.m. Service lasts for two hours, after which devotees may tend to the garden, study or prepare food prior to the evening ceremony at 6 p.m.
Services are open to the public, and often students from UCF appear among the temple's regular cast of members to experience firsthand the Hare Krishnas' unique form of worship.
"I thought everyone was so open, enthusiastic and happy about their worship," said Andrea Sullivan, a freshman international and global studies major. "It's very different from what I'm used to [as a Catholic] where everyone is so serious and formal."
In addition to its ceremonial services, the temple supports a student organization called the Bhakti Yoga Club. The club provides a means for students to practice mantra meditation and to learn more about the Hare Krishna faith.
For international students such as Naman Mehta, a master's candidate in optics and the Bhakti Yoga Club's current president, it provides a link to his home in India. Mehta, a practicing Hare Krishna, moved to America to study at UCF. The club and the ISKCON Temple provide him an outlet for stress and a way to place his life into a larger context.
"I focus on one simple thing: I try my best, to the best of my ability, to serve him [Krishna]," Mehta said. "Everything else follows from that. Sometimes I don't know how I can do it — the studying, the club, moving from India. So long as I believe, so long as I worship, I know that whatever happens is the best for me."
Source centralfloridafuture.com
Srila Prabhupada Procession in Vrindavan
Every year the day before Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance he is taken for Saptadevalaya Darshan.
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| Inaugurating the new Prabhupada Vani Bookstall in the Samadhi Museum! |
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| Inaugurating the new Prabhupada Vani Bookstall in the Samadhi Museum! |
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| Passing New Madan Mohan Mandir |
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| Passing Old Madan Mohan Mandir |
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| Passing Advaita Vat |
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| Sri Sri Radharaman Ji |
Source facebook.com/VrajaDarshan
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