|
Introducing Saranagati's New Teacher by Karunamayi dd Posted May 17, 2008
As most do, Luiza came for a weekend visit to beautiful Saranagati and left her heart there as she embarked on her trip back to "the big city". Bhaktin Luiza hails from the hearty land of Mazury, Poland where she grew up in the small village of Miodowko. At age 8, she moved to Germany with her family and then to various Canadian cities, settling in Vancouver at age 14. This is where she eventually received a BA majoring in English literature and Hispanic studies as well as a Bachelors of Education. (Click here for the full article) Vaisnava Summer Camp in Serbia by Madhva Muni dasa Posted May 16, 2008
"...I am very pleased to learn of our success in Yugoslavia. When there is a little hope of success in these countries, it encourages me 100 times more than in other places. If they take up this Krishna Consciousness, they'll take it very seriously..." We would like to invite you to such a place, actually to Serbia. Everything is a 100 times more (good or bad). We are 100 years behind the rest of Europe, but we have 100 times less industry, we are earning 100 times less Euros per month, but we are gaining 100 times more unpredictability, trauma and excitement (remember the dictatorship, wars, revolutions...) and we will give you 100 more reasons to laugh and cry, to dance and serve, to make a friends and to come again. (Click here for the full article) Resolution 311 is Needed by Lalita Madhava d.d. Posted May 14, 2008 This year's GBC Resolution 311 states, "Whereas some ISKCON devotees may have used...statements out of context as an excuse to offend, neglect and abuse women...." Regarding "offending" and "abusing," please consider the misogynistic vitriol of the new "Hare Krishna Diary," www.sankirtandiary.blogspot.com, which purports to represent Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON and is one of the first five sites to prominently come up in a Google search (as of yesterday at least) in which the words "Prabhupada, women" are entered. I discovered it after receiving four distraught emails and a phone call from a bhaktin. (Click here for the full article) In the News: Inmate Sues for Prasadam by Bhakta Mike Posted May 13, 2008
"As It Is" - With a Few Caveats by Nrsimhananda das Posted May 12, 2008 "He really means..." is perhaps a well-intentioned, but ultimately dangerous new effort to interpret Srila Prabhupada's vani by the GBC. Prabhupada's own words written in the Bhagavatam are not enough, it seems. Now, we, the conditioned souls - or, to be correct, an elite appointed few - will annotate and comment on their meaning in future editions of Prabhupada's books. There will be no editions without these "authorized" commentaries. Gosh, how did I or any other devotee, male or female, get past these declarations below without annotations? (Click here for the full article) Friends of the BBT Newsletter - May 08 by Friends of the BBT Posted May 12, 2008 Click here for rest of newsletter (link for the text is Click Here)
Monthly Sankirtana Festivals Turn Little into Lots In Silicon Valley's Hare Krishna community, a new book distribution effort is turning into a juggernaut that could be the future of ISKCON's outreach. When the predominantly householder community decided in 2004 to find a new way to fit book distribution into their nine-to-five lives, they created a "Monthly Sankirtana Festival." Their motto? "Many people doing a little bit." (Click here for the full article) Accident in the Vienna Temple by Hariballabha dasi and Sulabha dasi Posted May 10, 2008
She has received one skin transplant and is scheduled for at least one more and is expected to remain in the hospital for at least another 6 weeks. (Click here for the full article) Gita Nagari Fire by Kaulini dasi Posted May 8, 2008 There was a fire that burned down the wood shed at Gita nagari on the day of the Festival of Jagannatha Misra. By Sri Sri Radha Damodara's Mercy no one was harmed. This building housed the wood stove that heated the Temple and ashram. We are fortunate that the weather is warming up, yet heat is definitely still needed for the Deities and Devotees. The temperatures fall into the 20's and 30's during the night and mornings. We will be having the boiler unit near the kitchen inspected with maintenance provided prior to using it as the back up temporary source of heat. (Click here for the full article) Association in the NW US by Balabhadra dasa & Lalita Nandini devi dasi Posted May 8, 2008 My wife and I are looking to relocate and settle down some where in the NW US; preferrably Washington or Oregon, or even Northern California. We work as caregivers providing hospice services. In addition, my wife and I are professionally certified aromatherapists. We are wanting to live near a small community of devotees where they gather on some weekly basis, and other Vaishvava celebrations. We are not interested in any controversial situations, such as ritvik issues, or loyalties to some other camp. We are very much committed to Srila Prabupada and the movement that he gave us. If you can help us with any information to this end please contact us at balanlalita@clearwire.net. Festival of India Accommodation by Amala Gaura dasa Posted May 5, 2008 I have shared accomodation available during FOI at a camper. According to the volunteers there this a small camper, not a trailer. It doesn't have water hook up, but you'll be near a restroom were you can shower. You need to bring own bedding. So the camper holds two. I'm looking for one other male devotee to share during the festival. Price is low, contact if interested. Springtime At Murari by Murali Priya Devi Dasi and Rama Vigraha Das Posted May 4, 2008
Just like spring brings new growth, Murari is also flowering with accomplishments in this short first quarter of the year. Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra have been wearing seven of the twelve new outfits that have been made for them this year, three of which were offered on Gaura Purnima by Mother Nina, her friend Pranahita Reddy, and Ramacaran Das. (Click here for the full article) Elementary Teacher in Alauchua by Tamohara das Posted May 4, 2008 The New Raman Reti School (NRRS), a Krishna-centered elementary school, located in the Alachua, Florida devotee community, is seeking applicants for the position of an experienced elementary school teacher. The position will begin in August 2008, and serve approximately 14 students from 4th through 6th grades. The school has been serving the devotee community in Alachua since 1990 and is presently serving the needs of 52 students in grades pre-K - 6th, making it one of ISKCON's largest elementary schools in North America. The school is committed to both a strong Krishna Conscious program, (Click here for the full article) |
Gay Vaishnavas Welcome CA Supreme Court Ruling by Amara dasa Posted May 17, 2008 Gay Vaishnavas and their supporters were pleased with Thursday's ruling from the California Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage. Until one has suffered discrimination under the law it is difficult to understand just how oppressive such legalized discrimination can be to the human psyche. With this unnecessary burden now lifted, it will be much easier for gay and lesbian Californians, including those who are Hare Krsna devotees, to establish the committed, monogamous relationships so important to personal, societal and religious development. (Click here for the full article) Open Letter to Bhakti Vikasa Swami by Lalita Madhava d.d. Posted May 16, 2008 As you are undoubtedly aware, your disciple Caitanya dasa has been writing a blog entitled "Hare Krishna Diary" as a vehicle for propagating your "teachings." Throughout it, purporting to quote Srila Prabhupada, he pervasively vilifies women as "whores," "prostitutes" and "animals" and consistently vilifies them in abusive language in numerous additional ways. His statements are deeply disturbing and offensive. Even more disturbing is the fact that you are at the very least allowing, if not encouraging, him to do this, which reflects very poorly on you and casts you in an extremely unfavorable light. That you would impart such a distorted and dangerous version of "Krishna consciousness" to young, impressionable devotees in your care reveals a serious deficiency in your judgement and calls into question your qualification to act as an initiating guru on behalf of ISKCON. (Click here for the full article) Position Vacant: Primary School Teacher (Grades 3 - 6) by The Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula, (Hare Krishna School), Murwillumbah - Australia Posted May 14, 2008 The Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula is an independent school offering educational programs for girls and boys from Kindergarten through to year 6. We offer students a high standard of academic education, combined with a focus on development of character, and a comprehensive immersion in the practices and philosophy of Krishna Consciousness. The school is located on the New Govardhana rural community, which is an 800 acre property with a pleasant, sub-tropical climate. A position is available for an Australian full-time qualified primary teacher for a composite class of grades 3 to 6. (Click here for the full article) Thoughts On 311 by Krsna Avatar das Posted May 14, 2008 I would like to encourage the GBC on their plan to footnote the controversial comments regarding woman that are in the Bhagavatam and elsewhere. I also would concur with Amara prabhu's point that the footnoting should extend to the comments about minorities and other religions. The main problem with these comments is that they are contradictory to the way Prabhupada treated his disciples. Early on, he sent female devotees to lecture in India. And he awarded sanyasa to people of different races, nationalities and sexual orientations. Consequently, It seems strange to me that these quotes exist when Prabhupada's actions showed that he clearly believed in equality. (Click here for the full article) North American Temple President, GBC Meetings by Caru das Posted May 13, 2008
Romapada Swami gave a keynote talk entitled "Spiritual Economics; Relevance to the Bhagavatam". He and Devamrta Swami are apparently getting keen response to their preaching on Ecology. As one writer said, "Environmentalism is the new religion." The relevant files can be downloaded from his web site at www.romapadaswami.com/SE. (Click here for the full article) Second BBT Art Seminar by friendsofthebbt.org Posted May 12, 2008 The BBT will be holding their second annual art seminar in Vrindavana, India, from October 7-28, 2008. At last year's seminar, taught by veteran ISKCON artists Dhriti Dasi and Ram Dasa Abhirama Dasa, eighteen international students learned practical techniques as well as the mood essential in producing devotional art. This year, the course is once again free for the fifteen most-qualified applicants, who will learn BBT Art Department procedures, how to approach painting spiritual subjects, and of course, new techniques. (Click here for the full article) Prasadam Cooking & Offering - Internet Classes (Includes Ekadasi Cooking & Using Solar Energy) by Achyuta Krishna dasa Posted May 10, 2008 "BhaktiStudies" welcomes you to free "Prasadam cooking & offering" classes over the internet. Learn at your pace and at your time. The course delivery method will be like the ongoing Sanskrit Level 1 course. For course details please visit www.bhaktistudies.com. Tentatively the course contents are:
KC and Free Will by Rohini Priya dasi Posted May 8, 2008 I am doing my Honours in philosophy. I will be doing my dissertation on Kant's Third Antinomy, the problem of Free Will. I would like to present a Vedic (Krsna Conscious) perspective on the problem of Free Will. If you have any information that can help: if you are aware of academic writings by devotees on the issue, or can refer me to persons, etc, I will be most grateful. Please email me on vediclaw@hotmail.com. Nrsimhadeva Activity Book And Posters by Urmila devi dasi Posted May 5, 2008
Integrated Posters (<200kB .pdf) We hope in the future to greatly improve and expand these festival-based activities, adding boxes of ready-to-use resources such as masks, photos, activity sheets, and so forth. Suggestions are most welcome. (Click here for the full article) Pre-School Teacher Needed in Alachua by Tamohara das Posted May 4, 2008 The New Raman Reti School (NRRS), a Krishna-centered elementary school, located in the Alachua, Florida devotee community, is seeking applicants for the position of an experienced pre-school teacher. As part of the NRRS Elementary School, our thriving preschool has been very successful this year and will have 24 students and a staff of three. The position will begin in August 2008. This is a full time position where the candidate will be in charge of the pre-school program. The school has been serving the devotee community in Alachua since 1990 and is presently serving the needs of 52 students in grades pre-K - 6th, (Click here for the full article) |
Prabhupada Relics for Sale by Danistha devi dasi Posted May 17, 2008
Any devotee individual, temple community, or ashram interested in securing themselves authentic Prabhupada relics from my museum such as a personal signed letter, kurta or other clothing, signed document, (Click here for the full article) Letter to Bhakti Vikasa Swami Showed Courage by Name Withheld, Gainesville, Florida Posted May 17, 2008 I want to thank, honor and praise Lalita Madhava devi dasi for taking the time to expose the reprehensible actions and statements of Bhakti Vikasa Swami. Her compelling open letter to him put everything in proper perspective, and all her points and requests were well taken, well stated and well defended. To think or speak those atrocious statements is bad enough, but to use the Internet to publicize such backward and crazy ideas about women is incredibly vile and malicious. Lalita Madhava prabhu is quite correct that it is a great offense to Srila Prabhupada, Lord Caitanya, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna and the entire parampara. Annotations by Madhava Ghosh dasa Posted May 16, 2008 The latest topic amongst those in ISKCON addicted to debating is the annotation of Prabhupada's books. For those of you not familiar with the specifics, I will not provide links because a.) I am too lazy to find and include them and b.) why disturb your mind about it when you were having a perfectly fine day without worrying about it already. I stipulate I haven't read the GBC resolution and don't know their specific reasons for deciding to annotate Prabhupada's books. I am speaking only from my own perspective on the topic and neither approve nor disapprove of their method of arriving at their decision. My first impression on reading some of the feedback is that I think that half the opposing commentators or more don't know what annotation is, ergo I include this definition: (Click here for the full article) The Gita Room by Rasa Rasika dasa Posted May 14, 2008
To register please visit gitaroom.50webs.com Deity Outfits for Sale by Maharha dasi Posted May 14, 2008 Homemade silk deity outfits, rarely used , for 21" Radha Krishna deities, and 20" Radha Krishna deities. If interested please contact Maharha at : Maharha@earthlink.net. Magical Mystery Tour by Padmapani das Posted May 13, 2008
"Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna. I distinctly recall staring at the words "Hare Krishna" in my backyard that day. (Click here for the full article) Dancers for Krishna by Anapayini Dasi Posted May 12, 2008
Salagram Paraphernalia by Sanat Kumara Dasa Posted May 10, 2008
Looking for Kusa Sthali by Gaura-Vani devi dasi Posted May 8, 2008 I am looking for a devotee called Kusa Sthali who worked in Soho St Temple in London. She was in the Kitchen with me, she is Polish but I think she moved to Sweden. If anyone knows her ask her to contact me please. Thanks. My email is jean_paul@ntlworld.com. Questions About GBC Resolution 311 by Amara dasa Posted May 5, 2008 I read with interest the new GBC resolution (311) recommending that the BBT explain, in endnotes or appendices, statements about women that may be misunderstood in Srila Prabhupada's books. This seems like a good idea but I'm wondering how far it will be extended. The examples cited involve only a few "rape" quotes whereas it has been my experience that most women, educated professionals, college students, graduates, etc. are more often offended by the numerous "less intelligent" and "no independence" statements found in the BBT books. Will these types of statements also be addressed in the appendices? (Click here for the full article) Nrsimha Caturdasi Festival by Iskcon Murari Sevaka Posted May 4, 2008 You are cordially invited to ISKCON Murari Sevaka Farm To Celebrate the appearance day of Lord Nrsimhadeva Nrsimha Caturdasi Sunday May 18th 2008 "I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord, who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existance in this material world." -Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18 Schedule |
| April 2008 >> |