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Newsletter 0005 December 2019 International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Contents

A New Beginning...... 2 Monthly Sankirtan Festival...... 3 Community Supported Agriculture...... 5 Prabhupada's Book Marathon 2019...... 6 Srila Prabhupada's first Christmas in New York...... 8 Christmas Day Feast...... 9 55th Street ...... 10 "While the impersonalist Annual Interfaith Breakfast...... 11 wrongly concludes that he is Gifts of Gratitude...... 11 the Lord himself, the Dream into reality for The Bhakti Center...... 12 personalist, out of a great Devotee of the month...... 13 gratitude, worships the Lord ISKCON ILS 2020...... 13 in devotional service, knowing perfectly well that nothing is different from the Lord. The devotee therefore endeavors to apply everything in the service of the Lord because he knows that everything is the property of the Lord and that no one can claim anything as one's own. This perfect conception This is the official community newsletter of of oneness helps the ISKCON New York City, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple worshiper in being engaged in His loving service, whereas Become a contributor! the impersonalist, being email [email protected] falsely puffed up, remains a nondevotee forever, without being recognized by the Be sure to follow us on social media Lord." --- Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.23 purport

1 New York is central to Srila HH Kadamba Kanana Swami “The funds will be used for Prabhupada's ISKCON led a while devotees renovation of areas to expand movement, as it is the arrived, and a total of 400 preaching such as Library, birthplace of the Western attended. Our Temple Lotus Room, Reception and branch of Lord Caitanya's President, HG Hansarupa Lobby areas, and any Sankirtan mission. Prabhu, made a brief essential repairs, and to pay On account of this, for introduction thanking down old debts from the members of ISKCON, New everyone for coming and previous administrations. I York is an important place of outlined the course of the would like to thank all of the pilgrimage, on the level of event. communities that participated, , Bombay or HH then both locally and globally. It . gave a lecture followed by our was a beautiful show of unity On December 15th senior Chairman of the Board, HG and support for Their members, HH Radhanath Vaisesika Prabhu giving his Lordships Sri Sri Radha Swami, HG Vaisesika Prabhu encouragement and blessings Govinda and New York – Srila and HH Kadamba Kanana while urging contributions. Prabhupada's 'most important Swami came to hold a project'”. Said our Temple fundraiser aimed at raising President HG Hansarupa finance to help new Prabhu. beginnings emerge and grow forth.

Fifty Seven sets of Srimad Bhagavatam, signed by all of the GBC and many other senior members of our movement, including HH , were given in gratitude to those who made generous donations. A total of $105, 000 in cash and pledges was collected. 2 subsequently became With HG Vaisesika Prabhu at incredibley enthused to go out the center of its inspiration, and 'touch the pavement'! the spirit and fervour carried in The revival of MSF in New waves touches so many York has now been going devotees and invigorates the strong for just over 1 year, wider community to come December's Monthly Sankirtan bringing our communities together for our universal goal Festival fell on December together; “It’s important to central to our movement. 14th, and was facilitated by have a common purpose, a HG Vaisesika Prabhu and practical service that brings HH Kadamba Kanana Swami. devotees together as one unit. More than 30 devotees took And book distribution is ideal Monthly part in this enlivening festival because it was so much celebrating and encouraging emphasized by Srila Sankirtan the art of what it means to Prabhupada and our 'be a giver'. sampradaya that everyone Festival Both Radha Govinda and agrees it is a worthy Bhakti Center communities cause.” Said HG Vaisesika Four groups each with team combined, as one super team Prabhu. leaders, went out to different of sankirtan warriors! MSF started in ISKCON locations around New York City; Brookfield Mall, Jay Street Metrotech, and the other two groups went to Atlantic Avenue, Barclays Center, each setting up a book table. HG Vaisesika Prabhu travelled to different groups and gave them support by personally demonstrating the service of book distribution. The festival ended with devotees meeting back at Radha Govinda to share realisations and of The event started at the Silicon Valley in 2007, and course prasadam! temple with a lecture by HH has since spread to several Kadama Kanana Swami, countries worldwide. followed by book distribution training by HG Vaisesika Prabhu. All participants 33 4 Community Supported Agriculture @ Gita Nagari

Community Supported Agriculture restores relationships by connecting consumers to their food source, the land and the farmer. Consumers and farmers then form a broader farm community where one may buy a share of the harvest produced. By paying for a share, the costs of farm operations are covered and in return the farm provides a weekly supply of produce during the growing season. Sunday 22nd December saw members of Gita Nagari take part in preparing the days feast. A great opportunity has now come about to be the change that we wish to see within the world, and be a part of Srila Prabhupada's vision for the future, for one can now order an organic and ethical veg box for 22 weeks for just $715 that will be delivered to 305 Schermerhorn. Why not treat your family? Or our temple deities? click here

5 ISKCON Radha Govinda's Devotees took part in a This year's Book Marathon 2019 Srila Prabhupada's Book variety of ways, going out at came to an end at Midnight, Marathon saw over 50 different times of the day, December 25th. We had to devotees both local and from hosting a book table in mention midnight as devotees far and wide participated. reception, cooking cookies keenly went out on Christmas Two teams were created, one prasadam for distribution, and Day to enjoy the last few led by Govind Das and the much much more! hours of book distribution! other Divyangi Devi Dasi. Looking forward to next year!

6 The best gift full Srimad Bhagavatam Sets all wrapped up

Narada Rsi das Bramacari very expertly distributed several box sets

The Marathon ran from November 27th and finished on December 25th

All together we have distributed: 1518 Maha 421 Big 398 Medium and 1358 small!

"Thank you so much again for everyone's involvement on all levels!" -- Divyangi Devi dasi Sankirtan Leader. 576 New to New York, Although Prabhupada did no His advisors had cautioned Bhaktivedanta Swami, Srila Christmas shopping, he him not to remain an alien but Prabhupada, had undoubtedly visited many bookstores to get into the spirit of taken up the greatest austerity Orientalia, Sam Weiser's, American life, even if it meant on the order of his Guru Doubleday, the Paragon, and breaking vows he had held in Maharaja. In the short space others trying to sell his India…. But Prabhupada's of three months he had Srimad-Bhagavatams. idea was different, and he traveled from his beloved Mrs. Ferber, the wife of the could not be budged. The village of Vrndavana, crossing Paragon Book Gallery others may have had to the ocean in a small freighter proprietor, considered compromise, he thought, but on which he had suffered two Prabhupada 'a pleasant and they had come to beg heart attacks, to the freezing, extremely polite small technological knowledge from inhospitable, dangerous gentleman.' The first time he the West. streets of New York City. called she wasn't interested in Possessing only a short letter his books, but he tried again, of introduction, he was offered and she took several volumes. a small room in the back of an Prabhupada used to stop by apartment occupied by Dr. about once a week, and since "I have not come Mishra, a well-meaning his books were selling Mayavadi "uptown Swami." regularly, he would collect. to beg something," he Even with weather, health, and Sometimes when he needed living conditions at their worst, copies to sell personally, he Srila Prabhupada would come by and pick them said, "but to give enthusiastically began up from Mrs. Ferber, and spreading the message. sometimes he would phone to something." As his biography tells us, "The ask her how his books were weather grew cold…. On selling. Srila Prabupada had Columbus Avenue shops were All during that winter reinvented Christmas. And his selling Christmas trees, and Prabhupada would try to followers for decades to come the continental restaurants preach to whomever he could would try to assist him in his were bright with holiday get to listen. He also transcendental giving. lighting. On Seventy-second continued to translate Srimad- Especially at Christmas. the Retailers' Association Bhagavatam, alone in his fifth- erected tall red poles topped floor room. with green tinsel Christmas "The weather went below trees. The tops of the trees on freezing, colder than he had both sides of the street ever experienced in India. sprouted tinsel garlands that Daily he had to walk toward spanned the street and joined the Hudson against a west in red tinsel stars surrounded wind that even on an ordinary by colored lights." winter's day would take your Srila Prabhupada wore a coat breath away and make your Dr. Mishra had given him, but eyes water and your face he never gave up wearing his grow numb dhoti, despite the cold, windy walks.

78 Following the success of our Thanksgiving Dinner, December 25th, Christmas Day, saw us cooking up yet another feast. Though the previous one was hard to beat, we managed it and made a mega feast with over 12 different preparations!

The decorations were generously sponsored by the 72nd Street Retailers Association. It was a wonderful event that brought everyone together, the true spirit of Christmas! Many devotees from our community took part each making or assisting those who were preparing some of the delicious specialities,

98 many served guests by greeting them, made beautiful table decorations, and of serving out plates piled high with divine prasadam!

In 1975, the International When the devotees told Srila Society for Krishna Prabhupada that the center Consciousness purchased a had a good-sized auditorium, twelve-story building on his face brightened. Srila The first Maha Sankirtan Manhattan’s West 55th Street Prabhupada then called for Party down Wall Street, New (in the off-Broadway theater Sudama Svami, the most York City, the center of district). "By November 1975 experienced actor in the Maya's activities with four they we had fully moved in, movement. mridanga players -- the following month, “Why don’t you organize a Brahmananda on the right, December, saw the first, and theater in New York?” Said Rishi Kumar to the left, and biggest, Christmas Marathon Srila Prabhupada. behind Bharadvaja and for ISKCON NY." Says our Chandanacharya. Hansarupa das. 10 On December 3rd we prayer of how faith can practice their faiths with attended the Annual Interfaith overcome the troubled times sincerity and thus become Breakfast, organized by the the world and its communities blissful and happy. Srila Brooklyn Borough President's are going through. One of our Prabhupada explained that Office of Faith-based and representatives, Hari Vilas das spreading God consciousness Clergy Initiatives; a Bramacari, sat amongst a is easy – one simply has to department committed to Sikh Granthi, Buddhist show others how happy you improving Brooklyn's diverse Bhikkhu, a Rabbi, an Islamic are. If we can somehow attain communities, regardless of leader, a priest, a soldier, two that state of spiritual their religious or political reverends and the Borough happiness that comes when beliefs. The event was held at Council President, Eric we render sincere service and the Brooklyn Borough Hall, Adams. Hari Vilas das sacrifice to God, then we can and members from a wide decided to contribute with a actually make a valuable range of faiths took part, and simple prayer; “that everyone contribution to society and each were invited to offer their there, as religious people, can positively influence the world.”

The festive season is not only As the year drew to a close a good time to share Lord there was time to reflect upon Caitanya's mercy through the events and those who distributing Srila Prabhupada's have made it extra special. books, but it is also a great Sukanti Gaurangi Devi Dasi time to share appreciation and and her team created sweet love with those around us, gifts of gratitude as a token of who we are close to and share apprecation to those interaction with every day, and devotees. those who make each day in the service of Krishna that bit more special and inspiring. 11 Radha Govinda Gifts

After years of collective dedication in devotional service by the community, in December 2019 the management of New York’s Bhakti Center made the final mortgage payment to own the 25 First Avenue building outright. It was the community members’ heartfelt contributions have made it possible for the people of New York to find their spiritual home and enter the family of Srila Prabhupada, Sri Gaurachandra, Sri Sri Radha Muralidhara and the beloved community of devotees for generations to come. 12 Its always to tough to pick the devotee of the month, especially for month of December, with so many devotees going an extra mile to spread the mercy. So many great devotees have come from near and far to take part in Prabhupada's Christmas Book Marathon, but the month's Devotee of the Month goes to a very steadfast and dedicated devotee, who every day without fail, throughout the entire year, performs to one of the most important services at Radha Govinda's ISKCON New York City temple... Bippin Bihari Das Bramacari cooks the devotee breakfast every single morning, while most of us are busy chanting our rounds in the early hours, so we can be confident that each morning after Srimad Bhagavatam class there will be a delicious breakfast awaiting us. Breakfast prasadam that will set us up for the rest of the day of service. Thank you Bippin Bihari ji! Pleasing the devotees through prasadam every day ensures that devotees have a great start to their day of service.

The ISKCON Leadership THE COMMUNITY Sanga 2020 is almost here – NEWSLETTER OF ISKCON less than two months away! NEW YORK CITY The event will be held at and the numbers have been steadily increasing. This will DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATION: ISKCON’s headquarters in Sri Hansarupa das Dham Mayapur between be ISKCON’s 5th ILS February 14-20 2020, with 75 gathering, and the organizers CONTRIBUTORS: unique seminars and are anticipating 1,500 leading Hari Vilas das, Govind das, devotees from all over the Divyangi devi dasi, Sukanti discussions, uplifting , Gaurangi devi dasi, Bhaktin wonderful prasadam, and 45 world. Yanina, Aditya devi dasi, stalls displaying various projects and services from all Do you have a story you would like to see in our next over the world. newsletter? LS 2020 promises to be the Or would you like to sponsor largest gathering of ISKCON printing ? leaders to date. Five hundred email: [email protected] 13 devotees attended ILS in 2012