preparation for a lifetime Bhaktivedanta ColNewsletterlege Spring 2009

Our Eighth Academic Year Is Coming: 2009–10

In spring, Mahendra valuable offer. Some aspects that Dasa, our Assistant our students appreciate are: Course Director, starts planning • studying Vaishnava the next school year. He defines in a devotional environment the beginning and the end of the • receiving a Bachelor’s degree coming academic year and the in Theology from the University two major holidays. He integrates of Wales Lampeter our Vaishnava festivals into the • associating with and being plan. He contacts teachers and taught by Vaishnavas, sannyasis, coordinates the times they will and • receiving training in voca- tional and managerial skills • being supported in personal A regular preaching activity is chanting. Here spiritual development through the students were chanting in Antwerp. participation in the spiritual pro- grams and being mentored breakfasts with student friends • being a member of a multi- or performing other services for cultural student body, represent- the Radhadesh community ing about twenty countries • shopping, sightseeing, and sporting with student friends in areas near Radhadesh. So that students derive the The college opened in Radhadesh in Sept. 2002. full benefit of the courses and Radhadesh’s spiritual programs, be free from their usual services, Bhaktivedanta College requires so that they can be scheduled all applicants to have completed to teach at Bhaktivedanta Col- a Shastri program and lege. Coordinating the academic to have experience living in an schedule takes a great deal of . Reasonable skills in communication and some flex- speaking and writing English are ibility from everyone involved, also a must. so that the course schedule is Our Web site offers all the reasonable for both teachers and information related to applica- students. In 2008–9, Urmila Dasi, a highly experienced tions, courses, and life at the col- The academic year, 2009–10, educator, taught at the college for the first lege. Our contact information is time. will start on September 14th and at the bottom of the page. Any end on June 18th. Applications • going on harinama, assist- prospective student may get in must be completed and turned ing in other preaching programs, touch with our college secre- in by May 1st. doing book distribution, and tary, Mangala Candrika Dasi, at Our applicants may reflect on traveling to festivals in Europe [email protected] or by writ- why Bhaktivedanta College is a • helping to cook community ing to her or calling.

PetitePetite Somme 2 • 6940 Durbuy • Belgium • Tel: +32 (0) 86 32 32 77 • [email protected] • www.bhaktivedantacollege.com Students Visit Three Faith Communities by Bhaktin Lalita Ivankovich

As part of our Interfaith and World about the statue, which had recently nothing, but soon we got answers to our Religions courses, we first-year students been sculpted. Finally, a question-and- questions. We were greeted politely by took a field trip to Brussels. We visited a answer session took place. Elder Stevens, who showed us around Buddhist temple, a Catholic church, and Then we went to the large apartment and explained the basics of his faith and a Mormon chapel. in the center of Brussels that serves as our ISKCON branch. The attractive Gaura- Deities inspired a blissful kirtana led by Alakananda Dasi. We ate a delicious lunch prepared by Anupama Dasi. Full of energy, we soon hurried to our next destination. At the Catholic church we visited, the priest was giving shelter to 150 Muslims (including children) from the Belgian government, while striving to help them

After the full-day excursion, these students were delighted.

practice. Then we were introduced to some Mormon youth, who shared their stories and experiences with us. We were offered refreshments and given an op- portunity to ask questions and discuss philosophical ideas. Members of both traditions compared their experiences of following religious principles that go Buddhism is not theistic like , but it is historically related to it. This church gives shelter to people who do not against the questionable moral values of have permits to stay in Belgium. today’s world. At the Tibetan Buddhist temple, we The day was truly inspiring. Gaining were warmly received by a female guide, acquire legal status. The church had a better perspective on other traditions who ushered us into a large, beautifully been known for some hatred of Islam, so helps us communicate more produc- decorated temple room. We saw a large this was an interesting example of inter- tively, improves our preaching skills, statue of Buddha and sat down at the faith work in action. and deepens our appreciation of what guide’s request. She led a five-minute Our last stop was a Mormon chapel. Srila Prabhupada gave us. Thanks to , meant to clear the mind. Only some of us knew a little about Mor- Mahaprabhu Dasa and the college staff Afterward, she explained some details monism, and the rest of us knew next to for arranging this educational field trip! The New Library Club Needs You!

If you join the Library Club, your name will be listed on a brass plate in the new library, in our donors’ register, and in the Bhaktivedanta College newsletter. Rest assured that the students and staff will be grateful and that Srila Prabhu- pada will be pleased by your contribution, for Bhaktivedanta College is a unique pro- gram that greatly contributes to the devel- opment of ISKCON’s membership. Along with the new library, new offices The former library will be converted into for teachers and staff will also be available an art gallery for Radhadesh’s many visitors. in the first building, as the college was re- quested to free the facilities in Radhadesh Bhaktivedanta College is about to finish that till now served as a library and offices. the new library in its first building. You are Also, Radhadesh’s facilities did not allow invited to become a member of the Library the college to host the increasing number Club, by donating one or two thousand of students; additional residential rooms euros to make our six thousand books, in- for students and staff will be available in cluding Srila Prabhupada’s books, available an adjoining building, once the library and The new library (the top floor, above) opens in May. to students in the new library. offices are finished. The new offices are located on the ground floor.

PetitePetite Somme 2 • 6940 Durbuy • Belgium • Tel: +32 (0) 86 32 32 77 • [email protected] • www.bhaktivedantacollege.com A Cold Weekend for Distributing Books by Manjari Dasi

reminded me that the soul is en- time in Antwerp. It went better than caged in the body. This inspired me I expected, considering I was go- to be more enthusiastic about dis- ing on book distribution and knew tributing books, because no matter almost nothing about it. At first, it how beautiful the body appears, the was hard to approach people, but best “soul food” is the holy names, after some time I started to feel which are elaborately described in more at ease. Many people refused our books. After spending the day me, but the few books I did give out on book distribution, we went back gave me courage to carry on. A spe- to the temple for the Sunday feast. cial thing for us was that after being A few students expressed their in the city with books, we returned realizations from that weekend. to the temple and got hot and tasty Dutch editions of Srila Prabhupada’s books about prasadam.” to be distributed in Antwerp.

December is special for many ISKCON devotees because it is the month of Srila Prabhupada’s Book Distribution Marathon. On the first Saturday in December of 2008, twelve college students and staff members went to Antwerp, the capital city of Flemish Belgium and one of the Benelux’s main historical and cultural landmarks, to distrib- ute Srila Prabhupada’s books. Hosting our big college group Bhakta Nimai enjoys book distribution. were the devotees at the small, Bhaktin Lalita Ivankovic well-maintained ISKCON branch in Antwerp. We chanted before the Bhakta Nimai: “This was, more beautiful Deities of Nitai and Gaura- Bhaktin Lalita Ivankovic: “The or less, the first time I went out to nataraja. Then we took lunch and experience in Antwerp was great. I distribute books. So this experi- heard from experienced devotees was impressed that so few full-time ence was an eye-opener, and I had about distributing books. Finally, devotees could nicely run the small a change of thinking toward book we packed our bags with Dutch, temple there. With the blessings of distribution. French, and English books and sur- the beautiful, merciful Deities, we “Practically the first man I ap- rendered ourselves to the mercy of were able to go out that weekend, proached started shouting: ‘Get out Srila Prabhupada. It was cold, windy, despite the freezing cold, and still of my face! I don’t need your stuff!’ and rainy, but our spirits were high. distribute books and spread the But after some time, things slowly The people I met were not merciful teachings of Sri Caitanya brightened up, and by the end of quite like those I had distributed our Mahaprabhu.” the day, I started to like it. vegetarian cookbooks to in Califor- “The next day I was enthusias- nia. Still, by ’s mercy, we all tic to go out and apply some tech- managed to meet some nice people niques that I had thought of over- who took books. When we returned night. It was Sunday morning, and to the temple, we had a hot dinner the people outdoors were older and and sang . It was nice to be showed less interest. For most of us, inside a warm building among our it was a struggle. After two hours fellow devotees. our group decided to leave. As we The next morning, the sun began the fifteen-minute walk back shone, so we felt much more in- to the temple, we decided to sell spired to go out again. After break- books on the way. Our team spirit fast, we went downtown and ap- gave us energy, and almost every- proached church-goers. I also went one bought a book. We sold more to a market, where I could distribute books in that last half-hour than we some complimentary books, since sold in the previous two hours. This Christmas is a time when people made it clear that the book distri- feel happy to receive unexpected bution is not under our control. By Bhakta David Francis Goodrich gifts. letting it end on a pleasant note, At the market there were many Krishna wanted to encourage us to multicolored birds in cages, which Bhakta David: “I had a great distribute books more often.”

PetitePetite Somme 2 • 6940 Durbuy • Belgium • Tel: +32 (0) 86 32 32 77 • [email protected] • www.bhaktivedantacollege.com Burke Rochford: “The highlight of my career!” by Syama Sakhi Dasi

that he considered his two weeks at in ISKCON his movement’s “future Bhaktivedanta College to be among hope”. the very best teaching experiences he Rochford said: “My book should has had. be helpful in that it is an honest treat- In Rochford’s book, ment of the movement’s trials and Transformed, which he referred to as tribulations in North America. To serve a labour of love, he addresses social as a leader requires honest and open issues within ISKCON, and these are dialogue. The time of trying to cover what he presented to the students. over troubling matters has passed. The students were thoughtful, hard- Learn from the past. Pay attention to working, and intellectually curious. devotees of all types. Truly be a ser- Burke Rochford and the students at his seminar. Thus the learning experience was vant of all those who seek to know brought to a peak. Shri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada.” E. Burke Rochford Jr., a professor The students, being deeply con- Rochford advises ISKCON youth of sociology at Middlebury College, cerned about ISKCON’s future, dis- to remain confident and to do every- has studied the Hare Krishna move- cussed various ways of improving thing in their power to spread Srila ment for more than thirty years, and the movement, and they were able to Prabhupada’s teachings, to remain as a friend of the movement he has connect to Srila Prabhupada’s vision strong and to never forget their spiri- written a book and numerous articles of the movement and its purpose. tual responsibilities to Krishna. addressing its development. In Janu- Rochford said that the time has come We students got the opportunity ary of 2009 he visited Bhaktivedanta for the movement’s youth to “skin to express and discuss our concerns College to teach a course on ISKCON. their knees” and be allowed to take with our teacher and peers, and we He was an inspiration to the students up leadership positions, and for older found ways to increase our spiritual who attended. When asked how he devotees to offer encouraging words commitment to Srila Prabhupada. I felt teaching a group of young people while putting the movement securely truly hope that love and trust will be whose spiritual movement, parents, in their children’s hands. The time has extended to the youth of ISKCON, guides, and friends he had studied for come to extend love and trust to the so that we can further Srila Prabhu- over three decades, Rochford said it young adults of ISKCON. Srila Prabhu- pada’s work in creating a worldwide was the highlight of his career. He said pada once called the young adults Krishna conscious society.

Student Teams Cook Community Breakfasts by Bhaktin Jalasaya Federoff

hope to satisfy the members and earn famous cook Manasi Ganga, helped by their blessings. Gopinath, Syamasakhi, and Saranagati. The Bhaktivedanta College break- The next time you feel that the de- fast cooks are grouped into six teams. licious mouthfuls you are savoring are All are eager to do their best and re- the product of a higher and stronger veal their different skills, ranging from force beyond your control, and you a superhuman ability and patience in cannot stop at seconds, and feel the washing, cleaning, and cutting fruits urge for thirds, fourths, and even fifths, and vegetables to combining spices to now you know who is to blame. produce the best soups ever. Success Without genuine desire, proper depends on every individual’s contri- consciousness, and the blessings of Sri bution, and this results in an efficient, Sri -Gopinatha and Their dear enjoyable, and fairly stress-free group devotees, nothing becomes or remains The teams of student cooks hope to satisfy experience. successful. For this reason I am confi- the community of devotees and get its blessings. Monday morning’s prasadam de- dent that we must be doing something lights are whipped up by our two Lalitas right to still be delightfully strong in Recordings of melodious bhajans and David. Wednesday’s rich surprises our service. It is our heartfelt wish that are pumping up the energy, while spicy are produced by the much-in-demand the devotees are more than satisfied aromas drift from the flickering fires chefs Sheena, Nimai, and Ramachan- with the breakfast prasadam and that being used to cook breakfast for the dra. Every Thursday, we have the fa- they bless the students to continue Radhadesh devotees. The cooks are mous “soup-concocter” Rishab, along cooking to their best capacity. philosophers who show that they grasp with me and Gaurahari. Friday’s healthy We ask the Radhadesh devotees, the very roots of the Vaishnava tradi- goodies are made by Santusha amd “Don’t be shy! Take all the Krishna pras- tion by devotedly preparing food as an Ramkeshava. On Saturdays, Braja Bihari- adam you require, but be equally gen- offering to Krishna and then serving it ni, Anna, and Manoj work their morning erous with your blessings upon the to His devotees in the community. By magic, and on Sundays, wholesome college cooking teams, who are truly this activity of bhakti-, the cooks deliciousness emerges thanks to our at your service!”

PetitePetite Somme 2 • 6940 Durbuy • Belgium • Tel: +32 (0) 86 32 32 77 • [email protected] • www.bhaktivedantacollege.com