A Story of Dairy Farming
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November 2009 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness A Story of Dairy Farming Ranchor Prime and rock star Chrissie Hynde were joined by manor oxen at the launch of a new book on dairy farming. Written by Ranchor das, and containing 32 pages of colour photos, the book has received national media attention since its launch at the Southbank Centre in London. Cows and the Earth looks at the Srila Prabhupada: implications of cattle exploitation in terms of carbon emissions, Vedic education means taking food scarcity, water shortages and care of the soul. Presently the animal suffering, and proposes a soul is encaged, embodied, radical rethink of the relationship entangled in material affairs. between humans and the non-human world. Ranchor has worked with The soul is suffering, and it is to environmental issues for twenty our benefit to rescue him from years. In 1992 he published Hinduism these material clutches. This and Ecology, still the standard text on is real education… the soul the subject. does not belong to the material Cows and the Earth is the first in a world. This means that the soul series of publications from Fitzrovia is above material action and Press. The book is available at reaction. In the material world Bhaktivedanta Manor as a paperback, even iron and stone can be and the hardback edition is available in high street bookshops. The book is melted, but the laws of material also available to order through local nature do not apply to the spirit bookshops. soul. Oxen Sukadeva and Sahadeva join For more information visit: Syamasundara das, Chrissie Hynde and Teaching of Lord Kapila 13.28 purport Ranchor das for the launch http://www.fitzroviapress.com Diwali Celebrated at 10 Downing St Prime Minister Gordon Brown celebrated Diwali by lighting the ceremonial lamp at 10 Downing Street amid chanting of Vedic prayers for world peace, thus becoming the first British Prime Minister to personally host the occasion. In keeping with the spirit of Diwali, all the celebrants were presented at the end with the delicacies which had formed a part of the Annakut. During the event Vinay Tanna, Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Head of Communications, presented Gordon Brown with a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter November 2009 Manor School Bonding with local schools A life dedicated to their Lordships' service On the first Ekadasi (fasting day) of the Manor School children performed sacred month of Kartik, senior devotee the Ramayan to an audience of over Siddharupa dasi passed away with the 250 at local Fairfield Junior School Lord’s name on her lips. She came to in Radlett. They also explained the ISKCON in 1972 and after the deities meaning of Diwali which was enjoyed were installed at Bhaktivedanta Manor, by both students and staff. she cooked for them for 24 years. Children’s Govardhana Puja Siddharupa dasi was very dear to many devotees in the community. “Her whole life was for Krishna,” explained her daughter Chudamani dasi, “She always wanted to serve, even when she was sick she was cooking and worshiping her deity at home”. The joy of studying the ‘Song of God’ The Bhakti Sastri course, which studies key scriptures, has begun its fourth year running at the Manor. The course starts every September and takes place on Sunday mornings over a 13 month period. “It is a very exciting and moving experience to be The children of the Manor School and able to study and share the Pre-school along with their parents timeless words of Lord had a special Govardhan Puja festival. Sri Krishna,” explained The children made a traditional image teacher Jiva Doya das, of Krishna in the shape of a stone from referring to the Bhagavad- Mount Govardhana (called Giriraj) . gita. “The books we study Then they cooked, made decorations are so profound. For me including rangoli and leaf garlands, as a teacher it is a very and performed dance and drama. Over relish able experience fifty one food preparations were made to see how the students’ which were carefully crafted by the knowledge and faith in children. the books grows. And Respecting other faiths with their faith increasing, their ability to put the philosophy into practice also increases. That is the real goal of the course – not to just study the books but to live them.” Welcoming back the Court’s glory days “I was honoured to be representing that period in Croome Court’s history,” explained Sri Pati das who has fond memories of that time. “It was an expansive time of ISKCON and even though we did not stay there long, many of the activities that started Years 4 and 5 Manor School children there have proved important in the long learned about the Islamic faith as part term. of their Religious Education studies. “For example, the introductory training Their guest spoke about the beliefs programs, publishing ventures, a and practices of true Muslims and Between 1980-1984 the magnificent television studio and a school. Local answered students' questions. Students Croome Court was owned by ISKCON villagers remembered we had a lama and were impressed by how strictly and, at the invitation of the National an ox cart. and others recalled playing she was following her fast during Trust, devotees chanted as part of the with the devotee children.” Ramadan and by the fact that she is a Court’s official opening to the public. vegetarian. Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter DussheraNovember 2009 The Burning of Ravana Dusshera marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demoniac king Ravana and the rescue of his wife Sita. Dusshera literally means the tenth day. It marks the end of the nine day period of Ashwin also known as Navratri. Kamal das and team worked tirelessly to produce one of the most fearsome looking Ravana's ever. The ten heads represent the undesirable qualities in our hearts such as lust, anger, greed and envy. After an excellent performance of the Ramayan in the field, the huge effigy was lit. As it burned, devotees prayed to Lord Rama in order that their bad qualities would be burnt away in the fire of devotion. The level of enthusiasm and energy amongst the spectators at that very moment was incredible to observe. Chanting returns to the Square On Sunday 4th October over 30,000 chanting of Hare Krishna reverberated in along to the Hare Krishna mantra. Lord revellers descended on Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square as devotees blissfully Nelson was blessed yet again! 1,200 for the London Diwali festival. This celebrated the Rathayatra festival there. prasadam sweets were distributed and year’s Diwali in London Committee was As a finale to the Diwali festival, Jayadeva ISKCON’s Radha Krishna Temple ran chaired by Bhaktivedanta Manor Patrons’ das and his choir took to the main stage a book store. Council member Sanjay Gadhvi. and had the whole of the Square chanting The opening ceremony was conducted by the Deputy Mayor for London, Mr Richard Barnes, Sanjay Gadhvi and India’s well-known yoga instructor Swami Ramdev. Speaking on behalf of ISKCON, Rameshwar das urged the bustling crowd to “chant and be happy!” In the August newsletter we reported left: Swami Ramdev, Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes and Patron Council member Sanjay Gadhvi conduct the opening ceremony; how the congregational right: Jayadeva das and choir lead kirtan Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter November 2009 Diwali in Parliament & For the eighth year running the Hindu Forum of Britain hosted Diwali at the House of Commons. All parliamentary parties were invited to meet leaders from the community, religious, commercial, artistic and academic sectors. During his address, referring to the ISKCON temple in Soho Street, Mark Field MP declared “As Member of Parliament for Westminster, I am proud to say that there is an exquisitely beautiful temple in my constituency. It also has the best vegetarian restaurant in Diwali Harinama procession in Brent the country!” John Bercow MP, the Speaker of the House of Commons, was delighted to meet Sruti Dharma das and Bhasker Rughani during his first attendance of Diwali at the Commons (pictured above). Once again Bhaktivedanta Manor brought a unique touch of energy and colour to the Diwali parade on Ealing Road in the London borough of Brent. As in previous years, devotees led the huge procession which attracted an estimated 10,000 Mark Field MP with Bhasker Rughani people, with a bullock-cart, a float depicting Lord Rama’s and Alpesh Patel forest dwelling, lively kirtan and splendid costumes. “It was nice to see so many different communities coming together for such a vibrant and happy festival,” said Bhakta Kamal, chief organiser behind the Manor’s contribution. Page 4 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter November 2009 “I was greatly honoured to be allowed to help release one of the Chinese lanterns with a message of peace that we can all subscribe to, no matter what our religion and I greatly enjoyed watching the firework display which was truly spectacular.” & Lewis Osbourne (Radlett United Synagogue) The weekend of Diwali is one of the busiest times of year for Bhaktivedanta Manor and this year was certainly no exception. A record number of nearly 30,000 guests came to Bhaktivedanta Manor to take darshan of Lord Rama. Age-old culture of India teaches us to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity with the light of knowledge. Diwali and the Hindu New Year are enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion. Its magical and radiant touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.