February 2016 Dedicated toHisDivineGrace A.C. BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada,Founder-AcharyaoftheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness Lecture inGorakhpur(Feb1971) Caitanya's namewillbethere." of HareKrsnamantraandLord globe, everywhere,thismessage are thereonthesurfaceof "As manytownsandvillages Lord Caitanya’sprediction,that organized.…It isKrsna’sdesire… came tome,andthingswere these youngAmericans,they Then gradually,moreandmore, apartment in26SecondAvenue. a storefrontandlivinginthat I startedin1966,lecturing Srila Prabhupada: just onemonth! 100,000 ofSrilaPrabhupada’s bookin the Manordevoteeswasto distribute the aim Consciousness (ISKCON), of of theInternational SocietyforKrishna 50th Anniversary sincetheincorporation was extraordinary! In celebration of the a veryspecial time, but lastDecember The annual Book Marathon is always environmental organisation GreenFaith. there representingthemulti-faith devotee Gopal-Liladas,whowas The leadersincludedISKCON climate change agreement. 1.8 million signatures supporting afair Palace, where they presented him with of twentyfaith-basedgroupsatElysee Francois Hollande met with the leaders During thetalks,Frenchpresident addressing climate change. is lookingtoincreasingit'spartin talks inParisDecember, ISKCON After thehistory-making climate change The Marathon Miracle Reducing Climate Change ....continued on page4 those hemet in Paris. emissions,” explained Gopal-Lila das to individual can dotoreducetheir carbon one ofthequickestandbestthingsan vegetarianism. “Goingvegetarianis the environment isits promotion of Ato majorcontribution of ISKCON staff. of which count devotees amongst their Oxford CentreforHinduStudies,both together bytheBhumiProjectat Declaration onClimateChangeput is signeduptotheHindu ISKCON Newsletter February 2016 Remembering a friendship Rukmini Ramana das retires after 30 years of service with

After serving in the Manor’s Treasury Temple Commander and various types for nearly 30 years, Rukmini Ramana of administration. das has is now retiring from his daily “Rukmini Ramana prabhu was very The George Harrison Evening had a duties. devoted to Srila Prabhupada and his very special guest who shared a variety He received initiation from Srila mission” explained fellow Treasurer of fond memories. Gurudas was Prabhupada in 1977, and whether at Nabaswati dasi. “He was philosophically amongst the small group of pioneer the Manor or Caitanya College in very sound and one of the most devotees who became close friends Worcestershire, he excelled in all the equipoised and steady devotees I know.” with George Harrison and his Beatles services he took on: book distribution, bandmate . When George We wish him the very best for the future. produced "The Radha Temple”, an album of devotional music released Soul Expressions - in 1971, Gurudas played and sang with Touching many hearts the other devotees. Dhananjaya das, who Warming the Winter recommended to George Harrison the Acaryavan Das purchase of the Manor, was also present.

HARE KRISHNA , KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE Annual Gathering The annual gathering at Letchmore Heath’s Village Hall, organised by January 1956 - December 2015 Sukadev das and Sudha Bhava dasi, is Acaryavan das came from a Berber more popular than ever. The event brings family residing in the mountains of Soul Expressions is a monthly event together local devotees for devotional northeast Morocco, near the Algerian which makes devotional music music, performance, inspirational border. He first came to know of accessible to everyone and especially presentations and a wonderful meal ISKCON and devotees after tasting some aimed at those unfamiliar with Krishna prepared in conjunction with the temple mangal-arati sweets, and eventually consciousness. kitchen and community members. “It's joined the temple in Paris during the enlivening to associate with each other 80’s. He quickly developed a reputation Over 70 newcomers attended a special and it sets a nice mood for the rest for his culinary talent - particularly in winter party organised by the Krishna of the year," explained community the art of cooking authentic, homemade Wisdom team. Jayadev das and the representative Brijlata dasi. Moroccan couscous. He quickly Scotland group headed by developed very close, lasting friendships Prabhupada Prana das took part and it and relationships during his devotional was an experience most visitors said life. To his family, he remained a dear they will never forget! father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and nephew. The most recent event was attended by over 55 people, If you know anyone In gratitude to his homeland, he shared whom you would like to be introduced the non-sectarian teachings of Krishna to kirtan, contact Radha Govinda das at consciousness in Morocco, Algeria and [email protected] Tunisia.

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Celebrating ISKCON's 50th Anniversary Accelerate your service to Krishna! 50 Books for the In observance of ISKCON’s 50th For any publications, events, initiatives 50th Year Anniversary this year, all devotees are and projects this year, don't forget to.... invited to ‘accelerate their service to Krishna’, take this unique opportunity 1. Inform the Bhaktivedanta Manor and make a personal contribution to the representative, Farish Lakhani: celebrations. [email protected]

Getting involved is as simple as.... 2. Brand it using the ISKCON 50 logo and add the tag line 'Joy of • Carrying through an idea that's been Devotion' on the back-burner As many devotees as possible are If you are part of another ISKCON • Something that you have always encouraged to make a personal offering, Temple community in the UK, then wanted to launch, but never got round by distributing at least 50 of Srila please inform the National Co-ordinator to it. Prabhupada’s books throughout this Devaki dasi: • Something you may already be doing, year. but it can be re-launched or enhanced [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

Any type of activity that contributes 50 Hours of Service towards Srila Prabhupada’s mission in Offer 50 hours of service this year to one form or another will be counted. mark ISKCON turning 50! The joy of devotion can be experienced in a variety Various exciting service opportunities of different services to Lord Krishna. will be set up for you around the Manor estate. You can come in groups with Any service performed starting from friends and family or individually and now till the end of November, can be truely experience the joy of devotion! part of your bouquet of ‘50 hours of devotional service’. Contact: [email protected]

A Passion to Paint During this 50th Anniversary, 50 new frontiers for the Holy Name community member Fergus Quinn has The Manor's weekend Harinama team week. So far we have already covered decided to make a special effort by has taken ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary 32 new frontiers! Every Saturday we channelling his passion for art to paint to heart. The team aims to perform meet at 11am in the Manor's main car Lord Krishna’s devotees. “My favourite harinama street processions in no park. The last Saturday of each month project so far has been painting Srila less than 50 towns that have never up to the summer we will leave at 10am Prabhupada,” he explained. Fergus set experienced it before! to set off on a longer expedition. Come up Eagle Arts to showcase art projects, and join us and experience the joy of and aims to raise money for Food For "It is an exciting project,” Ananta harinam!" Life through the sale of the artworks. Purusottama das explained, “We started last September during the Holy Name Contact: [email protected] www.eaglearts.co.uk

Page 3 As a young university student walked past me, something Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2016 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletterinside told me to stop him. He was a pharmacy student February 2016 from a wealthy Arab background. I explained how Prabhupada's books explained how mantra meditation helps reduce the suffering and depressing conditions of It was my first book Marathon: I was working hard to modern life. He was eager to know more and told me distribute books door-to-door in my neighbourhood, how he been feeling suicidal because he didn’t see the when I knocked on one particular door. An elderly lady meaning of anything he was doing; studies, work, and opened, and without hesitation she announced “I’ve been life in general. Then he questioned “What do these books waiting for you!”, before enthusiastically inviting me in. talk about that I haven’t heard before?” I then explained She emotionally explained that every year on that day for the Krishna consciousness philosophy in some detail: the past 6 years she and her family would visit the Manor Krishna, the spiritual and material worlds, etc … After a tremendous effort by more than 350 devotees to commemorate the passing-away of her niece. But this As I aproached a young of all types, 131,340 books were distributed across particular year she was unable to leave the house and “Does that make sense?” I nervously asked. “It makes man and said that we the UK, the largest Marathon score outside of India became distraught. Feeling bad, she had been praying all complete sense!” he exclaimed with confidence. He left are Hare Krishna's and the most successful in over 20 years! day. Miraculously, she then explained that 6pm was the taking a , Srimad Bhagavatam 1st Canto he started to dance! He explained that he The incredible efforts of many devotees, the time of her daughter’s passing, and that was exactly the and a VEDA book along with a Chant and be Happy! miraculous stories of books being distributed, time I had knocked on her door!” -Bhakta Diptesh - Bhakta Nikhil met us before at the and the feeling of being intimately under Srila Woodstock festival, Prabhupada’s direct shelter and care, remind us of and from all the places the all-auspicious nature of distributing his books there he loves the Hare to the public. Krishna's the most. He Record numbers were involved: over fifteen sanga took books, gave a big teams, the Pandava Sena youth group, Sivarama donation and gave me Swami’s team, Manor School alumni, travelling big hug. - Bhakta Vlad ashram teams, fulltime householder distributors, and many more. This effort was a very much united community-wide achievement. The National Sankirtan festival was held at the Manor in early January, organised by Vishvambhara das the National Coordinator for Sankirtana. Special guests included Sivarama Swami, Praghosa das, Dayananda Swami and Dhananjaya das .

Four of the top five individual street distributors were from the Manor. Second place nationally was Ananda Caitanya das, third was Bhakta Ganesh, fourth Janakinath das and fifth place and the top lady distributor was Guru Shakti dasi. The winners of the ‘Team contact’ category was once again the Manor’s Bhakti Vriksha group! In Coventry I met two friends who took a Veda and Gita from me. One of them had already read the Veda and bought it for his friend. He told his friend I met a lady who I stopped and I started talking about the to read the Veda telling books and then she stopped me and said this is so weird him it is a beautiful book I never ever stop for people on the road but today I was as it is the most ancient walking round the shops thinking I really need something teachings. He then bought more to make me happy, I've become such an unhappy a Gita for himself as he person and its affecting my children and everyone around said he always wanted to me but for some reason I stopped to talk to you. she gave read it. He also told me he a £20 donation and gave all her contact details and said knows the Mahabharata she feels like this books going to be the beginning of her positive life ad help her to leave the negative one behind" and Ramayana! Page 4 - Bhaktin Roshni - Guru shakti dasi Page 5 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2016

Supporting others Self-Realisation Fellowship Every year Bhaktivendanta Manor Srutidharma das and Gauri das invests a fund of £10,000 to assist represented ISKCON at a premier other ISKCON projects. screening of Awake: The life of The projects supported this year are: Yogananda’ at the House of Lords, organised by the Self-Realisation Fellowship. The documentary is an unconventional biography about the Swami who brought yoga and meditation to the West in the 1920s. The event was led by Lord Popat and special guest was Hare Krishna Festivals UK: They Brother Vishwananda hold indoor festivals across UK, as well as Rathayatra festivals and harinamas. Building the Vedic Social Structure

Mission Africa: Enabling senior preachers to visit and assist ISKCON's centres in Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo.

His Holiness Sivarama Swami has begun delivered at the Manor, Maharaja a long-term project to build a template described in no uncertain terms about for social structure in the ISKCON farm how Srila Prabhupada had wanted Mayapur TV: Developing the current community in Hungary, based on the the development of varnasrama, the Mayapur TV studio to better enable ancient varnasrama system. backbone of a practical society that live broadcasts from ISKCON temples During a two part seminar on the subject complements the process of devotional around the world. service.

Bhaktivedanta Manor are keenly supporting this renovation and working closely with the local ISKCON Leicester team. Pranabandhu das, Rameshvar das and Prashun Popat have made many visits A film which will The Joy of Devotion: to Leicester to ensure that all parts of the tell the story of ISKCON to the world in renovation, including the appointment 35 minutes. of contractors and design is all in place. The Mayapur Academy: Sponsoring The total project cost of the two floors is students to be trained in deity worship. £350,000 and Bhaktivedanta Manor are making a donation of £180,000 towards this cost and encouraging the additional ISKCON Leicester fund raising. Renovation Pradyumna das, President of ISKCON To mark the 50th anniversary, ISKCON Leicester said, 'I'm very grateful to the Leicester have started some long Manor team not only for their generosity awaited renovation work in their new in gifting a significant donation towards Gratitude: A local initiative run by Japa building. The renovation will include the renovation, but the guidance of the Yajna das and Shantasya dasi, cooks creating accommodation for 16 devotees senior team has proved to be invaluable.' lunch for at least 30 people every week. on the second floor, while on the first Celebrations are planned for the opening People come from a variety of different floor a functional hall, offices, a small of the upper floors once the renovation backgrounds, including poor and special kitchen and classrooms. The work will is complete. needs. be completed by May 2016.

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Page 7 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2016 Cross-Faith Meeting Interfaith Week at local Church

On a visit to Sheffield, Kripamoya das presented Reverend Dr. John Vincent Rev Robert Fletcher of St. John the Baptist Church hosted the children of the Manor with a copy of his The Guru & Disciple School during Interfaith Week .He took them on a tour of the church and explained Book. The Ashram Community Trust many of the key features of the building both historically and religiously. is a Christian organisation in Sheffield, Yorkshire which was founded in 1965. The group runs welfare, educational, and health food projects in the city. Its founder, the Reverend Dr. John Vincent, former head of the Methodist Church, has made a lifetime study of the theology of discipleship according to the Bible.

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, National Devotees from across the UK descended on the Manor that day. Mina Sharma, RAMA RAMA Communications Day the Head of ISKCON National HARE HARE Communications, coordinated media The special guest at this years National training workshops, focusing on both Communications Day was Rev George traditional and social media. Devaki Pitcher, a journalist, public relations February dasi, the UK National Coordinator pioneer and Anglican Priest. From Thur 18 Bhaimi Ekadasi of ISKCON 50 emphasised the personal experience of dealing with (fast till noon for Varahadeva) significance of this year’s celebrations the media, he explained that expressing Fri 19 App of Lord Varahadeva and encouraged everyone to do more honesty and humility are far more Sat 20 App of Sri Nityananda Prabhu within their communities. productive than speaking dogma. (fast till noon) Sat 27 App of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saravati Thakura (fast till noon) Bhaktivedanta Manor March Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane Aldenham · Herts Sat 5 Vijaya Ekadasi (for sat-nav only, please use postcode WD25 8DT) Sun 6 Mother’s Day Sat 19 Vyanjuli Mahadvadasi 01923 851000 www.krishnatemple.com (fasting for Amalaki Ekadasi) Please send your news, photos and comments to: Disapp of Sri Madhavendra Puri Radha Mohan das Wed 23 Gaura Purnima (fast till moonrise) [email protected]

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