February 2012 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Srila Prabhupada: We are printing so many books. For spreading this knowledge, that must be distributed. Home Bhaktivedanta Manor breaks to home, place to place, man to man, this literature must go own book marathon record there. If one takes one book, By Sutapa Das Brahmacari Among the books, 1150 were Bhagavad Gitas, while Bhaktivedanta Manor’s at least one day he'll read it: Last December’s Book Marathon Ananda Caitanya das distributed an was amazing. Many devotees, both "Let me see what is this book I amazing 2715 books all by himself! from the temple and the wider have purchased the other day." congregational community, made By all of the wonderful efforts of And if he reads one line his life special endeavours that month to everyone involved, I am happy to will be successful, if he reads distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books announce that the 2011 Marathon was one line only, carefully. This to the general public, and many others the most successful since 1998. It was made extra sacrifices to facilitate them. a wonderful team effort and exhibition is such literature. So therefore of unity. The Marathon is a special We targeted 25,000 books to be book distribution I am giving time of the year, and I always feel distributed... we ended up distributing blessed and fortunate to have some so much stress. 35,843! participation in this most important Lecture on Bhagavad gita in We targeted 251 distributors to preaching activity in ISKCON. participate in the marathon... we ended Hawaii (1975) up with 273! Mother Yamuna - a great pioneer In December Her Grace Yamuna dasi the daily morning program. passed away. She was one of the most She published her own cookbook influential devotees during ISKCON’s entitled, “Lord Krishna’s Cuisine: The fledgling years. She was one of the first Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking” which pioneers to enter the UK and helped open garnered multiple awards, including the the first ISKCON temple in London, in International Association of Culinary Bury Place near the British Museum. Professionals Cookbook of the Year. Yamuna dasi, well-known for her angelic voice, was the lead singer in the Radha Yamuna Devi was well known for her own Krishna Temple Album, produced by caring, compassionate and unpretentious George Harrison. At every ISKCON nature. She was committed to following temple her singing of “Govindam” is Prabhupada’s instructions in her actions, played during “Deity Greeting” as part of words, character, and heart. Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2012 Remembering the victims of persecution Mentorship System Nila Madhava das and Radha Mohan school children and community and faith das represented Bhaktivedanta Manor representatives. It included prayers, the takes shape at Hertsmere Council’s Holocaust lighting of candles, a film and a touching Memorial Service on 27th January. performance by the Comm.unity Choir. The event, presided over by Cllr Peter Nila Madhava das read a prayer along Knell the Mayor of Hertsmere was with other faith leaders. attended by local Councillors, local “Anyone who is committed to daily spiritual practice will occasionally need some friendly support and encouragement,” explains Sri Radhika dasi, chair of the Mentorship Committee. “We all need help and guidance Double resolutions for Bristol community sometimes, so over the past few months January 14th was the auspicious day beads and group members chose to we’ve been working on giving new life of Makara Sankranti when devotees chant either 1, 4, 8, 12 or 16 rounds. A to an old idea – and that’s become the make spiritual vows as it is considered a presentation was given by Kripamoya Mentorship System.” 'new beginning.' Coming so close to the das, who celebrated the devotees’ The Manor Mentorship System will beginning of the year, it also doubles up resolutions with a Vedic ceremony. be a network of experienced devotees as a second try at keeping New Year’s Certificates noting the occasion were who pledge to offer their support to resolutions! presented by Minaketana Rama das other members who have more recently Devotees in Bristol took the opportunity who, with his wife Gandharvika dasi, committed to spiritual life. “The mentors to publicly express their determination runs the Bristol centre. will mainly be friends to those they help,” to recite the Hare Krishna mantra each The group meets weekly on Saturday said Sri Radhika dasi, “but they will day a certain number of times. One afternoons at The Folk Centre, 35 North offer useful information, tips on spiritual practice, and guidance whenever asked.” ‘round’ includes chanting on 108 sacred Street, Bedminster, Bristol. Devotees will be able to choose their own personal mentor, but each mentor will have a limit of ten members. The system will create opportunities for one-to-one discussions and there will be monthly meetings of all those in a mentor group. The mentorship system is currently available only to devotees who are already committed to a daily practise of chanting four rounds or more on japa beads. For more information write to: [email protected] HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2012 Projects which Inspire Giriraj Swami and Sivarama Swami were given tours of recent projects on the site of Bhaktivedanta Manor. “It is absolutely delightful and thoughtfully designed”, said Sivarama Swami during his visit to the New Gokul farm, after also taking special note of the visitors’ facilities. Of the George Harrison Garden, Giriraj Swami said “It is inspirational, a wonderful garden within which George Harrison’s lyrics describe an inner path of love, a path shared by many mystics regardless of tradition.” Magic falls on Lord Nityananda's Appearance Day Celebrating the birth of Lord Nityananda spreading the congregational chanting of became especially memorable this year, as the Hare Krishna mantra. He is known the morning pilgrimage to Bhaktivedanta as the adi-guru, or the original spiritual Manor included negotiating roads that master, and is considered even more had been hit by heavy snowfall from the merciful than Lord Caitanya Himself. previous evening. Those who made it to Just as Lord Caitanya is actually Krishna, the Manor were rewarded by a deeply Lord Nityananda is considered an spiritual atmosphere much more magical incarnation of Lord Balarama, Krishna’s than a snow-covered landscape can ever first expansion. be. The warmth of the devotion melted Many devotees also observed the birth away any thoughts of the near Arctic of this divine personality with friends conditions outside! and family, in the warmth of their own Lord Nityananda appeared as Lord homes. Caitanya’s principal associate for Chanting the Holy Names together Manor delegation meets Hungarian official The first Holy Name Weekend of 2012 On the 16th January a delegation state churches would be forced to again took place on 14th and 15th January, consisting of Sruti Dharma das, Gauri reapply under more 'stringent conditions'. when Bhaktivedanta Manor was vibrant das, Pranabandhu das and Shailesh Vara Mr Gergely Prohle empathized with the with devotees of all backgrounds who MP were invited to meet Mr Gergely unease felt by the Hungarian Society for came together to take part in singing the Prőhle, Deputy State Secretary of the Krishna Consciousness. He expressed Hare Krishna mantra. Special guests for Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, that he himself was also from a religious the weekend included Sivarama Swami who was on an official visit to London. minority group facing exactly the same and Madhava das. This was the delegation's second visit to scenario. Despite the hasty introduction the Hungarian Embassy, where previously of the bill he assured those present that they had met the Ambassador. The as the Society for Krishna Consciousness purpose of the visit was to raise concern was very well respected in Hungary about change in Hungarian legislation there should be no obstacles in the where religions already approved as re-registration process. Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2012 Hands across From soul to Seoul ISKCON Leicester Prayojana das joined Patanjali Muni acquires historic the Irish Sea das, a devotee of South Korean origin, building Pranabandhu das organised a van with 2 on a special mission to the country. Devotees in Leicester have finally tonnes of food donations including rice, By invitation of the Pocheon Mandir acquired the HSBC Bank building on ghee, spices and candles for ISKCON's Committee, their tour included a variety Granby Street, a Grade II listed building Inish Rath Temple. Parasuram das drove of house programmes, classes at the built in 1875 by the famous architect the donations in his Food For All van Yoga centre in Seoul and the Pocheon Goddard. all the way to Ireland and his arrival in Temple's New Year festival. The devotees lost their original place County Fermanagh was welcomed by The devotees gave presentations on of worship last September, when the the needy community there. The special Krishna consciousness, led kirtans temple suffered a gas explosion. All mission was funded by Bhaktivedanta (devotional songs) and helped in the of the 50 devotees within the building Manor and both Parasuram das and distribution of prasad to Bengali, managed to escape the multiple blasts Pranabandhu das worked together to Bangladeshi and Korean people. During uninjured. This was referred to as a assist the remote Centre, where food that time many copies of the Bhagavad ‘miracle’ by fire fighters. supplies are not so readily accessible. gita in Korean as well as Bengali were ISKCON purchased Inisrath island in distributed.