Helping Local Schools
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August 2009 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Pie-In-The-Sky: Govinda's Cheesecake takes off Last May ISKCON Wales opened its new prasadam (sanctified vegetarian food) distribution factory, called Govindas Foods Ltd. The factory produces a special vegan and gluten-free ‘cheesecake’, soon to be followed by quiche and lasagna - both vegan and gluten-free. The ISKCON Wales project aims Srila Prabhupada: to increase the choice of vegan and Tarakanath & Rameswara join Praghosa “The devotee who wants to gluten-free products available to das in opening the factory consumers across the country. The elevate himself to the higher cheesecakes will be available in 415 In addition to investment from the level of understanding must Holland and Barrett health food stores Welsh congregation the project has know that the Lord is present across the UK. The initial production been supported financially by the will be around 6,000 cheesecakes a Welsh Assembly and Bhaktivedanta in every living entity and one week. Manor. should be compassionate to other living entities. A devotee should worship the Supreme Lord, be friendly to persons who are on the same level and be compassionate to the ignorant. Distribution of prasada to the masses of people is essential for persons who make offerings to the Personality of Godhead. ” Srimad Bhagavatam: 3.29.24 Helping Local Schools: A Charity Walk by the Manor Congregation Care of the Lotus Trust, a charity fun make it a possibility” said Sita Rama das, event in Cambridgeshire involved 300 “Specifically those who organised the congregation members. The 25-mile route, did all the liaising and background cycle ride and 10-mile walk raised preparations. Everyone felt healthier and £4,128 towards a new IT Centre and fitter for their endeavours.” computer suite at Fairfields School in The Lotus Trust is based at Bhaktivedanta Radlett. The IT centre will also support Manor, and was set up to support the needs of parents with learning philanthropic initiatives locally and difficulties by providing special access internationally. Current projects include in the evenings. eye camps in India for the poor and the “On behalf of The Lotus Trust, I would Ahimsa Campaign in the UK - promoting like to thank all those who put in a happy, healthy cows. tremendous effort in the background to Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2009 An audience with the Westminster MP praises Soho St Temple Dalai Lama Krishna Priya das was honoured to receive a personal audience with the Dalai Lama during a recent visit to Dharamshala, north India. The head of Tibetan Buddhism spoke of ahimsa (non-violence) and sadbhav (harmony between people) - principles also followed by Vaishnavas. He expressed his appreciation for the work of Srila Prabhupada in promoting ahimsa around the world. Special thanks to Dr Madhav Mehra and D G Jija Harjit Singh for making the arrangements. During Mark Field MP’s visit to ISKCON Soho Street Temple, President Jai Nitai das informed him: “We have had a vibrant, progressive and spiritually inspiring community here in the heart of London for over 40 years.” Accepting the invitation from the Hindu Forum of Britain, Mark Field visited the ISKCON London temple in June 2009. “I felt honoured to be invited to the only Temple in my constituency,” he said, “I applaud the unique contribution that ISKCON has made in adding to the quality and diversity of the social, cultural and spiritual landscape of London. In particular, your programmes for feeding the homeless are deeply appreciated and your vegetarian restaurant promotes healthy food and quality lifestyle." In a recent public poll, where the public were asked to name the three most iconic images of London’s West End, the Hare Krishnas came third after black cabs and red buses. BAPS UK Leader Visits Bhaktivedanta Manor During his first visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor, Yogvivek Swami, toured the Manor buildings and grounds. While visiting the New Gokul Farm complex, he expressed appreciation for the level of care offered to the cows as well as the environmental initiatives of the design. The tour included the rooms of ISKCON’s founder Srila Prabhupada. Yogvivek Swami appreciated Srila Prabhupada’s efforts in publishing “an Dilip Patel, Chairman of the Patrons Council, presents Yogvivek Swami with an exclusive gift immense wealth of literature”. Chiltern Prayer Hall Inauguration Nila Madhava das attended the multi-faith opening ceremony of the new prayer hall at Chiltern Woodland Burial Park. Dignitaries present included the Right Reverend Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham from the Church of England Diocese of Oxford. The ceremony culminated with the releasing of doves, which traditionally symbolise peace. Chiltern Woodland Burial Park offers an environmentally friendly alternative to the existing choices for burial and cremation, open to families of all faiths. Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2009 Inundated at Popular Prasadam at the Radlett Festival Mind Body Spirit Festival Every year devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor work At the 2009 Mind Body Spirit Festival, as part of the Radlett Festival held at the prestigious Horticultural Committee that orgainses the Halls in Victoria, the devotees’ food stall Festival. was inundated for the entire six days. Such was the demand that each day extra Bhaktivedanta Manor provides deliveries were necessary. over 3,000 plates of free vegetarian food each year. Next year, organiser Adi-Guru das This year the Manor School is looking to increase the size of the Garden Club entered the Radlett devotees’ contribution to the event. Horticultural Society’s scarecrow Anyone wishing to get involved is making competition, and walked invited to contact him on adi-guru@ away with a cash prize, medal pure-incense.com. He is also preparing and certificate. for the Yoga Show in Olympia which is during the last weekend of October. European Brahmacaris convene at Bhaktivedanta Manor The first European Brahmacari seminar took place at Bhaktivedanta Manor between 1st and 4th July. Ninety brahmacaris (monks) from fifteen countries and seven sannyasis participated in a programme of seminars, harinam and sadhu-sanga. Attendees welcomed the opportunity to mix with like-minded monks, reinforcing their own level of practice and commitment. During the event Bhakta Will and Bhakta Kevin were awarded their saffron robes by Prahladanada Swami and Candra Mauli Swami. Several congregation members assisted the event organisers, by offering their time and in some Children from the Manor School took cases their homes, in order to part in the festival stage performances accomodate the visitors. Locals flock to family Open Days During the Yoga Family Fun Day in May and the Strawberry Fun Fair in June, as the sun shone generously, hundreds of local first-timers descended on the Manor. Visitors received tours of the Manor grounds and took the opportunity to observe the lifestyle of devotees and ask questions about the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness. Special activities included children’s yoga, face- painting and bullock cart rides. In addition guests received Mehndi hand decoration and ladies tried on (and took home!) colourful saris. Delicious savouries and cakes were on offer throughout the two days. Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2009 Wedding Marquee Update Spiritual Retreat in the Italian Countryside This year’s congregational retreat was held at Villa Vrindavan in the Tuscan countryside just a 20-minute drive from Florence, Italy. Villa Vrindavan is a 16th century villa and the terrace views of the surrounding hills, dotted with olive trees and vineyards, was outstanding. Spiritual retreats offer a precious On 1st July a Public Inquiry began to opportunity to step off the treadmill of decide the fate of the temple’s wedding working life for a while in order to rest For those already on a spiritual path, it’s a marquee. An earlier planning application and become a little more introspective. time of re-dedication and strengthening. seeking permission for erecting the Perhaps it may also involve marquee had been rejected by Hertsmere looking at existing spiritual Borough Council. practises from new angles A marquee has been erected each and seeing how they can be summer for approximately eleven weeks better understood, or how during each of the last eleven years. Its commitment to them can be purpose has been to facilitate weddings refreshed. at the temple, specifically those with Devotees visited local areas, more than two hundred and fifty invited including Assisi. There they guests, thereby avoiding excessive use saw the chapel built by the of the temple room which is primarily a hands of St Francis before public place of worship. visiting his final resting Shortly into the formalities of the place. Kripamoya das found it proceedings, it became apparent interesting how St Francis’ life that crucial evidence consisting of paralleled that of Vaishnava independent sound-level measurements saints. had been received at a very late stage, British and Italian devotees and could not be considered fully within chanted the Hare Krishna the time available. mantra through the streets The Temple legal team proceeded of Florence and the public’s to withdraw the appeal, on the reception was wonderful. understanding that the present marquee would be permitted to continue to fulfil its role for the rest of the year, and that a Manor Youth Forum…20 Years On separate application would be made for Conceived at the beginning of the 1990s the Manor Youth Forum next year. (MYF) engaged the youth’s various talents and spirit of adventure in a variety of fun-filled ways. Maha-Prasad at Under the leadership of Sita Rama das and Srutidharma das, the MYF published the magazine “Chakra”; took part in national youth Ernst & Young festivals; mobilised other youth to support the “Save the Manor” Volunteers made over 1,000 pieces of campaign; and held retreats both in the UK and Europe.