December 2011

Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Srila Prabhupada: One hundred years ago in India, all dramatic performances were centered around the superhuman Diwali at the Palace activities of the Supreme Lord. a resounding success The common people would Watford’s Palace Theatre welcomed members of the local community, local be verily entertained by the over 550 guests through its doors schools, firms, theatre staff and the performances of dramas, and in November for a joyous Diwali Manor all pulled together to put on such yatra parties played wonderfully celebration. The evening included a sell- a colourful, educational and entertaining on the superhuman activities out performance of the Epic Ramayan, show. It was by far the largest of all the of the Lord, and thus even performed by the Bhaktivedanta cultural celebrations taken on by the the illiterate would be a Players, followed by a feast. ambitious Palace with its imaginatively participant in the knowledge diverse range of activities. of Vedic literature, despite a Special guests included the MP for considerable lack of academic Watford Mr Richard Harrington, “I was delighted to take part in Diwali the Mayor of Watford Cllr Dorothy celebrations at the Watford Palace qualifications. Therefore, Thornhill, Mayor of Harrow Cllr Theatre,” said Richard Harrington MP. expert players in drama, Mrinal Choudhury, various Watford “It was a wonderful celebration not only dancers, singers, speakers, etc., Counsellors and Manor President Sruti of the festival but also a celebration of are required for the spiritual Dharma das. the community at its best. I was very enlightenment of the common impressed how the event joined people The event’s success was due to the man. together for a very enjoyable evening.” strong collaborative way in which SB. 1.11.20 Purport Launch of Hindu Christian Forum On 23rd November the Archbishop of vision - dialogue and depth is what we Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams and all hope for." Sruti Dharma das launched the Hindu After praising the Oxford Centre for Christian Forum at Lambeth Palace, Hindu Studies for its research on an event which also featured addresses both faiths and the important role of from Andrew Stunell MP, Baroness education, Sruti Dharma das urged Richardson and Lord Popat. members of both faiths to celebrate "The conversation of interfaith dialogue their differences but also focus on the is always one where we look eagerly similarities. “The ultimate essence is and expectantly for enrichment," said to truly love and serve the Supreme the Archbishop. "We're not playing for Almighty,” he added, “As the Bhagavad victory, we're seeking understanding Gita states: Obstacles are what you see from one another... by learning the when you take your eyes of the goal”. depth of one another's commitment and Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2011

New Gokul recognised for “Design Excellence” Ten Years On: New Gokul farm has been recognised the environment. George Harrison is Remembered for its innovative and sustainable design Malcolm Pawley, principal at Malcolm The 29th of November marked the when it was commended at the biennial Pawley Architects Ltd, which designed tenth anniversary of the passing of the Hertfordshire Building Futures Awards. the ethical farm, said: “We are delighted. famous Beatles musician and Hare Sustainable design features at the farm We hope that this design will inspire Krishna follower George Harrison. include translucent corrugated sheeting other farms in the area to think of ways Liverpool, the city where The Beatles to provide natural light, Yorkshire which they can become more sustainable originated from, staged a "Free Concert boarding to provide ventilation and a and ethical in their everyday work.” For George" at St George’s Hall, which rain water harvesting system to collect Jeremy Caulton, Hertfordshire Building attracted the Lord Mayor and fans from water for the farm’s needs. Futures Awards judge, said “The choice as far as the USA. In the evening The The building received a commendation and use of materials in the construction Cavern club also held a Musical Tribute in the Design Excellence category at the of the complex ensures that it is bright to George. Devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor’s community and across the UK award ceremony, which recognises new and airy - perfect conditions for both the performed kirtan and distributed first- buildings that have a limited impact on Farm’s visitors and animal husbandry.” class prasad to everyone at both venues. The program also included devotees performing on stage during a finale performance of “My Sweet Lord”. Copies of the book “Chant and be Happy” were distributed, which includes conversations between Srila Prabhupada, George Harrison and another famous former Beatle, John Lennon. “Many people approached us to express how much they appreciated our presence,” explained Saskhi Gopal das, “Parasuram and his helpers cooked meals for 600 people at St George’s Photo caption: (from left): Malcolm Pawley, Jeremy Caulton, Dhirubhai Lad (of Lad Construction) , Syamasundar das and Rickie Patel (of Malcolm Pawley Architects Ltd) Hall."

Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2011 Local Schools Join National Interfaith Week Children from the Manor School joined local Jewish and Christian schools in Allum Hall, Borehamwood for a cross- cultural event as part of National Interfaith Week. The evening included music, dance and drama from the all the children, depicting cultural aspects of their faiths. There was also the sharing of vegetarian food and displays. The Manor School children, with help from School staff, distributed homemade food and painted henna decorations. Their stage debut included a play explaining that ‘our true identity is the soul not the body’, which was compared to a piece of outer clothing.

Local Communities Unite for Mitzvah Day On Sunday 20th November a team of devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor joined members of the Jewish and Christian communities and Aldenham Parish Council to continue the clearance of Rose Field in Radlett for the creation of a picnic area for locals. They also planted trees to create a tree nursery. This project is cross communal for the benefit of the entire community. Mitzvah Day is a Jewish led day of social action. On Mitzvah Day people take part in hands- on projects, without fundraising, to support charities and to build stronger communities.

Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2011 Remembrance Sunday During Remembrance Sunday, which this year fell on November 13th, Bhaktivedanta Manor sent representatives to lay wreaths and recite prayers at three separate locations: the War Memorials in Letchmore Heath village, Radlett and the Borough of Harrow. In Britain, Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, which is the Sunday nearest to 11th November Armistice Day. It is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War in 1918. President of Bhaktivedanta Manor Srutidharma das, in his capacity as the Chaplain to the Mayor of Harrow, read the opening prayers before an august British Army assembly including Gareth Thomas MP, The British Army's Diversity Action Bob Blackman MP, local Counsellors, Recruiting Team (DART) enjoyed an dignitaries, military servicemen and afternoon at the temple. women, and 500 members of the general public of the Borough.

Feeding of the 5000 “It was an event of Biblical proportions,” explained Food for All Director Parasuram das. “We had 2 hours to distribute 5000 plates of vegetarian food at Trafalgar Square. It seemed impossible but about 40 volunteers turned up to help serve and the day before we had 30 at the Manor to chop vegetables. We cooked rice and subji and everybody loved their free lunch!” The Bishop of London Revd Richard Chartres and the Mayor of London Mr Boris Johnson were among the celebrities who were helped distribute the food. "It is wonderful to see so many young people putting their beliefs into practice and working together as a community," said the Bishop of London. The event was to raise awareness of food waste in the UK. Perfectly good food gets thrown into landfills due to relatively minor faults such as having the wrong shape (as in the case of carrots and potatoes), or apples being too big or too small! The event worked in conjunction with charities including Friends of the Earth, Fairshare and Foodcycle. ISKCON Food For All won the Novillis recycling award for the year 2008 / 2009.

Page 4 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2011 NHSF’s 20th Anniversary Referring to the play, Pranav Bhanot, NHSF’s president, commented ‘It On Saturday 19th November, 40 was absolutely phenomenal. The key members of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s thing that stood out for me was the community took part in the National professionalism of the act, and, more Hindu Student Forum’s (NHSF) ‘Arise to the point, it was very relevant, and Arjuna’ conference. The event marked relevance is extremely important when the 20th anniversary of the organization we're trying to convey centuries old and took place in the JFS school in stories to a 21st century audience..’ Kenton. Contributions included the ‘Under the Influence’ play by ISKCON Pandava Sena, ‘Mantra Chants’ workshop by Deena Krishna das, an exhibition about Ahimsa Milk, a talk entitled “The Dharma of Capitalism” by Navin Krishna das and displays manned by Dipna Thakrar, Bhakta Will from the Manor, Jagannath Sharan das and others. One of the main contributions was a play titled ‘The Song of God’, which depicted the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna as presented in the Bhagavad- gita. The drama included Radha Mohan das from the Bhaktivedanta Players and Shanker Punn from ISKCON Pandava Sena.

Over 100 Students attend the “Spiritual students mix puri dough, roll puris and activity by over 95% of the students! Riot” University Retreat on a bright decorate cakes in four different ways. ‘Spiritual Riot’ was by far the biggest winter’s day. The KC Soc group Before lunch everyone took part in the and best retreat in the long history of comprises over 20 Universities across extraordinary experience of milking Kc Socs…It will certainly take some the country – and are growing – the and feeding the Manor’s cows. beating! Next retreat – mark it in most recent addition being in Bath. Later there was an energy-fuelled your calendars: February 25th and The action packed day included a tour workshop: ‘LOST - a SURVIVAL November 3rd 2012. of Bhaktivedanta Manor, ‘Energizing special’ which included a fun packed Get Involved! www.krishnasoc.com Power Yoga’, an interactive workshop team activity. The final Mantra session [email protected] called ‘Swagger - Make it...don't fake had everyone on their feet dancing the it!’. ‘Veggie Steady Cook’ had all evening away, and was voted the BEST UK hit by Spiritual Riot! by hit UK

Page 5 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter December 2011 RESOLVING TO BE HAPPY by Krishna Dharma das With the arrival of another new year permanent happiness. The first Vedic instructions. The mind will likely rebel many of us will be girding our loins and instruction is to inquire into Brahman, when confronted with this option. It would making firm resolutions that this will be the absolute, and seek our greatest good. rather indulge in material gratification, the year of change. Grimly determined Straight away we are informed that this but we have to ask ourselves; will that to shed those unwanted pounds, get in means knowing the supreme origin of make me happy? There might be some that much needed exercise, or hopefully everything, including all happiness. It temporary titillation but does indulging and more importantly, improve our is life’s highest attainment. Becoming our senses truly lead to that deep sense spiritual practices, we chide ourselves supremely fit in the gym, or gaining any of satisfaction we crave? Or does it leave for past failures and set out to try again. number of high qualifications cannot us more agitated and desirous of still To be honest I’m not making new year compare, because these will afford some more gratification? resolutions myself, but I have had to gain as long as we have the body that Human life is meant for achieving the make recent lifestyle changes and I know gained them. When that dies we are highest state of absolute happiness, and how hard it can be. Bouts of sinusitis left with precisely nothing. Knowing for that we must be prepared to make have obliged me to eliminate from my God however, endures for eternity and some sacrifices. Forswearing mundane diet a range of culinary delights in bestows endless joy. association in favour of the spiritual as favour of a rigorous regime of healthful How much then should we be prepared to much as we can is a must if we want to items of very little appeal. Oh well, good sacrifice to achieve this end? Thankfully progress. But though it can be difficult, for the spirit, for sure. though, although spiritual practice leads choosing the spiritual way not only leads Reforming ourselves is not easy when to maximum gain, it does not require to an eventual state of pure bliss, it also it involves hardship. There has to be a maximum pain. The Bhagavad-gita quickly bestows a feeling of inner peace compelling reason, like not being able to describes the path to knowing Krishna and fulfillment. breathe, which just about works for me. as “fully joyful”, but like everything else Krishna says in the Gita, “While in this We might also undergo austerity when it there is a price to pay and some resolve body if one is able to tolerate the urges of will bring a future pay off. For example is required. the material senses and check the force we punish ourselves in the gym, inspired Rather than continuously indulging in of desire and anger, he is well situated by a vision of that slim and fit form we sensual pleasures a determined spiritual and is happy in this world.” These of desire. As they say, no pain no gain. practitioner will take the time to chant, course are powerful urges, as anyone A proactive approach to life is intelligent. or to hear and meditate upon divine who has tried to check them will attest. Rather than grasping at immediate Indeed it is impossible to succeed on pleasure it is generally better to delay our own. We frequently find our resolve gratification, keep in mind what will melting like a chocolate biscuit in a cup produce our enduring happiness rather of tea, and our materially inclined mind than an instant hit, so to speak. Pay emerging triumphant in spite of our best the price now rather than later, when intentions. it may well be considerably higher. Krishna therefore warns us that the A child generally lacks this capability material energy is “insurmountable”. and needs to be properly guided. Stern Our only hope is seeking his shelter, counselling is often required for our which means constantly praying to older offspring to drag themselves out him and doing our best to follow his of bed and head into school, bearing in directions. mind that life’s later challenges will be First though we require the resolve far better met when one has the benefit that the time has come, that I shall no of a proper education, a calculation that longer be the ever faithful, hard working all too frequently seems to elude them. servant of my mind and senses. Then we This too is the principle of spiritual just have to remember Krishna, our ever life, to be ultimately proactive and present friend and well wisher. recognise what will secure our

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Shankar Punn

BSc (Hons) MSc (AMBA) Uncommon Sense? PRINCE2 Practitioner What made you start attending IPS events? Uncommon Sense is a weekly programme- on the topic and what they feel does not make taking place at Bhaktivedanta Manor between sense, at which point the facilitator clears up A friend suggested to me that I should attend 5pm and 7pm and is open to all youth from any doubts. an IPS event to seek the answers about the the ages of 15-30. It is all about diving deeper The sessions fi rst started in the beginning meaning of life. Through Jammin’s, retreats into spirituality and making them habituated of this year itself in February for only boys. and the Summer Trip to Venice I fi nally felt that to broad-minded thinking. It looks over the A few months later my answers were being intelligently addressed Bhagvad Gita, an ancient the girls’ version was both on a practical and down-to-earth level. Vedic text, in a modern developed, and now context and the principles What did you initially fi nd both programmes are it teaches can be applied appealing about KC? running successfully with in our lives today. The a group of 20 people What appealed to me was the completely different course is taught in a in a going to each session. dimension that could be placed on day to day systematic and structured Since then, the boy’s life. When I was told that work isn’t just a job way, so that they can fully group have been on two but my duty and realised that spiritual life is full comprehend the ideas weekend retreats, one in of activities, trips and most importantly provides and topics of this ancient Wales and one in Kent, a real purpose in life, I found it diffi cult to not get philosophy. Jaanki Nath where they took part more involved! das, a monk residing at in various activities from mountain climbing, the Manor, tells us the reason for the title is What services are you currently assault courses and canoeing, whilst still that ‘the concept of the Krishna Conscious attending sessions learning all about Krishna involved in? philosophy is logical and scientifi c and yet only Consciousness. Having attended the Senagetaway trip to Venice a few people take up to this process therefore this summer I was honoured to be given the making it very rare, thus it is ‘Uncommon Ghanashyam Priya Das who thought up of the opportunity to have a role on the trip team for Sense’’. He added, ‘the point of these sessions original concept said “It’s amazing to see young next summer’s trip. Thinking that my involvement is also to ensure that young people have fun people starting to take Krishna Consciousness could provide someone the opportunity to have and relate to the topics as much as they fully and spirituality more seriously.’’ He added the same spiritual realisations I had this summer can.’ “There is a lot of potential for these young at next years trip is defi nitely a motivating factor people and I just sincerely hope they continue The format of the programme is such that when taking on this service, its also a lot of fun! to progress like this!’ there is one person who facilitates the event, Interesting fact about yourself taking a lead on the topic that is going to be I work for Sky so get my TV, Internet and Phone talked about. Almost everyone gets involved connection all free! I couldn’t think of anything in the discussion, giving their own opinions else interesting!

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42nd Anniversary of London’s Radha Krishna deities A celebration of the 42nd Anniversary Hungarian Ambassador of the installation of Sri Sri Radha Manor representatives along with after having been one from 1989. The Londonisvara at the ISKCON Soho Shailesh Vara MP met His Excellency ambassador graciously received the Temple in Central London, entitled "My Janos Csak the Hungarian Ambassador delegation and said that he foresaw Sweet Lord", was held at London’s and Ms Eszter Pataki, Counsellor Press no problem with the society being Conway Hall, Many senior disciples and Culture to discuss recent changes registered again and that it was just a of Srila Prabhupada including HH in Hungarian law. Concerns were raised matter of protocol. The delegation left Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami with the requirement of the Hungarian feeling hopeful but will continue to attended, and the evening’s devotional Society for Krishna Consciousness monitor the situation. entertainment was provided by the youth having to re-apply to be a state church of Soho Street Temple and Bhaktivedanta Manor. All set to break Marathon record Every December temple monks and hopes to be able to report that 251 congregation assist in perhaps the most participants would have taken part in important aspect of Srila Prabhupada’s this year’s Winter Book Distribution mission - - distributing his books far and Marathon! wide. This year at Bhaktivedanta Manor, This year they are distributing new the team is aiming to break all records: pocket-sized editions of Bhagavad Gita, By the end of December Sutapa das, The Journey of Self Discovery and the the Manor’s head of book distribution, Teachings of Queen Kunti. Poet’s Corner - UNIVERSE When you open your heart and allow the love to flow, your dreams will begin to manifest by the grace of the universe, Look up often to the sky and send out gratitude for all that you have, call upon the angels to shower you with their guidance and protection, There is no greater gift than the present moment, Bhaktivedanta Manor feel the joy in your heart, feel the January 2012 Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane peace in your soul, this is the only Aldenham · Herts Sun 1st New Year’s Day moment (for sat-nav only, please use Wed 4th Putrada Ekadasi to live, for, this is all we have and all Mon 9th Month of Magha begins postcode WD25 8DT) that we will take out of life, Fri 13th App of Srila Gopala Bhatta 01923 851000 Goswami Love all, appreciate often, give Sat 14th Makara Sankrati www.krishnatemple.com Disapp of Srila Jayadev Goswam happiness, Thur 19th Sat-tila Ekadasi Please send your news, photos help others, smile equally to all Sat 28th App of Srila Raghunath Dasa and comments to: from within your soul… Goswami Radha Mohan das Mon 30th App of Sri Advaita Acarya By Chandrika Rathod [email protected]

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