February 2013 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Book Distribution Success Srila Prabhupada: This is the mission of the Krishna consciousness movement. Caitanya- bhagavata confirms this as follows: One should not desire to be elevated even to a place in the heavenly planetary systems if it has During the Winter Book Distribution Srila Prabhupada, 285 community no propaganda to expand Marathon there was the distribution members took part and 32,655 books the glories of the Supreme of Srila Prabhupada’s books across were distributed. the country – from Exeter to Enfield Personality of Godhead, no We are delighted to report that Manor and from Wigan to Winchester. trace of Vaishnavas, pure resident Ananda Caitanya das reached There was even a team from the the highest score in the whole of the devotees of the Lord, and no Manor distributing books across UK, by distributing no less than 2913 festivals for spreading Krishna Ireland. Many devotees went out books! Other great news is that the on the Saturday Weekend Warrior consciousness Manor’s overall score was the third expeditions and some went out Srimad Bhagavatam: 5.19.24 highest in the world outside of India! door-to-door. For the pleasure of Turn to page 5 to join the celebrations Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2013 Prashant Joshi feeds 1,000 in Hong Kong Recently Prashant Joshi, a Financial Services Advisory at Ernst & Young, has been living and working in Hong Kong. Taking inspiration from Seva Day in the UK, Prashant organised a huge food relief project in the region. Volunteers from Food For Life Hong Kong distributed over 1,000 meals to the underprivileged, primarily the elderly. Sponsorship for the project was provided by Deutsche Bank and the event was branded as a success by many in the City in Hong Kong. You can visit Prashant's blog at: leadershipindevotion.blogspot.hk Public Transport Aspirations Svayamjyoti Krishnadas and Alpesh Patel are working with Mike Freer MP and other local MPs to explore ways of improving public transport to and from Holocaust Memorial Service Bhaktivedanta Manor. Indulekha Fawcett, representing thinking of communities less fortunate Bhaktivedanta Manor read a statement than our own..." at this year’s Holocaust Memorial Holocaust Memorial Day remembers Peterborough’s new Service in Hertsmere Borough Council’s victims of genocide and promotes unity sanga group main Chamber: "It's important that and tolerance in today’s multicultural we celebrate our differences, while society. A new sanga group has started in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and is growing popular. The group started with eight devotees and now it has increased to 15- 20 weekly. For more info contact Gandhariddasi: [email protected] 7000 Hyacinths Every year 7000 hyacinths are planted on the Manor grounds and all of these beautiful flowers are used by the Temple. Community youth assist the gardens department with this huge endeavour . Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2013 Krishna Club Sankirtan One wintry day 35 children, parents and teachers from Krishna Club braved the streets of London to join an initiative led by Sacinandana Karuna das to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. They teamed up with devotees from ISKCON London and also sang Kirtan and distributed prasad. Despite the cold weather, the children warmed the hearts of passers- by with their sheer enthusiasm to impart the spiritual message to others. Temple President of ISKCON Soho, Jai Nitai das, was deeply touched by the spirit Bhagavad-gita Maha Yajna shown and commented that adults An annual highlight in the Manor’s recited the verses. can learn so much from the young generations. winter calendar is Gita Jayanti, a An impressive 2500 Bhagavad Gitas celebration and study of the teachings of were sponsored. The new smaller, the Bhagavad-gita. Over a 6 hour period, printed version makes them ideal to a huge congregation recited all 700 be placed in hostels, hotels, hospitals, verses. The commentaries were given by prisons and schools. Bhakti Rasamrita Swami and Gauri das Krishna Club had their own Bhagavad Gita Yajna which was conducted by Kripamoya das, who encouraged the Holy Name Weekend children and parents to recite the 9th Chapter. It was a wonderful experience The Holy Name weekend on 2nd and 3rd January, which included Sivarama for all and the organisers have promised Maharaj and Madhava das, sang their hearts out and warmed up the Manor devotee it will be bigger and better next time. community on a winter’s weekend. Srila Prabhupada's Garden Renovation As a 40th Anniversary project, work to restore and improve Srila Prabhupada's garden has begun. The paving stones are being levelled and the lawn will be levelled and re-laid. The annual bedding areas will be aligned symmetrically and then the Manor grounds team will plant a lovely flower garden. HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2013 Course line-up from the College of Vedic 40th Anniversary Seminar by Studies (CVS) Garuda Das Entering 2013 there are more courses Bhakti-sastri - than ever at the Manor. A study of the Bhagavad-gita and other The aim of CVS is to inspire and important texts enable people to learn more about the Bhakti Vaibhava - philosophy and practice of Krishna For those who have completed Bhakti consciousness. Sastri, this is a study of Cantos 1 through More information about these courses Canto 6 of the Srimad Bhagavatam, can be found on the Manor website, but accredited by the Mayapur Institute. some of the most exciting new courses One of the courses starting in April this include: The College of Vedic studies were year is “Improving our sadhu-sanga” Explore and Gita Life - delighted to host Professor Graham M which studies scripture and purports Schweig, otherwise known as Garuda Introductory module and a precursor to within the context of group discussion. das, for a series of talks at both the Bhakti Sastri For more info: [email protected] Manor and Soho Street Temple. The main seminar was a presentation of the posthumous publication of the late Educational Collaboration Tamal Krishna Goswami’s doctorate thesis: A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti. The talks were presented with humour and intellectual rigor. ‘The book is of tremendous theological importance to both the ISKCON and academic community. Garuda das presented a very dense study in the most enjoyable and palpable way" commented Ananda Caitanya das head of the college. School Governors’ Training Members of the newly formed Leading representatives of Avanti Trust, teachers. Goloka Education agreed to Governing Body of the Manor School Goloka Education, Bhaktivedanta provide educational resources to the joined Governors of the Avanti Trust College (Radhadesh, Belgium), Avanti schools, according to the schools’ from across England for a 4 day training Bhaktivedanta Manor, ISKCON Ministry curriculum needs. session at the Krishna Avanti School in Leicester. of Educational Development met at Other areas of cooperation that were the Krishna Avanti School in Harrow discussed include placement of and the Manor with the purpose of Bhaktivedanta College graduates, discussing how to create synergy among a vision for future cooperation and their respective educational initiatives. educational development, and how to The meetings were rewarding in many better serve the educational needs of the respects. Bhaktivedanta College and ISKCON community worldwide, with Avanti Trust, for example, discussed to special focus on the younger generation, expand their partnership by committing as well as how to make the UK a centre to offer higher education courses in of excellence for education. the UK with the aim of qualifying Page 4 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2013 The late Beatle George Harrison, who was deeply impressed by Srila Prabhupada, was concerned that the ISKCON temple in Bury Place near the British Museum was overcrowded. With overwhelming generosity he offered to donate a much larger property ‘somewhere in the countryside but within easy travelling distance from London’. From May 1972 he worked with the devotees to find somewhere suitable. In January 1973 Dhananjaya das saw that the Manor estate was up for sale and told George he had found exactly what he was looking for. George gave the go ahead and that day a hugely significant event occurred in ISKCON’s history. After the exchange of contracts, 25 enthusiastic devotees moved in and renamed the estate Bhaktivedanta Manor. Almost immediately they turned their attention to the task of preparing to install the deities of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda in time for Janmashtami. And so, on Janmashtami, August 21st 1973 in front of devotees from across Europe, Hindu leaders, pop stars and local VIPs, Srila Prabhupada personally installed Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda at Bhaktivedanta Manor. A great Temple was established, with a devotional legacy now spanning 40 years. Before we embark on a momentous year of celebrations to mark these 40 years we would like to say that we are honoured and humbled by all the wonderful service that so many devotees have given. ‘40 years of devotion’ at Bhaktivedanta Manor will begin with a grand Adi Vaas Puja on Sunday 24th March this year – on this day we will be celebrating Gaura Purnima and Holi at our first public festival of the year. It’s certainly going to be a year to look forward to-- so stay tuned in! Page 5 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter February 2013 His Grace Jiva Pati das A Life of Dedication 27th December 1944 - 8th February 2013 On Friday February 8th at 10:22am, daily running of the His Grace Jiva Pati prabhu peacefully Deity worship at departed from this world after a life Bhaktivedanta Manor.