March 2012 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness The Golden Avatar Gaura Purnima, the festival celebrating the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Krishna’s ‘Golden Avatar’ or incarnation for the present age, is one of the most important days of the year for devotees in the Srila Prabhupada: Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The philosophical truth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 – 1534) took his followers onto the streets of simultaneous oneness and West Bengal with the chanting of the difference was propounded Hare Krishna mantra. With the sound by Lord Sri Caitanya of the drums and cymbals, it proved Mahaprabhu, and it is known so popular that it spread right across as acintya-bhedabheda-tattva. India. Brahma, Narada and all others The chant is a spiritual sound are simultaneously one with composed of the names of God taken the Lord and different from from the Kali-santarana Upanisad. the Supreme Lord. We are The ancient texts describe that one all one with the Lord, just who repeats this mantra quietly, as a as the gold ornaments are meditation, or one who sings together one in quality with the stock with others in congregation, will gold, but the individual gold gradually attain love of God - the ultimate aim of human life. ornament is never equal in ...continued on page 5 quantity with the stock gold. Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.6.13 A Royal Engagement In February Sutapa das brahmacari had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty The Queen as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury. A multi-faith reception was held at Lambeth Palace, one of the first public engagements to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. Her Royal Highness paid tribute to the spiritual contribution of all religions in the UK and showed continued support for the free practice of faith in this country. The Queen expressed how spiritual traditions provide critical guidance for the way we live our lives, and for the way in which we treat each other. Sutapa das spoke to the leaders of various denominations, discussions revolving around making spirituality applicable and dynamic in the modern world. Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter March 2012 Avanti Schools and Bhaktivedanata College Announce Plans for Collaboration Nitesh Gor (Director of I-Foundation approval of a fourth, ‘all-through’ in ‘Educational Studies, Theology and and Avanti Schools Trust) and (Primary and Secondary) school, Religion’. This pioneering programme Yadunandana Swami (Principal of scheduled to open this September. nurtures a broad critical awareness of Bhaktivedanta College, Belgium), have Bhaktivedanta College offers young education, especially in the diverse been discussing possible partnerships people an opportunity for achieving contexts where it interacts with faith, between the College and the burgeoning a UK-validated Bachelors degree, spirituality and ethics: a sound foundation number of I-Foundation/Avanti Schools while living in or near the Radhadesh for the aspirant Primary or Secondary Trust schools. The prospects look ISKCON community in Belgium. teacher. The award also opens up many promising. After fulfilling postgraduate Located in the scenic Ardennes region other career possibilities, in public, requirements, College graduates will be of Belgium, the campus is an ideal voluntary and corporate sectors, such as well-equipped to apply for teaching and setting for study and contemplation. in school leadership, tertiary education leadership posts in Avanti Schools. This By promoting professional achievement, and human resource departments. collaboration primarily aims to help the the College offers ISKCON members Anyone interested in pursuing an I-Foundation meet the unprecedented realistic, positive career prospects, as unusual and fulfilling educational career demand for qualified teachers, well as opportunity for personal and should contact one of the following: underscored by the government’s recent spiritual growth. Yadunandana Swami: Bhaktivedanta [email protected] College will Ananta Rupa Das: be teaching an exciting new [email protected] degree accredited Rasamandala Das: by the University [email protected] of Chester: a BA Avanti House School Avanti House is a new free state school for pupils aged 4 to 18. It is another project of the I-Foundation and will be the UK’s first ever Hindu state funded secondary school. The School will be based in Harrow but be open to students from any borough. There will be a dual specialism in Mathematics and Performing Arts. The School will open this September, starting with two Reception classes and going up to six Year 7 classes. For more information, visit: www.avantihouse.org Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter March 2012 Bhakti Chris - known for his brilliant smile We are sorry report the sad news that Bhakti Chris passed away recently. Well known for his brilliant smile and willingness to take up any service, he helped with Rathayatra, the Manor farm and gardens and Food for Life in India. His initial encounters with ISKCON including joining in Hari Namas in 1977. Despite going through many difficult times in his life, Chris always remained strong and sincere on his spiritual journey and passed away in the most A Living Fence for Wildlife Holy place of Sri Mayapura Dham. Bhaktivedanta Manor’s access road was The hedge is cut near its base and pulled planned as part of the scheme that would over in one direction. There is a small plant a double hedge row and plant section of trunk that remains connected trees every 15 metres. The bank that to the base. The branches are laid at the hedge sits on was the spoil that was about 30 degrees for the sap to flow moved to make way for the road. upwards and overall this will create a As the hedge is now established it is labyrinth of branches and shoots. being laid in a traditional fashion. In There are also stakes placed along the England there are many different styles hedge line with supple branches twisted of hedge laying and HRH Prince Charles along the top to form a neat finish as is President of the National Hedge well as a structure to keep the hedge in Laying Society. place. A basket weave effect is produced There is a style unique to Hertfordshire which makes the hedge strong and thick, and the Manor has assigned the local making it ideal to attract wildlife: in Hedge laying Champion Donato essence it is a form of living fence. Cinicolo to the job. Solar Panels for New Gokul The roofs of the cow and hay barns a further step towards self-sufficiency paying us for doing this!” at the Manor’s New Gokul farm have at Bhaktivedanta Manor,” explained A kilowatt is equal to one thousand recently been fitted with solar panels. It Farm Manager Shyamasundar das. watts, a unit used to express the output is a 50 kilowatt system and it is expected “There is a government incentive to power of engines, machines and that it will produce about 50,000 reward those who produce their own heaters. A typical household light bulb kilowatts of electricity a year. “This is electricity. Electrical companies will be has a power rating of 25 to 100 watts. Page 3 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter March 2012 Manor awash with colours of Spring On Sunday 11th March Bhaktivedanta into a huge blazing fire by Holika, by Manor staged it’s most colourful of order of his demoniac father. However, festivals: Holi is a celebration of the by divine providence Prahlad was not coming spring and as part of an ancient burned. Prahlad is therefore the symbol tradition revelers were granted the of faith and purity and the fire represents opportunity to throw powdered colours the burning away of all our impurities, over each other, to emerge multicoloured such as egoism, vanity and lust, through from head to toe! the fire of devotion and knowledge. The traditional Holi bonfire was ignited The festival is also to remember ceremoniously by the Mayor and Krishna’s playful pastimes of Krishna. Mayoress of Hertsmere, whose clothes Young Krishna would run around and were thankfully spared the full brunt of shower the local villagers with colours, festival frivolity! drowning them in an ocean of divine The bonfire is to remember the great love. saint named Prahlad who was taken "Thank you for a very enjoyable day. It was interesting to learn about the Manor and see it’s extensive grounds. I was pleased to join in many events and went home with a coloured face!” Cllr Mrs Bren Perryman Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Broxbourne “The Temple welcomed devotees, It was an absolute delight in starting friends and pilgrims to share in a the Holi bonfire and seeing the great occasion. The Temple is a credit enthusiasm and enjoyment of all those to the community and a beacon of who attended the Festival of Colours. openness.” It’s always a privilege to be invited to Mike Freer MP the Manor and I always leave with a feeling of warmth and love.” Cllr Peter Knell, Mayor of Hertsmere Page 4 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter March 2012 ...continued from page 1 Chaitanya time I descend Myself" (4,7). When March (this year’s calendar date of Mahaprabhu introduced the mantra the Lord descends, teachings relevant Gaura Purnima) the shoppers, business whenever He travelled, preaching to the people’s needs are taught, and a people, revellers and tourists of central the sublime philosophy of Krishna new opportunity is provided to know London were thrilled to witness consciousness through the chanting of and love God. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu hundreds of devotees in a blissful Hari the Holy Names.His appearance was is that same Krishna who took birth Nama procession, dancing, singing striking.