Jayadvaita Swami
This year certain things done (and not done) by the GBC body and by some of its members and functionaries have sorely alienated me. I see sustained and determined behavior I look upon as spiritually offensive, philosophically off track, ethically crummy, and pragmatically ill advised. I have therefore chosen to distance myself from the GBC.
I have resigned from the only GBC committee of which I was a member. And though I'm still on the "GBC-BBT Relations Committee" ex officio, I have stopped taking part in it.
I skipped the Ratha-yatra festivals in New York and Los Angeles. And this year, for the first time since the "zonal acarya" days, I expect to skip the Mayapur festival.
I respect that the GBC body is the ultimate managing authority for ISKCON, and I wish the body well.
Kadamba Kanana Swami
In general 2006 was a good year, with plenty of preaching. I have stayed in contact with a lot people, my health has been ok, and lately I have been investing good energy in hearing and chanting.
In general my approach is not to merely travel and preach at random from country to country but rather to concentrate on developing ongoing relationships with people who I visit a number of times a year. With this goal, a regular pattern of travel to various geographical locations has evolved. Whereas in the past, with my involvement in management in Vrndavana and Mayapur, my service has been very project-oriented, I am now focusing my energy more on supporting people.
SOUTH AFRICA
I have continued to spend substantial time in South Africa since 1995. As in previous years, in 2006 I made three visits there, spending a total of 2 1/2 months. South Africa is one of the most developed yatras in the world. When the first Western devotees started preaching in "Apartheid South Africa," they were supported by the South African Indian community. Gradually, with successes and some failures, Krsna consciousness is spreading to the local African people as well. I am taking special interest in supporting African devotees.
In January 2006, for the second year in succession, I held a five-day retreat with 125 people in the Drakensberg mountains.
I returned in April during the Durban Ratha-yatra, after which I visited additional temples.
Then in Sept/Oct I made a one-month tour across the country.
Now I have reached Capetown, where we are about to celebrate the first Ratha-yatra.
EUROPE
In 2006 I spent about six months in Europe. As in previous years, I visited devotees in the Czech Republic; Slovakia; New Vraja Mandala, Spain; Sweden; Finland; Radhadesh; Germany; Holland; and Leicester. I am planning to return to these areas in 2007.
The Czech Republic
I started writing this report from Prague, where I came for a weekend to enthuse the devotees during the December book distribution marathon. Actually they enthused me, because there is a real marathon spirit here. We had a special program in a rented hall with a long, long enthusiastic kirtan. I have a natural affinity with the people here. It makes sense for me to combine preaching in the Czech Republic and Germany, because the German Nrsimha farm is so close to the Czech border that during festivals on Nrsimha Caturdasi and the New Year it is a common meeting ground for the Czech and the German devotees. So I try to be there every year at these times.
Germany
Over the last few years I have regularly visited Germany, and I am planning to be part of the yatra on a regular basis. I started using Germany as a hub for different international flights, so automatically I visited often. My German is improving. I attended many nice programs throughout the year — Sunday and Saturday feasts, home programs, Ratha-yatras, a cultural town festival in East Germany, the maha-harinama in Heidelberg, Janmastami in Abenteuer with Sacinandana Maharaja, and 2 X Govardhana Puja in Berlin and Leipzip. Next weekend I will be in Cologne, and I am scheduled to visit the New Year sankirtana festival on the Nrsimha Farm at the end of the year. I am very fortunate to have a good friendship with Sacinandana Maharaja, which is a valuable thing for me personally and can also benefit our cooperation in Germany in the future.
Spain
New Vraja Mandala, the farm in Spain, is carrying on. By the will of providence five years ago I became the managerial authority for the project when the entire GBC body became involved in a decision to sell or not to sell. There are still some challenges remaining. One of them is that I have to become a better leader, a saintly person, full of humility, kindness and love . . . it's a slow process.
Although the economy of the farm is still from hand to mouth, on a positive note quite a number of families with young children have settled on the farm, and gradually more and more facilities for their residence are being created . It appears that we are making progress.
INDIA
Vrndavana
Vrndavana is the place of my spiritual birth. It is where I grew up in Krsna consciousness, in the holy dhama. It is my good fortune that I am still allowed to do some service for Krsna and Balarama on the Vrndavana Executive Board. Radhanatha Maharaja once mentioned that perhaps my service in Vrndavana was the most important of all engagements. I keep that in mind.
Mayapur
Every year in Mayapur I teach for one month in the MIHET. This is a spiritually a wonderful time. I think the MIHET is doing valuable groundwork for the future development of the Mayapur University, which will help to create a brahminical culture.
AUSTRALIA
My next visit will be for three weeks in January/February 2007. Somehow or other, this is the place in the world where my health is at its best. I also hope my presence will make some contribution to the yatra.
Partha Sarathi Dasa Goswami
February 2006 to June 2006 — preached in South Africa, traveling to a dozen different towns.
Mid-June to August — traveled to six cities in Ukraine.
August to November — again preached in South Africa, traveling to six cities.
December — stayed at the ISKCON facility at Govardhana Hill, Vrndavan.
January 2007 — underwent treatment at Ayurvedic clinic and preached in Udupi and Mangalore.
What I have accomplished:
1. Printed three books (Reprinted "Journal of a Struggling Sadhaka, Volume 5 and "Notebook of Prayers." Printed one new book: "Bhakti, Affair of the Heart.")
2. Reduced my chanting (because of bad health) to six hours a day.
3. Once every week e-mailed my diary "Journal of a Struggling Sadhaka" to 300 devotees.
Realization: I think the leaders of our society should spend more time studying and, in particular, chanting.
Prahladananda Swami
In 2006, as usual I traveled extensively, spending time in Europe, visiting Spain, the UK, Belgium, Holland, Serbia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Italy, and Macedonia. I also visited the Ukraine and Russia.
As usual, I visited the USA twice and did some book distribution and seminars on yoga and Ayurveda, along with my regular preaching. For seminars on Ayurveda at the University of Portland I received two grants. The temples I visited in the USA included New York, Miami, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, and Las Vegas.
I also visited, as usual, Peru, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, and the temples in Australia and New Zealand.
My health is usually good, although as time goes on my material body seems to need more attention. Yoga, walks, massage, proper diet and daily Krsna conscious sadhana are very good for bodily maintenance.
I spent more time on my two GBC Ministries — Health and Welfare and Sannyasa Services. There seems to always be something to do for these ministries.
Purushatraya Swami
In 2006, as usual I continued developing my preaching in Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil I visited practically all the ISKCON projects at least once. I also visited several preaching centers and nama-hattas. I spent a good amount of my time with my farm-community project, Gaura Vrndavana, in which I'm the spiritual leader.
The project is growing nicely. We had good improvement this year, especially in the cow protection program. We are milking some cows and making ghee, and the oxen are plowing the fields and pulling carts. We are also training the calves. I personally very enthusiastically support this program.
In 2006 we also started a campaign to construct a temple on the farm. Till now we have been using a temporary temple, without installed Deities. Our dream is to have a simple but nice temple with beautiful Deities. This will be one of my main projects for the next few years. Although it won't be an expensive construction, the lakshmi will take some time to collect. We started this campaign with zero lakshmi, and our collection work looks like the work of ants, little by little. If some generous soul can help us with some substantial donation, this will be very much welcomed.
Some highlights of my preaching in 2006:
1. Many programs in yoga centers in Brazil and Portugal
2. Lectures, which were very much appreciated, at an important yoga retreat, with some of the best Brazilian yoga teachers
3. A quite big International Festival of Peace, in which I was one of the main speakers
4. Two presentations at the Latin American Vegetarian Congress
5. Several presentations of our sustainable community in universities in Brazil and Portugal
6. A well-received program at the Hindu temple in Lisbon
7. Some Ratha-yatras
8. I've also been occupied in writing devotional articles and organizing my website (www.pswami.com ), and I've given several initiations in Brazil and Portugal.
9. I also visited yatras in Miami, Alachua, New York, and Spain.
In 2007 I will try to do the same or better as our contribution to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Sacinandana Swami
The year 2006 was very busy, spent mostly in the following ways:
Congregational preaching in Germany; visiting the temples and encouraging the devotees in Germany; collecting funds to pay off the huge debt (ongoing); helping the Veda Akademie, which has finally opened a very active branch in Berlin; giving japa retreats; conducting several summer camps in Switzerland, the Balkans, etc. It also seems that a door is opening for me in America. Because I have never preached there, I have a quite fresh approach. I feel like a blackboard with no letters written on it.
You have asked about realizations and how I would like to spend 2007. I am very encouraged by the developments in Germany and want to help with the congregational preaching. I somehow feel that a strong congregation will give us devotees, Laksmi, and support in many areas. I also wish to help the Veda Akademie and the preaching in America. We have plans for a nice japa retreat for eighty people in New York.
At the beginning of 2007 we will conduct a public program in Zagreb for eight hundred people.
I very much require the mercy of the devotees. I am always a grass-roots preacher because I am not good for anything else. That service requires a lot of endeavor, creativity, etc. May the Vaisnavas kindly bless me that I can continue and expand.
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
At the beginning of 2006 I had to stay in Philo, California, because I had many dental appointments. I was undergoing treatment for complete replacement of all of my teeth in surgery and replacement of new dentures. This required traveling from my home to two different dentists three hours away. We had to go see them sometimes twice a week. What with surgery and healing and casting of new teeth, etc., it took months, and I was not able to travel or even eat properly.
Nevertheless, I spent the winter writing and performing my sadhana. My migraine condition has come under control with preventative allopathic medicine, so headaches are now infrequent.
With the dental work completed in the spring and with my health strong enough, I ventured to do some traveling. I attended the New Vrndavan Festival of Inspiration. Indeed, it was a great inspiration for me. I was very well received there by all the devotees in a very heartwarming way. In addition to two long question-and-answer sessions, which I held in the temple room, I gave very short talks — one during a session honoring Bhakti-tirtha Swami and one on another occasion. I had private talks with Bhakti-caru Swami, Radhanatha Swami, and Hrdayananda Goswami. I also attended a seminar held by Hrdayananda Goswami.
Some weeks later I attended the New York City Ratha-yatra. I attended the whole Ratha-yatra Festival, starting with the parade beginning at Columbus Circle. After the parade I spent the whole afternoon with the crowds at Washington Square, Park talking to people constantly until 7:00 pm, when the park closed.
The day after Ratha-yatra I gave a lecture at 26 Second Avenue, where I reminisced about Srila Prabhupada when he spent the summer and fall there in 1966. I spent a couple more days in New York City, meeting with Gunagrahi Maharaja and Jayadvaita Maharaja, visiting Dayananda Prabhu's house, and seeing a play by his wife Nandi-mukhi. I also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in Manhattan.
After my Manhattan stay we drove to Gita-Nagari, where we stayed for several days and I gave several talks. For the benefit of Bhakti-tirtha Swami's disciples I gave a lecture on his excellent qualities, drawing from my own book “Prabhupada Meditations” and dovetailing it to the qualities of Bhakti-tirtha Swami. The next morning I gave a Srimad-Bhagavatam class and again dovetailed it to the disciples of Bhakti-tirtha Swami and how they are now responsible for carrying on his work. That afternoon was the ground-breaking for Bhakti-tirtha Swami's puspa-samadhi, which was attended by many ISKCON dignitaries. I gave a lecture, as did my godbrothers Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, Jayadvaita Swami, Malati Prabhu, and many others. During this time away from California I also visited my doctor and disciple Nitai-Gaurasundara in Tennessee, where I gave the Friday night lecture at a program he has every week in his home. I also gave a lecture at the home of a householder couple, Acarya and Sudevi, who live near Gita-nagari. I also visited another householder family on our way from Gita-Nagari. Fortunately, my health held up during this program of traveling and preaching, which for me was the most strenuous program I had done in several years.
I returned to California and rested for a while, but soon I received a guest, Jayadvaita Swami, who stayed for a week. On July 4th, a couple of days after he left, I left Philo again and visited Giriraja Swami at his home, staying for a week. I then went back to my home, but shortly thereafter traveled again to visit with Saci-suta in upstate New York. At that time I also visited with Kirtana-rasa in Saratoga, New York. Then I visited with my disciple Sastra Dasa in Rehoboth, Delaware. I also attended the Philadelphia Ratha-yatra and then went on to Washington, D.C., to attend a five-day japa retreat facilitated by Sacinandana Maharaja.
After this I left the United States and flew to Mexico, which is to become my new home. I arrived in Leon Airport and traveled to a place called The Hacienda, where about twenty devotees have gathered to form a project. This is where I am now living. We are establishing a health-care project there and a home for Gita-Nagari Press. We intend to turn it into a place for people to visit and serve in Krsna consciousness. I recently held my Vyasa-puja there on December 1st, and thirty devotees visited. The Vyasa-puja was held on a kind of emergency-preparation basis, but the people who came enjoyed it.
The project in Mexico is still a bit like a construction site, but every day it gets more and more like a finished project. In the future we hope we can invite distinguished guests also. Part of the program is to make it a place for godbrothers to come when they are feeling sick; they will be taken care of by caretakers, as I am being taken care of. We are going to build a guesthouse for VIPs to come and rest. We have not completely developed these ideas of how we want to use this place, but it is all part of a vision and part of an ethos that we are developing. This year I have also begun a weekly “radio show,” where by conference call I speak to my disciples for one hour on varied topics of Krsna consciousness.
That is my report for 2006.
For 2007 I have on the top of my list visiting Trinidad in February to celebrate their 25th anniversary of the installation of their Deities, Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha. In the spring I intend to repeat my visit to the US northeast and go to many of the same places. But now I have a home base in Mexico, and so I will be coming back here. I hope my health keeps up so I can do all these things as planned.
Swami BVV Narasimha
In 2006 gave seminars in Mayapur prior to the Gaura Purnima festival and also gave classes to the Bhakti-vaibhava students for a few weeks.
I visited Damodar desh for a short time and also entered Far Eastern Russia to visit two centers there.
I held our fifth annual ratha-yatra festival in Bangkok.
I toured the temples of the Malaysian yatra and also visited Singapore.
I spent more time in 2006 in Taiwan — one and a half months — and hope that the yatra can become more established.
I traveled for three months in Kasadesha.
Proposed plan for 2007
I hope to continue traveling in my zone and encouraging the devotees. I also hope to visit the Far Eastern Russian yatra again.
In addition, I have been invited to attend the Czech padayatra. The organizers have proposed that if I visit there they would be willing to arrange for some of their book distributors to visit places where I preach, such as Taiwan and Thailand, and help us distribute books.
Sannyasa Report 2006
Part 2
Bhakti Raghava Swami
My Sannyasa Report is divided into three main sections, as follows:
A. Preaching and Projects during 2006
B. Plans for 2007
C. Perceptions and Realizations
A. Preaching and Projects during 2006
In 2006 I traveled and preached mostly in Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Cambodia), with a side trip to Australia in April for about two weeks and two visits to Canada, once in May/June for one month and the other in September for another month.
INDIA
After an absence of 13 years, by Krishna's mercy and by the hard work of some dedicated devotees, I was able to again enter India. I spent in total about three months on two separate trips. My first tour was in July/August, when I visited the Chowpatty and Juhu temples in Mumbai, as well as centers in Mangalore, Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra in the district of Udupi (a new varnasrama project), Udupi, Belgaum, New Gokula Dham near Belgaum, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, the Hyderabad farm, Calcutta, Sri Dham Mayapur, Delhi, and Sri Vrindavan Dham. In November/December my tour was less extensive, as I stayed mostly in South India for some health treatment at the Sahyadri Yoga Institute and Nature Cure Home, close to Hebri. I also visited temples in Udupi, Mangalore, and Secunderabad.
Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra (Udupi District, South India)
This is a varnasrama project headed by congregational members who have formed a trust for that purpose under the name GLOVESCO. Technically not under ISKCON, the project follows all the rules and regulations of the ISKCON society and aims at promoting varnasrama-dharma through training and education. Details of their activities and of GLOVESCO can be found respectively at www.sahyadriksetra.org and www.varnasrama.org.
INDONESIA
The various preaching centers and projects with which I am involved in Indonesia are stable. I continue to concentrate on these varnasrama-based projects, such as Gita Nagari Baru (GNB), on the island of Sumatra (the project now has a devotee population of close to 100, comprising some 30 families), Ganga Sagara Baru (GSB), on the island of Kalimantan (with three families and a population of 8 residents), Gaura Hari in Bali (with 8 families and a population of 22 residents), Manohara project on the island of Irian Jaya (with two families and a few brahmacharis). Within these varnasrama projects devotees serve and protect some 22 cows. In addition to such rural development, we continue to maintain two educational hostels, one on the island of Java in Yogyakarta (Asrama Narayana Smrti), and the other on the island of Sumatra in Bandar Lampung (Asrama Prahlada and Kunti Devi), where we have a total of some 30 full-time students receiving education and training in Krishna consciousness.
DOCTORAL STUDIES ON VARNASRAMA
My plans for the doctoral studies have changed somewhat, in that I have shifted my base from USM in Penang to Osmania University in Hyderabad. My topic of research remains the same, varnasrama education, but the field of research for the proposed study will be in Cambodia.
CAMBODIA
I visited Cambodia on four occasions this year in connection with a newly established NGO called the Bhaktivedanta Eco Village Society (Cambodia). A new website, www.krishnacambodia.com, gives some basic information about the goals of the NGO. My main interest has to do with pursuing my doctoral research on varnasrama in connection with the well-known temple of Angkor Wat and the Khmer civilization.
B. Plans for 2007
I will mainly concentrate on doing my research work on varnasrama education, spending the major portion of my time in Cambodia while visiting some of the neighboring countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, with at least two brief visits to India. The goal of this endeavor is to become more familiar with the principles and foundational concepts of varnasrama-dharma, with an immediate plan to transplant such concepts in practical ways by helping establish models of rural communities as well as models of ideal traditional education institutions, such as gurukula and varnasrama colleges.
I plan to bring out a small booklet in the middle of the year which will be entitled VARNASRAMA EDUCATION. Krishna willing, I hope to continue developing this important aspect of Srila Prabhupada's preaching mission.
C. Perceptions and Realizations
I feel positive and enlivened with the preaching activities in which I am involved, namely varnasrama development. Srila Prabhupada has given us all unlimited scope to help him introduce Krishna consciousness by spreading far and wide the sankirtan mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This mission has four waves or movements, which Srila Prabhupada has outlined at the beginning of his ESSAY ON GITA NAGARI, which appeared in the Back to Godhead magazine published in May, 1956.
Srila Prabhupada has introduced all these four movements within his ISKCON society and promoted the development of each one of them during his physical presence with us. These four movements, or waves, correspond with the ones which Gandhi followed during his old age, all based on the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita. This is referred to in Part I, Concept of Gita Nagari. After giving a "vivid picture of the demoniac-principled leaders in the text of the Bhagavad-gita in the Sixteenth Chapter," Srila Prabhupada writes:
"Leaving aside all his other activities in the political field, the four following principles which he adopted sincerely in his mature old age are in essence derived from the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita for practical application in the matter of social and spiritual upliftment of the present order of things." (Essay on Gita Nagari, Part I)
The first wave was introducing the holy name through public chanting and book distribution, brhat-mrdanga (Randhun Kirtana Meeting or Sankirtan Movement). The second wave was opening temples and installing Deities of the Lord (Temple Entry Movement), so all people, irrespective of caste or creed, could worship the Lord. The third wave was training and educating people in general on the science of devotional service (Scientific Preaching [Bhaktivedanta Institute], College Preaching, New Bhakta Programs, Congregational Development [Nama Hatta], and Educational Institutes such as VIHE, MIHET, Bhaktivedanta College, etc., thus qualifying individuals to become duly initiated devotees connected in Guru Parampara and knowledgeable in the science of Bhakti and Vedanta (Harijan Movement). The fourth wave was introducing the practical concept of a classless society for both the social and spiritual upliftment of society, varnasrama-dharma (Farm communities, Village Organization, Krishi Movement).
Somehow this fourth wave has not been taken up sufficiently within our Society, although some sincere efforts are being made at different places. With the blessings of the Vaisnavas, I hope to assist in this fourth movement of Srila Prabhupada's mission.
Bhakti Sharan Shanta Goswami
In 2006 I tried to serve Srila Prabhupada by organizing and maintaining the work of our Namahatta Preaching Center and organizing the translation and distribution of Lithuanian books. I helped seven brahmacaris preach by guiding them in distributing the books, establishing new Namahattas, establishing and maintaining a preaching center, putting on local programs, maintaining Internet programs, and cultivating people who responded to this preaching (about 40 persons).
I organized three book distribution marathons, in which three traveling parties and about 50 devotees from Namahattas distributed books throughout the Lithuania. There were 35,450 books distributed (totaling 24,400 book points.)
I regularly visited Namahattas in six main towns and took part in harinamas.
I also attended all the Baltic festivals held in Lithuania: the winter festival, the summer festival, Padayatra - Rathayatras in four towns, etc.
I assisted in the activities of The Charity and Sponsorship Fund Vaisnava Monastery. We are constructing for this project a 700-square-meter building with 24 rooms. Recently the second floor walls and half the roof were completed. We are continuing to collect donations from devotees, public organizations, and others so we can finish the construction.
In 2007 I plan to further sustain and develop these programs because my spiritual master, Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaj, approves it.
Main problems:
It is essential to increase the rate of translation and publishing of new books, because we are running out of books now (from 14 titles there are only 5 left). Also, it is necessary to solve the distribution problem, or else new books will be much more expensive. We need to increase the number of Namahattas, where traveling sankirtan devotees could stay. The laksmi must be collected to decrease the price of books and also to incorporate new people into the mission of Srila Prabhupada and give them Krishna consciousness.
Whatever spare time I have plan to dedicate to improving my chanting, self-education, and elevating my inner life.
Giriraja Swami
My main service in 2006 was writing and compiling articles based on talks. These are now sufficient for four large volumes: (1) holy days related to Krsna and His pastimes and incarnations, (2) holy days related to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates, (3) holy days related to our recent predecessor acaryas, focusing on Srila Prabhupada, and (4) other occasions, such as initiations, Deity installations, weddings, birth ceremonies, funerals, etc.
Also, I traveled and preached in a limited area, mainly California, Arizona, and Texas. And I produced a DVD version of "Prabhupada: A Lifetime in Preparation" -- a beautiful film produced in Mumbai for Srila Prabhupada's Centennial -- that is very moving and inspiring for devotees.
The hospice I have been promoting in Vrndavana is progressing. The construction has begun and is scheduled to be completed in late 2007. The two main doctors and two main administrators will be coming to learn at the San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, which has the largest educational program of any hospice in the world, from April to June or July. And Mother Sangita, our godsister, will be traveling to India in February to give instruction related to nursing, volunteering, and other aspects of hospice care.
In the meantime, I have built a faculty for godbrothers to spend time here, and throughout the year many came and gave me their mercy. In 2006 in particular, some who had health issues came to rest and recuperate here-- Indradyumna Swami for five weeks, Niranjana Swami for three weeks, and Radhanath Swami for eight weeks (he left a little early for treatment in England). I feel that if I am unable to travel and preach as they are, at least I can try to help them -- and thus serve the cause.
In 2007, God willing, I will be able to travel to England and India -- Mumbai, Vrndavana, and Mayapur.
Hanumatpresaka Swami
SUMMARY
In 2006 I chanted 25 rounds daily, followed the four principles, attended Mangala-arati and Bhagavatam class, did Sankirtana, Sankirtana, Sankirtana, and attended the evening program. Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya!
Sankirtan usually means our travels and preaching: North and South America, India, and little bit of Europe. We did the Vraja-mandala-parikrama for the umpteenth time and got unlimited benefit. In South America: Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina -- we lectured, consulted, and worked, with a focus on the second Bharatiya-sanskriti, Festival of Classical India Culture. This included the ambassador of India, national education, agriculture and science and technology universities, ladies fashion show, and more. I was fighting tuberculosis the whole week of the festival in Peru.
In Europe I traveled in Spain for two weeks and did the second accredited seminar at Radhadesa, Bhaktivedanta College, on the “Nectar of Devotion.” That was about it.
After the parikrama in Kartika, my consciousness really changed. From now on, I guess I will be traveling less as a regular duty and more for specific projects. My biggest problem is too much peanut butter and strawberry jam.
I finally have a web page I can maintain from the road: www.JayaRama.US. Therein is our news and links. Our address is in the newsletter. Please engage us in your service.
DETAILS
Vraja-mandala-praikrama - Oooof! What an experience. Out of 450 devotees, the only American white guys were myself and Trikalajna. We brought a few other devotees from other countries. It is tough for Westerners. As Trikala commented, unless you can fix your mind on the one desire to just be in Vrndavana, you can’t do this -- one month of walking 15 kilometers a day, stool and urine often at your doorstep, sleeping on the ground, but also shuddering in ecstasy at the powdery dust of Vraja. Namacharya, our disciple from Croatia, gave the same report: For his needs the prasadam arrangement was a catastrophe, the management seemed to have lost control of the arrangements for so many devotees, but also there is no other way to get such a wonderful, wonderful experience.
Everyone asks us: How was the parikrama? What seems most prominent is that devotees are not well informed how tough it can be, especially for women and Westerners. For Westerners to access the parikrama, it seems almost an absolute necessity to have a few Western cooks. One day there was pasta (cooked Indian style). Some of the Westerners ate with great delight, and then spent the night under the beautiful stars of Vraja vomiting and evacuating. Ooof!
Our principal observation is that it seems that the parikrama should be strictly organized into Sangas of say 6 to 12 devotees. One or two leaders of each Sanga should have done the parikrama before, and then the i-n-t-e-n-s-e pressures of administration and participation can be properly communicated.
Some Western Cooks and Sangas.
Whatever happens, it sure seems that it’s the Vraja-mandala-parikrama, and it’s under the direct control of Srimati Radharani and the Gopis. God help us to expand it more and more.
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ISKCON Temple to Temple -- Seems that everywhere devotees are moving ahead, everywhere.
Some specific items:
1) Several temples are worshiping Australian whelps on the altar as Laksmi conches. I mentioned this to Krsna-ksetra Prabhu, and he agreed. Seems we should send them back to Australia, no?? Who knows what is the benediction of worshiping whelps?
2) When I hear the word “Vaisnavi,” my mind shakes, “Ahhh!” It seems like a big mistake. To designate Vaisnavas as male, female, Sudra, Westerner seems to place a bodily concept of life on the Vaisnava.
3) Some places we have suggested, “Why don’t some of the ladies lead Tulasi-arati kirtana”. Seems nice.
4) Two different devotees told me that their gurus told them that its O.K. for grhasthas to fornicate for fun once a month or so and even go on the altar. Seems very wrong to me, and I try to explain it as such, but honestly I have had experiences that incline me to think that there are devotees more advanced than me in this Society who have different lines to Prabhupada. (?)
5) In the Letter on Management, Srila Prabhupada formed the GBC from all grhasthas. He described their management duties and then said that we have also given the sannyasa order to some of our disciples and they also have their duties. In his last will and testament Srila Prabhupada named the GBC Commission as the “ultimate managing authority” for the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness. So from beginning to end it seems that Srila Prabhupada was emphasizing the GBC as an administratively focused agency. To institutionalize the brahminical side and get the sannyasis out on the road, why not get the Bhaktivedanta title functioning (as well as anything functions in Kali-yuga); then there could be a College of Bhaktivedantas who could be men, women, children, sannyasis, grhasthas, but recognized as siksa-gurus. (That way ladies wouldn’t have to take the burden of initiating). GBC appointments would have to be approved by a 2/3 majority of their membership, and with a vote of no confidence a GBC Secretary could be removed.
6) Our general feeling is that Matajis should probably not take the position of diksa gurus in ISKCON. Diksa-guru, the way we understand it, should be a formal, rather high-profile position, something like the formalities of the sannyasa ashrama or the priest who marries people. Everyone can, must, become a goswami, but only brahminical men take the formalities of sannyasa ashrama. Of course, it might be nice if ladies were giving mantra to other ladies. Also, if a lady is a Diksa-guru, or Bhaktivedanta, as we have suggested, then her “protector” should be well known, publicly. E.g., “Bhaktivedantin Srimati Radha Devi Dasi is under the protection of her grown-up son, so any sannyasi who wants to consult with her can send correspondences to her son first.”
Personal Details -- About seven years ago I was in the library reading the Bhagavatam and read that a devotee can do this and that, and this and that, and he can write poetry and articles.
Immediately my tortured mind jumped: “Ah! Ha! Now I have an excuse to stop traveling and preaching!” But just as quickly as I thought that, I heard Srila Prabhupada’s voice in my mind saying, “Yes, yes, we will get to that, but now you just travel and preach.”
Oooof!
Well, this year I finished the parikrama again, in the Economy Class section, not too much in the VIP section, and as I was leaving for the last day’s walk from Raval to Mathura, my mind was in its usual panic: “The parikrama is over. What do I do now?” Then I felt all my attachment for the parikrama going: Physically it’s not natural for you to continue this way. Canakya Pandita says, “Dress your age.” Lord Caitanya did the 12-forest parikrama only one time. You can do like Him: camp some place in Vraja and walk every day to some nice place of meditation and back -- maybe Akrura-ghata to Imlitala.
Now I have come to the “that.” Now its time to write poetry and articles, just travel for specific results, not as the duty of a circuit preacher -- Seattle, Vancouver, Houston, Mexico, Peru, Radha-desa, India, Madrid, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Denver, San Francisco, Miami. Seems that now I must spend more time writing, producing substantial media.
I are making that change (whether we like it or not). What should I write, produce? So far the web-page has been very practical, satisfying. I am like 25% sudra and 75% brahmana, so I work well alone, wash my own clothes. Do my own web-pages. Also, Powerpoint shows have done well so far. Sankirtana, and then see how they react.
Institutions -- Esoterically, I have been running the Anjana Suta Academy since 1979, and exoterically the NIOS (North American Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies), a nonprofit educational corporation, since 2004. NIOS has the contract for the Festival in Peru with San Marcos University. I am focusing on getting my personal trip together as a devotee, sannyasi, head of the Anjana Suta Academy, and from that perspective it looks like there will be external results for NIOS. NIOS is interested in the Radhadesa-type educational programs.
I am based in Tennessee, so my GBC Secretary is Hridayananda dasa Goswami. In 2007 I hope to get Rupert Snell’s Teach Yourself Hindi translated and implemented in Peru. Hindi is a natural gateway to Spanish, and of course it is wonderful for preaching and traveling in India.
Sannyasa -- As a Western sannyasi I have had the standard that I don’t talk with ladies in secluded places. A secluded place is anyplace where there can be talks on illicit sex and nobody will hear. When I see Western sannyasis talking in a corner of the temple room with Matajis or driving alone with ladies for hours, I become worried. I was worried when I saw Jagadisha Maharaja doing that, but felt too junior to say anything.
O.K. I guess that is enough. Basically I want to be of any help I can; otherwise, why stay in this unpleasant place? Just chant Hare Krsna and hold your breath for three minutes and the “Devotee Retires Timely,” no?
Thank you. Again, I have been maintaining my newsletter, the Hanuman Express Dispatch, since May 1979. It comes out every two weeks, and now it’s available at the web-page and by subscription.
Gurukula -- Oh, yes, one more thing. Besides the university programs in Peru, I have really been struggling along with the gurukula, CBI (Colegio Bhaktivedanta International) in Peru. Some very good things are coming out of that, and I hope to share all of them through the Anjana Suta Academy and NIOS as the co-operation of many fine devotees allow!
Again, thank you. We realize our stoopidity to some degree, but that’s our unfortunate condition, so we hope that Guru and Vaisnava will make this green mango useful.
Param Gati Swami
In accordance to the strategy laid out by the “Renouveau du Yatra Français Team” and approved by the GBC Body in Mayapur in 2006, I concentrated most of my time and effort on achieving our goals in France. We're working arduously to find a property for Sri Sri Radha-Paris-Isvara and a space as close as possible to downtown Paris for the restaurant.
I also performed duties related to the position of temple president for the Paris Mandir, and I still have this responsibility. In addition to my heavy responsibilities in France, I tried my best to fulfill my duties in other countries I oversee, namely, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, and Portugal.
The most important realization I’ve had during 2006, which I still feel, is the strength of unity. When devotees work together toward a common goal, guided by the spirit of love, trust, cooperation, and mutual help, even the most difficult tasks can be accomplished, and France will portray an excellent example to ISKCON worldwide if we manage to achieve all the established goals.
And Srila Prabhupada will be very satisfied.
Prabhavisnu Swami
As usual, I spent 2006 mainly traveling to the 75+ temples where I am one of the GBCs, as well to many other temples in Russia and other countries where I have disciples. There were some serious conflicts among devotees in some places, which created more stress for me than usual, but most of these matters seem to have settled down now. I participated in festivals in Mayapur, South Russia, Ukraine, West and East Siberia, Malaysia, New Govardhan, and Sydney, as well as a traveling festival in New Zealand, where I was fortunate to meet many wonderful Vaisnavas and engage in chanting Hare Krsna with them. Most of my time is spent leading kirtans, chanting japa, giving classes, answering e-mails, giving advice to devotees, and discussing management issues with leaders.
Hare Krsna kirtan is my favorite activity.
