Welcome to the Sun Blogs. Each of the topics below is associated with a Feature story, News story or Editorial recently published in the Sampradaya Sun. We invite you to engage in personal discussion with the Sun's authors by commenting on the Blog threads below.

Rare Video of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

Posted by SunEditor @ 01/27/2006 02:07 PM PST [Read Post]
[7 Comments]

"The item came to us with no explanation or background information. Not being certain of its source or bonafides, we simply posted it as an item in our Hot Links section. Today, other Vaisnava news sites have reported the item as coming from Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami... The worldwide community of Vaisnavas will be most interested to learn the details of where this footage was acquired, who has been archiving it over the years, and any other relevant details. Hopefully our readers will pass this along information, and post it in the Sun Blog attached to this article." Read full article.

Srila Prabhupada and the Aquarian Gospel

Posted by SunEditor @ 01/25/2006 12:06 PM PST [Read Post]
[15 Comments]

"In some conversations, Shrila Prabhupada has mentioned the Aquarian Gospel which states that Jesus was in Jagannath Puri. However we cannot accept the Aquarian Gospel as admissible evidence. The Aquarian Gospel is not a Gospel recognized by religious scholars. This pretence of a Gospel is the work of a 20th century American named Levi H. Dowling that he supposedly channeled from the Akashic records in 1908. Of course receiving knowledge via revelation (the Akashic records) is certainly possible, but the Aquarian Gospel fails to pass the test of spirituality. Unfortunately many people confuse the Aquarian Gospel for a Gospel from antiquity when truthfully it is not." Read full article.

Request for Public Debate re: ISKCON's System of Management

Posted by Ameyatma das @ 01/23/2006 12:44 PM PST [Read Post]
[No Comments]

"I want to bring to the attention of the members and well-wishers of ISKCON the latest article I wrote concerning ISKCON’s System of Management. I will only give a short synapses of the topic here in this news-brief as the full article is a bit lengthy. The purpose of the article and of publicizing it widely is to try and spark a public debate on the topic. Many ISKCON GBC and sannyasis have been emailed requesting their participation. All who are concerned are requested to at least read the article and follow the debate or participate in it." Read full article.

Jesus in the Vedas

Posted by Swami BV Giri @ 01/20/2006 02:12 PM PST [Read Post]
[56 Comments]

"A recent flurry of articles and website postings have been made to indicate that the fable of Jesus is mentioned in the Vedas [Bhavisya Purana]. Many Vaisnavas have been enthused [confused] by these Vedic findings, confirming Jesus as a messenger of God [Krsna] and a pure devotee. However, a closer look at the prediction of Jesus found in the Bhavisya Purana strongly suggests foul play or interpolation on the part of Christian Missionaries in India during the late 18th century." Read full article.

How Great Is Srila Prabhupada?

Posted by Swami BG Narasingha @ 01/13/2006 03:00 PM PST [Read Post]
[4 Comments]

"If we enter the ocean by boat we can navigate our direction to a destination based on the stars. The stars are compared to so much knowledge found in the Vedas. One of those stars in the sky is called Dhruva-loka. In modern science Dhruva-loka is called the Pole Star or North Star. When we are in the ocean if we lose sight of that star, if we cannot see that star then we cannot benefit from all the other stars. We will be lost in the ocean. The Pole Star doesn't move. It is fixed in one place. As long as we can see the Pole Star, which never moves, than we can determine so many things by the other stars which are moving. But if we do not have a fixed bearing with the Pole Star then we are lost." Read full article.

Srila Prabhupada: Nitya-siddha

Posted by Rocana dasa @ 01/01/2006 03:03 PM PST [Read Post]
[27 Comments]

"My Sampradaya Acarya thesis philosophically rests upon the basic assumption that AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada is a bona fide Sampradaya Acarya representing the disciplic succession of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaisnava lineage. As such, Srila Prabhupada is a Nitya-siddha, Shaktyavesa-avatar, an eternal associate of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The philosophical comprehension of this truth is of the utmost significance for the Vaisnava population concerned with spreading the Sankirtan Movement." Read full article.

Sun Poll Results - Hare Krsna Religion

Posted by SunEditor @ 12/27/2005 02:44 PM PST [Read Post]
[6 Comments]

"Our recent Sun Poll series explored our reader's views on the devolution of a spiritual movement into a religion. The results of this poll (see chart below) differed somewhat from the usual 'party line' split we've seen in past Sun Polls." Read full article.

It's Taboo, Prabhu - Part III

Posted by SunEditor @ 12/21/2005 08:03 PM PST [Read Post]
[49 Comments]

A continuation of the previous Sun Blog threads:

"It's Taboo, Prabhu" - Part II

"It's Taboo, Prabhu - Part I

Truth: Who Wants to Know?

Posted by Prahlada Maharaj dasa @ 12/15/2005 03:07 PM PST [Read Post]
[1 Comment]

"Sometimes we ask the wrong questions. What is the use of an answer to the wrong question? I want to go from London to Oxford, what will knowing the path to Paris do for me? What indeed will knowing the answers to questions even more irrelevant to my purpose do? It little matters if the answers to irrelevant questions is right or wrong." Read full article.

Putting Things In Perspective

Posted by Yadunandana dasa @ 12/15/2005 03:03 PM PST [Read Post]
[32 Comments]

"In a recent article, Prahlad Maharaja Prabhu correctly described various popular approaches to dealing with difficulties within ISKCON. However, there are certain relative truths that need to be considered by all for the equation to be complete." Read full article.

It's Taboo - Part II

Posted by SunEditor @ 12/09/2005 02:39 PM PST [Read Post]
[137 Comments]

A continuation of the previous Sun Blog thread, "It's Taboo, Prabhu".

Well-wishers of ISKCON

Posted by Prahlada Maharaj dasa @ 12/08/2005 10:05 AM PST [Read Post]
[8 Comments]

"One consideration says that we must never ever question whatever may be the state of the movement. Whatever inconsistencies there may be, let them be. Be patient, be tolerant. Variants of this path also include those that pray to the Supreme Lord to for the well-being of the movement, of the Society, of the members, of the managers, of the gurus, etc. Some will also pray that they may be more Krsna conscious to be able to make a positive contribution themselves." Read full article.

Sun Poll Results on The "Lilamrta"

Posted by SunEditor @ 12/02/2005 02:12 PM PST [Read Post]
[11 Comments]

"Those readers following the recent commentary in the “It's Taboo, Prabhu” Sun Blog have been apprised of our feelings on the subject of Satsvarupa Goswami. Considering that our central theme is Srila Prabhupada status as the Sampradaya Acarya, there is good reasoning behind an intense dislike for the "Lilamrta". Admittedly, we chose this set of poll questions for that very reason." Read full article.

By Design

Posted by SunEditor @ 11/29/2005 11:53 AM PST [Read Post]
[2 Comments]

"There has always been some conflict between science and religion. One famous example was when Galileo Galilei, by supporting the Copernican notion of the Earth orbiting the sun, was placed under house arrest by the Catholic Church. A more recent example has been seen in American classrooms -- when the religious concept of intelligent design was suggested as a viable alternative theory to be taught alongside Darwinian evolution, it left the scientific community up in arms." Read full article.

Freedom of Religion and Public Education

Posted by HG Urmila devi dasi @ 11/25/2005 01:29 PM PST [Read Post]
[2 Comments]

"The first schools in America were generally run by religious organizations and helped to maintain the authority of both government and religion. The very Protestant influence in schools inspired Catholics to open their own educational institutions (Spring, 2001, chap. 2). Arguing over whether Catholic or Protestant doctrine should be taught in school became more prevalent after a huge Irish Catholic migration in the mid 19th century." Read full article.

Politically Correct Handbaskets

Posted by Vishoka dasa @ 11/25/2005 01:27 PM PST [Read Post]
[1 Comment]

"There’s a streetcar named desire, and there’s a chariot drawn by mules
called “second guessing” and so there are various handbaskets and conveyances, which take one merrily down to Patalaloka, all the while thinking one is politically correct." Read full article.

It's Taboo, Prabhu

Posted by Rocana dasa @ 11/23/2005 02:26 PM PST [Read Post]

"Over the months of September and October, HH Danavir Goswami and I were engaged in a series of discussions on the subject of ISKCON's re-initiation policy and guru tattva, in general. For those interested in revisiting the entire thread, the editorials were as follows:" Read full article.

Tony Blair is Right: It Is About the Masses

Posted by Prahlada Maharaj dasa @ 11/22/2005 01:38 PM PST [Read Post]
[1 Comment]

"In an article published recently in the Guardian, the Prime Minister of Britain makes the observation that the country needs many, many university educated students, not a handful as may be had from Oxbridge (the two leading and prestigious universities Oxford and Cambridge)." Read full article.

Scientific Evidence and Intelligent Design

Posted by SunEditor @ 11/14/2005 12:44 PM PST [Read Post]
[4 Comments]

Shiva dasa writes: "Due to blind faith in propaganda from committed atheists who promote evolution for philosophical and political reasons, the intellectually lazy and easily fooled sector of society accepts evolutionary theory despite their lack of study on the topic. They don't know anything about evolution nor do they know anything about Intelligent Design. They simply accept "argument from authority". Read full article.

Moral of the French Riots

Posted by Prahlada Maharaj dasa @ 11/13/2005 12:50 PM PST [Read Post]
[8 Comments]

"Nations throughout the world, communist and capitalist, first world and third world, have engaged in what can be described as the Great (secular-liberal) Experiment. Recent history has proven it to have failed. The French riots are but the latest in the results of this failed experiment. Material solutions of diplomacy, money, education, health care, a global village, technology, etc. have not resolved any of the entrenched problems of old. The only difference is now people use cars, boats and airplanes for horses, camels and elephants." Read full article.
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NEXT ARTICLE:
Part II: The God Solution

Jaur Gita Govinda

Posted by SunEditor @ 11/11/2005 12:18 PM PST [Read Post]
[4 Comments]

"Amongst the nectar ocean of Vaisnava literatures, the Gita-Govinda has had a phenomenally pervasive influence on the World. Gita-Govinda has been distributed far and wide by way of more than a hundred published editions, along with a vast wealth of extant source materials including epigraphical records, commentaries, translations and imitative paintings. " Read full article.

"Guru" in the Singular and Clarity about "Fall Down"

Posted by Dhira Govinda dasa @ 11/03/2005 12:35 PM PST [Read Post]
[74 Comments]

"We need a guru in whom we have absolute faith and whom we are willing to follow unconditionally in order to spiritually progress to the realm of pure devotion to Sri Krsna. This statement is made with reference to the point that each of us has many gurus, with "gurus" used in the sense of "teacher", or "person who inspires and guides us". " Read full article.

What in the Name of Krsna is Going On?

Posted by Hari dasa @ 10/28/2005 01:01 PM PST [Read Post]
[21 Comments]

"Recently, I have been doing a lot of thinking based on my 15 years of being in Iskcon and witnessing a number of trends within the movement, it's Gaudiya counterparts and it’s various offshoots. The purpose of this paper is to present the obvious." Read full article.

Abracadabra

Posted by Rocana dasa @ 10/26/2005 03:18 PM PST [Read Post]
[22 Comments]

"In his recent articles, Bhakta Wallace prabhu indicates that he has read and re-read my Sampradaya Acarya paper. Unfortunately, it seems that he was unable to wrap his head around my main themes. I will continue endeavoring to improve my written vision, until it is crystal clear to all readers." Read full article.

It Is Already Settled

Posted by Ragaputra dasa @ 10/22/2005 11:48 AM PST [Read Post]
[3 Comments]

"Regarding our allotment of happiness and distress in this life, Srila Prabhupada would often state that “it is already settled”. In other words, there is nothing one can actually do to increase his enjoyment or reduce his suffering. That is preordained in accordance with one’s previous work." Read full article.

The Assisted Suicide Debate

Posted by Ragaputra dasa @ 10/13/2005 11:46 AM PST [Read Post]
[1 Comment]

"Recently, visitors to the Supreme Court had an opportunity to see the newly appointed Chief Justice Roberts in action. The arguments being heard turned on Oregon’s assisted suicide law. The law was established in 1997 by a 60% margin. The federal government has sought to intervene on the grounds that the Controlled Substances Act gives the Federal Government exclusive jurisdiction to regulate what the assisted suicide law permits." Read full article.

Lend Me Your Ears

Posted by Bhakta Wallace Dorian @ 10/12/2005 01:07 PM PST [Read Post]
[16 Comments]

"I happened to catch the motion picture, "X" the other night about the life of the famed civil rights activist, Malcolm X . The film directed by Spike Lee was intriguing in that the faith and conviction that triggered Malcolm X's conversion from petty criminal while serving a seven year sentence in prison to the outspoken leader of the Nation of Islam was not all that different from the type of conversions that took place for becoming devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, although both movements are gulfs apart in terms of their ideology, conclusions and goals." Read full article.

The Intelligent Designer

Posted by Gadadhara dasa @ 10/08/2005 03:58 PM PST [Read Post]
[6 Comments]

"Recently there has been a debate over whether God is the creator of the universe or that the creation is formed by combination of chemicals, a chance occurrence if you will. The scientific group who supports a "theory" called Intelligent Design (ID) says that there is an intelligence behind the creation." Read full article.

More Study Desperately Needed

Posted by Visnurata dasa @ 10/07/2005 01:47 PM PST [Read Post]
[No Comments]

"Garuda Prabhu's article "More Gurus Desperately Needed" (September 30, 2005) suffers from a major flaw. He fails to quote any words from Srila Prabhupada which explain what type of gurus Lord Caitanya was asking for; but rather, he speculates that Lord Caitanya must have meant that everyone becomes a diksa guru with their own disciples." Read full article.

The Honor of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Posted by Hari dasa @ 10/05/2005 12:24 PM PST [Read Post]
[74 Comments]

"Recently, there has been many negative things being said about my Nama Guru and dearmost wellwisher- His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami. Maharaja, as most of you know, left his body rather recently after an intense and extremely painful fight with melanoma skin cancer." Read full article.
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NEXT ARTICLE:
"Time Is Running Out: My Final Article" by Hari dasa
"Mentality of a Sheltered Disciple" by Rocana dasa
"Hari Hurrah" by Rocana dasa
"Sentiment, Not Siddhanta" by Rocana dasa
"The Letter He Didn’t Ask Me To Write"

Letters to the Editor

Posted by SunEditor @ 07/18/2005 06:42 PM PST [Read Post]
[1 Comment]

Correspondence and comments we've received from readers of the Sun. Feel free to add your comments below.


Nitya Siddha dasa
kevinastle8@aol.com

Hare Krishna Rocana Prabhu,I would just like to say,what a great site!It has now replaced Chakra.org as my favourite Vaishnava website !
I like the interactive features,especially the Blogs,it's great to get into debates with other devotees about the many issues that don't always get discussed in Iskcon temples.My mood is always without animosity and hopefully other devotees will find my comments on the blogs constructive rather than critical in a fault finding way.We can all help each other to advance in Krishna consciousness.I have and continue to enjoy your many articles both on this and your older website,they are very enlightening and may I say the most impartial and revealing insights into Siddhanta philosophy on the internet that I have read to date.Although some have said that your mood appears to them to be "Angry"I disagree,rather your comments are incisive and intelligently delivered, well researched and always keeping within the structure of Siddhanata philosophy without deviation.It is refreshing to hear such an original approach to the Siksa,Diksa argument.I for one applaud your efforts here on Sampradaya Sun and long may it continue.

Your Servant,
Nitya Siddha dasa (UK)

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