Friday 31 August 2012

Prabhupadanugas Biggest sankirtan preaching in North America

 HG Prahlad Narsimha Prabhu distributes alone avg 100-150 hard back books a day! Currently Davedas Prabhu is traveling with him. Bhakta Parker is meeting up with them tomorrow. If more devotees are interested to learn or travel with him on a permanent basis, he informs that he can purchase another van as current one can accommodate max 3. They distribute only original books

 http://www.krishnapath.org/

 

Krishna Path on its summer Vans Warped Tour 2012

Currently Krishna Path is on the Vans Warped Tour. A punk rock music festival that travels across the country setting up in a different city every day and Krishna Path distributes at least 200 of Srila Prabhupada’s original books a day and  sometimes even 300 or so! It is wonderful! The Kids on the tour are so happy to get this transcendental wisdom!
This tour lasts about for about two month.
We are also making a documentary of the tour that I will publish in the beginning of August when the tour is over and we get some to do other things besides distributing Srila Prabupada’s transcendental books. The video will be awesome!
This video is of one of the bands on the tour called Anti-Flag. I am including it here because it is thoughtful and makes kids think.


Hare are some pictures of some happy Warped kids with Srila Prabhupada’s original books!
 

 
 
 
 





 Volunteer

* Experience life in a mobile ashram.
* Daily mantra meditation sessions and study of the ancient philosophy of the Vedic texts such as the Bhagavad-Gita.
* Follow a pure devotional lifestyle and vegetarian diet.
* Try it for a week, a month, or longer.
* A FREE TRIP TO HOLY TEMPLES IN INDIA once a year for those that stick with it.
Sounds appealing? Read on…

Hare Krishna, welcome!
This is an invitation for you to have the most transcendentally wonderful time of your life learning to do mantra meditation and practicing real compassion for others by giving them the ancient wisdom of the Vedas.
Distribution of transcendental wisdom and Harinama Sankirtana (the chanting of Krishna’s holy names with others) is recommended in the Vedas as the most potent
way to make spiritual advancement in this day and age.
Today many people are looking for alternatives to this materialistic unfulfilling economically unstable western lifestyle and many are looking to the East for answers. As a result there is a great need for persons willing to distribute that wisdom. People tremendously appreciate receiving this original, unchanged, ancient transcendental Knowledge.
Our Guru, Srila Prabhupada, worked very hard to translate these ancient Vedic books to English for the benefit of the world and very much wanted his followers to not just sit in
a temple or their homes content in their own spiritual consciousness, but to go out and share this bliss with others. When you try it you will find no greater satisfaction to the
heart.
As stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam 3.21.31 “A person in Krsna consciousness, a devotee of the Lord, is always compassionate. He is not satisfied that only he himself is a devotee, but he tries to distribute the knowledge of devotional service to everyone.”
We have a very nice fully outfitted camper van with all season living facilities, custom built specifically as a traveling ashram and transcendental wisdom distribution machine. Prahlada-Nrisimha das, the facilitator, has been a practicing Vaisnava monk for 15 years. He has extensively studied in sacred temples in India, and has plenty of experience distributing this wisdom to the people of North America.
This is an open invitation for you to try it for a short, or long time – as you like.
No experience is necessary. Prahlada-Nrisimha das is happy to help others in their walk on the transcendental path of compassion, the Krishna path.
For more information please send an email to: info@krishnapath.org

Thursday 30 August 2012

ISKCON Long Island, NY, implements S.P. Direction Of Management

by Nimai Pandit das, Temple President Long Island, NY
 
Subject: ISKCON Long Island, NY
Testimonial Ref: Direction Of Management (DOM)
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005
Dear Mukunda Prabhu,
Please accept my most humble obeisances! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Prabhu, thank you very much for compiling the Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta As It is. The box of books which we got, we have been distributing to our congregation and many have liked it. I had sent one box to Kapindra Maharaj and 1 box to Nara Narayana Prabhu, as instructed by Jaya Krishna Prabhu. We read from the book every day after Srila Prabhupada's Guru puja.
I have read your postings about the Direction of Management implementation - that now is not the time to implement it, more need is there to concentrate on Hearing from Srila Prabhupada and raising the general standard of the Temples.
I agree with you to a large extent. Your compilation book "All of Us should hear Srila Prabhupada", has been well read and distributed by us for the last 4 years. We hear from Srila Prabhupada extensively in the temple, the ISKCON Long Island, NY. We also all read and distribute His Divine Grace's original books and we go out and chant(singing in the original style of kirtan as taught by Srila Prabhupada), distributing prasadam and books weekly thrice and doing house programs. When the colleges start in September, we will start regular college programs too. I myself read at least one hour daily Srila Prabhupada's books and letters. In the temple we have Srila Prabhupada singing kirtans 24 hours thru speakers in all places in the temple. We even have a 24 hours internet radio station where one can log onto www.iskconny.com and here the temple kirtans and lectures or singing/lectures from Srila Prabhupada or his early disciples all day/night long. All in the temple are being trained to be Srila Prabhupada's disciples. The deities Sri Sri Nimai Nitai, were installed by Srila Prabhupada in 1975 and were worshipped by Visnujan Maharaj. We change their clothes twice daily, daily abhishek and make offerings 4 times a day. We have been gradually trying to implement the original way of deity seva instituted by Srila Prabhupada in his ISKCON temples.
So, at least by some standards, this is a functioning ISKCON temple, as Srila Prabhupada desires it to be. Obviously, we could do much more to purify ourselves and others. And we will continue to increase our endeavor's specially by the blessings and instructions of devotees like your good self.
We came to know of the Direction of Management last year in court (Supreme Court of New York) during a hearing on a lawsuit brought by the so-called "GBCs" who were trying to kick us out of the temple, on the charge that we are "ritviks". It was their argument that they are appointed GBC by Srila Prabhupada according to the document- the DOM. Hence they had the right to demand obedience!
That is the time Sriman Nara Narayana Vishwakarma Prabhu told us the importance of Srila Prabhupada's DOM and the weak points in the presentation of the "GBCs". He even submitted an affidavit to the court to lay the real background of this document. Especially that these are not the real GBCs as they have not been elected.
Partly, due to his brilliant exposition of the document, the judge ordered the so-called "GBC"s to stay away. So now, for the last almost 1 year, we have been free to practice KC, as ordered by Srila Prabhupada to his disciples, in an organized manner.
We do not associate with the so-called ISKCON temples. All "GBCs" or their representatives have to take permission to come in the temple - which they have never asked for. Basically, we are practicing Krishna Consciousness, keeping the Acarya in the center and associating with like-minded devotees around the world.
During the lawsuit, we requested Locanananda Prabhu to come and speak about the Gurukuli abuses to show the corruption in the current ISKCON to the Judge. His 5 minute testimony was powerful and moving, even he choked up! We have also been helping the poison investigation, details of which I am not at a liberty to reveal.
My point is that even though we are an ISKCON temple, we do not associate with the corrupt ISKCON "leadership", rather are trying to educate others(innocents) about it.
Since last year's court battle, we have also been implementing the Direction of Management in the temple - gradually.
We have resisted the "GBC"s pressures to change our name from ISKCON to something else, Direction of Management specifically is made by Srila Prabhupada on the letterhead of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INCORPOATED. This is the legal organization which owns our temple property. So this is the first thing we have done in implementing DOM. Not to change the name to anything else other than ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada moreover says,
"Then in 1966, July, I incorporated the Society under the name and style the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, briefly ISKCON. The lawyer was Mr. J. Goldsmith. Gradually the Society increased, and one after another branches were opened. Now we have got thirty-four (34) branches enlisted herewith".
Srila Prabhupada is specifically saying he incorporated a society name(d) .."briefly ISKCON".
All real property should be in the name of ISKCON. This is his order.
"7. Advice will be given by the GBC in cases of real property purchases, which will be in the name of ISKCON, INC. (Trucks or other vehicles will be purchased in the name of the local president)."
Hence these are the first instructions of DOM that we have already implemented here. We considered that these instructions we heard from Srila Prabhupada via his DOM are as important as his instructions we heard from in his lectures. I am sure you will agree and see the practicality of the situation. I have found here that devotees are more agreeable to help and cooperate if they can work under the name of ISKCON. You can understand that fighting a lawsuit to defend ourselves, keeping the temple program going daily, keeping regular preaching programs in NYC and taking care of the medium size congregation, for the last more than 1 year, takes some amount of resources, organization and cooperation among a good many like-minded devotees.
Another instruction of Srila Prabhupada from the Direction of Management which we have implemented is the next one:
"8. Removal of a Temple president by the GBC requires support by the local Temple members."
All devotees in the temple(currently 5 brahmacaris, 2 grahastha couple) know it and have seen this in writing and have been told by me several times, that if the devotees feel that the current Temple President, myself, is not doing his duty properly and is not qualified to do the service, then he can be removed by the Temple Members and a new one can be elected by the Temple Members. This instruction became paramount to implement now as devotees are all serving here, voluntarily, and giving up all their material possessions, and they wanted to know who is my authority. As I am definitely not a pure devotee, I found it a very good question to think of an answer of. Who is there to correct me? Srila Prabhupada. But what if I refuse or am unable to take the chastisement or correction from Srila Prabhupada. Is there another method Srila Prabhupada has set up in his organization for the managers to be accountable? According to the DOM, GBCs supervise Temple Presidents. But what if there are no real GBCs supervising me, as is the case now? At least the temple members have a say in keeping me in check if I become autocratic. Without that safety check, which intelligent, Brahman like devotee would like to surrender fully in such a temple environment for a long time? Otherwise, generally we have seen, and I know you have also experienced in "your" temple, the devotees in the temple start feeling that the TP thinks it is "his" temple.
I see that this DOM instruction of Srila Prabhupada would work the other way round too, when there are elected GBCs, they wouldn't be able to remove a TP whimsically, and hence a householder would feel much more secure in making his house into a preaching center in the name of ISKCON, legally, and put his hard-earned earnings in ISKCON's bank a/c to be used according to the instructions of Srila Prabhupada for preaching. This is how the new centres were opened in the early days. To insure that kind of trust again, without the DOM as a safety check, how will the householder's make their home's into ISKCON temples?
The other DOM instructions we have implemented are based upon this instruction of Srila Prabhupada
"They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice."
At that time, according to my research, and I may be wrong, there were regular istagosthis of the devotees. In the temple the men and women were living separately in the respective ashrams, even if they were married. All devotees would attend the whole morning program, especially the TP, and they would go out on sankirtan, which meant, distributing Kirtan, books and Prasadam. So we are gradually implementing these instructions. You are welcome to come, stay with us in the Men's ashram and check and give suggestions on what more can we do.
Another statement of Srila Prabhupada is "Gradually the Society increased, and one after another branches were opened. Now we have got thirty-four (34) branches enlisted herewith." So we are trying to see which other temples/preaching centres around the world, whether called ISKCON or not, are willing to form the real ISKCON organization, under the banner of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS. Maybe in a year's time, things will get cleared up, on who are real ISKCON temples and who are not, so that new contacts can be told the references of the temples.
We are trying to make new ISKCON centers, based upon Srila Prabhupada's formula of householder's opening preaching centers, men work initially, and in spare time, they go out on sankirtan. NY has many householder's who are Srila Prabhupada's disciples, and we are working with them, having regular Istagosthis in their homes, and generally helping them start their own centers in their homes -gradually. Of course, as you say, the first thing is to infuse in everyone the strong desire and importance of hearing from Srila Prabhupada. And to understand that Srila Prabhupada is a nitya-siddha associate of Lord Caitanya, Personality of Servitor Godhead and that all his activities are executed from a platform of ecstatic love of Lord Krishna. Krishnalingita Vigraha. I am not under illusion that it will take some years before these places would become ISKCON centres. But this is where we have started, and simultaneously these are the principles of DOM which all of us are familiar with while preaching. They know that the temple is governed by Srila Prabhupada's Direction of Management and in some years when there are enough temples, and most of those temple presidents feel that "we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established. " Then we would be in a position to implement even this instruction of Srila Prabhupada in his expanding real ISKCON.
I can definitely say that I would not be today talking to you as President of a functioning growing ISKCON temple(albiet small), if I had not started studying the DOM with the understanding that this is a practical instruction manual kept by Srila Prabhupada to manage his institution. And I can also safely say that this understanding has been progressively made possible by the assistance of our senior Godbrother Sriman Nara Narayana Vishwakarma Prabhu. I am grateful that he preached the importance of DOM in ISKCON to us, we won the lawsuit partly due to this angle. I see that he is preaching to ISKCON temples with a view to enlightening some other ISKCON temples like us with the hope that some of them will overthrow the corrupt leadership so that they can implement the hearing process of Srila Prabhupada in the right environment. Otherwise, maybe some intelligent devotees may come out of the temples on coming to know of the reality.
The hearing process of Srila Prabhupada, as emphasized by you is of paramount importance and should be really propagated. This is the most effective method to change our base qualities of nature to goodness and then to suddha goodness, from which platform we can preach. I do not see from his postings or in his temple that Nara Narayana Vishwakarma Prabhu is not agreeable to this fact. But I can also maybe bring to your kind attention that to maintain the hearing environment in an organized temple setup, which can provide a powerful tool to hear and discuss in an association, progressive implementation of Srila Prabhupada's Direction of Management is essential. I can testify to it.
Thank you for your great contributions to the resuscitation of ISKCON, and look forward to hearing from you.
Your humble servant,
Nimai Pandit das
Temple President
ISKCON Freeport
Long Island, NY

Monday 27 August 2012

Did Srila Prabhupada break tradition?Contradicting Sastra? MAYBE NOT!

by Yashoda nandana dasa
 
Hare Krishna, Prabhus, obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. Please permit me to recommend some articles of interest, pertaining to these topics: --


WHETHER SRILA PRABHUPADA BROKE WITH TRADITION, CONTRADICTING SHASTRA (The argument of "NO PRECEDENT")

More Vaishnava Acharyas Accept Ritvik   - Madhu Pandit das
"There are several such instances in Sri Vaishnava Parampara (tradition). Take the example of Sri Ramanujacharya himself, who was the foremost amongst the Srivaishnavacharyas. He was initiated into the Srivaishnava texts and secrets by five great acharyas who are the disciples of Acharya Yamuna. That is why is called Panchacharya Pradarshita. Though he was a disciple of these five Acharyas, just like the Ritviks appointed by HH Srila Prabhupada ji, these ritviks never claimed that they were the Acharyas of Ramanujacharya."
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/ART_NAMHATTA/Sri-Sam-rittvik231107.php)

Srila Prabhupada is Shastra - Praghosa das
"[Prabhupada] IS THE SHASTRA. THE SHASTRA IS ONLY RELEVANT IF IT AUTHENTICATES THE REALITY OF THE FULL INDEPENDENCE OF THE LORD AND HIS PURE LOVING DEVOTEES!!"
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/ART_NAMHATTA/shastra190908.php)

What are the Shastras? - Hansadutta das
"In one essay [Thakur Bhaktivinode] Srila Bhaktisiddhanta says, 'What are the shastras? They are nothing but the words of the devotees (pure devotees) or sadhus.'"
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/ART_NAMHATTA/shastra210908.php)

Formalities - Mahesh Raja
"ALL Srila Prabhupada did was change FORMALITIES in the way initiation was to be conducted in first and second initiations: 'The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas.'"
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/ART_NAMHATTA/rittvik-formalities190908.php)

Last Minute Thoughts - Hansadutta das
"If Srila Prabhupada is shaktavesha avatar (which we do recognise that he factually is), he can do anything, and it becomes LAW. Because the fully liberated soul is always in touch with Krishna, whatever he does or says is shastra, law, absolute, non-different from Krishna. Because we do not understand does not mean it is incorrect.

'Except for God, no one can establish the principles of religion. Either He or a suitable person empowered by Him can dictate the codes of religion.'-purport, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.43

Many things were never done before. Ramanujacharya engaged dacoits for collection, then had them killed. Madhvacharya pummeled his opponents. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sang and danced in public--never done before by sannyasis . Buddha rejected the Vedas. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada created a GBC to manage his preaching mission, leaving no successor acharya , as was traditionally done. Srila Prabhupada made the same arrangement. In both instances, the order was disobeyed, and in both instances the result was the same--chaos, confusion and disintegration of the Acharya's mission. Great acharyas like Srila Prabhupada do establish the principles of religion according to time, place and circumstances."
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/ART_NAMHATTA/SPMAY11.html)

WHETHER WE NEED A LIVING GURU

Living Guru - Hansadutta das
"What is your idea of living? A moving body? A warm body? The body is never living. It is the soul, the spirit within the body. ... 'You need a living guru.' What do they mean by 'living'? Do they mean to say that Srila Prabhupada is dead? Do they mean to say that Krishna is dead? Lord Chaitanya is dead? Vyasadeva is dead?

"If you say we need to have someone physically present giving instructions, that also is not a fact. That is helpful, but it is not a fact. It is not a fact. Because there are many examples of boys and girls who received Srila Prabhupada's books, and although he was not physically present, by reading and capturing the spirit, they became awakened to Krishna consciousness. It is not true that I need a living body through which this message, this spirit will come. It will come through the book, or it may come through the sincere servant..."
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/ART_NAMHATTA/livingguru180309.php)

QUESTION OF BREAKING THE PARAMPARA

Last Minute Thoughts - Hansadutta das
"First of all, neither Srila Prabhupada nor we say guru parampara should be abandoned. Rather, Srila Prabhupada has given specific instructions how it should be continued and its integrity preserved.

"Secondly, should we think that Srila Prabhupada has thrown aside volumes of evidence to contradict his spiritual master and the disciplic succession? Tamal's argument in ISKCON Journal (Vol. 1, No. 1) leads to that logical conclusion. It is Srila Prabhupada himself who has given the directive "Act as rittvik representative of the Acharya." Not anyone else has concocted this system of rittvik representation. Certainly Srila Prabhupada did not leave it to anyone to concoct or speculate what should be done. He gave the clear, specific order in his letter of July 9, 1977. Those who have concocted are the very persons who have set his order aside and gone ahead to become guru-acharyas.

"The guru parampara is broken not by following the acharya's order, but by disobeying and neglecting it. Having totally disregarded Srila Prabhupada's express wishes, ISKCON GBCs and guru-acharyas have effectively cut off ISKCON from its Founder-Acharya, Srila Prabhupada."
(http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/SPMAY11.html)

And of course, for those who have not already perused it, "Srila Prabhupada, His Movement and You" (http://www.bhaktivedantas.com/SPMAY.html).

Please read - Thank-you very much:

Since many of us support the  July 9th 1977 http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/10-07/editorials2084.htm  that Srila Prabhupada himself set-up AND NEVER RECINDED, I wish to respond to the above.
The Ritvik System is just FORMALITIES, so as per Srila Prabhupada's instructions: "The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas."
It is being misconstrued as "introduce a new system", BUT--FACTUALLY--it is ONLY FORMALITIES.
Lets study the following in terms of FORMALITIES:

1) Srila Prabhupada as a sannayasi got his disciples married. There is no verification in sastra that a sannyasi can do this.
  • Srimad Bhagavatam 5.1.24 Purport - The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata:
"Sometimes we are criticized because although I am a sannyasi, I have taken part in the marriage ceremonies of my disciples. It must be explained, however, that since we have started a Krsna conscious society and since a human society must also have ideal marriages, to correctly establish an ideal society we must take part in marrying some of its members, although we have taken to the path of renunciation. This may be astonishing to persons who are not very interested in establishing daiva-varnasrama, the transcendental system of four social orders and four spiritual orders. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, however, wanted to reestablish daiva-varnasrama. In daiva-varnasrama there cannot be acknowledgement of social status according to birthright because in Bhagavad-gita it is said that the determining considerations are guna and karma, one's qualities and work. It is this daiva-varnasrama that should be established all over the world to continue a perfect society for Krsna consciousness. This may be astonishing to foolish critics, but it is one of the functions of a Krsna conscious society."

Srila Prabhupada's Vyasapuja Lecture, August 22, 1973, London:
"I'm sometimes criticized by my Godbrothers that I have become a marriage-maker, because a sannyasi does not take part in a marriage ceremony, but I get my disciples married. This is also unique in the history. So they criticize me that I have become a marriage-maker. But they, they do not know why I take this risk. I have got many disciples, they are married couples, but all of them, husband and wife, they are helping this movement. Here is Bhagavan dasa, he's also married man, children."

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Satsvarupa, September 20, 1968:
"In your letter of the 17th instant, you have very frankly inquired from me about householder life, especially in the matter of sex relationship. A sannyasi is not supposed to be asked about anything sexual. But still, because you are so much dependent on my instruction, so I must give you information as far as possible. Married life is not for sex indulgence. The principle of marriage is on the background of getting good children. So the householder is allowed to have sex life once in a month, just after the menstrual period. The menstrual period prolongs at least for 5 days, so after this 5 days, one can have sex life provided he desires to get a child. And as soon as the wife is pregnant, no more sex life, until the child is born and is grown up at least for 6 months. After that, one may have sex life on the same principle. If one does not want more than one or two children, he should voluntarily stop sex life. But one should not strictly use any contraceptive method and at the same time indulge in sex life. That is very much sinful. If the husband and wife can voluntarily restrain by powerful advancement of Krishna Consciousness. That is the best method. It is not necessary that because one has got wife, therefore you must have sex life. The whole scheme is to avoid sex life as far as possible. And if one can avoid it completely then it is a great victory for him. Married life is a sort of license for sex life on condition of raising children. So you should try to understand these principles of married life and use your discretion. You should not imitate great personalities like Bhaktivinode Thakura, but you must follow His footprints. But it is not always possible to have the same success as great personalities like Bhaktivinode Thakura achieved. So in all circumstances you should try to follow the footprints of authorities but never to imitate them. Unless Jadurani develops a better health and strength, I do not advise her to become pregnant. I think you will understand the instruction as I have given and try to follow it as far as possible."

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Sacisuta, July 5, 1969:
"Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your letter dated June 23, 1969, and I have carefully gone over the contents. I am so pleased to learn that you are feeling very nicely in Buffalo temple and you are working hard and sincerely to push on this sublime movement of Krishna Consciousness. Regarding your question about marriage, the thing is that as I am a sannyasi, I am not concerned with family life, but because I want to see my disciples very happy in Krishna Consciousness, therefore, those who are feeling some sexual disturbance are requested by me to get themselves married."
2) Srila Prabhupada had disciples hear the TAPE of him giving Gayatri Mantra at brahmana initiation. There is no verification in sastra of this.
  • Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Gaura Hari, September 24, 1971:
"At your recommendation I have gladly consented to accept Guy as my duly initiated disciple. His letter and beads are enclosed herewith. Also enclosed are three sacred threads duly chanted by me as well as four papers with Gayatri mantra for the four devotees you have recommended for second initiation. You should secure the tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra from Makhanlal in Seattle. Let each devotee hear the tape privately, one at a time, and through the right ear. They should have the paper in front of them and hear and repeat each word. Beforehand you can show them how to count on the fingers, and beforehand hold a fire yajna and get the threads on the boys' bodies."

3) Srila Prabhupada had the WIFE of one disciple read Gayatri mantra to a devotee. There is no verification in sastra of this.
  • Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Vaikunthanatha, Sardia, April 4, 1971:
"Even though you have had no gayatri mantra, still you are more than brahmana. I am enclosing herewith your sacred thread, duly chanted on by me. Gayatri mantra is as follows:
[TAKEN OUT]
Ask your wife to chant this mantra and you hear it and if possible hold a fire ceremony as you have seen during your marriage and get this sacred thread on your body. Saradia, or any twice-initiated devotee, may perform the ceremony.
What Srila Prabhupada did was unprecedented in the history of Vaisnava sampradaya. But this did NOT mean he transgressed the sastra. On the contrary, sastra fully support Srila Prabhupada's actions IN AS MUCH AS the Ritvik System is ALSO part and parcel of above FORMALITY, wherein the Ritvik Representatives are performing FORMALITIES, i.e., the fire sacrifice and name giving CEREMONIES. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas.
  • Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.54 Purport - Dhruva Maharaja Leaves Home for the Forest:
"Those who are not actually in the line of acaryas, or who personally have no knowledge of how to act in the role of acarya, unnecessarily criticize the activities of the ISKCON movement in countries outside of India. The fact is that such critics cannot do anything personally to spread Krsna consciousness. If someone does go and preach, taking all risks and allowing all considerations for time and place, it might be that there are changes in the manner of worship, but that is not at all faulty according to sastra. Srimad Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas."

Srimad Bhagavatam 6.12.20 Purport - Vrtrasura' s Glorious Death:
"Therefore Sukadeva Gosvami says in Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.4.18):
  • kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa
    abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah
    ye 'nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah
    sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah
"Kiratas, Hunas, Andhras, Pulindas, Pulkasas, Abhiras, Sumbhas, Yavanas and members of the Khasa races, and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, for He is the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him." Anyone can be purified if he takes shelter of a pure devotee and molds his character according to the pure devotee's direction. Then, even if one is a Kirata, Andhra, Pulinda or whatever, he can be purified and elevated to the position of a maha-paurusya."
Rocana Prabhu wrote:
"I don't think you can introduce a system that has no verification in sastra."
Yes we agree - ALL Srila Prabhupada did was change FORMALITIES in the way initiation was to be conducted in first and second initiations: "The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas."
BUT Diksa per say, when MADHYAMA adhikari receives is unchanged, as that is NOT formality (see Diksa Given to Madhyama-adhikari is Not a Formality  http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/11-07/editorials2223.htm
Srila Prabhupada in the July 9th, 1977 ORDER is FORMALITY of HOW 1st and 2nd initiations were to be conducted - and THAT is ALL it was. And THIS was the change in terms of FORMALITY, nothing more.
The INITIATED disciples were to be Srila Prabhupada's DISCIPLES. How can you have disciples belonging to anyone else? Disciples belong to one who gives discipline. FACTUALLY we are ALL taking - DISCIPLINE - FROM Srila Prabhupada's books, CDs, Tapes. Common sense!
 

Sunday 26 August 2012

Prabhupadanugas Shri Radha Krsna Kunja, Snohomish WA

Krsna Kirtan 2012 - Shri Radha Krsna Kunja, Snohomish WA

Dear Devotees of the Lord, Hare Krsna,
Please accept my humble obesiances with all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We had a wonderful Saturday Feast Program here at Shri Radha Kunja Snohomish Aashram, WA.
We had wonderful Hari Naam, Nice Tulsi aarti, and Narsimha Dev Aarti, Bhajans, BG Purushotam Chapter 15 recitation and class,
and a very nice feast...
I would like to share the program pictures with you all...Hope you like it... Hari Hari...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikasnoble/sets/72157631246313258/show/

 

Hari Bol

Your Humble Servant
-Kanhaiya DasAnudas
"He reason ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, When thou art living still in sound!
 The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try, To spread the Holy Name around !"
 (Poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)


"I will never die. I shall live from my books, and you will utilize."
His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(Interview, July 16th, 1975, Berkeley, California)


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