GBC Report #7

February 15-17th

During the last three days of the Annual General Meeting of ISKCON’s
Governing Body Commission, GBC members gave presentations on new
publications and the status of various projects.

Anuttama Prabhu, representing the GBC’s Guru Services Committee, reported on
the Guru Seminars and Guru Retreats program. These programs allow devotees
who are serving as initiating or instructing gurus to associate with one
another and share their experiences serving Srila Prabhupada in the role of
guru. The Guru Seminars and Retreats also aim to enhance skills in
counseling disciples and caring for one’s own physical, emotional, and
spiritual well-being.

Members of the GBC, including Bhaktimarga Swami, Bhakti Chaitanya Swami,
Prahladananda Swami, and Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, who attended the Guru
Retreat in Ujjain last October related their experiences. They all expressed
enthusiasm and thanks for having such a wonderful retreat last year and
strongly urged others to attend future Guru Seminars or Retreats. A Guru
Seminar and Retreat will be held in Tirupati next October before the GBC
meetings in Juhu, Bombay.

The Guru Services Committee also presented the progress made on developing a
seminar for disciples. The idea of such a course is to educate devotees
before they receive initiation on the theological, institutional, and
practical issues pertaining to discipleship. Some topics include the
special position Srila Prabhupada plays in ISKCON as the Founder-Acarya, a
theological understanding of Guru-tattva, issues of etiquette between guru
and disciple, understanding the initiation ceremony, and the qualifications
of a disciple and a guru. Over the course of this year a committee will
continue to develop curriculum for this course.

Following the Guru Services Committee, ISKCON’s Minister of Education,
Sesa Prabhu, updated the GBC Body on the current educational institutions
within ISKCON. He reported that the Bhaktivedanta College in Budapest
currently has 200 students and offers two Bachelor Degree programs.
Bhaktivedanta College in Radhadesh is also growing with 30 full-time
students and is looking toward offering degrees in management as well as
theology.

Sesa Prabhu also presented to the GBC Body profiles of various religious
educational institutions that maintain lifestyle values similar to those
of ISKCON. He pointed out that Amrita University, founded by the Mata
Amritanandamayi Math in 1994, now has over 13,000 students and 13 university
departments. Likewise, Maharishi University of Management in Iowa started
off slow, but now has 1,200 students. Maharishi University has seen a 125%
student growth rate in the last five years. Moreover, Brigham Young
University, a successful Mormon university in Utah has an enrollment of more
than 30,000 students. Brigham Young University lists “purity” as a
requirement for graduation and funds 70% of student tuition through church
tithing.

After presenting these examples, Sesa Prabhu urged that ISKCON look toward
the future and put additional energy into further developing our own
educational programs. Everyone was in agreement. A directional straw vote
was taken, and unanimously the GBC decided to place strong emphasis on the
development of education within ISKCON.

Kaunteya Prabhu on behalf of ISKCON’s Congregational Development Ministry
presented two new publications to the GBC. The first book, Holy Jail, is a
compilation by Candramauli Swami on the activities and stories of ISKCON’s
Prison Ministry. In the thirty years that the ISKCON Prison Ministry has
been in operation, hundred of lives of inmates have changed due to the
practice of Krishna consciousness and the support received by devotees. For
more information on the ISKCON Prison Ministry, please visit
www.ipm.bbnow.org.

The second title presented by Kaunteya Prabhu is an English translation of
Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Sri Godruma Kalpatavi (The Desire-tree Grove of
Godruma.) Sri Godruma Kalpatavi was originally a newsletter produced in
Bengal 120 years ago by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to guide leaders and members in
his preaching movement. The topics discussed are very practical issues often
faced by those with families and careers who also want to fully engage in
practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness. Jayapataka Swami felt the
Godruma Kalpatavi to be so relevant to lives of devotee today that he
translated the text and inspired the current publication. For more
information on the Godruma Kalpatavi, please visit www.namahatta.org.

The GBC meetings concluded with words of praise and a standing ovation for
this year’s GBC Chairman, Romapada Maharaja. Several GBC members expressed
their gratitude toward Romapada Maharaja for putting so much time, effort,
and care into chairing the GBC. Over the course of the year, he addressed
many difficult issues and diligently offered support to ISKCON programs and
leaders throughout the world. Many GBC members felt that Romapada Maharaja
raised the bar and set a new standard for the position of GBC Chairman.

The GBC Body also welcomed the new GBC Chairman, Madhusevita Prabhu, as well
as Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu and Bhakti Caitanya Swami as members of the
incoming GBC Executive Committee.

After twelve days of meetings, members of the GBC appeared satisfied with
the amount of work accomplished during the 2010 Annual General Meeting. The
GBC will meet again next October at the ISKCON Juhu temple in Bombay.

Add comment March 4th, 2010

GBC Meeting Report #6

Reporting by Sraddhadevi Dasi
February 14th, 2010

On February 14th, all members of ISKCON’s Governing Commission
attending the Annual General Meeting in Mayapur, India assembled in the
center of a construction zone. It was the construction zone of the
long-awaited Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), a massive and impressive
temple dedicated to displaying the Vedic view of the spiritual and material
worlds.

The TOVP will become the new home to Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri
Pancha Tattva, and Sri Narasimhadeva, the Deities of ISKCON Mayapur.
According to Srila Prabhupada’s desire, however, the TOVP will also house a
functioning planetarium, exhibit halls, a library, and classrooms dedicated
to the research of and education on Vedic cosmology and science.

Construction of the temple officially began this year. The grounds
of ISKCON Mayapur’s campus that extends from Srila Prabhupada’s Bhajan Kutir
to the Chakra Building to the edge of the Conch and Lotus Buildings have
been cleared and are now home to two lofty pile drivers. To create the
foundation for such a massive structure, 2,600 tubes will be hammered sixty
feet into the ground. The tubes are then filled with concrete and reinforced
with stainless steel rods. To insure the longevity of the building, six
million dollars of the TOVP budget will be spent on stainless steel.

February 14th marked the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium’s
inauguration ceremony, and thus the entire GBC body was asked to
participate.

A simple pandal was set up for the ceremony in the center of the
TOVP’s footprint, now outlined in chalk. GBC members were seated in two rows
as Hari Sauri Prabhu introduced Niranjan Babu, the Vastu expert and Vastu
consultant for the TOVP project. Niranjan Babu is considered one of the
leading Vastu experts in India. He is also the son of famed astrologer BV
Raman and is the chief editor and publisher of the Astrological eMagazine.

Hari Sauri Prabhu explained that while the construction team is
building the physical foundation of the temple, Niranjan Babu is helping to
establish the metaphysical foundation of the TOVP. To create this
metaphysical foundation, nine holes were prepared within the marked
footprint of the temple. Four marking the cardinal directions, four the
intermediate directions, and one in the center. Likewise, nine square copper
plates, one for each hole, with Vastu markings on top were also made ready
before the ceremony.

As kirtan began under the shade of the pandal, GBC members and
members from the TOVP team were individually invited to help place a
specific copper plate into each hole. Crowds of devotees ran to one location
after another as the plates were successively placed, and everyone
enthusiastically chanted the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra as each plate went
into the ground.

The inauguration ceremony concluded with an opulent feast, sponsored
by the TOVP team and served out in Gada prasadam hall to all of the devotees
in Mayapur. For more information on the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
project, please visit www.tovp.org.

Add comment February 20th, 2010

Beszámoló a GBC üléséről (2010 február 7-9.)

Sraddhadevi dasi írta:

ISKCON vezetőtestületének (GBC) 2010. évi közgyűlésén a 2-4. nap központi témája az ISKCON jövőjére vonatkozó stratégiai tervezés volt. A vezetőtestület 2006-ban egyöntetűen úgy határozott, hogy nagyobb figyelmet szentel a stratégiai tervek elkészítésének, különös tekintettel arra, hogy Srila Prabhupada küldetésével összhangban meghatározza és megtervezze az ISKCON céljait és működését a jövő nemzedéke számára.

A stratégiai tervezés folyamán kisebb testületeket állítottak föl egy-egy stratégiai terv megvalósítása érdekében. A hat jelentősebb ilyen testület céljai a következők:

1)Srila Prabhupada helyzetének meghatározása: annak tisztázása, milyen speciális szerepet játszik Srila Prabhupada az ISKCON alapító ácsárjájaként a szervezetben és annak kidolgozása, hogy az ebből levont gyakorlati és teológiai következtetéseket hogyan örökítsük át a következő nemzedékeknek.

2) A második bizottság feladata annak kidolgozása, a jövőben hogyan jelöljék ki, hogyan inspirálják és hogyan képezzék a szervezet vezetőit.

3) Alkotmányozó bizottság: Az ISKCON alkotmányának kidolgozása.

4) A negyedik bizottság feladata a képzés, és olyan rendszerek kiépítése, amelyek elősegítik a bhakták fizikai, érzelmi, mentális és lelki szükségleteinek kielégítését.

5) Az ötödik bizottság feladata egyensúlyt teremteni a vezetők olyan szintjei között, mint a GBC titkárok, az avató  guruk és a szannyászík, emellett pedig munkaköri leírás és pénzügyi útmutató biztosítása a különböző szintű vezetőknek.

6) A hatodik bizottság szerepe a fő prédikálótevékenységek, mint például a könyvosztás, varnásrama, a gyermekek képzése stb. Sríla Prabhupáda útmutatásainak megfelelő meghatározása és fejlődésének elősegítése.

A különböző bizottságok három teljes napig üléseztek, hogy részletesen kidolgozzák a saját feladataikat. A stratégiai tervezés nem csak tervek megalkotását igényli a különböző bizottságoktól, hanem azt is, hogy előmozdítsák az általuk létrehozott tervek és kezdeményezések kivitelezését. Következésképp gyakran lelkes és élénk eszmecsere alakul ki a stratégiai tervek megalkotása alatt mind a gyűlések előre meghatározott idejében, mind azon kívül.

Ezalatt a három nap alatt plenáris ülésekre is sor került, melyeken a különböző bizottságok bemutatták, meddig jutottak el, és kikérték a GBC testület véleményét.

A testület tagjai az év folyamán a saját javaslataik kidolgozásával tovább folytatják a bizottságokon belüli munkájukat, mígnem ősszel személyesen is találkoznak a GBC Mumbay-i ülésén.

Add comment February 19th, 2010

GBC Meeting Report #5

February 13th

The GBC deputies began the eighth day of the Annual General Meeting of
ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission with another session of voting. GBC
members discussed and voted on GBC Ministry and GBC Committee member
appointments, such as the Minister of Book Distribution, Minister of
Education, and Guru Services Committee members.

A report was also given by Praghosa dasa on behalf of Mayapur management.
After requesting and receiving suggestions from a financial and
organizational audit, Praghosa dasa informed the GBC that approximately 80%
of the financial recommendations have been put in place for ISKCON Mayapur
and that Mayapur management is currently working on incorporating the
organizational suggestions as well. There is still a large amount of work to
be done in Mayapur, however, and Praghosa dasa humbly requested the
blessings of the GBC Body for the Mayapur management to continue working
toward meeting their goals.

ISKCON’s Child Protection Office (CPO) was the next topic of discussion in
the morning session. The Child Protection Office is ISKCON’s ecclesiastical
body that provides education and manages reports of alleged child abuse
within ISKCON communities. The CPO does not supersede or replace state or
national judicial systems, but rather provides additional support and
education within the organization to insure the protection of children
within ISKCON.

Tamohara dasa, who was the CPO Director for five years, introduced to the
GBC Champakalata devi dasi, the new CPO Director from Durban, South Africa.
Having grown up as an active member of ISKCON and being a highly skilled
lawyer, Champakalata devi dasi carries immense qualification to take on the
service of CPO Director.

Following an introduction from Tamohara dasa, Champakalata devi dasi gave an
impressive report to the GBC on the status and goals of the Child Protection
Office. In the presentation, Champakalata devi dasi stated that a major
challenge for the CPO is to locate and train more devotees who can serve on
review boards and assess reports of child abuse. She also stated that all
ISKCON temples, according to ISKCON law, are required to form a Child
Protection Team. A Child Protection Team consists of responsible devotees
who are knowledgeable in local child abuse laws and trained to properly
respond to reports of child abuse in their community. If a temple does not
yet have a Child Protection Team, they are required to assemble a team
immediately. Training from the CPO is provided for those needing to create
or desiring to serve on a Child Protection Team. For more details, please
see www.childprotectionoffice.org.

All members of the GBC were thoroughly impressed with Champakalata devi
dasi’s knowledge and capabilities. A vote was called and Champakalata devi
dasi was unanimously appointed as the new Director of ISKCON’s Child
Protection Office. In turn, Tamohara dasa officially resigned from the
position of CPO Director as GBC Members offered words of thanks and applause
for his years of CPO service.

Add comment February 18th, 2010

GBC Meeting Report #4

February 11-12th
By Sraddhadevi dasi

Governance of ISKCON’s managerial bodies was the main topic of discussion
for the sixth day of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission’s Annual General
Meeting in Mayapur, India.

At present, ISKCON not only has an international Governing Body Commission
(GBC) which is responsible for the overall management of ISKCON, but in some
regions there are additional lower level governing bodies such as Regional
Governing Bodies (RGBs), National Councils, and Continental Committees. What
was at question is how these bodies, which hold regular meetings and pass
resolutions, interact with and report to the overall managerial authority,
the GBC.

Given the intricacy and importance of the topic, the GBC proposed to form a
Rules of Order committee composed of representatives from the lower-level
managerial bodies who will explore the topic in greater detail. The
committee will consider not only practical issues of management, but also
the desired management structure of Srila Prabhupada. The issue will then be
discussed with more information and in greater detail during the GBC meeting
next fall in Juhu.

The following day, another complex topic was brought to the GBC Body for
discussion by Sivarama Maharaja. This was the topic of membership in
ISKCON—who should be considered a member of ISKCON as a spiritual society
and by what standards?

Romapada Maharaja, the GBC Chairman, made clear that Sivarama Maharaja’s
presentation is not the official position of the GBC, nor is it a formal
proposal to the GBC. Rather, the intention of the presentation was simply to
reflect on the question and engage in thoughtful discussion.

Sivarama Maharaja initiated the conversation regarding the definition of
ISKCON and ISKCON membership by first exploring the notion of “society.” He
pointed out that in general, citizens within a society hold common rights
and individual rights. For example, there are general laws to be followed in
a country, but individuality can also be expressed within the country as
long as a citizen acts within the constraints of the common law. Therefore,
a citizen is someone who allows his or her individuality to be subservient
to the common law of the society.

Following this logic, Sivarama Maharaja asked if ISKCON, a spiritual
society, should require devotees to follow defined standards in order to be
considered a member of ISKCON. Such standards could include anything from
following the four regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds of the
Hare Krishna Maha-mantra daily to perhaps even not watching television for
enjoyment. More general standards would be loyalty to Srila Prabhupada,
following the GBC as the ultimate managerial authority of ISKCON, and
actively engaging in some service within one’s local devotional community.
Sivarama Maharaja suggested that if we clearly define rules of membership
for ISKCON, there is still a place for those who are not at the point of
complying with the common laws of the spiritual society and yet who still
hold faith in Krishna consciousness. Those who are not official ISKCON
members, Sivarama Maharaja suggested, would share some of the same rights as
ISKCON members, such as attending the temple functions, but would not
receive the same benefits as official ISKCON members, for instance being
allowed to reside in ISKCON temples or farms, serve in official leadership
positions within ISKCON, or take part in ISKCON initiative projects.
Gopal Krishna Maharaja pointed out that in ISKCON we have members at various
levels in their spiritual life. Creating strict membership guidelines for
ISKCON could exclude from ISKCON a substantial number of sincere devotees
who are not practicing at such high levels.

Sivarama Maharaja responded with understanding to this point and again
explained that his intention was simply to present ideas to consider and
discuss, rather than a fixed idea on how ISKCON membership should be
defined. However, he did express that a clear definition of what it means to
be a member of ISKCON should be further discussed and explored.

Following Sivarama Maharaja’s presentation, Radha Krishna Prabhu and
Radhradhya Prabhu gave an inspiring update on the Eco Valley project in
Hungary, a model village working toward self-sustainability. Eco Valley,
through its Sustainable Science Research Center, recently began a program
where university students live at Eco Valley for two months to study and
train in developing self-sustainable communities. Radha Krishna Prabhu also
reported that Eco Valley now has eight university affiliations and eleven
university students writing dissertations on the Eco Valley project. For
more information on the Eco Valley project, visit www.ecovalley.hu.

Hari Sauri Prabhu concluded the evening with an enlivening presentation on
the new Bhaktivedanta Research Centre located in Kolkata. The Bhaktivedanta
Research Centre, dedicated to gathering, preserving, and making available
Vaisnava and Vedic Cosmology texts, officially opened in June 2009.

The Bhaktivedanta Research Centre initiated from a need to house and make
available texts related to Vedic cosmology for the Temple of the Vedic
Planetarium’s Cosmology Project. The building, kindly donated to ISKCON by
Mr. MC Shamsukha in 2000, was completely renovated to create an excellent
library space for 15,000 books along with comfortable guest rooms for
visiting devotees and scholars. Suitable space is also available in the
building to function as a temple and lecture hall.

Most astonishing was a recent library acquisition that contained many rare
and valuable pieces including a personal diary of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura, a postcard written to Bhaktivinoda Thakura by his daughter, and a
400-year old manuscript of the Madhya Lila of Caitanya Caritamrta. The
Bhaktivedanta Research Centre, under the academic direction of Pranava
Prabhu and Krishna Abhiseka Prabhu, is currently working to catalog and
professionally preserve this acquisition before the texts disintegrate even
further.

Thousands of Vaisnava manuscripts and texts have yet to be located and
preserved, and due to the effects of time, these texts are disappearing.
Hari Sauri Prabhu thus conveyed the important work the Centre is already
doing and the immediate need to support furthering the work of the
Bhaktivedanta Research Centre. For more information on the Bhaktivedanta
Research Centre, please contact iskconbrc@gmail.com.

Add comment February 16th, 2010

GBC Meeting Report #3

Reporting by Sraddhadevi Dasi

February 10th, 2010

Day five of the Annual General Meeting of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission
began with presentations by the Succession and Leadership Training Committee
and Devotee Care Committee.

Tamohara dasa, on behalf of the Succession and Leadership Training Committee
reported that replacement of GBC and Zonal Secretary positions most often
occur in emergency situations and are subsequently rapid appointments, many
times without thorough training. In order to better this situation, the
Succession and Leadership Training Committee developed and initiated a
second stage of Leadership Training Courses in North America, Europe, and
India.

The first stage of training includes individual, short-term leadership and
management courses, such as the long-standing VTE Leadership and Management
Training Course. The new second stage of training consists of six, two-week
modules offered over the period of two years. Training includes topics such
as public speaking, pastoral counseling, strategic planning, and qualities
of leadership as well spiritual foundations for leadership and management as
outlined by sastra and Srila Prabhupada. Devotees with such training will
thereafter be able to skillfully take on managerial and leadership positions
within ISKCON.

Following Tamohara dasa, Prasanta dasi led a presentation on behalf of the
Devotee Care Committee. The Devotee Care Committee strives to address the
physical, mental, and spiritual needs of all devotees, and with such an
important task has sought out numerous highly qualified devotees from around
the world to assist with the project. Since the October 2009 GBC meeting in
Juhu the committee published a second “Devotee Care” informational booklet.
The committee also organized an educational program with trained educators
prepared to give presentations on Devotee Care to any ISKCON center. Gopal
Bhatta Prabhu, a lead coordinator of GBC Strategic Planning, especially
praised the Devotee Care Committee for their work and efforts in organizing
such a large number of skilled devotees to move forward in this initiative.

The morning session concluded with an astounding presentation of Srila Rupa
Gosvami’s Citra Kavitvani, a collection of verses in praise of Lord Krishna.
This presentation was assembled by and given on behalf of the Srimad
Bhagavata Vidyapitham, a Sanskrit school run by Gopiparanadhana Prabhu in
Govardhana, India.

Prasanta dasi beautifully sang the verses while Lokanatha Maharaja explained
the construction of the Sanskrit and Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja recited the
English translation. The verses of the Citra Kavitvani are not only
incredible in content, but also in construction. For example, the first two
verses only use two consonants along with vowels in the entirety of verse
formation. Another verse uses the construction of a chakra, or wheel,
wherein the first three lines of the verse comprise the three spokes of the
chakra, requiring the middle syllable of each line to match and form the
central syllable of the entire chakra. Then the fourth line of the verse
rounds it way across the spokes to create the rim of the chakra, and even
more elaborately requires six syllables to match where the spokes and rim
meet. The verse construction only became increasingly artful and ornate as
the verses progressed, moving into formations such as the snake, lotus, and
drum constructions.

The presentation not only pointed out the amazing mind of Srila Rupa
Gosvami, but also the importance of strongly supporting the Srimad
Bhagavatam Vidyapitham school in their endeavor to study and translate such
wonderful Gaudiya Vaisnava literature.

In the afternoon, members of the GBC congregated in Sri Prabhupada’s
quarters in the Lotus Building to hear and chant the Holy Name. Bhajans were
led by HG Praghosa Prabhu, HG Anuttama Prabhu, HH Lokanath Maharaja, HH
Ramai Maharaja, and HH Radhanath Maharaja. Chanting the Holy Name together
with beautiful melodies and association left everyone feeling inspired and
rejuvenated.

Add comment February 16th, 2010

GBC Meeting Report #2

Reporting by Sraddhadevi Dasi

GBC Report: February 7th-9th, 2010

Strategic Planning for ISKCON’s future was the central focus for the second
through fourth days of the 2010 Annual General Meeting for ISKCON’s
Governing Body Commission. In 2006, the GBC Body collectively decided to
increase their attention on Strategic Planning, more specifically to spend
additional energy on defining and planning ISKCON’s direction and management
for Srila Prabhupada’s mission to be passed down to future generations.

Through the process of Strategic Planning, sub-committees were formed to
address specific Strategic Planning issues. The six standing sub-committees
include:

1)Establishing Srila Prabhupada’s Position: To clarify the special role
Srila Prabhupada plays as the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and work to pass the
theological and practical implications of Srila Prabhupada’s unique position
to future generations.

2)Succession Committee: To identify, inspire, and train future ISKCON
leaders.

3)Constitution Committee: To formulate a constitutuion for ISKCON.

4)Devotee Care: To educate and develop systems to assist in meeting the
physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of devotees.

5)Parallel Lines of Authority and Finances: To create a balance between
various levels of leadership in ISKCON, such as GBC members, initiating
spiritual masters, and sannyasis. Also, to develop job descriptions and
financial guidelines for leaders at various levels.

6)Core Preaching Strategies: To identify and promote the main preaching
activities, such a book distribution, varnasrama, education of children,
etc. as outlined by Srila Prabhupada.

For three full days, individual committees convened to further develop and
realize specific committee goals. Strategic Planning requires committees to
not only plan, but also move forward in implementing the committee’s
strategies and initiatives. Consequently, enthusiasm and lively discussion,
both within and outside of allocated meeting time, often develop through
this process of Strategic Planning.

During these three days, time was also alloted to plenary sessions during
which individual groups presented their progress thus far and requested
feedback from the GBC Body.

GBC members will continue to collaberate with their committee members on
their specific initiatives throughout the year and committees will reconvene
in person next fall during the GBC meeting in Bombay.

Add comment February 14th, 2010

Beszámoló a GBC üléséről (2010. február 6.)

Srí Dháma Májápurban szombat reggel kezdődött el az ISKCON irányítótestületének (GBC) 2010. évi közgyűlése, amikor Bhakti Charu Maharaja Ekalavya Prabhu lelkes, inspiráló kírtanája kíséretében bemutatta Sríla Prabhupádának az ISKCON alapító ácsárjájának a hagyományos guru-púdzsa szertartást. Romapada Maharaja, a GBC ez évi elnöke üdvözölt minden jelenlévőt, majd felolvasott egy részt a Srímad-Bhágavatam tizedik énekéből.

Az első előadást Bhadrinarayana Prabhu tartotta a Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Sríla Prabhupáda írásainak hivatalos kiadója nevében. Beszámolt róla, hogy jelenleg 284 kiadvány 35 nyelven történő nyomtatása van folyamatban, és hogy Sríla Prabhupáda könyvei más publikációkkal egyetemben hamarosan E-könyv formátumban is megjelennek. Az előadás nyomatékos hangsúlyt fektetett a templomok felelősségére a korábbi tartozásaik mielőbbi rendezésében, s azt is kihangsúlyozta, milyen fontos, hogy minden templom számoljon be a közössége által végzett könyvosztás részleteiről. A jelentés szerint 2008 és 2009 között harminchárom százalékkal növekedett a könyvpontok értéke, ám égető szükség van a templomok még nagyobb szerepvállalására.

A délután hátralévő részében a GBC-helyetteseknek, a GBC-testület hátországának beszámolója kapott helyet. Ők segédkeznek a GBC-nek a világ minden részéről beérkező javaslatok feldolgozásában. A föld különböző pontjairól érkező GBC-helyettesek találkoznak Májápurban, és hosszú órákat töltenek azzal, hogy a hivatalos GBC-ülés megkezdése előtt kiválogassák és rendezzék a GBC-testületnek benyújtott javaslatokat. Mindemellett alkalmazzák a „Mind Map” szoftvert a javaslatok negatívumainak, pozitívumainak és érdekes pontjainak megjelenítésére.

Ezen információk birtokában a GBC-helyettesek különféle javaslatokat terjesztettek véleményezésre a GBC-testület elé, és egy előzetes szavazást tartottak arról, hogy egy bizonyos javaslatot továbbvigyenek-e. A javaslatok témái között szerepelt az ISKCON Vallásközi Kapcsolatok Bizottságának újjáélesztése, az ISKCON vezetőinek lelkészi kötelességei, az ISKCON nyomtatványok logóinak, fejléceinek és egyéb sablonjainak sztenderdizálása. Köszönet illeti a GBC helyetteseket a javaslatok figyelmes tisztázásáért és tömör formába való rendszerezéséért, mert a GBC-testület ennek köszönhetően számos javaslatot áttekinthetett és megtárgyalhatott a délután folyamán.

Bhaktivaibhava Maharaja is ezen a napon beszélt Az elveszett falu című legújabb filmjéről. Ez a magas szakmai színvonalon elkészített alkotás Lokanath Maharaja a mahárástrai Aravádé nevű kis falvában eltöltött gyermekkorának történetét használja fel arra, hogy a jelen kor globális kérdéseiről beszéljen. E kérdések közt megtaláljuk az agrárüzlet növekedését, a növények és állatok genetikai módosítását, minek következtében a mezőgazdaságra építkező falusi életet felváltja a nagy gyárak létén alapuló városi élet. Mindannyiunkat arra kért, hogy nézzük meg és mind a helyi bhakta közösségeinken belül, mind azokon kívül hívjuk fel a figyelmet a filmre.

Mivel a nap folyamán számos témát sikerült megtárgyalni, az első találkozót mindenki sikeresnek találta.

Add comment February 11th, 2010

Daily GBC Report Day 1 – February 6th, 2010

The 2010 Annual General Meeting of the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON
commenced Saturday morning in Sri Mayapur Dham with Bhakti Caru Maharaja
offering the traditional guru-puja ceremony to ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya,
Srila Prabhupada, while Ekalavya Prabhu led an enthusiastic and
inspirational kirtan. This year’s GBC Chairman, Romapada Maharaja, welcomed
everyone in attendance and delivered a reading from the tenth canto of
Srimad Bhagavatam.

Badrinarayana Prabhu conducted the first presentation on behalf of the
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, the official publisher of Srila Prabhupada’s
written works. It was reported that the BBT is now printing 284 titles in 35
languages and will soon be making Srila Prabhupada’s books and other
publications available in e-book format. Strong emphasis was placed in the
presentation on the critical responsibility temples have to settle any past
BBT debts. The importance of each temple reporting the details of book
distribution by their community was also emphasized. There was an increase
from 2008 to 2009 of 33% in book score reporting, however more participation
in temples is greatly needed and desired.

For the remainder of the afternoon, a presentation was given by GBC
deputies, a second tier GBC body that assists the GBC in managing proposals
submitted by devotees worldwide. For several weeks, GBC deputies from around
the globe met in Mayapur and worked long hours prior to the formal GBC
meetings to read, sort through, and organize these proposals submitted to
the GBC Body. Additionally, they utilized “Mind Map” software to visually
display the pluses, minuses, and interesting points of a proposal.

With this information, the GBC deputies presented various proposals to the
GBC Body for comments and an initial straw vote on whether or not to pursue
the specific proposals further. Proposals included ideas such as
reestablishing an ISKCON Interfaith Commission, pastoral duties of ISKCON
leaders, and standardizing ISKCON logos, mastheads, and other templates for
published material. Thanks to the efforts of the GBC deputies to carefully
clarify and concisely organize proposals, numerous proposals were able to be
reviewed and discussed by the GBC body in the afternoon.

Also today, Bhaktivaibhava Maharaja announced his latest film, “The Lost
Village.” This professional quality film uses the story of Lokanath
Maharaja’s childhood in the small Maharashtrian village of Aravade as a
platform to discuss current important global issues. Such issues include the
increase of agribusiness and genetic modification of plants and animals due
to the decline of agricultural village life in exchange for big-industry
based city life. All were encouraged to view and promote “The Lost Village”
both within and outside of their local devotee communities.

The first meeting ended with a collective sense of accomplishment as
numerous topics were covered and discussed over the course of the day.

1 comment February 10th, 2010

Mahavisnu Goswami szamádhi ceremóniája

Ezt a Mahavisnu Goswami szamádhi ceremóniájáról szóló üzenetet Kavicandra Swamitól kaptam:

A szamádhi szertartás nagyon áldásos volt. Sok bhakta összegyűlt Nasikában. Őszentsége Mahavisnu Swami testét az új nasikai ISKCON-templomba vitték, ahol Őszentsége Radhanatha Swami és Őszentsége Bhakti Caru Swami vezetésével a dzsé aniló préma dhana imát mély érzésekkel énekelve szépen fogadták. Innen arra a helyre indultunk, ahol Mahavisnu Swami azt kérte, hogy a szamádhija álljon. Ez egy kissé távol esik a várostól. Bhakti Caru Swami pontosan vezetett minden előkészületet, mialatt a csodálatos kírtana megtisztította a légkört. Minden szabályszerűen történt.

A szamádhi befejezése után dicsőítettük Őszentségét. Radhanatha Swami, Navayogendra Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Kavicandra Swami, Jashomatinandana Prabhu, Devakinandana Prabhu and Shyama Prabhu és mások beszéltek Mahavisnu Swamiról. Mindannyian dicsőítették a Srímad-Bhágavatam és a bhakták iránti szeretetét. Fia az ISKCON-hoz fűződő ragaszkodását hangsúlyozta.

Vezető tanítványa, Devakinandana (Szingapúr) szép záróbeszédet tartott, majd bőséges praszádammal vendégeltek meg mindenkit.

Most a tanítványai nekilátnak, hogy teljesítsék akaratát és egy szép templom legyen ott.

Szolgátok
krisné matir asztu

Kavicandra Swami

Add comment January 30th, 2010

2010 Vyasa-puja offerings

The deadline for handing in the Vyasa-puja offerings for Srila Sivarama Maharaja is 10 March. Please send them to the hdd@1108.cc address in rtf format and make your name the file name, eg. nitaigauranga.rtf.

magyar

Srila Sivarama Maharaja Vyasa-puja felajánlásainak leadási határideje március 10.
A felajánlásokat a hdd@1108.cc címre küldjétek rtf formátumban úgy, hogy a felajánlást író bhakta neve a fájl neve, pl. nitaigauranga.rtf

Add comment January 29th, 2010

Samadhi ceremony for Maha Visnu Goswami

I received this from Kavicandra Swami on the samadhi ceremony for Maha Visnu Goswami:

The samadhi ceremonies were very blissful.

Many devotees gathered in Nasika. HH Mahavishu Swami was carried to the
New ISKCON temple in Nasika where he was welcomed beautifully under the
direction of HH Radhanatha Swami.HH Bhakti Caru Swami lead “Je Anilo
Prema Dhana” very soulfully. From there we proceeded to the land where HH
Mahaavishnu Swami requested to have his samadhi.It a bit far from the
city.Bahkti Caru Swami nicely directed all the preparation while
beautiful kirtans purified the atmosphere.Everything went smoothly.

After the samadhi was completed we glorified His Holiness.Radhanatha
Swami, Navayogendra Swami, Gopal Krsna Goswami, Kavicandra Swami,
Jashimatinandana Prabhu, Devakinandana Prabhu and Shyama Prabhu (s/o)
Mahavishnu Swami spoke. All glorified his love for Srimad Bhagavatam and
all devotees.His son stressed on his fondness for ISKCON.

His leading disciple Devakinandana (Singapore) gave a beautiful concluding
presentation and opulent prasadam was served for all.

Now his disciples are begining to do something to fulfill his desire to
have a nice temple and project there.

Your Servant,
krsne matir astu
Kavicandra Swami

Add comment January 29th, 2010

Mahavisnu Maharaja

At this moment, 11:45 am I received news that HH Mahavisnu Goswami has left this world. It is a sad day for us, we have lost his association; it is a happy day for him, he has gained Krsna’s association. All glories to Mahavisnu Maharaja
Magyarul:
Ebben a pillanatban, 11:45-kor érkezett hozzám a hír, miszerint HH Mahavisnu Goswami elhagyta ezt a világot. Ez egy szomorú nap nekünk mivel elvesztettük a társaságát; egy boldog nap neki, mert megkapta Krsna társaságát. Minden dicsőséget Mahavisnu Maharajának!

Add comment January 25th, 2010

Global Kirtan

On Saturday, January 30th, there will be a Global Kirtan whose source is the banks of the River Yamuna. All around the world, devotees will gather in kirtan to raise their voice in protest to the invasiveness of materialists who are destroying Yamuna Devi’s banks and building a monstrosity of concrete and steel from one side of her waters to the other.

1 comment January 13th, 2010

To: UK Devotees

Please accept my humble obeisances or blessings, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. My visit to London this coming weekend is solely to participate in the annual Sunday kirtana on behalf of Palvi Mulji. I regret that due to writing commitments I will not be able to meet with anyone or do any other program aside from that one event. However I will return for my regular visit later in the year and spend my usual time with you all. Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Sivarama Swami

Add comment January 5th, 2010

HELP US FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING

Sand sculptures by Sudarsan Pattnaik from India.

3 comments December 17th, 2009

My apologies

While I am on this writing marathon, although I will read them, I shall not be able to answer your comments. However thank you and please keep writing in.

Elnézést kérek: Amíg ebben az író maratonban vagyok, bár elolvasom a kommentjeiteket, nem tudok válaszolni rájuk. Köszönöm, és kérlek benneteket, továbbra is írjatok!

Add comment December 9th, 2009

Dear devotees. For the first time in almost twenty years I will not be conducting Gita Jayanti as planned

Kedves bhakták! Majdnem 20 év után első alkalommal a terv ellenére nem én fogom vezetni a Gita Jayantit.
English
Magyar

The reason is the demands of the intense writing and editing schedule that I am observing with Kesava Bharati Maharaja in New Vraja-dhama. I just cannot spare the 3-4 days these readings would take from our schedule. I have arranged for learned devotees to replace me in the reading of the sanskrit and I wish you all a blissful recitation and celebration of the speaking of our most important scripture. Next year I will return to that service again. Thank you for your understanding and Hare Krsna.

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Ennek az az oka, hogy szoros munkarendet tartunk az írásban és az editálásban Kesava Bharati Maharajával Új Vraja-dhamaban. Egyszerűen nem tudok 3-4 napot a felolvasásokra szánni. Megszerveztem, hogy helyettesítsenek tanult bhakták a szanszkrit versek felolvasásában. Mindannyiótoknak azt kívánom, hogy örömteli legyen a recitálás, és a legfontosabb szentírásunk elbeszélésének ünnepe. Jövőre újra visszatérek ehhez a szolgálathoz. Köszönöm a megértéseteket és Hare Krsna.

Add comment December 3rd, 2009

Gita-jayanti 2009

Szeretettel várunk mindenkit idén is a Bhagavad-gita megjelenési ünnepén!
Magyarul
English version

Program:

A Bhagavad-gita verseinek tûzáldozattal kísért felolvasása, a Gita áldásai,
lakoma.

A részvétel feltétele: minimum 5 Gita támogatása – a Giták ára: puha
fedeles: 1.500.- Ft; kemény fedeles: 3.500.- Ft; zseb-(magyar): 4.000.- Ft;
zseb-(angol): 4.000.-Ft.

Idén szeretnénk legalább 2500 Bhagavad-gitá-t kiosztani az ünnepség keretében.

Jelentkezés és további információ:
Asta Sakhi devi dasi tel.: 06 30 600 14 59, e-mail: Asta.Sakhi.SRS@pamho.net

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Gita Jayanti 2009

Participate in the Gita Jayanti Book Sponsoring Marathon
We plan to distribute 2500 Bhagavad-gitas with the help of book sponsors.

You may sponsor the following books:
Hungarian, soft bound 1.500 HUF / 5.50 Euros
Hungarian hard bound 3.500 HUF / 12.50 Euros
Hungarian pocket edition 4.000 HUF / 14 Euros
English pocket edition 4.000HUF / 14 Euros

Eger Temple: 4 Dec, Friday from 5pm

Budapest Temple: 5 Dec, Saturday from 10.30 and from 5pm with Niranjana Swami Live webcast

Kecskemét Temple: 6 Dec, Sunday, 3pm

You are welcome to participate in the reading, the blessings that go with it and the feast after the yajna. If you wish to attend any of the above programs or would like to just sponsor books for free distribution or for any further information please contact Asta Sakhi devi dasi:
tel.: +36 30 600 1459,
e-mail: Asta.Sakhi.SRS@pamho.net

1 comment November 20th, 2009

Information on pre-ordering Nava Vraja-mahima please contact Sveta Manjari at sp@1108.cc

Russian-disciples conferences postponed indefinitely… hear the audio announcement.

Add comment November 18th, 2009