November 2013 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Srila Prabhupada:
The soul is original consciousness. Soul has got his body, his mind, intelligence, everything. So this mind, material mind, is covered. As the soul is covered by the material things, similarly, the mind is also covered. So the spiritual life means as we become liberated, the mind also becomes liberated. The intelligence also becomes liberated. Conversation in Nairobi, October 1975
40th Anniversary concludes with magical finale How apt it was to round off Bhaktivedanta Manor’s 40th Anniversary celebrations during the magnificent Diwali festival on Sunday 3rd November! In the evening thousands gathered on the front lawn for the Grand Firework Display, in front of the iconic Manor building which was illuminated in purple, and the adjacent trees were adorned with beautiful multi-coloured lighting! Described as a “spiritual Disneyland”, the evening atmosphere was full of magic, and after a period of anticipation the night sky became the backdrop to a thrilling firework display, hailed as the
best in the area. Guests were earlier treated to two different performances of The Ramayan: the Pandava Sena cast braved the cold to perform on stage in the field. Two hours earlier the Bhaktivedanta Players staged their version inside the main tent. Invited guests included a host of community leaders, Mayors and MPs, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP and the Shadow Business Secretary Mr Chuka Umunna MP. ...continued on page 4
Vision 2020 Launch
Over the last two and a half years a team of devotees representing a cross section of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s various communities have worked hard conversing about the Temple’s past, present and future. Last September the team finalised and launched the Vision for Bhaktivedanta Manor. This Vision Statement is intended to assist and guide current and future decisionmakers. While building on current strengths and redressing elements of direction, the vision sets out a steady course for a future concurrence with the directives of Srila Prabhupada. If you are interested to learn more please email: info@krishnatemple.com
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
ISKCON Celebrates
Leicester Gurukulis’ 40 Hour kirtan
Devotees gathered for a Holy Name weekend at the magnificent new ISKCON property in Leicester’s city centre. Built in 1875 as a bank and considered the jewel of Victorian architecture, ISKCON has gratefully received Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission for the design and renovation work for the building. It will become a home for Lord Jagannatha and Panca Tattva and grow into a community hub.
Students gather at Manor for Seva Day
On Sunday 6th October, over 140 Seva Day volunteers from 12 Universities descended on the Manor to serve in a variety of areas, including Holland Farm, the gardens, planting hyacinths, weeding, cleaning the lake , New Gokul farm and making charity cards. Seva Day is a global initiative where an act of kindness through many different projects is offered to society by thousands of volunteers from many different backgrounds, cultures, and professions. The same day, a team of 15 volunteers from the corporate sector came together to host a Food for Life project at Bhaktivedanta Manor’s kitchen. They touched the hearts of those who live rough by cooking for, spending time with and distributing hot meals to the homeless in an all-day effort. Bijal Majithia, Project Manager, shared that "The project was very warmly received by the eight homeless shelters managed by the Watford New Hope Trust across Watford and Rickmansworth, from Churches and Day Care Centres to Night Shelters.” Page 2
November 2013
The 40th anniversary celebrations have encouraged various festivities throughout the temple and have brought together all strands of the community in their endeavours to offer something to Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda . Among these was the Gurukuli youth of the temple community who came together to host an extended weekend of kirtan, bhajan and glorification of the Lord The 40hr Kirtan. The youth took charge of everything,
from liaising with the Temple Council to organising dates, prasadam and logistics, to decorations and flowering offerings. They even organised each other and throughout the course of the weekend encouraged their peers near and far to participate in whatever capacity they could. The weekend itself went ahead beautifully. Together everyone engaged in soulful kirtan that resonated In people’s hearts.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
November 2013
Remembrance Day at Letchmore Heath Communications Manager Devaki dasi joined Rev Robert Flether and Cathy Watts of Aldenham School to represent Bhaktivedanta Manor at Letchmore Heath’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony. After laying a wreath at the War Memorial, she read prayers asking those with faith in God to help those who have lost their faith due to loss and suffering.
Srutidharma das and the Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Paul Morris were pleased to meet each other during the Civic Service at the Bushey United Synagogue.
Srutidharma das officially welcomed Dr Vasant Lad and over 50 students and teachers of Ayurveda from across Europe at the outset of their 5 day course at the Manor.
The Indian Ambassador to Iceland made a special visit to the Manor, along with Mr K Singh, the Manager of Air India for UK and Europe, and others.
Yoga for the Heart
'Yoga for the Heart' was a successful daylong retreat, organised by the Krishna Wisdom team on Saturday 17th August.
35 attended, including sanga group members in Southampton, Northampton and Norwich, and visitors to Krishna Wisdom’s Facebook page.
They enjoyed activities such as milking the cows, hatha yoga, an interactive seminar by Kripamoya das and Janakinath das, guided meditation by Rangadevi dasi and a delicious meal. Similar events are planned for the future.
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
November 2013
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Once again, during this unforgettable 40th Anniversary year, the Manor made it on national news: this time with a photo on BBC News week in Pictures. “This year there are about 15,000 guests and we had a huge firework display,” explained Temple President Srutidharma das on BBC Three Counties Radio. “The Diwali festival is all about lighting two lamps. We light a lamp to welcome Lord Rama back home to Ayodhya after His exile, and other, internal lamp: the lamp of knowledge, inspiration and direction. These things will illuminate our lives for the upcoming year.”
Avanti Schools reach Number 10
14 children from the Krishna Avanti Primary school and it's sister secondary school, Avanti House peformed traditional bhajans glorifying Lord Rama at this year’s “Diwali at Number 10” event at the Prime Minister’s abode in Downing Street.
ISKCON was represented by Praghosa das, Gauri das, Vinay Tanna and Srutidharma das. The latter chanted
Barry Gardiner MP, Srutidharma das, CB Patel of the Asian Voice and Manoj Ladwa gave Mr Chuka Umunna MP a tour of New Gokul during his festival visit.
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from the podium before the Prime Minister’s official address, finishing with the Mahamantra. Prime Minister David Cameron spoke very positively about the significance of Diwali and in particular about Lord Ramachandra’s commitment to the principles of honesty, equality, fairness and service.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
Praghosa das, the ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner for the UK and Ireland, was amongst those who met Prime Minister David Cameron at a huge Annakut function in north-west London.
November 2013
Srutidharma das and Gauri das joined the Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband MP on stage to give the Diwali proceedings an auspicious start with prayers, the Hare Krishna mantra and the lighting of a ceremonial lamp.
Srutidharma das delivered a resounding message on the main stage of Diwali in Trafalgar Square. Bhakta Kunal Pattany worked hard behind the scenes and Soho Street Temple distributed a 1000 boxes of sweets and ran a book stand.
Kartik – Offering Candles Annakut, Go-puja and Govardhana Puja The Puranas (Vedic histories) extol the holy month of Kartik as the topmost in the annual Calendar/ Lord Krishna’s mercy is very easily accessible during this month and to demonstrate their sincerity devotees accept different austerities such as cutting down on non-essential activities. Twice a day, every day, the eight beautiful verses of the Damodarastakam prayers are sung, while everyone is welcome to offer a candle in front of the Temple shrine.
The festival atmosphere continued the day after Diwali, on Monday 4th November. The celebrations included a magnificent array of vegetarian preparations offered to Lord Krishna during the Annakut festival. Govardhana Puja was also performed on the day, and the cows were honoured in a special ceremony, with swarms of devotees decorating the cows with traditional hand paints. Through these festivities, devotees sought to re-create in a small way the events which took place over 5000 years ago in Vrindavan, the place of Krishna’s childhood pastimes.
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
November 2013
Social Workers’ Away Day A large delegation of social workers associated with Hertfordshire County Council spent their annual Away Day at Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Senior devotees Remember
Giriraj Swami was the special guest on Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day, on Wednesday 6th November. He recalled the last few emotional weeks before the passing of Srila Prabhupada in Juhu, Mumbai and finally in Vrindavan.
Men’s Ashram Retreat
20 brahmacaris and 10 members of the congregation, joined by Atmanivedana Swami and Candramauli Swami, embarked on the Manor’s annual ashram retreat. This time it was in the Ljubljana Temple (Nava Yoga Pitha) in Slovenia.
The same week Malati dasi, one of ISKCON UK's original pioneers, also shared her memories and realisations.
There were morning programs, a series of seminars, dramas, Holy Name evenings, walks in the mountains and harinams in places such as Ljubljana city centre.
Lotus Trust Launches Philippines Typhoon Appeal With up to a staggering 10,000 people feared dead following the massive typhoon that struck eastern andcentral Philippines on Friday 8th November, several hundred corpses are scattered across the town of Tacloban, flattened from the severe battering of winds up to 170 miles an hour. Recorded as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit land, the typhoon named ‘Haiyan’ caused devastation across a central belt of islands on the eastern provinces of Leyte and Samar. More than 430,000 people have been displaced and have sought shelter in temporary evacuation centres, many of which were also damaged by the typhoon. Disaster workers have estimated that some towns have suffered 80-90% damage. The UN has highlighted that some cities such as Baco was 80% under water. With local infrastructure completely destroyed, survivors have to now contend with finding fresh water and food. At present, it is difficult to bring help to the victims in the various areas due to absence of coordination with local officials who have become victims themselves.
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The Lotus Trust – the welfare arm of ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor – is working with the UK Hindu community to assist with the huge relief effort that is required. We have partnered with ISKCON Food for Life volunteers in the Philippines who are travelling to the area to assist in the food relief efforts.
Your donations are crucial to our relief efforts. •
100 nutritious meals can be served for as little as £30
•
(this means rice, vegetable soup and chowmein for less than 30 pence per plate)
•
Please give generously and help our volunteers save lives.
DONAT ONLINE AT
www.thelotustrust.org
Yoga Show London
At the huge Yoga Show London in Kensington’s Olympia , Adi Guru das and his team sold japa beads, Srila Prabhupada’s books and t-shirts. Simultaneously they ran chanting workshops and delivered discourses on the Bhagavad gita. Over the three day period hundreds of guests sat through 6 kirtans on the stage. Adi Guru das is looking for sponsors to represent ISKCON at next year’s Yoga Show. If you can help please contact: adi-guru@pure-incense.com
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
Apple Pressing Day
Uddhava das, Syamasundara das and the Wwoofers worked hard to pick all the apples from the Manor’s orchard, which involved using ladders and some tree climbing and branch shaking. Then, for 10 hours Lalita Sakhi dasi, Uddhava das, Wwoofers and others had great fun washing, chopping, crushing and
November 2013
pressing 13 crates of the Manor’s apples. After pasteurising, the final result was a tasty 120 litres of pure freshly pressed organic apple juice which was then poured into 750 ml bottles. New Gokul’s next project is to do justice to the plums and pears which grow along the drive adjacent to the poly tunnels.
Dusshera
The Seva Day volunteers helped the Festival Team make the huge effigy of Ravana, just in time for it to be hoisted into position and set on fire during this year’s Dusshera festival.
Fulfilling Prabhupada's wish A most noteworthy event took place at the Manor quite recently: the signing of an affiliation and Licence agreement between the original ISKCON charity of 1969 and the new ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor charity. This brings us one step closer, after many years of preparation, for ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor to become an independent separate charity. This is significant in that Srila Prabhupada instructed that all legal entities outside of India should be registered separately wherever possible.
There were different reasons for this, one reason being that local devotees would become familiar and competent in all the necessary requirements of running an incorporated charity. Another reason was to not have all our centres legally connected in case one of them ran into difficulty, and other centres might then be negatively affected. In due course of time all the other 10 current ISKCON UK centres will do the same.
The German Beatles Fan Club, based in Hamburg, made a special visit to the George Harrison Garden.
Unity of Faiths
As one of the main faith leaders in the London area, Srutidharma das was invited to address a huge crowd during the launch of the Unity of Faiths festival in Southall Park. He and other leaders spoke of the commonality of people of all faiths and the importance of maintaining mutual respect, peace and on-going dialogue.
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
November 2013
Harrow United Deaf Club
Radha Mohan das and Prema Pradip das were awarded a certificate of thanks by Deputy Lieutenant of London Mr John Purnell. It was for their dramatic presentation about Diwali and the story of the Ramayan during Harrow United Deaf Club's Eid & Diwali Celebration. Prema Pradip das is a member of the Radha Krishna Deaf Association (RKDA) and is proficient in sign language.
Dynamic educational opportunities The College of Vedic Studies is offering a wide range of opportunities to learn more: Every Sunday 155 students are attending a variety of courses including Explore (introductory course), Gita Life (summary of the Bhagavad-gita), Bhakti-sastri (study of a variety of Srila
Prabhupada’s books), Bhakti-vaibhava (study of the Srimad Bhagavatam) and the Spiritual Master and Disciple. The courses are receiving rave reviews. For more information, visit www. krishnatemple.com and click ‘College’.
Jude – Champion of Cows! Jude Ackland, just 8 years old, set his mind on a challenge never even dreamed of by children his age. On a sleepy Sunday morning in September, Jude from North London rode from central Oxford and through the towns and villages of the Chilterns. With an occasional stop on the way, Jude rode through the north London suburbs and eventually crossed Lambeth Bridge to arrive at the London Eye, having cycled an awe-inspiring 62 miles! He was sponsored to raise funds for The Lotus Trust’s Ahimsa Slaughter-Free Milk Campaign, which aims to raise the quality of life of cows and aid in the production of healthier milk.
Bhakti Choir -
A performance by the Bhakti Choir, including songs glorifying the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, was the highlight of this year’s Radhastami festival
November Sun 24th Sri Krishna Rasayatra, Tulasi Salagram Vivah Fri 29th Upanna Ekadasi
December Thur 12th Gita Jayani (App of Srimad Bhagavad gita) Fri 13th Moksada Ekadasi Sat 21st Disapp of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Sun 22nd Bhagavavad-gita recitation at Manor Sat 28th Saphala Ekadasi
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane Aldenham · Herts (for sat-nav only, please use postcode WD25 8DT) 01923 851000
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