September 2013 Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Shree Krishna
J anmashtami
2013
Sunshine glittered on silk and sequins as over 60,000 came to celebrate the 40th Janmashtami at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Pilgrims enjoyed music, watched colourful drama and dancing and visited the shrine to pay their respects to Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda.
Srila Prabhupada:
Here at Bhaktivedanta Manor the place is the nicest possible. It is calm and quiet and the village is neat and clean. I am daily walking in the morning with all devotees and I am taking the usual class from 7-8 am. Very respectable gentlemen are coming in the evening. Last night George Harrison came. He has become a great supporter of our movement… So arrangement is going on here for installing the deity on Janmastami. 19th July 1973, at Bhaktivedanta Manor
Temple President Srutidharma das said: “It’s wonderful to see so many smiling faces here, many of them local. For example I’ve spoke to a gentleman of the Jewish faith who came for a day out. ‘You can’t do any better’. He said ‘The parking is free, the shows are free, the food is free and the weather is great". Over 50 children carrying flutes and with faces painted blue joined others as they carried out crafts and acted in plays. The festival was made possible by a team of 1,600 trained volunteers, the oldest of whom is 94. They worked hard for weeks to carry out tasks
from preparing the 11 tonnes of potatoes to looking after numerous pilgrims. This year’s special festival features included a tent giving visitors a glimpse into the Manor’s eventful 40 year history and Anniversary merchandise included hoodies, t-shirts, Rubik’s cubes, coloured pencils, pens and bookmarks. In addition the Bhaktivedanta Players performed “Jaya Prabhupada- Mission to London” and the whole festival field vibrated with the chanting of Hare Krishna. Meanwhile the Manor monks performed a story from the Srimad Bhagavatam and the youth group Pandava Sena put on a very creative performance covering subjects such as reincarnation and the soul’s desire for liberation. Extra special guests included Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and the singer Patti Boulaye.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
No Stone hearts at Lord Jagannath’s parade reaches new frontiers As well the huge Ratha Yatra Chariot Stonehenge! Festivals taking place in the UK’s large
The Welsh Green Gathering Held in the grounds of a former stately home, the Welsh Green Gathering is on a loop of the river Wye and attracts many alternative lifestyle seekers, many of which enjoyed the association of the devotees, prasad and joining in the chanting.
During this year’s Summer Solstice Festival in Stonehenge we cooked and fed over 8000 people, as well as distributed copious books and devotional items. Festival revellers also witnessed many harinams, kirtans and classes.
WWOOF UK is a membership charity, teaching people about organic growing and low-impact lifestyles through hands-on experience. Volunteers enter a wide variety of rural communities to receive food and accommodation in exchange for a fair day’s work of 6 hours per day, for 5 days per week. At the Manor Wwoofers have been working for New Gokul and in the fields set out for horticulture weeding, seeding, harvesting, milking cows, and working with the oxen. They have also been helping with the dairy, in the kitchen and serving and cleaning inside the main building.
Food for All cooked and distributed prasad to thousands in Manchester. It was the latest venture for the "Feeding of the 5000" awareness project, where perfectly good vegetables that supermarkets don't sell, are used to feed locals. “Britain's supermarkets generate 300,000 tonnes of food waste every year. This project is an educational experience which highlights such food waste,” explained Parasuram das.
"Many Wwoofers like the Manor’s farm ethos and the devotees’ work with the cows and the land,” explained New Gokul Manager Syamasundar das. “Some attend the temple functions and some question the meaning of life. We are very grateful for their help on the land. Their work is transforming our vegetable and fruit production and bringing life to the farm”.
cities and towns including London, Leicester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Redbridge, Brighton, Crawley and Croydon, this year the prominent public event reached the Roman town of Bath and famous port of Plymouth. Plymouth’s local paper, The Herald, include a half-page feature about it! Glastonbury Ratha Yatra had an extra dimension as many Gurukulis (ISKCON school graduates) were present, exhibiting their impressive musical and dancing skills.
WWOOF UK offers a helping hand
Feed the 5000 reaches Manchester
September 2013
Mission Scandanavia
The smallest but sweetest Ratha Yatra festival was surely by the Manor School, who paraded Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra all around the estate.
As soon as the Glastonbury festival was over the Food for All, the UK Festival Team and monks from Bhaktivedanta Manor packed their bags and headed off for the 8th Scandanavian festival tour. Rathayatras took place in Copenhagen, Malmo, Gotenburg, Oslo and Stockholm.
Making Hay while the Sun Shines A combination of residents, volunteers (Wwoofers) and staff took advantage of last summer's heat wave and working out in the fields with the oxen of New Gokul. Hay was cut, dried and gathered into rows in a field adjacent to Aldenham School . Then the hay was gathered into bails and transported back the Manor to be used as food for the entire herd of New Gokul.
God and Glastonbury
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE Page 2
During this year’s Glastonbury festival devotees distributed nearly 8000 plates of prasad, many of Srila Prabhupada’s books, as well as devotional items. There were also harinamas (chanting processions) and a vibrant stage program including kirtan and philosophical presentations. Giridhari das, the leader of Hare Krishna Festivals UK, was interviewed as part of a video presentation run by The Guardian, entitled “Is There God at Glasonbury?” Page 3
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary in Style
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Precious Memories: 40 years ago
The Bhaktivedanta Manor community had the opportunity to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda in unforgettable style on Wednesday 17th July. The Radha Gokulananda Utsava included Jhulan Yatra (ceremonial swinging of the small Deities) and exclusive video footage compilation of Srila Prabhupada at the Manor. This was followed by a guided tour of the new George Harrison Garden followed by disciples of Srila Prabhupada sharing their memories. In the afternoon the Bhaktivedanta Players performed a drama written specifically for the 40th Anniversary, called “Jaya Prabhupada: The Mission comes to London”. “It was a pleasure and an honour to contribute to the 40th Anniversary celebrations in this way,” explained director Jaya Krishna das. “Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura noted that London was a great place to preach and spread Krishna Consciousness, and we endeavoured to portray that through the play by representing the Gaudiya Mission back in 1931. “Many senior devotees expressed that the play took them back to those emotional and magical days of when Srila Prabhupada was amongst them. The play also showed George Harrison’s relationship with Srila Prabhupada, together with his humility and devotion”.
“Sweetest Ever” Vyasa Puja This year’s Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja (appearance day) celebrations were especially significant this year, in the light of the 40th Anniversary. I loved the decorations on Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasan, which included a collage of photos of Srila Prabhupada and his UK disciples,” explained Jyestha dasi. “It was made by Sangita Priya and it was beautiful. Sarvamangala dasi, Sri Kama dasi and Sangita Priya worked all night on the flowers decorations. The offerings were heart-felt and my godbrothers and sisters were saying it was the sweetest Vyasa Puja for a long time.”
das described all the remarkable achievements over the last 40 years. The newly formed Bhakti Choir performed songs dedicated to Srila Prabhupada, adding a special new dimension to the occasion.
Manjuali dasi and Mondakini's dasi, disciples of Srila Prabhupada who joined ISKCON in 1970 and 1972 respectively, followed Guru Carana Padma dasi, Sarvamangala dasi and other devotees in sharing memories of the Movement’s early days when Srila Prabhupada was amongst them. It was both fascinating and valuable to receive the feminine perspective about those times and their profound love of Srila Prabhupada. After sharing his memories, Sakshi Gopal das took devotees on the "Prabhupada Walk". This was the morning route that Srila Prabhupada would take whilst chanting Hare Krishna and sharing words of wisdom with his disciples. The walk included Letchmore Heath, Round Bush and the field between the two.
On behalf of the devotees of Bhaktivedanta Manor, MC Dhananjaya
New Outfits for their Lordships
“The festival was a great day of unity across the community. Very inspiring. I was with two new guests and they really had a good time!” explained Jyestha dasi. “It was a very nice mood,” added Ramadevi. “Nice to see so many devotees there, it was a great turn-out. The day was very sweet and it had a genuine family atmosphere.”
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
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On the morning of Wednesday 14th August Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda and all the other Deities on the Temple shrine were dressed in magnificent new outfits to mark the 40th Anniversary. Ramadevi dasi, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, oversaw the making of the outfits and trained devotees to help her to sew and embroider the cloth.
Over a 4 month period 200 volunteers took part, totalling 3000 hours of work on the outfits. Ramadevi dasi learnt how to sew from a young age and the first time she used her skills within ISKCON was when Srila Prabhupada visited Edinburgh in 1972.
News of the official opening of the George Harrison Garden at the Manor was covered by BBC London News
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
“The festival was fantastic. What I was so taken by was the peaceful family atmosphere. I saw only a fraction of what was on offer and it was wonderful to find out more about what goes on here and about how they enhance Hertsmere. I can’t wait to come again.” Mayor of Hertsmere Councillor Paul Morris
"Over the past 40 years Bhaktivedanta Manor has continued brilliantly to share the message of love and devotion throughout the UK. At a time when crisis surrounds people from all walks of life, I feel inspired to learn how various traditions of the world and particularly the followers of Krishna still push hard for peace and compassion. Singing and dancing to the divine names of God has always brought me personal joy. All you need is Love - Hare Krishna! Patti Boulaye. What most impressed me is the happiness and joyfulness of the immense crowd who gather. It is a wonderful feeling to be amongst the devotees. The temple was resplendent and the George Harrison Garden is a thing of tremendous beauty and peace. The cattle looked content in their fine cow palace and the youth group [Pandava Sena] presented a professional and powerful play. What a memorable day! Dione Verulam (Lord Lieutenant The Countess of Verulam)
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Welcoming Krishna Balaram at Leicester’s Avanti School The Krishna Avanti Primary School in Leicester celebrated a week long retreat to prepare and mark a significant event, in the presence of Bhakti Charu Swami. The week culminated on Friday 9th August where devotees gathered to witness the consecration of the beautiful Deities of Krishna Balaram.
Promising Young Graduates Three young ladies completed the 3 month Bhaktin Course. As well as attending classes and seminars, temple services included cleaning, working in the kitchen, book distribution, sewing the new outfit for the Deities, assisting
pujaris and serving prasad. The three graduates (from left) included Yoonji from South Korea, Petra from the Czech Republic and Jurgita from Lithuania. Ranchor Prime and Lalita Sakhi dasi presented them with certificates and gifts.
10 hour Kirtans
Nrsingha-tirtha das, Bhadranga das and Ujjval Haria have been organising 10 hour Vrindavan– style kirtans in the Temple room for once a month on Sundays from 11.30am till 9.30pm, with 15 lead singers taking part in 30-45 minute sessions each.
“The original plan was to have this just for the 40th Anniversary, but the response has been so good there are now plans to continue indefinitely”, explained Nrsingatirtha. “We have a Facebook page, called Bhaktivedanta Manor Nama Sankirtan Initiative. The idea is to connect kirtaneers so we can get together more to glorify the Lord.”
Sruti Dharma das was pleased to welcome Dada Vaswani, spiritual leader and head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. during his recent visit to London.
Clinical Chaplaincy
For the first time in ISKCON UK , a 5-day Certificate Course for Clinical Chaplaincy was organized at Bhaktivedanta Manor by the Department of Spiritual Care of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai, India. Dr. V.G.Shanbhag (Vishwarup das) , Deputy Director of Bhaktivedanta Hospital, and Rajesh Kadam ( Ramsharan das) , Manager, Department Of Spiritual Care, conducted this course with 24 devotee students. It was an endeavor by Bhaktivedanta Hospital to train devotees in the UK to become clinical chaplains in a professional way so that they can provide spiritual care to sick devotees from the UK congregation at their homes and while being admitted in hospital.
Nelson Mandela's Birthday observed at Matchless Gifts 30 good hearted people sacrificed their time and energy by gathering at Food for All’s Matchless Gifts centre in Kings Cross to spend the day decorating the whole building, in observance of Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday. “It was actually a good opportunity because the the place was beautifully transformed,” explained Food for All Director Parasuram das. “Now we have new toilets, sinks, floors and a full paint job on the walls!"
Sri Radharamana das provided commentary as the devotional rites took place. Having prepared for the presence of the Deities, sanctified substances were placed on the eye folds to enable Them to open Their eyes for the first time. In this way Bhakti Charu Swami and Pradyumna das unveiled the soul of the Deities. The next morning devotees, guests and local dignitaries attended the Abhishek (bathing ceremony) and afterwards the Deities were dressed in saffron outfits and awarded the sacred thread of the Upanayana Samskara. The ceremony concluded with a grand Homa when children, parents, priests and dignitaries made offerings into the sacred fire.
Festival raises Norwich’s spirits again
The Festival of Spirit staged a lively evening at the Octagon Unitarian Chapel in Norwich, with drama, dance, music, philosophy, a magic show and feasting. “The event proved very popular,” explained MC Kripamoya das, “there was a higher turn-out than expected. That was most encouraging and it was a great evening all round.”
The Octagon Unitarian Chapel is a liberal religious venue, welcoming people of all faiths as well as inspiration from the arts. The Festival of Spirit was therefore a perfect fit! For more information about ISKCON’s activities in Norwich contact Jagat Priya: jagat.priya@krishnatemple.com
Euro Bus Tour
- Gathering at the Manor and helping in a variety of services, a bus tour for ISKCON youth ages 16-29 set off to visit temples, festivals and Ratha Yatras across Europe. The Bus Tour activities included japa and kirtan retreats, Hari nama (street processions), sightseeing, camping and adventure activities. Page 8
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Bhagavad Gita
A Short Summary in Acronyms
by Sutapa das Based on Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
5 - Karma-yoga - Action in Krishna Consciousness
We are active beings constantly making plans for the future. Our thoughts manifest in actions, repeated actions form habits, those habits make up our character, and that character determines our destiny. As Teilhard de Chardin famously commented, “We are
not human beings on a spiritual journey, but rather we are spiritual beings on a human journey.” Every journey starts with a step and in Chapter Five Krishna explains how to take steps in the right direction. There are steps leading to further entanglement in worldly complexities, but there are also steps leading to a life of liberation, freedom and tranquillity.
S - Stay in the world (Verses 1-12) - Arjuna is still confused. Despite Krishna’s explanations in Chapter Three, Arjuna still considers work and renunciation to be mutually exclusive paths. Thus, Krishna elaborates on how an individual who works in a spiritual consciousness is automatically elevated to the platform of renunciation. If one engages in righteous work, offering the results to God, and all the while keeping alert to the ultimate goal, then such work becomes worship. For most people it would be premature and detrimental to sever themselves from worldly relationships and duties in pursuance of spiritual perfection. Thus, the path of karma-yoga offers a progressive means of spiritual development while simultaneously staying in the world. Just as a lotus leaf is surrounded by water but remains completely dry, one can Page 10
stay in the world and still remain aloof from its influences.
T - Three doers (Verses 13-16) While living in this world, however, one can easily assume the mentality that they are the director, the controller and the breadwinner. In reality, Krishna explains that there are three doers in any activity; the individual soul, the Supersoul, and material nature. What to speak of controlling the results of our activities, we are barely in control of even the physical and mental tools with which we perform
those activities. The individual soul can only desire. That desire is then sanctioned by God (who resides within the heart as the Supersoul) and then the ability to perform that activity comes from material nature, which arranges the necessary facilities. Just as an infant lacks the ability to ride a bike but can still pretend to do so with the help of stabilisers, in this world, the individual soul is constantly supported by the Supersoul in
the heart who provides all the knowledge, inspiration and facilities to function.
E –
Equal Vision (Verses 17-26) - Since the Supersoul resides in every living being, the advanced spiritualist is able to see every life form, be it plant, animal, or human, as a temple of God. In this way, utmost respect is given to every living being. Different bodies with different qualities are produced according to one’s past actions, yet each entity is of the same spiritual quality. Thus, the spiritualist is not only free of racism, nationalism, ageism and sexism, but also “species-ism!”
P – Peace (Verse 29) – This chapter emphasises the temporary nature of our stay in this world. We come into this world with nothing and we leave with nothing. In the interim, our claims to proprietorship and attachments to various objects create fear, insecurity and conflict. Change is a constant theme in this world – our relationships are changing, the environment is changing, our possessions are changing, and our desires are also changing. To the extent that we develop a sense of detachment, understanding the Supreme Lord to be the proprietor and ourselves as simply caretakers, to that extent we can experience a sense of peace within. Interestingly, it is this inner peace that brings about global peace; a community of individuals who are free from attachment, greed, envy, and covetousness is what this world really needs.
Renovating
Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda's Altar for the 40th For three weeks Lad Construction have been renovating the entire altar area in the Temple room. We are delighted to announce that on Wednesday 14th August the work was complete and everyone is now able to view the magnificent work that had been done.
There is new marble flooring, under floor heating, intricate LED lighting, air conditioning and heating, electrics and plumbing renewal, purpose built furniture for all of Krishna’s clothes and articles of worship and new gold leafing for the altar.
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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter
September 2013
Delrow House’s 50th Anniversary
Many of the devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor served prasad to hundreds of residents, staff and families during Delrow House’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations. Afterwards they were serenaded with the singing of Hare Krishna. Many expressed how tasty they found the meal, and not a single morsel was left at the end! Delrow House, the Manor’s immediate neighbour in Patchetts Green village, provides home-life, further education and a range of therapeutic activities for adults with various life challenges.
Street Marathon
Chanting
Throughout August the Manor’s Saturday team, Weekend Warriors and Gurukulis combined efforts to perform hari namas in 40 different towns in less than one month, in honour of the 40th Anniversary. “We have been to towns where Hari Nama has never been done before. It was a very enlivening experience,” explained Ananta Purushottama das.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Womens' Conference The Manor's first Women's conference was organised to reflect on and review the role and identity of women in the community of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Attendees including a cross-section of Srila Prabhupada disciples, Gurukuli youth , ashram community and Pandava Sena representatives. The outcomes of the gathering will be presented to the Temple Council.
September Thu 26th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA Mon 30th Indira Ekadasi
October Sun 13th Dusshera festival at the Temple Mon 14th Ramachandra Vijay Dasami App of Sri Madhvacarya Tues 15th Pasankusa Ekadasi
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Alpesh Patel, Deputy of Bhaktivedanta Manor's Communications Team, took the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Nana Asante, during their Annual Civic Service.
Fri 18th Sat 19th Wed 30th
Fourth month of Charurmasya begins Month of Kartik begins Rama Ekadasi
November Sun 3rd Mon 4th Wed 6th
Diwali festival at Temple Go Puja, Govardhana Puja and Annakut Srila Prabhupada Disappearance
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