Community News Feb / Mar 2014
Who’s Who
Community News
1. Jai Nitai Dasa
Temple President Charity Chairman Mentor Member of Management Board South Region Coordinator
4. Murli Manohara dasa
8. Maha Nrsimha dasa
5. Suddhatma dasa
9. Jagannath Suta dasa
Charity Trustee Head Pujari Member of Brahmacari Council Member of Management Board
Govinda’s Restaurant Manager Member of Management Board
Charity Trustee Festivals Coordinator Mentor
Radha Krishna Records
2. Bhava Bhakti dd
Mentorship System Coordinator Counsellor Charity Trustee / Secretary Temple Administrator South Regional Secretary Member of Management Board
6. Ram Charan dasa
3. Titiksu dasa
UK Ratha Yatra Coordinator Member of Management Board
10. Kasinatha dasa
Financial Controller Member of Management Board Mentor
Temple Security / Commander
7. Gaura Kishore dasa
11. Saumya Radhika dd
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Charity Trustee Mentor
2
Mentor
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Who’s Who
Community News
12. Jaga Mohini dd
ISKCON Educational Services (IES) Tulasi pujari
16. Sachi Kishore dasa
13. Bhaktin Sunita
20. Gandaki dasa
Preaching and Outreach Mentor
Radha’s Boutique Manager Member of Management Board
Child Protection Officer Community Care Officer (Ombudsman) for ISKCON-London
Volunteers’ coordinator
17. Devaki dd
21. Bhakta Thiru
14. Vamsi Priya dd
18. Bhakta Dhaval
22. Premarnava dasa
15. Bhakta Nikita
19. Acyuta Charan dasa & Krishna Kanta dd
23. Bhakta Rakesh
Education and Courses
Sankirtan Leader
Kitchen Manager
Volunteers’ coordinator
Properties Manager
Food for Life coordinators
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
3
Communications Team
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Vamsi Priya dd
Courses Upcoming and Current Events Light of the Bhagavata
Transcendental Lessons from Nature The simplicity, beauty and intricacies found in nature have captured the minds and hearts of the greatest philosophers throughout time. Even the greatest scientific minds of our time are at a loss to understand nature’s greatest mysteries. Through Srila Prabhupada’s profound and poetic rendition of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto ten Chapter twenty which describes the Rainy and Autumn seasons in Vrindavan we can clearly understand the purpose and significance of nature and derive transcendental lessons that can be applied to our day to day life. In this seminar we enter the mysteries of nature that enlighten and uplift our souls.
Facilitator: H.G.Kartik Chandra dasa Dates: Saturday 3rd May and Monday 5th May Time: 11 am - 3 pm (On both days) Price: £25.00
Introduction to Bhakti Yoga Facilitator: Bhaktin Sonal
This is an enlivening and invaluable opportunity to learn:
Date: Saturday 10th May
How to be the best version of yourself, in any relationship and in any situation? It presents an interactive introduction on Eastern Spiritual Wisdom and Practices, followed Questions and Answers.
Time: 12.45 pm - 5.30 pm Price: £5.00
Now register for courses & seminars online! You can now register for our courses and seminars online. We hope that this will make it easier for you to register and encourage more of you to attend the courses and seminars that we offer.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Please visit Upcoming Courses & Seminar page to view details and register for upcoming courses that may be of interest.
4
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
i t k a Bh a g o Y
to n o i t duc
Intro
Community News
Course Facilitato
r: Sonal
We warmly invite you to: •An enlivening opportunity to learn: How to be the best version of yourself in any relationship or situation? •Interactive and Introductory Course on Eastern Spiritual Wisdom and Practices, followed Questions and Answers and Refreshments.
d includes Course fee: Only £5 an gift ! refreshments and a free
What is Bhakti Yoga?
Bhakti Yoga is: The Yoga of Personality and Character Development, which uncovers our highest potential.
Yoga = “to connect with the higher self” Bhakti Yoga is the dynamic application of spiritual wisdom, which: Bhakti = “through devotion and character” •Is Practical for our every-day lifestyles. •Is Relevant to us, even in today’s modern age. •Simultaneously increases positive thinking and decreases negative thinking. •Transforms our character to be excellent communicators, team players and attentive to the needs and interests of others in our RELATIONSHIPS with anyone: from family, partners and friends to colleagues at work. •Enables us to be more competent and efficient at our workplace, university, hobbies or in any task. •Enables us to achieve personal and team goals. Saturday 10 May 2014 12.45pm 1.15pm sharp 5.30pm
ISKCON London Radha-Krishna Temple
Welcome and Registration at Reception, Ground Floor 10 Soho Street Course to start, 3rd Floor, Seminar Room London, W1D 3DL Course ends (Nearest tube stations: Tottenham Court Road/Oxford Circus).
Places are limited so please register ASAP from one of the three options below:
1. On-line at iskcon-london.org. Go to “Activities” Menu, select: “Upcoming Courses and Seminars” OR 2. In person at Radha's Boutique (2nd floor at above address) OR 3. Over the phone at Radha’s Boutique (pay by card): 020 7287 0269 Note: Options and 3 only possible: Mon-Sat 12.00pm-8.00pm and Sundays 1.00pm-8.00pm 5 Hare Krishna 2 Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Contact Vamsi Priya: Tel: 07828 402 534 or Email: courses@iskcon-london.org
Community News
Life As It Is - Residential Course
“Before starting the “Life as it is...” course, I was worried that I would regret spending so much annual leave in an Ashram instead of travelling, aimlessly, which is what I normally do. That wasn’t the case at all. I cannot think of a more worthwhile way of spending my time off. It gave me the opportunity to pause and reflect. It made me see, very clearly, things that are holding me back in all areas of life, including spiritually, which I am hoping will be the catalyst for the change that I need.
From 16th March to 6th April 2014, four bhaktins who had never experienced stay in the Temple ashram took part in a residential course, where they explored Vedic concepts, studied Srila Prabhupada’s books, had mrdanga and karatal lessons, memorised key slokas, feasted sumptously, and lots more! The course was facilitated by Madhurya Gaurangi dd and Saumya Radhika dd. All those that came across the four bhaktins during their stay were very much enlivened by their enthusiasm. At the end of the course we held a breakfast feast to mark their leave, and devotees showed their appreciation and awarded the bhaktins with a certificate and a gift.
I met and observed some very admirable people who have inspired me and made me see where Krishna Consciousness can take you if you follow it seriously and dedicatedly. Meeting such people with their wisdom, clarity of mind and ability to both understand and apply Vedic knowledge has been a significant reason I myself want to.
Here are some reflections from the bhaktins that took part. “The Life As It Is course was totally life changing for me. I have really found my faith in Krishna. All the devotees and everyone really helped and guided me with love and affection. I feel so fortunate to have done this course in this period of my life – it is the best thing I have ever done! Before the course I didn’t put an importance on discipline in routine and regulation, but now I can see this is essential. It is not easy to be consistent , but I won’t give up. It was truly an amazing experience. My highlight of the course was to live in the Temple and be in this atmosphere with the care of inspiring senior devotees. I recommend this course to anyone!”
I particularly enjoyed Mangala Arati and felt especially revived afterwards. I loved the songs more and more as they became more familiar and I was able to sing along to them. Over all, I feel very blessed that I was able to do this course and that my circumstances were always accommodated. I feel I’ve been shown the way to somewhere I want to go, which has provided me with direction and a focus. I know what I am aiming for. Invaluable. Looking forward to the journey ahead. I look forward to visiting soon and associating with more devotees. “
*** “A life changing experience - you will feel the Lord inside His house, see Him in other people, and within yourself. He is the utimate teacher of us all and what we need to do is try to get to know Him. This three week experience is a great way to start this journey, or make your journey more intense. Besides that you can gain good habits such as healthy eating, regular lifestyle, serving with love to everyone, and many more. I recommend this experience to everyone.”
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
6
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Celebrating 45 years
We had the opportunity to speak to the receptionist there, and Mother Mondakini told her about the deities and how she remembered Bury Place. The receptionists words were very touching - “This is a very nice, peaceful place, and I like to think it is because the Hare Krishnas were here.” She requested to see some photographs, and so the next day Jaga Mohini dd and I went back with HG Ranchor Prabhu’s book ‘Where the Sun Shines’ which has photographs of Bury Place outside and inside, and we also took maha prasadam for all the dentists, which she happily accepted.
This year we will be celebrating 45 years of ISKCON London! Each newsletter this year will feature a special article about Their Lordships and our London Temple. This February/March edition, we are featuring first hand experiences of serving at Bury Place, and memories of Srila Prabhupada’s morning walks in Russell Square, by Mother Mondakini! Mother Mondakini visited London from France for Gaura Purnima.
On our way to Russell Square, Mother Mondakini told of how the devotees used to go out on Harinam three times a day. She commented, “We went at night, it was very tamasic [in the mode of ignorance], people were very drunk, but it was very blissful!
Report by Bhaktin Reshma When Mother Mondakini arrived at the Temple, one of the first things she requested was for us to visit Bury Place and Russell Square, emphasising that they are holy tirthas, as Srila Prabhupada was present there.
She told us of how Srila Prabhupada went to Russell Square every morning, unless the devotees took him somewhere else. He used to do a full circuit, sometimes talking and sometimes chanting. As we were walking down one of the routes Srila Prabhupada took, Mother Mondakini told us - “these are places of pilgrimage”. It is amazing to think that such places of pilgrimage are so close to us, and therefore we must grasp the opportunity to take full advantage. Many devotees have remarked that the energy in Russell Square is very potent, any many go for japa walks there.
Our first stop was Bury Place, where Mother Mondakini first met Srila Prabhupada in 1969, on the installation day of Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara! Insert pic of SP with SSRLI Outside the building, now a dental practice, Mother Mondakini lovingly recalled where Srila Prabhupada’s car used to park just outside, and when he stepped out he would ‘smile big’. The ground floor was where the altar was, and Srila Prabhupada’s bedroom was on the first floor, and he used to look out of the window onto the street at the devotees. “In the beginning we didn’t stop serving for a second” she told us, “I used to cook with Mother Yamuna and she taught me how to serve the deities.” Although the congregation of devotees was little in number, the intensity of love and devotion that the devotees had for Their Lordships and serving Srila Prabhupada was very great, and this was evident through hearing Mother Mondakini’s recollections.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
The last part of the journey was returning to our Temple, where Mother Mondakini took darshan of Their Lordships, during arati, whispering many times - “They are so beautiful.” In the evening Mother Mondakini met with Russian devotees and spoke about preaching there before the Russian yatra was established. She spoke about these events, as well as more nectar about Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara, in morning class on Monday 28th April, which will be featured in next month’s newsletter.
7
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Sachi Kishore dasa
Outreach Yoga London This month we led a group of trainee teacher’s from Yoga London in a discussion on the Bhagavad Gita, followed by kirtan and a prasadam feast!
6 Hour Kirtan Kirtan London held their first 6 hour kirtan of 2014 in Covent Garden’s Swiss Church. The theme was ‘reSOULution’ - starting the new year with a spiritual focus.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
8
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
9
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Bhava Bhakti dd
The Mentorship System Bhakta Wolf How long have you been in the Mentorship System? 4-5 weeks What have you learnt since joining the System? The instant benefit that I felt is learning how to build closer relationship amongst devotees within the group. Listening, reading and talking about transendental topics encourages us to share our realisations and become more conversant, which leads to more fluent understanding of the scriptures. Being a part of a blissful family ultimately increases our motivation for keeping up our sadhana.Â
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
10
Would you recommend the System to others? Yes, definitely! Bhakta Wolf is part of Jai Nitai dasa’s single men mentee group For more information on how to join the Spiritual Counsellor System at ISKCON-London please contact Bhava Bhakti dd on bhava.bhakti@gmail.com
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Devaki dd
Bhakta Dhaval
Volunteers Team Volunteering Opportunities Administration Guest Greeters - Please give your smiles and enthusiasm to welcome the new jivas to Krishna’s home! Greeters are needed in particular for the Sunday Feast programme and festivals.
A volunteer is required who can establish and document systems and procedures for all areas of the Temple. Must have an eye for detail and have experience in administration. Reporting directly to Jai Nitai dasa, Temple President.
Follow up callers - If you would like to do some service from home, keeping in touch with new guests by calling them is a great opportunity to serve the community.
Database Services A volunteer is required who is able to work on Linux, Postfix, Courier/Dovecot, MySQL to establish a Virtual Mail Server (SMTP+IMAP/POP3). Advantageous if one knows how to set up Reverse DNS as well.
Sacred Street Parties Every Saturday, we have a book table in various towns around London. Would you like to be part of an energetic and fun team dedicated to making the souls in London fortunate by receiving Srila Prabhupada’s books? All are welcome! Even if you have never distributed books before, no problem. We can provide full training.
A volunteer is required who has knowledge of programming skills in PHP, MySQL, JavaScript.
Food for Life Volunteers required Monday to Thursday evenings from 6 pm. There is a particular need for volunteers on Tuesday and Thursday.
Ad Hoc Services From time-to-time, we require volunteers for short-term projects.
Temple Broadcasts
Copywriters
Volunteers required who can broadcast the Temple morning program. Good internet connection and knowhow of computers is required. Full training will be provided.
Email developers
Web developers Graphic designers Prezi specialists
Visitor Care
Researchers - Carrying out various online research e.g. event venues, products, etc.
Do you remember the first time you stepped into the temple? Were you greeted with a warm and friendly welcome? Would you like to help provide the same great experience to others? We are looking for volunteers for Guest Greeting and Follow Up Calls. Volunteers need to have been practicing Krishna Consciousness for some time, conversant with the Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy by regularly reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and enthusiastic about providing care to Temple visitors:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
If you are interested in any of these services or have any queries, please contact us on volunteers@iskcon-london.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
11
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Community News
Maha Nrsimha dasa
Festivals
Gaura Purnima After this we distributed the Holy Names of the Lord on the street in a large Harinam party, and made our way to Grand Connaught Rooms in Marble Arch, where we held further celebrations alongside Bhaktivedanta Manor. Over 1000 devotees joined the festivities. The evening consisted of abhishek, dramas by Radha Krishna Drama Group and the Bhaktivedanta Players, keynote address by HG Mother Malati, Gaura Arati, and an opulent feast!
On Sunday 16th March we celebrated the most glorious appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! At the Temple we held a joyous morning programme, which included morning class from Caitanya Caritamrita given by HG Tribhagananda Prabhu, a presentation of our Annual Review and department head offerings to Their Lordships, and abhisheka of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
12
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
13
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News
Bhakta Nikita
Sankirtan Report Transcendental book distribution Name
Days
Lakshmi
Book Points
Rasika Mangala das
1
4.00
2.00
1
Bhakta Jagadish
1
30.00
2.00
1
Bhakta Sumanto
1
6.00
2.00
4
Kirtan London
1
8.00
4.00
8
Bhakta Vinesh
1
25.00
6.50
7
Vijyendra Singh
1
20.00
7.50
3
Caitanya Vihara das
1
19.00
8.50
1
Jai Nitai Dasa
1
22.00
Bhakta Jordan
1
Bhakta Bas
Big
Maha Big Hard
Medium
5
9.00
4
2
15.00
11.00
2
14
2
40.00
15.00
30
Bhakta Simon Hook
1
42.00
18.00
36
Krishna Kumar das
1
39.00
18.00
9
Bhakta Rajesh
2
31.00
18.00
6
12
Bhakta Aryan
1
46.00
19.00
2
30
Madhurya Gaurangi dd
1
55.00
21.50
10
3
Yoga London
4
56.00
25.00
10
10
Dad's Army
1
60.00
30.00
Vicaru das
1
78.00
30.00
10
20
Sacred Street Party(south)
3
83.00
32.00
10
22
Sacred Street Party(west)
1
100.00
38.50
13
24
Bhava Bhakti's Mentee group
2
222.00
39.75
1
28
Bhaktin Vilma
2
83.00
40.50
20
1
Shaktyavesha Avatara das
1
109.00
48.00
11
52
Gaura Purnima Harinam
2
199.00
95.00
15
130
240.00
100.50
13
149
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Set
Small
13 3
Radha Londonisvara's Harinam Party
Medium Hard
60
1
14
2 20
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
55
Community News
Name
Days
Lakshmi
Book Points
Jaitra das
1
350.00
156.00
Bhakta Nir
1
428.00
169.50
Bhakta Nikita
1
635.00
NPKTSP
1
HDG AC Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada total
Big
Maha Big Hard
Medium
Medium Hard
Set
78 59
99
262.00
83
192
1,598.00
620.50
224
309
1
1,873.00
735.50
12
45
1267
1
6,516.00
2,584.75
19
630
2527
2
1
20
1
Sankirtan Sprints Be part of an energetic and fun team dedicated to making the souls in London fortunate by receiving Srila Prabhupada’s books. All are welcome! Even if you have never distributed books before, no problem. We can provide full training. For any queries, please email sankirtan@iskcon-london.org.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Small
15
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
57
Community News
Srila Prabhupada’s Dream for London
‘Dear Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara; Jagannatha, Baladeva & Subhadra;
We are petitioning to the empowered leaders of the United Kingdom to donate five acres of land in Regent’s Park in Central London in order to build a temple for Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara.
Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Giri Govardhan – we offer our most respectful obeisances unto You. With a mood of deep gratitude and appreciation we request Your causeless mercy upon us.
For more details and to sign the petition
For Your pleasure, if You so desire, we wish to erect a holy place of Your transcendental pastimes that will attract unlimited souls to Your service and fulfil the vision of Your pure devotee Srila Prabhupada for London.
please visit www.londontemple.co.uk Prayer
Please enable us to cooperate together in order to satisfy You in this way.
In addition to signing the petition, we request that you please make this following prayer your daily meditation:
We Your surrendered servants humbly beg.’
61
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
16
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Community News In 2014 we celebrate the 45th anniversary year of the installation of their most beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara
Sign the Petition for Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara’s new temple in London www.londontemple.co.uk
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
17
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
“Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the field of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society..” (Srila Prabhupada - Srimad Bhagavatam, Preface)
Daily Programme Times Arati Times 4.30am - Mangala Arati 5.00am - Tulasi Arati 7.00am - Deity Greeting 8.00am - Dhoop Arati 12.30pm - Raj Bhoga Arati 4.15pm - Dhoop Arati 7.00pm - Sundara Arati 9.00pm - Dhoop Arati
Darshan Times 4.30am to 5.00am 7.00am to 7.30am 8.00am to 11.45am 12.30pm to 1.00pm 4.15pm to 6.30pm 7.00pm to 7.30pm 9.00pm to 9.30pm LUNCH PROGRAMME Monday to Saturday 1.00pm to 2.00pm
Classes 7.30am - Bhagavatam or Caitanya Caritamrta 1.00pm - Introductory Talk (except Sunday) 6.00pm - Bhagavad Gita (except Sunday) Sunday Programme 3.30pm - Bhajans 4.15pm - Dhoop Arati 4.30pm - Introductory Talk 5.30pm - Feast 6.00pm - Q & A 7.00pm - Gaura Arati
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama Krishna Krishna Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Hare
Radha-Krishna Temple 10 Soho Street London W1D 3DL
T: 020 7437 3662 E: info@iskcon-london.org W: www.iskcon-london.org
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Society for 18 Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare International Conciousness
Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada