ISKCON-London Annual Review 2012

2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Praghosa Dasa UK GBC

A

s we all know Srila Prabhupada was an amazing and empowered personality. As well as bringing the timeless wisdom of the Vedas and Bhagavata philosophy to all the sleeping souls of the world, he also brought so many practical instructions in how to create, manage and sustain an international organisation.

In our modern day organisations the first step with any project is to create a vision.

Once during the 26th Second Avenue days, Srila Prabhupada was asked why he had come to the west and he replied that

it was to establish a worldwide network of Temples dedicated to the service of Krishna.

The person asking the question looked a little doubtful and Prabhupada, seeing his reservation, simply said ‘time separates’ what a vision!

Now of course we have a worldwide network as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada and our mandate is to manage and sustain them. To that end I really welcome and thank all the ISKCON-London devotees, serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada who have compiled this annual review.

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An annual review is a key tool in being able to measure our progress as far as our short, medium and long-term goals are concerned.

To that end, I look forward to comparing last year’s review with this one and seeing all the progress made!

Hare Krishna Praghosa dasa UK GBC

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Jai Nitai dasa Temple President

D

ear Devotees, well wishers and friends. My deepest respects to you and welcome to our 2012 annual review.

of engagement in activities that offer an abundance of fruits that are unfortunately all temporary, you have come to Krishna.

For my intro this year I wanted to share a short address I gave at our Volunteers Dinner. I feel that it expresses the mood of gratefulness I feel for our whole community.

In a world where hearts have become hard and broken by impersonal interactions and insensitive dealings, where our intentions are thwarted, our communications undelivered and expectations riddled with failure you have come to Krishna.

Thank you.

Your Servant, Jai Nitai dasa Temple President

In a world of greed, we want to be grateful and develop and attitude of gratitude.

I

n world of hankering for more and more, where desires flow incessantly like rivers into the ocean and everyone is busy searching for something or someone to make them happy - you have come to Krishna.

You have made a powerful decision in your life to offer the valuable commodity of time in the service of the Lord. You have chosen to express your devotion thru the active principle of service. You have chosen to do something with your God given energy that may be beneficial for others. You have actually chosen to realign yourself with the natural propensity of the soul - jévera ‘svarüpa’ haya-kåñëera ‘nitya-däsa.

In a world where the material energy overwhelms and confuses us with a mission

You have made a sacrifice for a higher cause and for this we want to say ‘Thank You’.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

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ISKCON is a society of individuals who primarily volunteer either part, most or all of their time in the service of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna.Your service is what makes the ISKCON-London Radha Krishna Temple what it is. Your efforts, your blood, sweat and tears are the foundation on which 1000’s of guests can come and have the possibility of connecting with The Supreme Lord.

I pray that I may always be grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of the members of our community. I pray that I may always be grateful for the opportunity to serve within a society of such individuals, I pray that all of us become more and more grateful for the amazing gift and opportunity awarded to us by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and finally I pray that you feel inspired to continue to move forward on the path of devotional service with an attitude of gratitude knowing that the Lord is pleased by your endeavors.

I thank you very much!

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

WHO’S WHO

2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

1. Jai Nitai Dasa

Temple President Charity Chairman Counsellor 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 Counsellor

Radha Krishna Records

2. Bhava Bhakti dd

Spiritual Counsellor System Coordinator Counsellor Charity Trustee/Secretary Temple Administrator South Regional Secretary Member of Management Board

6. Ram Charan dasa

Financial Controller Member of Management Board Counsellor

3. Titiksu dasa

UK Ratha Yatra Coordinator Member of Management Board

7. Gaura Kishore dasa

Charity Trustee Congregation Development Team Coordinator Counsellor

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10. Kasinatha dasa

Temple Security/Commander

11. Bhaktin Shital

Congregation Development Team Coordinator Counsellor

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WHO’S WHO

12. Jaga Mohini dd

ISKCON Educational Services Tulasi pujari

2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

16. Sachi Kishore dasa

20. Gandaki dasa

Preaching and Outreach Member of Brahmacari Council Counsellor

Radha’s Boutique Manager Member of Management Board

13. Bhaktin Sunita

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 Alexey

19. Krishna Kanta dd & Acyuta Charan dasa

Communications Team

Education and Courses

Sankirtan Leader Russian Bhakti Vrksa Leader

Kitchen Manager

Volunteers’ coordinator

Properties Manager

23. Rakesh Shah

Food for Life coordinators

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Devotee Care Team

T

he Devotee Care team was formed in 2012 by the Temple Leader’s Council to ensure devotees at all levels of our community are looked after and feel cared for in connection to the Temple.

The team is overseen by Bhava Bhakti dd and currently consists of the following members: • Bhakta Dhaval – representing Volunteers • Devaki dd – representing new guests • Visarada dd – representing Congregation members • Jaga Mohini dd – representing the ladies ashram Over the coming year, we will look to have representatives for the men’s ashram, employees, donors, youth and the children.

Spiritual Counsellor System

T

he Spiritual Counsellor System continues to grow and support both community members as well as Temple residents. Each counsellor has fortnightly group meetings as well as more personal 121 sessions.

For the last couple of years counsellee

groups cook the Sunday Feast on a rotational basis and have increased their services and commitments in the Temple.

In July alone we saw nine members of the counsellor system take formal commitments (a combination of 1st and 2nd initiation).

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On the 19th to 22nd March both Jai Nitai dasa and Bhava Bhakti dd were invited to Portugal to help set up the Counsellor System by meeting with leaders and holding seminars. Subsequent support and discussions with the devotees are on-going via email.

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

South Regional Committee

T

he South Regional Committee meets monthly in different locations in our region with the following representatives:

• Jai Nitai dasa & Bhava Bhakti dd – ISKCON-London • Bhaktas Jeegnesh, Mahesh & Manish – Crawley • Bhaktin Priya & Krishna Kanta dd – Croydon • Krishna Gopal dasa – Brighton

Croydon

Brighton

Crawley

Highlights:

Highlights:

Highlights:

• 24 hour kirtan program with many devotees and new attendees.

• Weekly Friday Public Programme at the Phoenix Community Centre.

This attracts a broad mix of people, students, hippies, seekers etc - average of 30 attendees.

• Weekly Friday night programmes with 30-50 attendees.

• Ratha Yatra for the second year and now one of the major festivals held in Croydon.

• Weekly dedicated Weekend Warrior team distributing books, holy name and prasadam in the following towns; Wimbledon, Kingston, Sutton and Croydon.

• Monthly Programmes open to both regulars and newcomers at our local community centre. At each event we host a guest speaker, kirtan and serve light refreshments.

• Development of inspirational daily 64 japa rounds within the community.

• Weekly ‘Saturday Sankirtan’ where a small group set up a book table in the city centre.

• VIP visits from HH Candramauli Swami, HG Hari Sauri Prabhu and HH Sivarama Swami.

• Annual beach front Brighton Rathayatra - a favourite amongst both devotees and the public!

• Second annual regional Vyasa Puja ceremony for Srila Prabhupada.

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• Fifth annual Ratha Yatra.

• Radhadesh Mellows festival retreat was planned for the South Region.

• Proudly secured a property for ISKCON Crawley, which is called ‘Bhakti Yoga Centre’ opening on the 23rd March 2013 in the presence of HH Radhanath Swami.

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

London Mela - Gunnersbury Park

S

unday 19th August 2012 was one of the hottest days of the year and brought around 82,000 visitors to the Mela’s 10th anniversary.

Preparations for the large marquee began the day before. During the cultural event, the Mantra Lounge

devotees performed sweet, wonderful uplifting kirtans.

Many enthusiastic devotees distributed spiritual books and prasadam to the many visitors at the marquee.

We are hoping to build on our success in 2013.

Courses

B

hakti Sastri one year Course for the community.

• Bhaktin Shital - honours

• Essence of Bhagvad Gita

• Gaura Kishore dasa - honours

• Leadership course

The following individuals graduated from the course after an intense year of study of Srila Prabhupada’s primary four books: Bhagavad-Gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction and Sri Isopanisad.

• Tota Gopinatha dasa - honours

• Mridanga Beginners course

• Bhakta Prasad - honours

• Guru Disciple course

• Murli Manohara dasa - honours

• Devotional Practise

• BhaktinAshmita Bauluck - honours

• Study of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1

• Bhakta Praveen

• Sanskrit course for beginners

• Devaki dd - distinction

• Damayanti dd

• Workshop on Forgiveness

• Hari Kirtan dasa - distinction

• Visarada dd

• Relationships from Spiritual Warrior

Courses that we ran last year:

If you are interested in courses please contact Vamsi Priya devi dasi at courses@iskcon-london.org

• Akarsini Radhika dd - distinction • Maharasa devi dasi - distinction • Yasoda-nandini dd - honours

• Hare Krishna course • Harmonium & Vocal course

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Volunteers Dinner

T

his year we thanked all of our volunteers for their generous hard work and whole-hearted sacrifice by holding a ‘Thank You Dinner’. We hoped by serving them, they could relish a splendid evening in an atmosphere with loving devotees, kirtan, entertainment and prasadam. Their contribution given over the year was deeply appreciated.

Interested in volunteering: volunteers@iskcon-london.org

43rd Anniversary Festival

T

he celebrations were marked by an amazing Pushya Abhisekha (shower of flowers) of Their Lordships.

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FESTIVALS

2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

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FESTIVALS

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Ratha Yatra UK

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he amazing team of 200 volunteers pulled it off again!

The majestic chariots of Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra gloriously paraded through London for the 44th year and ended with a colourful festival in Trafalgar Square.

London Ratha Yatra has increased in recent years, with 5000 devotees and guests attending the procession from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. 30,000 devotees,

Londoners and tourists passed through Trafalgar Square during the afternoon and a delicious feast was served to 20,000.

devotees work together they can preserve such an important and long-standing event.

It is the largest gathering of its kind in Europe, and devotees attend from many countries.

The 45th London Ratha Yatra will be celebrated on Sunday 9th June 2013.

A big “thank you� to all our volunteers, donors and patrons without whose kind donations of time and laxmi, this festival would be impossible to stage. Their wonderful example shows that when

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For up-to-date news on future London and UK Ratha Yatras please visit: www.rathayatra.co.uk

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Radha Krishna Records The soundtrack to your spiritual life

T

he label’s ethos is simple, we encourage organic spiritual music and artistry; tending and nourishing it, to spark that devotional light inside and when we find something special, we share this with you the listener, to shine ever brighter.

2012 Releases:

What the Public Say:

• Cintamani by Gopibhava devi dasi an amazing album that captures her amazing voice.

Future releases include:

Radha Krishna Records is a not-for-profit record label and is owned by the RadhaKrishna Temple ISKCON- London.

Radha Krishna Records was conceived on the 40th Anniversary of Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara’s installation and has produced seven albums to date.

All the albums are now available on iTunes, which is a huge step for giving the world access to kirtan.

• Ananda Monet devi dasi’s album creating an epic soundtrack based on the Mahabharata.

• Radha-Londonisvara dasa’s festivals double album.

live,

• Mantra Lounge album recreating the wonderful meditative evenings held in Covent Garden.

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“Beautifully recorded and mixed voices surrounded by lush pianos and atmospheres, this album transports you to another, more serene and mysterious world” Simon Gogerly - Grammy Award Winner - U2 “My family and I can’t stop listening to this wonderful album. Gopibhava`s voice is the perfect message of the Supersoul or God`s love to us!”

Gina Mercado - Childminder “This album, I just can’t get bored of, hearing it over and over again, as it helps me so much to deal with life at the moment. Thank you!”

Betty Adrienna Becskei - Receptionist

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Sankirtan Report 2012 Transcendental book distribution

Lakshmi

Book Points

Big Books

Maha Big Books

Medium Books

Small Books

Sets

£96,813

41,666

972

16,713

4,681

15,886

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S

ankirtan year 2012 was marked by a number of positive changes and promising initiatives. Even though it happened to be the lowest year (scores wise) for the last decade it appears to be an important transition period that sets the foundation for future growth and expansion of Lord Caitanya’s Mission.

Sankirtan devotees were sent to Hungary for an amazing 3-day workshop with living sankirtan-legend HG Vaisesika dasa!

• The Weekly Saturday Book Distribution Programme ‘Weekend Warriors’ was rebranded to ‘Sacred Street Party’, aiming to make the sankirtan experience fun and easy for all.

We pray to Their Lordships daily to increase our efforts and assist us in bringing many new souls to Their Lotus Feet.

• Bhava Bhakti’s counsellee group successfully launched and expanded ‘Smart box’ and ‘Smart can’ projects.

Following the inspiration of HG Vaisesika dasa they placed self-selling boxes with books and fund-raising cans into dozens of shops. Her group innovatively distributed books during the December Marathon dressed as Santa’s friends • Srila Prabhupada’s marathon was marked by the biggest number of book distributors ever taking part, inspired by the mood of “Making People Fortunate” and “A Little from A lot”.

• Bhakta Alexey was promoted to the post of Sankirtana Leader.

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Preaching Department

2012 was an exciting and eventful year for the Outreach and Preaching Department at ISKCON-London. The main highlights were:

the form of an interview with Professor Stephen Chan.

Kirtan London

The SOAS KC Society hosts an electric ‘Mantra Jam’ event every term. This event is a full-blown kirtan session led by kirtaneers like Jahnavi and HG Radha Londonisvara dasa.

This year saw the inauguration of Kirtan London, a project aiming to bring sacred mantra music to the attention of the city in a more dynamic and influential way. The team hosted two major events: The first was a launch party in London’s West End, with special guests HH Radhanath Swami and Russel Brand.

The second was an external 6 hour kirtan event, with special appearances by HH Radhanath Swami, the Harrisons, HG Jayadeva dasa, HG Radha Londonisvara dasa, HG Ananda Monet and Madhva Johnson. This was a successful event attracting close to 200 guests, many kirtan first timers.

University Preaching HH Radhanath Swami returns to SOAS HH Radhanath Swami returned to SOAS to share his deep insights on the role of spirituality in modern society. This event attracted around 200 students, and took

Mantra Jam @ SOAS

Gita Sutras The Gita Sutras is a regular philosophical discussion group which explores topical and relevant issues affecting students in particular, and society in general. These sessions are being facilitated at both the SOAS and Imperial University, and continue to draw in a varied crowd of between 10 and 25 students at each event.

Kirtan meditation session at SOAS, facilitated by Jahnavi. These sessions draw around 15-20 students.

Yoga Yoga session at SOAS, facilitated by HG Ranga Devi. This event draws around 20 students, and serves as a bridge to the Gita Sutras and Mantra Meditation sessions.

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Vegetarian Cooking Workshops proved to be a healthy attraction at SOAS and Imperial Universities. This attracts an average of 10-20 students each week.

External Events We also participated in non-KC Society events such as an interfaith function called COEXIST and programmes facilitated by the Hindu Societies of both SOAS and Imperial Universities. These external events allowed us to build stronger relationships and gave us the opportunity to introduce a new base of students to the fundamental principles of devotional service.

In-House Preaching KC Lounge

Mantra Meditation

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Vegetarian Cooking Workshops

The weekly KC Lounge programme, focuses on young men (10-15 per session) interested in the process of Krishna Consciousness.

We host themed presentations, invite VIP speakers; attend the Mantra Lounge events and do cooking workshops.

Ladies Sanga Fortnightly session for the ladies (10-20 per session) with VIP speakers, dramas, kirtan and prasadam.

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Olympics & Yogalympics Olympic Chaplain A major breakthrough this year was the appointment of Sachi Kishore dasa, head of the Preaching and Outreach Department at ISKCON London, to the illustrious post of official Hindu Co-Chaplain for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 in London.

In this capacity, he provided spiritual and emotional support to Olympic athletes on the international stage. http://yogalympics.blogspot.co.uk/

Torch Bearers Also two members of the community carried the Olympic Torch Rakesh Kalia and Krish Raval!

Yogalympics ISKCON-London launched a spate of new activities to match the buzz of the Olympic Games called the Yogalympics.

Lunch classes Special Olympic themed classes were organised

Harinams Our ecstatic harinam parties continued to venture out to bring the auspicious vibrations of the Holy Name and The Sri Harinam Mandir travelling party brought added exuberance to these activities as they went out for 6-8 hours each day. We also held two hugely popular bus harinam events.

Media

Rakeshbhai, were greeted by Murli Manohar dasa, received a tour of the Temple along with a synopsis of the process of Krishna Consciousness, and participated in vibrant kirtans before leaving with prasadam.

HG Sachi Kishore dasa also attends regular educational interfaith events operated by the well-known 3 Faiths Forum at various schools and colleges.

Education

TV Interview This year saw another breakthrough in the media field when Sachi Kishore dasa was interviewed by Channel 4’s 4Thought television series. The interview focused on the theme of Spirituality and Leadership.

Radio Interview A radio interview, conducted by Trevor Barnes from the BBC focused on faith involvement for the upcoming Olympics Games, and featured HG Jai Nitai dasa and HG Sachi Kishore dasa, along with a supporting crew of eager brahmacaris from our Temple.

Hindu Teachers Educational sessions for teachers on the topic of Hinduism, provides information on the context of ISKCON within the Hindu world, and the significance of Srila Prabhupada. These sessions are usually attended by 15-25 teachers.

Yoga London Seminar for the London School of Yoga, giving students an introduction to the Bhagavad-Gita and Krishna Consciousness.

These sessions are usually attended by 1527 student yoga teachers.

Interfaith ‘Love of Faith Walk’, saw around 400 guests visiting our Temple. The guests, along with their esteemed guru - Pujya Gurudevshri

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Refurbishment

M

aintenance is in the mode of goodness and ruled over by Vishnu. We are trying our best to improve the facilities we offer at ISKCON-London. This year we refurbished the Men’s ashrama and Govinda’s Restuarant.

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2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

Food for Life

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t present the Food for Life team are going out Monday to Thursday evenings, and attracting a range of volunteers from University students to working professionals.

We are distributing approximately 41,600 plates of prasadam a year and the numbers are increasing. We hope to expand our services by adding another evening and are exploring new ways to increase the amount of parsadam distribution in London.

Recently Acyuta Charan dasa and his wife Krishna Kanta dasi took responsibility for overseeing the management of the Food for Life service.

2012 Financial Summary Department

Income

Expenditure

Surplus

Radha Krishna Temple

£1,336,125

£1,147,125

£189,000

Govinda’s Restaurant

£551,000

£425,160

£125,840

Radha’s Boutique Shop

£89,175

£81,175

£8,000

TOTALS

£1,976,300

£1,653,460

£322,840

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Association with devotees means association with the Lord. The devotee who makes this association develops the consciousness for rendering service to the Lord, and then, being situated in the transcendental position of devotional service, he gradually becomes perfect.

Teachings of Lord Kapila, verses 25-26

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 19 Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare International Conciousness

Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada