Dates: Sept. 2 - 11, 2009

“Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's Sannyasa”.

We are planning: three main programs

1. September 4th: 50th Anniversary Harinama Sankirtan: Each center goes out on the streets with at least 50 devotees.
2. September 5th - 6th: Internet Sankirtan Party: Centers around the world unite in simultaneous kirtan connected by internet. Some of ISKCON's top kirtan leaders will participate.
3. September 2nd - 11th: Japathon: Devotees pledge to chant a specific number of rounds per day during the Japathon. Registration is on line, and calculated towards our goal of 10,000,000,000 Holy Names!

Those who wish to publish please go ahead. Let's spread this message. I would like to see the two separate documents published as two separate
articles, but you can do what you want.

I'm also attaching a screen shot of our website, as well as one of the small posters. You can download a variety of size posters from our website. Also a nice photo of the students of the Vrndavana Gurukula spelling out KRSNA with their bodies, minds, and words.

Thanks very much.

Dasanudas, Ekalavya Das
www.worldholynameweek.org
www.whnw.org

25th of July until 1st of August 2009
Spiritual holiday camp | Hotel Churfirstenblick

With a lot of joy would we like to invite you to this years holiday camp in the Flumser mountains. Krishna consciousness in a recreative holiday mood is our motto for this week in the association of wonderful Vaishnavas. We will be able to immerse ourselves in the following seminars:

H.H. Sacinandana Swami
"Vandanam - fully preoccupation with body, mind and speech" A seminar with examples, methods and a lot of Krishna Katha.

H.H. Smita Krishna Swami
"Healthy organisation" Principals in connection with vedic culture and relationships.

H.G. Fakir Mohan Prabhu
"Life and teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur" Visions and bhajans of the seventh Gosvami

For more information and registration, please follow this link;

http://krishna.ch/fela-ch.html

Pdf invitation download here.

We are wishing you all the best,

your servants
from OK holiday camp

It's with great pleasure that we, ISKCON Amsterdam, are hereby extending to you our heartfelt invitation to this year's Ratha Yatra Festival in Amsterdam (Holland) on Sunday the 19th of July 2009.

As many of you probably know, Amsterdam enjoys worldwide fame. The preaching potential out here is tremendous!  Every year, Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Maharani show Their magnanimity by leaving Their current home Radhadesh, Belgium, to go out on the streets along with Their devotees to give full mercy to the suffering residents. The unique thing about this particular Ratha Yatra Festival is that His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami  Prabhupada originally installed these beautiful Deities in Amsterdam!

This Ratha Yatra festival is getting more and more famous by the year. Last year, Lord Jagannatha and Srila Prabhupada reached the headlines of several national and local newspapers and Their Lordships also found Their way to the television trough documentaries. This year we are again expecting extensive media coverage.

H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami, H.H. Janananda Goswami and H.G. Madhava Das will be enlivening us again by gracefully dancing and singing in front of the cart of Lord Jagannatha and the Lord is planning to take the best possible route through the city on the busiest day of the week, showering His darshana onto the maximum amount of suffering, materialistically frustrated people.
Yes, it's getting bigger and better!

However there seems to be one thing lacking in this pretty picture: your presence...PLEASE COME!!! Come to encourage and inspire us. Let's chant and dance together, churning the vast ocean of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra anxiously to derive the ultimate nectar: the mellows of the ecstasy of the Holy Names.

For details and the latest updates please visit www.amsterdhama.nl.

Sri Sri Karuna Nitai Gauracandra Dhama
Van Hilligaertstraat 17 HS
1072 JX  Amsterdam, The Netherlands
0031-(0)20-6751404
amsterdam@pamho.net

Minutes of the Euro GBC Meeting
Mayapur, India
24 February 2009

Present:

1. Bir Krishna das Goswami (GBC for Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia)
2. Dina Sharana dasi (co-GBC France: Dole, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Euro GBC Germany – Austria)
3. Hrdaya Caitanya dasa (GBC France: New Mayapur, Belgium, France, except New Mayapur and Dole, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, co-GBC Benelux, France: Dole, Euro GBC Benelux, TP Radhadesh - BE)
4. Kavicandra Swami (GBC Cyprus, Greece)
5. Madhu Sevita (das) (GBC Italy: Villaggio Hare Krishna, Milano Area, Rome Area, Catania Area, and Terni Area, Malta, San Marino, Co-GBC Belgium, France, except New Mayapur and Dole, Luxembourg, The Netherlands)
6. Praghosa dasa (GBC Channel Islands, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
7. Prahladananda Swami (GBC Health and sannyasa minister, Euro GBC)
8. Ravindra Svarupa dasa (Co-GBC Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland)
9. Sivarama Swami (GBC Hungary, Turkey, co-GBC Romania)
10. Syamasundara dasa (Euro Minister for Cow Protection and Agriculture - UK)
11. Tattvavada dasa (TP Helsinki, Finland Regional Secretary)
12. Vedavyasa dasa (Euro GBC for Spain without New Vraja Mandala farm, provisional Euro GBC for Portugal)

Chandrasekhara dasa (as Secretary for this meeting)

Absent:

1. A.C. Bhaktivaibhava Swami (GBC Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, co-GBC Romania)
2. Dadhibhaksa dasa (Director of ISKCON Croatia)
3. Janesvara dasa (representative of the Scandinavian Regional Council - Sweden, Denmark and Norway)
4. Mahaprabhu dasa (coordinator of ISKCON Communications Europe)
5. Narakriti dasa (Euro GBC Chairman, TP Prague - CZ)
6. Param Gati Swami (GBC France, Spain - New Vrajamandala, Portugal, Switzerland)
7. Radhanath Swami (GBC Villa Vrindavana, Firenze Area, Centro Studio Bhaktivedanta, Bologna Area, and Venice Area - Italy)
8. Tapasa dasa (TP Stockholm, Chairman National Council - S)

Guest:
Smita Krsna Swami

Quorum (12/20)

2009/I-101 NEW VRAJA MANDALA FARM
Next May Shyamasundara dasa will present his report regarding developments at the NVM farm. When that report is available the Euro GBC EC will consider all options available to them.

2009/I-102 LOAN TO ISKCON GERMANY- PLEDGES STILL OUTSTANDING
Mahaprabhu dasa - 500 Euro received
Titiksu dasa - 100 DVD donation received
Vedavyasa dasa - 500 Euro received
Scotland (Prabhupada Prana dasa) - 500 Euro
Tarakanatha dasa - 1000 Euro
Tapas dasa - 500 Euros
Praghosa dasa - 1312,50 Euro received
Param Gati Swami - 300 Euro
Hungary yatra - 1.000 Euro received
Swiss yatra - 500 Euros
Villa Vrindavana (Parabhakti dasa) - 500 Euro received
Gaura Hari dasa - 200 Euro received
Rotterdam - 250 Euros (200 Euro received)
Caitanya Candra dasa - 300 Euro received
Tattvavada dasa - 200 Euro
Doyal Gauranga dasa - 300 Euro received
Citrarupini dasa - 250 Euro
Bhaktivaibhava Swami - 2000 Euro received
Sum: 10.100 Euros / Sum received: 6.812,50 Euros

2009/I-103 DOCTRINAL PARAMETERS FOR SERVING IN EUROPE
A meeting will be convened by Prahladananda Swami, the chair of the committee working on this subject. This committee will explore both where to set the doctrinal boundaries as well as the practical implementation of such boundaries once adopted.

2009/I-104 A FULL COMPILATION OF ALL EURO GBC RESOLUTIONS
It was agreed that a full set of all Euro GBC resolutions since 1997 should be compiled both in hard-copy as well as electronically. The body requests Dina Dayal dasa to work on this.

2009/I-105 VEDAVYASA DASA: AS THE EURO GBC FOR SPAIN WITHOUT NEW VRAJA MANDALA
Resolved: Vedavyasa dasa will serve as the Euro GBC for Spain, minus New Vraja Mandala, as well as provisional Euro GBC for Portugal, pending discussion with the Portugal devotees.
Regarding visits to Portugal, the Euro GBC body requests the sannyasa minister to identify devotees (like Yadunandana prabhu) who can visit Portugal regularly during the next 12 months.

2009/I-106 JAYAPATAKA SWAMI
The Euro GBC body wishes Jayapataka Swami well in his recovery from serious illness. The body notes the remarkable progress Maharaja has made to date and desires that this progress continues apace.
The Euro GBC body will in future work closely with the GBC Executive Committee if there is ever a need to do so in relation to Maharaja’s travel plans.

2009/I-107 REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELING AND LOCAL PREACHERS IN EUROPE
Prahladananda Swami is requested to write a list of requirements in relation to the above and present them to the Euro GBC Body in due course

2009/I-108 ISKCON-UK AND PRAGHOSA DASA
The Euro GBC Body expresses its concern with the proposed development of Praghosa dasa taking up the service of Mayapur co-director. If this is to come to pass, the Euro GBC Body requests that it is done both with their blessings and the blessings of the UK and Irish yatras.

2009/I-109 A REVIEW OF WHERE WE STAND WITH BOTH EURO AND GLOBAL GBC'S SERVING IN EUROPE.
The body agreed to the suggestion that this resolution be reviewed on an ongoing basis, according to the changing times and circumstances in Europe.  Members are requested to send in their proposed amendments to the Euro GBC EC by the end of April 2009. On the basis of those amendments the Euro GBC EC will present a revised version to the Euro GBC Body at their annual meeting in October.

2009/I-110 PARAM GATI SWAMI
Prahladananda Swami is requested to send to the Euro GBC body the exact details and facts about the case at hand.
The body voted in favor of the statement written by Ravindra Svarupa das, which is to be forwarded to the Executive committee, at which time the executive committee will send it out to all concerned parties.

2009/I-111 ISKCON’S REACTION TO THE WORLD FINANCIAL CRISIS
Sivarama Swami brought up the issue of being pro-active in relation to the financial crisis. In particular it was noted that we should think deeply about finding alternatives if donations to our projects significantly decrease. Evidence to date suggests that such a trend has begun. As per other resolutions passed at our previous meeting, more and more focus should be put on our farms becoming more and more self sufficient.

2009/I-112 BOOK DISTRIBUTION IN EUROPE
Overall book distribution is down in Europe over the last few years.
2 yatras with significant debts to the BBT are Poland and Germany.
It was agreed that a devotee from the Polish yatra should be identified to represent Poland on the Euro GBC Body. This way the Euro GBC Body can know more about the status of book distribution in Poland as well as other details of the Polish yatra. Poland is a very important country within Europe hence it is crucial that Poland is represented on the Euro GBC Body.
Prahladananda Swami will write to Trivikrama Swami requesting him to help the Euro GBC Body find a Euro GBC representative for Poland.

2009/I-113 ISKCON GURUS TO TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
Praghosa dasa will send the ISKCON oath of allegiance to Prahladananda Swami.
It was unanimously agreed that the oath of allegiance should be taken by all ISKCON gurus who visit and serve within Europe. On the first occasion of this oath being taken it should be notarized and then on an annual basis it should be recited in front of Srila Prabhupada. A copy of the notarized version will be kept by the Euro GBC secretary.
It was agreed that Prahladananda Swami will write to all gurus who visit and serve within Europe, informing them of this resolution.
The Euro GBC members will assist Prahladananda Swami as best they can to ensure full compliance of this resolution.

2009/I-114 DOLE
Due to legal complications the situation is currently at somewhat of a standstill. According to our lawyer, Guru Sakti dasa will have no choice but to vacate the Dole property by June 2009.
Mahadhira mataji should be contacted (information to be provided by Madhusevita dasa) regarding the money she gave to ISKCON-Dole.
When the property is 100% ours, with full access and keys, then the Euro GBC will be informed so that they can consider sale options and division of assets etc.

2009/I-115 COMMITTEE TO REVIEW EURO AND INTERNATIONAL GBC CANDIDATES
The Euro GBC body decided against the need for a committee. However Prahladananda Swami will formulate a list of specific requirements which will be used as a guide for appointing new members to both the Euro GBC Body and ultimately the International GBC Body.

2009/I-116 ‘BUILD AS RENT’
A proposed rewording will be made by Vedavyasa dasa, ensuring that there is a better balance between the rights of the devotee and the rights of the management in so far as the build as rent scheme is concerned.

2009/I-117 REPORTING BY EURO GBC MEMBERS
This proposal by Prahladananda Swami was unanimously accepted by the body and Prahladananda Swami will present to the body in October a standard form which all Euro GBC members will use to submit their annual report.

TO BE DISCUSSED AT NEXT MEETING
* 104- Training European leaders.
* 105- Standards for leaders.
* 106- Lawsuit against ISKCON at the European court of human rights.

Introduction: Mapping the Field
Radhika Ramana Dasa

What is interpretation? It is what we do when we try to make sense of the world. We cannot help but interpret things. It is not something that we do consciously, but something that we automatically do. It is a basic human activity.

An elephant on the clouds (seen in a picture). Sasi in sanskrit refers to the moon, and means 'a rabbit in the moon'.

Exercise of the 6 and 7 cubes. This can be applied to the different Vedanta interpretations. It is very important to be able to see from the other's perspective, even if you do not agree with it. Acaryas do this by explaining a verse in a particular way, then saying: 'but' 'or else'.

Where? Inherently there is nothing bad in interpreting people, texts, things, a drama, etc… For example, there is interpretation in putting up a drama and (may be different) interpretation by the public. Then there are the critics.

Interpretations exercise to show how there are different types of interpretations. (Five volunteers saying one word: 'tonight' and miming different scenarios. The public should ascertain it. A point to keep in mind is that there is something that is correct (i.e. the person who communicates the message has something specific in mind to communicate)

What affects our interpretation?

Brainstorm:
Psychology
Cultural background
Education/ training/knowledge
Desires
Conditioning
Analogy with past experiences
Social context
Opinion of others
Gender, age, material circumstances
Motivation
Source

For example, motivation: it is accepted in academic circles that there is a particular motivation in accepting something (i.e. I am a practitioner, etc…).

Others opinion affect interpretation (i.e. other people giving their opinion, encouraging or discouraging you in your project or interpretation).

Experiment of 5 people saying which line is the longer (a, b, c). 4 actors say A (actually B or C is the longest line). The last person (the subject of the experiment) would say A. This is repeated twice. After this , we explain to the subject that the other people were actors and ask again the question. Then he replies the same thing. Two reasons for this: attachment to our own interpretation (even if it is wrong!) and the influence of what others think of us.

Example of the poet coming with a poet to Svarupa Damodara (comparing the body of Lord Jagannatha to the body and Lord Caitanya to the soul).

After going through the interpretation process we should remain humble, and acknowledge that even if we did our best taking into consideration all the key factors (i.e. parampara, etc…) we might have done it in a mistaken way.

Our measuring stick or ruler of interpretation in Sanskrit is called pramana.

List of Pramanas
Direct realization (saksat kara)
Anumana (reasoning, inference, the mind)
Sense perception (pratyaksa)
Tradition
Consensus
Mahajana
Sabda
Prabhupada (example & teachings)

Comment by Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu: If we accept the acarya and scripture as authority, we also need to interpret (understand) them correctly.

Tips
Expand Association
Watch out with ad hominum attack. Keep in mind what is been said and not who is saying it. Of course, lack of character in the person may be a consideration factor, but it is not necessarily a final one.

Sarva virukta dharma asraya: this is one of the favourite descriptions of Krishna given by Jiva Goswami. It means that Krishna is the shelter of all the opposing elements.

Question by Sesa Prabhu: How the average devotee is able to make sense of all this discussion.

Ravindra Svarupa: There is an academic trend that says that there is not a final interpretation to any subject. They say that every time we read something we are re-creating it.

Boundaries in interpretation: When the boundaries are crossed in a particular tradition it becomes heretical.

Should our boundaries be soft, hard, porous…? This is a very important and difficult question. The topic will be explored in other sessions during the next 4 days.

Text and Context
Rembert Lutjeharms

We start with general observations with what our acharyas and hindu traditions has done in terms of interpretation. The question is who can interpret? Something to keep in mind is that the acharyas had to deal with very different issues than we do today. They were challenged by vedantic scholars, mimamsakas, and other philosophers. They did not have to deal with gender, modernity, and similar issues.

Another consideration is the eternality of vedic scriptures vs. the academic modern approach (authorship, chronology and so on)

In addition, we have to deal with the different systems of thought in the East and the West (in the east more than one option may be accepted; in western thought it is either or…).

Sruti and Smrti: The sruti texts are accepted as apauruseya (eternal, without a human author). Smrti is accepted that there are different authors (sages). This includes Puranas, dharma-shastras, etc… If smrti says something that contradicts sruti, then sruti wins. This is the traditional approach. However, some traditions say that you cannot understand sruti without smrti, and therefore smrti is more important. According to the school you belong to, you will take a particular scripture as supreme (i.e. mimamsakas take the Vedas, Vedantists take Upasishads, Brahma-sutra and Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya and Vallabha Vaisnavas the Bhagavata and so on). Generally scholars of these tradition don't communicate among themselves. Some like Baladeva, engaged himself in vedantic discourse and established communications with this audience.

Importance of tradition:
In our tradition, Jiva Goswami and Baladeva V. argue that smrti is also eternal and actually complement sruti. These texts were recited by sages, but actually they are eternal.

Our acharyas use sat-linga: 6 tools for ascertaining the meaning of the text.

Literal, Secondary meaning, Suggestion
If the literal meaning doesn't apply, then you move to the secondary meaning (i.e. the Punjabi is an ox, it does not mean that he is literally an ox, but that he is as strong as an ox). Tantric traditions, sankarites, and other traditions put a lot of emphasis on the secondary meaning. Our acharyas put much more emphasis on the literal meaning and go only to the secondary meaning if the first doesn't make sense.

Madhvacarya used a lot of literal interpretation (i.e. Rk Veda saying that Krishna is the Lord who is Indra, Agni, and so on.

Suggestion refers to the realm of poetry (i.e. the village is on the Ganges means that is on the bank of the Ganges. This is secondary meaning. Those who follow the suggestion interpretation will say that this statement suggest that they village is cool, fresh and so on…

If there is a contradiction within the same text, there are different tools that can be used. For example Jiva G. mentions that one can look at the contradictory statements, examine the context, see if the sentences can be read in some other way and establish an order of priority (i.e. eternal condemnation in Gita: Krishna speaking as an angry father who doesn't really mean it literally; Siva as Supreme (8th Canto: Visnu referring to Siva as Supreme).

Rule of language are mainly established by tradition. These traditional rules are accepted generally by the different schools.

Maha Vakya used by Sankara; Paribhasa-sutra used by (Caitanya?) Vaisnavas.

Bhaktivinoda and Bhadraloka
Krishna Ksetra Dasa

Bhaktivinoda's key hermeneutic principles:
1. Universlist Caitanya Vaisnava self-reform.
2. Representing Caitanya Vaisnava tradition of Bhagavata interpretation.
3. Discussing essential vaisnavism (saragrahi) and complementing it with varnasrama. The best interpreter is the saragrahi.

Negotiating the religious landscape of late 19th c. India

Caste conscious Brahmins, British colonialists, Brahmo samaj, Hindu reformers, Bhadraloka…

Tradition reformists: Rammohan Roy, founder of the Brahmo samaj, back to the Upanishad.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838-1894) author of Krishna Caritra sought to de-mytoligize Krishna.

Life Sketch of Bhaktivinoda:
Born in 1838, educated in Calcutta.
Served in the british civil service
First obtained a copy of the Bhagavata Purana in 1868 while stationed in Dinajpur
Until his death in 1914, wrote and published extensively on Vaisnavism.
Established numerous nama-hatta center in Bengal (over 500 centres according to Shukavak).

Bhaktivinoda's persistent theme throughout his works is that the saragrahi Vaisnava is the ideal interpreter.

Unqualified and Qualified interpreters:
The foolish critic vs. the true critic.
Ass-like vs. swan like critic

Bhaktivinoda used modern language in his writings (i.e. progress, critic, etc.). He denounces the sectarian spirit.

Qualified interpreters (adhikara-bheda):
Madhyama adhikaris: not yet succeeded in connecting faith with argument.
Uttama-adhikaris: Expert in connecting faith and argument. Able to attain perfection by utilizing material resources in their independent endeavors.

Adhunika-vada: Using modern methods of reason and so on, while acknowledging their limitations.

Tradition as 'modality of change' (Marilyn Waldman): It shows a contrast among tradition and modernity:

3 categories: Maintenance (holding the practice of careful scriptural study as a means of personal progress and self-reform.

Renewal: calling renewed attention to the Bhagavata Purana, using the language of reform.

Reform

Bhaktivinoda saw worldly influences and confluences and also saw the divine presence and purposes.

Reflexivity: what is the location of us who interpret the interpreter and his interpretations? (Servant of the servant, but in particular places).

Can we retain and appropriately apply Bhaktivinoda's spirit of engaging with the times?

Can we identify positions of balance from which engaging interpretation of scripture can take place? (keeping the tradition alive and not freeze it).

Viewing the East from the West
Federico Squarcini (Virabhadra Dasa)

Follow-up of the previous presentations. The point here is what we are going to do as interpreters. Especially when we look at how the tradition is going to be maintain and develop to the future. We as historical people today, how are we dealing with interpretation?

We are facing a very critical time that never happened befote. For example linguistic turn. Language is not as relevant as before (i.e. secularization of language). Secularization for some people is about disappearance of religion. Other people say that secularization has taken place because the present religions is about consuming religious goods. It is about well-being, but not about salvation.

What is interpreting for classical south asian people. Looking for rahasya, gupta, guhasya (not visible, secret, etc.). Something has to be discover. Another way of interpreting was giving name to things.

Bandhukrt as interpretation of nature. (i.e. if we perform sacrifice the sun will rise; otherwise it will stop).

Agnihotra; at some it was developed pranagnihotra which focused the sacrifice on an individual level instead of a social level.

Who has the adhikara, the right to interpret? What is to be interpreted and who has the right to do it?

Examples of early Buddhism, early Jainism, and early orthodox Brahmins. Jaina 3 factors on interpretation: the Jaina sages, the scriptures and the popular practitioners. Similar examples apply to the other to community and to us in terms of sadhu,sastra, and guru.

Rsis and poets can interpret and are accepted as such as long as they are within the boundaries of the community. It is not possible to separate the act of interpretation from the principle of authority.

Free writers generally are not allowed in the classical schools of thought/interpretation.

It exist the need to approach authority (mahajanas, etc.). Obedience to the tradition is very important.

Contemporary situation is quite different. If the liberal-progressist approach is accepted as representing the prevalent views, then it is more important your own experience than the traditional approach.

A prominent value/paradigm today is that people want to decide for themselves what to do, even if that means to move away from the tradition.

Doxa=greek work for 'opinion'. Before of the colonial period the normal situation was to live within a community of the same doxa, opinion. During the post-colonial period until now, the norm is to live within a community where there are many different ideologies.

DAY TWO

Re-Visioning ISKCON:
Constructive theologising for reform and renewal
Krishna Ksetra Dasa

Constructive theology means to build something out of materials that are already there (not out of nothing). The idea is that when there is a need of theological help, constructive theology can help to clarify misunderstandings of the tradition. Hinduism has not the best press in the world, as opposed to Buddhism. People say that Buddhism has an incredible adaptability. The standard critique to Hinduism in this regard is the social system (cast, varna…).

The Six dilemmas for post-charismatic religious movements
Jayadvaita Swami

What is ISKCON? The answers in the early days and in the present are very different, inconsistent…

Routinization of charisma: From revolution and charisma, the need arises to establish an order, to institutionalize.

Many movements do not survive the demise of the charismatic leader. Those who survive, have to face the six dilemmas for post-charismatic religious movements (see printed sheet adapted from Thomas F.O'Dea The Sociology of Religion.

ISKCON was 'transcendental' to all other organizations/religions. Now it is seen by many as an ordinary organization. We have seen many scandals and all the problems of any other organization.

Quotes by Rasamandala and Kripamoya Prabhu. Difficulties to join the temples, not even the preachers encourage people to do so. Congregation living KC lives on their own ways.

Boarding schools out, Brahmachari training out, future in temple live out….

ISKCON began with a monopoly of Vaisnavism, now there is a variety of Vaisnava groups.

Gaudiya Maths
Schismatic groups
Individual influential devotees

The catholic church found itself in a similar historical position. Hence there is a long history of Christian heresy, schisms, and denominations.

Hinduization of ISKCON: From being transcendental to Hinduism has become pretty much Hindu.

Women, Youth…. Interpreting and re-interpreting ISKCON.

Questions by Hopkins:

Are all the statements by Prabhupada truth or some of them can be taken as relative?

Bhaktisiddhanta and the Gaudiya Math
Pranava Dasa

Bhaktisiddhanta S. was shy about writing about himself, as opposed to Bhaktivinoda who wrote his self-biography. Sambidanandha Dasa asked Bhaktisiddhanta about himself and he replied only briefly a letter summarizing what he did.

The history of the Gaudiya Math has been controversial and there are many interpretations of this history which makes things even more complicated.

Bhaktisiddhanta S. and the revival of Caitanya Vaisnavism. The shaping of a modern institution, which became the model for ISKCON.

Challenges of the historical context:
1. The rise of the bhadraloka: a new empowered laity.
2. The declining of Vaishnavism in Bengal.
3. Encounter with the West and struggle for independence.
4. World War I, global economic and political instability.

Major Biographical Periods:

Early education years (1874-1900)
Middle ascetic years (1900-1918)
Final years of mission (1918-1937)

Why a modern institution?

Colonialism and Enlightenment: segmentation and differentiation of society.

There was a need to create an institution in order to deal with the new social situation (i.e. society was becoming more secular, religion was just one aspect of life….)

There was a rise of legal institutions in Bengal.

Visva Vaisnava Raja Sabha (1884): Srila Bhaktisiddhanta used the letterhead of the organization of Bhaktivinoda. Gaudiya Math was never registered during Bhaktisiddhanta's time.

Gaudiya Math (1918)

Modern ethics: inworldly asceticism (yukta-vairagya)
Engaging the laity (establishment of urban temples).
Focus on nama and jiva-daya: He saw that people are less qualified and therefore we need to focus on the essence (hence these two essential practices).
Revival of guru, sadhu and sastra.: he emphasized a lot purity and merit.
Visibility in public space (large kirtana, public programs, exhibitions…)
Participation in contemporary issues and discussions (i.e. The Harmonist)

The Gaudiya Math under Bhaktisiddhanta's direction embarked on the project of translating Caitanya Vaisnavism to English.
Using language that the people could relate to:

Protestant Vaisnavism
Church, etc…

Dilemmas of the Gaudiya Math:

- It was never registered.
- Bhaktisiddhanta did not appoint a successor nor gave any 'unequivocal' direction for succession
- He was ultimately against 'institutional spirit'.

The dilemmas of modern institutionalization (O'Dea 1961)

1. Mixed motivations.
2. Symbol System
3. Organizational elaboration of structures versus movement effectiveness.
4. Need for concrete definition versus legalism
5. Power.

Putana: article in the Harmonist which is very critical to modern institutions.

The last instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati:

- Will in 1923: 3 appointed executors (Kunjabihari Vidyabhusana, Ananta Vasudeva, Paramananda Dasa).
- Create a governing body and cooperate (1936)
- Spiritual leadership will emerge naturally (1936)

Two interpretations of the Gaudiya Math

The court case 1937-1941 at Calcutta High Court

Ananta Vasudeva versus Kunjabihari Vidyabhusana

Two alternative interpretations:

- Horizontal institution - institution as provider of public service (Ananta Vasudeva)
- Vertical institution - focus on acarya-guru.

Kunjabihari Vidyabhusana wone the case: the sannyasi status of Bhaktisiddhanta was not accepted in court.

Schism
Massimo Introvigne

Schism is not a recent phenomenon. It goes back almost two thousand years back. It is originally a theological phenomenon. The church fathers defined it (Cipriano). Difference among heresy and schism: heresy refers to someone leaving the church because of having different ideas. By definition of the church fathers, someone may leave the church without having different doctrines, and still he leaves because of not liking the leadership or some similar reason. This is schism. An example of schism took place in the XIX century when the polish national church separated from the church because there were not polish priests. They did not like the irish priests. Later on it became heretical in different ways (i.e. women priests…). They could not return back to the church, even if they wanted (i.e. when the Pope was polish).

Question of what happen to children who die before being baptized. St. Augustine said that non-baptized children go to hell. Later on the limbo theory was developed. The limbo never became an official church doctrine. In early Christianity to be a good person and believe in God was not enough to be saved. It was necessary to be part of the church. Now the Catholic church is more inclusive than the orthodox church.

This month of July the Vatican published a document remembering Christians from the eastern countries. The point is that there is a difference among the schismatic and the heretical. Schismatic people separate mainly for political reasons.

Discussions among different Christian groups who debate about who would be saved. Many examples about this are given. Schisms are less important than heresies.

Every Christian reformer intended to create unity among the different churches, but finally the result has been to have one extra denomination. For example the Church of Christ became a new denomination, and now it has split in three denominations.

In 97 a scholar studied schism in Hassidic Jews. The 200 existing hassidic groups are different than the Christian schismatic groups in that the reason for forming these groups was the personal relation with the master.

One reason for division among groups is the difference of opinion in reforming and adapting to times.

Example of the mormons on the issue of polygamy. The leader of the mormons in 1890 said that God revealed to him that polygamy should stopped. Now there are different groups. The polygamists are around 40.000 and the other group is much bigger.

Example of Monsignor Lefebvre who did not accept the reform of Vatican 2.

Schisms in the Anglican church due to having named homosexual and women priests. In Africa the churches were quite homophobic. They declared themselves independent and in some cases the forged relationships with the Orthodox Church.

Territorial division among the Orthodox Churches (i.e. the rule use to be one bishop for each territory). With the political divisions of countries in Europe is has become somewhat complex. Many of these churches has separated on the basis of territorial separation. All of them believe on the same doctrine.

Schism in China: Chinese patriotic church. They even killed a few bishops in order to become established as separate from the Catholic Church.

A cardinal and bishops in China are re-consecrating Chinese patriotic bishops.

Other examples of reasons for schism: territorial, political, liturgical, and ecumenical. One of the orthodox churches thinks that ecumenical activities and inter-religious dialogue are things of the Devil. They say that only thru the church can one be saved.

In conclusion, we should keep in mind that schism is tied to the early Christian idea. It does not travel very well if you try to apply it to other organizations than the Catholic Church. It seems to be easy to 'cured' than heresy.

The Church is trying to rectify some of the later schisms (i.e. Chinese patriotic church).

In most of the cases when schism occurs there is no way back. It seems to be part of human nature to want to do things your own way.

DAY 3: Excursion

DAY 4: 'AS IT IS' AS IT IS: Understanding the Hermeneutical Principles of Srila Prabhupada
Ravindra Svarupa Dasa

Many people/scholars say it is outrageous to say 'as it is', since this cannot be.

Srila Prabhupada writes numerous quotes about understanding scripture without interpretation, from proper authority, etc.

Are Prabhupada's hermeneutical principles really equivalent to the fidelistic dogmatism of revivalists?

To reply this we read Prabhupada's hermeneutical process as explained in SB 1.3.44.

One can see the presence of Krishna directly in the pages of the Bhagavatam.

A core theological principles is that the name and Krishna are identical.

One can see Krishna directly if one hears it from a self-realized soul like Sukadeva Goswami. This is the secret for learning Bhagavatam.

This implies that Bhagavata will not take place if it is spoken by a materially attached person or a mundane scholar, even if their presentation seems impressive.

.Suta Goswami is bona fide because he heard from Suka and because he wants to present the message as he received it.

Elements of Parampara: 'as he heard it'; 'you find no change'…

Simple hearing is not all: One should hear with rapt attention from the real person, and then he can at once realize the presence of Lord Krishna in every page. The secret of knowing Bhagavatam is mentioned here. No one can give rapt attention who is not pure in mind. No one can be pure in mind who is not pure in action. No one can be pure in action who is not pure in eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. But if somehow or other one hears with rapt attention from the bona fide source, one can see Krishna in the pages of the Bhagavatam.

ISKCON as a hermeneutical Society: The regulative principles of devotional service taken together are intended to create people who can hear the Bhagavatam correctly.

SB 1.4.1: Personal realization does not mean that out of vanity one should try to surpass the previous acharya. Rather, one should have full confidence in the previous acharya and at the same time he should present the message of the acharya in his own words, keeping the original meaning of the text and it should be presented in an interesting manner. No obscure meaning of the text should be drawn.

The Core Hermeneutical Principle: atah sri krsna namadi: one cannot understand Krishna with his own senses. Krishna becomes revealed only when He is pleased by the service of the devotee (which starts with the tongue, and so on…).

Bhagavatam and 'per formative utterances' (John Austin on performative utterances, website).

Bhagavatam does not take place unless the speaker and hearer are both bona fide.

Example: 'I sentence you to ten years in jail'. Both judge and convicted should be 'bona fide'. Otherwise the same words are spoken, but nothing happens.

This is what we are talking about when we refer to what is going on in the Krishna consciousness movement.

Realization in order to present Bhagavatam doesn't happen all in once, but generally it develops gradually. So there is some realization in the training stage of practicing and presenting Bhagavatam.

The process of realizing Bhagavatam can be described as a 'mystical' process.

Prabhupada described the process of devotional service as a science. If material scientists cannot accept this, we can tell them to do it and assess by themselves.

It may seem that there is no question of originality in presenting the message. The boundaries of originality are marked by realization. We cannot set boundaries by a particular set of rules. That's why we need knowledge based on realization.

When a person is situated in the spiritual platform, individual creative is not diminished. Actually the inspiration comes from the Supersoul; therefore in the spiritual platform there should be more creativity.

Schisms
Kumari Priya Devi Dasi

The use of the term schism will refer to a split.

The differences between schism and heresy have been depicted. Heresies are based on doctrinal and theological discrepancies. Schisms may be based mostly on organizational considerations.

4 Points:

- One right reading: Many of the schisms or heresies in Christianity had to do with Jesus or God's identity. Some times when an explanation was given that was not given before, it gave rise to a division within the church. Example of Arius and the bishop of Alenxandria. Arius is refer to as heretical and it is given as an example of how complex can schisms be. It is not clear who declared Arius heretical (there were many parties involved….).
Prabhupada gave us a strict line to follow. If we deviate we fall vs. Prabhupada gave us space for creativity as long as we are good association and practice.
- Malleability of Scripture: Examples of this are who is a muslim? There are different interpretations by different schools. Example of a Christian author who interpreted every passage of the Bible as related to the coming of Christ. How much this is acceptable? This can be a reason for division.
- Reversal of heretical & acceptable: Some thing that was seen as heretical , later on it is seen as acceptable.
- Line or area? : Example of an author who asserts that true religious people are known by their fruits.

Some scholars/people interpret that schisms is what keeps religion alive. On the other hand other people interpret that schisms are a betrayal to the predecessors.

Applying Social Theory in ISKCON
Braja Bihari Dasa

Traditions take a long time to develop and are created over centuries.
We can also speak of 'organizational culture'. Nowadays it is said that it takes 3 to 5 years to change an organizational culture.

Analyzing and organization's culture:

3 levels: rituals and artefacts, beliefs and values, basic assumptions.

New Institutionalism: 'Compliance occurs in many circumstances because other types of behaviour are inconceivable, routines are followed because they are taken for granted as the ways we do these things.

4 ISKCON Schisms
1. Siddhasvarupa Maharaja
2. Conch Club/Kirtan Hall
3. Gaudiya Math- Narayana Maharaja
4. Ritvikism - ISKCON Bangalore

Applying Social theory:

- No 'one cause'
- Bg. 18.13
- Get over 'physics envy'

Why Individuals join schisms? It is due to a charismatic leader:

- Siddha Svarupa, Narayana Maharaja, Madhu Pandit.
- Post-charismatic leads to bureacratization (i.e.: In ISKCON 100 to 500 temples. Number of GBC resolutions markedly increased).

Rational Choice Theory: Assumes that individuals are self-interested and act rationally to achieve their self interest. They are end-driven.

If this is true, what do they try to achieve by going to other places? Some go to other places because there is more life in those places. They want to be part of a wining team. They may want a fresh start. They want a relieve of a mistreatment they suffered in ISKCON. They want to be lead by a strong leader. They want a better financial situation.

Another theory: Social game theory: We are moral creatures whose moral sentiments -shaped by their relationships and roles - enter into our judgment and actions.

Some say that they enter into these two groups in order to serve Srila Prabhupada better. They find that Prabhupada's legacy in carried on better in these organizations.

Religious Capital/Member satisfaction

Religious capital consists of the degree of mastery of and attachment to a particular religious culture.

Two parts:
1. Member satisfaction - ongoing param drstva.
2. 'Mormon effect'.

The mormon effect can happen to ISKCON devotees if they meet some dissatisfactions thru their lives. Then they go to other organizations which are of similar characteristics.

What makes some endure?
- cultural timing
- resource mobilization theory

Benefits of schisms for ISKCON?
- Overcome complacency - ISKCON was the only show in town.
- Humility, overcoming arrogance (examples: court case, apology to ISKCON Women, apology to all devotees because of Zonal Acarya system.

Suggestions to ISKCON:
- When possible, open up dialogue.
- Present reasonable expectations to members.
- Consider ISKCON's boundaries - unity in diversity.
- Orders?
- Care for devotees: spiritual and material.

Unbridled idealism may end in cynicism after the ideal expectations are not met.

**************************************************
LOGISTICS
Dates: 27 July - 30 July 2009
Cost: 120 Euros
Registrations and other enquiries: Contact Kumari-priya Dasi at claire.robison@gmail.com

Transport:
Nearest main airport is Pisa. However, being Italy, there are many alternatives and good rail links from most of the country. There is a 70 minute (8 Euro) bus trip straight from Pisa Airport to Florence Railway Station. If you prefer to spend a little time in Pisa (certainly worthwhile), it is very near to Pisa airport (about ten minutes) and there are regular, inexpensive trains from Pisa to Florence and a left-luggage at the station.

From Florence Railway Station station it is a short local bus to Tavarnuzze, from where you will be collected.

Day trip: Part of the schedule is for an excursion to Florence. There may be a small extra charge for those wishing to go.

**************************************************
ISKCON STUDIES INSTITUTE
The ISKCON Studies Institute is an academic institute. It aims to, develop the field of ISKCON studies and related areas of interest; develop forums for academic exchange; promote relevant research and facilitate publishing about ISKCON in various disciplines.

The ISI is an ISKCON MED (Ministry of Educational Development) approved body. Its current members are:
Gopinathacarya Dasa
Krsna-ksetra Dasa
Kumari-priya Dasi
Lal Krishna Dasa
Merudevi Dasi
Pranava Dasa
Radhika Raman Dasa
Shaunaka Rishi Dasa

With great pleasure we inform you that this year congregational summer camp in Lička Jesenica will take place from 04.08. till 09.08.2009.

For further informations please read "Main features of traditional summer festival" in continuation.

In front of the summer camp management board
Murari Gupta das

    * it’s completely free
    * attendance at mangala-arati is obligatory, therefore no late evening programs
    * service and program attendance are as well obligatory for all devotees

We stress on importance of sadhana, philosophy, spirit of cooperation, good association and one of main attributes of festival is prasadam, both in quality and quantity.

Accommodation is modest, but we try our best to manage that everyone gets facilities in according with their needs. Matajis and children are in houses, prabhus are in tents and cottages.

Capacity is limited to 100-130 devotees, so you must announce yourself.

Lectures and seminars are on English with Croatian translation.

Things you my found useful to have with you: tent, sleeping bag, matting, flash light, personal hygiene kit, gamchas, vaisnava clothes and some warm cloth as morning hours are quite chilly. For inner hygiene be sure to take your japa mala, otherwise if you don't have it already, we'll gladly provide one for you.

For devotees who want to donate something for this festival we would like to point out that help and donations are voluntary. Our experience is that some of guest on festival can hardly finance bare necessities, so these kind of people need support. In majority that referrers to the students and young people who are not financially independent. It is also our experience that there are persons who have money but from various reasons don't have trust or desire to donate. This may be due to lack of enthusiasm or confidence. Therefore we keep our accounts in details, open to all of our donators, thus making all balances overseen by donators themselves. Balances of income and expenditure for past years may be seen here (reports are written in Croatian and access to them require registration).

Project itself costs around 3000 Euros, and last years we had very good response. Expenses were partially covered by organizers themselves and this year will be the same. This is a very nice chance to serve devotees and we appeal to all of you who have money to engage in this service. In any case, any of your goods and contributions are very welcome and we appreciate very much your energy and time spend in maintaining this festival.

Our primary goal is to engage as many people as possible in serving devotees and therefore we humbly invite all of you to join in this sacred mission. Thank you!

Directions to festival can be found here.

For other questions and attendance bookmaking please contact us by email:

Caitanya Jivan Das: Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

In a hopeful attempt to communicate this event to the whole of Europe, we obtained emails from the existing ISKCON directories. We would very much appreciate it if you would be able to pass news of this event to the relevant persons, thank you.

In May 2008, A very successful USA Brahmacari Convention was held for their pleasure and by the kind hospitality of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra of ISKCON San Diego.

Now in 2009 the First Ever UK and European Brahmacari Convention is going to be held 1st – 4th July, with their blessings and for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha & Gokulanada Sri Sri Sita, Rama Laxman, Hanuman, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, we would like to invite you and all brahmacaris to Bhaktivedanta Manor for this event. We will be very pleased to be your hosts, event organizers and fellow participants. We know every Brahmacari is invaluable and can contribute so much, so with your participation we would like to repeat the success of the USA and hold an even bigger convention for approximately 100 brahmacaris from across the UK and Europe.

We do know that Danavir Maharaj Janananda Maharaj, Kadamba Kanana Maharaj and Candramauli Maharaj will be attending and we are awaiting confirmation from two more renowned speakers.

There will be a lot of expertise, knowledge and experience presented within the seminars and the Brahmacari Convention schedule will soon be available to you.

Here below are some video links from the Brahmacari Convention Seminar in San Diego 2008:

HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami

Brahmacarya in an Age of Diminished Authority and Sexual Promiscuity

To Marry or not to Marry

Inner Life: Highest Realization or Lowest Degradation?

Other Issues Relevant to Brahmacaris Today

HH Danavir Goswami

Celibacy: Scientists See the Light

Celibacy: the Freud Fraud

Celibate Geniuses and Diet

Links to the videos:

www.16rounds. com/mahat/2008/11/hh-bhakti-vikasa-swami-brahmacari-seminar-san-diego-2008

www.16rounds. com/mahat/2008/11/hh-danavir-goswami-brahmacari-seminar-san-diego-2008

Seminars like the above maybe repeated.

Things to bring

Notepad & Pen

All participants should bring a Sleeping Bag & Yoga Mat

Please note we have only 10 beds and 10 foam mattresses. Others will use their yoga mat & sleeping bag.

(Those with back problems etc, please notify us on the booking confirmation reply). We will then give these persons first priority to use our bed & foam mattresses)

Other Health Issues

If there is anything concerning health and medical issues of any participants attending and you think it would help for us to know i. e. a person has epilepsy or mobility needs, please let us know of the details so that we can make suitable arrangements.

IMPORTANT

We are not entirely sure of the response we are going to get in Europe, however Finland did respond to say 10 persons were able to come. If the response is beyond 80 persons who wish to attend, we will then unfortunately need to reduce the larger party numbers coming from one temple. We will then inform you of the maximum number we can accept from each temple.

Fees: £5.00 per person per night

An additional fee of £5.00 - for a Maha Harinam for us all and the congregation to attend in London West End – this will pay for the coach organized for the evening.

UK and European Brahmacari Convention

Location & Accommodation arrangements

Sleeping arrangements will be in the guest house & various other rooms. All will have access to toilets & showers, though some will be less than a minutes’ walk to the showers & toilets.

The Brahmacari Convention dates - 1st July to Saturday 4th July 2009

IMPORTANT

As mentioned earlier, before booking your tickets you will need to let us know the number of persons coming from your temple. We will then get back to you as soon as we hear from all the temples which will give us the total number wishing to attend. If the response total is beyond 100 persons who wish to attend, we will then unfortunately have to reduce the larger party numbers coming from one temple. We will then inform you of the maximum number we can accept from each temple.

Following this confirmation from us - PLEASE BOOK YOUR TICKETS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND INFORM US OF YOUR ARRIVAL TIMES & DEPARTURE TIMES. We require your attendance confirmation by the 31ST APRIL and no later. We will then be able to make suitable facility and transport arrangements.

Please complete the attached file – Brahmacari Convention Booking Form – Closing date Confirmation 31st APRIL.

After the course some may leave on the 4th July and others will stay for one more night before leaving on the 5th July.

(Please let us know if you wish to leave on the 4th July or will be leaving on the 5th July.

Important.

Please note participants booking flights should arrange flights to Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick or Stanstead only.

If there are 4 persons or more in your party who will be arriving at the airport, we can arrange a minibus to pick you up.

Minibus fees:

LUTON - £25.00

HEATHROW £30.00

STANSTEAD £35.00

GATWICK £40.00

If you are less than 4 persons you have the option to be picked up by our temple driver – Bhakta Mark

The temple taxi is at reasonably cheaper taxi fares than ordinary taxis fares. If you would like for us to book the temple taxi then let us know in your confirmation email reply.

LUTON - £20.00

HEATHROW - £25.00

STANSTED - £30.00

GATWICK - £35.00

Please note our drivers waiting time at arrivals will be an additional cost of parking fees from approximately - £3.00- £10.00

In addition you can travel by train. Please see attached file ‘Directions to the Manor’ for details.

If you can avoid flights to Gatwick, this would be much appreciated as it is a 1.5 hour drive.

For all & more extensive information on travel & directions to Bhaktivedanta Manor - Please see attached file ‘Directions & How to get to Bhativedanta Manor.’

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Take Care, Hare Krishna

Caitanya Jivan das (Brahmacari Convention Facilitator)

Tel: 07904 202 400

Email: volunteering@krishnatemple.com

———————

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble Obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Ive just managed to get the coach company Manager to sponsor the coach and they will be taking us for the Harinama on Saturday night in London 4th July at no charge. His name is John and hes actually a wonderful, enthusiastic devotee.

So the fees per person for the Brahmacari Convention is now at the reduced fee of only £5.00 per person.

Nice one John!

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada

Take Care, Hare Krishna

Caitanya Jivan das (Volunteer Coordinator & Mens Guest House Supervisor)

Tel: 07904 202 400

Email: volunteering@krishnatemple.com

Website: www. manorvolunteering. com

We would like to invite you to the ISKCON COMMUNICATIONS Seminar which will be taking place in Villa Vrindavan from the 7th to the 9th of July. We have many interesting presentations to help us learn about and discuss important issues affecting society at large and ISKCON in particular. We hope many devotees will come to this Seminar to take advantage of the experience and realisations of senior devotees and experts on many issues and share their experiences as well. Villa Vrindavan is a wonderful setting for vaisnava sanga and we will try to make the trip worthwhile. The Communications Seminars are directed to all the devotees involved in Communications services as well as Leaders of our society. We would like to have at least one Communications representative for each yatra so we really count on the support of the GBC secretaries and Temple Presidents to encourage devotees to participate in the Seminar and come themselves as much as possible. We have many thought provoking presentations that we hope will engender interesting discussions.

The presentations we would like to offer the devotees are:

A summary and reflection of the ISKCON Studies Conference that takes place before the ICE seminar. The topic of the Conference this year is the Guru, from a historical, theological and philosophical perspective by Krsna Ksetra prabhu. (ISKCON Studies Conference is held from the 3rd till the 6th of July in Villa Vrindavan for more information contact Lal Krishna prabhu)

History and Principles of Communications and how the ISKCON Studies Conference ties in with Communications by Saunaka Rsi prabhu

Position Statements: What does it mean to write position statements? What are the potential advantages of this? What are the problems (internal and external)? What would be the process? What topics? by Anuttama prabhu

Panel presentation and Discussion on ISKCON and the Environment by Ranchor prabhu, Radha Krishna prabhu and Krishnasharan prabhu

Diversity in Europe: mapping our political context by Merudevi dasi

Overview of state and religious organizations relations in Europe and where does ISKCON stand. By Mahaprabhu dasa

Reflections from the past year by several devotees.

Strategic planning/ Where do we go from here by Anuttama prabhu

There will also be an outing in the surroundings of Villa Vrindavan and plenty of Italian prasadam.

Price: 95 Euros
Transport: Nearest main airport is Pisa. 70 minute (8 Euro) bus trip to Florence with a short local bus to Tavarnuzze, from where devotees
collect us (free).

We will send out a more detailed and confirmed programme in the end of May or beginning of June. PLEASE REGISTER ASAP BY ANSWERING THIS E-MAIL. Kancana valli will take care of registrations and answering your questions. Looking forward to seeing many devotees in Villa Vrindavan.

Registration by e-mail to
Kancana-valli prabhvi

●   sun 8 march: Cult. celebration of Holi/Gaurapurnima in Radhadesh
●   sun 5 april: Cult. celebr. of Ramanavami in Radhadesh
●   sat 20 juni: Ratha yatra in Antwerpen
●   sat 4 juli: Ratha yatra in Den Haag
●   sun 19 jul: Ratha yatra in Amsterdam
●   sat 25 & sun 26 jul: summerfestival in Radhadesh
●   sun 16 aug: Cult. celebr. of Sri Krishna Janmastami in Radhadesh
●   sun 30 aug: Radhastami in Radhadesh
●   sun 18 oct: cult. celebr. diwali/govardhan puja

Centre de Bhakti Yoga de Bruxelles
Rue Royale 185, 2ème étage
1210 Bruxelles Belgium Europe
Phone: +32 2 223 10 58

Conférences philosophiques, chants dévotionnels et festins végétariens .

Programme du samedi à 13 heures:

Cordialement,
Votre serviteur, Jaya Bhadra Dasi