Chaitanya Nitai Dasa, Goloka Prema Dasi, and Citralekha Dasi

Category: Preachers

Doing this service for the last two years in Paris, but preaching wherever they were; the parents joined ISKCON in New Mayapur, France in 1981; both are 57, and their daughter is 32; disciples of Giriraja Swami (Citralekha and Goloka Prema in the picture).

The catur-sloki Bhagavatam is accepted by the various Vedantic traditions as one of the main sections in the Bhagavata Purana. These four verses are considered to be the original Bhagavata Purana in seed form, and to contain the meaning of the whole text. They describe the nature of the Absolute and its relation to the phenomenal world; thus naturally we find tensions among the various interpretations of the Vedantic schools. In this essay, I suggest that the catur-sloki Bhagavatam describe the Supreme Personality of Godhead - the Absolute, as inconceivably one with and different from His multifarious energies. I discuss the catur-sloki Bhagavatam based on Jiva Gosvami's explanations in Bhagavat-sandarbha. I also hint at Sri Krishna Caitanya's explanations of the catur-sloki Bhagavatam as presented by Krishnadas Kaviraja Gosvami in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. This essay may interest readers who would like to know more about the Gaudiya-Vaishnava doctrine and to examine how the Gaudiya-Vaishnava tradition responds to seemingly contradictory statements in the revealed scriptures (sabdha) that refer to the Absolute or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

This paper aims to present the contribution of Bhaktivinoda Thakur to the establishment and development of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It regards his personal life as the role model for the practitioners of Vaisnavism, and it considers his input in expanding preaching techniques, both innovative and traditional ones.

The purpose of this essay is to compare the doctrine of Sri Caitanya, the founder of the Gaudiya-vaisnava tradition, with those of Nimbarka and Vallabha. To what extent are they related? Which one is most appealing? There are four Vaisnava sampradayas [established doctrine transmitted from one teacher to another]. Their acäryas (founders, teachers) are:
 
Ramanuja  (1017 – 1137 CE)
Madhva  (1238 – 1317 CE)
Nimbarka (±1400 CE)
Vallabha  (1473 – 1531 CE).

They have all written a devotional commentary on the Vedic scriptures, in particular the Vedanta. Initially, I wanted to discuss all four sampradayas, but this is beyond the scope of this  essay. I have chosen Nimbarka and Vallabha because they are historically closer to Sri  Caitanya (1486 – 1533 CE). Throughout this essay, I have inserted the meaning of Sanskrit words from the Monier-Williams dictionary (Bontes 2001) in square brackets.

The Euro GBC is delighted to introduce you to nine devotees who received  the second ISKCON Europe Excellence Awards for the year 2010.

Avesarupa Dasa
Initiated by Bhagavan Dasa
Age: 54
ISKCON Madrid
Joined ISKCON in 1978 in Barcelona;
Nominated by Yadunandana Swami and Vedavyasa Prabhu, the Euro-GBC of Spain;
Category: Book distribution (doing this service for 32 years)

by Euro GBC

We are pleased to introduce you to fourteen devotees receiving the first ISKCON Europe Excellence Awards (IEEA). To encourage exemplary devotees, IEEA will be announced annually. Winners will be chosen after nominations are considered at a European Leaders Meeting. This year the winners (in alphabetical order) are:

Bhava Bhakti Devi Dasi
Bhakta Eshwar Kesso
Jai Nitai Dasa
Jiva Pati Dasa
Krishna Viddhi Dasa
Lalita Govinda Dasa
Mangalananda Dasa
Murli Manohara Dasa
Parasuram Dasa
Parivadi Dasa
Rupa Manjari Devi Dasi
Sridhama Dasa
Titiksu Dasa
Vimala Devi Dasi

Purnacandra Goswami talks in his book about some unspoken obstacles, or impediments, on the path to  bhakti. Some of them, like institutionalism and lack of freedom, may exist in any religious organization, but being  subtle and difficult to spot, they are often not discussed. Although not a sociologist, but a practitioner of  bhakti-yoga  in the International Society for Krsna consciousness (ISKCON) for over 26 years, the author makes relevant philosophical and sociological observations. He speaks mainly to the ISKCON audience, but the principles he discusses apply to any religious institution. The book can be of  interest to those Vaishnavas concerned with building a better ISKCON, and especially to those, the author gives tools and practical hints how to bring about changes they want to see.

Purnacandra Goswami begins with the philosophical definition of pure  devotional service (bhakti)  from the Srila Rupa Goswami's sixteenth-century book on bhakti, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. Srila Rupa Goswami describes pure bhakti as an activity performed favorably intending to please the Lord without any selfish motivation for knowledge (jnana), or any desire for personal enjoyment (karma).

Bengal's Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534 CE) is recognized as one of the main players in the dramatic wave of emotional bhakti (devotion) for Krsna (accepted as God by his devotees) that swept the Indian subcontinent in the fifteenth century. Mahaprabhu's melodic repetition of Krsna's names and ecstatic dancing (kirtana) were not entirely novel, but his intensity of expression and irresistible influence were unprecedented. Although exceedingly popular with the masses wherever he wandered (he toured India on foot twice during his relatively short lifetime), among the ecclesiastical echelons he was at times condescendingly referred to as a bhavuka, or sentimentalist. (Prabhupada, 1973, 32).

Which should you trust more - your head or your heart? This question was raised at the 2007 Great American Think-Off, a national philosophy contest that gives common people the chance to debate over some of life's more perplexing questions. The live audience in New York Mills selected as a winner an arts' administrator from Minneapolis, Joe Kaiser, who argued that in making decisions, one should trust the heart more than the head. On the one hand, heart's decisions come from our experience, intuitive feelings, and instinctive knowing without the use of rational processes. A decision that comes from the head, on the other hand, involves analytical thinking and methodical examination of things. Do these two modes of decision making automatically exclude each other? Furthermore, if we would apply these two outlooks to the religious life, then in meeting with God, what should be the prevailing attitude? Interestingly enough, the second place at the debate went to the 'head', a position defended by Paul D. Allick, an Episcopal priest (Locke, 2007, [online]).

We are grateful to Narayana Maharaja for his service to Prabhupada and ISKCON. Yet when it is evident that Prabhupada has said one thing, and Narayana Maharaja represents him as saying something else, we must follow Prabhupada with absolute sincerity.

PDF: The Last Conversation - Cover Letter Transcription and Analysis

The link contains a letter from the Executive Committee, a transcription of the conversation of 8 October 1977 between Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja (Bengali with English translation), and an anaysis.

• The Epics: Ramayan & Mahabharata: April 12 - April 16, 2010.
• Modern Interpretation of the Gita: April 19 - April 23, 2010.
• Shri Caitanya-caritamrta: April 12 - April 23, 2010.
• Communications Course: April 26 - April 30, 2010.
• Bhaktivedanta College Japa & Kirtan Retreat in 2010 with Sacinandana Swami: May 1 - May 7, 2010.
• Contemporary Social Issues in ISKCON: May 10 - May 14, 2010.
• Introduction to Ethics: May 10 - May 14, 2010.

Provides students with detailed knowledge of the structure of the Ramayan and the Mahabharata and the main stories and characters presented therein. It invites students to consider their theistic ideas, their characters as role models, their ethical teachings, and the moral dilemmas they explore.

Teacher: Anuradha Dasi

Acquaints students with a range of modern interpretations of the Bhagavada-gitaand the reasons for these divergent understandings. Aims to allow students to consider the relevance of these interpretations to the Hindu tradition today.

Teacher: Anuradha Dasi

Deepens and challenges the students’ knowledge and understanding of the Caitanya-caritamrta by providing a detailed analysis of its historical context, structure, and content. The module also aims to nurture a reflective approach to the message and teachings of the text in light of personal and institutional practice.

Teacher: Krsna Ksetra Dasa

Topics include: strategic planning; public speaking; listening skills; devotee relations; internal communications; media relations and training; and networking with academics, interfaith people, and government leaders.

Teacher: Anuttama Dasa

An invitation letter from Sacinandana Swami:

Dear devotees and friends,

It is with great happiness that I am inviting you to Bhaktivedanta College Japa & Kirtan Retreat 2010, which will take place in Radhadesh from Saturday, May 1 (17 hrs) until Friday morning, May 7, 2010.

The idea of organizing Japa & Kirtan retreats emerged from a realization we had during our many Japa retreats. Simply put, we became aware that the dharma for the Age of Kali is sankirtana: singing the holy names with devotion, in the association of others. It is primarily through this process that the realization of Krishna can take place.

Provides students with broad knowledge and an understanding of the main contemporary social issues in ISKCON in light of contemporary and traditional social theory. Considers how these issues shape ISKCON’s development.

Teacher: Braja Bihari Dasa

Compares the various theories behind moral reasoning that we find in different cultures. Examine models of ethical thought in terms of their relevance and practical application to ISKCON, contemporary society, and traditional Vedic culture.

Teacher: Sesa Dasa

Everyone gets into conflicts sooner or later in Kali-yuga. There are both practical and Krishna conscious ways to deal with such situations when they arise. This course addresses those ways. Furthermore, there are skills involved in helping others when they are in conflict, and this course studies those skills. Organizations have learned to deal with conflicts in a proactive and systematic way.

Provides students with an introduction to modern philosophy and the basic ideas, methods, and influences of the great philosophers of the period 1500-1860. It also aims to allow students to reflect on the impact of historical and philosophical changes in attitudes toward and understandings of religion.

Teacher: Anupama Dasi

This intensive course is for devotees wishing to organise and facilitate VTE courses, or who aspire to teach at corresponding levels of competence. It is highly recommended for devotees pursuing services within outreach, management and training & education. We focus on classroom delivery skills, particularly those suited to interactive and experiential approaches. We also reflect on the values and qualities required of an effective Krishna conscious teacher.  During this second VTE course, students will:

- Learn how to match teaching styles and methods to students' talents and preferred learning styles.
- Practice key skills such as:
- Developing strength, flexibility and dynamism in voice and body language
- Leading a whole-class discussion
- Setting up and running group-work
- Making the most of experiential learning
- Plan and deliver a forty-minute lesson
- Offer and receive constructive feedback, both qualitative and quantitative, oral and written, from self, peers and tutors.
- Experience fun, challenge and transformation

We know this is what you've all been waiting for?
Its gives us great pleasure to announce the dates for the second UK & European Brahmacari Convention at Bhaktivedanta Manor.

Kulimela’s aim is to inspire the 2nd generation from around the world to pursue and achieve their aspirations in both the spiritual and material context with an event to showcase talent, initiative, and success and facilitate personal development and networking.

The french Kuli Mela team is happy to announce the dates of our festival :

For those devotees who look for encouragements and connections to study Srila Prabhupada books you can now connect to Vanipedia, a genius tool developed by Visnu Murti Prabhu. This previous top Sankirtana Book Distributor now turns the internet into a genius tool for indepth reading and studying of the glorious and divine Vani so mercifully distributed to us and all over the world by His Divine Grace Abhay Charan Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

A book by two Hungarian ISKCON devotees, Isvara Krishna Dasa and Bhagavat Priya Dasa, has been chosen as a Finalist in 2009’s National “Best Books” Awards, sponsored by USABookNews.com.

Nature’s IQ: Extraordinary Animal Behaviors that Defy Evolution finished as one of two finalists in the Science category, just missing out on the top spot to winner Robert L. Piccioni, with his book Everyone’s Guide to Atoms, Einstein, and the Universe.

Released in the US in April 2009 by Torchlight Publishing, Nature’s IQ was among 500 winners and finalists in over 140 categories.

The nomination, announced on October 20th, 2009, was an honor and boost of recognition for Nature’s IQ, as the “Best Books” Awards is one of the largest mainstream book award competitions in the United States.

However, Isvara Krishna and Bhagavat Priya are no strangers to appreciation for their book. Since it was released in the US last year, Nature’s IQ has garnered many glowing reviews from scientists, authors, professors, and newspaper reporters. And upon its Hungarian release back in 2002, it attracted plenty of media attention, both positive and negative, including a write-up in Hungarian Science, one of the country’s leading scientific journals.

Agenda 2010

• sat 19 june: Ratha yatra in Antwerpen
• sun 20 june: ratha yatra Londen
• sun 27 june: Ratha yatra in Rotterdam
• tu 29 june till 1 july: Padayatra in the Netherlands
• thu 1-31 july: Bhaktivedanta College Radhadesh Summer Camp 2010
• sat 3 july: Ratha yatra in Den Haag
• sun 4 july: ratha yatra Paris
• sat 24 & sun 25 july: summerfestival in Radhadesh
• sat 14 aug: Ratha yatra in Amsterdam
• sun 29 aug: Cult. celebr. of Sri Krishna Janmastami in Radhadesh

Date: January 30, 2010 (All day) - September 16, 2010 (All day)

Invitation For the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Radhadesh temple we are holding the following events:

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

I am thrilled to announce this year's ISKCON Communications Seminar to be held in ISKCON Budapest from the 20th till the 24th of April.

The program is very interesting and will be surely thought provoking, inspiring, practical and fun:

Dear Prabhus,

The conference is open to devotees who are involved with Agriculture, Cow Protection, Forestry, Horticulture, Using foods from the farms, wanting to use food from the farms, leaders of farms or farm departments.

The previous two farm conferences were well attended and appreciated by all who attended. This conference is meant to give life to the farm devotees and to help them in their services.