According to Indian custom, the Hungarian Society for Krishna Consciousness celebrated the new year on 20 October 2009 at the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest. On the occasion, Sivarama Swami, the spiritual leader of the Society, received a Golden Cross state award of the Hungarian Republic From Dr. Karoly Manherz, state secretary for higher education and research, in appreciation of his charitable, humanitarian and value creating work.
The memorable dinner in the Museum of Applied Arts was also attended by Zoltan Balogh, chairman of the parliamentary commettee for human rights, minority, civil and religous affairs, and His Excellency Ranjit Rae, Indian ambassador. As a suprise, Istvan Wisinger, cousin of Sivarama Swami brought a special gift to him, an old family relic. The festive mood was enhanced by the extraordinary music performance of Eszter Horgas flutist and Zoltan Lantos violist. Sivarama Swami together with Karoly Manherz, Zoltan Balogh and His Excellency Ranjit Rae lit a candle holding each others hands. They asked all the guests to do the same at their tables while saying a prayer for all that were present.
As spiritual leader, he participated in the foundation of the Hungarian Society for Krishna-Consciousness in 1989. Since then, he has devoted his tireless work to the organisation and development of the spiritual and charitable activities of this church as well as to the spiritual guidance of the members. Under his leadership, the Society became the fourth most popular and supported religious community among hundreds in Hungary, measured by the allocation by taxpayers of 1% of their personal income tax.
All this bears out the significant service to the society through the manifold activities of the church under his direction as well as the outstanding humane and leadership qualities of Sivarama Swami. It seems appropriate that, on the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the church, the state express the overall appreciation by the society in the form of a state decoration.
Sivarama Swami was born in Budapest in 1949, under the name of Peter Létai. In 1956 his parents emigrated to Canada, where he completed his studies. He joined the International Society for Krishna-Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1973. Since 1979 he has held a high position as a teacher in the Society. He is a respected member of the Goverment Body Commission of ISKCON. For an extended period, he was the spiritual leader of the English community, which has a high representation of Hindu population. During this period, the community became one of the most stable members of the International Society.
He started visiting Hungary occasionally in 1987, initially in disguise because of the restrictions on religious activities. By the depth of his knowledge, leadership capabilities and attractive personality, he became the spiritual leader of the forming community of devotees of the ancient faith of Krishna consciousness.
With the transition to democracy, the Hungarian Society for Krishna-Consciousness became an officially registered church in 1989. A rapid development followed, both by the number of members and the scope of activities. Soon the church started the Food For Life programme along the lines of the international vegetarian food distribution programme, which has been developed ever since its inception, helping to ease the hardship of the homeless, the elderly, the poor and people with large families.
More pictures you will find on the following link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kepfenyek/sets/72157622521866045/
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State decorations are regulated by Para. 1 of the Act No. XXXI. of 1991.
According to this Act, the Republic of Hungary highly appreciates extraordinary and exemplary activities exerted to help the development of the country, to promote the interests of the same, and to enhance universal humanity. To appreciate such activities, the Cross of Merit of the Hungarian Republic is founded, which is awarded, on recommendation by the appropriate Ministry, by the President of the Republic.
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Dear Devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have seen Govardhana dasa's posting, informing you of the award given to myself by the Hungarian government. I have also seen your very kind words of appreciation. However I would like to clarify that originally I wanted this award to be given to Srila Prabhupada for the work that he had done for the people of Hungary. But because His Divine Grace was not a Hungarian citizen I applied on his behalf. When I accepted the gold cross, I made it clear that I was doing so both as Srila Prabhupada's representative-because it was he who is the inspiration--and also on behalf of the devotees of Hungary --because it was they who worked to realize Srila Prabhupada's instructions. My role was simply as an intermediary between these two worthy parties. The credit for the gold cross or the services done by the Krsna Consciousness Movement for the people or Hungary are not mine but theirs. In conclusion, whatever you think is happening in Hungary is not my doing, but theirs. And I offered the cross to Srila Prabhupada to wear, and he alone shall wear it. Not I. Hare Krsna.
Your servant
Sivarama Swami