Letters to the editor

We have been working on an ASA-Encyclopedia. We will post it in the Archives. We just added the following article:

ISKCON

Improvements

(rev. 2017 Aug 10)

There is a collection of Śatakas (One hundred verses) by Prabodhananda Sarasvati, Uncle of Gopal Bhatta Goswami, wherein he describes the glories of Śrī Vṛṇdavana Dhama. It is Sri Vrndavana Dhama Mahimamrta. It is one of our most favorite books.

It is very curious to change each reference to Vrndavana in the song to ISKCON and then meditate on ISKCON. For example:

15 May the land of ISKCON where Subala and the other wonderful cowherd boys, who are all dear friends of Sri Krsna, play, where Lalita and the other splendidly beautiful young gopis, who are all filled with love for Srimati Radharani, enjoy transcendental bliss, and where Sri Sri Radha-Krsna thirst to enjoy wonderful transcendental amorous pastimes day and night, become manifest in my heart.

16 To drink: the freely flowing streams are filled with clear sweet water as nectar. To eat: the dried leaves from the trees are foods as palatable as one could desire. The warm breezes are just as one would have them. To reside: there are clean mountain caves and other suitable residences. Alas! Alas! How unfortunate I would be if I wished to leave ISKCON!

17 ISKCON is like the incomparable essence of the ocean of pure love of Krsna, or it is like the sweetest island-bracelet decorating that ocean of love. I pray this land of ISKCON, which the great sages experience sweet as nectar, give me shelter until the moment I leave this body.

18 I meditate on wonderful ISKCON, where there are millions of lakes, ponds, and wells, all filled with water as sweet as transcendental nectar, where there are many gardens filled with blossoming transcendental flowers and fruits and unlimited wonderful trees and vines, where there are numberless transcendental deers and other animals who move here and there, and where there are many beautiful transcendental groves.

19 Whose heart would not be enchanted by ISKCON where Sri Radhika-Madanamohana enjoy many pastimes, where there are many trees and flowering vines, where the ground is paved with jewels, and where the birds, deer and other animals are all maddened with transcendental bliss?

So, there is that ISKCON, no? Srila Prabhupada is its Founder and Acharya and it is perfect in every way. Let us aspire to be eternal members of Srila Prabhupada’s eternal Sankirtan party.

There are some things, however, that we think should be changed in the earthly ISKCON. These are our opinions and our first opinion is that many of our opinions aren’t perfect. Look at the revision date to this article.

Mangala-arati song in Vrndavana, Krsna-Balarama Temple - We were sitting in Prabhupada’s Samadhi while the Mangala Arati was going on in the main Temple and Dhananjaya Das was there. He had been Temple President there in the association of Srila Prabhupada and had a dynamic relationship with Prabhupada. It seemed we had a similar opinion. The Temple Mangala-arati song was changed when the Samadhi for Srila Prabhupada was established and a separate Mangala-arati performed there. In our opinion the Gurvastakam, “Samsara davanala…”, should have been kept for the Main Temple and gone on just as it had when Srila Prabhupada was in his manifest presence. Then with the addition of Samadhi service another song should have been added, such as, “Oh he vaisnava thakura…” etc. Dhanjaya Das pointed out that the Temple song, “Vibhavari sesa…”, was an Arunadaya kirtan, a sunrise Bhajana, as the song itself directly says, and Mangala-arati is never done at sunrise.

GBC Lifelong Position – As far as we know there is only one letter where Srila Prabhupada says that the GBC position should be for life. See the article on Epistemology, Letters from Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada may have said “Why change GBC position each year? They can serve for as long as they have life” and the secretary wrote “for life”. In one place Srila Prabhupada says that the life in this body is finished at 50-years old, maybe you can push it to fifty-five. So our opinion is that GBC Secretary should usually be no older than 50-years. Then younger, more energetic man can move in and the retired devotee can then be source of good advice as a Sannyasi or Vanaprastha.

Nrsmha-pranams in Spanish countries is sung, “Prahlada ahlada da dayine”. There is no second, “da” before “dayine”.

Temple President post has been terrible minimized with exaggeration of diksa-guru and over centralization of power in GBC.

Sannyasis in ISKCON are the supreme spiritual authorities (see SB 1.17 near the end) and GBC is the ultimate managing authority. Sannyasis, Brahmanas, need to be honest and brave to have their important influence in ISKCON.

Vaisnavi is a term that we never hear Prabhupada use in the Prema-dhvani after the Aratis. In his books it usually means Maya-devi. If that is what you mean, “All glories to the assembled Maya-devis” then O.K. Other references are for the prostitute who tried to corrupt Hari-dasa Thakura and for Diti who tried to kill her sister’s babies. Prabhupada uses it for the wife of Siki-mahiti who was one of the most intimate associates of the Lord and for his sister also. We think it should not be emphasized because it puts a bodily stress on the Vaisnava like saying “Atmi”. I wonder why Jayapataka Swami uses it so much? We have had really transcendental experiences with him.

Peach colored cloth for B’caris - If you are not married don’t wear white. It lets everyone one know if you are a B’cari or a G’hasta. Then we have a clear culture in our dealings with the opposite sex etc and make it hard for The Witch to get us. If you are not following B’cari ashrama strictly then dress in civil clothes.

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja.

Por favor acepte mis más respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias sean para Srila Prabhupada!

Gurudev, quiero agradecerle profundamente el habernos visitado en Santiago. Muchas gracias Gurudev por todo Su esfuerzo, ya que a pesar de estar enfermo casi la mayor cantidad del tiempo, Usted no dejó de predicar, dando las clases en el templo, conferencias, y atendiendo preguntas de los devotos y personas en general. Espero que pueda mejorarse pronto.

Es admirable la fuerza y la determinación con la que Usted se mueve en el servicio devocional. Gurudev , muchas gracias por aceptarme como su discípula, a pesar de mis eternos anarthas.. Es difícil lidiar con tantos anarthas, y a medida que el tiempo pasa, aparecen más y más. Por favor deme Sus bendiciones para poder algún día dejar de ser una Kanistha Adhikari. Por favor denos Sus bendiciones, para que en nuestra familia nunca olvidemos a Krsna, y podamos algún día ser bendecidos con el servicio devocional puro. 

Gurudev, sé que no podré plantearle mis preguntas antes que usted viaje a Perú, entonces quiero hacerle mis preguntas aquí. Disculpe si no soy muy experta al hacer preguntas. A veces tengo muchas dudas, pero no sé cómo plantearlas adecuadamente.

Gurudev, para el Curso Bhakti Sastri del próximo año, qué puedo incluir? Tomando parte del programa de estudio que Usted realiza?. Me gustaría mucho poder incluir en el curso, las cosas que Usted da en el Curso BS.

¿Cuánto tiempo debe durar idealmente el curso Bhakti Sastri?

¿Cómo puedo tener acceso al libro de "Educación en el Hogar?

¿Cómo puedo conseguir el manual de Introducción al Bhakti Yoga actualizado?, el que actualizaron en España?

Guru Maharaja, muchas gracias otra vez por Su compasión para con todas las personas, gracias por Su ejemplo, ojalá algún día pueda tener esos sentimientos que tienen los grandes devotos hacia todos, sin distinción, y aprender a perdonar, y tantas otras cualidades que no tengo.

No quiero adularlo, sólo agradecerle. Espero no hacerlo sentir incómodo con mis palabras.

Mis eternas reverencias Guru Maharaja.

Disculpe por favor cualquier ofensa.

Su aspirante a sirviente.

Priya Sakhi Devi Dasi

HpS - Hare Krsna. We will write simply in English so www.translate.google.com can translate clearly. Thank you for your interest in education. First thing we need to do is get our magazine on education in ISKCON going in Spanish. What is happening in terms of this with Jagat guru Das?

We were waitng for Laksmana agra ja Das to write with his opinion on the quality of the translation of Mataji's book into Spanish and then start study groups. We can send it to you. Do you want to do that? Who will help you start the groups?

We posted our study guides for Bh Sastri in the Archives in English. They start with "tpp-". Are you and authorized Bhakti sastri center through the Ministry of Education? The requirements are on the website: iskconeducation.org.

Hare Krsna!!!!  Thank you so much for you efforts. Our respects to your family!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! All glories to Guru Maharaj HpS!!

Hare Krishna !!

Dear Guru Maharaj,

PAMHO....at your Lotus feet.

HpS - ASA -- Lettuce feet.

So true....we are such a miserable lot.....trying to stay afloat in this terrible ocean of Maya!! Long, long ago....Manipuris took pride in their inert humility, their high level of bhakti, vividly depicted in their folklore, the vibrant dance forms and the performing arts...the land,  they say...the Gods took to dancing. Today,we see a dwindling Vaishnava tradition....just like clutching the weeds by a drowning man!! But their is still Hope....there's a lot of work to be done....we are identifying our drawbacks and starting to revive the almost lost culture. Having grown up in a Vaishnava family, it is painful to see demonism flying haywire.

Usually , most local temples have a pair of Jagannath. So most carts carry two Jagannaths. In some, we see just one Jagannath enjoying the yaatra!! While in some we see all the three deities. Ohhhh....talk about Gandhi..on this day....everywhere....Jagannath goes...the meek Gandhi follows ...if lucky enough, Gandhi lands up around the neck of Jagannath....beautifully adorned amongst the flowers...no dearth of lotuses and water lilies...just the right season!!

Sending some photos.....from Serou. The kirtan hall was almost full ....thank you Guru Maharaj for your blessings! The Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra pics  are from local temples.

In all humility,

Your miserable , fallen servant,

Sarada Gaurangi DD

HpS - Of course, took a long time to answer this letter. Traveling and so many people want to talk.  We want to help revive the Manipuri culture.   Seems that an agreement between Peru and Manipur would do a lot to help that. We can have brother and sister and another visit Peru and teach dance, drum, music etc. and students could go from Peru to Manipur for credit to study.

Wonderful fotos!

Hare Krsna gurumaharaja. 

Por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias a sus pies y sean todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada.

HpS - ASA - TLGASP!

Gurudev espero que usted esté muy bien. Quería compartir con usted que estoy en una etapa de mucho sufrimiento mental, tengo mucha inseguridad como persona.  Estoy haciendo un trabajo con esfuerzo de ponerme al cuidado y protección de Krsna. En mi vida tuve otras etapas de crisis parecidas. Usted podrá pedirle a Krsna que me ayude a sanar?

HpS - Hare Krsna!     Hare Rama!!!

La vida condicionada es muy sufriente cuando uno se siente separado  de  Krsna . Por favor usted me podrá dar un consejo?

HpS - No consejo detallado sin asociacion detallado, pero claro canta HK/HR tan mucho como puede. 64x108 veces cada dia minima es super. 16x108 in cuentas y mas mientras esta cocinando etc. etc.

Estoy tratando de cantar las 16 rondas, siempre estoy ofreciendo las preparaciones a Krsna, leo sobre Krsna. También quería comentarle que estoy en pareja con bhakta Damián, él se hizo devoto, es muy entusiasta. El me habla de Krsna todo el tiempo. Canta 4 rondas y ahora está tratando de subir la cantidad. Con él lo vamos a ir a ver a Chile. 

Gurumaharaja usted siempre está en mi corazón y en mi mente. Realmente quiero ser una buena devota. Se están manifestando en mi tantas anarthas, ver mi falta de amor es muy triste. 

Muchas gracias por ser mi maestro espiritual.

Esperando poder algún día entender que significa servirlo, madre Campakalata dd. 

Hare Krsna. Lo veo pronto.

HpS - Estuvimos con mucha asociacion en Santiago, no?  Era muy feliz para nosotros verse!!!   Ya como esta Vd?    Damian estaba alla?   El es mas viejo que Vd??   Tiene que pensar in Kunti devi. Ella era solo pero sentiendo presencia de Krsna!!!

Por favor acepte mis reverencias. Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada 

Desde hace varias días había querido escribirle, pero por alguna u otra razón no había podido. 

HpS - AGTSP paoho. For one month wanted to answer your letter but we could not do it because we have been traveling and then means we have many people to meet with every day and no time to meet with peopl in letters.

Aún sigo viviendo dentro del templo en la Ciudad de México. Bastante servicio y variado: raja bhoga, lavar parafernalias, cambiar a la murti de Prabhupada, sankirtan y tengo tres grupos de bhakti vrksa con al rededor de 6 o 7 personas cada uno.

HpS - Very nice!  Is it still the same?

Y estamos preparando un campamento de verano en el templo junto con otros devotos, en el cual vienen devotos de la congregación, por lo general personas nuevas, a quedarse por dos o tres semanas al templo. E intentamos compartir un poco con ellos sobre cosas básicas: etiqueta, cómo hacer los servicios y algunos grupos de estudio y lecutra de los libros de Srila Prabhupada.

HpS - For new devotees we like "Prabhupada", the condensed "Lilamrta", biography of Lord Caitanya from Intro to SB, "Science of Self Realization" and read the Texts of Upadesamrta with a Brahmana explaining  each one.

El sadhana va bien, estamos retomando el estándar de terminar las rondas antes del amanecer y mantener ocupada la mente con estudio y lectura personal. Y siguiendo bien los principios. 

HpS - Es un desafio para nosotros tambien con campamiento solo aqui pero estamos adjustndo.

También quería darle las gracias por su asociación el día de ayer acá en la Ciudad de México y esperando que haya llegado con bien a Perú. Estoy muy feliz de haberle visto de nuevo. Es como un bálsamo para el corazón poder verle nuevamente.

 Se despide, Su aspirante a Sirviente bhakta hector. 

HpS - No podemos recordar bien a Vd!!  Un foto?   Algo mas detallado.

Funding Letter Draft 170810

<img height="137" src="file:///C:\Users\HHHANU~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.png" width="117" />NIOS

North American Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies

2129 Stratford Rd; Murfreesboro, TN 37129; USA

Esteemed Members, Directors, Officers,

XXX Foundation

We, NIOS, are looking for a partner in spirit for a substantial and potent project. Since our formation in 2004 we have been blessed to have realized such projects in co-operation with the National Museum of India, National Library of Peru, San Marcos University, Peru (the second oldest university in the Western Hemisphere) and many other excellent institutions.

Considering our strengths, weaknesses, finances and community, our next selected focus is a Symposium on Art and the Sacred, October 2018. The venue is already set, Centro Cultural Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru. The exhibition halls guarantee 40,000 visitors, international tourists, a week. The center-piece would be an excellent movie, ART AND THE SACRED: A Pilgrim’s Progress.

One of our advisors, Prof. Hector Behar, one of the most prominent players in the history of human rights in South America, and currently member of the United Nation’s Committee on World Poverty (???), commented that the United Nation’s estimate is that 1-million people commit suicide each year. This is more than all the deaths in all the armed conflicts combined.

We can define the real enemy as our own minds, our lack of cultural assets. We propose a documentary that will systematically and dramatically interview profound scholars, art historians, poets, artists, Jungians, Jesuits, from Peru to New York, London, Madrid, Delhi and Kolkata that will demonstrate and communicate a practical pathway to a world culture of Art and the Sacred.

In the world there are enough resources for everyman’s needs, but not enough for one man’s greed – Mohandas Gandhi

We are asking for a budget of $125,000. Our Director will be a longtime co-worker, Oscar Natars Burger (Iber-Americano Association for Arts and Letters, Director of the Year 2017). Of course, the premier for the film will be Lima, Peru but already it has presentation sites in Chile, India, USA and will be aired for use by such agencies as the BBC, National Geographic et al.

Join us? Money, men, brains, heart?

We have already invested $2,000 in the concept development work. If you are seriously interested we can send more details. Partial funding for even specific aspects of the project would be greatly appreciated.

Prof. H. H. Robinson

(Hanumatpresaka Swami)

Resource Research Office