Letters to the editor

HpS - ASA -- Hare Krsna! Gandharva Das [et al]. Our extended conversation was very nice yesterday. We suggest erasing some things and editing others. I think the letter can go to edited letter can go to Paramatma Das and Mathuresa Das as Secretary and Chairman of the LA RBGC. If you accept the changes we have made.

O.K.?

Hare Krsna dear Gurudeva

PAOHO AGTSP

I'm sending you the RGBC report. The spanish and english versions were sent to your email. I'm waiting for your comments and suggestions. Hope you're doing great and we are very happy that your health is getting better.

*************************

Hare Kṛṣṇa dear RGBC authorities

Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda

My name is Gandharva das (HpS), in charge of the Regional Representation service on behalf of the ISKCON Ministry of Education in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. By the initiative of HH Hanumatpresaka Swami Maharaja, I am writing this letter with the intention of greeting you, humbly requesting your blessings and presenting the activities report that I have carried out during the last two years.

• I was born in Lima, Peru, in 1967 (53 years old) and studied Arts at the National School of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving of Mexico City, between 1989 and 1996. For 25 years I have been teaching and researching in different universities and colleges in my country, having taught theoretical and practical courses in faculties of Architecture (12 years), Plastic Arts (16 years), Design and Visual Communication (10 years) and Photography (13 years). I am married to Indira Sakti dd. and we both received initiation from Maharaja Hanumatpresaka Swami. Currently, we are both serving as pujaris for HH Radha Madana Vihari in the ISKCON Chosica temple in Peru.
• In March 2019 I was suggested by HH Hanumatpresaka Swami and appointed by the National Board as Regional Representative of the ISKCON Ministry of Education for Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, with the permission of HG Mathuresh prabhu (representative of the GBC Zonal Secretary for Peru and Bolivia) and Divya Priya dd. (representative of the GBC secretary for Ecuador). My position is under the authority in consultation with H. H. Hanumatpresaka Swami (member of the board Executive Committee the Ministry) and S. G. Tapana Misra prabhu (Executive Secretary).
• During the first year of service, I made the necessary contacts with authorities and educators from temples and preaching centers to find out their needs, interests and concerns regarding the educational development of their respective communities. For this, two face-to-face meetings were organized with different educators from Peru and several teleconferences with teachers from Ecuador and Bolivia. During 2019 I traveled to Bolivia, in order to establish contact with local educators. A trip to Ecuador was also planned at the beginning of this year, which was frustrated by the health situation.
• The year 2020 has been very fruitful for educational development. The confinement situation has given the opportunity to many teachers to provide their services on online platforms and thanks to this, six Bhakti Sastri courses are currently being taught since March 2020 with 170 students, approximately, in the three countries of the region. In addition a Bhakti Vaibhava course is taking place in Lima with 5 enthusiastic students.
• We are applying, Yugala Kisora dd, and myself as examiner and administrator of for the Bhakti Sastri course at with the Board of Examiners of the Ministry of Education (BoEx). The accredited temple will be ISKCON Chosica and the procedures are advancing, so we await the official appointment for during the first months of 2021.
• In order to increase the capacity skills of the teachers, the TTC2 and TTC3 courses are being taken, having achieved an alliance with Bhakti Culture School, which offers us facilities so that teachers can improve themselves at through the different courses that this platform offers online.
• We have been actively collaborating with the Executive Secretary of the Ministry in the search and recruitment of devotees who can perform a similar service of Regional Representation in different areas of Latin America: Zone 1 (Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador), Zone 2 (Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), Zone 3 (Brazil), Zone 4 (Colombia, Venezuela and Panama), Zone 5 (Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana), Zone 6 (Mexico and Guatemala) and Zone 7 (Central America and the Caribbean Islands). At the moment, the applications of Adikarta das (Colombia) and Param Padam das - Nara Narayana Rsi (Argentina), from zones 2 and 4, respectively, have been accepted by the Ministry. I have heard from H. H. Hanumatpresaka Swami that Tapan Misra Das has suggested to you that someone act as a Latin American Regional coordinator for the reporting and communicating with the Ministries Zonal Representatives in these seven areas, the Ministry and your good selves. I think I could do this service for a year while things are developing, but after that it may require more energy than I am capable of.
• Finally, we have had conversations with devotees from Arequipa (Peru), who are very interested in the development of a pedagogical program for children and pre-adolescents. At the beginning of 2021, we will put them in contact with devotees with experience in this field and we will provide them with the translated teaching material, available on the Ministry website.

I say goodbye to you,

Your servant, Gandharva das

Hare Krsna Gurumaharaja.

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias.

¡Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada! 

Prabhu Tejas vit, el encargado del templo me contactó en estos días, informa que con el asesoramiento del GBC el Templo está planeando organizar el tema de las iniciaciones de los aspirantes, están formando un equipo de devotos activos del yatra para que les faciliten la comunicación con los diferentes maestros espirituales que nos visitan para concretar el tema de las recomendaciones e iniciaciones, me pidió que por favor apoye con ese servicio siendo parte del equipo para tener comunicación con Usted. 

Le propuse que yo pondría la información requerida en el blog de manera que otros puedan opinar, le pareció bien a prabhu Tejas vit.  

Gurumaharaja ¿Usted está de acuerdo con este servicio? 

HpS - Esta bien. Srila Prabhupada dijo una vez que el proceso de iniciacion es muy simple. Aqui es el estandard. Estas siguiendo? Si senyor. O.K. Puede ser iniciado.

Compartí algunos puntos que Usted menciona con respecto al tema y sumados a la preocupación del templo, están considerando las siguientes puntos : 

- Publicar la lista de los candidatos en el mural y en la página de facebook del Templo

- Manejar el tramite con suficiente tiempo 

- Realizar un examen psicológico ( algún psicólogo con relación neutral con el candidato) 

- Solicitar antecedentes penales 

- Solicitar carta responsiva al candidato

- Tener el compromiso de una relación con el Templo mediante algún servicio práctico por el tiempo acordado con las autoridades. 

HpS - Ooops! Pienso hay problema con esto en terminos del estandard de GBC para iniciacion, y una carta a TODOS GURUS Y PRESIDENTES del Templos, que no puede establecer requisitos mas que lo que estan establecido por leyes del GBC. Guru-prasada Swami puede informar bueno de esta carta.

- Haber tomado el curso para discípulos en ISKCON

- Haber sido acreditado con el curso de etiqueta vaisnava 

Solicité un comunicado oficial de los puntos mencionados, y me dijo que si lo tendrán.

Si Usted tiene alguna petición u observación si le parece bien le puedo comunicar. 

Vuestra aspirante a sirviente

Asta Sakhi dd 

HpS - Necisita la leyes del GBC. Todos necesitan.

Hare Krsna Gurudeva.

Here You have the transcription, i wish is good enough...

Agt SP

[14:57]

HPS:

We need so many kinds of books, a lot of children books over there, and so, the all things too, as like you saying, is it´s ...is, is...

i hear that Prabhupada said "every seller have their own technique", and you can steal so...you can steal a idea that by a (¿habit?), (¿father saw?) and mother (¿sellerman?)...but in the ¿Indian? you better develop new technique.

Ok!. Number four: by the web pages, books, others, who are readers can contact, and turns...how develop books distribution.

VAISESIKA DAS:

Yes. There is “distribuyebooks.com”, which I recommend, and there is also a book call "Our family business" that has the hist...not only the history of book distribution, but also ¿waist? to organizar it. the principles that, well, that if it had "(¿here?) to guarantee your success", and they also, it also have some ideas about enhanced in. your sadhana, so i do recommend those two resources, definitely, we also...

HPS:

What...what about...resources??? for example near ISKCON Silicon Valley community...This kind..kicksdown to the thief question...are we aware of that?

Ok...i´m sorry, so, go ahead, because this question (¿?) again ...

VAISESIKA DAS:

ok, by resources, we also have a...

HPS:

What about kids, for example, like in here, in the area Iskcon silicon valley. Are they people who can...¿who come? and contact in Iskcon Silicon Valley, to understand about, how or who, you know, sankirtana with kids is going on of...(¿did, you say?)...that?...

Do you have different people there, who (¿?) people contact as your resources?

VAISESIKA DAS:

yes, in fact, we put on regular seminars, call SOS, Sankirtana Orientation Seminar, and during our seminars we cover all different ¿maces? of sankirtana, includes, kid sankirtana, which is been...become wildly successfull, not at just (¿that I it´s be?) but also all the others contacts, included London....implementing.

HPS

I heard, that, in boise, idaho, i mean, kids can roll me relate to it...ok.

how to handle too much your time...and...you so, next...(¿I?) should be appointed number five.

SP promoted four diplomas, Bhakti sastri, Bhakti vaibhava, bhaktivedanta, bhakti sarvabhauma.

how can they be integrated with book distribution?

then, they give one perspective, by design with all that, Srivas Pandita ...bhaktivaibhava study program.

We included, that, everybody have been engaged for over the four years of study, and some kind of sankirtana book distribution, and we consider that it was enough... that ..is somebody (¿taught?)...somebody Bhaktivaibhava can a day, (¿toughth?) bhakti sastri, two times during the bhaktivaibhava work, that (¿toughth?)work will be ok, that will be enough...of course obviously it means first, the students have to buy BG, Sri Isopanisad, nectar of instruction, and nectar of devotion.

So, that is one idea by how thinking to integrate, but maybe, this allow ...better ways that this diplomas can really be (¿tought?) focus and, you know...and book distribution.

VSD

Well, you know, I could not agree with you more...I, (¿we?) always fall and discourses, you and I, that, I think that it is, you know, important to have devotees trained in book distribution, and, (¿they?) have to be able...they have the oportunity they do it, even make as they are studying the books...make them come alive.

I see in Mexico, Guanajuato, they have a training center there. (¿Aravinda?) prabhu set upon ¿work?...they have the bhaktisastri, and, the same time, on the weekends, all the students go out to distribute books and, I like the convination.

I think, I think that should be a part of it. Of course, ¿you should be?.. everybody who takes Bhaktisastris, also..., a book distributor (¿cause?) everyone is a book distributor.

But I think, again, to go together like rise and dawn. And if you have one without the other, then I think, is...not complete meal...you know, “get the full protein”.

HPS

I generate programs...for all the education programs that we (¿would?) do, Hanumatpresaka Swami, and Anjana Suta Academy, is, you are studying to teach, and, so, how purpose...your studying, studying, studying, so you can teach...know...

Ok...then last point ¿gear?

How can the ashrama path, can do to college (¿?) to college (¿?)...they integrate with book distribution, and now we have (¿Su?)devi dasi, with their (¿?) (¿who is a...) so much, you know, experience with the primary ¿pries? School...¿pries?school, can be (¿?) and primary school education, so then ¿they? Should, can also kickout some questions here.

[20:00]

Hare Krsna

HpS - Thank you!!!! We will look at it in detail!!! Thank you. Hope you get nice ashrama arrangement soon in transit to Goloka.

Hare Krsna querido Gurumaharaja.

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias.

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada! . Muchas gracias por ser accesible a sus discípulos, esperamos hacer más esfuerzos para reciprocar de alguna manera su infinita misericordia dando más ayuda y menos preocupaciones. 

En cuanto a la situación actual de sus discípulos de México, envío algunos puntos recibidos, del mismo modo cada uno puede expresarse individualmente. He tratado de no ocupar su valioso tiempo pero parece necesario, le pido disculpas por la situación. 

Primeramente aclarar que no hay ánimo de señalamientos ni ánimo de ofender pero es importante expresar algunas impresiones, sentimientos y solicitudes. 

1-A raíz de algunas cartas publicadas en el blog sobre la situación de México ha surgido malestar y confusión de parte de varios discípulos y aspirantes debido a que el tema de hacer servicios en grupos diferentes no fue una petición general que determine la clara existencia de "2 grupos" y pareció no existir un intento de mediación en esos días para declararnos en ese estado, sin embargo se puede comprender que si determinados vaisnavas requieren trabajar aparte por diferentes motivos es comprensible mientras todos lo hagamos respetuosamente y con claridad.

2- Hubo quejas de algunos vaisnavas de haber sido agregados sin aprobación a un chat nuevo de planeación de servicios ( Vyasa-puja) en donde detectaron se había excluido a ciertos hermanos generando mucha confusión y la necesidad de saber ¿bajo que criterio se ubica a los discípulos en uno u otro grupo y si hay alguna indicación para ello? 

3- Algunos vaisnavas manifestaron que participar o presenciar conversaciones donde se descalifica a otros vaisnavas no resulta beneficioso para la vida espiritual, por el contrario atenta contra la fe en el sadhu sanga y el proceso de la conciencia de Krsna de los jóvenes aspirantes, por lo que es el interés de los afectados y algunos discípulos iniciados tener especial cuidado de agregarlos a foros donde surja la necesidad de calificar o descalificar a vaisnavas ausentes.

4-En días pasados, ante la confusión por las circunstancias mencionadas surgió la desicion de algunos discípulos y aspirantes de trabajar de forma individual mientras veían más claridad. 

Gurumaharaja, los puntos mencionados fueron llegando poco a poco, sin embargo desde un inicio hubo la petición de hacer la reunión general como siempre se acostumbra realizar para abordar el tema de la celebración de Vyasa-puja que había coincidido con estos acontecimientos. 

Le informé a Usted que se estaba solicitando una reunión general. 

La reunión fue abierta para todos pero voluntaria. En dicha reunión prabhu Arya Srestha resultó como encargado de la celebración en el templo del próximo Vyasa-puja y bhaktin Natyelli tesorera del evento, el templo es un lugar en donde todos pueden asistir y están cordialmente invitados, porsupuesto si así lo desean.

Se tendrá especial cuidado de los protocolos de salubridad e informes de parte del gobierno y del templo para aplicarlos según corresponda. 

Por último Gurumaharaja, deseo hacer una aclaración personal si me lo permite por favor, parece que hay una impresión que no he querido responder algunos mensajes de parte de madre Lalita Gopi, yo lamento que haya está impresión pero mi teléfono no registra mensajes ni llamadas de su parte, puede ubicarme por messenger en el chat de grupo habitual de hermanos espirituales y también por messenger privado como lo hicimos durante la visita virtual , mayo 2020, es el medio más eficaz por el momento por favor. 

Si he entendido mal o he generado algún malestar les ruego me disculpen por favor, claramente mis sentidos y persona son demasiados imperfectos. 

 En realidad la única comunicación que he tenido con la madre fue invitarla a la reunión general a través del chat messenger de hermanos espirituales ( chat habitual) 

ASDD: "...Madre Lalita Gopi leí una carta de usted en el blog acerca de celebración de Vyasa-puja, la invito a la reunión del domingo para ver si podemos de alguna forma trabajar unidos o quizás con algunos detalles en común..." 

LGDD: " ...Le agradezco mucho su invitación, pero un grupo de discipulos de Gurudeva ya habiamos planificado llevar a cabo una celebración en casa de Jagat Bandhu, para lo cual ya contamos con la aprobación de Gurumaharaja... " 

ASDD "...Muchas gracias por la respuesta madre, de cualquier forma la reunión estará abierta por si llega a requerir. Le agradezco la información. 

Hare Krsna" 

Me parece que fue una conversación amable.

Espero que esta carta no sea tomada de forma personal, también estoy tomando nota de las solicitudes que algunos vaisnavas hacen en esta lista y tratando de aprender. 

Por otro lado, Gurumaharaja mi suegra Alba Domínguez abandonó el cuerpo recientemente, ella lo conoció a Usted en mi matrimonio y también visitaba el templo cada vez que quería vernos, pudimos hacer arreglos para que tenga en su cuerpo (en el momento de la cremación) una tobillera de Tulasi de Su Señoría Madan Gopal, hay sensibilidad en la familia; también stress de mi parte porque no soy indiferente de generar dificultad al intentar servirlo.

Estoy tratando de ir más lento porque me sirve para pensar y recibir consejos, por favor dísculpen mis estupideces. 

Vuestra eterna aspirante a sirviente

Asta Sakhi dd. 

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Hare Krsna, dear Gurumaharaja.

Please accept my respectful obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! . Thank you very much for being accessible to your disciples, we hope to make more efforts to reciprocate in some way his infinite mercy by giving more help and fewer worries.

As for the current situation of his disciples in Mexico, I send some points received, in the same way each one can express himself individually. I have tried not to occupy your precious time but it seems necessary, I apologize for the situation.

HpS - Yes!

First of all, clarify that there is no intention of pointing out or of offending, but it is important to express some impressions, feelings and requests.

1-As a result of some letters published in the blog about the situation in Mexico, discomfort and confusion have arisen on the part of several disciples and aspirants because the issue of doing services in different groups was not a general request that determines the clear existence of "2 groups" and there seemed to be no mediation attempt in those days to declare ourselves in that state, however it can be understood that if certain Vaisnavas require working apart for different reasons it is understandable as long as we all do it respectfully and clearly.

HpS - Yes, Candravali and Radha love each other so much but... they love to fight over how to serve Krsna best. They are a long way from us, but we can understand that there is always individual and groups differences, and integration.

2- There were complaints from some Vaisnavas of having been added without approval to a new service planning chat (Vyasa-puja) where they detected certain brothers had been excluded, generating a lot of confusion and the need to know under what criteria were placed the disciples in either group and if there is any indication for it?

3- Some Vaisnavas stated that participating or witnessing conversations where other Vaisnavas are disqualified is not beneficial for spiritual life, on the contrary, it threatens the faith in the sadhu sanga and the process of Krsna consciousness of the young aspirants, therefore It is in the interest of those affected and some initiated disciples take special care to add them to forums where the need arises to qualify or disqualify absent Vaisnavas.

4-In days gone by, in the face of confusion due to the aforementioned circumstances, the decision of some disciples and aspirants to work individually arose while they saw more clarity.

Gurumaharaja, the points mentioned were arriving little by little, however, from the beginning there was a request to hold the general meeting as it is always customary to do to address the theme of the celebration of Vyasa-puja that had coincided with these events.

I informed you that a general meeting was being requested.

The meeting was open to all but voluntary. At this meeting prabhu Arya Srestha was in charge of the celebration in the temple of the next Vyasa-puja and bhaktin Natyelli treasure of the event, the temple is a place where everyone can attend and are cordially invited, of course if they wish.

Special care will be taken of the sanitation protocols and reports from the government and the temple to apply them as appropriate.

Finally Gurumaharaja, I want to make a personal clarification if you allow me please, it seems that there is an impression that I have not wanted to answer some messages from mother Lalita Gopi, I am sorry that there is this impression but my phone does not register messages or calls from your part, you can reach me by messenger in the usual group chat of godbrothers and also by private messenger as we did during the virtual visit, May 2020, it is the most effective means for the moment please.

If I have misunderstood or have generated any discomfort, please excuse me, clearly my senses and person are too imperfect.

 Actually the only communication I have had with her mother was to invite her to the general meeting through the godbrothers chat messenger (regular chat)

ASDD: "... Mother Lalita Gopi I read a letter from you on the blog about the celebration of Vyasa-puja, I invite you to the meeting on Sunday to see if we can somehow work together or perhaps with some details in common .. . "

LGDD: "... I really appreciate her invitation, but a group of Gurudeva disciples had already planned to hold a celebration at Jagat Bandhu's house, for which we already have the approval of Gurumaharaja ..."

ASDD "... Thank you very much for the response mother, in any case the meeting will be open in case you need it. I appreciate the information.

Hare Krsna "

I think it was a nice conversation.

HpS - Seems nice, (but who knows what tricky plans are hidden in the hearts of devotees (they may be planning secretly to do special good to each other)).

I hope this letter is not taken personally, I am also taking note of the requests that some Vaisnavas make on this list and trying to learn.

On the other hand, Gurumaharaja my mother-in-law Alba Domínguez left the body recently, she met you in my marriage and also visited the temple every time she wanted to see us, we were able to arrange for her to have it in her body (at the time of cremation) a Tulasi anklet from Her Lordship Madan Gopal, there is sensitivity in the family; also stress on my part because I am not indifferent to generating difficulty when trying to serve it.

I'm trying to slow down because it helps me think and receive advice, please excuse my stupidities.

Your eternal would-be servant

Asta Sakhi dd.

HpS - It is about a month to vyasa-puja. We can try to fix an exact agenda in the next few days and the we can work on it.

Jana pavana Das in Lima can do alot of co-ordination work this year.

Thank you.

We will publish more.

Hare Krsna Gurudeva.

Agt SP!!!!

Agt Guru y Gauranga!!!!

Gurudeva, I have ear about ASA Pedia, but I don´t know anything about.

Is one of your official works for integrated devotees, or is possible participate any devotee?

HpS - ASA Encyclopedia is project we are trying to start with Harsh, but is still not born. Watch for news.

Thanks you very much for all.

Hari bolo Maharaja!

Have nice day!

HARE KRSNA!!!

Hare Krsna Dear Gurudev,

  Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.

  All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

  All glories to Guru parampara.

  Thank you so much Gurudev. we have conveyed your message to HG Jibesh Prabhuji.

  will post his Sankirtan story in a separate letter in 2-3 days.

  will write little more often now and share about Krsna and You.

  we enjoy a lot Japa (meditation) and Gyatri (meditation). Actually we get super

  energy from Japa and Gyatri. Which help - very focused Pujari Seva (meditation).

  And By default - Big Thank you is there for you (automatically) for each & every

  spiritual advancement every day, every moment, after everything related to Radha-Krsna.

  So we found if we remember Radha-Krsna, you come automatically & simultaneously

  with them. we found it.

  we restless the day we lost focus on Japa / Gytri. 

  we stole your Krsna book reading !!

your fallen servant,

Girivaradhari-Gopal Das

HpS - Thank you. ¨Om bhur bhuvah... ¨

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/9/45/

How long it takes you to chant the Gayatri?

What realization do you get in one day from Japa vrata?

Preaching plan?