Letters to the editor

Annual Report

Hanumatpresaka Swami

September 24, 2017

We traveled representing NIOS, ISKCON, Anjana Suta Academy, from September to December to Chicago, Richmond, Raleigh, Washington D. C. and Mexico. We also participated in the Gala Event in Houston.

End December to beginning March we had a very hard trip from Mexico City to Houston that was then supposed to go to Delhi, but got rebooked in route four times. Twenty-four hour trip became like 54-hours and we were have severe chest-pains by the end of the trip, but we visited the Indian Council on Philosophical Research, Prof. Kalyan Kumar Cakravary, former Director, of the Lalita-kala Academy, Indians, fine arts academy, presented a paper at a symposium on the Srimad Bhagavatam organized by the University of Madras and Oxford Center for Hindu Studies. Then in Kolkata we did programs with Presidency University and one other. We travelled through the remote North East to Assam, Tripura, Manipur and then Pune, Navi-mumbai and Mayapura. Meeting Directors of biggest NGOs et al.

With ISKCON Kolkata, Delhi et al we did extensive lecturing with hundreds of Society Member and Guests and Brahmcari Ashrams. With Dr. Samaresh Bandhyopadyay we worked on our ISKCON publications: Man Making book, Promtional Brochure, Stapathyam. We finished in Delhi with a visit to Dr. Lokeschandra and the ICCR (Indian Council on Cultural Relations). He proposed to send five scholars from India to participate in Art and the Sacred in Peru in June 2018.

Back in USA we worked with NIOS Nashville. The Peruvian National Library changed their Director three times and the Indian Ambassador for Peru, Dr. Sandip Cakravorty, was re-stationed to Washington D. C. so we could not get a firm sponsor for Art and the Sacred and lost the opportunity.

However, Abhirama thakura Das, Alejandro Salazaar, and other staunch NIOS supporters in Peru pushed ahead The Second Symposium on Psychology and the Sacred in June.

It only had one evening in the National Museum this time for the public and then with the Jesuit University and San Marcos University we organized two more days of extremely potent and informative symposia at universities.

We published the second edition of ‘Solari’ our magazine but will not post it in English.

We have a clip of the events in Peru at www.youtube.com with a keyword search for “psychology and the sacred 2017”.

Besides these massive events in Peru we then continued to Chile where we presented Arjuna and Hamlet at the National Library’s marble hall with the National Poet Laureate, Raul Zurita, and Jung and the Bhagavata at the best Community Cultural Center in Santiago. All these programs and many more were packed with excellent and influential audience members.

We also did programs in Bolivia and worked in a very concentrated effort with local ISKCON educators such as Mathuresa Das on developing education in ISKCON as a NIOS project.

We were one of the principal organizers for the Third Annual Symposim on Education with ISKCON in Seattle. It was attended by 25+ of the best educators and educational institutions in ISKCON and we are working on the editorial board of ‘Viplavah’ the newly formed ISKCON Ministry of Education Journal. The first issue has come out and many educators are asking for more.

We took advantage of NIOS facilities in Murfreesboro to revive our energy. We had traveled through 26-airports from 1 June through 1 August.

We have worked and have a Webmaster: Joshua and Grants-lady: Ambika in Houston and Corresponding Secretary: Dr. Ayus Goyal in Texas.

We are now working on this project: Art and the Sacred, with requirements that Abhirama get a signed proposal for Sept-Oct in the Ricardo Palma Cultural Center in Miraflores, Lima, Peru. They have 4-exhibition halls and guarantee 40,000 people will see displays each week. In their theater we hope to premier our move, “Art and the Sacred: A pilgrim’s progress”. Participation in this symposium and movie are from top Hispanic and International Directors, Artists and Art Historians.

Of course, many people came forward with generous donations which are reported in the Annual Financial Report.

Now we are headed for India and Australia to do interviews for Art and the Sacred, work with Dr. Samaresh and help develop Education with ISKCON.

Of course, at 70-years old this is all happening by Krsna’s will and quite seriously we can die of heart failure and any moment and plan to die of old age November 2024, God willing.

Next year, 2018, is the last year we will serve as General Secretary of the Advisory Board of NIOS.

There are other projects so please ask us questions as you wish.

Financial Report &  Reporting Prospectus

NIOS

2016 July 1 – 2017 June 30

Compiled by Hp Swami, General Secretary of Advisory Board, from Sm. Abhaya Narain, Treasurer, notes etc.

INCOME

Donations

         NIOS International – 26, 135

         NIOS Nashville – 731

         Vedabase.com – 8,374

         SUB-TOTAL – 35,240

Book Sales

         NIOS Int’l – 258.70

         NIOS Nashville – 100.00

         SUB-TOTAL – 358.70

TOTAL – $35,598.70

EXPENSES

1.   Anjana Suta Academy – 7509*

2.   India Dr. Sanaresh Bandhyopadyaya & others for printing and publication – 2,650*

3.   Car Purchase - $3,500

4.   Car Registration etc. - $639.25

5.   Meta-soft Membership – 4,995*

6.   Misc. Expenses – 205.18

7.   South America Tour Including “Psychology and the Sacred”, printing ‘Solaris’ magazine - $2,000

8.   Nashville Kirtan - $356.84

TOTAL – 30,229.27

SURPLUS

$5,369.43

BALANCES

(2017 Sep 24)

1.   NIOS International - $21,648.63

2.   NIOS Nashville - $45,211.26

3.   US Bank Visa – 0

          SUB-TOTAL - $66, 859.89

4.   Integro, Oscar Natars, Professional Cinema Services Due - $2,000

5.   Goloka Education, Ramanan Nagarajan, Sunday School Curriculum Design Services Due - ~$6,000 of $10,000 original contracted.

6.   Automobile ~ $3500

         SUB-TOTAL – 11,500

TOTAL -  78,359.89

* NOTES:

Expenses

1.   Anjana Suta Academy (Hanumatpresaka Swami) - While traveling we receive and pay NIOS funds through ASA and keep simple but usually adequate records. Any money ASA received from NIOS should have been accounted and adjusted by 30 June 2016. We will try to find out the cause of this but for certain it was NIOS printing, publication or event expenses in Europe or South America.

2.   India Dr. Samaresh – These are for publication of works such as the book Bharatiya Sanskriti and the forth coming Education in Ancient Indian and Making in Modern Times.

3.   Meta-soft Membership – Is for professional help in obtaining grants from foundations.

PROSPECTUS

To improve accounting in this fiscal year we are proposing the following Chart of Accounts (COA):

1.   Assets

1.1.                Bank Accounts

1.1.1.                   NIOS International

1.1.2.                   NIOS Nashville

1.1.3.                   USB Visa

1.1.4.                   Petty Cash

1.2.                Physical Assets

1.2.1.                   Inventory

1.2.2.                   Office Equipment

1.2.3.                   Building and Auto

1.3.                Copyrights

1.4.                Accounts Receivable

1.5.                Misc.

2.   Liabilities

2.1.                Accounts Payable

2.2.                Misc.

3.   Income

3.1.                Donations

3.1.1.                   Vedabase.com

3.1.2.                   HpS – Traveling Programs

3.1.3.                   Misc.

3.2.                Sale of Books, Videos etc.

3.3.                Misc.

4.   Expenses

4.1.                Office and Property Maintenance

4.1.1.                   Web-page

4.2.                Book, CD, Periodical Publication

4.3.                Projects

4.3.1.                   ‘Solaris’ magazine.

4.3.2.                   “Education in Ancient India and Man-making in Modern Times” book.

4.3.3.                   Vedabase.com

4.3.4.                   Art and the Sacred

4.3.4.1.  Movie

4.3.4.2.  Symposium Oct 2018, Lima, Peru.

4.3.5.                   Nashville Annual Labor Day Festival

4.4.                Misc.

Hare Krishna beloved Gurudev please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupad.

You was asked me if I associate with Brahmanas.

My situation is like that, I live in Serbia far away from the Iskcon temple or asram,and here are not many initiated brahmanas I can associate with.

When I am in Norway, where is my employer based in Oslo, there is Iskcon temple and I associate with devotees and temple president who is initiated Brahmana grihasta, his name is Maha Bhavi das. that is most of time on S.F.program. When I have free day from the work. Like you know my dear Gurudev  I'm work like truck-bus driver, and driving around the Europa. Have little possibility to associate with devotees, but when I have a time I do it.

So I am thinking if second initiation can help me to be better devotee and servant of devotees, I wish to take it. I feel that Lord Krishna arranged to me to go to Vrindavan to see you and serve you my dear Gurudev. I take truck, boat and helicopter,who knows if I will get an another chance to do it again. I already have passed age of 50. Live is short. Health is not very good...

I'm accept what ever you decide, you are my beloved Gurudev. Please forgive me my offences and accept my humble obeisances again and again.

Hare Krishna

All glories to Srila Prabhupad

HpS - ASA -- Many things to discuss. No rush. We can try to arrange initiation ceremonies wherever we are. Especially second initiation can be more like a formality. Jiva Goswami explains that in the current time Hari-Nama Diksa is sufficient. Second initiation is more like a formality.

This is not an "urgent" topic, short-quick-answer. For sure let us discuss it in person in the next few days.

Thank you.

AGtSP!!! Paoho.
P.S. It is very nice to hear more about your regular life. 

Dear Guru Maharaj PAMHO AGTSP I received this mail and I am very happy and exciting to meet you soon. I was thinking for long time for my second initiation but was shy to ask you about it.

I don't know what are you decide about initiation of Sahil,nephew of Raktak Dasa,maybe we can be initiated together

I'm surrender toYour and Krishna's mercy and praying Lord Krishna and Balaram to be initiated in Vrindavan.

Your servant and disciple

Indradyumna das

Hare Krishna

HpS-ASA -- Let us discuss it here with all the devotees. Do you have any Brahmana association?

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva

AGTSP PAMHO

I hope U are fine ¡¡¡

Gurudeva I have to put order in my life L. Due to I am working in 2 universities now I have to attend workshops in the  2 universities and do double work. I am really exhausted that is why I sometimes joined FMP at 5:00 am, I am delay on my rounds L.

Sundari Radhika Mataji called me¡¡¡ That was so nice. I felt supported. I will take advantage of her association¡¡

I guess that next week I will be the presenter??

I have also reduced my service in Wilson pujari just once a month, and I give BG clases once a month as well ¡¡¡ On Radhastami I made a promise to Adhoksaja Prabhu .. that on kartik I will go every Saturday to Chosik in order to do pujari for RMV

I am making now essential oils, so I am complementing my Gem Therapies with aromatherapy and meditation… The funny thing is that I do not have enough time do therapy for myself. Whenever I did it for myself in the past I felt  relaxed and energized. I will do it today

My Gem Guruji is an old argentinian lady who is Brahmacarini .. she told me “Dear candra, haven’t you noticed¡¡¡¡ Your GM and me are brahmacaris so be careful you may follow our path ¡¡¡ “ jajaj I laughed I am actually really peaceful in my current situation, I just want to make a balance with my material and spiritual life, I want to earn more money L I feel ashmed for that… I am giving it more attention

With met with Palika and The Patraka it was nice

So sorry for being too lazy

Have a nice trip to India 

Trying to be your disciple

Candramukhi dd

HpS-ASA -- AgtSP. Paolo. URGENT letters get immediate attention but short because we have to do them on our cell phone. It is so nice to hear your service. Make more money not by working more but by working better.

Enough is a feast.

 Preach and all material opulence will come to you.

Since our last report we have sought to gain insights from our committee of distinguished members on what topics and questions to ask about ART AND THE SACRED for their interviews in India and Australia on their journey from September to November.

Looking for a conceptual consensus among our members (which is art and which is sacred are controversial issues) we can say briefly that Art is an activity entirely linked to the spirit, the emotions and the conscience and the Sacred is what brings us back to our original existence, which connects us with the transcendent, with the spiritual. On this basis these are the contributions:

HÉCTOR BÉJAR / THEME: THE IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT IN ART AND THE SACRED
Questions: 1. In what way do you believe that works of art regardless of their EXPLICIT purpose can express a sacred message. 2. Who are the most representative authors for you who express EXPLICITLY a transcendent, artistic and sacred message in the plastic arts, literature, theater, cinema,  etc.

WALTER LEÓN / THEME: LINK AND EVOLUTION BETWEEN ART AND SACRED
Questions: 1.- What is the link between art and the sacred, 2.- How has the thinking of art and the sacred EVOLVED. 3. Art and the sacred is a response to the yearnings of being, or is a hope for a better world, or both.

WALTER OJEDA / THEME: INTEGRATION AND CONNECTION BETWEEN NEUROSCIENCES, ART AND SACRED
Questions: 1.- The  mandalas  can be a means of INTEGRATION between art and the sacred and 2.- What are the CONNECTIONS between neurosciences, art and the sacred. 3 .- on what basis is the artistic experience and the experience of the Sacred.

Abhiram Thakur  das / THEME: THE NATURE AND ESSENCE OF ART AND THE SACRED
Questions: 1.- It is the CREATION of the universe an artistic and sacred act. 2. Art and the sacred are ESSENTIALLY experiential experiences, what is the role of consciousness in this experience. 3. - What is the relationship between soul, art and sacred.

We also talked extensively with Ambarisa  prabhu from Argentina and agreed that this documentary has, mainly, three ingredients: 1.- your interviews with personalities from the academic and cultural community. 2. - The event to be held in Lima-Peru and 3.- THE PROGRESS OF A PEREGRINE, that is, the journey or the journey of his sankirtana loyal and determined to Srila Prabhupada, one of whose characteristics is to connect the intellectuals with the books of Srila Prabhupada.

For the following report we hope to have the contributions of Ramón Mujica, Miguel Polo and Gandharva, we also have an interview with the Director of the National Library,
to see the calendar and sponsorship.

That's all for now. Hare Krishna GURUDEVA, his useless servant, Abhiram Thakur das.

URGENTE: 2do informe EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO

Hare Krishna Gurudeva, por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias

¡Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!

¡Todas las Glorias a Hanumatpresaka Swami!!

Desde nuestro último informe hemos tratado de obtener las perspectivas de nuestro comité de miembros distinguidos acerca de que temas y que preguntas hacer sobre EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO para sus entrevistas en la India y Australia, en su viaje de setiembre a noviembre.

Buscando un consenso conceptual entre nuestros miembros (que es arte y que es sagrado son temas controversiales) podemos decir brevemente que el Arte es una actividad enteramente ligada al espíritu, a las emociones y a la conciencia y lo Sagrado es aquello que nos lleva nuevamente a nuestra existencia original, lo que nos conecta con lo trascendente, con lo espiritual. Sobre esta base estos son los aportes:

HÉCTOR BÉJAR / TEMA: LO IMPLICITO Y LO EXPLICITO EN EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO

Preguntas: 1.- De qué manera cree usted que las obras de arte independientemente de su propósito EXPLICITO pueden expresar un mensaje sagrado. 2.- Quienes son, para usted, los autores más representativos que expresan de manera EXPLÍCITA un mensaje trascendente, artístico y sagrado en las plásticas, la literatura, el teatro, el cine, etc.

WALTER LEÓN / TEMA: VINCULO Y EVOLUCIÓN ENTRE EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO

Preguntas: 1.- Cual es el VÍNCULO entre el arte y lo sagrado, 2.- Cómo ha EVOLUCIONADO el pensamiento del arte y lo sagrado. 3.- El arte y lo sagrado es una respuesta a los anhelos del ser, o es una esperanza para lograr un mundo mejor, o ambas.

WALTER OJEDA / TEMA: INTEGRACIÓN Y CONEXIÓN ENTRE LAS NEUROCIENCIAS, EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO

Preguntas: 1.- Pueden las mándalas ser un medio de INTEGRACIÓN entre el arte y lo sagrado y 2.- Cuales son las CONEXIONES entre las neurociencias, el arte y lo sagrado. 3.- sobre qué bases se da la experiencia artística y la experiencia de lo Sagrado.

Abhiram Thakur das / TEMA: LA NATURALEZA Y LA ESENCIA DEL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO

Preguntas: 1.- Es la CREACIÓN del universo un acto artístico y sagrado. 2.- El arte y lo sagrado son experiencias ESENCIALMENTE vivenciales, cual es el papel de la conciencia en esta experiencia. 3.- Cual es la relación que existe entre alma, arte y sagrado.

También dialogamos ampliamente con prabhu Ambarisa de Argentina y coincidíamos en que este documental tiene, principalmente, tres ingredientes: 1.- las entrevistas de usted con personalidades de la comunidad académica y cultural. 2.- El evento a realizarse en Lima-Perú y 3.- EL PROGRESO DE UN PEREGRINO, es decir, el viaje o el camino recorrido de su sankirtana leal y determinado a Srila Prabhupada, una de cuyas características es conectar a los intelectuales con los libros de Srila Prabhupada.

Para el siguiente informe esperamos tener los aportes de Ramón Mujica, Miguel Polo y Gandharva, también tenemos una entrevista con el Director de la Biblioteca Nacional para ver el calendario 2018 y su auspicio.

HpS - ASA --- Hare Krsna!   AGTSP.

1. Most of the translations are good. Some mistakes. Yours is not so good.

2. From these we would take:
   a) HISTORY: Has the relationship of art and the sacred improved, evolved, to the present time? How have the relationship between art and the sacred been at different times and in different cultrures. Can we see things that historically and culturally that make for a healthy relationship between Art and the Sacred.

   c) What is "Sacred".? What is "Art"?

   d) Is some art sacred in itself and other leading us to the sacred?

   e) Who are some of the artists whose work is most sacred for you?

   f) What is your relationship with Art and the Sacred?

Eso es todo por ahora, Hare Krishna GURUDEVA, su inútil sirviente, Abhiram Thakur das.