Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna, dear Gurumaharaj, Pamho, AGTSP

(Here, Spanish. Down bellow, English)

Más noticias buenas sobre Seattle.

Jagad guru puede estar en el simposio!

Ayer tuvimos una muy buena reunión y es muy probable que él pueda estar participando por America latina. Hemos identificado 3 centros importantes en Sudamérica que están activos en el tema educativo (quizás hay más): 1.Brasil, 2.Argentina-Chile, 3.Perú-Bolivia-Ecuador. Por ahora, opinamos que México no podemos abarcar. Se necesita mucha coordinación y tenemos sólo 20 días.

También hay otros países que el futuro pueden entrar en el tema como la zona del caribe: Colombia, Venezuela, cuba, etc. Paraguay y Uruguay, etc.

En estos tres puntos tenemos a Dhanvantari Swami, que puede hablar español lo cual es una gran ventaja y puede dar la visión de Brasil. Para Argentina, Param padam, Baladeva, y alguien de Buenos Aires?. Para Chile: M. Priya sakhi y Jagad guru. Ahora, Jagad guru trataría de reunir la perspectiva de Argentina- Chile a través de quizás Param padam. Yo puedo muy bien presentar la visión de Perú, Bolivia y Ecuador, por ahora.

Entonces la idea es que tres personas, Dhanvantari Swami, Padam param y yo presentemos un artículo muy escueto donde desarrollemos dos puntos principales:

1. Qué está pasando ahora.

2. Perspectivas para el futuro.

Jagad guru haría un ppt resumiendo esto y lo presentaría en el simposio. Esto depende de cuánto tiempo se le asigne a Latioamérica o Sudamérica. Yo diría algo como 30 minutos.

Le daríamos los tres artículos a JG en inglés y español. JG haría los ppt en inglés y español también. Para el simposio y también para difundirlo en el blog y enviarlo a todos los interesados.

Comentábamos que una traducción en simultáneo es demasiado trabajo por ahora. Creemos que un educador con perspectivas internacionales debería poder aunque sea escuchar y entender 70% de inglés.

Esas fueron algunas ideas. Vamos a seguir conversando y tratando de participar en nuestras conversaciones educativas los lunes a las 8am hora peruana.

Por favor, Gurumaharaja denos sus bendiciones y sabias instrucciones. Yo sé que usted siempre piensa en grande, como Srila Prabhupada le enseñó. Pero, por ahora es lo que podemos ofrecer. Por favor, acepte nuestro humilde servicio de cuyes latinos.

Muchas gracias por el servicio.

ssLAD

=======================================================

Hare Krishna, dear Gurumaharaj, Pamho, AGTSP

More good news about Seattle.

Jagad guru may be at the symposium!

Yesterday we had a very nice meeting and it is very probable that he may be participating on behalf Latin America. We have identified 3 important centers in South America that are active in the educational theme (perhaps there are more): 1.Brazil, 2.Argentina-Chile, 3.Perú-Bolivia-Ecuador. For now, we think that we can’t include México in our efforts. It takes a lot of coordination and we have only 20 days.

There are also other countries that the future can particpate inarea as the Caribbean zone: Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, etc. Paraguay and Uruguay, etc.

In these three points we have Dhanvantari Swami, who can speak Spanish which is a great advantage and can give the vision of Brazil. For Argentina, Param Padam, Baladeva, and someone from Buenos Aires. For Chile: M. Priya sakhi and Jagad guru. Now, Jagad guru would try to gather the perspective of Argentina-Chile through perhaps Param padam. I can very well present the vision of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, for now.

Then the idea is that three people, Dhanvantari Swami, Padam Param and I present a very brief article where we develop two main points:

1. What is happening now.

2. Perspectives for the future.

Jagad guru would do a ppt summarizing this and would present it at the symposium. This depends on how much time is allocated to Latin America or South America. I would say something like 30 minutes.

We would give all three articles to JG in English and Spanish. JG would do  theppt in English and Spanish as well. For the symposium and also to spread it on the blog and send it to all t he people interested.

We commented that a simultaneous translation is too much work for now. We believe that an educator with international perspectives should be able to even listen and understand 70% of English.

Those were some ideas. We will continue to talk and try to participate in our educational talks on Monday at 8am Peruvian time.

Please, Gurumaharaja give us your blessings and wise instructions. I know that you always think big, as Srila Prabhupada taught you. But for now is what we can offer. Please accept our humble service of Latino cuyes.

Thank you very much for the service.

Ys LAD

HpS - ASA -- Many thanks to you ... !  ..  Fight to include Mexico!    You contact Aravinda, JgD contact Lalita-gopi dd: What is happening, what do we want to happen and how are we going there, and how to contact us!

Thank you.

Hare Krishna, estimado Gurumaharaj y devotos de habla hispana.

Por favor reciban mis reverencias!

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

SS Hanumatpresaka Swami me ha pedido ayudar en la coordinación de esfuerzos, juntamente con P. Jagad guru, para la posible participación de devotos involucrados en temas educativos en el Simposio de Educación que se realizará en Seattle (USA) del 15 al 18 de Junio. Les recuerdo que Maharaja es miembro importante del comité ejecutivo del MOE (ISKCON Ministry of  Education) cuyo presidente es Sesa das.

Este evento fue anunciado con anterioridad en este blog. Maharaj nos invitó a particiapar on-line, primero como audiencia, pero hay la posibilidad de tener una partcipación más activa dependiendo de la disposición de nosotros, los educadores de Latinoamérica.

Maharaj mencionó a Baladeva, Param padam, Jagad guru, Aravinda, Abhinanda, Jiva sakti, Gandharva y Laksmana-agraja prabhus, entre otros. También a Matajis interesadas en el tema como Madres Priya saki, Candra Mukhi, Yugala kisore, Isvari, por nombrar algunas.

ASA - Also from Mexico and Brazil!

Por favor envíen sus ideas, aunque por la premura del tiempo no podremos hacer algo muy espectacular. Maharaj sugiere que intervengamos dando la visión de latinoamérica cuando se trate del tema de la educación  en ISKCON en occidente el día sábado como el tema 3. Yo le comenté que Latinoamérica es muy diversa y la visión, digamos, de Argentina es diferente a la de Perú, etc. Pero hay cierta unidad, por ejemplo entre Perú, Bolivia y Ecuador, y no se, de repente entre Chile y Argentina, etc. Pero podemos trabajar el tema.

Hay detalles como el hecho de que el simposio es en Inglés y se pueda arreglar una traducción simultánea. Pero creo que entonces habría un costo de inscripción para aplicar esto, etc. Aunque en principio la transmisión será abierta por startmeeting. Ojalá podamos hacer algo. Por lo menos participar como audiencia y nutrirnos de la sabiduría de SS HpS y otros devotos, en el campo educativo, para adquirir más experiencia.

En Perú venimos trabajando mucho el tema y ahora con el nombramiento de Mathures Prabhu como supervisor regional del GBC para Perú y Bolivia las cosas se ven muy auspiciosas. P. Karuna krsna, nuestro flamante coordinación de educación para Perú ayudará a coordinar todos los esfuerzos educativos en  Perú. Espero que estén ocurriendo cosas buenas también en todos nuestro spaíses.

Finalmente, supongo que Maharaja enviará muy pronto el cronograma más específico para ver detalles.

Muchas gracias por su atención.

Su sirviente,

Laksmana-agraja

HpS - ASA -- Tambien mientras estamos pasando por Mexico, Peru, Chile, Bolivia despues del reunion en Seattle podemos trabajar mas en esta area con Vds. BG es un "clase" entre Profesor y Alumno. La aula es un cuadrigo, no?

Aqui les envío el calendario del evento que se publicó en el blog.

Submitted by hps on Sat, 05/06/2017 - 17:27

15th - 18th June 2017

Thursday Evening - Reception: Temple Hosts (Eg. President, Harivilasa Das), Sesa Das (Rama-giridhari Das) Ministry of Education, Protocol Officer.

Friday Morning - Srimad Bhagavatam Class (???), Topic 1 - Chairman: HpSwami, "Philosophy and Strategy of Education with ISKCON" (Presentation about 20-minutes, Contribution Discussion from Everyone. Chairman and others can make the Presentation)

Topic 2 - Chairman: Visvambara Das (And one other?!), Early Education (Pre, Primary, Secondary)

Topic 3 - Chariman: Partha Das / Uttama Devi Dasi (Grhastha Vision Team), "Varna-ashrama Education, Preparing for Marriage, Preparing for Sannyasa" 

Friday - Afternoon - Gay and Delightful Workshops to be decided. These of course can be topical groups such as Early Education, but they can also invite expert contributions eg. Early Education can Invite Sastric Education for 15-minutes.

Friday - Evening - Cultural - Entertainment. Suggested: "The Taming of the Shrew" with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, with short intro by HpS on Teaching and Shakespeare in the Guru-kula

Snore!!!!!!!!

Saturday

Srimad Bhagavatam (???  Maybe Vaisesika Das on line)

Topic 1 - Chairman: Radhika Raman Das - "Studying and Preaching in the University and Academic Environment". This will include reports of the incredible results. Orienting Early Education to send students on this route etc.

Topic 2 - Chairman: Hari-lila Das (HpS) - "Sastric Education". Report of Results in USA and World. Discussion of how this fits with other topics eg. Early Education.

Topic 3 - Chairman: Rama-giri-dhari Das (Ananta-rupa Das). "Education in with ISKCON in the Western Hemisphere - Building a Global System". This will include Latin American Devotees who will be involved with Tele-conferencing and a Simultaneous Translator.

Saturday Night - Cultural Program (???)

SUNDAY

Srimad Bhagavatam (??)

Breakfast of Fraternal Felicity

Closure Session with Summation and Action Items

NOTES: You can see that this is going to be a tight, intense, powerful program. We will need the Chairpeople to start collecting input, discussingn topics, so that this meeting is just a moderate part of the pre and post work.

We are available. We will be in Boise and San Jose the weeks before.

As an action item we would very much like to see the selection of an Editor for a Periodical: Education with ISKCON in the Western Hemisphere.

DEAR GURUDEVA,

PAOHO, AGTSP!

HOW ARE YOU?

HpS - Fine.

KALYAN CHAKRAVARTY HAS SOME GOOD CONTACTS IN VALENCIA (AT THE UNIVERSITY) AND IN MADRID (AT THE INDIAN EMBASSY

AND AT THE ICCR), TO ORGANIZE SOMETHING FOR YOU NEXT YEAR. HE WISH TO HAVE AN IDEA TO PROPOSE THE PROGRAM,

THIS WAS HIS E-MAIL:

If you wish I can ask ICCR and  Indian embassy in  Madrid. Please send me in the shape of a proposal. Will it be the exhibition on  Forms of Devotion and a seminar?

Hare Krsna Dear Maharaja,

PAMHO, AGTSP!

We read that you have a fever, I hope your improvement.

ASA - We though we answered this letter a few days ago. We cannot find that posted answer with a quick look so here it is again!  Thank you!!!
We have "hay fever", allergy. NGD has it so bad he had to leave working at his hospital to lie down. We are under control but sneezing. 

I just realized that Lad had not asked for a formal permission to use the name ASA. Please apologize for the lack of formality, Lad forgets certain details.

Here in this letter, we request for permission to use the name of ASA.

SS Hanumat Presaka Swami (ASA)

PAMHO. AGTSP!

I am writing to you to express that we are an educational Team interested in developing Vaisnava education in Peru. And we would like to have the support and advice of ASA on educational issues.

Our Mission - Vision is very simple and specific, we specifically want to develop the courses Bhakti Sastri, Bhakti Vaibhava and the whole saga of the study of bhakti, we seek specialization.

For this reason, we ask for your permission to use the educational material of ASA and also to call us ASA- Peru. We are committed to developing close communication with Asa and the respective authorities.

The educational group consists of eight people, who will be teachers of courses:

Laksmana agraja d, Candramukhi dd, Lila sakti dd, Isvari dd, Abhinanda d, Tarangaksi dd, Rupa gosay d.

The structure of the organization is linear and autonomous, there will only be 3 Coordinators of 3 areas (Academic, Courses, Procedures and communication) that will work with the National Board.

We have sent our service proposal to the National Board and we will await a response

We look forward to qualifying and being accepted into ASA.

I will be waiting for your response and thank you for your consideration

Lord Nrsimhadeva protect you

ys Isvari dd

ASA-SUAC, Secretary, Buck White - Thank you for your letter. These are formalities but not without meaning, like wedding ceremony or initiation ceremony!

1. Do not us the the name ASA in a formal sense until you have approval from the ASA-SUAC (Anjana Suta Academy - Supreme Undifferentiated Absolute Commando) with includes: Tom Brown (Monkey), Buck White, Guy (Uncle) Gismo, PhD, Prof. H. H. Robinson (Hanumatpresaka Swami) and a bunch of other mixed Dudes.

2. Submit a Request for Banch Affiliation with ASA here. The devotees in Mexico should do the same. ASA is a Branch of ISKCON. Our GBC Secretary currently is Tamohara Das and our head-quarters are in Murfreesboro, TN 37129, USA.

Our Mission (from Preface of NOI) is to qualifiy ourselves to help Lord Caitanya in His mission of giving the science of Krsna to humanity (an animality) at large by studying the literature left by the six Goswamis. NOI constitutes first instructions.

Branches must have a President (and Vice-Presidents with different areas if desired), a Secretary and a Treasurer. Secretary must post a Report regularly in the Blog (every fortnight can be good). Then we can work out details.

O.K?

Management should be by consensus and then can be formalized by a vote of members.

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj

Dandavat Pranam unto your lotus feet.

HpS - AGTSP!!   Our lettuce feet. We are still in the process of purification also.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Gouranga Mahaprabhu.

Dear Guru Maharaj,

On behalf of my father your disciple Krsna Swaroop Das, I beg for apology for his not being able to communicate with you frequently through this blog as he is not comfortable in handling techy stuff. He remembers you and prays unto your lotus feet everyday.

HpS - We are so happy to hear about him and youer Ashrama and community. Maybe he could write a few words about his Sadhana and Sankirtan and you could pass them.

Guru Maharaj I pray and beg to seek some answer for a question which has been a topic of confusion. As it is well known to everyone that Krsna, the Supreme Lord is omniscient and we as tiny fragments of Him have a freewill; a minute independence to choose. So does Krsna know "EXACTLY" what our choice will be???(say for example what I am going to eat in the morning 10 years from now on Jan 1st,2027). To me, it feels that the way Krsna "knows" is that He doesnot necessarily know all the details but as He knows our nature so chipping in a way He can narrow down to the most likely choice. i.e He does not know in the way 2+2 gives 4. But some devotees they argue that Krsna knows EXACTLY (all details with no room for other possibilities) what my choice will be everytime. This idea of theirs seems to me that it makes us like robots with no freewill at all. I feel there should be some (at least a tiny little) uncertainty (probabilistic way) associated with God's way of knowing things as we are also individuals with a separate identity and a freedom to choose. Some devotees even argue that the answer to this question is subjective i.e the answer depends on the individual's level of understanding. To me it seems like an excuse to avoid being caught wrong.

Please be merciful to me to explain and clarify this subject matter and let me know if I am wrong and kindly correct me. 

Dandavat pranam unto your lotus feet.

Hope it meets you in good health.

Expecting your merciful association.

Your fallen servant

Bishal

HpS - ASA -- Hare Krsna!   Very ancient, very contemporary and very important question. After our summary of our thoughts there is a list of references. I think you can find them all at www.jayarama.us/archives/abc-ndx.docx. We will post this answer in the Archives in our asa-encyclopdeia.

The soul is sat-cit-ananda, so it has free-will. It can do fun, interesting, things that even Krsna doesn't expect. The Gopis are full of unpredictable, intense, emotional states that even they can't predict, nor Krsna, but happy surprises.

Krsna, Krsna's Devotee and Devotional Service (Purnamasi Devi?) all come together and dance and no one can quite figure out who is in control.

We are growing. We can grow faster or slower. That is our choice. Krsna, us, no one knows our potential.

In the material world in the mode of ignorance we are forced to act. Our actions are predictable. Of course, one might be in the mode of goodness in his senses and mind and be in the mode of ignorance in his intellignce, heart, like a Buddhist, Mayavadi monk who is clean, honest, generous, but at heart is fixed in the conception that he will become the supreme, original, transcendental being, God. This is really stupid.

In the mode of passion there are some choices but the impulse act in a certain way is very strong.

In the mode of goodness we can actually make choices. Of course, they are being given by Mayadevi under the order of Krsna, so they may be material options, smoke the cigarette, don't smoke it. Then we set in motion ignorant, passionate or good reactions.

Maharaja Nrga, 10th canto, Krsna book, did lots of materially pious activities and he surmises that that led him to transcendental thought. Why not?  God creates this world so that by dealing with matter, plastic dolls, correctly we can come to deal with real babies.

Of course, Krsna has His free-will also. If we act submissively, friendly, under the modes of nature then He can give us transcendental choices or not.

O.K?

As far a the concepts of "chance, random events" occur in science, we find that the concepts are not clear. We heard that Bertram Russell, the Nobel Laureate, said that the concept of Chance is the most important concept in the 20th Century, because no one has he slightest idea what it means.
What is the etymology of the word?
A chance event is one whose cause can Absolutely not be Known, no?   Does such an event exist?   We have to have Blind Faith (see purport to BG 4.34) in this Axiom, Postulate.

If we accept this Godly entity, Chance, then the result is a philosophy of "neti-neti", no Not this, not this.  What is the Absolute Truth? It is not this, not this, not this; Absoute Ignorace, a Saiva, Nihilist or Mayavadi conclusion.

O.K?    Big topic.

===============================================

www.jayarama.us/archives/abc-ndx.docx
Free-will:
   allows chance to understand one’s relationship with God, SB 4.25.26 p
   allows one to change guna and karma in present life, SB 5.1.14 p
   in human life provides opportunity to get out of repeated birth and death, SB 1.16.9 p
   in material existence, SB 2.9.2
   of liberated souls, SB 1.6.37
   So even in the material nature there is a chance of an independent choice by the living entity, and according to his choice the material energy offers him different varieties of material bodies, SB 2.9.2,
   “The living entities are given freedom to make their choice…”, SB 2.7.49

Hare Krishna Dear Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I received file of TLC in Spanish from BBT.  Once it will be ready imported I will put in online and let you know.

Still working on new version of vedabase.com, currently finishing importing of all SP letters. And today preparing slideshow presentation for one devotee who will use it on following Sunday feast program in Turkey.

Also today we will have meeting with manager of BBT Turkey who seems to be enthusiast about having Turkish books available on vedabase.com.

New version for public will launch on day of Guru (Vyasa) Purnima / Srila Sanatana Gosvami (8th July 2017).

HpS - ASA -- Incredible!!!   Is there a good 'Hello' page for people on different levels who may know nothing about Srila Prabhupada's books and a way to buy them?

[Btw, it will be birthday of vedabase.com as it was also launch on Guru/Vyasapurnima.]

Your servant Prahlad Nrsimha das

ASA - Happy birthday Vedabase.com,    Happy birthday Veabase.com, Happy birthday Veabase.com, Happy birthday to you! !!!   !      How many candles will there be on the cake. We can have a cyber-cake competition. Cyber gifts.

[One question [little confidential [Is vedabase.com a Ghrhasta, Sannyasi, B'cari or Vanaprastha?   Is it s B'cari or a B'carini. Should we offer Saris or Dhoti's for it's birthday.  Hmmmm.]]

Dandavats!!     Any suggestions for our travel in India?????

What do you think of the Vanipedia?