Letters to the editor

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

Recently you wrote on blog: "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."

As Online Vedabase may be branch I would like to post quick report.

Recently finished importing of letters and transcripts.

In last few days researched best way how to handle search and index pages (e.g. Trascript Index Page, Letter Index Page). Found good solution and made simple app so every language will have separate settings, so we can use language specific stemming, stop words, ....

Plan for next 2-3 days is to finish Transcripts and Letters pages, so users will be able to comfortably narrow down/filter results. After that Library section (Books, Transcripts, Letters) can be consider ready.

Importing of Spanish TLC stopped for moment as there seemed to be differences in paragraph due to different versions. (Latest TLC in English is quite different from original edition in English) Will resume after launch of new version.

Still many things to do (explore page - intro text for new people, personal bookmarks/notes, tutorial videos, ...)

I will try to report regularly.

Your servant Prahlad Nrsimha das

HpS - Don't be a Branch. Be Flower. Make your personal reports like this. Did anyone volunteer to help with the Spanish TLC. Don't push your self if no one responds.

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaja.

PFAMRR

TLGASP

Gurudev, quiero reportarme.

16 rondas diarias 98%

Gayatri mantra 90%

4 principios 100%

Conseguimos el permiso para certificar Curso de Discípulos hace un par de meses. Estoy dando el curso para 13 devot@s estudiantes. Nos quedan 3 clases. Esperamos dar un segundo curso en septiembre.  Desde el 2015 tenemos la certificación de Bhakti Sastri, y dimos el curso BS ese año  y esperamos darlo otra vez el próximo año.

Guru Maharaja, usted recibió el documento acerca de los temas que trataremos en el diplomado de "Psicología de la Educación" en Su e-mail?

HpS - Hare Krsna. TlgaSP! Desculpa demurra, locura, We were not supposed to organize the Symposium in Seattle nor the Fundraising with Meta Soft corporation, but we are doing probably more than anyone else! We have a big document from you but we have not been able to look at it. Can you give us a summary? 

Esperamos con ansias Su visita.

FMP ! Twitter!

Gracias Gurudev

Su aspirante a sirviente

Priya Sakhi dd

HpS - Hare Krsna. Esperamos hablar con Vd. con traductor Bueno. Por favor mantener contacto con Jagad-guru Das en terminos de la Symposium de Educacion con ISKCON en Seattle, 15-18 Junio. Purse particular online mucho!

Gran opportunidad para la predict!!!!

Salvar a la gente sufriente.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!! All glories to Guru and Gauranga!!!! All glories to Guru Maharaj HpS!! All glories to the glorious lettuce feet!!!!

HpS - Thank you!  All glories to all the assembled Vaisnavasa.

Hare Krishna!!

Thank you so much for the reply Guru Maharaj. It would be so nice if Guru Maharaj can spare a few days  here at Imphal  during the India trip this year. If possible can we have a condensed course on NOI or NOD...or Isopanisad...or Bhagawad Gita? Please let me know how to memorise the slokas and quote them at the right moment. Please guide me Guru Maharaj. Sanskrit is eating half of my frontal lobe...almost!!

I am keeping  in touch with Yamunesvara Prabhu through mails . Sadhubhushan Prabhu is with us now. He will be leaving for Indonesia on 3rd of next month. We have requested him to take Srimad Bhagavatam classes sometimes , which he gladly agreed.

We have started Food for Life programme here. This Sunday we shall be going for a Teertha Yatra . We shall cover 9 Vaishnava temples....the most significant one will be Kaina.....where Govindaji's pastimes with the Jackfruit tree and His revelation to King Bhagyachandra is vividly evident.

HpS - After you (she or he or it) came to the Meditation Hall one of the Monks approached you and they asked: _______________....What took you so long??? ....And we all cried together...and laughed through our tears oblivious to the sacred chants and hymns!!

And you said, "But does that mean that the sacred hymns and chants are not really sacred? Are they just the chants to get things in this world, go to the realms of the Devatas? Is there something more?

And he said, "________________

You can write several sentences, a paragraph, an entire short story of you want to (maybe should stop short of an entire book yet?!)

your most fallen servant,

Sarada Gaurangi DD

HpS - ASA  --- We hear of self-manifesting deities and so many things, even now. Especially in India. We are trained in medicine and engineering to see matter in a very mechanical way. To see people the same way. There seem to be ghosts, fairys, magic, many places even in the industrialized society, but best thing is to jump over even that as much as possible and go directly to Kishor-Kishori.

Such a nice picture of Radha-Govinda-candra.

Thank you, all! 

Hare Krsna Gurudeva
Please, accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Missing very little [time until] for your arrival to Lima. After a horrible summer, at last, winter appropriates the city. You asked me about my work on the last letter you answered. It is going well, progressing, I'm working in an institute dedicated exclusively to the training of professional photographers. However, the profile of these photographers is mainly artistic and documentary.  In that sense, I take care of some courses concerning the theory of the image, from the structural aspect to its conceptual background. It is a very prestigious and demanding school. I have already 10 years in it and I have left other universities and schools to focus on this. It is a good educational project because it insists a lot on the development of the critical sense in the students and this awakens a rational nonconformity of the world, a natural vehicle for spiritual development, I consider.

HpS - ASA -- Psychology and the Sacred!

In these days of uncertainty in the field of education, I dare to propose a couple of ideas based on the time I have been working in the private educational sector. An aspect we can learn and imitate from non-devotional educational projects is precisely its capacity to get organized, be profitable and become operative. For this to happen, we have to optimize the communication channels . I am surprised that educational initiatives in this yatra depends on small fiefdoms, interested in their own purposes, with very little possibility of engaging in a dialogue feedback and articulation of efforts for the common good.

ASA - Ja!  Ha!    Ga!    But is it not the same with Univesidad Garcilazo de la Vega and Allas Peruanas??!  Is it not the norm in much of the world???   Is there really so much, "honor amogst thieves" that the business sector can see how to work together with others for even economic common profit, what to speak of a very generous renunciation for the welfare of all people?      We see it that way. ISKCON Peru is very much a product of Peru, just like ISKCON Los Angeles is a product of their ambience, but we do not know the situation like you, so we want to learn from you.

Has ISKCON made so little progress to being above these things?   Are we all chanting 16-enthusiastic rounds a day????

At least we are still here!    Ooof.  We have outlived the Soviet Union!

But let us go ahead, no!   The new ISKCON, Peru, me and you!  (And the ASA Blogerines)

It would be important to restore a functional and efficient educational commission, to be in charge of identifying common points between the different proposals and that, with the time, aim at the creation of a national curricula model that serves as a basis for the educational development of the region. If we aspire, or even, we wish to imitate Christian institutions that have universities and advanced systems of education, we should start by implementing at least one operational management body.

HpS - Jaya!   We have been trying, trying, trying for years, and many problems have come up, but we feel that we are making progress. We are not selling hamburgers or heaven with Indra so it is harder.
Now with visit of Mathuresa Das as Regional Supervisor and Karuna-krsna Das as ISKCON Peru secretary of education we feel that we can move ahead. Is practical idea?

On the other hand, pedagogy continues to focus on the teacher, while the TTC courses (Teacher training GBC Course) have developed updates that are focused on the learning experience. Most of peruvians come from an education system oriented to memorization and sterile learning of data, and very few develop critical capabilities. These teacher-centered models do not always guarantee learning, unless the students have their own learning skills, but they are very few. If we smartly adapt the new models proposed by the GBC, students would be formed with greater capacity of realization of the learned content and, therefore, capable of being educated to face the onslaughts of the mind and the duality of the world. Some devotees continue to think that these imported implementations of modern pedagogy are "mlecchas".

In short, much to do. What I tell you is based on the little experience I have about it. I would like to know your point of view about the need to organize and technify education in Peru. I have some faith in these management tools, but many times, I do not find partners to work in them. Perhaps my approach is very pragmatic and I do not know the details of education in spiritual terms.  It's just my point of view. Meanwhile, Indira Sakti an I are offering puja to Sri Sri Gaura Nitay and Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra during sunday mangalaratik, twice a month in Wilson. We're happy doing this seva and we ask you for your blessings to continue and find our yoga in this way.

See you soon Gurumaharaja

Your servant
Gandharva dasa
 

HpS - You see our perspective. Talk with Karuna-krsna Das, please. Give us your report here. We be in Peru in less than one month. Let's do some work together then. Join all these NIOS projects with Psychology and the Sacred etc.   In that we are pushing ahead on the fringe of the Yatra and there is no objection by the Yatra.

O.K??  Respects to Mataji and everyone!!

Hare Krishna Gurudeva, please accept my humble obeisances.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

All Glories to Hanumatpresaka Swami!!

THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM PSYCHOLOGY AND THE SACRED / Bridges between east and west, it’s going well, we already have the program to 95% (It’s missing the name of the presentation of three speakers). In the beginning of the week, Bhaktin Rukmini will translate the entire program to post it here on the blog. Now a brief summary:

MONDAY, JUNE 26th from 6 to 9 p.m.

6:50-7:10        1st Presentation: THE PSYCHE IN THE PSYCHOLOGY AND THE SACRED. Ramón Mujica.

7:10-7:30        2nd Presentation: VEHICLES. Hanumatpresaka Swami

8:00-8:15        3rd Presentation: THE DESIRE IN EXILE: The conditions in which the saint emerges. Rafael Fernández Hart.

8:15-8:30        4th Presentation: LOSS AND RECOVERY:The sacred and the digital <<Pharmakon>>. Víctor J. Krebs.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27th from 9.30 to 1.30 p.m. SUM (Multipurpose room) of the National Library of Peru (BNP). Av. de la Poesía 160, San Borja

1st DISCUSSION GROUP / Speakers.

Héctor Béjar. Topic: UNIVERSALIST VISION OF HUMAN SOLIDARITY.

Luis Ernesto Fodale.  Topic: ……………….

2nd DISCUSSION GROUP / Speakers.

Dolores Chávez. Topic: Three dimensions of spirituality in crisis: The systemic unsustainability.

Walter Ojeda.  Topic: The Genealogical Tree of Jesus as a model of spiritual evolution.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th from 9.30 to 1.30 p.m. Auditorium of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of the UNMSM. Universitaria Avenue, University City.

1st DISCUSSION GROUP / Speakers.

Nureddin Cueva. Topic: The World and the others in the spiritual realization of Islamic Sufism.

Erick Devoto. Topic: The rebirth of the spiritual in the postmodern age.

2nd DISCUSSION GROUP / Speakers.

Miguel Polo. Topic: ……………………………………

Cesar Farias Aseng. Topic: …………………………….

In terms of the budgets for this event, this once, the BNP and the universities give us the auditoriums and we take charge of the advertising, decoration and prasadam. So, we have:

Advertising: 2000 full color hand programs + 1000 personal invitations + 1000 envelopes for the 1000 invitations + 100 posters + 3000 one color handbills: $ 800.

Decoration for the three days: $ 200 (100 the first day, 50 for the second y 50 for the third).

Prasadam for the first day: $ 180

Prasadam for the second and third day: considering that it will be a lunch for about 20 people per day (the Jesuit university is sponsor if it’s coordinated at the the beginning of the year, in the case of San Marcos, they don’t have budgets): $ 250

Transport, photocopies and incidental expenses (that there are always): $ 100

Production of two videos (bilingual) one short (2 or 3 minutes) and other (6 or 9 minutes): $ 300

HpS - So, that is a total of $1830, no?   Of course, this is just 4-weeks before the event and we should have made a Budget before this, but also can understand that you are under great stress due to doing a lot of this work alone.
We will consult with NGD about the Budget, but...  NIOS has already been blessed to make an investment in this excellent project, no?  It was $800 on December 24th through Caturatma - Palika DD. Before the next money can be released then the accounting for that needs to be received.

Thank you so much for you efforts in these areas. We are very grateful that you still deal with us inspite of all of our faults. Except for you and your crew there is no one els doing all this.

In terms of managements with the National Director of the BNP for THE ART and THE SACRED for June and July 2018, before an agreement with many details, the first thing I have proposed is that he accept to reserve the rooms for the following dates:

- From June 14th to July 12th in the exhibition hall a SAMPLE OF SACRED ART of Perú, India and China (there is a consensus that the person indicated to direct this is Ramon Mujica, he agrees).

- From June 21st to July 12th in the HALL of entrance a PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSITION OF SACRED ARCHITECTURE.

- From July 2nd to July 6th THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF ART AND THE SACRED in Mario Vargas Llosa Auditorium.

I’m working on the documents they ask for; his secretary and his Director of Image are collaborating. Our aim is that in the June 5th reunion he officially accepts with a letter that the BNP will be the host of the ART AND THE SACRED, so we will know in which other things he will collaborate or if he will only give us the venues.

That is all for now. Hare Krishna Gurudeva, forgive my limitations, your servant, Abhiram Thakur das.

INFORME DE AVANCES  DEL II SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL LA PSICOLOGÍA Y LO SAGRADO.

Hare Krishna Gurudeva, por favor acepte mis humildes reverencias.

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!

Todas las Glorias a Hanumatpresaka Swami!!

El II SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL LA PSICOLOGÍA Y LO SAGRADO / Puentes entre oriente y occidente viene avanzando bien, ya tenemos el programa listo al 95% (falta el nombre de la ponencia de tres expositores). Comenzando la semana, la madre Rukmini va a traducir todo el programa para publicarlo aquí en el blog. Ahora un breve resumen:

LUNES 26 DE JUNIO de 6 a 9 p.m.

6:50-7:10        1ra Ponencia: LA PSIQUE EN LA PSICOLOGÍA Y LO SAGRADO. Ramón Mujica.

7:10-7:30        2da Ponencia: VEHÍCULOS. Hanumatpresaka Swami.

8:00-8:15        3ra Ponencia: EL DESEO EN EXILIO: Las condiciones en que emerge lo santo.Rafael Fernández Hart.

8:15-8:30        4ta Ponencia: PÉRDIDA Y RECUPERACIÓN. Lo sagrado y el <<Pharmakon>> digital. Víctor J. Krebs.

MARTES 27 DE JUNIO de 9.30 a 1.30 p.m. SUM (Sala de Usos Múltiples) de la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú-BNP. Av. De la Poesía 160, San Borja.

1er CONVERSATORIO / Expositores.

Héctor Béjar. Tema: Visión Universalista de la Solidaridad Humana.

Luis Ernesto Fodale.  Tema: ……………….

2do CONVERSATORIO / Expositores.

Dolores Chávez. Tema: Tres dimensiones de la espiritualidad en crisis:  la insostenibilidad sistémica.

Walter Ojeda.  Tema: El Árbol Genealógico de Jesús como modelo de evolución espiritual.

MIÉRCOLES 28 DE JUNIO de 9.30 a 1.30 p.m. Auditorio de la Facultad de letras de y Ciencias Humanas de la UNMSM. Av. Universitaria S/N, Ciudad Universitaria.

1er CONVERSATORIO / Expositores.

Nureddin Cueva. Tema: El mundo y los otros en la realización espiritual del sufismo islámico.

Erick Devoto. Tema: El renacimiento de lo espiritual en la era Posmoderna

2do CONVERSATORIO / Expositores.

Miguel Polo. Tema: ……………………………………

Cesar Farias Aseng. Tema: …………………………….

En cuanto a los presupuestos para este evento, esta vez, la BNP y las universidades ponen los auditorios y nosotros ponemos la publicidad, la decoración y el prasadam. Entonces tenemos:

Publicidad: 2000 programas de mano a todo color + 1000 invitaciones personales + 1000 sobres para las 1000 invitaciones + 100 afiches + 3000 volantes a un color:  $ 800.

Decoración para los tres días: $ 200 (100 el primer día, 50 para el 2do y 50 para el 3ero).

Prasadam para el primer día: $ 180

Prasadam para el 2do y 3er día: considerando que van a ser un almuerzo para unas 20 personas cada día (para que la universidad jesuita sea sponsor eso se ve al comienzo de año, en el caso de San Marcos ellos no tienen presupuesto): $ 250

Transporte, fotocopias, gastos imprevistos (que siempre hay): $ 100

Producción de dos videos (Bilingüe) uno corto de (2 a 3 minutos) y otro de (6 a 9) minutos: $ 300

En cuanto a las gestiones con el Director Nacional de la BNP para El ARTE y lo SAGRADO para junio y julio de 2018, antes que un convenio con muchos detalles lo primero que le he propuesto es que acepte reservar los ambientes para las siguientes fechas:

- Del 14 de junio al 12 de julio en la sala de exhibiciones una MUESTRA DE ARTE SAGRADO de Perú, India y China (hay consenso que la persona indicada para dirigir esa curación sea Ramón Mujica, él está de acuerdo)

- Del 21 de junio al 12 de julio en el HALL de ingreso una EXPOSICIÓN FOTOGRÁFICA DE ARQUITECTURA SAGRADA.

- Del 2 al 6 de julio SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO en el Auditorio Mario Vargas Llosa.

Estoy avanzando con los documentos que piden, su secretaria y su Director de Imagen están colaborando, nuestra meta es que en la reunión del 5 de junio acepte oficialmente con una carta que la BNP sea la sede de EL ARTE Y LO SAGRADO, luego veremos qué otra cosa pone o si solo pone los locales.

Esto es todo por ahora. Hare Krishna Gurudeva, disculpe mis limitaciones, su sirviente, Abhiram Thakur das.

HpS - ASA - NIOS --- Muchas gracias Senyor!  Somos todos llena de faultas. Muy bien. Minimizando y adelantanda nuestras buen cualidades.  Cart a ido a NGD con presupueto. Necesita reportaje del inversion anterior.  Gran evento. Todo el mundo puede participar.