Letters to the editor

HAre Krsna!

Here is Abstract for our presentation January ~7th atg Bhagavatam Symposium organized by K. Ksetra Swami and Radhika ramana Das at Madras University.

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ABSTRACT

IRON HORSES AND TALKING WIRES
Teaching Srimad Bhagavatam in the Industrialized World.

Hanumatpresaka Swami (Professor Huber Hutchin Robinson)
ISKCON – North American Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies

Presenter has been studying and teaching Srimad Bhagavatam in the industrialized world in North and South America, Europe and India for over 40-years. This has included programs with Nobel Laureates, ISKCON Temples, Universities, Museums and many others. He will outline three major areas where the message of the Bhagavata has been successfully introduced amongst the highly analytical, mechanized and scientific people of these worlds.

First is the area of Science and the Bhagavata. Here there has been colossal work for many years. The current ripened fruit has been in developing relations with the community of psychologists and scholars who are followers of Dr. Carl Gustav Jung. Jung appreciated Indian mysticism greatly but was also very concerned how to translate these things into a format comprehensible and useful to science. We just finished an intense, international symposium on “Psychology and the Sacred” in Lima, Peru and are scheduled for bigger events of this type in 2017 and 2018. Along with this a journal “Solaris” is being published, and along with other academics presenter is working on a very serious presentation of the Sankhya of Lord Kapila and others in the Bhagavata that will allow practical realization of Bhagavata Sankhya in the scientific world.

Second has been the Approach Through Drama. Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s presentation of the Bhagavata culture as broadcast by our Acharya, Srila Rupa Goswami, especially through his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu is Gandhava Veda: Music, Dance, Drama leading to ultimate realization of Krsna. This educational approach has been presented using Prof, David Haberman’s standard translations and annotations of the BRS which include the history of Rasa and theater from Bharata Muni to Abhinava Gupta, to Emperor Bhoja, to Sri Rupa Goswami. This in turn can be related with great clarity to a large Western audience through the Western theater tradition of Aristotle, Stanislavsky and Viola Spolin.

Third and finally, Academic Study of the Bhagavata through structured classes on a global basis using direct and distance education techniques. The diplomas given for these studies include Bhakti-vaibhava for Cantos 1-6 and Bhakti-vedanta for Cantos 7-12. Presenter will give a brief overview of this formal academic study and then a specific sample in the form of the natural analysis that students can learn of the very well-formed structure of the Bhagavata.

Hare Krsna SS Hanumat Presaka Swami.

PAMHO. AGTSP.

I hope you are fine

1.-We inform authorities of National Council (Caitanya Candra d, Caturatma d, Karuna Krsna d, Jiva sakti d,) the upcoming visit of SS Bhakti Gauravani Goswami (26 Octubre – 2 Noviembre).

And We offered to support services to Maharaja,

2.-NIMSAR will start to develop 3 areas or departments: Public Relations, Communication, Academic.

3.-It is quite possible that next year : To give Bhakti Sastri in modules (LOB, ISO, NOI, BG, NOD).

This to give facilities to students.

I (Isvari) want to propose to reinstate the LOB for NIMSAR Bhakti Sastri. It is a poetic and profound book, it helps develop sensitivity.

What are  your opinion?
HpS - We can always teach it as an ASA course, but it is not part of the Bhakti Sastri curriculum for ISKCON so I don't think we should make it a requirement. O.K. 

4.-LAD travels to Tarapoto city to give the course IDC (ISKCON Disciples).

5.-Jiva Sakti d and Candramukhi dd will be Examinator and Manager for BS.

What documents are required?

HpS - I will write to a letter to Bhakti Rupa Das with copy to them and Rohini DD and you (NIMSAR).

6.-Who are Examinator and Administrator for BhaktiVaibhava course?

HpS - This is important point. You all should know that Peru never made an official application to be a Bhakti Vaibhava center. I think Laksmana's stomach rupture and recovery came right in the middle of that.
NIMSAR can present courses on the Bhakti-vaibhava material but this has no formal connection with the ISKCON diploma at this point. We talked again and again about doing this work, but until now nothing has happened.

Thank you verymuch for all the efforts you do to Srila Prabhupada.

Ss NIMSAR TEAM

HpS - Sorry is a little slow in answering this wonderful Report, but seems we are still alive and going ahead from our end.  Next Report we will take as Urgent.
 

From our side:

1) We will send letter to Bh. Rupa Das et al about our leaving Examiner Post for Peru.

2) What about the letter that I suggested to go to President of National Junta? Did you all look at it? Shall we send it? Edit it?

3) What about legalizing NIMSAR?    NIOS gave nice donation this one year ago, no?  We heard that the work was going on, but no result now.

4) Our respects to Bh. Gauravani Swami. He knows us very well. Please tell him:

Bitte akzeptieren Sie unsere bescheidenen Hinsicht. Wir hoffen, dass Ihr Besuch in Peru sehr erfolgreich ist und dass Sie die Arbeit dort ewig verbinden.

Todas las Glorias a Srila Prabhupada!!!

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj, por favor reciba mis respetuosas reverencias.

HpS - ASA --- TlgaSP!!!   Pfanrh...  Gracias su asociacion.  De donde son los pasatiempos de Srimati Radharani?  Caitanya caritamrta?  Libro de Bhakti-purusottama Swami?

Nuestra respuesta es que los pasatiempos de Srimati Radharani son del Mundo Espiritual "Goloka Vrndavan", también cuando Krsna vino a la tierra y realizo sus pasatiempos, vino también Srimati Radharani, pero Srimati Radharani vino pidiendole a Sri Krsna que a la primera persona que viera seria ÉL, entonces Radharani no habria los ojos, fue entonces despues de un tiempo en que Krsna se presento ante Radharani y Ella inmediatamente abrio los ojos y asi a la primera persona que vio fue a Krsna, claro todo esto ocurrio por un encuentro entre los padres de Radharani y Krsna. 

Caitanya Caritamrta, Krsna en el humor y sentimientos de Srimati Radharani, pasatiempos en el humor de separación "Sankirtan".

Bhakti Purusottama Swami, discipulo de Jayapataka Swami, escribio el libro de los pasatiempos de Srimati Radharani.

Sobre Prabhu Ramachandra mi respuesta a sus preguntas Guru Maharaj:

HpS - Interestante. El es exitoso en su diagnotica? Tiene buen historia con su clientes? Unas de sus presentaciones lo cual me oiyo aparecen diferent de los que estuvo oyendo de autoridades tradicionales y experimento por mi propio experiencia. Me gustaria tener mas asociacion con el. Ya no tiene mucho contacto con los Temples en Lima, no? Anterioramente tuvimos mucho contacto muy agredable

El Prabhu Ramachandra estuvo varios años enseñando en el instituto Vedika de Prabhu Daru Krsna, ahora el prabhu Ramachandra esta haciendo unos cursos de medicina naturista, astrologia y yoga en Huamcayo, Chiclayo y Lima, acá en Huancayo ha tenido seminarios muy buenos a lo cual han concurrido muchas personas, nos parece muy bueno en su diagnostico,  en un momento podriamos organizar para que usted pueda venir acá a Huancayo y dar algunas conferencias en las universidades y televisoras, auditorio municipal, el templo, tenemos algunos contactos que nos pueden ayudar con respecto a las Universidades y televisoras locales y también podriamos realizarlo junto con prabhu Ramachandra, bueno ojalá se de a su debido momento.

<cite><small><big>HpS - En el infierno puede predica Krsna katha tambien!  Hoy dia nos distribuyo en NOI a un periodista.   Tambien hemos recibido carta de su estimada esposa de los actividades en Huancayo.</big></small></cite>

Si seguimos en Huancayo, las actividades marchan bien, sadhana sufriendo un poco para Mangal Artik, 5 am, tratando de mejorar en este asunto, 4 principios siguiendolos, aunque la mente perversa y lujuriosa nos molesta....16 rondas de japa, en las mañanas estamos con el negocio del snack  y en las tardes estamos saliendo a Sankirtan desde hace una semana y media de 4pm a 8pm, hacemos de 3 a 4 horas de Sankirtan de lunes a sabado, hemos distribuido alrededor de 180 libros pequeños, 1 Srimad - Bhagavatam y 1 Caitanya Caritamrta. 

<cite><small><big>HpS - Como entendemos Tulasa le gusta: 1. Asociacion con devotos, 2. Calor, 3. Luz, 4. Agua. Puede pasar unas dias sin agua y entonces mucho.</big></small></cite>

Felizmente Tulasi se ha adaptado al clima de Huancayo y ya le comenzaron a salir nuevas hojitas, tiene luz, calor solar en horarios adecuados, algunos devotos van a comprar algunas cosas al snack y ven a tulasi y la glorifican le dicen palabras agradables, también la adoramos en nuestro pequeño altar.

Bueno Guru Maharaj me despido que Krsna y Balaram lo protejan, Hare Krsna!!!

Gadai Gauranga Das

Hare Krsna, GGD et al.
Gracias sus respuestas. Con quien esta asociando alla?  Hay unos devotos mayored in Huancayo?  Puede desarollari contacto con la Iglesia Catolica or otros? Puede pedir del Alcalde si puede ayudar e El, por ejemplo en terminos de luchando contra la adiccion a drogas, estabilidad de la familia.

Luz de la Bhagavata es super para predica, no? Puede imprimir unos Textos de ww.vedabase.com, Espanyol, y distribuir, organizar seminarios en temas especificas.   Vamos a Peru en Abril-Mayo!!

All Glories to Sri HpS Guruji Maharaja,

Please accept our humble obeisanses unto Sri Guruji Maharaja’s padmacharan that in the last reply of my previous letter Guruji mentioned that the Air tickets of India for 2^nd and 7^th Jan. 2017 is not yet confirm. Now the tentative dates of Gurujis Indian visit is confirmed or not?

HpS - Hare Krsna!!!    You can see in the Kapi Dhvaja that we have now purchased tickets arriving in India late 31st December, Delhi, and then leaving India like 15th February, Dehli. Hari Das Das is writing with suggestions for the time in between and we are also waiting little for suggestions from others, then we will fix the schedule.  97% the first 10 days will be in Tirupati and Madras and the last week in Mayapura.  The rest we have to work out.

Please let us know the dates, so as to enable us to finalize the dates of North East India specially for Silchar, Guwahati, Agartala and Imphal. I had requested Haridas Prabhu also to accompany Guruji in the N.E. Progrmme. He also suggested me to request Gurujis valuable time at least for 15-20  days for North East.  

A group of 12 initiated and 2 uninitiated bhaktas did not turn up the Mandir for the last one and half years due to some differences of opinion for management of the Mandir. Last year in presence of Guruji we discussed everything along with Bonomali Prabhu and some other bhaktas of Imphal ISKCON to follow the systems of ISKCON traditions. They accepted everything to implement on that day but even now they are not ready to implement any positive step except the name. They could not follow even the first four rules of ISKCON.

Under such circumstances, Guruji suggested me sometimes ago to go to the Mandir and try to convince them slowly. There are some innocent members who come to the Mandir simply for bhajans and prasadam of old types but not ready about the initial four principles. Then two initiated members supported the innocent other members because they make majority, they don’t care about the rules – their simple thinking is that “ they will run the Mandir in their own way and  need not to take others help for changing or merging into ISKCON tradition”

On the other hand, the main aim of going to mandirs is to increase shradha, bhakti marga (Prema Rasa) of Radha Govinda in the way of Gouranga Mahaprabhu. But in our Mandir, they look us in different way and no good atmosphere for us. As we did not go to the Mandir, our chances of meeting new bhaktas and increase new knowledge were completely stopped.

Guruji, please advise us what to do and what will be our responsibility? Guruji’s advice will be our next step before Guruji is coming. We are ready to follow Guruji’s amtavani in any condition as asirvat.

Yours fallen servant

Yamunesvara Das

HpS - It is almost impossible for us to participate in management form 12,000 miles away, but general principle is to follow ISKCON GBC authority in management, Imphal, management, and if there are problems then you  can ask to write to the GBC, then another GBC...  but in all these circumstances we can have so, so, so many nice programs just in our homes with other devotees. Then if there are too many for our home, then we can find some cultural place to do our own program and then ....      a full time installed temple deity...
Age of Kali - Sit together and chant Hare Krsna!!!   Krsna will come and chant and dance and laugh with you with all His friends and associates.

We hope you are reading some of the other letters that we post here to other devotees!
Send some photos!

Dear Swamiji,

PAMHO, AGTSP. Devotees Jeremy are hoping that Krishna Will inspire you tO come. WE can send you a ticket form India, and arrange for you tO stay in Jaganatha  Gaurangga temple, or even Maha Laxmi hotel which is were Ramai Swami stays.

When you are Heri we can arrange numerous HOME programs. Aghastya Muni prabhu golf me that hE World like tO arrange a program fo4 you. There are 4 Vera Nick ISKCON temples Heri., Jaganatha Gauranga here in Denpasar, Radha Gopinatha and Radha Raseswaranear Nitai Gauracandara oN the northern coast in Singaraja, and Radha Madhava in  Gianyar. There is Aldo a new temple being built in east Bali.

Radha Raseswara has a goshalla that produces and sells milk. Here in Denpasar we have BDS primary school and The BA secondary school. There Two schools serve Devoteed from Jaganatha Gaurangga and Radha Raseswara.

Bhakti Rhagava Swami otentik visits Radha Madhava temple in Gianyar and is developing a small community of Devoteed There. So far there are 25 familier living around The temple.

Near Bali is The island of Lombok. There is a small ISKCON TEmple there. Kavicandra Swami petenis visits Lombok, The temple has a small goshalla with two bulls. If you are interested I Can arrange with Krishna Prema prabhu for you tO visit New Gita Nagari, Bhakti Rhagava Swami's farm community oN The island of Sumatra in western Indonesia. There are 35 families there and they have a Very nice school.

If you can come tO Bali there are many devotees who would like hour association and many nice programs that can be arranged.

your servant,

Ken

HpS - Very nice orthography!    We are still trying to get to India, right now it would mean taking time from the 6-weeks we are there. 1 January - 15 February. We could go for like two days!     Is that practical????  Doesn't seem like it?  Best we can send fotos or plan for next year!!

Dear Guru Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada! Happy Radhastami! I hope Srimati Radharani is being extra kind to you today.

HpS - Yes, we got a side long glance from Her, and it was full of disatisfaction. We have to improve our character and work.

This morning Brghupati prabhu lead us all in Sri Radhika Stava by Rupa Goswami. I think it's my favorite bhajan.

I've been busy as usual out here on the left coast; just a week or two ago I managed to procure my very own sankirtan van to utilize as a transcendental art studio! So lately I've been running around trying to take care of registration, insurance, AAA membership etc etc, and now I'm about 95% complete.

I had to ask my parents to cosign on a loan since I had zero credit, and they obliged to the extent that they even told me I don't have to pay them back. Of course I intend to ASAP, but in the meantime I find myself in a situation where I have total freedom and no expenses for at least a year! I managed to also get practically all the equipment needed for displaying my art in markets and art fairs until I'm prepared to directly approach galleries and art dealers. For now, all I have to do is just chant Hare Krishna, study, paint, do some internet marketing, and practice Kirtan. My sadhana was suffering when I had to do yard work all day and then stay up late to work on stuff but now that I can set my own schedule I'm able to make up for lost time. Since moving into "Vrnda-van" I've been able to attend full morning program in temple daily, chant about 48 rounds, read at least a couple hours etc so I'm just thrilled to be gradually getting back on track.

Just the other day I sent out an email trying to organize some grassroots preaching initiative here in LA and I've been getting an enthusiastic response. I'm trying to at least get  a decent group together to help my friend Marvin with his Bhakti yoga college clubs before I head out to visit the east coast. It looks like I'll be back east a bit longer than usual this year because I'm going a little early to help Your Holiness with Rathayatra,

HpS - Our "Rathayatra" has always been a little part of the Celebrate Nashville Festival. It has been cancelled this year and last year.

...and staying a bit later because we had to push back the date of our exhibition until the end of November. Looks like Krishna is arranging a crash course for me in art curation! My mantra lately is, "if you're not scared, you're not thinking big enough!"

On a related topic I had an opportunity to visit Tukaram prabhu recently and ask his advice about some of the stuff I'm going through. Practically right away he brought up the question of ashram. I think I've already mentioned that I feel uneasy about going into art as a brahmacari mainly because of the social etiquette I'm supposed to follow. If I was just sitting in a temple doing BBT illustrations that would be one thing, but as someone trying to actively engage with the world of contemporary art, I'm realizing more and more that it will be problematic. In addition, Tukaram prabhu pointed out that sociological elements notwithstanding, my whole orientation towards life right now is not really consistent with brahmacari ashram. Because I'm bold and independent and ambitious rather than meek and dependent and aloof. He said it's not necessarily a bad thing, but it has a certain time and place. It's true that I'm not exactly eager for a relationship or a family at this point, but in the meantime at least the type of sacrifice I'm engaged in (embracing the world and offering sense objects into the fire of the senses) seems more aligned with the grhastha ashram. The way I see it is, if I go down the path of grhastha ashram, in the course of performing devotional service either I'll eventually meet someone who is equally invested in the things I'm interested in, in which case a partnership may actually be useful, or I'll just be too busy to even bother and after a few years I'll just go directly into vanaprastha ashram. I guess I find it important to discuss this because I do actually have respect for the ashram of brahmacarya, and I don't want to misrepresent it if I don't find it worthwhile at this stage to follow all the rules and regulations in detail.

I'm actually starting to think that unless one is doing tksp, grhastha ashram might actually be advantageous in some ways for preaching in the modern west. I feel like as a monk, social interactions are limited more or less to an official capacity of giving direct guidance or instructions. But if people don't already appreciate or accept the value system or the authority behind monastic life they are less likely to value or apply those instructions. So if I can befriend people, and set a public example and aesthetic portraying the value system of Vedic thought as attractive and beneficial, I hope that people will come of their own volition to submissively inquire about philosophy. What do you think? Does any of that make sense or am I just trying to justify my maya?

HpS - As you say, it seems like the best approach is to just go ahead with your service and then if you need to make a change, it will become obvious. In general, there is 100% opportunity to preach in the current social system as a Brahmacari. Women respect monks and are very, very greedy to have that kind of association in the proper perspective, as brother, father, son. It has always been that way ans always will be that way.
Prabhupada acted as the "Father" to so many girls. They didn't want him in any other relationship.

I look forward to catching up with you in Nashville soon to serve you personally and find out more about your Art and the Sacred presentation. I'm about to buy plane tickets so I just want to confirm the date. You mentioned before that the parade is the first weekend of October, so does that mean Saturday October 1st?

Your fallen servant,

Ekāśma Dās

HpS - You can always call us or put URGENT in these letters. Again, the Festival here is cancelled. We are just absorbed in writing for the most part now, but it is going on.  We have no particular bodily conception of life. Only "personal service" we can conceive is when people are serving the Supreme Person!
Go ahead!   Lets look at your next letter!

P.S. I think you mentioned me on your recent guru Tattva post. I don't recall bringing up guru Tattva recently, could you remind me what it's in reference to? Thank you : D