Letters to the editor

Hare Krsna dear Gurudeva

PAOHO AGTSP!!

• I have just sent a message to the representatives of the Ministry mentioning your comments.
• You said that it was not necessary to elaborate much on the subject of VAD but let me suggest the participation of Sarvabhamuma das and its Vanaprastha community program in Brazil. There are many people interested in a program of this nature.
• The same with Subhadra devi dasi. She leads a very successful early childhood education program, which attracts many children from 4 years to adolescence. Her program is very close to our reality and we believe that her participation can inspire and offer alternatives to those who wants or already have a similar program.
• On the other hand, Brazil has always stood apart given the language distance, but it is important to bring it closer to the development of Spanish-speaking communities. They have a lot to offer. Mataji can lead her presentation towards formative education rather than VAD.
• Sessions would preferably be at 7:30 am?

HpS - Sounds good to us. Others could be organized at other times during the day, week. We hope that ASA can continue to host programs Eg. When we get to Houston March 7th-17th.

• Indira Sakti dd is already working on the issue of visual communication. When we have something ready, we send it to you to receive your feedback.
• I had a conversation with Karuna Krsna prabhu for almost an hour. He has always been very understanding with me (which I appreciate) and he is right, for one reason or another I have worked unnecessarily independently in recent months. We have agreed that I will present my reports to them during the next week and keep in regular contact going forward.

HpS - ASA - Thank you! We are almost in tears to hear this. Thank you.

• ISKCON Chosica will cooperate with the Symposium by facilitating the temple hall for some activities, but it will not be able to do so in the organizational order due to his duties.

HpS - Yes, we can understand this. We sent a Whatsapp message to Karuna and he answered with voice mail to Abhirama, so we are all pretty much on the same page. I am trying to work properly with National Council, Zonal Secretary, GBC Ministry of Education etc. Trying to get Caitanya-candra Das whatsapp number to say hello to him.

We have to talk with Srila Prabhupada.

We have to talk with our friends in ISKCON.

We have to talk with the GBC.

Also, if our local Temple, Chosika, can look at some announcements for their social media that would help and I think within their range of ability. We love the Temple. It is so, so, beautiful.

• I haven't had much contact with Tapana Misra das lately. The relationship with the Ministry has been permanent with Bhakta Rupa das, for management and administration issues. However, I must deliver my report to the Minister at the end of the year in which I will propose some ideas. Communication is very intermittent, although I think that is a serious problem at ISKCON as an institution.

HpS - Yes. How are we, ASA/NIOS, doing? You got the notice of a NIOS Board of Director's Meeting on the 25th November? We haven't seen your response yet? Do want to, can you, continue as a Director next year?

• Depending on what you require from us for the Symposium, Indira Sakti dd and I will travel to Lima at the end of the year (we would love to be present at your Vyasapuja) and we will stay for approximately 10 days. I ask that you can meet me personally to discuss some issues related to education and the services I provide in this area. Hopefully you will allow us to visit the asram very frequently during our stay.

HpS - What dates??? Yes...

• I would like to be part of the organization of the Houston, Madrid and Calcutta Symposia, if you consider it pertinent and necessary. Being at your service means peace in my mind, Gurudeva.

HpS - You have to ask Uncle Gismo if you can be on board the ASA boat! 😁

Of course, that means that you have to join in your archetypical form. Prof. Miguel Polo is a rabbit.

• Here is the schedule as it is to date

HpS - Looks fine. Then other people can organize individual sessions. Eg. a symposium live and online from Chosika Temple with Mother Subra Devi Dasi, Radhika, Patraka et al.

Your servant

Gandharva das

Trying to be your servant,

H. P. Swami



Please accept my humbles obediences Allll Glory for Srila Prabhupada

Gurudev, you wrote on the blog that you may need a secretary to help with your letters. We approached Balabadhra prabhu and informed him of this need. We are both interested in helping. Possibly I could read the Spanish letters and he could read the English and we can have weekly phone meetings to discuss briefly your letters from disciples.

I will be unforgettable service

My profile photo

HpS - Like Srila Prabhupada, it would have to be someone with us, no? So nice to hear from you. We hope to visit Boise again between middle March and middle July. Then go to Spain and then go to Radha Kunda!!! Let's go!

Hare Krishna, Dear gurudeva!!!!!!!!!!!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to you.

Please accept our obeisances.

As of every two weeks:

* Bulletin is now upload on Facebook (English & Spanish), it is also in Google Groups (English & Spanish) as listed at: http://www.jayarama.us/hello.htm

Hare Krishna!!!

Always trying to keep a good sadhana. This 2 years have been good for us, because we could follow a good sadhana in a sane schedule. We hope next year we can continue doing that.

HpS - Let us really, really, hope that we will never have to deviate ever again!!!

Still planning what to do next year. This week we have some interviews with some schools. Let see what is the best for us in order to keep in mind your advice. "How will this help me chant better rounds! ".

Health is ok. tomorrow we have our virtual appointment.

Family is fine. Thanks to virtuality, we can hear and watch some of your lectures.

Thanks a lot for this Wonderful bulletin.

EDT (Patrak das & Antuanette )

HpS - Everytime we write the Kapi Dhvaja now we are thinking of you. Sometimes we let our selves us colloquial phrases and jargon that is hard to translate, so be just as colorful in Spanish!!

A few more issues and we will be into a new system.

Soon you may be director of a school.

Hare Krsna querido Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis rendidas reverencias

Todas las Glorias sean al muy misericordioso Srila Prabhupada

Y Todas las Glorias a usted que nos conecta con las instrucciones de Su Divino maestro.

Deseando que su salud y energía se encuentren muy bien. Le agradezco mucho por brindarnos los medios para poder estar cerca de sus instrucciones y tener la asociación de tantos Vaisnavas agradables.

Gurudeva, estuve leyendo el Kapi Dhvaja y en la sección Guru-Tattva usted pregunto “Anyone else want 1st, 2nd or 3rd (Sannyasa) initiation?”… 

Yo me había estado preguntado ¿Cuál es mi posición en este Guru-Tattva? -Parece que tengo una idea- pero justo después de leer el KP, pensé que debería preguntarle y después una agradable mataji me sugirió preguntarle a usted y dejar de suponer... Aquí va:

Hace algunos años, usted me dijo que no era necesario (para mí) tomar segunda iniciación, porque es suficiente con seguir estrictamente los votos de la primera iniciación.

Así que, yo no he sentido la necesidad de tomar 2nd iniciación, y me he esforzado siempre por seguir mis votos de 1st iniciación cada vez de forma más estricta, además de Mangala Aratika, Lectura diaria, clases regulares, etc…   Quizá algún vaisnava crea que yo pretendo escapar de adquirir mayores responsabilidades, pero yo únicamente pienso que, por alguna razón, usted me ha dicho que para mí es suficiente la primera iniciación. 

Además usted ha dicho que un Brahmana debe ser un ejemplo para la sociedad, y que su carácter debe ser tal, que con solo verlo, el resto de la sociedad sepa cuál es el comportamiento ideal. 

Así que, desde que (a causa de mis tratos ásperos) yo me separe de mi noble esposo, pienso que no podría ser un ejemplo para nadie. Además he observado que soy una persona bastante orgullosa y arrogante, y el solo título podría confundirme fácilmente. Por lo que aún cuando algunos Vaisnavas me han sugerido solicitar la segunda iniciación, yo pienso que tal como usted dijo “Para mí es suficiente la primera iniciación”.

Sin embargo; en ocasiones, usted menciona que la primera iniciación es solo una prueba y la segunda iniciación es cuando el Guru realmente acepta al discípulo. Y quería preguntarle ¿Eso quiere decir que no soy su discípula aún? Guru Maharaja, ¿Qué debería hacer para ser realmente su discípula o situarme apropiadamente en este Guru Tattva?

Guru Maharaja, por favor disculpe estas preguntas básicas. Muchas gracias por brindarnos sus misericordiosas instrucciones.

Su aspirante a discípula

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

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Hare Krsna, dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my bows

All Glories be to the most merciful Srila Prabhupada

HpS/ASA - !!!! !!!

And All Glories to you that connects us with the instructions of Your Divine teacher.

 Wishing your health and energy are very good. I thank him very much for giving us the means to be able to be close to his instructions and to have the association of so many nice Vaisnavas.

Gurudeva, I was reading the Kapi Dhvaja and in the Guru-Tattva section you asked “Anyone else want 1st, 2nd or 3rd (Sannyasa) initiation?”…

I had been wondering what is my position in this Guru-Tattva? -I seem to have an idea- but just after reading the KP, I thought I should ask you and then a nice mataji suggested I ask you and stop guessing ... Here it goes:

 Some years ago, you told me that it was not necessary (for me) to take a second initiation, because it is enough to strictly follow the vows of the first initiation.

 So, I have not felt the need to take 2nd initiation, and I have always endeavored to follow my 1st initiation vows more and more strictly, in addition to Mangala Aratika, Daily Reading, regular classes, etc ... Maybe some Vaisnava believes I intend to escape acquiring greater responsibilities, but I only think that, for some reason, you have told me that the first initiation is enough for me.

Furthermore, you have said that a Brahmana should be an example for society, and that his character should be such that just by looking at him, the rest of society knows what the ideal behavior is.

 So, since (because of my rough dealings) I separated from my noble husband, I think that I could not be an example for anyone. In addition, I have observed that I am quite a proud and arrogant person, and the title alone could easily confuse me. So even though some Vaisnavas have suggested to me to request the second initiation, I think that just as you said "For me the first initiation is enough."

 Nevertheless; sometimes you mention that the first initiation is just a test and the second initiation is when the Guru actually accepts the disciple. And I wanted to ask him, does that mean I'm not his disciple yet? Guru Maharaja, what should I do to really be your disciple or place myself properly in this Guru Tattva?

Guru Maharaja, please excuse these basic questions. Thank you very much for giving us your merciful instructions.

Your would-be disciple

Karuna-Sakti Devi Dasi

HpS - AgtSP!!! We remember the conversation in Rome, I think, where Srila Prabhupada made these statements about 1st and 2nd initiation. We have seem them in NoI 5 also. At first initiation you are the diksa guru's disciple, like a student who has joined the university, but it is after the end of the first semester when one passes examinations that one's history begins to be recorded, no?

So, following first initiation well for several years, your service is being recorded toward your final return to Goloka, and the attention that such a sincere student deserves is being noted.

I don't think it is necessary for you nor many people, but on the other hand it is good to aspire for being a formally recognized leader by neophytes, taking more responsibility as Brahmana or Ksatriya etc.

Of course, for a lady, adjusting the Varna Ashrama circumstances are important. Go on chanting and expect that things will adjust gradually but securely and even rapidly.

Thank you.

Hare Krsna Gurudev

🙏

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada!

Todas las glorias sean a usted. 

Por favor acepte mis reverencias a sus pies de loto.

HpS - Pies de (mitad) loco.

Espero que al momento de recibir esta carta lo encuentre muy bien de salud. 

Quería contarle que me encuentro en un momento estable, con un Sadhana y conciencia firme para expandir la misión de Srila Prabhupada. 

He seguido sus instrucciones, y esto me a llevado a una mejoría completa, tanto a mi como a mi entorno social y familiar. 

Gracias a su misericordia logro dia a día poder predicar en mi trabajo y en el lugar donde estudio sobre la misión de Srila Prabhupada, repartiendo libros e invitandolos a programas. 

Particularmente hoy tengo una sensación hermosa en el corazon, el cual se debe a qué siguiendo tanto sus instrucciones, cómo la de devotos mayores de mi Yatra local, me entrego a su infinita misericordia, luego de tomar el curso y el examen de discipulo, me acerco a usted con el fin de pidirle su refugio formal. 

Agrego también una copia de la carta de recomendación de Prabhu Lakshmana Das (presidente de templo Iskcon Buenos Aires)

Su eterno sirviente Bhakta Ever.

HpS - Felicidades. Por supuesto, considerando las circunstancias, estamos muy felices de tratar de servirle como diksa guru en ISKCON bajo el refugio de Srila Prabhupada. En cuanto a las formalidades administrativas, lo aceptamos como refugiado, y ahora lea el Kapi Dhvaja y envíe informes cada dos meses con preguntas, comentarios, con los códigos de prioridad, para que podamos estar seguros de verlos, y luego después de las seis. meses más, 1ª iniciación.

Super!!! Felicidades!!

Hare Krsna dear Gurumaharaja

Please accept our sincere obeisances

Jay Srila Prabhupada!

After making some inquiries and consulting with my fellow representatives of the Ministry, some alternatives arose according to your guidelines:

• Your suggested speakers: SS Hanumatpresaka Swami, SS Yadunandana Swami, Radhika Ramana das, Subhra devi dasi.

Speakers and topics suggested by us:

• Dhanvantari Swami: I would be willing to give a talk about the Bhakti Sastri program offered at the Jaladuta institute.

• Prema Rupa das (Argentina): has a very successful online sastric program, especially aimed at grhasthas. Could contribute to this topic (DVAD). I spoke with him, very kind and willing to collaborate. Sends you his obeisances.

• Mitravinda devi dasi (Representative of the Ministry in Brazil) She directs the online educational program of the Jaladuta institute of Dhanvantari Swami. Very capable. She can emphasize this pedagogical format.

• Sarvabhauma das (Brazil) is operating a community and educational program for Vanaprasthas in his country. He wants to attract devotees to collaborate with him. (Needs a translator, but there are vailable)

• Harinam Gauranga das (Colombian and Representative of the Ministry in his country, Venezuela and Panama) He can explain the challenges and strategies that it means to start / formalize a pedagogical program where it does not exist (an authentic pioneer!).

• Param Padam das (Argentina and representative of the Ministry in his country, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) Proposes 2 workshops: 1) a teacher training seminar (accreditation processes and how to build your online course) / 2) a meeting-debate (on pedagogical methods and facilitation of tools for the presentation / teaching of controversial topics). In this case, it is about participatory programs, separately on two different days.

• Subhadra devi dasi (Brazil) is in charge of a very successful childhood education program for the children of devotees of different ages, she also directs the educational program for the National Board of Brazil. (Needs a translator, but there are vailable)

• Gandharva das (Peru and representative of the Ministry in his country, Ecuador and Bolivia) 'Pramanas and learning experiences', in which I propose learning strategies of contemporary education linked to Vedic epistemology.

• Laksmana-agraja das (Peru) Teaching-learning process in SB classes.

• We can also summon Aravinda das (Argentina / Mexico) and Karunya Nitai das (Ecuador), both renowned educators.

You can make a selection of those participants that seem most suitable for the event.

Ys

Gandharva das

HpS - Wow! AgtSP. Paoho.

Are you in contact with the ISKCON Ministry of Education? How often? Who? What Official positions?

We hear some real concern from Members of Peru Yatra management that they feel lack of communication. When we last time you were in contact with Director of Education for Peruvian National Council?

We are specifically asking ISKCON Chosika to be a co-sponsor of this December 15th to January 7th ASA Symposium on Education.

Then we hope to organize another in Houston March 7th-17th. Then.... others in USA, Spain July 15th to October 7th, India Kartika.

So, we can make a commitment take things slowly and progress.

With the proposed time we have, three weeks, we can accommodate so many people. We will want to consolidate things for our movie: DTC-UT.

Subra devi Das and Radhika ramana Das will be coming mid-December and 25th December so they can be focus for VAD education, Kinder to Kollege, but we need good work on general principles of education eg. What is the goal of education? What is an educated man?

O.K?

You will be staying with your in-laws for some of these days and be visiting regularly?

Please discuss all these things with Karuna krsna Prabhu and give us some news here.

Thank you so, so, so much. Your Monkeys are just as much alive our our dinning room table as the first day they came.

P.S. We forgot to add, Patraka Das, CMDD, Rohini Devi Dasi to the list!!