Letters to the editor

Hare Krishna

All glories to Srila Prabupada.

HpS - We asked KK to join this Blog and answer the following question. He is psychiatrist in USA, from India, and wife is also psychiatrist.

How much money needed to sustain family?

Before we approach this question we need to understand the concept of charity (Daan). Even before that we have to accept that we need money to sustain our family. For that we have to work one way or the other way. Money is important but how much we need for sustaining the family is a very interesting question.

There may not be any direct answer so let's first learn about Daan. 

How much charity needs to be done according to scriptures. 

Scriptures lay down a varying proportion of one's income (ranging from 10% to 50%) to give away in daan.

Skanda Puran - According to Skanda puran one should 10% of one's justly earned income on good deeds or works of pubilc benefit.

Bhagwat puran : He quotes learned people to recommend dividing one's fund into five equal parts.

1) One part should be used for Dharma e.g Supporting Sanayasis , helping temples (daan).

2) Second for Yash (public works like for hospitals, food).

3) Third should be re-invested for generating more wealth.

4) Fourth for material things

5) Fifth for one's family and friends.

 Charity should not result hardship to donors family or loss of livelihood  

Coming to the first question, how much money... Money we need to sustain family is the money where we can also do some charity for Krishna Consciousness. So people who have decent jobs should be doing more charity .

The amount may vary but the basic ground rule is the same. Earning money with intention to support Krishna Consciousness. But also not at the cost of time needed to do your chanting and other services. Hare Krishna.

ASA - Thank you. This is very nice discussion of principles and then individuals can start to apply in their own circumstances. Very specifically, someone like yourself: Husband, wife, two children... professional people, how much is needed per year to keep house, transport, food, health, recreation ?

Hare Krsna querido Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis rendidas reverencias.

Todas las Glorias sean a nuestro muy misericordioso Srila Prabhupada!

Y Todas las Glorias a Usted querido Gurudeva!

Deseo que su salud se encuentre mejor, lamentamos enterarnos de que su cuerpo ha causado algunos problemas últimamente.    El nuestro es la principal fuente de tormento en estos días, intentamos refugiamos en sus palabras “Tener un cuerpo, es en sí mismo una enfermedad” así que hacemos lo que nos corresponde para cuidar de él y toleramos el resto.

Guru Maharaja, durante las clases recientes de ASA, hemos estudiado la conversación entre Uddhava y Vidura...  Sin duda los pasatiempos de nuestro Señor, nos dejan ver un poco de su magnífico carácter; entre sus innumerables cualidades Su misericordia me parece sobresaliente.

¡Cuán misericordioso es nuestro Señor!...  Él acepta la acción de Putana y la eleva a una posición de madre, pasando por alto la mala intención que ella tenía y por otro lado, en cuanto Lord Indra se arrepiente nuestro Señor lo disculpa de inmediato, a pesar de una mala acción acompañada de la peor intención, Sri Krsna lo acepto amorosamente, sin reparos, sin reproches e incluso lo reprendió en privado, no lo avergonzó...

"Misericordia" es un término que utilizamos frecuentemente, pero ahora pienso en lo lejos que estoy de comprender su significado en su sentido amplio y profundo...

Según leí, misericordia significa "tener un corazón solidario" y se dice que se manifiesta en; amabilidad, ayuda al necesitado, instruir, aconsejar, consolar y confortar pero se manifiesta especialmente en el perdón y la reconciliación... ¡Maravilloso!

Para mí, la misericordia parece ser es una cualidad divina e incomprensible; y ahora observo que cultivarla puede ser muy difícil sin abandonar el apego a la "Así llamada justicia". ¿Es así?

He pensado que algunas veces, cuando hay diferencias entre devotos. La persona que se siente ofendida, pide una sanción para los ofensores - "¡Queremos justicia!” - Y el aparente ofensor también busca justicia (todos tienen sus razones válidas)

Entonces, el maestro espiritual no imparte un castigo (quizá no es la justicia que esperamos)... a cambio ¡él otorga su misericordia, para beneficio de todos! Parece ser que, la decisión de tomarla o no, es nuestra ¿Podría ser así?

¡Es difícil entender la misericordia del Guru! Porque es ilimitada y además ¿quizá requiere de cierto grado de rendición, fe y un poco de inteligencia? 

Gurudeva, muchas gracias por brindarnos su misericordia sin causa de tantas y tantas maneras. Por favor perdóneme por distraerle, quería comentar estos detalles y tratar de entender un poco de esta incomprensible cualidad. Gracias por todo.

Su aspirante a sirviente

Karuna Sakti DD

=--=--=--=

(Translated by Gaggle) Hare Krsna dear Gurudeva

Please accept my bowed obeisances.

All Glories be to our most merciful Srila Prabhupada!

HpS - ASA - !!

And All Glories to You dear Gurudeva!

I wish your health is better, we are sorry to hear that your body has caused some problems lately. Ours is the main source of torment these days, we try to take refuge in his words “Having a body, is in itself a disease” so we do our part to take care of it and tolerate the rest.

Guru Maharaja, during recent ASA classes, we have studied the conversation between Uddhava and Vidura ... No doubt our Lord's pastimes let us see a little of his magnificent character; Among his innumerable qualities, His mercy seems outstanding to me.

HpS - The Personified Vedas say that this is His foremost quality.

How merciful is our Lord! ... He accepts Putana's action and elevates her to a position of mother, ignoring the evil intention that she had and on the other hand, as soon as Lord Indra repents our Lord excuses him from Immediately, despite a bad deed accompanied by the worst intention, Sri Krsna accepted him lovingly, without qualms, without reproach and even rebuked him privately, did not embarrass him ...

"Mercy" is a term that we use frequently, but now I think about how far I am from understanding its meaning in its wide and deep sense ...

As I read, mercy means "to have a caring heart" and is said to manifest itself in; kindness, helps the needy, instructs, advises, comforts and comforts but it manifests itself especially in forgiveness and reconciliation ... Wonderful!

For me, mercy seems to be a divine and incomprehensible quality; and now I see that cultivating it can be very difficult without giving up the attachment to "so-called justice." Is that so?

HpS - ASA - I remember one story of Harishchandra. He was a King who had to make some decision in his court to kill some criminal. That was the truthfull application of justice, but after so many experiences he came to the conclusion that mercy is the essence of justice, not truth.

I have thought that sometimes when there are differences between devotees. The person who feels offended asks for a sanction for the offenders - "We want justice!" - And the apparent offender also seeks justice (everyone has their valid reasons).

HpS - !

So, the spiritual master does not impart a punishment (perhaps it is not the justice we hope for) ... in return he grants his mercy, for the benefit of all! It seems that the decision to make it or not is ours. Could this be so?

HpS - The question is not clear to us. Krsna is Spiritual Master as Paramatma and He is rewarding and punishing while sitting in our heart. He gives knowledge to the Diksa and external Siksa gurus also, to punish, or not. Yes, if we are not really surrender and only superficially ask for chastisement, then Krsna may not give it, even though we need it, but He chastise as He wants.

It is difficult to understand the mercy of the Guru! Because it is unlimited and also perhaps it requires a certain degree of surrender, faith and a little intelligence?

Gurudeva, thank you so much for giving us your causeless mercy in so many ways. Please forgive me for distracting you, I wanted to comment on these details and try to understand a little of this incomprehensible quality. Thanks for everything.

Your would-be servant

Karuna Sakti DD

HpS - So far you have been a strong example of the proper life and from what we hear a good friend to others.

Go ahead. You will wake up and see everyone in their proper relation to Krsna and laugh about any friends and enemies you had.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada 

Please accept my humble obeisances 

Hare Krishna Dearest Guru Maharaja 

Thank you very much for taking me into consideration and dedicating the DTC to this insignificant servant ... sorry for my delay in answering the DTC was saved in Spam of the email .. 

Right now in Nueva Govardhana (Mar del Platanos) we are finishing the strategic plan for this coming year with the SMART points and key areas to be developed. We did the leadership based on the material received at the Gbc College (training and strategic) and we are having a very good experience about it and I hope good results. 

Its like herding cats!!!

2020 marathon!!!!

I find the possibility of serving you personally and assisting HPS in sankirtana incredible. It is taking me time to understand the role I can play in Tennessee. I have no great expectations .. My fear is not being able to fulfill HPS expectations and those of the devotees, wasting time and money .. If I could just follow you in your Sadhana and assist you in whatever you need it would be a resounding success to me... we can see the possibility of doing something more concrete if necessary and you see it relevant to your strategy, such as studying at UT or do any cultural or educational exchange between Spanish and English speaking.

 It occurs to me that there may be two options to execute. a) travel to Tennessee at the end of December and see the possibilities of study and analyze if we could continue with a plan in the future ... as it says to travel with you to South America and then if necessary return to the USA to continue With the service.. b) continue to develop the idea of ​​Going to Tenesse to attend and do some study at UT. And we could travel to the USA in the next year after the return from the South American tour.

 As I already told you, I do not feel qualified nor do I believe I am a great University student, but we can make the effort and surrender to his plans and those of Krishna to continue harvesting our sankirtana and that Krishna gives us the necessary qualities. 

Waiting for your advice..

Your servant Ptd

HpS - Local devotees, Latin American devotees, HpS, TB/BW, everyone seems to think it is a good idea for your to come here. Abhi.Th. Das makes good point that a Spanish speaking devotee would be very useful here to help co-ordinate the Sankirtan programs.

Please contact Sesa Das (Seth Spellman) about getting a visa. Let me know the results. I don't think a Religious Worker's Visa is good. There are Business Visas or Student Visas that NIOS could sponsor. Don't think it is good for an ISKCON center (they are religious and there is none here in Tennessee) would be a good sponsor.

He is immigration lawyer with decades of success, GBC of Ministry of Education etc.

His number is +1 202 494 6601. It is also his Whatsapp number.

Thank you.

Best wishes for New Govardhana!

pamho Maharaja! AGtSP!

We need sweet smellin' badges!

Caught your note on Badges and etecetera. There are so many marketing promo's you can shake a stick at.

We need to plan out goals for this one, so many choices. The Chinese Web Marketing, such Alladin has 1,000's of choices and potential Badges, buttons, pins, baseball hats, shirts..even bobble-head figurines. We just get a design and send.

Though we should also look at local markets too, just need to centralize our needs for economical benefits to home businesses.

We'll discuss again!

HpS - ASA -- AGTSP!! paoho What about a simple rectangular cloth badge that could be sewn on shorts or t-shirt with our simple Hanuman logo (attached) and "Anjana Suta Academy" above and "www.JayaRama.US" below, in black-white-greyscale?

[Ingles de Google]

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

Please accept my respectful obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

On November 7, 8 and 14 we had the Vaishna Care course taught by Her Grace Sangita devi dasi.

It was a pleasure to be able to participate in this course, I felt that I was no longer alone in my desire to develop a devotee care system in our congregation.

HpS - It is big passion of my associate here, Nitai-gaurasundara Das.

The truth is that the course dealt in depth with the care of the devotee in his last moments before leaving the body and how to help the people who lost him.

HpS - Terminal care. NgD is a doctor. He would like to join any effort.

Despite this, it was stated that care goes beyond this specific area and encompasses constant care of the person both physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, at every moment of life.

After finishing the course I realized that many devotees from Chile have taken it. We are already organizing among ourselves. On Sunday, November 22, we had the first meeting, now the project was presented to the local authority in order to carry it out.

This area of ​​service is the one that motivates me the most, I am passionate about helping and caring for the devotees and I believe that it is something vital to keep ISKCON strong and healthy for many years on planet earth.

PS: Sorry for not connecting to the Gurudeva programs, I can't do it, since the services have changed and the time change is 3 hours for Chile. The good thing is that I am doing more sankirtan, 4 or 5 hours in the morning, then I arrive and in the afternoon I cook for the deity. It has been very nectar, sometimes very purifying for the false ego, suffering transcendentally and learning to better approach people in sankirtan. Hare Krishna.

Your servant

Piyari mohan das

HpS - !!!! Hare Krsna!! HAre Krsna. Bigger deals are yet to come. Undestand NOI-5 very well.

[Español]

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

Por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias

Todas las glorias a Srila Prabhupada

El 7, 8 y 14 de noviembre tuvimos el curso de Vaishna Care impartido por su Gracia Sangita devi dasi. 

Fue un agrado poder participar de este curso, sentí que ya no estaba solo en mis deseos para desarrollar un sistema de cuidado al devoto en nuestra congregación.

La verdad es el que curso trató a profundidad el cuidado al devoto en sus últimos momentos antes de abandonar el cuerpo y cómo ayudar a las personas que le perdieron.

A pesar de ello, se expuso que el cuidado va más allá de esta área específica y engloba un constante cuidado de la persona tanto física, emocional, mental y espiritual, en cada momento de la vida. 

Luego de terminar el curso me di cuenta de que muchos devotos de Chile lo habían tomado. Ya estamos organizándonos entre nosotros. El domingo 22 de noviembre tuvimos la primera reunión, ahora se presentó el proyecto a la autoridad local para poder llevarlo a cabo.

Esta área de servicio es la que más me motiva, siento pasión por ayudar y cuidar a los devotos y creo que es algo vital para mantener a ISKCON fuerte y saludable por muchos años en el planeta tierra. 

PD: Perdón por no conectarme a los programas Gurudeva, no puedo hacerlo, ya que me han cambiado los servicios y el cambio de hora es de 3 horas para Chile. Lo bueno es que estoy haciendo más sankirtan, 4 o 5 horas por la mañana, luego llego y en la tarde le cocino a la deidad. Ha estado muy néctar, a veces bien purificante para el ego falso, sufriendo trascendentalmente y aprendiendo a como abordar mejor a las personas en sankirtan. Hare Krishna. 

Su sirviente

Piyari Mohan das

AGTSP!

paoho

O.K. ... so we got ASA adhesive logo-stickers (for Stretch Island Fruit Leathers/Mr. P-nuts/etc), but what about ASA shorts, t-shirts (ladies bags???). . . seweable cloth badges?

This looks like a job for Uncle Gismo or his partial incarnation, CCD!!!

Let us research sources for these products, no?