bhaktivedanta manor newsletter august 2011

8/3/2019 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2011

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August2011

Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Srila Prabhupada:

One who is therefore situated

in devotional or transcendental

loving service to the Lord

attains to the stage of buddhi-

yoga by the special grace of

the LordOnly those who are

always engaged in devotional

service out of transcendental

love does He award the pure

knowledge of devotion in love.

In that way the devotee can

reach Him easily in the ever-

blissful kingdom of God.

Bhagavad gita 2.39 purport

A meeting with the

President of AmericaOn June 13 Radhanath Swami was

invited to meet with the President of

the United States, Mr. Barack Obama at

an event in Miami Florida. Radhanath

Swami is a great inspiration to everyone

at Bhaktivedanta Manor and he will

be joining us for Janmastami to launch

his book The Journey Home: The

Autobiogrpahy of an American Swami.

The President and the Swami had a

heartfelt talk and enjoyed each other's

company immensely.

On Saturday 30th July Bhaktivedanta

Manor's Open Day was blessed with

sunshine and around 400 interested

guests. The gardens and front lawnwere dotted with stalls, arts and crafts,

face- painting and a bouncy castle for

the children. Mothers and daughters

donned colourful saris and others opted

forhenna tattoos.

Amongst the crowds were 25

employees from the Home Office

based in central London.

On tours, guests were able view the

items used for worship in the Temple

shrine. Head Priest Gadadhara das was

on hand to explain the wide variety oftraditional rituals that take place.

The ox cart ride was very popular and

the Manors organic produce was made

available. Everyone then enjoyed a

complimentary vegetarian lunch, many

returning for more!

Family Fun Open Day- a day blessed with sunshine


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Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter August 2011

Giving Shelter

If Westminster Council has its way,

a newly proposed byelaw will soon

make it a crime to give out a free cupof soup to homeless people in Victoria,

explained Food for All Director

Parasuram das. Camden and Islington

Councils are also thinking along the

same lines. Ironically the police,

day centres and charities have been

directing homeless people to us for free

meals.

Liberty, along with many other third

sector organisations, believe the

proposed byelaw is fundamentally

flawed. No one sleeps rough for a freesandwich, added Parasuram das The

proposed law fails to address the root

causes of homelessness, and will at

best only displace homeless individuals

elsewhere.

Srutidharma das has been appointed

Chaplain to the Mayor of Harrow,

Cllr Mrinal Choudhury. DuringHarrow Councils Civic Service at St

Marys Church in Harrow on the Hill,

Srutidharma das led the prayers, which

included the chanting of Hare Krishna.

After the Service all the dignitaries

assembled at Harrow School, one of

Britains leading independent schools.Mr Barnaby Lenon, the Headmaster of

the school expressed interest to visit

Bhaktivedanta Manor and the Krishna

Avanti School.

Chaplain to the Mayor of Harrow

30 Chaplains from universities across

London visited Bhaktivedanta Manor.

The trip was billed as a day out to learn

more about our tradition, lifestyle and

practice.

The day started with a talk fromShaunaka Rishi das - Director of the

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and

Hindu Chaplain to Oxford University.

This was followed by tours of the

estate by Kripamoya das, lunch, and

an opportunity to hand-milk the cows

in New Gokul farm. The day finished

with an overview and demonstration of

kirtan. All had a wonderful day, with

many expressing interest to visit againwith their church communities.

The day was organised by Sachi

Kishore das and Gopal Lila das, both of

whom are University Chaplains.

University Chaplains The Mayor of HarrowVisits Krishna-Avanti

In July, Naina Parmar, Head Teacher

of the Krishna-Avanti School,

welcomed the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr

Mrinal Choudhury, and his wife. They

visited the school's Temple where

they received a ceremonial blessing

for peace and happiness. The Mayor

was accompanied by other dignitaries

including Councillors Navin Shah,

Nana Asante and Margaret Davine.

Srutidharma das and other School

Governors took their guests around the

classrooms as the children prepared to

leave for their summer vacation.

Spirituality ForumKripa Moya das and Citi-Sakti dasi

gave presentations at a conference

organised by the National Spirituality

and Mental Health Forum (NSMHF).

The session was an interfaith look atwhy and how people of different faiths

may attribute mental health problems to

possession. Citi Sakti dasi, a Consultant

Psychiatrist and a trustee for NSMHF,

facilitated a case based discussion

to illustrate some of the challenges

that this topic raises for clinicians,

patients and faith groups. The audience

of 100 included doctors, nurses,psychologists and other allied health

care professionals.


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Radlett Festival 2011

Bhaktivedanta Manor, working with

the Radlett Festival Committee, once

again provided the main stage and tents

for local charities, and free vegetarian

food for everyone. Cllr Ron Worthy,

Chair of Aldenham Parish Council,

was impressed by the Manor Schools

entries to the Build a scarecrow

competition! Unfortunately the popular

bullock cart rides were cancelled due to

the rain, but locals are looking forward

to it next year.

The Hare Krishnas once again won the first prize at Borehamwood Carnivalwith their Ratha Yatra float.

German Guests

The twin town association Radlett and

Aldenham International Friendship

Association (RAIFA) celebrated 30

years of ties with a German village

by inviting their counterparts for a

weekend visit.

28 guests from the village of

Lauteral, in Hesse, stayed with

families in Radlett. Members took

their German guests on a packed

weekend that included a special visit

to Bhaktivedanta Manor. RAIFA

Chairman Clive Glover said: "The

whole visit was a huge success

and we're looking forward to more

exchanges between our communities."

Summer AdventuresScandinavia

Devotees from the Manor community,

including the brahmacari ashram,

travelled across Scandinavia to help

the local devotees put on Ratha Yatra

chariot festivals in six cities including

Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.

Magic at Glastonbury

People go to the famous Glastonbury

festival to experience somethingdifferent but there is one oasis amongst

the madness - The Hare Krishna tent!

Festival-goers received free vegetarian

food and a chance to learn something

about mantra meditation.

Special Guests at Stonehenge

The devotees received a special

invitation to the Summer Solstice

Festival in Stonehenge, organised by

the English Heritage Foundation. Over

1000 plates of prasad were distributed

and many of the revelers presentparticipated in the chanting of Hare

Krishna.


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Radlett Rabbi andKrishnas CowsForty members of Radlett

Reform Synagogue spent a day at

Bhaktivedanta Manor. New Gokul farm

made a particularly good impression,

and Rabbi Paul Freedman described it

on the Synagogues website as havingThe grandest cows in England.

Devotees from ISKCON farms all

over Europe attended the fourth annual

ISKCON European Farm Conference at

Bhaktivedanta Manor to gain inspiration

as well as practical advice for theirvarious rural projects.

Devotees hailed from farms in

Sweden, Czech, Slovakia, France and

Hungary. Some wanted to establish ox

programmes, some were developing

businesses based on selling vegetables

and other natural products, and some

simply wanted to learn more about the

principles of agriculture and sustainable

living.

We are currently hand-milking thirteen

of our cows, and that produces about

42,000 litres a year, explained farm

manager Syamasundar das. We also

have a very active ox-working program,

with ten working oxen that logged in

about 3,000 ox hours last year.

Eight of Bhaktivedanta Manors 100

acres of farming landmainly grazing

pasturesare ploughed by oxen.

Another programme that can be set

up to draw volunteer workers to our

farms is WWOOF, or Worldwide

Opportunities on Organic Farms, said

Shyamasundara.

WWOOF gives volunteers often traveling

students, food and accommodation in

return for learning and an experience of

the organic, sustainable lifestyle.

The Art of FarmingChildren of the Manor School and

Fairfield School in Radlett worked

together to paint a wall mural at the

"Care Farm" situated on Holland

Farm, Bhaktivedanta Manor. The

Care Farm provides a facility where

members of the local community can

work on various projects in a farming

environment. The children painted

whatever inspired them on a farming/

wildlife theme and it was a wonderful

exercise in community cohesion.

Farmers leave European conference with newideas and inspiration

Sacred cowsBefore 17 Indian holy men flew to the

Britain to lead a six day Vedic ritual in

Harrow, they made a specific request

for cows to be present. As the Manors

New Gokul farm is Britains foremost

centre for cow protection and working

oxen, the organizers of the event had

no doubt whom to approach.

A Source of ComfortDevotees attended the funeral of

Richard Meadows at West Hertfordshire

Crematorium. The priest acknowledged

the fact that Richard received much

comfort and friendship at the Manor.


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It was the 12th June and as we drove

into Central London it was clear it was

going to be a wet Ratha Yatra this year.

But would the rain dampen our spirits?

We arrived at Hyde Park Corner to

find the colourful domes of the three

chariots standing high above the sea

of devotees that were standing under

umbrellas. It was still raining, and as I

looked around many were huddling

for shelter under the surrounding trees.

Would my concern manifest as the rain

washed away everyones enthusiasm?

Almost in response to my doubts, a

group of devotees started an uproarious

kirtan chant with drums and cymbals,and conches were blown from each

of the chariots, marking the official

start of the festival. Immediately the

devotees began to flock from under the

trees towards the chariots. The energy

from the kirtan seemed to be infectious,

as everyone very quickly started to

welcome the Lord with loud chants in

response. The umbrellas disappeared,

and the festival procession began with

gusto.

After two hours of singing in the rain,

hundreds had taken up the ropes to

pull the three chariots from Hyde

Park Corner to Trafalgar Square,

accompanied by joyous musical

chants. It was almost as if we were

basking in glorious sunshine. I smiled

in disbelief - despite the weather, TheLord Reigned Supreme On His Parade.

By Jagannath Sharan das

Smiling Faces

Smiling faces framed on the wall

Remind me of someone I have to call

When a smiling face enters the room

It dissipates the darkness, removes the

gloom

A smiling face without conceit

Is the name of a guest that can't be

beat

It's not so hard to pay the bill

to a smiling face at the till

It's the best way to seal a dealWhen buying a car or a take-away

meal

Smiling faces becoming grins

Chase away so many sins

Smiling faces breaking into laughter

I pray for now and forever after

But if your smiling face is a mask

There is one thing of you I must ask

That is first you feel it in your heart

The mood will follow like a horse and

cartAnd of carts and smiles think of the

famous three

Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra,

They hold the key

To happiness here and now and

forever after.

Ananta Sakti das was initiated as

a full-time member of ISKCON

in 1978. Since that time he has

dedicated himself to portraying

Krishna consciousness through art

and writing. Many of his paintings

decorate the walls of Bhaktivedanta

Manor, and

he has written

and illustrated

several

children's

books, including

Vaishnava

Saints, Creation

and Gita Stories.

The LordReigns Supreme

on His Parade


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CiT An Alternative toDarwin and Adam and EveYou say you dont acceptDarwinian evolution, sowhats your explanationof where the world comesfrom?

This is a common challenge to

devotees. If someone values the Vedic

scriptures, they will appreciate the

description of the cosmic manifestation

given in Srimad Bhagavatam. But,

what of the general public, fed

continuously on the propaganda thatlife, the universe and everything in

it are the result of blind chance and

arbitrary universal laws. What have we

got to offer them?

At the moment, the only options to

them are: Darwin or Creationism.

We often have fun highlighting the

many holes in Darwinian evolution,

but that, on its own, doesnt provide

an alternative explanation. I estimate

that most people instinctively feel

that there is more to life than chanceand chemical reactions. Some may

even recognise the deficiencies of

evolutionary claims. But, they cannot

accept what seems the only alternative:

the Genesis creation story. Creationism

is associated with Christian literalism

and its contention that the Earth is

only 6,000 years old. So, also is the

idea of Intelligent Design, which,

although it seems broadly in accord

with our theistic understanding,

contains significant differences to our

philosophy.

We need our own model of life &

the universe which draws on Vedic

insights, and stands as a scientific

model not just a theological belief.

To qualify as science, such a model

must be derived from and be

consistent with current reputable

scientific evidence. This differs from

previous strategies within ISKCON by

first focusing on the scientific data. Our

argument is generally not with the raw

data, but with the dodgy interpretations

applied to it. Many so-called scientific

theories that purport to explain the

facts are fallacious, contradictory or

limited in their scope. We have a better

explanation of the facts as they are.

This is the inductive method whichis generally anathema to devotees,

as it cannot reveal transcendental

reality. However, because we have the

incredible wisdom from Vedic sources

to guide us in the understanding of

the scientific data, we can construct

a model of the world and life within

it which is more comprehensive and

consistent that any of the current

theories and which therefore can be

promoted as valid science theory.

I have been working with a group

of devotees in the UK who havebackgrounds in various areas of science

research. Together, we are formulating

a model that explains the key findings

in the fields of quantum physics,

cosmology, bio-chemistry, genetics,

neuroscience etc. within a single

scientific paradigm.

From many observations of current

data, it is observed that intent affects

the form of matter. Hence, it can be

suggested that conscious intent is a

primal energy one that is distinctively

different from and seems to pre-date

physical matter. Further, drawing

on the descriptions of the Vedic

descriptions of the eight elements,

it appears that reality is formed of a

spectrum of energy/matter states that

relate to and transform into each

other. At one end of the spectrum is

what we may term physical matter.

Using an analysis of these energy

states and their respective functions,

(which is a more voluminous than

this article will allow) we can show

how they progressively condition and

encode intent thereby determining

the way physical matter manifests.

This provides a fresh understanding

of how matter appears at the quantumlevel; how the cosmos unfolds; and

how living organisms manifest and

proliferate as many species. It also

tackles the still unexplained mysteries

of consciousness, memory and

perception - all with reference to the

latest scientific research and evidence.

The working title for this model

is Co-intentional Transformation

indicating that the physical world is

produced from the transformation of

various states of energy driven bythe combined and individual input of

conscious intent. So, next time you are

asked what you believe in, you can

reply: Co-intentional Transformation.

But, you may want to read up on it a

bit first.

If you would like more information

about Co-intentional Transformation

or would like to help this project,

please contact Akhandadhi das by

email on [email protected]


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Kishan PaunAge: 16

Studying: Starting A-levels in

Biology, Chemistry, Maths and

Economics

What did you initially findappealing about KC?

I used to go to Bhaktivedanta Manor quite

often and I heard about IPS but I never felt like

going as I thought I wouldnt know anyone at

the groups events. However, in 2009, when

my friend Abhishek told me that he was going

to Harrow Jammin, he invited me along. I had

such a good time that Ive never stopped going.

Its become an important part of my life.

What made you start attendingIPS events?

At rst, the most appealing thing I found wasthe amount of fun I had associating with

different kind of people who, at heart, all shared

the same interest. I also loved how interactive

all the Jammins were so you actually felt like

you were properly involved.

What services are you currentlyinvolved in?At the moment, Im on the Harrow Jammin team,

so I help to organise the event every two weeks.

In particular I manage the Matchless Gifts stall.

Im also involved in the preparation for this

years Janmastami festival at Bhaktivedanta

Manor - Im really looking forward to it as I had

such a great time last year!

Interesting fact about yourself

Good Morning Mr PresidentSahil Agarwal, leader of ISKCON Pandava

Senas (IPS) fortnightly youth programme,

Harrow Jammin, has become the organisations

youngest ever president, aged only 17 years.

Before Sahil

took over, the

youth group was

managed by

the IPS Board,

which oversaw

the activities of

the organisation.It was made up

of experienced

members of

IPS that were

a s s i g n e d

responsibility of

specic projects,

working closely with younger members so as

to train them up on taking on the corresponding

duties.

Under the new system, Sahil will be responsible

for all IPS projects, unifying them with a single

fresh dynamic vision to revolutionise the

presentation of Krishna Consciousness (KC) toyoung people. He will be especially involved in

overseeing the activities of IPS in Harrow, east

London and Crawley, making the important

choices of where the future of this buzzing

youth group should lie. His spiritual mentor,

Nanda Gopa das, said It is about time youth

group had someone who is actually young

in charge! Sahil has always been keen to

take up responsibility for Krishna and quickly

clocked on that

its an easy way

to make spiritual

advancement...I

wish him all the

best for his new

service.

Sahil wasintroduced to

IPS through the

groups summer

trip to Germany

in 2009 and,

after feeling

inspired from his

experience during the time, he got involved

in the IPS tent at Janmashtami that year as

well as joining the Harrow Jammin team. His

conscientious attitude led him to be offered the

role of Harrow Jammin coordinator in 2010,

which he accepted and has been holding since.

Sahil, who is currently studying for his A-levels,commented I aim to present KC specically to

the youth in modern, innovative and energetic

ways so that young people may take to the path

of spirituality based on their inclinations. By the time I was six years old, I had lived in

four different continents of the world - Europe,

Africa, Asia and North America.

Sahil (centre) during the IPS Christmas panto 2010


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Calendar dates for your diary

August 2011

Sat 13 Appearance of Lord Balaram(fast till noon)

Raksabandhan

Second month of Caturmasya

Sun 14 Month of Bhadra begins

Anniversary of Srila Prabhupadadeparture for USA

Sun 21 Janmashtami Festival

Mon 22 Janmashtami

(Fating till midnight)

Tue 23 App of Srila Prabhupada

(fasting till noon) Nandotsava

Thur 25 Annada Ekadasi

September 2011

Fri 2 App of Srimati Sita Thakurini

(Sri Advaitas consort)

Mon 5 Radhastami -

App of Srimati Radharani

(Fasting till noon)

Thur 8 Parsva EkadasiApp of Lord Vamanadeva and Srila

Jiva Goswami((fasting till noon)

Fri 9 App of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura(fasting till noon)

2011, All articles & photographs copyright of Bhaktivedanta Manor

Bhaktivedanta Manor

Dharam Marg Hilfield Lane

Aldenham Herts WD25 8EZ(for sat-nav only, please use

postcode WD25 8DT)

01923 851000

www.krishnatemple.com

Please send your news, photos and

comments to Radha Mohan das

[email protected]

Organic milk from cows that will be

retired to a sanctuary once their milking

days are over has started its first

deliveries, bringing about a revolution

in milk production.

No cow, calf or bull will ever beslaughtered to bring this quality product

to the breakfast table and they will

instead be protected for life, ensuring

families can be confident no animal

suffers to bring them milk.

The breakthrough has been made

possible by the Ahimsa Diary

Foundation (ADF) working in

partnership with the Organic Milk

Suppliers Co-operative (OMSco) and

one of their supplier farms in Kent,

Commonwork, which seeks local and

global sustainability.

In the present pilot, the milk, which

costs 2.25 a litre and 15p for doorstep

delivery through subscription, is being

distributed in North-West London and

parts of Hertfordshire.

Sita Rama das, director of the Ahimsa

Dairy Foundation, said There is so

much suffering in the production of

conventional milk. Cows are killed

years before their natural time and malecalves often killed at birth or sold as

veal.

None of our cattle will ever face the

abattoir and we are exploring new

ways of sustainably and productively

working with bulls. We think people

will really be able to taste the difference

in the milk we sell.

The Ahimsa Dairy Foundation is a

not-for-profit organisation. It takes its

model of caring for cows from the farm

at Bhaktivedanta Manor, where a herdare kept to supply the Hare Krishna

Temple. The Foundation has links with

the Manor, but is independent.

Website: www.ahimsamilk.org

Ahimsa Slaughter-Free milk now on sale Spiritual Consultants

HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami and

Gaur Gopal das gave presentations

at the Global Headquarters of Big

4 Professional Services firm, Ernst

& Young LLP in London Bridge,including representatives from Morgan

Stanley, Citigroup, Barclays Capital,

and Deutsche Bank amongst others.

The address by Bhakti Rasamrita

Swami was entitled 'how the Mighty

Fall, based on the book by best-

selling leadership author Jim Collins.

He drew parallels and explored the

commonalities between the famous

examples of decline in the corporate

world, and the declines from the

Mahabharata over 5,000 years ago. The

parallels were drawn based on Collins'

5 stages of decline, beginning with

the arrogance that often accompanies

success, leading to an denial of risk,

later manifesting in grasping for

survival, and ultimate capitulation to

irrelevance or death.

Gaur Gopal das delivered a seminar

based on the famous book by Robin

Sharma entitled The Monk who Sold his

Ferrari. He said that to be spiritually

driven, you do not need to renounce

your profession. Rather, you shouldrespond to the challenges of the modern

world with a balanced outlook that does

not lose sight of spiritual perspectives.

bhaktivedanta manor newsletter august 2011

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