Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. 30 Mar 2004 09:09:46 -0000 "Parama Karuna Devi" paramakaruna paramakaruna Prabhupada Asraya Newsletter, issue # 6 Prabhupada Asraya Newsletter, issue # 6 Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, India, 29-30 March 2004 (Asoka Astami and Ram Navami) nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani pracarine, nirvisesa sunyavadi pascatya desa tarine Hare Krsna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Please accept my humble obeisances. Dear Prabhus, For some time I had to suspend the newsletter due to several problems, and I apologize for that. Still now, some of such problems have not been solved yet, but I am taking all this as Krsna's test to see our determination, dedication and sincerity. Since everything is under Krsna's control, I take this present situation as a blessing in disguise, and I am eagerly waiting to see the next events develop according to the Lord's plan. Already new opportunities are blossoming out of the apparent problems, and by conducting our service we have come in touch with extremely nice people who are eager to help and participate to the project or at least to encourage and support us. This is a time when we really need the support and encouragement of many people. We have also added some new addresses to our mailing list: if this newsletter reaches you at more than one address, and you wish to cancel such address from our list, please let us know. Similarly, if you would like to receive previous issues of our newsletter, please let us know and we will send them as soon as possible. I would like to give my most sincere and warmest thanks to all those friends in Krsna consciousness who have written to encourage our service and also to ask questions. Questions are always welcome as they offer an opportunity to clarify doubts and know each other better. Again, I keep inviting all comments, suggestions, positive criticism, information and indications, as well as questions of various kinds. I am kindly requesting you to please specify if your messages are confidential (i.e. they should not be published in the newsletter). You are also invited to circulate this newsletter to all your friends or to send me addresses of friends who may be interested so that I can put them on my mailing list. Thank you! Your humble servant, Parama Karuna D paramakaruna (AT) satyam (DOT) net.in paramakaruna (AT) rediffmail (DOT) com "So these European and American Vaisnavas, they're hankering after jagannatha svami nayana pathagami bhavatu me. Now it is through your intervention they may be able to see Jagannatha Swami." (Srila Prabhupada addresses pandas at Puri, 26 January 1977) ----------------------------- In this issue: 1. Update on the land: constructions and plans. 2. Our family update 3. Cooperation with Hindu organizations: why? 4. Whose disciples are we? 5. Srila Prabhupada faced problems in Vrindavana 6. photo attachment: construction work is proceeding on the land site UPDATE ON THE LAND: CONSTRUCTIONS AND PLANS The access bridge to the property is completed. It was the first work to be done, and we did it in a very permanent and solid way. It is a massive bridge, 14 feet wide, totally made of the characteristic large stones that are used in the area because they perfectly resist to water even for long time (unlike bricks and cement). The upper platform (resting over the stone structure) is about 1 foot thick and can easily support even very heavy vehicles. The main building (the asram) has reached the ground floor level -- this means that the foundations have been completed. We hope that within one month we will be able to reach the level of the ground floor roof, completing all the walls of the many rooms. Then we will have to wait for 21 days to solidify the roof before continuining the construction of the upper floor and the finishing/plastering of the ground floor. At that time we will concentrate on the other many works that are necessary on the land. Special care has been taken in the design and planning of the asram and other constructions, so that sufficient natural ventilation and light will be available within the building, and the space will be used in the best possible way. Materials and design have been studied to be the most cost-efficient, good looking and practical, accommodate the needs and tastes of any kind of guest and provide the best health facilities. The entire building will have an all-round balcony/veranda -- 3 feet wide on 3 sides, and 8 feet wide in the front, both for protection against the rain and the direct sunrays, and for free movement. The front veranda will also be furnished with nice sitting places at both floors. The ground floor has 4 double bedrooms, an ample hall/reception, 3 bathrooms, a store room, one large kitchen and another area that will be used as laboratory/office/working area, especially for the production of incense, jams, preserves, and other goods that will be used for our service (puja etc). The excess production will be sold and will contribute to make the project self sufficient. The upper floor will have two other double bed rooms-cum-office, two bathrooms, a large office, a main kitchen, a pujari room and a large hall that will be used as temple, prasadam room and class room (in the future, when a larger permanent temple will be built, this room will be used as a library and study room). This "private" and peaceful temporary temple will house our present small Deities -- Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara with Lalita and Visakha, Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra and Sudarsan, Krsna Narayana and Laskmidevi. The program here will be mostly for the residents of the asram -- a kind of "advanced class group", based on the systematic and academic study of Srila Prabhupada's books. Another and more "public" temple, especially designed for festivals and public programs, will house larger Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sudarsan Deities (identical but smaller copies of the original Deities of the Puri temple -- about 2 feet tall). The temple will be in perfect local style, easily recognizable by any Hindu, and a pujari will sit there to distribute caranamrita and prasadam candies to all visitors. This second temple, and especially its large kirtana hall (about 2000 square feet) will be used for the simple daily readings and addresses in Oriya language, spiritual discussions and kirtans where the local villagers will be participating every evening, and also for special festivals, prasadam distribution etc. It will also serve for the needs of the local villagers as marriage hall, school and literacy center, social center etc. The foundations of the main building (the asram) are 7 feet deep, and strong enough to support at least 3 floors. However, because our main financial support of the project has been interrupted we cannot build to the original plans, and will only build as much as possible until we find other support. For this, we are going to start a fund raising campaign very soon, this summer itself, starting from the beginning of May. We are waiting for much needed technical help to start a nice website and information material. Before May, we hope to be able to complete at least one or two floors of the asram (2640 square feet each floor), plus the boundary around almost 7 acres, a meeting/kirtan hall with a small public temple, some plantations and possibly a few "Rishi cottages" for guests. The additional adjacent 6 acres that were under negotiation have been suspended for lack of funds. Until date, hundreds of tractors of good soil have been brought into our property to raise the level of the land before the rainy season and we hope to be able to bring in at least as much more and start the cultivations within the month of April. On the raised parts of the land we will grow "quick return crops" like banana, papaya, various kinds of spinach and pumpkins, and other annual vegetable garden plants (tomato, eggplant, karela, etc). During the next rainy season we will also plant larger and perennial trees (that take longer to grow) like coconut palms, fruit and flower trees etc, wherever the land will be high enough to remain relatively dry even during prolonged rains. The remaining part of the land, which will probably be covered by one foot water during the peak of rainy season, will be cultivated, this year, with a special type of rice for self sufficiency. An indigenous variety with a very long stem, giant ears and extra nutritional characteristics, which unfortunately local people do not appreciate because it's not "white" like the smaller varieties. If there will be sufficient funds, we will proceed to build a number of small cottages for guests and excavate a small lake (about 80 feet wide, 20 feet deep) so that residents and guests will be able to swim for pleasure and exercise. The lake bottom and banks will be carefully lined respectively with sand and stone bricks in order to keep the lake clean. OUR FAMILY UPDATE Since it was decided to acquire the land and start the project in earnest, our small city house has become the organizational and working center, and full time working devotees have moved in. Originally, it was my residence/office, where I was translating books, writing and corresponding with devotees and friends through Internet and email. In May 2003 Raghunath, who had been my helper for about 3 years, left his family and moved in so that we could better work together. In July 2003 another member joined the family -- Yogesh -- who had been cooperating with our Vegetarian Society since 1995. Later in the year a girl, Sanjukta, joined our group and stayed for several months to study Gita and help our social activities in the area. Although Indian girls are usually very tied up in their families, Sanjukta had the rare opportunity to associate with us extensively because she was studying as a professional nurse at the local college in Puri while her family lives in south-east Orissa. She has recently (succesfully!!) completed her last exam and returned to her village for some time, but at present she has come back to Puri to prepare for another college exam -- this time, her final graduation in Sanskrit college course. We have been encouraging her to complete her studies, which had been dropped because of financial difficulties, because she is very intelligent and she could be a great asset for our project. In May she will sit for her final examination, and after that we are planning to engage her in the Mobile Dispensary project, a program we are developing in cooperation with the Indian Government. This Mobile Dispensary project is a very effective preaching tool. With a van partially financed by the Indian Government we will visit rural villages in Orissa, organizing health camps with distribution of homeopathic medicines, demonstration of acupressure treatments, ample information about nutrition, sanitation and preventive medicine, and small literature in Oriya language explaining who we are and what we are doing (including the maha mantra and Srila Prabhupada's photo). Each time we visit a village, we will also organize a speech and a harinam function. Sanjukta will be an essential member of the team due to her medical training. We are expecting soon other devotees from US and Italy to join the family of our Puri project, however we will talk about them later on. COOPERATION WITH HINDU ORGANIZATIONS: WHY Our cooperation with the local Hindu organizations is blooming and many very important people have started to watch us with keen interest and respect. We have been invited to give spiritual discourses, and everyone is eagerly waiting to see the Pilgrimage Guide to Puri that I have been preparing during this last year. Recently, one of our good friends who is receiving our newsletter was wondering why we are so interested in Hindus/Indians (besides the obvious fact that we are working in India), and we had a very nice exchange on the subject. In fact, not all of our readers may realize that preaching in India requires particular communication skills and an expert application of the transcendental philosophy of Krsna consciousness -- according to desa, kala, patra... (place, time and circumstance). Many also do not consider how important it is to conduct effective, sincere and qualified preaching work in India, and especially in the holy places -- something that at present is very conspicuous by its absence. A very important thing is to understand that, although Krsna consciousness is transcendental and not limited to any specific culture or material situation, we must put an extra effort to understand Vedic culture, which is the context and background of Krsna consciousness as preached and taught by Srila Prabhupada. It is important to understand that, while following Vedic culture in all its aspects may not be necessary in order to attain perfection in spiritual life, it is essential to really understand Vedic culture in order to avoid creating misconceptions and distortions due to ignorance and superficiality. Although by no means "Indian culture" is a synonym for Vedic culture (and therefore Indian culture needs a lot of reforming work, especially wiping away misconceptions through pertinent scriptural debate, which Indians are generally ready to accept and honor -- unlike most Westerners), Indians/Hindus are our natural allies in spreading Krsna consciousness, the message of Bhagavad Gita and the Holy Name all over the world. They are naturally more sensitive and ready to to the knowledge they consider as their own family tradition, and they can easily be inspired to participate to the sankirtana movement with great success. In my humble opinion, we need the help of Hindus, or better the help of genuine Vedic knowledge, so that we can really understand Srila Prabhupada's message and mission, and be finally able to implement it in a great scale. This is what Srila Prabhupada wrote: "In India, especially in Bengal and Orissa, there are millions of followers of Lord Caitanya. In Maharastra a saint of the name Saint Tukaram was also follower of Lord Caitanya and he has overflooded the whole Western India with sankirtana movement. So the sankirtana movement in India in all the provinces is very much popular and anyone who is taking part in sankirtana movement is specifically devotee of Lord Krsna or Lord Rama. There is not a single Hindu in India who is not more or less Krsna conscious." (Letter to Mandali Bhadra, 3.2.1970) Srila Prabhupada has always been very concerned about taking affectionate care of Indians, who are generally afflicted by a long standing chronic cultural and religious inferiority complex due to many centuries of invasions and dominations by peoples traditionally hostile to Vedic culture (Muslims and Christians), and therefore they should get encouragement in following their own Vedic culture by the good example of Western born boys and girls who demonstrate the greatest sincerity and success in taking up Krsna consciousness and genuine Vedic knowledge. At present, those who claim to be the representatives of Srila Prabhupada are cutting a very meager figure in India, spiritually and ethically speaking. We badly need to change this impression. In this regard, I want to note that real Krsna consciousness is not sentimental, fanatical and bigot, but it is based on genuine Vedic sastras. Actually, according to Rupa Gosvami, so-called devotional service that is not strictly in observance of Vedic scriptures like Upanisads, Puranas and Narada Pancaratra, is SIMPLY AN UNNECESSARY DISTURBANCE TO SOCIETY. Ignorance and misconceptions are not to be tolerated in devotional service, what to speak of becoming the undisputable doctrine of so-called authorities on devotional service. I have seen that many devotees, due to their scriptural ignorance and cultural superimpositions from their background, harbor philosophical misconceptions that are characteristic of semitic religions and especially of the Catholic church, actually mistaking them to be the real Krsna consciousness. It is therefore imperative that we spot all these misconceptions in the light of genuine knowledge and eliminate them for the benefit of the Sankirtana movement. One of the main services that we will offer is an introductory course to Vedic culture and knowledge to all guests, devotees and non-devotees, so that a better interaction will be possible between Western people and Indian people, and even local Indian people will be encouraged to clarify their own misconceptions. This plan has been enthusiastically approved by the local Hindu organizations, and is the key to open the doors to have Western Vaisnavas recognized as bona fide devotees and worshipers of Lord Jagannatha. WHOSE DISCIPLES ARE WE? Dear Parama Karuna devi, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Somehow I am on your mailing list and have been reading of your Puri project. Well done. Forgive me for asking, but I'm wondering what is your position regarding guru. Also the other devotees involved with your project. Are you disciples of Srila Prabhupada? Or other ISKCON guru(s)? Or are you ritvik? Or disciples of Narayan Maharaja? Or other Gaudiya Matha gurus? All Glories to your service. Your servant, **** I recently received this letter from a nice devotee who has been reading our newsletter, and I would like to share with all our readers some of the points of my answer. First of all, I want to clarify that the basic rule of the project is keeping Srila Prabhupada in the center, and this point will be made very clear to all those who will visit us. However, I would like to make a clear distinction between "disciple" and "follower". History (especially in our parampara) has amply demonstrated that the formal acceptance of initiation is not the real measure of faithfulness to the spiritual teacher or even of understanding of his teachings. On the other hand, bona fide followers are not necessarily requiring a formal initiation ceremony -- Srila Prabhupada clearly explained that real initiation is base on divya jnana, i.e. receiving the spiritual divine knowledge and starting to practice it. So, for example, Sri Caitanya never formally initiated Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis, just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the foremost disciple of Jagannatha dasa Babaji, actually received formal diksa from one Vipina Gosvami (a disciplic successor from the parampara of Jahnava Thakurani). We could make so many examples like this. Even Madhvacarya was amply criticized in his times because he claimed direct relationship with Vyasa, and in fact Srila Prabhupada accepts his claim in the disciplic succession chart. The guru issue has been distorted and complicated by people who were/are selfishly motivated (either individually or at a group level) to secure disciples for themselves or their own sectarian camp, thus subtracting sincere souls from the service of Krsna and engaging them in the service of something that is much lesser than Krsna. Thus creating immense sufferings and disasters both at individual and collective levels, and installing a category of rubber-stamped gurus who cannot save even themselves, what to speak of others. Actually, the relationship between guru and disciple is a very personal relationship, just like the relationship between husband and wife and the relationship between parents and children. Nobody should even think of mingling with that, especially out of any kind of institutional, social, ritual, impersonalistic or political consideration. We have seen too often how infringing on these sacred personal relationships brings about disaster on all fronts. If already initiated devotees are or will be willing to participate to the project, their eligibility will be decided on the basis of their consciousness and motivations, correct knowledge of philosophy, moral standards, and personal qualifications that may be useful for the development of the project. They will not be allowed to preach the glories of their guru over Prabhupada, or canvass for disciples for their gurus. No special meetings or functions for the public or congregational worship of any other guru will be allowed in any part of the project. We can't and we won't prohibit personal worship at home, but that must be personal and not involving other people in any way, especially new people and guests. Anyone may be giving class in public, but the lecturer will be publicly bombed as well with all sorts of questions, as it is customary in public philosophical debates in Vedic tradition, and if he will not answer suitably, he will not be allowed to give class any more. Regarding Iskcon or other institutions, our project is totally independent. However, it is not my business to embark in crusades against anyone. My only concern is giving Krsna consciousness as it is explained clearly in Gita to the people who need it and want it, and to create a suitable practical structure for sincere and dedicated like-minded devotees to live and engage in service happily. Regarding Narayana Maharaja, it is no secret that I don't agree at all with his philosophical position and agenda (rather I consider them extremely dangerous), and probably I won't be favorable to accepting any of his followers into the project; even someone who is vaguely favorable to his group will not be encouraged to participate to our project. ------------------------- SRILA PRABHUPADA FACED PROBLEMS IN VRINDAVANA (extract from Srila Prabhupada's lilas) Prabhupäda had a problem to face in Vrndävana. Guru däsa had informed him that Mr. S. wanted to take back fifty feet of the donated land, claiming the construction was not going quickly enough and that he had never intended to give the front portion. He was thinking of using it for shops, maybe even a petrol pump. Prabhupäda was alarmed. For Mr. S. to take back the front part of the property would ruin the temple scheme and make a farce of the gift. What good was land without proper access to it? On further inquiry Prabhupäda learned that Guru däsa had not yet received the actual deed. Prabhupäda was greatly disturbed, yet he proceeded calmly and intently. Guru däsa, he said, should immediately secure the deed from the registrar and construct a high brick wall around the property. Prabhupäda's secretary wired Mr. S., who was away from Vrndävana: "HARE KRSNA. PRABHUPÄDA NOW IN VRINDABAN UNTIL THE 13TH. NOW SETTLE UP FRONT PIECE AS PROMISED." Mr. S. wired his reply: "FRONT PART OF LAND WILL BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES AS DECIDED EARLIER. LETTER FOLLOWS." Suddenly it seemed that Prabhupäda had another Bombay case on his hands. Mr. S.'s action, however, confirmed Prabhupäda's urgency for completing the construction. Had the land been already walled and the temple built, there would have been no question of Mr. S.'s taking the land back. Prabhupäda's followers could now see clearly his reasons for pushing them. He had been vigilant, even heavy and critical, but for good reasons. Mäyä's opposition to Krsna consciousness was always present, so that if the devotees let up for even a moment, they could suffer great losses. The question "Why hurry? Why be so anxious to build a temple right away?" should never have been asked. It was the question of the naive, the lazy. As long as the Krsna consciousness movement had no temple in Vrndävana, the threat would exist that there might never be a temple. Prabhupäda wrote to a friend in Calcutta, This statement of K. has given me much concern. He said personally to me that under dictation of Srimati Radharani he has given the land to us in charity. We have invested already lacs of rupees for constructing a temple, and now if he uses the front portion for other purposes there will be great damage to the view of the temple... Kindly see Mr. N. S., brother of K., and settle this up so we can go on in our progressive construction work. Kindly treat this as very urgent. In Mr. S.'s absence from Vrndävana, Prabhupäda took the opportunity to speak with Mr. S.'s brothers as well as with Mr. S.'s lawyers. What had been given in the name of Srimati Radharani, he informed them, could not be taken back. Mr. S.'s associates agreed, at least for the moment, that Mr. S. had no substantial position. Meanwhile, the laborers were working quickly to build a twelve-foot-high wall around the property. (Then Srila Prabhupada sits in his room and has his disciples read the story of King Nrga). Five minutes passed. Finally Prabhupäda said, "Now take this chapter and type it up." His servant acknowledged the instruction and got up to leave. But still it wasn't clear. Why had he read the story, and why type it? Prabhupäda then spoke again. "Now I want to dictate one letter." Satsvarüpa had a notepad with him, and he sat down and immediately began writing Prabhupäda's words. The letter was to Mr. S., and Prabhupäda referred to Mr. S.'s donation of the land and to his desire to take back the front fifty feet. He reminded Mr. S. that, according to the original agreement, he had given the entire land with the sanction of Srimati Radharani. How could he say that now he was taking it back? Mr. S. should please reconsider what he was proposing. In this connection Prabhupäda was enclosing the story from Srimad Bhägavatam of King Nrga. Mr. S. should read it and consider the implications. ----- In previous issues: # 1, 30 Dec 2003 1. The project in Puri, motivations and beginnings 2. From the Pilgrimage Guide book on Jagannatha Puri: table of contents # 2, 8 Jan 2004 1. Puri project update 2. The Mahabhava vigraha, from "The Home of Lord Jagannatha", a Pilgrimage Guide to Puri 3. photo attachment: Sri Jagannatha # 3, January 2004 1. Vaisnava calendar: Disappearance of Jayadeva Gosvami 2. The purposes of our Puri project (Bhaktivedanta Mission School, Sri Mandir, Varnasrama village, residential housing complex and cottages) 3. The Ratha Yatra, from "The Home of Lord Jagannatha", a Pilgrimage Guide to Puri 4. photo attachment: Sri Jagannatha... rushing to meet His devotees on Ratha Yatra! # 4, 21 January 2004 1. The purposes of our Puri project: establishing varnasrama dharma 2. A preaching program in Orissa's tribal areas 3. The return Ratha Yatra, from "The Home of Lord Jagannatha", a Pilgrimage Guide to Puri 4. photo attachment: Jagannatha in His Sona Vesa (the "golden dress") just before getting back into His temple after return Ratha yatra # 5, 1. Update on the Hindu preaching: In defense of Vedic dharma 2. Jagannatastaka, from "The Home of Lord Jagannatha", a Pilgrimage Guide to Puri 3. photo attachment: Batamangala -- Subhadra Devi is guarding the access to the Holy Dhama of Jagannatha on the road entering Puri Attachment: Dscf0219.jpg [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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