HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2009 ISKCON-London Providing knowledge of Krishna to All International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder-acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada RADHA-KRISHNA TEMPLE 10 Soho Street - London W1D 3DL T: 0207 4373662 W: www.iskcon-london.org HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE new s MAHA COUNSELLOR/COUNSELLEE MEETING Agarwal’s for opening their home to us all. Param Sundari devi dasi and Bhava Bhakti devi dasi attempted to recreate ‘The Boatman and the Wedding Party’ play … it was an interesting interpretation! We also had the transcendental name game where each counsellee group had to put random letters into order as words were announced by Param Sundari devi dasi … this certainly put On Saturday 24th January we were all invited to those of us who don’t count spelling as a strong the home of Anil Agarwal in Mayfair. This event point under pressure! was for all counsellors and counsellees. The Counsellor System is yet to be launched at Jai Nitai dasa gave an emotionally charged talk ISKCON-London (tentative launch date being on the importance of the counsellor system and Gaura Purnima) but already we have over 70 caring for devotees. We are very fortunate that our Temple leaders are so keen to push this syscounsellees and 7 counsellors. tem through as potentially we will see nearly The event on the 24th was to bring everyone together for Krsna Katha, kirtans and of course that staple favourite … prasadam! The MC for this event was the ever knowledgeable Bhakta Kartik while the overall programme co-ordinators were Maha Nrsimha dasa and Pran Caitanya dasa. Radha Londonisvara dasa organised bhajans as everyone was arriving. This was followed by general introductions and thanks to the every community member with some sort of spiritual guide while they serve at ISKCON-London.The programme was wrapped up with an ecstatic kirtan led by Deva Deva dasa which led nicely into the South Indian prasadam waiting for us at the end of a great Krsna Conscious evening! Iskcon-London Monthly Report - Page 3 January 2009 new s SUNDAY FEAST VOLUNTEERS! Fancy assisting in the kitchens on a Saturday or a Sunday to help prepare the Sunday Feast? You can chop veggies, peel spuds, mob the floor, or even stir the sweet rice! It is a great way to make friends and learn to cook all for the pleasure of Their Lordships. If you fancy getting involved please contact Kasinath dasa on
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SRILA PRABHUPADA SAID… “Anyone reading our Krishna Book, either through schools, colleges, libraries, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of life membership or ordinary sales.” Devotion, and Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, is sure to become a Krishna Conscious person. Therefore somehow or other we must push Letter to Jananivasa, March 5, 1971 on this literature distribution program, Iskcon-London Monthly Report - Page 4 January 2009 HATHA YOGA CLASSES On the 13th January, Hatha Yoga teacher, Rama Ishaya started regular Hatha Yoga classes in the seminar room for men and women. The ladies class is at 6.30pm to 7.30pm and the men’s class is at 7.30pm to 8.30pm. The classes are £5 per session and take place every Tuesday. All are welcome! Please bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing. new s OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE TEMPLE PRESIDENT During the month of January, Jai Nitai dasa carried out the following engagements: On the 2nd, attended a house programme at the home of Shyam Prasad. There were 20-30 devotees in attendance. On the 17th, attended an ISKCON-London Trustee Meeting in the morning and visited the home of Bhakta Arun in Maidenhead in the evening. On the 23rd, attended a house programme On the 3rd, attended a house programme at at the home of Subash Dattani where there the home of Bhakta Subhra. was a double birthday celebration for Bhakta Subash’s wife and daughter. On the 4th, was the MC for the Srila Prabhupada Marathon Festival at ISKCON- On the 24th, attended the Maha London. Counsellors/Counsellees event at the home of Anil Agarwal. On the 8th, attended special bramacari classes at Bhaktivedanta Manor with VIP On the 25th, the first steps for ISKCONspeaker, HH Sivarama Swami. London becoming a separate charity were taken with the initial signing of the charity On the 9th, attended the National registration papers. The Trustees are Jai Nitai Sankirtana Marathon Festival at dasa, Murli Manohara dasa, Maha Nrsimha Bhaktivedanta Manor. dasa, Gaura Kishore dasa and Bhava Bhakti devi dasi (who is the charity secretary too). On the 10th, attended an UKMC meeting at Bhaktivedanta Manor. On the 27th, gave a talk at Imperial University. On the 13th, visited the home of Gaura Kishore dasa and Bhaktin Shital. On the 29th, gave a talk at King’s University. On the 15th, gave a talk at King’s University. On the 30th, was the MC for the Staff Sanga. On the 16th, attended the 1st birthday cele- On the 31st, attended a house programme brations for the daughter of Manu dasa. at the home of Bhaktin Uma and Bhakta There were 50 devotees in attendance. Sanjay to celebrate the 1st birthday of their son, Nitai. KRISHNA’S COMMUNITY SHOP During the month of January we made £6,961.72 in our community shop. Please visit us on the 2nd floor. We are open every day from 12noon to 8pm. CONGRATULATIONS We congratulate and wish all the best to our on the 15th December 2008 and received community member Bhaktin Ana Lucia who the name Aradhana devi dasi. was first initiated by HH Kavicandra Swami Iskcon-London Monthly Report - Page 6 January 2009 HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE new s STAFF SANGA! On the 30th January we had a Staff Sanga for all employees and residents. The agenda was Kirtan, Krsna Katha, Questions and Answers, Ishtaghosti, and cake! These meetings will be taking place once a month. VIP SPEAKERS During the month of January we were blessed with the association of the following VIP speakers. Ranchor dasa Kripamoya dasa Revati Raman dasa Jugala Kishore dasa Iskcon-London Monthly Report - Page 7 January 2009 new s WHO’S AMAZING? This month we focus on a special devotee and at night, putting Srila Prabhupada to sleep and in between cooking and performing arati and cleaning the kitchen after cooking. Jaya! She looks after Lord Jagganatha every year after Snana Yatra and helps Him recover from his cold on time for Ratha Yatra. It is obvious she has a special relationship with Lord Jagganatha. Mother Vimala displays wonderful qualities in the pujari department, including tolerance and patience while cooking for the who is a long time community member… Deities in such a small space and she manapproximately 20 years….namely Vimala ages to do all of this with a constant smile devi dasi. on her face. Recently Mother Vimala celebrated her fifti- At every festival she performs miracles in eth birthday and we had a cake to cele- the pujari department by producing the brate, she looks so incredibly young that it’s most amazing amount of extra maha prepadifficult to believe her age! rations … in fact the maha preparations Mother Vimala is a very elevated soul and bhoga is often all paid for by Mother Vimala very dear to Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara. She herself! maintains a full time job as a nurse while In between all the above, Mother Vimala also serving regularly in the Pujari depart- also dances for the Deities during the ment where she performs full-time service Janmastami festival. in the morning, namely waking the Deities, Mother Vimala ki…. jaya!! ALL THE BEST! We said goodbye to a dear and much loved devotee in January, Jaya Radhe devi dasi, one of the top ladies book distributors. Jaya Radhe devi dasi was in the UK to supplement her work as a GP and for further studies and has now returned to her family who are based in Dubai. She came 4th in the December book distribution marathon and left behind many fond memories of her humble and sincere nature. We wish her all the best for the future and hope she comes back to visit us soon. HH SIVARAMA SWAMI ROCKS ISKCON-LONDON! On the 10th January we were treated to a whole day of kirtans by HH Sivarama Swami and Madhava. Iskcon-London Monthly Report - Page 8 The Temple room was standing room only by midday! January 2009 new s HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE NATIONAL SANKIRTANA FESTIVAL On Friday 9th January, devotees attended the National Sankirtana Festival which was held at Bhaktivedanta Manor this year. The special guest of honour was HH Sivarama Swami. Devotees from ISKCON-London such as Uddhava Damodar dasa and Sarada devi dasi were amongst the prize receivers. LOCAL SANKIRTANA FESTIVAL On the 4th we had an end of marathon event at ISKCON-London for our community members. As covered in the December newsletter, Temple resident, Uddhava Damodar dasa came 1st this year. Iskcon-London Monthly Report - Page 9 January 2009 new s ISKCON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES During the month of January, Krsna Pranadhika devi dasi carried out the following engagements: On the 19th, gave a presentation on Hinduism to 23 new police recruits as part of their Diversity Training. On the 21st, welcomed the members of the Westminster Faith Exchange who held a meeting for the first time in the Temple. There were 15 faith leaders and council representatives. All attendees were garlanded before their meeting in the seminar room. Jai Nitai dasa greeted the guests as On the 28th, Krsna Pranadhika devi dasi and Yashodanandini devi dasi visited Foster Primary School and gave three presentations to 90 pupils and 8 teachers On the 26th, gave an assembly talk in a primary school based in South Kensington. This was the eighteenth visit to this particular school On the 30th, gave a presentation to 10 students from the School of Oriental and West Minister faith exchange meeting on the 21st they arrived in the seminar room. After their African Studies and also gifted them with 7 meeting some of the attendees stayed Bhagavad-Gita’s. behind to be given a guided tour of the Temple room by Bhava Bhakti devi dasi. UPCOMING COURSES The Essence of Bhagavad Gita course Teacher: HG Jai Nitai dasa Sunday 11.00am to 12.30pm February 15, 22 March 1, 8, 15 Venue: 3rd floor seminar room £5 per class - please register & pay in Krishna’s Community Shop This course is a certified course at a foundational level and is a requirement for potential Bhakti Sastri candidates or those seeking initiation. Enquiries: Bhava Bhakti dd on
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