International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder/Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
The New Govardhana Hare Krishna Community
525 Tyalgum Road, Murwillumbah. Phone 02 66723047
AUGUST 2007
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
COMMUNITY NEWS
There are so many worthwhile projects to comment on so we will include a little about a few of them, but coming and seeing for yourself and enjoying being with Sri Krishna’s devotees will raise the spirits. Please come along and join us every Sunday for Kirtan, a Bhagavatam class which are followed by the Sunday Feast.
Prasadam Hall
The Prasadam Hall has been completed. The funding for the renovations of the Prasadam Hall was donated by G. S. Gupta of Calcutta, India, in memory of Yashoda-Gulab-Kalyan.
The painting which provided the finishing touches to the Prasadam Hall, was completed by Shannon and Marek
Ten
new benches were recently bought for seating around the temple area,
allowing one to enjoy the temple activities while remaining seated outside if
one wishes to do so.
Welcome back Gaura Shakti after your recent vacation with your family in
Greece.
The new steps and hand rail that lead to
the toilets are now completed due to a $1000 donation from Jitamrta Prabhu and
the efforts of Maha Mantra.
P. J. has finished one more section
of the wall. P.J. lives high in the hills on the farm community where he makes
the wall mouldings and bricks from the original moulds. Then he brings them down
the hill for the construction of the temple wall.
P.J. has lots of Frangipani trees surrounding his very humble, but beautiful, abode in among the trees
Agriculture
The recent acquisition of a brand new Case 70 hp tractor has greatly sped up paddock slashing and the establishment of vegetable gardens.
Over the years vegetables were grown on New Govardhana with the help of various means such as bullocks and tractor. Eventually both tractor and bullocks suffered the inevitable sting of old age.
Sabhapati is heading up the planting of potatoes and carrots, now in the ground, and is awaiting more clement climatic conditions to start with zucchinis, tomatoes, capsicum, beans, okra, various herbs plus pumpkin and watermelon amongst many.
New Govardhana is again registered as an organic producer with the Organic Federation Australia which includes NASAA, OFA, ACO and OGA.
It is interesting to note that since in the early 70’s, Srila Prabhupada insisted we grow our own food. Many of us have wondered why we should grow our own vegetables when before the drought we could easily get a box of cauliflowers for $2, zucchinis for $3 and tomatoes for the same price or less.
Then we learn that the Food Drug Administration is attempting to take away people’s rights to take nutritional products such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, health drinks, etc.
Backed up by the FDA, Codex laws would force all member countries (including Australia, if it becomes a member) to allow high levels of toxins and contaminants in our imported food, require all cattle to be fed artificial growth hormones and antibiotics, and require all of our food to be irradiated before we could buy it. (You can kiss the idea of organic food goodbye if these laws come to pass!) Watch the video on www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php for details on food and drug administration.
And of course the main reason for growing our own food is to please Krishna!!
Srila Prabhupada was obviously concerned about our spiritual health as well as our physical health. He knew that the dependency on nasty chemical based agriculture and their corollaries such as pharmacies and medic businesses would be detrimental to a life depending on Krishna.
With your help we can develop a more natural environment and overcome obstacles in growing our food free from contaminants. Feel free to join us to plant, weed, harvest and partake in organic prasadam (food offered to Lord Krishna) and keep in touch www.newgovardhana.net
All glories to Srila Prabhupada. New Govardhana Community
Ratha
Yatra Ceremony
The recent Ratha Yatra Ceremony was well attended with over 200 devotees available to pull the chariot on its journey to the Temple. This was the first time the chariot had been pulled on New Govardhana. The children of the Devotees were also involved with their own special chariot, which they pulled along the route. Their happy smiling faces were a joy to see. Gaura Shakti had mentioned to Govinda Caran Das just three days before the ceremony that a small chariot which the children could manage would be great. For three days and nights Govinda Caran Das worked at making this chariot assisted by Bhakta Shannon who gave it a nice coat of paint. As can be seen in the photo above the young devotees were very happy.
Camellia Heaven
Come and visit Camellia Heaven at the Hare Krishna Farm. Everyone is welcome and there are some bargains to be had with Camellia plants selling for as little as $5.00.
Ian Harker has been growing Camellias, together with many other flowers and fruit, since Prabhupada’s Centennial in 1996. They have been offered to Krishna and now he is selling Camellias in order to raise funds for a new project. The long term plan is to grow a large amount of different varieties of fruit trees, which will be planted on both sides of the long driveway, commencing at the spectacular entrance, where one crosses the wooden bridge over the river, up the winding road, passing the avenue of trees, ploughed fields, cow paddocks and up to the Temple. In the present flower and fruit garden, marigolds and other flowers in mass quantities will be grown so that devotees can make use of the flowers to make garlands for Srila Prabhupada and the Deities.
Questions
Question: If everyone is spirit soul, then isn’t sex life also spiritual?Prabhupada: There is no sex life in the spirit soul. Sex life is in the material body. We are not this body. But because we are in this body, therefore we are thinking pleasure of this body is pleasure of the soul. Biography Two,Page 927.
Question: Can one achieve Krishna consciousness outside the temple?
Prabhupada: Oh yes, you have to follow the rules and regulations – that is all.Page 934. Biography Two
VYASA PUJA
4th July – THE APPEARANCE
His Holiness
TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI
His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami served on the ISKCON Governing Body Commission from 1970 to 2002 and as ISKCON Initiating Spiritual Master from 1977 to 2002. He is fondly called Srila Gurudeva by his many Disciples and Goswami by his Godbrothers and members of Academe.
Tamal Krishna Goswami wrote that when he met Srila Prabhupada he was searching for the absolute Truth, which would not be affected by the changing currents of human destiny. To embrace the Hare Krishna lifestyle was easy, he said, because I was already living it.
Tamal Krishna Goswami passed away in a vehicle accident in March 2002, in the sacred place of Phulgya in West Bengal, India. He left his life in the same way that he lived it, completely absorbed in service to his Spiritual Master and Krishna.
Respectful obeisance’s unto you TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI
Quotes
One must be very humble and meek, more tolerant than a tree and more humble than a blade of grass. One should not claim respect for oneself but should be prepared to give all respect to others. One must have these qualifications to be eligible to understand Vedic knowledge. Adi Lila – One, Page 713.
Vedic
Samskaras and Ceremonies
Purohit (Priest): Govinda Caran
Das,
conducts Vedic ceremonies, including Weddings,
Births, Last Rites, Samskaras, Fire Yajnas, etc.
For more information :Phone 02-66726385,
email:
pujasamskaras@aapt.net.au
or
govindacarandas@aapt.net.au
visit:
http://pujasamskaras.tripod.com.
The Exemplary Life of
His Holiness
BHAKTI TIRTHA SWAMI
ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISAPPEARANCE
June 27th, 2005
He left May 29th, 2005 from Gita Nagari, Pennsylvania, with his Godbrothers. During his last Public appearance he announced that he was taking up Nirjana Bhajana (Solitary Prayer and Meditation). He was reported to have left his body on June 27th.
The following are a few highlights of his illustrious career:
Soon after taking sannyasa he went to Jagannatha Puri and, although Westerners are not allowed in the Temple, managed to get in to see the beautiful Jagannatha deities.
He met Muhammad Ali in 1981 and became one of his spiritual advisors.
He became a member of ISKCON’S governing body in 1982 and an initiating spiritual master in 1985.
He went to Africa, where Pusta Krishna Dasa, Brahmananda Dasa, and others were teaching, and opened it up in an unprecedented way. He stayed there, on and off, for sixteen years, meeting and working with the country’s most distinguished dignitaries, celebrities and leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Nelson Mandela.
In 1990 he was honoured by being given the position of high chief in Warri, Nigeria, in recognition of his outstanding work in Africa. He was widely accepted as an authentic religious leader throughout the African sub-continent.
He has sixteen books in print and three more ready for press. His international book team consists of translators working on the following languages: German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Macedonian, Croatian, Russian, Hebrew, Slovenian, Balinese and Italian. Many of the books have already been printed in these languages and a few are still in the process of being translated.
As he became something of a well-known international spiritual leader, with numerous college lectures, TV talk shows, Radio talk shows and international religious conferences lined up for many years to come, the ravages of time manifested in an unexpected way, changing his plans forever.
He was diagnosed with a stage four melanoma on his left foot. He received extensive medical treatment, but with only minimal success, so he prepared to leave this world. Actually, the illness did not come as a surprise to him. He had long prayed to take on the karmic debts of others, to suffer so that others might be released from suffering. He wrote that he was willing to die for the misdeeds of others and had prayed:
“Dear Lord,
Whatever we need to be better servants for Srila Prabhupada’s mission let it happen or come to us. Whatever we need to have have taken away to become pure in Srila Prabhupada’s service, let it be taken away.”
(This article is, in part, an extract from the “Back to Godhead” magazine)
Coming Events
SRI SRI RADHA GOVARDHANADHARI
28th Anniversary Installation
Sunday 5th August:
Programme starts at 4.00 pm
The Programme will include the Bathing of Radha and Krishna, Kirtans, Class and Feasting
JHULANA
YATRA
A Pastime of Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna
Friday 24th August:
Radha Govinda Jhulana begins.
Tuesday 28th August:
Radha Govinda Jhulana ends.
Jhulana Yatra had already started and Srimati Radharani started to swing with her Sakhis (friends) during periods in the day and night, but She was not satisfied alone, without Krishna there. Knowing this, Krishna sometimes came in disguise to the palace. Sometimes he dressed as a Gopi selling bangles or beautiful garlands. Or He appeared in any other form for Them to meet each other somewhere in a very secret place in the forest.
APPEARANCE OF LORD BALARAMA
Tuesday 28th August
Programme starts at 9.30 am
The Programme will include Kirtans, the Bathing of Krishna Balarama, and a Maha Feast.
Whenever Krishna appears in the material world, He is accompanied by His associates and paraphernalia. Five thousand years ago, when Krishna descended into the material world, he was first preceded by Baladeva. Only after Baladeva gave his mercy did Krishna descend, such is the relationship between Krishna and Baladeva.
JANMASTAMI 2007
Tuesday 4th September
Program starts at 4.00 pm
ISKCON New Govardhana warmly welcomes you to attend our 2007 Krishna Janmastami at the Farm.
We also invite you to make an offering to their Lordships, by sponsoring a Kalasha. This is one of the nicest offering you can make in the course of the year, because among other things, you are promptly rewarded with a transcendental wonderful assortment of both Indian and Western Sweets presented in a gift package.
Together with this, is the honour of bathing the Deities in the Abhisekha ceremony.
You can sponsor a Kalasha for only $108. Please call to confirm that you would like to serve the Deities in this way by telephoning either (02) 6672 8549 or (02) 6672 2773
We look forward to seeing you at the Festival
The New Govardhana Festival Committee
Vaisnava Calendar – August
Masam Tithi Paksa Yoga Naksatra
Fast Thur 9th August Suddha Ekadasi K Vyagata Mrigasira
Kamika Ekadasi
10th August Break – fast 06: 23- 10:02
Fast Fri 24th August Suddha Ekadasi G Priti Mula
Pavitropana Ekadasi
Radha Govinda Jhulana begins
25th August Break – fast 07: 56 – 09:56
Srila Rupa Gosvami – Disappearance
Sri Gauridasa Pandita – Disappearance
Fast Tue 28th August Purnima G Atiganda Dhanista
Till Jhulana Yatra ends
Noon Lord Balarama – Appearance
Second month of caturmasya (Fast from yoghurt for one month)