USA
October 30, 2004 VNN8740
Inter-Vaishnava Center On Washington Lake
BY CHAITANYA CHARITAMRITA DAS
 USA, Oct 30 (VNN) — All glories to Sri Guru and Gouranga.
A few weeks have passed since our first Jhulan Yatra festival in Yulan New York. A discussion on Controversy should not devolve into conflict amongst religionists was the main theme. Professor Emeritus Thomas Hopkins of Franklin and Marshall College - Lancaster PA was the guest of honor and moderator of the dialogue between devotees of different opinions. He is a lifelong student of Vaisnavism from an historical perspective and is well known for assisting Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami in the 1960's to establish the legality of the Vaisnava faith in America.
There were devotees belonging to Sri Govinda Chaitanya Math, Sri Gaudiya Vedanta Samhiti, devotees holding the Ritvik position and devotees from the Interfaith League of Devotees. The festival was very successful and the Professor concluded that bringing devotees from different sangas to celebrate together would be successful because there were clearly sincere intentions focused on achieving unity and reconciliation. Keeping Krishna in the center to build a house where all the world can live is the key to this endeavor.
Somehow Krishna has brought together some of the most tolerant and sweet devotees to Washington Lake. Professor Thomas Hopkins, encouraged us to continue on the path of reconciliation and offered to visit us regularly with the hope of aiding our efforts. He has also offered to donate part of his library to us when he changes residence in a year or so.
We are very eager to receive devotees who are in this mood to make a community based on cooperation between devotees. Krishna has given us plentiful space in such a lovely location within easy reach of the New York Metro area which offers great opportunities for preaching and prashadam distribution. Additionally, our recent preaching efforts have shown us that people in the area are very favorable to Krishna. Therefore, the invitation is open to those who want to live with other devotees in a cooperative atmosphere without institutional restrictions.
In the year 1973, Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami was leaving the Boston temple after a short visit and as they left his personal servant remarked: How nicely devotees are cooperating in the activities of the temple - His Divine Grace answered: That is Vrindabana. Therefore we are calling this project: VRINDAVANA a place where Krishna and those who love him meet! Following that spirit, our main aim is to tolerate the disagreements and solve the controversies by going out together and delivering the Holy Name to everyone within our reach.
We are planning a very intimate Radhastami Festival this year hoping that She will bless us to make this dream possible. Devotees interested in the Vridavana Project on Washington Lake should contact us at 845-557-8776 or visit our website www.wlretreat.com
Gaura Premanande!!!
Sincerely,
All the devotees from Washington Lake
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