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WORLD February 11, 1999 VNN3016 See Related VNN Stories Worldwide ISKCON Preaching Grows BY KALAKANTHA DASA MAYAPUR, INDIA, Feb 11 (VNN) — GBC Hansard Report 5 - Good News from the GBC MAYAPURA, INDIA, Feb. 5, 1999 (First of Three Articles) -- The GBC members gave positive reports from each of their individual areas today. This is an abbreviated summary of the highlights. They will examine problem areas in ISKCON tomorrow. Sesa Prabhu: Vakresvara Pandita is to return to the Caribbean for preaching. The Gurukula education team is showing great resilience despite recent setbacks. Badrinarayan Prabhu: The 24-acre property near San Diego is now in escrow. The project will include a cultural hall, a temple, and many facilities. The Los Angeles temple remains very strong in service to Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish. Book distribution, Harinama, Nama Hatta, and many preaching programs are going strong. In spite of many setbacks, there are many nice devotees all over the world. This movement is going on by Krishna's mercy alone. Ravindra Swarupa Prabhu: The Philadelphia temple turned the "carriage house" into a classroom and conducted a three-month bhakti sastri course there. Fourteen devotees took the course and as a result the temple became very fired up. Advanced plans for renovation are underway in Washington, Philadelphia, and Baltimore to accommodate growing congregations. Philadelphia has been paying a large property tax for years. With help from Devi Deva Prabhu, the temple is finally off the tax rolls. Now they are able to plan expansion. In Washington, Anuttama Prabhu has entered into a discussion with the American Family Foundation, the largest anti-cult organization in America. Their members are beginning to work with ISKCON and have removed it from their so-called "dangerous cult" list. The same thing has happened in Germany in a different way through dialogue with a government-sponsored commission. Trivikrama Swami: In Poland, a group of Christian ministers put out a publication accusing ISKCON of being a cult. ISKCON took them to court and after a year and a half, ISKCON has won the case! The organization must pay ISKCON's court costs and pay to print two large retractions in the largest newspapers. The Warsaw temple has two acres of land on the outskirts of the city and has completed a temple building that will open this month. This will also accommodate the growing congregation. In Cork, Ireland, devotees have opened a successful preaching center. Prahladananda Swami: The Health and Welfare ministry has published a new magazine. Interest in this Ministry is increasing among the senior members of our society. While doing book distribution in the US, New Zealand and Australia this year, Maharaja found that, more than ever before, people were coming up to him asking for books. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: After the unfortunate situation with Harikesa dasa, Maharaja went to Moscow for two weeks to help. He found the devotees very enthusiastic, sincere and determined to carry on. In South Africa, the Ratha-yatra is held around Easter. The devotees plan a four-day festival in which they will host between 200 and 300 thousand people. Preaching in Mozambique has begun, and the reception is fantastic. Hundreds of people come out whenever devotees do Harinama. Prthu Prabhu: A Sankirtan center has been opened in Seattle. 35 new devotees have joined in the last three years in the Pacific Northwest. It is headed by Jayasacinandana Prabhu, a devotee from Serbia who is much appreciated by everyone. Devotees have opened a country ashram on the outskirts of Portland. Every Sunday they bring many people, and the reception is wonderful. The devotees are distributing loads of books in the Seattle and Portland airports, as well on the streets of the cities. The devotees have contributed $185,000 to the BBT last year. Sridhar Swami: In the last year, Juhu devotees distributed over 150,000 Bhagavad-gitas. The temple has developed a successful, professional quality fundraising program, emphasizing spiritual cultivation of leading members and their engagement in temple leadership. At Janmastami, the temple raised enough lakshmi to relocate the thirty tenants on the property. This opens the door for the temple to undertake a major development program on the back side of the Hare Krishna land property. Through their direct mail program, the devotees recently raised $30,000 in one campaign. The Fund Development Ministry set up an informative web site. Giving a report on behalf of Radhanatha Swami, Radha Krsna Prabhu gave the following report. Preaching: We have renovated the temple room and doubled its size to accommodate the 1200 weekly guests. The temple conducts 53 college preaching programs each week, as well as 30 Nama Hatta programs. In the congregation, 30 counselor groups have been set up to support devotees in all ashrams. Hospital: The Bhaktivedanta Swami hospital has been open one year. Patients return saying, "We have not been to the hospital, we have been to the temple. Srila Prabhupada's murti sits in the center of the large lobby. Farm Project: The temple has purchased a 55-acre tract on the banks of the sacred Bhima River. The land is excellent for farming. Several devotee families who know how to farm organically with oxen will settle there. No electricity or machinery will be used. A famous priest, Ganapati Sthapati, has given guidance on setting up the community according to traditional Vedic standards. Romapada Swami: A new temple in Queens is under development. In Chicago, the devotees have organized a very inspiring congregational preaching program under the guidance of the Congregational Development ministry. In New Jersey, two household couples have continued to build up a preaching program for four years to the point where they are able to open a full-time center near Rutgers University. Giridhari Swami: Devotees have developed a multimedia presentation for use throughout the Orient. Upon seeing the presentation, a Dean at a college in the Philippines arranged to hire the devotees to teach a course at the school. In Manila, the devotees have gathered enough congregational support to purchase land and build a temple. One member has donated a 25 acre parcel of excellent land on top of a mountain with an idyllic view of a nearby bay. Virabahu Prabhu: Things are improving throughout his large zone. Gunagrahi Maharaj has been acting as a regional secretary in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. A farm in Argentina, an hour from Buenos Aires, is being developed by Maharaja. Nama Hatta programs are developing in Mendoza, Argentina, where devotees have developed a highly professional Hare Krishna Food for Life program which is being supported by the government. When the devotees approached the government, the officials asked, "Why have you taken so long to come?" The Miami temple has installed the Deities on an elaborate Indian carved all-marble altar worth more than $100,000 which is unique in all of the West. Guru Prasada Swami: Last year the devotees have printed over 200,000 books. For the first time in eight years, devotees have managed to deliver books printed in Mexico into Colombia and El Salvador. The temple in Caracas is increasing in a variety of areas. In Londonville, Trinidad, the temple congregation has increased and is in the process of acquiring a 60-acre parcel with a river and springs. The temple also has land near the temple dedicated for grhasthas. Ten families have established themselves there and are participating in the temple. Devotees are also purchasing land in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama. Bhakti Charu Maharaja: To produce the Abhay Caran series, Maharaja has taken a leave of absence from regular GBC duties. He has been able to complete the American section of the filming through help from Samika Rsi Prabhu and other devotees. Samika Rsi offered his house to accommodate a team of 25 devotees. The production team was able to complete their work far under budget thanks to generous help offered by many devotees on the East and West coasts. The production team has purchased all the equipment needed to put out the shows, and devotees are being trained to operate all facets of the production. Several gurukula graduates are fully involved in the project, especially as actors. The response to the videos continues to be excellent. Rohini Suta Prabhu: In Serbia, devotees have procured a large piece of land with a house that is being renovated as a temple. In Zagreb, devotees have started to build a temple and many hundreds of congregational members come for a summer festival each year. The general mood remains good despite recent problems. In Berlin, there is a new temple. A well-attended Ratha-yatra is held on the city's central plaza. In Armenia, the devotees are cooperating to develop a stronger preaching mission. Overall, although book distribution has decreased a little, in the near future it will return. In Germany and former Yugoslavia, most of the book distributors have stayed despite the loss of the previous leader. Ramai Swami: Cooperation in Indonesia is increasing. It is a difficult country, but there are over 1000 devotees in several large Nama Hatta groups. There were 120 new initiates in the last year alone. The devotees are establishing a lot of good contacts among the reforming government. In New Zealand, H.H. Devamrta Swami is leading a successful preaching program for distributing books in complete sets and recruiting new devotees. The new Auckland temple is nearly completed. In Australia, the devotees have endured a focused assault from Narayana Maharaja's followers but come through strongly. A few devotees have switched camps, but many new devotees have joined ISKCON. Madhusevita Prabhu: In Italy, book distribution went well, even better than in the Centennial year. Also, in Italy the government has elevated ISKCON to an intermediate stage of recognition. This is significant, because it allows ISKCON to interact at a much higher level with the government and the Vatican. Spain is improving under the direction of Giriraja Maharaja. Belgium is steady under good local leadership. Jayapataka Maharaja: The Congregational Development Ministry has developed a 5-day training seminar for bhakti-vrksa (congregational preaching) development. The course was held formally 20 times, involving over 1000 students. Many GBCs cooperated to enable these courses to happen. Mayapur Development: The design team has completed the second-phase design and has shifted the design office to Delhi. In Malaysia, the devotees organized a summer camp. 450 devotees attended four days of seminars on philosophical and other aspects of Krishna consciousness. Our preaching there is steadily expanding. In the Middle East, the devotees have established Nama Hatta programs involving 1600 devotees. In the seven countries in which they are preaching, the devotees have over 5000 people chanting Hare Krishna. In Mayapur, the bhakta program is filled with educated young people -- more than 30 at any given time. The devotees conducted a well-received two-week Ganga Safari, involving over 100 devotees including women and children. Vaidyanatha Prabhu: Despite signals of increased religious discrimination in the government, ISKCON has been officially recognized as a legal religion by the Russian government. The officials told the devotees, "The government has not approved you; the people have. The people love you." Congregational preaching in Moscow is increasing. ISKCON showed great unity through all the international support -- spiritual, financial and practical -- extended to the Russian yatra which endured the loss of one of its main leaders this year. Bhakti Vaibhava Swami: Preaching in Czechoslovakia is increasing. During the marathon, in 10 days the devotees distributed 13,000 big books. Devotees are opening a restaurant with help from two congregational members who want to open a chain. Lokanath Swami: Padayatra worldwide is still going strong. Interest is still growing. Padayatras exist in England, Italy, Germany, former Czechoslovakia, and other countries. In India, it's their 15th year. A 2000-mile padayatra is underway beginning in Argentina. Padayatra is distributing a lot of books. Prabhavishnu Swami: The Brisbane temple is making a lot of new devotees and has acquired 17 acres of land in the city for development of a new temple. In eastern Siberia at one temple near Mongolia, one devotee, a former Buddhist monk, has proven to be an excellent organizer. He has recruited several nice devotees, dramatically increased book distribution, and organized a program for college and congregational preaching throughout Siberia. In Bangladesh, many properties have been donated, including parcels in Dhakka, Jessore (birthplace of Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis), and Pundarika Dham. In Burma, we have also received donations of several nice temples. The government also donated two acres of land on which ISKCON will shortly begin construction of a temple. Bhakti Svarupa Damodar: Attended major interfaith conference, also attended large conference in Singapore -- a Spiritual India summit. In Manipur, devotees are developing a University of Spiritual Culture. It will open next year. Another small temple opened in a village. 18,000 people attended the five-day programs. Sivarama Swami: Last year, devotees opened two restaurants in the UK and Ireland -- one in Dublin and one in Swansea. They opened six restaurants in Hungary as well. In addition, the temples are offering a lunch prasadam service available for congregational members. It is profitable and increasing our interaction. In Hungary, book distribution was the best since 1993. In both Hungary and the UK, book marathons were the best in several years. There is a renewed enthusiasm for book distribution in both countries. In England, the devotees celebrated Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda's 25th anniversary. In England, the temples are working to establish each temple as an autonomous and individual charity. Niranjana Swami: Some 45 cities are in Maharaja's area in the Ukraine. Most are developing well under the local leadership. In this area, many devotees were disciples of Harikesa dasa. Most of these devotees remained steady in Krishna consciousness, despite his fall. Acyutya Prabhu has done much to develop a sense of stability in the Ukraine. Amongst all Harikesa dasa's disciples in the Ukraine, only 3 left, and the SKP marathon surpassed last year's scores. Maintaining the devotees in these areas of the former Soviet Union has been the most successful aspect of the past year. Hari Vilas Prabhu: The Seattle temple completely paid off its mortgage and purchased six acres to build a new temple, school and restaurant complex. There is good community participation there. A four-day Ratha-yatra was held there, and Madhuha prabhu compared it favorably with the Los Angeles and New York Ratha-yatras in terms of people attending and the impact on the general public. The Berkeley temple is shifting to the direction of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, to be used as a facility for an educational centre. Vancouver maintained a good Ratha-yatra and Janmastami. B.B. Govinda Maharaja: In Khazakhstan in Central Asia, Food for Life is going on, a new cafˇ is open, and despite all the problems, Sankirtan is going on steadily and even increasing. About 15 minutes from the capital, the devotees have purchased a new farm with many facilities. We lost no devotees in Central Asia, although many had difficulties due to problems with their guru. Eventually in will be the base for a temple and devotee housing. In Kirghizstan, ISKCON has been accepted as a legitimate religion in that nominally Islamic country. Kavichandra Swami: Maharaja is working in Indonesia. In Japan, a friend has donated a building with 30 rooms. In West Africa, Varaha Prabhu was released from prison and is safe. Satyanarayana Prabhu is donating books for distribution in other parts of the region. Gopal Krsna Goswami: Last year's Delhi temple opening was the highlight. The Prime Minister attended, along with the Governor, several cabinet members, several ambassadors, and 200 journalists. Indian TV gave it 20 minutes of coverage. In his speech, the Prime Minister praised ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. The temple is attracting dignitaries and many guests daily. Soon the museum should be open with animatronics and multi-media exhibits open to the public. Bhyandara temple held a huge Ratha-yatra. Another new temple opened in Delhi. The Lucknow temple now is an ISKCON temple again. Much good publicity has counteracted recently negative press. Malati dasi Prabhu: New Vrindavan was re-accepted in ISKCON, and 1999's NA GBC meetings will be held there. The temple is developing self-sufficiency contingency programs. The Cleveland Nama Hatta continues to develop and make devotees. Louisville preaching center held a successful Vedic-cooking course for college credit. In Columbus, 24 students or more each week perform community service, helping with Food for Life. In Detroit, the city and the press are showing great support for Ratha-yatra and are encouraging them to develop it. Bhakti Tirtha Swami: Community building processes are underway in Gita Nagari and Washington. In Gita Nagari the devotees have a "Prabhupada is coming" program. Working in this consciousness, the devotees' spirit has been uplifted. Maharaja spoke at the religious news writers association and the American Medical Association. Three TV programs are on weekly in Washington, and new ones are scheduled in Detroit and Philadelphia. Maharaja followed President Clinton in his tour of Africa and held several press conferences promoting better leadership. One of the most exciting things he has seen is that ISKCON gurus are initiating gurukula graduates. Bir Krsna Goswami: He has dealt with many challenges to ISKCON this year and came out convinced that ISKCON is stronger than ever. He has established a North American Office to help the temples with legal, financial and other support. It is fostering cooperation among temples. In Atlanta, renovations are finally going on. A devotee has opened a construction school there in which the students will do their curriculum work by rebuilding the Atlanta temple buildings. See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9902/WD11-3016.html
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