Dear devotees, today from Vrinda Kunja we send
the Vrinda family the Sunday Chat.
We are grateful for the presence of you all. We know that to
come here from South America means a huge sacrifice ... because it is not easy
to get here, one spends a lot of money. And the question is why do we spend so
much money? It is for tanking ... filling the tank. Why do we go to Melas, why
go to temples? Why open temples? Why travel to India? We are members of a
monastic order who preach simple living and high thinking.
And our most essential philosophy is called association,
because if I associate with Vaisnavas high I have the chance to develop a
higher consciousness. That's the point, how batteries charge us to advance
spiritually. My spiritual teacher brought us to India, imagine how far ... and
here in Vrindavan and other parts of India, Srila Prabhupada organized learning
institutes true divine love.
Today we invite you to read a chat, a message from my heart
... That means, of what I feel, what I feel you should all know. Practically,
Vrinda family, the Vaishnavas in the world, try every day in being more solid
in their service offered to humanity. We want to do something to make Srila
Prabhupada happy. Devotees say: trying to steal a smile from Srila Prabhupada,
that is what we are trying to do within Vrinda Family. That’s what we try to do
with family Vrinda. However, in the modern world, we have to adapt to so many
things ... and sometimes questions will be raised about what is to be done or
not done.
For example: in India
a hand is not even given, they always greet with folded hands on the
chest ... but today we read in Bhakti Ratnakar that devotees were giving hugs
of friendship ... But, if you go to the West and someone gives you a hand and
rejects it then that is something foreign. So Vaishnava culture is adapting to
take this message to the world without losing its values. What are these
values? To refrain from promoting or condoning illicit sex, for example ... sexual
relations without the final intention of having children in a spiritual union
are totally prohibited. Children require conscious parents. That's what they
need and what children deserve.
Thus Srila Prabhupada left us many rules and regulations, he
also gave us the instruction to adjust to the circumstances, and how things are
adjusted is work of the Guru. The spiritual master is always thinking about how
to occupy people in connection with Krishna. That's the Viashnava flexibility,
we want to occupy people with Krishna, in any way possible ... and you who have
come from so far are the best example, because you are already busy with a lot
of experience of engaging people in Krishna Consciousness.
When we invite people to Srila Prabhupada's family, we
always have to find new ways for the devotees to have a nice position in this
society, occupying people with ideas of how to advance spiritually.
Yena
tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet
The bottom line of all things is that people become engaged
in service to Sri Krishna, the other devotional details (rules and regulations)
can be introduced gradually. In fact, our family has been very innovative in
many ways. Although I would say, only semi-innovative ... because all the
things that I have innovated are things that Prabhupada had innovated.
Prabhupada did gurukulas and we're trying to do faith education. Prabhupada did
GoShalas and we are trying to promote the protection of cows and animals with
the Spoon Revolution. Prabhupada wanted to direct charity and we've begun
working with House of Wisdom, which we plan to make many contributions to
society with. Srila Prabhuapda and Sri Mahaprabhu have preached a message of
nonsectarian and invested all and invited their energy into it. Srila Prabhupada
often said to people: you do not have to change your religion, you just have to
love God ...
And if you love God, you will be able to enter God's mercy. Srila
Prabhupada also preached to scientists about the existence of God, proving that
Darwin was wrong and that the soul is a substance at hand, because the
materialist sees only matter and the matter ends there. So they think that matter
has changed through coincidence and therefore they have nothing to be thankful
for and all they end up thinking is, I have to make the most of this life. So
Prabhupada was much attached to science and now with Oida we are trying to
preach the same way and to clarify that the soul without faith is abandoned and
lost.
So the soul and faith are elements, evidence of a spiritual
existence. So, we're just trying to continue what Prabhupada began, only
including some new tools. Because Darwinism, for example, never worked with
psychology. Even Srila Prabhupada did many things that we have not been able to
do yet, but Vrinda has also devoted much energy to present different topics
with the conclusion of Krishna Consciousness in an introductory form. Then
Vrinda family has been producing much introductory material for people to have
a chance to get to Krsna Consciousness. So we have also tried to introduce Vaishnavism
into the internet, through communication which goes beyond a tiny temple and
its visitors. Today, using the Internet a temple can have followers in many
parts, so there are many modern techniques through which we preach if we use
them and achieve something wonderful.
So we must also engage professional people, because if there
was nothing to do in these areas they would feel a little discouraged, but when
they see that they can take their art to Krishna, then all can feel a little
happy. The Vedic wisdom box, for example, is a product we did many years ago.
Today, we have 163 titles ... and that box is perfect because you get the
darshan of Radha Vrajesvara and can choose a title that interests you. No one
can say that there is only one interest for him. And on one side of the
brochure we are promoting our eco-villages.
Now I took a title called: The misfortunes. This explains
the causes of the misfortunes in life ... the various problems and how to
handle ... and how we can be happy despite the misfortunes that occur in one's
life. All of that is written there. And so one can learn about different topics
... Then chose another issue: what does it mean to be a brahmana ... why are we
brahmanas in the line of Sri Mahaprabhu, another issue: agro awareness, and how
to grow organically. Sure, many of the titles are introductions and knowledge
can be much more voluminous, but you have to start somewhere. Likewise, our
life is full of surprises. And this collection of Vedic wisdom should be on
every table in a house, every office, in every restaurant ... Another title I
chose now is: reducing violence begins at home, another very important title
because we all suffer violence. If someone does not find a guide for himself,
then there is nothing. How to live healthily, and respect others ... so many
things you can learn.
These sheets allow more people to enter the Vedic knowledge.
The most important thing is we have the whole box and promotion is needed, it’s
your turn. Sure, it may not be cheap, but it is very valuable. So, we have to
work with lots of encouragement so that everyone can be benefited. I give you
ideas, but now it's your turn to take these ideas and apply them. My idea was
that when someone comes to the temple they are able to find a complete
selection of titles on how and where to practice spiritual awareness. That's
our job; it is what we are doing so that Srila Prabhupada is pleased with us.
That's the message Krishna wants us to know. But the world needs access to this
wisdom. If the world does not know, how it will grow on this path? So Srila
Prabhupada came to teach us how to do things right.
Today is the disappearance day of Srila Narottam Das Thakur
and we have heard many pastimes that melt the hard heart ... and one feels affected
and think, how wonderful and I live in the world with these worries for
material things. In other words, dear devotees, I'd like to present the great
urgency of everything we've done, so people in different sites have access to
everything that we are producing with the sweat from our brow and much
sacrifice. So we all have to come together in something very valuable and just
by joining together something can become powerful. Although sometimes we
perceive that our work had no results, but the results are there.
For example, today I received a notice from a court case of
Allahabad forbidding black water from reaching the Yamuna ... and the notice
also says that we need to do an in-depth awareness because the very pilgrims are
dirty. And that is a joy, a victory ... but do not forget: the struggle
continues and we need all your support to make it work. And as the Vrinda
family, we remain useful here. Thanks to Krishna we had some opportunities and
we now have a very nice opportunity which was granted by the municipality to
the family of helping hands, removing all waste buried in an illegal landfill
in front of Tatiya Sthan ashram that is poisoning Vrindavan and in this way I feel benefited and
I am very pleased with this. Imagine the mayor is asking this of us, this is
good if ... we are just waiting for permission to start with it. We're talking
about minimum 2000 tractor trips to get it all.
And we will do it because it is a wonderful service, and if
we can get one save one child of Vrindavana from getting sick, this practice
has been so effective. And so you can restore this sacred lake and bird
sanctuary. That is Vrindavna today, meeting with the mayor has had many fruits.
On the other hand we are trying to finish the Gopinath Mandir gardens as well
as trying with Chandi to clean the waters of Yamuna through a sand filter. It
is always a lot of work and we will see how all this is coming out. In the
coming days there will be many important moments, places to visit ... we have
much to do.
The cleaning service is something that makes me very happy,
even though it is very hard. Although everything is still very dirty. Do not
forget that we are doing this to give an example and so that in the future they
may have garbage collectors ... Let's see how many posters we have distributed
in schools, temples ... we have done a lot of work to get these materials ...
but our devotees here are very busy, so we have to put more effort. So I need
you to think with me, act with me... help me. Help me carry these messages to
schools, so that children become aware, because they are the one who will
create not so nice conditions tomorrow.
That is a very special program of awareness in schools here.
Will is power. Those of us who are here are here to work.... And Vrindavan is a
small town. You can do many things ... not talking about a big city. I have
said many times, we should not feel better because we clean than the dirty ...
we should be grateful to those who get dirty and give us a chance to do service
:)
Everyone of Vrinda I send the message to be generous and
send monthly support for our service to employ qualified people to help us. Now
we'll have to get heavy excavators to clean this lake ... that is something I
accept because I have years of fighting against this illegal dump, and now I
have the
permission of the municipality to fix it and turn it into a park.
[Many thanks to all of you who are preaching the glories of Vrindavan
worldwide.]
When I came to Vrindavan I remember how nice Vrindavan is
and all the work that is being done is completely wonderful. Like today we went to the temple of the
original deities of Srila Narottama Das Thakur it was very beautiful. Vrindavan
is moving and this movement is Krishna consciousness. Here we will see
wonderful things, but it is missing many details of organization. So the
government does not take into account many details ... but the solutions are
going to come, after a few years, Sri Vrindavan will have many improvements.
And that is where we are, because thousands and millions of people in the world
are going to come here and we have to receive them in the best way. This year
is 30 years of Vraja Mandala parikram and I can say that Vrindavan is my home,
though I do not deserve it ... because I've spent 30 kartiks or more and want
to see my house, the house of my God, totally clean. I pray to see the Yamuna
totally clean. That's a big job that requires a lot of people involved.
Right now we have to review the materials that we will carry
to Kumbha Mela. So I need the support of all of you. The care for the
environment is practical service to the Dhama ...the Dhama needs it.
We need to act consciously. So we ask the Vrinda Mission to be
generous ... and consider that each of our churches exists by the mercy of Sri
Vrindavan Dhama and by the mercy of Vrinda Devi. Here we have a very
responsible management team to address it all. I send my love to Bolivia to continue
helping this beautiful center of Radha Ramanji. I send my love to Peru, where
Lord Jagannath and Radha Damodhar bless you all. I congratulate Priya Vrata
prabhu for the wonderful interview he gave to the newspaper El Comercio de Peru. I send my greetings to Varsana they are
doing a very beautiful temple to Gauranga Radha Vrajesvara. I also send my love
to Radha Shyamsundar in Uruguay with the pioneers who are out there preaching.
(In Maldonado and Montevideo) I send my hugs to Brazil to Mahaprabhu Gandharvika
Giridhari, and all centers of Brazil, to remember the sacred land of Vrindavan
and preach the glories of the Dhama.
So temples only need to enthuse supportive friends. I send
my greetings to Venezuela, to the Azulita where Radha and Govinda are and Gaura
Nitai. Send my love to Ecuador, Radhika Gopinath and all the beautiful temples.
Also in Chile, with very beautiful Chileans who have contributed their
beautiful sannyasis and Radha Govindaji, Radha Vrindavan Candra and Radha Kunja
Bihari. My heart to Radha Madan Mohan, in Argentina, where we have much to do
with our Eco Yoga Park which was chosen as one of the most important places to
visit by Lonely Planet. Also send my wishes to preach to the pioneers of
Paraguay who worship Krishna and send the message of divine love.
To Radha Madhava in Mexico, the devotees in Guatemala with
Rupa prabhu, who are doing pretty centers in Central America. To Brihat Vrati
maharaj who is trying to break the ice in the center too. I send my love to the
devotees in USA, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Europe, the Philippines ... So,
we have a few places on earth where we have devotees who identify with our
desire to serve. And we hope that all of you will join us in Vraja Mandal
Parikrama, a full month to be together and to continue with eagerness to get
ahead. Thanks for sharing this chat today and trying to get out of Maya
together. Better then to seek divine love together.
A hug from the heart to deepen and better our service
Jay
Srila Prabhupada!
Jaya
Radha Vraja Mohan!
Jaya
Srila Narottam Das Thakur.
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