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September 2001

New Krishna Temple opens in Mormon State

The Mormons helped to fund it - with a cash grant of $25,000 - then they even helped to finish off the building of it when hundreds of them from nearby Salt Lake City lifted up the domes on the temple - then they came in their thousands on the grand opening day.

What's going on down there in Utah? We can only think that `devotion attracts devotion' and service to Krishna cuts across all religious designations. The new temple is the first completely purposebuilt Krishna temple in America and took 15 years from the first idea to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It comes from the hard efforts of one man and his wife: American Caru das and his wife, Manchester born Vaibhavi dasi. Together they planned it, raised funds for it and attracted invaluable local help. For many years they've run both a radio station at Spanish Forks, Utah, and have run a Llama farm that has been very popular with the locals. Their annual celebrations have drawn thousands of Mormon visitors for years and they've become part of the community. No surprise then that when they needed help it was forthcoming. All glories to the power of friendship in bringing about the success of the sankirtan movement.

Making Radio Waves

Manchester temple president and author Krishna Dharma das has been asked to meet up with Terry Wogan in London as preparation for six spots on his BBC Radio 2 'Pause for Thought'. The spots will be broadcast every Monday at 9.15am from October 15th' onwards (88-90FM) Meanwhile, `Thought for the Day' regular Akhandadhi das, now introduced as `Hindu writer and theologian' continues to be featured on BBC Radio 4.

Rama Drama

An ancient odyssey continues around England very soon when The Ramayana goes on an historic twelve city tour. Arjuna das has brought together a host of actors to form the devotional theatre group LILA and is currently rehearsing the new production.

Unlike previous tours by devotee theatre troupes, these stagings of The Ramayana will be performed in small theatres and arts centres rather than the Hindu temples and community centres of former years. This time there is substantial promotion with posters, entertainment guides, and local newspapers, and tickets will be sold well in advance.

"This particular version of the Ramayana story is based upon the drama Vira Charita by the seventh century playwright Bhavabhuti," explained Arjuna. "We wanted to bring The Ramayana to a much broader audience through presentations at well established venues." LILA has alreeady attracted a small grant from Awards for All and Arjuna hopes that a successful tour will help solicit assistance from other Government Arts Boards.

In India, the Ramayana is especially staged at the time of year when Diwali, the `Festival of Lights' takes place. Millions turn up to see the same story every year and never seem to become tired of watching the drama unfold. "Children learn the story of Rama from a very early age in India and wherever sanatan dharma is practised" said Arjuna. "The festival of Diwali marks the triumphant return of Sita and Rama to their city of Ayodhya. As it was getting dark the residents of the city lit every doorway and window with candles. To this day the placing of candles on doorsteps and windowledges is continued by millions all over the world, marking the beginning of the new -year." The Ramayana tour, which begins in Bedford on October 17, followed by Wellingborough and Ipswich, will be spread right through the Diwali season. Please see coloured flyer for details.

No Sects Please - We're French

What many people still refer to as the Hare Krishna Movement is now present in countries of the world. From the signing of a legal paper in 1966 when ISKCON was first incorporated, the movement has spread to wherever devotees have taken the message.

Known by many different names in many languages, and presented in varying styles according to the local climate and culture, the movement is public in most countries, private in some, and secret in a few where it would be dangerous to attract attention.

So while in some countries the movement attracts government recognition and support, in others the devotees are still being persecuted: In some parts of the world, such as Afghanistan where, on May 23, the Taliban regime ordered all Hindus to stitch a yellow strip of cloth on their shirt pocket, 'for protection', one would expect devotees of Lord Krishna to live in secret. There are other middle eastern states where worshipping according to Vaishnava ritual is expressly forbidden, yet in these places there are thriving underground devotee congregations. It is therefore disconcerting when a western European nation such as France passes a law that greatly threatens the freedom of religious practice in that country. But that is what has happened.

In 1995 the Guyard Report on Sects, commissioned for the French National Assembly, listed a total of 172 groups presumed 'dangerous.' The report was inflammatory and was later described by independent observers as being flawed: facts were wrong, philosophies were distorted, and false allegations of criminality were made. Members of some groups could not even recognise their group from descriptions given; some were shocked to find they had been included. One feminist who organised a small self-help crafts industry for women in Africa found her 'sect' on the list. Even large Christian groups such as the Mormons were listed as dangerous sects.

The French government then formed MILS, an inter-ministerial 'mission for the fight against sects.' One grandmother, whose mystical ecology and horticultural skills led to a collective experiment in self-sufficient farming has just finished a one-year prison sentence after a `research visit' from Alain Gest of MILS.

In May, the About / Picard Law was passed that criminalises missionary activity and makes it easy to dissolve voluntary associations. Although not listed, the Catholic Church has expressed concern, since the same law could be used against their own smaller missionary groups. Observers in the United Nations have also made appeals to the French government.

So far the Mormons, with a worldwide membership of 10 million, have succeeded in removing their name from the list. Other Christian minority churches - Christian Science, the Seventh Day Adventists and the Jehovah's Witnesses - are still on it and have all been disestablished and hit with back taxes. ISKCON, or AICK as it is known in France, is of course on the list, although membership has decreased drastically in recent years.

Kind Hearts

In Swansea, an elderly anonymous supporter has declared that she is going to remortgage her house so that a large down payment can be realised for purchasing the restaurant there. Devotees headed up by Tarakanath have been renting the premises and the payments for the purchase after the down payment is made will be less than it presently costs to rent.

In Australia, one man who visited the devotees farm and school as part of a tourist coach trip was so impressed with what he experienced, he changed his will upon returning home, apportioning part of his estate to the school, and died two weeks later. Devotees were stunned to receive 50,000 Australian dollars!

Celebrations

Crowds came in their thousands to Krishna's Janmashtami Festival again this year, although rain kept many away on the first official day of the festival, causing some concern amongst the organisers. The second day was packed as usual, with cars covering around 30 acres of fields!

Hundreds of visitors, who come only infrequently, turned the Manor into something resembling an ancient shrine in India as they queued for up to an hour for darshan of the Deities. Another large celebration took place a few days later at what is now becoming an annual initiation ceremony. Around thirty devotees took their full vows and received either new names or the Gayatri mantra. Two weeks after Krishna's Appearance Day celebrations comes the festival for the birth of His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani (who appeared in this world the year after the Lord appeared). This day always sees Sri Radha Gokulananda dressed in clothes made of fresh flowers of different colours. This year they wore blue, white, purple and yellow flowers interspersed with glass jewels.

Another celebration was held early September in Leicester as one devotee took initiation and 12 more pledged to chant at least one round of the Hare Krishna mantra per day. Everyone offered grains into the sacrificial fire and a feast was served to all.

Pilgrimage to Sacred India

If you're thinking about joining the Pilgrimage to Sacred India in February next year, or you'd like further detailed information, we've now finished the travel / events itinerary, and it's looking really good.

The pilgrimage takes in all the best spots both in the region where the `Golden Avatara', Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, took birth, and the Mathura/Vrindavan area where Lord Krishna displayed His childhood pastimes. Its the trip of a lifetime that you've always promised yourself, will definitely re-charge your batteries, and give you hope in your spiritual life. Find out more from Devaprastha das on: 01223-479116 (Cambridge) and 07947-136568.

A Weekend in Wales

A Spiritual Retreat for All Readers
To be held at Buckland Hall in the beautiful Brecon Beacons

October 5th, 6th and 7th His Holiness Sivarama Swami will be presenting:

The Ten Points of Vaishnava Philosophy
The inter-relationship of Soul, Spirit, Time, Space, Matter and God

(Learn these and you'll always be able to explain what you believe in!)

We'll be having discussions on subjects of special relevance to all devotees who practise their Krishna consciousness at home and in the workplace; There will be optional workshops on Deity Worship, Cooking for Krishna, Hatha Yoga for Health, Ayurveda - The Science of Life, and `Reaching Out to Others'.

There's also time for Games, Drama and Relaxing

Rooms are comfortable with en-suite showers and central heating. Stunning Views from most windows. Three Meals daily cooked by Vaishnava Brahmins. Mountains, Valleys, Wooded walks, and a river. Buckland Hall is situated on the A40 near the town of Brecon in Wales.

Cost for the weekend including all classes and meals: Only £45.

For further information and bookings please ring 01923-854270 (day), 01923-850678 (eve).