New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

by Madhava Gosh

There were some legitimate points raised in comments on the post Bahulaban Restoration Meeting #1-The Minutes).

” I do think it’s a shame to let the buildings at Bahulaban just rot, and something definitely needs to be done about it, but first things first. When there’s so much basic maintenance needed on the temple and lodge, what to speak of the palace, Srila Prabhupada’s only pushpa samadhi outside of India, shouldn’t that be done first?”

One doesn’t preclude the other. If you feel more drawn to help with the Palace restoration, they will gladly welcome your help. They do have an ongoing restoration project there, but it could, and should, be increased if devotees are willing to provide additional positive inputs.

“Why are we focusing on the restoration/development of Bahulaban when we need to focus on what we already are using that is falling down-Lodge, Temple and Palace. I just don’t get it. I’ts like we have this pattern of always going on to the next big thing..”

Actually, going back to restore Bahulaban would be the opposite of “going on to the next big thing”. Bahulaban was what was abandoned due to that mentality.

“If someone is interested in investing in NV then let’s have a meeting on ways to build an eco-friendly lodge, cabins and temple.”

I agree completely with that in principle. However, I don’t think we need to “build an eco-friendly lodge, cabins and temple.” I think we need to retrofit the existing buildings, and starting by doing it at Bahulaban could be the example of how to do so.

While the maintenance on the currently operating temple complex is the responsibility of the current NV management, they haven’t shown any capacity whatsoever to work on preserving Bahulaban. While they should be encouraged to do more in their area of responsibility, that shouldn’t be a bar to others who want to work independently on other projects.

There used to be 3 temples in NV, each with a unique flavor. There was also some talk by Prabhupada of having first 7 temples, and then eventually 5,000 of them, so working to have a second functioning temple is a step in that direction. While the existing active temple has one mood, there is also a place for another temple where the mood could be different.

For myself, I know that in 3 of his 4 visits by Srila Prabhupada to New Vrindaban, he spent time at Bahulaban, and it was the main center of activity in New Vrindaban while he was still on the planet. He never visited the current RVC temple — that was a Kirtanananda project.

Personally, if it was a choice between renovating the currently active temple complex or Bahulaban, and I could only support one of them, I would support the Bahulaban project if it was done correctly.

Of course, that isn’t true — both can be ongoing simultaneously, but my heart is more drawn to support Bahulaban. If your heart is drawn to support the other parts of New Vrindaban, more power to you and I hope you are successful.

From the March 1977 Issue of the Brijabasi Spirit by Taru dasa

What’s brainwashing? How does it differ from ordinary educa­tion? It might be rather difficult to come up with a precise defini­tion since this word is thrown around with great abandon. General­ly it implies forcing a man to change his beliefs against his will by means of mental and physical torture. Today we find ancient sys­tems of religious training, such as the bhakti-yoga path followed by members of the Hare Krsna movement, being attacked as dehumanizing pro­cesses, or brainwashing. Is there any validity to such attacks, or are they merely criminal attempts to discredit a time-honored, bona-fide science of improving one’s consciousness and realizing the actual meaning of existence?

Without placing much stock in emotion-laden scare words, let’s take a look at the nature of educa­tion from a rational point of view. Four key questions can help us an­alyze any given system of education and judge whether it’s actually be­neficial, simply harmless, or down­right detrimental: 1) Is the proc­ess voluntary? 2) Is the subject matter truth or slanted propaganda? 3) What is the teacher’s qualifica­tion and motivation? 4) What is the ultimate effect on the student?

Let us investigate these points one at a time.

1) Is it voluntary? In any sys­tem of education the teacher is re­quired to set up a learning labora­tory, an environment which facili­tates the learning process. Outside distractions have to be cut down so the pupil can concentrate on what his teacher is communicating. It is pointless to call such a situation ‘artificial,’ it is simply neces­sary. Just like a certain atmos­phere is created for surgery, simi­larly a certain atmosphere has to be generated for learning.

Is the student giving up his free will by entering such an ‘art­ificial1 atmosphere? If he under­stands the nature of the process, if he’s free to leave if he choos­es, then the answer is no. We are constantly placing ourselves into controlled situations because we desire a certain result. Just as we mentioned surgery before, a patient .becomes voluntarily unconscious, is even cut by the surgeon’s knife, because he has confidence in his doctor, because he understands the need for and the nature of the op­eration. In like manner a pupil can enter a university, a seminary or a yoga asrama, understanding that he has to undergo some discipline in order to attain a given goal. And as long as he remains free to leave there is no question of forcible coercion.

Even a casual observer will eas­ily see that the students of the Hare Krsna Movement are free to leave at will. Of all the young men and women who stay for a while at one of our centers, approximately 80% leave, though they often return from time to time. As for the ones who stay, they have a healthy, clear-headed view of the discipline they are pursuing, and they submit to it willingly. They are by no means brainless zombies, but to the contrary they are well-spoken and philosophically-oriented individu­als who are eager to discuss their views with outsiders.

Contrast this with the situation faced by one who is forcibly kid­napped by a group of mercenary so-called ‘deprogrammers’. He has not accepted this situation, he is af­raid because he doesn’t understand what is going on. He is taken to some unfamiliar place and incarcer­ated for one to four weeks. Teams of hostile, alien people deprive him of sleep, food, privacy and, most of all, the right to leave. Would you enter into such an arran­gement yourself? Obviously no sane man would. Each and every victim of such a ‘deprogramming’ course has to be violently abducted. Yet it is this very group of abductor-terror­ists who charge Hare Krsna disciples with brainwashing. A sober man f becomes a little disgusted as he sees through this shallow attempt to camouflage gestapo-like activi­ties with a deluge of euphemisms.

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BAHULABAN RESTORATION PROPOSAL MEETING #1
MINUTES
3-11-08
Attending: Balabhadra, Madhava Ghosh, Nityodita, Tapahpunja, Chris,
Rabbi, Gopalasapriya, Krpamaya, Caitanya Bhagavat, Jaya Murari,
Paramdhama, Sambha, Devananda Pandit, Jaya Prabhupada

AGENDA
1. History and Significance of Bahulaban
-Prabhupada Tirtha, history of New Vrindaban, hundreds of devotees
initiations occurring there

2. Background of Devotee Investor Group
-The initial proposal is to bring renovations to Bahulaban and Old
Vrndavana. After examining the scope of such a project, it was decided
to concentrate on Bahulaban. The devotees behind the proposal
will form a non-profit to support eventual plans for restoration and
renovation.

3. Legal Considerations and Encumbrances.
-There was discussion as to the actual legal status of the land upon
which the buildings of Bahulaban stand.

4. GEETA Cow Care Function And Land
-The pasture behind the Bahulaban buildings is the main grazing area
for our cows in the summer. GEETA owns these pasturing grounds and
all the land surrounding the buildings.

5. Status of Physical Facilities
-Discussion and suggestions included possible repairs of the barn
(which are extensive). Other general suggestions include boarding of
the windows, repairs of roofs, removal of trash and other waste. There
was also discussion as to reestablishing proper water and sewage
facilities.

BRAINSTORMING/PROPOSALS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
-Suggestion to look at Prabhupada’s will to see if it’s advised to
sell or lease the Bahulaban properties in future dealings with this
project.
-Suggestion to ask the devotees making the proposal to present their
paperwork of incorporation for the non-profit behind the project, and
to inquire whether this project will remain under the auspices of
ISKCON.
-Suggestion to make sure Adi-Guru Prabhu is present at future
meetings, to clear up question from the side of the devotees behind
the proposal.
-Suggestion to go to the local courthouse and get the actual paperwork
on the lien status of the Bahulaban land. It was suggested that
perhaps Raghu can do this.
-Discussion about phased development of the project i.e: Phase 1 would
be stopping any accumulating damage to the Bahulaban buildings,
followed by Phase 2 of restoration of utilities, etc.
-Discussion of future plans of this project, which included using the
Bahulaban buildings/land as a retreat center for yoga and japa
retreats, or for facilities for alternative healing/medicine.
Suggestions for greening the facilities (solar, wind power, living
off the land) were also discussed.

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(The following letter is published courtesy of Samba, eldest son of Hayagriva. He has discovered this and about 70 other previously unpublished letters from Srila Prabhupada in his father’s effects. They are written mostly to Hayagriva himself and his wife Shyam, as well as to Kirtanananda and others)

Tridandi Goswami
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Founder-Acharya:
International Society for Krishna Consciousness

CENTER: 61 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003

DATE ..April.16.,……………….19.69

My Dear Kirtananda,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 12 April, 1969, and I have carefully noted the contents. I have also seen the letter from Angelo, and I am sending it back to you because the handwriting is not clear for me to understand, and I think you can answer the questions anyway. Yes, I hope you will soon be getting a cow for New Vrindaban. Vrindaban without cows does not look well, so we must have many cows as soon as possible. Many devotees will be in New Vrindaban before very long, so this may be taken care of soon. For New Vrindaban, the principle of raising cows and raising foodstuffs must be very prominent.

I understand that Hayagriva was negotiating on some adjoining land of 150 acres and with two buildings, but I have not heard any recent reports on this. Please ask him to continue negotiation, and if the terms are fixed up, and I see the houses suitable, then we shall arrange to purchase. Please inform me how many mridungas are there. If there is not a sufficient number, then one or two may be purchased from New York center.

I hope this will meet you in good health. I have received one nice letter from Shama Dasi, so please convey my thanks to her for this.

(Ed. note: The 150 acre parcel is a reference to Bahulaban. The following PS was handwritten)

P.S. I am going to Buffalo on Friday18th

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The Small Farm Training Center is a land-based educational center and hands-on working organic farm, located in the beautiful rolling foothills of New Vrindaban Dham in West Virginia. What’s it all about? Click here to find out

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GAURA PURNIMA FESTIVAL 2008
MARCH 21st –MARCH 22nd
NEW VRINDABAN

Friday 21st of March

Gaura Purnima: Appearance Day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

(Fasting till Moonrise)
Morning Class on Caitnaya Caritamrta
(evening part)
7:00 PM
Kirtan and Gaura Nitai Abhisekam
(Special Abhiseka for children)

Visual Presentation of New Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur
(RARE PRESENTATION MADE TO GBC MEETING IN MAYAPUR)
Preaching in Hungary – Story of Success
And later

Breaking fast with ekadasi prasadam
(actual Gaura Purnima feast is on Saturday)

GAURA PURNIMA FESTIVAL
JAGANNATHA MISHRA FEAST!!!

Saturday 22nd of March
Caitanya Caritamrita Class

And then at 09:00 AM
ISKCON Cinema Presents

World Premier* of New DVD **Following Srila Prabhupada** Part VI

DVD 6 – Films from March 1974 to July 1974
Highlights: Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan and then Juhu where His Divine Grace preaches on his apartment rooftop, walks on Juhu Beach and distributes prasad to beggars and the rich. Srila Prabhupada’s first visit to Rome and also Germany where he initiates and gives interviews. Geneva and Paris are also included and finally Melbourne for interviews, lectures, programs and Rathayatra.

Midday Arati and Kirtan

@ 1:30 PM
!!! Jagannatha Mishra Maha Gauranga Feast !!!!

We are always in need of your help
So give us a call, will you?
(304) 843 1600 ext 105

To All Devotees Interested in Bahulaban:

With the approval of the New Vrndavana Board of Trustees, a group of devotee investors, headed by Adi Guru das, NV resident, have formed a non-profit religious corporation, whose purpose is the restoration of the Bahulaban property.

The Bahulaban farm was purchased in 1972 and was the home of Radha Vrndavana Candra until 1984. Srila Prabhupada’s main preaching activities centered in Bahulaban during three of his four visits to NV.
They have asked that a vision team be formed from amongst the local community devotees as well as interested non physically present parties, to help set the direction and spell out do-able goals for them to execute.

There will be an open meeting next Tuesday, March 11 at 6 pm in the Temple Prasadam Hall.

The purpose of this meeting is to stimulate discussion on this exciting development concept for Bahulaban and to form a vision team that can articulate a well thought out plan to the new corporation.

Everyone is invited! Please come!

Prasadam will be served.

Mother Satendriya dd braved the weather Saturday to set up at a craft show at John Marshall High School. This was her first show.

She is an excellent painter and we wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor. Crafting falls into the category of “right livelihood”.

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UNTITLED

By Hladini Devi Dasi

Madhuvana ‘74

O yes!…You know!!!

You know better than I!!

!

But still I feel I must
…make You see!

I know…

You care!!!

You care more than anyone could ever care!!!

But still I feel I cannot

…repay Your love!!!

I can taste Your mercy

…in every second of my life:

………………………………..In Your eyes—

………………………………..In Your smile—

………………………………..And in all You have given.

Still, I am left

Yearning to give

Something to You—

Frustrated in all my

blundering attempts

………..and

Praying I may have

an eternity to try.

By Hrishikesh dasa (Henry Doktorski)

Friday, March 7, 2008, New York City: Today Kirtanananda Swami left the United States for good and emigrated to India. He said he doesn’t expect to return again. “There is no sense in staying where I’m not wanted,” he explained, obviously referring to the desertions through the years by most of his US disciples and the recent attempts by board members of the Radha-Muralidhara Temple (Interfaith Sanctuary) at 25 First Avenue in New York City to evict him from the building which he purchased in 1992 for $500,000 and has lived in since June 16, 2004, when he was released from the Federal Correctional Institution at Butner, North Carolina, where he finished an eight-year prison term. However, despite his apparent lack of success in the United States, Kirtanananda still has a significant number of loyal disciples in India and Pakistan.

In November 2007 Kirtanananda was discharged from parole, and was allowed to leave the United States. He traveled to India during December 2007 and January 2008, and spent time in Rishikesh, Bombay and Vrindavana, including visits to the ISKCON temples at Juhu Beach and Krishna-Balarama mandir, where he claimed he was invited to speak. “Gopal Krishna has done a wonderful job,” he said. “The Juhu complex has expanded greatly since my last visit many years ago.” Most of his preaching activities during this trip were based in two locations: Rishikesh and Ulhasnagar.

New Madhuban in Rishikesh, located on the banks of the Ganges River at Muni Ki Reti, was established in 1987 by Kirtanananda’s disciple Bhakti-Yoga Swami, and since then has developed into a popular preaching center with the construction of a new temple in classical Indian style designed by M. Mutiah Staphati, a renowned Indian architect. Kirtanananda said, “My room in Rishikesh has stunning views of the Himalayan foothills and the River Ganges.”

Ulhasnagar is a city approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Mumbai (Bombay). Kirtanananda’s ashram–Anand Vrindavan Dham–is managed by his disciple Madhusudan dasa. “The preaching in Ulhasnagar was especially enlivening,” related Kirtanananda. “There must have been 3,000 people at the program, including some ISKCON devotees which I recognized.”

70-year-old Kirtanananda obtained a ten-year visa and plans to spend the rest of his life in India. “I don’t expect to return to the States,” he said.

He will base his activities in Rishikesh and Ulhasnagar, and will also open a new preaching center in Goa. “I expect the preaching in Goa will be excellent,” he said. “It is a beautiful resort town and there are many Western visitors.”

Kirtanananda said he intends to continue preaching a message of interfaith: that the God of the Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Vaishnavas is the same; and that men of faith from each religion should recognize and appreciate the faith of men of other paths. “Fundamentalism is one of the most dangerous belief-systems in the world today. Fundamentalism doesn’t promote unity; it causes separatism. It creates enmity between people of faith. Look at the Muslims; Mohammed never intended that his followers should spread their religion by the sword. It is more important today than at any other time to preach about the unity of all religions.”

Disciples in Ulhasnagar have recently published Kirtanananda’s latest book: “Humbler than a Blade of Grass” (Anand Vrindavan Dham: 2008, hardcover, 306 pages), which consists of 154 lessons on humility. Three other books are slated for publication: “The Bible Illumined,” which Srila Prabhupada asked Kirtanananda to write over forty years ago (see letter from Srila Prabhupada to Kirtanananda dated April 7, 1967), “Heart of the Bhagavatam” (a massive book of more than 1600 pages) and “The Life and Times of Lord Chaitanya.”

For a fairly accurate biography of Kirtanananda, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtanananda_Swami.

Photos by Hrishikesh dasa (Henry Doktorski), taken in New York City, March 4, 2008, during an interview with Kirtanananda Swami.

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