New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 10/26/2014

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam, Kripamaya (partial), Madhava Gosh (partial), and Ranaka.

Advisors present: Jaya Krsna

Recording secretary: Navin Shyam

1. ECO-V logo revision

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to adopt a new logo that better reflects our mission statement.

RESOLVED: The Board adopts the logo attached to this meeting’s minutes.

2. Bahulaban Barn Renovations

Ranaka reported that the manure pit has been re-landscaped, and cow movement has been charted out. He indicated that providing housing in the upstairs should be discussed. The project is still set for December completion.

3. ISKCON New Vrindaban Bahulaban Utility Building Repair

Jaya Krsna met with Vyasasana, who has agreed to block one side of the building. Vyasasana also made another proposal regarding roof repair, which Jaya Krsna is discussing further with him before sharing with the joint boards.

4. Gopal’s Garden School Grant 2014-2015

The next newsletter should be forthcoming at the end of October. Ranaka will fill out a grant application for the 2014-2015 year, requesting $15K.

5. Onsite meeting

Will be held on November 1 and 2.

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Brijabasi Spirit; Vol 1, Issue 9, 06-23-1974.

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Srila Prabhupada reading outside the original New Vrindaban farmhouse, Spring 1969.

Prabhupada: “You are actually learning in New Vrindaban the self-sufficient mode of living, simple living, high thinking, that is our policy, and as long as Krsna remains in the center of all these activities, then you are actually in Vrindaban.”

Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.

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Mother Sita & her son, Ishaan

On August 5, 2014, Mother Sita (daughter of Malati) gave birth to her first calf, a bull who was given the name Ishaan. Shortly after his birth Ishaan was blessed with the association of H.H. Radhanatha Swami. What an auspicious start to life! Ishaan was born with an under bite which is a perfect match for his rather goofy personality.

Ishaan’s super cute under bite to match his spunky personality

Ishaan is a rambunctious little fellow who is always ready to play. He could care less about the mood or size of his playmate, he will challenge anyone for a run around the pasture. He’s not playing around when it comes to drinking milk — so much so that he will try to extract milk from any object he can get his mouth on, be it animate or inanimate.

Ishaan blissfully absorbed in his favorite pastime

A favorite pastime of Ishaan is to suck on the collar of his Mother, in hopes of getting a different flavor of milk. So far his attempts have been unsuccessful in finding new sources of milk.

Ishaan(right), Balarama (left)

Balarama in samadhi

On September 9, 2014, Mother Manjari gave birth to a white bull calf who was given the name Balaram. Balaram is a rather shy & peaceful guy. He spends his days peacefully resisting Ishan’s attempts to engage in frivolous activities. He’s too much of a sage to pass his days like that. Nonetheless, when it comes to milking time, he’s not shy to find his mom.

Manjari, daughter of Tulasi, mom of Balarama

Manjari is very much attached to Balaram & will call out for him throughout the day & night checking in on his welfare. While in pasture with Balaram, Manjari would call out for the rest of the herd to see what they were up to. Either with her son, or with the rest of the ladies, she always wants to be in the loop with what’s happening in both places.

Both Ishaan & Balaram are sons of Dharma, the resident bull in New Vrindaban. Everyone is invited & encouraged to come meet the latest additions to the herd during milking times at 7am or 6:30pm daily.

This week’s challenge: What is this contraption and what did it do?

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit website.

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Krsna Priya was born in New Vrindaban and here she is, years later, making flower garlands for Their Lordships.

A special opportunity is now available at New Vrindaban.

We are looking for volunteers to live in the Holy Dhama for any length of time between now (Nov. 2014) and April 2015 for a specific mission.
The service is simple – to make beautiful flower garlands for some of the deities of New Vrindaban. This will take about 2 to 3 hours a day.
We will provide nice accommodations and Prasad, as well as training.
Please call Lilasuka at 304 843 1600 xt 106 or email lilasooka@msn.com. Thank you.

An enthusiastic guest couple from VA. makes garlands for the Lord.

Mangalacarana dasi makes beautiful flower garlands for the Lord.

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Prabhupada sits with his disciples outside the original New Vrindaban farmhouse, Spring 1969.

Prabhupada: “For New Vrindaban, the principle of raising cows and raising foodstuffs must be very prominent.”

Click here to read the rest of this letter at the Brijabasi Spirit website.

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The original Harinama Sankirtan Party

The “golden avatara” of this age of Kali Yuga, Lord Chaitanya, spoke these words:  “Glory to the Sri Krishna sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.”

Devotees at New Vrindaban have begun to go out regularly to both Pittsburgh, PA and Wheeling, WV to give the opportunity to the people in general of hearing the sublime sound of the Lord’s Holy Name:

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare              Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Everyone is invited to join.  Meet at the temple at 10:00 A.M. Wednesdays and Fridays, or meet them at Schenley Park, Oakland, Pittsburgh.  Call 304 843 1600 ext 106 for information.

And please  mark your 2015 calendar for Sat. Sept. 12 –  New Vrindaban and Ohio Valley’s 4th Annual Festival of Colors!

The main Pittsburgh newspaper tells the story:

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE–SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

(Rebecca Droke/Post Gazette)

  Olliva Pasoazl, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, dances in Oakland on Friday with members of the Hare Krishna movement  from Moundsville, W.Va.

The Hare Krishnas come every Wednesday and Friday to  Forbes Avenue and Schenley Drive to

 “spread the consciousness of God so that we can all be happy,” said Autumn Radii Dasi, right.

Harinama near Schenley Park, the university district, Oakland, Pittsburgh.

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Since last week’s photo got a lot of responses we’ll continue with a variation on the theme.

This week’s challenge: In this photo here are up to 15 people who can be identified. Who are they, what are they doing and when was it taken?

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit website.

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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/28/2014

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam and Ranaka.

Advisors: Jaya Krsna

Recording secretary: Jordanna Rock-Garden

1. Bahulaban Barn Dedication

The board agreed that the renovated building be rededicated in honor of Madhava Gosh and Vidya, for the more than 40 years of service they’ve performed for the cows and gardens in New Vrindaban. It will be renamed the “Madhava Gosh-ala” with a small dedication ceremony. A plaque will be displayed on the barn and another will be presented to Madhava Gosh and Vidya.

2. ECO-V logo update

Chaitanya Mangala shared some of the proposed logo designs with the board. The board members agreed that they like certain aspects of the new logos, but decided that they also like the modern look of the current logo. They would like a new design that integrates a modern aesthetic with traditional images that represent cows, gardens, Krishna and Prabhupada.

3. Bahulaban Barn Renovation

Ranaka reported that the project is progressing well. One side of the barn has been removed and cleared away and now the crew is working on another side.

4. INV Bahulaban Utility Building Roof & Window Repair

Vyasasana will seek a quote from an Amish crew. If he cannot get a timely response, he will pursue other options.

5. ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) Palace Fence

This project has been completed.

6. INV Temple and Lodge Foundation Garden Beds

This project has been completed.

7. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Water Filling Stations

The new fill station will be installed over the Winter or in the Spring. INV will combine it with the external lodge bathroom renovations.

8. Gopal’s Garden School Grant 2014-2015

Next meeting, the board will vote on the grant. Also, the board would like to know when the next newsletter is coming out.

9. INV/ECO-V Garden of 7 Gates (G7G) 3 High Tunnel Greenhouses Grant

These are currently being built.

10. INV/ECO-V G7G 2 Pole Barn Grant

Currently, the design is being developed. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring.

11. INV/ECO-V G7G 200 sq ft Prototype Housing

Ranaka & Jaya Krsna report that Tom is finishing up the project. The Board is prepared to pay for any materials he needs out of the existing allocation.

12. Ox Program Grant

Jaya Krsna proposed sending Daivata to an ox training seminar in Michigan. He will look into the details and speak to Daivata about this prospect. The board agreed to cover the costs of this program using some of the already approved allocation.

13. INV Bulk Grain Purchasing

A purchase has been made by INV. ECO-V will lend funds to INV for the order and INV will reimburse ECO-V on a quarterly basis over a year.

14. Cow Trailer

A trailer was purchased for $4,500.

15. Onsite Meeting

Will be held on November 1 and 2.