Badrinarayan Swami
2. Your address:
1238 1/2 Hornblend Street San Diego, CA USA / 92109
3. Your email addresses.
bnarayan@earthlink.net
4. Your telephone numbers.
858-272-7711
5. Your websites.
None
6. Please list the countries and cities that you have visited this year.
India, Singapore, USA, Burma, Bangladesh (the cities are too many to list)
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries that you have visited.
Great potential to expand everywhere I went. Sincere devotees and ripe fields
8. Please let us know what were the services you rendered as a sannyasa this year.
I am a GBC member with a zone, I am a member of Organizational Development committee, and the coordinator for the “Lines” committee. Where I traveled outside my area of responsibility (zone) I did my duty as a traveling sannyasi–morning program, preaching engagements, counseling devotees.
9. What were your realizations about the sannyasa ashrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Sannyasa ashram is Krishna’s mercy on me. Other comments but too much or inappropriate to write here.
10. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship your role as a sannyasi.
No
11. What preaching projects are you planning to do in the future?
Same as above with maybe visiting Turkey and some places in the middle east (having been invited several times–let’s see if time allows).
Your servant, Badrinarayan Swami
BHAKTI ANANTA KRISHNA GOSWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Ananta Krishna Goswami
2. Your physical address
Russia, Moscow Selskohozyastvennaya 36
3. Your email address(es)
anantakrishna108@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
+79262301811
5. Your website
ananta-krishna.ru
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Belarus Minsk
Lithuania
Vilnius
Russia
Barnaul, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, N. Novgorod, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Yaroslav, Rybinsk, Vologda, Kostroma
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Russia: sankirtana and bhakti-vriksha
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Preacher
9. Future preaching projects?
Goloka Fest festivals and new temple – new brahmachari ashram
BHAKTI ANUGRAHA JANARDANA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami
2. Your physical address
Sri Krsna Balarama Mandir Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg Ramanreti, Vrindavana Mathura, UP India 28112
3. Your email address(es)
Janardana.swami@pamho.net bajs@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s) +91-9897906111
5. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Delhi, Chandigarh, Luddhiana, Panchkula
Russia
Moscow
USA
New Jersey, New York City, Atlanta, Boise, Seattle, Berkeley, San Jose, Detroit, Milwaukee
Canada
Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal
Philippines
Makati City, Manila, Olongapo, Vigan, Longos, Iligan, Pangasinan, Urdaneta, Cebu, Iloilo
6. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
All temples are very anxious to have our association and to hear our classes and kirtan. We need to spend more time with them to further cultivate their growth in their bhakti. Very sincere devotees wherever we go, especially in Russia.
7. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
In Vrindavana I did a lot of regular classes both in Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
I did a few youth preaching programs in both Vrindavan and Delhi.
In Vrindavan I did a seminar during Kartika on “Teachings of Lord Chaitanya to Rupa Goswami,” from the Caitanya-caritamrita.
I led lots of kirtans in at least 6 Ratha-yatras in Delhi and the surrounding area, and at Ratha-yatras in Chandigarh, Panchkula, Luddhiana, and Toronto. I did a lot of university preaching in the Philippines, both to graduates and undergraduates.
I had a radio interview in Olongapo, Philippines, and also met the mayor there.
I did lots and lots of harinam every day during my travels in the Philippines, for almost a month.
I gave classes on Krsna consciousness wherever I went.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
There is a huge potential for devotees to be trained and develop their Krsna consciousness, if somehow I could spend more time with them. The problem is that due to time constraints I am not able to stay in one place for a long time to focus on the devotees’ progress, as I have to tend to my duties in Vrindavan. I am bogged down with management at the moment, and am not able to do as much traveling and preaching as I would prefer. Hopefully, by the Lord’s grace and mercy some of the management burden may be lifted in the near future. Since my service and presence is very much needed in Vrindavana at the moment, I hope that I’ll learn a lot and will have more experience for my future engagements in preaching. I need to intensively study our scriptures so I can present Krsna consciousness convincingly to whomever I meet and thus help them make their lives perfect.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I pray to the disciplic succession and Their Lordships to be able to keep my vow for the rest of my life and to represent Srila Prabhupada to the best of my ability. Thus whatever contribution I can give will enhance the reputation of our family more and more, and in this way many will come and join our movement for their ultimate well- being.
9. Future preaching projects?
To continue what I am doing now, i.e., going to the Philippines, North America, and Russia once a year. This takes around 4 months a year. I spend the remaining 8 months in Vrindavan, trying to help in management as the Vice President. Krsna willing, I hope that in the future I may be relieved from management in Vrindavana so I can visit other places, wherever Krsna will take me.
BHAKTI ASHRAYA VAISNAVA SWAMI 1. Your name
Bhakti Ashraya Vaisnava Swami
2. Your physical address
Krishna Balarama Mandir ISKCON Vrindavan
3. Your email address(es)
vaisnava.gkg@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
+919897903111
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Delhi (NCR), Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiyana, Ambala, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Ajmer, Sikar, Kota, Bharatpur, Ahemdabad, Surat, Baroda, Dwarka, Rajkot, Bangalore, Karwar, Belgam, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Mayapur, Jagannath Puri, etc.
South Africa
Durban, Johannesburg, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg, etc.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
The Durban temple is very nice, especially the Ratha-yatra festival. The Food for Life program is really nice there, distributing prasadam to around 25,000 people every day during the seven-day festival.
Most of the temples in Delhi and other parts of India are doing very well through congregation preaching, youth preaching, etc. At most centers devotees are enthusiastic in hearing and preaching.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014. The whole the year I traveled to the above-mentioned places, encouraging people in their advancement in Krishna consciousness. I attended many Ratha-yatras, conducted various seminars and courses, and led many spiritual tours and camps. I guided youth preaching at many cities of Rajasthan-Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bhilwada, Ajmer, Kota, etc.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Sannyasa is helping me very much in preaching Krishna consciousness, and I want to use my sannyasa ashram for preaching for the rest of my life.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I want to dedicate my whole life for Srila Prabhupada’s preaching movement, as much as I can do.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I will try my best to continue the same preaching activities in the future.
BHAKTI BHAGAVATAMRITA KESHAVA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Bhagavatamrita Keshava Swami
2. Your physical address
26, Belorusskaya str. Bataysk city Russia, 346888
3. Your email address(es)
BBKS@pamho.ru, BBKS@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s) +79034361784 +919634073329
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Russia
Rostov, Novorossiysk, Sochi, St. Petersburg, Zelenokumsk, Volgodonsk, Krinnitsa, Moscow, Taganrog, Obninsk, Makhachkala Community, Astrakhan Community, Volgograd, Voljskiy, Vladikavkaz, Nalchik, Essentuki, Tomsk, Anapa, Orekhovo-Zuyevo
India
Puri, Mayapur, Vrindavan, Govardhan
Turkey
Antalya
Kazakhstan
Almaty, Astana
Georgia
Tbilisi
Azerbaijan
Baku
Uzbekistan
Tashkent Dahab
United Arab Emirates
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited. [none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Active preaching in various cities; the development of a farm project in the region; conducting training sessions for leaders in different regions; participation in several ISKCON festivals; education for the devotees; helping to mediate conflicts between devotees; assistance in the development of communities in various cities in the region; inspiring devotees to preach; going on pilgrimage with a group of 220 devotees in the spring of 2014 to Puri, Mayapur, and Vrindavan; participation in preaching programs for the general public in the Enlightenment Festival.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Having taken sannyasa initiation, I feel that there are more opportunities to preach. At the same time, sannyas requires that I be more responsibile for every word I say. This prompts me to more deeply study Srila Prabhupada books. I am grateful to the Guru and Vaisnavas for the opportunity to perform such service.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Active preaching in various cities; the development of a farm project in the region; conducting training sessions for leaders in different regions; participation in several ISKCON festivals; education for the devotees; helping to mediate conflicts between devotees; assistance in the development of communities in various cities in the region; inspiring devotees to preach; going on pilgrimage with a group of 100 devotees in the spring of 2015 to Puri, Mayapur, and Vrindavan; participation in preaching programs for the general public in the Enlightenment Festival.
BHAKTI BRHAT BHAGAVATA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami 2. Your physical address
[none]
3. Your email address(es)
[none]
4. Your telephone number(s)
[none]
5. Your website
[none]
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
A. COURSES and PROGRAMS CONDUCTED
I have visited the following temples/centers(in alphabetical order) for association and conducting courses:
Bangalore(ICC): BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 75 attendees Bangalore(Sheshadripuram): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 112 attendees Blantyre(Malawi): Bhagavad Gita Overview – 45 attendees Belgaum: BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 82 attendees Cape Town: ISKCON Disciples Course, 34 attendees Chennai: BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 82 attendees Kolkata: BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 55 attendees Kolkata: BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 55 attendees Goa: BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 59 attendees Lenasia(near Johannesburg): BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 65 attendees Mauritius(Bon Accueil): ISKCON Disciples Course, 58 attendees Mauritius(Bon Accueil): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 54 attendees Mauritius(Fon-de-sac): ISKCON Disciples Course, 52 attendees Mauritius(Grand Bassin): BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 27 attendees Mayapur(Kirtan Academy): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 42 attendees Mayapur(Mayapur Institute): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 38 attendees Mayapur(Mayapur Institute): BCEC ‘Bhakti Sadacara’ course, 32 attendees Mayapur(Mayapur Institute): ‘Nectar of Instruction’ Course, 34 atttendees Mumbai(Mira Road): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 142 attendees Pietermaritzburg(SA): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 47 attendees Vrndavana(BGIS staff): BCEC Namamrta Program – Level One, 48 attendees B. VISITS to ISKCON TEMPLES
I visited the following temples(in alphabetical order) for association and service, including Srimad Bhagavatam morning lectures, festivals lectures and guest programs lectures:
INDIA: Bangalore(ICC), Bangalore(Sheshadripuram), Belgaum, Chennai, Delhi(Punjabi Bagh), Delhi(Sant Nagar), Goa, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mayapur, Mumbai(Juhu), Mumbai(Mira Road), Tirupati, Vrndavana KENYA: Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi MAURITIUS: Phoenix, Bon Acceuil, Fon-de-Sac SOUTH AFRICA: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban(Chatsworth), Durban(Phoenix), Lenasia, Midrand, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Sandton
C. VISITS to ISKCON PREACHING CENTERS and NAMA-HATTA GATHERINGS
I gave classes at the following Preaching Centers and Nama-hatta gatherings:
MALAWI: Blantyre, Lilongwe MAURITIUS: Caroline, Goodlands, Flacq, Morcellement, Mount Ida, Rose Belle, St Julien D’hotman SOUTH AFRICA: Arena Park, Bethal, Ermelo, Gillitts, Howick, Lotus Park, Malboro, Middelberg, Northdene, Port Shepstone, Sarnia, Scottsburgh, Stanger, Tongaat, Verulam, Witbank.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
[none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
[none]
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
[none]
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none] 8c. Health issues?[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
[none]
BHAKTI CHARU SWAMI
1. Your name. Bhakti Charu Swami
2. Your address. ISKCON Bharat Puri Ujjain Madhya Pradesh India
3. Your email addresses. bhakti.charu.swami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone numbers. +91 999 356 9009
5. Your websites. www.bhakti.charu.swami.com
6. Please list the countries and cities that you have visited this year. India (Mayapur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Vrindavan, Surat, Pune, Jaipur, Tirupati, Chennai), UK (London, Leicester), USA (New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington, Richmond, North Carolina, New Orleans, Florida. Los Angeles), Switzerland (Zurich,Lucarno), Italy (Medolago, Milan), Spain (Malaga), South Africa
(Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chitagong, Barisal), Singapore,
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries that you have visited. All of them are doing quite well, but most of the temples need man and money. Many of them require good, involved leaders.
8. Please let us know what were the services you rendered as a sannyasa this year. Mostly preached wherever I went and in some places I helped in getting financial support through fund raising projects. 9. What were your realizations about the sannyasa ashrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
I have been a sannyasi since last 39 years. This is not only my ashram but my way of life as well. I can’t think of any other way of life besides being a sannyasi. As a sannyasi I had been preaching since I entered in to this ashram. Devotees respect this ashram and provide facilities for preaching wherever I went and I feel extremely thankful to them for that.
10. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi. No.
11. What preaching projects are you planning to do in the future? I am planning to build a temple in Panihati, a place where Srila Prabhupada very much wanted to have a temple and ordered various devotees to get a piece of land there and build a temple. Recently through a disciple of mine I got a beautiful piece of land on the bank of the Ganges, about 50 meters away from the spot where Sriman Nityananda Prabhu bestowed His mercy upon Sri Raghunath Dasa Goswami and ordered him to organize the famous “Chida-Dadhi Festival.”
BHAKTI DHIRA DAMODARA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami
2. Your physical address
Hare Krsna Temple No.23, Egbeyemi street, off Coker Road, Ilupeju P.O. Box 8793 Marina Lagos Lagos, Nigeria.
3. Your email address(es)
bddswami@yahoo.co.in
4. Your telephone number(s)
+2348069245577 +2348099262309 5. Your website(s)
www.bddswami.com
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Ghana
Accra, Kumasi
Ivory Coast
Abidjan
Nigeria
Benin City, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode
Mauritius
Port Louis
Brazil
Sao Paulo, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Casa do Sul, Belo Horizonte, Rio De Janeiro, Itajai, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Belem, Recife
India
Mumbai, Kolkata, Mayapur, Arga Dvip, Nasik, New Delhi, Vrndavana
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
[none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Radio preaching in Ghana and Nigeria; TV preaching in Ghana; university preaching in Lagos; Skype lectures (Mauritius, Brazil, India, Russia, Hawaii Temple, and Bosnia); teaching Bhakti-sastri and Bhakti-vaibhava courses at the VIHE from July to September; harinamas; seminars on the holy names; a seminar called Character Is Power; Disciples Course seminar for two weeks in Mauritius. 8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
[none]
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Establishing Eco villages in Ghana in 2015.
BHAKTI GAURAVA NARAYAN SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Gaurava Narayan Maharaja
2. Your physical address
ISKCON Raman Reti Vrindavan Uttar Pradesh, India
3. Your email address(es)
bgns@pamho. net
4. Your telephone number(s)
91-9456654107 91-9437778517
5. Your website(s)
bhaktigauravanarayanaswami.com 6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Odisha: Angul, Athagarh, Ankushpur, Bhubaneswar, Bahanaga, Brahmapur, Cuttack, Gadeigiri, Jagatsingpur, Jatni, Khurda, Khandapada, Nimkhandi, Puri, Remuna, Talcher.
Karnataka: Bengaluru, Madkeri
West Bengal: Mayapur, Kolkata
Uttar Pradesh: Delhi, Kanpur, Vrindavan
South India: Sri Rangam, Madurai, Tirunveli, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Mangalgiri, Sri Saila, Hyderabad, Narseropeta
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
The Narseropeta temple in Andhra Pradesh is not very widely known to many ISKCON devotees. Before visiting I thought it might be a preaching center in a rented building, but when I arrived I found to my utmost surprise that it was a very beautiful South-Indian-style temple built two years ago on a 1.25-acre plot of land. There is ample place in front of the temple, with a nice lawn and a nice goshala designed to look like Govardhan Hill. The devotees there are very hospitable, and the Radha- Krishna Deities are very beautiful. The congregational preaching is going on nicely, and there is a guesthouse.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I spoke about Krishna Consciousness in public programs, did many congregational preaching programs and student programs, and taught many regular SB classes. I gave seminars on various Krishna conscious topics and attended many managerial meetings. I spoke to devotees in istagosthis and gave personal counseling to many devotees. In addition, I spent some time in writing and editing Krishna conscious literatures.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
There are unlimited preaching opportunities in ISKCON’s sannyasa ashram, and I feel myself very limited in my capabilities. We need many, many qualified ideal sannyasis in ISKCON. 8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
ISKCON sannyasis should be given opportunities to preach everywhere, and in turn they should direct the people interested in Krishna consciousness to the local ISKCON center.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Student preaching program.
BHAKTI GAURAVANI GOSWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Gauravani Goswami
2. Your physical address
Finca Santa Clara s/n 19400 Brihuega (Guadalajara) Spain
3. Your email address(es)
bhakti.gauravani.goswami@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
Tel: +34 949 280 436 Mobile: +34 653 343 493
5. Your website
[none]
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Spain Barcelona, Malaga, New Vrajamandala, Instituto Estudios Bhaktivedanta
Portugal
Lisbon
Germany
Munich, Simhacalam, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Cologne
France
Paris
Czech Republic
Prague, Brno, Czech Farm
Slovakia
Bratislava
India
Delhi
Argentina
Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca, Mar del Plata, Cordoba, Merlo, Mendoza
Chile
Santiago
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
[none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Morning classes Evening classes Seminars Public preaching programs House programs Radio show in Bahia Blanca, Argentina Radio show in Montevideo, Uruguay Radio show in Cordoba, Argentina Counseling
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
[none]
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
[none]
BHAKTI
NARASIMHA
SWAMI
1.
Your
name
Bhakti
Narasimha
Swami
2.
Your
physical
address
Itapolis
Street
1531
Macaembu
Sao
Paulo,
Brazil
3.
Your
email
address(es)
afrimission4life@hotmail.com
4.
Your
telephone
number(s)
113661-
8440
5.
Your
website
www.pavananarasimha.org
6.
Please
list
the
countries
and
cities
you
visited
in
2014.
India
Chennai,
Rangaksetra,
Tamil
Nadu,
Tirupati,
Madurai,
Rajamahundry,
Nagpur,
Mathura,
Noida,
Ujjain,
and
Mayapur
South
Africa
Johannesburg
Malawi
Blantyre
Kenya
Kisumu and Nairobi
Brazil
Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo, Franco da Rocha, Bahia, Belem, Rio de Janeiro, and Pindamonhangaba
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
In some places in India I have noticed that there is a tendency to follow local ways. For example, in one place when I took Maha-prasadam it was spicy hot like gunpowder. But after I pointed this out to the local devotees, they decreased the quantity of chilies.
Africa is still a sleeping giant, although we have been very successful in making devotees of Indian origin. There is still a lot to be done. For our society to become deeply rooted in the continent, we need to come up with a strategic plan for recruiting and empowering local devotees.
Brazil is a rising giant. The devotees there distributed 45,000 books during the World Cup period. This is a clear indication of the scope for book distribution, and the facility for harinama is unlimited.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
January
Kisumu Ratha-yatra and local college preaching in Nairobi, Kenya. February to mid-April
India: I attended the Mayapur seminars, Gaura Purnima, Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama, and traveled to South India with Jayapataka Maharaja’s Narasimha Safari team. While in South India we visited the Kesava temple, where Caitanya Mahaprabhu discovered the Brahma-Samhita, the Sri Padmanabha temple, which was visited by Lord Balaram during the Kuruksetra War, and the Ranganatha temple. We also visited Rameshwaram, where Lord Rama crossed the ocean to Lanka.
14th April to 5th May
Preaching in Blantyre, Malawi.
11th May to 4th September
Brazil. This was a very busy year, with the World Cup taking place in Brazil. During the World Cup I distributed thousands of Srila Prabhupada’s books and did many Maha-harinamas in cities like Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Fotoleza, and Rio de Janeiro. After the World Cup I did seminars for bhakti students at Naimisaranya College, and proceeded to Vrajabhumi for more seminars. During my stay in Brazil I also traveled to the Amazon jungle. In the Amazon we visited different islands by boat, and I’m planning to continue with this program in the new year. Our aim is to distribute prasadam and kirtan to the tribal people of the Amazon jungle. In India I also did our annual Vraja Mandala Parikrama and brahmacari classes in Nagpur and Ujjain.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Nothing new. I see ISKCON as being increasingly off course.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
In Africa I want to open schools for training children from an early age in Krsna consciousness and graduate them to brahmachari ashram. Those schools will be accompanied by organic farming and other natural ways of living. In Brazil I’m trying to help strengthen the brahmacari ashram so that we can sustain book distribution.
BHAKTI NITYANANDA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Nityananda Swami
2. Your physical address
ISKCON Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir
3. Your email address(es)
bhaktinityanandaswami@gmail.com bns.jps@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
+91 9434 950 719
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Vijayawada, Chennai, Madhurai, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Cochin Baharampur, Siliguri, Tripura, Puri, Surat, Ahmedabad
USA
New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans, Alachua, Harrisburg
Germany
Spain
Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona Czech Republic
Prague (farm and city)
Slovakia
Austria
Bangladesh
Cittagram, Sylhet, Pundarik Dham, Dhaka, Narayanganj
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
I am going for short visits, and I feel very nice at all the places. Usually nobody complains about anything, and I feel more comfortable with that.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
The temples seem to have a demand for Sri Caitanya katha, so I am mainly speaking on this. Devotees seem to be happy about this, and then I am also happy.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
My realization is, that many places are hankering for sannyasa association. It is my experience that by speaking on Caitanya-lila it is possible to give very deep philosophy in a way that is very palatable and easy to understand. About ISKCON it is my realization that everywhere people are attracted to our philosophy, and so we are growing very nicely.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
No
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I will mainly focus on Sri Caitanya Bhagavat katha. This is my number one preaching project. The following are new places I am planning to go: Mauritius, Indonesia, and Singapore.
BHAKTI PRIYAM GADADHAR GOSWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Priyam Gadadhar Goswami
2. Your physical address
ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan jiu Mandir Taragonj, Rangpur Bangladesh
3. Your email address(es)
bpg.goswami.jps@pamho.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
05228-56033 008801730-059232
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Kolkata, Mayapur, Bankura, Bhubaneswar, Caunduk, Chennai, Karela, Sri Rangam, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Sentubandha, Tirupati
Bangladesh
Rajshahi, Khulna, Jessore, Sylhet, Chittagong, Dhaka, Narayangonj Narsingdi, Moulvibazar, Comilla, Bramanbariya, Hobigonj, Sunamgonj, Kishorgonj, Tangail, Savar, Feni, Sitakunda, Cox’s Bazaar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Nator, Naogan, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Nilpamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited. During my visit to the temples of south India, I felt that it the devotees there should include the holy maha-mantra in their architecture.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I took part in Bhagavatam classes, pandal programs, and various subject-wise seminars in the above places and temples.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
The sannyasa ashrama is helpful for Krishna consciousness. To make the Krishna consciousness movement stronger, ISKCON needs more sannyasis.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
No
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Various steps and systems may be adopted according to place, time, and situation.
BHAKTI SHARAN SHANTA GOSWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Sharan Shanta Goswami
2. Your physical address
Ateities g. 11, Pajieslys
3. Your email address(es)
Shanta.maharaj@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
+370 610 65416 5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Lithuania
Vilnius, Kaunas, Siauliai, Panevezys, New Naimisaranya, New Govardhan Ashram, New Dvaraka, Godruma
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
None
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I participated in the Sankirtana Festival, in two festivals for new devotees, and in Padayatra. I also took part in Ratha-yatras in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga. I also participated in Harinamas in Kaunas, Siauliai, and Panevezys.
I am cultivating and consulting devotees during retreat programs, through Skype, and during personal meetings. I work together with devotees on daily programs in New Govardhan Ashram.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
I am trying to preach only what I have realized myself. The main topics of my preaching are the essence of devotional service in the light of Shrimad-Bhagavatam and the GBC Resolution adopted in March 9, 2013.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
I have problems with my body, so I try to remain steady in my sadhana and to keep my body healthy.
9. Future preaching projects? I will follow the obligation to keep my personal sadhana and the sadhana of the devotees at New Govardhan Ashram, where we have Pancatattva Deities and Sri Govardhana-sila, at a proper level. Also, as I did last year, I will preach Krsna consciousness widely and often visit institutions of Krsna consciousness in Lithuania.
BHAKTI VIKASA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Vikasa Swami
2. Your physical address
ISKCON, Gotri Road, Baroda, Gujarat, India
3. Your email address(es)
bhakti.vikasa.swami@PAMHO.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
+91-9666836578
5. Your website
bvks.com
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Salem, Bangalore, Puri, Kolkata, Mayapur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Surat, Baroda, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Modasa, Haridvar, Delhi, Mumbai, Vapi, Navsaari, Jamnagar, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Vellore
Sri Lanka
Colombo, Kandy, Batticaloa
Singapore
Kuwait Germany
Munich
USA
Bay Area, Sacramento, Stockton, Ojai, Laguna, San Diego, LA, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Alachua, Charlotte, Sandy Ridge, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Towaco
Russia
Kazan, Moscow
Croatia
Zagreb, Zadar
Ireland
Dublin
Switzerland
Zurich
UK
Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Coventry, Milton Keynes, London
Dubai
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
[none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Overseeing various projects and devotees, writing, lecturing.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Nothing new. I see ISKCON as being increasingly off course. 8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I have no plans for future projects. I would rather give attention to those I am already involved in, which need much input.
BHAKTI VISHRAMBHA MADHAVA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhakti Vishrambha Madhava Swami
2. Your physical address
Krsna Balarama Mandir Goshala, C/o HG Sanak Sanatana Das, B.S.M. Ramanreti, Vrndavan, District U.P. India 281124
3. Your email address(es)
bvmadhavswami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
+91 8126-299669 only from Oct 8-Nov 7, 2014, or only when I’m in India.
When I travel it’s best to contact me by email.
5. Your website
bvmadhavaswami.org
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
1)Russia, 2) Ukraine, 3) Lithuania 4) Latvia, 5) Finland, 6) Singapore 7) Malaysia, 8) Indonesia 9) New Zealand 10) South Africa 11)United Arab Emirates, 12) Bahrain 13) Kuwait, 14) India 15) USA, 16) Canada
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
I only wish that people had more questions, as His Holiness Devamrta Swami encouraged me to host Q&A, and I found out belatedly that it is what people really need and want the most.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Traveled and preached 10 months of the year and spent the other 2 months in India at the Krsna-Balarama Mandir, Vraja.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
We are all only as good as our rounds are. Harinama eva kevalam! It’s my fervent hope that in ISKCON the GBC treasurer, etc., will give nice tools to inspire leaders to give financial accounts yearly, so they will be happy to keep and give yearly accounts & not be forced to do so.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
No.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I’ve written a book about Tulasi and wish to do a verse-by-verse translation of the Bengali book Preyo Bhakti Rasarnava and another of Krsna-bhakti-rasa-kadamba, as well as Govinda Vallabha Natakam, and also a compendium of Krsna-Balarama’s lila.
10. Can your report, or part of it, be made public?
[none] BHAKTIMARGA SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhaktimarga Swami
2. Your physical address
243 Avenue Road Toronto, Ontario Canada M5R 2J2
3. Your email address(es)
bhaktimargaswami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
(647) 530 – 4273
(416) 922 – 5415
5. Your website
www.thewalkingmonk.net
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Guyana
Georgetown
Trinidad
Port of Spain
India
Noida, Delhi, Mayapur, Tirupati, Vrindavana
Mauritius
South Africa
Durban
USA Houston, Columbus, Cleveland, Alachua, Orlando, Miami, Virginia New Vrindavana, Philadelphia
Spain
Madrid, Tenerife
Cuba
Argentina
Buenos Aires
Canada
St. John, Moncton, Frederickton, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Saranagati, Vancouver, and the stretch from mid-Alberta through to the west coast in Vancouver on foot
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
In the zone where I serve in the GBC capacity, some communities that were not so harmonious pulled through with restored unity. This had much to do with a younger generation coming up or competent people moving into the area. I could use some help in Vancouver. It’s a great city; the temple has a restructured puja department; it has so much potential. Miami has a new leader, after hobbling along for some time.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Class-giving
9 devotee workshops
Leading kirtans
Speaking at yoga centers & community halls
I completed the final section of my fourth cross-Canada walk. I made new friends and had very successful programs with the assistance of my support person Daruka, his pet parrot, and a brahmacari, Karuna Sindhu.
I also took the youth bus tour across Canada with Manoram Prabhu to coincide with the Ratha Yatra festivals. 8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Meeting my sannyasi godbrothers in Tirumala was really special. This is the real peer pressure – the pressure of devotion.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
My Spanish is weak but communication is fairly good, especially in Cuba. I’m apprehensive about the oncoming materialistic dynamic about to come to these simple and genuine people.
I’ve learned that you must be kind to all people and reflect well our chain of teachers in disciplic succession.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I will churn out new dramas, which will be taken on tour and filmed.
I want to continue to build our mission in Cuba. We have secured a small plot of land outside Havana and will co-operate with the authorities in developing it.
BHAKTIVAIBHAVA
SWAMI
1. Your name. Bhaktivaibhava Swami
2. Your address. Luzce 48, 267 18 Karlstejn, Czech Republic.
3. Your email addresses. hamburg2831951@gmail.com
4. Your telephone numbers. No telephone.
5. Your websites. No perosnal websites. 6. Please list the countries and cities that you have visited this year. Countries: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Macodenia, Finland, Mongolia, Russia, India. Cities: Prague, Modra, Presov, Bratislava, summer camp in Slovenia, Zagreb, Varna, Sofia, Skopje, Helsinki, summer camp in Lithuania, Russian festival, Moscow, St.Petersburg, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude, Ulaanbaatar, Harbarovsk, Valdivostok, Mayapur, Vrndavana.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries that you have visited. Not really at this point.
8. Please let us know what were the services you rendered as a sannyasa this year. GBC related services, taking care of disciples, harinams, various preaching programs.
9. What were your realizations about the sannyasa ashrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year? The need to be strict with female disciples, especially in certain areas where female disciples seem to be not properly trained. I feel that young matajis need to be better trained in dealing with visiting sannyasi preachers.
10. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship your role as a sannyasi. I feel that I need more time to study, but as long as I have so many places to visit it will be difficult. Not really complaining, but it is rather a person preference.
11. What preaching projects are you planning to do in the future? I have enough engagement with the Mongolian project and other places. Right now I am working on video yatra project about the Chech Republic for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON.
BHAKTIVINODA SWAMI
1. Your name- HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami 2. Your address- Sri Jagannath Mandir, Near to Codissia Trade fair complex, Civil Aerodrome Post, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641014 3. Your email addresses- bvs@pamho.net 4. Your telephone numbers- +91 9842216108 5. Your websites – None . 6. Please list the countries and cities that you have visited this year. 1-USA (Houston, Atlanta,Washington DC, Dallas TX , New York ) 2-Qatar Gullf 3-Kuwait Gulf 4-Srilanka 5- Italy (Rome,Florence, Milano) 6- Slovenia (Ljubljana) 7- Zurich . 8- Belgium (Radhadesh) 9- Hungary (Budapest) 10 Australia (Sydney,Brisbane, Gold Coast, New Govardhan Farm ) 11- Malaysia ( Kuala Lumpur , Penang , Convention ) INDIA : Domestic 1- Kerala- Trivandrum, Kochin, Calicut , Guruvayoor 2- Bangalore 3- Delhi 4- Mayapur 5- Bhubaneswar 6- Vrindavan 7- Jaipur 8- Kanpur 7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries that you have visited. My first trip to Europe was very memorable. Notable were 1. Time spent along with HH Sivarama Swami in Budapest and the New Vraja Dham farm 2. Villa Vrindavana with the congregation and Woofers 3. Rome was an interesting visit but could not connect up with much preaching . Other places in Europe like Switzerland and Slovenia have great opportunities for preaching and I hope to contribute in some way if time permits in the coming years. Generally Europe seems a great place for opening new preaching venues. It was interesting for me to get exposed to preaching in Non Indian zones and study the outreach strategies already existing and those that could be introduced. 8. Please let us know what were the services you rendered as a sannyasa this year. Travelling and inspiring devotees in areas with seminars, lectures, Harinaam, Outreach strategies, book distribution, counseling etc. Took part in projects at Coimbatore, Guruvayur, NIT Calicut, and acquiring lands for ISKCON in various areas. Took active part in the India leadership by attending meetings as a member of the ISKCON Bureau, member of the IIAC, SIDC , ICC etc. and thus helping in strategising preaching and solving issues. Took part in creating succession teams and individuals for my zone as a Zonal Secretary. As the Chairman of the Outreach committee for the SPT of the GBC, we had numerous skpe calls , meetings and analysis of the ISKCON outreach . Education at the academy, teaching Bhakti Sastri and various other courses at Coimbatore and Kerala while inviting other senior devotees to do so. BBT services as the director of the Malayalam language : marathon efforts to publish the Srimad Bhagavatam to be released to commemmorate the 50 th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada s visit to Cochin in 1965 August. Other books were also published. 9. What were your realizations about the sannyasa ashrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year? I found it very enthusing to travel and preach especially to the youth. ISKCON has a great role to play and is poised to conquer in many areas. Devotees are eager and need direction, association and guidance to do the needful. The culture of training and preparing the succession is lacking. I wish to do more for Srila Prabhupada s wonderful movement and I am excited about all the opportunites for preaching the world over !!!! Only health is the constraint. 10. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship your role as a sannyasi. Not now. 11. What preaching projects are you planning to do in the future? This year my focus will be as in the chart here predominantly. Other areas will be also covered . 12.Can your report, or part, of it be made public? Fine with me.
BHANU SWAMI
1. Your name
Bhanu Swami
Report:
Regular visits to Malaysia (co GBC), Japan (co GBC), south india (co GBC), Sri Lanka, Australia, and this year to the Russian festival and 3 cities in far eastern Russia, which are closer to Japan than Moscow. Seminars at MIHE and Mayapur Academy (Deity worship).
CANDRAMAULI SWAMI
1. Your name
Candramauli Swami
2. Your physical address
[none]
3. Your email address(es) candramauli586@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
[none]
5. Your website
cmswami.net
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Croatia
Split, Zagreb, Rejika, Karlovac, Osijek, Belovar, Pula (including an 8-day harinam tour in towns around Pula)
Slovenia
Ljubljana
Bosnia
Sarajevo
Germany
Abhentaur
England
London, Manchester
Hungary
New Vraja Dham
India
Mumbai, Nasik, Pune, Coimbatore, Mayapur, Kolkata, Hampi and Udupi for Kartik Yatra
US
Chicago, Boston, Boise, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Wash., DC, Baltimore, Bloomington (IL). Canada
Toronto
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Prison programs are continuing in the US,Croatia, and Slovenia. I visited a few prisons in each of these countries.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
[none]
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
[none]
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Adding a trip to Hawaii and will spend a little more time in the US and hope to finish a second book on preaching in prisons
CANDRASEKHARA
SWAMI
1. Your name
Candrasekhara Swami
2. Your physical address
305 Schermerhorn St. Brooklyn NY, 11217 USA 3. Your email address(es)
chandraswami108@hotmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
(516)-428-0191
5. Your website
harekrishnali.com
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
USA
New York, New Vrndavan, Connecticut, Harrisburg, Plainfield (NJ)
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
[none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I give a Chaitanya Charitamrita class most Wednesdays in the Brooklyn Temple. I am continuing the Monday Night Bhagavad-gita class, although now we have finished the Gita and I am starting the Isopanishad. This Monday evening class is intended to give beginning people the basics in Krishna Consciousness and to encourage more discussion and exchange than usually happens on the Wednesday class. I give the Sunday Feast lecture once a month on the average. I also give a Chaitanya Caritamrita class every Thursday in Queens. On Fridays, there is a variety of once-a- month/once-per-2months projects. Sometimes I give class at Caru-Gopika’s Friday program in Jackson Heights, or Atma’s program in East Meadow, or Ramananda’s program in Cheshire, Connecticut, or a new program up in Tuckahoe (Westchester County-this Tuckahoe program seems to have fallen by the way).
On Sundays, I give a Bhagavatam class to the Russian-speaking Devotees. Atma- Nivedana Prabhu is continuing his Bhagavad Gita discussion group in Manhattan, which is on Saturdays. About once every two months I speak at this function. And Rasala Krsna Dasa usually schedules me to give the “Phone-Teleconference” Bhagavatam about once a year. A Bengali Devotee, Pankajanghri, is doing a regular Saturday Program in Queens, hosting a Bengali/Bangladeshi/Caribbean group. I speak there about once every 3 months.
Beginning in 2013, I have been trying to hold a Sanga for Higher Principles program about once every other week in Queens, with the idea of helping the Queens Caribbean Devotees to work together (this program was discontinued in favor of just a regular Bhagavad-Gita class; however, I want to resurrect it as a Video-Series on YouTube). This particular program has a focus on preaching, devotee relationships, organizational behavior, management styles, communication, and consensus.
I do home programs many Saturdays, and during the holidays there are even more opportunities to do home programs.
Queens and the issues that pop up in the Caribbean Community usually take time because Romapada Swami assigns various tasks for me to mediate there in his absence.
This was the year of much work toward an Internet presence. I produced one YouTube Video. I purchased some domain names and set up an account, as well as spent time learning the details of Web development. I hope to develop a video channel website that will have a collection of my Bhagavad-Gita-Chapter-Summary- style videos and other philosophy videos. Later I will also post web-development videos and Music-How-To videos to video sites. And, as I also mentioned, I hope to post the Sanga-For-Higher-Principles videos to a video site.
About a month ago I agreed to help with the ISKCON-50 Internet-Petal program, working under Gopala Bhatta Prabhu, Nanda Suta Prabhu, and Satyasara Prabhu. Because I was already involved in developing my own web sites, I volunteered to help with creating and maintaining an ISKCON one for ISKCON-50 initiatives and events.
I return much email from various newer devotees who have questions and issues. This is steadily increasing as more devotees become involved with Radha-Govinda Mandira.
I find that in the evenings after a program here at Radha-Govinda Mandira there is an important preaching opportunity that happens unofficially as devotees who come for other programs collect and ask questions while they take prasadam. Often better questions and answers happen in such unofficial preaching episodes than at the scheduled ones in the temple. Mostly I am trying to make friends with the newer devotees and trying to get them to be friends with each other, because there is such a great tendency to be misled by various dysfunctional and disciple-poaching groups who also frequent the temples here in NYC.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
[none]
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi? [none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Let’s call it “future plans.”
Plans for 2015 include mostly more of the same. My Gita discussion groups and classes will continue, as will the weekend programs.
I suspect that 2015 will be a full-on Internet year. I have reached the limit of what I can do by physically giving classes; I cannot really include any more. Now my only way of expanding is via media. I feel that Krishna consciousness should be delivered in a systematic way, like every other form of learning, but I see that most devotees have schedules that do not allow them to attend any type of structured learning. Generally, few have the motivation to take on a regular scheduled class beyond their work-a-day requirements. We see that in the world of teaching and academia, structured attendance is required without question. The only way I see that, practically, we in ISKCON can fill this gap is to provide online videos that are available 24/7 so that our members can be educated in the wonderful and wide philosophy of Krishna consciousness in a systematic way.
In 2015 I will be going to the 2nd SGGS seminar in Mayapur in early February.
DAYANANDA SWAMI
1. Your name
Dayananda Swami
2. Your physical address
Bhaktivedanta Manor
3. Your email address(es)
Dayananda.Swami@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
+447415308489 5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Georgia
Azerbaijan
Russia
India
United Kingdom
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
The Temple president in Tbilisi, Georgia, explained that the GBC for Georgia never visits them.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Harinama, seminars, classes, and assisting the UK leaders in northern England.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Communication is important to prioritize, as well as cooperation, which comes from forming a common vision. In some places I visit, because there is no common, agreed-upon vision, the leaders work against one another.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
We are trying to formulate a common vision for the centres/temples in northern England and in Scotland. This will allow the devotees there to combine their limited resources.
GIRIRAJ SWAMI
1. Your name
Giriraj Swami
2. Your physical address
4186 Foothill Road Carpinteria CA 93013
3. Your email address(es)
Giriraja.Swami@pamho.net Giriraja.Swami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
1-805-684-0982 (home) 1-805-680-6422 (cell)
5. Your website
www.girirajswami.com
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
England
USA
Dallas; Houston; Washington, DC; Potomac; Baltimore; Hartford; Boston; Phoenix; Tucson; Los Angeles; Laguna Beach; San Diego; San Jose; Berkeley; and some places in North Carolina, including the Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
[none]
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014. Early in the year Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective was published, and the book can be appreciated not only by devotees but also by other people-doctors, nurses, chaplains, social workers, religionists, and anyone who is interested in the Vedic perspective or in the process of death and dying. And so I gave talks at Google, in Silicon Valley, and at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, which were well received.
Over the year I was fortunate to be able host and serve (some for days, some for weeks) some wonderful godbrothers in Carpinteria, including Devamrita Swami, Niranjana Swami, Rtadhvaja Swami, and Mukunda Datta Prabhu.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
[none]
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
After the conveyance of the Juhu land was finally signed in 1973, Srila Prabhupada declared, “It was a good fight. Someone should write a book about it.” He had already given me the direct instruction to write, and I thought that I would be the person to write that book. In fact, I am the only devotee who was intimately involved in the project from the time Srila Prabhupada got possession of the land in 1972 to the time the temple opened in 1978.
Over the years, and especially recently, well-wishing friends, including Indradyumna Swami, Radhanath Swami, Rtadhvaja Swami, and Sacinandana Swami, have urged me to take up writing about Srila Prabhupada and Juhu as my first priority, and now, by Srila Prabhupada and the devotees’ grace, I have begun.
Kindly bless me with your prayers and good wishes, that I may complete this work as Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari would want, for their pleasure and for the pleasure of their devotees. And please bless me that I will always engage in service to Srila Prabhupada-as he would want-and develop attachment for Sri Krishna’s holy names. GOURANGA PREM SWAMI
1. Your name
Gouranga Prem Swami
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
West Medinipur, Mayapur, North Bengal & Assam, Dinajpur, Darjiling, East Medinipur & Odisa, Bankura & Hoogly, Puri, Kolkata, Sodpur (North 24 PGS), Bangladesh (various places), Berhampur, Khargapur,
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I beg to inform you that I received a donation of Rs.400,000 in 2014 and donated it to the Namahatta building fund.
HANUMATPRESAKA SWAMI
1. Your name
Hanumatpresaka Swami
2. Your physical address
902 Hillcrest Ct. Murfreesboro, TN 37064 USA
5. Your website
www.JayaRama.US
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
USA
Houston, Chicago, Denver, Boise, Seattle, San Jose
Mexico Mexico City
Canada
Vancouver
Peru
Argentina
[I’m based in Nashville, traveling less with old-age donkey.]
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Nothing special. Everyone seems to be the facing fundamental problem of keeping up enthusiasm for sankirtana, and then Krsna gets the results He wants. There does seem to be a general pulling out of ignorance, in that devotees have turned to a balanced professionalism. I see a balanced appreciation of community and sankirtan- brahmacari basis.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I served on the executive committee of the Ministry of Education and was very involved in its initiatives, which have resulted in opening primary and pre-schools. I helped develop Bhakti-vaibhava programs and organized the first North American Symposium on Education, etc.
I am also on the Latin American Regional GBC and travel and preach in Latin America. I also did robust individual counseling.
Very personally, I am developing some preaching work with the Carl Jung community.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Lack of strong brahmacari ashrams leads to a lot of social dealings with ladies as hosts.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I feel there should be annual sannyasi/temple president meetings each year, as in the past. 8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Local development in Tennessee. The Ministry. South and North America traveling and preaching. Carl Jung.
JANANANDA GOSWAMI
1. Your name
Janananda Gosvami
2. Your physical address
None fixed
3. Your email address(es)
Janananda.gosvami@operamail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
None
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
UK
London, Brighton, Reading, Swindon, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle.
France
Paris, Tours, New Mayapur, Lyon, Nante, etc.
New Zealand
Auckland, Hamilton, Whagarai, Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga Australia
Brisbane, New Govardhan, Sydney, Cessnock, Melbourne
Philippines
Manila, Vraja Eco Village, Urdaneta, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo
India
Delhi, Vrndavana, Mayapur
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Malacca, Kuching, Lanchang, Ipoh, Penang, Seberang Jaya, Alor Setar, Sungai Patani, Kulim, Bukit Mertajam, Taiping, Kuala Kangsar
Singapore
USA
Edison, Harrisburg
Slovakia
Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Zvolen, Lucenec, Roznav, New Ekacakra
Ireland
Dublin, Inis Rath, Belfast
Holland
Rotterdam, dan Hague, Amsterdam
Germany
Bremen, Nienburg, Hamburg
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Slovakia – great potential if there is potency and leadership. Many young people coming.
France – Ajita has put some hope into New Mayapur, but rift between leaders and temples in the yatra still debilitating. Holland – Appears to be fragmented leadership and lack of unified direction in yatra.
Ireland – Centers individually going, on but little sign of leadership from above to unite the yatra.
UK – As it is and as it will be. Some good developments among the congregation in the London district and elsewhere. Steady.
Philippines – poor leadership and poor spiritual foundations. No official GBC. Little unity among devotees. Both Giridhari Maharaja and myself spending less time there. Tirtharaja Prabhu is only active in a behind-the-scenes managerial role and is not the type to interact closely and effectively with the devotees. Philippines is based upon the personal touch and winning hearts.
Malaysia – expanding on ground level continues in many directions. Again, it seems the general standard is not improving in terms of quality. From a bystander’s point of view it seems like overextending without too much foresight. The practical loss of both GBCs- Prabha-visnu and JPS – has taken its toll in this direction. Almost all revolves around Simhesvara Prabhu.
Australia – going on in its own way. New Govardhana flourishing in relative terms. Sydney – picking up with brahmacaris and book distribution in NS.
NZ – Great preaching field, with Devamrita Maharaj achieving amazing results. Elsewhere going on steady. Lots of new devotees coming on all levels, and new preaching horizons slowly evolving.
General steadiness in most other places. Not much change. Great lack of full-time preachers in most places. Seems like there is weak leadership or leadership that is resigned to its own limitations. With the ongoing development of a predominantly congregation-based community, it seems that the traditional-temple president managerial role is outdated and ineffective to a large degree, being more than the system or operator can deal with.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Traveling to regular temples, giving classes and seminars, trying to encourage harinama sankirtan by practically doing it. Assisting with World Holy Name week. Increasing japa and study. Ratha-yatras and festivals. Managed to get 6 days book distribution in during the Prabhupada marathon.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year? Importance of showing an example – at least from the practical point of view – of the process of devotional service. The need of confidential devotee friends to reveal one’s mind too.
It’s surrender or else.
Sannyasa is not too late to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
A great boost was being able to reveal my mind to the sannyasa minister on some very weighty topics. Another great boost was canceling my Yahoo account – gave great impetus by saving so much wasted time browsing news items, etc.
Great mercy came when meeting with Kesava Bharati Maharaja. By his inspiration I increased japa to average of 25-30 rounds per day and reading 30-40 pages of Srimad Bhagavatam daily. Makes a world of difference
Was able to spend the last week of the Prabhupada book marathon distributing books. Tiring but well worth it, and something I hope can be a regular part of my service.
Generally slowing down and getting exhausted quicker and longer from physically demanding activity. Need to take breaks from time to time from the front line.
My schedule is also slower and have cut out another 2 countries from this year’s visits – Czech and Switzerland.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
2015 is the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s coming to the West. So I’ll do more preaching in the West and more sankirtan. I do not have a personal project, although I would like to travel and encourage harinama and book distribution.
KESAVA BHARATI DASA GOSWAMI
1. Your name
Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami
2. Your physical address ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Ashram Anyor Parikrama Marg near Dan Ghatti Govardhana District Mathura 281502 UP, India
3. Your email address(es)
kbdgoswami@me.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
India +91 98 97 403783 US +1 650 619 8303 UK +44 7768 368 485
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Govardhana, Delhi, Mayapur, Coimbatore
UK
Cardiff, Wales, London
US
Denver, Dallas, Houston, SF Bay Area (ISV)
Taiwan
Taipei, Taichung
Hong Kong
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
As I travel, in general I hear devotees talk among themselves about the importance of establishing the varnasrama system in ISKCON. But hardly anywhere is there a strong brahmacari ashram. In light of the thrust toward strategic planning and a corporate culture coming from the top, it seems to me that the basic concepts of varnasrama are in danger of getting lost. By basic I mean that for the varnasrama system to work there must be all four ashrams. In most temples the leadership seems to have given up on making and keeping full-time devotees, especially brahmacaris. The emphasis in our temples has transferred to developing the congregation, especially in maintaining the Indian communities who provide most of our financial support. It appears to me that we have lost our way from Srila Prabhupada’s mood, mission, and methods for how to progress and how to attract the conditioned souls.
Therefore my comment is that at least some of us sannyasis should concentrate our efforts on finding young men, recruiting them as full-time devotees, and teaching them how to think in Krsna consciousness. The underlying philosophy I’ve heard from some of the strategic planners – that the structure is more important than the person – is one I used to debate every year with Bhagavan and Sundara-rupa, whose ideas on how to structure ISKCON revolved around the same idea. I think we need to be more personal in our approach to one another and our organization.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I committed myself to Vaisesika Prabhu to develop at least one brahmacari ashram in America, with the idea that it could become a model training center to work on the problem I mentioned in the paragraph above. So I spent almost two months in Denver this year, spending quality time with the brahmacaris, especially individually. According to the feedback I’ve received so far, my effort seems to have borne fruit and hopefully is heading in the right direction. I also spent quality time in Govardhan with a young brahmacari from New York who seemed serious about learning the philosophy. This was the second time we spent quality time together. In two one- month sessions, he changed so much that I felt Srila Prabhupada encouraging me to continue with this approach.
Also, I’m editing Vaisesika Prabhu’s new book, which may be titled “The Transcendental Plot-Our Family Business.” Last year our work on the book diminished because of the extra traveling and preaching both of us did. But this year . ..
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Especially in first-world countries, I don’t see many sannyasis concentrating on finding, recruiting, and training young men individually to join as full-time devotees, as many of us did. To perpetuate Srila Prabhupada’s mood and methods, I think that at least some of us senior sannyasis should concentrate on this effort – hearing and chanting with individuals and training them to think in the way Srila Prabhupada did, inspiring them to grow into leaders to secure the future of Lord Caitanya’s movement. 8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
No
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Discussed above.
KRISHNA KSHETRA SWAMI
1. Your name
Krishna Kshetra Swami
2. Your physical address
Bhaktivedanta College a.s.b.l., Petite Somme 2, 6940 Septon-Durbuy, Belgium
3. Your email address(es)
krishnakshetra@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
+48 539341474 +44 1865 304300
5. Your website(s)
www.krks.name www.bhaktivedantacollege.com www.ochs.org.uk
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Germany Goloka Dhama, Simhacalam, Munich
Poland
Wroclaw, New Santipur
Slovenia
Ljubljana, Povrsje
Belgium
Radhadesh
Netherlands
Rotterdam
UK
Oxford, London
Denmark
Copenhagen
Sweden
Malmo
Hong Kong
China
Shenzhen, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
I got the impression in Poland that this country could use some more regular GBC- level care and attention. I know that Bhaktivaibhava Swami does his best, and has many areas to attend to, of which Poland is only one. (I have lately heard from Kaunteya Prabhu about the plan for “zonal supervisors” as a second level of zonal management. I’m thinking who might be qualified among Polish devotees for taking up this role in Poland). In Munich, Germany, (in August) I got the impression that Prithu Prabhu’s presence is a positive, stablizing one, and he seemed happy there. A similar (positive) impression in Copenhagen, with Manidhara Prabhu’s presence.
I was sorry to hear of two grhastha couples divorcing in Croatia. Reflecting on this, I persuaded one young prospective couple in Hong Kong to postpone their marriage, to give more time to get to know each other better. This seems to be an ongoing issue in our Society. Wondering how grhasthas can be helped/supported/encouraged.
I wondered if Nitai Dayal Prabhu, a senior brahmacari in Sarajevo, and Lalita Govinda, in Ljubljana, might be potential candidates for sannyasa (just a thought, didn’t get a chance to speak with them about this).
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Bhaktivedanta College, Radhadesh – Dean of Studies and tutor.
Counseling several devotees individually.
Participation in home programs (small number, 5-6, since taking sannyasa).
Lecturing in temples.
Keeping regular sadhana.
Continuing academic work (lecturing in China universities; completing a manuscript of an abridged Bhagavatam, together with Radhikaraman Prabhu, for publication by Columbia University Press).
Overseeing the compilation of a book of “oral history” on ISKCON-Sarajevo during the war (1992-1995).
Overseeing the compilation of a book of “creative” writing, on the theme of “Krishna and His Opponents.”
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Sannyasa: At the occasion of my sannyasa initiation, although HH Sacinandana Swami, as sannyasa guru, could not be present due to poor health, I felt his full blessings, as well as great support and encouragement from all devotees, especially HH Candramauli Swami, who presided over the event, and HH Kadamba-kanana Swami, who kindly attended and spoke at the event, as well as from godbrothers in Germany. In recent weeks I’ve been inspired by (re-)reading Tamal Krishna Goswami’s Servant of the Servant. (I’m intending to do an analysis of the book in relation to the theme of Vaisnava ethics, at the upcoming ISKCON Studies Institute conference at Radhadesh, May 22-24, 2015). The spirit of enthusiasm and determination, especially in expanding the Radha-Damodara party, based on intense faith in Prabhupada’s encouraging words, helps to remind me of the value of cultivating good Vaisnava association, especially with other sannyasis and brahmacaris.
Preaching and ISKCON: I had a discussion with Hridayananda Goswami about his “Krishna West” project and reasoning behind it: Mixed feelings about his concerns, appreciating his genuine desire to reach significantly beyond the comfort-zone of Indian congregations and to recover the trajectory of significant world-change envisioned by Srila Prabhupada.
ISKCON in relation to other Vaishnava missions: Met Kaunteya Prabhu (in China) and clarified my suggestion that I wrote some weeks ago for the SGGS-to have a discussion on developing a process for working out a long-term vision for relating with other Vaishnava missions (in light of Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu’s essay on Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, in which he notes that, despite seeing it as “hopeless,” Prabhupada never gave up hope of cooperation with other missions). In December, I also spoke at length with Radhanath Swami, who, in brief, “sees only hope” in this regard, based on his several experiences meeting with various Gaudiya Math and other Vaisnava leaders.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
Although there is not so much change in my “lifestyle” from prior to taking sannyasa, I have experienced the last few months as a confirmation that the timing has been right for me to take this step.
I hope to be able to come more regularly to Sridham Mayapur and/or Vrindavan, to have more association with other ISKCON sannyasis (I am scheduled to be in Mayapur during the first week of February 2015, for the SGGS).
Please see the attached report of my recent tour of China.
As Srila Prabhupada specified that sannyasis should write, I here list three items which I have published this year (in academic publications). In addition, I have completed, with Radhikaraman Prabhu, the manuscript of our book The Bhagavata Pura?a: Essential Readings, to be published by Columbia University Press. Articles published this year:
“Circling in on the Subject: Discourses of Ultimacy in Caitanya Vai??avism.” In Caitanya Vai??ava Philosophy: Tradition, Devotion, and Reason, Ravi M. Gupta, ed., Franham, Surrey, U.K.: Ashgate, pp. 1-34.
(Book Review) Gupta, Bina, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy: Perspectives on Reality, Knowledge, and Freedom. London and New York: Routledge, 2012. In Journal of Hindu Studies.
“The ‘Song of God’ as a Journey of Discipleship: A Reflection on the Bhagavad-gita and Christian Perspectives.” “Bozja pjesma” kao put ucenistva: refleksije o Bhagavad-giti i krscanskim gledistima. Klara Bursic-Matijasic (ed.) Tabula, Journal of the Department of Humanities, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia, 2014, pp. 257-263.
(Croatian language).
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I have been invited to Brazil this coming March (mainly to give a keynote address at an academic conference in northeast Brazil being organized by devotees; will also visit three temples).
Continued involvement with Bhaktivedanta College, Radhadesh (possibly including participation in a new “ministerial course” being developed), as teacher and dean of studies.
Recently I was invited to be a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, which has an annual conference; am aiming to prepare a paper for that event this summer (I presented a paper there last year as well).
Planning to prepare a small book on the Bhagavad-gita, for students and academics in China (with three of my own essays on the Gita, one of which I have yet to write).
I have been invited to be a facilitator for a day-long discussion on “Hindu personalism” at a university in western North Carolina in 2016 – in a retreat attended by scholars/philosophers of “personalism” (following a presentation I gave last year in Lund University, Sweden, at the “12th International Conference on Persons”).
NAVAYOGENDRA SWAMI
1. Your name
Navayogendra Swami
2. Your physical address
Srila Prabhupada ashram Srila Prabhupada Marg Udhampur (J&K) India
3. Your email address(es)
nyswami@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
01992270298 01992276146
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
USA
New York, Seattle
Canada
Mauritius
Mexico
Trinidad
Guyana
India
Calcutta, Meshana, Himachal Pradesh, Amritsar, Ludiana, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Lucknow, Vrindaban, New Delhi 7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
I strongly disagree with the practice of the temple managements’ paying a salary to full-time grihasthas and pujaris in various temples wherever I visited. The is not according to Srila Prabhupada’s orders. They may be provided with living facilities but no salary. They should work voluntarily; otherwise the whole institution will get weakened. (TKG diary)
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
[none]
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
More compassion and tolerance are needed to bring more people to the Krishna consciousness movement.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I’m trying to strictly propagate Prabhupada-vani so as to strengthen and develop Prabhupada consciousness among new ISKCON devotees.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I’m trying to cultivate some Sikhs in a village near Amritsar, am coordinating the launch of an eco village farm in Jammu, and am planning a week-long lecture series on the glories of cow seva, to be given in Uttrakhan Haldwani.
PARTHA
SARATHI
DAS
GOSWAMI
1. Your name.
Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
2. Your address.
48 Shortlands Avenue Hillcrest 3610 KZN South Africa
3. Your email addresses.
psdgoswami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone numbers.
+27 82 770 3277 +27 31 765 6237
5. Your websites.
www.psdgoswami.net
6. Please list the countries and cities that you have visited this year.
South Africa – Newcastle, Ladysmith, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand
(I didn’t travel to Ukraine due to the war. I plan to preach there next year. Besides, my health is deteriorating and getting more difficult to travel.)
8. Please let us know what were the services you rendered as a sannyasa this year.
Travelled and preached in South Africa – Nama Hattas, Janmastami Hall programs, published a book in Hindi [Bhakti, an Affair of the Heart, initiations.
11. What preaching projects are you planning to do in the future?
Will travel to Ukraine next year for 2 months. PRABODHANANDA SARASWATI SWAMI
1. Your name
Prabodhananda Saraswati Swami
2. Your physical address
ISKCON Vrindaban India
3. Your email address(es)
Prabodhanand.Saraswati.GKG@pamho.net psswami.vrn@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
919412281491
5. Your website
none
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
DELHI: All ISKCON temples
UP: Ghaziabad, Noida, Kanpur
HARIYANA and PUNJAB: Ludhiyana, Jalandhar, Husiarpur, Kuruskhetra, Chandigad, Patiala, Jamunanagar, etc.
HIMACHAL PRADESH: Simla
BIHAR: Patna
ORISSA: Bhubaneswar, Puri, Raurkella, Balasore, Remuna
WEST BENGAL: Kolkata, Mayapur, Ekachakra, etc. .
MAHARASHTRA: Mumbai (Juhu, Mira Road, Kharghar [New Mumbai]), Pune, etc.
Kenya
Nairobi, Mombassa, Kisumu, etc.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
In Kenya preaching is improving a lot. Delhi preaching is improving also. Best preaching is going on in Pune.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
As a sannyasi, wherever I go I always encourage the brahmacaris by giving classes to them. Except for temple preaching , I also preach to students at IIT, Patna, NIT, Raurkela, IYF, ISKCON Delhi, etc.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Realization as a sannyasi is positive; this ashram is very helpful for preaching and giving practical experience on how to depend upon Krishna.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I have no new preaching projects yet.
PRAHLADANANDA SWAMI
1. Your name
Prahladananda Swami
2. Your physical address ISKCON Radhadesh Septon-Durbuy, 6940 Belgium
3. Your email address(es)
Prahladananda Swami@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
32 (86) 322928
5. Your website
www.PrahladanandaSwami.net
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Europe
Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Bosnia
United States
New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles
Russia
Moscow, Tula, Black Sea Festival
Peru
Australia/New Zealand
Christchurch, Sydney, Brisbane, New Govardhan, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth
Hong Kong
India
New Delhi, Mumbai, Mayapur, Tirupati
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Where there are qualified leaders, the temples flourish. 8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Much of my service centered on overseeing the Sannyasa Services Committee. There are almost 40 sannyasa candidates to assess and train with the help of our Sannyasa Services secretary, Lilasuka Prabhu, and a newly formed subcommittee of senior GBC Deputies. With these resources we were able to evaluate the sannyasa candidates in more depth. The Sannyasa Services Committee will continue to oversee the process of evaluation of the sannyasa candidates.
I continued to travel and preach, mostly in Europe but also once a year around the world.
I taught the Spiritual Leadership course in Mayapur with Anuttama Prabhu.
I continued to help develop the sannyasa candidates’ website and the Sannyasa Ministry’s website.
I worked with the GBC EC and the Sannyasa Ministry to assist the sannyasis in ISKCON, especially those faced with various challenges.
I began to develop Sannyasa Deployment.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Sannyasa is a great opportunity to learn how to work seriously to help bring Lord Krishna’s other children back to the spiritual kingdom under the guidance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada, and their representatives.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I so many duties to perform that I am no longer teaching yoga, especially not to women.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
I plan to continue to travel and preach and be part of the teams developing the Sannyasa Ministry.
RAMA
GOVINDA
SWAMI
1. Your name
Rama Govinda Swami
2. Your physical address
PO Box 40317 Gaborone Botswana
3. Your email address(es)
Rama.govinda.Swami@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
Mobile (Botswana): 00 267 75818160 Mobile ( India) : 08928796701
5. Your website
None
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Botswana
Gaborone
South Africa
Durban, Lenasia, Pretoria, Phoenix, Viralam, Reservoir Hills, Gillits, Shallcross, Northden, Lotus Park, Newlands, South Coast, Ermelo, Port Elizabeth, Uttenhaig
Mauritius
Phoenix, Bon Acueli and Triolet, Roseville, Goodlands, Plain Manin
Zambia
Lusaka
India
Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad, Tirupati, Guntur, Tandoor, Mahbubnagar Maharashtra: Solapur, Aravade, Sangli, Miraj, Ichchalkaranji, Pandharpur, Pune, Nagpur, Amaravati, Kaundinyapuri, Beed, Jalgaon, Muktainagar, Budhwad, Herenkhed
West Bengal: Mayapur, Kolkata.
Uttar Pradesh: Sri Vrndavana, Noida.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
I have been requested by the temple presidents of Vijayawada and Guntur to come to the temples in Andhra Pradesh more frequently to give lectures in Telugu.
I have started preaching in a new center in Zambia and started a new preaching center in Mahbubnagar (India).
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
As per the instructions of my Sannyasa Guru, I am preaching six months of the year in Africa and six months in India. I helped develop a new preaching center in Lusaka, Zambia, and I also helped start a new preaching center in Mahabubnagar, India, and I’m trying to develop it.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
ISKCON is the best platform for preaching the Krsna consciousness. To preach one needs the mercy of the spiritual master, good sadhana, regular reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, and humility. A sannyasi needs to maintain good sadhana and needs to take the association of senior sannyasis to learn from them. One can understand the import of Srimad-Bhagavatam only by the mercy of the spiritual master. Depending upon our purity and surrender, Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita will reveal their essence.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
[none]
8c. Health issues?
I do not have any major health problems; I do have high blood pressure, for which I am taking medicines.
9. Future preaching projects? I started a preaching center in Mahbubnagar, India, and I may have to stay there for 5 to 6 weeks. Some people approached me to visit and start a preaching center in Nalgonda, India.
A new ISKCON centre is opened in Zambia. I plan to spend more time there to develop the congregation.
RTADHVAJA SWAMI
1. Your name
Rtadhvaja Swami
2. Your physical address
1515 NW 7th Place Gainesville, Florida 32603
3. Your email address(es)
rtswami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
352 262 2645
5. Your website(s)
I don’t know.
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
USA
Gainesville, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Boone (North Carolina), Murfreesboro (Tennessee), Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Anchorage, Los Angeles.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Gainesville is great. Orlando was just a home program. Dallas is on par. Houston is on par. San Antonio is a work in progress. Austin was a home program. Boone was the Sadhu-sanga Festival and great. Murfreesboro is a good steady home program. Atlanta is moving forward. Chicago was nice. Seattle was to see friends on my way to Vancouver. Vancouver was to attend a gurukuli’s wedding; nice visit. Anchorage was to visit remote devotees-went well. Los Angeles was very nicely organized.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Teaching Krishna consciousness.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
My ashrama situation is very good. Preaching is moving forward with increased study. ISKCON is alive and doing better over all.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I feel this is where I belong.
8c. Health issues?
See 9.
9. Future preaching projects?
Due to health issues, I plan to continue on my previous schedule.
SIDDHARTH SWAMI
1. Your name
Siddharth Swami
2. Your physical address
Sri Sri Radharas Bihari Ji Mandir Hare Krishna Dham Tatibandh, Raipur C.G. India
3. Your email address(es)
siddharthprabhu@rediffmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
09893110005
5. Your website
www.siddharthswami.com
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
India
Trichhur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bilaspur, Raighar, Jagdalpur, Borgovn, Durg, Bhilai, Rajim
Dubai
Muscat
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Yes, I am very happy to visit Muscat, where His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaj’s preaching service is very nice. His disciples there are very dedicated and doing nice service. All credit goes to him. And in Kerala His Holiness Mahavishnu Maharaj-ji’s disciples are very sincere in devotion. They are good Vaishnavas. Maharaj is not present, so I take care of them when they invite me to go there.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I do home programs every week. I also participate in the Food for Life program, the Namhatta program, the Jagannath Tour Program, and the Vrindavan Tour Program. The latter is with 40 congregational devotees every year.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
I feel very blissful to being a member of Srila Prabhupada’s mission. I will try to serve as well as I can. 8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
Now practically every day some leader of another spiritual organization falls down to some material attachment. I feel safe to be an ISKCON leader. Also, this is a lesson for us that we should be very strict in following our rules and regulation.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura once said, “If you need to sell the marble in the temple to print books and distribute them, then you should do so.” With that as a cautionary note, I want to follow Srila Prabhupada’s example and build a temple for preaching purposes – to increase book distribution. This temple will be the glory of Chattishgarh State. In this way I am trying to please my Guru Maharaj.
SMITA
KRISHNA
SWAMI
1. Your name
Smita Krishna Swami
2. Your physical address
Almviks 23 153 95 Jarna Sweden
3. Your email address(es)
smita.krsna.swami@pamho.net skswami@spray.se
4. Your telephone number(s)
mobile ++46(0)738475081 landline ++46(0)855152145
5. Your website
[none] 6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Denmark
Copenhagen
Sweden
Stockholm
Finland
Helsinki, Tampere
Czech Republic
Prague, Novi Sady
Switzerland
Zurich, Langenthal
France
Paris, New Mayapur
Holland
Amsterdam
Germany
Simhachalam
Croatia
Zagreb, Virovitiza, Karlovac
Slovenia
Ljubljana
Bosnia
Sarajevo Serbia
Belgrade, Nis
Macedonia
Skopje
India
Mayapur, Chenai, Tirupati
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
None
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
Preaching, lecturing, assisting at Almviks, my base, on the temple board. I also did a little bit of Deity worship. Tried to care for the devotees.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
In Sweden it looks like some things are coming together, mainly due to a perceived crisis at Korsnas.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
Missing quality association of peers. Sannyas life is going on, but something could improve. Then there is this question: What is the age factor?
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Basically I will go on as I have been doing. But this year I have pledged to spend more time in Korsnas due to the request of devotees in connection with a paradigm/function shift there. SUBHAG
SWAMI
1. Your name
Subhag Swami
2. Your physical address
[none]
3. Your email address(es)
[none]
4. Your telephone number(s)
[none]
5. Your website
[none]
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Indonesia
Singapore
Thailand
Ciang Mai
India
Mayapur, Kolkata, Imphal, Tripura, Assam, Salem, Hardwar, Vrindavan, Chitrakoot
Bangladesh
Jessore, Netrakona, Narayanganj, Dhaka, Tangail
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
In Indonesia devotees conducted Jagannatha ratha-yatra festivals in different corners of the country, such as Medan, Binjai, Kendari, Batam, Bali, Surabaya, Jember, Bandung, Jakarta, and Jogyakarta. These ratha-yatras were attended by thousands of people from non-Hindu faiths, including mayors, governors, and heads of police departments. In many of the places where our devotees put on ratha-yatras as part of a larger parade, the first prize was awarded to the Lord Jagannath cart.
Lectures are organized at ISKCON temples and at other temples, institutes, and universities. Food for Life, harinam, and book distribution were done in parks. Other major activities include traveling-bus sankirtan and the translation and publication of Prabhupada’s and the previous acharyas’ books. Devotees are also opening new centers throughout the country.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
In Singapore my main activity was lecturing at ISKCON centers. I also encouraged the devotees to begin doing book distribution at Indian temples and performing street harinam.
In Ciang Mai, Thailand, I took part in the famous flower festival with the sankirtan devotees. Street harinam and book distribution were the main activities.
In Mayapur I gave lectures at the temple.
In Jessore I visited the Rupa Sanatan smrti-tirtha. In Netrakona I did a house program and a pandal program. In Narayanganj I gave a temple lecture. In Dhaka I conducted a public seminar and did book distribution. In Tangail I gave a temple lecture.
In Kolkata I gave a temple lecture. In Imphal, Tripura (Agartala, Ananda bazar), and Assam (Guwahati, Silchar), I lectured at the ISKCON centers.
In Salem I gave a temple lecture. In Haridwar I did a yatra with devotees, as well as book distribution and nagar kirtan.
In Vrindavan I have temple lectures. In Chitrakoot I gave a lecture at the university.
SUKADEVA SWAMI
1. Your name
Sukadeva swami
2. Your physical address
Iskcon, Nellore, AP India
3. Your email address(es) sukadevaswami@gmail.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
0861-231744 Mobile: 9494285544
5. Your website.
www.nelloreiskcon.com
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Malaysia
Singapore
India
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Delhi
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
In Singapore we can’t use the name ISKCON. Mostly we approach Indians since there is restricted preaching. In some places in Malaysia, devotees of Indian origin are very service-minded and enthusiastic-at the Teluintan temple, for example.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
We did two Ratha-yatras, in Nellore and Gudur, and we have plan to do one in Kavali also. Many politicians and bureaucrats attended them, including MPs, MLAs, and Zila Parishad, the chairperson.
We also brought out a book on Tulasi Mahatmyam in Telugu. We reprinted 10,000 copies of the book “Jai Jagannath”.
We are acquiring about 11 acres of land for an ISKCON village project, where we plan to do a value-based school, from 6-10 th Stn. We will also have a goshala for Indian-bred cows, with panca-gavya medicine production activity.
Caitanya-bhagavata in Telugu is also under way. Our book distribution scores are better than most other years in the past. 8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
One day at a time in sadhana and preaching will keep one in keep in good standing and enthusiastic.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
I attended the “Being a guru in Iskcon” and the “Iskcon Leadership sanga” in Mayapur,
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects?
Village preaching activities, increasing book distribution, the ISKCON village project once the land is secured (we applied to the government), translation work in Telugu and compilation.
TRIVIKRAMA
SWAMI
1. Your name
Trivikrama Swami
2. Your physical address
9323 Trevarthon Rd. Orlando FL, 32817 USA
3. Your email address(es)
trivikrama.swami@pamho.net
4. Your telephone number(s)
407-677-7142 cell: 321-202-1606
5. Your website
trivikrama.swami.com 6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
USA
New Vrndaban, Boston, San Antonio, Birmingham
Poland
Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Katowice, Belska Blawa, New Shantipur, Walbrzych, Jawor, Gdansk, Bialystok
Czech Republic
Ostrava
Belarus
Minsk, Gomel, Vitebsk
Ukraine
Kiev, Rivine, Lutsk, Lviv, Stryi, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Ivano, Frankivsk, Ushorod
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
Thinks are going well for the most part.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I am the temple president at ISKCON Orlando, but as you can see from the above, I do find time to travel and preach.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
The sannyasa ashrama is wonderful – simple life with no anxiety.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
No.
8c. Health issues?
[none] 9. Future preaching projects?
We are trying to build a temple on our property here in Orlando. Radha-jivana Prabhu has taken an interest in this regard, so there is a good chance we will be successful in this attempt.
VEDAVYASAPRIYA
SWAMI
1. Your name
Vedavyasapriya Swami
2. Your physical address
[none]
3. Your email address(es)
[none]
4. Your telephone number(s)
[none]
5. Your website
[none]
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Beginning January 14, 2014, I had to go to Fiji for a month to start the beautification of our Sigatoka temple. But there were delays in shipments of dioramas, and I had to cut short my stay there. I returned to Mayapur to attend the AGM. As I was getting dioramas made in Krishnanagar, I made sure that the shipment would commence and reach in the month of May, when I would be there. Meanwhile I traveled to Nepal, Mauritius, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa. I attended the Ratha-yatra festival on the Easter weekend in Durban. The organizers scheduled me to give several seminars for three consecutive days.
After returning to India I immediately booked a flight for Fiji instead of the USA, because there would be a big festival on 18th June for His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami’s appearance day. Being in Fiji, I took the opportunity to preach in Wagga Wagga, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Townesville, Cairns, Papua New and Guinea, and then I returned to Fiji. I made a special trip from Fiji to New Zealand, where I preached in Auckland, Wellington, Pamerstone North, etc. Then I returned to Fiji.
I then preached in Labasa, Savu Savu, Taveuni, Suva, Nausari, Nabuva, Lautoka, Nadi, and Raki Raki. These are places of considerable congregational participation. I also conducted two high-school and three house programs near Sigatoka.
Shipment of the dioramas again got delayed and was rescheduled to reach in September. Therefore I returned to Vrindavan and decided to go to Fiji during that time. In August my disciples arranged my Vyasapuja in Sydney.
Then I went through Thailand and Malaysia and came again to Australia, where I went to almost all he main cities again.
I returned to India after intense preaching in the Far East and landed in Kerala, where the devotees had organized a ten-day preaching safari. We started World Holy Name week with a Nagar Kirtan at the Guruvayur temple and assisted the local devotees, enthusing them to join the safari. We traveled by road to Thiruanantapuram and stayed there for two nights, getting the darshan of Ananatapadmanabha Swami, Adi Keshava temple, Kanya Kumari, Nagar Coil temple, and Janardan temple, and the returning to Vrindavan.
Since I was unable to go to USA after July 13, I took the opportunity to travel via London to Vancouver and preached there for 8 days. I initiated 7 devotees and then quickly visited Laguna Beach, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Baltimore, and upstate New York, returning via London after 20 days. I stopped over in London for two days, visiting and preaching at the Manor and in Leicester.
In this way I spent most of Kartik outside Vrindavan, preaching. I traveled with my devotee friends to Thailand on 2nd December to attend the Pattaya Ratha-yatra and preach in our Bankeek, Chonbury, seminar in ABEK University. Then I visited our Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, and Hua Hin centers and finally returned to Vrindavan.
YADUNANDANA
SWAMI
1. Your name
Yadunandana Swami
2. Your physical address
Instituto de Estudios Bhaktivedanta, New Vrajamandala, 19411 Brihuega, Guadalajara, Spain and
Bhaktivedanta College, Radhadesh, Petite Somme 10, 6940 Durbuy, Belgium
3. Your email address(es)
yadunandana.swami@pamho.net
and
yswami@bhaktivedantacollege.com
4. Your telephone number(s)
+34 949 28 04 36 +32 86 32 32 77
5. Your website(s)
www.yswami.com www.bhaktivedantacollege.com www.iebhaktivedanta.es
6. Please list the countries and cities you visited in 2014.
Spain
New Vrajamandala, Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia, Tenerife, Navalakunda
(Ávila), Alicante, Coruña, Santander, Sankirtana party in León and in Almería.
Belgium
Radhadesh, Antwerp
Portugal
Lisbon, Porto, Vilanova de Gaia, Braga
India
Sridhama Mayapura. United States
Viraha Bhavan (Satsvarupa Maharaja’s asrama in upstate New York), New Vrindavana (Festival of Inspiration), Pittsburgh, Columbus
United Kingdom
London
Germany
Goloka Dhama and Yoga Vidya for the I European Yoga Congress
Switzerland
Zurich and Langhenthal
Brazil
Nova Gokula, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Campinha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Pindamonhangaba (BBT).
Luxembourg
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries you visited.
In Spain I have two main focuses: one is to continue Krsna conscious educational development. This year we started offering courses in other temples besides New Vrajamandala (e.g., Madrid, Malaga, and Barcelona). The second focus is a long-term plan to establish centers, congregational groups, or educational institutes in each of the 52 provinces in Spain. I’m speaking about this goal wherever I go. Devotees are becoming enthused, and we are starting to develop programs in different places. A new center is starting in Alicante (devotees just got a new place near the university). And we are targeting other new places, such as Coruña and Santander. In Coruña we had a modest but very successful program (a dinner with lecture attended by 20 people) that gave us clear indication that a steady regular program can start within the near future.
Belgium: Bhaktivedanta College continues operating both onsite and online. The number of Theology and Religious Studies students has diminished a little. However, other programs, such as a well-attended 2-month Kirtan course, have taken place. Since May 2014 I have stopped serving as College Principal in order to give more attention to spreading Krsna consciousness in Spain. I am teaching several modules, nevertheless, and still participating in organizational meetings to ensure a smooth transition in the management of the College.
Portugal: My visits to Portugal are mainly to support the devotees there. Portugal is a small yatra, and I speak the local language. There are not many traveling preachers who visit there, so I was happy to visit for a short time. I also participated in an annual international yoga conference organized by the Portuguese Yoga Confederation in a yoga stadium. Many people participate, and it is important that Krsna consciousness be represented to audiences inclined to a healthier lifestyle.
India: I attended the ISKCON Leadership Sanga and participated in some of the GBC committee work. As usual, Sridhama Mayapur is a source of inspiration, with so many experienced leading Vaishnavas.
This year I went twice to the US. First I visited Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami in his ashrama. I was happy to spend time with him. He is doing well in his sadhana, writing, and health. Many devotees visit him regularly. I was there for Gaura Purnima. A nice festival was celebrated with about 50 devotees and guests. My second visit to the US focused on the Festival of Inspiration, where I did two presentations on education and preaching. I also did programs in Columbus and Pittsburg. My impression was that the preaching potential in the US is big, but we do need a more deliberate strategy to preach to the Westerners (not just the Indians; of course, we want the Indians but we want more).
United Kingdom: I went only for one day to the funeral of Saunaka Rsi Prabhu’s wife.
In Germany, I taught a 4-day Bhakti-shastri Teacher Training course in Goloka Dhama. I also attended the European Yoga Congress in the biggest Yoga asrama in Europe (Yoga Vidya). Nearly 400 people attended, and I lectured and conducted workshops on Kirtan and on the Yoga principles found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The response from the participants was highly favorable.
I visited Switzerland for the first time. As in other places I visit, I encouraged the devotees to extend themselves more to the public, to organize educational Krsna conscious programs, and to increase the preaching.
I visited Brazil for the first time. I had been invited many times in the past, so I owed it to the devotees who arranged my trip. It was a powerful experience. There are many devotees in Brazil, and the people are very soft-hearted and favorable to Krsna consciousness. A highlight was performing kirtan in Sao Paulo in front of many thousands of people, who actively participated. This happened during a Festival of Colors organized by devotees in cooperation with other partner organizations. I established connections with Dhanvantari Swami and his educational institute.
Luxembourg is developing little by little in terms of more committed congregational devotees. Yadurani Mataji is doing good preaching work there, and whenever possible I go there to preach and to encourage the congregation.
8. Please let us know the services you rendered as a sannyasi in 2014.
I think it is summarized above. If further information is needed, please let me know.
8a. What were your realizations about the sannyasa asrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
Last year, after prayer, reflection, and consultation at the feet of Giriraja Govardhana, I decided to focus more on preaching in Spain. My realization this year is that giving more attention to preaching in Spain has been a good decision. The potential for spreading Krsna consciousness in Spain is huge. There is a lot to be done. I am happy that there is so much service and pray that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada use me as their instrument in the Sankirtana mission.
8b. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship to your role as a sannyasi?
Thank you very much for your blessings and support.
8c. Health issues?
[none]
9. Future preaching projects? As I wrote last year, Spain has 52 provinces. My dream is that before I pass away we will have established centers, nama--hattas, or regular Krsna conscious programs in each of the 52 provinces. The concept is 52 provinces x 108 towns and villages in each province. This is the vision. I would like to find a realistic way to make this vision feasible in the present socio–cultural context.
Sannyasa Report for Bhaktisiddhanta Swami 2014
Sannyasa Annual Report Form
1. Your name. Bhaktisiddhanta Swami 2. Your address. 42 Barham Street, Allenby Gardens, SA 5090 Australia 3. Your email addresses. bss@pamho.net, bhaktiswa@gmail.com 4. Your telephone numbers. +61477090400 5. Your websites. Facebook ‘Bhaktisiddhanta Swami’ 6. Please list the countries and cities that you have visited this year.
USA: Boston, India: New Delhi, Vrindaban, Mathura, Kolkata, Mayapur, UK: London and Australia: Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
7. If you like you can make some comments about the temples or countries that you have visited.
It is nice to see so many young devotees taking up the path in the establishment of a stronger Iskcon.
8. Please let us know what were the services you rendered as a sannyasa this year.
Apart from the temples I am meeting many congregationals who live out side the temples; these are some of our best Iskcon devotees.
I have been focusing on Environmental work within Braja; this have involved meeting with public officials, engaging in maintenance and tree planting work around Govardhana, and encouragement of temples to care for the Dhama that surrounds their temples.
On behalf of Iskcon New Delhi I met the leaders in the elections (giving blessings during Holi haha).Looks like Modi took the most mercy(big smile).
I have also been sharing health formulas such as basic detox techniques with the devotees of Iskcon New Delhi temple; positive alternatives to the Auyervedic slow remedies, which has extracted lakhs from the temple. I would say 75% of the devotees are responding more to naturopathic angles than Ayurvedic. It’s is not so much the paths but the prescriptions that encourage quicker results. Unfortunately, many Auyurvedic practitioners provide working formulas but costly measures, which can undermine spiritual sadhanas through time consuming programs.
9. What were your realizations about the sannyasa ashrama, preaching, or ISKCON this year?
It is important not to get too immersed in corporate approaches in our preaching work and preaching ventures; the greatest preaching is a ‘one on one’ personal care amidst the festival and communication venues. Never forget how to place ourselves into the shoes of the people that we connect with, in order to make sense.
This mood/approach in our preaching work is and should be the extension of our book distribution.
10. Anything else you would like to include in your report in relationship your role as a sannyasi.
It is ever so important to practice what we preach. Then we will be connecting with the ‘hearts’ of those we meet, and not be in the rut of repetitive jñana, which anyone can do. As far as income amidst formal preaching work; we have to be careful to not sell (make money off of) Vedic teachings.
I say the same thing every year.be a happy camper.and the world will beat a path to your door.
12. What preaching projects are you planning to do in the future?
Same as above. Braja seva and serving all with as much personalism as possible in relation to Braja.
11. Can your report, or part, of it be made public?
Yes of course.
Best Wishes Your servant, Bhaktisiddhanta Swami