April 2016

April 30, 2016: Begging For Mercy

Yesterday we arrived back in Vrindavan after our extended preaching tour through Australia, New Zealand, China and Kazakhstan. After 3 days we will be on the road again; this time to Russia. Feeling the need for mercy to continue on, I went to visit one of my favorite holy places; the courtyard with the samadhi’s of Srinivasa Acarya, Ramacandra Kaviraja and Hemalata Goswami. Falling in the dust of that sacred tirtha, I prayed for their mercy to continue serving the mission of my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, wherever I go.
Original album and comments on Facebook

April 28, 2016: Rebirth Of Christchurch Temple

The ISKCON Temple that was severely damaged in the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand is now in the process of being completely rebuilt from the ground up. The devotees are planning a grand opening in January 2017. I spoke about the new temple upon my arrival in Christchurch last month. The talk is entitled, “Rebirth Of Christchurch Temple” and is now available on: www.narottam.com

Original post and comments on Facebook

April 27, 2016: Kirtan In The Land of Confucius

In this final video of our recent tour in China we visit the famous Confucius Institute in Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher and teacher. During our two day stay we gave a seminar on Krsna consciousness and had ecstatic kirtans with the students. The holy names continue to flood the Land of the Great Red Dragon!

Original video and comments on Facebook

April 25, 2016: Sweet Kirtan in Kazakhstan

We are spending a week with BB Govinda Maharaja at his Sri Vrindavan Dhama community just outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Springtime has revealed the natural beauty of the property and Maharaja’s sweet kirtans bring out the spiritual beauty of the Kazakhstan devotees!

Original album and comments on Facebook

April 22, 2016: Historic Steps Forward

This video covers the historic opening of ISKCON’s first cultural center in Beijing and the very first harinama at the famous Great Wall of China. May our previous acaryas be pleased that their dedicated service over many centuries is now bearing fruit. All glories to our beloved Srila Prabhupada!

Original video and comments on Facebook

April 20, 2016: A Visit To Qufu – The Hometown Of Confucius

The other day we took a 3-hour ‘Bullet Train’ to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher and teacher. We stayed at the Confucius Institute, a small university where students study and practice the teachings of Confucius. During two days we gave a seminar comparing Vedic teachings with those of Confucius. At the end of each class we held a rousing kirtan with the students in which they would dance in great ecstasy. Our team also did kirtan in a nearby village where the local people spontaneously joined us in chanting and dancing.The holy names are all attractive and continue to flood the Land of the Great Red Dragon!

April 18, 2016: Historic Times

It was an action packed weekend as the Beijing devotees opened their new temple, we did an initiation ceremony and then held kirtan at the famous Great Wall of China. Historic times for Krsna consciousness in the Land of the Great Red Dragon. Srila Prabhupada, we are your servants. We will go anywhere in the 3 worlds to serve you!

April 16, 2016: Footprints In The Sand

A new class entitled “Footprints In The Sand” is now available on www.Narottam.com. In this lecture we hear how the Lord is always by our side through thick and thin.

April 14, 2016: Zen Master’s Home

Last night we entertained the elite of Beijing in the home of a famous Zen Master. Charmed by our philosophy, our talented musicians and theholy names people were swept off their feet and chanted and danced in great happiness in the courtyard of that prestigious residence.

April 12, 2016: Fast Friends

Yesterday we visited the famous Llama Temple in downtown Beijing. While there we met with several of the resident Buddhist monks and discussed philosophy and the similarities of our lifestyles. Later, the senior monk saw me praying to Lord Buddha at the main alter and inquired why I was doing so. I explained that we accept Lord Buddha as one of the 10 incarnations of Lord Krishna and that I was praying to Lord Buddha to develop compassion. The monk appreciated that very much and we became fast friends. In the afternoon we visited a memorial to Confucius.

April 11, 2016: A Drop In The Ocean

Srila Prabhupada said that by tasting one drop of the salty ocean one can appreciate what the entire ocean is like. Yesterday at our public program in Beijing we got a taste of how Krsna consciousness can spread throughout the entire country of China. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

April 10, 2016: A New Frontier

Our first few days in China were spent getting to know the people and culture of this country. We also held programs with local devotees in Beijing. My conclusion is that Lord Caitanya’s formula for sharing Krsna consciousness; namely chanting, dancing and feasting, is very suitable for the people here. We look forward to the next 18 days of our journey through the Land of the Great Red Dragon.

 Original video and comments on Facebook

April 9, 2016: A Flow Of Nectar

Our first few days in China have been packed with programs. Once again I am amazed how kirtan melts the hearts of people everywhere, regardless of what country they are from. Here in Beijing our guests, most of whom are coming for the first time, listen attentively and chant and dance in ecstasy. And Srila Prabhupada’s books are flowing out like nectar.
 April 8, 2016: The Forbidden City
With the hope of introducing my festival program in modern day communist China we spent yesterday morning learning about the country by visiting the capitol, Beijing. In the afternoon we toured the famous “Forbidden City” in central Beijing. Constructed from 1406 to 1420 the Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace that served as the home of emperors as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for almost 500 years. During the tour I noted many similarities between China and India’s ancient civilizations that I’m confident will be useful in my programs.
[ Photos by Ananta Vrindavan dasa ]
April 7, 2016: Sacred Sound Kirtan
Sacred Sound Kirtan by Indradyumna Swami

April 7, 2016: Caravan

Dear Friends, check this out. Gaura’s got it together!

Original post and comments on Facebook

April 7, 2016: Youth Encouragement

These photos show just how important it is to encourage the youth in our movement!

April 6, 2016: Into the Mouth of The Red Dragon

This afternoon myself and a team of 14 devotees arrived in Beijing, China. We were greeted at the airport by a small contingent of devotees who drove us to a facility outside the city which will act as our base for 18 days. The devotees have arranged for us to meet many important Chinese dignitaries and hold numerous public programs throughout the city. Many cherry trees here are now in full bloom here – a signature mark of China in the springtime. [ All photos by Ananta Vrindavan dasa ]

April 5, 2016: Fulfilling a promise

Many years ago, H. H. Tamal Krsna Goswami asked me to accompany him to China, where he had been pioneering Krsna consciousness for some years. I was unable to go at the time so he said, “Promise me you’ll make it there one day.” I agreed. Goswami, this evening I am flying to mainland China for the first time with a team of devotees to fulfill my promise to you. Please bless us to be successful in helping the many devotees who now, in your absence, are carrying on your great work there.

April 4, 2016: Tight Knit Group

Our last stop in New Zealand was Christchurch in the south island. Still recovering from a major earthquake 5 years ago construction is going on everywhere in the city. Our temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake, is being rebuilt now as well. Our devotees have become a tight knit group as a result of the disaster and took great pride yesterday when we gave initiation to Vraja Sundara das and Radha Bhavini dasi. Gaura Bhakta Vrinda ki jaya!

April 1, 2016: Fulfilling a promise

An interview with Dunedin TV, in New Zealand that was seen by 150,000 viewers. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Krsna Sankirtan!
http://www.dunedintv.co.nz/news/spiritual-leader-shares-passion-locals

April 1, 2016: Just Like Vaikuntha!

Dunedin is the second largest city of New Zealand’s South Island. It has a population of 120,000, 10 per cent of whom are students studying in the town’s universities. After a visit to Dunedin in the mid-1890s, the American writer Mark Twain said: “The people here are Scots. They stopped here on their way to heaven, thinking they had already arrived.” Jahnava-mata dasi has developed a thriving temple in the town with a number of activities, including a daily lunch program that is very popular at a local university. During our short stay we held harinam, did both a radio and television program and finished with a very successful public festival. I think Mark Twain would be pleased to know that for a day and half, Dunedin was just like Vaikuntha!

April 1, 2016: Kirtan Forever -Sacred Sounds festival!

Unending bliss at the Sacred Sounds festival last week at New Govardhan, Australia.

April 1, 2016: Dunedin, New Zealand!

My team and I arrived in Dunedin, New Zealand yesterday. We were met by a reporter from Otago Daily Times who wrote this article about the purpose of our visit. Today we will have harinama and a big program in a hall downtown. Krsna consciousness in every town and village!
https://shar.es/1YEjjl