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The High Price of Sentiment
BY: ROCANA DASA
Mar 09, CANADA (SUN) — This article will address the issue of myth-making, which has recently been exemplified by HH Bhakti Caru Swami's classes in Mayapur, in glorification of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami and HH Tamal Krishna Goswami. Bhakti Caru Swami is renowned for his sweetie-pie persona. He's the swami that everybody has a hard time disliking because his nature is such that he doesn't appear to offend anybody. He doesn't have a harsh bone in his body.
When he first became a devotee in the 1970's, Bhakti Caru was taken under the wing of Tamal Krishna Goswami, and he was groomed and encouraged to take sannyasa. Tamal Krishna Goswami was his mentor. During the time Srila Prabhupada was in his final lila period, in late 1977, Bhakti Caru Swami was there in attendance along with Tamal Krishna and Bhavananda. Because he's Bengali, Bhakti Caru Swami was not only able to assist in caring for Srila Prabhupada, but he was also there to do Bengali translations when necessary.
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Bhakti-nyaya
BY: GOKULA DAS
Mar 09, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — Some devotional logic showing a problem in thinking that an eternity can have a beginning.
This essay points out a logical problem for anyone who thinks that an eternal destiny can have a starting point in finite time, such as when we die. This effects atheists regarding death, western religions regarding heaven and hell, ‘big bang' theorists, and also Vaisnavas who believe that an eternal relationship with Krishna can have a starting point in finite time. It involves a subtle but pervasive flaw in modern western thinking that this writer is also repeatedly subject to.
Our modern western thinking that an eternity can have a beginning is flawed. A concept of eternity without this blind spot is provided in Bhagavad-gita As It Is, chapter 2, text 16: "Nasato vidyate bhavo, nabhavo vidyate satah: Of the nonexistent there is no endurance and of the existent there is no cessation." Here, "of the existent there is no cessation" is taken to mean that there is no time when the ‘existent' does not exist. Hence, the ‘existent' can't have a beginning because that would mean it didn't exist before that.
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It's Either Cow Protection or Cow Slaughter
BY: DUSYANTA DASA
Mar 09, UK (SUN) — I took up the Cow Protection programme at Bhaktivedanta Manor in the early eighties, and at that time I assumed that this is what cow protection is all about. The Cow Protection programme at Bhaktivedanta Manor has made significant steps forward since those days under the guidance of Shyamasundara Prabhu. It's definitely a feather in his cap, well done.
My attempt herewith is not a critical analysis of cow protection but rather an idea, explanation and defining written overview of my conceptions of what I think we must establish to achieve the level of input and understanding from devotees globally to properly achieve cow protection. For my part, I believe faithfully in Srila Prabhupada's teachings and instructions on this matter and that He has set out an overview and outline understanding of cow protection, and why it is so important.
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Slowly Kicking Srila Prabhupada Out
BY: KURMA DASA (NOT THE CHEF)
Mar 09, AUSTRALIA (SUN) — The idea that God's living successors can be made by votes is the dogma of cheaters and criminals, but such dogma has not stopped all of the Society's supposed well karmi-educated leaders from adopting and perpetuating such a heresy.
George Smiths article, "Hridayananda and His Dogs", is a real wake up call to each and every one of us. It is an excellent article.
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Shrila Acharyadeva
Photo Protocol
BY: DIGVIJAYA DAS
Mar 09, USA (SUN) — The following letter was posted to the Srila Acharyadeva Istagosthi@Yahoogroups forum:
"Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
As you are all probably aware, late last year, there was a distasteful
internet campaign against Srila Acharyadeva, including false accusations. It
all started with an innocent picture taken by one of his disciples with him
and a young girl, the photographer's granddaughter. Such pictures of
Acharyadeva with ladies have been widely posted on the internet and have led
to much misunderstanding and criticism. Female disciples sometimes are
enthusiastic to have their photos taken with him, and in their enthusiasm,
which is natural between a spiritual father and a spiritual daughter, they may
stand close to him, or even touch his shoulder. Even though this may be a
gesture of innocent and natural affection, it easily leads to much criticism.
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Papamocani Ekadasi
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 09, CANADA (SUN) — Papamocani Ekadasi, observed on March 10th, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.
Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, "Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the explanation of Amalakii Ekadasiii which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March), and now I wish to hear about the ekadasii that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April). What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?"
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What the Future MAY Hold For Us!
BY: APRAKRITA DASA
Mar 09, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA (SUN)
— A new video is now available at Cinema Hare Krishna, the online devotee theatre, entitled "WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD US!". New videos are available at the Cinema twice weekly. You can add your name to the email announcement list for instant notification.
ATTENTION: If you have some time to wait for this video to load (it takes a really long time) even with a fairly fast connection it IS WORTH THE WAIT.
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The Fifth Veda and Unanswered Questions
BY: BAHUSHIRA DASA (ACBSP)
Mar 08, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — Part 1.
In reply to Acaryavilasa/Balavidya, he is back on this site so quick after not answering my pointed questions to him, on that specific article that Rupanuga dasa refers to, Condescending Pride on the Fall of the Jiva". Acaryavilasa/ Balavidya has finally brought out his most secret weapon from his war chest of wildly explosive rhetoric. The pasandi-atheist weapon. Not too many Vaisnavas know how to wield this weapon against other Vaisnavas, but Balavidya doesn't know how to retract the burning word weapon. Ouch! So we'll have to assist him.
Either he is not aware of whom he is talking to, i.e., calling Rupanuga dasa as Rupa Vilasa, or he is blinded by his fury. Acaryavilasa is trying to play the part of jury, judge, and executioner. In reality, only the readers will decide. But I do love his accolades, like Pasandi, demon, fool, rascal, which he has given to me over the last two years.
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I Wuz Pushed
BY: MAHAVIDYA DAS (ACBSP)
Mar 08, UK (SUN) —
I very much appreciate the fall/no fall debate on the Sampradaya Sun.
I mean it, so please... take no offence.
Naturally I have a few questions of my own.
Did I fall or… was I pushed?
Obviously I am an innocent soul, a pure nitya sidha in fact,
so I must assume… I was pushed.
Yep, that's it... I was pushed.
(Probably by some envious Godbrother or Godsister).
Probably kicked as well... just for good measure.
If only I could remember their names... those rotters.
(I'll get them all back eventually.)
How else would I end up here?
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Did Srila Prabhupada Prophesy a Polar Shift?
BY: KSHAMABUDDHI DAS
Mar 08, HIGH SPRINGS, FLORIDA, USA (SUN) —
The 2012 Mayan calendar topic has got a lot of people talking about the end of time, planetary ascension, cataclysm, holocaust and new beginnings for human civilization in the Golden Age of Lord Gaura. Whether or not there is anything to these foreboding omens that seem to haunt the minds of modern people, we cannot know at this time.
However, did Srila Prabhupada ever prophecy a global cataclysm that would collapse the foundation of modern civilization? We know for certain that he was very pessimistic about our wonderful, modern capitalist system of excess, waste and baby killing.
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Present Civilization is
Run by Vaishyas
BY: GADADHAR DASA
Mar 08, DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (SUN) — Thanks to George A. Smith for his brilliant article, "Hridayananda and His Dogs". He writes:
"Hridayananda and ISKCON have brought to us a Science in denial, a science that is in the employ of an establishment that views all life as soulless and in terms of dollars and cents, a science which is neither objective or curious and which only serves the status quo, the demonic and atheistic civilization that is its master. Hridayananda in his eternal lust for sense gratification has brought us this dog of the atheists to tear away at our faith in Srila Prabhupada."
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Regarding the Fall
BY: B. RADHA-GOVINDA
Mar 08, MIDDLE EAST (SUN) — Regarding the conditioned jiva's position in this material world, Srila Prabhupada used to give the example when asked, "how," "why" we came/fell:
When a man is drowning, he's not concerned how he got there, but rather tries to get out.
I know for a fact that even amongst some very senior Gaudiya Vaisnava sannyasis (from other branches outside ISKCON) there are different understandings of this issue. Srila Prabhupada in His kindness (and knowing where we were at in terms of understanding/realization) made things simple for us, and did not want us to have to dwell on this issue. Srila Prabhupada simply wanted us to follow the process of Krsna Bhakti, sadhana Bhakti, which would give us all the necessary answers to that which was necessary to know, and which would deliver us to the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna and Their eternal Associates in Goloka Vrndavan.
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Just Say When
BY: RAGHU MISHRA
Mar 08, CANADA (SUN) —
where
mind control belongs this is all the
way around
yes likewise no
perverted reflection of this exists
as this
reminds one of the ever fresh Shri Krsna at all
times
like this yes
where the whole
of one mind control belongs
this is
not that which is not this
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Not So Old
BY: PARASURAM DAS
Mar 08, UK (SUN) — Gaura Purnima Festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor included a stage program. This year the Gurukulis organised the festival themselves. Jahnavi and Markandaya were the main inspiration. They performed two wonderful devotional dramas: "Lord Caitanya meets Chand kasi" and "Nimai's Adventures".
Seeing all these young kids growing up and getting it together makes me feel old. So we decided to put a drama together which involved rapping and break dancing, just to show that we were not all 'old fogies'.
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Hridayananda and
His Dogs
BY: GEORGE A. SMITH
Mar 07, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) —
"In contradicting the principles of modern psychology and sociology, which have been proven scientifically beyond any doubt, Srila Prabhupada has exceeded his authority."
Hridayananda
Over thirty years ago, people like Hridayananda and the other 11 Zonals jumped for joy at Srila Prabhupada's disappearance, imagining that they were free at last of his authority over them and the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. Over thirty years later, Srila Prabhupada is still, however, the leader of the Krsna consciousness movement and is still telling them what to do through his books. You cannot imagine their frustration.
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Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
