as.it.is Bhaktivedanta Manor Sankirtan Newsletter International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Autumn 2014 The Open Secret Srila Prabhupada had a universal message for each and every devotee: whoever you meet tell them about Krishna! He regularly promoted this message in every imaginable forum: temple classes, morning walks, press conferences, private letters, conversations, and of course, in his Bhaktivedanta Purports. You write to say that you do not know what is my desire, but my desire is an open secret. I simply want all over the Western countries people may take this simple formula of chanting, dancing and eating Krishna Prasadam, and being happy. I am simply surprised that they should not accept this simple formula and be happy themselves. My only desire is that all people become happy and prosperous in Krishna Consciousness. (Prabhupada Letter 19/09/69) We hope this newsletter, and the stories contained within. will increase devotees eagerness to go out on sankirtan, to talk about sankirtan, to read about sankirtan, to think about sankirtan, and thus let the sankirtan movement of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gain supreme victory in their lives. Tamal Krishna Goswami offers the following reflection: To write and distribute books was a specific order given to Srila Prabhupada by his Guru Maharaja, and that command he is now in turn giving to me. He had carried out that order even after the disappearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, not considering the instruction to be invalid after his Guru Maharaja's disappearance. Similarly now, after the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada, I still consider this order to me to be the most binding of all of those he gave me. As he himself stated, it is "most precious." (Quoted in Servant of the Servant ) Let us increase the sankirtan spirit at Bhaktivedanta Manor. Every book distributed is a momentous achievement, and every book distributed is an incomparable chance for searching souls to catch the mercy of the pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada. In your service, Sutapa das Inside this issue: Door-to-Door BBT Books Scandinavia Tour Youth SK Tour Ratha Yatra Success July-August Results UK SK Network
as.it.is Youth Summer Sankirtan Tour In July, the Pandava Sena youth and World Harinam Party teamed up with the Manor Brahmacaris for a week-long sankirtan tour in the North of England. The 30-strong team based themselves at ISKCON Manchester, and went daily for 6 hours of book distribution and harinam. Over 5 days they visited 10 different cities: Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bolton, Bradford, Sheffield, Preston, Blackburn and Nottingham! There were also seminars, nama hatta programmes and kirtan evenings. Everyone was amazed at how receptive the public were. It was a unique trip that will surely become a regular fixture in the calendar. By the joint efforts of all the devotees 2,060 books were distributed that week. Pictured above: The team on the streets of Manchester! Page 2
Book Distribution @ Weddings In March we launched an initiative to distribute books at the Manor weddings. The Wedding department kindly sponsors 150 books for each wedding, and our budding distributors offer them to the interested guests. It s a perfect formula. In the months of June and July the team distributed nearly 2,443 books! As we approach a new term of weddings, we urgently require many more distributors! The book-table usually runs for two hours at each wedding. If you would like get involved please contact Sanjaya Madhava das (07949396190) Pictured above and right: Happy wedding guests receive their copies of Higher Taste and Chant and be Happy Page 3
as.it.is Scandinavia Rathayatra Tour In a wonderful spirit of cooperation, the Manor, ISKCON London, Food For All, HK Festivals UK, World Harinam Party and the German Traveling Temple all teamed up for 10 days of non-stop sankirtan. Every year Parasurama Prabhu organises a Rathayatra tour of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, bringing Harinama Sankirtana and Ratha Yatra Festival to all the major cities! This year the team visited Aarhus, Copenhagen, Malmo, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stockholm and Aalborg. Along with the Rathayatra processions, harinams and profuse prasadam distribution, 1,280 books were distributed! Page 4
London Ratha Yatra Devotees from the Manor, ISKCON London, Bhakti Vriksa and UK Nama hattas joined forces at Trafalgar square for the annual Rathayatra book distribution sprint. The atmosphere was warmed up with a mahasankirtan event on the eve of Rathayatra, preparing for Jagannatha s mercy explosion on Sunday. On Rathayatra day nearly 50 devotees participated in distributing books on the Sqaure, meeting hundreds of people. Many of them radonly 'stumbled upon' a festival they will never forget! impression created by meeting a sincere Vaisnava will surely stay with them forever. There were also areas for Q&A and Mantra meditation which added so much to the experience. The day was a grand success. For the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra, Their pure devotee Srila Prabhupada, and all the Vaisnavas, the final book distribution score for Ratha Yatra day on the Square: 188 Chant & Be Happy 180 Higher Taste 704 Ever-Well-Wisher 102 Bhagavad-gita The 4 directions were filled with people laughing, smiling and having inspirational interactions with each devotee - the Page 5
as.it.is Bhaktivedanta Manor Sankirtan Results July to August 2014 Name Sml Med Big Maha Adikarta das 20 36 Amogha Lila das 15 3 7 Ananta Nitai das 200 10 Bh Reuben 1050 Bh Simon 221 25 Bhn Suan 200 Guru Sakti dd 65 Hema Haladini dd 123 255 Janmashtami Festival 255 154 122 Krishna Kirtan das 70 42 Mangala Hari das 20 4 1 Narahari das 50 Sacimata dasi 71 121 7 Scandinavia tour 1125 Sridham das 960 Sutapa das 125 144 Syamalangi dd 20 10 Taruna das 112 2 Wedding Book Distribution 1243 TOTAL 2171 3676 358 683 Page 6
Read the books. Live the books. Distribute the books. Page 7