| SOUTH AMERICA [Spain, Jiva Tattva Das, National Coordinator] Thank you very much for your kind invitation to the second annual seminar. Right now still I don´t have the schedule for February, even I yet don’t know if I will go. Specially it´s because [it] all depends of the grade of development in our new project here in Spain. We already talked with the authorities of the village, now I´m in the process of getting the money to buy the small farm; it´s about 4 ha. (40.000 sq. mts.) We have got already 100.000 Euros, but still we need about 50.000 more. I hope I can present an already advanced project, that has given shelter to many devotees by those dates of February. EDITOR’S NOTE: Jiva Tattva prabhu was one of the speakers at the first annual Global Varnasrama Seminar held in Sri Mayapur earlier this yeas in conjunction with MIHET. The second annual Global Varnasrama Seminar will be conducted from February 24 to February 27, 2009 in Sri Mayapur. NOVEMBER 24, 2008 DEVOTEES ARRIVE FOR VARNASRAMA COLLEGE ASIA [India, Bharat Chandra Das, Varnasrama College Co-Director] This is to inform that [our] grhastha couple from Belgium, his Grace Surya Kunda Prabhu and Nikunja Vasini mataji arrived here yesterday with a 4 year Student Visa! They are happy going around the farm and are enthusiastic devotees. With gems like Indrabhata Prabhu, Isvari mataji & Surya Kunda Prabhu, Nikunja mataji, Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra is pointing towards having a successful Varnasrama College in line. NOVEMBER 23, 2008 NEW PAMPHLET ON “MAKING ONE’S OWN OIL” ASIA [India, Bharat Chandra Das, GLOVESCO National Coordinator] Kindly receive the pamphlet containing the material on "Making one's Own Oil'. It also includes very new details on the dangers of modern oil consumption. The presentation is also attached to this mail. The pamphlet, as well as the presentation can be put on the website. NOVEMBER 23, 2008 NEW VARNASRAMA PROJECT IN THE MAKING ASIA [Dubai, Nanda Kumar Das, Varnasrama Supporter] It is our good fortune that you have given us this opportunity to participate in these projects that take us closer to establishing varnashrama which was so close to Srila Prabhupada's heart. Please consider us here in Dubai as another set of your own boys (kinkaras) who are eager to be of service to the varnashrama mission. Please bless us with more seva & the ability to adapt to true simple living in lines with Srila Prabhupada. We are working towards aligning ourselves with the Gokul Dham project. We are currently having a lot of communications with Madhav Pr & Bharat Chandra Pr who are ably guiding us & giving us siksha. We request you to consider a visit to Dubai at the earliest possible. There are many devotees who are aspiring to become varnashrama participants & preachers. NOVEMBER 23, 2008 CONFIRMED ATTENDANCE/VARNASRAMA SEMINAR AFRICA [Nigeria, H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, National Coordinator] Thank you very much for the mercy, you are always very kind to me. Yes, I will come and will happily attend your wonderful Varnasrama seminars…. I am travelling… I will keep encouraging other devotees and have some good news for you when I come. Let me just attend and learn for I know that when I am through with this house issue, things will change and since we have much land here in Nigeria, Ghana and other part of Africa, we will be able to do much in the near future. Many devotees have been asking me about your seminars and I have been encouraging them to participates as well as going into farming to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire on self-sufficiency. NOVEMBER 22, 2008 TO ATTEND SECOND ANNUAL SEMINAR EUROPE [Ukraine, Dhanesvara, National Coordinator and Heading up Gitagrad Project] Thank you for your invitation. Yes, I plan to be in Mayapura this coming year for Gaura Purnima and would be very happy to attend. I think I will not offer any of my own classes this year so scheduling will not be a problem. My book [Spiritual Economics] will be in print by then and I will be happy to present it and speak on any other topic that you ask. NOVEMBER 20, 2008 NEW NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR BRAZIL SOUTH AMERICA [Brazil, H.H. Purushatraya, Head of Gour Vrndavana Project] I think I can accept the role of National Coordinator for Brazil. One thing I'd like to point out is that my project here in Brazil has a format somewhat different from projects related to GLOVESCO, especially those developed in Indonesia, Cambodia, South India (one and half years back I had opportunity to visit the small farm project near Udupi...). In fact one of the differences is that the great majority of the Brazilian yatra devotees has urban backgrounds. In my project, out of 16 members (half are ladies), more than half have university degree. Some of them are becoming experts in dealing with organic agriculture and cow protection and they do practical work. Well, I can explain more at Mayapur seminar the strategies for developing our project and also how we are trying to establish varnasrama in a very natural way. NOVEMBER 20, 2008 VARNASRAMA MEDIA PRODUCTIONS INAUGURATED ASIA [Secunderabad, Gour Gopal Das/Varnasrama Research Team] In the evening there was a grand reception at Govardhan, Secunderabad. By the mercy of H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaj, VMP (Varnasrama Media Production) was opened for everyone under the supervision of GLOVESCO. H.G. Rasananda Prabhu was very kind to accept our proposal to be the guest of honor. In the beginning we had arranged for him to cut the ribbon for opening of the office, but when he came and saw us telling him to cut the ribbon with the scissors, he said: "If this office is being opened for the service of Varnasrama mission then we should not open it by cutting the ribbon [but] rather by lighting the lamps. That is the Vedic system." So we arranged a lamp and he lit it and every participant was singing and dancing in ecstasy. The ceremony was later followed by a 30 minutes lecture of H.G. Rasananda Prabhu and then [Krishna] prasadam. NOVEMBER 18, 2008 CLARIFICATION ON “LOCAL GOVERNANCE” EUROPE [Radhadesh, Manohara Das, Resident at Radhadesh] This is Principle No. 1:"Governance of a village community is primarily the responsibility of its local residents". “It should not be some committee or organization removed from the local community or village. This means that any group of devotees should be encouraged to set up such a rural community, following the general guidelines given by Srila Prabhupada and the Vedic literatures, and this, without feeling the need to obtain the official permission or sanction from any local, regional or national authority.” Does "any local, regional or national authority" refer to ISKCON or to government of country in which rural community would be situated, or both? EDITOR’S NOTE: Those wishing to receive the response given to this question may write to us and we can send it to you. NOVEMBER 18, 2008 GLOVESCO BRANCH OPENS IN SECUNDERABAD ASIA [Secunderabad, Gour Gopal Das/Varnasrama Research Team] With the blessings of our Guru Maharaj and the mercy of their Lordships [Sri Sri] Radha-Kunjabihariji, I take the opportunity to announce and welcome everybody for the inauguration function of GLOVESCO Branch office in Secunderabad. Venue: GLOVESCO, PL. #89, 9th cross, 1st floor, Sri Nilayam, Mahindra Hills, Secunderabad. Date & Time: 19th November 2008, Wednesday at 6.20 p.m. for further details contact: H.G. Sri Rama Dasa at 99 89 488 656, Gour Gopal at 99 49 69 82 96. NOVEMBER 17, 2008 TOPIC: INVITATION TO FESTIVAL OF INSPIRATION NORTH AMERICA [USA, Malati Dasi, GBC and NA EC Member] I have three items I wish to address in this communication. The first being to inquire from you how things are going with your project and endeavors regarding rural lifestyles and varnashram in ISKCON? And, how is GLOVESCO doing overall? The second is to remind you of my invitation and request for you to attend and participate in Festival of Inspiration 2009. The dates are May 8, 9, 10th (although, we will begin on Thursday the 7th by observing Narshima Chaturdasi). The sessions run 1 1/2 hours each. This venue would be an excellent opportunity for you to make a presentation of a large scale attentive audience. Please get back to me about this as soon as you are able. NOVEMBER 17, 2008 TOPIC: BOOKS & DOCUMENTARY DONATED EUROPE [Amsterdam, Gangadhara Das, Resource Person] Good news that already 22 devotees will participate in the varnasrama courses! Before I left for India I got the message from Bharat Chandra prabhu that there would be a sufficient stock of books of the VBT in Vrndavana. I found only copies of MAKE VRNDAVANA VILLAGES. I hope that in the near future all the books as well as the magazine will be available in Vrndavana. That will help those (such as myself) to more effectively and completely represent GLOVESCO to potential supporters in Vrndavana and Delhi. Titles of some of the books which I gave to Hrdoya Caitanya prabhu: (list of some 40 books) I gave also one DVD to Hrdoya Caitanya prabhu, entitled: "Mother Earth; A new future for small farmers." This documentary recorded in Andhra Pradesh is about "poor farmers who have turned their backs on modern agriculture in order to bring new life to their traditional ways of farming. The surprisingly good results are due to a combination of working together intensively, and the masterly combining of traditional seeds." NOVEMBER 16, 2008 TOPIC: COW PROTECTION WEBSITE IN MAURITIUS AFRICA [Mauritius, Cidanan Das, Varnasrama Supporter] Dear friends, Please accept my obeisances. I sent a mail last time which did not function. It was just to announce a new website for a cow protection program in Mauritius. The link: http://nandgaon.terapad.com NOVEMBER 15, 2008 TOPIC: PLANNING VISIT TO VIETNAM ASIA [VIETNAM, Pe Pe, Varnasrama Supporter] Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Haribol my dear Maharaja. I was able to inform devotees based in Hochiman City, his name is Govinda Hari. He was a pioneer in this city, more or less he’s been here for ten years. I informed him about your trip here in Vietnam. NOVEMBER 14, 2008 TOPIC: BHAKTIVEDANTA LIBRARY SERVICES (BLS) EUROPE [Laksmipriya dd. Belgium, Secretary of BLS] Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Thank you very much for your reply. We will take 25 copies of each title. 1) MAKE VRNDAVANA VILLAGES 2) VARNASRAMA EDUCATION 3) IMPLEMENTING VARNASRAMA. 4) The magazine is Introducing GLOVESCO. We are very happy to get these book into our offer for distribution in Europe. We are hoping that there will be a keen interest from the devotees here into this important subject matter and we get more books from you in the future on a regular basis. NOVEMBER 14, 2009, TOPIC: PREACHING/FUNDRAISING/VARNASRAMA NORTH AMERICA [CANADA, Bala Krishna Das, Resident at Saranagati Village] Yes, I haven't forgotten you or your request. It has been a very mild autumn which has allowed me to get much done on the farm. There never seems to be any end to work needed to be done. Also, I am working on several ongoing projects here that are demanding my time . One is a composting research project that is being funded by the federal government and for whom I have contracted graduate students from the University of British Columbia and the other is the ongoing project to build a water/irrigation system for our valley. Anyway, now I am within a day or two before leaving for Vancouver where I will be setting up shop/an office where I will then be starting my full time service of preaching/fundraising for varnasrama . This is a big change for me that I am embarking on - I do have a plan but I am not sure how it is all going to unfold. I do need a few months to quietly focus and prepare. NOVEMBER 13, 2008 TOPIC: DEVOTEE OBTAIN 4 YEARS STUDENT VISA EUROPE [Hungary, Surya Kunda Das and Nikunja Vasini Dasi, Radhadesh] Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Yes, yes… we have it in hand from yesterday, all ready, Visa, Student Visa till.....12 of November 2012 , multiple visa. Thank you Very very much. Thanks for phone numbers. grateful for all. November 13, 2008 TOPIC: COLLECTING BOOKS ON VARNASRAMA NORTH AMERICA [CANADA, Surya, Director, La Nouvelle Vraja Bhumi, Quebec) Pour vous confirmer que je vais apporter les livres qui m'ont été confiés par Gangadhara pr. à Sri Dhama Vrindavan dimanche prochain. Une vraie mine d¹or pour le projet de Hebri. Je prends en note plusieurs des titres importants que je vais tenter de me procurer à Loi Bazar pour acheminer au projet de la Nouvelle Vraja Bhumi. NOVEMBER 7, 2008 TOPIC: PRINTING MAKE VRNDAVANA VILLAGES IN ARGENTINA SOUTH AMERICA [Jaya Govinda Caran Das, Ecuador) If is possible for you please answer this mail because Jagad Bandhu prabhu wants to print your book as soon as possible. I gave him an English copy and he just fell in love with your book. Another reason is that the marathon is coming soon and he wants to distribute the book during the marathon. NOVEMBER 1, 2008 TOPIC: VARNASRAMA CONFERENCE NORTH AMERICA (USA, Prabhupada Das, Kavaca) His Grace Shriman Dhanesvara Das Prabhu has suggested that I contact you to discuss the idea of a Daivi-Varnashram Village Constitutional Conference. He and I have been discussing this for many years and, recently, he shared some of our dialogue with your good self and others. As a result, he is encouraged that there may be sufficient interest among whom I term "Varnashramites", to undertake a serious dialog to discuss and formulate an outline for a Village Constitution that could be used as a template for any number of Villages. Such a common foundation would make it easier for Villages to cooperate and be developed in new locations. It might also inspire other Gaudiya Vaishnavas to see how important this is and to begin such development in their own organizations. |
October 28, 2008 TOPIC: NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING
EUROPE: [Ukraine, Dhanesvar Das, National Coordinator and Project Director for Gitograd]
I presented a 40-page document to our national council that was essentially our by-laws, as a work-in-progress. They will look it over and see what amendments they want in order to make it an Iskcon project. I will be sending you this document soon. I am interested to know if other VAD projects are defining their activities in such ways, and if so I would like to know how they are structuring their management, internal workings, and so on. If not, perhaps my document can become a model for other projects. We need to define the roles of the varnas, their interactions, and how the culture works. While that is not detailed in this document that does need to be done somewhere. Perhaps this is being taught at your training course? If so I would like to see the outcome.
October 27, 2008 TOPIC: FINAL PREPARATIONS/VARNASRAMA COLLEGE
ASIA: [India, Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra, Bharat Chandra Das, National Coordinator and Staff Member for Glovesco Varnasrama College]
Thank you for the list of students. Hope admissions will be closed as we planned. I was listing the different records that we need to maintain; some of them I am trying to enlist below (can be added):
1. Applications
2. Box file for Handouts of materials
3. Power point presentations on CD (fr which Curriculum has to be designed as soon as possible)
4. Accounts, Ect.
Applications are one thing that I can file right away. I also need to approach the local police station with this record. I came in touch with a senior police official here when working out my passport and he suggested that we give them all the records of the students and required security details, etc. I shall meet them with some records including the application forms of the confirmed students.
October 24, 2008 TOPIC: KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS BAIL OUT - THE ULTIMATE PLAN
ASIA: [Indonesia, Jakarta, Bhakta Tito]
Hare Krsna Bharat Chandra Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Many thanks for your emails. Yes, I received the updates. I do hope sincerely that by Krsna's mercy I will be able to visit Sri Krsna Balarama Ksetra in short future.
Prabhu, as I'm finishing read "Plan B" I found a very nice quantitative facts provided there goes 100% same direction with Krsna consciousness.
Page 183-190
1. 37% of world grain production (740 million tones) goes to animal feed, 7 kg of grains become only 1 kg beef, 1 kg of pork took 3 kg, poultry takes 2 kg, and so on , it is "indirect an inefficient way of consuming food"
2. the world produced 222 million tons of soybean in 2007, 20 millions was consumed directly (as tofu and others), the other 202 is crushed, and 37 million tons of soybean oil is extracted, the bunch of 160 million tons of high protein soybean meal, you bet, went to feed mill! What a mad scheme! You know Prabhu, while soybean price soared last few months, there was suicidal case happened here in Indonesia where tofu maker was frustrated in condition he felt cant afford to buy raw material (soybean) which is too expensive to do his business , selling tofu.
3. An average American consumes 800 tons of grains annually, directly and indirectly. Directly: he eats only 100 tons indirectly: all 700 tons goes to animal livestock before he ate it. Italian consumes average 400 tons of grains, directly and indirectly. Indian consumes 200 tons in average yearly. And of course we know, the Americans die sooner of heart disease and all.
Finally, the Plan B suggested: MOVING DOWN THE FOOD CHAIN. :)
One devotee in Indonesia told me that if the world reduced 10% of meat consumption, starvation would end. I calculated let's say that 10% meat reducing means 10% x 740 million tones, we would get 74 million tones of grain. I don't know the number of starvation, but let's say 1 billion, and then we get 75 kg per person. I agree, it would end starvation.
October 23, 2008 TOPIC: REVIVING THE TRADITIONAL AGRAHARAM
ASIA: [Singapore, Dina Anukampam, National Coordinator]
Please allow me to say my two-cents' worth. I have somehow or other been meeting many South Indian brahmins who, more and more, are taking up Krsna consciousness. In the past, brahmins would live in an exclusive part of town called the Agraharam, (where other castes were not allowed to pass by, unless they carried their shoes on their head and walked by silently, in which case the brahmins would all stop chanting Vedic mantras so that they would not be heard... Some of my friends still live in the now decaying agraharams..... I recall spending a few days in one idyllic village* agraharam by the banks of the Kavery in Tamil Nadu. It was a timeless place. And in the morning, to bathe in the Kavery and see the (few) brahmins who were still doing the ritual bath as their forefathers had done for centuries was wonderful and calming.
There is a young friend of mine from this village who practices KC to some degree and I am still in touch with him. It is an hour or two away from Trichy. If Maharaj would like to visit the village, I could try to arrange for that.
In my humble opinion, it would probably be most efficacious to focus on reviving these agraharams where the community still has some cohesion and strength and where there are favorable elders who can impart the traditions as they have seen and lived it... What could be done might be:
- 1. To commission a survey to find out amongst our global body of initiated devotees who those are who have family links to such agraharams, and especially those along the banks of the great rivers of India.
- 2. Induce these devotees to begin trying to buy up/help preserve these agraharams and plan to re-settle back there if not soon at least later in their village life. (Even Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada commented that in S India the last vestiges of true Vedic culture remain. Those devotees who have seen with their own eyes the strong Vedic culture of their elders could easily be inspired about the importance of preserving and reviving it, for if they look at their own children or grand children, they will see how centuries of culture and tradition are so easily lost forever within a generation or two...)
- 3. Next, a survey should be done of all existing agraharams with stats to show the status of their health. Then a few of these could be targeted - strong preachers sent to establish preaching bases there and to revive the Krsna consciousness and to integrate with the community. Then slowly revive the pre-existing culture. Protection of independent, truth-speaking brahmanas, as I have understood it, is the foundation of varnashrama.
The article you have circulated below correctly, in my humble opinion, speaks of the components that are needed to make a true village, and not just run one pseudo-farm. These are already still existing in some degree in the agraharams.
Hope these ideas may be useful, Maharaj. hare krsna
October 22, 2008 TOPIC: VARNASRAMA TOUR IN SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA: [Ecuador, Jaya Govinda Caran Das]
Yes, it would be great to serve you as your traveling secretary. With regard to traveling date considerations, you tell me which time is the best for you and let how we can work it out. Please Maharaja, tell me which countries would you like to visit, how long do you intend to stay in each county and what is your intended audience.
October 22, 2008 TOPIC: RECEIVING BOOKS ON VARNASRAMA (ANTONY)
MAIL RECEIVED THROUGH INTERNET
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Shrila Prabhupada
Thank you very much for your postage. Today I received your wonderful books. I will read them carefully and will try to contribute to the development of Vedic Varnashrama.
October 21, 2008: TOPIC: 19 STUDENTS ENROLL FOR VARNASRAMA COLLEGE
ASIA: [India, GLOVESCO Varnasrama College at SSKBK, State of Karnataka, Hrdoya Caitanya Das, Curriculum Director]
"Please see attached our updated list of students. This is getting pretty close to the final list." Canada (2), Hungary (3), India (4), Indonesia (1), Nepal (3), Poland (1), Russia (1), South Africa (2), USA (2), for a total of 19 students."
Editor's Comments: The GLOVESCO Varnasrama College opens its doors on January 1, 2009 and will run for three months. This is the first year the Varnasrama College will operate. It will set the scene for a full fledged Varnasrama College specialized in promoting training and education in all the varnas and asramas. Applications are now closed as of this posting. Inquiries are welcome for future courses.
October 21, 2008: TOPIC: PROJECT PROPOSAL AT GANGA SAGARA BARU
ASIA: [Indonesia, Borneo, Sundarananda Das, State Coordinator for Kalimantan and Project Director for Ganga Sagara Baru]
"Hare Krishna prabhu Kisora Krsna. We are submitting a project proposal through Anandamaya prabhu's office to make a coconut orchard. Please discuss with Maharaja and ask him for any comments on this proposal."
October 20, 2008. TOPIC: PROJECT PROPOSAL TO NATIONAL COUNCIL
EUROPE: [Ukraine, Dhanesvara Das, National Coordinator and Project Director for Gitograd]
"This week I will make a presentation of my project to the national council of Ukraine (all the TP's). I am also going to include a copy of the Indian RGB decision to make VD a part of the national preaching program."
Editor's Comments: The Indian RGB [Regional Governing Body] is the main leadership body of ISKCON India who has recently adopted a Position Paper covering Varnasrama Development in India as recommended by the standing committee called the RGB India Varnasrama Development Committee.
October 18, 2008.TOPIC: DEVELOPMENTS/MANOHARA VARNASRAMA PROJECT ASIA: [Indonesia, Irian Jaya, Durasaya Das, State Coordinator and Project Director]
"We grow vegetables and fruits. The surplus is sold to the market. Some florists/nurseries also come to the ashram to buy the organic fertilizers from cowdungs.... They also come to learn our bio gas stoves and apply them in the transmigration sides. We have already made our Yayasan Radha Manohara, akte notaris from notaris here."
October 18, 2008 TOPIC: RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES IN GUJARAT
ASIA: [India, State of Gujarat Savyasachi Das, State Coordinator]
"Since the monsoon season is over, we wish to embark upon developing some residential facilities at our farm. To plan this we thought it to be better if we can consult someone experienced in architectural planning of a village in terms of what are the different considerations while allocating land for various necessities, etc. We wish to plan for next 10 yrs. with a target of 10 to 15 families and a guest house for around 50 people. Could you kindly guide us to someone whom we can consult in this regard?"
October 16, 2008: TOPIC: BOOKS ON VARNASRAMA
NORTH AMERICA: [USA, New Talavan Farm, Hari Das]
"Gopinath dropped off some books with another devotee, namely some of the introductory magazines [Introducing GLOVESCO], 2 copies of Varnasrama Education and 6 copies of Make Vrindavan Villages. I was seriously hoping for Implementing Varnasrama - GLOVESCO Reference Guide as I am very serious about working for you on this and the named book is of utmost importance. The education book is excellent with so many important points. It is clear that we have to work not just on the citizens of ISKCON but with leaders in particular. And my feeling is that there is just way too much denial about the current state of affairs globally."
October 16, 2008:TOPIC: TRANSLATION IN SPANISH LANGUAGE
SOUTH AMERICA: [Chile, Sudama Sakha Das, National Coordinator]
"Like you told me, I have been translating some info you send me previously, and what I´m going to do is send it to a very known web in South America [in] that it reaches many devotees of this side of the world, and I am going to ask them if they are already in this service of farming or are willing to be involved to contact me, do you agree? At the same time I will contact a devotee from here who does contact most of our communities via e-mail, and I´ll send them same information. That´s [all] for the moment Maharaja, if you have any ideas or questions, let me know it and I´ll get back to you as soon is possible."
October 15, 2008: TOPIC: DEVELOPMENTS AT SAHYADRI SRI KRISHNA BALARAMA KSETRA
ASIA: [India, SSKBK, Parasurama Das, Trustee for GLOVESCO India]
"Laxman Prabhu, the brother of Giriraj prabhu was also there. Giriraj prabhu and Laxman prabhu where jointly taking care of Cows and agriculture. Sundarananda prabhu was taking care or Deities and Prasadam. And Bharat Prabhu was overlooking and guiding and engaged in construction. Till now 2 kutirs are done - one bhajan kutir and the other built near the planned yogashala well. The kutirs need finishing touch. Rice is half way and soon we will have lots of Coconuts. The Mohte is working nicely with Bala and Krishna. But the land has broken due to lack of rains earlier, so it helps only to keep the land moist."
October 14, 2008: TOPIC: TRYING TO LOCATE LAND IN VIETNAM
ASIA: [Vietnam, Bhakta Pepe]
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