The Age Of Squirrel -

So, many topics are going on where we are discovering new insights through negative realizations, ie. how things should not have been done, or how certain views are inherently flawed.

Would we want to, for change, discover new insights through positive realizations, ie. how things have been well done, or how certain views are inherently wonderful?

In his biography The Life of Love it is mentioned that Sri Radharaman das Baba said when large sums of money become available into the hands of a vaishnava, old temples should be renewed instead of new temples being built. To me this is a very appealing instruction. I think this is being done nicely at Radhakund at various places. Also Iskcon is giving or gave money to temples that are of special significance, for instance Sri Gauridas Pandit's Mandir in Ambika-Kalna, half an hour from Nabadwip Dham. There are so many decrepit temples in Vraja. Sure, we do not have large sums of money, but most places are being repaired here and there with donations from so many sources.

1) I wonder in what manner the construction of the Mandir where Sri Ananta das Pandit is presiding and other places in Radhakund are managed, and

2) what the general idea is what to do with money.

3) Radharaman das Baba took over decrepit places or places that were auctioned off by the governement. Suppose, we could get our act together and arouse an interest among us to have our own traditional Farengi Mandir somewhere, is this something to look at, or is it too difficult to deal with Indian law and the intricacies of local customs? Of course, some have their gurudev's Mandir to call their home, but just as an idea perhaps a desire for another place might also mature.

4) what types of public seva are specially prominent, be it the cleaning of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund... Is this something where everyone of us could participate, or does someone know how this is organized?

I think it would be great to have an opportunity of shared hands-on labour for the sake of the beautification of the Holy Dham.

5)Then how about a great festival, organized for all the vaishnavas of all the Parivars? We should have one once a year or two on each contintent. (And later organize one in India as well.) That would be a great opportunity to meet and enjoy kirtan and hari-katha.

Just ideas. Vaishnavas are so great in celebrations. Sharing and common experience is the desire of these times. Let's do some of it. At least in thoughts and words now.

There is one samskara going on right now. It is organised by the Panch Committee nowadays. The one in 1940 was organised by Pran Gopal Gosvami.



We are far too scattered for that. From here to Madhava is 2 and a half hour by plane and he is about the nearest devotee around here.
We usually meet at Radhakund for Holi or Kartika.



Use it to travel to Radhakund as often as possible. There are already so many Mandirs there, more than enough.

Sooner or later we will start some meeting outside of India, at the latest when we are too old to travel to India anymore, before we go to die there...or here. As more bhaktas turn traditional, it will manifest more and more as a need, distances or not.

The Age of Squirrel ... and Hippopotamacy?

Jagat told me the other day about going to Puri with a group that acted out Mahaprabhu's lila leading up to Ratha-yatra. Even hearing about it was so enlivening. Personally, I'd love to hear more accounts of people, places and events in the Gaudiya world.

So, go ahead and start new threads for all those good topics!

Synchronicity! Ritual and Structure.

I like that "Firingi Mandir." It has a good ring to it. Makes me think of the Manipuri temple at Radha Kund. Which spawned some great Bhajananandis like Sakhi Charan Das.

Nitai and I have some plans for a center in North America (although I would like to get some land somewhere in the Carribean, at least for the ideal climate - after all there are also huge Indian populations in places like Trinidad). One of Pandit Ananta Das Baba's sisya's, Pran Govinda Das, is going to work on the fundraising effort. He has a list of Bengalis in the Chicago area to call, but does not yet have a phone budget. I guess Srimati Radharani and Sri Nityananda Prabhu are telling us to be patient for the time being. Things will happen on Their terms and according to Their timeline, because we are but their instruments. The paperwork for the setting up of the non-profit corporation (Temple of the Sacred Bower) is for the most part out of the way. We just need to file a form with the IRS by October of this year. Everything for the State of Illinois is already filed, and I have registered with Cook County.