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Year in Review: Ten Stories that Shaped ISKCON in 2008

By Vyenkata Bhatta Dasa on 3 Jan 2009

As we welcome in 2009, ISKCON News Weekly takes a look back at ten stories that helped to shape the last twelve months. It was hard to narrow the list down to just ten, and we wanted to make sure that we tried to capture the diversity of people, places, and things that made headlines in 2008. From the inspiring to the informative, the tragic to the heart-warming – these are ten stories, listed chronologically, that changed ISKCON, and us, forever.

First Brahmacari Conference Held In San Diego

By Madhava Smullen on 3 Jan 2009

Last September saw the first ever US Brahmacari Conference held at San Diego’s ISKCON temple.

In the Gaudiya vaishnava culture followed by ISKCON devotees, four stages of life are central to a regulated devotional life: Brahmacarya, wherein the celibate student is trained in discipline and respect; Grihasta, wherein the householder raises a Krishna conscious family; Vanaprastha, wherein the older married couple focus more on spiritual life and prepare themselves for renunciation; and Sannyasa, or complete renunciation.

Washington D.C. Chants for Change

By ISKCON News Weekly Staff on 3 Jan 2009

As Barack Obama begins his first term this January, the world is hoping for change.

But on January 19, the night before the inauguration, a group of kirtan singers will bless the event with what they believe is the real solution to all problems, political and otherwise – the holy names of Krishna.

A Successful Death: Hospice Nurse Shares Faith Experience

By Rita Gupta for ISKCON News Weekly on 3 Jan 2009

In Krishna consciousness, life is a preparation for one moment -- the moment of death. Devotees of Lord Krishna believe that whatever a person thinks about at that crucial moment determines the next destination of the soul. Therefore, they hope to think about Lord Krishna at the moment of death and thereby return to His home in the spiritual world.

Punjab Devotees Usher in the New Year

By ISKCON News Weekly Staff on 3 Jan 2009

Devotees in Punjab, India kicked off the New Year in true spiritual style with the celebration of “Hare Krishna Nite” at the ISKCON temple in Ludhiana.

Devotees from ISKCON Delhi joined the celebration, which ran from 9pm until midnight. Throughout the night, the festivities built to a crescendo with the enthusiastic chanting of God’s names.

An Essay in Pathology - Part Two

By Ravindra Svarupa Dasa for So It Happens on 3 Jan 2009

Having a beginning (adi) and end (anta) qualifies all pleasures in the material world. For that reason, one who is actually wise (budha) seeks no enjoyment from them.

It is a fact that in this temporal world we hold not title to, we have no actual possession of, anything we enjoy. Our lease here on happiness is fragile and fleeting.

Diary: Coming Home

By Indradyumna Swami for traveling-preacher.com on 3 Jan 2009

During the 1970s, I would get culture shock whenever I went to India. The crowded cities, the heat, the food, the occasional sickness, and the austerities of local travel would painfully remind me that I was a stranger in a foreign land. But as the years passed, my visits became more frequent and I began to feel at home there, especially in places like Vrindavan and Mayapur, where the Lord once performed His transcendental pastimes.

Mrgari the Hunter

Mrgari the Hunter


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Chickpea Cutlets with New Mexico Chili & Tomato Salsa

By on 3 Jan 2009
Chickpeas are not only packed full of valuable nutrients, they're also very versatile. These attractive patties come with a tasty oven-caramelised salsa. Add a salad and you have a substantial meal. If you commence the salsa first, it should be ready to serve with the cutlets.

Makes 24 cutlets.

Mayapur Elephant Procession



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Ben Loka Manor Visit



If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

New Year Harinam



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Hungarian Harinam Cartoon



If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

Quarrying Threatens Sacred Tirupati Temple Existence

By P. Neelima for The Times of India on 22 Dec 2008

TIRUPATI: When money talks, `bhakti' takes a backseat. In what could be seen as posing threat to the very existence of a 17th century temple,
unauthorised quarrying works in about 50 acres of the land surrounding the temple are going on at a frenetic pace. The resultant business worth is: a cool Rs 2 crore every year.

Heaven for the Godless?

By Charles M. Blow for The New York Times on 26 Dec 2008

In June, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life published a controversial survey in which 70 percent of Americans said that they believed religions other than theirs could lead to eternal life.

This threw evangelicals into a tizzy. After all, the Bible makes it clear that heaven is a velvet-roped V.I.P. area reserved for Christians.