ISKCON NewsThe News Agency of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

On February 27, 2012, the Hungarian Parliament voted on the amendment to the new religious law, adding 18 religious organizations to the list of fully recognized churches in Hungary.

New Govardhana wasn’t always the thriving community it is now, starting small and surviving many struggles to get to where it is today. It is known for its large-scale prasadam distribution, beautiful scenery, good weather, beautiful Deities and lots of opportunities for devotional service.

It’s heartwarming to see a group of eight devotees brave sub-zero temperatures to bring Srila Prabhupada’s books into small towns and cities in the Canadian Maritimes, where few have ever heard of Krishna.

Can eating grapes slow or help prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a debilitating condition affecting millions of elderly people worldwide? Results from a new study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine suggest this might be the case.

Experts and scientists gathering at the all-Russian conference "Bhagavad Gita in history and modern society" at the Tomsk University on Friday said they were perplexed over the Tomsk prosecutor's office's lawsuit seeking to declare "Bhagavad Gita as It Is" commentary extremist.

At the 2012 North American Governing Body and Temple President meetings in Dallas, Texas, this January, Lilasuka Dasi was announced as the head of the first ever North American regional Child Protection Office.

The world is inherently risky, but we can take actions as individuals and as communities to prepare for and help mitigate risks. I would request individuals and senior leadership to facilitate mature and capable individuals to help develop a risk preparedness plan.

On February 16th, Professor Vishwanath Karad, President and UNESCO Chair Holder for Human Rights, Democracy, and Tolerance as well as the Founder and Director of more than 28 colleges throughout India, met for two hours with Nrsimhananda das, Director of ISKCON Television.

Through the process of mantra, we whisper sacred names of Krishna and try to conscientiously hear that transcendental vibration. Attentive aural reception frees the mind, cleanses the heart, and brings one in contact with the spiritual reality.

I expect few readers will have missed an important piece of recent news about the two men who attempted to cross the Atlantic ocean stark naked (so their salt laden clothes would not chafe their bodies) in a pedalo. It seems to be in human nature to challenge the elements, even at the risk of life and limb. While I can admire such indomitable spirit, I would question where it can best be applied.

ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS), in Sridham Mayapur, was held from February 10th to 17th, 2012. The ILS provides an opportunity for GBC members to share with ISKCON’s initiating gurus, sannyasis, temple presidents and other leaders the process of strategic planning they have undergone and the progress they have achieved.

On Friday 17th February, several GBC members visited Sri Mayapur International School to inaugurate the new playground which they had sponsored. The students were very excited to be given the new outdoor play equipment and basketball court and wanted to thank the donors.

The late Tamal Krishna Goswami`s Ph.D. thesis entitled as A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti: The Essential Teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is going to be released soon by Oxford University Press, USA. The book includes a critical introduction and conclusion by Graham M. Schweig.

As an English major studying literature, Krishna Priya Dasi noticed that many great literary movements throughout history had had their beginnings in writing communities.