Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Ramah, Ramah Ramah Hare Hare

Annual Report 2016

Naamhat Boxtel The Netherlands

International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

May it pleases His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on whose divine arrangements and love to all the sentient beings Krishna consciousness is promulgated for the peaceful coexistence on earth and salvation there after. May Your Divine Grace be an eternal shelter as always been and engage us in the devotional service under your divine guidance. Hare Krishna. Pledging my full allegiances, I, your servant of the servants pray for your mercy and remain dedicated at your service, as an expression which I have been facilitating a Naamhat centre since 2002 in Boxtel, The Netherlands. On the auspices of the day of Your Divine voyage to USA on 17th September this annual report of the Naamhat Boxtel is published for You please. Overview of this report This report highlights the activities of the Naamhat of ISKCON based in Boxtel, The Netherlands, as a dedicated service to the Hare Krishna mission of Srila Prabhupada and as a token of love and respect to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. This report has two parts. Part 1 describes the preaching activities of Naamhat Boxtel for the Krishna Consciousness during September 2015 to September 2016. How Naamhat Boxtel served people irrespective of background interested in the Vedic cultural wisdom and engaged them accordingly to develop Krishna consciousness, is described in the first part of the report. Part 2 of this report expresses its difficulties, identifies its challenges faced in line of preaching duty, aspirations and concerns as a Naamhat facilitator. The views or findings expressed are based on practical experiences at particular time and circumstances and therefore reflects only of this Naamhat and not of the ISKCON in particular.

Page - 2 - of 20

PART 1 1.1 Objective and prologue Naamhat is the basic preaching module of the Vedic cultural wisdom at the household or grass root level of the communities introduced by Shree Nityananda prabhu about five hundred years ago, Display 1. The mission statement of ISKCON which now formed as a 1.To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to part of the congregation for society at large and to educate all people in the propagating Krishna techniques of spiritual life in order to check the Consciousness under imbalance of values in life and to achieve real ISKCON founded unity and peace in the world. worldwide by the Acarya 2.To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as AC Bhaktivedanta Swami it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Srila Prabhupada. especially Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. We accept the principle of This Naamhat Boxtel was transmigration of the soul (reincarnation). started on the auspicious Ananda Ekadasi in August 3.To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime 2002. Since then it has entity, thus developing the idea within the been continuing without members, and humanity at large, that each soul is discord. It doesn’t have part and parcel of the quality of Godhead separate legal registration (Krishna). establishment and is of ISKCON only. The 4.To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, nomenclature Naamhat, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, though spelt in different as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya ways, refers to the public Mahaprabhu. market of the holy name, 5.To erect for the members and for society at large a the holy name being holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated constituted in the maha to the personality of Krishna. mantra. It is also serving 6.To bring the members closer together for the as the melting pot of purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way various cultures bringing of life. unity in diversity, essentially aiding the 7.With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, socio-cultural integration magazines, books and other writings that help in The Netherlands. realize these purposes. http://www.iskcon.org/mission/ The uniqueness of Naamhat Boxtel is that it is devoted not only on giving highly philosophical lectures and leave the people at bay with their problems but to help people in need and take care of them demonstrating our willingness serve without any expectation.

Page - 3 - of 20

The objective of the Naamhat Boxtel is to serve the people of all background at the grass root level, in the village setting, in accordance to the will of Srila Prabhupada as he stated in his mission statement and introduce the Krishna consciousness, see display 1. Being preaching module entirely at the cost of the host alone, so far, the dimension is indeed prototype. The emphasis is given to chant and let chant together with the people of all backgrounds, the Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare. Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. Display 2. The program schedule This Naamhat organizes every 3rd Naamhat- the Vedic cultural fair. Saturdays the ISKCON standard programs, for which we sometimes You are warmly welcome every 3rd advertise for better understanding as Saturdays and enrich yourself with the the Vedic Cultural Program. The Vedic wisdom and culture. program runs with ecstatic and The program begins at 16:00 hrs. multicultural composition for more  15:45 to 16:00 - guests arriving than 3 hours with the dinner at the  16:00 16:15 – The program begins end being part of the program; see with Guru puspanjali to Srila display 2. Prabhupada  16:15 to 16:30 – Japa or mantra Though the program stretches for yoga. Everyone chants on the three hours the devotees stay and beeds one round the mahamantra. discuss among themselves as long  16:30 to 17:45 – Lecture on selected as they like. Tea or cold drinks are topics from Bhagavad Gita As It offered. Is edition.  17:45 to 18:00 – kirtan followed by People with disabilities, refugees, Sri Gaura Aarati. elderly persons, pregnant women and children are provided with the  18:00 - Prasad, vegetarian dinner. pick and drop service by car from Mutual discussion continues so long the and to the nearest train station. devotees want to talk with each other. Besides the classes on Vedic wisdom Drinks served. given in the display 2, it provides a lot of other services to the devotees and friends of ISKCON, see display 3. All these services are non-commercial, non-profit and charitable, aimed at taking care of the people joining the Hare Krishna movement. Sporadically few devotees used these additional services this year. 1.2 Srila Prabhupada in the center The glory of Srila Prabhupada shines eternally. It is His good will and struggle for the entire mankind that has been revolutionizing the world with the spirituality and peace. People of all races and faiths come together in a perfect social and cultural harmony and adjust with peaceful coexistence. Srila Prabhupada has taught everything human beings are required to hear and put into practices for their own salvation. Whether one likes it or not, discretion lies

Page - 4 - of 20

in the individual and buth those who follow his teachings happiness is experienced here on earth and the salvation for after-le prepared as well. What other than this best result can one expect in life without taking the aphorism form the Vedic literatures as presented by Srila Prabhupada. It is the recognition of this contribution; one engages him or herself in support of the Hare Krishna mission of Srila Prabhupada and does something whatever possible as the token of gratitude. Those who defer in recognizing the importance of Srila Prabhupada and his contributions stay back as we could see in the communities. Like in the wellestablished ISKCON temples, Naamhat Boxtel

Srila Prabhupada deity conducts mangal arati, guru puspanjali and Gaura arati, putting Srila Prabhupada in the center of the activities. In addition, programs in glories of Srila Prabhupada are organized in series commemorating such as his appearance day, the 6th September 1896, arrival to USA on 17th September 1965 and founding his spiritual Hare Krishna Movement on 13th July 1966. These are the landmarks for spiritualizing the world. 1.3 Our corporate responsibilities Provide facilities to any one whoever wants to develop Krishna consciousness is our central objective. This means to help them avail what they need and how. Besides the services shown in display 3, newly introduced service is the vaisnava seva in the form of burden sharing.

Display 3. Services of Naamhat Boxtel We are ready to serve you any moment. Please call or mail us ahead for these services 1. Join the vegetarian dinner party every 3rd Saturdays. 2. Taste the vegetarianism (on appointment) 3. Vedic cooking course (depending on participants) 4. Mantra yoga/meditation class Possible every day. 5. Library services; borrow / buy Vedic books or read here, everyday 6. Harmonium and kirtan class. 7. Language lessons in Hindi, Nepali, Bhutanese and English on application 8. Travel information to India, Bhutan and Nepal. 9. Bed and Breakfast for the devotees 10. Eindhoven Airport drop/pick up service for devotees. No entrée fees and service charge apply.

Some families would like to go out for vacation or to pilgrimage but often they were stuck if there are children to take care of. We assure them to take care of their children. In this way there will be a change also for the children and Page - 5 - of 20

engage with similar spiritual setting. Of course this can go along only with trust and confidence. This year one child of a Gaudiya devotee spent in the Naamhat Boxtel for a week. Also his father came and stayed for week. Being convinced of our love and care, the father went back leaving son with us. The children were engaged in music, singing bhajan, sporting and relax. Children in such a spiritual vacation found delighted, learn to be independent and adjust in others’ family setting. Nityananda, a devotee boy expressed his satisfaction at the end, most importantly being familiar with his peer group; our three children. He is quite good in playing mrdanga.

Nityananda in holiday

Naamhat Boxtel can accommodate up to four children at a time as the spiritual vacation. Usually the school children have summer holidays during July, very beautiful part of the year to be out in the sun. Unlike other Naamhat, we do not close the services during the summer holiday period.

A Bhutanese elderly refugee widow, Budathoki maa required some form of hospice care or change in her cicumtance due to cultural shock. She wished to go away for a while for a change. She arrived to Naamhat Boxtel at the time when we were grieved at the loss of my mother. She is hardworking and helpful in the household chores. She liked the Krishna consciousness environment a soothing remedy for her frustrations and stayed with us for a month. Her desire was to go to Radhadesh and that has been fulfilled during the summer festival there. Elderly immigrants and refugees are waived off from learning the Dutch language or go to school. Owing to the language and cultural barrier they find difficulty to adjust in their immediate environment. Also they have to remain as expatriates since the law demands to have stayed in The Netherlands for fifteen unbroken years to be eligible to apply for the Dutch citizenship/passport when someone is elderly already to go to school, learn Dutch and meet the level of the language requirement to apply for naturalization earlier than this period. Thus having less opportunity for mobility, they show the need for aid to change. Krishna consciousness programs suits to their aspiration for such a change to most of the expatriates. 1.4 Preaching the teachings of Srila Prabhupada The knowledge according to the academic science and the spiritual realizations are different. Academic faculty teaches one to develop skills in order to earn money and enjoy for the pleasure of the self- the body. The spiritual science elevates one to transcend the bodily concept of life and prepares one to attain Page - 6 - of 20

the goal of the human form of life, ie to qualify to enter into the kingdom of God, Krishna. That is the science of Krishna consciousness Naamhat Boxtel thematically presented from the Bhagavad Gita As It Is to the participants. So what is the knowledge that qualifies one to achieve that precious goal? The Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna explained that in the Bhagavad Gita that is presented to us As It Is by Srila Prabhupada. In order to learn this spiritual science one needs a spiritual master. The preaching strategy of Naamhat Boxtel this year was launched systematically. For this purpose four highly qualified and dedicated preachers were engaged. The systematic presentation was as follows:  The importance of a spiritual master  The importance of the spiritual science, the Bhagavad Gita  Building right attitude and enthusiasm towards the Spiritual master and the spiritual science  Learning the real knowledge and putting into practice. Having a specific preaching approach drawn in view of the interest of the participants, the preachers were then called upon who could present the knowledge systematically.

Deities of Naamhat Boxtel; Sri Sri Radha Madanamohan, Gaura Nitai and Jagannath ji By the grace of our Guru Maharaj and Srila Prabhupada, dedicated and qualified devotees themselves came forward for preaching in the Naamhat Boxtel. The preachers are:    

His Grace Gurupadma prabhu, disciple of Srila Prabhupada and Nayanabhiram prabhu, a disciple of HH Bhakti Charu Swami Mharaj Akhandananda prubhu, a disciple of HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj Brahmacari Anupam prabhu, a disciple of HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj.

Page - 7 - of 20

1.5 Importance of a spiritual master During the last quarter of the year 2015, Nayanabhiram prabhu kindly consented to preach and presented with high professionality, the wisdom pertaining to the importance of a spiritual master for everyone. He holds academically a masters level degree, so he is pedagogically equipped to present the knowledge in the way the participants could understand it. He is always well prepared with audio-visual teaching aids using the computer generated graphic art that simplify the complex terms such as what does a spiritual master do for you. His quotations were taken from the verses from the Nectar of Instructions and the Nectar of Devotion. Truly explained in a nutshell is that the spiritual master acts as a fulcrum that hold one high above in the mode of devotion and purity never letting anyone fall down. The spiritual master is not like an ordinary leader or not at all a Nayanabhiram prabhu after class leader following whom either one goes to hell or heaven. A true spiritual master is the representative of the Lord and he is more merciful than the Lord. Nayanabhiram prabhu illustrated the forces that negatively affect one’s spiritual development and also the positive forces that positively help one to advance spiritually and execute the devotional service- bhakti. His preaching reminded the participants to gauze their own spiritual advancement using the precepts given by Srila Prabhupada. 1.6 Bhagavad Gita for every human society Once a Dutch Television channel broadcasted an interview with an academician over the Bhagavad Gita who said that, he thought initially that, it was a war story book. But, he said, as he read the book he found that it was not at all over the war but a book of transcendental message. Keeping this social trend in mind, Naamhat Boxtel strives in building good opinion over the Hare Krishna movement and its philosophy. The fact is that the Vedic Gurupadma prabhu giving lecture cultural wisdom supersedes the

Page - 8 - of 20

common Indian culture and it should be rightly understood as imparted by Srila Prabhupada. The year 2016 began by propagating that Bhagavad Gita is a manual for every human society. It is not a domestic component of Indian foundation alone. Taking this theme of presentation Gurupadma prabhu illustrated in the January program that Bhagavad Gita is for everyone irrespective of their background. When the Lord Krishna spoke out, for example, dehino ’smin yathā dehe; BG 2:13, it doesn’t mean about the Indian body specifically. It is related to all forms of life beyond human society. 1.7 Character developing through Krishna consciousness Conditioned life owe full of misconception. Having misconceptions over simple issues for which using even a common sense would rectify as the truth is the symptom of conditioning. Akhandananda prabhu’s preaching approach was to move from simple to complex, easy to difficult and from known to unknown. He gave very clear idea how individuals develop specific character through the ways of association. It is the individual’s choice to associate with and develop the character that fits to that association. Akahndananda prabhu at his Naamhat Character develops almost unconsciously. Here the stress is given to the importance developing the character consciously and therefore one has to follow the prescribed Vedic injunctions for every conduct in life. Owing to a very short association with the saint Narad Muni even a hunter could become a saintly person. But there was no magic wand used to turn the sinner into sanctity, it was only by following the prescribed duty of a human person. Such examples were given to draw the participant’s innate ability to develop Krishna consciousness. In the later course of his lecture, Akhandananda prabhu gave classes on the auspicious appearance of ‘Prabhu Nityananda’. Akhanda Ananda prabhu is a senior devotee who has helped many others to enter into this movement. He served the Amsterdam temple and Den Haag

Page - 9 - of 20

when he was a brahmacari. Currently he facilitates in a hall Naamhat program every 1st Saturdays in Alphen aan de Rijn. 1.8 Giving the genuine knowledge as defined by the Lord. Peace is inevitable. Peace in mind. Peace in the society. But the peace or joy needs to be cultivated- santir arajavam. It is to be earned with some positive efforts and that effort in terms of the spiritual connotation is called sadhana. Why our iskcon centers invites people to come forward in the congregation is basically this a reason, though the ultimate goal of a peaceful life is to attain the salvation- the highest purpose of the goal of the human form of life. To achieve this education or training is required under a guidance of an expert who exemplifies by action. Such an education is lacking in the modern information and education system, therefore is the informal education such as being organized by the Naamhats are essential for all. What is that educaton? The Lord has defined that education in the Bhagavad Gita-13.8-12, amānitvam adambhitvam, ahiṁsā kṣāntir ārjavam…

Anupam prabhu with Gauranga and Ramapati in formal discussion Humility; pridelessness; nonviolence; tolerance; simplicity; approaching a bona fide spiritual master; cleanliness; steadiness; self-control; renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease; detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people; accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth – all these I HH Bhakti Prema Swami at Boxtel Harinaam declare to be knowledge, and Page - 10 - of 20

besides this whatever there may be is ignorance. The Naamhat Boxtel programs during the last half of the year till August 2016 was focused in imparting this education. A very eloquent speaker on the Vedic philosophical education having excellent teaching ability, Anupam Krishna Das Brahmacari was invited for the series of classes on Bhagavad Gita. He selected the relevant themes that help participants develop the above mentioned qualities in them. In every program there were more than 25 participants. After each program, either during or after the Prasad feast participants consulted Anupam prabhu over the discussed topics and their personal difficulties. It has always been a joyous moment and feeling of satisfaction in every programs. 1.9 Additional programs The joyous moment besides the regular monthly programs came along with the visit of some of the pure devotees of the Lord.

HH Bhakti Prema Swami over life & death being on the middle of the way. Along with Maharaj three more devotees were accompanying. Some days later Sri Guru Maharaj kindly called Naamhat Boxtel and enquired, ‘how the program was with Bhakti Prema Swami?’, and also told to give a call to him. I immediately relayed this enquiry of Sri

During the summer months His Holiness Bhakti Prema Swami Maharaj kindly visited Holland as part of his preaching tour in Europe. One devotee of Rotterdam was given the responsibility to schedule maharaja’s programs allocating to different preaching centers, but he avoided to schedule for the Naamhat Boxtel. Owing to this Maharaj kindly accepted to halt in Boxtel only for prasadam when he was travelling from Rotterdam to Radhadesh, Boxtel

Participants of a program packet

Page - 11 - of 20

Guru Maharaj. Then within very short time a program for Bhakti Prema Maharaj in Boxtel was scheduled though he was to go to another country by that time. Then Maharaj with this entourage came followed by Ramanandaraya prabhu from Radhadesh on July 22. We had very exciting Harinaam procession in the Boxtel town and a grand program later in the evening. There were about 40 participants. The program began by very ecstatic sankirtan. The Naamhat temple room is small and difficult to accommodate more than 20 people, yet some sat behind the courtiyard adjacent to the temple room and enjoyed the program. This program was scheduled by fortune on the sixth month that my mother left her body and I have to conduct some auspicious rituals as prescribed in the Vedic cultural aphorism on that day. Maharaj gave a lecture relating the facts behind the birth and the death. Maharaj’s stay that night at Naamhat Boxtel was a blessing to us though our service was meagre and full of faults.

HH Ramah Govinda Swami Maharaj in Boxtel One month later in August, another sanyasi- His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami Maharaj kindly agreed to drop at our Naamhat for prasadam while he was travelling from The Hague to Radhadesh. Accompanied by one of the leaders of the Hare Krishna movement in Holland Balagovinda prabhu this was the first visit of all of them that inspired our spiritual emancipation further. Maharaj was an Indian military officer previously and has visited Bhutan during the military duty. He kindly expressed his willingness to visit Bhutan again, this time to preach there the Krishna consciousness and for this, Naamhat Boxtel will do help where possible. Until now there is no iskcon center established within Bhutan except few advanced disciples of Srila Prabhupada visited there as tourists. This country, though a neighour of the land where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu kindly descended, remained far from spreading the light of the Krishna consciousness though the winds of

Page - 12 - of 20

transcendental movement will surface there in times to come anyway. That will only then make Bhutan truly a land of the so called ‘Gross National Happiness’. Besides the monthly programs, additional programs are organized to commemorate the Guru Vyas puja, arrival of Srila Prabhupada to America, Vijaya Dasami, Krsna Janmastami, Radhastami, Gaur Purnima and Dipavali. 2. Book and prasad distribution If there is a system established within the Hare Krishna movement in Holland to give recognition to the outstanding work of its centers, then Naamhat Boxtel would also get it, at least in regard to more than a decade long unbroken program performance and book distribution. While visiting Nepal to care severely sick perents, few dozens of Bhagavad Gita of Srila Prabhupada in Nepali language was brought here and distributed. Also more than 50 Dutch editon of the Bhagavad Gita were distributed in the course of the year. Two dozens Bhagavad Gita was given in charity on behalf of mother Ranmaya Gautam to His Holiness Bhakti Prema Swami Maharaj who then kindly donated to Naamhat Breda and Alphen. These books are also online sold through bol.com and in this way at least one book in week in averege has been passed to the enthusiastic readers. Bhagavad Gita is offered in its cost price.

Prasad time in and out Interesed people are welcomed to the Naamhat to lend books or read here at the temple room, a cozy library service. They will be served prasadam too.

A section of the direction of Regarding

the

prasad,

our

cooking

has

created

nostalic

Page - 13 - of 20

rememberance among those whoever has tasted. We have displayed the prasad during the Rathayatra in The Hague. Gaudiya’s Rathayatra also invited us to put up prasad stall in Rotterdam. Boxtel holds a bazaar festival of munidial culture and our prasad stall is the eye catcher for those looking for difference. During the Radhadesh summer festival we added diversity and value by distributing prasad at the low cost level. Also a basic school hired our services to cook for their children’s camping for two days feast. PART 2 This part of this annual report expresses the concerns as a Naamhat/ facilitator, its difficulties, identifies its challenges faced in line of preaching duty and the personal aspirations; all in good faith to foster the Hare Krishna movement of Srila Prabhupada. 2.1. Integrity and ethical role model question Pure love and respect to Srila Prabhupada with gratitude at heart is the basic driving force to endeavour for his spiritual movement sacrificing whatever is there at one’s disposal. By doing so, our experiences are that one gains onlymaterially on earth and salvation in the life after. Although endeavour in pure love has no boundary limitations, the organisational structure and the decision making procedures envisaged later on, apparently not in consistent with the vision, core values and ethics set by the Founding Acarya has placed an embarrassment instead of encouragement, as its relevant in the context of the acts of the Divisional Council, Netherlands, at least once against the genuine endeavour of the Naamhat Boxtel. Much elaboration over the embarrassments in the context of whether there should be two councils (Dutch National Council- DNC formed selectively + Nama Hatta Council- NHC), or only One UNION representing all the ISKCON centres in The Netherlands formed through elections, was given in our previous years’ annual report.

Prasad and talk together

Srila Prabhupada gave the direction of management, see page 4, clause 4, that he stressed to conduct election to appoint the head, eg. also for the divisional council. In case of the DNC, election is never held, in contrary, their members are selected at the will of the Co-Zonal Secretary His Grace Hrdaya Caitanya prabhu. When he proposed to form NHC and empowered his subordinate Madhava Gauranga prabhu, Naamhat Boxtel expressed, as part of the right to Page - 14 - of 20

freedom of expression, to kindly form One Council, ie, Union, that is by allowing all the Naamhats to represent their centres individually instead of forming NHC and choose two members to represent all the Eight Naamhats to the DNC. Hrdaya Caitanya prabhu misinterpreted this expression as ‘personal conflict’ with Madhava. It was totally not a conflict, but a ‘controversy’ that urged all other naamhats whether to go for One council – a united DNC or Two apart entities; DNC and NHC?. The will of Srila Prabhupada is to have at least one proper legal establishment of ISKCON in every country, and he named such entity as a Council. He gave enough room to form more councils- stating ‘Such councils may be continental, multi-national, national, or within a country, as is practical or existing’. This provision depends upon the volume or number of centres in a country or region. In the Netherlands, there is only 1 temple, 3 preaching centres and 8 Naamhats. Therefore to govern these 12 small iskcon establishments, two councils to form are not worthy in view to have a unified approach to execute the will of Srila Prabhupada. Unfortunately ISKCON Law book does not mention anything about Naamhats. The absence of integrity and the organisational ethical practices from the side of the zonal secretary authority is reflected how the above controversy is addressed. The chronologies of events are as such that: - The Dutch National Council that was functioning was abruptly shut down in 2006? without adequate information to the stake holders, the Naamhats. - After several years of gap in 2012 the same council was reinstated without collective representation and doesn’t give clue to their differences. - Early 2014 two devotees were empowered to form Nama Hatta Council- NHC. The written order given appear impressive- that they should first discuss with all the Namahatas and submit their findings to the DNC but, practically they jumped directly to form NHC without consultation, as they were perhaps given verbal order to do so. Confusion arose. - When Namahat Boxtel expressed the opinion not to form NHC but to allow all the Naamhats represent themselves in the DNC (eventually it would be like a Union) instead of nominating two of their members, this proposal was turned down without direct consultation. The empowered Madhava Gauranga even told by phone: ‘if you do not agree to form NHC or listen to GBC you don’t belong to ISKCON’!. It is not clear yet who has right to oust anyone out of iskcon and how the administrative regulations are. - A complain lodged against the above statement of Madhava Gauranga- the abuse of power, was not addressed adequately. Instead he was promoted to the executive committee of DNC including his god brother Mukunda Gopal. Then they two along with Balagovinda prabhu were asked to deal with the complain. That is unfair, unethical and ridiculous. How can one trust the team to address the complain when it consist of a culprit too. - More worst unethical practice was reflected in the DNC meeting in which unilateral decision was passed without speaking to the one who submitted Page - 15 - of 20

the complain, saying ‘ we found your modus operandi in this matter’ in May 2015. In the mail sent to us, contain no name and address whoever has written such bashful statements. - Three days after taking the above mentioned unilateral decision, Hrdaya Caitanya prabhu reported to my guru maharaj with false interpretations ‘saying personal conflict with a devotee’. Also the worst aspect of this action is the timing taken to report the matter to the spiritual master, which is when the spiritual master was the guest and holding a public program. Instead of helping to Naamhat Boxtel to organise the public preaching program of the maharaj, creating misunderstanding between the guru and the disciple/ guest and the host of that very moment is an obnoxious attitude, absence of integrity and ethical role model, unexpected from an authority and a devotee of high esteem. Owing to this unsatisfactory approach to addressing issues like complain or proposals reflecting unethical practices of the regional, zonal and national authority and very highly elevated Krishna conscious devotee Hrdaya Caitanya prabhu, a personal talk was held with him during the Radhadesh summer festival in his office. He is requested not to take up the matter of a disciple to his spiritual master concerned prior to speaking personally with the disciple, or before addressing the issue in the presence of the disciple concerned and or without warning or summon to improve in his part. This should be taken seriously. Srila Prabhupada said; ‘it should be our policy that nobody is illtreated..’ Letter to Tamal Krishna -23-08-1973. I pray that Srila Prabhupada would beseech my grievances and aspiration for more amicable and dynamic council in The Netherlands uniting all the devotees of the present and the future. Some say, a success without integrity is a failure.

Few Bhutanese attending Naamhat program sporadically 2.2 Need and challenges Inviting and encouraging people to join the Krishna Consciousness movement is a basic element of service to Srila Prabhupada. More vicious responsibility

Page - 16 - of 20

lies ahead when people do accept the Krishna consciousness. No one deserves to be left unattended because people already bore many sacrifices when they become part of the movement or begin Krishna conscious life. One example is that they are left alone to fend through out their life by their friends and family accomplices. Therefore there are acute need and vicious challenges ahead such as: 2.2-1. Caring the disadvantaged Naamhat Boxtel, being operated at the village level witnessed the difficulties of the devotees and feels sad for not being able to help out collectively. One of the needs is to take care of the elderly and sick devotees. When they are old or sick, they won’t be able to cook for themselves, in most instances. Then they are compelled by the situation to take fast food available in the market, which is usually not Prasad. It is becoming a sad reality that the children, if there are, most likely won’t take care of their old and sick parents unless they are also highly elevated in Krishna consciousness. Devotees, those living far away from the temple premises are sadly pushed back to squire at the moment of their difficult times, when the death is nearer. Naamhat Boxel supplies Prasad who are within the reach or in close distance. To help those who are far away needs collective approach which should come from the council if envisaged. 2.2-2. Counselling Modern education system that our generation is following teaches them the techniques to earn money only. Moral aspect of education has been missing. This is one of the reasons why great Acaryas pour have emphasized the informal session of education such as given by the Naamhat. Yet Naamhat Elderly devotees in 2012, not able to travel anymore being very small and not supported by any other organisational system, at least in The Netherlands, it could not go out to envisage a department of counselling or taking care of the needs of the devotees. There are situations demanding for counsel for the better family relationship, relationship between parents and children, spouses and youth problems that are going astray etc. How about bringing back a devotee who is blooped? A good counselling can help correct the situation. A spouse of a devotee Dutch family with three children cultivated by Naamhat Boxtel discontinued the Krishna consciousness. They used to worship Gaura Nitai and these deities are brought to Naamhat Boxtel to take care until the family situation improves. But unless there is a professional approach to Page - 17 - of 20

reconcile, or counsel, the personal deities are neglected. And that the estranged devotees suffer alone while the reasons could be simple if carefully addressed in time. 2.3-3 Purification in practice question Srila Prabhupada stressed for the spiritual reformation in the society. One of the reformatory processes is by conducting sanskars; beginning from conception for an offspring to death rituals and saradh- the annual rituals for the bygones. Background and benefit of these purification processes is amply explained in the programs but how to do that practically is least known. Devotees are least trained, seldom available or even impossible to find one at times of need. Generally in the Hindu communities, whenever any family faces difficulties in which spiritualist could be of help to them, they would quickly think of the village pundit. And that pundit is readily available to help out the family in need for any kind of Vedic procedures. The image of the pundit is on top of the head because of his readily available services in their community. It would be wonderful if such an image and position can be created in favour of the Krishna conscious devotees. To train the devotees for these types of community service is a need of the hour. It can be possible to develop the pundit status if collective approach of all iskcon centres is envisaged. Least to mention, Naamhats are experiencing difficulty to find a readily available preachers to give class during their program. Raising this issue a DNC leader Balagovinda prabhu was requested to furnish a list of preachers to whom the preaching centres could call upon to give the classes. He applauded the idea but never come up with the list yet. The same request was made to his predecessors and yet it’s about a decade that is being neglected. Preaching in these circumstances is like a lone warrior. 3. Appreciation In the Vedic culture the community support is voluntarily offered by everyone without any demand or condition, at times of tragic circumstance of anyone around them. A tragic circumstance is whenever someone in a family leaves the body. Just by hearing the blow of a conch cell in a typical tune, people gather to My last moment with my mother, 16th March 16 support the bereaved family and they will do everything necessary. When my mother Ranmaya Gautam Page - 18 - of 20

passed away on 10th May 2016 in Nepal the villagers gathered for every bit of work like arranging the required items for funeral and rituals that continued for 13 days. Though my mother used to chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra in her last decade of life and followed naturally the regulative principles; there is no definition to identify or declare if she in that case is a Vaisnava or a regular Karma kandi Hindu practitioner. So the rituals were conducted according to Karma knada procedures. Fortunately in The Netherlands a dozen of devotees gathered and did sankirtan in her favour. Nayanabhiram prabhu from Rotterdam volunteered for the leading role for the welfare of the departed soul of my mother. Few hours of devotional service done by the devotees in favour of my mother is more fulfilling than those 13 day long rituals. I hope the Lord Krishna would consider their prayers. All glories and gratitude to Srila Prabhupada that such a society is being created that at times of the tragic circumstances there is some one behind to pray. 4. Contribution for Krishna consciousness As a rule for grihasta, some portion of the earning must be spent for Krishna consciousness public programs. Though we could not follow the set examples of the Acaryas, ie is to spend half of the total income for such activities, we have been spending at least some percentage of what we could earn monthly. Here the main point to express is that Naamhat Boxtel has been running financially from the private income of the host alone. There is no external help, morally or financially from the national council called DNC or any other sources. We have no donation box as such and we are not asking money from anyone else. Of course, a few participants of the program offer few amount, 20 Euro in average at a time to Krishna in the altar. For every program, someone in good book of the wisdom given by Srila Prabhupada is invited for the class. They will be given the travel cost. In average the travel cost given to the preacher is 40 Euros. For each program, about 150 Euros is spent for shopping. Some other invisible expenses occur like the cost of the energy consumed. So in average we are contributing about 25% of the total family income of 1350 Euros per month. If we could get a better job or higher income our desire is to hold Naamhat program twice in a month. We all depend at the mercy of the Lord and blessings of Sri Guru and Gauranga and Srila Prabhupada. Therefore Your Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, it is our sincere effort and expression of love and respect to You that we, fallen, ignorant and foolishly though with lots of offences, engaged in Your service though insignificant please. Please forgive and continue to engage us in Krishna consciousness.

Page - 19 - of 20

Bowing unto your lotus feet; Vanca kalpataru vyas ca krpa sindhu vya eva ca. patitanam pavanevo vaisnave vyo namo namah.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishn Hare hare. Hare Ramah Hare Ramah, Ramah Ramah Hare Hare.

Servant: Vrajendrasuta Das and family

HU

Namhat Boxtel Sint Jorisstraat 13, The Netherlands. www.naamhat.blogspot.com U

ॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐ End ॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐ

Page - 20 - of 20