VOL. 2, NUMBER 2.
DECEMBER 1998.
Presenting Srila Prabhupada's Vision
for the Sri Mayapur Project.
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adbhuta mandira ei haibe prakash
gauranga nitya-seva haibe vikasa
'One astounding temple will appear, from where Lord Gauranga's eternal service will be
preached all over the world'.
Lord Nityananda in the Navadwip Mahatmya.
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Contents of this special edition.
1) Editorial.
2) Some Recent News.
3) Srila Prabhupada's Vision.
4) Apprenticeships.
5) Copyright.
6) Acknowledgements.
7) Postscript.
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1) EDITORIAL.
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I'm writing this after an enlivening morning programme in Mayapur. I came here, from
Delhi, with Abhirama prabhu, Managing Director of the Project, who was scheduled to hold a
number of meetings with the managers and residents .
Although I am fallen and hard-hearted, I always feel a special atmosphere here in the
holy dham. Chanting my rounds has a special taste, the kirtans are sweet and this morning
I felt like singing my heart out. It has been a great pleasure renewing friendships and
taking prasadam with kind-hearted Vaishnavas.
We try always to stay focused on Srila Prabhupada's instructions, and in recent weeks,
we have been carefully going over his written and spoken words on the Mayapur Project. In
the clamour for change and reform in ISKCON, a few devotees have even suggested that the
funding from the BBT, which currently supports the development of Sri Mayapur, should be
used for other purposes. In this special edition, we present some extracts of Srila
Prabhupada's spoken and written words on the development of Sri Mayapur, in order to keep
his inspiration and vision in the forefront.
Our conviction is that the Sri Mayapur Project, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, has
a central role to play in refreshing, renewing, and giving a spiritual backbone to our
movement. Srila Prabhupada emphatically wanted to develop a permanent settlement in
Mayapur for tens of thousands of devotees. He spoke of Mayapur as his
"world-headquarters". He wanted an "International Institute", and he
spoke again and again about the "grand scale". We believe that the Sri Mayapur
Temple of the Vedic Planetarium which Srila Prabhupada foresaw, is a focus around which
ISKCON can peacefully and productively revolve. Srila Prabhupada spoke of distributing,
from Sri Mayapur, the cooling moonshine of Sri Mayapur Chandra. He saw that visiting and
living in Sri Mayapur were essential for the spiritual health of the movement and for all
the individuals who make it up.
We are praying to Srila Prabhupada and to Lord Chaitanya: "Let us forge ahead with
this Project and build a temple and township which will be a spiritual powerhouse for your
movement, and a benefit for the whole world". We invite you to join us in our prayer.
Your Servant
Bhagavat Dharma das
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2) SOME RECENT NEWS.
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Jet Boat.
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Abhirama, along with Ganga das, of Mayapur, visited a company in Calcutta, who run a
130 seat jet-boat service down to the towns at the mouth of the Ganga. The company has
agreed to a trial run up the river to Mayapur. Travel time will be about 3 ½ hours. The
first run will carry life members up from Calcutta. More news when we get it.
Bengal Vaishnava Architectural Study.
--------------------------
Madhukanta das, a noted Russian artist, and Vrajabhumi dasi, an architect, are a
husband and wife team who have conducted extensive scholarly research into styles of
Gaudiya Vaishnava architecture. They have a detailed photographic catalogue, assembled
during extensive travel throughout Bengal, and they have begun the process of
classification of the many regional and historical styles. Their work, intended to help
set a 'vernacular style' for the township of Mayapur, will now feed directly in to the
detailed design of the Mayapur Project as a whole. Their work will also form part of a
research museum that will be available to scholars in the future, who may want to study
Gaudiya culture.
Master Plan Implementation Committee.
-------------------------------------
One of the main purposes of Abhirama's visit to Mayapur was to develop SMPDC
resolutions calling for a think-tank to be set up in Mayapur, and for more involvement of
the local community. He met with Hari Sauri prabhu, and asked him to head up the Master
Plan Implementation Committee. This group will now begin the process of looking at the
research and studies of the Master Plan, consult with different sections of our society
and find practical ways in which the plan can be 'knit' into the ground level reality of
the present temple and community. This cutting-edge work will eventually lead us to a deep
and sustainable cultural vision for the Mayapur community. We will devote a lot more space
for discussion of this important process in future newsletters.
Sri Mayapur Vikas Sangha.
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Pancaratna prabhu told me that 48 people are now employed by the SMVS, an independent
body sponsored by the Project, which is gathering international support for a range of
welfare activities in the area around Mayapur. The latest project launched is a
micro-credit scheme, modeled on the successful and internationally recognised work of
Mohammed Yunus and the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh. This project is financed by the
Government of India through their National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development,
(NABARD).
Two new posts are being filled. A backup health professional is needed to give support
to the fourteen health workers in the field, and a Sustainable Agriculture Development
Officer is needed to study and formulate projects to help the local region move away from
the chemical dependent mono-culture which exists at the present time. This post also has
support from NABARD and has attracted the attention of the British Government.
The SMVS are currently looking in to a suggestion by Abhirama to start a 'rare-breeds
society', to preserve some of the important cow breeds of India. Many of the local breeds
are becoming extinct due to crossbreeding with Western animals.
The SMVS has been generously sponsored by the SMP and ISKCON Mayapur, and in the
beginning the SMVS has been using some ISKCON offices in the Long Building. Now the SMVS
is moving out to it's own facility. The administration will move above the Bank and Police
Station near the entrance to the ISKCON premises, and a training facility will be
established near Hulore Ghat.
Personnel.
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Samba das, who for many years managed the SMP Master Plan office in Bangalore has moved
on to a smaller plan, of which he is his own master. He will start a small self-sufficient
farming project in his wife's home country of Mauritius. He has played a significant role
in bringing the Master Plan to completion. We thank him for his hard work and jolly
association. We pray that Krishna will bless him and his family with all success.
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3) SRILA PRABHUPADA'S VISION.
==================
The folio programme contains many references to the building of the Sri Mayapur
Project. Here, in chronological order, are a few selected extracts on the development of
the project, in Srila Prabhupada's written and spoken words.
1969.
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In 1969, even before Srila Prabhupada purchased any land in Mayapur, he wrote to
Brahmananda prabhu that he wanted to build an 'American home' there, in line with the
vision of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. "…it must be done very nicely", he
said, "Otherwise it will be an insult to your people who are so rich".
1971.
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In 1971, when the land was acquired, Srila Prabhupada became enthusiastic. On July 1st,
he requested men to be sent to India, and told Bhavananda that he was "arranging for
a big temple, in Mayapur, the birthsite of Lord Chaitanya". A week later, he wrote to
Acyutananda that the "Mayapur construction will be of grand scale." In August,
in a letter to Tamal Krishna Maharaj and Gurudas, Srila Prabhupada gave a detailed picture
of an "international institute for taking perfect spiritual order of life", to
be established in Mayapur, which would be "subscribed by money raised all over the
world.". In September, he wrote to Tamal Krishna Goswami about the planned Mayapur
temple; "I have shown in London the Westminster Abbey to Shyamsundar, Bhavananda and
Naranarayan. Perhaps you have also seen it. I want the inside just like the Westminster
Abbey". During the remainder of 1971, Srila Prabhupada discussed plans for raising
funds for Mayapur from within India, including asking members in Delhi to help. He also
gave plans for a development committee involving prominent supporters. In 1971, Srila
Prabhupada also spoke of self-sufficiency for Mayapur for the first time.
1972.
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In early 1972, Srila Prabhupada began to see the potential of book distribution for
funding the project. On the 25th of April, he wrote to Madhavananda, "…so try to
increase sales in this way and practically you can finance Mayapur". In May, he wrote
to Jayapataka Swami about the importance of doing philanthropic work, especially food
distribution, in Mayapur. In subsequent letters, he turned again to the financing of
Mayapur through book distribution, and on the 28th of June, he told Tamal Krishna Maharaj,
"I consider this Mayapur Project to be our most important work". In later
letters, he stressed the international flavour he wanted for Mayapur, and told Jayapataka
Swami, "I am very pleased if you can continue in this American style". In a
letter dated 22nd October, Srila Prabhupada speaks of "our world headquarters at
Mayapur".
1973.
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In the early part of 1973, Srila Prabhupada again stressed self-sufficiency, and spoke
of Mayapur as an 'Educational Institution'. On the 9th of May, he told Jayapataka Swami,
"So my idea is that I want to purchase all the lands there for developing into a
spiritual city". In the same letter, he touched on the idea of small-scale industry
in Mayapur, including weaving, making kartels, mrdangas and dolls.
1974.
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In 1974, two letters to Jayapataka Maharaj show Srila Prabhupada's concern to get more
land in Mayapur. In January, he wrote that " you can purchase land as much bighas
as possible". Later, in May, he said that money would be available from the
Mayapur/Vrndavan Trust. In June, he wrote to Nrsingha Chaitanya das in San Diego and told
him that Mayapur was for his foreign students. During an arrival lecture in Mayapur in
September. Srila Prabhupada returned to the same theme, and told the devotees that
"there is a place now where these Europeans and Americans may come and live
peacefully, chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and advance in spiritual understanding".
1975.
-----
When Srila Prabhupada arrived in Mayapur in March 1975 for the Gaura Purnima festival,
he joked that he was the person predicted by the Acharyas to bring the Westerners to
Mayapur, "Yes. I am simply messenger. Mercy is of Bhaktivinoda Thakur and Srila
Prabhupada. Before your coming they predicted that 'Somebody will bring.' Maybe that
somebody I am". Later that year, he wrote about improving the goshalla and the
gardens.
1976.
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Srila Prabhupada always saw a world-wide effort for the development of Sri Mayapur. In
a lecture for the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in 1976, he said
"We have got great ambition to develop this place nicely and gloriously, and
fortunately we are now connected with foreign countries, especially with the Americans.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura's great desire was that the Americans would come here and develop
this place and they would chant and dance along with the Indians". In 1976, Srila
Prabhupada spoke many times about the Project. In a lecture in Mayapur, he said that the
Project "is meant for transcendental United Nation". In a letter to a Mr.
Chaudhuri, he spoke of erecting a "magnificent international city based on this Vedic
culture". In May, he wrote to both Saurabha das and Giriraja Swami about completing a
Master Plan for Mayapur. In August, Srila Prabhupada responded to the BBT Trustees report,
and told Ramesvara that the Bombay project should be financed by a world-wide effort, and
as soon as Bombay was finished, the Mayapur Project should be funded in the same way. His
plans for Mayapur grew throughout 1976. In a letter to Dinesh Babu, he spoke of a
"spiritual town at the expenses of Rs. 200 Crores". He also stressed
self-sufficiency and cottage industry. Srila Prabhupada also saw an important role for the
Bengali devotees in Mayapur. In October 1976, he told Jayapataka Swami "We cannot
expect all foreigners to come and manage Mayapur affairs. The best management is to turn
the local men into devotees.".
1977.
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In March, 1977, the GBC passed the first of many resolutions in support of the Sri
Mayapur Project. They established a committee to begin design and research, and they
directed that all devotees raising funds for Mayapur must make a uniform approach. Some of
the members met with Srila Prabhupada after the meetings and Satsvarupa Maharaj read out
the Mayapur resolutions. "That's nice", said Srila Prabhupada, and gave
instructions about the planetarium, telling devotees to consult with a certain pandit.
These short extracts of Srila Prabhupada's words give a glimpse of the important
international role he saw for the Sri Mayapur Project. He stressed again and again that it
was a place for his Western students to come and live simply and practice spiritual life.
He wanted the temple to be unique and he wanted to "construct a city where people
from all over the world can come to visit and live according to the Vedic tenets of
'simple living and high thinking'".
Srila Prabhupada wanted to satisfy the desire of the previous acharyas, and
particularly his own spiritual master. He told Jayapataka Maharaj "…it was
Prabhupada's dream to make Mayapur a transcendental city". He wanted to house a
United Nations of up to 50,000 devotees. He wanted to set up small scale crafts and
industries, closely connected with agriculture, the land and the cows. He intended the GBC
and the BBT Trustees to make plans and arrangements for the Sri Mayapur Project, and he
hoped for a world-wide effort by all devotees to achieve it.
This project has a solid foundation, built on the visions of Lord Nityananda, Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and of course, H. D. G. Srila
Prabhupada. We welcome all devotees to be involved in this project, in whatever way they
feel inspired. This is one of our Founder-Acharya's greatest works. We all feel very
satisfied and sheltered in this service, and we offer this 'cooling moon' of service to
Lord Gauranga Chandra to the whole world.
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4) APPRENTICESHIPS.
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During our brief stay in Mayapur, I visited the Gurukula several times. On our final
evening, Abhirama prabhu gave a talk for the older students. We spoke with Vedasara
prabhu, the Gurukula headmaster, about engaging this years graduates. The design, planning
and communications office of the project is now well set up in Delhi, and can provide some
accommodation and support for young devotees wishing to take up apprenticeships in various
fields. There will also be opportunities in Mayapur, with the SMVS, with the Construction
and Research departments and with various devotees who are setting up business schemes. We
are committed to employing gurukula graduates, and we welcome inquiries from suitable
candidates. Abhirama is enthusiastically working out plans for a vocational training
college at Mayapur, which he is personally inspired to lead.
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5) COPYRIGHT.
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This is an internal newsletter for devotees and supporters of ISKCON. The copyright
holder of this newsletter is Mayapur Developments, a company registered in London, UK.
Permission for reproduction is hereby given to all publications, e-mail lists and
web-sites that have as their primary purpose the promotion of the ISKCON mission of His
Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Permission for reproduction in
all other circumstances should first be sought from the copyright holder. Enquiries may be
directed to
I would like to thank the following devotees who helped with this issue: Abhirama das,
Pancaratna das, Paramananda das, Madhukanta das and Vrajabhumi dasi, Vedasara das.
Apologies to all our readers, especially Ranchor and Yamuna Prabhus. We intended to
begin a feedback column in this edition, but we have postponed it until next month.
