Money for Nothing
By Pancha Tattva dasa

My own nondevotee parents taught me that wealth should be obtained by honest means, by rendering a service which is deemed valuable by society. Although their understanding of what is valuable and what is not is skewed by material consciousness, the basic lesson is still valid. And I expect devotees to know this even better than my parents. 
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© CHAKRA 23-July-2000

On Gifting
By Jiva Goswami dasa

For those interested in the legality of "Private Gifting Clubs" recently becoming the rage, the following Florida Statute, curiously located in the "Gambling" section, may be of interest. First is a condensed, easier to read version of the law, followed at the end by the full text.
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© CHAKRA 23-July-2000

Pragosa is Missing the Point
By Braja Sevaki dasi

In response to Pragosa Prabhu's letter "Bhagavan is Misguided,” it seems unfortunate that your narrow vision has excluded you from appreciating the full content of his letter. Instead, you have focused on one paragraph only, under the heading "The Sacredness of Sexuality". Bhagavan's letter was open, honest, humble and compassionate. Why must all these things be dismissed simply so you can attack him for his views on one subject matter? 
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© CHAKRA 23-July-2000

Spanish Fork Event Draws Thousands to See the Pride of the Andes
By Tony Yapias
Salt Lake Tribune

7/17/2000: In their native Andes, llamas pick their way up and down mountainsides carrying potatoes and other crops as well as handicrafts and goods to be exported.
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© CHAKRA 23-July-2000

Adridharan Replies to Sad Bhuja
By Adridharan dasa

This is reply to the article on CHAKRA by Sad Bhuja Das, who has written claiming that one of our IRM (ISKCON Revival Movement) newsletters contained a number of errors. We have nothing to hide, and would be glad if Sad Bhuja Prabhu gave us an excuse under CHAKRA's policy of “right of reply” to get all the information out to the CHAKRA readers. It will document in more detail why Uttama Sloka left, and why he was right to have done so.  
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© CHAKRA 18-July-2000

The Means of Livelihood Must be Very Fair - For Srila Prabhupada's Sake
By Hare Krsna devi dasi 

In recent weeks I have begun to hear of a number of so-called "gifting" or "on-line mall" schemes now circulating among devotee communities. I am surprised that devotees could fall for such flim-flam enterprises and that members of our spiritual leadership - our gurus, GBCs and sannyasis - have not quickly spoken out publicly against such schemes, which are completely in opposition to the vows against gambling and speculation which we take at initiation.
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© CHAKRA 18-July-2000

A Correction on Vraja Kishor's Reply to Krsna Avatar

Due to a communications error, CHAKRA recently posted a letter from Vraja Kishor to Krsna Avatar, even though he had asked us not to do so. The text was originally submitted to CHAKRA on June 1, with a request to post it . However, later Vraja Kishor had a disagreement with CHAKRA about a different matter and asked us not to post any more of his articles that were in the CHAKRA queue, stating on 6/23: "I don't want to post any articles on CHAKRA right now. I'm not sure yet about if I will in the future." Unfortunately, we had an internal miscommunication and his text was posted anyway this month. We apologize sincerely to anyone who was hurt by this posting.

Vraja Kishor prabhu has asked us to let all Gurukula Alumni know that he is very upset about our mistake and has submitted the following.
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© CHAKRA 18-July-2000

Correction on Author of Article
By CHAKRA's Editorial Staff

CHAKRA wishes to correct a case of mistaken identity in an article previously published on June 4, 2000, entitled "The Real Truth, Gour Govinda Swami and Narayan Maharaja." 

The article's author is actually Mother Rasamanjari devi dasi, ACBSP rasamanjari@yahoo.com, not Sadhika devi dasi as stated at the top of the article.

© CHAKRA 29-Nov-2003

Is a New Book in Stores Promoting Bhagavad-gita?
By Sri Nandanandana dasa

Something strange is happening at the Hare Krishna temple in Detroit. Over the past several weeks, Jagatguru Prabhu, the temple president, has been getting several calls a week from people asking how they can get a "Bhagavad-gita." The thing is, these people have had no prior contact with the temple or devotees.

The reason seems to be due to the popularity of the book called "The Legend of Bagger Vance: Golf and the Game of Life" by Steven Pressfield. 
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 © CHAKRA 18-July-2000

Dear Bhaktin Teagan
By Braja Sevaki dasi

I was saddened to read your departing letter, and wanted to write to you to address some things you mentioned in what you wrote.  

I fail to see how surrendering intelligence, individuality and strength of character, and denying the ability, beauty, strength, and talent that women have to offer can possibly assist either you or this movement, and furthermore, where in the philosophy that Prabhupada gave us it supports this theory?  
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© CHAKRA 18-July-2000

A Dream
By Lotta Danielsson

It was but a dream I had.
I wanted it to be true, so it was.
To me.
Weep, my Heart!
Cry for the loss of the Dream,
The stray of the Truth.
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© CHAKRA 18-July-2000

The Fall and Redemption of the Soul
By Dravida dasa

Where Krsna lives, felicity
Abounds: With pure simplicity
And loving sensibility,
All serve Him with humility.

But when a living entity
Rejects his true identity
And out of sheer stupidity
Surrenders to cupidity,

He loses all sagacity,
And with it all capacity
To understand reality
Or curb his sensuality.
>Full Story

© CHAKRA 15-July-2000

Reply to Krsna Avatara
By Vraja Kishor das

© CHAKRA 15-July-2000

Open Letter to Bhaktin Teagan
By Gaur Mohan das

Although we do not know each other I felt very sad after reading your letter. I sincerely apologize for all the inconveniences caused to you by the devotees in your area and devotees in general and what you have experienced which was not Krishna conscious.  
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© CHAKRA 15-July-2000

Gita Nagari Ratha-yatra and Conflict Resolution Seminar

Gita-nagari will be holding it's 24th Annual Country Style Ratha Yatra Festival on Saturday, July 29, 2000, beginning at 11:00 AM.

The Conflict Resolution Seminar will be held on Monday, July 31 through Wednesday, August 1.

The seminar will include topics such as Principles, techniques, skills and strategies for the heart. Also included will be Conflict Analysis, Forgiveness Therapy, Anger Management, Relationship/Trust Building and Mediation Techniques.
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© CHAKRA 15-July-2000

Final Ruling in the Case of Satyanarayan vs. Airavata
By Sesa dasa
ISKCON Minister of Justice

Based on the information provided to me and the analysis above, the ministry cannot conclude that Airavata das used the $5000 donation of Satyanarayana das for printing Srila Prabhupada's Beyond Birth and Death in Turkey.

Accordingly, the following ISKCON laws dealing with ISKCON Spiritual Leadership have been compromised and/or violated:
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© CHAKRA 14-July-2000

First Ratha Yatra in Lima, Peru
By Ananta Krt das

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

This is a cordial invitation to the first Ratha Yatra festival in Lima Peru, organized by the ISKCON temple in Lima. The parade will be part of one of the main parades in the city where thousands of people attend and is broadcasted on television. There will be a public presentation of drama, traditional Hindu music, dances, exhibitions, prasadam and book distribution.  
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© CHAKRA 14-July-2000

Mahabharata - Actors Wanted
By Vaikuntha dasa

"Mahabharata" is being revived. Seeking one or two actors, age: 20-40 for the two-man play that was first performed and adapted in 1987 by Sankirtana Dasa and Lokamangala (video is available). Play is a mesmerizing and powerfully adapted 2-hour piece.
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© CHAKRA 14-July-2000

Rethinking the Abuse Lawsuit
By Ksamabuddhi das

I have been reading a lot lately about the highly publicized lawsuit that the abused children of ISKCON have recently filed. I am hoping to take this opportunity to try and discuss in further detail some of the implications and ramifications of this legal action.  

How can mature adult devotees possibly encourage this kind of plunder and pillage philosophy? Now that this case has been filed there are going to be many cheaters jump on the bandwagon for the sake of trying to plunder assets from ISKCON. This will of course weaken the case and shed much doubt and suspicion upon it. Even though all these abuses and allegations might be true, it is still another form of Maya to discuss and repeat them, especially in a public forum, which defames and discredits Srila Prabhupada's mission. 
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© CHAKRA 13-July-2000

Maha-mantra Arrested
By Padmapani das

I'm writing to inform you that Matthew Zacharias (Maha-mantra dasa, SDG) was arrested early this morning (6 July, 2000) in Victoria, B.C., Canada. 

He is now in custody, pending a bail hearing. 
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© CHAKRA 6-July-2000

My Visit to Narayana Maharaja
By Hridayananda dasa Goswami

Before meeting with Narayana Maharaja, who had previously visited me in Los Angeles, I obtained the authorization of the GBC, and I went as a type of ambassador of Srila Prabhupada. In a spirit of good-will, I attended a kirtan and lecture program led by Narayana Maharaja. Unfortunately, some persons now seek to take advantage of my visit, even to the point of displaying pictures taken on that occasion, to promote the recruiting efforts of some of the followers of Narayana Maharaja.  
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© CHAKRA 9-July-2000

Response to Dhira Govinda Prabhu
By Dravida dasa

Having read that Jagannatha dasa Babaji initiated Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the reader would naturally assume that Jagannatha dasa Babaji is Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's initiating spiritual master. But we know that Bhaktivinoda already had one--Vipina Vihari Goswami--and so that impression would be false because "acceptance of more than one [initiating spiritual master] is always forbidden."

The common meaning of the term as understood in ISKCON comes from how Srila Prabhupada used it--either to refer to the formal process of first initiation by himself personally or by himself through his representative, with fire sacrifice, the taking of sacred vows, the change of name, etc.--or to the awarding of the sacred thread at the time of second initiation. 
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© CHAKRA 9-July-2000

Reply to Krsnacandra's Article on Child Abuse
By Jayapataka Swami

I was browsing CHAKRA today and read your article dated May, 2000. I was surprised to find your strident and aggressive tone against the GBC. I think you fail to understand how the GBC operates in ISKCON. The GBC as a body meets once a year and sometimes more on emergencies or through correspondence. Only a decision of the GBC should be considered a decision of the GBC. The GBC has an EC (Executive Committee), which is supposed to implement the approved policies of the GBC and deal with emergency issues on an adhoc basis. The acts of the EC should not be deemed as the acts of the whole body, but the acts of the EC. The EC is responsible for its own acts and should get the praise or the question for what they decide to do. Ultimately the EC is accountable to the GBC body and if you think that the EC didn't act properly you can present that for consideration of the GBC body in their next meeting.  
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© CHAKRA 9-July-2000

Open Letter to Adridharan
By Sadbhuja dasa

I wish to point out a number of errors in the information you have provided your readers. As a man of integrity, I am sure that you will have no hesitation in publicly correcting them. Firstly, as you are aware since you and I have had a number of long conversations regarding this matter, the money that was supposedly taken from the Samadhi funds was never actually removed. That money was allocated as an advance payment to purchase a building to house all the devotees who do service in the Samadhi. 
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© CHAKRA 9-July-2000

Collecting Pictures
By Bhaktin Samantha

Hi friends,

Please could you e-mail to me a pic of the deities of your temple? I live in New York and I love to collect pictures Please e-mail them to: ferrib@aol.com

Thank you, Samantha

© CHAKRA 9-July,2000

Thoughts on the Gurukula Lawsuit
By Ananta Purusottama das

Sadly though, we have not done enough to really glorify Srila Prabhupada, I include myself without hesitation, I can't imagine how Srila Prabhupada would feel right now over these recent events. The question in my mind is this: Where are some of those perpetrators and have they no shame for what they have done?
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© CHAKRA 4-July-2000