Book distribution seminar

An Appeal for the Book Distributors

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:15:01 -0400

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

In 2002 the GBC asked me to be the minister of book distribution. Since then I have been traveling around the world trying to encourage book distribution. One of the obstacles to book distribtuon that I often see as I travel in the third-world countries, and sometimes in first- and second-world countries as well, is that many temples cannot afford books or vehicles.

This letter is an appeal to you for donations to the book distributors around the world. Since I've been in this position I have helped four sankirtana teams (in third-world countries) get vehicles for book distribution. You have no idea how happy these sankirtana devotees were to get them. If anyone would like to help in this way, you can either go to Paypal and put my e-mail - vijaya.hdg@pamho.net - as the receiver, or you can write out a check to ISKCON and send it to me at the LA temple: Vijaya Dasa, c/o ISKCON, 3764 Watseka Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034.

It doesn't mater how big or small the donation is -- $5, $10, $50, or thousands.

Below are some statements Srila Prabhupada made in his books about the importance of giving charity to spread Krsna consciousness.

BG 16.1. purport: "Charity is meant for the householders. The householders should earn a livelihood by an honorable means and spend a portion of their income to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world. Thus a householder should give in charity to institutional societies that are engaged in that way. Charity should be given only to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world. That is charity in the mode of goodness."

BG 11.54 purport: "As far as charity is concerned, it is clear that charity should be given to the devotees of Krsna who are engaged in His devotional service to spread the Krsna philosophy throughout the world. Krsna consciousness is a benediction to humanity. Lord Caitanya was appreciated by Rupa Goswami as the most munificent man of charity because love of Krsna, which is very difficult to achieve, was distributed freely by Him. So if one gives some amount of his money to persons involved in distributing Krsna consciousness, that charity, given to spread Krsna consciousness is the greatest charity in the world.î

There is also this statement by Krsna in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.22.35): Etavaj janma-saphalyam dehinam iha dehisu/ pranair arthair dhiya vaca sreya-acaranam sada: "It is the duty of all living beings to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with their life, wealth, intelligence and words." You may not be able to give your life for preaching or your intelligence or your words. But everyone can give some of their wealth for preaching. Prabhupada wanted his householder disciples to give 50% of their income for preaching. I only know of one devotee that does that. Of course, it isn't easy now because times are difficult, but at least everyone can give something. If a lot of people give a little, it becomes a lot.

So if anyone would like to help book distribution around the world, either by monthly donations, occasional donations, or just a one-time donation, then certainly Krsna and Srila Prabhupada would be pleased.

Your servant, Vijaya das

There Is a Name Written in Each Book

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:15:02 -0400

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am just finishing up a North American tour, on which I did book distribution and conducted seminars. It has been very enlivening. While traveling I had the good fortune of Jayadvaita MaharajaÕs association in New York City. He gave a very nice class the evening before I left. He spoke about book distribution (it's always nice to hear our leaders speak about it). Here's a little of the nectar: "I was traveling from New Jersey in a train when a Muslim sat next to me. After awhile he turned to me and asked what my religion is. That started a whole conversation about God and spiritual life, and he was very interested. When I travel I always like to carry books with me for people like this. So I and the devotee traveling with me were trying to find where we had put them. Finally we found a ÒPerfection of Yoga,Ó and I gave it to him. He asked if he could give something for it and gave a very nice donation. It was very nice to see someone of another faith so interested in what we have to offer."

Maharaja went on to say, "Earlier in the year I was in South Africa. While I was there I asked a devotee how he had joined. He told this story:

When I was very young my father visited France, and while waiting in the airport in Paris for his plane back to our home in the Congo, he saw a Bhagavad-gita on a table. Someone had apparently left it there. It was there for a long time, so at last he picked it up and started reading it. No one came looking for the book, so he took it with him on the flight. He found it very interesting.

Later, whenever he was home he would often quote from the Bhagavad-gita, saying, ÒKrsna says thisÓ and ÒKrsna says that.Ó I began thinking, ÒWho is this Krsna?Ó

When I grew up and was on a visit to South Africa, I met some devotees distributing books, and they told me about Krsna. I put the two together and said, ÒMy father knows all about Krsna!Ó They invited me to the temple and I really liked it and eventually joined. My father is also a devotee and chants sixteen rounds.

Maharaja concluded: ÒThere is a saying in India: 'There is a name on every grain of rice.' Similarly, there is a name on every book that goes out, and only Krsna knows whose hand it is going to end up in, just as only Krsna knows to whom every grain of rice will go.Ó

Your servant, Vijaya das (Text D:3265232) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

Finance person gets mercy.

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:15:01 -0400

Hare Krishna ! All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga ! All glories to Srila Prabhupada ! All glories to all the sankirtan devotees at all the times !

A finance director of an oil exploration organisation visited New Delhi ISKCON Temple. He met His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj who was on his Delhi visit.

The visitor explained the oil situation in the world today and in the future times to come. His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj discussed the oil and natural gas situation in Russia, Canada, America and China then Maharaj got to the real point and spoke about the spiritual solutions for a happy world. He explained to the man about Srila Prabhupda and his transcendental books. Thereafter, the gentleman ordered five thousand Bhagavat Gitas As It Is with 100% advance payment.

with best regards, your servant, Bhakta Rakesh - New Delhi.

What a prayer to Prabhupada will do .....

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:15:02 -0400

Maha Buddhi dasa

"Bhaktitirta Swami, who was Ghanasyam before taking sanyasa was on book distribution with me in the 1970's distributing full sets to the colleges. We went to a small college and found out it was a holiday. Ganasyam decided to give it a try anyway. I said, "Why do you want to waste your time and mine, it's a small school and it is a holiday!"

Ghanasyam said, "Alright, I'll just go to the bathroom and be right back. Just in case I find someone I'll bring some books."

One hour went by, then two. I was becoming very upset. But I also knew that Ghanasyam sometimes would do amazing things, almost mystical. I decided that I wouldn't immediately chastise him, first I would find out why he took so long.

When he finally returned I asked him, "Why did you take so long, you were just going to the bathroom?"

He replied," That's what I was going to do, but as I was walking to the bathroom I was praying to Prabhupada, "Prabhupada please help me to serve you, I want to please you by distributing your books, please give me your mercy."

"While I was in the bathroom there was a man in there, and we just started talking. He was a professor of history and religion. I told him about the Srimad Bhagavatam that we distribute and showed him what I had, he was fascinated. We went to his office and he bought a set. Then I asked if he knew if the library was open. He said it wasn't, but he is a friend of the person in charge and would call him. When he called, his wife said he was on his way to the college to get some things he needed. Ten minutes later he shows up and also bought a set."

I said, "That's amazing, I'm impressed. I guess there are no material formulas if we sincerely want to distribute books."

Krishna immediately recognizes a preacher

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:15:02 -0400

letter, December 11, 1975

"The Sankirtana devotees are very dear to Krishna. Because you are doing the field work of book distribution, Krishna has immediately recognized them as true servants. Just like during war time, a farm boy or ordinary clerk who goes to fight for his country on the front immediately becomes a national hero for his sincere effort. So Krishna immediately recognizes a preacher of Krishna Consciousness who takes all risk to deliver His message.

Srila Prabhupada on book distribution

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:15:01 -0400

lecture Jan 5, 1976

Our first business is this book distribution. There is no need of any other business. If this book distribution is managed properly, pushed on with great enthusiasm and determination and at the same time if our men keep spiritually strong, then the whole world will become Krishna conscious.

BG 13.12 purport

Non violence is generally taken to mean not killing or destroying the body, but actually nonviolence means not to put others into distress. People in general are trapped by ignorance in the material concept of life, and they perpetually suffer material pains. So unless one elevates people to spiritual knowledge, one is practicing violence. One should try his best to distribute real knowledge to the people, so that they may become enlightened and leave this material entanglement. That is nonviolence.

sankirtana video - July 4

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:15:01 -0400

Dear Vijaya Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Just wanted to let you know that I posted your lecture video on youtube.com as a playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=26BA48BBE5F82B84 It says 1of 5 video clips etc. although currently there are only 4 clips. This is because I plan to add a clip with you distributing books. I haven't finished editing it yet.

Your servant, Ganga das

Rock-Festival Distribution in Finland

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:15:01 -0400

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

For the last four or five years we have distributed books to the crowd at the annual Tuska ("Pain") Open-Air Metal Festival in the center of Helsinki. The festival runs from Friday through Sunday during the first weekend of July.

Compared to some other rock festivals, the crowd at this one is a little less intoxicated. They mainly go there because of the music. Actually, the fact that they're a bit drunk makes them more open to being approached. This festival is really quite a good field for preaching.

The Christians had their "Finland for Jesus" bus there, trying to save the fallen souls. But their tactics just drew ridicule from the "metal heads," who continued to flaunt their upside-down crosses and various provocative anti-Christian T-shirts. Our approach was different. We distributed there in devotional clothing, avoiding Christian-style warnings about imminent damnation and the need to be saved. We just presented our literature and engaged in small talk about the bands and how the weekend was going.

Sankirtana Prabhu, the sankirtan leader of the Czech Republic, was visiting Finland, and after our Sunday feast we went to the festival together. Some people sitting near the entrance immediately showed interest in the books. They were two ladies accompanied by a young man and a professional drunkard. The two ladies had pretty authentic metal-festival outfits -- blood stains painted all over their bodies, etc. But they were positive and without needing too much convincing surrendered to purchasing a small book.

Many attendees had doubts about us. They regarded us as Hindus and thus thought that we worshiped many gods in a hodgepodge way, without much philosophy. I did my best to explain that we are not just ritualistic followers but have a clear and deep philosophy.

It was fun to discuss philosophy with all those wild-looking characters, many of whom had read some of our books. Some were favorable, some not, but for the most part they were more philosophical than the average person on the street. Many had read books on various other philosophies -- Taoism, Buddhism, shamanism and some were followers of the teachings of Anton LaVey (hedonistic Satanism).

It was very nice distributing with His Grace Sankirtan Prabhu. He did about ten books in less than two hours. It was good that I stayed until the end of the festival, since around that time two young men took five books, and, as on Saturday, the total for Sunday was some fifteen books also.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! Lord Nityananda's special mercy and transcendental special jokes ki jaya!

Stalker or Seeker?

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:15:02 -0400

by Banke Bihari Dasi (Burnaby, BC, Canada)

Once while I was out doing books I noticed a man staring at me. He made me so nervous that I was very careful not to make eye contact with him, let alone try to preach to him. He stood near the bus stop -- but he never got on a bus! As nightfall approached I couldn't believe he was still standing in the same spot. I kept glancing at him out of the corner of my eye because I thought he was kind of scary.

Then Krsna played a trick on me. I walked over to a man who I thought was someone else, but somehow I ended up right in front of the man I was trying to avoid! I started to panic. I warily lifted up a hard-cover Bhagavad-gita, but before I could speak he said, "You know what?" I thought he was going to blast me, but instead he said, "When I woke up this morning I told the Lord that I wanted to surrender to Him. I think He sent you to me."

I could hardly believe what I just heard. He went on to explain how he had spent so much time trying to make sense of his life but had failed. We talked for a very long time. Then he gave me a nice donation. He said he was leaving the next morning for Alberta to work on the oil rigs and was happy to be able to take the Bhagavad-gita with him.

submiting scores

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:15:01 -0400

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As I travel around I occasionally hear that the devotees submiting scores for their temple don't see them reported in the sankirtan newsletter. I asked Mayapur Sasi Prabhu who manages the newsletter, why this is. He said, "The problem seems to be with the online scoresheet at SankirtanNewsletter.com."

He said if anyone sends scores to him he responds that he has received the scores.

So from now on if you send your scores and you don't receive a response from him that he has received the scores then send them directly to him, either to his pamho address or to: mayapur@aol.com

This should solve the problem.

your servant, Vijaya das