Important News Release
A Milestone for Srila Gurudeva’s Sanga

 
 
 
Sri-guru-carana-padma kevala-bhakati-sadma
bando mui savadhana mate
 
The lotus feet of the guru are the sadma, the shelter, for that Sri, the prema-bhakti for Krsna, which exists in the heart of that guru. This is its source. If one does not have devotion for the guru, does not serve him, and is not surrendered to him in all respects, then bhakti will never come. Unless one attains his mercy, one will never experience bhakti and will never receive the darsana of Krsna.
 
The guru is that person who is especially dear to Krsna. All jivas are dear to Krsna, yet by serving and receiving the mercy of that guru who can actually overpower Krsna by prema, we can meet Krsna and develop Krsna prema. Without such a guru we cannot attain this.
 
First of all, I offer my humble dandavats pranams unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master Om Visnupada Astottarasata Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaja and the same humble dandavat pranams unto the lotus feet of my param gurumaharajas, nityalila pravista om Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Maharaja and nityalila pravista om Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, known by all his followers as Srila Prabhupada.
 
 
 
 
The first wave
 
 
1966
 
Srila Prabhupada brings the Matchless Gift to us all      
                            
One day while walking down life’s road, we met a man in saffron robes, Prabhupada was his name, and he was chanting the Holy Name. He said ‘come with me, my dear daughters and sons, your spiritual journey has just begun: Chant the Holy Names of the Lord and all desirable things will be yours!’
 
 Hare Krsna Hare Krsna – Krsna Krsna Hare Hare 
Hare Rama Hare Rama – Rama Rama Hare Hare
 


 

The second wave
 
 
 
1996
 
Nourishment for our bhakti creeper, heartly blessings for all
 
Thank you Prabhupada, for sending Gurudeva to the West, we have heard that he is Radharani’s best
 
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna – Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama – Rama Rama Hare Hare
 
 June 1996
 
We arrived in
California, Sierra Nevada Mountains, New Vraja Community
 
 
 In the house of Nirguna prabhu, surrounded by sixty wonderful devotees, Srila Gurudeva received an overwhelming welcome, with a heartfelt and open invitation to come back at any time. All who were present at this historical moment were deeply impressed with the affectionate, warm-hearted hospitality of the devotees in California.
 
                                        
 New Vraja Festival 
 
Every year since 1996
 
Attended by 500 devotees, each year
 
Since that visit, Srila Gurudeva has come every year to Nirguna Prabhu’s home in New Vraja and conducted eleven wonderful Harikatha festivals, comprised of devotee association, astonishing drama performances of Krsna’s pastimes and the most nectarine Harikatha, kirtans and Mahaprasadam. Those of us who have been so fortunate to attend even once, can definitely attest that outside of India, we have never heard and received such deep, spiritual impressions. Often times Srila Gurudeva mentioned that in his tours, “coming to New Vraja is like arriving at the topmost place in the Western World”. The hospitality and service provided by the residents of new Vraja is extraordinary. Under the guidance of Nirguna prabhu, Nanda Gopal prabhu and their good wives Nilacala devi dasi and Manjuvasini devi dasi, year after year, the local community of devotees has arranged for devotees from all over the world, to receive the golden opportunity to bathe in the most powerful Harikatha emanating from the lotus lips of Srila Gurudeva. Srila Gurudeva has commented more than once that “the property of Nirguna prabhu is a place of pilgrimage, a holy place in the Western World”.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Vraja Village School
 
From the first day that Srila Gurudeva arrived in New Vraja, he has been extremely concerned that the school be ideal so that all the students will develop the qualities of Prahlada Maharaja. Under the expert, affectionate care and guidance of Vrajendranandana Prabhu and his extraordinary wife Gopanandini devi dasi, a team of wonderful teachers nourishes the tender bhakti creepers of the students, many of whom are now responsible devotees. The students are developing good character and are practicing their sadhana and bhajan, plus they are learning how to be responsible for themselves in this world.
 
For most of these years the school has struggled to manage its expenses from the sheer personal sacrifice of the teachers and students. During the last two years more financial assistance was needed. With the kind help of many devotees in our Sanga and with monthly donations from Srila Gurudeva’s personal funds, the school is continuing to function. Many heartfelt thanks to all the teachers + students, who are all extremely dedicated and always ready to sacrifice their own comfort and accept very humble salaries in order to serve in Srila Gurudeva’s New Vraja Village School.
 
Everyone will agree that education is one of the most crucial and important periods in life for development. How fortunate are those who have received the great, good fortune to receive education in sadhu sanga, under the guidance of sad guru. As Srila Gurudeva’s followers and disciples, we desire to provide excellent education to all children, especially for the children born in families of devotees. In order to facilitate this, we are requesting your kind assistance and voluntary input to help us this with important service to our spiritual masters.
 
 
 
Please, consider the following presentation carefully and give your valuable assistance, contributions and feedback to this email link:    
 
 
 
 
Proposed Master Plan for New Vraja Tirthasthan New and Vraja Village School
  
First phase:    The school moves over to the property of Nirguna prabhu
 
Details:
 
1) Due to personal circumstances, Nirguna prabhu is obliged to sell his property. He has agreed to sell us the property under market value, as much as he possibly could.
 
 
2) The school is in much need of good facilities. Up till now, for most of the time, the boarding and classrooms for the students have been in the homes of their teachers, spread out over the village.
 
3) Considering these two factors and after many serious discussions, we have decided to obtain the property of Nirguna prabhu for the use of the school. At the same time we want to preserve Srila Gurudeva’s quarters + the festival site as a place of pilgrimage, as well for future seminars and visits of preachers and teachers.
 
4) In order to accomplish this first phase, the school needs to purchase the property. How this will be accomplished is a great challenge and mystery, since the school does not have any resources of its own. Although significant steps have been taken over the last 12 months to qualify for international accreditation, for receiving scholarships and grants and forming international educational board, at this point in time we are not able to come up with the necessary funds to obtain Nirguna prabhu’s property.
 
We are left completely depending on the mercy of Guru and Krsna. How it will happen, only They know. Still, we have decided to go forward, desiring to please Srila Gurudeva with our efforts to serve his mission.
 
So far, we have been able to secure a bank loan for 375.000 USD - 75 % of the official sales price. Srila Gurudeva has kindly agreed to assist with mortgage payments for the first 2 years. We will endeavor to raise enough money over the next two years to pay back this loan and go forward to the next phase of the Master Plan.
 
Right now we are faced with a required down payment of 125.000 USD – 25 % of the official sales price. We sincerely request your assistance in order to obtain this amount before the 1st of March 2007. So far, Radhakanta prabhu and Gopinath prabhu have come forward and pledged 25,000 USD each. They have thus been honored as the first patron members of New Vraja Village School.
 
Each patron member receives special favors, such as a yearly 14 day free stay in either the house where Srila Gurudeva’s quarters are, or in our guest house. Otherwise, their contribution will sponsor one student who is unable to participate due to insufficient funds for his or her studies.
 
We have reserved another 10,000 USD, donated in 2005 by Chandrika devi dasi from Maui, Hawaii. If 3 more pledges/donations are given of 25,000 USD each, then we will have reached our first target. Same will be achieved by one donation/pledge of 75,000 USD; 75 donations of 1,000 USD, or 150 donations of 500 USD. For those among you who do not have financial difficulties and are able to contribute financially, we invite you to also become a patron member of Srila Gurudeva’s school in New Vraja. To contribute visit
 
or www.bhaktiprojects.org or read “How to Make Contributions” which appears at the end of this news release.
 
A concern may be why to have a school in Badger, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains? Why not support a school in Alachua, in England, in Bangalore, in Vrndavan or in Hawaii? Please be assured that we understand and agree with your concerns. As a matter of fact we will definitely do our level best to support any good plans which you present to us. To accomplish this, we have formed an Educational Board. The members of this board are very experienced and dedicated devotees. They are ready to give their energy to develop first class, Vaisnava educational standards. At present Vaisnava education is already implemented through Internet and in schools with the help of sincere devotees in New Vraja, New Jersey, Harrisburg, Vrndavan and Bangalore.
 
For more information and advice regarding Vaisnava education in our Sanga, please contact our Education Board, consisting of the following devotees:
 
 
Your suggestions, contributions and any other form of help is most welcome. If you are a professional grant writer, if you have experience with education, administration, fund raising, obtaining scholarships, legal matters, project development,gardening, or if you desire to move to New Vraja, Badger to assist with this project, please contact us.
 
Srila Gurudeva expresses that he himself will never ask anything from those who come and want to be his disciples. He will help all without any self-interest. He is completely happy with his selfless service to all and does not need anything from this world no money, no projects, nothing. However, for the welfare of his followers and to engage their energy, Srila Gurudeva has started many wonderful projects, which will immeasurably benefit all who participate. For example the Govardhan project in Sri Vrndavan Dhama, the New Vraja Village School in California, all the book publications, and of course the Navadvip project in Sri Navadvip Dhama. There are many more to come. Srila Gurudeva has said that those followers who desire to assist with these auspicious projects are very fortunate, and they have every right to encourage others to do the same. On this basis we are requesting your assistance with this unique opportunity to help establish our New Vraja Village school, the center for international education, and the foremost place of pilgrimage in America. All this is situated in the beautiful surroundings of New Vraja, Badger, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California.
 
aspiring for the service of Sri Guru and Vaisnavas
 
On behalf of BHAKTI – International Society for Bhakti-yoga
 
Brajanath Das
 
How to Make Contributions
 
MAILING INFORMATION MAIL DIRECTLY your tax-deductible donations:
Bhakti Projects, Inc.
4589 Pacheco Blvd
Martinez, CA 94553 USA
Make checks payable to: Bhakti Projects. Please write in the memo: Bhakti Education

PAYPAL TRANSFER - SEND TO-PAYPAL ACCOUNT NAME:
In the message body (memo) please write = Bhakti Education
(Donations can also be made at www.bhaktiprojects.org)

WIRE TRANSFER
If you would like to execute a wire transfer to Bhakti Projects, Inc. please email for wire transfer information into Bhakti Projects "Srila Gurudeva's accounts" ; or call 925-335-2300 ext.108 to receive transfer information and confirmation.
(Bhakti Projects will confirm all contributions with receipt within three weeks.)

 

 

 
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