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Mahendra Dasa joined the College in late 2005 and taught two courses this year while also serving as a staff member. A few years ago he was a teacher in the former Radhadesh children’s school. He came from Sofia, Bulgaria, where he served in the position of the temple president during the nineties. What inspired you to come to teach at the College? I knew about the College before it actually manifested in 2002. Saunaka Rsi Prabhu, in 2000, told me about the idea and suggested that I could teach. I was still completing my Bachelor’s degree in philoso

Kalindi Dasi is an enthusiastic First Year student and plans to finish all three years of studies offered by the College. She took the Bhakti Shastri course in Mayapur and developed a strong attachment to that holy place. In Radhadesh she pleases Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha and Their devotees by leading sweet devotional songs on the harmonium. What helped you decide to join the College? A year ago, in March 2005, when I came to Radhadesh for the first time, from Estonia, I knew nothing about Bhaktivedanta College. The first time I thought of joining the

What was it like teaching Western philosophy? And why teach it to devotees? I was impressed by the students’ clarity of mind, enthusiasm, and critical approach. The course aims at enhancing their spiritual awareness, by nurturing a deep conviction, rooted in honest, thorough, and challenging inquiry. The students have already been trained in this approach, and their participation was effortless and rewarding to me. For devotees, studying Western philosophy strengthens our faith in the Vaishnava tradition by raising our awareness of the important que

A harinama procession at the Queen’s Day celebration on May 31, 2006, contributed to this Amsterdam festival in the way that an important spice has its small place in a complete and delicious meal. It was indeed a special day, with enthusiastic devotees from the Amsterdam temple and Holland joined by devotees from Sweden, Belgium and other countries. As Kadamba Kanana Swami led powerful kirtanas we saw many happy, smiling faces, and some people joined our dancing. Sometimes the devotees experienced wild reciprocation from the crowds on the street be

In addition to being very tall, he is young, friendly, and intelligent. Recently, he taught the course Introduction to Hinduism (offered for the first time at Bhaktivedanta College), and the students appreciated his classes. In March he will teach the course on the Vedas and Upanishads. We asked him: “What is your personal history? How did you join ISKCON? What was your earlier academic career like?” Rembert: “I was born in Brussels twenty-four years ago and grew up in that town. When I was seventeen, my father urged me to take a break from educatio

For the smooth running of the college courses (and to accommodate students and staff) Bhaktivedanta College currently utilizes facilities of the Radhadesh community. However, a new building is required to properly accommodate the growing numbers of students. The architectural proposal for the new college building is pictured below.  The building includes:  5 classrooms library 21 students’ rooms (with 2-3 beds each) 4 rooms for teachers 3 rooms for staff members common rooms for ladies and men sauna and gym Investment: 1,700,000 € By supporting the

A graduate of Bhaktivedanta College, (Radhadesh, Belgium) looks back fondly on her time in the ministerial program. Skimming through a photo al­bum of my ten months at Bhaktivedanta College (2002–2003), I slowed down near the end and remem­bered my mixed feelings on June 28, our graduation day, as we walked through a forest at Radhadesh, Belgium. We were the first graduating class. We played drums and karatalas and sang Krishna’s names as we walked toward a green field where we would hold our last meeting. Our months together were the best time of m

Varsana Staszak (26) from Los Angeles, California, is the daughter of Lalitanatha Dasa and Vaikuntha Murti Dasi, two of Srila Prabhupada�s disciples. She has a BA in English and French. “I came to the College to study Krishna consciousness in a structured academic environment, among other serious devotees. I came to deepen my understanding and to become more knowledgeable, expert, and confident in the ways I present Krishna consciousness to others. Krishna has been kind to let me gain spiritual realizations, to grow internally, and to become