News

The ISKCON Studies Institute cordially invites you to attend its upcoming conference at Radhadesh (Belgium) from May 22-24, 2015. The ISI Conference 2015 features an outstanding array of academic scholars from around the world, who will gather to present their research on this year’s conference theme- Devotional Ethics, Community, and Practice in Caitanya Vaisnavism. The 2015 conference schedule is finalized and a list of speakers and presentation topics is included below. Presentation abstracts are also available HERE. Space is limited, so please r

Mahalaxmi is a graduated Student (BA from Chester) at the Bhaktivedanta College, Radhadesh.  She received her title in 2013. What did you do after graduating from Bhaktivedanta College in 2013? “I went to Vrindavana and took Bhakti Vaibhava courses there, and it was great. After that I came to Belgrade, where I am now working on opening a cultural outreach center called Bhakti Hub.  I also organized a Bhakti Shastri course here, and I co-run two new sangas here.” Are you planning to stay in Serbia? “I do not have fixed plans to do

We are happy to announce the 2015 Communications Seminar to be held in Radhadesh, Belgium from 30th May till 2nd June 2015. In 2015 we are having an international seminar since we are planning to invite devotees from other continents to discuss important issues and international strategies. The seminar will be followed by a communications course from the 3rd of June till the 6th June. The course will be given by HG Anuttama prabhu. The main topic for this year’s seminar is “Preaching, Undue Inluence, Conversion and Religious Freedom̶

What is the purpose of the new Kirtan Course at Radhadesh and what is it`s significance for devotees? Krishna Kshetra Swami: Kirtan is our most essential activity. We have sravanam – hearing and kirtanam – chanting or glorifying the Lord. This is the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in late 15th, early 16th century Bengal. He spread the chanting of the holy name, especially the Hare Krishna mantra all over India and it`s now being spread all over the world. In order to help facilitate this spreading process, musical ability in the practice of kir

Monday 24th – Friday 28th January 2014 Facilitator: Yadunandana Swami Cost: 79 Euros, excluding meals and accommodation* This six-day intensive course is highly participatory and suitable to a broad spectrum of devotees with a wide range of teaching experience. It is particularly appropriate for devotees involved in training. Preachers, managers, gurukula teachers, communications specialists and others interested in systematic training and education will also find it of immense value and interest. Students will be taught mainly in groups, with a foc

Sacinandana Swami set the mood of the course with his seminar on the Theology of the Holy Name, based on the book Harinama Chintamani by Vaishnava saint Bhaktivinode Thakur. In it, he covered the secrets of attentive chanting, how to move past offensive chanting, how to enter into a relationship with the Holy Name, and the lessons we can learn from Srila Prabhupada’s amazing relationship with the Holy Name. Continue reading →

  Written by Abighail Rocchi. Week 1 The first week laid the foundation for chanting the holy name: the importance of faith and prayer, focusing the mind and avoiding offences, and forming a relationship with the holy name. Week 2 The second week was fully practical. Three hours on the mridanga in the morning, and an hour each of karatals and harmonium in the afternoon. Week 3 The third week, with Kadamba Kanana Swami, was spent learning about the history and tradition of kirtan, and how music is part of the spiritual world. Students surveyed I

(Published in Krishna-katha magazine, March 2014) You are taking sannyasa at Goloka Dham, Germany, on Janmastami. What made you decide to take this step? What made me decide to take this step was no single event. It was the culmination of a process of reflection that I’ve been having for quite some years actually. I was cautious because we have seen in ISKCON’s past what you might call sannyasa casualties, and I didn’t want to be a part of that statistic. So I thought it was better to wait and make sure. I also felt that since Srila Prabhupada gave

The third Annual Educational Conference took place at the Bhaktivedanta College in Radhadesh in period from May 2 to May 4 . Unlike previous years, the Conference this year will have a regional European focus. The aim of this year’s Conference is to consolidate our educational efforts and come together to devise a future strategy for expanding ISKCON Education in Europe and materialize its vision cooperatively. Report prepared by Anasuya Dasi