“He requires a second birth, by samskara, reforming. Just like we give second birth, initiation. The second birth, the father is the spiritual master and the mother is the Vedas. As the first birth is taken by the material father and mother, similarly, second birth, dvija is possible by the spiritual master, the father and Vedic knowledge, mother. This father, mother. So that is required. That is possible in the human form of life.

“A cat is born by father and mother; you are also born by father… But the cat is not, dog is not eligible to take the second father and mother. That is not possible.

“So if we do not take the privilege of accepting the second father and mother, then what is the difference between your birth and dog’s birth? That is stated: janma-labhah parah pumsam. You have got this human form of body, the best body. That is the instruction of all Vedic literature, simply stressing.

‘But what is this material civilization? Simply working like cats and dogs. The same eating, sleeping, sex intercourse and defending. There are so many buildings in your city, Paris. Where is the culture to make the human life perfect? You have got very nice building. There is intelligence. So many nice buildings. People come to see the building. But that is not all. Simply if you utilize your intelligence… Certainly there is intelligence. But if you use your intelligence for the simply material activities, then you are not intelligent. You are a fool.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.6 — Paris, June 14, 1974

“Spiritual rebirth is the key to the aspirations of all the higher religions. By “higher religions” I mean those which, like Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, are not content with the ritual tribal cults rooted in the cycle of the seasons and harvests.

“These “higher religions” answer a deeper need in [humankind]: a need that cannot be satisfied merely by the ritual celebration of [our] oneness with nature-[our] joy in the return of spring! [Humankind] seeks to be liberated from mere natural necessity, from servitude to fertility and seasons, from the round of birth, growth, and death.

‘[Humankind] is not content with slavery to need: making a living, raising a family, and leaving a good name to posterity. There is in the depths of [our] hearts a voice which says: “You must be born again.” It is the obscure but insistent demand of [our] own nature to transcend itself in the freedom of a fully integrated, autonomous, personal identity.”

Thomas Merton. Love and Living (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1979): 194.

This last weekend, we celebrated the third anniversary of Pandavas Paradise.

Pandavas Paradise is a retreat centre/nature reserve/temple in the most beautiful surroundings of Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goias, Brazil, a famous eco-tourist region of Brazil, about 3 hours from Brasilia. My spiritual master, Srila Hridayananda Das Goswsami, asked me to establish a holy dhama there and that has been one of my major efforts over the last 10 years.  After much meditation, praying and planning, we opened our doors to the public in January 2006.

This picture was taken this weekend by my wife - it's one of 339 species of birds found in the region.

We have continued to expand, building many new guest facilities, a small temple and improving our organic vegetable patch and orchard during these last three years.

Our main focus has been our retreats. Last year we had eight retreats (4 outright bhakti retreats and 4 retreats better suited for newcomers).

To celebrate the anniversary, we invited Srila Param Gati Maharaja and had a weekend long retreat with 20 people, with a big Festival saturday night with a further 60 people from Alto Paraíso. Param Gati Maharaja can really get a party going with his youthful, blissful mood!

Param Gati Maharaja also blessed us with an inspiring lecture series based on SB 1.1.17-20 during the retreat.

Though it’s the rainy season, we still managed to get some sun for a splash in our waterfalls after a long walk in one of the many trails in our 800 acre nature reserve.

We pray that we may continue in this service to Srila Prabhupada, and that Krishna may grant us more enthusiasm and resources for continued improvements.

For more photos of the retreat, click here.

Article from the Working Villages International website.

There are few places on Earth like the Ruzizi Valley. The average temperature remains around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 C) year round. There is plentiful water, rich volcanic soil and four growing seasons. Twenty years ago the valley was covered with fertile farms and pastures and healthy herds of cows. Ten years of brutal war destroyed all this.

Today, the people of the Ruzizi Valley, in partnership with Working Villages International (WVI) have begun implementing an innovative yet practical economic model of sustainable village development just outside the town of Luvungi. WVI is building from scratch a model village which will have full employment, and private ownership of small farms and businesses. It is a village designed for maximum harmony with the environment. This project is a practical demonstration that it’s possible to profoundly increase living standards in rural Africa by relying on local resources and skills, enhanced by modern appropriate technology.
It is astounding to see what has happened since our Ruzizi Valley project kicked off in spring 2006. The once-abandoned land is now full of productive activity and lush crops. Our enthusiastic staff, led by our expert agronomist and project manager, Fiston Malago, have cultivated over a hundred acres of land, growing over 90 different varieties of organic crops.

We renovated our headquarters and built a gazebo and kitchen using local materials and local expertise. In preparation for the Ruzizi Valley’s short dry season, the workers completed an ambitious irrigation network to supply water for one hundred acres of thirsty crops. The harvests have been flourishing, and our goal of food self-sufficiency is nearly complete. That will allow WVI to fully feed its workers and their families and still have a large surplus left over to help alleviate food shortages within the Valley. It will also allow for an expansion in the number of workers we can employ.

The fertile soil of Ruzizi has helped make the organic harvests of WVI spectacular: corn 14 feet high, sunflowers three times the size of a man’s head, 12 pound cabbages, sweet and delicious melons, and a wide variety of other delicious vegetables and fruits. Over a dozen varieties of colorful flowers beautify the gardens and inspire the workers.

All this food and the construction of the support buildings will help the Ruzizi Project push forward to its next stage - the construction of the houses and workshops and public buildings that will make up the new village. At this point foundations have been laid for twelve houses, and for three of these, the walls have already been built.

 In addition we will improve the productivity of the village by introducing draft animal power in the form of oxen. Our new teamsters (men and women) are already showing their expertise in building a solid relationship of loyalty with the oxen, so that they can guide them as they wish, using only voice commands. Once the animals are sufficiently grown to pull equipment, this careful training will make a huge difference, as they are very willing and capable workers.

At $12 dollars a gallon, the price of gasoline is too high to be the basis of village economy, so oxen will have an important role to play in increasing productivity. In plowing, transport and construction, oxen will reduce the burden of labor and increase its value, thus increasing the wealth and well-being og the community. 

After ten years of devastating war, peace is returning to this little part of Congo. The villagers of Luvungi are hopeful that when they have a new village and a flourishing economy, the tragedy which claimed the lives of 5 million of their countrymen will never again come to their beautiful valley.

Lord Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days. During that time he was tempted. This week my daughter Jahnavi is also fasting in the desert of Israel - and I’m worried.

My astrological reading for this month revealed that: “You will be concerned about a son or daughter” At the end of the reading the astrologer, who lives in south India, wrote: “To counteract your worry, read verses from the Srimad Bhagavata Purana.”

I’m not sure whether or not I will be worried for the entire month of January, and I daily read from the Srimad Bhagavatam anyway, but still it is true that I am somewhat concerned at the moment. My daughter Jahnavi is in Israel right now. Of all times to be in that country, this is probably not the right time. She and her party, maturely chaperoned and guarded by people with guns, is around 30 miles from Gaza. But it is every parents duty to be concerned some times and so I am.

Meanwhile, Jahnavi is geting a crash course in Judaism, modern Israel, and the feelings and thoughts of Israelis at this time. Yesterday she went with other young women into the streets of Jerusalem and interviewed pedestrians as to how they felt about Israel’s armed forces moving into Gaza. A budding journalist, I’m sure she will ultimately write about it somewhere but for now her exact movements and experiences are a mystery. We’ve been having a short phone call with her most days, but you can’t put everything into a short call.

Tomorrow she goes to the Negev desert. When Jesus Christ went into the desert he was tempted by the Devil and came out of it even more convinced of his purpose on Earth. He also fasted for a long time. All I know is that Jahnavi will be out of mobile phone range and if she can’t get any decent vegetarian food she too will fast and be tempted.

But on this particular trip she’ll learn nothing of Jesus. But maybe the Essenes will get a mention as she visits the Dead Sea, site of those famous scrolls.

My purpose here on Earth is to worry, just occasionally, about my children. This week is one such week. Now I think I’ll go and read the Srimad Bhagavatam.

How grave and how blissful
Your Divine Grace looks
examining Your freshly
printed books.

Why am I hesitant
to fully take part
in giving such happiness
to Your pure heart?

Whatever obstacles
may be on my way
from the van to the street,
I humbly pray

that You kindly extend
one stroke of Your kick
and bless me with taste
for Sankirtana Magic!

Be there !!!

Its that time of the year when the carnival hits the town again. I am talking about “Le Carnaval Spirituel” led by His Holiness Indradyumna Swami. I remember attending the event last year and it was simply superb. What’s still fresh in my mind, are the amazing performances…basically of everyone. And going through their website, some of those performers will be back. There are some new additions too, like the “Manipur drummers” and a “Kathak” dance show.

 Besides this, the show organizers are also celebrating their 30th anniversary year. And the whole show is FREE ! There is a frequently asked questions section on the Melbourne temple website which gives you some more info about the event and areas where they need your help. The performances are on Jan 16 and 17th at Fitzroy Town Hall and Jan 22nd and 23rd at St. Kilda Town Hall.

I can’t wait to attend the show. Its a great time for me to be proud of our ancient Vedic wisdoms, a chance to take some photos and an opportunity to write another blog post.

See you there !!

Pic : Sourced from a flickr.com user Moldy1972 , found thru a google search.

Dear Dinadayadra Prabhu and Bhn Jennifer,

Please accept my blessings!All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Just like to hear from you how things are.How are all the devotees and the
new place? Wish I  was being “spelt out” with you. But distance is
separating….

Warming up here for the  Festival tour starting 21st in Nairobi and going
via Daar es Salaam,Mombassa,Kisumu,Kampala etc. Finish about Feb 24th
Kampala,Uganda. Then I prob go Mayapur Festival.Any NOTSBs going Mayapur
this year?

Giri’s getting the stage/trailer built with the Ex Little Gurukula men.I’m
working on  registering a society called  possibly “Abhay Hare Krishna
Land”  to hold land in a beautiful valley where my disciple Lala Gauranga
lives. All for now….

I am now overdue with my GBC Sannyasa report,GBC accounts and the CONG
filmscript.But still chanting my rounds of holy names up to date but still
offensive or else why my steelframed heart’s not melting yet?

My health is apparently good though of course something has to go wrong
sooner or later or can you just die of “old age”-peg out?

How are the NumberOneTempleStreetBrightonions doing?(NOTSBs)

Love

Your wellwishing servant

Mahavishnu Swami

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama
Rama Hare Hare. All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!  Camp:ISKCON
Kisumu,Kenya.

Dear Devamrita Prabhu,

Hare Krishna!All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for your letter.

> We’ve identified some potential candidates,but it’s too early to say
> anything definite yet.We’re going to be on a tele-conference tomorrow.I’ll
> get back to you in two or three days.

Thank you for your serious and kind endeavours to help in this great cyber
cause for Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya.

Sorry.But despite reading your hopeful letter above, my  disciple Ila dd in
Mayapur,couldn’t resist clicking “Om Tat Sat” to send  out her Ad’s for
Guru/GBC Websiters all over cyber space! Actually I am glad of this because
it will indirectly advertise to a wide range of devotees the possibility of
a new spiritual freedom in ISKCON.This proposed historic website  is
actually meant to offer everyone an open opportunity  to cyber freely seek
out   relate with and  eventually choose their spiritual masters in
ISKCON.Of course it may also create some new problems (*,**,***) but I  feel
it should solve a lot more problems than it creates.

So now if we preliminarily select some qualified candidates the GBC
themselves can be informed and they can choose whoever they think the most
suitable for the job. Anyway lets’s see if there are any replies to the
Ads.What do you think?

Thank you.

Hoping that this finds you all well in Krishna Consciousness,

Your wellwishing,

Mahavishnu Swami

*Maybe our Temples’ New Bhakta Rooms will become like internet cafes with
prasadam on hand ,(ISKCON Bullets of course), whilst the feverish aspiring
candidates seek out their gurus at the other side of the world.

** Maybe a temple’s reactionary  local authorities will be over-strictly
rationing Internet time for their post-Prabhupadasraya  bhaktas so that the
local guru can get a look in and not loose his potential aspirants.

** When Bhakta Jo eventually meets his Spiritual master in the “
transcendental flesh” he cannot stand him!
> > Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama
> > Rama Rama Hare hare. All  Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! Camp:-
> > Kisumu,Kenya.
> >
> > Dear Devamrita Prabhu,
> >
> > Hare Krishna ! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
> >
> > Thank you for your letter. Please excuse the delay.Hope it’s not too
> > late.
> >
> > > I have spoken to some devotees about this.I will get back to you when
> > > I have some more information on this.
> >
> > Anything hopeful came up yet?
> > >
> > > The following information would be useful :
> > >
> > > 1.Does this have to be a full-time service?
> >
> > I have hardly any experience in this field.But I think collecting and
> > setting up the data must take good time on ones own.But updating it may
> > not be a full time job depending on how interractive it is made.If it
> > has links to  the Gurus ( and GBC’s) own websites  it may  also act as a
> > clearing house and be less work.But to tell you the truth personally I
> > have no experience in managing such a thing.Maybe Praghosa Prabhu  of
> > Dandavats .com would have a better idea on this.He seems to manage
> > Dandavats and do so many other things.Does he have a team?
> >
> > >
> > > 2.If not,how many hours per day or per week would be required to do
> > > justice to the service?
> >
> > See above.
> > >
> > > 3.Does it require a team or can one devotee handle it?
> >
> > I think a team would be best. Or else it would have to be one very
> > empowered mature ISKCON faithful and web savvy devotee or even one of
> > the present ISKCON leaders with time on their transcendental  hands
> > .He/she would become by default the feed siksa guru for the diksa
> > gurus.The guru of gurus!Can we find such an unattached devotee? But if
> > it was a team then the load could be spread.For instance one secretarial
> > type devotee could be collecting the data .
> > >
> > > 4.Even if some devotee/s do this as a seva without remuneration,how
> > > much money will be required to set it up? Who would fund it?
> >
> > Good question.Again I am speculating but I know it costs to buy and make
> > a website.Again I think Praghosa Prabhu and others could inform us on
> > the cost details.
> >
> > > 5.Do you want me to explore the possibility of someone working on this
> > > full-time WITH remuneration? If yes,who would fund this?
> >
> > Good question. Yes please explore the cost of of a full time devotee
> > with remuneration.But ,more  positively ,why not seek out the
> > possibility of a qualified  devotee with personal means who  is ready
> > willing and able to do such an important service for the ISKCON
> > devotees?Krishna could have someone in mind  languishing  unengaged in
> > the wings somewhere.That would solve that whole financial problem right
> > from the start.
> >
> > It also seems from Praghosa’s and others letters that this website
> > should also include our GBCs and it seems  a good idea to make a compact
> > website. Therefore there might be chance of some GBC funding (!!!?). But
> > why not (bright idea) each GBC/guru gives his annual stipend-say $25 usd
> > per year?That would amount to say $2500 for a start!As a spiritual
> > master I could afford that or even a bit more forsome fair coverage on a
> > good website.Why not? But I also get the impression from Dandavats that
> > visitors to the website do donate also.So if it was a well managed and
> > interesting website it could also generate funds itself.(”Penny in the
> > gurus’ hat,please!”)
> > >
> > > 6.What exactly is the nature of the work involved?
> >
> > OK-off the top of my most uncyber head.
> >
> > 1)Full devotional programme,rounds,presadam,etc…
> >
> > 2)Providing an adequate and bonafide sastric presentation of some
> > introductory philosophical  and historical background about the
> > disciplic succession. Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON GBC,ISKCON Gurus
> > etcetera.ie about the need to have a spiritual master,qualifications of
> > gurus etc  and also refutation of ritvikism and  yhe likeetc. These
> > articles could be taken from existing articles and GBC Laws etc.
> >
> > 3)Collecting and researching the data on all the personalities-Gurus and
> > GBCs.This would include their biodata, zones, addresses, histories’,
> > writings, teachings,zones,health, audio,and videos etc.
> >
> > 4)Maintaining and updating this data.GBCs and Gurus may also want
> > alterations or changes.
> >
> > 4)Providing Links to  the personal websites of all GBCs and ISKCON
> > Gurus.
> >
> > 5)Fund raising and finances.
> >
> > 6) Correspondence  :-Favourably guiding enquirers about ISKCON Gurus and
> > GBCs .
> >
> > > 6ctd) Apart from being
> > > web-savvy,are any other specific skills required,like language
> > > skills,for example?
> >
> > Good question.Yes language skills will have to be considered.That is why
> > a team will be better. Other specific skills cannot think right now
> > except “people skills”.
> >
> > They must certainly be openhearted  ISKCON and Prabhupada faithful
> > preachers who have a strong desire to lead candidates to freely find the
> > spiritual master’s  of their choice through the website . A lot will
> > depend on the devotee who takes it up.It will reflect their devotional
> > qualities.But if he/she is a mature and faithful ISKCON devotee then by
> > Their Lordships’ and Prabhupada’s grace he/she should be able to relate
> > with  everyone in an unbiased  and appropriate way.
> > >
> > > 7.Do we need to consider the number of years the devootees concerned
> > > have been in ISKCON? In other words,is ’seniority’ an issue?
> >
> > I feel  that it should be a  trusted person senior in realisation and
> > knowledge of ISKCON’s history.Not necessarily in age though.It would be
> > nice if an up and coming young ISKCON faithful websavvy ex-gurukuli
> > could accept the opportunity of this service.The website could be run by
> > a team of juniors and seniors. eg:-the seniors like Prahladananda Swami
> > (who is Chairman of the ISKCON Spiritual Masters Committee) and others
> > could oversee it and guide on a policy level.
> >
> > I am sorry for my inadequacies here in answering your  good questions.I
> > invite any receivers of this to please add their valuable  comments.
> >
> > So far I have not got a solid team together but I am still
> > trying.Recently out here  in Africa for Kisumu Rathayatra I did find a
> > willing cyber-capable web programmer devotee called Bh Giridhar who
> > could be a candidate.However he could have  shortcomings in his
> > knowledge of ISKCON history and philosophy plus he is living in
> > Nairobi,Kenya where the connections are very slow .I am writing to
> > devotees in Food for all UK who may have better facilities and more
> > maturity.I am  trying to arrange that a Job description/Advert be sent
> > to all the ISKCON friendly websites and forums in the hope that Krishna
> > will  send us the right person/s very soon.I  hope and pray that perhaps
> > in your community there may also be devotees who will be
> > capable,interested.
> >
> > Thank you for considering this.
> >
> > Hoping this finds you  well,
> >
> > Your wellwishing servant,
> >
> > Mahavishnu Swami
> >
> > PS Here is some relevant correspondence I just received. about this
> > matter:-
> > ————————————————
> > From Bhaktarupa Das 25/12/08
> >
> > Dear Praghosa Prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP!
> >
> > Below is a proposal that you have seen before, which has come to me in
> > the Proposals conference. You mention, “This proposal would have a far
> > better chance of succeeding if the proposer/s already had sponsors and
> > devotees with good IT skills to look after the site, rather than passing
> > that responsibility onto the GBC.”
> >
> > I would like to go even farther to say that there is even scant need to
> > pass a resolution in this regard. It has come up before in every
> > discussion on the need for a GBC website in general. The only real need
> > is the team to execute. Approvals are a detail.
> >
> > Is there any idea of how to put together such a team?
> >
> > Your servant, Bhaktarupa Das
> >
> >
> > From Praghosa Das :- 26/12/08
> >
> > Dear Bhaktarupa prabhu,
> >
> > Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
> >
> > Indeed, a comprehensive GBC site that would include a detailed and up to
> > date list of ISKCON gurus would be best. In its absence Mahavishnu
> > Maharaja has presented his own proposal for a more specific site, as
> > you’ve seen. As I understand it he is trying to get a team together to
> > design, launch and maintain this proposed site. I guess once that team
> > is identified then it could be a consideration to discuss with them the
> > possibility of taking on the larger project of a full blown GBC site.
> >
> > As I understand it Maharaja is in touch with Devamrita prabhu about this
> > project, I’m not sure if anything solid has been agreed yet.
> >
> > Your servant, Praghosa dasa.
> >
> > Please visit www.dandavats.com

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama
Rama Hare Hare. All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!  Camp:ISKCON
Kisumu,Kenya.

Dear Antadwipa,

Hare Krishna!All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for your letter.

Thanks for the Stratford invitation.It sounds good. I can have a swim too.
You mean William Shakespeare’s Stratford on Avon of course? Not far from the
unknown village of East London.

But it all depends on when I get back from India and that depends on many
things beyond my power to see right now. Except that I do have a return
ticket from Dubai on Emirates dated 22 April 2009! What to do? “To be or not
to be-that is the question”.

Hamlet was not a devotee! Krishna says “For the soul there is neither birth
nor death nor having once been does he ever cease to be…..”BG Ch 2: 20.

But please remind me again in May 09.Thank you.

Hoping that this finds you all well in Krishna Consciousness,

Thank you.

Your wellwishing,

Mahavishnu Swami
>
> Dear Maha Visnu Swami,
>
> Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
>
> I don’t know if you remember my mentioning it, but there wil be a
> congregational weekend in East London on on April 18th, 19th Saturday and
> Sunday. However I can’t remember if you said you would be back in the UK
> by late March when we discussed the possibility.
>
> This will be our second congregational retreat in Stratford, and we hope
> to leave them with a mini-rathayatra they can continue, and by preaching
> nicely to the local temple congregation, also start a nama hatta there. We
> messed up an opportunity we had in our grasp last year.
>
> You won’t be alone - I am hoping Kadamba Kanana Swami can make it, and
> also am asking Bhakti Purosottama Swami who is doing a programme in East
> London tonight, and am seeing who else may be available. I am hoipng
> Rupavilas prabhu will also come. Compared with last year, we are expecting
> even more devotees from around the UK - especially from London - actually
> a packed crowd.
>
> Hoping you can make it - last year we had a great attendance from
> Brighton!
>
> Hoping everything is going well, and your health is good,
>
> Hare Krishna,
>
> Antardwip das

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama
Rama Hare Hare. All Glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!  Camp:ISKCON
Kisumu,Kenya.

Dear Ila dd,

Please accept my blessings!All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you for your letter.

> Below is the advertisement I have sent out - I sent it to Free Forum, All
> Kinds of Advertisements, Dandavats, ISKCON News Weekly
> (www.news.iskcon.com), as well as individuals I know in the IT field….
>  
> Probably I left out many things you would have said….I wish I had more
> intelligence but what to do….

Well done.I like the Ad.The dye is cast.We are getting closer.You are always
in the Holy Dham so it must (may?) be Lord Chaitanya’s cyber desire!And now
you will have transcendental homework dealing with the replies- if any.

I also delayed replying to you hoping you would decide whether or not so
send it.I do’nt think Devamrita Prabhu  will mind.If he finds a qualified
devotee we can also be in a position to compare candidates if you also  get
applicants.This is standard practice to find the best person for a job.Why
not in ISKCON too?

This is the right spirit.Now the  project will be sufficently aired and not
an in-house cliquey thing. We are giving a chance to  all devotees to
apply.I think this is starting on the right foot to get the trust of all the
devotees out there for this proposed historic ISKCON Guru/GBC website.

Thank you.

Hoping that this finds you,Shastra and all the family well in Krishna
Consciousness,

Your wellwishing,

Mahavishnu Swami

PS: I suggest you use the Wincom  “Comment” tab instead of  the “Answer” tab
then all the involved  receivers will automatically get the correspondence
and can give their comments too.If they don’t want they can request to be
removed.

> RARE WEBDESIGN OPPORTUNITY!
>  
> Rare and unique opportunity for a mature, faithful, enthusiastic
> web-master ISKCON devotee to compile and run the first ISKCON Guru
> website!
>  
> Aims of the service:
>  
> To provide an official ISKCON Guru Website under guidance of the GBC which
> will contain information on all present initiating spiritual masters, as
> well as philosophical articles on the subject of the spiritual master, to
> serve as a guide and source of information for anyone who seeks a guru on
> the internet.  This may possibly be expanded to include information on the
> GBC.
>  
> Qualities of the candidate:
>  
> The required devotee must be a faithful, mature ISKCON devotee in good
> standing, with an open-minded and unbiased view, strong desire to preach
> via the internet and serve the Gurus and Vaisnavas.  He/She will need to
> be resourceful and experienced with enough time on hand to dedicate to
> this service, and be especially skilled in dealing with and communicating
> with devotees. This implies good English language skills, with command
> of additional languages an advantage. Financial independence and ability
> to fund the project as well as recruit team-members to assist is also
> desirable.
>  
> Specific skills:
>  
> Webdesign, web-programming and maintenance, general IT skills, good
> writing and management skills.
>  
> Specific services required:
>  
> 1) Full devotional program, 16 rounds, prasadam, etc…
>  
> 2) Providing an adequate and bonafide sastric presentation of some
>     introductory philosophical  and historical background about the
>     disciplic succession. Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON GBC,ISKCON Gurus
>     etcetera.i.e.about the need to have a spiritual master, qualifications
>     of gurus etc. and also refutation of ritvikism and the like. These
>     articles could be taken from existing articles and GBC Laws.
>  
> 3) Collecting and researching the data on all the personalities - Gurus
> and     GBCs. This would include their bio-data, zones, addresses,
> histories,     writings, teachings, zones, health, audio and videos etc.
>  
> 4)  Maintaining and updating this data. GBCs and Gurus may also want
>      alterations or changes.
>  
> 5)  Providing Links to the personal websites of all GBCs and ISKCON Gurus.
>  
> 6)  Carrying the financial responsibility for the website (be innovative
>     regarding fundraising).
>  
> 7)  Correspondence  :- Favourably guiding enquirers about ISKCON Gurus and
>                        GBCs .
>
> Those who wish to take up this challenge and great service, please send
> applications and full CV with references to the email address below.  The
> final decision regarding this website will be made at the ISKCON GBC
> meetings 2009.
>  
> Suggestions and ideas welcome!
>  
> Ila.Devi.MVS@pamho.net
>  
> Your servant
> Ila devi dasi
> (Liaison for Guru-Website Proposal)