Graphic art and branding, film-making, online TV and much more: The Vaishnava Resources Exhibition
This weekend we’re having a Vaishnava Resources Exhibition at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. Its an opportunity for creative devotees to show what they’re offering to the community and a time for networking and offering encouragement to innovative preaching.
After the morning session we’ll be going over to the new Krishna-Avanti Primary School for a guided tour, giving many devotees their first opportunity to view this architectural and educational marvel.
For those readers who cannot make it, here’s just some of the good people that will be assembled under one roof for the first time:
Adi-Guru das works to present Krishna consciousness to a variety of audiences at new age shows like the Yoga Show and Body Mind Spirit. He presents books, beads and incense and bhakti yoga directly. He does mantra meditation workshops and stage shows at events all over England. He offers classes in Bhagavad-Gita, bhakti-yoga and workshops in kirtan and story-telling anywhere in the country. www.pure-incense.com www.ashram-emporium.co.uk email: info@pure-incense.com
Mayapur.tv is ISKCON's provider of live transcendental video over the internet. Mayapur.tv has two other channels that operate 24 hours a day - ISKCONlifeTV, which has playlists of ISKCON festivals and classes; and PrabhupadaTV, which has continual classes/videos of Srila Prabhupada. http://mayapur.tv/ email: info@mayapur.tv
Ben Loka is a video content creator for YouTube. Using various creative devices he has been trying to present Krishna Consciousness via the internet to a growing subscriber base that currently stands at over 25’000 people holding a viewership of 4 million worldwide. Attracting attention from appearances on national TV, media campaigns and his own self-produced comedy sketches he is able to direct viewers to spiritual presentations, vegetarian cooking, and information on the Vedic lifestyle, distributing books to those who are interested.” www.benloka.com email: benloka@googlemail.com
The Lotus Trust aims to raise the quality of life of people throughout the UK, celebrate multiculturalism and diversity, and reach those who may be socially deprived or in isolation. It has created ground breaking projects such as the Sita Drama Troupe, Karma to Climate Change and the Ahimsa – Cruelty free milk campaign. The welfare arm of The Lotus Trust has recently started the Haiti Appeal and have raised a substantial amount for the victims of the earthquake by providing daily food supplies. www.thelotustrust.org
email: info@thelotustrust.org
ISKCON Pandava Sena (IPS) is a dynamic youth group known for making spirituality fun and for helping youth to develop deeper understandings about life. Consisting of youth between the ages of 15 and 25, its aim is to reveal to youth the essence of the teachings of spiritual India. IPS’ three main activities are:
- Jammin is a fun, dynamic, thought-provoking, socially and spiritually charged alternative Friday/Saturday-night experience. It includes the core elements of spiritual wisdom, Deity worship, mantra meditation, rocking kirtan (spiritual music) and sumptuous prashad (sanctified food)
- Sena Getaways- spiritual retreats. With over 100 youth each year, our Sena Getaway annual trips are not to be missed.
- KC socs – With over twenty university societies around the country, KC Socs gives you the opportunity to take part in interactive presentations and discussions, meals out in London, international trips during the summer and amazing day retreats to Bhaktivedanta Manor (IPS’s UK headquarters in Watford, Hertfordshire). www.psena.com
The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) is a Recognized Independent Centre of Oxford University. The principal aim of the Centre is the study of Hindu culture, religion, languages, literature, philosophy, history, arts and society, in all periods and in all parts of the world. Projects and initiatives of the Centre include: facilitating Hindu communities to create effective plans for protecting the environment; offering online courses giving a thorough grounding in Hindu beliefs, practices, and traditions; a Hindu studies book series with Routledge, providing publishing opportunities for scholars; publishing the Journal of Hindu Studies in partnership with Oxford University Press. www.ochs.org.uk email: info@ochs.org.uk
At Connect programmes, groups of members meet on a regular basis to systematically study and discuss the content of the books of Krishna consciousness, such as the Bhagavad-gita, and thereby further cultivate a good foundation in the related teachings. Typically taking place in someone’s home in each of the IPS areas, there is an intimate atmosphere in Connect sessions in which everyone’s views are respected. Those that are still fairly new to KC find that they benefit greatly from the matured understanding and appreciation of those who have been practicing for many years. As participants share their realisations, they find that their relationships with others also develop. Email: nimaicandra@psena.com
Fitzrovia Press grew out of the work of Ranchor Prime. After publishing a dozen books on Hinduism and spirituality, and working as an adviser to environmental projects in India and Europe, he saw the need for a publishing house bringing together these interests. He and his sister Sally founded the company in October 2008. http://www.fitzroviapress.com
Yoga Maya Films is a motion picture production company based in central London, in the UK. They have multiple feature length projects in development. They also host regular events, such as the bi-weekly ‘Feature Screenwriter’s Group’ meetings and ‘The Film Producer’s Podcast’. Yoga Maya Films’ main focus is on developing and producing films that merge the deeper philosophical insights of the East with pure Hollywood entertainment, production and storytelling values. www.yogamayafilms.com
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust was founded in 1972 by Srila Prabhupada. The BBT is the world’s largest publisher of ancient and classic Vaishnava texts, epics, and contemporary works on the philosophy, theology and culture of Bhakti yoga. BBT especially emphasizes the works of the Gaudiya-Vaishnava tradition. BBT UK email: Titiksu@pamho.net
Rathayatra is celebrated by devotees all over the world after being introduced to the west in 1967 in San Franscisco by Srila Prabhupada and his first American disciples. Rathayatra is ISKCON’s biggest street festival expanding to more than 20 places in the UK. It features three huge, wooden chariots pulled by hand accompanied by singing, chanting, drums, cymbals, and dancing. The procession ends with a stage show, festival and delicious vegetarian prasadam feast. www.rathayatra.co.uk
At Manor Volunteering you will find a great choice of services for you to get involved with. It’s completely your choice. At Manor Volunteering what every help you can give is very much appreciated. www.manorvolunteering.com
Krishna Club (in the suburbs) is a little sister for the Krishna Club Sunday School, who are now in its 15th year at the Manor. Krishna Club is now in three locations: East, North and West of London.
Weekend Warriors is a small street festival organized by small team of devotees from Soho St. Temple. They hold a programme every Saturday in different areas of London to support the local sanga groups, West London, South London and East London areas. You will regularly see them in Ealing Broadway, Croydon and Ilford with a table displaying the Deities, books, leaflets, and prasadam. email: sachinkotak108@gmail.com mobile: 07535 211555
The Vaishnava Voice 
Hare Krishna
it is so nice to hear that such a resource program is being put on; I am sure it will inspire many into doing some form of service.
There is two omissions I feel may be considered for the next one.
Vanipedia, All of Srila Prabhupada’s books are being made available online using a very sophisticated search engine. There is also an opportunity for devotees to get involved in the form of Vaniseva helping to compile. This is an ambitious project with many aims that is truly a local and international service.
School Education, how devotees can get involved in this; joining the local SACRE (Standing advisory committee for Religious Education); this along with developing close ties with the local schools and visiting them giving talks and classes on Vedic culture.
I mention these as both are close to my heart and have proved for myself very inspirational and focuses the mind on serving others. And I feel are worthy additions
Hare Krishna!
Greetings Kripamoya Das. Can you tell me please whether the same program is happening on Saturday and Sunday and when it begins and ends? Is there a programme anywhere, I can see?
It sounds wonderful!
Best wishes
Martin
Exhibition is from 10.00 until 2.00 then the school visit is 3.00 – 4.30. Saturday only
Thank you. I hope to come with Steve Smith.