TEXAS FAITH 23: Why is the political pendulum swinging so much?

Dallas Morning News,

Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

President Obama goes up to Capitol Hill Wednesday night to deliver his State of the Union address. Of course, he does so having just suffered a serious setback in Massachusetts. He described the anger that fueled Scott Brown's victory as akin to the revolt that elected him president.

Whether he's right or not, we certainly are seeing swings back and forth in our political system. We're going through rapid movements between left and right, right and left. And that leads to this week's question:

The question: Is there a defect in our social and political fabric that religion or religious leaders can speak to so that we can find more stability in our politics? If so, what are the defects and what message or messages can religious leaders deliver?

Our Texas Faith panel weighs in:

 
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas

There was one God-fearing political leader who had stated "God has no place in politics and is irrelevant." But by definition God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Therefore such an illogical statement implies that an eternal, ever present reality is somehow not relevant to a certain feature of its own reality. Therefore such an idea is atheistic.

What does God consciousness have to offer socially and politically? Although this topic has no limit I will focus on just two benefits

1. "Bhagavata communism". Unlike the failing concept presented by Marx, Bhagavata communism recognizes that God, not the state, is the owner of everything. Faithful servants of God have this realization that, "God is the owner, I am simply a borrower, I should take only according to my needs or thus become liable as a thief." A faithful servant of God will also not make distinctions between nationalities, race, religion, or even species. Not that, "let my brothers and sisters eat and others starve." No, rather a God conscious person is so compassionate that he would not even unnecessarily harm even an ant.

2. Selfish Gain. Why selfish gain? Every political leader or party advertises that they will work for your self interest. But hardly does anyone attempt to define what is the self.

If we identify our self with the current temporary body then we can hardly stretch beyond hedonistic goals. Physically everyone is constantly reincarnating in this present life. Our 5-year old body had different cells then our 15-year old body. Our 40-year old body, completely different carne, flesh, then what we started out with.

But we, the eternal observer, still remain. So, although the body has changed there is something that has not, the soul, we. We the soul are different from our vehicles, the body. Knowing ones identity means that one can actually work for their own actual gain, satisfaction. A satisfied person is peaceful and an asset to society.

Hare Krishna :)
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Chandra Das
To see all the responses from the Texas Faith Panel click here

Texas Faith 22: Do religions oppress women?

Dallas Morning News,

Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

Nelson Mandela has formed a group called The Elders to address causes of suffering around the globe. One area that the council, which includes such members as Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu and Aung San Suu Kyi , has been looking at is whether religions oppress women.

In responding to this new organization, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof recently observed that:

Paradoxically, the churches in Africa that have done the most to empower women have been conservative ones led by evangelicals and especially Pentecostals. In particular, Pentecostals encourage women to take leadership roles, and for many women this is the first time they have been trusted with authority and found their opinions respected. In rural Africa, Pentecostal churches are becoming a significant force to emancipate women.

This week's question is two-fold:

The question: Do you think religions are a factor in the oppression of women? If so, how? If not, please explain your view.

Also, is Kristol right? Are Pentecostals ahead of the pack in encouraging women to take leadership roles?

Our Texas Faith panel response. 
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas

Religion, like any powerful thing, can be used to help or harm. True religion begins when we realize that we are not these mortal bodies but rather the eternal observers within. Our physical bodies may have many associated designations such as male, female, Black, White, Republican, Democrat, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and so on.

Such designations may change but the soul, the eternal being within the body, does not. Not only are we eternally the same, but eternally we have the same need, that need is to be engaged in loving service to God.

Just as the hand is best suited serving needs the body rather than just the hand itself. So similarly the soul is best suited serving God. One in that best suited position does not exploit others in their quest for pleasure, for their pleasure come from God directly. Therefore a truly spiritual person cannot be cause of oppression of any group.

Hare Krishna :)
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Chandra Das
To see all the responses from the Texas Faith Panel click here

Baby Names???

March is right around the corner and we still have not decided on baby boy names.   Can any of you devotees help?  We are looking for a Krishna Conscious name that is not too hard to pronounce.  

It is going to be extremely busy here at Kalachandji’s temple due to the GBC temple presidents meetings.  Some on the sannyasis on the list are their holinesses Romapada Swami, Bhaktimarga Swami, Bir Krishna Goswami, and Trivikrama Swami.  Also we have about 70 other guests such as Vaisesika Prabhu so many other inspiring devotees.  Stay tuned to the kirtans and classes online at www.krishna.com/dallas or you can even call in to hear the live radio at 972-656-6002

Praise & Humble Pie

Gauranga Kishore Prabhu wrote a short blog about humility and this made me remember a realization of mind. I was thinking, why is it that I do not like glorification, and public praise?  The though lingered, is it because I am humble? But then the truth arouse. The proper method of dealing with praise is to deflect it to those who actually deserve praise. One may often turning the praise back on the pious and pure praiser. But because of my lack of humility I cannot think of others glorification an thus I just become dumbstruck. Therefore my lack of comfort of dealing with praise is actually not due to my humility but due to my pride.

Texas Faith 21: Does materialism compromise the holiday season?

Dallas Morning News,

Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

North Texas has been talking this fall about "Tinsel," Hank Stuever's non-fiction account of Christmas in Frisco. The Washington Post writer spent three consecutive Christmases in Frisco, chronicling the way the townspeople celebrate Christmas - this, as a window into how contemporary Americans observe the holiday. What he records is to a great extent a people who have allowed consumerism and an addiction to spectacle to overshadow the spiritual heart of the holiday. This is a familiar critique of American life - which doesn't, of course, make it untrue.

In this holiday season, we ask to what extent materialism compromises the meaning of religious holiday observance here (Christmas, Hanukkah, whatever your own faith tradition or what you see of others' traditions).

The question: Does materialism compromise the celebration of Christmas or other religious holidays? Can you point to examples of Texans being true to the spirit of the holiday?

Our Texas Faith panel weighs in after the jump:

 
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas
Short of time I took some help from Madhavananda Prabhu’s Krishna Kathamrita Bindu

In general there are various motivation one may a approach or pleasing God or a celebrating religious festival.
1) Bhaya -- out of fear.
2) Asha -- for satisfying material aspirations.
3) Kartavya-buddhi -- out of a sense of duty (literally, "a mentality of what should be done").
4) Räga -- out of genuine attraction for the Lord.

One Vaishnava saint, Bhaktivinode Thakura elaborates on these motivations: Those who take to worship of the Lord out of bhaya, äshä or kartavya- buddhi are not on such a pure level. Those who worship the Lord according to räga are real worshipers.... Bhaya o äshä nitästa heya -- Bhaya and äshä are extremely low in spiritual nature. When a practioner's intelligence becomes clear, he gives up bhaya and äshä, and kartavyabuddhi becomes his sole motive. As long as räga towards the Lord has not appeared, the devotee should not give up worship according to kartavya-buddhi.

Hare Krishna :)
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Chandra Das
To see all the responses from the Texas Faith Panel click here

Making of Nickelodeon's Little Krishna

Being premiered on Nick (Nickelodeon in India), Little Krishna is one of the dearest animated series for kids this season. Based on traditional tales of Krishna's childhood adventures, the series is an outcome of seven years of research and two-and-a-half years of production by the Big Animation's 280 plus team in collaboration with The India Heritage Foundation. Bollywood Hungama brings you a making of the series. Must Watch!!

The Many Faces of Krishna – A course at Texas Christian University

 
Last Thursday I hosted about 10 students from TCU who were taking a course by the name of  “The Many Faces of Krishna” 
Long time friend and colleague of His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami, Professor Andy Ford, called up several weeks ago to set up his yearly college field trip to the temple.  Professor Ford has PHD in Hinduism and this year decided to have a course entirely about Krishna.  His syllabus consists of studies of Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and many other Krishna related literature.  
The following is a course description form TCU’s website:

RELI 30753 - The Many Faces of Krishna
This course considers the many images of the god Krishna in the literary and religious imagination of the Indian people. After introducing some background of Hindu thought and practice, we shall look at how Krishna appears in different versions and interpretations of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, including the famous portion called the Bhagavad Gita. We then examine how Krishna appears in later devotional literature and poetry in the classical Sanskrit tradition, and finally Krishna in popular and regional understandings up to the present day.

The students were really nice and enjoyed the temple and the kirtan.  Over  a delicious dinner of eggplant parmesan at Kalachandji’s we discussed the glories of Sri Krishna.   One student also spoke with me about his upcoming trip to India. 
After the dinner the Professor asked if we could come to their campus and give a presentation in December.  It was perfect timing for His Holiness Prahladananda Swami, my spiritual master, will be in town that week. 
I keep you in tune. 
Hare Krishna
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Chandra Das