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Introduction To Our Introduction To Our Temple FamilyTemple Family

CLASS 101CLASS 101Krishna Temple

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101101VaishnavasVaishnavas

The followers of Krishna, or Vishnu, are referred to as Vaishnavas. A large percentage of Hindus are Vaishnavas, with the vast majority living in India. Awareness, recognition, and growth of the belief has significantly increased outside of India in recent years. The Gaudiya Vaishnava branch of the tradition has significantly increased the awareness of Vaishnavism internationally, since the mid-1900s, largely through the activities and geographical expansion of the Hare Krishna movement, primarily through ISKCON.

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ISKCON Delhi(one of 400 branches

worldwide)

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ISKCON Vrndavan

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101101ISKCON Tirupati

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Mayapur

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Gaudiya VaishnavasGaudiya VaishnavasWithin Vaishnavism there are four main disciplic lineages (sampradayas), each exemplified by a specific Vedic personality. The four sampradayas follow subtly different philosophical systems regarding the relationship between the soul (jiva) and God (Vishnu or Krishna), although the majority of other core beliefs are identical.

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Four SampradayasFour Sampradayas

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“Just try to learn the Truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self realized soul can impart knowledge unto to you because he (she) has seen the Truth.” Gita 4/34

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Circles of Circles of CommitmentCommitment

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The Basics For This Class

1. The temple is a FAMILY.

2. Krishna expects you to be A MEMBER of a church family.

3. A Devotee without a church family is ORPHAN.

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LocalLocal

NFL but no team.. ISKCON universal ISKCON, Prabhupada stressed Local. If you believe part of universal church, but must choose local temple..part of invisible church, when in his invisible pastor will visit..there are so many commands in Gita cannot obey unless part of local church

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Work in devotion

“The renunciation of work & work in devotion are both good for liberation. But, of the two, work in devotional service is better than renunciation of work.”Gita 5/2

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The Goal Of This Class

That I will commit myself to

Krishna and to the

Temple Family!

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101101Why Commitment?Why Commitment?

Floating Believers Part of the Body, connected

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What Makes Krishna Temple A Family?

Our Future (What Krishna has done for us)

Our Statement(Why we exist as a temple)

Our Strategy (How we fulfill our purpose)

Our Structure(When and where we fulfill our

purpose)

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Session OneSession One

Our FutureOur Future

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101101Eternal FutureEternal Future

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.”Gita 2/12“Those who are free from anger and all material desires, who are self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection, are assured of liberation in the Supreme in the very near future.” Gita 5/26

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Krishna’s Krishna’s GuaranteeGuarantee

“A person who is thus always engaged in the service of the Lord is to be considered completely liberated at present, and in the future his going back home, back to Godhead, is guaranteed. He is above all materialistic criticism, just as Krishna is above all criticism.” Gita 9/28 purport

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101101“FEAR is due to worrying about the future. A person in Krishna consciousness has no fear because by his activities he is sure to go back to the spiritual sky, back home, back to Godhead. Therefore his future is very bright. Others, however, do not know what their future holds; they have no knowledge of what the next life holds. So they are therefore in constant anxiety.

No Fear

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FEAR is caused by our absorption in the illusory energy. But those who are free from the illusory energy, those who are confident that they are not the material body, that they are spiritual parts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and who are therefore engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Godhead, have nothing to fear. Their future is very bright.” Gita 10/5 Purport

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Imaginative Imaginative IconographyIconography

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“The family in which a pure devotee takes his birth is fortunate because due to the birth of a first-grade devotee the members of the family, past, present and future up to one hundred generations, become liberated by the grace of the Lord, out of respect for His beloved devotee. SB 1/12/17 Purport

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“Activity in Krishna consciousness, or acting for the benefit of Krishna without expectation of sense gratification, is the highest transcendental quality of work. Even a small beginning of such activity finds no impediment, nor can that small beginning be lost at any stage. Gita 2/40 Purport

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Symbols of BhaktiSymbols of Bhakti

Japa Beads

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Tulsi Neck Tulsi Neck BeadsBeads

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101101PrasadamPrasadam

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101101Teelok & SikhaTeelok & Sikha

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What Does It Mean To Be A Devotee?

Everyone wants to be happy!

But real happiness comes from understanding my PURPOSE IN LIFE.

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101101Why Am I Here?

1. Krishna made me to LOVE me.2. We were created to ENJOY a

personal relationship with Krishna and to MANAGE all of the rest of Krishna’s creation! This makes us special!

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Why Am I Here?

Purpose

Confidence

Security

Power & Strength

Fulfillment

Freedom

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What’s The Problem?

Purusha vs. PrakritiGita 13/22

Boss attitude vs. servant attitude

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What’s The Solution?

Krishna said…GITA 9/30

KRISHNA HAS ALREADY TAKEN CAREOF YOUR KARMA PROBLEM!

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What Does Krishna Want Me To Do?

Accept the Gift of liberation“Namo Maha Badanaya.”

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President, not President, not residentresident

Lord, not servant,

Ask not what Krishna can do for you…

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Session TwoSession Two

The Krishna Temple The Krishna Temple StatementsStatements

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Our Purpose Statement

Our Faith Statement

Our Lifestyle Statement

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Our Purpose Our Purpose StatementStatement

To bring people to Krishna Consciousness and membership in His devotional family, develop them to spiritual maturity, and equip them for their service in the temple and life mission in the world, in order to magnify Krishna’s Holy Name.

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Our Purpose Statement

To Center on Krishna in love is “Sadhana”.

To Connect with devotees in love is “Sanga”.

To Cultivate spiritual maturity is Siksha”.

To Contribute to the temple is “Seva”..

To Communicate Krishna Consciousness is “Sankirtan”.

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The Krishna Temple Exists:

1. To CELEBRATE Krishna’s Presence (Sadhana)

2. To DEMONSTRATE Krishna’s Love (Seva)

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1011013. To COMMUNICATE Krishna’s Word (Sankirtana)

4. To ASSIMILATE Krishna’s Family (Sanga)

5. To EDUCATE Krishna’s People (Shiksa)

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I. We Exist To Celebrate Krishna’s Presence

“Either alone or in public gatherings, with singing, dancing and other exhibitions of royal opulence, one should arrange to celebrate those holy days, ceremonies and festivals set aside specially for My worship.” SB 11/29/11

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“And the dharma of each spark of divine consciousness is to dance in harmony around the central fire, Krishna, the original supreme personality. We are all unique, individual, and personal manifestations of Krishna, but our dharma is to recognize our source, to celebrate our eternal connection with Him through loving service. Introduction, “Way of Transcendence”

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II. We Exist To Communicate Krishna’s Message

"Glory to the Sri Krishna Sankirtan which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years together. Thus the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death, is extinguished. This Sankirtan movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction Moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it helps us to have a taste of the full nectar for which we are always anxious.” Sikshastakam Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

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Nature of Spirit to Expand

Honey Spilled

We believe our temple must grow LARGER and SMALLER at the same time.

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Book Book DistributionDistribution

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III. We Exist To Educate Krishna’s People

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master.

Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the

truth.

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“Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because

of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell

me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul

surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.”

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IV. We Exist To Demonstrate Krishna’s Love

“It is said that the Lord is most pleased when He sees one engage in the SEVA of His devotee. He does not need any service from anyone because He is complete, but it is in our own interest to offer all kinds of services to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. SB 4/21/39

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101101 Every member is a: MINISTER!

Every task is: IMPORTANT!

Every member is a “10” in: SOME AREA!

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V. We exist to V. We exist to AssimilateAssimilateKrishna’s FamilyKrishna’s Family

“One who has obtained pure devotional service by association with My devotees always engages in worshiping Me. Thus he very easily goes to My abode, which is revealed by My pure devotees.” SB 11/11/25

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The devotees of the Lord can reveal the spiritual world by their transcendental sound vibration, making it possible for even a neophyte devotee to experience the Lord's abode. By constantly associating with devotees and learning from them about devotional science, one quickly achieves a deep attachment for the Lord and the Lord's service, and such attachment gradually matures into pure love of Godhead.”

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Our Statement of Faith!

What We Believe!What We Believe!

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1. An absolute reality exists. 2. True success in life comes only

by understanding reality and our place within it.

3. Science gives a limited picture of reality; abundant evidence suggests that part of reality exists beyond the reach of our senses and scientific instruments.

4. The scriptures of the world purport to reveal the spiritual aspect of reality, including God, the source of all existence.

5. God can reveal Himself to us and explain reality.

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6. God primarily reveals Himself through scripture, and the scriptures known as the Vedas contain a vast amount of knowledge about God and reality.

7. Among them, the Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita provide the most focused explanation of God and reality.

8. Religion should be understood to mean, not faith, but our intrinsic nature and eternal relationship with God.

9. Discovering that relationship is the goal of life, and it is possible by following time-tested, scientific spiritual principles under the guidance of the Vedas and self-realized souls.

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Lifestyle StatementLifestyle Statement

Ideals of Vegetarianism, Temperance, & Continence

Autonomy of the temple First income of the month, 10% ideal

Empowerment of the Members

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Session ThreeSession Three

The Krishna Temple The Krishna Temple StrategyStrategy

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Common GroundCommon Ground

“We try to see the common ground—and there is plenty of it—shared by the world's religions. There are disagreements, of course. We assert, for example, that the Biblical injunction "Thou shalt not kill" refers to the unnecessary killing of any living being, including animals. But even in thus disagreeing with the prevailing viewpoint of modern Christians, we are accepting Jesus Christ's instructions. BTG Article Mathuresh 1986

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Utah ValleyUtah Valley

88 % LDS High percentage students Youthful population Follow Spiritual principles Love spiritual festivals

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Problems & SolutionProblems & Solution

Problems: Meat eating, Depression,Peer PressureGita 9/2, Direction experienceVedas most complete Immigrants who are taught the lives of Founding Fathers more likely to be law abiding

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Federation of Federation of TemplesTemples

“I have not got much stock in such centralized management or organization. I never wanted that any of my temples shall be dependent upon the other temples. Rather, our main business is to train up men to be self sufficient and competent in many ways to carry on the preaching work, not to make them into specialists or to minimize their responsibility by centralizing everything. If each center must rely upon its own strength to stand, that will be better training ground for the devotees.” Letter 1973

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HospitalityHospitality

“When Srila Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1965, he instructed his disciples, those students who had dedicated their lives completely to the service of Lord Krishna, to treat visiting guests with the greatest respect and courtesy.”BTG 1980

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5 Circles of Commitment

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The Four Levels

1. The Membership Level...is a commitment to Krishna andThe Temple Family.

Similarly this Krishna Consciousness Movement is a treatment for reviving the memory that we all belong to Krishna's family. So we are trying to establish a replica of Krishna's family in this material world wherein there is no material activities.Letter 1969

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The Four Levels:

2. The Maturity Level…is a commitment to the HABITS necessary for spiritual growth.

“The execution of duties to attain perfection is known as devotional service, and in maturity such

devotional service becomes love of God, the factual goal of life for

every living being.” TLC

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The Four Levels:

3. The Ministry Level...is a commitment to discovering and using my God-given gifts and abilities in SERVING God and others.

According to your abilities and the occupations in which you are situated, you should engage your service at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead with full confidence and without reservation. Then you will surely be successful in achieving the final objective in your lives.SB 4/21/33

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The Four Levels:

4. The Missions Level...is a commitment to SHARE the Good News with others.

One who has satisfied Krishna and thus attained the Lord's mercy will never be troubled. Lord Krishna is the reservoir of all pleasure, and He enjoys sharing His spiritual bliss with all living beings. We need only cooperate with the Supreme Lord.SB 10.51.44

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Session Four...Session Four...

The Krishna Temple The Krishna Temple Structure!Structure!

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How Our Temple Is Structured

I. The Temple Is A FELLOWSHIP!

“So if you want to broaden your feelings of fellowship to the utmost limit, please try to understand the Bhagavad-gita. You'll get enlightenment; you'll become a real mahatma. You will feel affection even for the cats and dogs and reptiles.” Journey self DiscoveryA top priority in a fellowship is HARMONY and UNITY.

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How Our Temple Is Structured

Implication:

A good structure promotes unity and downplays DIFFERENCES.

“Voting” tends to CREATE CONFLICT.

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II. The Temple Is A...

FAMILY!

“We should not be greedy and we should not overly mix with persons not interested in Krishna. In this way, we can make steady progress and maintain our membership in Krishna's family.” Letter 1969

So we operate on the basis of RELATIONSHIPS not RULES.

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III. The Temple Is A...

BODY

We are a body — not a business!We are an organism — not an

organization!

Therefore, we function on the basis of SPIRITUAL GIFTS not ELECTED OFFICES.

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IV. The Temple Is A...

FLOCK

Therefore it is cared for and led by Spiritual leaders.

The sannyasis were the spiritual leaders of society. They lived by the charity of the householders, and anyone would be honored and happy to receive sannyasis

in his house, for their presence afforded an opportunity to hear realized

transcendental knowledge. BTG 1989

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Membership CovenantMembership Covenant

I. I will protect the unity of my temple!

II. I will share the responsibility of my temple!

III. I will serve the ministry of my temple!

IV. I will support the outreach of my temple!

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Membership Covenant

1. I will protect the unity of my temple    ...by acting in love to the other members

    ...by refusing to gossip    ...following the leaders

“The unity of the individual souls attempting to satisfy the Supreme Lord or rendering service to the Lord is real unity. The world is anxious for unity, and that common platform can be achieved in transcendental devotional service. SB 4/30/8

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2. I will share the responsibility of my temple    ..by praying for its growth   ..by living a godly life   ..by giving regularly

A great heritage brings responsibility in the matter of discharging duties. BG 2/14

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By engaging in devotional service to the Lord, devotees free themselves from the results of work (karma) in this material world. BG 2/51

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"The greatest philanthropists are those who represent the mission of Krishna Consciousness. They may be many, but their aim is one and the same, namely, to deliver the fallen souls back home, back to Godhead." SB 1/4/17

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CLASS 101 CLASS 101

Congratulations!You Have Completed CLASS 101