All glories to His Divine Grace Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada !!!
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances.
My name is Prahladesa Dasa and I am a disciple of HH Hrdayananda Dasa Gosvami initiated in 1989 and I have been part of the Movement since 1979.
I have lived in Portugal for 30 years and would like to share some suggestions I have with the aim of helping and collaborating.
We really need help here in Portugal !!!
Portugal has enormous potential to be a powerful Yatra.
Thank you very much.
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Humble and respectful obeisances.
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya
I share some reflections with the aim of helping and collaborating.
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Now we can analyze why there are Yatras that are successful and others that despite several decades do not progress?
Well I think there are a number of factors involved.
1st - The constant presence of a GBC, Guru, Sannyasi in the Yatra. Who lives in the Yatra. In Iskcon this is very relevant. The constant presence of these members is what drives and motivates the members.
2nd - Lots of book distribution, with numerous distributors, as a source of Laksmi.
3rd - Other sources, such as Restaurant.
4th - Historical context (this factor was very important at the beginning of the movement in the 60s and continues to be).
5th - Strong and numerous congregation.
6th - Strong and participatory Indian Congregation.
When all these factors come together then we have a powerful Yatra.
Otherwise it is scarcity.
We can give a good example to make it clearer.
The case of Hungary. Which has the same number of inhabitants and area as Portugal and whose economy is even weaker than Portugal.
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First the historical context.
Hungary was part of the Communist area of influence of the Soviet Union. After almost 50 years of Communism, when the Soviet Union fell, people were eager to see new things in 1989.
The Sankirtana Movement came into being and prospered with an ever-growing congregation and many book distributors. They bought a property in 1991. And then a larger property. The Budapest Temple is beautiful and they also have an Educational Center that is almost being recognized as a University. They acquired a farm that is a model of sustainability. They have 3 Govinda restaurants in Budapest.
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In other words, all the factors are there.
The constant presence of a GBC, Guru, Sannyasi in the Yatra. Who lives in the Yatra, in this case HH Sivarama Svami (which is Hungarian), lots of book distribution, with numerous distributors as a source of Laksmi, 3 Govinda Restaurants, historical context, strong and numerous congregation.
In Hungary the only exception is the Indian Community. There are only 8,000 Indians living in Hungary. There aren't many in Brazil either, 3,000. In Portugal there are around 50,000 Indians !!!
But with all other factors they have a strong and exemplary Yatra.
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In the specific case of Portugal, the only thing I see as possible is to try to open restaurants in Lisbon and Porto (with so much tourism it is perfectly possible), cultivate the Indian Congregation (50,000) to thereby gather some Laksmi and acquire our own property.
These are the only factors that, in my opinion, can be applied in Portugal. All others, large congregation, massive distribution of books, historical context and GBC residing on site, are absent.
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Of course we dream and wish for the best, but we must be completely in the hands of the Divine Couple, and maintain our service without attachment. If Radha Krsna wants us not to have much in Portugal, we will continue to do whatever is possible.
Gaura Premanande Hari Haribol
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Warm and respectful obeisances
I share what I discussed with Prabhuji Nityananda:
Hari Hari
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya
Prabhuji Nityananda, I share a few more thoughts. It's simply a matter of noticing and trying to help.
This is another thing that we, our generation, cannot achieve here in Portugal. Srila Prabhupada's books in Portuguese of Portugal. The Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srimad Bhagavatam, the Nectar of Devotion and the Nectar of Instruction, etc.
How will we present Srila Prabhupada's books to the Academia, the University environment? Books in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese?
The penetration of Srila Prabhupada's Hare Krsna Movement into Portuguese society is practically nonexistent.
Who can take us seriously? No books in the language of the country, no headquarters, no farm, no Gurukula (school) for the children, no home for the elderly members.
In the 50 years that we have been in Portugal, many books have been distributed, much Prasada has been distributed, many Harinamas have been made, devotees have been made, but in terms of our own functional properties we have not achieved anything.
We were unable to provide protection to cows, children and the elderly.
In 50 years our generation, we, have not achieved it. So I dream and hope that future generations will achieve it.
We are in a favorable phase. The Indian diaspora has grown a lot in all countries and in Portugal too.
If we go to a Sunday Feast in the United States, England and Australia, most of the participants are Indians. And in Portugal it is also like this.
The Hinduization of Iskcon. That is good? Is it bad? This is a topic for another analysis.
But we can say that in one aspect it is good because Indians are good devotees. They are actually the best. This is something that future generations should explore here in Portugal.
So we have to dream. And dream of abundance. I don't resign myself to the idea that: "Ah, in Portugal we are really small and we will never have anything." No. Portugal has great potential. By having our own beautiful and spacious headquarters, the entire Hindu community would be captivated, as would the rest of Portuguese society.
A building with 5 floors and elevator.
Ground floor, temple room. Spacious with hardwood floors. Deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra, Gaura Nitai and Radha Krsna.
1st floor, Govinda restaurant
2nd floor, Asrama of the Matajis
3rd floor, Asrama of the Prabhus
4th floor, Senior Devotee Asrama
5th floor, Gurukula
This both in Lisbon and Porto.
A farm between Lisbon and Porto.
All of Srila Prabhupada's books in Portuguese of Portugal.
There is much work to be done for the generations to come. And these new devotees must dream of abundance and explore this opportunity of the Indian diaspora in Portugal.
I dream. Dreaming doesn't cost anything.
A big hug
Ys
Prahladesa Dasa
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Sharing:
Thank you very much Prabhuji Nityananda.
That is truth. Two or three devotees from Iskcon Gujarat would make all the difference by speaking the language.
And for these devotees it would be stimulating. Offer Srila Prabhupada a strong Yatra in Portugal.
It is my conviction that Portugal has this potential.
But I'm not an administrator either and I just give suggestions.
A big hug Prabhuji
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Yes, these devotees who came from Gujarat would have to be serious, experienced and of a certain age to command respect.
This is for Hindu Community.
Now how do we get to the Portuguese people? Because Srila Prabhupada wanted the locals to take to Krsna Consciousness.
I don't think there will be mass distribution of books. And so the only way to reach the Portuguese people is through Govinda restaurants. We can see that this was effective in the more than 20 years in Estefânia where the majority of the attendees were Portuguese and in this way had contact with Krsna Consciousness.
Lisbon easily has the potential for two Govinda restaurants.
These restaurants, in addition to serving as a way to attract the Portuguese people, would serve as a way to raise money to buy something.
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I'm not an administrator, but I just give suggestions.
1 - For the Indian community, 2 to 3 experienced and elderly devotees from Gujarat with the extremely stimulating and challenging mission of cultivating Indians. Great potential there.
2 - For the Portuguese, 2 Govinda restaurants in Lisbon (and Porto). Also great potential there.
These two points as a priority.
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I had to go to an appointment at the São José hospital near Mouraria. And I passed by Rua do Bem Formoso. The queue of Bangladeshis to enter the Mosque is impressive.
There is no longer a single Portuguese person in Mouraria.
I already call the place India Town.
It feels like we are in India. I was impressed. I haven't been there for a long time.
All trade are Indian. Restaurant next to each other. With the characteristic smell of India.
Bangladeshis are Muslims. And we really wouldn't have much contact with them.
But the Nepalese are very much in favor of Krsna Consciousness. It's true, they are emigrants and don't have many conditions. But there are thousands of them. And they always have the Nepal flag in their shops. If many join it will be valuable.
Send one or two devotees from Iskcon Nepal to Portugal.
Thank you very much
Your servant
Prahladesa Dasa
