바니피디아는 현인 스릴라 프라부파다(Srila Prabhupada)의 말씀(vani)을 담은 원동적인 백과사전입니다. 우리는 공동작업을 통해 스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침의 비전을 다양한 각도에서 탐구하고 포괄적으로 편찬해 사람들이 쉽게 접하고 이해할 수 있도록 하고 있습니다. 우리는 스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침의 비할 데 없는 디지털 저장소를 만들어 그가 지속해서 모두에게 이득이 되는 크리쉬나 의식의 과학을 가르치고 전파할 수 있는 세계적인 플랫폼을 선사하고자 합니다.
바니피디아 프로젝트는 스릴라 프라부파다의 여러 헌애자들이 다양한 방향으로 참가함으로써 성공적으로 진행되고 있는 세계적 협동적 시도입니다. 모든 언어가 각기 다른 진행단계에 있습니다. 우리의 목표는 스릴라 프라부파다의 녹음된 강의, 대화 그리고 편지들을 16개 언어로 전체 번역 그리고 32개 언어로 25퍼센트 번역 완성을 하여 그가 떠난 지 50주년이 되는 2027년 11월에 프라부파다께 선사하는 것입니다. 한국어가 그 언어 중 하나가 될까요?
"Personalize here your message with an aspiration of what your language wants to do and why you want to do it. (1 or 2, or 3 sentences)"
manuṣyāṇām—of men; sahasreṣu—out of many thousands; kaścit—someone; yatati—endeavors; siddhaye—for perfection; yatatām—of those so endeavoring; api—indeed; siddhānām—of those who have achieved perfection; kaścit—someone; mām—Me; vetti—does know; tattvataḥ—in fact.
TRANSLATION
Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.
PURPORT
There are various grades of men, and out of many thousands one may be sufficiently interested in transcendental realization to try to know what is the self, what is the body, and what is the Absolute Truth. Generally mankind is simply engaged in the animal propensities, namely eating, sleeping, defending and mating, and hardly anyone is interested in transcendental knowledge. The first six chapters of the Gītā are meant for those who are interested in transcendental knowledge, in understanding the self, the Superself and the process of realization by jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga, and discrimination of the self from matter. However, Kṛṣṇa can only be known by persons who are in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Other transcendentalists may achieve impersonal Brahman realization, for this is easier than understanding Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Person, but at the same time He is beyond the knowledge of Brahman and Paramātmā. The yogīs and jñānīs are confused in their attempts to understand Kṛṣṇa, although the greatest of the impersonalists, Śrīpāda Śaṅkarācārya, has admitted in his Gītā commentary that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But his followers do not accept Kṛṣṇa as such, for it is very difficult to know Kṛṣṇa, even though one has transcendental realization of impersonal Brahman.
Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, the primeval Lord Govinda. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ anādir ādir govindaḥ sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam. It is very difficult for the nondevotees to know Him. Although nondevotees declare that the path of bhakti or devotional service is very easy, they cannot practice it. If the path of bhakti is so easy, as the nondevotee class of men proclaim, then why do they take up the difficult path? Actually the path of bhakti is not easy. The so-called path of bhakti practiced by unauthorized persons without knowledge of bhakti may be easy, but when it is practiced factually according to the rules and regulations, the speculative scholars and philosophers fall away from the path. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī writes in his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu:
śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vinā
aikāntikī harer bhaktir utpātāyaiva kalpate.
"Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upaniṣads, Purāṇas, Nārada-pañcarātra, etc., is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society."
It is not possible for the Brahman realized impersonalist or the Paramātmā realized yogī to understand Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the son of mother Yaśodā or the charioteer of Arjuna. Even the great demigods are sometimes confused about Kṛṣṇa: "muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ," "māṁ tu veda na kaścana." "No one knows Me as I am," the Lord says. And if one does know Him, then "sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ." "Such a great soul is very rare." Therefore unless one practices devotional service to the Lord, he cannot know Kṛṣṇa as He is (tattvataḥ), even though one is a great scholar or philosopher. Only the pure devotees can know something of the inconceivable transcendental qualities in Kṛṣṇa, in the cause of all causes, in His omnipotence and opulence, and in His wealth, fame, strength, beauty, knowledge and renunciation, because Kṛṣṇa is benevolently inclined to His devotees. He is the last word in Brahman realization, and the devotees alone can realize Him as He is. Therefore it is said:
ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyāiḥ
sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ
"No one can understand Kṛṣṇa as He is by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him." (Padma Purāṇa)
"죽는 순간에, 여러분이 생각하는 것 무엇이든, 그 뜻은 여러분이 다음 생애를 그와 같이 준비한다는 것입니다. 그러므로 인생 전체가 그렇게 진행될 것입니다. 그러나 동시에, 최소한 인생의 끝자락에서 우리는 크리쉬나를 생각할 수 있습니다. 그런다면 필히 우리는 크리쉬나에게로 돌아갑니다. 이것을 꼭 수행해야 합니다. 왜냐면 우리가 튼튼하고 의식이 제대로 들어있는 동안에 수행하지 않는 이상. 그러니 감각 충족에 수많은 일로 시간 낭비를 하는 대신, 우리가 만약 크리쉬나 의식에 집중을 한다면, 그 뜻은 우리가 우리의 물질적 존재에서 오는 모든 고통에 대한 해결책을 찾고 있다는 것입니다. 그것이 과정입니다, 크리쉬나 의식, 항상 크리쉬나를 생각하는 것."
성현 A. C. 박띠베단따 스와미 프라부파다는 그의 가르침에 많은 중요성을 두셨습니다. 따라서 바니피디아는 책, 녹음된 강의 및 대화, 편지 등으로 구성된 프라부파다의 글과 작품에 전적으로 전념합니다. 완료 후 바니피디아는 세계 최초의 바니 사원이 될 것입니다. 진정한 영적 인도를 추구하는 수백만이 가능한 한 많은 언어로 스릴라 프라부파다의 저명한 가르침을 백과사전 형식으로 제시된 답변을 통해 영감을 받을 수 있는 신성한 공간이 될 것입니다.
바니피디아의 비전 선언문(Vanipedia's Vision Statement)
스릴라 프라부파다의 다국어 바니 존재감을 불러일으키기 위한 공동 작업을 수행함으로써 수억 명의 사람들의 크리쉬나 의식을 통한 삶을 도모하고, 주 치따니야 마하프라부(Caitanya Mahaprabhu)의 산끼르딴 운동(Saṅkīrtana Movement)을 보조하여 인간 사회의 영적인 삶을 재고량 시킨다.
공동작업(Collaborating)
바니피디아가 지향하는 바와 같은 백과사전을 만드는 것은 스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침을 헌신적으로 컴파일링하고 부지런하게 번역하는 수많은 헌애자들의 노력과 협력으로만 가능합니다. 현재 우리는 스릴라 프라부파다께서 남기신 모든 서적, 강의, 대화 및 편지를 최소 16개의 언어로 번역하고 2027년 11월까지 108개 언어의 콘텐츠를 포함하기를 원합니다.
2017년 10월 현재 성경은 670개의 언어로 번역되어 있고 신약 성서는 1,521개 언어로, 성경의 부분이나 나오는 이야기는 1,121개 언어로 번역되었습니다. 이 통계로 볼 때 스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침의 번역문의 상당한 증가를 노린 우리의 목표가 전 세계적으로 자신들의 가르침을 전파하려는 그리스도인들이 노력에 비하면 결코 야심 찬 것이 아닙니다.
우리는 모든 인류의 이익을 위해 웹상에서 스릴라 프라부파다의 다국어 바니 존재감을 발동하고 완전히 구현하고자 하는 이 고귀한 노력에 모든 헌애자들을 초대합니다.
부름(Invoking)
1965년 스릴라 프라부파다는 아무의 초청없이 미국에 도착하셨습니다. 그의 영광스러운 바니 존재는 1977년에 끝났지만 그는 여전히 그의 바니를 통해 존재하고 있고 바로 그것이 우리가 촉발하고자 하는 그의 존재입니다. 오직 스릴라 프라부파다께 간청하고 간절히 부를 때만 그는 우리에게 나타나실 것입니다. 프라부파다께서 우리와 함께하시기를 바라는 강한 열망이 그가 모습을 드러내는 비결입니다.
완전한 현현(Fully manifesting)
우리는 스릴라 프라부파다의 부분적 존재감을 바라는 것이 아닙니다. 우리는 그의 완전한 바니 존재성을 추구합니다. 기록된 프라부파다의 모든 가르침은 완전히 컴파일링되고 다양한 언어로 번역되어야 합니다. 이것은 지구의 후손들을 위한 우리의 선물입니다- 스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침의 온전한 피난처(ashraya).
바니-존재성(Vani-presence)
스릴라 프라부파다의 완전한 바니-존재성은 두 단계로 나타날 것입니다. 첫(그리고 쉬운) 단계- 스릴라 프라부다의 모든 가르침을 컴파일링하고 모든 언어로 번역하는 것. 두 번째 (그리고 더 어려운) 단계- 수백만의 사람들이 그의 가르침을 온전히 따르며 사는 것.
다양한 공부 방법
지금까지 우리의 연구에 따르면 스릴라 프라부파다께서 자신의 헌애자들에게 직접 지시하신 자신의 책을 읽는 60가지 방법이 있습니다.
스릴라 프라부파다의 책들을 이처럼 다양한 방법으로 읽음으로써 우리는 그의 책의 내용을 제대로 이해하고 흡수할 수 있습니다. 주제적 방법론을 통해 책의 내용을 공부하고 컴파일링할 때 우리는 더 쉽게 프라부파다께서 제시하시는 각 단어, 구절의 뜻, 컨셉 혹은 인격의 깊은 의미를 관통할 수 있을 것입니다. 그의 가르침은 의심할 여지 없이 우리의 삶과 영혼이고 우리가 이것을 철두철미하게 공부할 때 우리는 스릴라 프라부파다의 존재성을 다양하고 심오한 방식으로 자각하고 경험할 수 있습니다.
천만의 아짜리아(Acarya)
지금 여러분이 만명을 이끈다고 가정합시다. 그 후에는 십만 명으로. 이건 기본이에요. 그 후에는 십만에서 백만으로, 그리고 백만에서 천만으로. 그런다면 아짜리아가 더 이상 부족하지 않을 것이며, 사람들은 크리쉬나 의식을 쉽게 이해할 것입니다. 그런 조직을 만들도록 하세요. 잘못된 방향으로 거만해지지 말고 아짜리아의 명을 따르세요 그리고 나 자신을 결함 없게 만들도록 노력하세요, 성숙하게. 그리하면 여러분은 아주 쉽게 마야(māyā)의 유혹을 이길 수 있을 것이에요. 그래요. 아짜리아는 마야의 행위에 전쟁을 선포하는 사람인 것이죠.– 1975년 4월 6일, 스릴라 프라부파다의 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 강의 중
논평(Comment)
스릴라 프라부다의 본 비젼 선언문은 자명합니다- 사람들이 크리쉬나 의식을 쉽게 이해하기 위한 완벽한 계획. 스릴라 프라부파다의 권한을 받은 십만명의 식샤(siksa)제자들이 겸손한 자세로 창립자-아짜리아의 지시를 따르며 생활하는 동시에 완벽함과 성숙함을 성취하려 항상 노력하는 것. 스릴라 프라부파다께서는 명백히 말씀하셨습니다, "그런 조직을 만들도록 하라." 바니피디아는 그의 이런 비전의 성취를 돕는 것에 열중합니다.
크리쉬나 의식의 과학(Science of Krishna Consciousness)
바가바드 기따(Bhagavad-gita) 9장을 보면 이 크리쉬나 의식의 과학은 모든 지식의 왕, 모든 기밀의 최고봉 그리고 초월적 깨달음의 최고의 과학이라고 불립니다. 크리쉬나 의식은 신을 섬기기 위한 준비가 되어있는 진심 어린 헌애자에게 드러나는 초월적 과학입니다. 크리쉬나 의식은 무미건조한 논쟁이나 학구적 자격만으로 달성할 수 없습니다. 크리쉬나 의식은 힌두교, 기독교, 불교 혹은 이슬람교와 같은 종교가 아닌 과학입니다. 만약 누군가가 스릴라 프라부파다의 책들을 신중히 읽는다면 그는 크리쉬나 의식의 가장 높은 과학을 인식하고 모든 이의 진정한 복지에 도움이 되도록 자신이 읽은 바를 전파하는 것에 대한 영감을 받을 것입니다.
주 치따니야의 산끼르딴 운동(Lord Caitanya's Sankirtana Movement)
주 스리 치따니야 마하프라부(Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)는 산끼르딴 운동의 개시자이자 아버지입니다. 산끼르딴 운동을 위해 자신의 인생, 자금, 지능 그리고 말을 바치는 자는 주에게 인정받고 축복받습니다. 그 외의 모든 희생은 어리석다고 할 수 있습니다, 자신의 에너지를 투자하며 하는 모든 희생 중, 산끼르딴 운동을 위해 하는 희생은 가장 영광스럽습니다. 크리쉬나 의식 운동 전체가 주 스리 치따니야 마하프라부께서 시작하신 산끼르딴 운동의 원칙을 기본으로 진행되고 있습니다. 그러므로 최상의 주의 인격을 산끼르딴 운동이란 미디엄을 통해 이해하고자 하는 자는 모든 것을 완벽하게 알 수 있습니다. 그는 수메다(sumedhas), 상당한 지능을 가진 자입니다.
인간사회의 재영적화(Re-spiritualizing Human Society)
현 인간사회는 망각의 어둠에 있지 않습니다. 우리 사회는 물질적 편안함, 교육 그리고 경제발달의 면에서 세계적으로 빠른 진척을 이루었습니다. 그러나 인간사회의 기능을 전체적으로 볼 때 뭔가 불편한 감이 있습니다. 그러므로 별로 중요하지 않은 문제로 인해 대규모의 논쟁이 일어나고 있습니다. 어떻게 인간사회가 평화, 우정 그리고 번영이란 공동목적을 향해 갈 수 있는지에 대한 방안에 대해 생각할 필요가 있습니다. 스리마드 바가바땀(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam)은 인간사회 전체의 재영적화를 위한 문화적 제시로써 우리가 느끼는 이런 문제에 대한 대안을 제시합니다. 전반적으로 대중이란 현대의 정치가와 지도자들의 도구에 지나치지 않습니다. 만약 지도자들만이라도 마음의 변화가 생긴다면 전 세계의 분위기 자체에 급진적인 변화가 있을 것입니다. 진정한 교육의 목적은 영혼의 영적 가치를 아는 자아실현을 위한 것이 여야 합니다. 우리 모두 인간사회의 모든 활동을 영적화하는 노력에 동참해야 할 것입니다. 이런 활동을 통해, 수행자 그리고 수행하는바 모두가 영성으로 충전되어 본질적 유형의 초월을 유도할 것입니다.
바니피디아의 미션 선언문(Vanipedia's Mission Statement)
스릴라 프라부파다께 크리쉬나 의식의 과학에 대해 세계 모든 언어로 지속해서 프리칭하고 사람들을 교육 그리고 훈련 시킬 수 있는 세계적 플랫폼을 선사하는 것.
스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침을 다양한 비전의 각도에서 탐구, 발견 그리고 철저히 컴파일링 하는 것.
스릴라 프라부파다의 바니를 쉽게 이해하고 접할 수 있는 방향으로 제시하는 것.
스릴라 프라부파다의 바니에 기반을 둔 다양한 토픽의 서적을 작성할 때 용이하도록 포괄적 주제의 리서치 저장소를 제공하는 것.
스릴라 프라부파다의 바니에 대한 다양한 교육 계획을 위한 커리큘럼 자료의 저장소를 제공하는 것.
스릴라 푸라부파다를 진심 어린 추종자들에게 프라부파다의 바니를 통해 개인적 지도를 구하고 모든 수준에서 그를 대표할 수 있는 충분한 지식을 가지는 것의 필요성에 대한 명백한 이해를 심어주는 것.
전 세계에 퍼져있는 프라부파다의 추종자들이 위 모든 목표를 달성하기 위해 협력하는 것을 도발하는 것.
무엇이 우리가 바니피디아를 건설하도록 유도하는가?
우리는 다음 사항을 인정한다.
스릴라 프라부파다는 생명체들이 사랑으로 신을 섬길 수 있도록 인도하기 위해 오신 주 스리 크리쉬나에게 직접 권한을 위임받은 순결한 헌애자이다. 이 권한은 그의 가르침에서 볼 수 있는 절대적 진실에 대한 견줄 수 없는 무한한 지식을 통해 알 수 있다.
이제까지 스릴라 프라부파다 보다 뛰어난 바이쉬나바(Vaishnava) 철학의 대표자 그리고 현대 사회를 있는 그대로 설명하는 사회 비평가는 없었다.
스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침은 수많은 후세대 추종자에게 주요한 안식처가 될 것이다.
스릴라 프라부파다는 자신의 가르침이 아낌없이 널리 퍼지고 제대로 이해되기를 바라셨다.
프라부파다의 가르침을 주제적으로 접근하는 것은 자신 속, 이미 존재하고 있는 진실을 이해하는 과정을 크게 향상하며, 그의 가르침을 모든 비전의 각도에서 탐구하고 발견하고 컴파일링하는 것은 무한한 가치가 있다.
스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침을 특정한 언어로 번역하는 것은 프라부파다께 그 언어를 쓰는 곳 어디든 영원히 계시라고 초청하는 것과 같다.
그의 육체적 부재중, 프라부파다의 미션을 보조하는 많은 바니 신하들이 필요하다.
그러므로, 우리는 스릴라 프라부파다의 가르침 속에서 볼 수 있는 완벽한 지식 그리고 깨달음을 대량으로 전달, 또 사람들이 제대로 이해할 수 있도록 진정으로 역동적인 플랫폼을 만드는 것에 헌신합니다. 그럼으로써 그의 가르침을 즐겁게 삶에 포함할 수 있도록. 단순합니다. 우리의 바니피디아의 완성을 막고 있는 것은 단 두가지, 시간 그리고 이런 비전을 함께 이루고 싶어 하는 헌애자들의 고결한 시간의 바니세바.
이렇게 나의 구루 마하라자(영적 스승)께서 나에게 명령하신 임무를 수행하기 위하여 하는 나의 변변치 않은 봉사를 많이들 인식해 주는 것에 대해, 너, 그리고 모두에게 아주 고마워하고 있다. 나는 제자들에게 서로 협력하며 일하라고 요청한다. 그런다면 우리의 미션은 분명히 진전을 보일 것이라고 확신한다.– 타말 크리쉬나 다스(GBC)에게 보내는 스릴라 프라부파다의 편지 중. 1971년 8월 14일
Srila Prabhupada's Three Natural Positions
A culture of shelter at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada's teachings can only be realized when these three positions of Srila Prabhupada are awakened in the hearts of all his followers.
Srila Prabhupada is our pre-eminent siksa-guru
We accept that all of Srila Prabhupada's followers can experience his presence and shelter within his teachings – both individually and when discussing them with each other.
We purify ourselves and establish a firm relationship with Srila Prabhupada by learning to live with him as our guiding conscience.
We encourage devotees feeling separation from Srila Prabhupada, to take the time to seek his presence and solace within his Vani.
We share Srila Prabhupada's compassion with all his followers, including those who take initiation in his line as well as those who follow him in different capacities.
We educate devotees in the truth of Srila Prabhupada's position as our pre-eminent siksa-guru, and our sisya relationship with him in separation.
We establish a succession of siksa-empowered disciples to uphold Srila Prabhupada's legacy throughout successive generations.
Srila Prabhupada is the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON
We promote his Vani as the primary driving force that keeps the members of ISKCON connected and faithful to him, and thus inspired, enthused and determined to make his movement everything that he wished it to be – both now and in the future.
We encourage the sustainable development of Vaishnava-brahminical standards centered on Srila Prabhupada's teachings and his preaching strategies – a "vani-culture."
We educate devotees in the truth of Srila Prabhupada's position as the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and our service to him and his movement.
Srila Prabhupada is the World-acharya
We increase the global awareness of the significance of Srila Prabhupada's spiritual stature as the world-acharya by establishing the contemporary relevance of his teachings in all circles in every country.
We inspire a culture of appreciation and respect for Srila Prabhupada's teachings, resulting in active participation in the practices of Krishna consciousness by the world's population.
We realize the premise that Srila Prabhupada built a house in which the whole world can live by establishing his Vani as simultaneously the foundation and roof – the shelter, the ashraya – that protects this house.
Vital to Establish Srila Prabhupada's Natural Position
Our ISKCON society needs educational initiatives, political directives, and social culture to facilitate and nurture Srila Prabhupada's natural position with his followers and within his movement. It will not happen automatically or by wishful thinking. It can only be achieved by intelligent, concerted and collaborative efforts offered by his pure-hearted devotees.
Five Key Obstacles Concealing Srila Prabhupada's Natural Position within his Movement:
1. ignorance of Srila Prabhupada's teachings – he has given instructions but we are not aware they exist.
2. indifference to Srila Prabhupada's teachings – we know the instructions exist but we do not care about them. We ignore them.
3. misunderstanding of Srila Prabhupada's teachings – we apply them sincerely but due to our over-confidence or lack of maturity, they are misapplied.
4. a lack of faith in Srila Prabhupada's teachings – deep within we are not fully convinced and think of them as utopian, neither realistic nor practical for the "modern world."
5. in competition with Srila Prabhupada's teachings – with full conviction and enthusiasm we go in a completely different direction than what Srila Prabhupada has instructed, and in so doing influence others to go with us.
Comment
We believe these obstacles can easily be overcome with the introduction of integral, structured educational and training programs aimed at nurturing our relationship with and increasing our knowledge of Srila Prabhupada's teachings. This will only succeed however if fueled by a serious leadership commitment to create a culture deeply rooted in Srila Prabhupada's Vani. Srila Prabhupada's natural position will thus automatically become, and remain, apparent to all generations of devotees.
Devotees are his Limbs, ISKCON is his Body, and his Vani is his Soul
Make the covers of the book very much attractive so that automatically they will read the knowledge inside. The covers are like the mind and the senses, and the contents of the book are the soul.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Amogha das (TP), 22 May 1972
I wish that it will be noted down in history that this Krishna consciousness movement is responsible for saving the world. Practically, our movement is the only hope for saving the world from complete disaster.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sucandra das (TP), 1 January 1972
You should always remember that whatever we are doing, it is in the parampara system beginning from Lord Krishna, down to us. Therefore, our loving spirit should be more upon the message than the physical representation. When we love the message and serve Him, automatically our devotional love for the physique is done.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Govinda dasi, 7 April 1970
Comment
We are Srila Prabhupada's limbs. To successfully cooperate with him to his full satisfaction we must be united in consciousness with him. This loving unity develops from our becoming fully absorbed in, convinced by and practicing his Vani. Our holistic success strategy is for everyone to assimilate Srila Prabhupada's teachings and boldly place them at the heart of everything we do for his Krishna consciousness movement. In this way, Srila Prabhupada's devotees can flourish personally, and in their respective services to make ISKCON a solid body which can fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire to save the world from complete disaster. The devotees win, the GBC wins, ISKCON wins, the world wins, Srila Prabhupada wins, and Lord Caitanya wins. There will be no losers.
Distributing the Teachings of Parampara
1486 Caitanya Mahaprabhu appears in order to teach the world Krishna consciousness – 533 years ago
1488 Sanatana Goswami appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 531 years ago
1489 Rupa Gosvami appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 530 years ago
1495 Raghunatha Gosvami appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 524 years ago
1500 Mechanical printing presses begin to revolutionize the distribution of books throughout Europe – 520 years ago
1513 Jiva Gosvami appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 506 years ago
1834 Bhaktivinoda Thakura appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 185 years ago
1874 Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 145 years ago
1896 Srila Prabhupada appears in order to write books on Krishna consciousness – 123 years ago
1914 Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati coins the phrase "brhat-mrdanga" – 105 years ago
1922 Srila Prabhupada meets Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati for the first time and is immediately requested to preach in the English language - 97 years ago
1935 Srila Prabhupada receives the instruction to print books – 84 years ago
1944 Srila Prabhupada starts Back to Godhead magazine – 75 years ago
1956 Srila Prabhupada moves to Vrndavana to write books – 63 years ago
1962 Srila Prabhupada publishes his first volume of Srimad-Bhagavatam – 57 years ago
1965 Srila Prabhupada arrives in the West to distribute his books – 54 years ago
1968 Srila Prabhupada publishes his abridged Bhagavad-gita As-It-Is – 52 years ago
1972 Srila Prabhupada publishes his full version of Bhagavad-gita As-It-Is – 47 years ago
1972 Srila Prabhupada establishes the BBT to publish his books – 47 years ago
1974 Srila Prabhupada's disciples start the serious distribution of his books – 45 years ago
1975 Srila Prabhupada completes the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 44 years ago
1977Srila Prabhupada stops speaking and leaves his Vani in our care – 42 years ago
1978 The Bhaktivedanta Archives is established – 41 years ago
1986 The world's digitally stored material amounts to 1 CD-ROM per person – 33 years ago
1991 The World Wide Web (brhat-brhat-brhat mrdanga) is established – 28 years ago
1992 The Bhaktivedanta VedaBase version 1.0 is created – 27 years ago
2002 The Digital Age arrives - worldwide digital storage overtakes analog – 17 years ago
2007 The world's digitally stored material amounts to 61 CD-ROMS per person – 12 years ago, that makes 427 billion CD-ROMs. (all full)
2007 Srila Prabhupada's Vani-temple, the Vanipedia begins construction in the web – 12 years ago
2010 Srila Prabhupada's Vapu-temple, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium begins construction in Sridhama Mayapur – 9 years ago
2012 Vanipedia reaches 1,906,753 quotes, 108,971 pages and 13,946 categories – 7 years ago
2013 500,000,000 of Srila Prabhupada's books have been distributed by ISKCON devotees in 48 years – an average of 28,538 books every single day - 6 years ago
2019 21st March, Gaura Purnima day at 7.15 Central European Time, Vanipedia celebrates 11 years of inviting devotees to collaborate together to invoke and fully manifest Srila Prabhupada's Vani-presence. Vanipedia now offers 45,588 categories, 282,297 pages, 2,100,000 plus quotes presented in 93 languages. This has been achieved by over 1,220 devotees who have performed more than 295,000 hours of vaniseva. We still have a long way to go in order to complete Srila Prabhupada's Vani-temple thus we continue to invite devotees to participate in this glorious mission.
Comment
The unfolding of the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu under the banner of the modern day Krishna consciousness movement is a very exciting time to be performing devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-acarya of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness has brought onto the world scene a life-changing phenomenon in the form of his Translations, Bhaktivedanta Purports, Lectures, Conversations, and Letters. Here lies the key to the respiritualization of the whole human society.
Vani, Personal Association and Service in Separation - Quotes
My Guru Maharaja passed in 1936, and I started this movement in 1965, thirty years after. Then? I am getting the mercy of guru. This is Vani. Even the guru is not physically present, if you follow the Vani, then you are getting help.– Srila Prabhupada Morning-walk Conversation, 21 July 1975
In the absence of physical presentation of the Spiritual Master the Vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master, Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve His instruction I never feel separated from Him. I expect that all of you should follow these instructions.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Karandhara das (GBC), 22 August 1970
From the very beginning I was strongly against the impersonalists and all my books are stressed on this point. So my oral instruction as well as my books are all at your service. Now you GBC consult them and get clear and strong idea, then there will be no disturbance. Disturbance is caused by ignorance; where there is no ignorance, there is no disturbance.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Hayagriva das (GBC), 22 August 1970
So far personal association with the Guru is concerned, I was only with my Guru Maharaja four or five times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am following his instructions, I have never felt any separation.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satyadhanya das, 20 February 1972
Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feelings of separation will transform into transcendental bliss.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Uddhava das (ISKCON Press), 3 May 1968
Comment
Srila Prabhupada offers many revealing truths in this series of statements.
Srila Prabhupada's personal guidance is always here.
We should be happy in feelings of separation from Srila Prabhupada.
In Srila Prabhupada's physical absence his Vaniseva is more important.
Srila Prabhupada had very little personal association with his Guru Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada's oral instruction, as well as his books, are all at our service.
Feelings of separation from Srila Prabhupada transform into transcendental bliss.
When Srila Prabhupada is not physically present, if we follow his Vani, we get his help.
Srila Prabhupada never left Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's association, not even for a moment.
By consulting Srila Prabhupada's oral instructions and his books we get clear and strong ideas.
By following Srila Prabhupada's instructions we will never feel separated (disconnected) from him.
Srila Prabhupada expects all his followers to follow these instructions in order to become empowered siksa-disciples of him.
Using Media to Spread Krishna's Message
So go on with your organization for distribution of my books through press and other modern-media and Krishna will certainly be pleased upon you. We can use everything – television, radio, movies, or whatever there may be – to tell about Krishna.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Bhagavan das (GBC), 24 November 1970
I am very encouraged by the reports of the tremendous success of your TV and radio programs. As much as possible try to increase our preaching programs by using all the mass media which are available. We are modern day Vaishnavas and we must preach vigorously using all the means available.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga das (GBC), 30 December 1971
If you are able to arrange everything so that I can simply sit in my room and be seen by the world and speak to the world, then I shall never leave Los Angeles. That will be the perfection of your L.A. Temple. I am very, very encouraged by your proposal to flood the medias of your country with our Krishna Consciousness program, and see that it is practically taking shape under your hands, so I am all the more pleased.- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Siddhesvar das and Krishnakanti das, 16 February 1972
Following in the footsteps of his Guru Maharaja Srila Prabhupada knew the art of engaging everything for Krishna's service.
Srila Prabhupada wants to be seen by the world and speak to the world.
Srila Prabhupada desires to flood the media with our Krishna Consciousness programs.
Srila Prabhupada wants his books distributed through the press and other modern-media.
Srila Prabhupada was happy to hear about the plan for a subject by subject encyclopedia of his teachings.
Srila Prabhupada says we should increase our preaching programs by using all the mass media that is available.
Srila Prabhupada says we are modern day Vaishnavas and we must preach vigorously using all the means available.
Srila Prabhupada says we can use everything – television, radio, movies, or whatever there may be – to tell about Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada says that the mass-media can become such an important instrument in spreading our Krishna consciousness movement.
Modern-media, modern opportunities
For Srila Prabhupada, in the 1970's, the terms modern-media and mass-media meant the printing press, radio, TV and movies. Since his departure, the landscape of mass media has dramatically transformed to include Android phones, cloud computing and storage, e-book readers, e-commerce, interactive TV and gaming, online publishing, podcasts and RSS feeds, social networking sites, streaming media services, touch-screen technologies, web-based communications & distribution services and wireless technologies.
In line with Srila Prabhupada's example we are, since 2007, using modern mass media technologies to compile, index, categorize and distribute Srila Prabhupada's Vani.
Vanipedia's aim is to increase the visibility and accessibility of Srila Prabhupada's teachings on the web by offering a free, authentic, one-stop resource for
• ISKCON preachers
• ISKCON leaders and managers
• devotees studying devotional courses
• devotees wishing to deepen their knowledge
• devotees involved in inter-faith dialogues
• curriculum developers
• devotees feeling separation from Srila Prabhupada
• executive leaders
• academics
• teachers and students of religious education
• writers
• searchers of spirituality
• people concerned about current social issues
• historians
Comment
There is still more to be done to make Srila Prabhupada's teachings accessible and prominent in the world today. Collaborative web technologies provide us the opportunity to surpass all our previous successes.
Vaniseva – the Sacred Act of Serving Srila Prabhupada's Vani
Srila Prabhupada stopped speaking on the 14th of November, 1977, but the Vani he gave us remains ever fresh. However, these teachings are not yet in their pristine condition, nor are all of them readily accessible to his devotees. Srila Prabhupada's followers have a sacred duty to preserve and to distribute his Vani to everyone. We are therefore inviting you to perform this vaniseva.
Always remember that you are one of the few men I have appointed to carry on my work throughout the world and your mission before you is huge. Therefore, always pray to Krishna to give you strength for accomplishing this mission by doing what I am doing. My first business is to give the devotees the proper knowledge and engage them in devotional service, so that is not very difficult task for you, I have given you everything, so read and speak from the books and so many new lights will come out. We have got so many books, so if we go on preaching from them for the next 1,000 years, there is enough stock.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa das (GBC), 16 June 1972
In June of 1972 Srila Prabhupada said that "we have got so many books" that we have "enough stock" to preach from for the "next 1,000 years." At that time, only 10 titles had been printed, so with all the extra books that Srila Prabhupada published from July 1972 to November 1977 the number of years of stock could easily be expanded to 5,000. If we add to this his oral instructions and letters, then the stock expands to 10,000 years. We need to expertly prepare all these teachings to be accessed and properly understood so that they can be "preached from" for this whole period of time.
There is no doubt that Srila Prabhupada has unending enthusiasm and determination to preach the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It does not matter that his vapu has left us. He remains in his teachings, and via the digital platform, he can now preach even more widely than when he was physically present. With complete dependence on Lord Caitanya's mercy, let us embrace Srila Prabhupada's vani-mission, and with more resolve than ever before, expertly prepare his Vani for 10,000 years of preaching.
Over the past ten years I have given the framework and now we have become more than the British Empire. Even the British Empire was not as expansive as we. They had only a portion of the world, and we have not completed expanding. We must expand more and more unlimitedly. But I must now remind you that I have to complete the translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is the greatest contribution; our books have given us a respectable position. People have no faith in this church or temple worship. Those days are gone. Of course, we have to maintain the temples as it is necessary to keep our spirits high. Simply intellectualism will not do, there must be practical purification.
So I request you to relieve me of management responsibilities more and more so that I can complete the Srimad-Bhagavatam translation. If I am always having to manage, then I cannot do my work on the books. It is document, I have to choose each word very soberly and if I have to think of management then I cannot do this. I cannot be like these rascals who present something mental concoction to cheat the public. So this task will not be finished without the cooperation of my appointed assistants, the GBC, temple presidents, and sannyasis. I have chosen my best men to be GBC and I do not want that the GBC should be disrespectful to the temple presidents. You can naturally consult me, but if the basic principle is weak, how will things go on? So please assist me in the management so that I can be free to finish the Srimad-Bhagavatam which will be our lasting contribution to the world.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to All Governing Body Commissioners, 19 May 1976
Here Srila Prabhupada is stating "this task will not be finished without the cooperation of my appointed assistants" to help him make "our lasting contribution to the world." It is Srila Prabhupada's books that have "given us a respectable position" and they are "the greatest contribution to the world."
Over the years, so much vaniseva has been performed by BBT devotees, book distributors, preachers who have held firmly to Srila Prabhupada's words, and by other devotees who have been dedicated to distribute and preserve his Vani in one way or another. But there is still much more to do. By working together via the technologies of the brhat-brhat-brhat mrdanga (the World Wide Web) we now have an opportunity to build an unparalleled manifestation of Srila Prabhupada's Vani in a very short period of time. Our proposal is to come together in vaniseva and build a Vani-temple to be completed by November 4th, 2027, at which time we will all be celebrating the final 50th anniversary. 50 years of serving Srila Prabhupada in separation. This will be a very appropriate and beautiful offering of love to Srila Prabhupada, and a glorious gift to all the future generations of his devotees.
I am glad that you have named your printing press the Radha Press. It is very gratifying. May your Radha Press be enriched in publishing all our books and literatures in the German language. It is a very nice name. Radharani is the best, topmost servitor of Krishna, and the printing machine is the biggest medium at the present moment for serving Krishna. Therefore, it is really a representative of Srimati Radharani. I like the idea very much.– Srila Prabhupada Letter to Jaya Govinda das (Book production manager), 4 July 1969
For the better part of the 20th century, the printing press provided the tools for successful propaganda from so many groups of people. Srila Prabhupada stated how expert the communists were to spread their influence in India via the pamphlets and books they distributed. Srila Prabhupada used this example to express how he wanted to make a large propaganda program for Krishna consciousness by distributing his books all over the world.
Now, in the 21st century, Srila Prabhupada's statement "the biggest medium at the present moment for serving Krishna" can undoubtedly be applied to the exponential and unparalleled power of internet publishing and distribution. In Vanipedia, we are preparing Srila Prabhupada's teachings for proper representation on this modern mass distribution platform. Srila Prabhupada stated that the Radha Press of his devotees in Germany was "really a representative of Srimati Radharani." We are therefore certain that he would consider Vanipedia to be a representative of Srimati Radharani as well.
So many beautiful Vapu-temples have already been built by ISKCON devotees – let us now build at least one glorious Vani-temple. The Vapu-temples offer sacred darshans to the forms of the Lord, and a Vani-temple will offer the sacred darshan to the teachings of the Lord and His pure devotees, as presented by Srila Prabhupada. The work of ISKCON devotees will naturally be more successful when Srila Prabhupada's teachings are situated in their rightful, worshipable position. Now there is a wonderful opportunity for all his current "appointed assistants" to embrace the vani-mission of building his Vani-temple and to inspire the whole movement to participate.
Just as the enormous and beautiful Vapu-temple rising from the banks of the Ganges in Sridham Mayapur is destined to help spread Lord Caitanya's mercy all over the world, so too can a Vani-temple of Srila Prabhupada's teachings strengthen his ISKCON mission to spread all over the world and establish Srila Prabhupada's natural position for thousands of years to come.
Vaniseva – Taking Practical Action to Serve
Completing Vanipedia means Srila Prabhupada's teachings will be presented in a way that no one has ever done for the works of any spiritual teacher. We invite everyone to take part in this sacred mission. Together we will give Srila Prabhupada a unique exposure to the world on a magnitude only possible via the web.
Our desire is to make Vanipedia the No.1 reference encyclopedia of Srila Prabhupada's teachings in multiple languages. This will only happen with the sincere commitment, sacrifice, and support of many devotees. To date, over 1,220 devotees have participated in building Vanisource and Vaniquotes and translations in 93 languages. Now in order to complete Vaniquotes and build the Vanipedia articles, the Vanibooks, the Vanimedia, and the Vaniversity courses we need more support from devotees with the following skills:
• Administration
• Compiling
• Curriculum Development
• Design and Layout
• Finance
• Management
• Promotion
• Researching
• Server Maintenance
• Site Development
• Software Programming
• Teaching
• Technical Editing
• Training
• Translating
• Writing
Vaniservants offer their service from their homes, temples, and offices, or they can join us full-time for certain periods in Sridham Mayapur or Radhadesh.
Donating
For the past 12 years Vanipedia has been primarily financed by the book distribution from Bhaktivedanta Library Services a.s.b.l. To continue its construction, Vanipedia needs funding beyond the current capacity of BLS. Once completed, Vanipedia will hopefully be sustained by small donations from a percentage of many satisfied visitors. But for now, in order to complete the initial phases of building this free encyclopedia, the service of offering financial support is crucial.
Supporters of Vanipedia can choose from one of the following options
Sponsor: A person donating any amount they desire
Supporting Patron: An individual person or legal entity donating at least 81 euros
Sustaining Patron: An individual person or legal entity donating at least 810 euros with the possibility to make 9 monthly payments of 90 euros
Growth Patron: An individual person or legal entity donating 8,100 euros with the possibility to make 9 yearly payments of 900 euros
Foundational Patron: An individual person or legal entity donating 81,000 euros with the possibility to make 9 yearly payments of 9,000 euros
We will do our best to please you in your mission.
May your teachings give shelter to millions of fortunate souls.
Dear Srila Prabhupada,
please empower us
with all good qualities and abilities
and continue to send us long term
seriously committed devotees and resources
to successfully build your glorious Vani-temple
for the benefit of All.
Dear Sri Sri Panca Tattva,
please help us to become dear devotees of Sri Sri Radha Madhava
and dear disciples of Srila Prabhupada and our Guru Maharaja
by continuing to facilitate us to work hard and smart
in the mission of Srila Prabhupada
for the pleasure of his devotees.
Thank you for considering these prayers
Comment
Only by the empowering grace of Srila Prabhupada, Sri Sri Panca Tattva, and Sri Sri Radha Madhava can we ever hope to achieve this herculean task. Thus we incessantly pray for Their mercy.
