[world-vedic] World Vaisnava Association In Cape Town

[Guest guest]

World Vaisnava Association In Cape Town

 

 

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BY SWAMI B.A. PARAMADVAITI

 

CAPE TOWN, Feb 15 (VNN) — The World Vaisnava Association In Cape town

on the occasion of the third meeting of the Parliament of World

religion. 1-8 of December 1999.

 

The World Parliament of Religion invited all the religions of the world

to come and present their plans for making this world a better place. I

had the opportunity to participate in many meetings of different

Vaisnava missions which have their own problems to work closely

together. It was remarkable that the World Parliament of religion was

able to create such a friendly and positive atmosphere, disregarding

the fact that over material issues some of the participants are

virtually at war or have hostile relationships going back hundreds or

even thousands of years.

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"This is the spirit of WVA and we pray that this historic event will

give us strength to celebrate more Vaisnava cooperation so that we will

be able to give a more dignified presentation of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas

to the world. "

 

 

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Most of the talks and concerns of the speakers addressed material

issues with the hope that spirituality could shed light on them and

help resolve the problems related to them. Generally, the speakers

preferred to relate to God in their speeches as the divine truth or

other general terms. In the particular lectures though of which over

700 were presented plus a host of cultural programs, movies and

symposiums, the different teachers offered insights into their opinions

and traditions.

 

The World Vaisnava association was represented by myself, Swami B.A.

Paramadvaiti in as much as I had the opportunity to present a lecture

on the first day with the title:

 

The World Vaisnava Association and Monotheism in Hinduism.

 

I presented a interactive presentation of the WVA on the screen and

explained what are the plans of the WVA. Then I explained the

importance of the contribution of the Vaisnava Acaryas to the Hindu

tradition which is more precisely known as Sanatan Dharma. On the other

side different members of the WVA presented different projects on the

World Parliament. Srila Bhakti Svarup Damodar Director of the

Bhaktivedanta Institute, Iskcon GBC and Spiritual Master as well as

founding member of the WVA presented a lecture on...Srila Bhakti Srirup

Tirtha Maharaj, founder of the Gaudiya Vaisnava association and

founding member of WVA presented two lectures. Anything done on the

bodily platform of life cannot be selfless. The first day a huge parade

was held with a big Kirtan which was organized by Iskcon Capetown and

joined by the other Vaisnava delegates of the WVA.

 

Many other Vaisnavas also presented their missions in Capetown such as

Sri Amogha Lila das the founder of the ..And to remember our dear Srila

Prabhupada thousands of delegates from all over the world from all

types of faith ate Sri Krishna Prasadam from the Govinda Restaurants

situated in the main hall the Good hope center which was coordinated by

the Capetown Iskcon temple under the care of Sripad Sikhi Mahiti das.

 

The WVA held several Vaisnava gatherings on different occasions on the

premise of the World Parliament of Religion with the different members

present in South Africa. Also present was Sripad Pradyumna, the

Sanskrit editor and for many years travel companion of Srila A.C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is a pioneer in the interfaith

relationship and always promotes that Vaisnavas should have sweet

relationships amongst themselves and very good relationships with

peoples of other faith as well.

 

This is the spirit of WVA and we pray that this historic event will

give us strength to celebrate more Vaisnava cooperation so that we will

be able to give a more dignified presentation of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas

to the world. In the days of a rapidly growing Vaisnava presence, due

to the hard work of Vaisnavas in many missions it is very important

that we give the people of this world the understanding that we are one

and different at the same time. One - in order to defend the divine

interest of our sampradayas and all Vaisnavas. Different- in order to

nurture and care for every individual who seeks shelter in the

different Ashrams of different spiritual masters around the world.

After all, whether one or different, we are always servants of all,

depending on the time place and circumstance.

 

It cannot be denied that the participants of the Parliament of World

Religion made a strong effort to develop tolerance and search for new

strength to encounter the challenges of life. We can only hope that

this spirit will prevail and that finally the movement of Lord

Chaitanya will be able to give further help to them to achieve the

cherished love for God which alone can give lasting peace and happiness

to all of us. It was very happy to note that the parliament closed with

another Kirtan done by the youth of the Vaisnavas present. No doubt

Srila Prabhupada and all other Acaryas are happy to see so many people

from the world coming in contact with the holy names of Lord Krishna.