Prabhupada's Tree Officially Recognized

[Guest guest]

ISKCON Tree of Religion in Big Apple

HT Correspondent

Calcutta, September 24

 

Like the Tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, under which the Buddha is said

have got his Nirvana, the Hare Krishna movement has finally got its

Tree of Religion. But this Tree, under which Indian guru Srila

Prabhupada founded the movement 34 years ago, is in the Yankeeland of

New York.

 

In August, the New York City administration took what Iskcon devotees

worldwide have hailed as a historic decision. It gave the Tree the

status of a historic monument. The good news has been spread across

the world in the September newsletter of the Iskcon Revival Movement,

the faction challenging the cult's officialdom.

 

"The elm tree at the southern end of Tompkins Square Park", said a

letter from Henry J Stern, New York City's Commissioner for Parks and

Recreation," has indeed played witness to an event of great

importance.

 

Its historical significance for the Hindu-based Hare Krishna religion

is recognized around the globe. With this in mind, a new historical

sign telling the story of the park's trees and horticulture for

Tomkins Square Park is currently being written; it will include an

account of the Prabhupada connection with the park." The letter was

addressed to Vani Devi Dasi Oshuns, an American devotee of the Hare

Krishna cult, who had been carrying on a solitary campaign to get the

recognition for the Tree from the New York City administration.

 

According to the IRM newsletter, she had been sweeping the cobble

stone bricks around the elm tree in the center of park for over three

years.

 

As she did that, she also kept petitioning Harry Greenberg, keeper of

the park, for raising a memorial around the tree. About a year ago,

Greenberg sent her to his boss Margaret Asarro, who asked Vani Dasi

to take up her case with commissioner Stern.

 

But Vani Dasi's unique action of sweeping the cobblestone bricks

around the tree had attracted the attention of the people visiting

the park.

 

Earlier this year, her story was featured in the popular magazine,

New York Time out. Commissioner Stern's approval came soon after.

 

The IRM has worked out a draft for the plaque to be erected at the

base of the tree. It reads:" Among this grove of elms is a special

elm. Under this very elm tree a spiritual revolution started, and

spread throughout six continents. Here, in 1966, His Divine Grace

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, founder and current guru

(spiritual master) of the International Society for Krishna

Consciousness (ISKCON) introduced the western world to the sublime

chanting of the Holy Name of Krishna..."