A report on the Bhaktivedanta College graduation ceremony

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

Just a note to inform you, the well-wishers and supporters of Bhaktivedanta

College, that on June 28, before Their Lordships Radha-Gopinatha, the

Bhaktivedanta College students received their graduation certificates for

the first Ministerial Program. “An historical event indeed,” commented

Krsna-ksetra Prabhu from the Oxford campus.

 

The simple ceremony was led by Yadunandana Prabhu, our Principal (or "active

principle" as someone said). He drew the attention of the Radhadesh

community to the history of the College, which he related with devotional

and heartfelt satisfaction. This was the pilot year, and we nine students

were guinea pigs in this pioneering effort to establish systematic training

and education in ISKCON.

 

Seated with Yadunandana Prabhu were Prahladananda Swami; two of the College

trustees, Hridaya Caitanya Prabhu and Visnu Murti Prabhu; and Tattvavit

Prabhu. They handed the certificate and maha-prasadam to each student after

Yadunandana briefly described his or her character and performance. Each

student said a few words to the audience. Mostly they described their

experience and gratitude. Then Prahladananda Maharaja, Hrdaya Caitanya

Prabhu, and Visnu Murti Prabhu spoke. Finally, in a surprise ending,

Tattvavit Prabhu had all of the students stand before the altar and read a

most wonderful prayer by Srila Rupa Gosvami in praise of Govinda, which

expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Radha-Gopinatha for Their

sweetness. Many devotees were moved by the ceremony.

 

All glories to Sri-Sri Radha-Gopinatha and Lalita-Visakha!

All glories to Bhaktivedanta College! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

Your servant,

Jaya Govinda Dasa