ISKCON Japan

NEW GAYA DHAM

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INDO-JAPAN Relations – Historical Perspective

• Begun in 6th century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan

• India’s relationship with Japan are ideological, cultural or territorial

• Japan supported for Netaji’s Indian National Army

• In the post World War II period, India’s iron ore helped a great deal Japan’s recovery from the devastation

• 1946 Radha Binod Pal, Indian Judge, handed down a non-guilty verdict for Japan’s top wartime leaders at International Millitary tribunal

• Donation of an Indian elephant- “Indira” for Japanese children in 1949

• 1951 India invited Japan in Asian games despite Japan been barred from the London Olympics

• Between the coast guards, combined exercises on anti-piracy, search & rescue etc

• India’s young skilled and educated work force, supplementing the greying segment of Japan’s population

• “Japan-India exchange year 2007” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Agreement

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What is a Temple

• Contribution of Temple to Japan– Bring the multi-national members closer together for the purpose of

teaching a simpler, peaceful and more natural way of life

– Propagate spiritual knowledge and awareness to society at large

– Teaching Yoga, Meditation, Indian Classical Music etc.

• For Indians, a place to – Keep in touch with Indian culture and religion

– Held cultural communions and get-togethers

– Celebrate festivals• Krishna Janamsthami• Diwali/Holi• Ram Navami

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Why need a Temple in Japan

• Place for– Spiritual education– Sacred meeting to congregate & revitalize spiritual energies– Cherish cultural & religious heritage– Chanting and hearing the glories of the Supreme Lord– Offering direct service to the Deities, Sri Radha-Krishna

• Activities in Temple– Daily Aarti, Puja, Bhajan, Kirtan– Sumptuous Krishna Prasad on Sundays &

Festivals– Regular Satsang & Pravachan– Teaching Yoga, Meditation, Indian Classical Music,

Vegetarian Cooking– Value Education for children– Fire Sacrifices (Yagyas) performed by

qualified Brahmins

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Japanese Temples in India

• Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple in Darjeeling– Built in 1972 by Fuji Guru to promote peace and spirituality– Famous for its picturesque view and location– The humming & solemn chanting of prayers provides a spiritual air

• Buddha temple in Sarnath- Mulagandha Kuti Vihar– The modern temple has been erected by Mahabdhi society– Having excellent Frescoes made by Kosetsu Nosu, Japan’s foremost painter– Managed by Japanese Buddhist Monk

• Popular Buddhist cities– Lumbini, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Bodhgaya

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Proposed Temple Name – NEW GAYA DHAM

• Gaya– A place sanctified by both the Hindus and the Buddhists alike– A place where Lord Buddha left his foot steps nearly 2500years ago– Lord Buddha found Gaya as most tranquil and serene place for meditation

• Gaya is believed to have got the name from Gayasur, the Holy Demon

• Gaya was so holy that he had the power to absolve the sins of those who touched him or looked at him

• Even today many people used to visit Gaya to absolve the sins of their ancestors

The 300 ft. tall Vishal Buddha Mandir, Bodh Gaya

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Lord Buddha and Gaya – References in Bhagvad Gita

• Very famous Vedic text compiled 5000 years ago predicts Lord Buddha even before His advent as the incarnation of the Supreme Lord.

tatah kalau sampravrtte

sammohaya sura-dvisam

buddho namnanjana-sutah

kikatesu bhavisyati- Srimad Bhagavatam 1:3:24

“Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha,

the son of Anjana, in the province of Gaya,

just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.”

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Proposed Temple Site

• Near to a station– 3~12 mins walk

– Easy accessibility

• Land Size– ~340 m2 (~100 subo)

• Building– 3-4 Floors

– Temple Hall

– Govida’s Kitchen

– Ashram, Yoga/Meditation Hall

– Cultural Hall- to be used by various Indo-Japan religious sects

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International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)

• Spiritual institution founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in July 1966

– Previously Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya– Better known as the Hare Krishna movement

• A worldwide confederation with– 10,000 temple devotees – 250,000 congregational devotees

• Comprised of worldwide– More than 350 centres– 60 rural communities– 50 schools– 60 restaurants

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Mission

• Promote the well being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to Bhagvad-gita and other ancient scriptures

• At the time of ISKCON's incorporation in July 1966 in New York City Srila Prabhupada set down seven points describing the goals of the Krishna consciousness movement:

– To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large – To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God)– To bring the members of the Society together and

nearer to Krishna, the prime entity– To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement,

congregational chanting of the holy name of God– To erect holy places of transcendental pastimes

dedicated to the personality of Krishna. – To bring the members closer together for the purpose

of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life. – With a view towards achieving the aforementioned

purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

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Maha Mantra – Hare Krishna Hare Rama

• Maha mantra for bringing practitioners to higher state of consciousness when meditated/sung upon

• Repeated, either out loud (kirtan), softly to oneself (japa), or internally within the mind

• Srila Prabhupada describes the process of chanting the Maha Mantra as follows:

"Krishna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind; this consciousness is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived ...

This chanting is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness - namely sensual, mental, and intellectual ...

As such anyone can take part in the chanting without any previous qualification."

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

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INDIAN Temples Around the World

Krishna Valley, Hungary Radhadesh, Belgium

New Varsana, Auckland, New Zealand Glory of India, New Delhi,

India

Durban, South Africa

Mayapur, West Bengal, India

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INDIAN Temples Around the World

Shri Radha-Krishnacandra Mandir, Bangalore, India

Sri Kishore-Kishori Mandir, Chicago, United StatesUtah-Krishna, United States Present Deities at ISKCON-Japan

Krishna-Balram Mandir, Vrindavan, India New Vrindavan, West Virginia, United States