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The ISKCON Prison Ministries

Submitted by phani on December 31, 2005 - 7:27pm.
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ISKCON Prison Ministries

bhakti te mukti - Devotion is real freedom

(Submitted by Bhakta Jerry.)

The ISKCON Prison Ministries have been giving Krishna consciousness to inmates in prisons all over the world for over 18 years. Candrasekhara dasa heads these ministries, which started as a way for him to preach as a householder. Responding to hundreds of letters and inquiries every year, he has kept the ministries going all these years, through many difficulties and with very little help.

Many people are looking for Krishna while incarcerated. The ISKCON Prison Ministries are helping them find Him by sending books, tapes, Back To Godhead magazines, videos, japa beads. Some inmates, guided by the ministries, have been able to take shelter of a guru. Many prisoners never had association of devotees before meeting them through the ministries. Some have never visited a temple, but are looking forward to it after they are released. Somehow or other finding a book and writing to a temple or the BBT, they were at last connected to the ministries.

Gradually, they begin to understand the philosophy and start chanting Hare Krishna and studying Srila Prabhupada's books. Some inmates even have altars in their cells and learn to offer their food to Krishna. Some prisons offer special vegetarian meals, but most give men a hard time about vegetarian diets. Getting karma-free diets into prisons is a priority of IPM's.

Volunteers of at IPM realize that the material world is the "Big Prison House" of repeated birth and death. Srila Prabhupada writes in The Science of Self Realization: "This material world is just like a prison house; it is a punishing place meant to bring us to that point of becoming disgusted, surrendering at last to Krishna, and going back to our original nature of eternal life in bliss and complete knowledge." We empathize with the inmates who are suffering in so many ways. We know everyone is in prison and they may be released from this imprisonment by chanting

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

After preaching at Tihar Prison…

"If you give me chance to speak to all the members of the Jail, it is quite possible for me to turn them into ideal characters."

Quote from Srila Prabhupada from letter to Sri Puri, 1962

This inmate devotee has never met a Vaisnava face to face. He simply reads Srila Prabhupada's books. Please read this excerpt from his letter.

My dear God brother Candrasekhara;

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am doing wonderful.

I brought the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam to the yard to give the men Krishna. I got kind of nervous and afraid, while doing this. As I was preaching, a group of men crowded around. I never did that before, made me feel uneasy. Must be stage fright, in spite of it, my words flowed smoothly. Before coming to population, I had the opportunity of memorizing the key Gita verses. Now I have nearly met my goal of 100 verses, but I have a trick. When reading the Bhagavatam, when I see that it corresponds to a Gita verse I write it in the Gita. So while preaching the Gita I can also use the Bhagavatam simultaneously. I very much appreciate your kindness in helping me receive the Bhagavatam. In turn I've been giving it to others. I have been writing verses for my friend and we talk everyday at work. This feels nice you know, spreading Krishna's name and fame. I'm thinking like this, the people I influence, if they seek refuge in Krishna, the Supreme Refuge, they too will influence other people. This will create something like a domino effect. Krishna should be known in this place. I will help Krishna gain recognition here.

Hari Bol,

Bhakta David, Angola, LA

These quotes from inmates tell a little about how Krishna Consciousness is benefiting them.

A few weeks ago I came across a Srimad Bhagavatam, first canto-part two, Creation. The book is from ISKCON. I've been reading it for about 3 weeks. I am truly amazed and humbled at the same time, by it and the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. I did not even know that this level of knowledge and wisdom was even in this world-

Tony Boggan, Lucasville, OH

The Pastor Dave Mason, in this jail was kind enough to lend me his personal copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, for reading in jail. It is a great solace to me through this very stressful time. I am going through, without it I would go crazy-no kidding-

Bhaktin Snehal Diksheet, Battle Creek, MI

Many hours are spent answering letters and preaching to the inmates, explaining the process of Krishna consciousness. If you'd like to be involved by writing to inmates or if you know someone to whom we can write, or if you'd like to help fund the mailing of books, please contact us.

Would you like to help?

Financial donations pay for:

  • Postage for 400 Back to Godhead magazines;
  • Vaishnava books and postage to mail them out;
  • Postage and printing for our regular Newsletter;

Other donations accepted include:

  • Books
  • Tulasi neck beads and Japa beads
  • Music and lecture tapes
  • Music and lecture CD's
  • Devotional videos and DVD's
  • Your time writing to inmates


Contact us for more information and become part of a wonderful preaching program:

Candrasekhara das   Shyama Priya devi dasi   Bhakta Jerry
Director of IPM   PO BOX 2676   ISKCON Chicago
PO Box 158691   Alachua, FL 32616   1716 West Lunt
Nashville, TN 37215-8691       Chicago, IL 60626
615-403-7566 Nashville temple   shyamapriya @ aol.com   773-973-0900
615-403-7566 cell phone       jerryschutt @ hotmail.com
shyamadasi @ hotmail.com        


Dear Prabhus,

Submitted by mukta kesa dasa (not verified) on October 7, 2006 - 8:41pm.

Dear Prabhus,

Hare Krsna. Two and one half years ago I started a prison preaching program here at New Vrindaban. Initially I had only 250 bhakta inmates in my data base. By leaps and bounds the interest has expanded 7 times and we are now ministering to 1,600 bhakta inmates around the country.

Hundreds are engaged in Bhagavad Gita, Nectar of Instruction, Nectar of Devotion, and the Sri Isopanishad study courses...both introductory and advanced. I am amazed at the potency of Srila Prabhupada's books. Men, who seemingly are from the lowest rungs of human society are rectifying their lives, without kirtan, without prasadam, without personal association ....just by reading Srila Prabhupada's books.

We are greatly underhanded and the work load is enormous. Our present challenge is to find devotees who are willing to enter the prisons and put on preaching programs. At one time there was considerable opposition to our preaching, especially amongst the Southern Christian ministers who occupy the Chaplain seat in many of our penal institutions.

The acceptance of KC has been so dramatic that regional chaplains are now notifying individual prison chaplains to accomodate those who are following the Hare Krsna faith. I am reminded of another movement, Elijah Muhammed and the Black Muslims, who in the 60's fanned the fire of Islamic belief within the prison system.

Imagine the potency of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement. Within a few short years....prison cafeterias will be serving out prasadam and wardens will be wearing tilak and kunti mala. Harah!

I was hoping that we could put some type of ad on you website that would direct devotees interested in entering the prisons to contact our office here at New Vrindaban. ..304 843 1600 ext 104.

The major bulk of book distribution in the prisons is coming from NV. Not to minimize the wonderful contribution that devotees around the country and world are offering ....but I believe that we are also the only unit presenting study courses and issuing certificates for the completion of the same.

Much to our regret there is no place on your blog asking donors to contact us. I have always thought that whatever was lacking would be provided for by Krsna. It is quite embarrassing to put ourselves forward making some boast of our accomplishments and then asking a handout. Whatever success we have had is due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada who is broadcasting the transcendental message of Vaikuntha to all who will give ear.

We are humbly trying to bring the teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the most fallen and naturally any cooperation that we receive is greatly appreciated. If you could assist us in any way....our main need is the donation of books. Satsvarupa Maharaja's camp has been very generous . His books allow us to introduce the personality behind the sastra. The Prabhupada Nectar books are so much appreciated . Bhakti Tirtha's camp as well has been helpful by donating the books of BTS. Suvas, Amala Bhakta, Radhanatha Swami and others have also contributed.

Perhaps something could be set up on your website asking any and all who could possibly donate books or serve in any capacity to contact us here at New Vrindaban. your servant, mukta kesa dasa

 

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