namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

by Krsna-jivani dd
Photos courtesy of portal.vvz.hr; gallery here.

I was asked by the local Vaisnava Committee in Split and also Nitai Paramananda Prabhu, headmaster of the Bhakti-sanga program in Croatia, to write a report about the important event of the first Croatian Siksa ceremony, held in Split on June 16, 2007.

The Krishna consciousness movement in Split has been active for eighteen years. At present it consists of some one hundred and thirty members, including the wider congregation; sixty members render active service, maintaining a lively preaching centre with Deities of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai at it’s heart.

Besides starting numerous preaching and educational programs during the past two years, twenty-five new devotees joined during the past eighteen months. Also a number of older devotees returned, or began to participate more frequently in our programs.

It is important to mention that, by Krishna's mercy and thanks to the efforts of the devotees, our public image in Split has improved significantly. Newspapers have published excellent comments about us, we have been invited to participate in local TV shows, and the number of people visiting our Sunday Feasts and other regular public programs and courses is growing.

Our priority is to develop preaching strategies in line with the needs of the people we want to approach. Regular meetings of leaders have shown to be of crucial importance, so we have weekly meetings of the Local Vaisnava Committee and monthly meetings of the Preaching Board, comprised of congregation and Bhakti-sanga leaders.

We noticed a great need for systematic education, and thus we introduced regular seminars: on studying the sacred scriptures (including doing homework, taking tests, and receiving diplomas), Bhakti-yoga courses supported by a printed handbook, and an educational course for new devotees, entitled “Introduction to Vedic Culture.”

Most congregational devotees in Split joined one of our forty or so Bhakti-sangas. This program proved ideal for taking care of devotees. It provides inspiration, opportunity to socialize, engagement in devotional service, and guidance until initiation and beyond. I would like to give credit to Nitai Paramananda Prabhu, who convinced us to adopt this program by his continuously visiting Split and holding seminars about it.

After the last seminar a few month ago, we decided to start the Siksa Program—we felt ready for it. At first, devotees weren’t really sure what it was all about, but with time, receiving more information from their Bhakti-sanga leaders, the number of candidates rose to thirty-three! In this regard I would also like to thank our Bhakti-sanga leaders in Split, including Dharma Gup Prabhu and Lila Purusottama Prabhu, Ekangini Mataji, and our wonderful temple president, Bhakta Riccardo.

The Ceremony

The temple room was full of party-colored balloons, pillows, radiant faces, and cheerful bhajanas. Nitai Paramananda Prabhu gave an appropriate lecture. Then came the ceremony of awarding thirty-three diplomas, followed by Gaura-arati and kirtana, and (of course) prasadam.

It was very exciting. Many devotees were nervous, just as if they were about to receive initiation. We awarded diplomas by beginning with the first degree [Sraddhavan], and so on. One by one, devotees would come to the altar, where they were introduced to the audience and asked if they were prepared to follow the standards of their respective degrees. After the candidates agreed (often in an unsteady voice), the assembled devotees would erupt in shouts of “Hari, Haribol!” and the yatra’s president would hand over the diploma. Upon receiving a gift of flower-prasadam, the candidates would return to their seats. The whole ceremony was recorded on video, and the amount of photos taken reminded one of the annual Oscar awards! Five devotees who were unable to attend received their awards during the following Sunday Feast.

The most inspiring effect was the tremendous growth of enthusiasm after the ceremony, felt by new and older devotees alike. New devotees who had joined during the previous six months mentioned that they could hardly imagine those “old times” before the Siksa Program was implemented, explaining that advancement toward chanting sixteen rounds and following all four regulative principles seems much clearer now that a gradual structured path is provided, wherein every step is encouraged and appreciated.

Two ten-year-old children were also awarded diplomas for the Sraddhavan degree. Overwhelmed with happiness, they promised to chant one round every day and attend the Sunday Feast regularly. Their diplomas were entitled “Junior Sraddhavan” and were half the size of the regular ones.

A few days after the ceremony, we spoke to some of the candidates. They all feel strongly connected to ISKCON, responsibility for maintaining their vows, and increased strength and enthusiasm for spiritual practice. Another indication of the program’s great success is the large number of older uninitiated devotees who joined. All of them perceive how their spiritual life is being revived and how they are stimulated to make further advancement.

Statistics

Total Siksa candidates: 33
Candidates who are members of Bhakti-sanga groups: 16
Candidates who are not members of Bhakti-sanga groups: 17

Numbver of devotees according to degree:

1. Sraddhavan: 9
2. Krishna Sevaka: 11
3. Krishna Sadhaka: 4
4. Srila Prabhupada-asraya: 0
5. Sri Guru-carana-asraya: 7

Your servant,

Krsna-jivani dd
Secretary LVC/ Bhakti-sanga Sector Servant Leader (Split)