Seven thousand delegates attended the annual Symposium of the American Academy of Religion in Toronto, from November 22nd to 25th. Afterwards, about 50 scholars and student delegates, appreciative of the interfaith efforts of His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami, attended a memorial service for him in the dining hall at the Hare Krishna Temple on Avenue Road.

Anuttama Das, Director of ISKCON Communications, North America, inaugurated the event with an introductory speech. The next item was a kirtan by the Toronto Devotee Youth Group. The chanting, performed in a melodious style, brought smiles and a round of applause from the delegates.

Anuttama Das, Garuda Das, and Hladini Dasi shared their memories of Tamal Krishna Goswami. A prasadam dinner was served and the evening culminated with a panel discussion: Living with the Dichotomy of Life in the Secular World as a Devotee of Krishna. The moderator was Rachel McDermott, and the panel consisted of Mahasaumya Das, Anuttama Das, Radhika Raman Das (Ravi Gupta), Praharana Dasi, Anuradha Bhandari, and me.

Among the distinguished guests, we were pleased to have author Steven Rosen (Satyaraja Das), Prof. Joseph T. O’Connell of the University of Toronto, and Rev. Teri Gallagher of the Scarboro Missions. The evening finished with an open forum between the panelists and the guests. Everyone received some of Srila Prabhupada’s books and small boxes of sweets as a parting gift.

Special thanks to Praharana dasi, Rachel McDermott, Hladini Dasi, Sita Dasi, Subuddhi Dasi, Krsnadas Kaviraj das, and Paurnamasi Dasi. Without their efforts this event would not have taken place.

© dipika.org December 20, 2002