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"To
show them special mercy, I, dwelling in
their hearts, destroy |
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"To
show them special mercy, I, dwelling in
their hearts, destroy |
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Prisoner Brothers and Sisters From Hamsagati dasa Posted March 29, 2004 Did you ever consider going to prison? After reading Jivananda Das's plea inviting devotees to share kirtan, dancing, lecture, arotik, and conversation with the inmates of Oregon State Penitentiary, I requested ISKCON Portland Temple managers to please contact the chaplain to set up our first program. I would never have imagined how blissfully the guys behind the walls took to chanting and how intently they heard our reading and classes. Some of the men wore japa malas around their neck when they were not chanting rounds. Jivananda has 70+ books in his cell, and the chapel library has many also. These fellows are, in many cases, no more criminal than other JERKs (Jiva Ever Rejecting Krishna). It seems Krishna has a plan to give them shelter from Maya's smorgasbord out here in the free world. These men and women hanker after association, as do we all.
Inmates have opportunities to attend programs of all faiths and of faithless Mayavadis too. They will gravitate toward friendly and caring preachers. We need not change our lives, just find some pen pals. Paper-letter correspondence is allowed, as are collect phone calls. If you feel like being their friend too, please contact ISKCON Prison Ministry director Chandrashekhar Das, ph# 419-508-2291, email me: hamsagati@yahoo.com, or cold call at your local prison. Do not fear. We have nothing but bhakti yoga to give. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya! [See "Oregon:Prisoners Hear Srila Prabhupada," dipika.org, November 4, 2003.] © dipika.org March 29, 2004 |
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