Book distribution is exciting even in a one horse Texas town...

An African-American lady asked, "Why have you come to Cameron?" They told her why and added that they didn't think the people would be interested. She gave a donation for a Gita and said, "Oh, you'd be surprised. People are smart in this town. We read a lot."

# Posted by Aniruddha at 5/8/08; 11:34:07 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Looking after people is a problem, of the right kind...

Whilst it is tempting for any of us to simply be a book distributor, it defies logic if, after a person reads the book you gave them, for us to then not be interested in that newcomer's welfare. It defies logic but it does happen sometimes. Unfortunately, there are not enough devotees for some of us to ‘only' be book distributors. Each of us must also be well-rounded teachers and encouragers to everyone who takes up our Vaishnava path.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 29/5/08; 11:46:10 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

If you are looking for some inspiration for book distribution then this site is for you...

The new Distributebooks.com was launched at the Dallas meeting of ISKCON leaders on January 26.

The go-to place for active or aspiring book distributors, the site includes strategies, techniques and tips, videos, audio lectures, seminars, and more--everything you could possibly want.

And if you're wondering what to say or how to deal with a tricky situation, you can get the answers to all your questions from expert book distributors. We'll be covering the site in depth in a future issue of our newsletter, but in the meantime, check it out for yourself and see what you think.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 10/2/08; 12:21:07 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

I'd like to offer sincere thanks to all those devotees who helped distribute books in November and December. We increased significantly on 2006 when 38 devotees in total went out. Five were full time temple distributors. This year (2007) we had ten full time temple distributors out of a total of 95. That means over 85 distributors came from the greater community living outside the temple.

Here are the final figures just in from Vraja-nari.

• 95 devotees
• distributed 9,482 books
• for 7,222.25 book points
• collected $43,921.10
• from which $22,704.91 covers book costs
• $21,216.19 (93.44% of the cost) was profit
• which more than doubles last year's effort
  

# Posted by Aniruddha at 13/1/08; 7:23:36 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Positive Impressions Bear Fruit

Melbourne devotees have been cultivating favourable relationships with people in the wider metropolitan community for decades. There are harinamas; youth outreach like the Loft and Urban Yoga; school visits and cultural services; prasadam distribution by providing free meals to the needy, and through catering services and restaurants. There is also the devotees' contribution to local festivals like Moomba - not to mention the work of previous book distributors. All these activities create positive impressions in the hearts of Melbournians. And when it comes to distributing books, Karuna Purna Mataji finds that this process is bearing fruit.

One day Karuna was preparing to distribute books outside Crossways. So she put a supply of books in a box just outside the doorway to Swanston Street. But before she could even begin to show the passersby, one girl followed her boyfriend over to the box. The man was immediately starting to examine the different books inside. As his girlfriend watched, he began sorting through Karuna's selection, enthusiastically reading cover notes and flipping through pictures and chapter headings.

At first the girl was not as keen as her boyfriend, who was French; however she translated for him when he needed help with English.

Karuna asked, 'Have you seen any Hare Krishna books before?'

'O yes,' said the girl, smiling. 'I have many of them already on my bookshelf!'

As she continued to talk with Karuna, her mind began to accept the idea of receiving yet another 'Hare Krishna' book. Karuna showed her Yoga for the New Millennium, the story of a Chinese student's awakening to devotional life, written by Tamal Krishna Goswami.

'Would you like a donation?' the girl asked happily, as she offered Karuna some money.

'Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham': as they surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. (Bg 4.11)

A Little Reciprocation from Lord Caitanya

Karuna Purna finds that people on Melbourne's streets are actually quite interested in Srila Prabhupada's books, and this encourages her effort to distribute. However, at one stage during the marathon as she showed the books to passersby, Karuna had not had even the least positive response for over two hours.

As she looked into the stream of shoppers, she could see two wealthy, fashionably dressed, middle-aged women walking towards her. Sporting striking makeup, they seemed wholeheartedly engaged in the busy life of the street.

Karuna thought, 'They don't seem like they will be interested in my books. But I have nothing to lose now, let me approach them.' So she did.

To her surprise, when the two ladies listened to her presentation and examined her books, they became completely enlivened!

'We are members of a spiritual community at home in the United Kingdom,' they confided. 'In fact, we've just been to a Buddhist centre here! We're just getting ready to leave the country.'

'Do you have A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's Bhagavad-gita?' Karuna asked, offering them a heartfelt opportunity to read Krishna's song 'As It Is.'

Then in response the ladies not only accepted a Bhagavad-gita, but greedily chose a couple of other books each, including a Srimad-bhagavatam. They began offering Karuna one note, then another, and another: mounting together a very generous donation. Not only that, the two women - both the age of Karuna's mother - insisted on giving her warm hugs of appreciation right there in the crowded street.

Within her own heart, Karuna felt that she had gotten a little taste of reciprocation from Lord Caitanya while determinedly carrying out Srila Prabhupada's desire: 'If you want to please me, distribute books!'

# Posted by Aniruddha at 8/12/07; 1:39:50 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

We started our book distribution marathon early this year. We've got Indradyumna Swami's troupe arriving in the last week of December so we're compensating for that. Here's some stories from Sukanthi Radha via Rasanandini.

Brits in St. Kilda

In the days leading up to Prabhupada's marathon, Sukanthi Radha Mataji was distributing books in St Kilda. A sincere disciple, she has followed Devamrta Maharaja's desire that she preach clear across the globe from Manchester England, to New Zealand and Australia.

One evening Sukanthi struck up a conversation with a fellow countryman, a middle-aged Englishman. He told her he had been working in Singapore but had been made redundant. So now he and a workmate had come to Australia to holiday. Although he wasn't particularly interested in her books, nevertheless Sukanthi gave the gentleman one of Srila Prabhupada's Srimad-bhagavatams.

Just then the man's friend joined them, and the Britisher passed the book on to him. The friend was quite responsive to the brihad-mrdanga (Prabhupada's press). He immediately asked Sukanthi 'Would you like a donation?' Then, generously handing her $50 from his pocket, he walked off!

Now Sukanthi offered the Brit two books in response to his friend's donation. At the same time, the Englishman had been infected with his friend's giving mood, and matched him by pulling another $50 donation from his pocket!

Reminded of talk of his daughters waiting in England, Sukanthi suggested he give the books to them. Srila Prabhupada's books may return to Britain well before Sukanthi Radha!

The Sankirtana Remedy

During the first week of the marathon, Sukanthi was distributing books outside Crossways in Swanston St. She caught the attention of an elderly Australian man and began to talk with him. Brian showed some interest in Prabhupada's books. After confessing that he was having trouble sleeping, he became enthused by Sukanthi's suggestion that he try yoga techniques to solve his problem. She handed him a Srimad-bhagavatam.

However, Brian only offered $5 in return. He said didn't have any cash but would give her more when he got some later in the day. Although Sukanthi could see he was carrying other notes in his wallet, she gave him the book. She knew she could cover the $5 publishing shortfall with donations from more generous souls.

However the Bhagavatam created its change of heart in Brian. He did return, asking Sukanthi, 'What other books do you have?' So she showed him a Bhagavad-gita and a couple of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust's small books. 'How much should I give?' he responded.

Sukanthi smiled, 'Give as much as you can.' 'Is $20 OK?' the man asked.

Thinking how chanting would solve all his material problems, insomnia included, she passed Brian a Crossways card and taught him the maha-mantra:

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

So armed, he went happily on his way; his devotional life rekindled in the fire of sankirtan yajna.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 4/12/07; 11:29:49 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

We are holding an ista-gosthi on Sunday morning after Guru Puja to discuss plans for book distribution, festival and catering for the next couple of months. There's a lot on and a lot of details to consider as we head into the business end of the year.

Not only do we have a good opportunity for book distribution but some of our largest catering events fall in December. This year we have the privilege of hosting Indradyumna Swami's performing troupe, Le Carnaval Spirituel which falls on the weekend before Christmas. There are service opportunities for all. If you want to know where you fit in come along to find out.

• Sunday Morning
• 7.45 am
• in the Temple Room
• all welcome

# Posted by Aniruddha at 27/10/07; 7:38:35 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

A new book from the BBT...

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust has just published a book I helped edit: Srila Sanatana Gosvami's Sri Krishna-lila-stava, translated, with a brief commentary, by Gopiparanadhana Dasa. Srila Sanatana Gosvami (circa 1488--1558) was the seniormost of the six Gosvamis who expounded and elaborated the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Of Srila Sanatana's four literary works, Sri Krishna-lila-stava is the shortest and simplest.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 8/8/07; 3:38:46 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Here's something I reckon we could really get into...

Here in ISKCON of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California), our MSF program has been steadily growing for over two years, and is truly the life of all the devotees. One weekend per month, we all come together on Friday evening to kick off the MSF with maha nagar sankirtan in Palo Alto (home of Stanford University). Then on Saturday and Sunday we split up into teams for distributing books in different legal spots (or door to door) throughout the metropolitan area. Each MSF has a theme, usually selected from an event on that month's Vaisnava calendar, and we pledge to achieve realistic but difficult goals.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 7/7/07; 10:12:52 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Here is a story from our book distribution team.

Vraja Nari gives out Srila Prabhupada’s books in Swanston St. Six months ago she noticed one particular street guy: middle-aged with long unkempt hair and beard. He would sit sprawled on the pavement with a vacant look, arms and legs outstretched, and an old blanket beside him. Vraja thought he was begging.

The man began coming up to Vraja when he saw her in the street. He wanted to look at the books and touch them. Then he would walk away.

One day she bent down and dropped a damaged Bhagavad-gita onto his blanket. Leon’s eyes opened wide as he recognised it! Later he gave Vraja a few coins he had collected. From then on whenever he saw her, he would ask ‘Do you have any more books?’

As time passed, he gave Vraja larger donations for more of Srila Prabhupada’s books. Leon seemed to become more and more conscious of his surroundings. One day Vraja gave him a set of beads. ‘Chant Hare Krishna like this,’ she showed him.

Vraja began to see Leon in the Crossways library. He would sit on the floor in front of a picture of Krishna, chanting on his beads. Vraja had never seen anyone so obviously enlivened by Srila Prabhupada’s books. But still he asked, ‘Do you have any more books?’

‘I think you’ve got all of them now,’ Vraja smiled. Then she thought of the sets of Srimad-Bhagavatams kept upstairs. ‘Leon, do you remember the Bhagavad-gita? I’ve got a set of books like that I can show you.’

His face lit up. ‘Yes, please!’ he begged. So Vraja brought down a Bhagavatam set. Pulling a wad of notes from his coat, he bought the lot! ‘Do you live in the street?’ she asked. ‘No, I live in a hostel. I’ve got schizophrenia,’ he replied. ‘But soon I will be getting my own place.’

As time went on Leon asked more: ‘Why do the men shave their heads?’

‘Srila Prabhupada wanted his students to be clean,’ Vraja told him. The next day she found his beard gone, his hair cropped short.

Leon’s new flat doesn’t have any furniture. It does have a beautiful picture of Srila Prabhupada chanting, Srila Prabhupada’s books piled around it. Leon uses a new blue duster to carefully clean his picture and his books.

And now he asks Vraja timidly, ‘Are there many devotees at the temple? Are they chanting kirtana?’

‘…Wake up, sleeping souls!’ Lord Gauranga calls, ‘You have slept so long in the lap of the witch Maya!...I have brought the medicine for destroying the illusion of Maya. Now beg for this hari-nama-maha-mantra and take it.’ (Bhaktivinode Thakur: Arunodaya Kirtana)


# Posted by Aniruddha at 24/6/07; 4:50:11 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

From "The Great Transcendental Adventure"...

Devotee: "We would like to know what would please you the most."

Prabhupada's reply was brief and to the point. "Understand Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, become perfect and distribute this knowledge to your fellow countrymen."

# Posted by Aniruddha at 14/6/07; 4:16:18 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

We held a thank you picnic for the book and holiday prasadam distributors on Saturday at Burnley Gardens on the banks of the Yarra. Acintya Rupa prepared a great feast and a good time was had by all.

Of significance was the quantity of books we were able to distribute in the month of December. Thirty eight devotees went out and they distributed a total of 6590 books which is more than double last year's efforts. Glenn was number one with 1853, Vraja Nari second with 1128 and Nanda Mandira was third distributing 892 books. It was a great effort especially on behalf of the part timers who did an excellent job. Thank you everyone.

The trick now is to increase on that. That will keep us busy this year.

On a more business like note could all those of you who took books from the book room please return them so Dandakaranya Prabhu can do a stock take? If you took books home but haven't distributed them please return them now. You can take more books after we've completed the stock take. Thanks.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 15/1/07; 2:33:16 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

We managed to distribute over 900 books last week as a warm up for the marathon which starts tomorrow, Monday. As I left the temple this evening there were over 20 devotees in Prabhupada's room discussing plans for the coming month. If you'd like to lend a hand contact me, and I'll point you in the right direction.



# Posted by Aniruddha at 3/12/06; 8:36:51 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Something to keep an eye out for...

There's a new cookbook hot off the presses. It's a brand new reprinted, updated edition of the classic 'The Higher Taste - A Guide to Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking and a Karma-Free Diet'.

The original paperback edition, reprinted numerous times, sold close to 3 million copies (2,857,000 to be exact). This first re-printing is a run of almost a quarter of a million copies. I was asked to provide the recipes for this German-printed, beautifully produced book.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 10/10/06; 12:34:32 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

These sankirtana stories are great. If you have a good story why not send it in?

Two years ago, just before meeting Mahatma and the Iso, she had split up with her husband, and it was looking like divorce. But after buying that fateful Iso and again meeting her almost-exhusband, she suddenly found that they had something in common. He had independently bought an Iso from Mahatma, and he, like her, was also interested in it. Because of that connection, they got back together and are still living happily ever after as I write -- putting Krsna in the center.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 5/9/06; 2:55:51 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

A story from the Book Distribution Seminar web-site...

The criminal decided to hide himself in the Hare Krishna Temple. After staying in the temple for a few months, his heart was purified and he ultimately changed to a devotee. He had his head-shaven and started distributing books to various people. Once while he was distributing books, he was recognized by the police and they took him to jail.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 3/9/06; 2:44:15 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Prabhupada didn't use the term but there are those who feel Prabhupada's books shouldn't be edited after his departure. They claim his adi vani or original words should be left untoucehd. In this article Jayadvaita Swami explores the issues surrounding the editing of Prabhupada's books.

The term adi vani mainly seems used by those who feel that after Srila Prabhupada's departure no editing of his books should be done at all.

Their use of the term, however, is curious.

• By adi vani they don't mean "his original words" as he originally spoke them.
• They mean his words as published during his lifetime, after they were edited.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 30/6/06; 9:48:53 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Here is a very informative article that tracks the history and development of processes involved in editing Prabhupada's books. I find it amazing that Jayadvaita Swami is criciticised for doing the service he was personally given by his spiritual master. Here he explains some of the up until now mysteries of this important service.

An overview of the editorial history of the books of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 30/6/06; 9:43:00 AM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

We've been discussing amongst a few devotees at the temple how we can improve some of our outreach methods. There's a great need to be out there in the people's eye. Here's an interesting concept that I'd like to implement in Melbourne. This article appeared originally on Dandavats.com but I picked it up on Namahatta.org.

When asked how he had been so successful, Vaish answered, "The Monthly Sankirtana Festival--it's a fun way to do book distribution that gets everyone, including the congregation, involved. Our philosophy is that it's best to have a lot of devotees each doing a little bit."

# Posted by Aniruddha at 21/6/06; 9:52:45 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

Uddhava Bandhu sold over 40 books to this gentleman at the Shiva Vishnu temple after setting up a book stall one weekend in the marathon. He bought one of each including all his Tamil and Hindi offerings as well.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 27/1/06; 12:09:51 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]

This note just in from Dandakaranya Prabhu...

We will do the book distribution field training this Sat. Nov 5th from 10am until 12pm. Either meet out the front of Crossways at 10am or else we can leave from the temple at 9.30am. We will go in non devotional dress ie trousers shirt or other appropriate attire. Sandhini Sakti can take some of the ladies with her and myself and Divya can take the men. I will bring the books along for distribution.

If you’d like to get some book distribution training for the marathon then you can get in touch with Dandakaranya Prabhu or meet the devotees outside Crossways, 10.00 am Saturday morning.

# Posted by Aniruddha at 3/11/05; 5:48:51 PM to the Book Distribution dept.
Comment (0) Trackback [0]