Ambarish Das - ISKCON Ministry for Sannyasa

Ambarish
Das
Ambarisa
Das
Ambarisa
Das,
born
in
1969,
first
met
devotees
in
1989.
He
joined
the
ISKCON
Moscow
brahmacari
ashrama
in
1990
and
is
since
that
Dme
engaged
in
book
distribuDon.
He
received
first
iniDaDon
in
1992,
and
second
iniDaDon
in
1994
from
His
Holiness
Gopal
Krishna
das
Goswami.
I
In
1995
He
followed
the
Teaching
Trainer
Course
facilitated
by
His
Grace
Rasamadala
Prabhu
and
the
Book
DistribuDon
Course
by
His
Holiness
AC
BhakDvaibhava
Maharaja
and
His
Grace
Navina
Nirada
Prabhu
ATer
that
he
started
teaching
the
Book
DistribuDon
course
in
temples
in
Russia,
Belarus
and
Ukraine
in
1996.
In
1998
he
became
the
Sankirtan
leader
for
Moscow.
A
present
Ambarisa
Das
is
the
leader
of
the
Traveling
Sankirtan
Party
and
is
fully
engaged
in
book
distribuDon
and
preaching.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Badrinarayan
Das
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Badrinarayan
Das
Badrinarayan
Das
has
been
a
member
of
ISKCON
since
1970.
He
began
associaDng
with
members
of
the
Hare
Krishna
movement
while
sDll
at
school
and
joined
the
Laguna
Beach
(California)
temple
in
his
eighteenth
year
aTer
giving
his
reluctant
parents
the
following
choice:
either
you
let
me
join
or
I’ll
run
away
to
India
and
join
there.
A
year
later,
Badrinarayan
Das
took
iniDaDon
from
Srila
Prabhupada
in
Los
Angeles.
Remembering
his
early
days
in
Krsna
consciousness,
Badrinarayan
says:
“I
had
the
immeasurable
good
fortune
to
hear
Srila
Prabhupada
giving
the
Sunday
feast
lecture
at
the
old
LA
temple.
Then
we
drove
from
Laguna
Beach
each
week
to
hear
Monday
class.
This
went
on
for
nine
months.
It
was
ambrosial
and
convinced
me
to
become
a
devotee.“
Again
at
an
early
age,
Badrinarayan
Das
became
a
temple
president—first
at
Ann
Arbor,
Michigan
from
1973
to
1977,
and
then
in
San
Diego
from
1978
to
1995.
His
GBC
responsibiliDes
began
in
1987
and
his
zonal
assignments
have
included
Southern
California,
Colorado,
Nevada,
Utah
and
Idaho.
In
addiDon
to
his
GBC
service,
he
has
been
siang
on
significant
commibees
such
as
Parallel
Lines
of
Authority,
OrganizaDonal
Development,
the
North
American
GBC,
and
the
ExecuDve
Commibee.
He
has
also
served
past
terms
as
chair
and
as
execuDve
officer
for
the
North
American
and
the
InternaDonal
GBC.
His
parDcipaDon
is
always
notable,
giving
a
fresh
perspecDve
on
most
topics.
He
is
a
fluent
and
humorous
speaker,
well
able
to
link
current
affairs
with
spiritual
mabers.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Badrinarayan
Das
Badrinarayan
Das’s
commitment
to
the
GBC
is
lengthy,
spanning
twenty‐four
years,
and
he
genuinely
appreciates
his
peers
as
wonderful,
kind,
intelligent,
powerful
and
humble
members
of
that
body,
who
take
on
the
weight
of
service
and
responsibility
for
the
whole
society.
Remarkably,
Badrinarayan
Das
has
maintained
his
home
base
at
ISKCON
San
Diego
for
the
last
three
decades,
which
has
added
to
the
stability
and
conDnuity
of
the
community.
This
connecDon
with
the
San
Diego
temple
has
allowed
him
to
develop
his
gardening
interests
in
the
form
of
fragrant
flowers,
which
he
grows
for
the
temple
worship.
He
is
also
a
keen
chef
in
his
spare
Dme—which
is
not
very
oTen.
In
fact,
Badrinarayan
Das
is
trying
to
make
more
Dme
in
his
life
to
complete
several
wriDng
projects.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Carudesna
dasa
BTS
Carudesna
Das
In
1987,
when
I
was
studying
at
college,
I
met
a
Sankirtan
devotee
who
sold
me
Srila
Prabhupada’s
Science
of
Self‐realiza.on.
The
book
clarified
all
the
quesDons
I
had
such
as:
“Why
do
bad
things
happen
to
good
people?
Who
and
what
is
the
meaning
of
God?
Who
am
I?
Where
do
I
come
from
and
what
is
my
future?”
The
way,
in
which
Srila
Prabhupada
presented
Vaishnava
philosophy
and
answered
all
difficult
quesDons
in
a
brilliant
and
simple
way,
deeply
impressed
me.
That
same
year,
a
few
months
later,
I
joined
the
temple.
I
felt
inspired
to
support
Srila
Prabhupada’s
mission
and
preach
in
my
country,
Cote
d’Ivoire.
I
received
first
iniDaDon
from
His
Holiness
BhakD
Tirtha
Maharaja
in
1989,
and
second
iniDaDon
in
1995,
the
year
in
which
I
became
Temple
President
of
Cote
d’Ivoire.
In
2002
I
went
to
Mayapura
for
the
BhakD‐sastri
course,
and
to
Vrindavana
for
the
leadership
and
management
course.
Cote
d’Ivoire
is
a
French
speaking
country.
As
such,
when
His
Holiness
BhakD
Tirtha
Maharaja
came
to
Cote
d’Ivoir
then
I
used
to
translate
for
him.
We
did
together
many
television
and
radio
programmes,
and
conferences.
I
also
translate
for
His
Holiness
Kavicandra
Maharaja
and
His
Holiness
BhakD
Dhira
Damodara
Maharaja,
when
they
visit
Cote
d’Ivoire.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Carudesna
Das
For
many
years
my
main
services
were
book
distribuDon
and
deity
worship.
SomeDmes
I
have
been
invited
by
the
naDonal
television
or
radio
to
abend
interfaith
programmes
with
top
leaders
of
other
religions
and
spiritual
organisaDons.
Since
2010
I
am
teaching
Bhagavad
Gita
at
the
University
of
Abidjan.
At
present
the
campus
if
closed
due
to
an
ongoing
poliDcal
situaDon.
The
university,
however,
is
scheduled
to
open
again
in
August
2012.
It
is
my
intenDon
to
abend
the
theological
college
at
the
BhakDvedant
College
in
Radhadesh,
Belgium.
When
I
have
a
degree
then
I
may
be
allowed
to
officially
teach
oriental
science
at
the
university
of
Cote
d’Ivoire
and
other
universiDes
can
colleges
in
West
African
French
speaking
countries.
Since
2010,
I
am
travelling
and
assisDng
His
Holiness
Kavicandra
Maharaja
and
His
Holiness
BhakD
Dhira
Damodara
Maharaja
in
preaching
in
African
countries
such
as
Ghana,
Nigeria,
Togo,
Benin,
and
as
such
become
more
experienced
in
preaching.
In
2011
I
also
abended
the
African
BBT
meeDng
in
Pretoria,
South
Africa.
I
also
teach
regularly
Bhagavad‐gita
and
present
seminars
on
Vaishnava
eDquebe,
and
other
courses
in
African
French
speaking
countries.
Every
year
I
abend
the
West
African
Ratha
Yatra
and
the
annual
memorial
programmes
for
His
Holiness
BhakD
Tirtha
Maharaja,
held
in
different
countries.
This
year
I
plan
to
assist
His
Holiness
BhakD
Dhira
Damodara
Maharaja
in
MauriDus.
I
received
also
a
proposal
for
preaching
in
Fiji.
It
is
my
intenDon
to
create,
in
the
near
future,
a
farm
community
and
a
Krishna
conscious
school
in
Cote
d’Ivoire.
The
war
in
2011,
however,
destabilized
the
country
in
many
ways.
Yet,
by
Lord
Krishna’s
mercy
things
are
gradually
again
becoming
normalized.
So,
there
is
hope
for
the
future.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Ganga
Narayan
Das
• Ganga
Narayan
Das,
born
on
31st
December
1967,
came
in
contact
with
ISKCON
in
1994
and
joined
as
a
full‐Dme
devotee
in
1995
in
Mayapur.
He
received
Harinama
iniDaDon
in
1996
and
subsequently
Brahmin
iniDaDon
in
1998
at
the
lotus
feet
of
HH
BhakD
Charu
Swami
Maharaj.
• He
served
as
the
Head
of
the
Medical
Department
in
Mayapur
temple
from
1996
to
2001
and
as
a
Brahmacari
counselor
from
1997
to
2001.
• In
the
year
2000,
he
completed
BhakD
Sastri
Course
and
subsequently
taught
the
same
under
MIHE
University.
• In
the
year
2001,
he
was
asked
to
serve
as
the
Vice
President
of
ISKCON
Kolkata
(WB)
and
served
in
that
capacity
Dll
2004.
He
was
acDvely
involved
in
temple
management
as
well
as
youth
preaching
in
Kolkata
during
these
3
years.
• In
2004,
HH
BhakD
Charu
Swami
Maharaj
started
a
new
temple
project
in
Ujjain
(MP)
and
appointed
him
as
the
Temple
President.
In
2006,
GBC
gave
him
the
ISKCON
Global
Excellence
Award
for
significant
contribuDon
in
opening
a
new
Vedic
temple
in
Ujjain.
He
served
in
that
capacity
Dll
2011
and
is
currently
the
Co‐President
of
ISKCON
Ujjain.
• He
has
had
a
very
acDve
involvement
in
preaching
youth
as
well
as
congregaDon
through
various
school/college/village
preaching
programs.
Facts
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • Joined
movement:
1995
in
Mayapur
1st
iniDaDon:
January
1996
2nd
iniDaDon:
1998
Spiritual
Master:
HH
BhakD
Charu
Swami
Preaching:
2001‐2004,
Youth,
Kolkata
2005‐2010:
Youth,
congregaDon,
school,
village
Future
plans:
Youth
preaching
in
central
India,
devotee
village
community,
vedic
educaDon
and
culture
for
sustained
community
growth
PosiDons:
1995‐2001:
Medical
Depb
Incharge
Mayapur
2001‐2004:
Vice
President
Kolkata
(WB)
2005‐Till
Date:
Ujjain
(MP)
Temple
President
Teacher/Trainer:
Completed
BhakD
sastri
in
2000
taught
the
same
course
in
associaDon
with
Mayapur
InsDtute
(MIHE)
1997‐2001:
Brahmacari
Counsellor:
Mayapur
2001‐2004:
Kolkata;
2005‐2010:
Ujjain
Global
Excellence
Award
2006
significant
contribuDon
in
opening
new
Vedic
temple
Gadadhar
Priya
dasa
Gadadhara
Priya
Das
I
was
born
in
a
Vaishnava
family
on
17
Mar
1965
in
a
village
know
as
Sayar
in
Bangladesh,
and
was
since
birth
acquainted
with
devoDon
to
Lord
Krishna
and
Sri
Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.
In
1984,
at
the
occasion
of
my
first
meeDng
with
the
sankirtan
devotees
at
Rangpur,
I
received
Bhagavad‐gita
As
It
Is,
and
The
Science
of
Self‐Realiza.on.
By
reading
these
books
I
was
very
pleased.
Later
on,
in
1987,
while
studying
at
the
Jagannatha
College
in
Dhaka,
I
became
a
life‐member
of
ISKCON
Tejkunipara
near
to
Farmgate.
On
the
1st
of
April
1990,
I
received
first
iniDaDon
from
His
Holiness
Jayapatka
Swami.
Around
that
Dme
I
became
pujari
for
Sri
Sri
Radha‐Govinda
Jiu
in
Dhaka.
Two
months
later,
on
the
inspiraDon
of
my
Guru
Maharaja,
I
started
preaching
in
the
northern
part
of
Bangladesh,
especially
in
Rangpur.
For
this
purpose
a
namha@a
centre
was
established
at
Taraganj,
which
later
on
turned
into
a
temple
where
I
served
as
president.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Gadadhara
Priya
Das
Then,
on
the
23rd
of
April
1991
I
received
second
iniDaDon
at
Katakhali
(Jessore).
At
that
Dme
I
started
to
push
forward
the
preaching
and
supported
book
distribuDon,
organized
harinama,
and
Nama
Ha@a
Sangas
in
rural
areas.
This
abracted
people
and
a
number
of
them
agreed
to
receive
iniDaDon.
In
1993,
His
Holiness
Jayapataka
Maharaja
came
to
the
temple
and
offered
them
iniDaDon.
ATer
that,
due
to
the
vehement
preaching
of
the
devotees,
the
preaching
expanded
as
such
that
in
1996,
Srila
Prabhupada’s
centennial
year
His
Holiness
Jayapataka
Maharaja
opened
the
new
Sri
Sri
Radha
Madanmohan
temple,
and
iniDated
more
than
hundred
new
devotees.
From
that
Dme
I
conDnued
diligently
organized
book
distribuDon,
life‐membership,
pandal
programs,
and
opened
Nama
Haba
centres,
engaged
in
student
preaching,
etc.
In
2003
the
GBC
appointed
me
as
the
Vice‐president
of
the
ExecuDve
Commibee
of
ISKCON
Bangladesh.
At
present
I
conDnue
to
serve
Srila
Prabhupada’s
mission
in
Bangladesh
overseeing
thirty‐six
ISKCON
temples
and
about
hundred
Nama
Haba
Temples,
and
over
thousand
Namhaba
Sangas
in
Bangladesh.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Gaura
Krishna
Das
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Gaura
Krishna
Das
I
was
born
on
January
22nd,
1964
in
the
village
of
Khadia
in
the
province
of
Bihar,
India.
It
was
on
the
9th
of
May
1979
that
I
met
for
the
first
Dme
His
Holiness
Radha
Govinda
Maharaja.
Inspired
by
his
holy
associaDon
I
started
chanDng
daily
the
Hare
Krishna
mahamantra
and
reading
Srila
Prabhupada’s
books
such
as
Bhagavad‐git
As
It
Is,
The
Perfec.on
of
Yoga,
Perfect
Ques.ons
Perfect
Answers,
Upadeshamrita
and
Sri
Isopanisad,
and
many
other
books.
Despite
my
study
engagements
I
regularly
associated
with
His
Holiness
and
parDcipated
acDvely
in
the
Hari
Kathas
(glorificaDon
of
Sri
Hari
through
lectures),
Ratha
Yatra
fesDvals
and
Sankirtan.
At
that
Dme
I
became
also
involved
in
various
preaching
programs.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Gaura
Krishna
Das
Thus,
on
the
celebraDon
day
of
Gita
JayanD,
the
18th
of
December
1980,
I
received
first
iniDaDon.
The
year
aTer,
on
the
7th
of
July
1981,
His
Holiness
Radha
Govinda
Maharaja
gave
me
second
iniDaDon.
ATer
graduaDon
at
Varanasi
in
1984,
I
joined
ISKCON
Vrindavana,
and
from
November
1985
to
December
1987
I
parDcipated
in
Sri
Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu’s
Padayatra
with
His
Holiness
Lokanatha
Maharaja.
I
also
served
regularly
in
ISKCON
Vrindavana,
Mayapura
and
Mumbai
Juhu.
From
1987
on,
by
the
order
of
my
spiritual
master,
I
started
preaching
in
the
villages
of
the
provinces
Jharkhand
and
Bihari.
Then
from
1999
on,
carrying
out
the
order
of
my
spiritual
master,
I
started
to
speak
Srimad
Bhagavat
Katha
in
various
ISKCON
centres
such
as
Mayapura,
Delhi,
Noida,
Vrindavana,
Surat,
Rjasthan,
Mumbai,
Kurukshetra,
Lucknow
and
in
many
villages
and
other
places.
I
have
also
travelled
abroad
in
countries
such
as
Nepal,
Bangladesh,
MauriDus,
etc.
Since
Gaura
Purnima
2010
on
I
serve
as
an
acDve
member
at
ISKCON
Jhansi.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Halayudha
Das
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012
Halayudha
Das
ATer
graduaDon
at
the
university
I
joined
ISKCON
Bhubaneswar
in
1992.
I
received
first
iniDaDon
from
His
Holiness
Gour
Govinda
Maharaja
in
1994
second
iniDaDon
in
1995.
From
1993
to
1997
I
was
engaged
in
distribuDng
Srila
Prabhupada’s
books.
Then
from
February
1997
unDl
the
year
2000
I
was
serving
as
Head
Pujari
in
the
Sri
Krishna
Balarama
Temple
in
Bhubaneswar.
Then
I
joined
the
Nama
Haba
department
and
became
engaged
in
preaching
throughout
Odisha
in
Odiya
language.
Every
year,
during
the
month
of
November,
at
the
occasion
of
padayatra,
I
am
preaching
in
village
areas;
and
during
the
month
of
February
I
preach
about
twenty
days
in
pandal
programmes
in
towns
in
Odisha.
I
receive
regular
invitaDons
to
preach
in
pandal
programmes
held
in
different
areas
of
Odisha.
As
such,
by
Srila
Prabhupada’s
mercy
I
am
engaged
in
preaching
acDviDes
for
more
than
eight
months
every
year.
Also,
in
our
Bhubaneswar
temple,
two
Dmes
a
year,
I
am
facilitaDng
seminars.
Sannyasa
Candidates
‐
Bio
Data
2012