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HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A COMMUNITY?
STEPS TO VARËÄÇRAMA
STEPS OF BUILDING A COMMUNITY
Vision Analysis Strategic planning Action Maintenance, monitoring, adjustments
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VISION OF SRILA PRABHUPADA First part of Srila Prabhupada’s
mission was to establish and expand The second part was to create systems
to ensure that devotees are happy in Krishna Consciousness
Srila Prabhupada’s desire was to establish Varnasrama, a system for devotee care
One of the 7 Purposes of ISKCON is To bring the members of the Society
together with each other & nearer to Krishna
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Letter to: Satsvarupa, Bombay, 25 November, 1970You are right to say that the example and kindly guidance of our elder members in the Society is the most profound force for motivating our students both new and old towards advanced Krishna Consciousness.
Letter to: Karandhara, Delhi, 3 December, 1971Now you must guide them very nicely in Krishna Consciousness, because you are a veteran devotee and practically speaking the future of our Krishna Conscious Society rests in the hands of my older disciples. Give them all facility to perfect their lives by protecting them and instructing them nicely, that is now the duty of my senior disciples
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COMMUNITY VISION IN HUNGARY
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To create a community based on Care and trust Personal relationships Common rights and obligations Education
ISKCON Hungary is the sum of temples and congregations that we can call the “community”.
SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths: We have very good
foundation given by Srila Prabhupada to build a society, and we have good examples in Radha-Gopinatha Temple in Chowpatty, also in Ukraine and London
Weaknesses: The present structure (ISKCON as a federation of temples) can not serve the needs of the changing devotee community
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SWOT ANALYSIS
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Opportunities: We can change paradigm, and redefine ISKCON Hungary as a community of devotees, centered around the temple
Threats: If we are unable to change paradigm, our development will be limited
RESULT OF ANALYSIS
So there is a need of a system With qualified devotees Who are ready to offer the required
shelter, care, training, education and support to others
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HUNGARIAN EFFORTS TOWARDS VISION Establishing the Counselor System
Define values and goals Define requirements for community
membership, as rights and obligations Define the role of temple Establish an educational system Create media / channels of communication Involving and inspiring devotees Organizing preaching programs (feeders)
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CREATING A FRAMEWORK
Based on studying the Radha Gopinatha Mandir’s community
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Their framework is called The Counselor System (CS)
Personalization and adjustments took place with the help of Sridama Prabhu and Kisori Mataji
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WHY DO WE NEED THAT?
„The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. „
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OUR GOALS WITH COUNSELOR SYSTEM
Creating a system of care and guidance Sense of identity to grihastas Increase the level of trust within the
community Decrease alienation of devotees Promote stronger relationships and
association Give support in KC and every walk of life Involve congregation in activities and
preaching Organize education to all asramas
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WHO IS A MEMBER?
One who would like to advance in Krishna consciousness
One who takes Krishna consciousness as a lifestyle
One who takes part in the Counselors System Accepts ISKCON and local authority Vegetarian, chants at least 1 round daily Attends group meetings Have regular service Radhe Syama seva puja member
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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE TEMPLE?
Temples are an important but the smaller part of the community that provide place of spiritual inspiration supply spiritual guides for community the ultimate authority on community
standards.
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EDUCATION
Counselor System is an educational system
Education penetrates everything within Education of counselors and
congregation Curriculum is specified according to our
goals, not topics
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REGULAR MEETINGS OF COUNSELORS
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COMMUNICATION
Word-of-mouth is most effective
A website is established with limited access for non-members, full access for members
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INVOLVEMENT
Involve community members in different services
Inspire members to take responsibilities Sunday program Organizing festivals, social events Organizing comittees Preaching
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WHY COMMUNITY BUILDING?
Is the key element to ISKCON’s prosperity in the future, especially in citys Penny principle
Will improve the Krishna conscious lives of community members, grihastas
Will build trust of distanced devotees Will attract new members Will create abundant resources and
funds 20
SRÉ SRÉ RADHE-SYAMA KÉ!
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