Book Distribution in Istanbul

(written by Bhaktivedanta Damodara Maharaja)

Dandavat Pranams,
All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga,

Dear Maharajas, Prabhus and sisters.
We have been here in Turkey for more than a week, visiting two cities Istanbul and now Ankara. The history of our little yatra here is quite short, now it is entering it’s third year here. As of now Srila Gurudeva has 11 initiated devotees from here, and more are on the way hopefully. Of course the preaching here exploded when Srila Gurudeva Himself stopped here for 12 days on his way to and from the Odessa festival last September.
Our God-sister Savitri has had a two bedroom flat given to her by her mother, actually she gave it to Srila Gurudeva and we are using it. It is on the Asian side of the city. Istanbul is huge, the second largest city in Europe with a population of @ 11 million. Of course it is a Muslim country but prides itself on its secular outlook.
Having our own centre is great because when you stay at other’s houses you have little control over the situation, but now we are free to have anyone over we choose, at whatever time.

A few days ago we went out on book distribution, and it was amazing. We had copies of Coming Back in Turkish, and a few English books of Gurudeva, and our own fliers and pamphlets.

There was pandemonium. We were constantly surrounded by 6 to 10 people asking questions and taking a look at the books. So many people were attracted, and genuinely interested. No one here has ever been rude or threatened me in all the times I have come here. People are respectful, religious and inquisitive. It certainly is a refreshing change

from the predominately atheist countries of Western Europe.
Simply using the arguments provided by Thakura Bhaktivinode in Jaiva Dharma, people were easily and happily persuaded to cough up $3 or so for the book, and many more took flyers. In no time at all myself, Savitri Dasi (a local), and German Brahmachari Gokul Chandra Dasa (the last of an endangered species) finished our books and returned home. The next day we also went to the Tourist area of Taxim and had the same experience. Just from these two days we have had 4 phone calls from inquisitive persons who want to come to our seminars next week. That is an amazing response. In just the one week we have been here, already 3 people have become vegetarians and are chanting the Holy Name.

One man complained that it was improper to do this outside a mosque, but the others chastised him, “Nothing happened to the mosque, it’s still there, don’t worry.” Quite a few people called after our two days of distribution, so if devotees could regularly come through here, we now have more than 200 people on our mailing list to invite for programs.

Then on Friday, the 11th of April we came to the capital city of Ankara. Nightly programs attended by about 12 persons, but the exciting thing was the Harinam done by the attendees of the program for about an hour. We danced and chanted through the restaurant section of downtown. We were surprised that so many people knew the Hare Krishnas, Turkish people are well travelled and educated also it seems.

The people on the street were so genuinely happy to see us, and many people chanted behind us. Once I asked Srila Gurudeva that, “Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura wrote two whole chapters of Jaiva Dharma specifically concerned with preaching to Muslims so it must be that he knew that in the future, this movement of Lord Caitanya would spread to there

also!” Srila Gurudeva smiled and said, “Without a doubt.”

So I hope this little message can inspire others to come to this country and stay a while. Pujyapada Tridandi Maharaja also came here last year and he is convinced that this is his favourite preaching field in the world. He will do a one week japa retreat in the South some time this year. If there are a few devotees who want to come here and preach, do sankirtana and books, then they can write to us. We have everything here for you, just write to us.

I took a little section out of the Jaiva Dharma, I hope you like it, and feel inspired.
  Lahiri Mahashaya was fluent in the language of the Muslims. He had studied the Koran and also many books of the Sufis. To the Kazi he addressed this question: "What is your idea of liberation?"
  The Kazi replied, "Where you use the word `jiva' (individual spirit soul), we use the word `ru'. The ru has two states of existence: 1. ru-mujarradi, and 2. ru-tarkibi. What you call `cit' (spirit) we call `mujarrad'. What you call `acit' (matter) we call `jisam'. The spiritual world (mujarrad) is beyond material time. The material world (jisam) is subject to time's control. The `tarkibi-ru', or `baddha-jiva' (conditioned soul), is filled with material desires. His mind is filled with material ideas. The `mujarrad-ru' (liberated soul) is pure and free from these contaminations. A person who says, `alam misal' (I am spirit) is able to become a `mujarradi-ru' (liberated soul). By the gradually development of `esk' (spiritual love) the `ru' (soul) becomes purified. A great saint goes to the abode of God. He does not stay in the material world. In that spiritual world he is the servant and God is the master. The soul and God have that relationship eternally. The attainment of that pure relationship with God is called liberation. The Sufis explain the Koran in that way, but not everyone is able to understand this explanation. By the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Chanda Kazi understood this and taught this to me. In that way I know that you are all pure devotees of the Lord.
  Lahiri Mahashaya: What is the teaching that is at the root of the Koran?
  Kazi: there are many teachings in the Koran. I cannot single out a particular kind of worship to tell you. However, the purpose of life is to worship God. When they see the supremely blissful Supreme God, all people become plunged into transcendental bliss. Lord Caitanya has explained in this way.
  Lahiri Mahashaya: How does the Koran describe the form of God?
  Kazi: The Koran says that God has no form. However, Lord Caitanya told the Chanda Kazi that the meaning of these words of the Koran is that God has no material form. The Koran does not mean to say that God does not have a spiritual form. The prophet himself saw the form of God, which is filled with transcendental love. He also described all the rasas, but only in a concealed way.
  Lahiri Mahashaya: What do the Sufis say?
  Kazi: their philosophy is "anal hak", which means "I am God". In this way the philosophy of the Vedic impersonalists and the Muslim Sufis is the same.
  Lahiri Mahashaya: Are you a Sufi?
  Kazi: No. I am a pure devotee. I have surrendered my life to Lord Caitanya.

  Thus talking about many things, the saintly Kazi and the Vaiñëavas treated each other with great respect. Finally the meeting ended with a great chanting of the holy names of Lord Hari.