Bangalore Tops World Book Distribution
Unfortunately ISKCON has seen a huge decline in book distribution: For the whole of 1999, only 2 million books were distributed throughout the whole world. There are no more than 50 temples that regularly distribute more than 50 books a day. 50% of all books are now distributed in India, and 50% of all books are now distributed by just 10 temples.
We are pleased to announce that for the Month of May, Bangalore temple distributed more of Srila Prabhupada’s books than any other temple in the world. They distributed 23,204 books, with the movement as a whole distributing 169,035 books. This means that 1 in every 7 books distributed in the whole of ISKCON was distributed by Bangalore temple alone. Actually these results would have been even better, since the temple to date has only been submitting the books distributed by the temple brahmacaris. It does not include the many sales of Srimad Bhagavatam sets made by the temple’s Life membership department.
This preaching activity is as a result of the amazing transformation the temple has undergone since the it cast off the shackles of the illusion of being part of HH Jayapataka Swami’s empire, and returned it back to Srila Prabhupada. This formally occurred 2 years ago, and since then the results have been amazing. Book distribution since that time has exploded. The devotees in the temple have explained that the main reason for this resurgence in the preaching has been due to their realising that Srila Prabhupada is their Diksa Guru, and that they do not need to accept any cheap substitutes. For instance they explain how during the early years when they were still in the illusion of being disciples of HH Jayapataka Swami they found it hard to get enthusiasm for distributing *Srila Prabhuada’s* books, when they were also supposed to be hearing from the teachings of HH Jayapataka Swami. Now that they are surrendered directly only to Srila Prabhupada, the path has been cleared and they are able to distribute the books of Srila Prabhupada with amazing enthusiasm, since they know now that he is their own Guru.
As we reported in our previous newsletter No. 22 about how our small preaching center in New York is beginning to rival the large official ISKCON center there in terms of book distribution, the IRM is committed to reviving book distribution throughout the movement.
Unfortunately the movement has seen a huge decline in book distribution: For the whole of 1999, only 2 million books were distributed throughout the whole world. There are no more than 50 temples that regularly distribute more than 50 books a day. 50% of all books are now distributed in India, and 50% of all books are now distributed by just 10 temples. Of course we would like to congratulate those brave souls who continue to soldier on. Please compare this to when Srila Prabhupada was here, when the movement was able to distribute in a *MONTH* what is now being distributed in a whole year.
In 1977 we had a successful formula in place, the key ingredient of which was the position of Srila Prabhupada as the supreme authority and Guru of ISKCON.
We changed that formula and the results also changed. Obviously if we put the formula back in place, we will also resurrect the results, as the efforts of the IRM are demonstrating.
From Adridharana Dasa, Temple President ISKCON Calcutta
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hare krishna maria, you can visit the website http://www.iskconbangalore.org and get the contact numbers of main devotees. they ll guide you regarding book distribution. iskcon bangalore is one of the biggest, active, and most beautiful iskcon temple in the world.
Please, I’m fervently needing to contact Iskon Book Distributors. My wish is to give the Bhagavad Ghita to everyone who’s heart is open to receive it.
Please. With whom should I talk here in India.
Please.
Many love, Drolkar