Welcome to the Kesava Masa Gaurabda 525 edition of the ANGKOR BULLETIN. This will serve as a 
supplement to our website www.bhakticambodia.com. Devotees serving in the Kingdom of Cambodia wouerest and participation, however that may be. We plan to make available literatures in the local Khmer language both those of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) and those of the Varnasrama Book Trust (Vld like to provide various information to our viewers to solicit their intBT). We are looking for interested persons from the Kingdom of Cambodia who can help in various activities, including translation and printing of literatures into Khmer.
Hare Krishna
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Ecology: The Concern of Religion?
Ecology has become a major concern and a topic of serious discussion for most governments, organizations and individuals around the world with increased expenditures being tapped to help address and resolve the issues at hand. Although three main World Summit Conferences have been organized through the efforts of the United Nations over the last two decades, each on different continents (Rio de Janeiro in 1992, Johannesburg in 2003 and more recently Copenhagen in 2009), none have been successful in curbing the ever increasing gaps which threaten our deteriorating global environment. We continuously read disturbing headlines such as “World ‘to fail' on nature target” [October 13, 2008, SCI/TEC], “World ‘still losing biodiversity' [July 2, 2009, SCI/TEC], “Species ‘extinction threat grow' [November 3, 2009, SCI/TEC], “Biodiversity nears ‘point of no return' [January 17, 2010, SCI/TEC], “Nature crisis ‘must be tackled' [January 22, 2010, SCI/TEC], “World's 2010 nature target “will not be met” [April 29, 2010 www.bbc.co.uk/news/ 10092320]. We can easily surmise that the global ecological crisis is taking on life threatening dimensions, not only affecting the lives of individuals, animals, plants, including our eco-systems, our oceans, our forests, our biodiversity, our wildlife, etc. The very planet itself is seriously affected by major climate changes and global warming. Mother earth indeed is in a most precarious and vulnerable state with few signs of relief in sight.
Although initially this may not seem the immediate concern of Hare Krishna devotees and indeed of anyone adhering to basic spiritual beliefs, we will attempt to explain that it is very much the concern of anyone who factually accepts and understands the basic universal principles of religiosity (dharma) for herein lies not only the core issues of the problems but also the simple and practical solutions. It is only when the disease is understood that a physician can bring remedy to a patient. Most people, including most government leaders around the world, simply don't know the root cause of the problem and hence the solution also evades them.
The present ecological disasters around the world are being accompanied by an acute economic recession where the rise of unemployment and the rise of national debts are taking their toll on various governments, including, and in particular, the United States of America. While all nations have tended to look upon America as the land of plenty, many are shocked to read how the U.S. poverty rate has risen to 14.3% in 2009, the highest since the last 15 years [September 16, 2010, http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/U.S._poverty.]
Ecology and Mother Nature The Webster dictionary defines ecology as (1) “a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments and (2) the totality or pattern of relations between organisms.” Our Vedic culture teaches us that nature is one of our seven mothers. She reciprocates with us as a mother would with her beloved child. The relationship between the child and the mother is meant to be a sweet, loving and peaceful relationship. We learn from science and from the ancient Vedic teachings ( Bhagavad-gita 7.4) that Mother Nature is composed of five basic elements, namely earth, water, air, fire and ether. They are meant to work in harmony with one another and human beings are meant to live in harmony with all five elements. Ecology means keeping a proper balance, a proper harmony or healthy relationships between these elements and various living entities. We often use the term “laws of nature”. Mother Nature follows certain specific laws which, when violated or not known, result in creating imbalances and disharmony. Just like in a country, when one violates the laws of the state or is simply not aware of state laws, one will be punished. This brings an imbalance to our otherwise normal way of living. The more severely we break the laws of nature, the more stern will be the reactions. Most of us are not familiar with the laws of nature and hence in modern times especially, we have violated practically all the laws of nature and therefore find ourselves in our present critical condition. However, only knowing about Mother Nature and its laws is not sufficient for humans to live peacefully in this world. There is another dimension, one of paramount importance, which when not known or not followed, also brings about disorder and calamities. By referring to nature as “mother”, we should understand that there must be a “father”. A mother without a husband cannot conceive. That father of Mother Nature is generally unknown to common people. But in the Vedic times, responsible leaders understood and paid due respect to both Mother nature and to the father, the one who has ordained all things, the one who established the laws of nature, the one who is referred to as God or Lord Krishna. This brings us to a simple definition of fundamental and basic knowledge without which we cannot understand nature, nor can we understand humans who must deal with this material nature. Without detecting the root problems behind our present day global ecological problems, we cannot find the proper solutions to these problems. As clearly explained in all scriptures, in particular the original book of knowledge, the Bhagavad-gita, complete knowledge means understanding both matter (nature) and spirit (life or consciousness) as well as the origin of both (God) and their interaction or relationship between them (Gita 7.2).
The Law and the Lawmaker When we understand the nature of this material world, its laws and its lawmaker, based on eternal, universal principles called sanatana dharma, only then will the solutions to our ecological problems come within our grasp. The laws of nature are most scientific and directly enunciated and enacted by Lord Krishna Himself: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam[SB 6.3.19]
These laws are eternal, perfect and cannot be changed. Modern man does not know the basics of the laws of nature and hence, due to ignorance, violates these laws by introducing all kinds of policies which are destructive to humans, animals, indeed all earthlings, and the very world in which we live. Most leaders around the world do not properly understand who they are, do not know what the aim of life is nor do they know what is the working principle behind all that exists, God or Lord Krishna. Hence they cannot understand how to properly utilize the material nature.
As stated in one of the ancient Vedic texts, the Isopanisad[Mantra 1]:
isavasyam idam sarva yat kinca jagatyam jagat
tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam
"Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong." This basic principle of accepting only what we need is only made possible when we accept our position as servants of God and recognize, respect and properly utilize the gifts of nature He has set aside for us, not for our selfish and uncontrolled motives, but to help us make progress in the real goal of life, self-realization. We are carelessly exploiting the resources of material nature primarily for our material well-being, and such exploitation is largely based on our insatiable lust and greed. Our whole mindset for every increasing consumerism and pursuit for more and more material facilities is causing an unhealthy competitive spirit among individuals and among nations, leading to all kinds of imbalances and inequalities. The rich are becoming more and more rich and the poor are becoming more and more poor, with the gap every increasing. The global peace formula has been given by Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad-gita : bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram suhrdam sarva-bhutanam jnatva mam, santim rcchati “A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.” [Gita 5.29]. To attain peace and harmony, we must therefore recognize three basic principles: (1) that Lord Krishna is the primary enjoyer, (2) that Lord Krishna is the supreme controller and (3) that the Lord is the well-wisher of all living entities. There are innumerable examples of how we have gone against the laws of nature, one prominent and obvious one being that of drilling the earth either for oil or water.
Oil Digging and Ecology Oil has been put in the soil for a particular purpose, actually to help keep the planet afloat through the energy it emits. To extract oil in huge quantities for selfish motives creates severe ecological imbalances to the proper functioning of the planet, what to speak of massive oil spills which have continued to ravage various continents, the most notable being the destructive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April of 2010 and which has taken 5 months to bring under control. The Founder/Acarya of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, gives a Vedic perspective on the dangers of modern drilling: “The floating of the planets in the weightless air is due to the inner constitution of the globes, and the modernized drilling of the earth to exploit oil from within is a sort of disturbance by the modern demons and can result in a greatly harmful reaction to the floating condition of the earth.” [SB 2.7.1] “The earth is the symbol of tolerance. By deep oil-drilling, atomic explosions, pollution, and so on, the earth is constantly harassed by demoniac living entities.” [SB 11.7.37] Prabhupada: “Yes. Tools and machinery are already there. But why there is scarcity? Now there is no petrol, whole world. You have got the drilling machine, tools and machinery, everything. Then why you are in scarcity? Because now Krishna is against you. Therefore in spite of the oil underground, in spite of tools and machine, you'll starve. This is nature's process. You have created such a situation.” [Lecture, SB 1.10.5 – London, August 28, 1973] Years of irresponsible water bore well drilling, largely for the sake of doubling or tripling the crops for agro-business, have resulted in severe shortages of water and serious disturbances in the water eco-systems. Open wells using ox power are the preferred traditional methods for extracting water from the earth. Such traditional and safe technologies still used in some remote villages of India and other countries assure the lasting presence of water and do not in any way threaten the water plateau.
The Simple Problem Put in simple words, the root cause of all ecological problems today is the mistaken idea that we can exploit nature according to our whims, without taking into account the laws of God which are directly governing these laws of nature. Scientists conduct research involving huge expenditures attempting in various ways to manipulate, change or modify material nature for their own self-interest. People in general, and in particular those in leadership position, do not know who they are nor do they know the goal of life. They go on enacting policies and legislation based on their limited and faulty faculties without consulting higher authorities. For example, most leaders in governments do not realise that using chemical pesticides to increase agriculture output goes against the laws of nature and ultimately destroys. Leaders do not know that using chemical fertilizers rapes the soil of its natural nutrients and contaminates the food consumed by humans. Leaders do not understand that using hybrid seeds, introducing GM (genetically modified) foods and encouraging mono crop farming respectively bring about undue dependence for the farmers, health hazards and inevitable food crisis to the consumers. Leaders simply do not understand that using various hard technology-based machines such as tractors has disempowered the bulls and the ox resulting in their being sent to the slaughterhouse.
The Simple Solution Unless we come to accept the material and spiritual dimension of life, until we come to know who we are and what the purpose of life is and how nature is governed by higher authorities, we will never understand how to meet our basic material and spiritual needs. We will continue to create imbalances and go against the established laws of nature. Our ecological problems stem from both our uncontrolled material desires (lust) and our excess greediness (lobha) in wanting to exploit material nature more and more. The Vedic culture therefore stresses the importance of simplicity and frugality. Produce only what you need and use only what you produce. Live locally and live simply, accepting what is easily obtained without hard labour. To live happily in this material world we must perform sacrifices or yajna. Before ploughing the fields, one would worship Mother Nature who alone can provide what we need to survive. This sacrifice was performed by learned persons who chanted mantras and used large quantities of ghee. It is said that the clouds created by such yajna was very good for cultivation. All physical, mental, social and spiritual needs can be met when we accept to respect and follow the laws of nature and the laws of God.
Practical Suggestions Here are some practical suggestions which can help bring about positive changes in our lives, bring peace and order within society and help resolve our global environmental crisis. Although ecology is meant to be taken up directly by government leaders of society, devotees can and should be knowledgeable of the principles involved and should offer guidance to those meant to take it up.
By H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami
Republished with permission from The Eight Petal Newsletter Sridhara Masa Volume: 02 Issue: August-September 2010
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Stop Animal Killing and Go Farming!
eeshavasyam idam sarvam
yat kinca jagatyam jagat
tena tyaktena bhunjeethaa
maa greedhah kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.
The element of nature:earth,fire, water, air, ether, mind, intelligence, ego- all belong to the material energy of the Lord. One should therefore be intelligent enough to know that but for the Lord, no one is the proprietor of anything. One should accept only those things that are set aside by the Lord as our quota. As the history concerned, the inhabitant of this planet have tendencies to break this law. For example, animal killing. Actually animal aren't supposed to be slaughtered for satisfaction of our tongue. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita annad bhavanti bhutani . All living being, include in the human body, subsist on grain. Grains, vegetables, milk, and fruits are all eatables material for human being. And it is available in ample number on as the gift of Mother Earth by performing agricultural activities. But the inhabitant of this planet were neglecting this principle by establishing slaughterhouses. And it has been done on the name of Vedic sacrifice ritual. So, the Supreme Lord, the proprietor of everything, in order to perform dharmasamsthapanaarthaya incarnate Himself to this world as Lord Buddha as described by the following verse of Dasaavatara Stotra :
nindasi yajna-vidher ahahah sruti jatam
sadaya-hridaya darsita pashu-ghatam
kesava dhrita buddha sarira jaya jagadisa hare
All glories to You, O Lord of the Universe, who took the form of Lord Buddha. Your heart is full of compassion for the poor animals who were slaughtered in the ritual of the Vedic age.
So Lord Buddha appeared at a time where people were too much addicted to animal killing. Still it is going on. Kesava dhrita-buddha-shareera, jaya jagadeesha hare. Sadaya-hridaya darshita-pashu-ghaatam. Pashu-ghatam. Any religion where pashu-ghaatam is there, that is not religion. That is not religion. That is simply barbarianism, under the name of religion. So God Himself becomes so much disturbed that these rascals are simply killing. At that time, of course, the Buddha religion was not there. The so-called followers of the Vedic religion. In the Vedas there are sanction for killing animal in a special sacrifice, but people took it as general, and they began to kill animals like anything, under the protection of Veda. Lord Buddha began to preach his philosophy, ahimsaa, nonviolence. So, actually we need to work on agricultural sector to grow grain and no longer killing animals. In this way we will practice what Lord Buddha said about this ahimsa philosophy.
Now, what kinds of agriculture we will perform? It is enough by performing any kinds of agriculture? It has been predicted in the Vedic scriptures about the degradation of this age of Kali. The principles of dharma only 25% followed, mostly neglected. Now we can see everywhere about human activities explorating by damaging Mother Earth. In the agricultural section, usage of chemical fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, etc. actually only giving the poison to this Earth, who is Prthvim, one of our seven Mother according to Veda. ? This Earth has been nourishing us by giving eatable materials . Abviously we can imagine what will be happening when we are even not have good relation with our mother. What to say about giving her poison. So, if we behave in this manner, She will no longer nourishing us. So, what the solution? Spiritual organic farming is the answer. We can perform agriculture organically and keep in mind will use the whatever crop given by Mother Earth for the purpose of satisfying yajnapurusa, Lord Vishnu. We remember as explained in Sri Isopanisad Mantra 1 above, that whatever result is Lord's, not ours. So we have to be used for sacrifice, Yajna.
How Cambodian performing rice plantation? The first thing, they will cut the bush or forest for the rice field. They will use this new area only for 2 or 3 times then will leave this area for years to naturally reforested. This kind of way, isn't good because will decrease the forested area of Cambodia. Farmer knows that the new area by opening the forest is very first class of soil, and very fertile. And they prefer to grow rice on this kind of area. This method must be changed, so that we cultivate the existing land opened and keep its fertility by giving manure. After they open the area, by cutting the trees and bushes, clean the are nicely even from small grasses, then they will collect the trees and let it dry in several days. After that they will set the fire to the collected materials and take its ashes, distribute it to the whole area being opened. Burning methods in this way will endanger the forest because the fire will also burn the unopened forest area by the farmer carelessness. After the area ready and quite moisture they will put seed on the holes. This is for dry area, i means area will not flooded by water even in the peak of rainy season, around October-November. For the flooded area, they will make a rice nursery first or grow in the holes, then when water coming they will distribute the rice seedling to the whole area, by replanting the enough-aged seedlings. After rice grows they will pull out of the weeds. And wait till giving crops on the harvest time. No chemical used. No insecticide, no fertilizer, no herbicide, shortly organically done paddy field. It is good things done in Cambodia. In Yashodapura Ashrama we did the spiritual organic farming to make our land sustainable and reserving the forest, which is now still about 7 of 11 hectares land we have. In this way we are trying to follow basic Vedic injuctions on getting the rice and another eatables material given by our Mother Earth.
See pictures show on Yashodapura Ashrama First Harvest
See map of our new Base Camp in Siem Reap
Compiled by Kumudaksa dasa
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Vaishnava Calendar
Kesava Masa Gaurabda 525
Calculated using VCAL 4.01 for Siem Reap(103E50 13N30, Time zone = +7.00), Cambodia
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11 Nov 2011 Fr Pratipat K Variyana Bharani Katyayani vrata begins
12 Nov 2011 Sa Dvitiya K Parigha Krittika
13 Nov 2011 Su Dvitiya K Siva Rohini
14 Nov 2011 Mo Tritiya K Siddha Mrigasira
15 Nov 2011 Tu Caturthi K Sadhya Ardra
16 Nov 2011 We Pancami K Subha Punarvasu
17 Nov 2011 Th Sasti K Sukla Pusyami
----------------- Vrscika Sankranti (Sun enters Scorpio) -----------------
18 Nov 2011 Fr Saptami K Brahma Aslesa
19 Nov 2011 Sa Astami K Indra Magha
20 Nov 2011 Su Navami K Vaidhriti Purva-phalguni
21 Nov 2011 Mo Ekadasi K Viskumba Uttara-phalguni Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura -- Disappearance
22 Nov 2011 Tu Suddha Ekadasi K Priti Hasta Fasting for Utpanna Ekadasi, Sri Kaliya Krsnadasa --Disappearance
23 Nov 2011 We Trayodasi K Saubhagya Citra
Break fast 06:08 - 09:56 (Daylight saving not considered).
Sri Saranga Thakura -- Disappearance
24 Nov 2011 Th Caturdasi K Sobana Swati
25 Nov 2011 Fr Amavasya K Atiganda Anuradha
26 Nov 2011 Sa Pratipat G Sukarma Jyestha
27 Nov 2011 Su Dvitiya G Dhriti Mula
28 Nov 2011 Mo Caturthi G Sula Purva-asadha
29 Nov 2011 Tu Pancami G Vriddhi Uttara-asadha
30 Nov 2011 We Sasti G Dhruva Sravana Odana sasthi
1 Dec 2011 Th Saptami G Vyagata Dhanista
2 Dec 2011 Fr Astami G Harsana Satabhisa
3 Dec 2011 Sa Navami G Vajra Purva-bhadra
4 Dec 2011 Su Navami G Siddhi Uttara-bhadra
5 Dec 2011 Mo Dasami G Vyatipata Uttara-bhadra
6 Dec 2011 Tu Suddha Ekadasi G Variyana Revati
Fasting for Moksada Ekadasi
Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita
7 Dec 2011 We Dvadasi G Parigha Asvini Break fast 06:15 - 10:02 (Daylight saving not considered).
8 Dec 2011 Th Trayodasi G Siva Bharani
9 Dec 2011 Fr Caturdasi G Siva Krittika
10 Dec 2011 Sa Purnima G Siddha Rohini Katyayani vrata ends
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