Upcoming events for mass book distribution

By Vaisesika dasa (ACBSP)

Eight years ago on Srila Prabhupada’s centennial appearance, devotees all over the globe rallied to distribute more of Srila Prabhupada’s books in one year than at any other time in history.

Now that we’ve reached the 108th anniversary of the appearance of His Divine Grace, devotees everywhere are pulling out all the stops again in an effort to distribute mass quantities of his books. Vijaya dasa, ISKCON’s Minister of Book Distribution has been encouraging devotees to set their sites on the goal of distributing more books this year than ever before, surpassing even the record numbers that were posted in 1996. In response, sankirtana leaders around the globe have come to the following consensus:

This year Gita Jayanti Day, the day that Lord Krsna spoke the Bhagavad-gita, falls on December 21. Traditionally, temples worldwide have used this auspicious day very successfully to invite congregational members to buy quantities of Bhagavad-gitas to share with family members, friends, and co-workers. But this year let’s also try to distribute mass amounts of Gita’s on Tuesday the 21st, the actual day, if you find it hard to do Gita’s then distribute other books also, but let’s try as much as possible to distribute Bhagavad Gita’s on this special day in glorification of Lord Sri Krsna and Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada wrote the following in a letter to Tamal Krsna Goswami:

“Let everyone take these books. If he simply reads one page then he is getting something substantial, a real benefit. Or if he hands it over to his friend and he reads one page the same result is there . . . This is really preaching” (December 28, 1974 Bombay).

So, order your books early and begin planning now how to mobilize yourself and your community during December to increase the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

And don’t forget, in America, the weekend after Thanksgiving Day is the biggest shopping period of the year. Shopping malls, downtown areas, and airports are all packed with shoppers and holiday travelers. That weekend, November 26-28, Fri.-Sun., we have designated as World Enlightenment Weekend. Just as since 1996 we’ve held World Enlightenment Day one Saturday in December, this year we will dedicate an entire weekend to the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

So please get involved. And remember, anyone can distribute books. Brgupati das of Los Angeles, who has been going out on book distribution for 33 years, says he’s especially eager to see that devotees everywhere get a taste for book distribution. Recently he commented: “Everyone should participate in this year’s marathon. It’s a surefire way to please Srila Prabhupada.”

Others, like Piyush, a medical doctor who spends his free time enthusiastically heading up the Weekend Warriors book distribution program in Columbus Ohio, reports that devotees in his community plan to organize several avenues for book distribution during this year’s marathon including, shastra dhan, book tables, and door to door.

In whatever way you choose to participate in this years’ massive push for book distribution: Gita Jayanti Day, World Enlightenment Weekend, and the traditional Christmas Marathon you will be blessed and your taste for hearing about Krsna will increase.

So, please, don’t hesitate. Plan to join the thousands of other devotees around the globe during December who will go out to enlighten the people of their cities towns and villages with transcendental knowledge.

Summary of events:

Gita Jayanti Day, the appearance of Bhagavad-gita: December 21, 2004. The whole month of December will be dedicated for book distribution with Gita Jayanti Day as a focal point.

World Enlightenment Weekend (America only): November 26-28, 2004. Mass mobilization for book distribution in America during the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

Christmas Marathon: Month of December. And excellent time for all kinds of book distribution.

Why: For the pleasure of HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada during the 108th anniversary of his appearance.

Your servant,

Vaisesika dasa
[email protected]
(650) 344-244