RadhaMadhavaHari Das: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Voices of Faith concert, organized by Arizona Interfaith Movement (AIFM) consisted performing of Hindu and other ten faiths in famous Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix. ISKCON of Phoenix set up a book table to display Krishna Conscious literature whereby attendees purchased books composed by Srila Prabhupada and participated in Q & A. Blessed garland from Sri Sri RadhaMadhavaHari Dham was worn by Sybel Eppinger, wife of Rev Dr Paul Eppinger, Executive Director of AIFM- a great friend of Hare Krishna. BrajGovind das co-managed the book table and enthusiastically distributed Krishna Consciousness literature.
Bhaktin Rev Dr Jannah Scott, Deputy Director, Center for Faith Based and Community Initiative, U S Department of Homeland Security, had come to have Darshan of Sri Sri Radha MadhavaHari Dham. She gladly posed for pictures and recognized Priest NaraHari das whom she had met before in a previous interfaith event organized by then Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. Jannah Scott smelled blessed flowers and commented that the atmosphere in temple is very peaceful.
About three months ago, she had received Srila Prabhupada’s books from me in Washington DC. After reading, she developed a taste that she keeps it by her bedside gets inspired. I requested her to get rid of addiction to drinking coffee which she minimized from 21 cups a week to just two, and planning to give up altogether. Anne Taylor, Business Manager, AIFM joined in lively discussions- ”I enjoyed getting to see Jannah Scott, and shared with her that we are working to invite Michelle Obama to Phoenix in January 2010 for United we Serve – Golden Rule in Action Expo, in conjunction with the MLK Committee. She already knew about it and agreed to take a packet of invitational letters back to Secretary Napolitano and to the National Interfaith Relations Office in D.C. for us”.
Next day, Jannah Scott’s birthday was celebrated and the Raja Bhoga lunch was attended by Scientology faith members Geoff and Sylvie Taft, and Richard Haworth who spent many hours to discuss Krishna Consciousness with several devotees at the Dham. Temple Trustee Prem Dhatri dd accepted a set of books for BhaktiVedanta Library’s interfaith extension.
There was another major interfaith event organized by Rev Dr Sally G Bingham, Founder and President Interfaith Power & Light. Opening remarks were made by Dev Jan Flaten, AEC , and Doug Bland, Organizer IFPL. Our Dr Ram Prasad read a verse from RigVeda. Highlight of the event was that all attended chanted MahaMantra with both hands raised, lead by Dr Prayag Narayan Misra, who also invited all to attend Diwali celebrations at the Hare Krishna Temple.
Photo 1: (from right) Braj Govind das, Dr P N Misra, Sybil Eppinger
waering
blessed garland with her husband Rev Dr Paul Eppinger, Executive
Director and Founder, Arizona Interfaith Movement
Photo 2: (from right) next to Srila Prabhupada Rev Dr Jannah Scott,
Deputy Director,
Center for Faith Based & Community Initiative, U S Department of
Homeland Security;
Rupanuga das, Dr P N Misra; Anne Taylor, Business Manager, A I F M
Photo 3: ( from right) Rev. Jan Olav Flaten, Executive Director,
Arizona Ecumenical Council; Dr Sally G Bingham, Founder & President
Interfaith Power & Light and
Member of President Obama’s Interfaith Committee;Dr P N Misra,
Director, Communications, ISKCON Phoenix; Douglas Bland – Organizer,
IPL and his wife Anne Bland.
Photo 4: (From right) Prem Dhatri dd, Trustee, & Director, ISKCON of
Phoenix;Richand Haworth, Scientology &Board Member, AIFM; Sylvie
Taft, Scientology & Board Member, AIFM with her husband Geoff Taft.