THE ECO TRULY ASHRAM

by: Srila Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Swami

Introduction Welcome to a Beautiful Experience. Dear Friends, Situated one hour North of Lima towards Pasamayo, lies a green beach that brings a nice contrast to the scene of almost infinite white sand mountains. This fertile beach is called Chacra y Mar and has been cultivated since Inca times, or even earlier as many archeological findings have demonstrated. Today, a collection of unique structures can be seen here from the freeway above. They are dome structures called trulies and together they make up the Hare Krishna Truly Ashram. With closer observation, a series of symbols can be seen that send messages to the heart. The trulies remind us of a world we often wish for, but at the same time is somehow far away due to the sterile and egotistic life in which our generally society lives. In the Hare Krishna Truly Ashram of Peru our ideal is to create an oasis of spirituality and inspiration for others. We invite you to accompany us on a unique journey, a journey into the regions of the soul and harmony with the environment. Here, we are practicing and maintaining ancient knowledge within our modern society. By continually questioning values, we are dedicated to becoming perfect beyond all relative considerations and egotistic provincialism. Art, life, architecture, culture and ecology all find their synthesis in the spirituality of the participants. Projecting themselves into the future, they have created a semi-self-sufficient community. The resident or non-resident members of the Truly Ashram practice the principles of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, as they were taught to us by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the ambassador of mystic India since 1965. All members contribute voluntarily and creatively to the perfection of this ideal. The Property of the Hare Krishna Truly Ashram. The Truly Ashram is not private property. To establish God as the enjoyer and controller of the community, the inhabitants come together weekly to evaluate the service that has been done and to study how to better everything to please the Supreme Lord; as His pleasure is the only criteria of success for the community. The Supreme Lord only enjoys when His devotees are happy in this world. Thus, it is the collective service of all devotees to create harmony between nature and the inhabitants of the community. Since its beginning, the Truly Ashram has been a joint effort of many devotees. With the help of Swami B. V. Vaisnava the land was obtained and from then on devotees from all around have helped in its creation. We will always remember Prabhu Chaitanya Nitai, the pioneer who often resided alone while taking care of the first steps towards the development of the community. Recently, the devotees have elected Prabhu Prapanna to direct the heartfelt service of the temple construction. Gokula Ranjana Prabhu, who graduated from the School of Fine Arts in Lima, leads the artistic coordination with the help of many others.

The Purpose of the Truly Ashram The artistic center of the Truly Ashram has great ambitions. It aspires to give incentive to the spiritual and cultural elevation of the general society. The theatrical plays of the inhabitants of the ashram aim at making us conscious of the search for the Absolute. On the other hand, the transcendental multimedia opera group, called Consciousness - Even if it Hurts was, in part, born from the desire to bring the message of transcendental ecology to all. The Truly Ashram has projects that permit many artists and devotees to create something very unique within contemporary Peru. Gradually, the project will reveal its true dimensions. A harmonious vibration penetrates its daily participants and visitors, creating a model for a different relationship between nature and her inhabitants; opening new doors in everyones hearts. The Truly Ashram is unique. Its parks, museum, theater; its new musical dimension, food, etc., make everything marvelously distinct. One would forget about time and the world if it were not for our body reminding us that we are still here. The happiness known in the Vedic Culture is the state in which we no longer have wishes separate from the will of God. All other attempts to be happy make us slaves to the cycle of repeated births, with their respective reactions. In this way, we can see yoga as a science that teaches us a discipline that is carried out in a natural way, and that makes us happy. The wholesome and transcendental vegetarian food becomes a great source of health at the ashram, and the worries and sadness, that come for whatever reason, are driven to far away galaxies. By distancing ourselves from every day life we can identify ourselves more easily with the will of God. At such times, a signal of the closeness of the glory of our love and longing is manifest. Accompany us, you were born for this. Later will come the time of doubting the doubt itself. Faith is tangible when everyones needs are satisfied. We are the children of nectar, destined to taste the nectar. Do not be satisfied with anything else other than nectar. This is the mission of the search for the Absolute. Connections With Inca History. Structures similar to the trulies already existed among the Incas in the form of Chulpas. Generally used to store grains, they sometimes had two stories and were built in stone. Due to the climate of the Peruvian coast, which has very little rain, trulies here can be built from pure mud (adobe). They are very pleasing to the eyes and make a wonderful living area. They are created directly from the Earth and in the future they will again be part of her without ever endangering the environment. The trulies have all of the beautiful things one would hope for in a living situation. At the same time, they combine ancient Indian architecture with that of the Inca culture in Peru. In face, there is much evidence of parrallels existing between America and Asia dating back thousands of years. The division of time into four eras and relating each era to a different metal is one example, among many others, of the connections between the ancient villages. Vedic Background The trulies have a structural form that is fundamental to natural aesthetics. They come from the concept of a chain that hangs naturally with an equal distribution of

weight. This arch of the chain, when inverted upwards, has the absolute support of its natural strength, and consequently does not need the support of metal vigas. For the same reason, it is also anti-seismic, an important element in the Andes mountain ranges. The large temples of India are also sustained under the same principle. The simple line of the truly can also be combined with decorations that give it additional body. As long as the natural strength of the truly is respected and conserved, they can easily support other decorations as well as domes. Antonio Gaudi and His Contribution. In the beginning, the lack of faith and experience made the strength of the truly doubtful. Nevertheless, the modern truly continually offers new ideas and reasons for its construction. In many ways, it is more pleasing and economical than other methods of construction. The environmental architect and artist Antonio Gaudi from Barcelona greatly influenced the architectural world with his plans based on the trulies and their dynamics. His principal work, The Church and the Sacred Family, represents his extraordinary genius, as well as how beautiful it is to build with nature and not against her. The Truly Ashram combines many elements used by Gaudi such as the relief symbols and mosaics of the harmonious waves. We also find stone trulies in the South of Italy in a village called Apulia. The trulies have very simple insignias that can be perceived from great distances. The final points are varied have allowed the artists in Peru to mold the mud into fantastic Hindu style domes with auspicious flags. We were also inspired by the lines of Nazca that remain as impressive messages and silent witnesses of a little known world. With simple expressions of a very serious calling, the people of Nazca no doubt took a lot of effort to communicate their beliefs. Many of the symbols are formed by single lines. In finishing the trulies of the ashram we maintain this simple form in some of the symbolic messages. Art, here, takes on a new dimension. Every second of our lives it becomes an important part of something very large and very complete. The smallest things become part of the greater picture, and align with the overall purpose. Earth and mud, body and life, combine to serve He who is always behind the screen, who gave us the free will to be a happy part of His will. The cry of modern society with its poisonous fumes and deprived minds still sound in our ears, but the harmony of the Truly Ashram makes us feel that there is another existence, a beautiful reality, where we can all live without challenging others out of our own interests. Our great mothers have blessed our future. The Mother Earth embraces us, as always, giving us her sustenance. The Mother Veda guides us, giving us the capability to discriminate and advance personally. The mother cow, beloved of Lord Krishna, sustains our life with her miraculous milk. All mothers give us life and are the foundation of our gratefulness. We should learn to see all women in this way and stop exploiting them for passing pleasures that leave hopes in the dust. We Wish to Discover the Meanings of Life Many symbols inform us of the closeness of love, which is the only important thing in this entire creation. Amont them are the following: The Chakra of the flame of fire that divides matter and the spirit, the lotus flower of hope and life, and the conch which is the sound of creation and an invitation to worship and serve the infinite.

The Truly Ashram of Chacra y Mar is a community that lives in the present, without dreaming about the future or lamenting the past. For it to be the best, it has to be a place we can live in and share right now. Genuine spirituality permits this. From our hearts, we feel the desire to communicate our discoveries of harmony with nature to the world in the same way that the people of Nazca wished to communicate their message to others. We are forming our home together with those who also consider that the pleasure of God should be fundamental for the pleasure of men; a concept that is difficult to harmonize within this world of exploitation. It is a true challenge, and is vital for the survival for the human species. Vaikuntha Ashram Each construction in the community fills very special and mystic purposes. The Vaikuntha Ashram, consisting of four domes, carries the symbols of Vishnu who is always protecting his devotees. Vaikuntha Ashram means living together without anxiety. It is the house of Vishnu. In the spiritual world there are an infinite quantity of Vaikuntha planets, in the center of which is Goloka. For the brahmachary life it is an extraordinary site because one learns to live without anxiety for the pleasure of God. Built especially for new participants, the Vaikuntha Ashram was the second truly structure to be built in Chakra y Mar. The Symbols of Vishnu Vishnu, another name of God, protects His devotees with His symbols. Two of these symbols are the lotus flower and the conch which announce the glory and power of His creation. To scare the demons (those who maintain a mentality distinct from the will of the Lord) Vishnu also has the club and the chakra (or disk). These serve to protect. Durvasa Muni, for example, who attacked Ambarish Maharaj, was followed by the chakra almost to his death. This demonstrates that an offense against a devotee destroys all spiritual progress, including that of great yogis like himself. Surrounding the Vaikuntha Ashram, we find the eight qualities of a brahmana (a person who has sanctified his or her life to the truth as explained in the Bhagavad Gita). All those who aspire for perfection should try to develop these qualities: Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness. These are the natural qualities by which the brahmanas work. (Bhagavad Gita 18.42) While death is also a part of the circle that surrounds us, the Truly Ashram opens the doors to a dimension where death looses its objective. The eternal soul has only one objective, to be used by the Absolute good; without the opposition of the false ego, pride, vanity, intoxication, and lust. Everything that comes from the Lord is perfect. We all depend on mercy. Some accept this happily and some anxiously deny it. To live in harmony with those whom we can not change reflects the wisdom of the simple hearted devotee. The Yantras of the Truly Ashram. A yantra is a diagram with inscribed mantras that help the meditator concentrate and purify himself. The yantra constitutes and protects the altar of the ruling Deity. All

the symbols, yantras, and other arts of the Truly Ashram invoke blessings for each individuals life, meditation and realization. We can meditate on them, pray before them, and study their profound meanings which demonstrate the greatness of the Vedic culture and her marvelous gift to modern man. Unfortunately, our present culture doesnt give us any hope. Science and politics pass on an afflicted Mother Earth, beaten by the mechanics of the free market system and the industrial revolution. Humanity, in general, is repressed by the absolutist systems that have not permitted the natural propensity of man towards transcendence to blossom. Sooner or later the hour will come to wake up, correct our path and begin learning from our own mistakes. We are grateful that the Vedas have already predicted the consequences of materialism and that their wisdom desires to serve us in these very difficult and, at the same time, auspicious moments. The yantras open the doors for us to a new perception, but the Vedas give still more importance to mantras, or hymns of sound invocations for meditation. Vishnu is adored by the mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya I offer my most humble obeisances to the supreme personality of Godhead, who is known by the name of Vasudeva, or Krishna. Another mantra of primordial importance in the yoga of devotion is the Mahamantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Oh my Lord! I left Your service due to my egotistical interests, but today I have come to ask that You accept me as Your eternal servant. Four Vaisnava Schools The four Vaisnava schools of India, each headed by their principal teachers, are also represented in the main room of the ashram. These schools include: 1. The Brahma Sampradaya, represented by Srila Madhvacharya. 2. The Rudra Sampradaya, represented by Srila Visnuswami. 3. The Laksmi Sampradaya, represented by Srila Ramanuja Acharya. 4. The Kumara Sampradaya, represented by Srila Nimbarka Acharya. Here, too, is the altar of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the yuga avatar for the present age of Kali, who manifested the Gaudiya Sampradaya in the line of Lord Brahma to deliver the recommended process of self-realization for this age. Vishnu Yantra The side of the Vaikuntha Ashram that looks over the sea holds the Vishnu yantra which invokes the presence of the Lord Himself and His different names. He is adored by great personalities all over the universe. A Vishnu yantra is also situated in the center of the Vaikuntha Truly along with the deity of the Lord Nirshingadeva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who protects His devotees. Below the Vishnu yantra is the samadhi of the Vedic scriptures that purify humanity. The four Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas and the Samhitas, form the

body of these writings. The Vedas are being distributed by Srila Prabhupad and the samadhi of the scriptures reminds us of this. This project of preserving the Vedas can also be found on the Internet. Visit our homepage and see how the wisdom of the masters of the past still illuminate the sincere searchers. Laksmi Yantra The Laksmi yantra is located above the main door as you walk inside the Vaikuntha Ashram. Laksmi Devi is the goddess of fortune, and is always at the feet of Lord Vishnu. Here in the Vaikuntha Truly, the devotees look for her exclusive mercy in the service of Lord Vishnu. Guru Ahram - The Truly of the Spiritual Masters. The fourth truly is the center of the revealed light; the center of the guru parampara, the disciplic succession. Here, the older devotees meet surrounded by the masters of Bhakti Yoga. The masters are the ones who bring Vaisnava culture and hope of creating a better world to all peoples. Here, in Peru, the temple of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Damodar is in the center of the ashram and the devotees lives. We should all become masters and no one should feel like a master, this is the mystic secret. The Truly of the Spiritual Masters is a place of reflection, correction of errors, and planing for future projects. Asking for help from above, and receiving confirmations from the masters of the past, the divine scriptures, the advanced devotees, and the heart of each participant, all maintain the line of purity. We should also understand that liberation does not mean licentiousness, and that the ashram is the site where one follows a discipline that will lead to initiation and becoming a disciple. Dandas, A Rose and Lightning The renunciation of the sannyasis are symbolized by a danda, or staff, that represents the surrender of the body, mind and speech to God. The sannyasis serve, protect, and and give hope for others, because only through surrender does the will of God descend and miserliness and egoism go away. The real goal of life consists in renouncing everything for immaculate devotion. The master is also tender like a rose. His affection maintains us, he forgives us, and he lifts us up over and over again. Yet, he can also be like a lightning bolt in order to protect the purity and the purpose of his transcendental school that always was and will always be attacked by the ignorant. In the interior of the Truly of the Spiritual Masters are the feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu which represent the protection of the original spiritual teacher. Without him there would not exist any other teacher. We always try to maintain His lotus feet over our heads, and pray for His mercy so that we can become true servants of the Supreme cause. In this way, the spiritual master protects us against all our needs, without ever misguiding us from the path. He is like a lighthouse in the darkness that guides us out of the worst danger. The Vaishnava Symbol

In front of the Truly of the Spiritual Masters, between the dandas, we see the typical sign of the Vaisnavas; a long V shape with a symbol of a leaf below it. In India, these marks identify the followers of this school and are called tilak. The tilak in the center represents the impression of the lotus foot of Krishna, and the leaf represents the sacred leaf of Tulasi, offered to the feet of the Lord. This symbol traditionally accompanied the kirtans of the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The devotees daily mark their bodies with this tilak in twelve different parts, indicating that this body belongs the Lord. In this way, one also invokes His protection. The Yantras of the Guru Ashram Gayatri Yantra The Gayatri mantra is very important. It was received in the heart of Brahma, the first living being. From there it descended through the disciplic succession of spiritual masters. This mantra comes from Krishnas flute and invites us to go to the world of true love. The Gayatri yantra is found in the exterior of the Truly of the Spiritual Masters and also protects the devotees. Gayatri Devi is the female expansion of the Lord who comes worrying about her lost children. To receive the Gayatri Mantra one should be a brahmana devoted to the truth and a genuine servant of humanity. Receiving this mantra is considered a second birth, except this time into spiritual consciousness. The birth given by the parents is only the birth of the body. Through the second birth one can procure a connection with God. Gita Yantra The Gita yantra is found inside the Truly of the Spiritual Masters. This yantra represents the Bhagavad Gita, which is studied by the devotees every day. Sri Krishna spoke to his disciple Arjuna and, in this way, blessed the entire world. Krishna Himself confirms that whoever preaches His message to the suffering souls will be His most beloved devotee and will reach Him personally. Without correctly understanding the Bhagavad Gita, one can not understand the devotees of Krishna. Mahasudarshana Yantra of the Truly of Mercy. This protective Vishnu yantra is in the Truly where the transcendental food is distributed. Transcendental food is an important part of the community. It is devoid of karma as well as spilt blood. The food is prepared with pure ingredients, a clean kitchen, a devotional mind, and is offered to Krishna. All food should be offered to the Lord. In this way it becomes mercy, or prasadam. The devotees later share the prasadam with pleasure. The Truly Ashram always has good and wholesome vegetarian food, and a great part comes from their own organic harvest. There is also a small restaurant for the tourists of Chakra y Mar. The Plaza of Humility Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the savior of the present age and the avatar of the congressional chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna, knew very well that without

humility this movement would not have a chance to survive. Too much opposition always exists and it always wants to tear everything to pieces. The humility of the Vaisnavas is remembered here in a small plaza, a simple monument with the sacred inscription of the third sloka of Lord Chaitanyas Siksastakam: trinad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniya sada hari One should chant the holy names of the Lord in a humble state of mind, considering oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly. If we live for this end, and we maintain it always in the center, the illusion will not have a chance to separate us from this united cause. Imli Tala - A Corner of Vrindavan in Chakra y Mar To initiate our festivals in the Hare Krishna Truly Ashram we built a humble building with a kitchen next and called them Imli Tala. Imli Tala is the site in Vrindavan where a famous wishing tree is found by the shores of the Yamuna. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu originally manifested below this tree during one of Radha and Krishnas pastimes. When He went to Vrindavan over 4,000 years later, He visited Imli Tala every day. The Yamuna River is also present in the pacific ocean. In this way we meditate on the pastimes of the Lord and the prediction of Sri Chaitanya: The Holy Name will be chanted in all the towns and villages around the world. Ecological Function Spirituality also has its practical part on Earth. Sri Krishna is the first ecologist that ever existed. His call to harmonize with nature, the Mother Earth, and to take care of the cows and other animals with affection, effort and responsibility, are without equal in the history of the revealed scriptures. Things like chemicals, plastics, pesticides etc. never had a place in the world of Vrindavan, the land of Krishna. There, life is simple, and the agriculture and natural beauty are results of such devotional activities as singing to the Lord and decorating His altars. The ashram community searches for a means to educate all on how to strive towards a perfect life. The beauty of the simple atmosphere that surrounds the ashram gives it a radiant effulgence that stands as a strong contrast to the multitudes of summer beach visitors and the world of modern comtamination they bring with them. Organic Gardens and Compost Within the ashram we are able to maintain the community with a variety of vegetables year round. Forming ideal beds for auto defense between the different species of vegetables is hard work and healthy exercise by which we develop a deeper relationship with the Earth and the vegetables, who are our friends. The compost is also important. It insures that all the vegetable matter will be returned to the Earth to become food again in the integral life cycle. There are various

books that explain this process of organic gardening in an easily understandabe format. The devotees may also be cunsulted for suggestions on how to begin. Because of the lack of good information, people mix inorganic or non recyclable waste with organic materials. This becomes a source of great contamination that is always far from the healthy being. (What to speak of the alkaline batteries and the nuclear waste that is dumped irresponsibly in many parts of the world!) The Truly of Perfect Recycling and Mother Earth How can we make a difference so that people stop polluting the world and stop throwing poisonous substances like plastic, styrofoam, batteries, etc., all over the place? The answer is in recycling all that we can and not using what can not be recycled. This is an important goal, and in India the means of achieving this has always been well understood. Only out of bad habits, and to make a few shameless people rich, is plastic now used for everything and later thrown out onto the steets, mountains and rivers all over the world. Even human waste is threatening the Earth, especially the potable water. This is why we would like to introduce here a simple secret: The Dry Toilet Maybe its not very nice to speak about human waste. It should be known, however, that urine, after remaining in a tank for 24 hours, looses its noxious capacity to burn and can be used as a fertilizer for plants. The fecal matter, in a dry state, without urine and water from personal cleaning, can be mixed with sand, ash and some chalk, and in six months this mixture becomes first class fertilizer. In addition, it does not contaminate the water under the Earth. On the other hand, when the human waste is mixed each time with ten liters of water, it begins to rot and develop all sorts of bacterias such as cholera and tifus that our taken to our poor rivers committing a crime against the Earth that sustains us. To take advantage of this there is what is called a dry toilet in the ashram. One has to learn to use it well, and, with a little effort, there will be one more problem solved. This type of bathroom does not even leave any noxious smells... Its amazing! The Windmill - Vayu Giving Strength The Truly Ashram proposes a perfect harmony with natural forces. Water that descends with pressure has a lot of advantages. The subterranean river brings this water to the shores of the ocean and the wind helps us extract that sweet water from the Earth. Since the Truly Ashram does not depend on electricity, Vayu, the wind god, makes this arangement possible. In spite of the fact that one can use everything in Krishnas service (as long as humility and purity in purpose are maintained), we prefer not to use electricity at the ashram. The mill is an advancement that permits us to serve and attend our visitors well. The ecological harmony of the Truly Ashram is a new concept for many of our fellow countrymen. The dry toilet, the organic gardens, the compost, and so on can all be adopted by owners of small strips of land to enrich the Earth. Harmony School of Conscious Art In the ashram there are many different devotional activities and the spiritual family makes our creativity and spontaneity grow. The art of living in devotion is concentrated in the expression of forming the Harmony School of Conscious Art. Here, as in all other sections of the school, there is an attempt to bring the message of the

truth, and its confrontation to our human errors, to the whole world in an artistic way. The art becomes the foundation of thought and reflection. Discussion itself is a form of verbal art. In all types of superior art, the artist yearns to imbue and express pure goodness as a step towards transcendence. The school has a lot of programs in the ashram. Even the significance of the constructions and their symbols have the purpose of harmonizing everything and vibrating the teachings of love in every corner. Exhibitions, and artistic and philosophical reunions are part of the agenda, as well as how to help financially in the development of the community. Symbols of the School of Art and Harmony Situated on the Truly of Perfect Recycling, one can appreciate a very special piece of art: A white circle, representing the Absolute, contains within it a black square that represents the ocean of the material world as well as the spiritual master who can save us from this world. A lotus flower floats in the water and represents the soul of each one of us. Lost in the great ocean, the lotus looks for the light of the sun of the Absolute Truth that surrounds him. To harmonize all of this, we depend on the help of the spiritual master. Without his guidance, the light of the sun of God will dry out the lotus. The master knows how to bring us closer to the truth and occupy us in service, accompanied by other sincere searchers. The water of the material ocean becomes the ground on which we begin our activities of dedication to God. In this way, our spiritual emotions are born and each day we come closer to God. The Harmony School of Conscious Art chose this emblem because our ambition is to work in the service of bringing people closer to harmonizing with the Absolute. The Symbol of the Vaisnava Yogi On the other side of the Truly of Perfect Recycling that looks out over the ocean, one finds an effulgent yogi that invites everyone to reflect on the purpose of life. Theres no time, theres no time, is the answer that the majority of people give today. To buy everything seen in adds an on the television, one has to work like a donkey. But happiness can not be sold, and with all the riches in the world we can not buy one more minute of life. The Vaishnava yogi introduces the study of the Vedas that teach self-realization along with a lot of other knowledge of importance for humanity. The yogis life is dedicated to the well being and happiness of others. His meditation is pleasant and easy. His principles are pleasing to practice, especially in the company of true friends who are sincere and understanding with respect to the suffering of others. The Symbol of Dharma - The Dharmachakra Always fulfilling our duty is the theme of Dharma, the call of prescribed duties. The Dharmachakra represents the laws of action and reaction, or the law of lessons Karma, which is also our friend. Dharma brings us closer to the Lord, yet total surrender to Krishna is above Dharma. Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita to His devotee Arjuna and simultaneously taught Dharma to the whole world. We should meditate in Him and see the Dharmachakra, asking that He reveal to us the final purpose of religion. The Symbol of the Chakra and the Sea

Situated on the side facing the sand mountain on the Truly of Sankirtan (where the congressional chanting of the holy mantras are held) is the symbol of the chakra and the sea (Chakra y Mar). The chakra of the temple of the Lord of the Universe, Sri Jagannath, is found on the other side of the Pacific Ocean in Jagannath Puri. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu lived in Jagannath Puri for his last lilas, or transcendental pastimes, on the Earth. From this temple, the Lord Jagannath sends his blessings to the devotee ashram in Peru. In Peru chakra also means Earth or harvest, a site that sustains life. The chakra of the Supreme Lord protects our devotion and spiritual life from the ocean of illusion that separates us from Him. To cross the ocean of ignorance one needs mercy. This mercy is obtained through the transcendental vibration of the Holy Names of the Lord chanted by the surrendered devotees. The East and the West can unite through this sound, and in this way, also counteract the hardships that make us suffer so much. The Emblem of the Visva Vaisnava Raj Sabha Situated in the Truly of Prasadam is the emblem of The Temple of Jagannath from the city of Jagannath Puri in India. This temple unifies the Vaishnavas of all sampradayas. The ideal of union in diversity is substantially noteable in the Truly Ashram. On a broader scale, the connection to the world Vaisnava community comes through the World Vaisnava Association or the Visva Vaishnava Raj Sabha, as well as through VRINDA which corresponds to our world family of Vaishnavas. More information about our services can be found in the internet at the following addresses: http://www.bhakti-yoga.ch/vrinda or on the WVA : http://owplaza.com/wva/ Projects for the Future. The Lord as the Divine Center The Lord becomes accessible to His devotees by His causeless mercy, and represents Himself in the form of the Deities of Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Damodar. He allows the devotees to serve Him with their own hands in a variety of ways; by making Him clothes and food, by singing, cleaning and decorating His altar, etc. In this way, the Lord attracts and conquers hearts. He is limitless, and no one can see him by technical means. He sees us and He maintains us. The infinite comes by His infinite mercy and reveals Himself thanks to the pure faith of His devotees. Worshipped by Srila Prabhupad, Damodar is the naughty boy, the love of Vrindavan. He steals butter and distributes it to the monkeys. Mother Yasoda tries to teach Him a lesson by making a great effort to tie him to a barrel, but in the end it is only her love that succeeds in binding Him. Damodar is in the center of the Truly Ashram with His eternal companion, the divine female energy, Srimate Radharani. Together, They manifest as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to distribute His love to the whole world. The Temple of Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Damodar in Chakra y Mar is our most ambitious project. Combining five trulies, we attempt to create a very unique temple.

Show cases with past times of the Lord will illuminate the inside with themes such as He who lifts the Govardhan Hill, the dancer surrounded by peacocks, and the conqueror of hearts who plays His flute. The Rasa Lila of Sri Krishna will be remembered on the inside walls by relief art which will be a work of love, made in adobe, without using cement or metal. With the participation of our friends, we will try to finish this project soon. The Planetarium An important aspect of the Truly Ashram is the Planetarium. The Trulies represent the distinct planetary systems of the creation. The meditator who comes to the this world, is presented first to the Truly of the Spiritual Master to receive permission to enter the superior dimensions. Later, he is informed about the different material and spiritual achievements, and about the process of yoga. Hatha yoga, karma yoga and jana yoga are processes that one takes on as a means to become liberated. When mukti, or liberation, is achieved, the practice of these yogas end. Bhakti yoga, or loving service to Krishna and His devotees is, on the contrary, the means and the end simultaneously. Those who want to be saved through their work (karma) or through their intellectual capacity (jana), do not recognize their total dependence on the mercy of the divine. They depend on themselves, and do not want to surrender themselves to Divine Love. Doubt, fear, and the calculating mentality still tie one to the material world. Mystical powers, knowledge and a desire of total independence, even at the cost of abandoning ones own individuality, tie many to the superior planets or the light of the impersonal brahman. With the help of the Vaishnavas, however, they can still arrive at Vaikuntha Ashram. A classic Indian scripture by Sanatan Goswami is called the Brihat Bhagavatamrita. Here, the history of a great devotee of the Lord, Gopa Kumara, is described. He had the power to travel to all the material galaxies, and penetrate the spiritual world. Due to this, he came to know a variety of past-times of the Supreme Lord in the transcendental world. He had received a mantra from Krishna and felt an impulse that took him to know the whole creation until finally arriving at Vrindavan and finding his Lord Sri Krishna. Vrindavan is represented in the ashram by the principal truly temple. The Ayodhya Truly The Ayodhya Truly represents the home of Sri Sita Rama in Ayodhya. Sri Rama is the incarnation of God as the perfect king. To the present day, the people of India cry out for a king as marvelous as Lord Ramachandra. His kingdom (Ramraj) is the famous theme of the epic Ramayana. In the ceiling of the Ayodhya Truly we find the Rama yantra. The Dvaraka Truly and the Mathura Truly From Ayodhya, the devotee Gopa Kumara traveled to Dvaraka. The Dvaraka Truly represents the home of the Lord Krishna near the ocean. Krishna ruled there in the association of the Yadus. The Srimad Bhagavatam Purana describes this time period. The Mathura Truly is the site of the birth place of Sri Krishna. Here, Krishna saved the world from the demon Kamsa. This place is not far from Vrindavan. Yet, only in Vrindavan do the relations with the Supreme Lord develop to the highest intimacy.

Sri Krishna chose Vrindavan to have His devotees near Him without formalities or veneration. In Vrindavan His devotees are His intimate servants, friends, parents and lovers. Only they truly know Him, though they do not consider Him to be the Supreme Lord. These intimate pastimes of the Lord were revealed in this world by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Sri Krishna Himself appearing in the present age to give us the Mahamantra Hare Krishna and save us all. The Truly of Gopeshvar Mahadeva The Lord Shiva is the controller of the material world and is in charge of its destruction at the end of the life of Lord Brahma. He wanted to participate in the Rasa Lila of Lord Krishna, but because of his masculine vanity, he was rejected. Finally, however, by the mercy of the deity of Vrindavan, Vrinda Devi, he was able to transform his body into that of a gopi. In this way, he received the service of a guardian at the entrance to the Rasa dance. The students who come to meditate, study and pray in this Truly, receive the mercy of the ksetra pal, or protector of the Dhama. Yajna Stala - The Truly of Spiritual Amnesty The spiritual vows are made in the yajna stala before the sacred sacrificial fire. Initiations, weddings, reunions and other vows and sacred samskaras are all made here. The spiritual vow of the initiation is only possible with the intervention of a genuine spiritual master. The spiritual master can stop our karma so that we can receive the mantra. This is the reason why this truly is called the Truly of Spiritual Amnesty. The transcendental vows that surround the disciple become a circle of protection. As long as he or she does not go outside of this circle by breaking the vows, he or she has all the protection of the path towards perfection. There also exists a plan to make a Truly Jyotish of Vedic Astrology as well as a Truly of Ayur Veda to help the sick with Vedic knowledge. We are also going to offer facilities to students and visitors who live far away so that they can stay in one of the rooms of the ashram. Thank you Srila Prabhupad for bringing Radha and Damodar to our lives! We want to express our profound gratefulness to the pure devotee of Krishna, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, who left beautiful Vrindavan to take us to the eternal world. He also took us to Vrindavan in India and gave us an oasis there called Vrinda Kunja. Yet, most importantly, Srila Prabhupad taught us how to form small oasis all over the world. The Hare Krishna Truly Ashram community attempts to become one of these. Without the mercy of Srila Prabhupad, this, nor any other project in our lives would not have any success. The temple of the Lord is our most beautiful service. When everyone participates, there is great union in the devotional work. We are all His and are simply attempting to become pure devotees by building a temple of the heart; an experience to be given to all. Be a Part of the Solution, Not Part of the Problem

Everyone has the opportunity to be a member of the Hare Krishna Truly Ashram. We have different educational programs and we try to inspire a more transcendental, ecological, and serviceable mentality in our friends. The Vegetarian Society of Peru offers many ways to participate. For those who want to help, even if it is only for one week end, can connect with the director of the program: Sriman Prapanna das. We have to change many things in this chaotic world. Within their own capacity, all can help. The change begins with each one of us, and it is our pleasure to invite you to visit the project. The Sunday festivals and the ecological festivals are also well known. To reserve a space in one of these festivals please call us at: 4275944, 4210016 or 4404747 and ask about the program at Chacra y Mar. To organize a guided tour through the ashram, or for conferences in schools, universities or other organizations please call the above numbers to set a special time and date. For presentations of the Transcendental opera group Consciousness - Even if it Hurts contact B. V. Tapasvi Maharaj or the secretary in Lima: Pancha Tattva das at: 4275944. Your friend and well wisher, Swami B. A. Paramadvaiti pswami@ipof.fla.net

More information and notices, look for Vaisnava Literature on the internet: http://owplaza.com/wva/ Addresses in Peru: Govindas Cultural Center: Jr. Callao 480, Lima 1, Peru....................