HERE'S A Krsna conscious project you might like to support or get involved in. We'll tell you what the goals are, who's involved, what's going on, what's blocking the way, and how you can give a hand.
Project
The Bhaktivedanta Archives.
Headquarters
ISKCON's New Dvaraka Community, Los Angeles, California.
Project Leaders
Ranajit Dasa (books, photo archives), Ekanatha Dasa (digital audio tape, Srila Prabhupada Tape Ministry, compact disks), Dulala Candra Dasa (computer infobase, photo scanning), Visnu Murti Dasa (Manager of European Division).
Goals
To preserve Srila Prabhupada's recorded words and the photo, film, and video images of him.
Details
The Bhaktivedanta Archives began in 1978. Starting with original reel-to-reel tapes from the Golden Avatar studios and other sources, it collected Srila Prabhupada's recorded lectures and conversations two thousand hours worth. Now available from the tape ministry: 711 sixty-minute tapes. For preservation and further mastering, these are being re-recorded on digital audio tape.
In the early 1980's devotees transcribed the tapes and filmed the transcriptions on microfiche. They also made fiches of Srila Prabhupada's letters.
The Archives is publishing this material in books. The following are available: Collected Lectures on Bhagavad-gita As It Is (seven hardbound volumes), Conversations with Srila Prabhupada (thirty-seven soft-bound volumes), and Srila Prabhupada Siksamrta, a compilation from Srila Prabhupada's letters (three hardbound volumes).
Tapes of Prabhupada's singing are being re-mastered onto compact disks. Eight disks are now available.
Computer technology has enabled the Archives to put Srila Prabhupada's books, letters, and talks into a single database for research by scholars and devotees.
In 1992 the Archives will start digitizing its photographic collection as computerized data, a superior way to preserve photos for publication.
Plans
The Archives wants to further develop the research database for CD-ROM and establish a memorial museum and library for the original photos, tapes, and other materials from Prabhupada's life.
Obstacles
A shortage of people and funds.
How you can help
Take advantage of the storehouse of transcendental knowledge available in the Bhaktivedanta Archives. Order Srila Prabhupada's tapes, compact disks, and archival publications. For computer-assisted research, consider the complete infobase of Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
For information, please contact:
The Bhaktivedanta Archives
P.O. Box 34453
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 559-2143
Fax: (310) 559-0935
The Bhaktivedanta Archives
P.O. Box 351
Borehamwood, Herts. WD6 1SW
England
Phone: (0923) 852289