This issue coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Sri Sri Radha- Radhanatha Temple of Understanding in Durban, South Africa. It also coincides with the fortieth anniversary of a visit to that country by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. To honor these occasions, we’ve dedicated much of this issue to articles related to the Krishna consciousness movement in South Africa.
The issue begins as usual with one of Srila Prabhupada’s many recorded lectures, this one given in Durban’s city hall. Aware of the country’s racial conflicts, Prabhupada tells his audience, “Our mission is to come to the platform of our spiritual body.”
Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi’s “The Sun Behind the Rainbow” presents some history of the Durban temple and of the struggles of the first devotees in launching Krishna consciousness in South Africa. Rukmiṇi Devi Dasi, in “Sprouting Bhakti on Campus,” tells us how Bhakti Yoga Societies are delivering Krishna ’s teachings to grateful university students. And Krishagi Devi Dasi picks out “Three Pillars of ISKCON Durban” to highlight, giving us some insight into how this efficiently run temple is reaching people of all backgrounds in this Rainbow Nation.
The second article in Sureśvara Dasa’s tenpart series Srila Prabhupada: Our Founderacarya tops off the issue.
OUR PURPOSES
• To help all people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from the temporary.
• To expose the faults of materialism.
• To offer guidance in the Vedic techniques of spiritual life.
• To preserve and spread the Vedic culture.
• To celebrate the chanting of the holy names of God as taught by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
• To help every living being remember and serve Sri Krishna , the Personality of Godhead