Andrew Firestone Gets Srila Prabhupada’s Original Bhagavad Gita

picture of Kansas and Andrew shooting in front of murtis of Krsna and Balarama

Andrew Firestone, heir to the Firestone tire family, and heart-throb star of the television reality show, The Batchelor, was the recipient of a Bhagavad-gita from ITV’s Nrsimhananda dasa at the Pyramid House in Topanga.

”E” entertainment, a nightly show-biz program broadcast nationwide, was taping an interview with resident, Kansas Carradine, daughter of veteran Hollywood actor, David Carradine, star of the famous “Kung-fu” television series.

Andrew was very pleased to receive something “spiritual,” and the inscription pointed his attention to the following verse:

“The unsuccessful yogi, after many many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy.” (Bhagavad-gita 6:41)

We pray that Andrew, a very nice young man, takes full advantage of his real good fortune… A moment’s association with the pure devotee [Srila Prabhupada] can save one from the greatest danger.

The crew all took prasadam at the end of shooting.

( add’l picture of Kansas and Andrew shooting in front of murtis of Krsna and Balarama)

Review of Bee Season Staring Richard Gere

Review of Bee Season Staring Richard Gere

I recently went to see Bee Season, starring Richard Grere. The long awaited film that employed over 40 devotees from Berkeley and LA temples.

Hare Krishna! All Glories To Srila Prabhupada. Please accept my humble obeisances.

I recently went to see Bee Season, starring Richard Gere. The long awaited film that employed over 40 devotees from Berkeley and LA temples. Last year ISKCON Berkeley approached me to help with the dealings between the Temple and this troupe of Hollywooders because I had just graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema and they thought I would be helpful.

When I received the script, I was a bit taken back by the Buddist/Hindu concoctions that were emanating from the pages, but I took it as a challenge and an opportunity to preach.

I ended up giving them back a completely revised edition of the Hare Krishna scenes. They sent them back to me with what they thought would be satisfactory, but actually they only used maybe 2 or 3 lines that I had written. They said they wanted to “preserve the beauty of the scene”.

We went back and forth a few times until we came to a pretty good explanation of what Krishna Consciousness is all about, but nothing that I wrote ended up in the final cut. I would say they used maybe 30% of what they filmed. They filmed two kirtan scenes and they only used a small portion of one of them. They filmed Srila Prabhupada rising and embracing Aron (Richard Gere’s son in the Film), but they cut that scene also.

On the good side of things, they have a large picture of Srila Prabhupada on the wall of the temple they built in Oakland. Aron chants the entire Holy Name very clearly on beads and the kirtan lead by Lokanatha prabhu is very nice. Kuva prabhu greets Gere at the temple door and they dub his voice in (in order to avoid paying him for speaking lines). He says “Haribol” and his expressions were quite good. When Chali (Aron’s Hare Krishna girlfriend) comes down the stairs with Aron, Kuva is in the back peering curiously into the uncomfortable situation. They asked me to make a Srila Prabhupada T-Shirt so that the audience would know that Aron didn’t give up his Krishna Consciousness, but the T-shirt isn’t on long enough for anyone to catch it.

My impression is that it is very successful in spreading the Maha Mantra to millions of people across the world and it is also favorable to Srila Prabhupada’s movement.

BEE SEASON stars Richard Gere, Juliette Binoche, Kate Bosworth and introduces two promising newcomers in their first major films roles: Max Minghella and Flora Cross as Aaron and Eliza Naumann.

HOW TO CONVERT TO HINDUISM ?

Hollywood Actress Juilan roberts Conveted to hinduism 

Hinduism is the third largest religion in this world. It is said to have almost a billion followers.1 The term "Hindu" evolved in India back in 1200 CE. "Hinduism" came later on from the river Indus. However, the religious traditions are over 5000 years old.2 The religion comprises of numerous beliefs and practices with the final "aim" of the followers to attain "moksha" or salvation. The cycle of death and rebirth is called "samsara" in Sanskrit. Salvation is to break this very cycle that Hindus believe in.

One amazing thing that separates Hinduism from other commonly followed religions is the absence of a prophet. There is no teacher or prophet who taught the religion and founded it. There is no central authority either to the religion. Regarded as the world's oldest form of organized religion, Hinduism is followed not only in India and Nepal but also is seen to be growing in following in U.S. and Canada.

Hinduism has spawned many other religions. Almost all of them are henotheistic in nature. The belief of Hinduism is: the gods other Hindus follow are just a manifestation of the god they consider as supreme. Brahman is a term for the divine in Hinduism. The religious groups are divided on the basis of the Brahman they follow: Some follow Lord Vishnu, some worship the Shiva while others worship Shakti - also known as Parvati, Kali, or Mahalakshmi.
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What is Hinduism?


A small pilot film featuring the answer to the question: What is Hinduism? This video can answer numerous doubts about the religion. There are many misconceptions thriving in the current days, which this video attempts to clarify in a concise and clear way.

Step 1: Understand the Concepts of Hinduism

Changing religions is a huge step. A lot of thinking and soul-searching goes in to it. You must be well prepared before you pick a religion and make it a part of your life. Following a religion like Hinduism especially is a little confusing in the beginning. There are many groups and sects in Hinduism that believe and practice rituals somewhat differently. To learn about every sect and following will take time.. However, realize that there is no rush. You can stop practicing whatever religion you followed earlier while learning about Hinduism and slowly deciding which one of the various courses to take.

Hinduism has three ways to life. Life is all about gaining salvation and you can choose any of the approaches:

-The way of knowledge is taken by those who practice yoga and the like. [Meditation]] is another daily habit for them. They tend to look at life and learn more and more by unveiling the illusions.

-The way of doing or action is the other approach. You do good because you believe in 'what goes around comes back around. You fulfill your karma this way. The purpose of current incarnation is to be met and completed by you when following this path.

-Lastly, the way of worship and devotion. Praying and worshiping gods will lead you to salvation.
The concepts of Hinduism have to be understood before choosing the religion as a companion for life. Learn and read about these, understand and contemplate, talk with other Hindus or visit Hindu communities that will help you with the writings and scriptures. Remember, the more you know about the religion, the better it is. After all, you are researching for your own self. For embracing a particular belief set, you have to be sure what it is about. Join libraries, read books, and discuss online with people who have been practicing the religion to gain first hand knowledge as to what it is like to be Hindu.


Step 2: Talk to Followers and Past Followers of Hinduism

Once you've learned the concepts and teachings, at least on a basic level, from the books and the practitioners, start to research the other side. Ask people who have left the religion. Ask them what led them to quit, what they went through, what were the feelings involved and so on. Discuss thought patterns and beliefs with them. That way you know both sides

When doing research, keep tabs on your own feelings. The whole idea is to diagnose what resonates, and what does not, with you. Pay close attention to what your intuition and your inner self says. Don't neglect them! After all, a religion is all about living life in a certain way. Feelings and intuition have every thing to do with it, along with the sprinkles of logic and practicality.

At the end of step 2, you will have met or spoken to people of both types - the followers and then the quitters/non-followers. You will have a fair idea by now as to what you are dealing with.

If you decide, Hinduism is not for you, that is okay. Not every religion suits every individual.
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Old India and Hinduism


This video attempts to prove a relation between the ancient Vedic literatures and modern scientific findings. It delves deep in to the culture and religion of the old times of India and the great wealth of the knowledge found in Vedic religions, and it's relevancy in current times.


Step 3: Embrace Hinduism

After musing over the beliefs and the concepts the religion offers, how do you feel? Where has it landed you? Do you feel prepared? Do you feel unsure? Do you feel nervous? Are you overwhelmed? Answer these questions for yourself. If you happen to get stuck, take a break, go out have a walk, meet friends.

Just cut out from the "Religion" stuff for some time. Then come back again. If you keep getting the answer that, you're unsure after a substantial amount of time and reckoning, Hinduism may not be for you. You may want to give up the thought. Before converting, always remember that your feelings have to be in alignment with your decision. Don't force it for any sort of superficial validation or gratification.

However, if you are sure and have been feeling great about the new establishment in your life, go for it. Now is the time that you can actually practice it with fellow Hindus. Next, you may go ahead and severe the ties with your former religion in the way it is supposed to be done. Further, you may go forward with receiving a Hindu name by attending the name-giving ritual. A priest will do the ceremonial acts in a temple devoted to a God you wish to follow.

Finally, you will come to become a Hindu. Start meeting other Hindus in the temple, praying to the chosen God, and gaining pure joy from it all. Your soul will then gain the joy from the decision, and the happiness will come to manifest.