World Book Distribution Day (Patrickananda Dasa)

A little while back I was looking over the plans for Srila Prabhupada's Centennial and I noticed there were a number of different "world" events scheduled, including World Holy Name Day and Feed the World Day. What seemed conspicuous by it's absence was World Book Distribution Day. I knew that there were plans for a year long marathon, a summer marathon and a Christmas marathon but it's not likely the majority of devotees would commit to long-term marathons. In addition to these marathons, why not have a special day set aside for book distribution? What could be more exciting knowing that all devotees all around the world were dedicating one day for distributing Srila Prabhupada's books? And what could be more pleasing to Srila Prabhupada on his centennial? I don't think anyone would want to miss it.

I discussed this project with Vaishesika Prabhu, Svavas Prabhu, Mayapur Sasi Prabhu and Nirantara Prabhu and they were all behind it. We then got the green light from Lokanath Swami and Rohini Suta Prabhu. We also discussed the possibility of arranging a series of international conference calls to promote the project and printing a booklet of the best sankirtan pastimes of the day. As far as we're concerned it's "all systems go" and we're already making plans and getting the word out. We hope everyone will join in the fun.

Since this will be a world-wide event we should set our sights high. If we can distribute a record number of books in one day there's a good chance we can receive substantial media coverage. This in turn would further enhance Srila Prabhupada's glory and generate even more book distribution and more preaching. So as an offering to Srila Prabhupada on World Book Distribution Day let's attempt to distribute 1,000,000 books! This is not impossible. We'll achieve our objective if only 125,000 devotees throughout the world each distribute just 8 books. You may think there aren't that many devotees in the world but if we recruit (and we should) life members, congregation members, BTG and IWR subscribers, members of the Indian community, new devotees, old devotees, Gurukula alumni, mothers, children, devotees inside and outside the institution, and all the leaders- temple presidents and officers, sannyasis, GBCs - all of Srila Prabhupada's family, we should have no problem meeting or surpassing our goal! If we recruit help from the Indian community we should be successful.

You'll find it's not hard to recruit help because everyone appreciates the sacrifice Srila Prabhupada made to give the world his books. Thus far I've mentioned this project to only a small number of devotees and several of them immediately volunteered to distribute a whole case of books- and I didn't even ask them! What's more, these are devotees who don't usually distribute books. So if you're already a sankirtan devotee try to recruit others to help on this day. Remember, anyone can distribute 8 books in one day and some devotees can do much more. 1 million books is possible and I predict in a few years we'll be laughing at how small this quantity seems. So let's do it! No excuses! Everyone has to go on sankirtan! All glory to Srila Prabhupada's Centennial! All glory to the Sri Krishna Sankirtan!

Mayapur Sasi has calculated a "potential goal" for each centre based upon the number of books distributed in 1995. We suggest each devotee make a pledge to their nearest centre/temple to help them achieve their potential goal. If you are not close to a temple or are not affiliated with a temple, why not form your own SKP team and submit your pledges directly to Mayapur Sasi? World Book Distribution Day is an offering to Srila Prabhupada from the assembled devotees, so we really want everyone to participate. Remember, the key to success is recruiting other devotees. If you are an experienced sankirtan devotee, help the newer devotees find a distribution spot. Give them pointers on what to say. Make sure they get prasadam. You may even want to go out a couple of times before the big day just to get some practice. But above all, let's remember that Srila Prabhupada will be pleased by our sincerity, even if we distribute just one BTG. We engage in transcendental competition so we don't become complacent and we set our goals high because we want to help as many souls as possible before they lose the real opportunity of human life. The essence of Sankirtan is sharing. Sankirtan means serving the mission of our spiritual master and sharing Krsna consciousness with others. Srila Prabhupada struggled throughout his life just to save us. Now let's show our gratitude by distributing his books. This should be the overriding mood on World Book Distribution Day.

"OK So how many books are you gonna do?" Well... I uh... I'll be busy organising... and arranging... and administrating. Yes, there'll be lots of administrating to do on that day. "So you expect everyone else to go out while you stay back." It's a sacrifice but somebody's gotta do it. "Oh don't be such a baby. It's only one day." Alright. Alright. I pledge to distribute 1 pamphlet. "What!? That's it?" Hey, give me a break. I haven't done this since 1972! "Come on. You can do better than that. You're supposed to be heading up this project and inspiring the other devotees." OK, OK I'll distribute 8 books plus I'll recruit 10 team leaders and I'll recruit another 100 distributors to go out on World Book Distribution Day. Now are you happy? "Ecstatic!" So can anyone out there match this pledge or beat It? Send in your pledges now (even if it's just one pamphlet).

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irg@zetnet.co.uk
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!