Hinduism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

=Krishna Consciousness and Hinduism in Bosnia and Herzegovina=

Krishna consciousness or Sanatana-dharma (eternal duty of a living being) in Sanskrit represents a bonafide way of connecting to God (used here is name 'Krishna' which means 'the All Attractive One' which only God can be for all living creatures), through the process of bhakti-yoga (servitude of God with love). Bhakti means love, and yoga means to connect. So it is a process of getting connected to God in that way enlivening the eternal original nature of the soul. Krishna consciousness became famous in west after H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a spiritual master in the bonafide unbroken chain of spiritual masters since time immemorial brought the ancient knowledge from India to America in 1965, in that way accomplishing what no other such person did. He named the western branch of the ancient Sanatana-dharma as the 'International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)' which later spread all over the world, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. The movement started in Bosnia in early 80's and its members are famous by colorfull music performances, tasty vegeterian specialties, and elevated spiritual philosophy.

It is important to note that the present day Hinduism, is an adjusted form of practice of ancient sanatana-dharma which compiles various religious practices of India under one name, while Krishna consciousness is directly relating to the eternal nature of the soul and that is to serve the God with love. That is why the founder of Hare Krishna movement A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami was saying that 'religion' is not an appropriate name for Krishna consciousness since people identify with religions on a material level while Krsna consciousness is dealing directly with serving God in our original function of spiritual soul in that way surpassing all material identifications related to name, race, body, etc. The essence of Hare Krishna philosophy is that we are all spiritual souls that originate in the Kingdom of God, but being in material world, we forgot this eternal nature and we identify with body and things related to body. According to Vedas, the most effective process to enliven the original consciousness is singing the Holly Names of God. Hinduism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is represented by various groups and centers such as Yoga in Daily Life and Sathya Sai Center Sarajevo.

ISKCON in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ISKCON has a growing presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is estimated to be around 300 devotees from all age groups.ISKCON has been registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a religious community.

ISKCON's Food for life was famous in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During war period in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ISKCON devotees in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzagovina visited orphanages, homes for the elderly, hospitals, institutes for handicapped children, and basement shelters daily, throughout the three year conflict. An estimated 20 tons of food has been distributed in Sarajevo since 1992.

ISKCON Centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ISKCON currently has one official center in Sarajevo-Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a strong get-together program called Bhakti-vrksa program.

Local Get-together (Bhakti-vrksa) Program, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina is held mainly in various members houses.

However, ISKCON Sarajevo also has a temple congregation which is holding traditional ISKCON weekly programs in the homes of its members. The long-term goal of ISKCON temple congregation is to build the first Vedic temple in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the original Vedic/Hindu culture can be experienced first hand. For more details contact [e-mail] or visit www.iskconsarajevo.com

Yoga in Daily Life in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Yoga in Daily Life has a Centre in Sarajevo.

Address- Jadranko Pranjic, Patriotske lige 28, 71000 Sarajevo

athya Sai Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sathya Sai Organisation has a Center in Sarajevo [http://www.pontanima.ba/activities.html]

Azra Jahic, a teacher had the opportunity to teach Sathya Sai Human Values Programme in Čengić Villa Primary School in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. The principal of the school was very supportive and gave her all the help and encouragement to conduct the programme.

In 2005 Azra Jacic commenced an Educare training programme for teachers in this school, which is an ongoing programme. With the help of Azra, She were also able to conduct weekly classes for young adults on values and self development as taught by Baba, at the Technical School of Sarajevo. Later, along with the youth members of the Sai Centre She conducted human values classes to children in a suburb of Sarajevo, as part of a project conducted by a local NGO [http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01JUL06/ehv-prini.htm]

External links

* [http://www.iskcon.com/ Official ISKCON Web Page]
* [http://iskconsarajevo.com/ ISKCON Sarajevo Web Page]
* [http://www.krishnadenver.com/foodforlife/index.htm ISKCON FOOD FOR LIFE]
* [http://www.saibaba.ws/miracles/bosnia.htm Sai Baba distributes food and clothes... in Bosnia]
* [http://www.saibaba.ws/miracles/swaminbosnia.htm Sai Baba in Bosnia]
* [http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01JUL06/ehv-prini.htm Azra Jahic conducting Sathya Sai Human Values Programme in Cengic Villa Primary School in Sarajevo]