Giving Back to The Community COVID-19 - Radha Krishna Temple

Giving back to the community and gratitude enhances physical and mental wellbeing. "The best attitude of charity is to give without even being asked to do so”- H.H. Swami Mukundananda. Whether you do it because you wholeheartedly believe in the concept of giving back or you do it because it makes you feel good it adds multitude of benefits to your being.  

As per an article Pscynet.org(https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-19956-001) doing acts of kindness for others is a conduit for consistent happiness in our lives. The dedicated and energetic volunteers of The Radha Krishna Temple, one of the top 10 Hindu Temples of Dallas, always seek opportunities to give back to the community. So, once again they were at their best in their efforts to giving back to the community. On May 7, 2020, they rolled up their sleeves to show support and gratitude to the Frontline Heroes of the City of Allen, for their selfless service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click below to watch RKT Volunteers Mr. Macha and Ms.Torok preparing Subway lunch boxes and getting ready to deliver the City Hall, Allen,Tx

://www.facebook.com/RadhaKrishnaTempleofDallas/videos/2643369542587447/

Giving Back to The Community: Radha Krishna Temple Takes the Lead 

The Radha Krishna Temple, one of the top 10 Hindu Temples of Dallas in one of a kind of initiatives by a temple, honored the Frontline Heroes of the City of Allen, for their selfless service during the Coronavirus Pandemic. (COVID-19)

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् || 20||

dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam

Meaning: Charity given to a worthy person simply because it is right to give, without consideration of anything in return, at the proper time and in the proper place, is stated to be in the mode of goodness. (BG 17.20).

Providing lunches for the City’s Police Officers, Fire Fighters, First Responders, Essential workers and the City Personnel was a timely, most appropriate and appreciated act of showing gratitude. The temple partakes in various philanthropic acts of reaching out and giving back to various sections of the local community. But this initiative was worthy and timely as these Heroes continue to adjust to a new normal of the pandemic that has left them feeling exhausted with endless days and nights of sacrifice to serve and keep the city safe.  The event was attended by Allen City Mayor Debbie Stout, Police Chief Brian Harvey, Fire Chief Jon Boyd, and City Manager Eric Ellwanger.The City's Mayor and Chiefs and the peronnel  were very aperciatve of RKT's inititiative to honor the FrontLine Heroes of city. The Mayor Debiie Stout personally thanked the President of JKYog and Radha Krishna Temple- Shreya Bhat.

Giving Back to The Community: What does the Bhagavadgita say about Charity?

For centuries, the act of giving or Danam has been delineated as religious duty of Hindus. The Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 17 verse 20-22 talks about 3 modes of charity. H.H. Swami Mukundanandaji in his commentary of Bhagavad-Gita -The song of God talks about 3 modes of charity. Charity in the mode of goodness, charity in the mode of passion and charity in the mode of ignorance. In the first mode - the mode of goodness, the charity that is given is appropriate, is given without being asked to give, is given without expecting anything in return, given at the right place and given to the right person. This is the best form of charity. The type of charity though not best but acceptable is the second type-charity that is given happily when asked to give. In the second mode -the mode of passion, the charity is given grudgingly upon asking, is given with the expectation of getting something in return, and the act giving is later regretted upon. This type of charity though is little less acceptable. The third mode – the mode of ignorance, the charity is given with no regard of place, person, time or attitude. This type of charity is of no use to anyone

Click here:  https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/17/verse/20 to read Swamiji’s  complete commentary on charity.

Giving Back to the Community: Benefits of giving

Scriptures advocate for donating according one’s capacity.  According to Bhaviṣhya Purāṇ in the Kali Yuga the act of charity paves the way for purification. Ramayana also mentions of the benefits of charity in the age of kali. Apart from helping to lessen the attachment to material things it also helps to cultivate an attitude of service and compassion. Hence many scriptures call for giving away one tenth of the money that is earned rightfully.

Click Here: :https://www .facebook.com/RadhaKrishnaTempleofDallas/videos/748024465938137/ to watch  H.H. Swami MukundanandaJi’s special message on the occasion of Radha Krishna Temple Phase 2 - Bhoomi Poojan Special Invite May 15 - May 17