3rd issue - Nitya-seva newsletter

December, 2015 - 3rd issue

 In October 2015, we announced quite a few changes in Sri-Sri Radha-Syamasundara’s Nitya-seva project, and sent out all the information to all of you, our members. We would like to thank you for all the feedback we have received as a result—it has been most helpful! There was a good many questions, and so the next few issues of the Nitya-seva Newsletter will answer those questions.

In the coming five years we would like to focus on finishing the Nitya-seva project, which was inaugurated in 2002, to ensure the future worship of Sri-Sri Radha-Syamasundara, Sri-Sri Dayal-Nitai Vijaya-Gauranga, and all the other Deities worshipped in Hungary.

Why has the Nitya-seva sponsorship increased to the current amount?

As you know, every Nitya-seva donation is meant cover the expense of one day of worship. Back when we began, we were enjoying up to 15% interest on long term bank deposits. Bank deposits today sadly don’t earn anything near that percentage, if at all, and they are not as secure as they were. Now the earnings of real estate in which current and future Nitya-seva’s are invested is 5%.

In the meantime, expenses for Radha-Syama have grown. The most notable increase was a new national insurance for devotees, which increased pujari maintenance by 50%. And we have also added the maintenance of Gaura-Nitai in Budapest so that all Deities in Hungary are covered.

How do I know that Nitya-seva will not increase again in a few years?

We have included a 5% inflation rate in the new Nitya-seva amount. We expect this will cover the forseeable increased expenses.

What if I paid my Nitya-seva but can’t afford to increase: does it mean that I lose my day and the eternal spiritual benefit as promised when making the payment?

You will continue to have a day, but it will be shared with other donors. Few devotees have already encouraged others to assist in increasing their donation to the current amount, so they share a day from now on. And the spiritual benefit is never lost: Sri-Sri Radha-Syamasundara keep track of all services and the devotion of Their devotees, and They never forget. As you all have taken care of Them in the past and continue to do so in the present, They are also taking care of you both materially and spiritually.

Who decides upon the investments? Will the investments be made wisely?

The Deities (officially ISKCON Hungary) are the owners of the donations coming into the Nitya-seva fund, and in ISKCON Hungary the Nitya-seva department is a separate legal unit. Plus, there’s a Nitya-seva comittee overseeing the finances. According to recent plans, the Nitya-seva investments will only be used for constructing houses and apartments. The management of these properties and their annual earnings is under the care of the leaders of the Hungarian yatra.

If I have the opportunity to donate more than 4.725.000 HUF (15,000 EUR, 17,000 USD, 11,000 GBP) can I choose more than one day?

This kind of donation covers the cost of one day’s minimum worship of the Deities. So this is the lowest amount, but there are no limits to the donations! We would like to encourage everyone to sponsor any day according to their own capacity. As we = mentioned earlier: one day can have more than one sponsor!

You will find the details of paying in instalments in the next issue of the newsletter.

We would like to ask all of you to please continue to come forward with your questions and requests, and to please share your experiences with us. In case you experience some lacking on our part, please let us know: we would like to serve you nicely and we need your feedback to do so.

Jaya Radha-Syama!

In the name of the Nitya-seva team your servant,
Anuragi devi dasi

8th January, 2016.