Book Distribution on University Campuses in Pittsburgh
We just opened this center in Pittsburgh last year. We had almost no resources and only a small group of us (4 devotees - three of whom were full time students). We didn’t really know how it was going to work, but we felt very strongly that Pittsburgh needed a center. After all, it is one of the major cities of America, with two major universities (Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh) right next to each other. So against all odds, we persevered.
Within one month we found a decent space right between the two schools (a 2 minute walk to either one). We rented it, moved in, and started holding programs. Of course, with such an ideal location, we would have to do books. Problem was that we had no capital. When you are three students and a Brahmacari, money is not exactly overflowing, if you know what I mean. So we sent out a request to devotees for donations. By the grace of Krishna, Benediction Moon immediately replied and volunteered to donate $500.00 worth of books! It was perfect for us, just what we needed. And the most amazing part is that they didn’t even know us. How is this possible, that someone could be so generous?
After getting the books, we felt like we had just gotten in a shipment of gold. Right away we started distributing Gitas, Isopanishads, Krishna books, Higher Tastes, and Perfection of Yoga’s to the local people. In the process we met many wonderful people who started regularly coming to our center. Of course, many did not want to take a book, but that it to be expected. In fact it just made meeting positive people that much sweeter. Without a doubt, getting these books was a great boon for us, and really boosted our outreach efforts here. As a fledgling project, we were totally dependent on the mercy of others to get off the ground. By the grace of the Lord, we were able to be in touch with such merciful personalities as Dulal Chandra Prabhu.
In the Tenth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, the Gopis say that those personalities who broadcast the message of Krishna are ‘burida jana’ most magnanimous people. So anyone who gives books about Krishna certainly falls in this category.
Thank you very much.
Your servant,
Bhakta Andre Brown
If you would like to assist these young devotees in distributing Srila Prabhupada's books to college students in Pittsburgh and supporting their fledgling and successful center simply go here and enter "Pittsburgh" in the field "I would like books sent to..."
Here I am with some of the students we met thru book distribution. They came over to help us plant flowers outside the center. I am in the front with in the white dhoti, chadar and t-shirt.
