A letter from the BBT chairman:
In cooperation with the ISKCON GBC, the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is marking March 14 as the first annual “BBT Only” Day.
This is a day to remember the following important instructions from Srila Prabhupada:
- He formed the BBT to serve as his exclusive publisher.
- He wanted all his books purchased exclusively from the BBT.
His Divine Grace gave those instructions in a letter addressed to all ISKCON temples. The letter was dated March 14, 1974.
March 14 this year will be the fortieth anniversary of that letter.
Every devotee and congregational member of ISKCON should become familiar with that letter and have its importance clear in mind.
“BBT Only” Day is also an opportunity for devotees to remember – or learn about – the value the BBT adds to Srila Prabhupada’s mission in ways other than by publishing books. For example, the BBT. . .
- gives large grants every year for construction and renovation of ISKCON temples
(current project: the new temple in Mayapur) - provides funding for the Bhaktivedanta Institute
- supports the BBT Sanskrit School started by Gopiparanadhana Prabhu
in Vrindavana to train new Sanskrit editors and translators - funds the Bhaktivedanta Archives
If you’ve received a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s historic letter, please post it on your bulletin board (or on your wall or fridge). You can also find it online at the “BBT Only” website: BBT.org.
In 1969, while visiting ISKCON Press, the forerunner of the BBT, Srila Prabhupada said, “This is the heart of ISKCON.”
A devotee said, “You are the heart of ISKCON, Prabhupada.”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “And this is my heart.”
May Srila Prabhupada’s heart be dear to the hearts of us all.
Thank you.
Naresvara Dasa
BBT Chairman
PS: How can you tell a BBT book? By the logo. Books published by others may look nearly the same. But only books published by the BBT display the BBT logo. So look for the BBT logo. It’s your guarantee that what you’re getting comes genuinely from the only publisher authorized by Srila Prabhupada to publish his books: his BBT.
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