Written by Yadava Hari dasa
Hare Krishna! Om Sri Surabhyai Namah!
The Sisya of Pasraman Sandipani at Gita Nagari Baru (GNB), Lampung, made table crafts made of bamboo. The activity of making the bamboo table is one of the pieces of training provided for the sisya who are the children of the GNB residents. Jatayu who is a Guru at Pasraman Sandipani Muni trained them in making it. It started by preparing the basic materials to be used, i.e. bamboo, until the process of making it to completion. The bamboo used was taken from the forest in GNB.
Currently, GNB has several forest areas scattered within it. Particularly is the project of 12 Vraja forests which have now successfully manifested three forests, namely Bhadravana, Madhuvana, and Mahavana. In these forests grow shady forest trees. Where every day the cows are shepherded by the GNB children happily. In the forest also the act of making a bamboo table by the Sisya of Pasraman Sandipani Muni took place.
In addition to making a bamboo table, many other learning activities are conducted in Pasraman Sandipani Muni. Such as gardening, martial arts training, studying Vedic Literature, and many others. Through these activities, the students gain knowledge and spiritual insight which is very applicable in supporting their daily spiritual life. Hopefully, the sisya can gain knowledge and skills based on their talents and interests that are taught in Daiva Varnasrama-Dharma system, so that in the future can be applied in their daily life.
What is done in Pasraman Sandipani Muni is an attempt to perform the instructions of Srila Prabhupada according to his explanation in the book The Teachings of Queen Kunti chapter 18, “Therefore we are trying to engage our men to produce their own food. Be self-sufficient so that these rascals may see how one can live very peacefully, eating the food grains, and milk, and chant Hare Krishna. This is our mission.” Therefore, the Sisya of Pasraman Sandipuni Muni’s bamboo table can be said to be the best table because it is made from a self-produced based material, made on its own, and used for devotional service to Sri-Sri Radha-Madhana Gopala.
