New Gokul: Britain's only centre for cow protection and working oxen

The development of the Cow Protection facilities at Bhaktivedanta Manor is the latest crucial step in the gradual manifes­tation of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda's herd of cows. There has always been a small herd of cows producing milk for the deities and kitchens. Over the last decade a systematic approach has been implemented to naturally raise the herd number to a ceiling of 60 cows. The cur­rent herd of 33 cows and oxen will gradu­ally be expanded to 60.
The Cow Protection Project is unique within this country and is of an integral role in the educa­tion of hundreds of visiting school parties who frequent the Bhaktivedanta Manor. Thousands of school children who visit the Manor are given a tour of the Cow facilities on our Ox wagon hauled by the Temple's docile Oxen. The chil­dren are exposed to the practical symbiotic relationship with cows and man and realise how that con­nection is God inspired and nurtured. The part that a vegetarian diet based around the cow has in spirituality is expressed on various presentation boards and displays.
The spaces that the schools use are also shared by moving animals and farm machinery. We want to reconfigure the space so that the cows, visiting groups and the essential farm machinery can all work within their areas without conflict or concern. The new project will enable us to present many wonderful features to enhance the educational experience of living and working with cows and oxen. Schools and other groups will be able to experience a working farm without inter­rupting the smooth movement of cows and oxen.

The innocent and simple cow is a gate­way to our own social, economic and spiritual progression. In the Srimad Bhagavatam Srila Prabhupada writes "Foolish people do not know how one earns happiness by making the cows and bulls happy, but it is a fact by the laws of nature"(Srimad Bhagavatam purport 1.17.3). The cow and more specifically the ox are far removed from our lives in these western conditions and so it may be difficult for us to appreciate their eco­nomic relevance to us, however this quote suggests to us that there is an additional aspect not readily seen that furnishes us with good fortune both now and in the future. On a practical note it can be personally witnessed that when one works and stays some time near
the cows one can feel a sense of satis-•hj, faction and contentedness. By the simple process of attending to the needs of the cows one will simulta­neously be attending to ones own real needs.
The New Cow buildings will be a showcase of Cow Protection with devotion to Lord Krishna at the cen­tre. The whole experience for the cows and the visitors will be reassuring and pleasurable. The cows will be well fed and comfortable and will be decorat­ed by a wonderful building. The visitors will be enlivened by their encounter with the cows and they will have their under­standings broadened by the displays and presentations. Alongside all these things will be a working farm where cows will produce milk and oxen will help produce vegetables and grains.
This project will provide a unique build­ing in this country as well as Europe. To visit this place of Cow Protection will be an act of devotion in its own right.

Syamasundara das - Director of New Gokul

Copyright © Bhaktivedanta Manor 2008
UK Headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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