-The Journey of Sabhapati Das - A Humble Request for Support

Dear Friends and Kind Souls,

This Gofund me page has been created for Sabhapati Das, a devoted servant and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who is currently facing a profound battle against stage three cancer. As he embarks on a challenging journey of chemotherapy and radiation treatment over the next 30 days, we invite you to join us in supporting a man whose life has been dedicated to serving his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada.

Sabhapati Das was initiated by Srila Prabhupada on Gaura Purnima in Sri Dham Mayapur in 1973, marking the beginning of a life devoted to the service of Krishna. His unwavering commitment to serve Sri Caitanya’s sankitana mission led him to work tirelessly in book distribution, prasadam distribution and raising essential funds for establishing ISKCON temples. The first such temple was the ISKCON temple in Frome Street, Adelaide, in 1973. In 1974, 1975, and 1976, when Srila Prabhupada visited Melbourne, Sabhapati was appointed the role of Srila Prabhupada's Public Relations Officer, orchestrating interviews and organising big preaching events.

Between 1973-1975 Sabhapati's love for serving Srila Prabhupada drove him to engage in non-stop book distribution, collecting donations that led to purchase the ISKCON temple on Dank Street, Melbourne, in 1975. After having the Sri Sri Gaura Nitai deities crafted in the back yard of the Melbourne temple, Sabhapati enthusiastically took them on the road and helped to organise over one hundred preaching programs all over Australia with the Sri Sri Gaura Nitai preaching bus yatra. These deities are now the residing installed deities in the ISKCON temple in Brisbane, Australia.

In 1977, he founded the New Govardhan farm in New South Wales, where he served as the first temple president and led the installation of Sri Radha Govardhandari. This farming community continues to flourish with thousands of devotees and a school thats nurturing the next generation.

From 1983 to 1986, Sabhapati managed the ISKCON preaching center and restaurant on the Gold Coast. Then in 1995 to 2005 he opened two Krishna's Cafe restaurants on the Sunshine Coast where he hosted huge preaching programs and regular smaller preaching gatherings. He would donate the left over prasadam (sanctified food) to feed the homeless in community centres on a daily basis. All whilst raising a home full of his teenage children.

Despite facing a myriad of health challenges, including diabetes, multiple major surgeries, and suffering from relentless pain, Sabhapati's faith and servitude remained unbroken. From 2010 to 2020, he found solace in Mayapur, participating in harinama with devoted friends. He also served the ISKCON community in Sumatra, Indonesia. Living simply and with minimal possessions, he exemplified detachment and continues to have unalloyed faith in Srila Prabhupada's teachings.

Now, as he faces the trials of daily radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and the possibility of surgery it's a long precarious road to recovery. The funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will be allocated towards his rehabilitation and essential needs, including a new wheelchair or walker, assisted transportation, and access to holistic treatments and medicines. Sabhapati has a heartfelt desire to return to Mayapur, where he hopes to live out his days in peace and devotion. Achieving this goal will require substantial medical assistance and care, which will incur considerable costs for airfares, accommodation, and ongoing medical support.

We humbly ask for your generosity in donating to Sabhapati’s recovery journey. Your contributions, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in the life of a man who has given so much to others in the past.

Thank you for taking the time to read this heartfelt appeal. Your kindness and compassion are sincerely appreciated,

With gratitude and in service,

Syamasundari Devi Dasi