Other Discussions
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Should ISKCON Issue a Formal Statement On Evolution? by Chakra Posted May 29, 2009 Chakra has learned that a GBC proposal has recently been submimtted, requesting the GBC to make an official statement on evolution. This was submitted to coincide with the upcoming publication of a book on "Intelligent design", co-authored by Drutakarma prabhu (with Dr. Behe, a roman catholic, Dr. Wells of the unification church, and Dr. Dembski, an evangelical christian). This proposal is currently being fast-tracked through the GBC approval process, without the usual discussion period. A vote is expected within two weeks. The Chakra board find it disconcerting that this proposal is being made without allowing the GBC - or the ISKCON membership - any opportunity for thoughtful deliberation. Instead, the authors have asked the GBC members to simply forward their personal concerns to them, so that they can incorporate any feedback that they wish into a final proposal, which will simply require a GBC vote. This rush appears particularly puzzling in light of the fact that the book has been in production for over a year and there would have been plenty of time for thoughtful debate. Instead, the proposal authors wait until the last minute and are now pressuring the GBC to make a quick decision on a very important doctrinal matter. What's the rush? Evolution is not a new issue and this decision is hardly a life or death matter. We do not understand why the GBC can not be allowed to take their time and seek input from ISKCON scholars and other members on this issue. Is there perhaps another agenda behind this process? Chakra would like to see a debate among devotees, both on the content of the proposed statement and whether you think that the GBC should be adopting any statement on evolution. Anyone who has an opinion about the statement below is encouraged to write their GBC representative and to send a copy of their letter to Chakra for posting.
Proposed GBC statement: Hare Krishna Statement on Darwin's 200th Anniversary English naturalist Charles Darwin was born 200 years ago and his book "Origin of Species by natural selection" was published 150 years ago. In his book he put forward his theory of evolution, according to which the types of living beings gradually evolved from common ancestors, from the primitive to the more complex. Although the theory never gained universal acceptance, by now it has become a marked element of public thinking. As we see it, however, the Darwinian hypothesis on the transformation of the living world is but one of several possible interpretations of the facts and, in spite of its being widely known, it has never been scientifically proven. In their book "Forbidden Archeology" Michael A. Cremo and Richard L. Thompson give a detailed analysis of controversial archeological finds that cast doubt on the concept that species as we know them now emerged by transformation of earlier species by evolution. Mathematical statistical analysis of the discoveries made in the last few decades in the field of molecular biology point out that the spontaenous evolution of organic compounds forming the building blocks of life is so unlikely as would safely be considered impossible in any other walk of science except biology. Similarly to hundreds of millions of Hindus, the Krishna-conscious devotees consider the ancient Vedic scriptures in Sanskrit language as the reliable source of knowledge related to the origins and ultimate questions of existence. These scriptures are some of the most ancient heritage of mankind and their followers accept them as divine revelation. According to the Vedic literature, our world and the species in it emerged by a process of creation. Living beings are eternal spirit souls who spend a determinate amount of time in the various bodily forms of different species. Our civilisation is greatly influenced by the ideas about the origin of life and our species being in circulation. Because of the dominant evolutionary paradigm, many regard life and themselves a mere product of matter. This view has formed the basis for the emergence of the overheated, consumer driven attitude of modern society that has led to the present economic, environmental and food crisis looming over humankind. Darwin's theory is thus not only unproven, but, to a large extent, also responsible for the moral decline of modern culture. According to a well-known approach the evolution theory should be integrated into religious teachings. Proponents of this idea say that, evolution is God's method of creation. We deem such a distortion of the tenets of monotheistic religions as unfounded, for, originally, all these religions professed the direct creation of both the living and inanimate worlds. We see no reason why the unproven, human ideology of Darwinism should be mixed with the wisdom of revelations - that would be a concession to appease the proponents of materialism. We are convinced that the role of religions in society is to consistently represent divine truth rather than to make unscrupulous compromises with the dominant (and ever changing) materialistic views of the day. We find it important that those forming the opinion of society take steps to allow a more balanced discussion of life, broadening the dominant, practically exclusive, evolutionist approach in education and mass communication. The Darwinian thought should not be presented as "The Explanation" but, true to the facts, as a hypothesis that has its own problems and limitations, and to which divine creation is a justified and rational alternative. By presenting the subject without bias, we should leave the way open to the possibility of considering and accepting spiritual explanations. Leaders of society - politicians, teachers, intellectuals - are supposed not only to look after the physical and cultural needs of the members of the society but it is also their responsibility to work towards the moral and spiritual advancement for the people. Favoring a theory based on philosophical materialism which is not proven, the validity of which is questioned by an ever increasing number of academics negatively affects the moral and ethical standards of society, promotes a recklessly wasteful model of consumption and spreads disrespect for life.
HH Gaura Govinda Maharaja would sometimes ask his diciples.Are you seeing Krsnaā Are you seeing Shyamasundaraā We all know from Brahma Samhita: premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti yam Syāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpam govindam ādi-puruṣam tam aham bhajāmi I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Śyāmasundara, Kṛṣṇa Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love. Gopa Kumara when he came to Mahar Loka saw how all the sages saw so many different forms like Lord Narasimha manifest to them . On earth this direct perception of the Lord is also possbile. Krsna states yo mam pasyati sarvatra sarvam ca mayi pasyati tasyaham na pranasyami sa ca me na pranasyati "For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me" (Bhagavad-gita 6.30). Prahlada Maharaja is the personification of remembering Narasimhadeva:
"Prahlada Maharaja, he was put into so many difficulties by his atheist father, Hiranyakasipu, but he was simply remembering Narayana, Krsna. Because he was a child, five years old, how he ca n fight with his fatherā His father was the greatest demon, powerful, and he was against the child. So he used to simply think of Krsna, smaranam." Sri Prahlada Maharaja appeared again as Haridas Thakura . On the maha-prakasa day, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced Haridasa Thakura and informed him that he was n one other than an incarnation of Prahlada Maharaja. Just imagine Prahlada Maharaja was being thrown of a cliff, the spot is still there at Varaha Narasimha temple at Simhacalam in Andhra Pradesh. There the Lord appeared to him as half Varaha form and half Narasimha.The face of Lord Varaha and the body of Lord Narasimha. What is the significance ā Because Hiranyaksa was killed by Lord Varaha ..by appearing in this form ,Varaha Narasimha was assuring Prahlada Maharaja : I have killed your demoniac uncle Hiranyaksa--and soon I will kill your father Hiranyakasipu. Later after Hiranyakasipu was killed along with all his soldiers at Ahovalam..Lord Narasimhadeva disappeared and manifested Himself as Varaha Narasimha Deity at Simhacalam..the hill of Lord Narasimha.At this place Prahlada was installed as the king by Brahma himself as confirmed in the Sthala Puranas there.And the worship of Varaha Narasimha was started by Prahlada Maharaja himself in the assocaition of Lord Brahma and other sages.Later in Treta yuga this temple worship got neglected, and Urvasi and king Pururava ,rediscovered Varaha Narasimha on their pleasure travels in a h eavenly vimana ( airplane) through out the universe. Lord Varaha Narasimha told them to always cover His transcendental body with Candana --around this time in the month of Vaisakha (the month of may) this chandan gets replaced ,and for one day only you can see Varaha Narasimha in His actual murti form otherwise the rest of the year He is covered in chandana (sandalwood) and looks like a large Siva Linga.Later Sri Ramanujacaray came to this place and Sri Vaisnavas have worshippled Varaha Narasimha ever since.If you go to this temple you will be amazed about the prasadam, that has been offered to Lord Varaha Narasimha.Lord Caitanya also visited this placed and danced in ecstacy in front of Lord Varaha Narasimha .Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada has installed the lotusfootprint of Lord Caitanya under a giant banyan tree to honor Mahaprabhu visiting this sacred place. The Ganga is manifested from a spring in the mountain and pilgrims take bath there.Srila Prabhupada went there with devotees, it has been mentioned in Prabhupada lilamrta.Srila Prabhupadas dear godbrother HH Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Maharaja also opened a temple there nearby in Visakhapatnam.
Lord Narasimha is roaring to protect his devotees while he devotees is chanting His holy name: vidikṣu dikṣūrdhvam adhaḥ samantād antar bahir bhagavān nārasiḿhaḥ prahāpayan loka-bhayaḿ svanena sva-tejasā grasta-samasta-tejāḥ Prahlāda Mahārāja lou dly chanted the holy name of Lord Nṛsiḿhadeva. May Lord Nṛsiḿhadeva, roaring for His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nṛsiḿhadeva protect us in all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without. May Lord Narasimha kindly roar while we chant His holy names, assuring us protection.At Ahovalam the pujaris sometimes he ar the angry roar of Lord Narasimhadeva and the ground is trebling as if He reappeared.I pray I may one day hear the roaring of my worshiabel Lord Narasimha as he kills the asuras in all directions, and He establishes a God conscious society ,Krsna consciousness will then again be prominet in the life of all on this planet.When wil we hear Lord Narasimha roar for us His devotees as He did for Sri Prahlada MaharajaāMay Lord Narasimhadevas roar and laughter vibrate throughout this planet and the whole univers we live in and protect all members of ISKCON: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 6.8.14 durgeṣv aṭavy-āji-mukhādiṣu prabhuḥ pāyān nṛsiḿho 'sura-yūthapāriḥ vimuñcato yasya mahC4ṭṭa-hāsaḿ diśo vinedur nyapataḿś ca garbhāḥ May Lord Nṛsiḿhadeva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiraṇyakaśipu, protect me in all directions. His loud=2 0laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront. May Lord Narasimhadeva bless everyone with the sight of His auspiscious form, and make them all His devotees. We can all remember this nice prayer of Sri Prahlada Maharaja as it is not to long: SB 5.18.11: By associating with persons for whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is the all in all, one can hear of His powerful activities and soon come to understand them. The activities of Mukunda are so potent that simply by hearing of them one immediately associates with the Lord. For a person who constantly and very eagerly hears narrations of the Lord's powerful activities, the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead in the form of sound vibrations, enters within his heart and cleanses it of all contamination. On the other hand, although bathing in the Ganges diminishes bodily contaminations and infections, this process and the process of visiting holy places can cleanse the heart only after a long time. Therefore who is the sane man who will not associate with devotees to quickly perfect his lifeā With much love and affection for all devotees of Lord Narasimha. Sri Narasimhadeva ki jaya Sri Prahlada Maharaja ki jaya
Srila Haridasa Thakura ki jaya
In response to Dasaratha Prabhu's article entitled "Hindu Takeover of Phoenix Temple", he and I may have different managerial styles, but I hope we share a keen desire to see the Phoenix temple develop and flourish. The goal must be to promote a Krishna conscious atmosphere in which the Phoenix devotees work together cooperatively. Unfortunately, the ongoing public dispute initiated by Dasaratha Prabhu casts a menacing cloud that can undermine the preaching efforts. Further, the disparaging of devotees who have dedicated their lives to Srila Prabhupada makes as much sense as criticizing someone in the shower for being dirty. I have no doubt that the Tucson temple is proof of Dasaratha and Sandamani prabhus' sincere sacrifice and service to Srila Prabhupada. I was told, however, by senior members of the GBC Body that Dasaratha and Sandamini Prabhus have taken the Tucson temple out of the legal purview of ISKCON and the GBC authority. This may be their prerogative, but, it is something I have never done myself during my 40 years of service in ISKCON nor would I even contemplate doing such a thing. With Hridayananda Maharaja obliged to focus his attention on his teaching at the University of Florida in Gainesville and other duties, the NA GBC felt that Phoenix needed more attention and support. I did not put myself forward to become the GBC secretary of the Phoenix temple as I have ample service already. This service was given to me. I accepted it as another opportunity to serve Srila Prabhupada, who wrote to me once that whenever one's service and responsibility is increased in Krishna Conscious it is a sign of Lord Caitanya's blessing. I have always cherished this instruction from Srila Prabhupada. Therefore, I believe it is my duty now to serve in Phoenix. I will do it without any self interest other than to help the devotees there work cooperatively to build up the temple programs. An important step in advancing in Krishna consciousness is becoming free of temporary designations associated with the material body. In my case, through service and association with devotees, I had to reorient my self-identification from my material background to seeing myself as the eternal servant of Lord Krishna's devotees. Similarly, many members of the Indian community of Phoenix and elsewhere in the USA have undertaken significant responsibilities in ISKCON temples. They must be given credit for volunteering their expertise for devotional service and contributing generously for the maintenance of the temples. From the spiritual perspective, the "Indian" or "American" designation is external to the real being within. Srila Prabhupada emphasized Lord Krishna's words in the Bhagavad-gita, "aham bija pradah pita." Lord Krishna says that He is the seed-giving father of all living entities. Therefore, regardless of superficial racial, ethnic or religious background, we are all members of Lord Krishna "Acyuta gotra" or spiritual family. Still, it is difficult to do away with external perceptions. Srila Prabhupada was criticized by some people in India for corrupting the purity of Vaisnavism by initiating westerners. Thus, it is encouraging that so many sincere souls of Indian background have profoundly understood the Vedic knowledge and joined with their western brothers and sisters to serve Lord Krishna. Many have even accepted initiation from gurus in western bodies, instead of decrying an American take-over of Vaisnavism. This is the fulfillment of Lord Caithanya's and Bhaktivinoda Thakura's vision of the universal acceptance of Krishna consciousness. Treating and respecting others as spirit souls is essential to harmony in our movement, which has so many diverse ethnic groups. Such respect and spiritual vision are necessary for the preservation of Srila Prabhupada's legacy of a world wide movement. When Srila Prabhupada came to the USA from India, he did not have any prejudiced view of white Americans. I heard him say once to a French journalist, "When I am speaking to you, I am not talking to your pants or shirt. I am talking to your soul, who is the eternal servant of Krishna." This was the transcendental vision of the pure devotee and the reason why so many westerners joined the movement. A reverse discrimination of western devotees towards Hindus or any other group would be a gross violation of Srila Prabhupada's teaching. I want to reassure everyone that there is no possibility of a hostile takeover of the Phoenix temple by any individuals or groups due to the loyalty of the present directors and the existence of a functional 501(c)(3) corporation in accordance with state and federal laws. As life goes, there will be growing pains in the Phoenix temple, as well as mistakes to chronicle in website exposes. I believe the same could be said for Dasaratha Prabhu's attempts to build a temple and community in Sedona. I would appreciate if Dasaratha Prabhu hold off his fire and refrain from a public debate about the Phoenix temple for one year. Such a respite from ad hominem articles would provide a better chance of success for uniting the Phoenix community of devotees. After this grace period, I invite Dasaratha Prabhu and others to publish a fair assessment of the state of affairs in the Phoenix temple. I am sure Dasaratha Prabhu would appreciate the same courtesy from me. As seen by the prolonged conflict in the Middle-East, each side may have points they deem valid but there is little hope for peace as long as there is no serious attempt to reach a consensus and strive for progress. Rather than criticize each other tit for tat, it would be better to concentrate our limited energies on positive development of Krishna consciousness. I am praying that Srila Prabhupada bless all the Phoenix devotees to work together cooperatively so that within one year the temple will move forward significantly. As Srila Prabhupada has indicated, "cooperation is the basis of happiness."
The Phoenix devotees and I will always be grateful for the contributions of Dasaratha and Sundamani prabhus to the Phoenix temple. We welcome their positive encouragement for the sake of furthering Srila Prabhupada's mission now and in the future.
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Evolution Can Wait by Dharini dasi Posted June 3, 2009 I agree with Chakra, and I don't think that ISKCON should release the proposed GBC statement against evolution. There is no doubt that the statement represents Srila Prabhupada's view. However, it should be very carefully crafted for the general public. I really like the proposition that a materialistic view of the origin of life results in a disrespect for life and a materialistic outlook on everything. However, the statement is generally too long, goes too far, and is not convincing. The theory of evolution has two components: 1) life comes from matter, and 2) species develop over time. Unfortunately, the author mixes both together when discussing Forbidden Archaeology and as a result, his point is hard to understand. Some of the language is odd, which also makes some points difficult to accept. For example: a "marked element of public thinking" — What are the marked elements of public thinking? Does the public think one way? I believe that many readers may be offended by the argument that the integration of the theory of evolution into religious doctrine is an "unscrupulous compromise", especially without explaining why God could not have created species that develop over time. Similarly, it is way too big a leap to say that Darwin's theory has led to the current economic, environmental and food crises, as well as the moral decline of modern culture. Given that the causes are numerous and complex, such a statement makes the Krsna-conscious philosophy appear naïve and simplistic. The questions of where life comes from and whether species have changed are difficult to explain, which is why there are several theories. If the theory of evolution is indeed one of many interpretations, then it is worth arguing instead of just saying it has not been proven. It is very bold for ISKCON to make a pronouncement that it rejects the theory of evolution. As such, it should be done very carefully. The 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth lasts all year, and so there is no a reason to rush.
I would be interested in comments from Chakra readers about this philosophical point. Kaliyuga gurus are into worship. But the true guru never ask us to worship his body. When saint dies, his body has no existence. One becomes saint when one removes his relationship with body. If we worship his body, then we have not understood basic truths. Our basic teaching is that our self is not body, mind and intellect. True self due to ignorance associates with body, mind and intelligence. Our true self is full of eternity (sat), knowledge or consicousness (cid) and happiness (anand). Inert matter like body are not us. Once our body is destroyed, it goes back to inert matter and it has no existence. We should have sradha over eternal principle and not on perishable body or name. Sradha on perishable body or name results in illusion. When this illusion takes form of sradha, it creates disaster. Apart from worshipping eternal, divine and spiritual form of Bhagavan and remembrance of His eternal names, giving importance to perishable bodies and names wastes our life and is like cheating our own self. Our body is made of stool, urine etc. Even if we feed Bhagavan's prasad or ganga water, it is excreted as stood or urine. When conscious entity leaves the body, it becomes source of germs etc and sastra enjoins us to take shower after touching dead body. We cannot take picture of conscious entity within the body. One becomes saint when one removes his relationship with body. Saint people don't give importance to their own body as they realize their self as completely different from body. One can question that we worship Gods like Ram, Krishna etc. Why we cannot worship perishable bodyā Ram, Krishna and other avatar's body is not made of inert matter. Their body is sat chid ananda. Their body is not like us. Also, Bhagavan is everywhere and therefore, He is in the picture also. So, picture or diety of Bhagavan can be worshiped. Beauty of Ram defies description. Even countless cupids cannot equal Ram. Whyā Because it is not made of matter. So, anything made of matter cannot equal that which is beyond it. Bhagvan is omniscient. Omniscience of saints comes under omniscience of Bhagavan. Saints become omniscient when they dissociate their self from body. Worshiping Bhagavan includes worshiping saints.
Please send comments, if any, to chakraletters@gmail.com.
Back when I was still a part of ISKCON, I was seriously misguided by a number of ISKCON leaders. They imparted an extremist Taliban-like version of Krishna consciousness to me. Due to their misguidance, I produced a number of extremist writings on my own blog called Hare Krishna Diary. Many of these writings caused upset to normal, moderate devotees, and so I would like to publicly apologize to them. I am sorry, but I was simply an innocent young devotee who was seriously misguided by a number of religious extremists. Of course I take full responsibility for my own wrong actions and wrong behavior, but at the same time, I cannot deny that I was seriously influenced and misguided by religious extremists in ISKCON. Should I actually mention their names? For the sake of protecting others, I feel that it is my responsibility to name them publicly:
It is my realization now that Krishna consciousness is not about hurting people, but showing love and affection to all living entities, especially to devotees. I pray for the forgiveness and compassion of the devotees so that I can become a more caring devotee in the future.
To Serve, Not to Be Served: from the Abhyagata-dharma section of the Susilata-sabhyacara-samhita
Many devotees are going to friends' and relatives' homes for holiday visits. As a houseguest, bring honour to Krsna and exercise courtesy and thoughtfulness.
Don't feel that householders "owe" you lodging or that your mere presence is payment enough. It may be true that you are a blessing, but not if that is your attitude. If you are a sannyasi or vanaprastha, that was your choice. It should not mean that you want the same lifestyle you had before but now want someone else to support it. Someone who invites you to stay does so for Krsna's sake. Accept what they give; do not ask for or take more. Vaisnavas always reciprocate; never take advantage of your host.
Following these suggestions can make one welcome anywhere.
If you think that following these rules is just too much trouble, then maybe as a guest you're just too much trouble; humility is a virtue to be cultivated. Keep in mind the examples of Lord Krishna, Lord Madana-Gopala and Lord Ramachandra, who were happy even with chipped rice, dry chapatis and banana peels. Sannyasa is for Simplicity by Gaurav Mittal Posted December 9, 2008 A lot of the requests in this article show a healthy lifestyle. Many of us should follow them. But if due to disease we need special help, then we don't need to take sannyasa. Sannyasa is for a simple lifestyle. A sannyasi leads a life which is not dependent on others but is dependent on Krishna. This person, however, cannot even get water for neti. He expects most things to be done for him.
It is not surprising, when the position of sannyasi comes with the perk of free servants.
I read Kamlesh Patel's article about the treatment he received while visiting an ISKCON temple. I was impressed with the correctness of what he stated. Yes, it is Vedic culture to offer the guest excellent treatment. It is also stated that one should think of a guest as being as good as Vishnu. Can you imagine that? As good as Vishnu — truly a difficult and razor's-edge endeavor. One small slip, and you can make an offense. On the other hand, I also was thinking about how the devotees were eating off a metal plate and guests were eating off leaf plates. Personally, I don't think a metal plate, which is washed again and again and used by many different devotees, is better. A leaf plate is used once and discarded. That is a cleaner and much higher standard, in my opinion. Another thing I wish to point out is the little-known or -appreciated fact that the devotees who live in the temple are quite exalted. Basically, they are people like Mr. Patel who had an interest in Krishna consciousness but wished to take that pursuit to a higher level and joined, thus giving up their careers and future security. They also gave up family, and sometimes a husband would join and the wife would not or vice versa. Thus a soul would have left everything to be a live-in devotee. I myself once lived in a Hare Krishna temple. It was no picnic. It was harder than going to Marine Corps boot camp. It is no easy task to be a temple devotee. When I joined the Hare Krishna movement back in the '70s, there was no easy time for the devotees. We would rise at 3 a.m. and shower in an outdoor building. We ran from the brahmachari ashram to another building through snow or rain; it didn't matter. We went to morning program and then took prasad, and as fast as we could change, we got into western clothes, jumped into vans and hit the streets to collect money all day long every day of the week. We sold candles for Krishna, albums, paintings, stickers and books. All the money we collected was given to the temple each day. This money was what built most of the early temples. To be a live-in devotee back in those days was the hardest job in the world. I wish to say this: instead of coming to the temple and finding a flaw in the arrangements, try giving up ten to 20 years of your life, not getting married, giving all the time you have to help spread Srila Prabhupada's movement and sleeping only six hours a day. Indeed there is no better happiness in the world than pleasing Prabhupada by these sacrifices. I will agree that treating guests properly should not be ignored. Higher than that realization is that these devotees, who Mr. Patel says enjoyed on a higher level, may indeed be the greatest living souls on the planet. They are Prabhupada's army, and sometimes they fall in battle. I personally was beaten unconscious while collecting money for my temple. Another devotee I knew was shot with a .22 pistol while singing the Hare Krishna mantra on the streets of Berkeley, California. Worse yet, a devotee was preaching in Tennessee many years ago and was burned alive in his sleeping bag by a fire bomb thrown into the temple. He lost his life for Krishna. There are numerous stories of devotees being assaulted, deprogrammed, kidnapped, raped and killed by demons while trying to keep temples open and distributing Prabhupada's books. Those devotees who are eating off metal plates should probably be eating off solid gold plates, because they and those devotees who came before them are the greatest souls this earth has produced. Without them, what kind of world would we have today? Imagine a world with no Hare Krishna movement. That would be a very dark and merciless world to leave to our children — a real hell. I no longer live in a Hare Krishna temple, because I could not keep the standard that Srila Prabhupada asked: 16 rounds a day and four regulative principles. But the time that I did spend as a full-time devotee has changed my life and showed me the great value of having a true religious center near my home, occupied by true believers of the greatest savior of all, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Please remember, when looking at that simple devotee eating off the floor on a metal plate, that he has given up everything to serve his fellow man. He should be blessed again and again for his surrender. What to speak of a sannyasi who has special needs? So what! Give him whatever he asks for, and be grateful that we even have a sannyasi to come to our temple. I, being an American, remember long ago, when there was no such thing as a sannyasi or even a devotee in all of America. They simply didn't exist in western culture.
I wish this sannyasi would come to my town. I would pick him up in a limousine and hire the best brahmans to cook for him.
Many times, I have seen how women are superior to men in many ways. Why then are women vilified as the Unholy Personification of Maya? Has anybody else had the experience of these stiff-necked brahmacaris completely avoid even looking at you (because you happen to be a woman)? How repulsive. Many of these brahmacaris treat women like dirt. Maybe they should just wear their kaupin tighter? Beware of nasty false renunciates. And misogynist websites are simply adding to the already overflowing spill of general misogyny in ISKCON. How repulsive.
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