AW: some more quotes

[Guest guest]

>The only thing that is clear is Srila Prabhupada wants people all over the

>world to give up materialistic bodily conception of life and develop love

of

>God. That is his real vision. Srila Prabhupada, following his guru

maharaja,

>Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura, would not set up an institution like ISKCON,

>just to perform welfare activities. Materialistic organisations have far

>more expertise and resources in doing welfare works than ISKCON could have.

>Just like the recent tsunami disasters, nations immediately donated more

>than $5 billions, and all the best resources available. ISKCON will really

>be better off performing activities it's expert in, that is spreading

>harinam sankirtan, which the real welfare activities, and the end of all

>other problems in the world.

 

Dear prabhu, I appreciate your expression of presenting Srila Prabhupada´s

mission. I don´t know if you have been following the discussion or not. I

think your statement is clear to everyone, that our goal and vision is to

ultimately end all problems in the world by spreading transcendental

knowledge. The point in this discussion where everyone has freely

contributed, is to bring out how compassion is one of the main qualities of

a Vaishnava. This qualitiy was clearly shown in Srila Prabhupada - how he

set up prasad distribution - and also stated we should distribute clothes to

the naked - how he was crying when he saw children and dogs fighting over

food. There are numerous qoutes and statements on this, how a Vaishnava

suffers by seeing the suffering of others. To develop love of Krishna, we

must also develop love and compassion for His parts and parcels. Over the

years there has often been a lack of compassion, human care and empathy in

our sociaty, as these qulities have often been interpreted to be material.

The abused children and women are perhaps the clearest example of this.

Unless we start in our hearts, to connect with the deep sense of empathy,

compassion and care for others in need, then there will be no question of

spreading anything of Lord Caitanya´s mission, because our society will

continue to fall apart.

 

your servant

Sita dd.

 

PS! This is a very nice qoute by Bhaktivinoda Thakura which you may find

valuable:

 

Bhaktivinoda Thakura on Charity

 

"Those who think that devotion to God and kindness to the jivas

are mutually different from each other,

and perform accordingly in their life,

such persons will not be able to follow the devotional culture.

Their performance is only a semblance of devotion.

 

"Therefore, all the types of beneficence to others, like kindness,

friendliness, forgiveness, charity, respect, etc. are included in Bhakti...

Charity of medicines, clothes, food, water, etc.

shelter during adversities, teaching of academic and spiritual education,

etc.

are the activities included in the devotional culture"

(Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Sri Tattva-sutram, 35)