charity and ISKCON

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees,

 

the discussion which I followed here showed that we hardly have reformed our

old misunderstanding regarding charity and welfare.

Since I am organizing the Food for Life company since 10 years in Germany I

made my experinces and observations through all the years with all the

arguments from leading and following devotees as well.

When we started FFL by the inspiration of Saunaka Rsi in Germany Harikesa

was not very pleased with that and he was not supporting but only tolerating

this. When I suggested to make FFL as a department he answered that he would

prefere buisiness with prasadam...

 

Here is a little example from former times how we understood "charity"

justified with the quotes of Srila Prabhupada which were given in this

actual discussion: Once a devotee - at that time the best book distributor

in Germany - was asked by an old handicapped lady in a wheelchair on the

street to help her crossing the street. The devotee asked her to take a

book, she neclected. Then he did not help her with the words "then help

yourself!!". This attitude was praised by our "sannyasis" in classes....

 

In BG (16.1) Krishna emphasizes the point of "dana" (charity) as a quality

of a person of divine nature. And in the verse 18.43 as a virtue of the

ksatriya. Of course as the highest goal is to help others and being free

from all sin. But who is really on this stage? With the quote "charity

without devotion to Krishna is useless" of Srila Prabhupada we neglected and

neglect all kinds of charity although we didn't even reach the highest

platform of love of God.

In the verse 18.5 is said charity should never been given up and is even

purifiying the great souls.

 

My personal conclusion for myself is since I never was a great soul and

maybe I will never reach it at least I better help people from not starving

and become purified by the way than waiting until I am a great soul for

helping people on the "best" and "highest" platform.

 

In the service of Food for Life

Arcana dd

[Guest guest]

Dear Mother Kanti devi dasi,

Please accept my most humble obeisancess,All glories to

Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you very much for your kind letter,I am happy if senior Vaisnavi like

You appritiate that what by the mercy of Guru and Sadhus I wrote.It s

acctualy their mercy and credit,I was pretty useless instrument only.

 

All Vaisnavas are great souls wich performe many different services to the

Lord,it s not difficult to recognise and tell that,it s obvious.

 

I read your recent text about topic,it s wise and toughtfull,it s always

nice to hear what senior Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis have to say.I learned a

lot,thank you very much once again.

 

Your insignificunt servant,vaisnava dasanudasa a.das