sports and gambling

[Guest guest]

Srila Prabhupada himself used to walk every day for his health (especially

his heart) and most of his disciples will attest to the fast speed with

which Prabhupada walked. It is also reputed that he said 'unless one walks

briskly (meaning fast) there is no benefit to just walking'. Prabhupada's

swimming pastime where he encouraged his disciples to splash and play in the

Ganga/yamuna is also an example.

 

We can understand therefore that exercising for one's health is not a bad

thing. And naturally sporting activities are a mandatory part of life for

growing children, even though such sporting is also competitive.

 

Performing exercise (swimming, running, etc.) is necessary to keep the body

fit for performing bhakti. However when such behavior is indulged in simply

to pass time (instead of japa or kirtana etc.,), then it becomes a useless

waste of one's valuable time.

 

ysGd

 

 

 

 

> It is interesting that Srila Prabhupada generally refers here to

> "unnecessary sporting" or " idle sports." This would appear to indicate

> that there are legitimate sports such as those which promote good health,

> agility, build team spirit, etc. or even "letting off steam." It seems to

> me that competitive sports in which the competitors are deeply invested in

> the result are especially to be avoided.

 

It could also be that that the adjectives used are simply to underline that

sports are by nature unnecessary or idle in the sense of wasting time.

 

At least once Srila Prabhupada encouraged devotees to swim in the sea (see

Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta ch. 38). He also told Peter Burwash to continue

his successful career as a tennis professional and to preach within it. But

overall his general instruction that devotees not engage in sports is

repeated and emphatic. Sports such as volleyball are clearly a recent

introduction in ISKCON, not given to us by Srila Prabhupada as part of the

Krishna conscious life.

 

Sport may be good for health, although may be dangerous also. Sports

injuries are common. However, even if good for health, that is not in itself

reason to engage in sports. Garlic and wine (in moderation) are also reputed

to be good for health, and fish is good for the brain (said Srila

Prabhupada). But all these items are banned for devotees.

 

Let's all do more kirtana.

[Guest guest]

>

> Performing exercise (swimming, running, etc.) is necessary to keep the

body

> fit for performing bhakti. However when such behavior is indulged in

simply

> to pass time (instead of japa or kirtana etc.,), then it becomes a useless

> waste of one's valuable time.

>

> ysGd

 

Good points, good common sense. I stipulate that the best form of excercise

is a properly danced kirtan. I can speak on that at some length from the

materialistic and/or health benefit perspective. What to speak of its other

benefits.

 

What is maya for one devotee may not be maya for another. Two devotees

playing soccer, even as teammates on the same pitch, on the same day, for

one it may be good for his Krsna Consciousness and for the other it may be

bad.

 

Just as dancing in kirtan (which is excellent cross training for soccer

players and highly recommended) will be spiritually beneficial for most, it

may not be for everyone:

 

"When one's intelligence is sharp, he can increase the interests of common

men in loving Caitanya Mahaprabhu and through Him in loving Radha-Krsna.

Those not interested in understanding Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are simply

material in their attempts at professional chanting and dancing for money,

despite their supposed artistry. If one does not have full faith in Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he cannot properly chant and dance in the sankirtana

movement. Artificial chanting and dancing may be due to sentiments or

sentimental agitation, but this cannot help one advance in Krsna

consciousness."

 

Madhya 11.102