Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Who was the GBC? And what is wrong with his statement anyway? When devotees speak about "feeding" we naturally mean prasadam distribution. Even in Prabhupada's letter to Jayapataka swami he actually says "food distribution," but we all understand that Prabhupada means prasadam distribution. In the case of this GBC's statement, certainly feeding a child Krishna prasadam IS the best service! Until that time that ISKCON has a say in the national curiculam, the only way we can spread Krishna consciousness in schools is through prasadam distribution. So what is wrong with his statement? The mid-day meal program is a brilliant and strategic method for spreading Krishna consciousess. Prabhupada would always say, "somehow or other..." In other words, he expected us to use our intelligence and creativity to spread Lord Chaitanya's mercy. "...If one SOMEHOW OR OTHER becomes Krishna conscious by applying his senses in the service of the Lord, one is immediately freed from material contamination."(10.6.34 purport) Since "spiritual life begins at the tongue," what better way to plant the seed of bhakti in the hearts of the future leaders than by giving them prasadam? The fact that we "package" this devotional service in a seemingly mundane way, does not in any way minimize its purity. Just the same as devotees wearing non-devotional clothes when distributing books. It is all about marketing and being smart. Prabhupada certainly agrees... "The world is most sorely in need of education in Krishna consciousness, but due to the ignorance of the age they are not interested in knowledge of the self. So if by labeling the bottle in some way more to attract them we are still able to teach Krishna consciousness, let us do it (SP letter to Pancaratna, 2nd May, 1974). "...to distribute prasada to millions of hungry people hankering for spiritual emancipation. This is the mission of the Krishna consciousness movement." (SB 1.13.9 pp). Programs like the midday meal need to be encouraged if we are to carry out Prabhupada's desire to expand prasadam distribution "UNIVERSALLY." "The Krishna consciousness movement vigorously approves this practice of preparing food, offering it to the deity, and distributing it to the general population. This activity should be extended UNIVERSALLY to stop sinful eating habits as well as other behavior befitting only demons..."(CC 4.93) It seems to me that programs like Rupa Raghunatha prabhu's, the mid-day meal projects sprouting up all over India, and the occassional emergency relief efforts conducted by ISKCON, are all helping to spread the mercy of the Lord to the fallen souls. Maharaja, with all due respect what are you actually concerned about? Please speak plainly. ys Priyavrata das > There seems to be a discussion going on in some forum that I am not aware > of, of the merits or otherwise of FFL. > > I have in the past few days been posting quotes from Srila Prabhupada > pertinent to a discussion that I am involved in with leaders of ISKCON > India, of the merits or otherwise of the midday meals program for > schoolchildren, that has become a new focus of activities of ISKCON in > India. > > My concern was awakened by a national newspaper reporting a GBC man as > stating, 'We believe that to feed a hungry child is the best service one > can render to Krsna.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.