AW: social welfare work is the business of dogs and cats

[Guest guest]

> Pamho. AgtSP!

> It seems important to remember how Prabhupada quoted much, changed, added

> etc, according to time and circumstances. Therefore, to take quotes out of

> context in order to justify our own lack of empathy or compassion for the

> suffering of others, seems not right. Please read the quote below by

> Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

 

What about quoting Bhaktivinoda without receiving the explanation of the

quote from your Guru?

 

> We dare to speak about the highest level of bhakti, yet we haven´t even

> been able to take care of our own children properly.

 

Mataji, it may sound paradoxical but the ability to "to take care of our own

children properly" doesn't exclude possibility of practicing "the highest

level of bhakti". See the 9th chapter of Bhagavad Gita.

 

> "Prabhupada said"? I doubt it.

 

For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the

next.

 

> 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.

 

Please notice that kindness to the souls springs out not from devotee's

being bodily conscious but from devotion to the Lord. The same is valid for

all other qualities of a devotee.

 

> "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)

 

Did actually Srila Prabhupada teach us: charity of medicines, clothes, food,

water, etc. shelter during adversities, teaching of academic and spiritual

education, etc. (?)

 

I agree that compassion is one of the most essential characteristics of a

devotee. Suppose a handiicapped lady in a wheelchair on the street is asking

to help her to cross the street but a devotee instead of helping her rushes

forward to fix her wheelchair.. Isn't it absurd? This analogy is to show the

difference between compassion to the body and compassion to the soul. I'm

not saying we shouldn't help the lady to cross the street but try to

understand that vision of a devotee is not focused on helping the body and

that the compassion spoken of by Bhaktivinoda Thakura and other our acaryas

has nothing to do with the low based bodily compassion even though a devotee

is helpful to others.

 

No need to call me hard-hearted - I know it myself but make sure your

softheartedness is not a weakness of the heart.

 

Hari bol! Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

 

Your servant

Visista dasa