we must avoid appearing to be Orientalists

[Guest guest]

> >

> > > Some devotees nowadays say kind of the same thing: that we need to

> look

> > > more like karmis in order to integrate within the society, become

> > > accepted by the society, and/or to make it easier for people to join

> > > us. Apparently such thinking disturbed Srila Prabhupada greatly.

> > > Comments?

> >

> > If it disturbed Srila Prabhupada greatly then,

>

> The two completely different things. One is to look like western

> spiritualist (New Vrindavan 1987-1996) other to look like a gentlemen.

>

> uch a sannyasi is free to accept or reject the marks of sannyasa. His only

> thought is “Where is there an opportunity to spread Krsna consciousness?”

> Sometimes the Krsna consciousness movement sends its representative

> sannyasis to foreign countries where the danda and kamandalu are not very

> much appreciated. We send our preachers in ordinary dress to introduce our

> books and philosophy. Our only concern is to attract people to Kåñëa

> consciousness. We may do this in the dress of sannyasis or in the regular

> dress of gentlemen. Our only concern is to spread interest in Krsna

> consciousness.

>

> SB 7.13.9 Purport

>

> Remember it talks about a preacher not regulary householder. Srila

> Prabhupada himself will be an example then.

>

> ys ccd

 

When we go out to preach ideally we should wear our devotional clothing. But

if wearing something else will help us preach better we could dress our

selves up as Santa Clause. At the temple, Srila Prabhupada obviously wanted

us to wear dothis and saris in matas' case. That was discussed with Srila

Prabhupada when book distributors started wearing western dress. What is

evident in the text I posted is that Srila Prabhupada didn't like that

Kirtananada was changing standards established by His Divine Grace.