Description of Krsna

[Guest guest]

> Thank you, Nayan, for your reply. You´re the only one who did. Do you have

> any experience in training new devotees?

 

No direct experience, I am afraid. My 'experience' is simply dealing with

various new devotees over the years, going to Sanga groups and coming across

newcomers, etc.

 

The main point I think I wanted to make was that to teach about Lord Krsna

to newcomers, we need to teach according Bhagavad-Gita instead of the 10th

Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. This was how I myself came to appreciate Lord

Krsna in 1977 and it worked for me personally.

 

Considering everything, I beleive that a sound grounding in the underlying

philosophy is essential:- Who am I? Why am I here? Why does everyone want to

be young, happy and live a long life (if not forever)? Transmigration of the

soul. Why am I who I am? (Karma). Why, if there is one God, are there

disparities amongst different religions? If there is God, why are people

starving in the world -- or are generally in a distressed conditon? How

knowledge is acquired (in terms of sense perception, analogy, logic,

scriptural evidence, etc.) and how to understand God? (by accepting

authority of the revealed scriptures) Difference between matter and spirit.

Who is God? (definition of Bhagavan -- he who possesses in full six

opulences: renunciation, knowledge, fame, etc.). Four principles of

religion, and how those four principles relate to the four regulative

principles. Information on Lord Krsna ( i. He is spiritual, ii. He has an

eternal form of bliss and knowledge, iii. He has many pastimes, names,

associates, iv. He is non-different from His names, v. His energies

(material, spiritual and marginal or tatastha), vi. Acintya-bheda-bheda

tattva). We are also eternal, full of bliss and knowledge except we are like

minute sparks compared to Sri Krsna who is a like a fire. Our relationship

with Lord Krsna (we are his eternal servants). Means to revive that

relationship -- Devotional Service. Nine items of devotional service. The

morning and evening (if it is a good temple, there will be an evening

programme too!) programmes in ISKCON temples. How the programmes relate to

the nine items of devotional service. Prayers and hymns sung during the

morning/evening programmes. Dealings between devotees, guests and outsiders.

Codes of Vaisnava behaviour and ettiquette.

 

I think that the above broadly gives a framework for a good understanding.

Having said all this, I have never participated in or run a bhakta

programme, so please excuse my temerity in outlining the above as well as

any mistakes I may have made.

 

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

 

Nayan.