For a new dynamic of Krishna consciousness

[Guest guest]

A few years ago, I wrote an open letter to Tripurari Swami* questioning his

views on morality that I read in his newsletter. I was arguing that if we want

to have some impact on society it was necessary for us to come down from the

transcendental paradigm, where spiritualists like to dwell on, to a more

actual one. For our philosophy aims towards transcendental goals and

practically nothing less.

 

SB 1.2.25: Purport by Srila Prabhupada: "The rajas stage of life gives a

slight clue to the realization of the Absolute Truth in the forms of fine

sentiments in philosophy, art and culture with moral and ethical principles,

but the mode of sattva is a still higher stage of material quality, which

actually helps one in realizing the Absolute Truth."

 

While reading this at the temple, I stopped one of my godbrother who was

passing by: “See here!” He put his glasses and read. I then asked: “Are

philosophers, culture, morality, and ethics in the mode of passion?” “Well”,

he replied, “that’s what it looks like” and left.

 

Although becoming a pure devotee is a most precious goal to maintain as an

ideal and a personal project, I feel that we could be much more effective in

our preaching if we adopt a rajasic approach. At the present time, people in

general will never rise to the bramanical stage or take to pure devotional

service.

 

Prabhupada’s instructions mainly focus on the transcendental path.

Nevertheless, he sometimes expressed his disappointement for not seeing his

disciples taking up seriously to the path of pure bhakti. Therefore, he

planned a varnasrama society. Infortunately, it never took off.

 

It is quite normal. What devotees understand by varnashram dharma is an old

system of civil society that resemble the medieval type. Never, we can never

come back to this form of organization! The idea that Prabhupada had in mind

is a system where eventually everyone could be exposed to Krishna

consciousness on a regular base. That was his first consideration. We have

lost sight of this altruist aspect of his personality.

 

That idea of Srila Prabhupada is found in his books or in the old scriptures

not as static definitions but as directives for creative applications.

Prabhupada has always been trying to find out new ways to preach Krishna

consciousness. Excited by such dynamics, he came to America.

 

* www.geocities.com/akhilesvara2000 (if you did not read the letter, there is

not much more there.)

Akhilesvara dasa

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/18/01 2:50:27 PM Central Standard Time,

Akhilesvara.ACBSP (AT) pamho (DOT) net writes:

 

<< A few years ago, I wrote an open letter to Tripurari Swami* questioning his

views on morality that I read in his newsletter. I was arguing that if we

want

to have some impact on society it was necessary for us to come down from the

transcendental paradigm, where spiritualists like to dwell on, to a more

actual one. For our philosophy aims towards transcendental goals and

practically nothing less.

>>

What was his reply?

[Guest guest]

On 21 Mar 2001, Mahatma das wrote:

 

> What was his reply?

 

I think now and again we need to assert the supramoral reality of Gaudiya

Vaishnavaism.

[...]

My sense is that you are very interested in the moral aspect of our tradition

and less so in the eternal lila.

[...]

While stressing the ultimacy of gopi bhava, moral life is consoidered

foundational to attaining it. What is the problem?

[...]

Do what you can to uplift society, but I do not think you are speaking from

the perspective of an uttama adhikari with regard to preaching in the

"practical" advocay theorized about in your letter.

[...]

You said: "Sorry if I repeat myself, but chanting Hare Krsna only is not the

answer, it is part of it. You can have a hundred devotees chanting Hare Krsna

and still fight to death with each other because of differences. It is one

thing to talk exclusive transcendence, it is another to engage the world in

Krsna consciousness. Therefore an "uttama adhikari" comes "down to earth"; to

a practical platform. A balance should be offered to the masses between

spiritual and material, the soul and the body, pure and impure, black and

white."

 

The above does not represt my Guru Maharaja, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada, whose teachings I am throughly acquainted with inside out and

backwards, both through his books, his practical example, my own personal

experience, through his instructions to me personally, and through realization

gained in the course of selfess service for thrity years, twenty five of which

have been int he renounced order that he bestowed upon me. I also have had the

good fortune of assciating intimately whith his beloved Godbrother Swami B.R.

Sridhara Maharaja at my Gurudeva's recommendation. Both of these uttama

adhikaris recongnized my ability to preach, and my preaching record stands for

itself.

[...]

Forgive me but I do not know what you have done "practically" to spread Krsna

consciousness in the last three decades. Overall I find your advice out of

balance, with little faith in or acquaintence with suddha nama either

theortetically or practically. [...]