Important

[Guest guest]

> I humbly request anyone to kindly explain how this statement "The GBC will

> not tolerate...preferential treatment given to male devotees in any form"

> is in accord with the teachings of guru-sadhu-sastra.

 

"One who is free from pride about his good birth, pious activities, exalted

varnasramaposition, and is free from bodily designations, and who serves the

Lord with humility is known as a beloved devotee of the Lord (Bhag.11.2.51)

 

A mahabhagvata is one who is free from the conception of "this is mine and

this is for others." He thinks, "Everything is for Krishna". He sees all

living being as equally related to Krishna, and he is peaceful, being filled

with Krsna consciousness. (Bhag.11.2.52)

 

The learned devotee sees with equal vision the brahmana, the cow, the

elephant, the dog and the outcaste. (Bhagavad gita 5.18)

 

If a brahmana has all twelve brahminical qualifications, but is not a

devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower

than a dogeater who is a devotee, but who has dedicated everything - mind,

words, activities, life and wealth-to the Supreme Lord Krishna. Such a

devotee is superior to a brahmana because a devotee can purify his entire

family, whereas the brahmana who is not a devotee is bound to be illusioned

by the false prestige of his position and thus cannot purify even himself.

(Bhag.7.9.10)

 

O Lord, how glorious are they whose tongues always chant Your holy name!

Even if born in a family of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. (Bhag.

3.33.7)

 

Birth in a low family is no disqualification for the execution of

devotional service. And the birth in a family of brahmanas is no

qualification.(Cc.Antya 4.66.67)

 

For one who takes to pure devotional service, all the reactions of his past

sinful life are burned to ashes. In this regard, the outcaste is equal to

the highly learned, who also takes to this path;(Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya

3.11.12)

 

Those who practice mystic yoga, who perform great austerities and accept

sannyasa, may attain the sinless realms of Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapaloka,

and Satyaloka, but those who practice bhakti-yoga, devotional service unto

Me, attain My abode. (Bhag.11.24.14)

 

So far Devahuti is concerned, she is elder women but very nice and sober

as well as qualified. Because she is the age of all your mothers she should

be treated very respectfully. Nothing should be ordered to her but simply

suggested so that she may work in her own way.(SPL to Jadurani, 14th

January, 1970)

 

Our Krsna consciousness movement is based on complete fellow feeling and

love, but there is a word maryada which means respect which should always be

offered to the spiritual master and elderly members."(SPL to Jayapataka,17th

April,1970)

 

Regarding lecturing by women devotees:I have informed you that in the

service of the Lord there is no distinction of caste, or creed, colour or

sex. In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord especially mentions that even a woman

who has taken seriously is also destined to reach Him. We require a person

who is in the knowledge of Krishna, that is the only qualification of a

person speaking. It doesn´t matter what he is. (SPL to Jayagovinda,8th

February,1968)

 

Either girl or boy devotees may deliver lecture if they choose to do. We

have no such distinction of bodily designations, male or female. (SPL to

Syama dasi,21st October,1968)

 

Regarding your question, yes a woman can certainly reach the perfectional

stage of devotion to Krsna. And the gopis of Vrndavana are the best example

of this. They are simple cowherd girls, and Lord Caitanya has praised their

worship of Lord Krishna as the highest form of worship. Krishna

consciousness is transcendental to all such mundane considerations as if

one´s body is male or female. This is the meaning of spiritual:Krishna

consciousness is beyond the limited body idea."(SPL to Krsna devi, 2nd

November,1969)

 

First offense to the holy name: To blaspheme the devotees who have

dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord.

 

It is recognized that the highest religious principle in human society is

devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, beginning with the

chanting of the holy name of the Lord, nama-sankirtana.(Bhag. 6.3.22)"