KANDAVAPRASTHA: Varnasrama Currilculum Development sessions - report

[Guest guest]

Srila Prabhupada has

> mentioned that ksatriyas were trained in economics. Unfortunately, our

modern

> so-called "ksatriyas" like Bill Clinton have been indoctrinated into

economics

> by vaisyas, who have extremely materialistic goals. It is essential that

our

> ksatriyas have brahmanas who are carefully trained in economics so they can

> point out the materialistic pitfals and guide the ksatriyas into

implementing

> policies which will promote peaceful economic development based on simple

> living and high thinking without getting side-tracked into corporate schemes

> which create great wealth and sense gratification for the few and discontent

> for the many.

>

 

Thanks for that! So refreshing to hear devotees who have brains and heart.

Important point, ksatrias counseled by brahmins, not vaisyas. And where are

those real brahmins- thats the subject of that great book "Our Mission" by I

can't remember his name but an ablolutely must read book.

 

In the past I have occasionally talked with devotees who have

> been trained in economics, but because they have not specifically educated

> themselves on the subtleties of Srila Prabhupada's economics. For example,

> one leading devotee commented, "Capitalism is a principle of varnasrama,"

but

> Srila Prabhupada stated in Hawaii, "Materialism means capitalism."

Obviously,

> the devotee was not intimately familiar with Prabhupada's teachings on

> economics. Good ksatriyas need to be carefully trained that although

> varnasrama contains some elements found in capitalism and some found in

> communism -- actually it is neither capitalist nor communist in the ultimate

> analysis, since the ultimate goal of both systems is the same: increased

> sense gratification made possible by centralized production.

>

 

I've flinched so many times hearing this sort of talk from devotees.

Laissez-faire capitalism as part of the Vedic system. Not only are cows being

slaughtered indiscriminately, but Bhumi mata Herself is under life-threatening

conditions due to the unfettered industrialism that goes on in the name of

economic development. And so many of the earth's indiginous peoples have been

wiped out, with many of the remaining ones on the brink! As devotees we make

choices not to support the animal slaughter industry even though it may be

inconvenient and expensive. But how do we do when it comes to sacrificing to

help the poor humans of this planet or the Earth Herself? Do we bother to

educate ourselves on the many ramifications of our actions?

 

The trouble with money, as I see it, is that people who otherwise wouldn't

do something they know isn't right, will do it, for money, because money is

such a prized and sought after commodity. People work in industries that do

serious damage to the earth and they know it sortof... but they do it cause a

fella' got to make a living. And a fellow does, but this isn't the only way a

society has to be ordered and we do have some free will in the matter

ourselves, to the extent that we're concious of some choices.

 

Now I'm not saying the latest multi-level marketing scheme is bogus, and

folks do have to make a living, but when it comes to the dollar bill, we all

have to be aware of the greed factor, however sattvic our profession or

lifestyle.

 

And we can be very slow at sacrificing our hard earned dough to help our

fellow creatures when somewhere deep inside we know we're being stingy. I know

PETA is calling for me, and Greenpeace could use some of my entertainment

money.

 

So, hurray, or hare, for good ksatrias. Krishna knows we need em'. If the

vaisya's protect the cows, who's to protect the rest of us? Until such a time

as that kind of society gets going, however, let's all do what we can to

benefit our fellows here on Bhumi-loka. Time is slipping away, and good

planets are hard to find.

-tri