Srirama Prabhu is Right - Let's Stop the Name-Calling

January 4, 2000

Dear prabhus,

I agree with Srirama prabhu. The writer of 'GHQ Sucks' may not realize it, but

the source of this verb usage is an exceedingly crude sexual behavior. It is

not an expression that should be heard from a Vaishnava. Maybe we should chalk

it up to the person's naivete.

Demonization is all the rage on COM, isn't it? Simultaneously, everyone is in

a mad rush to declare that they're being demonized! These are difficult

circumstances in which to hold any reasonable discourse.

The main thing is, we must always try to act, and speak, and write, in a way

that pleases Krishna. We should treat each other in a way that pleases

Krishna. If we fail, then no matter how right we are, or how many debating

points we can tally for the home team, we will ultimately be the losers.

We recite this prayer every morning in New Raman Reti:

bahu janma kare yadi sravana, kirtana

tabu ta’ na paya krsna-pade prema-dhana

"If one is infested with the ten offenses against the chanting of the Hare

Krsna maha-mantra, then despite his endeavors to chant the Holy Names for many

births, he will not get the love of Godhead that is the ultimate goal of this

chanting."

CC Adi 8.16

The very first offense is to blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their

lives to the propagation of the Holy Names of the Lord.

If Krishna, Who we approach daily in the form of His Holy Names, is not

pleased by our treatment of the Vaishnavas, then love of Godhead will remain

at a great distance, and we'll gradually lose our taste for chanting.

Does that mean that there is no room for debate? No. Rather, it means that we

must be very careful. Devotees don't 'suck.' They're not 'woman-haters' or

'misogynists.' They're not 'feminazis' or 'women's libbers' or

'purvapakshins.' Some may have wrong-headed ideas sometimes, but debates

aren't won, in Vaishnava circles, by those who are the best with insults and

name-calling. They're won through the persuasion of guru, shastra and sadhu.

Lord Nityananda and Haridasa Thakura would fall at the feet of the startled

householders when they opened their doors, begging them, with straw between

their teeth, to chant the Holy Names. How much more respectful should we be of

the Vaishnavas, by whose blessings we can obtain the mercy of Krishna!

Unfortunately, it is because of the atmosphere of insults and faultfinding

that the very existence of COM as an organ of Vaishnava commmunications is

being threatened. And you may take it as Krishna's arrangement if it is shut

down.

All glories to the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord!

Srirama prabhu, if you are the same Prabhupada disciple who wrote to me, years

ago, when I had entered angrily into a dark hell of Vaishnava-aparadhas, I

salute you, and bow down to your feet with gratitude for your kindly advice.

Thank you for helping clear the way for my recovery.

Your servant,

Pancha Tattva dasa

On 28 Dec 1999, Srirama prabhu wrote, in part:

>

> If our debates descend to the level of evaluating the mental health and

> psychological state of participants, then the discussion ceases to have any

> useful purpose and simply becomes a breeding ground for offense.

>

> Your servant,

> Sri Rama das

>

February 3, 2000

Hare Krishna!

I do not understand in which way this topics was coming in my e-box (I mean

- "Srirama Prabhu is Right - Let's Stop the Name-Calling"). May be somebody

just puting this information to me. I even dont know whats a deal (about

'GHQ Sucks' e.t.c.) But, after reading (actually I am not englishman and my

english is very bad!) I want to say something.

>>Dear prabhus,

I agree with Srirama prabhu. The writer of 'GHQ Sucks' may not realize it,

but the source of this verb usage is an exceedingly crude sexual behavior.

It is not an expression that should be heard from a Vaishnava. Maybe we

should chalk it up to the person's naivete.>>

- YES! Many peoples is extremely naive.

>>Demonization is all the rage on COM, isn't it? Simultaneously, everyone is

>>in a mad rush to declare that they're being demonized! These are difficult

>>circumstances in which to hold any reasonable discourse.>>

- Demonization it is not only on COM... because - What is demonization?

If You looking to all world like everywhere is demons - BUT YOU! YOU are

only right person! You are the holy vaisnava! Oh! If You looking like this -

who YOU are?!

>>The main thing is, we must always try to act, and speak, and write, in a

>>way that pleases Krishna. We should treat each other in a way that pleases

>>Krishna. If we fail, then no matter how right we are, or how many debating

>>points we can tally for the home team, we will ultimately be the losers.>>

- this is just from the teaching of POLITICs: - "...othervise You will be

the losers...". Vinners, losers etc. Where is Bhakti? Where is nonselfish

and anreasonable devotion?

>>We recite this prayer every morning in New Raman Reti:

>bahu janma kare yadi sravana, kirtana

>tabu ta' na paya krsna-pade prema-dhana

"If one is infested with the ten offenses against the chanting of the Hare

Krsna maha-mantra, then despite his endeavors to chant the Holy Names for

many births, he will not get the love of Godhead that is the ultimate goal

of this chanting."

>CC Adi 8.16

>The very first offense is to blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated

>their lives to the propagation of the Holy Names of the Lord.

>If Krishna, Who we approach daily in the form of His Holy Names, is not

>pleased by our treatment of the Vaishnavas, then love of Godhead will

>remain at a great distance, and we'll gradually lose our taste for

>chanting.

>Does that mean that there is no room for debate? No. Rather, it means that

>we must be very careful. Devotees don't 'suck.' They're not 'woman-haters'

>or 'misogynists.' They're not 'feminazis' or 'women's libbers' or

>'purvapakshins.' Some may have wrong-headed ideas sometimes, but debates

>aren't won, in Vaishnava circles, by those who are the best with insults

>and name-calling. They're won through the persuasion of guru, shastra and

>sadhu.>>

- actually - WHO IS a DEVOTEE? WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? WHO IS A VAISNAVA?

WHO? One who have just inscriptum in the passport? Oh! I am a member of

that, I am a member of that and etc. I think no - VAISNAVA IS VAISNAVA.

VAISNAVA also can feel different from YOU! He can be in different

sampradaya, in other religion etc. Offenses, offenses - Oh! We ar so

offended, we are so special...

Yes, lets stop this!

Hare Krishna!

Nataraja das.

____

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February 3, 2000

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