prasada to poor people -- What God Wants?

[Guest guest]

Jayadvaita Swami wrote:

 

>

> "So far prasada distribution, . . . do not go to poor areas, this is

> not our philosophy."

 

"Everywhere we have got temples we distribute prasadam

especially to the poorer men."

 

> Offense 3: "To disobey the orders of the spiritual master."

>

> I hope this answers the question.

 

Even more.

 

The end line, the spiritual master is Krsna's representative,

thus it is God who doesn't want His devotees to distribute the

free food to poor people. And those who do it, they are condemned

as offenders of Guru (and God).

 

But let's assume that this letter to Giriraja was somehow lost

from the Archives. Though the letter to Satyahit is still there:

 

------------------------

"Now I am especially concerned to distribute grains, rice,

wheat in the form of dal and rice prasadam to hungry people

all over India. The people here are very disturbed because,

partly due to the punishment of nature, partly due to the

mismanagement of the demon class of men, food is not available.

If the people do not even have sufficient food they will not

even be able to receive spiritual instructions. So I am hopeful

that if we can widely distribute free foodstuffs to the people

of India, by giving it out at our centers as well as by travelling

parties to villages, we will win over the whole country and the

whole world by this activity on Krsna's behalf."

(SPL to Satyahit, 16th March, 1974)

------------------------

 

So, quite clearly what God wants and what "our philosophy" is.

FFL. And if you don't go out to distribute free food to the poor

people, then you are guilty of breaching the prohibition stated

in Nr.3 Offense. What to speak of actively propagating against

such activities as feeding prasadam to poor and hungry people

who are in distressful condition due to the lack of food.

 

How about selling or not selling prasadam? Same.

 

------

"I don't follow what you mean by that they are starting to sell

somosas. We should not sell any prasadam, we shall distribute

prasadam and we can ask for contributions. That should

be the method."

(SPL to Jadurani, january 14th, 1970)

 

"According to our Vedic system prasadam distribution should not

be on the line of hotel or canteen business. Whatever prasadam

we can distribute, that should be free of charges. So to summarize,

you should distribute free prasadam."

(SPL letter to Giriraja, April 12th, 1972)

 

However:

 

"I'm pleased to know the restaurant is again doing nicely.

If palatable dishes are available people will certainly come.

Srutakirti is a good boy. You can trust him. Cooperation

must be there. It is a nice idea to sell prasadam at the

banches from a vehicle."

(SPL to Gurukripa, 14th Decembar, 1976)

 

______________

 

So take your pick. And then proclaim it as an universal and

absolute guru's instruction/teaching for all and for ever in

any circumstance. That God forbids you do otherwise.

 

 

While no other recognized religious movement nor civilized

society of this world condemns the missionary activities

among their ranks such as feeding of starving and poor people,

some ISKCON transcendentalist are preoccupied pondering over

the Offense Rule Nr.3 that eventually would lead to such a

condemnation. It seems to be more important to them to "save"

the world from such a "guru aparadha" of helping others in

distress than the very saving lifes of millions miserably

suffering children and women, old people and men in this world

who may be dying most horribly infront their eyes. But doesn't

seem anybody is really asking or expecting from them to do

anything helpful about. Just not to see others doing it, maybe.

 

 

 

 

- mnd

[Guest guest]

>While no other recognized religious movement nor civilized

>society of this world condemns the missionary activities

>among their ranks such as feeding of starving and poor people,

>some ISKCON transcendentalist are preoccupied pondering over

>the Offense Rule Nr.3 that eventually would lead to such a

>condemnation.

 

Are those the same transcendentalists that fly by first class flight, drive

in A/C cars, and have all the latest computer gadgets within days of their

release?

 

And if someone distributes free prasadam to a starving villager in India and

gets them to appreciate ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, and the mahamantra through

it, then such a person is an offender of the guru. Certainly there is a lack

of upasthita-buddhi.

 

Perhaps we should just advise the starving villagers to go find some rich

disciples like the rest of the ISKCON transcendentalists do for maintenance.

 

But one thing I have noticed, the garbages at our Sunday feasts are full of

prasadam, whereas the poor villagers will eat even plain rice with nothing

else until there isn't one grain left. It is nice to see people respecting

prasadam for once.