Guest guest Posted December 6, 1999 Report Share Posted December 6, 1999 Dear Pancaratna Prabhu, Pamho. Agtsp. > Dandavad. Prabhupada kijaya! > > > Prabhuji, I hope you'd agree that Mayapur, being a large pilgrimage > > center witness "crowd behavior" that is an exception to the cultural > > rule, especially seen in rural Bengal (which is what I meant by > > "traditional Gaudiya Vaishnava women") that women usually keep in the > > background during a kirtan program, arati, etc. > > As I recall, during village pandal programs women would generally be in > the front. Most of the time my impression is that the women are most > enthusiastic and so they come forward while the men hang back a bit. > > > Indeed it used to be like that in Mayapur, when the facilities were > > smaller. > > I don't remember it like that, but I could be wrong. > > > > On the other hand, they generally do move out of the way when > > > requested although I am not sure how they really feel about it. > > > Usually no one asks them to move (sannyasis included) but they just > > > make space for them. It is unfortunate that some women in Vrindavan did not move from main space to make way for the Sannyasis. This is partly what participated the aukward situation. > I certainly agree there should be facility for separation, for the sake of > both men and women. But I don't believe we should force it on visitors, > especially when it splits up the family group. > > But it appears to methat the traditions as well as the principles call for > women to be given at least equal facility, if not priority. "Ladies > first", as the saying goes. We cannot really compare situations extent in traditional Hindu or Indian temples with those found in Iskcon temples especially the important international centers. Iskcon has been very meticulously setup and much higher and exemplary standards of behavior of its members and supporters than most temples in India. In Bombay, ladies take darshan from back. Therefore, while not discriminating against women, we should do what is practical - for instance in Vrindavan for the last 25 years women have been standing at the back and men at the front for Mangal Arati. At the other times, women got darshan in front. When drastic changes such as the ones suggested by you "LADIES FIRST" are to be introduced, you can expect severe complications as was experienced in Vrindavan recently. The situation was presented precipitated by a few women who flaglantly defied the management's attempt to implement the very decision mutually agreed upon by the management and representatives of the women. Talking of traditions can you please also respect the tradition that the Krishna Balaram temple has been folllowing since the last 25 years? As soon as we make changes at our own whims, something which Srila Prabhupada warned us against, we will land in trouble. Adjustments though can be made by careful evaluation. Thanking you. Your servant, Mahaman Das Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 1999 Report Share Posted December 6, 1999 Oy! you men whose names are great, How about a Christmas truce... Can we all grow up and talk about something else ? I cant' believe we are still talking about boys and girls... May I suggest something else like: Krsna katha...? Try it it works ! Tundra das. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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