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And, according to Prabhupada's vision for training the varnas, they must be

based

on self sufficiency. In the varnasrama walks in March 1974, when Srila

Prabhupada is asked how a vaisya should be trained, he makes it clear that

the

vaisya would learn cow protection and how to plow -- in other words how to

live

off the land.

 

Again, in 1977, Abhirama prabhu reports that when Prabhupada said he wanted

to

go

to America to start Varnasrama, devotees asked him how he would do that,

and

Prabhupada replied, "I will go to Gita-nagari, I will sit down, and I will

teach

you how to live off the land."

 

 

Very interesting quote. Is that quote included in the conversations books?

Or where else might it be found?

 

So, it appears that Srila Prabhupada's vision of how to teach varnasrama

was

integrally tied to teaching self-sufficiency. His version of

self-sufficiency

might be a little more broad than some people's because he also wanted the

ksatriyas to be trained in how to take care of the self-sufficient village,

and

he wanted the brahmanas to be able to provide the spiritual "nutrition" in

the

form of scriptural guidance, sacrifice (especially chanting the Holy

Names),

and

leading the population in spiritual festivals.

 

But, Srila Prabhupada's vision of a varnasrama village was very much

focussed

on

self-sufficiency. As he told devotees in Mauritius, "The first necessity

is to

be self-sufficient. That is God's arrangement."

 

So, let us say that our goal is to build a varnasrama village that would

fulfill

Srila Prabhupada's vision.

 

 

Sounds great! Just wish I was in America...

 

 

The first step in building such a village is proper

training. In the varnasrama walks and other times, Srila Prabhupada

spoke

about

creating a "varnasrama college" to provide this training.

 

 

In that "varnasrama walk" you were mentioning, Srila Prabhupada describes

the brahmanas duty is to train the other classes, not just theoretically but

practically. To train vaisyas how to plow, for instance, they would have to

learn it themselves. Then after learning and teaching that most basic of all

skills, learn and teach how to plant, harvest and process the produce of the

field. (includes cloth)

The brahmanas duty is to be always learning something, and not hoarding that

knowledge, immediately, teaching it. Their teaching to the ksatriyas, should

be modelled after Srila Prabhupada's dealings with his managers, and the

descriptions of how Vedic ksatriyas treated their citizens. Ksatriyas should

be taught to 1. take advice from, act on it, and give respect to the

brahmanas, and 2.treat those under their protection as they would their own

family members. That is, with the utmost of personal care and concern. That

is good ksatriya, not one who simply tries to increase the treasury, or

maximize profit.

Everything depends on the good training and ideal character of the brahmana,

he's the head of the social body, and he directs the other classes. He has

the power to depose a ksatriya who is maximizing profit, at the expense of

those under him, or who is in anyway showing neglect of cow protection and

brahminical culture, or deviating in anyway from Srila Prabhupada's

directions.

The brahmana should not be dependent on wage, but be supported with all

necessities by those whom he teaches. Generously.

 

So, our discussion at Kandavaprastha will be to focus in on that

specific

desire

of Srila Prabhupada's and pray for guidance to figure out the kinds of

courses

that he would like to see offered for each of the different varnas. What

will

be

the "collection of courses" or "curriculum" for each different varna?

 

 

How can we get this happening in other places? What was your procedure for

interesting devotees? Could you publicize the curriculum, and a

how-to-do-it-yourself agenda so this can be duplicated elsewhere?

 

 

If that is our focus -- who should come? Is this only for teachers?

 

No, this is definitely not just for teachers. The teachers, especially the

ones

from the Florida gurukula, are desiring to learn from others who have a

little

expertise in different areas of self-sufficiency -- so they can devise the

most

appropriate subject matter to have for courses.

 

They say, "It takes a village to raise a child." So, in this instance, the

teachers are saying "It takes a whole ISKCON community to devise a good

curriculum to give a devotee varnasrama training."

 

 

Sorry, I was just throwing in a few ideas...

 

 

But you have my best wishes for a successful outcome. I'm sure

 

 

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