Let them come to our farms

[Guest guest]

Noelene Hawkins wrote:

 

> [Text 2526537 from COM]

>

> "But can our farms maintain them and their families or pay them a salary

> so

> that they can pay their bills?

> Or should they rather start their own farm and maintain themselfs

> and chant

> Hare Krsna, in the area where there are already devotee farms?

> "

>

> According to Srila Prabhupada's perfect instructions, the answer is

> clearly, without

> ambiguity, both. Devotees should maintain themselves, living simply, growing

> all their

> necessities, on the ISKCON farms that Srila Prabhupada provided us for this

> purpose,

> without dependence on the artificial technology e.g. tractors, but replacing

> it with

> cow- and- bull technology.

 

I think we will see sort of hybrid systems arising. There won't be a "one size

fits all" answer. Because we aren't the dominant poitical force in any

circumstance. there will be lots of devotees who just buy their own. I think

it is very important though, that there is land owned by the Cow Trusts that

families will be able to get onto, with little or no down, and have security

that they can have it for a long time, so they will be encouraged to make the

long term investments of time into the land to make it productive.

 

For instance, it takes 5 years to bring an apple tree into bearing - who will

plant apples if they only have a short term lease?

[Guest guest]

>Comment:

>This term King is not much accepted here in America, but everyone can

>understand that the Deity is Krishna and that the brahmanas, the pujaris are

>His personal servants. So to bring the produce to the temple and give to the

>servants of the Lord all can accept this. Of course the temple manager will

>take the produce and utilize it in Krishna's service as he sees fit and in

>return he will arrange for various things that the village will require. The

>problem is that in order to do this we have surrendered some privacy in order

>to reciprocate with other village members. This is not an easy thing and it is

>the hold up at present. Everyone is thinking that 'I am the king in the castle

>and no one can tell me how to do this and that, I can do it all myself.' In

>addition some comforts have to be surrendered.

 

my 2 paisa worth:

I don't think we're talking of the 'king' exactly, but more local

'landlords' (ksatriyas of inferior rank). However, this is also a rather

unpopular word almost everywhere - due to exploitation by many landowners.

In Bengal the Zamindars (zamin= land, dara= holder) would sponsor families

of differing castes (blacksmiths, farmers, potters, etc.) and alot them

land. The larger villages would had neighborhoods, much like the master

plan for Mayapur, with brahmanas in one area, and different workers in each

area. Like old Europe and most other traditional "feudal" systems.

 

The land of course belongs to the local Deities. Under Hindu law, the Deity

(devata) is always considered as a minor, and therefore must have a

guardian appointed (the landholder) who (supposedly) under the direction of

the brahmanas (advisory committee or board) manages and allocates Radha

Krishna's land & property. Of course without real ksatriyas, this system

was (and is) exploited, and would be very difficult to promote in the

'modern' world. Where are those leaders that can inspire such love & trust,

and whom we would willingly place our 'abused' faith in (our lives...and

our children's future)?

 

ys, nistula dasa

[Guest guest]

Dear Rohita, Nistula, and Niscala Prabhus.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Would you mind if I posted this string, starting with Nistula Prabhus

comments on 30th July to the Practical Varnasrama conference?

 

There are others who could add to this discussion.

 

I'm trying to keep this conference focussed, so it could be fruitful.

 

Please let me know.

 

YS Samba das