Developing Hare Krsna Community

At least one trained spiritual householder leader with Systematic Education into Srila Prabhupada Books required for every village or small town.

No doubt, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples dedicated their lives whole-sale to Srila Prabhupada, executing Krsna Consciousness throughout the world, doing anything, anytime, anywhere. Cent-percent dedication. The beginning of Hare Krishna movement was certainly a creation phase [Phase I] to sow the seed of devotional service worldwide.

The spirit of dedication, however, requires to move to another phase [Phase II] by subsequent dedicated devotees to maturely implement the purports of Srila Prabhupada in every town and village. Srila Prabhupada wanted each of his disciple to guide the human society by initiating and educating into tenets of devotional service based on bhakti-sastras, the topmost science of God-realization. Along-with regular program of daily personal practices of devotional services under the guidance of Rupa Goswami’s Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, Srila Prabhupada wanted each of his disciple to be proficient into the science of devotional service themselves and preach this most divine science of God-realization to every nook and corner of the world, in all different countries in their local languages.

The testimony to this is present in letter to one of his disciple during Dec-1968:

“I thank you so much for having nicely appreciated the Bhagavad-gétä As It Is. This book should be read by all of my students at least one chapter per day, and in kirtana class it should be discussed sloka after sloka. Practically, we have tried to explain in this book all of the basic principles of Krishna Consciousness. If you can simply cram Bhagavad-gétä then you will surely become a very good preacher.

Next January there will be an examination on this Bhagavad-gétä. Papers will be sent by me to all centers, and those securing the minimum passing grade will be given the title as Bhakti-sastri.

Similarly, another examination will be held on Lord Caitanya’s Appearance Day in February, 1970 and it will be upon Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gétä. Those passing will get the title of Bhakti-vaibhava.

Another examination will be held sometimes in 1971 on the four books, Bhagavad-gétä, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and Nectar of Devotion. One who will pass this examination will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta.

I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program. So we should not simply publish these books for reading by outsiders, but our students must be well versed in all of our books so that we can be prepared to defeat all opposing parties in the matter of self-realization.

This is desired by Lord Sri Krsna Himself in last chapter of Bhagavad-gita [18.63-72] and this science can only be understood by devotional service [BG 9.34, 18.55] and not by scholarship. Exactly same instruction was given by Lord Caitanya to His disciples and followers: yare dekha, tare kaha ’krsna’-upadesa, amara ajnaya guru haaa tara’ ei desa [CC Madhya 7.128].

Therefore, Srila Prabhupada wanted this ‘transcendental’ diplomas and examinations for devotees along with their daily practices of Krsna Consciousness in association of devotees and not just mundane examination for some degree and scholarship.

‘Transcendental Diplomas’ herein means that science of devotional service must be learned from personal bhagavat. ‘bhägavata paòa vaiñëavera sthäne’ [CC Antya 5.131]. Such a teacher of divine science is very kind and loving upon his student.

As mentioned in Nectar of Devotion 1.2.91:

çrémad-bhägavatärthänäm äsvädo rasikaiù saha |

sajätéyäçaye snigdhe sädhau saìgaù svato vare ||

Teacher must be concerned for the welfare of the student without any personally motivated agenda. Krishna Himself is ideal teacher as described in BG 10.1, yat te ‘haà préyamäëäya vakñyämi hita-kämyayä I.e. very dear and speaking only for the benefit of his student and BG 4.3, bhakto ‘si me sakhä ceti I.e. in the divine relationship with student I.e. relationship of deep long lasting commitment towards his student.

Because of presence of modes of passion and ignorance in the heart of student, it is not easy to take up the learn science of devotional service technically called bhagavat vidhi I.e. honest hearing and chanting the name, form, qualities and pastimes of Supreme Personality of Godhead even by sincere student. It is because troubles are created by these lower modes of nature. Transcendental teacher, therefore, has to therefore, mix the transcendental doses of bhagavat vidhi with various proportions of pancaratri vidhi and engagements in varnashram understanding the nature and qualification of each individual student. Srila Prabhupada writes in the various purport of BG.

Therefore, one has to work in Kåñëa consciousness to satisfy Kåñëa (or Viñëu); and while performing such activities one is in a liberated stage. This is the great art of doing work, and in the beginning this process requires very expert guidance. One should therefore act very diligently, under the expert guidance of a devotee of Lord Kåñëa, or under the direct instruction of Lord Kåñëa Himself (under whom Arjuna had the opportunity to work).>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 3.9

As described in the second verse of this chapter, not only is this devotional service easy, but it can be performed in a happy mood. One does not need to undergo any severe penance and austerity. He can live this life in devotional service, guided by an expert spiritual master, and in any position, either as a householder or a sannyäsé or a brahmacäré; in any position and anywhere in the world, he can perform this devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus become actually mahätmä, a great soul. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 9.14

To practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga one should, under the guidance of an expert spiritual master, follow certain principles: one should rise early in the morning, take bath, enter the temple and offer prayers and chant Hare Kåñëa, then collect flowers to offer to the Deity, cook foodstuffs to offer to the Deity, take prasädam, and so on. There are various rules and regulations which one should follow. And one should constantly hear Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam from pure devotees. This practice can help anyone rise to the level of love of God, and then he is sure of his progress into the spiritual kingdom of God. This practice of bhakti-yoga, under the rules and regulations, with the direction of a spiritual master, will surely bring one to the stage of love of God. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 12.9

For the beginners in devotional service to the Lord, temple worship is essential, and this is confirmed in the Vedic literature (Çvetäçvatara Upaniñad 6.23):

yasya deve parä bhaktir yathä deve tathä gurau

tasyaite kathitä hy arthäù prakäçante mahätmanaù

One who has unflinching devotion for the Supreme Lord and is directed by the spiritual master, in whom he has similar unflinching faith, can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead by revelation. One cannot understand Kåñëa by mental speculation. For one who does not take personal training under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, it is impossible to even begin to understand Kåñëa. The word tu is specifically used here to indicate that no other process can be used, can be recommended, or can be successful in understanding Kåñëa. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 11.54

Thus, devotees should be trained systematically in teachings of Srila Prabhupada books and they must be thorough in education in Srila Prabhupada teachings and therefore it is responsibility of each and every devotee himself that he takes up this as an most important objective in one’s practice of devotional service and in his life itself.

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Note: Furthermore, Krsna Consciousness is best practiced in a community wherein devotees are united in diversity. Therefore, sincere devotees can create communities by coming together. It is easier to develop such communities, however, in a natural setup of either town or a village just as Lord Caitanya instructed Kurma Brahamana. Following guidelines for practicing and preaching Krsna Consciousness in communities is found very easily in above quoted verse from Caitanya Caritamrita wherein Lord Caitanya personally instructs this to Kurma brahmana and Srila Prabhupada purport is very enlightening for practical direction.

yäre dekha, täre kaha ’kåñëa’-upadeça

ämära äjïäya guru haïä tära’ ei deça

TRANSLATION

”Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Çré Kåñëa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.”

PURPORT

This is the sublime mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Many people come and inquire whether they have to give up family life to join the Society, but that is not our mission. One can remain comfortably in his residence. We simply request everyone to chant the mahä-mantra: Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare / Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. If one is a little literate and can read Bhagavad-gétä As It Is and Çrémad-Bhägavatam, that is so much the better. These works are now available in an English translation and are done very authoritatively to appeal to all classes of men. Instead of living engrossed in material activities, people throughout the world should take advantage of this movement and chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra at home with their families. One should also refrain from sinful activities—illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Out of these four items, illicit sex is very sinful. Every person must get married. Every woman especially must get married. If the women outnumber the men, some men can accept more than one wife. In that way there will be no prostitution in society. If men can marry more than one wife, illicit sex life will be stopped. One can also produce many nice preparations to offer Kåñëa from grains, fruits, vegetables and milk. Why should one indulge in unnecessary meat-eating and maintain horrible slaughterhouses? What is the use of smoking and drinking tea and coffee? People are already intoxicated by material enjoyment, and if they indulge in further intoxication, what chance is there for self-realization? Similarly, one should not partake in gambling and unnecessarily agitate the mind. The real purpose of human life is to attain the spiritual platform and return to Godhead. That is the summum bonum of spiritual realization. The Kåñëa consciousness movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life by pursuing the method described by Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu in His advice to the brähmaëa Kürma. That is, one should stay at home, chant the Hare Kåñëa mantra and preach the instructions of Kåñëa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 7.128

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A similar account is described when Lord Caitanya and Nityananda visited the house of Advaita Acaraya Prabhu in Shantipur, of how Krsna Consciousness can very easily propagate within a community.

Madhya 3.188

navadvépa-väsé ädi yata bhakta-gaëa

sabäre sammäna kari’ balilä vacana

Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu offered respects to all the devotees present from Navadvépa and other towns, speaking to them as follows.

Madhya 3.189

tumi-saba loka—mora parama bändhava

ei bhikñä mägoì,—more deha tumi saba

”My dear friends, you are all My intimate friends. Now I am begging a favor of you. Please give it to Me.”

Madhya 3.190

ghare yäïä kara sadä kåñëa-saìkértana

kåñëa-näma, kåñëa-kathä, kåñëa ärädhana

Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu requested them all to return home and begin chanting the holy name congregationally. He also requested them to worship Kåñëa, chant His holy name and discuss His holy pastimes.

PURPORT

The cult of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, the Hare Kåñëa movement, is very nicely explained by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu authoritatively. It is not that everyone has to take sannyäsa like Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Everyone can execute the cult of Kåñëa consciousness at home, as ordered by the Lord. Everyone can congregationally chant the holy name of Kåñëa, the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. One can also discuss the subject matter of the Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam and install Deities of Rädhä-Kåñëa or Gaura-Nitäi or both and worship them very carefully in one’s own home. It is not that we have to open different centers all over the world. Whoever cares for the Kåñëa consciousness movement can install Deities at home and, under superior guidance, worship the Deity regularly, chanting the mahä-mantra and discussing the Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. We are actually teaching in our classes how to go about this. One who feels that he is not yet ready to live in a temple or undergo strict regulative principles in the temple—especially householders who live with a wife and children—can start a center at home by installing the Deity, worshiping the Lord morning and evening, chanting Hare Kåñëa and discussing the Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Anyone can do this at home without difficulty, and Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu requested all the devotees present there to do so. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 3.190

TEXT 201

dine kåñëa-kathä-rasa bhakta-gaëa-saìge

rätre mahä-mahotsava saìkértana-raìge

During the day the devotees discussed subject matters concerning Kåñëa, and at night there was a great festival of congregational chanting at the house of Advaita Äcärya. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 3.201

äcäryera çraddhä-bhakti-gåha-sampada-dhane

sakala saphala haila prabhura ärädhane

In this way all the opulences of Advaita Äcärya—His faith, devotion, home, riches and everything else—were successfully utilized in the worship of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu.

PURPORT

Advaita Äcärya set an ideal example for all householder devotees in His reception of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu and His devotees and in His execution of a daily festival at His home. If one has the proper means and wealth, he should occasionally invite the devotees of Lord Caitanya who are engaged in preaching all over the world and hold a festival at home simply by distributing prasädam and talking about Kåñëa during the day and holding congregational chanting for at least three hours in the evening. This procedure must be adopted in all centers of the Kåñëa consciousness movement. Thus they will daily perform saìkértana-yajïa. In Çrémad-Bhägavatam (11.5.32) the daily performance of saìkértana-yajïa is recommended for this age (yajïaiù saìkértana-präyair yajanti hi su-medhasaù). One should worship Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu and His four associates, the Païca-tattva, by distributing prasädam and holding congregational chanting. Indeed, that yajïa, or sacrifice, is most recommended in this Age of Kali. In this age, other yajïas are not possible to perform, but this yajïa can be performed everywhere and anywhere without difficulty. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 3.203