Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Dear friend

Why would it not be proper, do you know of some reason? : ) (only cause I dont)

Our Mahamantra makes us to japa Rama and quite a few ISKCON temples have been celebrating Rama Navami also. I do not know whether all the temples celebrate Diwali or not but celebration of Diwali has a very close connection with Rama. This is the day when Rama with his family had returned to his home after conquering Lanka and hence the celebrations. I feel that we bhaktas should also celebrate Diwali in each ISKCON temple, may be at a smaller scale to start with.

My fear is to do "new" things. Anybody can celebrate wathever they choose privately, thus the specific question about ISKCON.
Is there the certainty of Srila Prabhupada approving these changes?
With the current trend of hinduization of temples, my question is relevant to try and clarify the issue.
What is clear is that we are not propounding the hindu "tradition", we belong to Brahma Gaudiya sampradaya and we ought to follow our disciplic line in regards to celebrations.

Relevant quotes:

"Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, quoting from the Vaisnava-tosani of Srila Sanatana Gosvami, says that the incident of Krsnas breaking the pot of yogurt and being bound by mother Yasoda took place on the Dipavali Day, or Dipa-malika. Even today in India, this festival is generally celebrated very gorgeously in the month of Kartika by fireworks and lights, especially in Bombay." (SB 10.9.1-2 p.)

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees participated in all the festivals, including Rasa-yatra, Dipavali and Utthana-dvadasi. (CC 2.15.36)

Ramacandras victory celebration is observed in the last day of Durga Puja. Vaisnavas are not concerned with Durga Puja. Dipavali or Devali is observed as new years day by certain mercantile community. The Vaisnavas have nothing to do with this ceremony but just on the last day after Devali the Vaisnavas observe Annakuta ceremony. This celebration is the day when Lord Krishna lifted the hill & Madhavendra Puri established the temple in Gopala. (SP letter to Pradyumna, Calcutta, 17 Oct 1967)

Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100s of candles, in different parts of the temple, and offering special Prasad to the Deity. (SP letter to Hamsaduta, Seattle, 10 Oct 1968)

It is nice that you had a nice Diwali-Govardhana Puja celebration. (SP letter to Patita Uddharana, Bombay, 2 Dec 1974)

Of course I was here in India, so I could not attend your Diwali-Govardhana Puja function, but I understand it was very nice.
(SP letter to Madhavananda, Bombay, 3 Dec 1974)

so in one hand, Srila Prabhupada explains that Lord Caitanya participated in those festivals (we do not really know how the festivals were).
on another says that "Vaisnavas have nothing to do with this ceremony "
on another two that the temple can celebrate with lamps (like they do in India) mixed with Govardhana pooja...
Any thoughs?

CC 2.15.36 is a direct verse.

I think a quote referring to Lord Caitanya assisting to the festival does not necessarily apply to our current situation.
What about "Vaisnavas have nothing to do with this ceremony "
Of course any ceremony in honor of Krishna is commendable and auspicious, my point is if has to be an official part of ISKCON festivities.

Did Srila Prabhupada ever say that iskcon temples are to celebrate Diwali? Did he ever have a Diwali celebration in an Iskcon temple? Srila Prabhupada spent many years setting the standard for Iskcon temples and if he wanted Diwali celebrations we certainly would have seen them in Iskcon temples during that time.

Who are we trying to please? Prabhupada or the possible money givers?

Hare Krishna.

The most important things here would be these points:-

1. Has the founder-acharya of ISKCON instituted these festivals in his temples or given provisions for them?
If yes, then it would have been reflected from 1966-1977 via directives or permission via letter, etc.
If its absolutely a "yes", it would be clear via the above mediums.
If its a leeway provided for circumstantially, then that too would be reflected via letters, etc.
If otherwise, then its always best to be safe by not doing it.

2. Its not that if something is not celebrated in ISKCON temples, then its wrong. The perspective here is what the Acharya has given for his movement, in terms of sadhana and sadhya. Anything else is part of a wider cultural phenomena, thats all.
Its not that it is right or wrong. Its just there, thats all. But a sishyas duty is to follow his Acharya in terms of his primary sadhana and observance.

3. Srila Prabhupada has presented many facets in his books ranging from siddhanta to cultural traits, both specifically Vaishnavic and generally Vedic. But, its not that we take any of these and institute just because its mentioned in his books.
In fact, what we should do is to abide by his immediate directives and stick to that. Many things may be said in books but what is directly instructed should be executed and the rest appreciated but not carried out.

4. In the case of Diwali, Srila Prabhupada has mentioned that it exists as a festival, citing the point of Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura. Other lines may celebrate it in the way that their Acharyas may have given and that is fine. But what our acharya has given is our lifes mission and in this, we mean so dishonour for the others. But, we should stick to our own bbusiness and not merge both into one. Also, in the other letter, Srila Prabhupada has stated that Diwali may be celebrated with the lighting of lamps and the offering of special prasada to the Deities. So, generally, he did not emphasise this festival as a must but given certain cultural contexts, it may be observed in this manner. So, its not wrong or right but its not a very ssignificant point of emphasis for ISKCONs sadhana process as given by His Divine Grace.

5. Also, where Srila Prabhupada has mentioned that that "Dipavali or Devali is observed as new years day by certain mercantile community. The Vaisnavas have nothing to do with this ceremony but just on the last day after Devali the Vaisnavas observe Annakuta ceremony", let re-examine the preceding statement carefully: -

"Dipavali or Devali is observed as new years day by certain mercantile community. The Vaisnavas have nothing to do with this ceremony ...". To me, it appears that Srila Prabhupada is indicating that Vaisnavas do not observe the ceremony of observing Diwali as new years day as is the case with certain mercantile community. Other aspects like lighting the temple and offering prasadam are practices in line with devotional service because Deepotsava is also observed on other occasions and prasadam offering is a regular and indispensable part of Vaishnava culture in general and ISKCON culture in particular. But, what he describes as not Vaishnava practice is this observance of Diwali as new year and the first day of the mercantile year.

In line with all of his other statements, I would reconcile things in this way. In either case, I see that Srila Prabhupada has not banned Diwali but has not stressed it as fundamentally vital and a must. It may be had but in either case, its not so important like the other observances such as Janmashtami and Govardhana Pooja.

Anyone can celebrate anything that they want but we cannot bring this attitude into the sadhana and sadhya process of a sampradaya. There are specific reasons why some festivals are emphasised, others forbidden and others provided for but not insisted upon and this rests with the Acharya who institutes these in his temples. The way to God for a disciple is to execute the instructions of his/her spiritual master and not entertain speculated or concocted versions of narrowness or liberality. We should not be concerned with praising or criticising other things beyond our primary spiritual sadhana. These exist as part of wider society and just remains as a state of affairs. Its not something to become involved with, both in terms of positive promotion or negative rejection.

My 2 cents worth.

Your servant,
jai

Also,

Rama Navami was instructed to be observed by Srila Prabhupada. His letters and instructions may be obtained in this regard.
I dont have them in hand right now but if one consults "Srila Prabhupada Sikshamrta", they may be found. I have read them before and have also heard them.

Your servant,
jai

Krpa-moya prabhu has recently written an article on his website justifying participation in Diwali festivals. The justification revolves around the idea that this is a preaching interface with the local community, particularily as devotees are being invited to attend and speak at Diwali functions. He doesnt comment on holding Diwali in the temple. There is a related article justifying the the use of term Hindu to describe the Vaisnava philosophy.

Articles at: http://deshika.wordpress.com/

well OK, cents worth anyway. i want to speak out my mind on this issue now for example that mostly, ISKCON is being headed by nama-acharyas the way we speak of those supervising the temples whom are being responsible for the fact that matters, i would like to stress on that parallel thus like without Lord Siva'b4s supervision is like no person would be able to get in to the understanding of the Lord Krsna'b4s pastimes. such festival as Diwali is is really special for the fact that it is a celebration of the night of the lights or something i get as that, there is a question i found that for example the guru-tatwa specialty is pointed to the purification of the personality qualifying to it thus in my case is like that like i saw the difference between Siva'b4s tatwa whence the Lord Siva can purify completely the entire world the guru'b4s are meant for the purification of the individuals, that'b4s how i think Lord Krsna can accept us thus, but personaly in the temple. Of Diwali there is one Indian temple and there inside are really special features there to take into account thus, and so on.

so as such are the matters that were or are still spoken in between that conversation the Lord Advaita acharya and Lord Krsna Chaitanya Mah'e4prabhu had when the Lord arrived to Lord Advaita acharya'b4s home to take Prasadham at his feet, that time Lord Advaita had cooked as so much preparations as he knew, and Krsna Chaitanya left a peace of each in each plate too; GOD may we understand why.. so anyway, these fact do summarizes the taste for example of those conversations Lord Siva has with Lord Sri Krsna, so is as if i can recount the likes of both personaly and it is thence how the Lord Siva is very dear to Lord Krsna, and so is that if someone do not likes either of these two Lords that person will find dis-taste on either of both of the Lords.

i think that also it can be and it is made proper but in huge temple residences where it can be taking place thus these ceremonies as huge as these two are on a same day. (diwali + govardhan poojas) toghather on one single day.. however i do beleive ISKCON can be feat either or both.

i'b4ve got these question to VEDA prabhu,
prabhu, inside the C.c, is this verse been in adi, or inside the madhya-lila prabhu ?

[quote][cite] VEDA:[/cite]CC 2.15.36 is a direct verse.[/quote]

we have to be careful to choose our "preaching" interfaces so not to compromise the strict vaishnava philosophy and practice. Social intermingling should be very nicely outlined and delineated, specially relations with the hodge podge hindu strong tendency, we should be a clear and unadulterated beacon for the benefit of all.
That could bring to the conundrum of disagreeing with certain congregation economic powers, and everybody with principles will know what to do.

Im glad to see this topic being discussed. I would add that during Srila Prabhupadas presence,
a vaisnava calendar approved by Srila Prabhupada was mailed out each year to all temples right before Gaura Purnima. It included all of the festival days we were expected to observe. To my knowledge, Diwali, or Deepavali, never appeared on the list. Neither do I have any recollection of Diwali being celebrated in any of the temples I visited during those years (1970-1977).

Vaisnavas are not prohibited from observing the Diwali celebration, but Srila Prabhupada clearly did not intend to include it as part of our program to spread Krishna consciousness. Just my humble opinion.

I was in India during the festival where powdered dyes are thrown on the devotees, by Hindus mainly, and each time devotees hit me with the colored dyes they said they were doing it so that "the karmis dont do it to you".

I really doubted that the karmis were going to do this to me, especially the second time when I was in Bhubaneshwar. My wifes side of the family is all from Guyana and they all follow diwali like its something you are supposed to do. My brother in law even has started worshipping Lord Shiva in order to become a better devotee of Krishna now, either that or he stopped worshipping Krishna altogether. I believe they also had a picture of Lord Shiva at the temple when I went there in Guyana, because it was his appearance day, but they said it was only to please the congregation.

I can only laugh at all this. As long as it is good for preaching I cant personally protest. But if it werent for "preaching" I would be against it all.

If you dont believe in Rama, you might as well forget about Krishna.

I think I saw somebody say, did Prabhupada celebrate Diwali when He was here, (?). No idea what that means. Celebrate means many things, just offering some food to Rama, or saying Happy Diwali. Or a massize celebration. Trying to please the Hindus, Hindus are most intelligent as in India, they first build Temples.;)

Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating 100s of candles, in different parts of the temple, and offering special Prasad to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the Kingdom of Lord Ramacandra, while Lord Ramacandra was out of His Kingdom due to His 14 years banishment by the order of His father. His younger step-brother Bharata, took charge of the Kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramacandra took back the charge again from His brother, and seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali function. Prabhupada in his letter to: Hamsaduta
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Seattle
10 October, 1968
68-10-10