Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

There are two negative extremes, blind following and destructive criticism.
Those In between are measured by the motivation behind the criticism.

related:
http://www.pariprashnena.com/discussion/77

..gossip is like collective fault-finding or prajalpa,however if the gossip concerns devotees like child-abuse rumours or guru fall down rumours,then an Ishtagosti should be held to " clear the air " .

Bhaktivinode Thakura writes that devotees dont generally speak about the bad qualities of others, but it is permissible to do so if the motive is for education.

For example, the Vedas and puranas constantly criticises the conditioned souls futile and pointless material endeavours that lead to repeated birth and death. The Bhagavad-gita in 2.42 and 9.21 criticises those who follow the Vedas for material purposes, and dedicates an entire chapter to describing demoniac qualites (Ch. 16). All great souls discuss and analyse the weakness of Arjuna, the compromise of Bhishma in supporting Dhrtarashtra, the illusion of Brahma, Shiva, Bharata Maharaja and Ajamila. The instances of their apparent bewilderment are enshrined in sastra forever. The purpose is to educate others on what not to do, the result of it, how to avoid it, and what to do if you find yourself in that situation.

Another purpose is to show the glories of the Lord, the power of his illusory energy, how He redeems people, His forgiving and sometimes punishing nature, the purifying power of bhakti, and also to glorify devotees efforts to tolerate adverse situations. In this way, speaking about these instances (with the proper motivation behind it) is also Krishna-katha.

[quote][cite] hariharibol:[/cite]..gossip is like collective fault-finding or prajalpa,however if the gossip concerns devotees like child-abuse rumours or guru fall down rumours,then an Ishtagosti should be held to " clear the air " .[/quote]
Is this something that should be encouraged in a society of devotees? Discussing speculative rumours and stories in public? I would assume in the extreme cases you mention, there would be information gathered and presented to the devotee in question...similar to a council of elders or a court where evidence is presented and the devotee has a chance to explain his standpoint and a judgement is made.

..." Is this something that should be encouraged in a society of devotees? " I am not sure what your question is prabhu.We should not encouraged gossip,but we should encourage ishtagostis to resolve community or congregational issues that may have created a " gossip " like mood within the temples social setting.

If regular istaghostis or general meeting of all devotees,are held weekly,discussing how to establish Krsna consciousness according to the Founder Acarya,much progress would be made,but sadly,this is not so in mamny temples,where some leaders meet to impose their way of dealing with devotees and managing the yatra,without consulting the others:the result is frustration,lack of enthusiam,abuse of devotees...

Imho, if we hear a gossip we shouldnt spread it but investigate (or suggest to authorities to investigate) which includes asking the allegedly involved persons. Then the result should be made public in istagosthi. This is pretty much a common sense, imho.

[quote][cite] hariharibol:[/cite]..." Is this something that should be encouraged in a society of devotees? " I am not sure what your question is prabhu.[/quote]
The question is in reference to airing very sensitive matters that are at the speculative stage (like a falldown etc.)...I wholeheartedy agree that gramya katha should be discouraged and rumours investigated to obtain the actual facts as suggested by Veda.

I learned today:
cure for gossip = istagosthi
thank you

"...Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu has advised, grama-katha na sunibe, bhala na khaibe na bhala na paribe. This is vairagya -- "Dont indulge in gramya-katha."

"...So gramya-katha should be avoided. The temple is specially meant for Krsna-katha. Here there is no other business than Krsna."

Srila Prabhupada SB Lecture 6.1.64-65
Vrndavana, September 1, 1975

[quote][cite] rasa108:[/cite]Srila Prabhupada: "Sriman Mahaprabhu has said,[/quote]

Which Srila Prabhupada isit? Is it Rupa Goswami Prabhupada?