Offending non-exemplary devotees
Philosophy · asked by user [] · 2008-09-17 · 2 answers
In Cc, Madhya 15.106, when asked who a Vaishnava is, Lord Chaitanya says that ""Whoever chants the holy name of Kruc0u803 su803 nu803 a just once is worshipable and is the topmost human being." How do we avoid committing vaishnava-aparadha, which can be totally detrimental for our own spiritual life, towards non-exemplary devotees? I am going through a situation where I have been exposed to a not-so-nice (to say the least) side of the local temple leaders, and my desire to perform devotional service in the temple is increasingly diminishing. As devotional service to Krishna should not be affected by such external factors, I take it that my own committing vaishnava-aparadha is the cause of my decreasing enthusiasm. For more clarity, I will add that I have been deeply hurt by the local GBC members lack of support and seeming disinterest in the way we have been dealt with for speaking up (asked to move out from the grihastha accommodation on temple grounds), even though neither of us has had a previous history of being "stirrers". We also have the silent support of the temple devotee community.
user [326] · 2008-09-17
I dont think you are offending anyone. Many Iskcon temples are run by non inspiring devotees so dont blame yourself for others faults. Maybe by remembering those who inspire you and keeping them in your heart while serving Krsna your enthusiasm will be back... I am in a similar situation now and I realized that after all we are by ourselves in our spiritual path. I hope everything gets better :)user [313] · 2008-09-18
Whoever chants HKMM once, is worshipable and topmost. But when he stops the chanting, he is old himself again. You know that. Just analyze yourself. You surely chanted HKMM at least once - do you feel worshipable and topmost? According to CC you are. So everybody should be respecting you just as they expect you to respect them. But knowing yourself, you know how things really are. Same is with others. Those who pose as very special, and demand respect, are better to be avoided.Find somebody, who is capable of chanting constantly, and youre good in his association for sure. Those who do not chant constantly, and speak inbetween, you must hear what they say, and check if it is in line with authorities. No blind faith.
Vaisnava-aparadha is most serious offence. Because Krsna loves his devotees, he will never forgive such offence. But not everybody is such a vaisnava in Krsnas eyes. And we are not Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so why imitate His vision of "all being vaisnavas". We have our faults, and others have faults too. And our vaisnavism may or may not be noted by Krsna as very serious.
Of course, we can label each other by many names, devotees and vaisnavas and such... Prabhus.... Prabhvis... But, one thing is etiquette, ISKCON social dealings, another thing is being vaisnava in Krsnas eyes. If you offend one, who is really dear to Krsna, you are gone, finished. Vishnu chakra flies today just as fine as it was flying in time of Srimad Bhagavatam episodes. But if you doubt in actions of another wannabe vaisnava, you can be promised hellfire or eternal damnation by such wanabee, or whatever, but quite possibly nothing will happen. A volture may curse a cow to die, so he can eat her, but cow will not be bothered by such curse.
Usually those who demand respect and subordination, can easily be kicked in the face, or their wise instructions ignored. They pose, cheat, pretending to be more than they really are. No offence is commited by questioning activities of such so-called vaisnavas.