Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Making a show isnt going to get rid of the fact in peoples mind that leaders dont like each other. Maybe it is a sign of sincerity on an individual level, but looking at it from societies point of view? It doesnt cut it.

Its not healthy for society to have leaders that dont like each other.

It is necessary to keep the flock thinking all is perfect and impolute. Do everything possible to not show the flaws in an otherwise low guna tinted environment. All of course in the name of preaching. Welcome to the cheaters and the cheated club
If a person is truly advanced or at least in the mode of goodness he/she has not to masquerade a relationship. That only happens in the low modes of nature, particularly in the political field of operations.
Making a smile where you would put a grimace, that is called politics and duplicioness in my town.
What have we turned on? Sad.

Its not uncommon at all for a society to have leaders that dont like each other. They are, however, able to put that aside and focus on whats important.

However, what this maharaja is saying is not that. He, at first, says that this respect has to come from the heart, that its not just for show. But then goes on to say that they should at least [formally] make a show, and that show (ie - that lie) is a "sign of sincerity."

How is that even remotely possible?

Hes encouraging leaders to lie to the devotees and pretending that its sincerity.

Hes insane.

Yet people find it impossible to renounce fruitive activities. Even the so-called sanny'e4s'e9s who make a show of renouncing such activities must still perform many activities, at least to relieve their hunger. srip'e4da sankracharya, seeing the condition of the sanny'e4s'e9s during his time, commented, "One takes on many different garbs just to fill ones stomach." And trying to give up all activities is no solution. RTW 1.5
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Your chanting of so-called Hare Kuc0u7771 u7779 u7751 a mantra is simply cheating. He has said that. One must be ready very vigorously. And that is Caitanya Mahu257 prabhus also order. Caitanya Mahu257 prabhu never said that "You chant." He has given certainly the chanting, but so far His mission is concerned, He said that "Everyone of you become guru." u256 mu257 ra u257 j'f1u257 ya guru ha'f1u257 tu257 ra ei deu347 a [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. And deliver, preach, that people understand what is Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a.
yu257 re dekha, tu257 re kaha ku7771 u7779 u7751 a-upadeu347 a
u257 mu257 ra u257 j'f1u257 ya guru ha'f1u257 tu257 ra ei deu347 a
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
Pu7771 thivu299 te u257 che yata nagaru257 di. That is His mission. It is not that "Become a big Vaiu7779 u7751 ava and sit down and imitate." This is all rascaldom. So dont follow this thing. So at least we cannot advise you in that way. We have learned from our Guru Mahu257 ru257 ja that preaching is very, very important thing, and when one is actually an experienced preacher, then he is able to chant Hare Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a mantra without any offense. Before that, this so-called chanting of Hare Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a mantra, you may practice without any offenses... And giving up all other business to make a show of a big Vaiu7779 u7751 ava, that is not required. Thank you very much. (end)
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Prabhupu257 da: So make something like American which is wonderful for the world. So you are Americans. You must do something.
Tamu257 la Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a: If we build this temple with escalators and the people go in the temple and they go up the escalator...
Harikeu347 a: Theyll never come back.
Tamu257 la Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a: Do you think that theyre going to then go down the road to go into u346 ru299 Caitanya Mau7789 ha? Why would... What is the point of it after doing something like that? Theyll never go.
Prabhupu257 da: And if you can arrange some... What is called, that? This helicopter.
Tamu257 la Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a: Helicopter.
Prabhupu257 da: Bringing our men from Dum Dum airport to our roof.
Bhavu257 nanda: Yes.
Prabhupu257 da: There are at least four roofs like this.
Tamu257 la Ku7771 u7779 u7751 a: Right. The people will see. All the pilgrims will see. Like the demigods flying in.
Prabhupu257 da: At least we can make a show'97it is coming twice in a day and going twice in a day. And they will see that "Oh, so many people are coming."
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Udilo aruu7751 a pu363 raba-bhu257 ge dwija-mau7751 i goru257 amani ju257 ge. He was not lazy. He was very busy. From early in the morning. So if we at least pretend to follow Caitanya Mahu257 prabhu, we cannot sleep. We must rise early in the morning.
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Therefore real social structure should be four divisions, bru257 hmau7751 a, ku7779 atriya, vaiu347 ya, u347 u363 dra. Bru257 hmau7751 a, fully engaged for enlightenment of the people, knowledge, spiritual knowledge. They are meant for that. They will cultivate that knowledge personally, pau7789 hana pu257 u7789 hana, and make students. Brahminical class. Similarly ku7779 atriya. They should be trained up in politics, in fighting, not to flee away from fighting. These are the training of the ku7779 atriyas.
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Even if they attack, they should not be counterattacked. It is general etiquette that superiors are not to be offered even a verbal fight. Even if they are sometimes harsh in behavior, they should not be harshly treated.(BG2.4)
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The system of bowing the head to the ground to show respect to superiors is an excellent etiquette which obliges the honored guest deep into the heart. Even the first-grade offender is excused simply by this process....

I guess it is just a selection on etiquette and dealing with the problem in a general way:-)

Comments from VIHE teacher, Kurma-rupa prabhu: (He gave permission to post this.)

> > "There is no possibility of common devotees getting along if leaders are fighting, if leaders are not respecting each other

I agree. yad yad acarati srestas... the common men follow the example of the leaders.

The problem is that the leaders are fighting... and they know it is wrong...It is the leaders who need to adjust (stop fighting), but since they cant,
they ask the "common devotees" to adjust... for the sake of appearances.

NO. The leaders should behave properly and the common men will follow. In this statement the leader is requesting the the rank and file to act
duplicitously.

The rank and file should act in such a way that the leaders are pressured to improve their behavior...ie the sons of Lord Brahma asked him to stop
chasing his daughter Vak for the purpose of uniting with her. The request of Marichi and the others made Lord Brahma come to his senses and cast off his
improper behavior. This is the example we are meant to follow if we observe unacceptible behavior in the leadership.

> > at least you should formerly make a show,

NO. Why should we pretend all is well? Repressing ones feelings and putting on a happy face is an invitation to be two-faced, duplicitous, political...
and this type of behavior not only directly undermines love and trust, but it also paves the way to all sorts of artificial behavior which lead one not
to self-realization, but to alienation... to where one is out of touch with himself.

> > it'92s better than fighting, at least do that, that'92s a sign of sincerity.

Fighting may be good... providing one is fighting to further Srila Prabhupadas mission and not personal ambition. The common devotees are also
members of the movement and have a responsibility to keep it on track... a civil responsibility. We often may have to fight to preserve the mission of
Srila Prabhupada. I remember a famous quote which goes something like this: The Patriot, must defend his country at all cost, even from the government.

The common members of ISKCON have the civil duty to keep the mission on track even if it means that corrupt leaders must be exposed and removed.
Seems to me the speaker you refer to is on a mission to subvert that....

Finally, it is not a sign of sincerity to pretend... to be duplicitous... it is a sign of insincerity...Sincerity: The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation, hypocrisy, disguise, or false pretense.

(end)

I hear this went pretty well for those involved enough in the New Vrindavan "politicking" back in the day, let us all congratulate such a big man in the ISKCON
he obliviously knows it worked out for HH and the Holiness of others!!!

Hare Krsna

Haribol. Im not sure how helpful this will be, but since Ive had plenty of disagreements with devotees it is a topic I think about often.

I think that making an insincere show of getting along is superficial and breeds, as youve mentioned, an atmosphere of duplicity in the heart.

It isnt always easy for me, but Ive had some breakthroughs by thinking of at least one aspect of whichever devotee I dont get on so well with and focusing on that. ex: "How nice that he volunteers to wash the pots." Then I try to look at myself and question why Im not so surrendered that Ill do that. Then I have some good feelings for that person in the heart. I may not agree with something he says or does but at least there is something respectful I feel towards him. So when I see the person I just try to control my mind and not think of the inflammatory bits and just think of the excellent bits and express some appreciation. The six loving exchanges really help in this department too. For minor disagreements I might just stash the maha-sweets for someone. For a big crash and burn sorta interaction pizza seems to always do the trick unless they are vegan in which case I try to source some really exotic tropical fruit or something.

Some people think that to be completely honest means to tell everyone what you think of them. I think this is not very mature. Discretion isnt duplicity. I have young children who, by natural law, are quite demanding and self-centered. I dont just tell them what I think of them, rather encourage them to do selfless things whenever the opportunity arises. Mostly my wife and I have to try and behave nicely with each other so they can pattern themselves after it (God we hope!). I think this same mindset works with our devotional family in the community we live in. Prabhupada said that we could show our love for him by how we cooperate with one another.

If we are really trying hard to think of ourselves as servants of the Vaishnavas then it seems that Krishna makes the impossible possible by showing us a way to clear the heart of yuck feelings. There is that wonderful book (forgot the name and Im too lazy to look it up) by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur that gives analogous descriptions of Krishna-lila. The pastime of Krishna sucking up the forest fire is likened to how Krishna dispels strife amongst devotees. I wonder what kind of culture wed have in ISKCON if we all sincerely turned to Krishna and asked him to please help us to so deeply appreciate even the smallest devotional inkling in our comrades that their shortcomings wont bug us? It is amazing how Krishna loves us despite our shortcomings. It is amazing how Srila Prabhupada reflected this in his life. Personally, I feel that this is our strongest preaching front. If we all really learn how to appreciate, get along and serve each other sweetly then the whole world will want to be with us.

Once an older mataji told me that this was a nice quote from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to memorize:

"When faults in others misguide and delude you, have patience, introspect, find fault in yourself. No one can harm you unless you harm yourself."

another one: "Krishna resolves all heterogenous views."

By the way - Im Texan by janma karma sorta thing - so I had to learn (am still learning) all of this stuff the hard way.

my obeisances - and, yeah, I completely forget all of this stuff all the time. Writing it out is sorta therapy though.

> If we all really learn how to appreciate, get along and serve each other sweetly then the whole world will want to be with us.

I agree. It works wonders. This is what the famous All the Good Things story is about:

http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/library/AllGoodThings.zip

And whenever we feel like criticizing if we instead pray for the person, Krsna will appreciate and help him plus clean our heart as well.

>Once an older mataji told me that this was a nice quote from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati to memorize:
>
>"When faults in others misguide and delude you, have patience, introspect, find fault in yourself. No one can harm you unless you harm yourself."

I like this quote...first look at yourself and always try to see whats good in others, then we can co-operate together as Srila Prabhupada requested us to do.

IMHO

The principle is when we atleast show respect even if we dont internally feel that way...we are

1. recognising the other person and respecting his existence
2. trying to cooperate for the higher cause
3. accepting that others who dont accept us can live in this world
4. making room for reconciliation
5. tacitly accepting that maybe we can be wrong too....hence non dismissive behavior

In one place SP said - Do and the feeling will follow

Sometimes even if we dont respect another, by showing it regularly - respect may emerge...or atleast personal maturity to realise that everyone is actually serving Krishna in some way or the other.

ys
mpcd

Live as if it is acting, mere play.

Once cant get along with everyone, so it is better to move away, and keep the company only of those your heart is attracted to.

But if you have a boss you cant get along with, then you have to make a show (mere acting); or change jobs.

Use your intelligence and wisdom; theres no one-size-fits-all answer to this; it all depends on circumstances, situations, needs.