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Originally Posted by theist
Yeah but who wants to join Iskcon?
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Good question, something like institutionalized religion vs. approaching God outside of any institutions?
Since we live in the age of privatisation where even Cuba, Russia or Catholic Church are private property, could be that Gaudiya Vaishnavism is by now also a private property although they fool us to be split into camps.
Yadu: "About thirty years ago, when Virabahu and I were serving together at the BBT, referring to Pramana Swami and Viraha Prakash Goswami-who were the leaders in Venezuela who created the first split in ISKCON after Srila Prabhupada's departure-Virabahu personally told me: "They could never have done what they did, if I had not supported them". I remember this well.
He told me these things with a strong voice, with conviction, and pride. Thus, in the first conflict in ISKCON in the post-Prabhupada era, Virabahu was behind, by the confession of his own words. And this was a split from which ISKCON Venezuela has never recovered. Since that time the Venezuelan yatra has been at the botton of Latin America, barely existing. But during Srila Prabhupada's time it was at the top, as it is proved by the fact that it was the only country Srila Prabhupada visited in the whole South American Continent."
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Prabhupada: Yes. Everyone is required. But he must be a Vaisnava. That’s all. Actually none of us belong to any group. They are servant of Krsna, and for Krsna’s sake he can act as a brahmana, as a ksatriya, as a vaisya or a sudra. It doesn’t matter. It is all Krsna’s service. Just like he is giving massage. That does not mean he’s a sudra. This is actual sudra’s business, servant. But he’s not a sudra. Similarly, we can act for Krsna in any position. We do not belong to this material occupation or platform. Sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya kalpate. This is to be dwelled on. He’s above all this nonsense. Brahma-bhuyaya means liberated. Jivan-mukta sa ucyate. Jivan-mukta means he may act in this life as a ksatriya, brahmana, sudra. It doesn’t matter. But he’s liberated. He’s not going to take birth again. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti. A sudra cannot get that position. So try to understan d our philosophy thoroughly and distribute it. Janma sarthaka kari’ kara paropakara. At least nobody can defeat our philosophy in the whole world. That position we have.
Conversation 1/23/77
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