Pankaja_Dasa 1 Report post Posted July 4, 2005 Hare Krishna, What is worse to see the face of an Athiest or a devotee who blasphemes or critisizes other devotees? Jagai and Madhai never hurt or blasphemed devotees, yet it's said they regular eat beef, killed men, raped women, drank etc. So I was thinking it seems to be a devotee is very dangerous affair. Being an athiest you may or may not goto hell. But a so-called devotee who doesn't like other devotees, will surely goto hell isn't it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jagatpurush 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2005 Vaisnava aparadha and philosophical deviations in the name of Vaisnavism are much more dangerous than mere bad karma. that is why hopefully, those who are prone to offend Vaisnavas are likely to be cast out of Vaisnava circles, in order that they may save themselves the trouble. thanks, Hare Krsna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 4, 2005 The first offence against the holy name is to blaspheme the Vaishnavas. This offence, the mad elephant offence, will stop a person from making progress. But Vaishnava aparadha really only applies to people who blaspheme an advanced vaishnava. If you criticize a temple president for being a "money grabber" you may not get any bad reaction. In fact you may help some innocent person from being exploited, in a case where the temple president really is a money grabber. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 15, 2005 yes there are differences in the level of vaishnava and apharad, its not so black and white and there are so many different circumstances. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted December 16, 2005 vidya-vinaya-sampanne brahmane gavi hastini suni caiva sva-pake ca panditah sama-darsinah "The HUMBLE sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater[outcaste]." (Bhagavad Gita 5.18) So? Why so worried about judging others? Isn't it more important to focus upon our own spiritual development and try to see who ever we encounter in life as God's creation? What do you think will happen to you if you "see the face of an Atheist" or whom ever? Judge not unless you will be judged by the same standards. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanguard 0 Report post Posted December 16, 2005 "But Vaishnava aparadha really only applies to people who blaspheme an advanced vaishnava. If you criticize a temple president for being a "money grabber" you may not get any bad reaction. In fact you may help some innocent person from being exploited, in a case where the temple president really is a money grabber. " The problem is, a lot of people like to use the "Vaishnava Aparadha" phrase to protect anyone from scrutinizing illicit activity. So if something *really* hurting devotees is going on, and you call it, you're the outcaste, not the actual offender. In a case like this, it truly is best to leave such a community so as to not disturb their minds. If abuse, or very poor avaishnavic behavior is occuring, and they consider bringing it up to be aparadha, then it's their destiny, leave them be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kulapavana 0 Report post Posted December 16, 2005 "Judge not unless you will be judged by the same standards" ------------------------------ only those who do something wrong are afraid of being judged. we should live our lives in a way that is exemplary. we can die and be judged at any moment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites