a.c. bhaktivedanta swami
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| Prabhupada Letters :: 1969 a.c. bhaktivedanta swami |
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12 May 2005 May 12, 1969 Columbus, Ohio Excerpt from a conversation with Allen Ginsberg Allen Ginsberg: I'm wondering what's the future of a religious observance so technical as this? Requires so much sophistication in terms of diet, daily ritual, arati, ekadasi, how far can that spread by it's very complex.. Prabhupada: First of all you have to understand that we are trying to make people Krsna conscious. So how we can remain twenty-four hours Krsna conscious, that is the program. Allen Ginsberg: Well, modern life does not allow that much Krsna consciousness. How far can total Krsna devotion spread? How many people can that encompass in a place like America? Or are you intending only to get a few devotees, like several hundred or a thousand who will be solid and permanent? Prabhupada: Yes that is my program. Because Krsna consciousness is not possible for everyone. Because in the Bhagavad-gita we learn after many thousands of men, one may be interested how to liberate himself. And out of many such liberated persons, one may understand what is Krsna. The human life is meant for understanding the Absolute Truth, jivasya tattva-jijnasa. That is the real business of human life. So to come to that business, you won't find mass of people. It is not possible. Allen Ginsberg: Your plan here in America, then, is to set up centers so that those who are that concerned can pursue their studies and practice? Prabhupada: Personally, I have no ideal or ambition. But it is the mission of human life to come to that point. So at least there must be some center or institution who may give them this idea. It is not that everyone will come. So our mission is the intelligent persons of the world may know that seeking after sense gratification is not the aim of human life. Allen Ginsberg: But there is a thirst by many, many people for an alternative answer, for a better alternative system. Prabhupada: If they are actually thirsty then they can adopt this. There is no difficulty. So many Americans have already adopted and they are feeling relief. What is the difficulty? Hare Krsna chanting; you are chanting. Allen Ginsberg: Yes. Prabhupada: What difficulty you are feeling? Allen Ginsberg: I don't feel too much difficulty, except aesthetically I do feel a difficulty. Yes, there is. The difficulty I feel is that there should be some flower of the American language to communicate in rather than... Prabhupada: Therefore we are seeking your help. Allen Ginsberg: Well I haven't found a way, I still just stay chanting Hare Krsna. Prabhupada: Therefore why I have come to you? I have come to America with this view, that America is on the summit of material civilization. They are seeking after something. I have come, "Take this, you'll be happy." That is my mission. And if America takes, then all other countries will take because America is leading. So exalted persons like you, try to understand. What is the difficulty? Chanting Hare Krsna, anyone can chant. Even the child is trying. letters | 01:08 | |
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