Krishna and Jesus Christ

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Chapter 27 - Krishna and Jesus Christ

Many people often wonder what is the view of Lord Jesus Christ in the Krishna consciousness movement. Srila Prabhupada, the foremost exponent of the Krishna consciousness movement explains that Jesus is Krishna's representative, son of God, and spiritual master. Below are excerpts from Srila Prabhupada's books, lectures, and conversations about Jesus Christ and his relationship with Krsna. "If one loves Krishna, he must love Lord Jesus also. And if one perfectly loves Jesus he must love Krishna too. If he says, "Why shall I love Krishna? I shall love Jesus," then he has no knowledge. And if one says, "Why shall I love Jesus? I shall love Krishna", then he has no knowledge either. If one understands Krishna, then he will understand Jesus. If one understands Jesus, you'll understand Krishna too" (Srila Prabhupada - Room conversation with Allen Ginsberg, May 12, 1969 / Columbus - Ohio) As Lord Jesus Christ said, we should hate the sin, not the sinner. That is a very nice statement, because the sinner is under illusion. He is mad. If we hate him, how can we deliver him? Therefore, those who are advanced devotees, who are really servants of God, do not hate anyone. When Lord Jesus Christ was being crucified, he said, "My God, forgive them. They know not what they do." This is the proper attitude of an advanced devotee. He understands that the conditioned souls cannot be hated, because they have become mad due to their materialistic way of thinking. In this Krsna consciousness movement, there is no question of hating anyone. Everyone is welcomed to come and chant Hare Krsna, take krsna-prasada, listen to the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, and try to rectify material, conditioned life. This is the essential program of Krsna consciousness. (Path of Perfection Chapter 3: Learning How to See God) Christian, Muhammadan, Hindu-it doesn't matter. If he is simply speaking on behalf of God, he is a guru. Lord Jesus Christ, for instance. He canvassed people, saying, "Just try to love God." Anyone-it doesn't matter who-be he Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, is a guru if he convinces people to love God. That is the test. The guru never says, "I am God," or "I will make you God." The real guru says, "I am a servant of God, and I will make you a servant of God also." It doesn't matter how the guru is dressed. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Whoever can impart knowledge about Krsna is a spiritual master." A genuine spiritual master simply tries to get people to become devotees of Krsna, or God. He has no other business. (Science of Self Realization Chapter 2: Choosing a Spiritual Master) So Lord Jesus Christ said, "My Lord, hallowed be Thy name." He wants to glorify the name of the Lord. And some people says that there is no name of God. How? If Lord Jesus Christ says "Hallowed by Thy name," there must be name. The name is there, but he did not pronounce it because the people at that time will not be able to understand or maybe some reason, but he says there is name. So we are making this propaganda, Krsna consciousness movement, the "Hallowed by Thy name. My Lord Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, let Your holy name be glorified." This is our movement. It is not a sectarian...(Lecture: Bhagavad Gita 3.27 Melbourne June 27, 1974) Sometimes Sri Krsna descends Himself, and sometimes He sends His representative. The major religions of the world-Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Moslem-believe in some supreme authority or personality coming down from the kingdom of God. In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God and to be coming from the kingdom of God to reclaim conditioned souls. As followers of Bhagavad-gita, we admit this claim to be true. So basically there is no difference of opinion. In details there may be differences due to differences in culture, climate and people, but the basic principle remains the same-that is, God or His representatives come to

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Krishna and Jesus Christ and people, but the basic principle remains the same-that is, God or His representatives come to reclaim conditioned souls. (Raja Vidya Chapter 6 :Knowledge of Krsna's Appearance and Activities) Just like Lord Jesus Christ. He was so badly treated and still he was thinking, "Father, they do not know what they are doing. Please excuse." This is suhrdah. He is praying to God This is sadhu, mahatma. Suhrdah prasanta. Not that... In India there are examples like Haridasa Thakura, Prahlada Maharaja. And the Western countries also, Lord Jesus Christ, he is saktyavesa-avatara, God's son. And he tolerated so much. These are the examples of mahatma. Don't misunderstand that we are preaching that mahatmas are only in India. No. By the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead there are mahatmas even amongst the birds, even amongst the beasts, even amongst the lower than animals. Because this Krsna consciousness movement is going on in different places, in different circumstances.(Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.3 --vrndavana Oct 25, 1976) Conversation with Father Emmanuel - In 1974, near ISKCON's center in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany, Srila Prabhupada and several of his disciples took a morning walk with father Emmanuel Jungclaussen, a Benedictine monk from Niederalteich Monastery. Noticing that Srila Prabhupada was carrying meditation beads similar to the rosary, Father Emmanuel explained that he also chanted a constant prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful unto us." The following conversation ensued. Conversation with Cardinal Danielou - "Thou Shalt Not Kill" or "Thou Shalt Not Murder"? At a monastic retreat near Paris, in July of 1973, Srila Prabhupada talked with Cardinal Jean Danielou: "... the Bible does not simply say, `Do not kill the human being.' It says broadly, `Thou shalt not kill.'... why do you interpret this to suit your own convenience?" From Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers - Discussions between Peace Corps Worker Bob Cohen and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Jesus Christ Was a Guru - The spiritual leader of the Hare Krsna movement here recognizes Lord Jesus Christ as "the son of God, the representative of God... our guru... our spiritual master," yet he has some sharp words for those who currently claim to be Christ's followers... A devotee of Krsna is friendly to everyone. Therefore it is said here that he has no enemy (nirvairah). How is this? A devotee situated in Krsna consciousness knows that only devotional service to Krsna can relieve a person from all the problems of life. He has personal experience of this, and therefore he wants to introduce this system, Krsna consciousness, into human society. There are many examples in history of devotees of the Lord who risked their lives for the spreading of God consciousness. The favorite example is Lord Jesus Christ. He was crucified by the nondevotees, but he sacrificed his life for spreading God consciousness. Of course, it would be superficial to understand that he was killed. Similarly, in India also there are many examples, such as Thakura Haridasa and Prahlada Maharaja. Why such risk? Because they wanted to spread Krsna consciousness, and it is difficult. A Krsna conscious person knows that if a man is suffering it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest benefit one can render to human society is relieving one's neighbor from all material problems. In such a way, a pure devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord. Now, we can imagine how merciful Krsna is to those engaged in His service, risking everything for Him. Therefore it is certain that such persons must reach the supreme planet after leaving the body. (Chapter 11 Bhagavad gita text 55 purport) Chapter 26 Six Favorable & Unfavorable Principles
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Bhakta Handbook

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Table of Contents
1) Morning Prayers 2) Evening Prayers 3) Temple Rules 4) Kitchen Standards 5) Cleanliness 6) Vaisnava Tilak 7) Chanting Hare Krsna! 8) 4 Regulative Principles 9) Srila Prabhupada 10) Lord Krishna 11) Caitanya Mahaprabhu 12) Gaudiya Sampradaya 13) Guru 14) The Vedas 15) Preaching 16) Karma 17) Reincarnation 18) Yoga 19) The 4 Yugas 20) Creation 21) Mayavada Philosophy 22) Evolution & Science 23) Qualities of a Devotee 24) 9 Processes of Bhakti 25) 9 Stages of Bhakti 26) Six Favorable and Unfavorable Principles 27) Krishna and Jesus Christ

BHAKTA HANDBOOK

Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Welcome to the Internet Bhakta Program. Are you new to Krishna consciousness? Would you like to know what life is like in Krishna's temples? Would you like to learn how to worship Krishna in your own home? We have created this online bhakta handbook to help you progress in your spiritual life - just read each of the chapters and you'll be on your way to making your life Krsna conscious! *A special thanks to the devotees who helped make this bhakta handbook possible!* Click here for a basic introduction to the Hare Krishna Movement Knowledge of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna is the King of Knowledge! Bhagavad Gita 9.2 raja-vidya raja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam pratyaksavagamam dharmyam su-sukham kartum avyayam raja-vidya--the king of education; raja-guhyam--the king of confidential knowledge; pavitram--the purest; idam--this; uttamam--transcendental; pratyaksa--directly experienced; avagamam --understood; dharmyam--the principle of religion; susukham--very happy; kartum--to execute; avyayam--everlasting.

Sri-Sri Radha Krsna

You may want to print this out for future reference or give it to a friend.

This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed. Copyright 2003 Sanatana Dharma Foundation

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Bhakta Handbook

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Table of Contents
1) Morning Prayers 2) Evening Prayers 3) Temple Rules 4) Kitchen Standards 5) Cleanliness 6) Vaisnava Tilak 7) Chanting Hare Krsna! 8) 4 Regulative Principles 9) Srila Prabhupada 10) Lord Krishna 11) Caitanya Mahaprabhu 12) Gaudiya Sampradaya 13) Guru 14) The Vedas 15) Preaching 16) Karma 17) Reincarnation 18) Yoga 19) The 4 Yugas 20) Creation 21) Mayavada Philosophy 22) Evolution & Science 23) Qualities of a Devotee 24) 9 Processes of Bhakti 25) 9 Stages of Bhakti 26) Six Favorable and Unfavorable Principles 27) Krishna and Jesus Christ

BHAKTA HANDBOOK

Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Welcome to the Internet Bhakta Program. Are you new to Krishna consciousness? Would you like to know what life is like in Krishna's temples? Would you like to learn how to worship Krishna in your own home? We have created this online bhakta handbook to help you progress in your spiritual life - just read each of the chapters and you'll be on your way to making your life Krsna conscious! *A special thanks to the devotees who helped make this bhakta handbook possible!* Click here for a basic introduction to the Hare Krishna Movement Knowledge of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna is the King of Knowledge! Bhagavad Gita 9.2 raja-vidya raja-guhyam pavitram idam uttamam pratyaksavagamam dharmyam su-sukham kartum avyayam raja-vidya--the king of education; raja-guhyam--the king of confidential knowledge; pavitram--the purest; idam--this; uttamam--transcendental; pratyaksa--directly experienced; avagamam --understood; dharmyam--the principle of religion; susukham--very happy; kartum--to execute; avyayam--everlasting.

Sri-Sri Radha Krsna

You may want to print this out for future reference or give it to a friend.

This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed. Copyright 2003 Sanatana Dharma Foundation

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Krishna Consciousness - A Philosophy for Everyone

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Krishna Consciousness - A Philosophy for Everyone

The philosophy of the Hare Krsna movement is a non-sectarian monotheistic tradition. It may be summarized in the following eight points: 1) By sincerely cultivating an authentic spiritual science, we can become free from anxiety and achieve a state of pure, unending, blissful consciousness. 2) Each one of us is not the material body but an eternal spirit soul, part and parcel of God (Krsna). As such, we are all interrelated through Krsna, our common father. 3) Krsna is eternal, all-knowing, omnipresent, all-powerful and all-attractive. He is the seedgiving father of all living beings and the sustaining energy of the universe. He is the source of all incarnations of God. 4) The Vedas are the oldest scriptures in the world. The essence of the Vedas is found in the Bhagavad gita, a literal record of Krsna's words spoken 5,000 years ago in India. The goal of Vedic knowledge--and of all theistic religions-- is to achieve love of God. 5) We can perfectly understand the knowledge of self-realization through the instructions of a genuine spiritual master--one who is free from selfish motives and whose mind is firmly fixed in meditation on Krsna. 6) All that we eat should first be offered to Krsna with a prayer. In this way Krsna accepts the offering and blesses it for our purification. 7) Rather than living in a self-centered way, we should act for the pleasure of Krsna. This is known as bhakti-yoga, the science of devotional service. 8) The most effective means for achieving God consciousness in this age is to chant the holy names of Lord: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare To learn more about worshipping at home and incorporating the philosophy into your daily life continue reading by the links below. On Chanting Hare Krsna - essay by Srila Prabhupada Setting up your altar - How to worship Krsna in your home Eating Spiritually: Prasadam - the Karma Free Diet Preparing and Offering Prasadam - How to Offer Vegetarian Food to God Everyday Living: The Regulative Principles - Moral Principles to Live By Practical engagement in Devotional Service - Doing Everything for Krsna
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Setting Up Your Altar

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Setting Up Your Altar

You'll likely find that japa and kirtana are more effective when done before an altar. Lord Krishna and His pure devotees are so kind that they allow us to worship them even through their pictures. It's something like mailing a letter: You can't mail a letter by placing it in just any box; you must use the mailbox authorized by the government. Similarly, we cannot imagine a picture of God and worship that, but we can worship the authorized picture of God, and Krishna accepts our worship through that picture. Setting up an altar at home means receiving the Lord and His pure devotees as your most honored guests. Where should you set up the altar? Well, how would you seat a guest? An ideal place would be clean, well lit, and free from drafts and household disturbances. Your guest, of course, would need a comfortable chair, but for the picture of Krishna's form a wall shelf, a mantelpiece, a corner table, or the top shelf of a bookcase will do. You wouldn't seat a guest in your home and then ignore him; you'd provide a place for yourself to sit, too, where you could comfortably face him and enjoy his company. So don't make your altar inaccessible. What do you need to set up your altar? Here are the essentials: A picture of Srila Prabhupada. A picture of Lord Chaitanya and His associates. (Pancha-Tattva) A picture of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. In addition, you may want: an altar cloth, water cups (one for each picture), candles with holders, a special plate for offering food, a small bell, incense, an incense holder, and fresh flowers, which you may offer in vases or simply place before each picture. If you're interested in more elaborate Deity worship, email us here. The first person we worship on the altar is the spiritual master. The spiritual master is not God. Only God is God. But because the spiritual master is His dearmost servant, God has empowered him, and therefore he deserves the same respect as that given to God. He links the disciple with God and teaches him the process of bhakti yoga. He is God's ambassador to the material world. When a president sends an ambassador to a foreign country, the ambassador receives the same respect as that accorded the president, and the ambassador's words are as authoritative as the president's. Similarly, we should respect the spiritual master as we would God, and revere his words as we would His. Everyone who takes up the process of bhakti-yoga as a result of coming in contact with the Hare Krishna movement owes an immense debt of gratitude to Srila Prabhupada. Before Srila Prabhupada left India in 1965 to spread Krishna consciousness abroad, almost no one outside India knew anything about the practice of pure devotional service to Lord Krishna. Therefore, everyone who has learned of the process through his books, his Back to Godhead magazine, his tapes, or contact with his followers should offer respect to Srila Prabhupada. As the founder and spiritual guide of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, he is the instructing guru of us all. By reading his books, following the regulative principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds, and following his instructions we can be a loyal disciple. The second picture on your altar should be one of the Pancha-Tattva (Lord Caitanya and His four leading associates). Lord Caitanya is the incarnation of God for this age. He is Krishna Himself, descended in the form of His own devotee to teach us how to surrender to Him, specifically by chanting His holy names and performing other activities of bhakti-yoga. Lord Caitanya is the most merciful incarnation, for He makes it easy for anyone to attain love of God through the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha mantra. And of course your altar should have a picture of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna with His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani. Srimati Radharani is Krishna's internal potency. She is devotional service personified, and devotees always take shelter of Her to learn how to serve Krishna. You can arrange the pictures in a triangle, with the picture of Srila Prabhupada on the left, the http://www.harekrishnatemple.com/altar.html 14/Jun/2012 11:16:27 PM

Setting Up Your Altar Carefully clean the altar each morning. Cleanliness is essential in Deity worship. Remember, you wouldn't neglect to clean the room of an important guest, and when you establish an altar you invite Krishna and His pure devotees to reside as the most exalted guests in your home. If you have water cups, rinse them out and fill them with fresh water daily. Then place them conveniently close to the pictures. You should remove flowers in vases as soon as they're slightly wilted, or daily if you've offered them at the base of the pictures. You should offer fresh incense at least once a day, and, if possible, light candles and place them near the pictures when you're chanting before the altar. Please try the things we've suggested so far. It's very simple, really: If you try to love God, you'll gradually realize how much He loves you. That's the essence of bhakti-yoga. On Chanting Hare Krishna - essay by Srila Prabhupada Setting up your altar - How to worship Krishna in your home Eating Spiritually: Prasadam - the Karma Free Diet Preparing and Offering Prasadam - How to Offer Vegetarian Food to God Everyday Living: The Regulative Principles - Moral Principles to Live By Practical engagement in Devotional Service - Doing Everything for Krishna
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Chanting Hare Krishna

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Chapter 7- Chanting Hare Krishna

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Listen to Prabhupada's explanation & kirtan below The transcendental vibration established by the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is the sublime method of reviving our Krsna consciousness. As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted by the material atmosphere. The material atmosphere, in which we are now living, is called Maya, or illusion. Maya means "that which is not." And what is this illusion? The illusion is that we are all trying to be lords of material nature, while actually we are under the grip of her stringent laws. When a servant artificially tries to imitate the all-powerful master, this is called illusion. In this polluted concept of life, we are all trying to exploit the resources of material nature, but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities. Therefore, although we are engaged in a hard struggle to conquer nature, we are ever more dependent on her. This illusory struggle against material nature can be stopped at once by the revival of our Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is not an artificial imposition of the mind; this consciousness is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived. And this is the process recommended for this age by authorities. By practical experience also, one can perceive that by chanting this maha-mantra or the Great Chanting for Deliverance, one can at once feel a transcendental ecstasy coming through from the spiritual stratum. And when one is factually on the plane of spiritual understanding-surpassing the stages of the senses, mind, and intelligence-one is situated on the transcendental plane. This chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciousness-namely sensual, mental, and intellectual. There is no need, therefore, to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need for mental speculation or any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in the chanting without any previous qualification, and dance in ecstasy. We have seen this practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it. Of course, for one who is too entangled in material life, it takes a little more time to come to the standard point, but even such a materially engrossed man is raised to the spiritual platform very quickly. When the mantra is chanted by a pure devotee of the Lord in love, it has the greatest efficacy on the hearers, and as such, this chanting should be heard from the lips of a pure devotee of the Lord, so that immediate effects can be achieved. As far as possible, chanting from the lips of non-devotees should be avoided. Milk touched by the lips of a serpent has poisonous effects. The word Hara is the form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krsna and Rama are addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krsna and Rama mean "the supreme pleasure" and Hara is the supreme pleasure energy of the Lord, changed to hare in the vocative. The supreme pleasure energy of the Lord helps us to reach the Lord. The material energy, called Maya, is also one of the multi energies of the Lord. And we, the living entities, are also the energy-marginal energy-of the Lord. The living entities are described as superior to material energy. When the superior energy is in contact with the inferior energy, an incompatible situation arises; but when the superior marginal energy is in contact with the superior energy, called Hara, the living entity is established in his happy, normal condition. These three words, namely Hare, Krsna, and Rama, are transcendental seeds of the mahamantra. The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His internal energy, Hara, to give protection to the conditioned soul. This chanting is exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mother. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the grace of the supreme Father, Hari, or Krsna, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this mantra sincerely. No other means of spiritual realization, therefore, is as effective in this age as chanting the mahamantra:

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare

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Chanting Hare Krishna

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Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Caitanya Mahaprabhu dreaming of Radha-Krsna How often and where should one chant? Srila Prabhupada set the rule that one should chant at least sixteen rounds a day if one is initiated. The best time for chanting is in the morning hours. Though Lord Caitanya mentions that there are no hard or fast rules for chanting, it is still important to know that the chanting is accompanied by following the regulative principles. However, since there are no hard and fast rules one can chant anytime and at any place. The most recommended way to chant is in association of devotees. It is also advantageous to chant in front of Tulasi devi. One main point that Mahaprabhu stressed is the attitude while chanting: trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniya sada hari (Siksastaka 3) "One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw on the street, being more tolerant than a tree and always ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly." In regards of chanting during kirtan, there are certain rules, e.g. specific melodies and songs to be chanted in the temple. The classical melodies can be heard on the Vaisnava Songs link. If you came to this page from the 'Introduction to Krishna Consciousness' please click the back button on your browser to continue reading the introduction. If you are participating in the bhakta program use the links below to continue your study. Chapter 6 - Tilak Chapter 8Four Regulative Principles
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How to eat spiritually

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Preparing and Offering Prasadam

By His immense transcendental energies, Krsna can convert matter into spirit. If we place an iron rod in a fire, before long the rod becomes red hot and acts just like fire. In the same way, food prepared for and offered to Krishna with love and devotion becomes spiritualized. Such food is called Krsna prasadam, which means "the mercy of Lord Krsna." Eating prasadam is a fundamental practice of bhakti yoga. In other forms of yoga one must artificially repress the senses, but the bhakti-yogi can engage his or her senses in a variety of pleasing spiritual activities, such as tasting delicious food offered to Lord Krsna. In this way the senses gradually become spiritualized and bring the devotee more and more transcendental pleasure by being engaged in devotional service. Such spiritual pleasure far surpasses any kind of material experience. Lord Caitanya said of prasadam, "Everyone has tasted these foods before. However, now that they have been prepared for Krishna and offered to Him with devotion, these foods have acquired extraordinary tastes and uncommon fragrances. Just taste them and see the difference in the experience! Apart from the taste, even the fragrance pleases the mind and makes one forget any other fragrance. Therefore one should know that the spiritual nectar of Krsna's lips must have touched these ordinary foods and imparted to them all their transcendental qualities." Eating only food offered to Lord Krsna is the perfection of vegetarianism. In itself, being a vegetarian is not enough; after all, even pigeons and monkeys are vegetarians. But when we go beyond vegetarianism to a diet of prasadam, our eating becomes helpful in achieving the goal of human life--reawakening the soul's original relationship with God. In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna says that unless one eats only food that has been offered to Him in sacrifice, one will suffer the reactions of karma. Learn how to offer food to Krsna On Chanting Hare Krsna - essay by Srila Prabhupada Setting up your altar - How to worship Krsna in your home Eating Spiritually: Prasadam - the Karma Free Diet Preparing and Offering Prasadam - How to Offer Vegetarian Food to God Everyday Living: The Regulative Principles - Moral Principles to Live By Practical engagement in Devotional Service - Doing Everything for Krsna
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Prepare and Offer Your Food to God

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How To Offer Your Food To The Lord

As you walk down the supermarket aisles selecting the foods you will offer to Krishna, you need to know what is offerable and what is not. In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna states, "If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I will accept it." From this verse it is understood that we can offer Krishna foods prepared from milk products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. Meat, fish, and eggs are not offerable. And a few vegetarian items are also forbidden--garlic and onions, for example, which are in the mode of ignorance. (Hing, or asafetida, is a tasty substitute for them in cooking and is available at most Indian groceries.) Nor can you offer to Krishna coffee or tea that contain caffeine. If you like these beverages, purchase caffeine free coffee and herbal teas. While shopping, be aware that you may find meat, fish, and egg products mixed with other foods; so be sure to read labels carefully. For instance, some brands of yogurt and sour cream contain gelatin, a substance made from the horns, hooves, and bones of slaughtered animals. Also, make sure the cheese you buy contains no rennet, an enzyme extracted from the stomach tissues of slaughtered calves. Most hard cheese sold in America contains rennet, so be careful about any cheese you can't verify as rennetless. Also avoid foods cooked by non-devotees. According to the subtle laws of nature, the cook acts upon the food not only physically but mentally as well. Food thus becomes an agent for subtle influences on your conscious. The principle is the same as that at work with a painting: a painting is not simply a collection of strokes on a canvas but an expression of the artist's state of mind, which affects the viewer. So if you eat food cooked by non-devotees-employees working in a factory, for example--then you're sure to absorb a dose of materialism and karma. So as far as possible use only fresh, natural ingredients. In preparing food, cleanliness is the most important principle. Nothing impure should be offered to God; so keep your kitchen very clean. Always wash your hands thoroughly before entering the kitchen. While preparing food, do not taste it, for you are cooking the meal not for yourself but for the pleasure of Krishna. Arrange portions of the food on dinnerware kept especially for this purpose; no one but the Lord should eat from these dishes. The easiest way to offer food is simply to pray, "My dear Lord Krishna, please accept this food," and to chant each of the following prayers three times while ringing a bell: 1. Prayer to Srila Prabhupada: nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhutale srimate bhaktivedanta-swamin iti namine namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracharine nirvishesha shunyavadi pashchatya desha tarine "I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanya deva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism." 2. Prayer to Lord Chaitanya: namo maha-vadanyaya krishna-prema-pradaya te krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-namne gaura-twishe namaha "O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani. and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You." 3. Prayer to Lord Krishna: namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya cha jagad-dhitaya krishnaya govindaya namo namaha "I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Krishna, who is the worshipable Deity for all brahmanas the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas and the benefactor of the whole

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Prepare and Offer Your Food to God "I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Krishna, who is the worshipable Deity for all brahmanas the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas and the benefactor of the whole world. I offer my repeated obeisances to the Personality of Godhead, known as Krishna and Govinda." Remember that the real purpose of preparing and offering food to the Lord is to show your devotion and gratitude to Him. Krishna accepts your devotion, not the physical offering itself. God is complete in Himself--He doesn't need anything--but out of His immense kindness He allows us to offer food to Him so that we can develop our love for Him. After offering the food to the Lord, wait at least five minutes for Him to partake of the preparations. Then you should transfer the food from the special dinnerware and wash the dishes and utensils you used for the offering. Now you and any guests may eat the prasadam. While you eat, try to appreciate the spiritual value of the food. Remember that because Krishna has accepted it, it is non-different from Him, and therefore by eating it you will become purified. Everything you offer on your altar becomes prasadam, the mercy of the Lord. The flowers, the incense, the water, the food--everything you offer for the Lord's pleasure becomes spiritualized. When we offer the Lord something with genuine love and devotion, He enters into the offering, and thus the remnants are non-different from Him. So you should not only deeply respect the things you've offered, but you should distribute them to others as well. Nice prasadam distribution programs are ISKCON Food for Life and the Akshaya Patra Program The ISKCON Bangalore temple currently feeds 50,000 school children lunch everyday! The programs not only fill bellies but give nourishment to the soul. On Chanting Hare Krishna - essay by Srila Prabhupada Setting up your altar - How to worship Krishna in your home Eating Spiritually: Prasadam - the Karma Free Diet Preparing and Offering Prasadam - How to Offer Vegetarian Food to God Everyday Living: The Regulative Principles - Moral Principles to Live By Practical engagement in Devotional Service - Doing Everything for Krishna
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The Four Regulative Principles

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The Four Regulative Principles

There are four pillars upon which human society rests. These pillars are: mercy, truthfulness, austerity and cleanliness. Everyone appreciates these qualities. By following the four regulative principles, we support these pillars and free ourselves from miseries and from causing pain to others. Along with chanting Hare Krishna, following these principles form the basis of Krishna conscious practice. 1. No eating meat, fish, or eggs. Killing animals destroys the quality of mercy. One turns one's body into a graveyard by consuming dead animals. These foods are saturated with the modes of passion and ignorance and therefore cannot be offered to the Lord. A person who eats these foods participates in a conspiracy of violence against helpless animals and thus curtails his spiritual progress. 2. No gambling. Truthfulness is destroyed by gambling. This is quite obvious. Gambling turns a person into a liar, a cheat. Gambling invariably puts one into anxiety and fuels greed, envy, and anger. 3. No use of intoxicants. We know many arguments against the use of intoxicants. It is not a very difficult thing to understand because anyone with a sane mind will accept that taking intoxicants is physically, mentally and spiritually detrimental. It destroys the principle of austerity because the reason people take to drugs is that they want to avoid their suffering in the material world- they do not want to face that austerity. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as any drink or food containing caffeine, cloud the mind, over-stimulate the senses, and make it impossible to follow the principles of bhakti-yoga. 4. No illicit sex. Cleanliness is destroyed by illicit sex. This is sex outside of marriage or any sex for any purpose other than procreation. Sex for pleasure compels one to identify with the body and prevents one from understanding Krsna consciousness. The scriptures teach that sex is the most powerful force binding us to the material world. Anyone serious about advancing in Krsna consciousness should therefore abstain from or regulate sexual activity according to the scriptures. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krsna says that sexual union for conceiving a child to be raised in God consciousness is an act of devotion to Him. By following these principles, you are not repressing yourself, but are elevating yourself to a superior platform. By chanting Hare Krishna, one gets a higher taste and you leave material desires behind according to the level of your realization. To continue with the bhakta program go on to Chapter 9- Srila Prabhupada (at bottom of the page). To continue with an introduction to Krishna consciousness, follow the links below. On Chanting Hare Krsna - essay by Srila Prabhupada Setting up your altar - How to worship Krsna in your home Eating Spiritually: Prasadam - the Karma Free Diet Preparing and Offering Prasadam - How to Offer Vegetarian Food to God Everyday Living: The Regulative Principles - Moral Principles to Live By Practical engagement in Devotional Service - Doing Everything for Krsna Chapter 7 Chanting Hare Krsna Chapter 9 Srila Prabhupada
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Practical Engagment in the Lord's Service

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Practical Engagement in Lord Krishna's Service

Everyone must do some kind of work, but if you work only for yourself you must accept the karmic reactions of that work. As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita (3.9), "Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu [Krishna] has to be performed. Otherwise work binds one to the material world." You needn't change your occupation, except if you're now engaged in a sinful job such as working as a butcher or bartender. If you're a writer, write for Krishna; if you're an artist, create for Krishna; if you're a secretary, type for Krishna. You may also directly help the temple in your spare time, and you should sacrifice some of the fruits of your work by contributing a portion of your earnings to help maintain the temple and propagate Krishna consciousness. Some devotees living outside the temple buy Hare Krishna literature and distribute it to their friends and associates, or they engage in a variety of services at the temple. There is also a wide network of devotees who gather in each other's homes for chanting, worship, and study. Additional Devotional Principles There are many more practices that will help you become Krishna conscious. Here are two vital ones: Studying Hare Krishna literature. Srila Prabhupada , the founder-acarya of Krishna consciousness movement, dedicated much of his time to writing books such as the SrimadBhagavatam, an encyclopedia of Vedic knowledge about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna. Hearing the words and reading the writings of a bonafide spiritual master is an essential spiritual practice. So try to set aside some time every day to read Srila Prabhupada's books. If you have no books, email us and we can point you in the right direction to get one or we can send one to you. Books are available on Ebay and Amazon.com Associating with devotees. Srila Prabhupada established the Hare Krishna movement to give people in general the chance to associate with devotees of the Lord. This is the best way to gain faith in the process of Krishna consciousness and become enthusiastic in devotional service. Conversely, maintaining intimate connections with non-devotees slows one's spiritual progress. So try to visit the Hare Krishna center nearest you as often as possible. Wherever you are, you can always associate with Srila Prabhupada via his books. Here at the Online Hare Krishna Temple we are always happy to answer your questions. Email us: Sudama das Bhaktin Cristina The beauty of Krishna consciousness is that you can take as much as you're ready for. Krishna Himself promises in the Bhagavad-gita (2.40), "In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution , and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear." So bring Krishna into your daily life, and we guarantee you'll feel the benefit. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare On Chanting Hare Krishna - essay by Srila Prabhupada Setting up your altar - How to worship Krishna in your home Eating Spiritually: Prasadam - the Karma Free Diet Preparing and Offering Prasadam - How to Offer Vegetarian Food to God Everyday Living: The Regulative Principles - Moral Principles to Live By Practical engagement in Devotional Service - Doing Everything for Krishna
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14/Jun/2012 11:46:17 PM

Creation

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Chapter 20 - Creation
The Vedic version of creation clearly explains step by step how it takes place and it is important to know at least the principal sequence. As you will see from the information given below, creation starts with the topmost spiritual planet, eternally manifested by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and ends with the manifestation of the lower, material energy. In other words, the model is exactly the opposite of present day scientists who claim that everything comes from practically nothing and that consciousness is a product of matter. The Vedic view shows how this is illogical and it also transcends all other creation models put forward by different pious cultures.

1. The original spiritual planet, which resembles the whorl of a huge lotus flower, is called Goloka Vrndavana. It is the abode of Lord Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead. 2.This original planet, Goloka, throws off a spiritual ray of effulgence called brahmajyoti-which is the ultimate goal of the impersonalists. 3.Within this unlimited brahmajyoti there are unlimited numbers of spiritual planets, as there are innumerable numbers of material planets within the sun rays of the material universes. These spiritual planets are dominated by plenary expansions of Lord Krsna, and the inhabitants there are ever-liberated living beings. They have bodily features like the Lord and are full of bliss, knowledge and eternal. The Lord is known there as Narayana and the planets are known as Vaikunthas. 4. Sometimes a spiritual cloud overtakes a corner of the spiritual sky of brahmajyoti, and the covered portion is called the mahat-tattva. The Lord, then, by His portion as Maha-Visnu, lies down in the water within the mahat-tattva. This water is called the Causal Ocean (karana-jala). 5. As He sleeps within the Causal Ocean, innumerable universes are generated with His breathing. These floating universes are scattered all over the Causal Ocean. They stay during a breath of Maha-Visnu. 6. In each and every universal globe the same Maha-Visnu enters again as Garbodhakasayi Visnu and lies there on the Garbha Ocean on the serpentine Sesa incarnation. From his navelabdomen sprouts a lotus stem, and on the lotus, Brahma, the Lord of the universe, is born. Brahma creates all living beings of different shapes in terms of desires within the universe. He also creates the sun, moon, and other demigods. Krsna further expands Himself as Ksirodakasayi Visnu, and enters everything--even into the minute atom. 7. The sun is situated almost in the center of each and every universe, and it distributes profuse light and heat all over the universe. There are millions and billions of suns in all the millions and billions of universes within the mahat-tattva. The suns and moons are required within the universes because they are dark by nature. The Vedas instruct us to go out of the dark universes and reach the glowing effulgence, the brahmajyoti. The brahmajyoti is due to the illuminating Vaikuntha planets, which need no sun or moon or http://www.harekrishnatemple.com/chapter20.html 14/Jun/2012 11:52:03 PM

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The goal of our existence is to leave the material universe and again have association with the Lord in His spiritual universe, either on the Vaikuntha planets with Krsna's Narayana expansions or directly in Krsna's lila in the Supreme Abode, Goloka Vrndavana. By following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and the previous acaryas one can go back home, back to Godhead, Krsna. Chapter 19 The Four Yugas Chapter 21 Mayavada philosophy
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The Four Yugas

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Chapter 19-The Four Yugas

Each yuga is an age with specific characteristics in which incarnations of Krsna appear. The four yugas make up a cycle called divya-yuga, which lasts 4,320,000 years. One thousand of these yugas equal one day of Brahma, which is called a kalpa. Brahma's lifespan is 100 years of his time. In each yuga there is a specific process of self-realization (yuga dharma). SATYA YUGA - (sometimes also called krta-yuga): the golden age lasts 1,728,000 years. The process of self-realization in this yuga is meditation on Visnu. During this yuga the majority of the population is situated in the mode of goodness and the average life span at the beginning of the yuga is 100,000 years. TRETA YUGA - also called the silver age, lasts 1,296,000 years and the process of self realization is the performance of opulent yajnas(sacrifices). The average life span is 10,000 years and the godly qualities decrease one fourth compared to the Satya yuga. It is during this age that Varna-asrama-dharma is introduced. DVAPARA YUGA - or the bronze age, lasts 864,000 years and the process of self realization is the worship of the deities within temples. Godly qualities are reduced to 50% by now and the average life expectancy is only 1000 years. KALI YUGA - the iron age of hypocrisy and quarrel lasts 432,000 years. Lord Krsna appeared in His original, trancendental form right before the beginning of Kali Yuga. The process of self realization is sankirtana, the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord. God consciousness is reduced to 25% of the population and life expectancy is only 100 years. By now already 5000 years of Kali yuga have passed and it is predicted that by the end of the yuga people will hardly be older than 20 years and their only food will be meat. Chapter 18 - Yoga Chapter 20 - Creation
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Six Favorable & Unfavorable Principles

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Chapter 26 - Six Favorable and Unfavorable Principles

as taught by Srila Rupa Goswami in Nectar Of Instruction

The Six Favorable Principles 1. BEING ENTHUSIASTIC Every endeavor in Krsna consciousness is performed with intelligence. The devotees are expert in engaging everything in Krsna's service. The practice of devotional service has nothing to do with selfish meditation, but means practical activity in spiritual life. 2. ENDEAVORING WITH CONFIDENCE The devotee thinks "avasya raksibe Krsna": Krsna will certainly help and protect me, so that I can successfully execute my devotional service. 3. PATIENCE One should not be impatient when executing one's devotional service but accept the orders of the spiritual master, patiently execute them and always feel dependent on the mercy of guru and Krsna. Sometimes Srila Prabhupada used to give the following example in this regard: a newly wed girl naturally may expect a child from her husband, but she cannot hope to get it right after the marriage. In other words, it takes time, until the results are manifested. 4. ACTING ACCORDING TO REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES (such as sravanam kirtanam) The devotee is expected to enthusiastically follow the 4 regulative principles and observe positive regulations like the chanting of Hare Krsna. 5. ABANDONING ASSOCIATION WITH NON-DEVOTEES In order to become successful in devotional service one has to give up the association of unwanted persons. This includes karmis, jnanis and other non-devotees. Sri Caitanya defines a Vaisnava as someone who gives up the association with worldly people. 6. FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PREVIOUS ACARYAS In Krsna-consciousness we follow a daily program (sadhana) which includes getting up early in the morning, chanting, reading of Srimad Bhagavatam etc., and thus we are following the previous spiritual masters, who were expertly engaged in devotional service every single moment in their lives.

The Six Unfavorable Principles 1.Eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required Everyone needs possessions like food, money and other things in order to maintain his body, but one should not accumulate more than necessary for one's personal requirement. 2.Over endeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain Although we are in need of a certain economic development, it is only allowed for essential things in life. The real goal of life is to realize the Absolute Truth. As soon as we don't direct our endeavors in this direction, we will simply increase our artificial demands. Therefore we have to guard ourselves from worldly endeavors. 3.Talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters Those who are not interested in Krsna-consciousness like to read heaps of newspapers, solve riddles, read novels, etc. They are simply wasting their time with useless activities. In this way materialistic people waste valuable time and energy. Old people spend their days with playing cards, fishing, television and speculations about social and political topics. All these activities belong to the prajalpa category, and should be avoided by intelligent people. 4.Practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically. Those who are interested in Krsna-consciousness should not be eager to follow rules and regulations in order to have economic success but they should faithfully follow the rules and regulations given in the scriptures and follow the order of the spiritual master in order to advance http://www.harekrishnatemple.com/chapter26.html 14/Jun/2012 11:57:08 PM

Six Favorable & Unfavorable Principles should live only in association with Krsna-conscious devotees and always be engaged in Krsna's service in their association. 6.Being greedy for mundane achievements Desires for mystic powers, merging into Brahman, whimsically striving for wealth, etc., are all in the category of greed. All attempts for material or pseudo-spiritual achievements are obstacles in devotional service. Chapter 25 Nine Stages of Bhakti Chapter 27 Krsna and Jesus Christ
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Evolution & Science

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Chapter 22 - Evolution and Science

The majority of today's scientists propagate the doctrine that life comes from matter. This assumption can neither be proven in a theoretical nor in an experimental way and is mainly based on blind belief. Srila Prabhupada often mentioned that this unproved dogma is the cause of substantial moral and spiritual damage all over the world and that this philosophy already caused enormous suffering. Therefore it is one of the primary duties of our movement to expose this fatal error and establish the Vedic viewpoint as a complete and superior explanation of reality. This challenge and the consequent dialogues with materialistic scientists are especially directed by the members of our Bhaktivedanta Institute. But every member of our movement should at least be able to understand the most fundamental principles and main philosophical reasons which Prabhupada used to defeat atheistic dogmas. The following are some of his quotations or references from Srila Prabhupada's books and literatures from the Bhaktivedanta Institute regarding the topics of science and evolution: Evolution 1. Not only are there missing links between the species, each intermediate link which is supposed to develop gradually is supposed to be functional. What is the intermediate step between a stiff arm and a bending arm (wing/elbow)etc? 2. Each species developing from a higher species is supposed to be superior and fitter for survival. On the contrary, we can observe that the ability to survive is the same for a worm as well as for a human being. 3. Where can we observe that consciousness develops from matter? Why should a higher energy be developed from a lower energy? 4. The human being is said to be the crown of evolution and therefore able to control his environment. Our observation, however, is that the human being is completely controlled by the material energy in various ways(advertisement, TV, radio, newspaper, disease, old age, etc.) 5. Why is it not possible for the scientists to calculate what the next life form is supposed to look like? Why can't we observe any species developing into another at present? 6. If everything existing developed by accident or chaos and can be reduced to chemistry, physics, mathematics, etc, where is the independence or the freedom of choice of the living entity? 7. If life is merely a combination of chemicals, why can't we bring a dead body back to life by simply injecting the missing chemical? 8. Even the structures of the most simple micro-organisms are so complex that their cause is completely unexplainable either by mutation or by gradual evolution. (The brain, e.g., consists of billions of neurons which are linked in a highly complex network.) 9. Fossil discoveries prove the opposite of what most people believe. First of all, 90-99% of all fossil records are destroyed by erosion (and therefore the method of coming to valid conclusions by the method of analyzing fossils is inefficient) and secondly, more and more contradictory discoveries are made which clearly show that present primitive forms of today were simultaneously existing with highly developed forms, like e.g. all 32 types of mammals are found in complete forms as fossils without any transitional forms. Also, we cannot observe that primitive forms have become extinct. 10. All the visible and concrete facts we find do not conform in any way to an evolutionary model but clearly confirm in every single point a creationary model. Science 1. Srila Prabhupada: "Scientists are not even able to create a particle of sand what to speak of a rose." http://www.harekrishnatemple.com/chapter22.html 15/Jun/2012 12:08:43 AM

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1. Srila Prabhupada: "Scientists are not even able to create a particle of sand what to speak of a rose." 2. Where does the original matter come from which is supposed to be the cause of any other development? 3. Modern scientists are not able to properly explain what consciousness is. 4. One cannot speak from nature independently. As soon as we say "nature", we have to ask "whose nature." 5. Materialistic science tries to control, manipulate, and exploit nature with the help of their scientific discoveries. This is a fundamental mistake because the way nature is designed is to bring the living entity to the point of understanding that the plan to "lord over material nature" is a futile attempt. 6. Materialistic science is constantly changing her theories but is simultaneously always claiming to be absolute. 7. The research of the practically unlimited complex material energy takes enormous efforts (time, energy, money) but it doesn't offer any solution (labyrinth principle). 8. All theories coming from scientists are "proven" with experiments which are made with the help of imperfect senses and fallible and conditioned instruments. 9. There is a dogma prevalent that laws which are valid in our environment are valid all over the universe, although this can not be proven in any way. 10. Real science means to understand who we are, where we come from and why we suffer birth, old age, disease and death. To all of these questions materialistic science doesn't give satisfactory answers. 11. Countries in which materialistic science is applied have increasing and seemingly unsolvable problems. 12. All of the enormous efforts in science have an underlying motive-and it doesn't seem that these motives are of spiritual nature, but purely materialistic in nature (the majority of scientists are working for the armament industry) and the general population has to make big financial sacrifices in order to support scientific research. 13. We can observe that not only life comes from life but also that matter is produced from life (lemon tree/lemon juice). 14. Matter in itself is lifeless and moves only due to the presence of spiritual energy. Chapter 21 Mayavada Philosophy Chapter 23 Qualities of a Devotee
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