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Latest revision as of 04:51, 26 June 2017
- Here we place the questions that were asked to Prabhupada as page titles and the answers he gives are inside the pages as headings written in the colour green.
Pages in category "Questions From... Journalists, Reporters, Writers"
The following 1,054 pages are in this category, out of 1,054 total.
A
- A person (Krsna)? Person in the ordinary sense of the word, or...?
- About how many followers would you say there are in the United States?
- All right. But in terms of specific, say, choosing, specific things, specific details (Krsna said this knowledge to Arjuna and Arjuna said to others and it is open. Everyone can take it, there is no secrecy. We have to accept only, that's all)?
- An extra burden on the mind (when there is bunch of hair, we feel it is an extra burden)?... Makes it, weighs heavily on the mind?... So that's the reason why? It makes the mind lighter?
- And how long does this go on (are you say that we were perhaps something else before we were born as well? And we keep coming back in something else next time)?
- And lastly, a very trivial question. The uniform, the haircut, why is that?
- And so that group of eighteen secretaries will choose another leader (he has appointed from all the disciples a group of secretaries. Each one is in charge of a different sector of the world... Presently there is eighteen)?
- And that's why the Krsna movement is separate (the general world's activities are like a non-moving car? A lump of matter)… Appears to be separated, that's the way you would put it. Well, is it separated?
- And the actual importance of the Hare Krsna chant, is that in saying the name?... Or is it a... continuous flow?
- And to your mind is it possible to come to God consciousness through other means than yours?
- And what about with people (we are maintaining animals, giving them food, giving them security of life in all our farms the animals are very free)?
- And what is the upasana you will be prescribing for those people who want to achieve jnana?
- And what will be the benefit of classifying men according to their qualities?
- And what will it profit us if we get to know about Him (Krsna)?
- And where did it (the Krsna consciousness movement) first start, which country?
- And you in turn choose others (I have been chosen by my spiritual master)?
- And you think there's enough food (now, so far I have studied, that in America, in Africa, in Australia, there are so much vacant places that the present population of the world, if it is increased ten times, still there is enough food)?
- Apart from Catholicity of the American church, what can be the other reasons of their indifference towards your positive ideas?
- Apart from giving spiritual enlightenment, do you also..., are you also concerned for people's physical well-being?
- Are changes visible in Hinduism in its doctrinal content, mode of individual and collective worship as a result of Hinduism's contact with the West?
- Are fasting and other dietary regulations necessary for leading a spiritual life?
- Are many people joining you?
- Are people using the wrong things to live too sophisticated?
- Are the teachings themself spiritual?
- Are there any books written about Krsna consciousness here available in Seattle or any other organizations besides the temple?
- Are there any centers of the society in the Communist world?
- Are there fundamental differences between, or is it simply a difference in approach between your awareness and interpretations and, for example, those of the people who are involved with Zen?
- Are there other paths to awareness of spirit consciousness other than the Krsna consciousness path?
- Are these bad conditions or ailments not part and parcel of God?
- Are they brahmanas (devotees in the Krsna consciousness movement)? Not by birth?
- Are they supposed to chant the mantra throughout the day?
- Are you a Bhagavan?
- Are you also obliged to help animals, to help other human beings?
- Are you at all concerned about the, what seems to be an increasing number of gurus and swamis throughout the world?
- Are you attempting to form a college?
- Are you getting any opposition from the church?
- Are you happy with the way the movement has really spread?
- Are you prepared to die?
- Are you say that we were perhaps something else before we were born as well? And we keep coming back in something else next time?
- Are you saying that there are people on the moon?
- Are you suggesting then that what is taken to be liberty is actually enslavement? And what is assumed to be the pursuit of happiness is nothing more than a rat race in which you try to make the best of what you can?
- Are you surprised at the great success you've had?
- Are you surprised at the way this organization has prospered?
- Are you surprised to see the popularity of your teachings in the last few years?
- Are you there referring to references from the scriptures (that is explained very elaborately in the Bhagavad-gita: na jayate na mriyate va kadacin na hanyate hanyamane sarire)?
- Are you training a successor?
- Are you yourself or do your followers regard you as an incarnation of Krsna or as the teacher of His teachings?
- Are you, sir, writing off all scientists because they've failed to understand the spiritual dimension in life?
- Are your disciples supposed to chant the mantra all the time?
- Are your followers encouraged to visit with their... (all family members, children, husband, wife, they are present there. How do you say it is against family? Wrong criticism)?
- As (a man is supposed to be educated when he sees every woman as mother)?
- As the man's concentration through which progresses, how, in what forms he goes on seeing Him (you cannot see unlimited. That is His mercy, that He presents Himself before you in three dimension because you have no eyes to see Him)?
- As the world is coming to be divided into just two classes, atheist and theist, is it not advisable for all religions to come together, and what positive steps can be taken in this direction?
- As you, yourself have said: What is talking? What is lies?
- At what age did you realize God?
- At what time did you have your own personal realization, Swamiji? At what age?
B
- Basically, what have you to offer that is different than the Christian ethos or the Jewish ethos?
- Because they do not understand the difference between the soul and the body, that's why they don't understand what you are contributing… Do you think that...?
- Being an initiated member means that the individual has acquainted himself sufficiently with your teaching and gone through certain disciplines?
- Blind leaders and blind followers (another blind leader, so-called leader, he is blind himself. He does not know how to lead people. And the followers, followers are also blind. So what will be the result?)?
- Brain-washed they call it, you know, by getting up and having the two hours or three of chanting in the morning and prayer beads constantly and the group life, that they're sort of controlled, and denied their freedom. What do you say about that?
- But a renunciation of something?
- But are you asking people, if they accept your teachings, to retreat from the world, like for instance, the people who are surrounding us now?
- But aren't they also purified spiritually by doing this (distribute these books)?
- But aren't we impure and He is pure?
- But did you hold any meetings or anything?
- But do you accept the validity of other religion?
- But do you think it's unusual, the fact that it's an Eastern, mysterious Eastern religion has an appeal to American young people?
- But do you think most of the Hare Krsna members will vote in the election in November?
- But for what purpose and to what end? What's the final end (ultimate is that you are spirit soul, you are being materially engrossed, you are creating different situations and you are being transferred to different bodies. That is different situations)?
- But how many of them (people in India) practice it (Krsna consciousness)?
- But how problems of India... like poverty, and this lack of balance between rich and poor. How these problems can be solved?
- But how to make the people realize importance of Bhagavad-gita?
- But how would you be able to carry out your educational or book publishing program if you did not have a financial backing?
- But I mean, how about in your view (could you tell me why you think the Western world has espoused your sort of movement now, has been keen on looking to the East for spiritual...)?
- But I'm trying to ask does he (the Presidential candidate) have to be Krsna conscious, involvement, in order to be God conscious?
- But if man is small and imperfect, how can he execute God's perfect orders for a perfect government?
- But isn't the bhajana that you do for concentration?
- But isn't the Krsna consciousness has not spread in the Arab world?
- But it's the same with Arjuna, wasn't it (clear word is there, "Thou shalt not kill." And why they're maintaining so many slaughterhouses?)?
- But on the spiritual platform, everybody (on the material platform, nobody is prasannatma)?
- But people in general you say are walking on the dead platform in live bodies (this living condition is one platform and when I or you, we are dead, that is another platform. So generally people are working on the bodily concept of platform)?
- But she (woman) doesn't have any structure at all until marriage?
- But still, somebody must have seen Krsna... to actually paint Him?
- But suppose the government is atheistic (the leaders cannot control nature, so why don't they accept a supreme controller? That is the defect in society)?
- But then is that man that's hammering the bricks, isn't he going to quit hammering the bricks, too?
- But then what is the action for the... Practical action, practical... (when there is no more people following their sva-dharma)
- But there are some very intelligent men who are not spiritually enlightened, perhaps even men who understand that they are not, or the body is not all, the body is dead and there is something else. Why aren't these men spiritually aware?
- But there must be different stages that you go through, is that not correct?… Can you tell me from your own experience some of these different stages you've been through
- But to a layman what would you preach?
- But ultimately you're basing all your faith factually, aren't you, on your reasoning?
- But wasn't that school (the gurukula school in Texas) moved to India?
- But what do you see happening to (the future of) the actual world? Do you see any... You know, with Christianity and other religions? The world has... a beginning and an end
- But what if they asked you, "What is this all about?" (they came... Naturally they came and joined me and began to dance, that's all. That is the beginning)
- But what is the meaning of akarma?
- But why give names to Him? Why give names to that God?
- But why, why 1966 (my movement was started from U.S.A in 1966)? I mean what was there, what was there, special about the Sixties?
- But you can come to God consciousness through a variety of paths?
- But you don't find that the fact that your monks are wearing robes or shaving their heads is a difficulty in the West, where not many people...?
- But you don't require recognition of any court, do you?
- But you led a rather normal life - before this you were married. You were a businessman?
- But you might want to come back to the U.S.?
- But young men don't tend to be wise, do they (so at the early age, up to twenty-five, he's trained up. If he can, he can continue as brahmacari. He directly can take sannyasa)?
- But, sir, if we are drop of the same ocean, why should we be impure at all?
- By elaborate you mean effective, is that? You mean effective by elaborate? I mean is that the proper synonym for elaborate (well is Krsna consciousness very elaborate)?
- By preaching Krsna consciousness would you condemn other people's beliefs?
- By this (there are degrees of light), you mean that those who adopt the teachings coming from the Koran or from the Bible is lesser light than from the Gita?
C
- Can I ask is this a very special welcome for you, or is this a performance that you go through each day?
- Can there be an existence without a faith, sir?
- Can we see Him, just as we see Lalaji? But with these eyes or the... (so our knowledge is very easy. We don't make any research. Here is Krsna says that He is the Supreme Personality - we accept it. That's all. It is very simple)?
- Can we, can you say a bit more of that, just for the tape? You were saying that religion is obeying the supreme controller
- Can you briefly tell us what the difference, how your approach is different from the approaches of the other gurus who have come? You seen to have rather a unique place in...
- Can you explain to me just a bit more, if the soul is undying, does everybody's soul go to be with God when they die? Do you have a belief in a heaven or a hell?
- Can you explain to me then what difference it makes being a member of the Hare Krsna movement
- Can you explain to me, then, perhaps finally, just some of the stages you go through in this spiritual life. Sort of, from somebody being a new devotee to Hare Krsna, what are the mental or the spiritual stages you go through?
- Can you explain what I read in one of your books, that the sound spoken either in chanting a mantra or when talking about God or Krsna is somehow transcendental sound, though it's spoken with the same voice?
- Can you give us the number how many temples are there in foreign countries?
- Can you really expect to change the whole society?
- Can you say what is God?
- Can you tell me a little bit about the future direction of the movement, how you plan to expand?
- Can you tell me how the Hare Krsna movement came to be founded?
- Can you tell me how you feel about this welcome that you got? Are you used to anything a little bit more serene?
- Can you tell me how you feel led, you know, how you are guided to do what you do?
- Can you tell me how your teaching relates to the Bible, to the Christian teaching?
- Can you tell me the chant? Will you recite the chant to me? And then tell me why it's used so often by the followers?... The Krishna chant
- Can you tell me what is Krsna consciousness?
- Can you tell me what this painting up here is?
- Can you tell me what you believe to be the meaning of life, why do we exist in the first place?
- Can you tell me what you believe, what is the philosophy of the Hare Krsna movement?
- Can you tell me who is Lord Krsna?
- Can you tell me...? There's been an awful lot in these last two years said about the Jesus Movement. How does that sort of line up with Krsna?
- Can you tell us a little bit about the plans you have for your project in India
- Can't people be spiritual without dressing in this fashion and dancing in the street?
- Coming back to this question of the western type of civilization, do you feel that the success of the movement in the western society is an indication of the need being felt by the western man that has been lacking in spiritual ideologies?
- Consciousness movement in the West-like you said, the Western people are fed up with materialism. Is it that they are fed up only with materialism or with...?
- Could a woman be a temple president?
- Could we just talk for a minute or two so that we could get all this set up? If you'd like, just to tell me. You're going to India tomorrow, is that correct?
- Could you describe your temple to me?
- Could you explain (illicit sex, do you think it is...? Not only outside marriage. Even in marriage, you cannot have sex as you like. You must have sex according to the regulative principle or religious principle)?
- Could you go over each of the three functions you've been mentioning-eating, sleeping and sex - and tell me what specifically, what rules or hints that you would give people who are seeking spiritual enlightenment to aid in their lives in these ways
- Could you tell me a little bit about your background, when you were young, what types of things you did...?
- Could you tell me about the Hare Krsna mantra because it's so important to Krsna consciousness
- Could you tell me how much you do derive from the airport solicitations in the United States?
- Could you tell me how old you are?
- Could you tell me something about your altar?
- Could you tell me the names of these special foods? How do you know what Krsna eats and drinks, please?
- Could you tell people how you are dressed today, what's the significance of your clothes?
D
- Did Gandhi reply to your request (this request I made to Gandhi That "You are..." People accepted him as a spiritual man all over the world. So if Gandhi would have taken this movement sincerely and scientifically, it would have grown thousand times)?
- Did I understand you to say the swami has no sex life?
- Did you come with the purpose of spreading Krsna consciousness?
- Did you get formal training with a...?
- Did you go to the United States to found the Krsna consciousness?
- Did you mean to ask whether the ultimate state of consciousness is within us that has to be brought out? The dormant Krsna consciousness, is that...
- Did you meet any of them (the Soviet Union leaders)?
- Did you say through a particular ritualistic process you can go there in your next life?
- Did you stand on street corners and chant?
- Did you work out the spiritual disciplines for the group yourself? I mean about the morning chanting and the recital of the two thousand Hare Krsnas a day and... Did you work those out yourself?
- Did you yourself study Sanskrit at Vrndavana or...?
- Do all spiritual paths lead to the same end?
- Do I understand that the children in your school in Texas, that they're brought up in what you consider spiritual consciousness...?
- Do people come to the services who are not disciples and devotees?
- Do people lose God consciousness as they grow older?
- Do they (your followers) do anything like social work or other...?
- Do we get a second chance if we don't make the most of this life? In other words, is reincarnation part of your...?
- Do we have a viewpoint on contraception?
- Do we offer any solution for socio-economic problems that you can...?
- Do women fit into this (four classes) social structure? You keep referring to man
- Do you accept the supremacy of the Vedas, veda-pramanam?
- Do you attempt to speak with governments and city officials and that sort of thing to spread your message?
- Do you believe that Hare Krsna is the only true faith?
- Do you believe that other religions have some truth to them because they all are...?
- Do you believe then that there is more than one way?
- Do you claim then that your way of loving God is the way to love God?
- Do you consider that your movement is basically more of an educational movement than a religious movement?
- Do you envisage or envision a different role for Hinduism in the Western countries where the influence of other great religions has been felt for centuries?
- Do you expect to name one person as your successor or have you already?
- Do you feel also that if someone read the Bhagava...?... Bhagavad-gita and other books, that a person merely by reading these could attain knowledge of Krsna?
- Do you feel are you in good health now? You look it.
- Do you feel that astronauts did land somewhere, but it was some other planet?
- Do you find the English weather cold?
- Do you find, uh, you must find it very, very difficult travelling all the time?
- Do you foresee a time coming when people will realize... (it has already come, disaster). No, I mean a time coming when disaster is averted and people realize...
- Do you foresee a time when many people will receive that remedy (the instruction is there. Just like Bhagavad-gita says, "Produce food grain." The remedy is there. But you will not produce food grain; you will produce motorcar. Then you must suffer)?
- Do you foresee that the devotees will grow in numbers in this country?
- Do you go to this institute for a certain period of time (yes, there is a monastery. We have got institution, Gaudiya Math Institution. They have got hundreds of branches, yes)?
- Do you have a large number of American negroes in your movement, Swamiji?
- Do you have a name that you call... are they called students?
- Do you have a temple here, Swami, or do you meet in libraries?
- Do you have altars?
- Do you have any of the other things you find in the inside of churches?
- Do you have any opinion about Ted Patrick, who I guess you've probably heard of?
- Do you have any other source, like donations or something like that for your movement?
- Do you have any proposal to spread this movement in Communist countries?
- Do you have anything comparable to bishops and the hierarchy of the Christian faith and of other major faiths?
- Do you have arrangements with hospitals in case somebody gets sick, and do you watch diet carefully and...?
- Do you have certain dietary rules for which you do not eat? What do you not eat?
- Do you have children?
- Do you have children? You just left them?
- Do you have much of a following in India itself?
- Do you have plans for other schools?
- Do you have programs developed to educate mankind towards this God consciousness?
- Do you have women followers also in this movement?
- Do you initiate yourself all the disciples or do your other disciples also do that?
- Do you know how many followers there are in the United States now?
- Do you mean every, the whole of India is Krsna conscious?
- Do you mean the perfectness is to become God or to become the man?
- Do you need to be involved in the Krsna movement to be God conscious?
- Do you need to have a name and address and occupation for God?
- Do you not think it's worth going to such places as Ireland and trying to talk to the people out there to stop warring?
- Do you plan to propagate your message in India?
- Do you receive visitors most of the time, or do you do a lot of reading?
- Do you rule out talking about the beings living on the moon planet?
- Do you see a time coming when all mankind will be united?
- Do you see America getting more God consciousness?
- Do you see hope for mankind in the future?
- Do you see yourself then as the savior of American youth?
- Do you seek government help?
- Do you spend a certain amount of time in each center? Do you yourself travel from one center to another?
- Do you spend your whole year traveling, or only part of the year?
- Do you take this throne (vyasasana) with you all the time?
- Do you think for instance, in this country, if somebody is a Protestant, or I mean a Christian and goes to church, this is also, you don't try to convert them away from that?
- Do you think if people had a deeper understanding of God... a spiritual consciousness...? Do you think it would solve the problems of...?
- Do you think it is necessary for India to eschew religion?
- Do you think mankind is making some improvement?
- Do you think meditation is a way to see God inside yourself?
- Do you think modern man must get better and know God or he will destroy himself?
- Do you think Mrs. Gandhi's leadership has not been successful?
- Do you think people should beware (of false gurus)?
- Do you think that all men can stand on the spiritual platform?
- Do you think that every human being will become liberated?
- Do you think that I am inferior to you (by physiological condition (women are inferior to men). Just like you are. Your bodily features are different from the man's features. You cannot deny it)?
- Do you think that one of the attractions of Krsna consciousness is the rather exotic, Hindu, unusual customs in the West. These customs are unusual in the West and they have a sort of exotic appeal for young people?
- Do you think that some day the Krsna consciousness movement will spread to all the people in the world?
- Do you think that the great mystics down the ages have actually seen this spark?
- Do you think that the message of Krsna consciousness or Krsna Caitanya is very different from the message of realizing God which is promulgated in other religions, for instance the Saiva religion or...?
- Do you think that the Russian society is not put off by this bhajana?
- Do you think that the, say astronauts that would land on the moon, do you think they would encounter any difficulty in going about and doing what they wanted to and then leaving?
- Do you think that this is because of the Western influence under which they have gone and you are... (nobody spoke that "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You worship Him." Nobody has said. This is the first time, I am saying)?
- Do you think that your movement has a chance to make it here in America?
- Do you think that, that stage (to be united on the spiritual platform) is possible within this generation?
- Do you think the India-originated religion is, serves its particular purpose in the Western society? I mean, does, is it of particular value in a rather technological society, the Hindu tradition?
- Do you think the social unrest...?
- Do you think the type of life that your devotees must lead... is in fact a happy one, getting up very early in the morning?
- Do you think there is a necessity to open a ministry of religion?
- Do you think there's a difference between the various peoples of the world? In other words, do you think that Indians as opposed to Europeans have more of a tendency or are more likely to adhere to the Krsna consciousness?
- Do you think they (west) are taking to it because it is novel?
- Do you think transcendental meditation is beginning to help...?
- Do you think we have too much for our needs?
- Do you think we're going to come right, then? Is that a possible question? Or is it just far too many people now who are purely in the body and in the world of the senses? Is the world going to come around?
- Do you think your movement is the only way to come to know God?
- Do you think, Swamiji, that man can become perfect?
- Do you use the word guru?
- Do you want this to become a part of the educational system here?
- Do you, in other words, do you believe that astronauts landed somewhere?
- Does all desire ultimately have to go, including the desire to attain Krsna consciousness?
- Does it ever happen, Swamiji, that some disciples of yours may disagree with you in spiritual matters?
- Does it matter what religion you believe? Does it matter which religion you believe? Would it matter if one was a devotee of Hare Krsna...?
- Does one function better in society as a result of affiliation with Krsna consciousness?
- Does one have to leave one's family? I think everybody lives in the temple, don't they?
- Does that apply then to other kinds of decisions and other kinds of activities as well (Krsna will tell directly. A devotee always consults Krsna and Krsna tells him, "Do like this." Not figuratively)?
- Does that include all sex life or...? What is illicit?
- Does that involve a majority of the people, or... (so those who are working on the bodily platform, they are working on the dead platform)?
- Does that mean to say that you can't live a happy life without being religious?
- Does that take on a positive aspect as well so that by not only do I not kill animals and I don't kill men, do I, am I obliged under your system (we are not cruel to anyone. Either he's a man or animal or tree or bird), am I obliged to actively help...
- Does the method include meditation? What... How do you go about this process?
- Does the self exist without the body in this world?… In this life?… As a spirit apart from the body
- Does your haircut have any particular significance?
- Does your method include meditation, austerity of various sorts in addition to no alcohol, no drugs?
- Don't you find the whole Krsna movement more successful in an age and era when there is such laxity of moral standards and spiritual leadership and direction?
- Don't you think that the children should be given freedom to choose voluntarily?
- Drinking tea and coffee also ("unless one gives up these four things he cannot understand what is God")?
E
- Even in India, Muslims are taking to Krsna consciousness?
- Even with this education, they (the children in Gurukula) still might not be intelligent, what you consider intelligent people. How, you know... Is it more likely that they will be what you would term intelligent, having been educated in this system?
- Everyone has to learn from someone. Who has informed God of all knowledge?
- Everyone should marry?
F
- Finally Swamiji, what is the relevance of Krsna consciousness in our modern society?
- For how long are you at the head of this movement?
- For spreading this movement in India, are you hopeful it will be?
- From the U.S.A. Could you tell me why you think the Western world has espoused your sort of movement now, has been keen on looking to the East for spiritual...?
- From what I've seen in your writings - that there's an underlying truth behind all religion. Would you agree with that?
- From which class of society in the United Sates do most of your disciples come?
- Frustrated (in the Western countries, unless they are hungry for spiritual consciousness, why they are hippies? They are frustrated. They are not going to live like their fathers and forefathers)?
G
H
- Has anybody actually seen Krsna?
- Has God also devised the most perfect government?
- Has there been any official opposition to your movement in any country?
- Have any of these demigod creatures visited the earth? Are they in human form?
- Have there been dropouts, out of the movement, of the hundred that were initiated?
- Have they encountered any problems in, like out on the Hollywood Boulevard? Police action or telling them to move or...?
- Have you any comment about the lawsuit that the sect here is involved in with regard to whether they should be allowed to sell literature and collect donations?
- Have you any idea what the number of the people are nationally?
- Have you any program for the common people?
- Have you any program of Swamiji for the common mass?
- Have you asked the government for money? President Nixon?
- Have you been to Russia? They allowed you to preach?
- Have you been troubled by any undesirable elements?
- Have you got a particular mission for London?
- Have you had a significant impact on the American society? The values you preach, have they influenced Americans to a certain degree?
- Have you had any difficulty in bringing this, which seems to have originated in India, into the West?
- Have you put any conditions (they may say that "Your Krsna; our this." No. That knowledge Krsna is giving for everyone. And it is accepted by everyone. They are Christians. How they are accepting? I am not bribing them)?
- Have you realized the highest truth yourself?
- Have you written all of these books or are they by other philosophers of...?
- He (Prabhupada) has traveled the world sixteen times around?
- He asked if anyone now has seen Krsna
- He asks: In our society do these four divisions also exist?
- He says seeing the world as it is today, what is the most preferable social organization from the Krsna conscious point of view?... How should society be organized in order to achieve these goals?
- He wants to know how he will be engaged. Who will tell him what to do?
- He wants to know, is this consciousness within us (the soul means consciousness. It is just like sunshine. The soul is very small particle, but it is shining as consciousness)?
- He's asking how does our sankirtana activities relate to God consciousness, the selling of books and collecting of donations?
- He's saying did you think of these things yourself, to chant on the beads and follow the program in the morning, have you made these up yourself?... Who originated those steps?
- Helped (I am very much indebted to them because they have helped me) in what sense?
- Her question is... Suppose someone has some faith in life after death, and he also may be an intelligent man by material standards. Why isn't he automatically...?
- Here's another one kind of on that line. How do you feel about women's lib?
- Hinduism has always renewed or revitalized itself according to the need of the times. In today's context, are any correctives called for, and if so, who will bring them about and how can they be brought about and made acceptable to all the masses?
- Hinduism has been defined as a way of life?
- His idea.... His question, Prabhupada, is also, suppose someone wants to buy a farm or wants to do some new project. Do they ask your permission first?
- How about the third and fourth-classes?
- How are those supported (the forty centers in the United States)? Do they support themselves?
- How are you trying?
- How can all sections of Hindus be made to take an equal interest and have the same sense of belonging to the Hindu religion?
- How can we get a God conscious leader (president) in this country?
- How can you make them (people) interested if they're not?
- How did Krsna consciousness develop?
- How did you attract people? You landed in New York...
- How did you become a disciple yourself?
- How do they respond in China?
- How do you become qualified? How did you become qualified?
- How do you choose, you are responsible for the organization?… Are you the one who chooses who runs each center, who is responsible in each temple?
- How do you deal with negativity?...The devotees encounter negativity every day, people that are not interested. How, not just on the outside world, but how does one deal with that within, how does one relieve oneself of that negativism?
- How do you explain the advance that Marxism has made?
- How do you feel the modern world (have received Krsna consciousness)? What's your feeling?
- How do you have that assurance (this movement is the only way to know God)?
- How do you know (that is a bogus)? Have you met him (Guru Maharaji)?
- How do you know the animal has a soul?
- How do you relate the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to Hinduism?
- How do you spend your days? You do an awful lot of traveling I understand
- How do you stop that (greed)?
- How do you want India to take this movement?
- How does He (Krsna) speak to you or to us?
- How does it benefit the person who is selling the book, the devotee?… How is he benefited by selling books to others?
- How does Krsna consciousness relate to the Hindu religion? Because that is also based on the Bhagavad-gita
- How does Krsna support them (the forty centers in the United States)?… He mediates through physical things, does he?
- How does one feel called toward Krsna conscious? What demands are made upon him? How does he come into the frame of mind where he can accept Krsna consciousness?
- How does one know a bona fide spiritual master who can lead them?
- How does that come? (I have been chosen by my spiritual master… That is our succession… Originally the order is from Krsna)?
- How important is it to look after physical life?
- How important is your physical environment to you? If this room is very lovely - it has light and space and air and flowers - is this important at all or would it be the same to you to be sitting out on the street?
- How is that (if you pour water on the root of the tree, the service reaches everywhere) manifesting?
- How is that spiritual dimension realized (if you chant, then, gradually, you realize yourself that you are a spiritual being; you are not this body. Then his spiritual life begins. Actually human life is meant for spiritual realization)?
- How is that they say that in some of the mantras they are cakras and all that?
- How is the response in the West?
- How is this godlessness showing itself in our society?
- How is your health now?
- How is your path or your way different from (or) better than others?… It is the only way?
- How long are you going to stay there?... In India, when you go?
- How long does it take (to learn about God)? Well, can we do it? And what happens to me then?
- How long does it take to purify ourself?
- How long has Krsna consciousness been in India, or were you...?
- How long have you been a Hare Krsna man?
- How long have you been here, sir?
- How long have you been in this country? Did you come to found this society?
- How long were you there (in Moscow)? With your disciple?
- How long will you be in England, sir?
- How many asramas do you have in India?
- How many centers are there now?
- How many centers in the United States?
- How many children do you have?
- How many followers do you have (1972)
- How many followers do you have throughout the world now?
- How many followers do you have?
- How many followers have you got now throughout the world or can you not count?
- How many members do you now have? How many followers?... Ten thousand? That is in this country or is that...?
- How many members in the United States? I'm told two thousand. Is that correct approximately?
- How many of your disciples would have seen the vision of God in the sense of seeing the Lord given in their heart?
- How many people are in the movement approximately?
- How many temples are there now?
- How many temples are there?
- How seriously should they (the criminals) be punished?
- How strong is it (the Hare Krsna Movement in India)?
- How this movement has helped in solving any specific issue, any special problem?
- How to attain this Krsna consciousness and to maintain it?
- How to give up this tea and coffee to which we are so much habituated?
- How would I recognize a true follower of the Krsna consciousness movement by his behavior? What would his traits be? What would his outward expressions be?
- How would one tell that one had a genuine guru because one would be told to give up certain parts of...?
- How would you be able to carry out your educational or book publishing program if you did not have a financial backing?
- How would you describe that platform (the difficulty is they do not understand on which platform we are working (many people say that members of the International Krsna Consciousness Society are being cut off from work in the world))?
- How would you describe these people that live there (on the moon)? Would they be invisible to us or visible?
- How would you get man to become aware of the situation so he could desire (God consciousness), even desire unconsciously?
- How your preaching differs from various acaryas? Say, Sankara or Vallabha or Ramanuja?
I
- I assume that being an initiated member means that the individual has acquainted himself sufficiently with your teaching and gone through certain disciplines?
- I beg your pardon (that is Krsna consciousness)?… The way they support themselves?… Krsna supports?
- I don't quite understand that in terms of my question about wearing street clothes and wigs instead of saffron robes and chanting and so forth?
- I guess when you started out down here in Greenwich Village in 1965 you didn't have any idea that your movement was going to become the rather large movement it is. Did you?
- I know you define that as civilization. It's just, I was trying to suggest that some societies, and indeed, some individual personalities, are avaricious seemingly by nature. How do you...?
- I mean (what do you mean by retired life?) are you giving up your position as spiritual leader?
- I mean supposing I wished to become an initiate. Wouldn't I have to come and live here?
- I mean the mood of the time (the Sixties) might have been right then. I mean was there something about that age that made it especially attractive to the young people?
- I mean you aren't leaving this country for good. You're a permanent resident, right?
- I mean you say that people identify themselves, the body as the self... And that this is ignorance to identify the self with the body… But does that mean a sort of rejection of the body as unimportant?
- I notice that most of your followers, at least in this temple, are young, like in the college age or in the teenage. Is it because Krsna doesn't attract the older generation, I mean, yourself excluded?
- I read a news report recently that you had said in Paris that you no longer taught your followers to chant simply the name of, the Hare Krsna mantra, because the name of God could be chanted in any form. Is that so?
- I read somewhere that possibly you wanted to convert people who were politicians and businessmen. Why?
- I realize that we're all considered spirit souls. But can a woman be first-class if she...?
- I saw your magazine (Back to Godhead). It's a beautiful magazine. Where is that done?
- I should just like to know how old you are
- I think people understand the analogy, they think hammering is the business. What do you think is the business?… The world thinks hammering is real business
- I think you've answered this question, but he wants to know how will Krsna consciousness affect all the religions and politics of the world at this time?
- I thought you quoted Christianity. But as far as the Christian faith is concerned, don't they quote their scriptures?
- I understand in fact that you are a pure devotee of Krsna. What does this mean? What do you mean by being pure? Does it mean that you have seen Krsna?
- I understand that this is an extension of Hindu religion. Is that not correct? No, it's not. Does it have any basic tenets of the Hindu religion?
- I understand that you only sleep about two or three hours a day. And do you usually sleep during the middle of the daytime as well?
- I understand you have further thoughts about that (moon landing) and you've even written a lot about it. I wonder if you could tell me, not at great length perhaps, but what your belief about those events is?
- I understand you sleep very little. You sleep three to four hours a night. Do you feel that this is what any person who is spiritually actualized will also realize?
- I was going to ask you about that, (Western) civilization?
- I was wondering if he had a successor to do... Do you have a successor to take your place when you die?... So what process would the Hare Krsnas...?
- I was wondering whether perhaps you would personally take a less active role?
- I went to shake hands with everybody and I found that all your right hands were wrapped. What is the significance of that?
- I wonder if I could ask you first of all to tell me what is the central point of the teaching of Bhagavad-gita?
- I wonder if you could tell me how you came to founding the movement here in the United States?
- I wondered whether you feel that it's right that you could perhaps issue a warning to people who are seeking some new spiritual life that they should take care to make sure they have a genuine guru to teach them
- I would have to become a member of the Krsna movement (in order to see Krsna)?
- I would like to know how this movement started, what gave you the idea. What is the background? And why it was called the Krsna consciousness movement? Is it a return to something very fundamental?
- I would like to know more about what do you think our society is doing wrong?
- I would like you to tell us that I can put in our article here if you have one sentence, one paragraph, that you would like to say to the world, (laughter) what would you say?
- I'd like to know, this is your first visit to Washington? Is that right?... Who have you visited with while you've been here? Have you stayed here, or have you gone out and...?
- I'm just checking it out, but there's nothing to it, huh (I mean you aren't leaving this country for good. You're a permanent resident, right?)?
- I'm speaking in terms of outer service to people who are not in your mission. Other than preaching the truth of Krsna, is there any other outer service to humanity?
- I'm sure that you're aware that to many people in the West, in America, in New York City specifically, that your disciples seem strange because of the way they act on the streets. What about that?
- I'm trying to find out whether the consciousness lies within us, brought out...
- I'm wondering if there's any similarity between meditation and hypnosis?
- I've been studying Russian Elders in the Orthodox Church... They seem to have found the divine. I guess that's religion too. It seems to me both are, but perhaps you have a better definition than that?
- I've got a good question. How can we get a God conscious leader in this country?
- If any of us here this morning wish to become followers what would we have to give or give up?
- If astronauts were able to land and return to the earth successfully (...) would you then interpret it that they were able to get the visa or to...?
- If destiny cannot be changed, what does Krsna mean when He says, "Be thou happy by this sacrifice"?
- If I can summarize correctly your views on this, that it would be impossible for human beings to land on the moon planet? I wonder if you could explain how it would be impossible, to what extent?
- If I think the spacesuit is suitable and, say, if I am an astronaut and I land there, I can land there?
- If I understand you correctly, you seem to be educating people on a purely scientific basis… So where does religion come into it at all?
- If it is not too much a personal question, have you had a saksaska?
- If our first concern should be to serve God, or Krsna, then why should there be a movement
- If someone in all seriousness wishes to find the spiritual life and happens to finish up with the wrong guru, I mean should they beware?
- If the impossible happened and they were able to safely land on the moon's surface do you feel they would have any difficulty or encounter any trouble with the beings that you say live there?
- If the parents are good, then there is a remarkable possibility that the children may have a chance to be. Is that not true?
- If the space program, either the Russian or the American program, which have plans to try to land on the moon and return safely, if this is successful, do you think this accomplishment would hurt the Krsna movement in the United States?
- If the United States or the Soviet Union were to attempt a landing and their spacecraft went down, what do you yourself expect...?
- If you begin dressing things up, they change. And the size of the movement now? Is it a growing movement, Krsna consciousness?
- If you say this, based on Vedic literature, and other members of the Krsna movement heard this, and then if the feat were accomplished, would this not seem a contradiction?
- If you take that logic and use it the other way... If you say the animal has no soul... then you'd have to say human beings would have no soul, wouldn't you?
- In 1968 I was questioned by the reporters, "What is your opinion about this moon?"
- In India (how is Krsna consciousness received)?
- In India or the United States (where is your family)?
- In India, how many are Krsna conscious?
- In ISKCON, are there these four divisions?
- In order for a candidate (Presidential candidate) to be God conscious, would he have to be part of the Hare Krsna movement?
- In order to establish the asrama will you be spending part of the year here?
- In other words, if they want to donate something, they donate. Is that how the magazine is published (we allow everyone, "Come on, chant. Take prasadam")?
- In society, the consumer society, (indistinct) miseries, what is the message you can bring people even in this day?
- In that case (we are transcendental to all these material divisions. This is material division), in which of these four divisions are we (ISKCON)?
- In the Kali-yuga, bhakti has been described as the most suitable and easiest of paths for God realization. Yet how is it that Vedantic teachings, with their accent on jnana, are being given the pride of place by noted savants or knowers?
- In the Krsna conscious scheme there is also active struggle and activity?
- In the part of the world where this particular philosophy and this particular belief originated, which is in India, in the Eastern part of the world, at least as we look at it. Is it successful there? Do you have a large following over there?
- In this country (Pakistan) also they have taken (well, Muslim India or same India, those who are intelligent, they are taking to Krsna consciousness)?
- In this maha-mantra that you publicize, Hare Krsna, it is Krsna that is emphasized. (indistinct) emphasis His Bhagavata and other things are popularized. Is it corresponding...?
- In what way did you think, that the teaching of the love of God which you are doing, is different and perhaps better than the teachings of which already were being conducted in this country and have been conducted in the Western world for centuries?
- In your books you talk about Brahmaloka, which, I suppose is heaven
- In your many visits around the world do you see a desire among many men to try to improve, to become first-class men?
- In your opinion, is it impossible for somebody to be a scientist and not to believe in God?
- India is supposed to be a land of spirituality. How is it that there is so much moral degradation in our country? Is it the failure of our spiritual leaders?
- Is (polygamy) allowed?
- Is (this movement) growing all the time?
- Is a guru essential to one to enter the spiritual path and attain the goal, and how does one recognize one's guru?
- Is diet an important segment of the word?
- Is guru and swami the same thing?
- Is interpretation necessary or not?
- Is it (Bhagavad-gita) that simple and clear for everybody (if they do not know this is a tape recorder. What is interpreting? Everyone knows that this is a tape recorder. So what is interpretation? Interpretation required when you do not understand)?
- Is it (understanding God) possible for poverty-stricken people, those who have to earn bread and money by the sweat of their brow?
- Is it (woman should be subordinate to the man, so that the man can take charge of the woman) true for all woman and all men?
- Is it a question of just understanding it (recognition of the spirit soul within this body, that is first education. Unless one understands this simple fact, there is no question of spiritual advancement)?
- Is it better to do it the way you did it or to start from a very early age in the, er…?… In other words, some of our members are sannyasa at an earlier age
- Is it considered a legal wedding ceremony in this country?
- Is it more difficult to do this (your daily routine) when you're traveling a lot?
- Is it more favorable for spreading Krsna consciousness if there is some material problems, social problems? If there is a lack of God consciousness, then people become frustrated. Is that a more favorable situation for Krsna consciousness to take root?
- Is it necessary and possible to outline certain basic minimum observances for all Hindus?
- Is it necessary from time to time to change the smrtis?
- Is it necessary to know of the Indian language when you join?
- Is it not possible for all sections of Hindus, be they Advaitans, Dvaitans, or visistadvaitans, to come together instead of remaining isolated as warring factions?
- Is it possible (and to your mind is it possible to come to God consciousness through other means than yours? - I say if it is possible, then it is all right)?
- Is it possible for a saint at certain stage of sadhana to perform miracles?
- Is it possible on the spiritual platform?
- Is it possible to talk and also to chant the mantra at the same time?
- Is it that people have confused materialism with happiness?
- Is it vital to follow certain eating habits?
- Is it, though? (laughter) (and to your mind is it possible to come to God consciousness through other means than yours? - I say if it is possible, then it is all right? - Is it possible? - Yes, if it is possible)
- Is Krsna consciousness connected with any other religion? Does it derive from Hinduism or Buddhism?
- Is Krsna consciousness genuine?
- Is Krsna consciousness more easily accepted among Indians and among Far Eastern peoples than among the Western peoples?
- Is meditation part of your philosophy?
- Is she (Mrs. Gandhi) having problems because she is a woman, though?
- Is she Krsna conscious (your wife)?
- Is something wrong with tea?
- Is that ("if you don't stop meat-eating, you cannot understand what is spiritual life") the same for others...?
- Is that (brahmana) good or bad?
- Is that (the monkey is our forefather) true? Do you believe that?
- Is that immediately after one dies you transfer to another body, or later (you are associating with some modes of material nature. So according to that association, you'll get next body)?
- Is that part of your income, to run a...(publishing house)?
- Is that perfection possible in one life (our healthy life is to enjoy eternal life... So our human life should be utilized for attaining that perfectional stage)?
- Is that preordained, or is it by free choice (the men who surround you were raised in a bad society, but they have chosen to become good)?
- Is that tea? Is that tea that you're drinking?
- Is that the significance, then, of the festival, to remind people of God?
- Is that why vegetarianism is...?
- Is the body not to be treated with a certain amount of care, and even comfort, because it is the vehicle for our spiritual progress and so on?
- Is the correct way of living merely a way of doing, actually, a sort of higher state of consciousness where you're experiencing something different to...?
- Is the government discouraging...(opening certain schools in India on gurukula pattern)?
- Is the human soul then limited or unlimited?
- Is the social unrest in this country caused because... (these are sinful activities, to kill child in the womb. And take shelter of abortion. These are all sinful activities. One has to suffer for that)?
- Is the teacher always necessary?
- Is the work you recommend your followers to do purely spiritual, or do you...?
- Is there a Hare Krsna Movement in India?
- Is there a single, simple stitch that you could give to people who don't know anything about Krsna consciousness to help them to understand it
- Is there any method for dissent within your movement? Or change?
- Is there any reason why that (there is not large number of American negroes in your movement) is so?
- Is there any way I can prepare (suppose if God says that "You become a dog," can you check it?)?
- Is there anyone who is designated to succeed you as the primary teacher of the movement?
- Is there anything wrong when the woman works?
- Is there conflict with other Eastern religions, and if so, how far is this spread?
- Is there in India a licensing body by the state for people to preach?
- Is there much divorce in India?
- Is there not something to this idea of brain, of being spiritually controlled or spiritually directed?... What would you call it?
- Is this (God's name the total summarization - "all-attractive.") the same name that is spoken of in the Bible where it says "the word of God"?
- Is this (if you have got some name which actually refers to God, then it is all right. But if you have got something, name, which refers to dog, then it is wrong) something that your followers can be aware of constantly?
- Is this (the eyes are to be treated how to see) true also with your other senses?
- Is this (Those who are not accepting God in lifetime, they will meet God, death. Death is another form of God) something where we can sort of experience death while we are still alive?
- Is this (vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah) in the Gita, in Bhagavad-gita?
- Is this manifestation (many of your followers dress in what for the West is an odd fashion) the only way to be spiritual, dressing in this fashion?
- Is this manifestation, dressing in this fashion, playing drums and dancing in the streets, the only way to be spiritual?
- Is this one of the main things that distinguishes a genuine guru from a fake guru (we do not want, depend on anyone's financial contributions. We depend on God, or Krsna)?
- Is this singing essential to the sustenance of your faith?
- Is this what Gandhi did (we don't prohibit that you don't mix with woman or you stop sex life. We don't say that. But we make everything regulated under Krsna consciousness. Their aim is higher. These are all secondary platform)?
- Is this your last trip to America?
- Is yoga part of meditation?
- Is your philosophy, your approach to consciousness, based on the Gita?
- Is your son in the cult?
- Is your spiritual master still alive?
- Is your way the only way?
- Isn't it difficult to belong to Krsna consciousness and exist in this world we must exist in?
- Isn't that a rather negative way to look at the work (that is knowledge, that is knowledge. When a prisoner understands that "This hammering business is not my real business, it is my punishment")?
- Isn't there something more fundamental than that (actually understand Bhagavad-gita and distribute the knowledge. That is our aim)?
- It (tea or coffee) is sinful?
- It (worldwide membership figure) is increasing?
- It does require a certain price for them to pay as individuals. To sincerely try to find Him (Krsna)?
- It is a question of eyes and knowing, sir? So, sir, how do we prepare eyes to see (Krsna)?
- It is not difficult (to become Krsna's representative)?
- It is said that the karma-kanda in the Vedas has almost gone out of use, except for a few rites which remain in vogue for marriage, sraddhas, etc. Is it advisable to revive the karma-kanda with its stress on the performance of various yajnas?
- It seems to me, sir, that there is a very high emphasis placed on the relationship between the individual and God. But more emphasis on that relationship than on the relationship between one individual and another individual. Am I right in that?
- It's difficult for people to understand that God can speak to a man. They question, "How can God speak to some man?"
K
- Karma, is this a part of your religion?
- Knowing God through sastras is one thing, but can a realization come in life as Arjuna had?
- Krsna is telling to Arjuna where to act, and how to act, and what to act, that is "Fight." And at that moment He is telling to fight the Kauravas. Now, we are confused here, that what is our fight? What is our fight?
- Krsna was talking to Arjuna, and it said that Krsna said to Arjuna, "When you realize Me or when you realize God, or Krsna, you will see the whole of creation (sic:) withinside Me and withinside yourself." Is that a true translation?
L
- Let me ask you one more question. Why are you returning to India? Had you ever considered staying here in the United States?
- Let me ask you. If through technological means mankind is somewhat improved, in other words, the average man is much more intelligent, what you would consider now to be an intelligent man...
M
- Many of your followers dress in what for the West is an odd fashion and relate to the world in what for the West is an odd fashion. Can you respond to that? Why have you asked your followers to dress in this fashion and to play drums on the streets?
- Members of the Krsna society are not doing the jail work… He's not participating in jail life… What's he doing? He's trying to show them a different way? He's educating them to what? That this jail life is no good?
- Mr. Billy Graham makes people God conscious in a different way. Can you tell me what you think of him?
- Must one renounce his present religion?
- My question has to do with karma-yoga in the outer world, for instance, in New York City. From what I understand, your disciples do not pursue the professions. Is that correct?
- My question is, what is it that made you bring your movement into a culture and a religious ethos which is hostile to begin with, with most of your major assumptions?
- My question relates to service to the outer world by your disciples?
- My question was that when there is no more people following their sva-dharma, their true self...?
- My shirt and coat are dead (the body is dead. Body is dead. Just like your shirt. It is dead always. Either on your body or hanging on the hanger. Your shirt and coat, is it not?)?
N
- No government is placing obstacles?
- No, why do your followers chant the Hare Krsna chant in the street? What is the reason behind this?
- Nobody ever else sits upon that platform (vyasasana)?
- Not even beginning to get people thinking right (these bluffers, they say "meditation," but what is the subject matter of meditation they do not know. Simply bogus propaganda. You see?)?
- Not simply because of the increased population (India is faced with so many problems)?
- Now Dan not only said that you said that if people try to land on the moon they would not be able to. Can you explain what you meant by that?
- Now do you find that in the United States there is the most active membership financially speaking. In terms of contributing to this movement, supporting the movement, is the best field America?
- Now do you say that the moon is, so to speak...? What should I say? Headquarters, where these demigods live?
- Now I understand you're the founder of the Hare Krsna movement. Can you tell me how it came to be founded?
- Now two priests of your temple in America have been arrested on certain charges as we read from the newspaper...?
- Now we've talked for some time concerning spiritual matters and the philosophy of Hare Krsna. How does it affect the way people live? What difference it makes to their life?
- Now, are you a guru?
- Now, this American, Alpert, he came to a state of God consciousness, but he was very, very heavy on drugs. This can't be right, taking a drug?
- Now, we've had two readings from your scriptures. Where did these scriptures comes from? Can you explain that briefly?
- Now, you are not practicing the Vedic system, then, here, are you? Or are you?
- Now, your, the sexual abstinence does not include marriage, I gather?
O
- Oh, a letter to the Pope. Did he answer it (now I have written one letter to Pope)?
- Oh, we can go on? How (no, without finance we can go on)?
- Okay, I was speaking in an analogical way. There are different way to express oneself or different languages one can learn. Similarly, I would think there would be different ways to get to consciousness?
- Okay, is it a mediated choice or is it a direct communication from Krsna, that's my question… He's asking whether we claim that God speaks to us directly?
- On the platform of, on the dead platform (so we are working on that platform where the life is there. And people in general they are working on the platform of this body)? You say people in general...
- On what basis (I have been chosen by my spiritual master… That is our succession)?
- Once a person is trained in one of the classes, can he move to another class once he's been trained as, say, a third-class man?
- Once they (the cows) expire, how do you propose to expose of the body?
- One of the conditions is illicit sex... What exactly do you mean?
- One of the things that people say is that the devotees are asking for donations, not just distributing books but asking for money, that that's a bother
- One of the things you say is that "Religion without a rational basis is just sentiment." Can you explain that to us, and the converse of it, which...?
- One of your followers here mentioned that the university here in Toronto is teaching your books and so forth. Do you feel that any contact with your ideas?
- One thing, New Zealand cities are passing bylaws which seek to ban the chanting of your disciples in the streets. Do you get much opposition like this?
- Our aim of life should be the realization of God?
P
- Pardon me (could you tell me a little bit about your background, when you were young, what types of things you did? Why shall I tell you?)? If you wish
- Perhaps finally, then, I could ask you, do you ever have any doubts?
- Perhaps you can speak for the representative of Krsna?
- Perhaps you could explain to me the different feelings that you've gone through in your life. Is that possible?
- Prabhupada, do you have any advice for ordinary Americans?
- Presumably you would encourage this movement of more people to find a spiritual life?
- Process as laid down in Gita ("Neither poverty is check nor material opulence is check. Anyone can understand if he follows the principle or process")?
R
S
- Seeing the world as it is today, what is the most preferable social organization from the Krsna conscious point of view?
- Seems silly, doesn't it (do you think it is civilization? Mother who has given you milk in your childhood, and maintained your life, and because she is old, cutting throat. Is that good civilization?). Umm, I think are you keeping cows here?
- She must become dependent on her son because her husband would ideally become a sannyasi. Is that...?
- She said what do you think about the other gurus?
- She's asking why is three to four hours the amount that you sleep. How have you reached that standard?
- Sir, are we rightly understanding that by "Krsna" you mean some eternal principle?
- Sir, whom do you find more responsive to your movement, women or men?
- Sir, why are they sinful? Why are they (to take tea or coffee) sinful?
- Sir, would you like to give any message to the Indian people?
- So by looking at Him (Krsna) you are trying to rouse the interests of the people, or curiosity?
- So how would you define sin? What is impurities or to sin?
- So if we don't choose our leaders by popular election, how will society be governed?
- So in relation to your movement, where does Marxism stand?
- So is there anything obligatory or prescribed for all people who follow this religion, that a minimum observance that they must do?
- So that is within us (the dormant Krsna consciousness)?... And it needs to be brought out... And how is that brought out?
- So the solution for the world is Krsna consciousness?
- So then, is it true then that people who have this conception, they would not try for progress?
- So what are you doing now? You've come to England for a brief stay. I gather you travel a lot
- So what do you really mean by arousing the Krsna consciousness? What does it entail?
- So when people are taught, they will then understand. But what I'd also like to know, how would it affect the way they live? In sort of purely..., the way they go about their life
- So where does most of your money come from?
- So where does she fit (into this (four classes) social structure)?
- So would it be true to say that perhaps without George Harrison of the Beatles the religion wouldn't be as well known as it is today?
- So you completely write off anybody who says that there should be a step of faith. And would you, in other words... So you would say that science can prove that God exists?
- So you just chanted in Thompkins Park, and people came?
- So you never doubt any of this, anything at all?
- Some members the Parliament says, the movement is in some anti-Indian activities. What do you...?
- Some of the objections are that the followers of the Hare Krsna sect are, on the streets or in the airports, are bothering people
- Some young people were attracted to the message and responded and joined Krsna consciousness. Is there a special reason? What explanation do you have why some?
- Srila Prabhupada, have you realized God?
- Srila Prabhupada, is the purpose of human life to realize God?
- Srila Prabhupada, one press man wanted to know what is this Rathayatra festival? Why is it going on over here in the western world?
- Supposing hundred pure saintly Krsna conscious people are meditating or discussing or just serving together, and there comes somebody, some dusta who drops a bomb, and at the end of all...?
- Swami, I saw a television program about your movement once, and they said that the men make the decisions and the women follow. Is that true?
- Swami, is there a chance that all your followers can realize the highest truth?
- Swamiji, a very personal question. How would you react when people give you a godly reception?
- Swamiji, can I ask a question? How old are you, or, maybe I should say, how young are you?
- Swamiji, can you please? Yes, please. Can you tell us what your purpose is in coming to New York at this time?
- Swamiji, could you please throw light on your four-point regulation which you suggest to your disciples?
- Swamiji, do you have certain farms also in America, gosala?
- Swamiji, does this chanting of mantra brings purity or following of your four instructions or regulations which you have told, or both?
- Swamiji, excuse me, is there any special significance of keeping this bead hidden from the public?
- Swamiji, how many asramas and things you have?
- Swamiji, I would like to know, that I feel that your society, the Hare Krsna consciousness society, has a very, very stable economy and that it is self-sufficient in itself. Is that so?
- Swamiji, what do you suggest to your disciples to arouse what you call Hare Krsna consciousness or God consciousness?
- Swamiji, when there was discussion in Parliament about the fabulous money that the movement has, society has, then who provided the answers?
- Swamiji, why do you prohibit this tea or coffee also?
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- Tell me a little bit about Krsna consciousness, will you?
- Tell me about him (Jesus)?
- Tell me in fact what is the purpose of your visit to London?
- Ten years ago, when you first came to the United States, did you take a very active role in the organization, and I'm wondering whether you do much of that now?
- That (Brahmaloka) is actually a physical planet?
- That (my definition of God) is beside the point. I am asking the Swami who is God?
- That (woman requires protection by the man) goes against the thinking of a lot of people in America now. Do you know that?
- That's really what I was going to ask you. You must find life difficult preaching the values of brotherhood?
- The chanting of Krsna's name, the Hare Krsna mantra, seems to play a very important role in the profession of your religious belief. Right?
- The cow (third-class means they should engage themselves, how to produce food and give protection to the cow)?
- The Krsna consciousness movement has been what some people would consider sexist or racist because certain propensities for women and for blacks have been defined. And I wondered if you would comment on that
- The Krsna consciousness, its Vedic literature, they have some of the same books or also holy books for what we call Hindu religions, aren't they?
- The members of the movement… they've decided to dress differently, and they're dressing now in an Indian style. Is it necessary to do that, or could I carry on being a member of a radio station and still be a member of the Hare Krsna movement?
- The people who have gathered around you, younger people, is that deliberate on your part?
- The press reporters, they were asking me that we make distinction between man, woman, and black, white
- The residents of the moon live for a long time? Thousands of years?
- The situation is that other people think that it (Krsna consciousness) is negative, and therefore they feel negatively towards us. So how should we react to that?
- The smrtis are based on the srutis?
- The space uniform, you don't feel that is adequate?
- The spiritual organizations in India, all the spiritual teachings in India, have always put great emphasis on the fact that we are spiritual beings. So what was the necessity of creating another movement to say the same things?
- The ten-year-old boys who left Gurukula and went to Vrndavana and then went to Mayapur, what will they...? They will be trained in the divisions there and come back?
- The thing that worries me is that how do people begin to understand that their basic principle might be wrong?
- The traditional charge against Hinduism is that it is fatalistic, that it inhibits progress by making people slaves to the belief in the inevitability of what is to happen. How far is this charge true?
- The values of Western civilization have made that (articifial division). Therefore that's made living as children of God impossible?
- The whole nation is worker ("They want everyone should become a sudra, the Communists life, worker, "Work." And therefore they have not been successful. The whole nation is worker, and who will give the brain?")?
- The whole world has heard of the Maharishi Mahesh. Is he part of your order?
- Then what is the way to purity?
- There are different way to express oneself or different languages one can learn. Similarly, I would think there would be different ways to get to consciousness? Other way?
- There are many swamis and gurus and religious people throughout the world. How does one know which is the true guru?
- There are probably more people in the world now who are seeking some kind of spiritual new light than probably ever before, or at least, there's more evidence of it. And I wonder if you agreed with that, and if so can you tell me why it is?
- There are various samskaras prescribed in the life of a Hindu right from his birth to death... Many of these samskaras are not being observed today. Should they be revived?
- There is place for women in the religion too isn't?
- There must have been an element, though, of dissatisfaction then on your part, with the way God was being... Godhead was being professed in this part of the world before you came. Otherwise there would have been no sense in you coming here?
- There should be right surrender?
- There's been an awful lot in these last two years said about the Jesus Movement. How does that sort of line up with Krsna?
- There's hope for our world today?
- There's no sermon as we would know in other churches?
- These Oriental philosophies generally and in particular the Krsna consciousness has found a lot of devotees in the western civilization. What is the main reason for this?
- They are all nationalities?
- They still have to go out and ask occasionally (but those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form - to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have)?
- This four-division society that you advocate is contrary to everything in American tradition. How can that be accepted in America?
- This is collective, national danger here. Have you anything to offer to us as a...?
- This is what you have tried to do. Why is it necessary to concentrate on this name, "Krsna"?
- This path of devotional yoga, bhakti-yoga, that is the path for this time, for this age?
- This thing about it (a big bunch of hair) actually weighing down on the mind, is that fair to say?
- Those (meat or wine) are all out. They have to be. And tobacco is...?
- Through what means do you train the human being to become, to achieve his ultimate goal in life?
- To get to something else, what do you do for fun when you're in New York?
- To know who is the driver of the car (purpose of the movement is to know who is the driver of the car)?... And who is that?
- Too much liquor and self-indulgence (are showing godlessness in our society)?
- Total membership for around the world?
- Twelve lakhs also in Delhi center only?
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- Was it difficult for you to give up what you had been doing in order to devote full time?
- Was it your aim to suggest that the daily life of ordinary people can be built on the foundations of your philosophy?
- We do not fight?
- We have talked to scientists who say that the size of the brain has nothing to do with intelligence. Do you believe that?
- We should always be patient to answer such newsmen's questions, they are very easy to answer, and so many people will see. For example, for the question about poverty...
- We've talked for some time concerning spiritual matters and the philosophy of Hare Krsna. How does it affect the way people live?
- Welcome, sir. What is Krsna consciousness?
- Well are you showing your devotees Krsna?
- Well do you think that the Eastern sun, meaning Hare Krsna, is appropriate in a culture that has a different religion traditionally?
- Well does that mean that the world, the general world's activities are like a non-moving car? A lump of matter (car is important so long it is moving and if it is not moving it has no importance, it is lump of matter)?
- Well how does it become scientific (as soon as you say that "We Christians, we believe," then it is misbelief. It is not scientific)?
- Well I understand you do a lot of work translating and that you only sleep two hours a day. Is that right?
- Well is it important to try to improve this life so that it won't be a prison?
- Well is Krsna consciousness very elaborate?
- Well is that what makes the people make this distinction between the life you are leading and the life of the world (those who identify on the bodily concept, because the body itself is dead without the soul, it is considered the dead platform)?
- Well, and they think how to sell literature and... Is that the way to God consciousness, by selling and soliciting (they say that they are representing some drug center)? Is that…?… How does that fit in?
- Well, are your Krsna members out of the, out of jail?
- Well, do you know very much about Jesus?
- Well, is the Krsna movement the driver or the car (first of all, understand the analogy. The car and the driver is always separated. The driver is not car, neither the car is the driver)?
- Well, perhaps you could continue where they left off. Could you tell me why you came to the United States in 1965. Did you feel that this was a mission that you had to fulfill?
- Well, since this dichotomy appears to be the case, I mean that there is, that the movement is sort of cut off from the world in general, does that not deprive the world of the service, of the usefulness of these people?
- Well, what do you hope to achieve by your short visit here to New Zealand, where you don't have a very big following at all?
- Well, what I was interested in is why is it necessary to live in such lavish situation as is shown here?
- Well, what is it that they particularly understand, misunderstand about the movement?
- Were there any followers before you came to this country?
- Were they (the Soviet Union leaders) receptive to what you...?
- Were you a businessman?
- Were you always in Moscow? What did, do they allow some lectures or... (no. I had meeting with Professor Kotovsky. That's all) Kotovsky only? That's all? He couldn't bring some people?
- Were you born in this country?
- What about (being "subordinate to the man" for) women who do not have children?
- What about (the leadership of) Mrs. Meir, president of Israel (being successful)?
- What about a future suit?
- What about adultery, Prabhupada? She wants to know what the Vedas say should be the... What is the reaction for adultery? How does one deal with an adulterer? If someone is an adulterer and he's caught, what should be the...
- What about being of material service. Material service, not just spiritual service?
- What about meditating?
- What about onions...?
- What about other artifacts of civilization like television and motorcars...(are they artificial needs)?
- What about other religion?
- What about other religions such as Christianity and...?
- What about people who believe in Jesus, God? I mean, what about Christians? It might not have the same effect on them
- What about sex and drugs, sex and alcohol?
- What about so many saints who are preaching yoga and religion all over the world?
- What about some of the other schools that have grown up, people like Ouspensky and Gurdjieff and people who've brought a message similar to yours to the West in the past?
- What about something very much nearer to ourselves here in this country, and that is a war or civil disturbance is going on... between Christians?
- What about the beings that live on the moon planet? Do you feel that they would interfere with any experiments or persons from earth landing there or trying to land there?
- What about the future? Is it possible to bring more people into Krsna consciousness? To expand?
- What about the men who surround you (everywhere the government, father and society are bad; and therefore we are producing bad men, and therefore there is no peace and prosperity)?
- What about the other kind (of meditation)?
- What about the United States government (every sane man should help this movement for the good of society)?
- What about the Western religions like Christianity? That's been with us now for two thousand years and doesn't seem to have helped people to become particularly (happy and prosperous)?
- What about the young Christian Revival?... The Jesus Movement?
- What about women (woman's brain is smaller than a man's) who are leaders of countries such as your own country?
- What about women who are elected by the people?
- What about work, though? Does one have to give up one's job?
- What about yourself? How long have you had this understanding and awareness of God?
- What advice do you have to women who do not want to be subordinate to men?
- What are other major beliefs, besides love, to which you ascribe?
- What are some of the other, aside from...? I mean, I see people selling things. What other practices are involved?
- What are the basic beliefs of the Krsna religion?
- What are the big differences (with some of the other Eastern cults and gurus) that you seem to be...?
- What are the methods used in attaining Krsna consciousness?
- What are their main misunderstandings (so kindly put the matter properly because people misunderstand on account of their ignorance they misunderstand our, movement)?
- What are your teachers called, those who teach the members of the community of Krsna consciousness? Are they also gurus or anything similar to the gurus of the Hindu faith?
- What are your views of the country? What do you think of it?
- What can an ordinary man do? I mean the Krsna consciousness movement involves shaving the head and wearing the saffron robe. What can the man who is caught up in family life do?
- What can appreciation of Krsna do for the Americans?
- What did you have to offer then. If you were chanting in the park and I said "What are you doing? Why are you chanting? What's your thing here?"
- What do you believe in?
- What do you call in Sanskrit, sir (when you cannot live without Krsna)?
- What do you do with a cow when it dies? Do you just bury it?
- What do you feel about man going to the moon?
- What do you find, you know, that when you impart this knowledge to Western disciples and when you talk to someone who are in India, what difference do you find?
- What do you offer to Krsna?
- What do you propose to do with criminals in your educational system? How will you reform them?
- What do you see as being the future of the world? What will happen? Will there be an end?
- What do you think about some of the other gurus, if you will, since you are yourself considered a guru? Do you study anybody else?
- What do you think of Jimmy Carter?
- What do you think of miracle saints? The saints who perform miracles?
- What do you think of young people who follow the Divine Light Movement?... Guru Maharaji
- What do you think our society is doing wrong?
- What do you think that you could add to the already living religious expression in this country by coming here and adding your own philosophy to it?
- What do you try and teach, sir?
- What does he (the first-class men) do?
- What does the Hare Krsna movement offer that other religions do not?
- What does this mean as far as whether women can do the same things that men can do, or whether women can lead people?
- What does your temple look like?
- What don't you like about travelling?
- What effect to the followers does chanting give?
- What else do you have over there besides gurukula schools and things?
- What else would you like to tell us?
- What exactly do you mean? Outside marriage, you mean (don't you see, illicit sex, what havoc it has done?)?
- What exactly is guru's role in your system?
- What had you been doing previously (actually I came here at the age of seventy years)?
- What happens in your temples. Do you have services like other religions?
- What happens when that inevitable time comes when a successor is needed?
- What happens when the machine stops?
- What happens when women are not subordinate to men?
- What happens when women support men?
- What I was trying to ask you a while ago, do you think that these particular Vedic disciplines and spiritual principles, concentration on the spirit instead of the body, has a particular usefulness in Western society nowadays?
- What I'm asking is why could he (Brahmananda) understand (the message and responded and joined Krsna consciousness)?
- What I'm finding difficult is, for instance, we see on Oxford Street a lot of people who are handing out Hare Krsna literature… And you're really not concerned whether or not they join the Hare Krsna movement?
- What if somebody is using this as a cover-up?
- What impelled you personally, when you, at a fairly late stage in life, to come to the West to teach? And are you surprised at the great success you've had?
- What incentives can be given to harijanas to learn Sanskrit, the repository of Indian culture and religion?
- What is bad about eating, people who are eating beef? What is bad about it?
- What is it in your movement which has appealed to the Western world? I believe you have a sizable following in...
- What is it that he has offered that has turned out such an emotional response today?
- What is it that they particularly misunderstand about the movement?
- What is Krsna?
- What is not a secret thing?
- What is that mission (I have particular mission for the whole world)?
- What is the "renounced order"?
- What is the actual duty of the government?
- What is the answer (why young men are attracted to, they inquire? Why young men are attracted in this movement?)?
- What is the budget of the movement in the United States annually? How much do you need to operate?
- What is the condition prescribed for standing on the spiritual platform?
- What is the definition again of a first-class man?
- What is the difference between God consciousness and Krsna consciousness?
- What is the difference between Krsna consciousness and Christ consciousness?
- What is the future of Hinduism?
- What is the hand attire which you are wearing?
- What is the meaning of good children?
- What is the meaning of that (capale babale)?
- What is the meaning of that (machine changes)?
- What is the meaning of that (Yesam anta gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam, te dvandva-moha-nirmukta)?
- What is the most important part of it (it means to be fixed up in (indistinct) spiritual life. Just like in military there is training. You must have to do at this time this thing, this time, this time... So any training means regulated life)?
- What is the plan of the Hyderabad project?
- What is the procedure of the movement? Do you initiate yourself all the disciples or do your other disciples also do that?
- What is the purpose of the large carts and other things you use (Rathayatra festival)?
- What is the purpose of the movement, your Grace?
- What is the purpose of the robes and having your head shaved?
- What is the real relationship between Krsna consciousness and other religions? Is it that God has many names and...?
- What is the reason of the success of your mission in the foreign countries?
- What is the response in India?
- What is the response in Iran?
- What is the response in the Islamic countries?
- What is the role of rituals in religion? Are they to be discouraged as it is being advocated by some reformists or are they to be encouraged? If so, in what form? What is the role of rituals in religion?
- What is the role of women in Krsna consciousness?
- What is the secret to learning to love God?
- What is the test of a true guru?
- What is the ultimate (the flavor of a rose garden is carried by the air or the bad odor of a filthy place is also carried by the air, similarly, mind, intelligence carries me to a particular type of body as I was absorbed in thought at the time of death)?
- What is the ultimate aim of this Krsna consciousness?
- What is the ultimate goal of tapasya?
- What is the way you go about collecting money?
- What is the way you go about collecting money? Books are the only source of your... That means the devotees do not contribute to the... But do the devotees contribute in any way?
- What is unique about Krsna consciousness that separates it from other religions?
- What is your age now?
- What is your background? Are you from India?
- What is your day like, typical day? In the morning, what time you get up? Your day, how do you spend the day?
- What is your explanation of the creation of the world?
- What is your feeling in regard to Mrs. Gandhi's actions in India at the present time, particularly in relation to what you're saying about women? Is what's happening there because she has a thirty-six ounce brain and is incapable of ruling?
- What is your message for Indian people?
- What is your opinion of Guru Maharaj-ji?
- What is your opinion of what this movement should be doing in terms of world activities and world affairs that it isn't doing now? Are there some new areas that you may try to influence?
- What is your opinion of yoga and Zen? Do you incorporate any of their principles? Such as meditation for example?
- What is your view of predominant Western civilization, Sir?
- What is your view regarding proselytization or preaching?
- What is your view? Are there other paths to spirit consciousness? There are but not very what?... Not very good?
- What is your wedding ceremony like?
- What is, sir, the number of your disciples round the world?
- What kind of (this living condition is one platform and when I or you, we are dead, that is another platform. So generally people are working on the bodily concept of platform)?
- What made you change (you led a rather normal life) suddenly?
- What message would you give to people in terms of helping people, perhaps, to live better lives?
- What part of Krsna (is India forgetting)? Or just part of His life?
- What problems do you have in making God's word, His instructions reach the ears of everyone in the world?
- What proof do you have that a human being has a soul?
- What proof have you got, then, that a human being has got a soul?
- What purpose does the chanting serve?
- What should we do in the United States (in regards to women being subordinate to men)? We're trying to make women equal with men
- What sort of people do you want to become students?
- What special message would you have for people who don't know anything about your movement and would like to know something about it?
- What stops so many millions of people from doing it (becoming Krsna devotees)?
- What the Krsna movement is about and its origins, its following. This sort of thing?
- What transformations does one undergo on the path of Krsna consciousness?
- What types of food, what types of things do you drink, such as juices or anything else do you drink?
- What was the motivating force behind your coming to the United States?
- What was the necessity of creating this Krsna consciousness movement?
- What were you before that (a Hare Krsna man)?
- What will happen to the movement in the United States when you die?
- What will you do in Philadelphia?
- What's a man's qualification to be chosen… On what basis, though, can you tell me some of the things that…?
- What's it made of?
- What's the future of Krsna Consciousness in India today?
- What's the purpose of that rising? What's the purpose of that, the rising at 4:30, the chanting and study?
- What's your view of Judaism and Christianity?
- What, what were you doing, what did you do before this, before 1966?
- When did we stop becoming the monkey and start to become a man?
- When did you come to this country?
- When does this training (as "first-class, second-class, third-class...") begin? In the very youngest age or...?
- When was it that you arrived from India with $2?
- When we are emphasizing this Krsna consciousness, we are in danger of forgetting the social political dimension. So how to bring this...?
- When you came to Chicago last week you said you were going to tell us some of the solutions to our problems in this country. Can you tell me what some of those solutions are?
- When you join, do you assume a name? Do you change your name?
- When you visited the Soviet Union, Swamiji, did you find the atmosphere worse than it is in Western countries?
- Where did the money come from to print such lavish editions of your books?
- Where do women fit into these four classes?
- Where do you get these funds?
- Where do you train them in the western countries?
- Where does the money come from to print Godhead?
- Where have you been since then (I published something about You a few weeks ago, about the manor out at Letchmore Heath)?
- Where in India did you come from originally?
- Where is Krsna consciousness most common in the world, and how widespread is it in India?
- Where is the following the greatest? It is in America?
- Where is the right balance in this modern world?
- Where is your main home?
- Where would the moon planet fit?
- Which Lord is that (Caitanya)?
- Which particular teachings do you find so uplifting and ennobling for a man?
- Which problems (will be solved by spiritual consciousness)? The problems that exist in Ireland and India?
- Who controls, if one of the members becomes grasping, wants things for himself?
- Who created maya, man or God?
- Who decides who's natural? And what's natural?
- Who determines the regulative principles of religion that people should follow?
- Who has published them (all these books)?
- Who is God? Who is God?
- Who is in charge of a temple when you're not here?
- Who is to decide whether a person is first-class, if they are a brahmana or whether they are ksatriya or vaisya
- Who's got the gold?… Who has the gold?
- Why (would you say that women are inferior to men?)
- Why a dog (We have been given chance to understand God. But if you don't understand, then next life you become a dog)?
- Why are you here, Srila Prabhupada? He asked why are you here?
- Why did you choose to go to America and propagate the teachings of Lord Krsna in a western country?
- Why did you come here?
- Why do you feel that the younger people today are turning more and more toward the eastern-oriented religions?
- Why do you think a growing number of young Americans are attracted to the Krsna consciousness movement?
- Why do you use the technology that you use? You didn't have cars in those days, this television. Things have changed since 1920
- Why does all this exist? Why the challenge in the first place? Why maya?
- Why does the Hare Krsna movement not engage in social protest?
- Why does this mean that women have to be subordinate?... just because they bear children and men can't?
- Why have you written Bhagavad-gita as it really is? Why?
- Why is everything always taped at all the...?
- Why is it (Krsna consciousness) so popular among young people?
- Why is it necessary to live in such comfort as this for the spiritual...?
- Why is it that the Hare Krsna movement has in the last couple of years attempted to make itself a little bit more respectable in the public's eyes by having members wear street clothes and wigs and so forth, while they are soliciting?
- Why is it that the younger people or people in general, are disenchanted, are trying to go towards the eastern-oriented religion if their aim or premise is the same as the western?
- Why is it that you seem to attract a large following of youth?
- Why is that, do you think (could you tell me why you think the Western world has espoused your sort of movement now, has been keen on looking to the East for spiritual...)?
- Why is work in the world necessarily suffering? It is, it has, a mixture of pain and joy but it's negative to look on it as useless work. Huh?
- Why not meat?
- Why there is a better response to Krsna consciousness in foreign countries than in India?
- Why was that (teenagers, they take it very nicely)? I mean what was there, was there something special about the 1960's that made it more likely that people would go for (my movement was started from U.S.A in 1966)...?
- Will it come by itself (the socio-economic solution), or will it come through you?
- Will mantras lose their sanctity if they are not in Sanskrit?
- Will such a stand be acceptable to all sections of Hindus, and if so, how can the new smrtis come into being and who will give them sanction and sanctity?
- Will the fundamental values of Hinduism be in any way affected by the eradication of castism, towards which a concerted effort is now being made at all levels?
- Will there be one spiritual leader, though?
- Will they (men of character, knowledge, sincerity, God conscious) be able to function in a society as working individuals?
- Will they (the children in your school in Texas) be virtually living outside...?
- Will you be meeting other spiritual leaders in South Africa?
- Will you be opening certain schools in India on gurukula pattern?
- With these truths, with these basic truths, do you think that is helping people realize themselves, or do they have to go into a more?
- Working on the driver of the body. On the spirit, right (people are generally working on the body. And we are working on the driver of the body. That is the difference)?
- Would a spacesuit substitute for that (with this body you cannot go there (to the moon). You have to prepare a similar body which is suitable for living condition there)?
- Would I have to give any financial support? So I wouldn't have to give any money at all?
- Would that person have to have contact with you and learn from you also?
- Would the flight that was just completed, that doesn't contradict with anything in this book?
- Would you accept conclusions from science that..., only if it agreed with the Vedic scriptures?
- Would you be justified in doing something that society would consider criminal, like… stealing for Krsna, or killing for Krsna... Something that is judged by, say, the US government as criminal, would be still do it if it was for Krsna?
- Would you call yourself a guru?
- Would you comment on the current political situation in India, what's happening right now?
- Would you comment on the political situation in India now. What do you think about Mrs. Gandhi's...?
- Would you count Jesus Christ as gold (gold cannot be Muslim gold or Hindu gold or Christian gold. We are concerned with gold, not the country where the gold is produced. That is not very important thing. Whether it is gold, that is our business)?
- Would you describe where Krsna consciousness started and why you have come to the Western world?
- Would you discuss your dancing with me please and explain something of it?
- Would you give me a background, the history and origin of Krsna consciousness?
- Would you help the sick people?
- Would you say that the western-oriented church's message is not relevant or that they have failed to present their message properly?
- Would you say that there were times when, well, that there were marriages which were also illicit?
- Would you say that this is a return to this Bhagavad-gita?
- Would you say that women are inferior to men?
- Would you tell me something of your own background? That is, where you were educated, how you became a disciple of Krsna
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- Yes, I've seen this morning's. Fairly similar, just to talk about the movement. Are you happy with the way it's going here?
- Yes, well, due to problems that do occur from time to time, we.... You know, what people consider to be the false guru, is that all right with you?
- Yes, what's the most important practice…He is asking whether one technique is more important than another?
- You accept to answer my questions?
- You always return as an animal?
- You and your movement tend to separate people from concern with what's going on in the world, like that's a Presidential election and Jimmy Carter is the democratic candidate... Isn't that an example of it?
- You are at this particular time then the head in the world of this movement? Would that be correct?
- You are in fact the spiritual leader of these students. What does that mean?
- You are in general, then, trying to increase the interest in God. Is that correct?
- You are not escapists?
- You are not particularly interested in what particular name this God has?
- You are not suggesting that all of that (if they stop manufacturing, there is unemployment. And if they increase car, there is power shortage. So this dilemma, this modern civilization will have to meet this dilemma) is just cut away completely...?
- You are now the leader and the spiritual master. Who will take your place?
- You are participating in it, are you not (he asks if you are going to participate in the Ratha-yatra Parade)?... Will you attend the one here in New York?
- You are saying at the present moment we are all suffering?
- You are selling your books in Moscow?
- You are the head of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Is it a church?
- You are travelling to India, I hear?... Are you establishing a university in India?... At Navadvipa?
- You arrange the marriages?
- You came here ten years ago, or eleven years ago. You were almost seventy at the time...?
- You came, sir, to this country in 1965, as I said, on instructions or orders given you by your spiritual master. By the way, who was your spiritual master?
- You choose the leaders, or Krsna does and tells you, how does that work?
- You commented that, you gave the words "Never trust," if I understood you right, "never trust an old man and a politician (a woman or a politician)"?
- You could accept the idea of God in another manner than your church?
- You didn't start everything off (Krsna consciousness)?
- You do perform wedding ceremonies?
- You encourage anybody who disagrees with aspects of your philosophy to argue with you?
- You expect that they would oppose?
- You feel that you can continue to make those serious travels?
- You founded the Krsna consciousness movement. How long ago was that?
- You founded this movement I think it was ten years ago, that's correct. Why was it that you left till you were so late in life before you founded it?
- You go for a prescribed course of study?
- You have a way to stop the crime?
- You see Him in three dimensions?
- You spoke of initiation. What is that initiation?
- You started this ten years ago. But why is it that when you were recognized..., you were recognized by others and not in this country?
- You support the ancient caste system?
- You think Mirabhai was a bhakta?
- You think we pay too much importance to money?
- You went there (to Russia)? When was this?
- You were a chemist yourself, were you not, in secular life before you took up the position you have...?
- You were saying don't bother, you know, don't bring the scriptures in, use common sense. But what part do the scriptures have in your religion? How important are they?
- You were saying that you're not necessarily trying to get a large number of devotees, but you think there are a few people who are yet ready to accept?
- You were saying, minute before that the socialism, your socialism is that Krsna is your Marx, sort of... It will be my last question. What about you in that? Would you be, you are a spiritual chief. Would you be...?
- You were sent to this country, to the United States of America. This is your territory. Is that correct?
- You were there at the time (I published something about you a few weeks ago, about the manor out at Letchmore Heath)?
- You'll be having certain industries for export also in Mayapur. Will they be manned by disciples, and if so, do you think that they would be in a much better position to look after these big gosalas and other things than, say, other, people would be?
- You're a citizen however, aren't you, a U.S. citizen?
- You're all vegetarians, are you?
- You're the leader of how many disciples or devotees throughout the world?
- You've got to get a visa (to Russia). How do you... How can you get?
- Your authority for this statement is based in the Vedic literature?
- Your devotees' health is looked after, then (so far the body is concerned, as much as it is required take and maintain the body. That's all)… By who?
- Your Divine Grace, can I ask you how old you are now?
- Your Divine Grace, do you see a time coming when all mankind will be united?
- Your Divine Grace, do you see meditation as a means to God realization?
- Your Divine Grace, do you think that chanting the Hare Krsna mantra is the only way to achieve liberation?
- Your Divine Grace, is there a Hare Krsna Movement in India?
- Your Divine Grace, since religion is one, do you think man will enter into a golden age in which he will accept one God?
- Your Divine Grace, what prompted you to start the Krsna movement?
- Your Divine Grace, would your message be exactly the same for, say, a starving man in India and a Westerner who's got everything that a person needs?
- Your family, your blood family, are they Krsna conscious as well?
- Your Grace, a great many of South Africa's church leaders from some of the big churches are fearful that South Africa is going to find itself in a situation, or find... What message would you give this country in terms of avoiding any...?
- Your Grace, can I start by asking you what do you think of South Africa?
- Your Grace, could I ask you, first, how you pronounce your name?
- Your Grace, have you been to New Zealand before?
- Your Grace, if we could perhaps go back over that just for a minute - you said nobody is free… But are you saying that if we live a good life we in some way determine our future as well?
- Your Grace, what is the basis of your teachings?
- Your Grace, what stops so many people from becoming Krsna devotees?
- Your intention and aim is not merely to cater to the mind, cater to reason, cater to the intellect, but to effect a kind of transformation of man himself. Is this why you have introduced a whole way of living, a whole way of life, is it?
- Your movement is spreading largely. Do you think that it will be welcome in the Communist countries?
- Your movement, your consciousness of Krsna, engloves, takes all the direction of economics and political possibility... Can you speak, explain me about that?
- Your teachers are called spiritual masters?