Category:Questions From... Journalists, Reporters, Writers
- 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 282 pages are in this category, out of 1,054 total.
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- 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)?