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Imported devotees

Expressions researched:
"import devotee" |"import devotees" |"prepare strong devotees, not import them"

Conversations and Morning Walks

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

So we have to import devotees. You cannot create devotees?
Morning Walk -- November 21, 1975, Bombay:

Mahāṁsa: ...now we have about sixteen to eighteen thousand kg's of rice stocked up. We just harvested all the rice. We got a fairly good yield, not exceptionally good because it was our first attempt.

Prabhupāda: So your invested money is realized?

Mahāṁsa: Yes. If we sell that, we can get at least double.

Prabhupāda: "If we sell" means you sell it. First of all take whatever you invested, money.

Mahāṁsa: Yes, that is what I was thinking. Sell what we invested and distribute the rest.

Prabhupāda: Give them prasādam daily. So they are coming for kīrtana?

Mahāṁsa: Few people are coming, but there are not so many devotees there to have a...

Prabhupāda: Organize.

Mahāṁsa: ...big program. Yes. And all the devotees who are there are very new, all new recruits.

Prabhupāda: Then how we are going to organize?

Mahāṁsa: Well, Haṁsadūta said as soon as the land is transferred he would send ten devotees for the farm. So then I think it will start.

Prabhupāda: So we have to import devotees. You cannot create devotees.

Mahāṁsa: We have got about eight devotees there who are new, but they are not experienced.

Prabhupāda: Train them, train them.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: To give a manager right way, Haṁsadūta said.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: He can give a manager for the farm.

Mahāṁsa: Yes. If we get a manager, then we can manage.

Prabhupāda: No. If you do not get a manager, then what is the use of taking the land? If you cannot manage, then what is the use of taking? Give them prasādam. They will come. So why you are not giving that prasādam? Every day there must be huge prasādam distribution.

Correspondence

1974 Correspondence

You have to prepare strong devotees, not import them.
Letter to Gurudasa -- Hyderabad 24 April, 1974:

You ask me how to recruit strong devotees to come there. You have to prepare strong devotees, not import them. You yourself become strong devotees and teach others by your example. Importation is not a good plan; everyone should be strong by behavior and action.

1975 Correspondence

Our policy as you know is not to import devotees, but to make devotees out of the local men there. That is better.
Letter to Pancadravida -- Bombay 4 January, 1975:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 29th, 1974 and have noted the contents. I am sending this letter via one friend who will be coming to Bangkok tomorrow. He will deliver the letter to a Mr. Panikar who will bring it to you. This Mr. Panikar has been recommended to me by one of our life members here as someone who can sign the registration. Along with him, there is a Mr. Raman and a Mr. Chaisrikyl (Thai citizen). Mr. Panikar should be able to advise you how to get in touch with these men also.

Regarding sending men to Bangkok, let us see who is a spare man or is having visa problems. But our policy as you know is not to import devotees, but to make devotees out of the local men there. That is better.

My policy, as you know, is not to import devotees, but to create devotees out of the local men. That will be better. I did not import any Indian devotees when I first came to your country.
Letter to Pancadravida -- Bombay 6 January, 1975:

As far as sending more men to Bangkok is concerned, we shall see if any of our men are forced to leave India on account of visa difficulties. They can go there. But my policy, as you know, is not to import devotees, but to create devotees out of the local men. That will be better. I did not import any Indian devotees when I first came to your country. Print as much as you can into the Thai language. That will be a great asset.

Page Title:Imported devotees
Compiler:Visnu Murti
Created:01 of Feb, 2012
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=1, Let=3
No. of Quotes:4