Dealing with Indian Brahmanas, Mayavadis, and other Sampradayas

01. In dealing with the smarta brahmanas we must remember that they have no bona fide parampara. Therefore they are not in a position to have received transcendental knowledge.

02. The Vaisnava is more elevated than a brahmana.

03. Srila Prabhupada's second pranama mantra indicates that we should minimize our dealings with the Mayavadis.

04. We may choose to offer respects to Mayavadis but we must never accept their food.

05. How to defeat Mayavadis:

a) Their understanding of the Absolute is incomplete.

b) They utilize relative means in their quest for the Absolute.

c) They distort the quintessence of the scripture.

d) Lord Siva came as Sankaracarya to bewilder the demoniac people in the age of Kali through Mayavadi philosophy.

06. It is better not to preach to Mayavadis or smarta brahmanas. However, we should preach to the innocent who have been influenced by them.

 

Other Sampradayas

01. There are distinct differences between the four sampradayas-Sri, Brahma, Rudra, Kumara.

02. There is a distinct difference between these sampradayas and ours.

03. There is a subtle difference between ISKCON and other Gaudiya sampradayas.

04. Srila Prabhupada's spiritual position is unique. It is our special good fortune to be related to Him.

05. The caste gosvami's conception of disciplic succession is a complete misconception.

06. No matter how elevated, a Vaisnava always offers respects. The more advanced he is, the more humble he is. Therefore our dealings with other sampradayas should be very respectful.

07. In our dealings we must be aware that there is a difference between submission, humility, and respect.

08. We should always be respectful towards other sampradayas-at least externally-to protect Srila Prabhupada's good name.

09. It is good to know about differences and defects in other spiritual communities.

10. We must always be aware of the unique position of the Vraja Bhasis and never offend them.

 

Quotes from Srila Prabhupada

"Swamiji, your disciples don't pronounce the Sanskrit very nicely. Even the Hare Krsna mantra they sometimes do not say correctly."

Prabhupada: "Yes, that is why we have come here-to get your association so you can teach us." Lilamrta V, p.62

"So far as your questions are concerned, in India a sannyasi or a person in the renounced order of life is always honored. Even in

this fallen down condition of India a sannyasi is honored everywhere, and he has no problem for his living condition. So you are correct that a person in the renounced order of life is honored."
 

SP Letter to Alfred Ford (July 16, 1974)

Give everyone proper respect

"Regarding your questions how to offer respects to sannyasis. Every sannyasi, even if you see a Mayavadi sannyasi, offer him your respects-there will be no harm. As you have observed we shall follow Lord Caitanya's instruction that we give all due respects to others regarding their position, but there is no need of always associating with each of them. Even if one is Vaisnava, but not of good character, we can give him the Vaisnava respect, but we cannot associate with him."
 

SP Letter to Jayapataka (April 30, 1970)

"One time when Prabhupada was at Bhaktivedanta Manor, a Mayavadi sannyasi came to visit. Srila Prabhupada received him graciously, and they had some discussion. When the man departed, he deliberately left behind a big stack of pamphlets. The pamphlets contained a little essay on the monistic doctrine that "all is one," defying the direct meaning of the Vedic scriptures and completely omitting Lord Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The next afternoon, Prabhupada met with the devotees as usual. His practice was to receive a very big plate of fruit and nuts, take some himself, and then ask a disciple to distribute the maha-prasadam to all the devotees. On this particular day, Prabhupada called for the pamphlets. The devotees were surprised-"Why is Prabhupada calling for these pamphlets?" When they were brought in, Srila Prabhupada said, "Distribute one to each of the devotees." The devotees were bewildered, as the Mayavadi pamphlets were distributed to one and all. Then Prabhupada said, "Everyone take a pamphlet, open it up and put it in your hand." He took a few fruits from the plate, began eating them, and then indicated that the rest should be distributed. He said the devotees should use the pamphlets as paper plates. One of the devotees mentioned later that Prabhupada was practicing yukta-vairagya by this simple act. He had found a useful purpose for the atheistic tracts, simultaneously ridiculing their author and yet engaging him in devotional service. Srila Prabhupada Nectar 3.30

 

Dealing with Mayavadis

Then the other sannyasi (Mayavadi) began speaking. Suddenly Srila Prabhupada looked at us and said, "Start kirtana immediately." So we got up in the middle of the sannyasi's speaking and started kirtana. "He was preaching impersonal philosophy and I could not tolerate it," Prabhupada said. Lilamrta V, p.92