Lecture about Buddhism, the difference between basic principles and details and the culture of Krsna Consciousness

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There is a tendency among neophytes to think that vehicles like certain style of dress, cuisine or culture are as important as the basic principles. Rupa Goswami doesn’t talk about how to dress, what to cook or about a particular style of architecture or musical instruments. If we peruse Krsna Consciousness as ethnical package and confuse the basic principles with details we are able to give a scientific presentation of it. There is no historical evidence that people changed their dress when they joined Lord Caitanya’s movement. In CC only one time it is mentioned that Maharaja Prataparudra changed into Vaishnava dress, which meant what the Vaishnavas were also wearing: no king’s clothes but simple and humble.

We can bury the essence under the detail. Following Vedic principles doesn’t mean making people feel that they are in India, but making them feel comfortable. The best offering to Krsna is a fallen soul! Puja has to go on but it is not our main occupation. Srila Prabhupada said that we can simplify our puja in order to preach

Indians are our natural allies, but in their culture they are not used to preaching, it is not something they accept readily. When they come to America have a strong sense of being accepted by people in general. If they see that the devotees are not being accepted then they are not inclined to come to our temples. So we have to show them that we are successful in the West. This can only be done if Western people feel comfortable here and if we are able to present Krsna Consciousness intelligently.

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