AGTSP paoho

We received a message from a devotee in the ABC Temple, but it is a comment that we get often, so we thought we would answer here. If you have a confidential letter then 1) You can just talk about the general princples and not name specific people, 2) You can even open a different account and post it there. Pretty much if you can discuss it wih us privately you can at leaset discuss it in general terms here. Then we can give out opinion and sixteen more devotees will get the same question answered.

The problem is that the atmosphere in the Temple seems to have changed a lot. Devotees are doing things superficially. They criticize each other frequently, so the devotee then feels depressed about going to Festivals, regular Temple programs and visits sometimes privately and ocassionally with a few devotees, but doesn't discuss this problem with others so as not to contaminate their consciousness.

1) One reporter asked Prabhupada if there were problems in his Temples. Prabhupada answere, "This is the material world. There are problems everywhere."

Even when Krsna was personally present in Vrndavana there were demons causing mis-carriages for the girls.

So, we never expect the ISKCON Temples to be free from problems. Maharaja Pariksit was unfairly cursed by a Brahmana boy, but he took it as impetous to get free from his attachment. So the problems are good.

2) Sometimes the Temple is super enthusiastic, some times it is not. Sometimes our Madhyama adhikari guru falls down, some times our movment is divided into political factions, but in all cases we have only one choice, take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and go on.

3) Prabhupada told devotees that even if they felt they were the most advanced devotees in the Temple still they shold go to class. If they gave all the classes that was still O.K.

So, basic principle is we should go to the Temple and give our association to the devotees. Yes, we can look for more advanced devotees there and spend more time with them at the Temple or individually.
The very fact that there are some ISKCON rituals and ISKCON Festivals means that there is some association. At least they will benefit from our advanced position.

You may say, "Oh, no! I am worse than others!"

No, if we can see the problem and want to give positive energy to the situation then at least we are more advanced than those who can't see it or just want to exploit it.
4) Krsna sends the association. We are getting what we need right now.

So please, Monkey Warriors contribute your perspectives and questions here.