September 11 will mark the fifth anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Nine days after the attacks, President George W. Bush, speaking to a joint session of Congress, said this about the attackers: We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions--by abandoning every value except the will to power--they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all … [Read more...] about Radical visions and discarded lies
Sins or offenses?
If you've read An accidental falldown is one thing, but. . ., an exchange of views that might interest you is Sin or Aparadha? Sin might be washed away, writes Pandu Dasa, but are we looking at sins or offenses (aparadhas)? I follow his letter with my comments. Since the exchange appears on a part of this site where you might not otherwise see it, I bring it to your attention here. … [Read more...] about Sins or offenses?
Predictions of the Next World War
From Back to Godhead, July–August 1997 Astrologers, we've heard, are predicting a forthcoming war. If we believe accounts passed on from a well-reputed star-reader in Jaipur, the next world war is on its way. Expect conflicts to start mounting within the next year or so, he says. And by the year 2000 expect 35% of the world's people to be dead. Several other astrologers paint similar pictures of doom. Do we believe them? Maybe. Astrologers can be wrong (a leading pundit predicted Mr. Clinton would lose the ’96 elections), and they can also be terribly right. So what to … [Read more...] about Predictions of the Next World War
Have a Blast, O Tiger Among Men!
From Back to Godhead, September–October 1998 One of our BTG staff members suggested I comment here on the nuclear blasts detonated, amidst considerable publicity, by India and her arch-rival Pakistan. I'm not much inclined to do it. For me it's boring. I'm getting tired of the material world. Okay -- India and Pakistan are now better equipped to blow each other up, and maybe they will. That means death, and lots of it. But what do you expect? That's the material world: everyone has to die. Taking a materialistic point of view: Life is nothing but chemicals racing around. So … [Read more...] about Have a Blast, O Tiger Among Men!
An accidental falldown is one thing, but. . .
Must there not be some limit on how much we can forgive and excuse? (A letter and reply) Dear Jayadvaita Swami, Re: Can one who has sinned be a saint? Throughout our books and their purports the word "accidentally" is often used to describe the event for the "falldown" or "sin" of the devotee. But what is written in purports about "intentionally" or the event where one says "I'm going to get out of this chair and go over there and .."? And they get out of that chair intentionally over and over again to do their deeds. There must be some measured limit on the quality … [Read more...] about An accidental falldown is one thing, but. . .
Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 7)
Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.2.8–10) about the sinful Ajamila: etenaiva hy aghono ’sya krtam syad agha-niskrtam yada narayanayeti jagada catur-aksaram stenah sura-po mitra-dhrug brahma-ha guru-talpa-gah stri-raja-pitr-go-hanta ye ca patakino ’pare sarvesam apy … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 7)
Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 6)
Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. We find relevant instructions in Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.42 (translated, with commentary, by disciples of Srila Prabhupada): sva-pada-mulam bhajatah priyasyatyaktanya-bhavasya harih paresah vikarma yac cotpatitam kathanciddhunoti sarvam hrdi sannivistah One who has thus given up all other engagements and has taken full shelter at the lotus feet of Hari, the Supreme Personality of … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 6)
Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 5)
Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. Several important quotations pertaining to this point appear in Chapter One of The Nectar of Devotion, "Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service," in the section "Relief from Material Distress." One such verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.14.19, which Srila Prabhupada renders as follows: "My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire which can burn into ashes … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 5)
The disappearance of “Shabby Behavior”
I posted in this journal an item, under the title "Shabby Behavior," complaining about disregard for copyrights. The particular circumstance that prompted that item has now been cordially settled. I have therefore deleted the item. Though I felt justified in writing it, its tone was sharp, so I feel far better about deleting it than I felt about writing it. My thanks to my godbrother involved for dealing with the matter in a conscientious way. The error may very well have been mine. Thank you also to Candidasa and Sitapati Dasa for commenting on the item. Since I've deleted it, we … [Read more...] about The disappearance of “Shabby Behavior”
Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 4)
Sometimes people think that once a person has performed sinful acts, especially acts that are grievously sinful, he must be regarded as a sinner forever. This notion runs contrary to Vaishnava philosophy. In the book Surrender unto Me, Bhurijana Dasa comments on Bhagavad-gita 4.36–37, with references to the commentary of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. 36. Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries. In Chapter One, Arjuna feared sin … [Read more...] about Can one who has sinned be a saint? (part 4)
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