Week 10

Finishing module one, calls for some celebration. So you could plan a special
program(Vyuha program) for your group .This has been assigned for week 13 and a full
description of how the ceremony could be conducted can be found in that chapter. You
could invite a senior devotee to come, attend the program and also address them for a
while. The senior devotee can also participate in the other interactive programs, so that
the members get his/ her personal association too.

You could, if there is a central yatra at your place, request for the certificates to be handed
to all the members during a festival or the regular Sunday program in front of many
guests. This will be very encouraging for your group members as well as a source of joy
and pride to the whole yatra. Please see the separate chapter on the siksha ceremony.
Ice breaker : 15 minutes
When the members have all assembled, give them each the Discussion sheets, as also the
Namamrta and preaching session material of module 2 for week 10.
Appreciate their participation in module 1 , and tell them that they can look forward to
more exciting progress in module 2 as they discover more mysteries about spiritual life!

Tell them about some interesting and relevant passages that you had read from the
Bhagavad Gita , Srimad Bhagavatam or any of the other books of Srila Prabhupada’s that
week. This could be some analogy, or story or some striking point, and how it appealed to
you or inspired you, etc.

Share with them the glories of Srila Prabhupada, his books and what it contains. Also
what your initial impressions were when you read his books and the impact it has made
on your life, etc. Show them a few of Srila Prabhupada’s small books. They could also
view the paintings inside. Ask them if any of them would like to borrow/ buy the books .
Even if only a few of them show interest in the beginning, it does not matter, as it will
automatically catch on with the others in the subsequent weeks.

You can just suggest to the people who have taken a book, that they share something
they read that week with everyone in the subsequent weekly program.

Go ahead with the following game after that.

One problem, many solutions

Materials required: pens and paper

Make two subgroups to sit in circles. Ask them to think of a current problem, concern,
perplexity or challenge they face and write it down. Tell them to be specific(don’t write
“health problems”, but “constant headache prevents me from concentrating’).
Allow one or two minutes to think and write, then ask them to pass their problem to the
right.
That person reads the problem just received and jots down the first thought or thoughts
that come to mind in addressing the problem. Allow one minute for writing the solution.
Repeat this process every minute, and keep it going until everyone gets his/ her own sheet
back.
You can briefly discuss the experience with them:
1) Did anyone discover solutions or problems not previously considered?
2) Can you see any value in trying some of these suggestions?
3) Do some of these suggestions trigger other ideas or solutions to you?
4) What lesson does this teach us about reaching out to others for their assistance?

Kirtan : 15 minutes
Continue as in the previous weeks by distributing the sheet containing the Pranama
mantras and the Hare Krishna mantra as well as the glorifications at the end of the
Kirtana.
Also continue with the offering of incense by every member to the Altar Deities or Deity
pictures.
Japa…. 15 minutes
Read out first, the following passage :
The Nectar of the Holy Name
For attaining the topmost goal, hearing and chanting about Lord
Vishnu is more important than varnashrama-dharma. (More on
Varnashrama dharma in the discussion passage).
For your understanding:
The 4 varnas:
Brahamana : The intellectual class, Kshatriya: The warrior class, Vaishya : The business
class, Shudra :the labor class
The 4 Ashramas or stages of life
Brahmacharya: The student stage, Grihastha : The married stage, Vanaprastha :The
retired stage, and Sannyasa : The renounced order.

The chief acharya of the Tattvavada community was very learned in the revealed
scriptures. Out of humility, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu questioned him. Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu said, "I do not know very well the aim of life and how to achieve it. Please
tell me of the best ideal for humanity and how to attain it." The acharya replied, "When
the activities of the four castes and the four ashramas or stages in life are dedicated to
Krishna, they constitute the best means whereby one can attain the highest goal of life.
When one dedicates the duties of varnashrama-dharma to Krishna, he is eligible for five
kinds of liberation.(To get the same bodily features as the Lord(Sarupya)( to reside in the
same planet as the Lord(Salokya), to be as opulent as the Lord(Sarshti), to be in His
personal association(Samipya), and the one of merging into the Lord’s Brahma jyothi
(Sayujya).) Thus he is transferred to the spiritual world in Vaikuntha. This is the highest
goal of life and the verdict of all revealed scriptures."

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, "According to the verdict of the shastras, the process of
hearing and chanting is the best means to attain loving service to Krishna."
According to the Tattvavadis, the best process is to execute the duties of the four varnas
and ashramas. In the material world, unless one is situated in one of the varnas
(brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra) one cannot manage social affairs properly to
attain the ultimate goal. One also has to follow the principles of the ashramas
(brahmacharya, grihastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa), which are considered essential for
the attainment of the highest goal. In this way the Tattvavadis establish that the execution
of the principles of varna and ashrama for the sake of Krishna is the best way to attain the
topmost goal. The Tattvavadis thus established their principles in terms of human society.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, however, differed when He said that the best process is
hearing and chanting about Lord Vishnu.

Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta Madhya-lila 9.254-58

You can do a full round of japa with them. Please chant the Panca Tattva Mantra 3 times
before chanting the japa and ask them to follow you. While relishing the holy
names yourself keep eye contact with the members from time to time to encourage
and enthuse them.

Discussion - 45 minutes
Please read out the passage below and start asking the questions.(Do not explain it to
them.) Let the people assembled find out the answers from the passage themselves.
Please engage everyone in answering, You can ask two, three people to add to the same
answer. Move from one person to the next and give them sufficient time to think.You
could ask leading questions for them to go deeper and get a clearer understanding of the
subject matter for giving relevant replies.

The application question ideally has to be answered by everyone. This will give you a
good idea about how well each one has understood the philosophy, how serious they are
about spiritual life and any practical problems or obstacles that they may be facing.
This is the most important part of the discussion, and so you must provide sufficient time
of at least 15 to 20 minutes for it.
You should at last sum up all the points and give more points that you have prepared..

Passage for Discussion:

Srila Prabhupäda:
The Vedic system of religion we have been describing—the varnashrama system created
by Krishna—is not to be confused with the present-day caste system—determination of
social divisions by birth. But as to eradication of all social divisions, it cannot be done.
This is still more foolishness, because Krsna Himself says, catur-varnam maya srishtam
guna-karma-vibhagasah: [Bg. 4.13] "This system of four social divisions, according to
quality and work, is ordained by Me." But the difficulty is that this so-called caste system
has come in, on account of the false notion that in order to be a brahmana, one must be
the son of a brahmana . That is the caste system. But Krishna does not say that. He says
"according to quality and work." He never says "according to birth." So this so-called
caste system in India is a false notion of catur-varnam, the system of four social divisions.
The real system of cätur-varnam means guna-karma-vibhagasah, determination of the
four social divisions according to quality and work. One must be qualified.

And how does one become qualified? That is also described. For instance, in Bhagavad-
gita Krsna describes the qualities of a brahmana as follows: samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca jnanam vijnanam astikyam [Bg. 18.42]. "Peacefulness, self-
control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom, and religiousness." So
people who want to become brahmanas must be educated to acquire these qualities.

It is not enough simply to abolish the caste system, which is contaminated by the false
conception of qualification by birthright. Certainly, this wrong caste system should be
abolished. Also, educational centers should be opened for teaching people how to become
genuine brahmanas and ksatriyas. Guna-karma-vibhagasah: [Bg. 4.13] according to their
qualities and work, people naturally belong to different social groupings. So you cannot
avoid it, but because you have created a false caste system, that should be abolished, and
the system recommended by Krishna—that should be adopted.

Our point is, wherever you go, you'll find a first-class man who is truthful. Now,
wherever you find a truthful man, you can classify him as a brahmana and train him to
serve the social body in that capacity, as a spiritual teacher and advisor. That is wanted.
Why assume, "Here is the son of a truthful man; therefore he is truthful, a brahmana"?
That is a misconception.

You have to find the truthful men all over the world and train them as brahmanas. That
we are doing. "If you follow these principles—no illicit sex, no intoxication, no
gambling, no meat-eating—you are a brahmana. Come on and receive further training."
The fellow's father may be a meat-eater or a gambler or a drunkard, but if he himself is
truthful and agreeable to the brahminical life, then tell him, "All right, come on—you are
welcome." Then everything will be all right.

The benefit will be that the whole social body will function harmoniously. The social
body must have a brain and arms and a belly and legs to be complete. If there is no brain,
no head, then what is the use of these arms and legs and belly? It is all dead. So in human
society, if there is not a class of learned, truthful, and honest men—men with all the
brahminical qualifications—then society is ruined. That is why people are perplexed.
Today almost everyone is trained to be a sudra, a laborer: "Go to the factory." That's all.
"Go to the factory and get money." And when the man gets some money, he immediately
purchases wine and women. So if you try to make society classless, you'll produce such
men—useless men, disturbing to the social body.
. If you take to this system, then the social body will be perfect, not only for Hindus but
also for Christians, for Muhammadans, for everyone. And that is being practically
realized in our Krishna consciousness movement.
When you fully surrender to Krishna you can give up all regulations pertaining to these
four social classes. That is why Krishna says, sarva –dharman partyajaya :”In the ultimate
issue, my instruction is to give up all the religious formularies”-including even the Vedic
formularies- “and simply surrender to Me.” Brahmana dharma”, “ksatriya –dharma,
hindu dharma”, this dharma, that dharma- give all these up and simply surrender to
Krsna, because ultimate aim of dharma is to come to Krishna” you directly come to ME:
then everything is all right.”.
Civilization and transcendence
Discovery:
1)What has Krsna said about the caste system?

2) What are the qualities of a brahmana according to Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita?

3)When can we give up all regulations regarding the caste-system?

Understanding:
1)Explain with an example why it is ridiculous to determine one’s caste by birth.

2)Why is every one a sudra at the present moment?

3)How can people be trained to be a brahmana?

4)What is the ultimate goal of all religion? How do we achieve it?

Application:
1)Discuss the benefits of dividing society according to varnasrama.
2)Discuss how society would be if everyone were surrendered to Krishna.

One must constantly pray to the Lord for protection and the blessings to
preach:
Unless one is sufficiently protected by the Lord, he may fall down from his spiritual
position; therefore one has to pray constantly to the Lord for protection and the blessing
to carry out one's duty. Lord Chaitanya also entrusted His missionary work to His
devotees and assured them of His protection against the onslaught of material affection.
The path of spiritual life is stated in the Vedas to be like the edge of a sharpened razor. A
little inattentiveness may at once create havoc and bloodshed, but one who is a
completely surrendered soul, always seeking protection from the Lord in the discharge of
his entrusted duties, has no fear of falling into material contamination.
 Srimad-Bhägavatam 3.9.24

Preaching session : 15 minutes

Please read out first the passage given below:

Share with them your experiences of preaching for the week….small details about whom you
spoke to , visited, had a discussion with or encouraged in their Krsna consciousness.

If any of them have brought a new member, appreciate that. Also ask everyone to share their
attempts to get new people.

You can invite the most enthusiastic among them to accompany you in your visits to some new
member’s house, so that they see first hand how to deal with new people while inviting or
introducing them to Krsna consciousness.

Set a preaching home-work however small for everyone. Discuss what is possible for each one
and encourage them to do so. They must feel comfortable doing it and must enjoy the experience.
So do not push very hard. But be sensitive to the limits that they would like to keep for the
moment.

This could include activities like book distribution, inviting friends and contacts to the program,
and accompanying you in your visits to new members’ homes.

Prasadam : 20 minutes:
As you have done in the previous week, request them to chant the prasadam mantra.

You can ask for volunteers to distribute and serve prasadam to the other members. Engage them
gradually in service and they will begin to taste nectar and make spiritual advancement.

While they are eating, go around and talk with them, encouraging, joking and being pleasant, and
making them relax. It is the loving atmosphere which is going to draw them to the program week
after week. It is a tiny glimpse of the love that they are hankering to experience with Krsna.

Immediately after the members have left the program, kindly fill in the following report:

Names Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Remarks

A S A S A S A S A S
 EFFORTS
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week5 Total
1 No. of Mails
2 No. of Telephone Calls
3 No. of Home Visits
4 No. of Service Donors
5 No. of Money Donors
Abbreviations: A= Attendance, S= Siksha level