Lord Jesus Christ katha
ARTICLES OF
PRAISING HIS GLORY
LORD JESUS CHRIST KATHA (part 1)
Haribol, all glories to the assembled
devotees. All glories to Lord Jesus Christ, Sri Krsna's most confidential
servant. This is His season, so I humbly pay tribute to his mission.
Lord Jesus Christ did not advertize
himself, he did not even care to hear his disciples describe him as "my
good rabbi", deferring the title "good" to be applied only to
the One Who sent Him. The perfection of relationship between God and man was,
thus, nicely displayed for those who have ears. Jesus wants ABBA, ELOI,
JAHOVIA, His dearmost Father, advertized as the primary receptacle of our LOVE,
to all segments of society, no matter whether one is of David and Solomon, or
outside as Gentile, without desiring to become famous in His own right. Sri
Krsna is so pleased with the work of His only begotten Son (see the creator,
Lord Brahma, begotten from the lotus) that this Son has become the most famous
human being throughout history, so much so that even the Buddhist atheist must
acknowledge, the whole world is talking millenium madness, year 2000, all based
on the appearance of this simple carpenter's son who befriended the fishers of
men. If this is not yoga, rasa, yoking, then yoga has no meaning.
An important fact of Lord Jesus Christ's
teachings can be applied to concern about potential Vaikuntha falldown, as
follows. His disciples, who were, by the way, fully aware of transmigration of
the soul, (another story, perhaps another day), asked Him if it was better to
be at home with the Lord and away from the body or at home with the body and
away from the Lord. Lord Jesus Christ answered by not choosing between the two,
rather giving absolute Vaisnava instruction, "Whether at home with the Lord
and away from the body or at home with the body and away from the Lord, our
business is to SERVE THE LORD." Perfect and complete instructions, and, as
such, these instructions are completely perfect. Bhakti-yoga is non-dependent
of personal salvation, thus, even salvation and the liberation of becoming one
with the Lord is rejected by the Vaisnava. So many (so-called) Christians,
salvationists, do not have ears to hear from Him, all they want is a heaven
lined with gold, not even necessarily wanting to be with Him, just unlimited
and eternal enjoyment of their own selfish interest, me-me-me, yet at the time
of His samadhi, Lord Jesus Christ went to hell to serve His Father's desires.
This is all contained in the
very-tampered-with biblical scripture, yet there is enough true NECTAR left
from Lord Jesus Christ's teachings that one is only foolish to reject Him. In
tribute to Lord Jesus Christ, I shall publish here a story of His mission, with
my head on the ground in obiesance to Srila Prabhupada, who gives us all access
to His teachings.
LORD JESUS CHRIST KATHA (part 2)
Never is there harm in speaking about
the Vaisnava, however, we must hear properly first before recitation, otherwise
we mislead others with relative truth. The validity of scriptual evidence about
Lord Jesus Christ's pastimes is always in question, because those entrusted
with caretaking His message have allowed interpretation, editing, omission, and
other dealings for two millenia. This is a hidden lesson all devotees should be
in tune with, as this tendency continues within our own parampara.
Many devotees do not care to hear about
Lord Jesus Christ, and their reasons are not altogether unfounded nor
ill-advised, for the common beliefs about this important Acarya are mired in
speculations of the mukti-bhukti habits common to man-made-religionists. Yet,
even with this disclaimer of no pure sampradaya, Srila Prabhupada made clear
points about Lord Jesus Christ that no one can deny. Had rejection of this
devotee been the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, there would be no mention of
His validity in his books. But this is not the case, and, as I do not provide
citations to verify, I encourage all his followers to research his books to
find out what he actually says about Him.
Two important prayers that have been
relegated to children songs in this dark age of atheism describe the Mission of
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary. The article below
indicates the bhakti that can be realized from mere recitation of these
prayers. Just as no one should speak on behalf of Srila Prabhupada if they
cannot utter the Mahamantra, similarly, one should never comment on Lord Jesus
Christ unless they FOLLOW His order and "Pray like Me, Our
Father...". I will not write this prayer as we should all be familiar with
the words.
Subserviant to the purport of Sri
Siksastakam, the Divine Author, Sri Gauranga, and His representative, Sri
Gurudeva, and bowing in obiesance with head on the ground, reciting the Lord's
Prayer, all confusion ceases and one becomes dhira (unconfused).
Lord Jesus Christ gives mantra to all
who will take, hallowed be the Names of Our Father. His mother, Mary,
demonstrates intercession, rasa, and pure bhakti, and also gives us mantra, the
Lord is with Her, She is full of Grace. This is proven by the guru-shastra-sadhu
criteria, and their lives are present in Sound. The memory of the Nectar of
Instruction, that which is carefully salvaged from the rubble of the schisms
and interpretations of the pretender, is sufficient to deliver the swan-like
devotees to him.
Lord Jesus Christ teaches Love of God
without fear, without limitation, free from selfish interest. Bhukti (selfish
world contentment) and mukti (desires to be free from misery) are not part of
His teachings and are not the goals he tries to humbly show us for ultimate
happiness, the only requirement is sincere surrender to the will of the Lord
and reciprocation with His unconditional love.
Please hear. I cannot write this for the
so-called christian, for they have no idea of rasa. They care not for the
pleasure of Joseph looking down at the smiling Christ-child in his arms. All
they can do is take some of His words to conquer the "heathens" and
teach them to serve His shadow.
I beg forgiveness for offending some by
singing His glories occasionally, but I cannot refrain from doing so. Suffice
it to say, a Christian is as rare as a Vaisnava, and we all have had the great
fortune of knowing both in one person, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
LORD JESUS CHRIST KATHA (part 3)
I do no such artificial deification of
Lord Jesus Christ, yet try to hear from Him in light of
acintya-bheda-bheda-tattva, that is, his purpose is non-different from whom he
calls Abbah, Eloy, Jahovia, etc. Lord Jesus Christ's mission is consistant with
his being sent by the Supreme Lord. Read on for clarifications.
THE MAGI -c-1995-mahaksadasa
Two thousand years ago, three mystic
travelers practicing worship of the Supreme Lord, became enlightened by this
service. Through the science of astrological calculations, this Object of their
worship led them from Kurdistan, Afghanistan, and India, to Bayt Lahm.
Gathering spices, exotic resins, and gold for sacrificial offering, they were
led to the birthsite of a simple newborn in very humble surroundings. Although
a royal heir to both Davidian and Solomonic branches of the dynasty of Israel,
this child was born in bondage to Rome. Yet, because these three travelers were
devoted to the Lord, they were led to His most confidential servant, Lord Jesus
Christ. Celebrating his birth with sweet honour, they returned to their homes,
not at all deviating from the religion which satisfied their desires for
redemption. They knew of NO King James, Aquinas, nor of Christian Coalitions,
yet they practiced yoga, became unified in purpose and service to the one
Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Many of today's so-called christians are
very uncomfortable with a description of the Maji and their religious
practices. They are more uncomfortable with historical data concerning Lord Jesus
Christ's appearance, his Essene religious practice of healing arts, his travels
between the ages of twelve to thirty, etc. For some strange reason, they say
God incarnated as His son and studied carpentry for more than half his years on
earth.
These same people have elevated a
demoniac King James of England to a position of spiritual authority, thus
impersonalizing the greatest of philosophers. Lord Jesus Christ never says that
he IS his Father, and when his disciples tried to exalt his position, he always
defers to his Father. By nullifying the Father, one nullifies the son and the
wonderful relationship existing between Father and Son, the relationship Lord
Jesus Christ tries to share with the world.
The present christianity espoused by the
bigoted, unloving, uncaring materialists is not only useless, it is most
offensive to those desiring to follow the precepts of Lord Jesus Christ. Using
the banner of the cross (the weapon used to kill him), they villify the
followers of Muhammed, Sri Chaitanya, and others who are not against their
so-called lord. They say that Jesus is the absolute, only salvation, whereas
Lord Jesus Christ admonishes his disciples' criticisms of outsiders, saying,
"Those not against are with us."
Fanatics want to convert by force and
coersion. Lord Jesus Christ converts by free choice and love. Those who think
christians are better and more loved by God than others who are more oriented
to His purpose and devoted to the Lord are offenders to the Holy Names and are
rejected. Lord Jesus speaks of loving enemies, what to speak of loving his
children who lovingly call Him by other Names.
Lord Jesus Christ is the son of David
via Joseph, and the son of Solomon via the maternity of Mary, the Axumite
Hebrew. Scripture concerning his early travels exist in Bengal, Tibet, Yucatan,
Iraq, etc., yet King James hid them from his professional writers contracted to
translate. A concoction called "trinity" has been placed in the minds
of modern christians, frustrated into calling Him a "mystery".
Although trinity is clear, that is,
three distinct and separate aspects of divinity, (internal, external, and
marginal potencies), singular in purpose, an impersonalist hodgepodge
philosophy which keeps all people away from the Lord is in place. If the son IS
the Father, then neither can exist. The truth is clear, only the concoctions by
the king are "mysterious".
Lord Jesus Christ teaches to develop our
love with his Father, and the Father, via Paramatma (holy spirit), teaches us
internally to love His son as His Own. Simple. Render to the king what is his,
taxes, honour, etc., but spiritual authority placed on unworthy persons is
eternal suicide.
LORD JESUS CHRIST KATHA (part 4)
The only clarity of my life exists in
the hearing and chanting of Harinama, thus rekindling rememberance of the
lila-guna rupa namnam of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Continuance of a program, founded by
Srila Prabhupada, to further his mission of spreading this hearing and chanting
of Harinama to the mass of suffering people bound by forgetfulness, asleep in
the lap of the witch called Maya, as the great song goes. What is pleasing to
Srila Prabhupada is that we adopt this process as our life and soul, our reason
for existance.
Did Srila Prabhupada request us to
change our religion? He did not, for the Holy Names of God, when uttered aloud
to musical accompanyment or softly whispered in meditation, only serves to
perfect one's religion. From my view, and I am definitely not criticizing any
devotee of Krsna, a change from Christianity to ISKCONism, or from Judahism to
another Vaisnava philosophically draped ecclesiastical system is not warranted,
nor attractive, to one who relishes the purport and example set by Sri
Gurudeva. Harinama, Harinama, Harinama, eva kevelam........
ISKCON has great facility to train up
disciples to send on the streets and in the homes of the poor sleepers, to give
them, on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, the gifts he has kindly given us. If those
who maintain the temples are dedicated to this, I have no quarrel with them,
but to those who want to have their positions fortified by the utilization of
resources of such a facility, such resources are misspent, greatly displeasing
to Srila Prabhupada.
I read quotations all the time, who said
what, when, why, but this cannot displace what Srila Prabhupada has imparted
unto me, that is, even if all fall down, his disciple must stand, even if
alone. I judge with my feet, as he kindly ordered me. My last contact with
ISKCON was ten years ago, the day the Amerikans slaughtered hundreds of
thousands of Iraqis in retreat, supposedly protected by Geneva Rules of
Engagement. I visited a crumbling Vancouver facility, on a Sunday morning, with
my family. No greeting, no prasadam, I had to hunt for a devotee to sell me a
book, no friendliness. But I was not disturbed, because, as I saw Tulasi Devi
thriving in a carefully protected small area reserved for Her, I knew that a
Vaisnava disciple of my Guru Maharaja lived there, therefore, I do NOT
criticize those living in the shelter established by my Guru Maharaja. But what
can be said of the conditions of the temples left by Srila Prabhupada, did he
leave no funds? Did he leave us helpless, without FOUNDATION?
No he did not. He left the management to
those who would usurp and squander on the guru game, and their offenses had the
effect of embarassing all the true Vaisnavas of the world. This is not his loss
of control, this has all been His Divine Grace, ripping away all the glitter
from our eyes so we may see the truth, that is, Harinama, Harinama, Harinama,
eva kevelam.........
Srila Prabhupada is much more than the
buildings he left, he is Jagat Guru, leader of David and Solomon followers,
leader of the true followers of the Christ Jesus, as His Samkirtana leader, Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, did before him, he uses Qoran to defeat the Kazi.
Non-denominational, giving up all varieties of religion, he asks us to
surrender to Sri Krsna by the process of Harinama Samkirtana.
The fighting spirit between the devotees
may go on forever, just see the combatants on the plain of Kuruksetra, all
devotees, yet no deal, no cooperation. But can we afford it?
I have recently been appreciating my
Christian heritage, albeit originally devoid of any knowledge of bhakti, for
the Bhagavad Gita As It Is was omitted from the concordex, now there is so much
understanding. Bear with me while I try to continue.
Srila Prabhupada took on Lord Buddha,
defeating all His "No self theories", destroyed the nirvisesavada
philosophy of Lord Siva in his Shankaracarya incarnation, yet there is no
indication at all of Srila Prabhupada not wholeheartedly accepting the
teachings of Lord Jesus Christ, his only displeasure is that the Christians do
not FOLLOW Him. The reason for this is that Lord Jesus Christ's mission is not
unlike that of Srila Prabhupada, to engage the sleeping souls in the practice
of bhakti, hearing and singing the Names of the Supreme Being.
This could be a test question for all
the haughty so-called Vaisnavas who vilify the position of Lord Jesus Christ,
either overtly or with subtlety.
Q.) Describe the
purport of the following prayer, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is
with thee, blessed be thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb,
Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of
our death."
A.) True rasa is
demonstrated, as the Avatara descends at will, bringing His associates with Him
as He pleases. Srimati Mary, by the strength of Her devotional service, has
been granted the service to act as His Mother. Being nitya-siddha, Srimati Mary
was not held accountable for any sour reaction from sinful activity, for she
had none. She was, indeed, Immaculate, thus, from Her very conception in this
world, a pure devotee of the Lord, in the rasa of parenthood.
The second part of this prayer is the
example for all the world on the method of approaching the Lord, referred in
other Shastra as "dasa, dasa, anudasa". One must seek out the servant
of the servant of the Lord, begging for intercession, begging to somehow be
engaged in this dasa, dasa, anudasa process. Such engagement will be so
beneficial to the living being that he need not be so concerned by his
mentality during the turmoil of the death experiance, for the relationship will
be set in ones heart, the yoking (yoga) forever unbroken, so much so, that
Srimati Mary, Lord Jesus Christ, and He Who Sent Them, will be thinking of
them. No artificial behavior involved. This prayer is an example of prema
bhakti.
Anyway, I had to share these thoughts,
but I did not just want to throw them around, because I am sure that many would
scoff, asking for "vedic" proof of what I say, questioning the
Divinity of the Christ. (Without the philosophy of acintya bheda bheda tattwa,
there is NO understanding of any shastra.) His divinity is clear in his
purpose, for his will and the will of Sri Govinda are the same, thus the term
AVATAR is quite appropriate.
Tough, here in the outback, but simple
does not always translate to easy. Falldowns are always surrounding us, yet
there is no artificial way to avoid the problems presented by the mind, others,
and natural events, regardless of how one is temporarily situated. The
challenge is what it is all about. It is like, "Today, I am going to dive
deeper into my relationship with the one who loves me more than I can ever
repay." For the initiated, this is an oath, a promise to honor
(reciprocate) commitment, we promise to abide by Sri Vaisnava's instructions.
This promise burns in the heart of the disciple, so much so, that even though
falldowns are daily occurances, even hourly, the effect of the problem is that
sincere desire for atonement outweighs the evil effects. Not the artificial
confessional some movements create, not the willful Vaisnava aparadha of
committing sinful acts thinking that forgiveness for such action is
autoimatically guaranteed, but actual humility, disciple firmly becoming the
dust on the street, underneath the straw. This taste, this understanding of our
precarious position on the lap of Maya, is a rasa unto itself, aghast and
dread.
How do we fix it, no matter if in the
center of population with peers present or in the outback, in isolation,
imprisoned, exiled, avadhuta, To follow the process of Harinama Haribol. If you
gamble or mentally speculate (surrender to the thoughts produced by the mind),
you lose the quality of truthfulness. If you eat forbidden, unclean foodstuffs,
you cannot live simply and austerity is not even seen as a desireable thing to
possess. If you intoxicate yourself, you cannot forgive, you have no mercy, you
cannot say the Lord's prayer without changing the part about asking God to
forgive you as you forgive tresspasses against you. If you are indiscriminate
in sensual relationships, there cannot be any cleanliness in your life, even if
you can avoid std's.
The restrictions presented by Srila
Prabhupada are scientific, to follow means to strengthen one's spiritual
position by naturally becoming clean, austere, truthful, and merciful to
others. Simple, but not easy. The gift is the Holy Names of Sri Govinda,
especially Sri Hrsikesa. When He hears This Name, He specifically takes charge
of one's desire to attempt compliance with the prescription given by the good
Physician, Sri Gurudeva, and He cuts the habits, He makes them more profoundly
bitter, increases the understanding of the sincere disciple, of the necessity
of strengthening these four pillars of the mansion He has designed for us.
Every day is a challenge, today, alone, but not noticibly greater that when
cloistered in temple life years ago.
There is mental compliance that may be
valueless, that is, attraction by anger. Some may become upset that others are
not in complete compliance. They hate the restrictions, and they envy the
blooper who smokes dope, only because they want to smoke dope, but cannot due
to their overbearing religious ritual. What good are these empty cups? Srila
Prabhupada never taught voidism, false renunciation, jada yoga, or any other
"empty cup" philosophies. He empties the storehouse of prema-bhakti
in service to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and distributes It's contents, to us, to
fill our cups, and as we taste more and more, and want more and more, the
poison in our cups is diluted, purified, and gradually brought to the position
that only the bhakti remains, so much so, that we MUST distribute in his
service ourselves. This is his truth, "Oh my Lord, Your Holy Name, ALONE,
renders all benediction upon the living beings. Therefore You have Hundred and
Millions of Names, like Sri Govinda, Sri Gopala. Unfortunate am I, for I have
no attraction."
Respect is shown when a writer re-reads
his material to check for errors. It is not just a writing, the consciousness
should be that of making a preparation of prasadam for the Lord and His
associates, not just throwing lunch together for our own tongue's devourment.
As far as content goes, I, too, at
times, struggle through it all. But have not devotees been told to shut up for
too long?
Srila Prabhupada never said that we must
prop up an artificial religion based on Varna-asrama Dharma, he requested that
we try to cooperate with each other. Long ago, long before internet, I decided
that a certain society was not my cup of nectar, I was not anxious to
experiance such. Controlled my ears with my feet, but where did that leave me?
Alone. At home in the body and away from
the Lord. Yet Lord Jesus Christ says, no matter, serve the Lord. At work, with
family and friends. The Holy Names Alone render all benediction among the
living beings, we must become more attracted. If dirty laundry appears on this
page, one who follows in the footsteps of the Vaisnava Acarya will humbly clean
and purify, for that is his mission.
My problem, living alone, is that I like
everyone. I think of Puranjana dasa as a transcendental Bob Woodward,
investigative reporter, and my friend. I like Jayadwaita Swami because he
encouraged my songwriting. I have people I don't like at all, but if I cannot
control myself in this regard, my spiritual life will be finished due to
allowing mad elephants in to destroy the garden my dear Guru Maharaja carefully
cultivates.
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