PURPORT

When we are on the material platform, there are different types of religions-Hinduism, Christianity, Mohammedanism, Buddhism, and so on. These are instituted for a particular time, a particular country or a particular person. Consequently there are differences. Christian principles are different from Hindu principles, and Hindu principles are different from Mohammedan and Buddhist principles. These may be considered on the material platform, but when we come to the platform of transcendental devotional service, there are no such considerations. The transcendental service of the Lord (sadhana-bhakti) is above these principles. The world is anxious for religious unity, and that common platform can be achieved in transcendental devotional service. This is the verdict of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When one becomes a Vaisnava, he becomes transcendental to all these limited considerations. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (14.26):

mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

"One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman."

The devotional activities of the Krsna consciousness movement are completely transcendental to material considerations. As far as different faiths are concerned, religions may be of different types, but on the spiritual platform, everyone has an equal right to execute devotional service. That is the platform of oneness and the basis for a classless society. In his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura confirms that one has to learn from a bona fide spiritual master about religious principles, economic development, sense gratification and ultimately liberation. These are the four divisions of regulated life, but they are subjected to the material platform. On the spiritual platform, the four principles are jnana, vijnana, tad-aṅga and tad-rahasya. Rules, regulations and restrictions are on the material platform, but on the spiritual platform one has to be equipped with transcendental knowledge, which is above the principles of religious rituals. Mundane religious activity is known as smarta-viddhi, but transcendental devotional service is called Gosvami-viddhi. Unfortunately many so-called gosvamis are on the platform of smarta-viddhi, yet they try to pass as Gosvami-viddhi, and thus the people are cheated. Gosvami-viddhi is strictly explained in Sanatana Gosvami's Hari-bhakti-vilasa , wherein it is stated:

yatha kancanatam yati
kamsyam rasa-vidhanatah
tatha diska-vidhanena
dvijatvam jayate nrnam

The conclusion is that devotional service is open for everyone, regardless of caste, creed, time and country. This Krsna consciousness movement is functioning according to this principle.