Letter to: All Centers
Los Angeles 13 December, 1973 73-12-13
MEMO TO ALL CENTERS
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. Today we received a newsletter from Syamasundara. Prabhu regarding gems and I assume every Center received the same letter. I discussed the contents with Srila Prabhupada and His Divine Grace instructed me to immediately issue the following letter.
First of all, Srila Prabhupada never sanctioned or encouraged this program of buying or selling jewels. Furthermore,
In addition to thieves and rogues, there is risk that even our own men may fall victim to stealing. We have the examples of Kausika and Mahadeva, both devotees who stole from Temples. Prabhupada said, "Our men are coming from outside with so many bad habits and the stealing mentality is there. We are trying to reform, but if the opportunity is there, the mentality may come forward and they may fall down. We will loose our money, our prestige and out students. Why expose them in that way? No jewelry! It is not the time for that.''
In summary, purchasing jewelry for the Deities is unnecessary, dangerous and unauthorized. Prabhupada said to "write elaborately to all Centers on this point. Try to understand the principle.''
We improve on Deity worship by regulated puja, purified chanting and bold and enthusiastic preaching work. Those are the real ornaments with which to decorate the Lord.
Haribol Prabhus.
Your unworthy servant,
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/letters/los_angeles/december/13/1973/all_centers Previous: Letter to: Govinda -- Los Angeles 13 December, 1973 Next: Letter to: Mukunda -- Los Angeles 13 December, 1973
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