Faith and belief…
One can increase faith in any topic of philosophy , science or religious teaching by a greater knowledge and understanding of them and applying oneself to study with a contemplative open frame of mind.
Thus , properly concluding something to be true using deliberation , logic, and reason . Prabhupada said we should know how great God is, for instance, using intelligence.
Belief in ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada’s mission as he set it out , without sufficient knowledge of details of his strategies and why he specifically developed them or placed importance in them , can make our belief waiver in both ISKCON and even Prabhupada . If one does not give deep thoughts and the time to examine the reasons Prabhupada directed ISKCON in specific ways ,one might even conclude that , I have faith in the general teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and Bhagavad Gita but not an absolute belief that Prabhupada has chalked out necessarily the best strategies or approach to preaching , as well as the way he has structured his ISKCON society . Some devotees , without proper research , might also conclude that our only approach to the teachings of Mahäprabhu and the Goswamis must be only through Srila Prabhupada and his libraries , and other works of past , present and future acaryas should be practically ignored , despite Prabhupada actually saying we should read and understand the literature of all our acaryas , some devotees may say ” we don’t need read any of our predecessor acaryas works , because Prabhupada has explained everything..” ..of course the mature student knows the Bhagavatam is forever expanding as the transcendental experiences of limitless souls touch it , the Caitanya caritamrta being just one example. We should always remember that Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu specifically instructed Srila Rupa Goswami , after Mahaprabhu read Rupa Goswami explanations of the verse that Mahāprabhu chanted at the Rathayatra festival , to reveal and write on the inner confidential reasons for Mahāprabhus appearance and His desire to taste the Love of Srimati Radharani and Her Manjaris. Those who conclude we don’t need to study the works of our param para are actually outside of ISKCON in real terms because they misunderstand Prabhupada and his inner consciousness and intentions , consequently they may interpret his mission in subjective ways and fail to understand his full and real intentions.
One could think that instead of employing ones intelligence to assist in developing Prabhupada’s strategies , we ought to use our own intelligence to develop them in different ways and adjust things done in the past ,( of course there may be legitimate specific changes , that may be applied in consultation with a governing body ,) some might even advocate altering things that were published in Prabhupada’s books or given emphasis by him , or some might try to give interpretations of Prabhupada’s original formulations of management and directives he gave , or even change the philosophical outlook and cor values of the transcendental historical culture thàt he truly represents .
Prabhupada has given the framework , as he said .. for everything to succeed …..and we have the duty to fill it in correctly , we have to have faith in his directions and the tradition he represents and believe in him , and a governing body that he set up , although they may make mistakes, still , we should have faith it will be corrected., because ISKCON is Prabhupada ,Prabhupada represents Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja and Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur and ultimately the desire of Mahaprabhu and Nityananda prabhu .
Faith in the teachings or the book Bhagavat and having a belief in the visions and directions of the person Bhagavat goes hand in hand .
Text 5: By remembering the lotus feet of the Pañca-tattva, a dumb man can become a poet, a lame man can cross mountains, and a blind man can see the stars in the sky. Text 6: The education cultivated by so-called learned scholars who do not believe these statements of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is like the tumultuous croaking of frogs. Text 7: One who does not accept the glories of the Pañca-tattva but still makes a show of devotional service to Kṛṣṇa can never achieve the mercy of Kṛṣṇa or advance to the ultimate goal.
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