How Prabhupāda Trains His Disciples to Build Self-Sufficient Communities
Modern society is heavily burdened by artificial industries, chaotic cities, and widespread anxiety. To counteract this, Śrīla Prabhupāda introduced a practical and revolutionary solution: the establishment of self-sufficient, Kṛṣṇa conscious communities. By creating agrarian societies based on the Vedic principle of "plain living and high thinking," he taught his disciples how to live peacefully, independent of outside help, while dedicating all their energy to spiritual realization. These ideal communities serve as a beacon of hope and a perfect alternative lifestyle for the entire world.
The Dream of a Perfect Vedic Community
Long before traveling to the West, Śrīla Prabhupāda envisioned creating a society where human beings could live naturally and focus entirely on self-realization. He guided his disciples to build these communities as replicas of Vṛndāvana, the spiritual world. By stripping away the unnecessary complexities of modern urban life, devotees in these communities embrace the perfect standard of plain living and high thinking, keeping Kṛṣṇa at the absolute center of all their activities.
- Before I came to your country, I was thinking to establish an ideal Vedic community.
- Actually it is my dream to have such a perfect community established fully in Krsna Consciousness.
- Perfect community of plain living, high thinking.
- I am organizing here a community center in West Virginia and it will be a replica of Vrindaban.
Independence Through Farm Communities
True freedom means being entirely independent from the artificial demands and frequent crises of modern industrial society. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his disciples to develop expansive farm communities that rely exclusively on natural products. By growing their own grains and vegetables, producing their own milk, and weaving their own cloth, these communities create a closed, self-sufficient economic loop that insulates the devotees from the turbulence of the outside world.
- A self-sufficient community producing foodstuffs, grains and vegetables, milk products, and cloth.
- Develop these farm communities as far as possible. They should be developed as an ideal society depending on natural products not industry.
- The whole idea is that we are Iskcon, a community to be independent from outside help. This farm project is especially for the devotees to grow their own food.
- I wish the temple community to be self-sufficient by producing their own food grains.
An Ideal Model for the World
Preaching is not limited to distributing books and giving lectures; it also requires demonstrating the philosophy in action. Śrīla Prabhupāda desired that his communities serve as a living, breathing showcase of the best alternative lifestyle. When the public sees an ideal, God-conscious society where people live peacefully and joyfully without the stress of modern industry, they will naturally be attracted to Kṛṣṇa consciousness on its own evident merit.
- Be very serious to develop New Vrindaban nicely so that we can show the world how the ideal God-conscious community is working.
- I always think of our Juhu place, and I want that it shall be the model for all the world to emulate and respect as the perfect example of a Krishna Conscious community.
- I am going in a few days to San Francisco to speak at the San Francisco State University there on the topic of "Krsna Consciousness: The Best Alternative Life Style, the Ideal Community, the New Social Order."
- Our ideal Vedic community will attract everyone on its own merit.
Providing Shelter and Practical Engagement
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement accommodates individuals with varying propensities and capabilities. For householders who may not be suited for intense city preaching or full-time book distribution, farm communities offer the perfect environment to raise a family and engage in practical, physical labor for the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda acknowledges that building these sanctuaries requires immense endurance, but they are essential for giving shelter to devotees and securely engaging them in responsible service.
- In many places throughout the world we are constructing communities to give shelter to devotees and worship the Deity in the temple.
- If our householders cannot distribute books, then let them live in the farm communities.
- To develop a farm community such as the one you are doing, it requires much hard work and endurance.
- Your sincere endeavor to engage new devotees is very much appreciated. It is especially encouraging that these new devotees are taking on responsible service within our communities.
Spreading Peace and Spiritual Mercy
The ultimate purpose of any ISKCON community is to perform the highest welfare work for humanity. By cultivating a society of pure Vaiṣṇavas who chant the holy names and strictly avoid sinful activities, these communities generate a powerful spiritual atmosphere. Śrīla Prabhupāda promises that the very existence of such a peaceful, spiritual society will not only calm the troubled world but will also act as a divine conduit, mercifully transferring innocent souls back to Godhead.
- This Krsna consciousness movement offers a spiritual community that can bring about a peaceful condition in the world.
- It is requested that all our devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaisnavas, so that by their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge.
- Perhaps we are the only community in the world which can render the best possible service to the society.
- The community you have can continue chanting along with this also stop these sinful activities and spread this message. Then you will achieve perfection quickly and this very life you will go back to Godhead.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's vision for self-sufficient farm communities represents the practical application of absolute spiritual philosophy. By building societies completely independent of artificial industry and entirely dependent on Kṛṣṇa and nature, his disciples prove that a life of pure devotion is both viable and deeply fulfilling. These Vedic communities stand as an oasis of peace, offering the anxious modern world a perfect alternative lifestyle and a direct pathway back to the spiritual realm.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Our Communities (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.