Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples in the Proper Execution of Major Purchases
Expanding a spiritual society requires practical, grounded management of physical assets. To ensure the rapid but stable growth of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, deeply involving himself in the strategic acquisition of real estate, vehicles, and equipment is the managerial care Śrīla Prabhupāda provides. He guides his disciples to quickly secure vacant churches and suitable temple buildings, while simultaneously establishing strict boundaries against wasteful spending. By requiring unanimous administrative consent for major investments and heavily emphasizing self-sufficiency, he guarantees that every penny spent directly serves the mission of the Supreme Lord.
The Strategy of Purchasing Vacant Churches
As material society loses interest in traditional religion, massive spiritual facilities are often left abandoned. Recognizing this incredible preaching opportunity, eagerly directing his leaders to purchase these empty churches is the bold strategy Śrīla Prabhupāda implements. He explains that buying these large, pre-existing structures allows the society to rapidly establish grand temples in major cities, immediately reviving the true spirit of worship.
- Another thing has developed in the meantime, that we have made contract to purchase a nice church here, costing $225,000; and the down payment has to be made $50,000 within the month of March.
- Anyway purchase this church immediately. It is not very costly. $200,000 you can arrange. If it is available from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust at this time then I have no objection.
- Not only in India, all over the world, the churches also, they're dwindled. Now, Europe and America, so many churches are for sale. We have purchased so many churches because people have no more interest.
- We are practically purchasing many churches. They are vacant. I have seen in London, hundreds of churches are vacant. Nobody goes there.
- Some of the churches have been purchased by other religious sect. We have purchased one church in Los Angeles. So opening temple is good, but who will maintain the spirit of temple worship.
Practical Instructions for Buying Property
Once a suitable location is found, hesitation can cause the loss of a great opportunity. Providing clear, decisive instructions on how to close a real estate deal is the expert administrative oversight Śrīla Prabhupāda offers. He advises his temple presidents to carefully evaluate whether a building actually suits the needs of the movement, and when a perfect property is identified with favorable terms, he instructs them to purchase it immediately.
- I am so glad to hear that Krishna has provided you with a new temple very suitable for our purposes. So why not purchase immediately.
- This house is so nice. It is better than the other one. So you can purchase it.
- From your letter I can understand that you will no longer be negotiating for purchasing the house, and this is all right because I do not think it is very suitable for a temple.
- I have already informed you that if Mohta's house is available completely vacated, then immediately we can purchase, paying cash down.
- Mulgibar Patel is a nice gentleman, and when he offers $5,000 he can be elected a life trustee of our temple. That is a nice proposal. If the arrangement is successful, then immediately complete the negotiations and purchase the house.
Funding Purchases Through Book Distribution
The rapid expansion of the society requires immense financial backing. To ensure that temples are acquired in an authorized, spiritual manner, directly tying the purchase of real estate to the distribution of transcendental literature is the brilliant economic formula Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes. He instructs his followers to work enthusiastically to sell books, utilizing the profits to buy permanent buildings and secure loans from the central book trust.
- Now print books. Don't use this money for any other purpose than publishing. Some percentage may be kept by you for getting your own house, either purchasing or constructing our own temple. If the present house is available, then purchase.
- I like Australia very much because of your book distribution. So sell books and secure money and purchase the house and pay the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust conveniently.
- Your scheme to purchase that building with the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust loan is fully approved by me.
- I think it will be a better plan to have the New York or the Los Angeles temple put forward the money, and as soon as it is purchased here, you and Mukunda may reimburse them immediately.
- We have got business. Why shall I keep in the bank? This is the policy. If your money is idle, we can spend it in our books, in our purchasing land in temple, constructing temple, developing...
Establishing Self-Sufficient Farm Communities
The ultimate goal of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement includes demonstrating a perfect, natural way of life. By directing his followers to purchase expansive tracts of agricultural land, setting the foundation for self-sufficient spiritual cities is the grand vision Śrīla Prabhupāda executes. He particularly emphasizes that these farms must be utilized to grow necessary fodder for cow protection, ensuring the community never has to rely on purchasing food from external, materialistic sources.
- My idea is that I want to purchase all the lands there for developing into a spiritual city but it may be utopian at the present moment.
- I want the world to see by our example that life can be lived naturally, peacefully if one is self sufficient with land, some cows and chanting Hare Krishna. That is the idea of purchasing land.
- If you can help to organize our cow program in Mayapur, it will be a great credit for you. We must be able to grow our own fodder for the cows. We don't want to have to purchase food for the cows outside from some other party.
- We don't want to have to purchase food for the cows outside from some other party; that will run into a great expense.
- It is not possible to purchase food for the cows. So maintain in this way, so, by natural food. And in your Germany I have seen, they are not given extra food. They are living by pasturing ground. That should be arranged.
Strict Boundaries and Avoiding Extravagance
Every donation given to the temple belongs to Kṛṣṇa and must be protected fiercely. Setting strict boundaries on what can and cannot be bought, forbidding frivolous expenditures is the conservative financial standard Śrīla Prabhupāda maintains. He explicitly disapproves of purchasing mundane items like jewels or overpaying for land in India, and establishes that pure worship means offering the Deities fresh, natural preparations rather than items conveniently purchased from a store.
- A letter has just been received here from Syamasundara, about selling jewels. I do not approve of our Temples purchasing jewels.
- Concerning the use of sour cream in the temple, it should be stopped immediately. Nothing should be offered to the Deities which is purchased in the stores.
- We are not interested to purchase any land at so high a price. That is not practical.
- We are prepared to purchase the land at a rate of not more than Rs 1500/- per bigha. They (Indian locals) are under the impression that Americans will purchase at any price so don't be taken in. We can purchase any neighboring land at the above price.
- So far as musical instruments are concerned I don't think it is worthwhile. Shipping charges and packing and duty come to more than that one could purchase in the states.
Acquiring Vehicles for the Preaching Mission
Mobility is essential for taking the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to every town and village. Enthusiastically approving the purchase of vehicles for preaching, encouraging the deployment of buses and jeeps is the dynamic tactic Śrīla Prabhupāda utilizes. However, he also ensures that his leaders do not become overly independent, strictly warning them that highly ambitious purchases, such as large boats, must receive unanimous consent from the global administrative body.
- I am suggesting that Dayananda supply you with information of how you may purchase such buses in London and drive them all over the European continent; these "Hare Krishna Movement" buses will make us famous all over the world.
- Regarding the bus, now I am serious to purchase one bus at least and I have secured money. So, arrange for this immediately with the help of Sridhara.
- Our men should be engaged for preaching - why should the preaching be stopped? I was very much encouraged when you and Gargamuni Swami purchased jeeps and formed a travelling sankirtana party. So why have you stopped it?
- I have already asked you to consult with the Governing Body Commission members before purchasing the boat. So do not purchase this boat unless all the Governing Body Commission members agree. I understand that some of the Governing Body Commission members are not favorably disposed to this proposal of purchasing a boat.
- In this regards do not purchase this boat without unanimous consent of the Governing Body Commission members.
Conclusion
Material assets find their true value only when engaged in the service of the Absolute Truth. By personally guiding his disciples in the expert acquisition of temples, farmlands, and preaching vehicles, proving that immense resources can be managed with perfect spiritual integrity is the powerful legacy Śrīla Prabhupāda leaves. He demonstrates that when purchases are funded by book distribution and executed with shrewd, unselfish devotion, the entire world can be effectively transformed into a place of pilgrimage.
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 Purchases (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.