Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples on Maintaining Temples and Spiritual Standards
A spiritual center is not merely a physical building; it is a dynamic spiritual oasis that must be kept vibrant and pure. In these practical directives, Śrīla Prabhupāda places the profound responsibility of maintaining the temples squarely on the shoulders of his disciples. He emphasizes that absolute purity, superexcellent cleanliness, and strict financial independence are non-negotiable requirements for keeping the spiritual atmosphere powerful enough to transform the conditioned souls.
The Standard of Purity and Cleanliness
To elevate the consciousness of both the residents and the guests, a temple must operate on the highest platform of cleanliness and strict spiritual practice. Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it clear that practical purification is essential, and expanding to new centers is forbidden if existing temples cannot be kept superexcellently clean.
- We have to maintain the temples as it is necessary to keep our spirits high. Simply intellectualism will not do, there must be practical purification.
- Regarding keeping our temples clean, this is essential. Unless we can maintain the temples we presently have superexcellently clean, we should not open new centers.
- Our New York city temple is an extremely important center and the standard of purity in Krsna Consciousness must be maintained there by all means.
- I do not think it is a very good place. There is no water arrangement. The temple is not being maintained properly. They are keeping long hairs and not living responsibly. I do not think it is good to put good money after bad.
The Power of the Spiritual Atmosphere
The primary purpose of a temple is to provide a potent environment where visitors can directly experience the transcendental realm. By expertly managing the Deity worship and ensuring proper reception, Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that anyone who enters will be profoundly influenced by the spiritual atmosphere.
- If we can maintain the standard of the Temple atmosphere certainly anyone who will come here will be influenced by the spiritual effect.
- Our temple in Vrindaban must be managed expertly that everyone who comes is given carana amrita and prasadam of the Deity.
- If one is unable to maintain a temple at home, he should go to another's temple where all the above performances (to worship the Deities) are regularly executed.
Financial Independence and the BBT
While temples require funds to operate, these must be generated locally through active preaching and book sales. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly forbids the use of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) funds for daily temple maintenance, preserving those funds exclusively for publishing literature and constructing new properties.
- First of all show your capacity that you have managed these two things very nicely. Why there should be complaint? How you can solve it? And why the temples should be maintained by collection of the BBT? It is meant for printing and constructing temples.
- So for maintaining the Gurukula at least the cost price for the books must be paid. Gurukula can take the profit for its maintenance. BBT cannot pay for maintenance of the temples. BBT can only pay for printing and temple properties and construction.
- The temples will be maintained by the book sales, and if there are no more temples, then the books shall remain.
Expert Management and Responsibility
Managing a center requires deep dedication, steady intelligence, and a willingness to accept profound responsibility. Śrīla Prabhupāda expected his leaders and GBC representatives to ensure that standards never slip, noting that the inability to maintain a temple exposes a serious defect in management.
- If our temples cannot even be maintained then it is a great defect in our management of the society. Neither can I be expected to deal in these matters and also pay attention fully to the translating of my books.
- Regarding Chicago that you paid off Dollars 35,000.00 is wonderful. You are a good manager. As GBC please see that the temples are maintaining the standards, and I will be very much thankful.
- I am so much pleased to hear that you are not afraid to stand alone, and to maintain the temple there nicely; krishna is always there with you, and He will see to your success.
- If any big temple is in difficulty financially, we can take charge of this temple and improve it and maintain it nicely. So if you know of any prospective temples where this could be arranged, please inform us.
Conclusion
The maintenance of a Kṛṣṇa conscious temple is a deeply spiritual duty that requires far more than just paying the bills. By demanding strict financial independence from the BBT and absolute purity in the day-to-day operations, Śrīla Prabhupāda protects the integrity of the society. When disciples step up to expertly manage and superexcellently clean these centers, they create powerful spiritual embassies that purify the world and keep their own devotional spirits soaring.
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 Maintaining Our Temples (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.