Building Spiritual Communities Without Opulence
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada · Hyderabad · 1974
Chapters
Opposition to religious conversion efforts
Mahāṁsa: Pious people, they see that actually they are not giving any spiritual benefit by converting them into Christianity. So they are very against this.
Establishing original Vedic gurukula schools
They want some original Vedic school, gurukula schools.
Prabhupāda: Yes. So that is, we have done already. Satsvarūpa has got practical experience.
Practical advice for starting schools
He can give you advice. He started this gurukula. Practically this gurukula I suggested, but he began. Yes. So you can take practical advice from him.
Mahāṁsa: I don't think we can start building until we finish this temple.
Beginning education in simple structures
Prabhupāda: No, you can start in a cottage.
Mahāṁsa: Yes, small way.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Mahāṁsa: And then develop.
Prabhupāda: Building is not very important.
Prioritizing activity over building opulence
Work is important. Activity is important. I started my movement not with buildings, but real activity. So building is opulence. But we can do without opulence. You can start anything, even underneath a tree.
There is no difficulty.
Foreigner access to Tirumala temple
[break] They will allow our men?
Mahāṁsa: I went. They did not ask any questions.
Prabhupāda: No, there is no question of asking, but is there any hint from their side?
Mahāṁsa: I have not heard that they, in Tirumala, they refuse foreigners.
Prabhupāda: Ah,
Mahāṁsa: I have not heard that they have refused I have never heard any incident.
Prabhupāda: that's all right.
Exclusive rights to provide commentary
[japa] [break] So far reporters, they agreed that others have no right to...
Mahāṁsa: Spread.
Prabhupāda: No, to comment on this.