How can we know what is a principle and what a detail?

Anwser Podcast

Transcription :

Transcribed by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: How can we know what is a principle and what a detail?

Answer: We can learn this from how Srila Prabhupada dealt with principles and details. We can see what things he adjusted according to time, place, and circumstances. At least those things he adjusted, we can consider those to be adjustable. If Srila Prabhupada did one thing at a place in one way and did the same thing at other place in another way, that means he did not consider it to be a cardinal principle. The things that Srila Prabhupada adjusted, I feel that there should not be opposition to adjust those things. If something further needs to be adjusted, that might be difficult to do.

There is somewhat rigid insider-outsider division right now in Krishna consciousness movement. If you do a set of things, then you are inside otherwise you are an outsider. Over a period of time, what will likely happen is that instead of having a rigid division, we will have a set of concentric circles of expanding radii, wherein who is a devotee or not a devotee will not be defined by one line. There could be devotees of different natures, practicing in different ways. They will all be faithful to Srila Prabhupada but will be expressing their faithfulness in different ways. Those who are conservative will be in a relatively smaller circle, and some liberals will be in a bigger circle. That how things probably will be differentiated.

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