Hare Krishna Prabhuji / Mataji,
Dandawat Pranam
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
I met a few group of devotees in Iskcon who have a different place where they worship the vigraha of Lord Jagannath, Baldev Ji and Subhadara Maiya.
The devotees do sevas relating to Bhagvada Gita Distribution, Bhagavatam distribution and other book distribution and the money goes for building a ghrahastra ashram.
So here the money earned from distribution of Prabupada Ji's book distribution doesnt go to temple but for raising fund for building Ghrahastra Ashram.
Please advise me on this, whether i should donate for this expansion or not. I have been asking for donation for this cause.
Replies
Hare Krsna Mataji,
PAMHO.
It would be best to find out whether they are affiliated to the local temple and whether they have permission for this grihasta centre. I would also discreetly or directly ask the temple authorities also before deciding.
Otherwise, if this is too much of a bother, I would simply donate to temple whatever I want to.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
It's wonderful to hear that you're engaging with the ISKCON community and Mapquest Directions exploring avenues for supporting the propagation of Lord Krishna's teachings. The distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books is a noble service, and the intention behind supporting any project, including a ghrahastra ashram, should align with your understanding of how it helps advance spiritual practices and the mission of ISKCON.
Hare Krsna
whether i should donate for this expansion or not.
As far as organization is concerned, Iskcon temples serve deities & Bhaktivedanata Book Trust prints & publishes books. These two have been functioning separately from beginning. But the objectives are same - to serve Lord Chaitanya in spreading Krsna consciousness. There have been groups of devotees who do only distribution and may not be residing or connected to a specific Iskcon temple, previously also. They are common in remote areas & places/countries where there are no temples or centers. BBT allows this. Iskcon does not restrict such practices in general.
As far as purchasing books from them are concerned, as long as the books are from BBT , there is no reason to hesitate in buying from them. In general margins in book distribution is not too high.
If they are asking for donations other than through book distribution, then that would be an individual's decision to make.
Hare Krsna