My friend refuses to enter Temples. Why?

She will visit Temples but always stays outside. She is favorable to Krishna Consciousness. She is a vegetarian. She is a pious person. She strictly follows each Ekadasi. I don't understand why she will not enter the Temple itself.  She has been this way for over 20 years.  What to do?

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  • E-Counselor

    Hare Krsna Pandora Mataji,

    PAMHO.

    I think the best thing to do is ask her directly why she doesnt enter temples. Normally people do not obejct to going temples or churches even if they do not follow the faith.

    The other thing to do is to not force her. Simply ask her and try to understand her point of view. Serve her Krsna prasadam with a lot of love and wait for Krsna's prasadam to weave its magic on her.

    Haribol,

    Your servant,

    Rashmi

    • Hare Krishna Mario and Rashmi

      Thank you for your comments. She went to the Temple yesterday and sat outside. I wanted to grab her by the hair and drag her into the Temple. She said she loved the Temple building. She said she really enjoyed meeting such nice people. She said everyone was so nice. She loved meeting the cows etc etc etc. Yes, maybe it is time to just ask her directly why she doesn't enter Temples.

      • Update: I asked her why she didn't enter the Temple and she said she was "too tired". I suggested that we go a different day after she is well rested and she said "No. I am going to be busy that day"-not true. She was on vacation at my home when she said "No, I am going to be busy". She won't reveal her "real reasons". My heart is broken. I am devastated. Many years ago, I invited an "atheistic demon" to my Temple as a joke and was surprised when he said yes. He came inside the Temple and saw the Deities. I wonder why Lord Krishna allows "atheistic demons" to visit him and then he doesn't make my friend come in to see the Deities.

        • E-Counselor

          Hare Krsna Pandora Mataji,

          PAMHO.

          Your post simply tells me that without the will of the lord and His mercy, we cannot even visit His temple and see Him.

          Wait for the mercy to happen and the miracle to unfold. Meantime, lovingly feed her prasadam and discuss faith and the wonderful experiences you had when you visited the temple, without in any way askingher to visit.

          I think she is a very good future devotee. The mercy is waiting to happen in her case. Just be patient with her.

          These things we dont decide, Krsna decides. You give her prasadam and if she is interested, some basic books (The Science of Self Realisation, Discover Your Self, Perfect Questions and Perfect Answers).

          Haribol,

          Your servant,

          Rashmi

          • Hare Krishna Rashmi

            Yes, I have to continue to be patient with her. This has been going on for over 20 years. I pray that Lord Krishna will make her enter the Temple the next time I see her.  But I guess like the saying goes: "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it" Thanks.

  • Hare Krishna dear Mataji

    PAMHO

    I thing that she´s a very humble soul.... maybe she is not following the four regulative principles properly, or is in her monthly cycle, and for some reason of Lord Krishna´s will, every time you go to the temple with her is like this.

    Or maybe she doesn´t like temples/churches, feeling that can worship the Supreme Lord, Lord Krishna, in her heart, mind and acts. Or just worships the Lord without being in ISKCON. Whatever the reason may be, tell her encouraging words, chant the Holy Names with her... chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra loudly, laugh together and give her Hari katha.

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