Hare Krishna All,
Pamho,
AgtSP!
I always have this curiosity or say doubt in my mind of where does the money go that we
donate to the sanyasis when they come on foreign trips. It may sound offensive to devotees
but I need answer to calm down my suspicious mind and convince others that their money has
been spent for the good cause. As per my understanding the sanyasi should renounce everything
shouldn't lead luxurious life but I see sanyasis coming to visit foreign countries are given all the
luxury in travelling , accomodation and maintenance. They have expensive phones and electronic
gadgets. While they leave after serving the purpose of preaching they are given good money in
dollars as donation. Apart from regular donations to the temple why should we donate money to
the sanyasis who are supposed to be renounced. Now coming to my question does this money goes
into the temple account or personal account. I know all the material property belongs to krishna
but why should I donate when I dont where it is going. I expect answer from devotees which gives
clear understanding of importance of donations and where to donate and where not to donate. I
apologize if I am offensive.
Servant of your servant
Aakash
Replies
If such like pure Devotee comes to our country we are ready to give all facilities to him so that stay peacefully and have the best quality food.
We will give enough donations, enough attention, enough service, and hear his lectures chant in his association.
Especially in this age to become a sannyasi is very serious thing.
When Bhishma vowed to remain as brahmachari all Demigods showered flowers upon him. But in ISKCON there are so many serious Brahmacharis what to speak of Sannyasis.
It says that if one sees a sannyasi and does not offer his obeisances to him then his life is undone.
But true one should be intelligent enough to know who is a true sannyasi and Devotee of God and who is not so.
True sannyasis never ask for some material comforts for themselves if that is not needed in the service of Krishna.
But people voluntarily desire to help them so as a SERVICE they accept their offerings.
For example, i know on Maharaj who should not eat sweets and cakes which will spoil his health. But some Devotees still cook and offer to him those things. So in order not to make them unhappy Maharaj takes a tiny peace of sweet and honors it.
So when such Devotees accept something they do it as a service to others.
They take enough nice care of their health because body is Temple, and at present time they are using it in the service of Krishna. Body is an instrument. So if one neglects to take care of the body giving basic needs to it then one won't be able to serve to others as a result be a burden to others.
If we do not eat properly, sleep enough, ...we will get sick and then others will have to take care of us.
Sannyasi means one who controls his 6 urges.
So when sannyasis in ISKCON get lakshmi they use it for preaching mission, for Deity services, for book distribution, for traveling, ...
but if karmi person has money he will spend it for sex, wine, ... doesn't he?! So the second type of people better not to have money.
Money should be in the hand of those who can spend it properly - not for sense gratification.
In the reality we speak bold words, but if we put our legs in the shoes of others then only we will understand how much they are doing.
Sannasis do not have family, they have to travel from one place into another so often, they do not have home to stay in peacefully, they do not do sense gratification, and always preach, communicate with people, ...do You think these things are available to an ordinary man???
Noway!
Only special souls become true sannyasis.
Anyways, one can ask sannyasi to whom one is donating for what he will use that money. Just ask him.
Or else donate to some projects like book publications, food for life, care for cows, Deity seva...
Your servant,