Your question is how much or how little brahmacaris should associate with the unmarried brahmacarinis in the temple. As brahmacari you should not mix at all with brahmacarinis. Actually they should not at all see the face, but that is not possible in your country. But so far as possible, remain separate and talk almost nil. Brahmacari is advised not to go near a young woman anywhere. A brahmacari should always address every woman as mother. In your country it is a little difficult, but the principle is to avoid. To talk secretly or privately is strictly prohibited. If you want to discuss philosophy and other matters you can discuss publicly in a meeting, but not privately. A brahmacari and unmarried woman in the same room together alone is strictly forbidden.
(Letter to Sankarsana--------Los Angeles).
Umāpati: Śrīla Prabhupāda? We, because of our fallen condition, do require many mechanical means by which we can offer one another respects and to teach one another example of scripture. For example, we are asked to bow our bodies down to show respects, or to call one another "prabhu," to understand that each person is a spiritual master to the other. How is a... How are the boys and girls to learn these things in manners of decorum and manners from the sannyāsīs, for example. How are they to offer respects to their godbrothers. And, uh... (break)
Prabhupāda: You can. You behave like that, others will learn.
Umāpati: For example, I have seen many godbrothers offer one another respects, but I very seldom see that in terms of some of our leaders.
Prabhupāda: So some of you show by practical example, guide them. Then others will...
Bali Mardana: One person who sees can lead thousands of blind men.
Prabhupāda: Eh? Yes. Very good.
(Morning walk-------Los Angeles).
Rūpānuga: Also they bump one another with the drum or with each other's bodies, they dance and they bump like this. That is not bona fide is it? It is very popular in our movement now.
Prabhupāda: They are inventing. What can I do? If you invent your own way...
(Room conversation-------Washington, D.C.).
Śyāmasundara: How is..., how does Vaiṣṇava act? What are his...?
Prabhupāda: Vaiṣṇava acts in terms of his relationship with Kṛṣṇa, God.
Śyāmasundara: So he is both. He is all these things. He is thinking, he is feeling...
Prabhupāda: Yes. Vaiṣṇava means fully Kṛṣṇa conscious. That's all.
(Philosophy discussion).
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