When Vaisesika Dasa, born William Suczek before he embraced Hinduism, was 15, he became extremely interested in spiritual knowledge. He became a seeker to find the purpose of life. Suczek, both of whose parents were professors in San Francisco, read many books to quench his intellectual thirst. When he read the Gita translated by ISKCON founder Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, he found the answers he had been seeking. Suczek, who met Swami Prabhupada and became his disciple in 1973 in San Francisco, was given his present name by his spiritual master.
"He (Swami Prabhupada) engaged me in the service of distributing the Bhagvad Gita and spreading divine knowledge," explained Dasa, president of the San Jose International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple. "Ever since I became his disciple I have been doing that in different ways, and this was a new way of distributing knowledge that master asked me to do. As far as we at ISCKON are concerned, this is the most needed thing in today's world. Despite progress in technology and other kinds of advancements--all of which are fine --the only thing is people are unhappy because they do not have this knowledge (of the Gita)."
"Right now we find that Americans are fascinated with India [ Images ], its culture and yoga has been the biggest thing. Now, when we show people the Gita, in every state, people become interested," added Dasa who has visited India several times.
"People need knowledge and they do not care where it comes from as long as it is pure," he continued. "They want some tools to become spiritual and they see it in the Bhagvad Gita. They see that this is a non-sectarian book and there is something for everybody in this great book. So, it is reaching to all kinds of people. It is fascinating that people from all kinds of religious backgrounds are taking to it."
"We find that through our distribution of the Gita in motels that people are very eager to communicate," he added. "And if this grows, sectarian feelings and hatred will evaporate. That is the healthiest thing to happen. America is based on freedom of expression of ideas, specifically to bring people together for a higher cause. That is what America is all about. And we are hoping to add to that by bringing the great treasure of the Gita to America.'
Suman Guha Mozumder in New York
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