Put Up a Sign

By krishnasmercy on September 21, 2026 • ( 0 )

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.34)

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मन्-मना भव मद्-भक्तो
मद्-याजी मां नमस्कुरु
माम् एवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवम्
आत्मानं मत्-परायणः

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam
ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

FRIEND1: Are you familiar with this complaint about the demographic makeup of the participants at weekly bhakti-yoga programs?

FRIEND2: Hmm, I think I might know what you are referring to, but please, be more specific. Where are these programs? Why are they held weekly? Who is attending?

FRIEND1: That is just the thing. The people who attended at the beginning, when the temples first opened, are not the same people attending today.

FRIEND2: When were these temples first opened?

FRIEND1: Perhaps fifty to sixty years ago. In the 1970s, mostly.

FRIEND2: I see. What makes you say the people attending are different?

FRIEND1: It is a visual thing, in how the people look.

FRIEND2: You mean skin color?

FRIEND1: Sure, but also country of origin. The languages spoken at home. The culture that the people come from.

FRIEND2: In other words, there is a different kind of person visiting your program today as opposed to, say, fifty years ago?

FRIEND1: Precisely.

FRIEND2: One other thing. Why are these programs only happening once a week?

FRIEND1: Haha, well, that is another story. These are official buildings. These are houses of worship. You would think people would be flocking there, on a daily basis. In India, in some places I think they are. That has been my dream for a long time.

FRIEND2: What has?

FRIEND1: To wake up and follow a specific routine. Visit the temple, worship, taking a little prasadam. Then, go to work, finish out the day. On the way home, visit the temple again. Spend some time there. Really soak in the atmosphere. I don’t think I would need anything else in my life. I could follow that routine forever and be happy.

FRIEND2: As you mentioned that this was your dream, I am assuming that the reality for you is a little different?

FRIEND1: I am saying that you are lucky to find a program that runs once a week! You know, with people in attendance? At least that is the case where I live. I am not blaming anyone. This is just the current landscape. Anyway, the complaint I referenced in the beginning is that even in that once-a-week program, the majority of the people are of Indian-origin.

FRIEND2: Okay, so what is there to complain about? Do you not like Indian people?

FRIEND1: More specifically, they are Hindu, by religion.

FRIEND2: Okay, so are these temples not dedicated to Shri Krishna? Do Hindus not worship Krishna?

FRIEND1: Not all of them, but don’t get sidetracked. The criticism is that the temples were started by the efforts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and others. These places were not meant to be Hindu temples, in the traditional sense.

FRIEND2: What were they meant to be?

FRIEND1: Places where people could learn about and practice Krishna consciousness. It is where they could go for vijnana, which is the practical realization. They would acquire the jnana, the theoretical knowledge, through the published books.

FRIEND2: I see.

FRIEND1: And so if the local people were attending the programs, it meant that they were taking to Krishna consciousness. If the majority of the people are of the Indian diaspora, as it is called, then there is little consciousness of Krishna going on.

FRIEND2: What is going on, then?

FRIEND1: Sort of like attending church. A mere formality. Something people do for fun.

FRIEND2: Hmm, so you are saying these people attending are not devotees of Krishna?

FRIEND1: I am not saying that. I don’t really know for sure. I am saying that they are not as familiar with the teachings, in the line of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

FRIEND2: Well, for starters, I don’t really see a problem.

FRIEND1: You don’t?

FRIEND2: No.

FRIEND1: Why not?

FRIEND2: Why should I care about the background of someone who is fortunate enough to surrender to Krishna, to offer obeisances, to worship, and to do so in a regular way? To me, any such person is an inspiration. I am so thankful that they are in this world.

बहूनां जन्मनाम् अन्ते
ज्ञानवान् मां प्रपद्यते
वासुदेवः सर्वम् इति
स महात्मा सु-दुर्लभः

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.19)

FRIEND1: Alright, but consider the perspective of your average local person. They walk into the temple and see all of these people of a completely different background. How do you think it makes them feel?

FRIEND2: Now, at least there you are on to something! It is seen that people gravitate towards others who share a common interest. Be it a language spoken, a religion inherited at birth, or even a culture of the family.

FRIEND1: See! That is what I am saying. We are alienating people because of the makeup of the attendees. At least that is the criticism.

FRIEND2: What can you do? Do you want to ban people from the temple because of how they look? Does that sound like a good idea to you?

FRIEND1: Not necessarily ban, but at least fix something wrong in the management. If management was operating properly, you would not have this problem.

FRIEND2: Listen, just put up a sign. Let it be known, in no uncertain terms, that Indian people are not allowed in the temple. Pick whichever demographics you want to allow. Have an enforcer guarding the front door. Let them decide who is allowed entry and who is not.

FRIEND1: Come on! That is ridiculous. I am not recommending that.

FRIEND2: Then what are you saying? I am giving you a simple solution. Your problem will be solved immediately.

FRIEND1: The temple would shut down. No one would attend.

FRIEND2: Then perhaps keep quiet. If this issue is so concerning to you, then start your own program. Preach to the guests of your choice. You are a smart person. You have intelligence. You have all of the tools necessary. Shri Krishna says that His devotees take pleasure in having such talks. Find some people and talk with them. No one is forcing you to go somewhere that makes you feel uncomfortable.

मच्-चित्ता मद्-गत-प्राणा
बोधयन्तः परस्परम्
कथयन्तश् च मां नित्यं
तुष्यन्ति च रमन्ति च

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca

“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.9)

As far as I know, Krishna recommends that we remember Him. We should always think of Him. He does not say that only people born into a certain tradition should remember. He does not limit the access to people of a certain region. The opportunity is there for anyone who wants to take advantage of it. In all respects, be that person. Do not get so easily distracted by this issue and that.