Not signed in (Sign In)

Vanilla 1.1.10 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome Guest!
Want to take part in these discussions? If you have an account, sign in now.
If you don't have an account, apply for one now.

Social: What's the origin of: "With an instruction comes the ability to carry out that instruction."

Bottom of Page

1 to 5 of 5

  1.  
    • CommentAuthordeena
    • CommentTimeSep 9th 2009
     
    What the origin of it and what's the logic behind it?

    The last time I heard this used was one morning I saw a newly intiated devotee reading a verse in the 11 Canto. I asked what he was reading and he told me that the TP had asked him to give class, and the verse for the class was in the 11 Canto. He told me he hadn't read the 11 Canto so I asked him if he thought it proper that he sit on the vyasasana and give a lecture on that verse. He shrugged and said, "The TP gave me the order, so I will also get the ability." At the time it struck me as a strange response in that it shifts the responsibilty to the TP's instruction and away from himself. I simply replied, 'I don't think that's how it works, it's not that simple,' and left it at that. I saw the same argument again in a recent Dandavats.org editorial, and the underlying assumption seems to be that, "Because we were told to do something, we can do it." I just don't get it.

    Comments?
    •  
      CommentAuthorVEDA
    • CommentTimeSep 16th 2009
     
    I can't think of any refs. It seems to me this is an extrapolation from the idea that 'guru never gives a disciple an order beyond his ability'.
    •  
      CommentAuthorccd
    • CommentTimeSep 16th 2009
     
    "'guru never gives a disciple an order beyond his ability" - is also without references or sources, but I have 'heard' it from quite a few disciples and servants of Prabhupada.
    •  
      CommentAuthorccd
    • CommentTimeSep 17th 2009
     
    So when I was seventy years old I decided, "Now I must do and execute the order of my Guru Mahäräja. And thus this movement was started in 1965 from New York. And I was not very much hopeful because it is very difficult task, just opposite the European and Western culture. I came... When I first came, I had no money. So I got a free passage through some Indian steam navigation company. So I came by ship. So when I was on the ship at Boston port, Commonwealth port, I was thinking that "I have come here. I do not know what is the purpose because how the people will accept this movement? They are differently educated, and as soon as I will say, 'So, my dear sir, you have to give up meat-eating and illicit sex and no intoxication and gambling,' they will say, 'Please go home.' " :-)

1 to 5 of 5

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
 
Powered By ISKCON Tech