08/30/2014
When Rupa Goswami (a very advanced pure bhakti yogi) was approached by a scholar who wanted to challenge his understanding and scriptural conclusion of the absolute truth, he rather than debating this person, just signed off on a letter of defeat. He thought why waste the time. However, one of his followers could not let this event stand unchallenged and in debate he philosophically defeated the scholar.
In 2005 several Hare Krishna devotees held a golf tournament. It included a lot of bhakti yoga activities as well as a friendly golf tournament. The activities were posted on the internet and unfortunately the event was criticized by some devotees. The negative criticism became the definitive philosophical judgement of the event and the activity (golf) as well. Various quotes,opinions and dated discussions were posted to support a negative view of golf as an activity for followers of the Hare Krishna Movement. Being above such criticism the devotees who held the event never responded to the criticism.
Consequently we felt compelled to provide an alternative perspective to the event and the activity of golf and sports in general. We live in a physical body and it must be maintained and controlled, golf is one way to support this activity. I have attached a recent writing which looks at the statements of the founder and teacher of the Hare Krishna Movement, Srila Prabhupada, without the negative bias quoted by some his more early, younger students.
So here it is -
Srila Prabhupada’s Statements on Golf (without disciples injecting comment)
The following are quotes from Srila Prabhupada on a morning walk with his disciples. They were on a golf course. I don’t know which one and I don’t know the date. I have removed the disciple comments and in other places disciple opinions and conjectures which are often posted with these statements from Srila Prabhupada. Some of the statements by disciples were informative to the best of their limited knowledge. At the time, some comments were negative toward the activity of golf and in some places in the internet posting disciples used the conversation to inject and preach the aspects of Vaishnava philosophy which exposes the material nature and encourages detachment. So Srila Prabhupada’s views on golf may be a bit misleading for most readers. In fact if we remove the disciple comments Srila Prabhupada doesn’t really say much on the subject of golf. But, he is always concerned for anyone who is not utilizing human life for self-realization.
So, here are Srila Prabhupada’s quotes first by themselves with disciple comments and additional preaching messages plugged in. Next are the same quotes but with comments I would have answered to Srila Prabhupada now having a little more experience of this temporary material world.
Prabhupada: What is called, this playing? What is this? Golf?
Prabhupada: They are coming for playing golfs?
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the fashion of the society.
Prabhupada: It is very expensive, golf?
Prabhupada: …less dangerous than the active foolish.
Prabhupada: That is also another business. So this Sunday should have been utilized for understanding God. But they have no knowledge. Because they are fools, so again busy in pushing on a ball. That’s all.
Prabhupada: Busy fools, creating foolishness, and this is aristocracy; a rich man’s engagement.
Prabhupada: If you don’t take advice from Krishna, it will continue. You take advice of Krishna; it will be all right. The disease is there; the treatment is there. If you take treatment, the disease will disappear. If you don’t take, the disease will continue and you will die. That’s all.
Prabhupada: The same thing. In order to feel the happiness of playing, he has to go in this way. It is unhappiness.
Srila Prabhupada: You can kill the baby in the womb. Advancement of ignorance is accepted as advancement of civilization. Why, because there is no spiritual knowledge.
Srila Prabhupada: What else can he do? He doesn’t know that there is another engagement—spiritual life. That is his ignorance.
As most disciples of Srila Prabhupada know his duty was to train his disciples in spiritual understanding of the Absolute Truth. At every opportunity he would use situations as examples to preach. Also, he did not want his young disciples distracted and involved in unnecessary activities which would detract from their learning and service. There was a lot to be done and learned.
And, as in so many religious or spiritual movements zealots emerge. Historically zealots appeared in the early days of Christianity and today, unfortunately, we see them clearly in the Muslim Religion. The Hare Krishna movement has also had its share. Dogmatic viewpoints, lack of exposure to real life experiences, a general lack of common sense and maturity are just a few the traits exhibited by zealots. Fortunately in many cases as the years mount on one’s head along with gray hairs people start to see there are more colors than black and white.
So as I look back on these quotes from Srila Prabhupada, absent the statements of his disciples, I see Srila Prabhupada being unfamiliar with the sport of golf. I see him using a situation to preach to his disciples and I see eager disciples trying please their spiritual master by showing their resentment to material activities. Now some forty years later, I wonder if the statements might have been a little more insightful. For example, It might read this way today by a more seasoned Household devotee who has had “real world experience” in addition to being a disciple;
Prabhupada: What is called, this playing? What is this? Golf?
Disciple: Well Srila Prabhupada it is a material activity or sport in which a person must use their physical, mental and intellectual capabilities.
Prabhupada: They are coming for playing golfs?
Disciple: Well actually aside from the sporting activity a lot of business professionals use this venue to meet with clients and business associates to discuss and develop business ideas. And, because a person goes through many situations during the round of golf the other players get a good understanding of their playing partner’s nature. Golf can be a very rewarding yet very humbling experience.
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the fashion of the society.
Disciple: Indeed Srila Prabhupada, golf has become increasing popular in Western Culture.
Prabhupada: It is very expensive, golf?
Disciple: It depends on the quality of the course. Some courses are very private and very expensive while others are quite affordable. One good thing about golf it is not as dangerous as other sports.
Prabhupada: …less dangerous than the active foolish.
Disciple: Yes and if they would chant Hare Krishna discuss the pastimes of Krishna and think of ways to spread Krishna Consciousness while playing golf they would also make spiritual advancement.
Prabhupada: That is also another business. So this Sunday should have been utilized for understanding God. But they have no knowledge. Because they are fools, so again busy in pushing on a ball. That’s all.
Disciple: Yes, as your soldiers we have to figure out a way for these conditioned souls to embrace Krishna Consciousness.
Prabhupada: Busy fools, creating foolishness, and this is aristocracy; a rich man’s engagement.
Disciple: Yes, if they would just add Krishna to their activity.
Prabhupada: If you don’t take advice from Krishna, it will continue. You take advice of Krishna; it will be all right. The disease is there; the treatment is there. If you take treatment, the disease will disappear. If you don’t take, the disease will continue and you will die. That’s all.
Disciple: So you have said before, “they don’t have to give up anything just add Krishna – Chant Hare Krishna and be Happy”
Prabhupada: The same thing. In order to feel the happiness of playing, he has to go in this way. It is unhappiness.
Disciple: So somehow we have to get them to associate with devotees and advance in their spiritual knowledge by reading your books.
Srila Prabhupada: You can kill the baby in the womb. Advancement of ignorance is accepted as advancement of civilization. Why, because there is no spiritual knowledge.
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In 1976 During Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Washington DC
Srila Prabhupada replied “they are wasting their human form of life” (pointing at the golfers).
A disciple could have said, this is our fault because we haven’t figured out a way to reach these affluent people. If they were chanting Hare Krishna while playing golf they would make spiritual advancement. One day Srila Prabhupada as we mature, we will go there and show them how to add Krishna consciousness to their current activities so they don’t waste their human form of life.
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This post was made on the Internet on April 11, 2005 an unfortunately some devotees rather than seeing how this event brought devotees together for good Kirtan, Sadhu-sanga and Krishna Katha saw fit to criticize it instead. If you read the article without the negative comments made in the blog you might see the positive results of this event.
Alachua Gaura-Purnima and Golf Tournament
The 1st annual “Krishna Cup” was won by Bhutatma das of Irvine, California, on the weekend of Gaura-Purnima in Alachua, Florida.
The Krishna Cup trophy goes to the devotee with the best score in a 36-hole golf tournament sponsored by Arjuna das, a PGA pro from Canada. We had a great weekend, beginning with the excellent devotional celebration of Sri Caitanya’s Appearance Day. The devotees participating in the tournament began with kirtan, Bhagavatam class, and rasad. A spirited competition lasting two days followed. The rainy weather cleared just in time for the scheduled event.
Arjuna das reminded us of Arjuna himself, showing his extremely accurate professional skills by scoring even par from the black tees on difficult courses. Arjuna was exempted from winning the competition, however, in all fairness. Bhutatma Prabhu, a college professor and excellent athlete coached by Srila Prabhupada himself in exercise, shot two rounds in the 70s to hold off a late charge by Guru das of Denver, who turned in a great 78 on the final Sunday. Nalinikanta das of Alachua took third, followed by Janaka Prabhu from Denver and Mahavira das from Florida.
We were happy to host several other devotees, including local GBC man Sesa Prabhu, who played impressively despite being so absorbed in devotional services that he had little time to prepare.
Bhutatma will hold the trophy for a while, but many others, buoyed by the devotional association and competition, are threatening a challenge, either in the western swing of the “tour” in LA in late October, or at Gaura-Purnima next year in Alachua. Devotees of all skill levels are welcome to stay in touch and to participate. Hare Krishna!
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Here is one other small comment Srila Prabhupada made on the subject of sports
August 17, 2013
Sruta Kirti Prabhu is the source of the following -
Srila Prabhupada told me in a car while passing a soccer field in Calcutta that he played football (soccer) in his youth. "I played the position of goalie because I did not want to run too much."
