The importance of compassion
by Devaki Nandana Dasa
Posted January 14, 2003

I just wanted to thank Amara prabhu for his nice article about Gays in the Ashram. He very objectively presented nice points that we can all learn from. I was in Potomac at the time that Damodara prabhu committed suicide, and I know that many devotees said that the ashram devotees were not taken care of very well. They didn't even have enough money for soap or toothpaste. Anyway, no matter how nicely we care for each other, there will always be unfortunate occurrences. After all, this is the material world, but I'm sure that if we loved each other, the way Jayananda prabhu or Srila Prabhupada did, we could probably reduce such unfortunate incidents by 99%. Let us all remember Srila Prabhupada and devotees like Jayananda Thakura and in that way, maybe by remembering their lives, we can start to follow in their footsteps.

Recently, a devotee told me that it isn't ISKCON's duty to take care and provide for devotees. Srila Prabhupada said otherwise and so does the GBC. Even if a devotee isn't fit to live in our ashramas, we should be compassionate enough to help that person find a nice place to live, and even help them to find work and education. Helping people feel comfortable in the association of devotees is our duty as Vaisnavas. If we all chipped in in anyway we can, I'm sure we could solve most problems. Thank you for listening, and I hope this meets you in good health.