> the fate of those who pursue such so-called knowledge is
> even worse than dark ignorance achieved by those who engage
> in nescience.
Back To Godhead, October 10, 1968, Seattle Washington:
Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out
(The Function of the Soul)
Disciple: Srila Prabhupada, is there any way for a Christian in this age - without the help of a spiritual master - to reach the spiritual sky through reading the words of Jesus Christ in the Bible and trying to follow his teachings.
Srila Prabhupada: When you read the Bible you are following the spiritual master. How can you say, "Without a spiritual master?" As soon as you read the Bible that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ. That means you are following the spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without the spiritual master?
Disciple: I was referring to a living spiritual master.
Srila Prabhupada: There is no question of whether the spiritual master is living. The spiritual master is eternal. Now your question was what to do without the spiritual master. Without the spiritual master you cannot be at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That's a different thing. But you have to accept. When you say, "reading the Bible," that means you are following the spiritual master, represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ.
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Dear Prabhus
Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I would just like to mention here, that I am not now,
nor have I ever been a supporter of the ritvik issue.
Have I committed any offenses,
taken any quotes out of context,
made any mistakes, and/or
done anything I shouldn't have?
If so, I'm sorry.
Aspiring to be the sincere
servant of the servant,
Yours Truly,
Gauranga Prema Dasa
Hare Krsna