Burnaby, British Columbia
Christmas Day in the Life of a Hare Krishna Monk
What does a Hare Krishna monk do on Christmas Day?
He rises early at 4 am, showers, applies tilak (sacred earth substance) to 12 parts of the upper body, and then dons his robes, a dhoti (lower garment) and a kurta (upper garment). With japa (meditative beads) carried in a pouch, he makes his way to the temple. This then is the time when morning songs in honour of guru and Krishna are initiated. Then, for an hour and a half or 2 hour period, he chants with the aid of his beads the Hare Krishna maha mantra:
This will be done in the company of others. He may even choose to walk and chant on a trail, by a beach or on a street.
By 7 AM, he is poised for something called darshan, a viewing of the Krishna deity, followed by more song and drumming. Culminating in a class delivered by a senior teacher just before breakfast.
Between 9 AM and 12, there is some time for specific duties. My specific task at 12 o’clock was to speak on the subject of Christ and Krishna. Naturally, the topic was selected to address the event, Christmas. A subsequent feast was served, special features of this were mashed potatoes with a veggie gravy. Yummy. During meal time I had some people come to me with questions. One east Indian gentleman had a question regarding dietary principles, “The meat diet is something that’s been going on for generations because in colder climates, western people in particular were forced to hunt as nothing else was available. People are habituated to this diet, what do you have to say about that?”
Answer, “Granted, in colder climates people have resorted to eating other animals. It’s true. But the circumstances have changed since ancient times. That was then but now is now. Today you can acquire non violent food in the supermarket, vegetables, grains, fruits, etc. etc. In some countries it had been the standard to eat humans on occasion, but now we know better. We’ve evolved. Let the animals enjoy their right to roam, crawl, or fly.”
Another question, “Is there truth to the theory that Jesus had spent time in India?”
Answer, “Some say he was in India, others theorize that there wasn’t a Jesus at all. I will not argue that point, but what is relevant is the teachings that are propagated by someone who was called The Prince of Peace, and when those teachings are applied, they can improve our life. Those teachings tell us to love your neighbour as much as yourself.”
Plus, “Love the Lord with all thy heart, mind, soul.”
The feast was great and it forced a nap which a monk is permitted to have. A second walk, answering correspondence, and an evening program with kirtan (chanting,) sums up the day. At least this is a look at my day.
7 KM
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