Page 21 - OSSISPS - Eng
P. 21

xv                                                    preface

           approach in preaching (although it is doubtful that nearly as much
           evidence could be supplied to support that position as has been
           provided in Speaking Strongly).

           On Speaking Strongly in Çréla Prabhupäda’s Service is solidly based on
           more than five hundred quotes from Çréla Prabhupäda’s teachings
           and other authoritative sources, and further substantiated by the
           inclusion of several of the hundreds of recorded anecdotes that
           demonstrate his straightforwardness and provocativeness. These
           combinedly establish that my strong speaking, for which I am
           somewhat known within iskcon, is not merely my own idiosyncrasy,
           but a sacred order from Çréla Prabhupäda that is meant to largely
           define his movement, notwithstanding his sometimes cautionary
           words.

           Hence, this tract is intended not only as a personal manifesto,
           for addressing misgivings that devotees may have about my often
           abrasive style, but also to educate followers of Çréla Prabhupäda
           about his seemingly largely forgotten precept and practice
           of outright speaking, and to convince all present and future
           followers of Çréla Prabhupäda of the necessity for bold, strongly
           worded preaching. It is particularly aimed at devotees who possess,
           or aspire to possess, full faith in the teachings of çästra and the
           Gauòéya paramparä. (Although such faith is the basic qualification
           of a Gauòéya Vaiñëava, it is often alarmingly absent in members of
           iskcon today.) Moreover, it offers guidelines for speaking pointedly
           and effectively in a manner consonant with Çréla Prabhupäda’s
           desires.

           In the initial portion of this monograph, I attempt to show why
           devotees should speak strongly, clearly, and boldly, and how they
           can best serve Çréla Prabhupäda by doing so. Later, I add balance by
           examining, and to some extent accommodating, other approaches
           to preaching besides all-out attack, yet also warning of the dangers
           of being too reticent. I discuss the pros and cons of speaking out,
   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26