tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post8917479070443481851..comments2012-01-31T03:56:53.880-08:00Julienoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-23603318363599894132010-06-06T00:07:34.657-07:002010-06-06T00:07:34.657-07:00Hi Julie,<br /><br />Could you give me the address of the centre/restaurant in Osaka. A friend of mine lives there and would like to know.<br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br />Padma, SydneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-8579601968611903922009-06-24T15:19:36.733-07:002009-06-24T15:19:36.733-07:00With all respect, we&#39;re actually called Vaishnavas. We call eachother devotees. We call women mataji which is mother and men are prabhuji which is master. What better way to treat your follow human than thinking of them as your own mother or master?Na. Ma. Ha.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14461773946226903107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-70493109127881651042008-03-31T22:00:00.000-07:002008-03-31T22:00:00.000-07:00anonymous, i believe what julie has is an open mind. not ignorance. maybe you should gain one yourself...Hannahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-76721342749113329972008-03-05T12:00:00.000-08:002008-03-05T12:00:00.000-08:00julie,,beautiful story. as for envious atheists,,ignore it. yeah iskcon has had its abuse scandals,and crimes. but so has the bank on the corner,the store in your neighborhood,etc,,does that mean we all become non participants in life because 'people'choose to commit crimes? if i were 'truly' an atheist,i would nt be viewing anything about religion much less taking the time to comment. you were speaking of a nice expeirence that you had. you were simply sharing. and it was a 'VERY NICE'story to share. thanks, hare krishna!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-16496189782941022862007-12-16T01:20:00.000-08:002007-12-16T01:20:00.000-08:00You said my writing is filled with nothing but platitudes, and maybe you're right. This site is not meant to be a controversial site, it's meant to be a monetized site where people can see what being an English teacher in Japan is like. It's also for my friends and family. <BR/><BR/>Because I don't usually express any private personal opinions in this forum, a lot of what I write comes off sounding trite. Sorry about that. I just don't feel comfortable discussing my personal convictions in a public space like this one. I will tell you that I'm not exactly a "product of a secular education" and that I have no problem with organized religion as long as it yields in its followers what I consider to be positive behavior. I'm sorry that you think that's being "naive and soft-minded" but I'm not necessarily against religion.<BR/><BR/>I wish more people didn't need religion to motivate them to do things like volunteer in their community and abroad, or stop eating meat for moral reasons. I don't need that kind of motivation. But a lot of people do, and I don't think there's anything so terribly wrong with that. I'm not against organized religion if it inspires people to care for those around them.<BR/><BR/>At any rate, I completely agree with your statement here:<BR/><BR/>"The core argument I was trying to get at is that it's great to be for peace and love, whatever that even means, but you can believe in those principles independent of Hare Krishnas and other organized religions."Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-58991364233719775082007-12-14T12:18:00.000-08:002007-12-14T12:18:00.000-08:00"Why do you care what I think about this? I'm just some random you'll never meet. I like debate, but if you're going to make aggressive, anonymous posts like this, I won't respond to any other ones."<BR/>-----------------<BR/>First off, don't know how I can be aggressive in writing if I'm not using swear words or threatening you. Basically what you mean is that I'm saying things you don't like, but I can't help that.<BR/><BR/>You see, as you admit, this isn't a diary you're writing. You're writing for people to read, but then you think we don't have opinions on these things? You think people think simplistically about these things and just agrees with you? If you don't like negative feedback on what YOU'RE writing and publishing for the entire world, then don't have a comments section, or make it your own private diary and then no one can bother you with disagreement. <BR/><BR/>But I think it's funny for someone who's trying to make some money off ads to claim we can look at all this, but not touch. If that's the case. I'll never come back here, and I'll read blogs with more thoughtful writings about a foreign country, maybe from people who speak the language and know the country, yet can think objectively about their experiences. <BR/><BR/>On your minor points, I don't assume anything. I took from what you wrote, which was filled with nothing but platitudes. Again, if you're writing for a larger audience, and not yourself, then you should be more critical.<BR/><BR/>The core argument I was trying to get at is that it's great to be for peace and love, whatever that even means, but you can believe in those principles independent of Hare Krishnas and other organized religions. I'm vegetarian and proudly aetheist. <BR/><BR/>Also, it's great you've met some nice people from the H.K. community, but the organization has been accused of brainwashing by some families, and been sued (and lost)a class action suit for child abuse. Of course, this isn't unique to Hare Krishnas. Look at the Catholic Church. But that's my point. It's ironic that you, such a product of Western secular education, and hundreds of years of history of trying to rid our society of the shackles of religion, see no problem in the creeping expansion of religious fundamentalism (in all its guises) in our society. That's all.<BR/><BR/>Maybe these things don't seem like a big deal to a young person, but as you get older you realize all these little instances actually do matter.<BR/><BR/>That's pretty much all I have to say, so I'll leave it at that. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan. Keep thinking and growing and having fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-69304218798434833902007-12-12T10:22:00.000-08:002007-12-12T10:22:00.000-08:00This site isn't a diary at all, and I have never written online about my personal religious / spiritual views. I think your main problem is that you assume too much about me and what I believe. Hare Krishna isn't new to me. I've been going to their Sunday vegetarian feasts for years back home, though I'm not a Hare Krishna. Unfortunately, there's a "sad longing for meaning" in almost every modern life, not just Japanese lives. Krishna Consciousness isn't even a popular or well-known thing in Japan! Most of them are American so I don't know what you were talking about "cute, cuddly Japanese" for. <BR/><BR/>Yes, Hare Krishnas are strict religious fundamentalists and I disagree with loads and loads of what they believe (just like I disagree with many aspects of Catholicism or of any other religion). But I mentioned that in my post. Yes, they do see this age as "evil" but why do you assume that I don't agree with that belief? I wouldn't use words like "evil" but I do think we're living in a pretty deplorable time, though not for religious reasons. My friends and family know what I think about this kind of thing but I've never discussed my personal beliefs online, so I know that what you've assumed about me is incorrect.<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, the worth or any organization / religion should be judged based on their actions and what they do for those around them. Hare Krishna devotees advocate a life of non-violence and healthy living. Many devotees have been encouraged to volunteer abroad or within their communities and all devotees are vegetarian. The only time you ever notice them is when they're peacefully talking to others or singing together on the street. They cook free, healthy meals and anyone is invited. In my opinion, the only thing "weird" about them is the way they dress and never get tired of singing the same songs for hours...<BR/><BR/>But that's their thing. I'm not a Hare Krishna. I can respect anyone who searches to add meaning to his/her personal life without trying to hurt anyone else. I get along with most Hare Krishnas I meet because I see sincerity, healthy living, and kindness in their actions. <BR/><BR/>But why do you care what I think about this? I'm just some random you'll never meet. I like debate, but if you're going to make aggressive, anonymous posts like this, I won't respond to any other ones.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-63265653557450581642007-12-11T21:58:00.000-08:002007-12-11T21:58:00.000-08:00Wow, that is a cool experience! Their food is the best always. Thanks for the info!!Martin J Fridhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537556834410284837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-52729811514541985732007-12-11T07:34:00.000-08:002007-12-11T07:34:00.000-08:00Uhhh... I usually enjoy your postings. Truly. But this one's too weird and I can't let it go. <BR/><BR/>I have to say- weird cults= not cool. <BR/><BR/>You kind of take them as cute, cuddly Japanese without pondering on the deeper significance of it all and I think it's a shame and you could have, should have written more critically. <BR/><BR/>There's a sad longing for meaning in Japanese modern life and many new religions are attempting to fill that void, including the strict Hare Krishnas. <BR/><BR/>It's ironic that you, a product of the Western secularism, would be so enchanted with a bunch of religious fundamentalists, who see you and our age as "evil".<BR/><BR/>We fought this battle during the Enlightenment, but unfortunately, a lot of naive and soft-minded Westerners nowadays profess a new and simple kind of fascination with these things, without bothering to actually think about it all.<BR/><BR/>It's sad to see someone drift through life without actually critically thinking about things beyond the, "i get along with them" kind of bland generalizations. What does that mean to anyone other than you?<BR/><BR/>Even if this site's just a diary, I think you can think a little more deeply about it all, even if for your own sake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-46293643367057032892007-12-10T06:50:00.000-08:002007-12-10T06:50:00.000-08:00When is Masao's birthday? <BR/>Happy birthday Masao!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-56345541552858533212007-12-10T05:55:00.000-08:002007-12-10T05:55:00.000-08:00What a beautiful experience.<BR/>We were looking for somewhere to go for Masao's birthday. The Deva Deva Cafe looks great, thanks!<BR/>xxsushizumehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03643304205434565540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-44113253522956079082007-12-09T14:08:00.000-08:002007-12-09T14:08:00.000-08:00Beautiful post, Hare Krishna<BR/>Your humble servant,<BR/>Nityananda Chandra Das<BR/>http://connect.krishna.com/user/534Nityanandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03024076826738466029noreply@blogger.com