Category:Constructing Temples
Theme Analysis
The construction of temples is a fundamental aspect of Vedic culture and a powerful tool for distributing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda often draws a sharp contrast between the mundane architecture of modern society and the spiritual architecture of the Vaiṣṇavas. While a materialist expends immense energy and funds to construct a towering skyscraper strictly for their own sense gratification and economic development, a pure devotee utilizes the exact same energy to construct a beautiful temple for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because the devotee's mind is fixed on Kṛṣṇa, the construction becomes entirely spiritual (yukta-vairāgya), freeing everyone involved from the reactions of karma. Historically, this was the standard of civilized society; wealthy kings and merchants considered it their duty to construct temples under the guidance of expert devotees, just as the Six Gosvāmīs orchestrated the building of thousands of temples to establish the holy city of Vṛndāvana.
However, Śrīla Prabhupāda issues a strict warning regarding the priorities of a preacher. According to the instructions of his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the printing and distribution of transcendental literature is far more important than constructing gorgeous temples. A sannyāsī or advanced devotee should not become unnecessarily entangled in the material opulence of building monasteries, as this can easily lead to a degraded, comfortable life focused on eating and sleeping at the expense of the public.
Temple construction is primarily meant for the general populace and neophyte devotees. It provides a public sanctuary where ordinary people, who might otherwise never encounter spiritual life, can be attracted by the beauty of the Deity, dance in ecstasy, and honor Kṛṣṇa prasādam. Therefore, if Kṛṣṇa provides the facility and the funds, devotees should enthusiastically construct nice temples for the convenience of the public, while maintaining absolute internal detachment, knowing that the real foundation of the movement lies in the distribution of transcendental knowledge.
- Spiritual vs. Material Construction: Constructing a temple for Kṛṣṇa is a completely spiritual endeavor free from karma, unlike constructing a skyscraper for personal sense gratification.
- The Legacy of Vṛndāvana: The great ācāryas, particularly the Six Gosvāmīs, successfully engaged wealthy individuals to construct magnificent temples, establishing the standard of Vedic culture.
- The Priority of Books: Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that publishing and distributing transcendental literature is a higher priority than constructing costly temples.
- A Public Sanctuary: Temples are constructed not for the personal comfort of the devotees, but to attract the general public to the practices of chanting, dancing, and Deity worship.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Constructing Temples - Spiritual Endeavors vs. Skyscraper Ambitions.
Subcategories
This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.
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Pages in category "Constructing Temples"
The following 133 pages are in this category, out of 133 total.
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A
- A devotee may be engaged in earning money, but he uses that money for propagating the Krsna consciousness movement by constructing large temples and establishing worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- A devotee's attempt to engage his energies in such activities as constructing a Visnu temple, however, is never wasted
- A sannyasi should not be enthusiastic about constructing temples. We can see in the lives of various acaryas in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that they are not very enthusiastic about constructing temples
- A temple was constructed within which Gaura-Nityananda Deities are existing. The temple was constructed by the late Prasannakumara Karapharma. A tablet was installed in his memory in the Bengali year 1323 (A.D. 1916), in the month of Vaisakha (April-May)
- A temporary temple was constructed by covering the bed all around with a straw mattress. Thus there was a bed and a straw mattress to cover it
- After taking sannyasa I was more engaged in writing my books without any attempt to construct temples or to make disciples like my Godbrothers. I was not very much interested in these matters because my Guru Maharaja liked very much publication of books
- All the acaryas in South India, especially Sri Ramanujacarya, constructed many big temples, and in North India all the Gosvamis of Vrndavana constructed large temples. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also constructed large centers
- Although a philanthropist's opening an educational institution may be pious activity, it comes under the laws of karma, whereas constructing a temple for Visnu is devotional service
B
- BBT means fifty percent is for printing books and fifty percent for construction of temples. So your buses are all moving temples. Don't worry. There will be no scarcity of money. Go on with your program and increase and increase more and more
- Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati personally told me that publishing books is more important than constructing temples. Of course, those same instructions remained within my mind for many years
- Bhugarbha Gosani, formerly known as Prema-manjari, was a great friend of Lokanatha Gosvami, who constructed the temple of Gokulananda
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- Deity worship requires money to construct temple, Deity and manpower, money. But if one has no such facility then what he will do? You will simply chant
- Detroit temple, that building was constructed at a cost of two million dollars, say some fifty years, sixty years ago. And we purchased it at three hundred thousand dollars
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- Even by taking a loan from the bank. The idea is we must finish Vrndavana temple construction work on or before Janmastami ceremony
- Everyone should be enthusiastic to contribute to the construction of the temple for the Deity, and everyone should also contribute food for the distribution of prasadam
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- Foolish propaganda by atheists that temples were constructed only in later days is refuted here (in SB 3.1.23) because Vidura visited these temples at least five thousand years ago, & the temples of Visnu were in existence long before Vidura visited them
- For building the temple you can purchase some nearby land and construct. There are so many lands there I have seen
- For example, Rupa Gosvami was offered a favor by Maharaj Mansingh, the commander-in-chief of Emperor Akbar, and Rupa Gosvami instructed him to construct a large temple for Govindaji, which cost vast amounts of money
- For preaching, construction of temples is also necessary
- Formerly all rich men like kings and rich merchants constructed such temples under the direction of expert devotees of the Lord, like the six Gosvamis
- Formerly, people were religious. It doesn't matter whether one constructed temple or church. It doesn't matter. There was prayer to the Supreme. But now people are forgetting
- Formerly, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to South India, a brahmana named Kala Krsnadasa went with Him
H
- He (a devotee) may construct a temple for the Lord, and for that he may take all kinds of anxiety, but he does not construct a big house for his personal relations. BG 1972 purports
- He (Sanatana Gosvami) constructed the temple of Madana-mohana at Vrndavana, and he wrote books on the principles of devotional service, such as Hari-bhakti-vilasa
I
- I wanted first of all the residential place. And they criticize me, "Oh, you did not construct temple first." And a temple of the devotees is first, our temple. Then God. God will come if there are devotees
- I'm negotiating with local university authorities to donate a piece of land within the university campus so that we may construct a nice temple there and preach this cult amongst the students
- If a devotee spends money to construct a beautiful and costly temple, the construction is not material but spiritual (nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate). A devotee's mind is never diverted to the material side of the temple
- If one has money, instead of constructing costly temples, one should spend his money for the publication of authorized books in different languages for propagating the Krsna consciousness movement
- If one is not able to construct a temple for Krsna, one can engage himself in cleansing the temple of Krsna; that is also Krsna-karma. BG 1972 purports
- If somebody comes forward to offer some service, the same reluctant acaryas will encourage the building of costly temples by such servitors
- If somebody has got money, he wants to construct temple, it is welcome. We can give nice plan how to do it. In India there are Radha-Krsna temples, just like one temple is as good as a big fort
- If we can construct a temple and building without permission of the landlord that will be our greatest triumph. If such a law is inaugurated then it is to be supposed that it is Krsna's plan
- If we engage our money in constructing a gorgeous temple, we are freed from the reactions of our endeavors. This is for our benefit
- If we manufacture a skyscraper building, immediately there will be some income. But if I construct a gigantic temple, it will be simply waste of money. - They are thinking like that. That means the standard of understanding God is finished
- If you allow me to construct the temple on this spot, I can take up the work immediately without a moment's delay. Later on when the construction is completed the cost may be exchanged by giving me a land suitable for constructing a Varnashram college
- If you have got some money, don't use it for constructing a big skyscraper building. Better you try to construct a very nice temple for Krsna's situation. That is proper use
- If you instruct a rascal, he'll be angry. - Therefore we go as beggars: "My dear sir, you are a very nice man. I'm a sannyasi beggar, so I want to construct a temple. Can you spare some money?" So he will think, - Oh, here is a beggar. Give him some money
- In India especially we see hundreds and thousands of temples that were constructed by the wealthy men of society who did not want to be called thieves and be punished
- In Saka Era 1203, in the month of Vaisakha, in the fortnight of the moon's waxing period, on the day of Ekadasi, Narahari Tirtha dedicated to the holy name of Yogananda Nrsimhadeva the temple he had constructed on His order
- In the construction of a high skyscraper and the construction of a temple, there may be the same enthusiasm, but the endeavors are different, for one is material and the other spiritual. Spiritual activities should not be confused with material activities
- In this age, it is more important to create devotees than to construct temples. My Guru Maharaja advised me to give more stress on literary work such as publishing books and magazines in KC, and temple opening is a secondary consideration
- Instead of constructing a big building for his sense gratification, he (a businessman) can construct a nice temple for Krsna. BG 1972 purports
- Invite them, "Come and see." Give them prasadam. This is our policy. We are not constructing big, big buildings and temples for our convenience. For their convenience. This is sannyasi
- It (Konarka, generally known as Arka-tirtha, a temple of Lord Surya, the sun-god) was constructed of black stone in the beginning of the thirteenth century of the Saka Era, and it shows expert craftsmanship and architecture
- It is a very good news that you have received the NOC for the construction of the temple. So, you begin the work, and money will come to you by the grace of God
- It is also stated that a sannyasi should not be enthusiastic about constructing temples. We can see in the life of various acaryas in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that they are not very enthusiastic about constructing temples
- It is in the Vedic literature, that you cannot do the yoga practice, meditation or offering big, big sacrifices or construct big, big temples for worshiping the Deity. It is very, very difficult nowadays. Simply chant Hare Krsna
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- Later, another temple (in the place of Bindu Madhava) was constructed by the side of the mosque, and this temple is still existing
- Lokanatha Bhatta - this devotee, who lived in the village of Talakhadi in the district of Yasohara (Jessore) and constructed the temple of Radhavinoda, was the spiritual master of Narottama dasa Thakura and a great friend of Bhugarbha Gosvami
- Lokanatha Gosvami constructed the Gokulananda temple
- Lord Nityananda Prabhu did not factually construct any temples. The temple was constructed at the time of Virabhadra Prabhu. In the Bengali year 1298 (A.D. 1891), a brahmacari of the name Sivananda Svami repaired the temple, for it had become dilapidated
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- Manipuri Vaisnavas are very famous in Vaisnava society. In Vrndavana and Navadvipa there are many temples constructed by the king of Manipura
- My Guru Maharaja liked the publicaton of books very nice. He liked publication of books more than construction of Temples
- My own Guru Maharaja stressed the printing and distribution of literature even over gorgeous temple construction, and I also was printing even before I have big temples in the U.S.
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- Of course your idea that when I go I shall talk with him and get some big contribution from the Indian community is all right. But my mission will be more successful if the Americans construct a temple
- One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries
- One very rich ksatriya of the royal order constructed a temple, someone made cooking utensils, and someone constructed boundary walls
- Other branches of Gadadhara Pandita, as follows: (5) Madhu Pandita - this famous devotee lived near Khadadaha, in the village known as Sanibona-grama, about two miles east of the Khadadaha station, and constructed the temple of Gopinathaji in Vrndavana
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- Regarding our Indian centers, we are experiencing some bright glimpse because in Calcutta, as informed to you by Acyutananda, we may get a nice plot of land. So you can save money as much as possible for constructing buildings or Temples in India
- Rupa Gosvami constructed the Govindaji temple
- Rupa Gosvami may utilize the devotee's money to construct a nice costly temple for the service of the Lord
- Rupa Gosvami. So formerly they were living under trees. That I have already described in Caitanya-caritamrta. Later on, when Jiva Gosvami constructed this temple, his nephew and disciple, at that time Rupa Gosvami also, he lived with his disciple
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- Sanatana Gosvami constructed the Madana-mohana temple, and Rupa Gosvami constructed the Govindaji temple
- Sanatana Gosvami sat down on the bank of the Yamuna, and after some time he gradually constructed the first temple; then other temples were constructed, and now the city is full of temples, numbering about five thousand
- Sanatana Gosvami was advised to construct temples in Vrndavana and to write books on the principles of Vaisnavism, as authorized by Lord Caitanya Himself. Sanatana Gosvami executed all these desires of the Lord
- Sannyasis sometimes indulge in material opulence by unnecessarily constructing many temples and monasteries, but actually such endeavors should be avoided
- Since there is no prominent Krsna-Balarama temple in Vrndavana, we are attempting to construct one so that people will be attracted to Krsna-Balarama, or Nitai-Gauracandra. Vrajendra-nandana yei, saci suta haila sei
- So a bona fide spiritual master should not personally take any responsibility for constructing temples, but if someone has money and wants to spend it in the service of Krsna
- Sometime in the year 1935 when His Divine Grace was staying at Radha-kunda, I went to see him from Bombay. At that time, he gave me many important instructions in regard to constructing temples and publishing books
- Sri Lokanatha Gosvami constructed the Gokulananda temple, and Syamananda Gosvami constructed the Syamasundara temple. In this way, many temples were gradually constructed
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura vehemently opposed the idea of constructing a temple in some quiet spot and leading a passive and uneventful life in the monastery
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya - Sri Rudrarama Pandita constructed a big temple at Vallabhapura, which is one mile north of Mahesa, for the Deities named Radhavallabha
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya - There are two inscriptions on the bricks of that temple (constructed by Pundarika Vidyanidhi in his birthplace), but they are so old that one cannot read them
- Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains the word arambhan as meaning mathadi-vyaparan, which means "attempts to construct temples and monasteries
- Subsequently Raghunatha Bhatta ordered his disciples to construct a temple for Govinda. He prepared various ornaments for Govinda, including a flute and shark-shaped earrings
- Superficially, the skyscraper constructor and temple constructor are on the same level, for both are collecting wood, stone, iron and other building materials
- Syamananda Gosvami constructed the Syamasundara temple
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- Temple building or mosque building is coming down from time immemorial. People are investing their money, hard-earned money. Why? Uselessly? Nonproductive? No. They do not know. They do not know how much productive that is
- Temple construction is meant for the general populace and neophyte devotees, but the business of advanced and empowered devotees is to write books, publish them and distribute them widely
- Temple construction is not bad, provided proper care is taken for the propagation of Krsna consciousness. Even if such endeavors are considered greedy, the greed is to satisfy Krsna, and therefore these are spiritual activities
- Temple construction must be finished by or before Janmastami
- Temples of worship, are constructed by the rich, and these temples are meant to impart spiritual education to people in general
- The animals, they do not know how to create a church or temple or mosque. These are done in the human society. So when the human society forgets this responsibility from economic point of view, that means they degrade to the animal life
- The bricks, stone and wood used in the construction of the temple are spiritual, just as the Deity, although made of stone, is not stone but the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself
- The conclusion is that those who are rich men in society should construct beautiful temples and arrange for the worship of Visnu, so that people may be attracted to visit such temples and thereby be offered the opportunity of dancing before the Lord
- The devotee, who is constructing the temple, has fixed his mind upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the nondevotee, who is constructing the skyscraper, has his mind fixed in sense gratification
- The first business of the sannyasi is to preach Krsna consciousness, but if, by the grace of Krsna, facilities are available, then he may construct temples and monasteries to give shelter to the serious students of Krsna consciousness
- The Gosvamis not only engaged in writing books but also constructed temples because both are needed for preaching work
- The King constructed a nice temple, and regular service was executed. Gopala became very famous under the name of Saksi-gopala (the witness Gopala)
- The materialist tries to satisfy himself in relation to his body by constructing a skyscraper, but the devotee tries to satisfy the Superself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by constructing the temple
- The present city of Vrndavana has been established by the Gaudiya Vaisnavas since the six Gosvamis went there and directed the construction of their different temples
- The present immediate problem is that we require the Police Commissioner's consent to construct a temple. The papers are already there in his possession
- The purpose of building very high temples is to give people a chance to see them from a distant place. This system is carried on in India whenever a new temple is constructed, and it appears that it is coming down from a time before recorded history
- The purpose of dispatching this money is for construction of temples in India
- The salagrama-sila personally worshiped by Mangala Thakura still exists in the village of Kandada. A temple has been constructed there for the worship of Vrndavana-candra
- The temple constructed there (at his birthplace) by Pundarika Vidyanidhi is now very old and much in need of repair. Without repair, the temple may soon crumble
- The temple was constructed by the late Prasannakumara Karapharma. A tablet was installed in his memory in the Bengali year 1323 (A.D. 1916), in the month of Vaisakha - April-May
- The twentieth vilasa (of Hari-bhakti-vilasa) discusses the construction of temples, referring to those constructed by the great devotees
- The village Ambika-kalana, which is situated just across the river Ganges from Santipura, is two miles east of the Kalana-korta railway station, on the Eastern Railway. In Ambika-kalana there is a temple constructed by the zamindar of Burdwan
- The word deula refers to the temple where the Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated. The present temple of Jagannatha Puri was constructed by King Ananga-bhima. Historians say this temple must have been constructed at least two thousand years ago
- Their (Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami's) nephew Jiva Gosvami constructed the Radha-Damodara temple, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami constructed the Radha-ramana temple
- There is another temple (constructed by Pundarika Vidyanidhi in his birthplace) about two hundred yards south of this one, and some people say that this is the old temple constructed by Pundarika Vidyanidhi
- They are constructing big, big skyscraper buildings. That we can see. But you don't see anywhere a magnificent church or temple or mosque is being constructed. That means people are going down in the matter of understanding God
- They are sudras. They do not know how to spend money. And formerly, before this, people were little intelligent, or at least they had some religious faith. So they constructed temple, churches, mosque. Nowadays these things is stopped
- This (CC Madhya 4.102) is the way to install the Deity, construct the temple and increase the property of the temple
- This amount is for the purpose of constructing a Radha Krsna Temple at Mayapur, as it is contributed by my American disciples
- This was the subject matter of my Guru Maharaja's satisfaction. He liked to distribute books more than constructing temples. He personally advised me to print books if I have got some money
- To plant trees on the public roads, to construct public temples and places of worship of God, to establish places of charity where the poor destitutes can be provided with foodstuff, and similar activities are called purta
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- Under Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami’s order, one of his disciples constructed the Govinda temple. Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami supplied all the ornaments of the Govinda Deity
- Unfortunately, it happens that someone who is not fit to become a spiritual master may approach wealthy persons to contribute for temple constructions
- Unfortunately, there are many so-called followers of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who are satisfied simply to construct a temple, make a show of the Deities, collect some funds and utilize them for eating and sleeping
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- We are spending lakhs of rupees for constructing a temple, but we are not interested to construct a house or a skyscraper building. We are not interested. That is detachment
- We cannot say completely. But gradually it will be completely forgetful of God, day by day. Just like we can see. Formerly, our forefathers, they used to construct churches, temples, mosque, synagogues, but nowadays nobody is preparing
- We may construct a gorgeous temple and spend thousands of dollars, but such a temple is not required by the Lord. The Lord has many millions of temples for His residence and He does not need our attempt
- We may have many great temples, but we should not be attached to them. It is for Krsna's sake that we construct temples, but we must understand that the temples are Krsna's property
- Wealthy people can also be attracted to take part in these activities (construction of the temple, contribute food for prasadam). In this way everyone will become spiritually inclined, and the entire society will be converted to Krsna consciousness
- When I was alone in Vrndavana, I never attempted to construct mathas or temples; rather, I was fully satisfied with the small amount of money I could gather by selling Back to Godhead, and thus I would provide for myself and also print the literature
- When I went to foreign countries, I lived according to the same principle (never attempting to construct mathas), but when Europeans & Americans began to give money profusely, I started temples & Deity worship. The same principle should still be followed
- When Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami went to Vrndavana, there was not a single temple, but by their preaching they were gradually able to construct various temples
- When the Temple is constructed, I shall ask you to go there with your wife and preach Krishna Consciousness amongst the Indian community. Sometimes you desired to go to India, and Krishna will fulfill your desire to a greater extent
- When we were in danger, there was so much obstruction for constructing the temple, and we prayed to Krsna that it should stopped. We prayed to Krsna, "Please give Your protection." That is for Visnu's purpose
- With the help of many rich Marwaris, the temple (of Kesavaji in Mathura) has been improved, and a very large temple is now being constructed so that the mosque is now appearing diminished in comparison
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- You go and see. They have spent lots of money for temple. That was the Oriental civilization. Even the Muhammadans, they would construct very costly mosque, but they would live in huts
- Your attempt to construct a temple from donation of life members is welcome. Also your plan to get large tax returns. Now do it cooperatively. You are intelligent and experienced - all work together there for the glory of Caitanya's sankirtana movement