NOI Answer 3.

Six kinds of loving exchanges between devotees in ISKCON

ISKCON Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada used to mention that the main purpose of establishing this society
(specially the temple) is for giving people an opportunity to associate with
devotees. One may not be chanting but if he is in association, its only matter of
time that soon he will become serious in Krishna Consciousness. One may be
chanting Hare Krishna but is not in association, it’s only a matter of time soon he
will be out of Krishna Consciousness. Association is prime factor. Srila
Prabhupada mentions in the Nectar of Instruction that “The International
Society for Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six
kinds of loving exchanges between devotees.”

We can practically see how devotees in ISKCON are trying to fulfill the
statements of Srila Prabhupada

1. DadatiPratigrihnati
a. Book distribution- this was second instruction which Srila
Prabhupada received from his spiritual master HDG Bhakti
SiddantaSaraswatiMaharaj. In order fulfill it Srila Prabhupada started
i. BBT(Bhaktivedanta Book Trust)- publishing and distributing
millions of books
ii. Back to Godhead Magazine – single handedly started by
Prabhupada and now became a monthly magazine
People are accepting these literatures and getting benefited. Srila
Prabhupada writes in NOI Text 4 that “We are glad that people are
donating very liberally to the development of the Society's
activities, and people are also eagerly accepting whatever humble
contribution we are giving them in the shape of books and
magazines dealing strictly with the subject matter of Kåñëa
consciousness.”
b. Donations--People are reciprocating by donating liberally seeing the
sincere endeavor from our side. During festivals, NityaSeva for
deities people donate liberally
c. Life Member ship scheme
d. Harinamsankirtans-- in cities through RathaYatras, Major festivals
like Janmastami, gaurpoornima devotees are trying to distribute the
greatest charity of Holy Name. Srila Prabhupada writes in the NOI
 text that “Contributing or distributing the holy name of the Lord
is a sublime example of contributing or giving charity (the dadäti
principle). By the same token, one must also follow the
pratigåhëäti principle and be willing and ready to receive the
transcendental gift.” Prabhupada urges people by requesting them
to reciprocate by accepting seriously the Holy name

2. guhyamäkhyätipåcchati
a. SrimadBhagavatam Classes, Bhagavad Gita classes—Srila
Prabhupada writes in Text 4 that “An experienced devotee explains,
and an inexperienced devotee learns from him.”
b. Presentations and seminars at various educational institutes and
companies—Srila prabhupada mentions that “One should inquire
about the Kåñëa consciousness movement and open his mind in
order to understand the situation of this material world.” By
these seminars we are facilitating people to open up their minds and
ask questions
c. Counseling various levels of devotees – after one starts practicing
Bhakti this becomes a very vital thing that he reveals his mind
confidentially and inquire I confidence from one who is experienced
d. Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI)—catering to needs of intellectual class
of people like scientists, scholars. Explaining Krishna Consciousness
through science
e. Preaching through social media like Facebook,whattsap,e-mail and
TV program etc.
f. Yatras to Holy Dhams—where the pure devotees reveal in
confidence about the various divine pastimes of the supreme lord and
the submissive hearer hears in confidence
3. bhuìktebhojayatecaiva
a. Food for life- Srila prabhupada mentioned that 10 mile radius around
the ISKCON centers people should not go hungry
b. Relief programs conducted at various places where natural disasters
happened—Prasad is being distributed to the victims who reciprocate
by participating in harinamsankirtans
c. Sunday Feast programs where we invite people to come and dine –
Srila Prabhupada Mentions in the Text 4 that “Many interested
people come to honor prasädam, and whenever possible they
invite members of the Society to their homes and feed them
sumptuously with prasädam.” Similarly devotees reciprocate by
 calling pure devotees to their homes and please them in all ways by
which they are going to get benefited.
d. Mid day meal programs at schools
e. Govinda’s restaurants- giving people opportunity to take Krishna
Prasad by which they get purified in consciousness
Apart from facilitating these six kinds of loving exchanges among devotees, we
are educating devotees in not reciprocate the same way with mayavadis and
atheists. In this regard Srila Prabhupad writes “…… should not disclose our
minds to the serpent Mäyävädés and karmés. …..Refrain from giving anything to
or accepting anything from the Mäyävädés and atheists..”