 | During summer in Montreal, Janardana who seemed to have access to a vehicle would take Srila Prabhupada, Gaurasundara and I on little excursions to places of interest. Usually, it was just Janardana, Gaurasundara, Srila Prabhupada and myself and we would get into the car and go to the places that Janardana knew about in and around Montreal vicinity. One day, he took us to a huge cathedral, a beautiful cathedral with towering domes and elaborate sculptures and paintings. As I walked with Srila Prabhupada through the huge church the quiet mood of reverence predominated. Stained glass windows, Stations of the Cross, holy icons and elaborate paintings surrounded us. It was a beautiful creation by man dedicated to the worship of the Supreme God. Because I had traveled all over Europe as a teenager and spent much time marveling the artistic work of the masters in the cathedrals of Europe I felt very happy to be there with Srila Prabhupada and eager to hear his opinion of one of my favorite places. Srila Prabhupada paused and looked up at the dome ceiling that towered above us, and turned to me and said: "Yes, this is the worship of Narayana with awe and reference. This is the mood of reverential worship". He said it flatly with approval and appreciated the pious efforts that went into this monument to God. Then we walked along the sides of the church by the Stations of the Cross, elaborate paintings that showed Christ carrying the cross and ultimately the crucifixion. Because I had not been raised Catholic, rather I was raised a Baptist, I did not really understand the philosophical or religious meanings of these stations nor did I really understand the various traditions or religious trappings of the Catholic Church yet I appreciated the exquisite artwork and the devotion that went into it. During my own early years of searching for God the old masters of Europe had been my heroes and spending time in the European cathedrals had convinced me of God's existence. The devotion and their work came through to my heart, so I felt very happy to be walking around a cathedral with Srila Prabhupada and hearing his point of view on all this phenomena which was important to me. As we continued we came to the part of the church where a huge wall was painted with the scene of the crucifixion. Srila Prabhupada stopped short and said, shaking his head: "This emphasis on the killing of Christ is not good. It simply stirs the hatred of the Jews and keeps alive this conflict between the Christians and the Jews. They should more emphasize the teachings of Jesus Christ. The teachings are the important thing". Thank you, Srila Prabhupada for giving me that precious experience to walk with you in the cathedral. You gave new understanding and meaning to my long time attraction for churches and cathedrals and moreover you so quickly penetrated all the religious rituals and traditions to the heart of the truth. The teachings of Christ are the important thing, you said. These religious traditions that develop around various great personalities are often flawed with the inebriates of man, his likes and dislikes, his preferences or cultural style. Thus so many branches with different trappings develop and they often war with one another but the real essence is the actual teachings. May we always remember that the real essence is your teachings so clearly expressed in your books and lectures and darsanas, and may we not forget that the contemporary socio-religious or political morals are ever-changing but that we must cling to the essence of your teachings: chant Hare Krsna and be happy. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada for giving us the truth.
Thank you, Srila Prabhupada.
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