View source for Purpose and History of Vedic Monasteries

A monastery, or ''maṭha'', plays a vital role in the preservation and dissemination of Vedic culture. Throughout history, great spiritual teachers have established these centers to train disciples and protect religious principles. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the construction of such institutions is a valid activity for a preacher, it carries significant responsibilities. A bona fide monastery is not a hotel for lazy men but a training ground for serious spiritualists dedicated to the service of the Absolute Truth.

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=== Historical Context ===

The tradition of establishing monasteries was solidified by powerful ''ācāryas''. Śrīpāda Śaṅkarācārya, for instance, established four principal monasteries in the four cardinal directions of India to standardize his preaching mission. Similarly, Madhvācārya established the Udupi monastery, which remains a central seat of the Tattvavādī sect.

* [[Vaniquotes:Sripada Sankaracarya established four monasteries in India, in the four directions (north, south, east and west), and he entrusted them to four sannyasis who were his disciples|Sripada Sankaracarya established four monasteries in India, in the four directions (north, south, east and west), and he entrusted them to four sannyasis who were his disciples.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sankaracarya had four principal disciples, & he established four centers under their management. In North India at Badarikasrama, the monastery named Jyotir-matha was established. At Purusottama, the Bhogavardhana or Govardhana monastery was established|Sankaracarya had four principal disciples, and he established four centers under their management. In North India at Badarikasrama, the monastery named Jyotir-matha was established. At Purusottama, the Bhogavardhana or Govardhana monastery was established.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The acaryas of the Madhva-sampradaya established Udupi as the chief center, and the monastery there was known as Uttararadhi-matha|The acaryas of the Madhva-sampradaya established Udupi as the chief center, and the monastery there was known as Uttararadhi-matha.]]

=== Standards of Residency ===

The spiritual potency of a monastery depends on the quality of its residents. Śrīla Prabhupāda is emphatic that these institutions are not meant for those who are unwilling to work or follow principles. They must be reserved exclusively for those who are sincere about making spiritual advancement.

* [[Vaniquotes:In the temples and monasteries, gatherings of unnecessary, rejected, lazy fellows should be strictly disallowed. The temples and monasteries should be used exclusively by devotees who are serious about spiritual advancement in Krsna consciousness|In the temples and monasteries, gatherings of unnecessary, rejected, lazy fellows should be strictly disallowed. The temples and monasteries should be used exclusively by devotees who are serious about spiritual advancement in Krsna consciousness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Temples and monasteries should be strictly off limits to worthless clubs of crazy men|Temples and monasteries should be strictly off limits to worthless clubs of crazy men.]]

=== Construction vs. Preaching ===

For a ''sannyāsī'', the primary business is preaching, not being a construction contractor. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura warned against the tendency to build secluded temples for living a passive life. However, if funds and facilities are available to build a shelter that supports the preaching mission, it may be accepted as service.

* [[Vaniquotes: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 vehemently opposed the idea of constructing a temple in some quiet spot and leading a passive and uneventful life in the monastery.]]
* [[Vaniquotes: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 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.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries|One should not be very enthusiastic about constructing costly temples or monasteries.]]

=== Danger of Philanthropy ===

Sometimes, spiritual orders deviate from their purpose by focusing on mundane welfare work. Building hospitals or schools without a Kṛṣṇa conscious foundation is described as a source of trouble for a renunciant.

* [[Vaniquotes:Visvanatha said, "Sannyasis become attracted by philanthropic work, such as opening educational institutions, hospitals or monasteries, churches or temples of demigods, they find only trouble from such engagements, not only in this life but in the next"|Visvanatha said, "Sannyasis become attracted by philanthropic work, such as opening educational institutions, hospitals or monasteries, churches or temples of demigods, they find only trouble from such engagements, not only in this life but in the next."]]

=== Conclusion ===

A Vedic monastery is a fortress of the Absolute Truth. Whether it is the ancient Śṛṅgeri-maṭha or a modern center of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the purpose remains the same: to provide a sanctuary where the science of God can be cultivated and distributed. It is the purity of the activities, not the grandeur of the building, that defines a true monastery.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Monastery|Monastery]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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