"Don't Make a Stool Society" - Obstacles within the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement
A spiritual movement is only as strong as the purity of its followers. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently warned that the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness (ISKCON) faced its most significant threats from within. He cautioned against the formation of a "cheater and cheated society"—or, in his stark terminology, a "stool society"—where the external dress of a devotee masks internal material desires. This article examines the internal obstacles of impurity, speculation, and lethargy, and Śrīla Prabhupāda’s urgent plea to maintain the movement's integrity through strict adherence to the paramparā.
The "Stool Society" vs. The "Honey Society"
Śrīla Prabhupāda used a visceral metaphor to distinguish between a genuine spiritual society and a hypocritical one. He urged his disciples to create a "honey society"—one that offers the pure sweetness of Kṛṣṇa consciousness—rather than a "stool society" that attracts people with false promises or harbors hidden corruption. If the members are not pure, the movement becomes a farce, a "mutual praising society" without spiritual substance.
- Don't make it a stool society. You see? Make it a honey society. At least, give chance, those who are seeking after honey. Don't cheat people. So they'll come.
- You make your society so strong that you be not cheated, and others may not cheat. Then it will be first-class. And if you make another society of cheaters and cheated, there is no profit.
- It is not to make a farce, some lecturing and..., or some mutual praising society. No. It is Krishna Society.
Poison of Impurity
The primary internal enemy is the retention of material habits, particularly illicit sex. Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed deep personal pain regarding this issue, stating it caused him "heartache." He referred to disciples who could not control their senses as "monkey disciples"—those who fall down and try to form societies based on sex life. He warned that if such "poisonous effects" are allowed to spread, the movement loses its spiritual potency.
- I am depending on you leaders for the future of our Society, yet there is all this interest in illicit sex life. This is causing me heartache worrying how things will go on. What can I do?
- In the Krsna consciousness movement these monkey disciples, being unable to follow the strict regulative principles, sometimes fall down and try to form societies based on sex.
- Regarding the poisonous effect in our Society, it is a fact and I know where from this poison tree has sprung up and how it affected practically the whole Society in a very dangerous form.
Manufacturing Whims and Stopping Preaching
Another major obstacle is the tendency to "manufacture whims"—to change the standard procedures given by the spiritual master without consultation. This speculation inevitably dilutes the movement. Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda warned against the desire to stop active preaching to sit in a solitary place. He predicted that if preaching stopped, the temples would eventually close, just as churches in the West were closing due to a lack of philosophy and engagement.
- If you manufacture whims and disagree and fight amongst yourself, then it will be another edition of these so-called movements. It will lose the spiritual strength. Always remember it.
- Churches are being closed. Similarly, if you do not keep yourself fit to preach, then your temples will be all closed in due course of time. Without preaching, you'll not feel enthused to continue the temple worship.
Loyalty and Tolerance
Despite these defects and the "casualties" caused by māyā, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his disciples never to leave the society. He acknowledged that there might be disagreements with the management (GBC) or the presence of "pseudo devotees," but the solution is to stick to the society and rectify it from within. Tolerance and determination are required to weather the storms of internal strife.
- Even if one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Krsna Consciousness Society, still one should stick to the Society.
- We cannot stop this movement. It is actually a fight against Maya. So Maya may also sometimes cause casualties in our camp. So, we must only thank Krsna and seriously dedicate everything for Him.
Conclusion
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a declaration of war against illusion, and in any war, there are challenges. The internal obstacles—impurity, hypocrisy, and speculation—are tests of the devotee's sincerity. By remaining "tolerant as the tree," strictly following the orders of the spiritual master, and maintaining the purity of the "honey society," the movement is guaranteed success.
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 Krsna Consciousness Movement - obstacles from within. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.