Articles by Gaura Gopāla Dāsa
Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Understanding the Guru’s Legacy
What truly constitutes the guru's legacy? Gaura Gopāla Dāsa explores this question and delves into the significance of the guru's teachings beyond the bricks and mortar that make up his āśramas and temples.
A Question on Love
A devotee expresses a doubt concerning the English word ‘love’ used in a translation of an article by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. In his reply, Gaura Gopāla Dāsa Brahmacārī defends its usage and clarifies the Ṭhākura’s explanation of love.
The Blame Game
In this article 'The Blame Game' Gaura Gopāla Dāsa explains how suffering can lead to a search for external culprits, but the path of bhakti-yoga emphasizes personal responsibility and humility. We must understand the responsibility we have for our own suffering and how blaming others can distance us from Divinity.
There is Only One Society!
In 'There is only one society!' Gaura Gopāla Dāsa discusses different kinds of society consciousness and how institutions or groups are a means to an end that ultimately have no bearing on the eternal nature of the soul.
Śrīla Prabhupāda – A Second Generation Devotee’s Perspective
In 'Śrīla Prabhupāda – A Second Generation Devotee's Perspective', Gaura Gopāla Dāsa Brahmacārī shares his realisations about Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda as a second generation devotee in the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness movement. He discusses how, due to institutionalization, the perception of His Divine Grace can become two-dimensional, especially when there is no substantial connection through a living representative of Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Is a Guru Necessary?
Is a guru necessary? In this article Gaura Gopāla Dāsa answers this question by discussing the qualities of a genuine spiritual guide, but also points out that a genuine disciple is also necessary in order for the relationship to bear fruit.
The Change Disease
'The Change Disease' by Gaura Gopāla Dāsa highlights the magnitude of the changes that have been made to the books of Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda and what kind of problems are caused by this diseased mentality of thinking one knows better than their guru.
Vaiṣṇavism and Religious Equality
In 'Vaiṣṇavism and Religious Equality' Gaura Gopala Dasa looks at the history of religion and explores the notion that everyone "worships the same God" and points out how the Abrahamic 'God' cannot be the same as the God that is worshipped by Vaiṣṇavas.
The Definition of Faith
‘The Definition of Faith’ written by Gaura Gopāla Dāsa gives a clear description of faith, or śraddhā, as delineated by the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava śastra. Is faith an abstract construct of the mind or is it the halo of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī?
The Self-Defeating Philosophy of Māyāvāda
In 'The Self-Defeating Philosophy of Māyāvāda' Gaura Gopāla Dāsa gives a synopsis of the doctrine of Advaitavāda (also known as Māyāvāda) from the time of its conception and shows some of its philosophical flaws.