Scheuerman: And we too. We have always responded to those who have a need for food or clothing or shelter. This comes to us every day, too.
Kern: But that is . . . that, to make a person ask is not the right kind of society. Shouldn't, if a person be the first-class citizen and therefore independent, and therefore seek his own so that he could serve God by his own intelligence and his independence . . . there's no virtue to be giving; it's more of a virtue to receive.
Jayādvaita: He's suggesting that because we are requiring that a person come to us for food, that somehow this is interfering with his independence.
Prabhupāda: Where is that independence? With his family he can come and take food. What is wrong there? We say that we should not . . . we are not simply supplying food. Anyone who is coming, he is getting spiritual education. Not that it is a free hotel. No. It is not that. We give them spiritual education. You come here, you take your shelter, you take your food and learn how to be first-class man. That is our program. Don't be implicated in sinful activities. Be God conscious and live here with us comfortably, take your food. We have got this nice palace.
Kern: Doctor, do you recruit people to come?
Prabhupāda: Yes, we are inviting everyone come. We have no such distinction.
Kern: I mean, I have four young alcoholics I'd like to send over. (indistinct background comments and laughter)
Prabhupāda: No, these boys and girls I have not imported from India, recruited. They are recruited here. I came alone. They are all recruited. I have got so many centers all over the world. They are simply recruited.
Scheuerman: Your asceticism, your way of life, your training program, having its Eastern origins, has a great appeal, I think, for many young people.
Prabhupāda: It is not Eastern, Western. It is the life. Just like to become peaceful, is it Eastern or Western? Peaceful is peaceful. Why do you bring Eastern?
Scheuerman: No, but the way in which . . . the method in which . . . is it Eastern? This is not to say it is bad; it is good too. There are many traditions . . .
Prabhupāda: No, I mean to say, it we look for "Eastern," "Western," then it become sectarian. But it is for all. If you teach a person to become peaceful, it is not the question of Eastern and Western. It is meant for everyone.