I’m a Monk, Give Something to Help Print Books
by Vijaya Dasa
Recently I was speaking to Anakadundubhi Dasa, 2004's number two book distributor. He revealed to me a new style of book distribution. This is what he does:
First, he shows a book to someone, tells them something about it, and asks for a donation. But he doesn't suggest a price; he lets them give what they want.
He tells them, "I'm a monk. We don't sell these books, but if you would like to give a donation for the printing I will accept it. And if you don't want to give something please keep the book anyway."
With this style of distribution, he said, he was able to distribute more than he ever had before.
He then told me of an event that took place while he was distributing like this. He was going door to door with a bhakta, and he found that people weren't giving much for the books. Still, he was allowing them to keep the books.
At one point he had distributed five maha-big books and collected only four dollars. The bhakta looked at him, questionly: "How can you let all these expensive books go out so cheaply?"
Anakadundubhi Dasa replied, "Krishna will make up for it maybe today, tomorrow, or the next day, but He takes care of it."
The next house they approached was strange and enclosed by an even stranger fence. When the woman who lived there came to the door, Aanakadundubhi said hello and presented her with an introductory book. She said, "Oh! This is nice. I have to give you a donation for this." Seeing how enthusiastic she was, Anakadundubhi then gave her two bigger books, which she became even more excited about. She said, "You are so nice. I have to give you something for these." She left them at the door, and then returned with two hundred dollars for the books.
The devotees thanked her very much and she thanked them as well.
Needless to say, the bhakta was shocked. As they were leaving the house Anakadundubhi said, "I told you so."
