u/pokemon053

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I grew up going to the BAPS temples, and my parents would always speak extremely highly of the Swami’s because they would give up their whole life to be a part of the temple. (They can not look at women, talk to women, have a home, money, and mot possessions pretty much. They live in the temple).

Why is this such a honorable thing? Whenever I criticize the temples and the Swami, specifically Pramukh Swami, my parents will get upset and retort to the “he gave up all his possessions to be with the temple” line.

Are these swamis basically cult leaders, seeing as to how much respect and power they have?