1.)Question:  Regarding Chanting On Beads...

Is there a certain significance counting the Maha mantra on Japa beads? 
I know you have previously said that if we want to master the science of chanting then we must follow in the footsteps of the mahajanas, the great enlightened personalities of the past. 
But I do not understand the difference between chanting 16 rounds on Japa beads or using some other method to keep count. 
Does not counting on Japa beads degrade the chanting of the Maha mantra? 
Please advise,

An aspiring Sri Krishna Devotee

Answer:   We Must Follow the Mahajanas to Be Successful...

We should not try to invent our own method of bhakti according to our own fertile imaginations. Such invented bhakti systems will not liberate us from this material existence. We must instead follow the pathway chalked out by the great liberated souls of this past. This and only this will bring about our deliverance. Since the great acharyas have personally chanted on japa beads and have also ordered us to chant on japa beads, this is what we must do. By obediently following their instructions we will achieve all success and happiness. However, if we proudly think, "Why I should listen to them and obey them? I will invent my own method." we will not be able to solidly establish ourselves on the pathway back to home, back to Godhead.

The great acharyas prescribe that we should chant the holy names while counting on japa beads. Therefore there is no question that chanting while counting on japa beads degrades the chanting. Rather is quite to the contrary. Chanting on japa beads enhances the absorption of the mind on the transcendental plane. By engaging our various senses in the chanting the holy names the mind becomes captured in the transcendental ocean of the nectar of the names. We engage the tongue in the pronouncing the names. We engage the ear in hearing the names. And we engage the sense of touch in counting our chanting on the japa beads. In this way the mind, the pivot point of the gross senses, becomes automatically absorbed in the names.

The mind can be our best friend or our worst enemy. If we fully absorb the mind in the names, it becomes our best friend. If the mind is not absorbed in the names, it is our worst enemy. Therefore we should intelligently agree to accept whatever means have been given to us by the grace of Sri Krishna and fully absorb our minds in His unlimitedly sweet transcendental names:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare 
Hare   Rama,  Hare   Rama,   Rama   Rama, Hare Hare 
 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

2.)Question:  Remebering Krishna 24/7...

How will I always remember Krishna 24/7? Does it happen by the mercy of Spiritual Master or by the mercy of the Lord?

Raghu

Answer:  By Combined Mercy...

By the combined mercy of Sri Guru and Sri Krishna we are blessed with the opportunity to remember Krishna constantly. The way to capitalize on their blessing is to strictly follow their instructions. If we do this, we will remain always in Krishna consciousness in all times, places, and circumstances.

H. G. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

3.)Question:  Three Questions from China...

(1) How is the relationship between a disciple and his guru? For example, did you always keep in touch with your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada? Did you stay together all the time, or just meet each other once a year? How often did you visit him?

(2) As a neophyte is not strong enough to control his mind and senses, there is a chance to fall down accidentally. There are many objects of the senses in the world, even if a devotee thinks of one of them a little, he will be forced by his heart to commit sin. How to avoid this accidental falling down?

(3) In China, some schools or enterprises often distribute food to students or employees on festivals. And these food often contains meet or eggs. What will you do if it's you who is facing this? If you refuse that meat food gift, people will hate you for loss of face. If you failed to refuse, and accept it. How will you deal with the food? Throw it about, or feed dogs on it? Or put it to other use? (that food is very costly) 

Zhang Lei

Answer:  Three Answers According to Vedic Wisdom..

The guru/disciple relationship is based on instructions. The guru gives instructions and the disciple follows these instructions. This is how the disciple always stays in touch with his spiritual master. He always follows his instructions without deviation in all times, places, and circumstances.

I had the physical association of my spiritual master on only a few occasions and I received several personal letters from him. But the substance of my relationship with him is my complete dedication to following his instructions. In this way I am always getting his association even though he departed from this material world in 1977.

Fall down can come at any time. Therefore we must always meditate upon and worship the instructions we have received from our spiritual master to chant at least 16 rounds daily of the Hare Krishna mantra and strictly abide by the regulative principles of freedom.

You may tell the person who wants to give you the meat gift that you very much appreciate his wanting to give you a gift, but that as you are not in need of it he may give the meat to someone else.

H. G. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

4.)Question:  Why Give Up Marijuana?...

I would like to ask for  your help.
I have a friend. He is very nice and soft hearted but there is one problem. He cannot give up smoking marijuana. He does not want to because no devotee can give him the reason to stop. I would say that it is not good because this habit will disqualify him from getting initiated, but as he is not interested in getting initiated this argument is irrelevant for him. Can you tell me what you would say to him?

Bhaktin Eva

Answer:  To Awaken the Divine Intoxication Within...

Smoking marijuana is an artificial way of getting temporarily high. Such methods of temporarily getting high inhibit our natural ability to get high and stay high forever. In other words by becoming dependent on such material means of getting high we are never able to develop the ability to get high naturally by reviving the dormant Krishna consciousness within. Therefore marijuana smoking is an enemy to the process of spiritual awakening and should be completely given up. We do not need such artificially induced states of intoxication. By fully absorbing ourselves in Krishna consciousness we enter into an eternal state of divine intoxication.

H. G. Sankarshan Das Adhikari