By Brajendranandana dasa.
This article is an appeal to the leaders of ISKCON to be alert to a very serious danger that is attacking the very heart and soul of the institution. I remember with so much affection so many of you that I had the chance to serve with for many years. You were serving Prabhupada’s mission with your heart and soul and were also dealing with devotees in a very caring manner. I trust that your mood and intentions are still the same, unless the bewilderment of adoration and prastishta has taken its toll. We all know how challenging it is to remain unaffected when so many young devotees are touching our feet and praising us. It’s especially dangerous when we’re not in the association of superior Vaisnavas who can cut our pride and keep us on track.
Personally, I would still be connected with ISKCON, but in 1996 I was told by the temple president of New York, when I was visiting there with my wife and children, that if I attended the classes given by Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, who was in New York at that time, my family and I would have to leave the temple. I had already had the good fortune of hearing from Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja when he visited our small village in Badger California a month or so before. Thus, I had my own personal experience of how much he inspires in the heart a deeper and clearer understanding of the true mission of our Srila Prabhupada. Only a pure devotee can truly understand the heart of another pure devotee. Since I was forced to choose between the “substance” and the “form,” – that is, between the current of pure bhakti so mercifully brought to us by Srila Prabhupada, and the buildings and bricks – I regretfully left the temple with my family. Since then, I’ve been verbally and physically attacked on several occasions by irate devotees asking me, “Why did you leave Srila Prabhupada?”
~ Destroyed From Within ~
Prabhupada had told us on numerous occasions that ISKCON can only be destroyed from within. The Catholic Church is now self-destructing due to having neglected to deal directly with the insidious disease that was rampant among its priests and leaders. ISKCON has dealt with “gurus” who have misused there position and had sexual falldowns. But the most grievous sin is that of offending a pure Vaisnava. I regret to say that ISKCON has a very poor track record in dealing with such a serious issue. During the early years after Prabhupada had departed from our vision, Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhar Gosvami Maharaja was trying to help us, as sanctioned by Prabhupada. At that time, some of the ISKCON leaders committed shameful offenses at his feet. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had given the name “Bhakti Raksaka” (guardian of devotion) to Srila Sridhara Gosvami Maharaja in light of his purity, exalted Vaisnava qualities, and his ability to present and defend the pure teachings coming in our disciplic line from Srila Rupa Goswami.
Three of the most outspoken offenders toward Maharaja fell down to different varieties of inappropriate sexual behaviour. Two of those “gurus” had to spend time in jail. Thousands of disciples were left with their faith shattered and their hearts broken. Some time later, ISKCON issued a letter of apology for its offences to Srila Sridhar Gosvami Maharaja. But he had already departed from our presence and entered into nitya-lila. Also, so many efforts were made by some parties to disrupt the preaching of another pure Vaisnava, Srila Gaura Govinda Maharaja. Many offences were also committed at his lotus feet. And now history seems to be repeating itself.
Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja was personally asked by our Prabhupada, during his final days with us, to help his disciples. Numerous leaders (gurus and GBC members) from ISKCON sat at his feet for several years, making submissive inquiry as siksa disciples. Maharaja very mercifully and liberally gave his time and energy to help them. And why shouldn’t they approach him?
In Adi-lila, chapter one, of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, in his purport to Text 35, after having explained that siksa- and diksa-guru are equally worshipful manifestations of the lord, Prabhupada states:
“If one thinks he is above consulting anyone else, including a spiritual master, he is at once an offender at the lotus feet of the Lord… Sri Jiva Goswami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for real advancement in spiritual understanding.”
We’ve had our “zonal” gurus, our ecclesiastically nominated and elected gurus, but we won’t let pure devotee gurus enter our temples.
~ “Give Him Up or Lose Your Standing” ~
After some time, some elements of ISKCON were able to put through an ultimatum to the so-called “deviated” ISKCON leaders who were taking siksa from Maharaja: “Give up Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja or lose your standing in the institution.” The reasons they gave were so absurd and so offensive that to repeat them just gives them some undeserved energy. These “deviant” leaders made serious efforts to defend Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. They attested to how he had helped them so much in their understanding of Prabhupada’s mission, and that the accusations of the GBC were unfounded. One devotee amongst them overtly expressed his “love” for Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.
Eventually those devotees succumbed to institutional pressure. Later on, some of them even became strongly opposed to anyone else hearing from their former siksa-guru, who they once said had helped them so much. Now some crooked persons are saying that Srila Prabhupada never even asked Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja to help his disciples. And some are dangerously projecting their own base conditioned qualities and motivations onto the character of a pure Vaisnava, whose only intention is to help us.
He doesn’t need followers or disciples. He has Krsna. And our Prabhupada has an affectionate spiritual relationship with him on a level beyond our adhikara to comprehend. Yet conditioned souls, in the name of Prabhupada, hold meetings to determine if he can visit ISKCON temples.
A slick California politician, in the guise of a devotee, repeatedly, through written and spoken word, blasphemes such a pure Vaisnava, and in the name of ISKCON tries to draw others into his twisted vision. Are you okay with this? Such a fool is he that even in the presence of Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, as an ISKCON representative, he can’t conceal his arrogance and offensive mentality. Is this who you want to represent you?
Another devotee, who sat at the feet of Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja for years and even expressed his “love” for him, later on actively opposed Maharaja’s preaching. This same devotee, although glorified by many for the service he did for Prabhupada, also offended an endless list of devotees, junior and senior, by his harsh, heavy-handed, and calculative dealings. I was there. I saw it. Didn’t you?
Later, he tragically and violently died in a car accident. His body, in a state of rigor mortis, was placed in a grave on Prabhupada’s sacred tirtha, and it is considered a “samadhi”.
One of the most outspoken offenders at the feet of Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja suffered a violent stroke, which has seriously impeded his capacity to speak or even to move. Is this a coincidence? Don’t you see the connection? Will one of you please cry out, “The emperor has no clothes!”
Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja is not a threat to ISKCON. On the contrary, he would only infuse the hearts of all its members with the current of pure bhakti that our Prabhupada so fervently wants for us. Any conditioned soul off the street can enter your temples, but he cannot. Again, he doesn’t want or need your disciples, but as a pure Vaisnava who weeps for the plight of fallen souls like us, he will give shelter to those who are dispossessed of their home in ISKCON or who have lost faith in leaders who are implicated, at least by inaction, in offending pure Vaisnavas.
~ The Hour is Late ~
The hour is already late. Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja will not be travelling anymore, so your temples are “safe.” But, “better late than never.” Maharaja is still present amongst us. You can still fall at his feet and beg forgiveness for any offences committed, even by omission. If not as a collective body, at least individually, for your own spiritual well-being, genuinely approach him. He is extremely merciful and forgiving. One guru in ISKCON acknowledged that offences have been committed to Maharaja but said, “I am just one man.” But everything starts with “one man.”
Some of you are reading Maharaja’s books and even drawing from them in your classes. Some of your former disciples have mentioned this. One of your leaders, who sat at Maharaja’s feet, wrote a book, Venu Gita, which is way beyond his realization and based largely on what he had heard from Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. But he gives no acknowledgement to Maharaja in the book. His book is then sold in ISKCON centres worldwide, while Maharaja is falsely accused of speaking differently from Prabhupada. Speak out against these offenses. You may have your position in ISKCON become a little less comfortable, but you will become closer to Prabhupada’s heart by asserting your integrity as his disciple and by making a stand for the purity of his ISKCON.
Please remember, “The enemy is within.” If you don’t individually and collectively speak out against these aparadhas, then you will all become implicated and the disease will spread like a cancer, and in time ISKCON will sadly become another deviant branch of the Caitanya tree. I’m not anticipating that someone on my low level of development in bhakti is powerful enough to change hearts. Mainly I write for my own purification and my inner necessity to take a stand against offences to my guardians and holy masters, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, as well as the whole Gaudiya Vaisnava line which they so wonderfully represent.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada once said, “The nature of a religious institution is that after the departure of its preceptor, the institution that he began tends to become an end in itself.” Is this what we want for ISKCON? In Srimad Bhagavatam, 4th Canto, Chapter 28, Prabhupada forewarns us:
“…Unfortunately, when the acarya disappears, rogues and non-devotees take advantage and immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles in the name of so-called svamis… and so on. The main business of human society is to think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead at all times, to become His devotees, to worship the Supreme Lord and to bow down before him. The acarya establishes these principles, but when he disappears, things once again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the acarya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master.”
Factually, no one has done more to clarify, rescue, preserve, and spread the true mission of our Srila Prabhupada than Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.
~ “But You Know Better” ~
In the 1970’s, the GBC in the Brooklyn temple on Henry Street somehow became bewildered by a woman with demoniac tendencies and placed her in charge of the women’s asrama. By her influence, abominable things were offered to the Deities. Also serious emotional abuses were committed to the ladies in the asrama. Everything later came out and both the GBC and his lady were removed from the scene. During Prabhupada’s subsequent visit to New York, he was discussing the matter with one of his senior New York disciples. Indicating the general devotees in the temple, he said, “They are innocent, but you know better. You should have done something.”
On behalf of Srila Prabhupada, on behalf of his followers who endeavoured heart and soul to serve him for many years in ISKCON, and on behalf of your own followers who have invested their lives and faith in you, please address the real threat that is growing perniciously within the body of ISKCON. And as true leaders, who desire to follow Srila Prabhupada, please accept his advice and take help from Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja. Don’t let ISKCON be destroyed by the enemies within.
I end here, praying at the lotus feet of my divine masters to protect me from my own deep-rooted tendencies toward arrogance and pride. Please keep me safely sheltered as one of the tiny particles of dust at your lotus feet.
Your fallen, Brajendranandana dasa
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Good thing with Narayana Maharaja is you never had to look at his ‘track’ marks on his arms, or check his criminal record first. Unlike that ‘other’ place. Thats why I always like to hear, he is the very rolls royce of gurudevs. Impeccable, spiritual, fully qualified and has a record as squeaky clean as a beach on Wilsons’ Promontary. Guess that is karma working through different lives.
One result of all these offenses not beeing stopped by the GBC, are countless websites having very offensive titles, which are openly seen in the search results just by searching for “Narayana Maharaja”
There is literally one after another and its soooooooooooooo anoying and upsetting. What can be done about this? Its seems that any bhakta joe who heared some nonsense, what to speak about the ritviks had to add his opinion with yet another big stupid article presenting a distorted truth about our beloved Gurudeva.
Apart from not realising their faulty opinions and incredible offense, they also represent an aweful image of the international Hare Krishna movement to the public, which is so very detrimental and such a stumbling block for those lost souls out there looking for God.
Hare Krsna, Brajendranandana, ( now swami),
After months of your article being posted, I was just now made aware of it, by browsing the different sites here.
You did a thorough job, according to the best of your ability, to bring to light, the history of past events, helping all who read this article, to get a glimpse of the challenges, obstacles, deviations, traps, and twists of fate that can occur while traversing the spiritual path.
The path of Bhakti is like a razor’s edge. It starts off broad in the beginning, but begins to narrow down to that cutting edge. Like boiling the milk. As Christ said: ” Many are called but few are chosen”.
I hope one day , we may see, in our lifetime, a ‘HEALING’, between Iskcon and Gurudeva’s sangha. Being a Prabhupada disciple, and siksha disciple of Srila Narayana Maharaja, this is my dearest wish. Then the Diamond of Srila Gurudeva’s heart, can finally be set in the golden ring of Srila Prabhupada’s house, …”the house in which the whole world can live.”
I am reminded of our exhaulted “Bhagiratha”, from the SrimadBhagavatam, who finally accomplished bringing the Ganga down to earth, to free his ancestors. Those before him, in his family lineage were unsuccessful, but because of his ceaseless efforts, pure motive, and steadfast determination, he was blessed by the Lord, to possess the ability to bring the Ganges River to the earth planet.
I feel your letter is also an attempt, to bridge the gap between the remains of the pure heart of Iskcon, with the pure heart of Srila Gurudeva.
Only unconditional love can perform this miracle.
servant of the servant
pracetana dasi
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Jaya Maharaja, I am a coward, (not a cowherd, neiter a cowboy), but you’re so brave. I’ve always loved you. Jaya Prabhupadas
couldnt bring myself to read the whole thing because its much to emotive.
all i can say is that the upadeshamrita warns us not to preach to the faithless, if you try to force somebody who is not interested to believe in gurudeva then you yourself are making offence to gurudeva as you are opening him up to their insult.
why play the flute to a buffalo?
if they dont like gurudeva let them be, it is their problem not ours and it is better to put our energy into people who are sincere and openminded. if you chase after isckon you will only make yourself angry as you are breaking the rules of the upadeshamrita
dandavats
Brajendranandana Maharaja ki jaya
Dandavats Subal Sakha Prabhu—I agree with your point that as a general rule there is so much service to do positively,that to get caught up in exchanging internet diatribes is a waste of our valuable time.But after hearing the recent offenses against our Gurudeva and in the hope that some souls connected to Iskcon needed to hear a different perspective,I felt compelled to write.I consulted a number of senior Vaisnavas before submitting the article and in almost every case they enthusiastically encouraged me to submit it.I do appreciate your points and I definitely don’t wish to get caught in chasing after Iskcon.But it reached a point where I felt inspired and impelled to express my views on the matter and I pray that my effort to touch even a few sincere hearts and change their thinking, is pleasing and not offensive to our Lord and His guardians on the path of devotion.—Respectfully,BVNiskincana
dandavat-pranams
Fabulous letter Maharaj – anyone with some clarity and sincerity of heart will appreciate our points … to those who question the value or appropriateness of trying to preach to ISKCON, I must say this:
ISKCON is not a single person, with a single mind-set … many of us were in ISKCON, and we did not all get the same realization at the same time, or all have the extraordinary fortune to come to Srila Gurudev’s feet at the same time. Some were entering his sublime presence at the same time while others were still unaware of who he is and what he is offering, and were laboring under the mix of ignorance and offenses that their ‘authorized’ resources and spiritual ‘authorities’ were providing them.
So I also believe that there are still many devotees in ISKCON, both old and new, who have not yet come to the time and point when the light suddenly comes in, or on … So we can certainly continue to offer such excellent presentations as you, Niskincana Maharaj, have offered here, that are both wonderfully reasoned and also powerfully felt, as both an act of kindness towards the innocent and misguided, as well as an appropriate response to a continued atmosphere of offensiveness that should indeed be challenged continuously. And regardless of that, I personally felt very satisfied to read your words Maharaj, thank you, well done, Jaya!
Srila Gurudev ki jay
All love to Krishna. I am not a pure devotee. I am a lover of God in many forms including Krishna.
I have been at the feet of your beloved Gurudev and he is wonderful. his darshan was touching. I have also been at the feet of many ISKON gurus and they are also wonderful and touching.
Both parties are to blame here. Stop blaming each other and pointing fingers. ISKON and IPBYS need to get it together and join forces in love of Srila Prabupad and Krishna. Your infighting is embarrassing and needs to stop. it’s very simple. just get in a room and talk it out.
There is nothing wrong in exposing the truth. Srila Narayana Maharaja is a bonafide acarya, friend of Srila Prabhupada, he is part of the Parampara, like Srila Prabhupada who, out of love for all those he had given a chance to become a devotee through initiation, asked him to go on training them, teaching them, make them understand the tattvas and sidhantas. Some did not hesitate to embark on the on the love boat, some others stayed ashore, those on boat will always be waving at them, just like Gurudeva giving his blessings. Worship of Krsna alone is nirvisesa, Sri Sri Radha Krsna yugala kisora is the goal. Out of duty and love, a bonafide disciple will always try to assist his Gurudeva in his mission. In that case, prabhu is doing the right thing in trying to make his godbrothers understand the necessity to take shelter of a siksa guru approved and recomanded by their Gurudeva, there is nothing wrong with that. If needed to take side, we have to take side, for our own and other’s welfare. Thank you, Hare Krsna
Dear John P.——Your sentiments for everyone to “love” each other is well motivated I’m sure .But real love isn’t sentimental.John,you are like a moderator,making obsevations of everyone’s different classrooms and wanting them to get together.But what classroom are you in.If you go here and there loving God as you say ,but not submitting yourself at the lotus feet of a genuine Guru for instruction and training, your realization will be sensual and mental and realization will never deeply touch your atma.Thus you will make everything one and won’t be able to effectively descriminate between different levels of advancement in persons acting as Guru.I suggest you follow the advice given by Lord Krishna,whom you profess to love, in Bhagavad-Gita ,Chapter4 ,Text 34:”Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master.Inquire from him submissively,and render service to him.The self realized soul can impart Knowledge to you because he has seen the truth.”This is the process given by the Lord Himself for actually developing real love.Whether it be Iskcon or IPBYS,I suggest that you pray to Krsna to guide you to a genuine Guru—and having found such, I think you will understand that love isn’t sentimental ,and that offenses committed to a pure devotee are quite serious…and that everything doesn’t fit into your present well-motivated ,but sentimental paradigm.—BVNiskincana Swami
Dandavats, Braj, bold and clear writing. It is the mark of a true devotee that he can speak out like you have. I was sick to my stomach at the times devotees attacked me when I went to Srila Sridhara Maharaja. And it has been difficult also now that I have gone to Srila Narayana Maharaja for siksa. But, one day I might find myself on the parikrama path of Vrndavana, sitting there, begging for some rice or pisa, still I will keep a smile on my face, because I met such great personalities. I find myself always battling such overwhelming odds about bringing younger devotees and also older devotees to our proper Guru-varga. Materially, I am destitute, but you know, this world is a place of misunderstandings and I will die to live, glorifying such Vaisnavas as Srila Prabhupa, Srila Sridhara Maharaja and Srila Narayana Maharaja.
Otherwise, why go on living in this dark world of envy and lies? Excuse me for my mistakes. I will always regard you as my dear Godbrother and love and respect our differences as well as our similarities in our
fight. See you in India soon…on the parikrama path!
ki jaya !
Dandavats Brajendranandan Prabhu,
Very, very good article. Many good points. Thank you for defending the integrity of our exalted guru-varga and taking the time to share your heart and thoughts. Your appeal to the ISKCON leaders to cease aparadha and recognize a sadhu is commendable. Coming from a senior devotee and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who has served his mission for many years, your statements will have affect. Everything is based on relationships, and as their godbrother, they will listen to you more than others.
In this age of Kali, most persons are selfish and are concerned only about their own benefit, happiness, prestige and ego. This affects devotional communities as well. Bold preaching and personal example of selfless service is the only remedy to counteract this ignorance. This was shown by all of our acaryas, and we should follow in their footsteps as much as we are able.
May Krsna bless you to continue spreading the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all His precepts. Be bold and strong as a lion. I know you will also deliver it all in humble demeanor as you always do.
Affectionately,
Radhakanta das
I am a gay man, had love with some very senior policeman, during my formative years, absolutely shattered when he got killed, but life goes on, have many gay, straight, devotee friends, realise now fully only sex in krsna life is in grihasta, no where else, a higher taste than sex altogether, but I find abuse of children abhorent or this notion that gay means pedophilia. I have some police friends still who say, if the neighbours left their children with anyone in this street where are they safest and from their figures on child abuse, it would be with those very gay neighbours, that the child would be safest from abuse, not the fathers, brothers, friends of the family, and I have had experience of those situations directly in my life. One family where the father abused the two daughters and son for over twenty years unbeknown to us, or his wife. I asked the eldest son later why he never confided in us at the time about this traumatic situation and he said their own father had said, ‘if they saught help from anyone that he would hurt them’. It was fear that kept them in a situation of horrendous and perverted abuse for years. Nothing to do with sexuality, just plain totally sick. Still to today, I can’t believe how can someones’ father do this to his own family. It is beyond my conception. What pleasure is this? Is this a symptom of kali yuga and why do the gay community cop all the blame. Some gay men are pedophile but its far lower percent than abuse by straight. Check the facts with police and in prison. It is generally not the gay man who abuses a child, most gay men I know are very loving caring people, not abusers like this myth it makes me sick to think how many gays get killed because of this wrong kind of accusation of being equated with child abusers when it is simply incorrect.
All Glories to Sri Sri Gurudev and Gauranga.
I sense your frusrtration and pain–and while it wasn’t the intent of my article ,your letter and the others that addressed this issue as well, can make it possible for me and possibly others ,who haven’t experienced the pain of gay individuals who are victimized by stereotypes and prejudices ,to be more responsible in there words and actions.Personally,even labelling someone in terms of there sexual orientation,is very limiting and ignores the whole person.As in any area–open hearted communication builds understanding and the possibility for affectionate dealings.Again I want to offer my sincere apologies for my insensitivity and any pain that was caused to my godbrothers and godsisters in the gay community.In the future i hope to function more as a help in this area of communication rather than being part of the problem…..Brajendranandana dasa
“Prabhupada had told us on numerous occasions that ISKCON can only be destroyed from within.”
Really can you give just 1 example, from Prabhupada?
Hint:
“You warned us that it is only from within that ISKCON can be destroyed.”
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhakti Charu Swami
ie: Bhakti Charu Swami has told us this “on numerous occasions”.
Regarding the point of lumping in Pedophilia with homosexuality I’m embarassed at my carelessness in this matter.I thank you both for your pointing out my mistake.I agree with your point.When i mentioned later on in my article about “inappropriate” sexual behavior,I had in mind one person who was involved in “womenizing” as well.All this was carried on with devotees while they were acting as Guru and I was trying to indicate the connerction between offense to a pure Vaisnava and falldowns.I so much agree that overcoming sex desire is a struggle for all of us ,whatever our orientation may be and that we need to deal with each other with affection and compassion.Thank you so much for making this point and my apologies to any devotee who was offended by my innapropriate implications–Brajendranandana Dasa
Thanks, Brajendranandana prabhu. I didn’t want to distract from the main points of your article but it’s a habit of mine to correct statements like that whenever they occur.
A very necessary correction prabhu–and I appreciate it.—
Thank you for presenting an important perspective on ISKCON history and current devotee relationships. It’s crucial for all views and experiences to be recorded for history. However, one of your sentences includes both inaccurate and potentially damaging information. You wrote “ISKCON eventually removed homosexual and paedophile “gurus” after they had done their damage.” The truth is that both heterosexual and homosexual “gurus” were removed and that it was their *behaviors*, not their *sexual orientation* that caused problems. You may not have intended it, but your sentence above makes it sound like homosexuality is somehow related to pedophilia. It is not. In fact, most pedophiles are heterosexual. Let’s not create another reason for people to stigmatize and discriminate against those with same sex attractions. Gay youth are 4 times more likely to commit suicide due to societal pressures and maltreatment than their heterosexual counterparts. Devotees are not immune to this. Let’s instead focus on how to love and support each other in service.
Dear didi—-Thank you so much for your correction.I didn’t mean to imply that connection and your point is valuable and gratefully acknowledged.ys–Brajendranandana Dasa
Thank you for your very gracious comment, Prabhu. I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by the original sentence. It’s just that, having worked in the field of HIV research for the last quarter century, I’ve seen too many instances of people getting hurt by homophobia, so I’m unable to remain quiet.
Madhu
dandavat prabhuji,
thank you for writing this very helpful and eye opener regarding Srila Narayan Gurudeva!I also was an offender before due to being a loyal follower of the GBC and got so much reaction. But by the mercy of those devotees who took shelter to Srila Narayan Gurudeva was so merciful to me to pull me out from such mentality. Then I met Srila Gurudeva and I realized how foolish and Ignorant I was in the name of useless loyalty..
Just a quick note to an otherwise good article. ISKCON removed gurus that were pedophiles or otherwise sexually misbehaving and not because they were heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual by nature. I don’t appreciate your lumping of homosexuals with pedophiles in this article. Many of the abusers were also heterosexual but it is the abuse that matters, not the person’s sexual orientation. There are LGBT devotees within ISKCON and Srila Gurudeva’s sanga that are sincerely practicing bhakti and following all the principles. Nobody should be seeking to remove such devotees or lump them in with crimes as horrific as child abuse. Hare Krishna…
Dandavats! Thank you Amara Prabhu! Excellent points, as always. Of course heterosexuals commit the most sexual abuse. I don’t have statistics right at hand, but thank you for pointing out what many devotees still fail to see. Hare Krishna!
Dandavats Banke Bihari Prabhu—All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauraqnga.Like yourself,it is usually not my taste to get drawn in to instititional discussions.I have enough to do, working on my own purification through sadhana and Guruseva.But some how the recent offensive communication from some parties in Iskcon came into my purview and,as I mentioned, I felt compelled to respond,both for my own internal necessity to counter the aparadhas against our Gurudevas,and to generate a different sound vibration into the ether as well.This was my main reason for writing the article.The other was based on a conversation I observed with Srila Gurudeva wherein he said,referring to The Iskcon leaders:”In the future many of them will become favorable.”Despite the overt offenses of some of the foolish “leaders” in Iskcon,I truly believe that many of the leaders are essentially good men but due to bad association and a lack of sadhu sanga they have priotorized institutional considerations over pure bhakti and proper Vaisnava sadacara.I also suffered from this malady during the days of Srila Sridhar Maharaja when I was serving in Iskcon.— Now I read his books with so much apprerciation and gratitude.It is my ardent hope that now that the level of aparadha against our Gurudeva has escalated to such a dangerous extent—that some of these men I knew and appreciated so much In Iskcon, will begin to think outside the institutional box–and take a stand—for there own sake and for the sake of there followers.An institution consists of people. Any instition that sanctions Vaisnava aparadha is deviant.But if even one man can began to stir things up in Iskcon to treat the disease–that will be a positive gain–at least for the individuals involved.I still believe, however naively than this will happen.If someone like myself could be rescued from institutional priorities,at the expense of my spiritual advancement,then as Gurudeva has predicted, many of the sincere devotees in Iskcon will also rise to the occasion at this point in time..This was my other vain motivation for writing the article:that I could possibly contribute instrumentally, even a tiny bit in facilitating their paradigm shift.Thanks for your response and for giving me the impetus to clarify my objectives.–ys—Brajendranandana Dasa
dear brajendranandana prabhu,
pranams
i love the way you think. what i hear from your article is this:
“i care about all of you. please don’t destroy yourselves. please come to where prabhupada is being served by a perfect devotee.”
when children misbehave, the mother, out of deep concern for their ultimate well-being, will chastise them. you have done that.
your idealism – namely that the whole thing (i.e. everyone involved) can still be turned around and rescued – is exactly in line with radharani’s plans… it’s just the time scale that’s hard to pin down
if all of our endeavours come from the same place, from the same sentiments, as the appeals in your essay, then anything is possible. i believe this to my core.
haribol
your jayagopal das
Hare Krsna Prabhu,
Dandwat Pranams
All Glories to Srila Gurudev and Prabhupada
I think you have banged the nail on the head. Me and many like me have commited countless offences onto the lotus feet of not only Srila Narayan Maharaj but may other exalted vaishnavas & devotees too who are well beyond the understandings of our tiny minds.
I feel ashamed of myself when I think of the times when I used to counter preach but I think myself and many others did or doing this is because of the culture, cultivation and association we recieved/recieving at ISKCON centers.
My first meeting and darshan with Srila Narayan Maharaj was enough to put my faith on test towards my false ego.
I think its late but better late then never, this article is a perfect eye opener.
Thanks a ton.
Dasanudas
Nand Gopal Dasa
I too have been very guilty of the same fearfull or ignorant mindset the current iskcon followers have, when srila Sridhara Maharaj was here. So I understand where they are coming from, but also know that all that misconception can be freed from the the innocent devottees heart by the mercy of the Gurus, our kind loving fathers.
Good article, I just wish this would all stop and we loved , instead of hated.
Dandavat pranams Brajendranandana Prabhu and all Vaishnavas.
Generally, I try not to think or speak about post-Prabhupada ISKCON, as I believe it to be an illusory ISKCON, much like the illusory Sita Who was stolen away by Ravana. Due to experiencing many of the things you mention, I chose to distance myself from this organization long ago. Prabupada’s heart however is still going strong within the hearts of his undeviating followers. This is, and I believe has always been the real ISKCON; regardless of any external institutionalism. I appreciate your compassionate efforts on behalf of those still identifying with the institution however.
You say, “If you don’t individually and collectively speak out against these aparadhas, then you will all become implicated and the disease will spread like a cancer, and in time ISKCON will sadly become another deviant branch of the Caitanya tree.” But I think this is not an eventuality the may occur at some future time, it has clearly already become reality, and has been for a long time. Whether or not this reality can be reversed is another issue, but that is up to it’s institutionalized members; and can only have any chance by the path which you delineate in your article.
A tremendous article, Brajendranandana Prabhu; so simply, clearly and powerfully put. My heart feels some relief that you have written this. Thankyou for writing it. I hope and pray that it touches the conscience of anyone sincere in ISKCON, and gives them the strength to do the right thing.
Your god-sister,
Bhadra dasi
Dandavat Pranams Brajendranandana das;
Here! Here! Let the truth be told. This is the only salvation for the conditioned souls. The search for the truth is the most noble endeavor of the living entity lost in this miserable world. The Truth is actually a person…Sri Krishna. To find Sri Krishna we must approach that person who has seen the truth(Sri Krishna). Who is that person? That is Sri Guru, the external manifestation of the truth(Sri Krishna). Without this personality we have no access, no right, no ability, no knowledge, no qualification for approaching the Absolute Truth. A famous Physicist recently said “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing and why the universe exists and why we exist.” This is still being claimed as scientific proof that there is no God. This is similar to the argument that we do not need any help from others because we have our Prabhupada, we have his books, we can do it ourselves. This is blatant impersonalism. Everything must come from a person. Spirit before matter. Guru before enlightenment. Sri Guru must always be present to reveal the truth. He does not come once as in Jesus Christ and never again. The parampara is evidence of this unbroken connection to the Absolute Truth. This is the glory of Srila Narayana Maharaja, he is empowered by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami to continue this line of pure vaishnavas. Anyone with a sesame seed of intelligence can see the connection between these two great Maha Bhagavats. Only those who harbor selfish motivations see Srila Gurudeva in the light of their own conditioning. This will not stand the test of time. The mere hint of offense to a pure Vaishnava immediately contaminates the heart of the aspiring devotee. If this offensive mentality becomes institutional canon then all is lost.
Please, all of you fortunate souls who were graced by a moments association with Srila Prabhupada, look deep into your hearts and admit you have much to learn and it can not be done merely by reading scripture and following the rules and regulations. This path is illuminated by the effulgence of the pure vaishnava and his Hari Katha. There really is no other way. Sorry. This is not a go-it-alone process. This is not your Horatio Alger story of getting the combination right and finding success and wealth. This is a process of submission to Sri Guru in all his many forms. He comes again and again just like the waves of the ocean. Don’t think that the great ride you had years ago is going to come again. The world is in constant flux and so Sri Guru will also come in many forms that do not look like the one you used to know. Be always on the look out for Sri Guru. He will not come with a big fan fare. He will sneak up on you when you least expect it. Srila Prabupada did this to the hippies of yesteryear. They had no idea who he was until they were purified enough by his association and from hearing his Hari Katha. The same goes for Srila Narayana Maharaja. He did not announce his coming. He just showed up and began preaching pure Krishna Consciousness. Those who sincerely took his association are now preaching very strongly the message of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Gurudeva has said….”If someone feels proud, thinking, “I have become guru,” then he is not a guru at all. A guru never makes disciples; rather he transforms others into guru”. One who is a real guru does not even try to become a guru.
Take heed all of you great souls who have come to this movement of Lord Chaitanya’s. Be still and hear the message of the Mahajana’s. This is the only method for attaining the truth(Sri Krishna). We all must be ANUGATA, under the shelter of Sri Guru.
YS
Gaura Govinda das
Dandvat pranams prabhu.
I sincerely hope that your appeal touches the hearts of those sincere souls who’s conscience is troubled by the discrepancies and misguided actions of the GBC towards Srila Narayana Maharaja and others who have found shelter at his lotus feet.
Your article is very powerful as it is spoken with great clarity of the topic generally without any proselytizing or malicious intent.
Thank you for this article prabhu.
Please accept my dandavat pranams. All Glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga. Thank you for this wonderful article. Having read it, I am a better devotee.