Jagannatha's blogging Hut

It pains me beyond my means such logic that ISKCON is Prabhupada, so leaving ISKCON is betraying Prabhupada.

Is ISKCON a transcendental entity not subjected to material decay?

Would you apply the same logic that because the Gaudiya Math was founded by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, therefore cannot become contaminated
in any way?

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta himself says that no spiritual institution has survived after the departure of the acarya.

Gaudiya math and Srila Prabhupada departure from it, is a close example.

GBC makes people adore the name ISKCON or the institution situating it (and themselves as authority) on an altar, untouchable by critics,
arguments or even plain logic. Allegiance to iSKCON has been the mantra that tries to cure all ailments, but reality is such “unity”
and “cooperation” help perpetuate abuse either directly or many times covering the rascal actions.

You can equate ISKCON to Srila Prabhupada when and only if we follow his instructions within the society, in the same way than you can call
an harmonium spiritual if it is used in chanting bhajans by devotees or a car being used for harinam-sankirtan. If used mainly for sense
gratification they are only a piece of matter.

The argument that we cannot expect perfection, is the rascals argument that permeates to the sincere souls like Haridas Thakura Prabhu. The
rascals call for the good feelings and wishes of vaishnavas, take advantage of them to perpetuate the sad truth, a rapidly rotting of
the very foundation of ISKCON.

For more than 15 years, (I do not count the years I was “in” the bubble without spiritual discrimination), I tried to help from the
inside so to make the change a reality. One after another the experience has been unavoidable the same: abuse, politics, threats and
many times plain disdain.

I would agree to stay and fight on if there were a few stains in an otherwise white sheet, but this has become over the years a quasi
unrecognizable conundrum of problems and politics fueled by the low modes.

Just take a look at the dozens of serious deviations all these years beginning with zonal acaryas, a voted in guru system being the latest
adjustment to the same asara speculation, changing Srila Prabhupada´s books, and speculating about the Direction of Management that clearly
outlines and regulates the actuation of the GBCs, without a clear contrary statement of the same nature being issued by Srila Prabhupada.

If you can call this ISKCON, then either you do not understand the basics of what Srila Prabhupada wanted or you are a self motivated rascal.

The truth is that there are hundreds of reasons to leave corporate ISKCON, and that does not equate to abandon the preaching, book distribution or service to Srila Prabhupada.

Was Srila Prabhupada betraying his spiritual master when he formed his own movement, staying away from the Gaudiya Math?

Clearly, neglecting the unqualified leaders, unqualified not by character or sadhana necessarily but for messing around with Srila
Prabhupada´s clear instructions, is not only a right, its a duty for those who have a minimum of discrimination..

Honouring Srila Prabhupada doesn’t necessarily mean doing a daily gurupuja, in a temple without fail. If you do the ritual and then
change, use for personal gain or neglect his instructions, what is the use?

Perhaps you did not know another ISKCON and that is why you think your experience is all there is, and its OK: But those who tasted the
unconditional service (not payed in a any way but spiritually), those who experienced the power of the simple instructions that SP gave us
for our daily life, know for sure, what this ISKCON has turned in all these years and continues to transform… A corporate religion, and a bad one.

What is more negative, to abandon ISKCON for all its serious deviations, or waste your time giving your unconditional support to a
shadow ISKCON, thereby perpetuating the wrongdoings, abuses and plain offensive changes and disrespect for Srila Prabhupada?

I can tell you that the experience of many sincere souls is that of relief abandoning the institution where they only got impediments of
all types and since being “outside” they are very productive in their preaching. I know a few of those. Perfect ladies and gentleman, not
holding grudges for the ill treatment nor having personal vested interests, they thrive in their personal preaching programs “outside”
ISKCON. Or are they “inside”?

Can you really believe Srila Prabhupada would be proud of ISKCON operation since day one he chose to depart from this world?

So, here we come to the crux of the matter: Being offensive is publishing or allow to publish an offense against a Vaishnava.

Now, what is an offense? And what is a Vaishnava? and under which circumstances a vaishnava aparadha occurs? Big words, don’t you think?

If you analyze this simple questions it will turn that 99,9 of ‘vaishnava aparadhas’ are dissensions, insults, quarrel and havoc among conditioned souls, striving for perfection, not elevated vaishnavas anyway, but expert at throwing each other the ashtra of mad elephant offense as to destroy the others reputation. And that trickles down to the general devotees that are busy cataloguing who is ‘offensive’ and who is just exposing the truth.

Does the word vaishnava applies to pure vaishnavas only? If not, is there a difference between offense to a pure devotee and a sadhaka immersed in the modes of nature?

Humility does not mean being gullible nor stupid. Many people thinks the Pope is a saint, but is he? How much of this papism is in ISKCON today?

The one that we are sure that is a pure devotee w/o a doubt is Srila Prabhupada.

Is it not an offense changing his instructions? Is not an offense indirectly preaching that he is dead and we should carry on with new ideas and discard the old ones?

The real offenders ‘to the pure devotee’ might be some of the ones we are paying obeisances to and many of the ones we are tossing in the offensive hellish pit might be those who really care.

Possible? Yes

Probable. Certainly

A fact? You judge.

The books are publicly available and some groups are stamping the word BULLSHIT in red letters in all pages and then returning to the racks for people to pick up.

That would not happen if we return to the “old fashioned” style of one to one person distribution.

Too much trouble? Easy things become difficult and backfire, as we can see.

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/news/05-08/news2017.htm

11 November, 1967

My Dear Brahmananda, I have read your statements regarding opening centers. I am not in agreement with Mr. Altman that we are expanding very thinly. In my opinion, a single sincere soul can maintain a center. You know I started the center at 26 2nd Ave. alone.

I took the risk of 200.00 dollars per month for the rent. At that time there were no assistants. Mukunda was at that time a friend but there was no responsibility for him for maintaining the center. Gradually Kirtanananda and Hayagriva joined but they did not take any responsibility. Still I was maintaining the establishment simply depending on Krishna and then Krishna sent me everything—men and money.

Similarly, if a sincere soul goes out and opens a center in any part of the world Krishna will help him in all respects. Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preach Krishna Consciousness. It is not academic qualification or financial strength which helps in these matters, but it is sincerity of purpose which helps us always. In this way you will follow my example as I did in the beginning at 26 2nd Ave.

That is preaching, cooking, writing, talking, chanting everything one man’s show. I never thought about the audience. I was prepared to chant if there were no man to hear me. The principle of chanting is to glorify the Lord and not to attract a crowd. If Krishna hears nicely then he will ask some sincere devotee to gather in such place.

Therefore, be advised that thousands of centers may be started if we find out a sincere soul for each and every center. We do not require more men to start. If there is one sincere soul that is sufficient to start a new center.

Your ever well-wisher A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

With folded hands and a straw in my mouth I beg Guru Prasad Swami and
associates to renounce the management of the Costa Rica farm and let
other devotees take care and try develop the farm.

Please Maharaj, give up your intent and please please do what you
surely know how to do best, to reclaim the lost souls back to the Lord
by harinam sankirtan and straight preaching.

A saintly vaishnava sannyasi cannot possibly be meshed in such
political actions with duplicitous statements, lies and legal
manoeuvres, not even “for Krishna”.

With the same spirit I beg the farm devotees to start developing the
farm in such a way that results will speak louder than arguments and
quarrel.

your servant,

Jagannatha Mishra das

Prabhu, Please excuse me. Sorry to bother you again.

I was referring to the Higher Truth perceived by truly awakened souls (and not those who witness and have knowledge of atrocities masquerading as religion, or look away from the suffering of others) along with the Vedic aphorism tarko-pratistanat, that is, by argument one cannot force others to reach any real conclusion because of the inevitable affront caused by reactive false ego(pratistha).

At this point of Kali-yuga hardly anyone claiming to debate or argue a point is able to do so without vehemence or acrimony, although pratistha prevents the participants from perceiving this as all degenerates into ever exacerbating quarrels. Thusly, so-called philosophical debates or arguments are unfortunately usually in reality nothing more than quarrelsome clashes of ego often resulting in less than affectionate feelings and dealings between participants.

The Wise do not contend. Therefore no can contend with Them.Personally, I have not been involved in any type of religious society for many decades, although I now live in a house that I dreamed of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur singing  Hare Krishna in before I ever saw it. In my previous residence I had one of my many dreams of Srila Prabhupada wherein he was very disturbed and he asked me for help. My thoughts, realization and consciousness are the only assistance I can give His Divine Grace in this regard, with Faith as my only asset.However, in this life, I have no institutional position, nor will I ever. Nonetheless, I have a great wish to restore that which was lost. In honor of Srila Prabhupada’s personal request to me.

This includes considering the rectifiable Krishna Consciousness of those who have acted badly because of poor understanding. Towards this end I have endeavored to address the ultimate causes of cruelty and corruption in a universally applicable religious context on the pages of Sampradaya Sun.  Hopefully with dignity and delicacy. And without pointing any fingers. Although possibly I must accept that I have failed at this difficult task. Rather than being opposed to misconceivers, my fight is against misconception or misunderstanding which is the core ideological problem(after at first stringently applying such tenets towards myself, which is the real battle).

My response,

Dear suchandsuch das,

I do not believe in retrieving myself in fear of not being a pure representative, that is taking humility to a level that does more harm than good to me and to others.

The facts that had happened are so base and lowly that is not to be categorized as “normal” residues of us conditioned souls playing the part of managers of a spiritual movement, but a complete havoc affecting most importantly our ability to bring these message to society.

I am sure your “Master” (I do not know who is, I suppose Srila Prabhupada) would try to actively implement a change. I also see what he had done, do the right thing apart from the mainstream maya affected Gaudiya Math.

I agree that the most powerful change driver is to situate oneself in proper action, and that IS not difficult nor impossible.

I am also not talking from idleness, I am actively distributing Srila prabhupada books and other services, so am certainly not speaking from my armchair.

The Movement Srila Prabhupada envisioned is one of independent units temples with self empowered congregations monks and temple presidents, not the Church that was created just after his departure and is increasingly moving away from our basic tenets all in the name of practicality and a so called absolute authority nowadays GBC crew.

If you really wish to please your Master, then engage in practical things to ameliorate the state of affairs in his vision, more books going out, mass prasadam distribution and Hare Krishna chanting being heard and followed by millions.

My whole point here is that to follow His order we need to be active, bold and daring, impersonal spiritualism and nice words of humility will not do, real humility is to please the spiritual master and if nice words are killing that end they are most violent.

I agree with you that Tamo guna is the real culprit, please do not think I am personally against of any of the rascals thriving in ISKCON nowadays. I am sure they think they are doing their best, and it is true , they are doing their best, buried in the lower modes of nature understanding and perspective.

So I am not promoting fight, quarrel or anything like that. But to tell the truth, to denounce the mistakes is essential, specially because we have a responsibility with the ones that are coming next, the new blood of ISKCON so that things do not repeat themselves and most importantly they stop occurring altogether. If the rascals get disturb by those actions and reasonings, we are very sorry.

I advocate education above fight, because that is the only means to achieve what everyone including the failing managers want: happiness and peace in KC. But education is an active work and many times implies argument and debate.

Strangely, (please do not take this personally) when I read your email, reminded me of the “humble” impersonalists arguments of “peace” and inaction. Their words are missing their own philosophy as if their goal was that, if they honoured their own philosophy, how in the world they even speak or write an email with an argument? If those persons are in fact so transcendental, let them pass through without writing a letter, speaking a word or making themselves available to discuss.

Wishing you a nice Krishna conscious day…

responding to my article:

http://jaganat.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/a-new-light-for-iskcon/

from undisclosed sender:

Please excuse me. Sorry to bother you. Are there not also those who are able to
perceive the Truth but do not wish to quarrel/argue/debate?

______________

My response:

Dear suchandsuch Dasa,

Always a pleasure to have vaishnava association.

What do you mean by “those who are able to perceive the Truth but do
not wish to quarrel/argue/debate”, the self realized souls uttma
adhikaris that see all in relation to Krishna and so make no
distinctions? (you put the word Truh in caps so I guess so) or those
who see the truth about our social problems and choose not to speak?

For your information those persons are the real responsible for all
the mistakes, abuse, cover-ups and mismanagement… because they see
but they look the other way, all in the name of “spiritual” vision.
They are the real ones that perpetuate the wrong, allowing the rascals
to thrive.

Nowhere in my post I use the word quarrel or synonyms.

I do not know why you equate debate and argument with quarrel, that
could be a symptom of a person in the mode of “whatever happens, no
see no hear no talk”.

Could be that you equal any attempt to fix things as a direct attack
on the status quo with negative consequences?

Whistle blowers are an asset to our movement and to any organization,
they keep the leadership sanitized and alert. Those leaders that are
sincere, they will welcome denounce, if they are rascals they will try
to stop the flow of information about their behaviour and character by
any means, including character assassination and appeal to “higher”
principles.

Those rascals and their henchmen would love that all critics will fall
in those categories: biased, maddened, bitter, but….

There is a “fifth class” of devotees, and they are the ones that can
heal our movement, as opposed to the “good standing and politically
correct cheer leaders” that help very efficiently perpetuate the
bluff.

Wishing you all the best, spiritual and material,

your servant,

Jagannatha Mishra das

BY: KURMA DASA

Mar 13, AUSTRALIA (SUN) —

It is time for ISKCON’s GBC and leaders to at least acknowledge that devotees who were initiated by any of the first eleven who were empowered to do this on Srila Prabhupada’s behalf are, in fact, disciples of Srila Prabhupada.Devotees who joined ISKCON after this letter was sent out were surely well intentioned. Just because these Representatives of Srila Prabhupada ignored this instruction, this does not interfere with the disciple’s connection to Srila Prabhupada.If the devotees who were initiated can understand that they were, in fact, disciples of Srila Prabhupada and even now follow their rightful Spiritual Master, then how could their connection be void?

The problem wasn’t Srila Prabhupada’s, nor was it the devotees who joined ISKCON with good intentions. The problem and any adjustments and apologies to be made must be made by the representatives and those GBC who ignored Srila Prabhupada’s instructions in this matter. This includes all the senior members of ISKCON at the time who are now big boys within the movement. They to are not exempt because they assisted with this lie and cheated us. They know exactly who they are, and they also know what they have done. Should we have to name and shame them? Where is THEIR humility? You people helped perpetuate the lies and cheating so you are just as guilty as those who led the way!

The more the GBC try to ignore this, the more deviant they will be deemed by the growing worldwide voice that is ever gaining momentum.This is the first step that must be taken toward any reconciliation. Then and then only will we be able to deal with the current cheating system that says a bona fide Spiritual Master can be given his position by votes. This concoction is also unfair to the genuine people who have recently joined the movement and who may be guided to the movement in the future by Srila Prabhupada’s books.Hansadutta has admitted to the above mistake and apologized to the devotee community, and for this he must be forgiven and given credit.Will the others follow this example?Kurma das (not the chef)

The Sampradaya Sun – Independent Vaisnava News – Editorials – March 2008

First Eleven are Srila Prabhupada DisciplesBY: KURMA DASAMar 13, AUSTRALIA (SUN) — It is time for ISKCON’s GBC and leaders to at least acknowledge that devotees who were initiated by any of the first eleven who were empowered to do this on Srila Prabhupada’s behalf are, in fact, disciples of Srila Prabhupada.Devotees who joined ISKCON after this letter was sent out were surely well intentioned. Just because these Representatives of Srila Prabhupada ignored this instruction, this does not interfere with the disciple’s connection to Srila Prabhupada.If the devotees who were initiated can understand that they were, in fact, disciples of Srila Prabhupada and even now follow their rightful Spiritual Master, then how could their connection be void?The problem wasn’t Srila Prabhupada’s, nor was it the devotees who joined ISKCON with good intentions. The problem and any adjustments and apologies to be made must be made by the representatives and those GBC who ignored Srila Prabhupada’s instructions in this matter. This includes all the senior members of ISKCON at the time who are now big boys within the movement. They to are not exempt because they assisted with this lie and cheated us. They know exactly who they are, and they also know what they have done. Should we have to name and shame them? Where is THEIR humility? You people helped perpetuate the lies and cheating so you are just as guilty as those who led the way!The more the GBC try to ignore this, the more deviant they will be deemed by the growing worldwide voice that is ever gaining momentum.This is the first step that must be taken toward any reconciliation. Then and then only will we be able to deal with the current cheating system that says a bona fide Spiritual Master can be given his position by votes. This concoction is also unfair to the genuine people who have recently joined the movement and who may be guided to the movement in the future by Srila Prabhupada’s books.Hansadutta has admitted to the above mistake and apologized to the devotee community, and for this he must be forgiven and given credit.Will the others follow this example?Kurma das (not the chef)

The Sampradaya Sun – Independent Vaisnava News – Editorials – March 2008