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EDITORIAL  Damned If You Do - Damned If You Don't BY MAKHANLAL DAS EDITORIAL, Jul 29 (VNN) — Prabhupada das' June 25th editorial slamming ISKCON's refusal to allow KIrtanananda to visit ISKCON temples creates a picture of total heartlessness in a mean spirited organization, which has allegedly severely departed from its original spirit of compassion. "this is not the organization I joined", he states. However, I doubt he consciously joined an organization with a charasmatic child abuser for a leader, either! Before going any further, I should state that, presuming by his initiation date of 1971, this Prabhupada das is my old friend and God brother, initiated by Srila Prabhupada. we mutually resided in Los Angeles for several years. I am therefore not writing from the standpoint of hostility, but from the position of respectful disagreement with his absolutely damning criticism of ISKCON and its policy regarding Kirtanananda. Prabhupada das and I spent several years, along with other progressively minded devotees, discussing how Srila Prabhupada's Daivi Varnashrama system could be implemented, as well as how we could some how or other bring about a "kinder and gentler" ISKCON. Too bad Prabhupada das describes himself as leaving ISKCON in 1983, instead of endeavoring to become exemplary and continuing to work for an improved, purified society of devotees that Srila Prabhupada described as being his "body". As far as bitternes is concerned, you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar. Ironically, Prabhupada das might find himself amongst a chorus of critics if Kirtanananda was given a "red carpet" to return to ISKCON! Surely Prabhupada das has not forgotten the long history of severe child abuse, pain, suffering, purposely broken marriages, fraud, drug trafficking, and even murder that took place under Kirtananda's jurisdiction. Why doesn't Prabhupada das speak with the victims who survived the reign of tyranny that took place? Broken hearts, ruined lives abound, especially with the Vaishnava youth. In fact, a significant portion of the abuses generating the current lawsuit against ISKCON took place in New Vrindavan! It is essential for Prabhupada das and the readers to know that within the last 30 days an emissary of devotees went to see Kirtanananda, including two initiated by him. The third devotee thought that his friends were going to "renounce him" in his personal presence, thus clearing the ether, and starting a new chapter in their lives. Instead, the two devotees came away affirming their discipleship! The other devotee, shocked and disappointed, reports that Kirtananda expresses no remorse whatsoever, nor concedes any wrong doing! Yet such a proven child abuser should happily be allowed to re-enter ISKCON temples to attract more followers? There would then be such a cry from persons with direct knowledge of Kirtananda's multiple abuses, as well as from direct victims, that Prabhupad das' complaint would be drowned out by shouts of shame! shame! And of course, who would get the blame? ISKCON, naturally. The situation is thus a classic "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario for ISKCON. In other words, some criticize ISKCON's alleged lack of compassion, while, perhaps the majority would scream "foul!" if a known child abuser were allowed to again enter the doors of ISKCON temples where he would quickly go about the business of finding himself a brand new following at ISKCON's expense! What would Prabhupada das say then? He would probably be amongst the first to say " why do these heartless persons allow someone back through the doors of Srila Prabhupad's temples who is documented as causing so much severe pain and suffering to others"? Better to protect the principles of dharma and the innocent devotees from an abuser who has no remorse. Please ask yourself: Isn't that a far deeper level of compassion? Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
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