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EDITORIAL January 2, 1999 VNN2778 See Related VNN Stories He Was A Bridge Builder BY PAUL ACKERMANN EDITORIAL, Jan 2 (VNN) — Please accept my most humble obeisances and forgive my ignorance. All glories to Lord Sri Krishna and to my chosen spiritual leader Srila Prabhupada. I am certainly not knowledgeable enough in the vedic tradition to say who is right or wrong in the guru debate that now involves the community of ISKCON devotees. I would however, with your indulgence, like to offer my humble opinion. I have come to the path of Krishna consciousness after many years of soul searching, reading, listening, and watching the present condition of society. The human condition is in terrible shape. As neighbors we cannot get along with each other. As the dominate species we are laying waste to the Earth. As far as religion goes I feel it is mans ego that gets in the way of God's word, the absolute truth. Every so often, as He sees fit, God or his very intimate representative descends to this planet to reiterate the absolute truth that has been twisted and perverted to suit our own designs. I believe Srila Prabhupada is one of these intimate representatives of the Lord. A pure devotee who's only desire is to renew our faith and help us to go back home, back to Godhead. I have heard a story that goes something like this: Prabhupada had gone to visit Brighu Ashrama of ..... in the town of Hoshiapur. Brighu told him that he should go to America to a place called B. Upon hearing this Prabhupada jumped dancing and shouting ÒI will go, I will go.Ó and so started one the most incredible journeys in the history of man. Prabhupada was a bridge builder. Through his translations of the Vedas he built a bridge for our use so that we could cross the ocean of nescience. Through ISKCON he built a bridge that crossed the oceans of the world so all of human society could hear the Truth and receive the mercy of Krishna. Prabhupada did not build these bridges by himself. Through his direction and with the help of many caring devotees he carried out his mission, to spread the word of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Gita, the Srimad Bhagavatam, etc. He has left his legacy and it is up to the devotees to maintain those bridges lest they fall into the ocean of nescience. I am sure that if there were someone as pure in heart as Srila Prabhupada that his presence would be self evident. He would not need a vote or some organization to tell him to lead. He just would and we would just follow as we just followed Prabhupada because we felt in our hearts that it was the right thing to do. I am very disheartened when I read and hear of the current problems of ISKCON. I would hope that the devotees would be more respectful of others in all situations and humble enough to keep their egos in check for the sake of all and the continued success of ISKCON. I think that a compromise can and should be reached with the utmost urgency. Possibly as proposed both guru systems can be in place so that we can go on with the business at hand. The business of spreading the Absolute Truth, providing for the children and the elders, and of course maintaining the bridge between here and Krsnaloka so that we all can return home to Godhead. I hope this finds you all in good health. Thank you for your time and your indulgence. I only wish to remain Prabhupada's servant and devotee. Paul Ackermann paulack@aol.com See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9901/ET02-2778.html
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