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EDITORIAL January 25, 1999 VNN2911 See Related VNN Stories A Mission Statement For Unity BY MAYESVARA DASA EDITORIAL, Jan 25 (VNN) — Presenting A Mission Statement For Unity Editorial and Proposal by mayesvara dasa When I attended the ISKCON Reform Group meetings in Alachua Florida last fall it was not clear to me what the IRG was actually trying to do. I was sympathetic to the suggestion that some form of Alternative Initiation Method (AIM) be integrated into ISKCON but never felt the existing system should be completely shut down. The question for me was obvious. Was the goal of the IRG to "INSERT" the RtVik process into the existing system or completely "REPLACE" it? What was their mission? The only answer I seemed to get was: "Read the Final Order" I read the Final Order (FO) twice and no where in it could I find a clear explanation of how they intend to deal with the relationships that have already developed between the existing Guru's and their disciples. Was their plan to just publicly declare the Guru's and their students bogus and illegitimate? Did they have any plan for dealing with all those who would consider such a declaration an unforgivable offense to their Beloved Spiritual Master? Had the IRG forgotten that even after being convicted for so many horrible things Kritananda of New Vrindaban was still able to command the loyalty of some disciples from his prison cell? Did the RtViks just expect to walk in, insult everybody, legislate some radical new policies and expect the devotees to say: "Thank you for straightening us all out!" Nor did I find anywhere in the FO any clear indication of how the RtViks would relate to the many senior devotees who are as convinced as they are to the contrary that Srila Prabhupada did NOT want ISKCON to follow a RtVik system. Would the new RtVik administration allowed them to continue preaching in the temples after the suggested transition period, or would they now be the ones getting ushered to the door and a new "Black list" formed? The only answer I have ever received that gets close to answering this questions has been: "Everything will be just like it was before Srila Prabhupada departed". What a convenient answer! One would expect a little more than that from those who wish us to accept them as rigorously logical and competent to analyze the instructions of His Divine Grace. To suggest that we simply wind the clock back about 22 years sounds idealistically romantic and brings up images from the old "Hare Krishna" movie with devotees living in the temple, distributing books profusely, accepted few necessary possessions, and anxiously awaited the next time Srila Prabhupada would come visit. On closer examination however we discover that even when Srila Prabhupada was here to oversee our foolishness we would get into disputes and fight among ourselves so much that it greatly disturbed His Divine Grace. " I want to retire now and simply concentrate on translating work, but how can I do it if I cannot give over the management of my society to you all my advanced senior disciples? If one moment you are willing and the next moment there is some small disagreement and immediately you all go away, how can I be calm in my mind?…" (Letter to Gaurasundara Los Angeles - August 26, 1972) So the question remains. "What exactly are the FO RtViks proposing?" I am a sympathizer, willing to listen, and even support them if I hear a good plan but playing H.G. Wells doesn't quit cut it. On behalf of all the rest of us who also want reform, and willing to consider the possibility of inserting an Alternative Method of Initiation into ISKCON, perhaps the RtViks would be so kind as to let the rest of the world know what your mission is? Of course that will require them to get concurrence among their own ranks. Considering how many different people are jumping on the FO bandwagon to support their own wound licking agendas I can understand how it might be a bit difficult for them to come up with a clear mission statement. But I think everyone would agree it is a fair test of their leadership skills if they could decide on, and clearly state how they intend to deal with these simple issues. If they can't do that then how can they expect any of the rest of us to take them seriously in regards to how ISKCON should be changed and managed- especially considering all the other serious and controversial issues that need to be resolved? So to help them along on this task I have written a proposed Mission Statement for the greater devotee society to consider and it has been submitted as a separate document to VNN. I personally wrote and distributed it to the majority of the Los Angeles Community and all the guests attending the RtVik conference on January 16th. So far everyone except the fanatical extremists on each side has received it very well. Devotees are invited to print out this mission statement called "12 Commitments for Unity and Respect" and share it with those who do not have computers. This is entirely in Krishna's hand via the hundreds of devotees who are sick of this stupid destructive fighting. Based on what I have already seen I suspect that most devotees will be agreeable to these points. It provides a place for us all the live together and cooperate under one powerful organization called ISKCON just as Srila Prabhupada requested us to do. I am offering to collect input from this effort and keep working toward a sane approach for reform and unity. We must begin somewhere or else this problem will continue to escalate and get even uglier and probably violent… especially considering how emotional some devotees have become over it. It is the duty of the moderates to prevent such a disgrace. I request the thousands of silent majority devotees in the middle to let their voices be heard in the form of this mission statement. Use it as a tool. If we remain complacent and avoid addressing the problem then the risk is that our future will be in the hands of those individuals who have tremendous personal influence, are not hesitant about speaking their mind, or fall into a numerous variety of eccentric personality types. I don't see how anything really powerful, positive or auspicious can come from these options. It must come from sober thinkers who have no hidden agendas. That's those of us who are the "Well Wishers" of the movement started by our ever well wisher Srila Prabhupada himself. This mission statement is not necessarily a carved in stone document. It's a starting place for us all to begin dialogue. To honor our differences and seek "Unity in Diversity" as Srila Prabhupada requested. These are the instructions nobody debates or can misinterpret. It doesn't require a Johnny Cockrin like in-depth-legalistic-60-page-analysis of every word and the esoteric meaning behind them. It's very simple. Cooperate and recognize that the regardless of which side of the Guru/RtVik debate you fall on you interpretation of Srila Prabhupada's instructions is just that… an interpretation. Remember that Philosophy without religion is mental speculation and the foundation of our Vaishnava religion is not based on name calling, belittling, condemning, or insulting a devotee of Krishna. These things have no place in ISKCON regardless of who has done what to whom in the past or how initiations are performed. Anyone who acts otherwise should be immediately rejected even if they seem to sound very logical and appear to be absolutely sure of their conclusions. "I have noted your several complaints against the devotees but it would be better to set the example rather than to criticize the defects of the devotees. We should always remember that we recruit members from people in general. It is not expected that every one of our members should be immediately to the standard qualification. The best thing for you is to set the example by your personal behavior and try to reform the others, not by criticizing but by friendly behavior. If sometimes there are any disagreements, we should try to forget such incidences and be always in friendship with each other." - Letter to Vrinda Nairobi October 14, 1971 How To Contact The Author
Commitment 1: We are committed to working cooperatively with all the devotees of the Lord to re-establishing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as the impeccable representation and fulfillment of the teaching, wishes and vision of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Commitment 2: We recognize that His Divine Grace stressed several basic underlying themes that are undisputed by all his followers. We believe that to successfully navigate ISKCON through the difficulties it faces during this period of dynamic growth, resulting from the public's ever increasing interest in Krishna Consciousness, it is essential that we adhere to these principals. Some of the re-occurring themes emphasized by His Divine Grace that we concur on are; a) That devotional service means service to the Vaishnava Devotees of the Lord, The Spiritual Master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead in that order."If you love me, love my dog. gopé-bhartuù pada-kamalayor däsa-däsänudäsaù" b) That the way we demonstrate our Love for Srila Prabhupada is to resolve differences and co-operate together. "…work cooperatively …Fighting between devotees will destroy everything." " …different political parties conflict but always serve the country …Unity in Diversity" c) That it is our mission to propagate Lord Caitanyas Sankirtan Movement based on: "Purity is the force, Books are the basis, Preaching is the essence and Utility Is the Principle." d) That we should always be practical in our endeavor and judge things by the result. phalena phala-käraëam anuméyate 'By seeing a result, one can understand the cause of that result.' e) That every devotee should be extremely careful to avoid the "Mad Elephant" offense known as "Vaishnava Aparada" and always treat all the devotees with utmost respect because doing so is essential in developing one's Krishna Consciousness. yadi vaiñëava-aparädha uöhe häté mätä upäòe vä chiëòe, tära çukhi' yäya pätä Commitment 3: We believe that Srila Prabhupada's desires can best be understood by carefully studying His specific instructions, given both in writing and by example (Guru), the Vedic Literature, (Sastra), and the collective opinion of all the devotees, particularly the disciples of His Divine Grace, but not limited to them. (Sadus) We believe this is essential in knowing what is to be done and consistent with the mandate to serve each other and cooperate. Commitment 4: We recognize that after studying all the available resources, the disciples of Srila Prabhupada have arrived at different conclusions regarding how His Divine Grace wanted initiations to be carried out after his departure from this mortal world. The research that has been done on this complicated issue indicates that there is more than one bona fide way to conduct an initiation according to Guru, Sastra, Sadhu. Commitment 5: We believe that Srila Prabhupada would be extremely disturbed at the current unrest and conflict among the devotees in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. We further believe that he would immediately implement significant practical and effective reforms to restore the integrity of ISKCON, to protect it's reputation and improve rapport between all the devotees. Commitment 6: We believe that if Srila Prabhupada were physically here to do so he would suspend the current method of initiation, at least for awhile, even if he had originally authorized his disciples to become Diksa Gurus! We believe he would issue such an extreme instruction out of respect to all those who have sat on the vyasasan before us and to allow time for his disciples to reconcile their differences in order to prevent further altercation within ISKCON. Commitment 7: We believe that for numerous utilitarian and intelligent reasons Srila Prabhupada would want us to establish a respectable "Alternative Initiation Method," (AIM) even if he did not originally intend that to be the process of initiation for ISKCON. We believe this because fallen Guru's have been extremely disruptive, public embarrassing and have threatened the credibly of the entire society. It is also apparent that after 21 years the GBC is still in the process of defining the role, jurisdiction, and extent of power for an ISKCON Guru. It is our observation that this type of indecisive ambiguity, combined with the raging international controversy that it has fueled, is crippling our movement. We therefore conclude that to introduce an Alternative Initiation Method would be the wisest, most sensitive and responsible thing the GBC could do to unite and preserve ISKCON at this time. Commitment 8: We recognize that some people want to take initiation from a "living" guru and that many devotees believe Srila Prabhjupada intended for his students to "…accept disciples". We believe that His Divine Grace would not undermine the healthy Guru/Disciple relationships that currently exist between his followers and their respective disciples because doing so would unnecessarily disrupt the lives of many sincere devotees and create additional chaos in ISKCON. We honor our God brothers who have accepted the role of "Diksa Guru" as their duty to Srila Prabhupada and sincerely pray for their success. We further believe that all these relationships do not diminish the role of Srila Prabhupada as the founder Acarya of ISKCON and vow to respect and esteem them. Commitment 9: We are committed to cooperating with the GBC and serving Srila Prabhupada because we believe that is his foremost desire. We therefore humbly request that the leaders of ISKCON recognize that we too are bound by paramatma to represent the voices of many capable and mature devotees. For that reason we believe their realizations about Guru-tattva can not just be patently ignored. We can not deny the havoc that has been created by Guru's who have fallen down and how much the Guru-tattva dispute has fractured our community. Because of all the controversy, the difficulties of the current guru system, and the potential for further disgrace, we believe it is prudent to favor the more conservative Alternative Initiation Method. Because this is the more humble alternative we believe it represents a more honest understanding of our own limitations Commitment 10: We believe that the majority of the devotees are anxious to resolve the initiation issue and ready to adopt the mood of "Unity in Diversity" just like Srila Prabhupad instructed. We believe this can only be achieved if all parties vigilantly practice the highest principals of Vaishnava etiquette, and agree to work towards that unity by engaging our aggregate intelligence. We believe Krishna is trying to tell us, via the collective body of disciples, that reform is absolutely essential and it begins by ending the initiation feud but includes other serious issues as well. We believe it is important not to ignore, deny or minimize the need for correction, and to interpret these events as an urgent sign to re-unite under one banner so the skills of all the devotees can be enrolled into the long overdue, badly needed arduous process of reform. Commitment 11: We are committed to working side by side with the GBC in order to preserve the future of ISKCON and protect the reputation of Srila Prabhupada. We are not rigid about how to make His Divine Grace more directly accessible to new initiates, but we are convinced doing so will allow everyone to fully participate in building ISKCON into the powerful League of Devotees that Srila Prabhupada always wanted it to be. With faith we pray that the GBC seriously study the benefits and advantages of incorporating an Alternative Initiation Method into ISKCON so the preaching effort can be re-joined as one dynamic, unstoppable, world class, unified representative of Srila Prabhupada for all the conditioned souls. Commitment 12: We ask the GBC to recognize that these are our Commitments and we will not go away. We pray that they understand how important it is for us to stop working against each other, which Srila Prabhupada said on numerous occasions would "Destroy Everything", and to start working together again. It is our heartfelt desire that the GBC accept these Twelve Commitments as our attempt to start the process of "Unity in Diversity". We pray that they will use the power that only they have to honor our convictions and welcome us in the process of assisting them build ISKCON into the most dynamic spiritual force of the Universe. We the undersigned are committed to the above Twelve Commitments and respectfully request the ISKCON lawmakers consider these points carefully in formulating the guidelines for our future. 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