08/29/98-2088

Radhadesa Meeting Report

Belgium (VNN) - from: "COM: Internet News" <Internet.News@com.bbt.se>

Subject: Meeting in Radhadesa

GBC Executive News Release. 27.8.98

Radhadesa Meeting Report

Over 70 disciples of Harikesa prabhu, representing most parts of his preaching zone outside the CIS, gathered in Radhadesa, in Belgium on Sunday August 23rd. Several GBC members, senior preachers, temple presidents and ISKCON Communications representatives joined them. Akhandadhi das attended on behalf of the GBC Executive committee. Saunaka Rsi das chaired the meeting.

The purpose of the gathering was to inform leading preachers of the zone of the events of the last two and a half months and to insure that they have a full understanding of Harikesa prabhu's personal situation and current relations with ISKCON.

The morning session began with an overview by Hari Sauri das, who has spent nearly three weeks in Abentheuer in Germany, close to where Harikesa prabhu is now staying. Hari Sauri spoke about the mood of compassion and concern in which the GBC had approached Harikesa prabhu personally, as well as the responsibility they feel to his disciples and the other members of ISKCON. He then spoke about the build up to Harikesa's collapse and the events which subsequently took place, including his hospitalisation, his period of so-called 'lilas' in the forest and his relationship with Monika the therapist. He also spoke about Abhirama das' visit to see Harikesa prabhu.

Hari Sauri noted that in contrast to Harikesa's many years of strong support for Srila Prabhupada and his movement, since the unfortunate collapse in June, he seems to have adopted an increasingly critical stance against ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada personally. Hari Sauri discussed the possible medical causes for this dramatic change in his personality, based on comments by two medical professionals, Dr Peter Dogs and Dr. C. Von Rintelen. He also discussed other possible causes, including spiritual ones. Hari Sauri reported that at present, Harikesa das has complained that he does not want to be disturbed. He says that he has chosen now to go on holiday. He rented a small flat and does not wish to receive any visitors, although Jayapataka Swami was successful in seeing him the day before the meeting.

Visvadeva, the temple president of ISKCON Abentheuer, spoke with affection and concern about his dealings with Harikesa prabhu in this period. Archana dasi, the communications director for ISKCON Germany, also spoke. Saunaka Rsi read out a statement from Sannyasa das, director of the BBT in Moscow.

Saunaka Rsi das then read out a report from Kasiraj das and his wife Ambodha dasi, who had both served Harikesa for over 11 years. This statement detailed the period of 'lilas' when Harikesa was released from hospital. The report spoke of Harikesa revealing that he was first Skanda, then Lord Chaitanya, and finally Krishna himself. It was in this final phase that Harikesa made an approach to Ambodha.

Akhandadhi das, on behalf of the Executive Committee, spoke of Harikesa prabhu's important contribution over many years within ISKCON. He said that the Executive Committee members miss his leadership and association, and that they will continue to work on the improvements and reforms, which they had discussed together with him, especially in the areas of social development.

Akhandadhi said that as soon as the Executive Committee became aware that Harikesa prabhu's problem was more than just a physical collapse, they made immediate plans to be with him, and tried to arrange the best health care possible. He said that it must be understood that it was and still is a very complex situation. The problem was that the Executive could not force Harikesa prabhu to either submit to a diagnosis, or to accept treatment. Akhandadhi said that it was only recently that Harikesa had seen a psychiatrist.

Akhandadhi said that it was the belief of the Executive that Harikesa prabhu had been suffering some mental illness after his release from hospital, and that there may have been an element of diminished responsibility in the things he said and did at that time. However, he said, there is a growing feeling that now he is able to take responsibility for his behaviour. On being questioned about whether the Executive intends to take action against Harikesa for the incident involving Ambodha, Akhandadhi said that the Executive accepts the report of Kasiraj and Ambodha as an accurate record of the events that took place. He said that, bearing in mind the uncertainties over how much diminished responsibility there might have been, it was still an open question whether action should be taken against Harikesa prabhu in regards to that incident.

Immediately after lunch, Jayapataka swami reported on a two-hour meeting he held with Harikesa prabhu on the previous evening. He said that Harikesa was happy to see him, and spoke about his fears and concerns. Harikesa said he was disappointed by recent events. He didn't like the decisions of the GBC Executive. He voiced his criticisms of Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON once more, particularly against Srila Prabhupada's insistence of the regulative principle of no illicit sex within marriage. He said that Harikesa prabhu felt strongly that this prohibition for householders was responsible for the problems in the marriages and consequent abuses of women and children within ISKCON. Jayapataka Swami said that Harikesa spoke many other criticisms of Srila Prabhupada, some which he found too painful to repeat.

After meeting with Harikesa , Jayapataka Swami met Sannyasa das, Kamala Mala das and Brahmananda Puri das, three of the key leaders of the disaffected disciples in Russia. They continue to support the idea that Harikesa's experiences in the forest were symptoms of bhava or divine lila, and they are strongly critical of the ISKCON leadership. Jayapataka swami, however, felt that there may be some room for dialogue.

After Jayapataka Swami spoke, the afternoon session was opened to the floor. A common thread emerged among the disciples and others that there should be more focus on Srila Prabhupada as our founder-acharya.

A paper circulated by the senior devotees of Radhadesa suggesting a series of guru reforms in ISKCON, mirrored proposals produced by GBC members who met with 'ritvik' adherents recently in Bombay. Prahladananda Swami caught the mood of the discussion, when he spoke about the need to offer realistic standards of worship to ISKCON gurus, according to their actual level of realisation and understanding.

Devotees present also responded strongly to calls for accountability on all level, the need for training and the need for good spiritual leadership. Many perceived a lack of humility of leaders and were concerned about 'casteism' involving older devotees. There was an overall concern that devotees were not being cared for. All of those present were in a mood to identify the issues, and to work co-operatively with the leadership and the GBC to make positive change.

Prahladananda Swami, convenor of the upcoming European GBC meeting suggested to the those present, that they meet with their god-brothers and god-sisters in their own countries and discuss their ideas on reforms in ISKCON. He invited them to send a representative to the European GBC meeting or to send in written representations.

The participants recognised that it would be impossible to deal with all the issues in a one-day meeting, but the large majority of disciples, senior devotees and GBC members expressed satisfaction with the open disclosure of information and the open and frank discussion.


For further information, please contact

Bhagavat Dharma das / Anjana dasi

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