© 1998 VNN
| USA December 3, 1998 VNN2613 See Related VNN Stories N.A. Leaders Propose Blacklisting Ritviks USA, Dec 3 (VNN) — Notes From Regional Meeting New Dvaraka / Nov. 17th, 1998 1. Dealing with rtvic: a) Resolution passed unanimously: "We are committed to the guru-parampara diksa system as consistently taught by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad and the Vedic shastra and tradition. That system is that Srila Prabhupad intended that after his physical departure, his qualified followers were to initiate disciples. In that relationship, the gurus are diksa gurus and the initiates are their disciples, grand disciples of Srila Prabhupad." "We reject the rtvik theory and kula guru (family guru) system as "asampradayic" and contrary to the teachings and desire of Srila Prabhupad" Signed: Dravida dasa / BBT editor, Nirantara dasa/ LA vice-president, Govinda dhatta / LA property division, Svavas dasa, LA president, Dharmasetu dasa/ S. Diego president, Vaikuntha dasa/ Encinitas president, Ratnabhusana dasa/ LA board, Sura dasa/ BBT marketing, Krsna Karuna dasa/ San Jose president, Bhagavat Kripa dasa/ LA temple commander, Anantarupa dasa/ Boise president, Vyapi dasa/ Laguna vice president, Virabahu dasa/ GBC, Jagadishananda dasa/ BBT secretary, Jagai Nitai/ Laguna president, Amala Bhakta dasa/ LA temple, Mayapursasi dasa / LA treasurer, Madhuvisa dasa former GBC, Drutakarma dasa / BBT and BI, Rabindranath dasa/ LA head pujari, Badrinarayan dasa/ GBC (Six presidents, two GBCs, entire senior staff of N. American BBT) 2. Drutakarma, Dravida, and Archita will prepare three pamphlets as follows: a) A positive presentation of ISKCON's guru system, not mentioning the rtvik controversy. It is intended as a preemptive inoculation against rtvik propaganda and its target audience is primarily our congregation. b) A pamphlet version of Jayadvaita Swami's "Where the rtviks are wrong". This will be primarily philosophy. Its audience is the temple devotees and those who have been hit with rtvic propaganda c) The history of the controversy concluding with the GBC's resolutions rejecting rtvikism and the right of temple presidents to bar rtvik advocates from ISKCON functions etc. (This one will be the heaviest of the three pamphlets) The N. American BBT will pay for the printing and presidents can pay for the BBT mailing each temple a bulk supply. The BBT will print several thousand so they can be distributed to the rest of N. America. 3. Badrinarayan dasa contact Bir Krsna Maharaj and Vipramukhya Maharaj regarding their offices maintaining a list of the most active rtivk advocates and other problem devotees (thieves, crazies, etc.) If they can maintain the list, then Badrinarayan dasa will contact the presidents in the West Coast zone for names and descriptions of problem cases they each know about. 4. Rtvic presidents in India: The presidents and other devotees attending the West Coast regional meeting formally requested the international GBC to move decisively with the situations in Calcutta, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. The comparison was made to New Vrndaban. There came a point where it was clear that there was no mediating or repairing the rift and Kirtanananda was bounced from ISKCON. Adridharan, Madhu Pandit, and Jasomatinanda should be told to renounce their rtivc advocacy or be removed from their positions. If that means that we lose these three temples, then so be it. Just like with New Vrndaban Before the above step is taken, or simultaneously, there was the strong recommendation that we put together a strong team of senior devotees to visit these temples and try to win over as many of the temple devotees and congregation as possible. We should not just assume that they will all follow their local president, but make a concentrated effort to educate them, make sure they have heard the other side of the story. This make-up of this team and its immediate dispatch should be top priorities for the GBC/ EC. The conclusion was that these men are simply making their plans, strengthening their position, and pouring acid on the remaining faith in ISKCON any of their temple staff and congregation may have left. 6. Amarendra and Legal review: Amarendra answered questions from the presidents on a variety of issues presidents have to deal with. He reported on the BBT settlement, and discussed the most important protections temple presidents can make to defend the temple from law suits (corporate records in order and updated regularly, following the corporate by-laws, avoiding cutting corners with building permits etc., having property and liability insurance for the temple. Ideally, liability insurance should include a clause on child abuse). In relation to the BBT settlement, it was suggested that Amarendra and Svavas draft a proposal to the GBC for voting on in Mayapur - guiding the temples to only buy books from the bona fide BBT (not Hamsa and company) 7. Guru reform: a) The Bombay proposals and ICC proposals were discussed and voted on. Results are being sent by a separate file. b) On the issue of whether gurus should also be GBC members, the conclusion was that to seriously discuss this issue, there needs to be a clearer understanding of what the role of the GBC actually is; to travel and preach and assure the spiritual standards, but not be so involved in management, money etc. or more hands on and project development oriented. There was the question of whether there really are so many qualified and willing devotees ready to step up to GBC duties if our current guru GBC members step off the GBC. But taking the current system and history as the criteria, a vote was taken as follows: "Do you think gurus should not also serve on the GBC?" Yes-15 / No-4 / Need more information-3 The above vote was taken with the understanding that there would be a training and transitional period. c) Another meeting of this same group is scheduled on Dec. 10th , in New Dvaraka, to continue discussions on guru, GBC, and ISKCON reform. The focus on this next session will be the Alachua proposals. All attendees are expected to arrive having read those proposals and to have prepared comments and suggestions. See Related VNN Stories This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/usa/US9812/US03-2613.html
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