12/30/97 - 1449

Bhavananda Sydney Update

Australia (VNN) - Since VNN broke this story (#1433) about Bhavananda living in the Sydney temple ISKCON's "CHAKRA" has come to his defense:

"Krsna Conscious philosophy states that anyone can be renovated. Although someone may have been fallen, they can again return to Krsna Consciousness if they do so in the proper mood."

"Aren't we all proof of this, considering what we were before we met Prabhupada?" reports one CHAKRA reader.

"Bhavananada happens to be the only fallen guru of the original 'divine 11' to be making a sincere attempt at rectification. Perhaps people should know this instead of condemning him eternally," our reporter says. (VNN comment - Hansadutta also)

"Bhavananda has a day job with an agency which hires people for film, TV and magazine advertisement. He works there five days a week. At night he comes back to the temple, takes prasadam, speaks to a few devotees, reads and then goes to bed. In the morning he
goes to Mangala Arati, chants his rounds, reads, usually comes to class, greeting the deities and guru puja. He leaves at about 8 am for work again. On the weekend he generally stays at the temple and cleans his room, reads or goes for walks. Sometimes he cleans the
sannyasi bathroom."

"He doesn't lead kirtana or give class at the temple, although the GBC Executive did allow him to lead kirtana and speak at preaching centers."

"Bhavananda says that he would like to ask the GBC body if he could occasionally give class at the temple."
(end quote)

Well, we are all relieved that Bhavananda is only allowed to lecture to newcomers. Free room in the temple while he works a job outside and ISKCON PR comes to his defense, while abused Gurukulis at the same time are being evicted from the temple their parents live in, even if they want to pay rent. (see VNN story #1437)

Just 2 years ago Bhavananda had some "renovation" problems when he was fired from a job at the Govinda's restaurant for sexually assaulting a restaurant guest. The locals already called it "Gayvinda's".

The element of forgiveness is a great Vaishnava quality, though used very selectively by ISKCON like in this case, does not sit well with many other devotees, as expressed in this letter:

"Why is that (edited) not in jail? I was molested as a child and I know the devastating effects it has on someone. These gurukulis
should be pensioned off for life by ISKCON, the blind, sad, unconcerned parenting sham. Pedophiles should never be allowed near an ISKCON temple. If one child or anyone is corrupted by the jerk formerly known as Bh#v#n#nd# (why do we allow him to call himself that!), then may it be upon the heads of the (edited) authorities that allow it, the temple president and anyone else who can say "no way, do you think we're stupid". And yes, I think they're stupid. Perhaps they will be raped in their next life so they will know it is not some minor little offense that they are dismissing here. He says he wants to ask if he can give class - you (edited), you have to have class before you can give it. Am I the only one with any brains in this outfit!

I'm sorry, but I've had it with everyone's calm handling of all this child abuse. It's time to tell them, the hammer will fall hard, and will fall fast and permanently. Better they were never born. Put that clown in jail!!!!!

Gary Stevason
(end letter)

ISKCON's current policy of banning Srila Prabhupada disciples who are sincerely convinced, right or wrong, that Srila Prabhupada should be the only guru worshiped in ISKCON, combined with ISKCON's current eagerness of protecting and hosting Bhavananda, raises serious questions.

Is it that just need to know the right people in the right places or possibly have the goods on some of them?