05/21/98 - 1807

Request from Satyanarayana

USA (VNN) - by Satyanarayana dasa

Respected Members of ISKCON and the GBC Members,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

After my departure from ISKCON in 1997, many members of ISKCON have approached me asking for the reason of my leaving. I have explained to them that I have some philosophical differences with the teachings of ISKCON. It is my understanding that the teaching of the Goswamis are not being properly represented. I have decided to follow the Goswami's teachings. Invariably, ISKCON members take this to mean that I am against Prabhupada-- that I am his enemy.

I have always been misrepresented on this point repeatedly. Therefore, I want to set the record straight once and for all, and make the following categorical statements:

1) I have great respect for Prabhupada, although as an independent member of an independent country, I have the right to differ with him on philosophical issues.

2) Despite what anyone might say, I have never campaigned against Prabhupada/ISKCON, nor have I any intentions to do so in the future. I do not do any public preaching. I am confined to my own work in Vrindavan of translating and teaching Goswami literature, and working on my PhD.

3) People from different spiritual societies and educational institutes come to me and ask philosophical questions/take guidance in their research work. I answer them according to my understanding of the Goswami literature. Often ISKCON members don't properly understand the philosophical issues and misrepresent me and what I say.

4) I have no intention of causing disturbance or creating inimical feelings among the Vaisnava community, and believe that the world is certainly large enough for all of us to peacefully coexist, despite whatever philosophical differences we might have.

Therefore, in light of the above mentioned points, and in accordance with the ISKCON GBC resolution prohibiting its members from associating with me, I declare that I will no longer entertain personal visits, letters, e-mail, telephonic conversations, etc. by any ISKCON devotees or GBC members. Further, I humbly request that the GBC and ISKCON authorities should strictly prevent its members from visiting me, and that ISKCON devotees stop printing slanderous propaganda against me.

Let us pursue our goals peacefully.

Respectfully yours,

Satyanarayana dasa