07/26/98 - 1934 (see also VNN story #1913)

Bangalore Meeting Report

USA (VNN) - Tuesday 21st July, 1998
Dear Prabhus,

Please accept our humble Obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We sincerely hope that you have taken the opportunity to read the 'Final Order' and thus to become more informed about the so-called 'ritvik issue' in ISKCON.

The issue is not confined to a small group of fringe devotees, which is quite a common misconception. Hundreds have understood and are on board. Many temples are serious about the ritvik issue, such as Bangalore, Montreal and Singapore. In Bangalore, for example, ISKCON's biggest and grandest temple, most of the devotees (including 30 brahmacaris) are intelligent well educated graduates. They understand and appreciate the ritvik issue very well.

For your information, on July 7th, 8th & 9th 1998 a meeting took place at the Bangalore temple which included the following devotees...

H.H. Mahavisnu Goswami (elder)
H.H. Vedavyasa Swami
H.G. Vrindavan Candra dasa (Delhi)
H.G. Madhu Pandit dasa (Bangalore Temple President)
H.G. Yasomatinandana dasa (Ahmedabad Temple President)
H.G. Sudarsan dasa (Udampur Temple President)
H.G. Jagajivan dasa (Bombay [Mira Rd.] Temple President)
H.G. Visva Kirti dasa
H.G. Sahadeva dasa (Secunderabad Temple President)
H.G. Ramanuja dasa (Jaipur)
H.G. SundaraGopal dasa (Singapore Temple President)
H.G. Uttama Sloka dasa (Mayapur)
H.G. Tattva darshan dasa (Mangalore Temple President)
H.G. Sattvik dasa (Calcutta Vice President)
H.G. Pancaratna dasa (Jaipur Temple President)
H.G. Srivatsa dasa (Hyderabad Temple President)
H.G. Jita rati dasa (Hong Kong)
H.G. Adridharan dasa (Calcutta Temple President)
H.G. Mahaman dasa (Vrindavan Temple President)
H.G. Mandapa dasa (Australia)
H.G. Kapila dasa (Bombay Acting Temple President)
H.G. Devakinandana dasa (Bombay Vice President)
H.G. Nanda Gopala dasa
H.G. Rasaraja dasa (Bombay -Bhaktivedanta Institute- International
Secretary)

During the meeting, 55 points were raised concerning the guru related problems in ISKCON, and solutions were sought.

It was unanimously agreed (except for one prabhu) that the present system of initiation within ISKCON is based upon an incorrect interpretation of the GBC's principle evidence i.e. the May 28th 1977 'Appointment Tape' and Srila Prabhupada's July 9th 1977 directive letter mailed to all ISKCON temples. Rather, Srila Prabhupada intended that ritvik priests should accept disciples on behalf of Srila Prabhupada.

The resolutions of that meeting will be mailed to you as soon as they are released. The resolutions were passed on July 9th, 'Guru Purnima', 21 years to the day since Srila Prabhupada signed the July 9th 1977 directive. Astrologers said that the Bangalore resolutions mark a new era in the history of ISKCON.

Should you have any doubt about the courageous stand taken by the above named devotees, please be sure to thoroughly read the 'Final Order'. They all did. We encourage you to not make the mistake of skimming through and carelessly dismissing it. It discusses circumstances of the history of ISKCON which we wont understand without reading the Final Order. We should all be united as Srila Prabhupada's family. That will be so pleasing to His Divine Grace!

Your servants,
The Prabhupadanugas,

Krishnakant, Kamsahanta, Yasodanandan, Gauridasa Pandita Dasa and Hundreds; soon Thousands! of others; Then Millions and unlimited amounts of souls will get the mercy as the Golden Age of Lord Chaitanya increases! Hari Nama Hari Nama Hari Nama Eva Kevelum...

Hare Krishna prabhu's;
P.A.M.H.O. A.G.T.S.P.
I'm forwarding this letter as some may find it of interest.
your servant Madhusudana dasa

Hare Krsna Prabhus
Finally, the tide is turning.
Hari Bol
Damaghosa

Thank You Prabhus! This is of great interest!

We have won a major battle; but the war is not won. The GBC members remain practically non-existent in the most important matters of our movement. If they don't start responding to the requests of the Brahmanas etc. for a dialogue/discussion, then how can they please the devotees, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna? They can't! If they don't start functioning as proper GBC members they should be 'Voted out' by the majority of devotees. A new body should be elected who will respond to the needs of the devotees following Srila Prabhupada's instructions in all matters. I propose that the temple presidents and GBC members are elected from now on to say 4 year terms. I know Srila Prabhupada said that the GBC members were a lifelong appointment but he also removed some of them and almost disbanded the whole group due to their mismanagement / No moves for increasing Sankirtan for example. Srila Prabhupada said that the GBC should advise but not dictate. Now we have a dictatorship who suppresses it's 'subjects' and thus drives most of them away. So now most of the temples are empty and lifeless. They have taken away Srila Prabhupada as the current Acharya of ISKCON. We need to reinstate him ASAP as the Siksa and Diksa Guru of ISKCON; and not just the 'outside devotees'. Many will become 'inside devotees' when the ritvik system is adapted finally by the GBC.

Yes, the tides are turning and the Truth will Prevail!
The Tide of Love of Godhead will increase like anything and the Holy Name will be spread more and more and many more new devotees will be made. Give Peace A Chance!

Take shelter of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!!!
Now here is the latest information about the recent meeting in Bangalore.

The nectar is increasing!
Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa