09/20/1998 - 2255

Disconnected - Not Very Much Part Of ISKCON?

USA (VNN) - by Papaharini devi dasi

An open letter to Lokanatha "Swami", Mukunda Goswami, and Anuttama dasa.

Lately, the US president and Monica Lewinsky's alleged affair has been theobsession of the regular media. Meanwhile, in ISKCON media, the alleged loss of tens of millions ofnonprofit tax exempt funds in the stock market at the hands of a resignedbroken sannyasi monk, along with the unethical conduct and theft of threethousands bucks a day by another Monica while she poses more like a roundthe clock call girl than a "therapist"- seems to have some scrambling.

Not to mention that:
The emerging allegiance to simply accept Srila Prabhupada's unprecedentedorder presented in his own statement of July 9th regarding initiations-

The alleged criminal conduct of BBT-I (and the citing of Srila Prabhupadaas just an "author for hire")-

The changing of Srila Prabhupada's writings to suit the noncompliance withhis July 9th order-

May all eventually provide proof of motive as to why it would have becomenecessary to poison His Divine Grace in order to avoid the July 9th order.

This is just some of the criteria for calling upon the RICO (racketeering,influenced, corrupt organization) charge to show habitual practices offraudulently misleading the community and public concerning the bylaws andarticles of proper religious corporation bookkeeping, and appropriation offunds.

Let's take a break for a moment from all that to focus on a very importantand still open-ended unresolved situation that bears the further attentionof the larger community of devotees, especially those who have children.

Dear Lokanatha dasa:
Today I received the newest newsletter titled "Prabhupadanuga". It listsyou as one of the editorial board. Sidebar right off! Is this to saythat- you, Mukunda Goswami and Anuttama prabhus are now members of theRitvik community that titled themselves originally in England asPrabhupadanugas, who presented "THE FINAL ORDER"; who were beaten up/button of Srila Prabhupada stomped on? Or is this a PR move to establishthe name Prabhupadanuga as something belonging to other than Ritvikcommunities? Nevertheless, I would like to address some of your ownstatements from page three about "uniting after the centennial".

You wrote: "We want to perpetuate the Centennial by associating more with Prabhupadaand rededicating ourselves to the services Prabhupada gave us." (p.3)

Prabhu, I would appreciate knowing the answers to the following questionsfrom yourself, Mukunda Goswami and Anuttama prabhu: EXACTLY

How was your sexual misconduct with a young minor Indian girl was resolved?

 Why did you stay in the dress of a sannyasi monk after this?Why are you currently still an initiating spiritual master for ISKCON aftersuch misconduct? What was your official statement to your disciples?After going through your psychological evaluation for child molestation,why was it found that "the Maharaja has no symptoms of being sexuallyattracted to minors and has normal sexual impulses"..? Did that devoteesocial worker report you to authorities as is the ethical requirement? What criminal charges, if any were filed against you and how did that turnout?Are you now a registered sex offender?

In another statement you wrote:

"I want to remind our devotees of their obligation towards Prabhupada andhis institution." (p.3)

Prabhu, excuse me? Lokanatha, I want to remind you of your now completelynullified position as a sannyasi monk. I want to remind you of your nowcompletely ludicrous inappropriate post as an initiating spiritual masterfor ISKCON. You may be a great devotee of Srila Prabhupada and haveperformed great service in the past, but now you must do the noble thingand "fight the crocodile Maya" from the ashram of marriage. Take a wifeand continue to fight for Srila Prabhupada's glory. Instruct yourdisciples to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada's instructions and toassociate with those sincere followers who hold His instructions preciousin their hearts. Set a precedent for ISKCON gurus; a precedent of holdingan honest befitting post in service, one that you can be proud of, not oneof a sham. You may have been advised by associates to hold fast to yourprevious position as a sannyasi and initiating guru. These associates didyou and your disciples a grave disservice. Do the honorable now. Set agood example. Reject those who ask you to misrepresent your true position.

Finally, in another statement you wrote:

"We offer this newsletter, Prabhupadanuga, to invite devotees who may feeldisconnected or not very much part of ISKCON to keep in touch. We welcomeall our readers to write letters to the editor to disclose your minds andoffer comments." (p. 3)

Lokanatha prabhu, with all sincere intentions, you are a perfect example ofwhy I "feel disconnected or not very much part of ISKCON". Your horridbehavior toward the child, and worse (in light of that), the positions youare currently continuing to profile, honestly make me want to vomit. Ifeel YOU are the one who should feel this "disconnection" you describe- butapparently, by all the public relations management of those involved infirefighting like Mukunda Goswami and Anuttama prabhus (also listed as theother members of the editorial board), you seem to think those of us "outhere" are in need of "rededication and renewing obligations to SrilaPrabhupada and the institution". Shame on you brother!!

I welcome you to the land of small devotees. Those of us who are watchingthe mockery being made of acarya by people like yourself. Lift the burdenfrom your heart. Do the noble deed. Renew my faith that you are afaithful follower of Srila Prabhupada.

You have this duty to the forgotten children of our movement; those whowill grow up without a proper example provided by the institution you claimWE need to rededicate and reobligate ourselves to. Frankly, if you don'ttake these suggestions to heart, you defile the banner, etiquette andpurpose of the monk life style. What to speak of the genuine post of"acarya", you embarrass our Divine Grace who so lovingly cared for yourpresence and service with patience. You think you have duped us for thelast few years since this sexual misconduct with a minor. However, youhave caused permanent psychological damage to the life of the victim, and Iam begging you to take the suggestions you offer all of us to heartyourself and consider REEVALUATING YOUR OWN SERVICE< and RE-OBLIGATEINGYOURSELF to the simple principle of living within your true position as atrue servant and representative of the great vaisnava acaryas. And, consider giving up the company of those who would ask you to maintainotherwise. You will find you have many well-wishers and supporters. Iwish you the best in your efforts.

Your god sister,
Papaharini devi dasi