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WORLD January 20, 1999 VNN2886 See Related VNN Stories Raghu's Letter To Jahnavi - Letters (Part 2) BY RAGHUNATHA DAS USA, Jan 20 (VNN) — Subj: Overdue Changes Date: 98-11-25 15:40:56 EST From: radhadevi@hotmail.com (Radha McAlpine) To: Anudasa@aol.com Namaste Raghunatha, Thank you very much for your wonderful, and enlightening recollections of your times with Srila Prabhupada! They a-light within me feelings of happiness and security! They are such vivid examples of the way a sincere devotee behaves, in such a caring and selfless manner! While reading them, a smile remained pasted on my face, and laughs of bliss jumped from my throat! You are truly fortunate in that you, as well as Devz, AV, and others, received the blessing of spending time with such a great Bhakta and Bodhisattva as A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada certainly was! He truly set the precedent of sincere devotee behavior and attitudes. Though he might refute this praise, and claim, as he had, that "his behavior was merely what was called for by his own spiritual master. That any one of his god-brothers could have, and should have, done the same thing" is the exactly the same token which sets him apart from the "supposed commonality" of such acts, and accomplishments! Herein lies the answer to the question that so many of these self-called 'great devotees' are ultimately boggled by - "How does one truly become a great devotee?" They mistakenly, and vainly so, attempt to answer this question with their own lack of intelligence and understanding in one hand, and with a brooding well of bad qualities, such as greed, and self-glorification, in the other. The answer they "so intelligently" come up with is to 'take the nose to the grindstone, create hard and fast rules, push for self(ish) accomplishments, judge others, and imitate precedence.' This being the bottom line, it's no wonder that so many have failed, and continue doing so, with their responsibilities in GBC, and head positions! Which brings us to the issue of leadership. Certainly it cannot be had that one who merely follows(in most cases:imitates) precedence is, by this account, qualified to lead others! Yet, this has been, and still is the self-imposed 'rule of thumb' had by one and all! Here, truly lies, the innumerable and manifold amounts of problems within our society. By understanding this as the roots of a dying tree we call ISKCON, we are able to begin the much needed, and long overdue resurgence of this glorious Gaudiya Sampradaya. In its' current state, it cannot be called a society, but logically, a dictatorship, with our "leaders" acting as dictators! My question is "Who has defined and delivered the GBC as the end-all/be-all?" Is the answer that they are an elite few who say "Jump", and some ignorantly reply "How High?", while the rest, neglectfully say "See Ya!"? (Which by the way, is exactly what my mother did, but who could blame her with 5 children to raise by herself). Therefore, we, as gurukulis, are in a great position to bring about a needed re-defining of the movements standings. It is not so much a mission of re-typing the abc's, and 123's of the leadership positions, but in re-laying the proper foundation, on which Srila Prabhupada has already so nicely laid the groundwork! For instance, one question that should be raised by one and all is; "Why are the GBC members pulling double duty?!" The leaders of a successful, and specifically Vedic society , are never the teachers as well, and vice-versa! Each has its' own role, though certainly paralleled with one another in matters of importance, but never in matters of functionality. This double-duty business is not only bogus; merely as a means of the participants agenda of self-glorification, but it is illogical, and harmful to those who are affected by such activity!! Therefore, as youth of Srila Prabhupada's movement, we need to raise the tenuity of our voices, though not as minorities pushing for some hope of justice , but as equal claimants to all that is, was and will be, materially and spiritually! Certainly our chariot, ISKCON, is being continually misled towards a very dangerous cliff. This fact should evoke us to grab hold of the reigns and guide it away, and onwards! We should not think that these reigns will be merely handed to us, and we should not, by all means necessary, jump out the back of our chariot, grateful that we did not go down with it, as we watch it crash and burn! To see all the pain, suffering, and austerities endured by everyone, esp. the majority of the gurukulis, as Krsnas' plan to prepare us for the spectacular feat of pushing on Lord Chaitanyas' mission, through this age of Kali, past the numberless sea of demoniac entities, is truly the greatest self-sacrifice, and is surely the greatest test of love and devotion for Krsna, imaginable!!!! Wow!! Rags, I didn't know I had all that in me! Just see what you've started! Surely, it is us alone who will pass this torch to our children, and their children and their children(who might be us again-oooohh, scary thought) At the end of my life, I want to leave my body knowing that my life wasn't spent doing total nonsense! That I somehow made my life worthwhile, for the benefit of others and not just my own for my own enjoyment, Ya feel me?!! You said you want some feedback and ideas, but I'm not quite sure what it is you're looking for? give me some more input as to what you have in mind, who is your audience, what is the main focus, what are the topics of discussion, etc.?! I'm more than happy, and anxious to help with your endeavors. Let me know K? Give everyone my best! talk to you soon, laterzzz....... *Rads* Dear Radha, Wow. You go girl. You don't even realize how much Krsna Consciousness is there just burning inside you. My articles simply allowed some of it to express itself in a powerful way. Though your letter allowed you to verbalize your dedication, it is still only secondary to what is even more tangible proof of your commitment and that is your determination to continuously bring yourself back to Krsna's lotus feet in spite of all your harrowing difficulties. That remains to be the secret to your realizations and the symptom thereof. The point I like about your letter almost more then another is the GBC serving "double duty." This is a serious and one the less recognized problems. Being guru and GBC is a conflict of interest. The GBC guru's use to say as a guru - surrender everything. Then as a GBC they would say, we will take care of you. Then when the devotee needed help,, they would say, I your guru not your mother to take care of your material needs. This is one of many examples. In terms of "helping" me, share the info. That is a big step in getting the momentum going. Thank you gain for everything. Raghu Subj: Re: Prabhupada's Magic II Date: 98-10-31 16:20:33 EST From: LFELDA To: Anudasa Dear Raghunath Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I just finished reading Prabhupada's Magic and thank you for sending a little mercy my way. The more we are reminded of Srila Prabhupada's pure and spotless character, the more we know what is expected of us as his representatives. Whenever I hear about the abuses that occurred in the Holy Dhama, I am sickened and outraged. To victimize the exalted children of devotees in this way has engendered a sinful reaction that still covers our movement like a dark ominous cloud. It is a pity that ISKCON leaders can think of no better way to relieve our movement of this burden of guilt and sinful reaction than to add a ministry that hardly represents the diverse voices of ISKCON youth. I have not had much experience with gurukulas outside of France, although I was involved with the Sunday school program in the Brooklyn temple for a six year period. When I was the TP in Ermenonville, France we had a day school run by Mother Jyotirmayi which I always considered an essential program for devotee children. I was quite surprised when Lila Smaranam Prabhu came to France after being in the Vrndavan gurukula to see his volatile nature and violent outbursts. My understanding was that it was because he had been separated from his family for such an extended period of time. We had no idea that any abuse was being inflicted by the school itself. To most of us, it is totally inconceivable that this could have happened. It is like people hearing about the holocaust in disbelief. This is of such a demoniac nature that one is led to the conclusion that devotees, no matter how incompetent or untrained, are incapable of such behavior. The perpetrators must have been in the dress of devotees, but doing the work of demons. There are references to such entities in Srila Prabhupada's books, as I am sure you know. Even in Krishna's pastimes, a demon like Pralambasura could enter into the company of the cowherd boys without being detected. I was glad to see that you are writing for this Communications Journal. In the Jewish religion there is an expression: "Never Again". It means that the Jews will never allow another holocaust to threaten their existence as a race. Hopefully, your efforts and those of the various organizations you mention in your article will prevent such abuses from ever happening again in devotee schools. It is interesting that devotee children living with their parents rarely, if ever, report being abused by them, unlike the general non-devotee population of children. This would tend to confirm that devotees, taken as a group, are not pedophiles or child molesters, but that some demoniac influence was responsible for this tragedy. It is also a pity that, as you point out, the young people have become pro- jectiles in the ISKCON/ritvik food fight. Their real needs have not been addressed. I will take a look at your other article as soon as I have a chance. I am honored that you thought to send me some mercy and I look forward to having further correspondence with you. Taking the dust from your feet, I beg to remain Your servant, Locanananda Das Subj: Re: Prabhupada's Magic Date: 98-12-09 00:38:52 EST From: LFELDA To: Anudasa Dear Raghunath Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Your situation reminds me of Queen Kunti's prayers. She says, "My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of material progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling." Srila Prabhupada points out in his purport to this verse (S.B. 1.8.26) that material impoverishment is a good sign to those who are spiritually advanced, just as falling temperature of a feverish person is a good sign. Kuntidevi prayed to the Lord to place her again and again into adversity so that she could take shelter of Him again and again. Having our material opulence removed is a gift from the Supreme Lord to help us feel utterly dependent upon Him. At the same time we have to live, and living means to do something useful in a practical sense to maintain oneself and one's dependents. Srila Prabhupada explains in the Sri Isopanisad that the great sages and saints of India suggest that maintenance of the body and mind in equilbrium can be achieved by a balanced program of spiritual and material knowledge. "Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessing of immortality." (S.I. 11) Knowing that there was no need to encourage people to cultivate nescience, His Divine Grace always emphasized the cultivation of vidya, transcendental knowledge. His wish was to have a varnashrama college teach devotees all of the necessary skills to participate in a society of vaisnavas, including earning one's livelihood. In the absence of the acharya, there is chaos and everyone is left in a position where they must struggle to make ends meet with little chance to have a regular spiritual program or association with saintly persons. It is miraculous that the vast majority of devotees have not fallen into karmi life under these conditions. Krishna is not letting go of His devotees and is protecting them from the onslaught of passionate and ignorant activity. Generally, a devotee will agree to accept a poverty stricken condition so that he can spend more time practicing devotional service. He works to keep body and soul together, and his education prepares him for that work. One who can maintain the proper balance between education, work, family, recreation and spiritual practices is considered to be expert. The key is to not act for one's own sense gratification and to not pursue one's goals simply to attain the honor and prestige that follow mundane achievement. You are encountering certain obstacles and to overcome them is a test of one's determination. We should all try to chart our course in life and attempt to achieve all that we are capabe of. Most important is to achieve the goal of going back to Godhead which requires a lifetime of preparation. Krishna has endowed each of us with certain abilities and qualities by which we must work, and the perfection of life is to somehow dovetail those abilities in Krishna's service, and to offer the fruits of our work to Him. What we achieve in the mundane field is of a temporary nature, but our advancement in Krishna consciousness is never lost. I hope that you are successful in all of your endeavors and I look forward to hearing more about your triumphs. Your servant, Locanananda Das Dear Locana, I got lost in your explanation, but it sounds well intended so thank you. Subj: Re: SP built a whole school to meet the personal preference of 5 young boys Date: 1/12/99 4:20:41 PM Pacific Standard Time From: Gauridas To: wlg@cofs.com, Anudasa Dear Ragunatha Prabhu, PAMRO AGTSP! Thank you for the nice story. You are an excellent writer. Yes, Srila Prabhupada was/is our ever well-wisher as you exemplified by this story. I remember you and the boys from those days; especially when you used to come into the garden in the mornings and chant for the pleasure of His Divine Grace. I liked it when the Gurukula kids chanted the Brahma Samhita and Bhagavad Gita mantras together. It was/is very potent. Here is a story about the time Srila Prabhupada first toured the new Gurukula building in Vrindavana. I thought some of the devotees might like it. Hoping this meets you well, Your servant, Gauridasa Pandita Dasa PS: The devotees do have a habit of translating things to fit their desires don't they! "Srila Prabhupada Tours The Gurukula" (Vrindavan India June 25, 1977) It was a beautiful morning in Sri Vrindavan Dham. We carried Srila Prabhupada in his rocking chair into the temple as usual. He took darshan of the Deities and listened to the devotees chant bhajans under the Tamal tree in the courtyard. Srila Prabhupada was very happy. Even though he was very sick and couldn't even walk anymore, it was obvious that he was self satisfied and relishing the mellows of pure devotional service. After leaving the temple Srila Prabhupada went on a tour of the Gurukula building. The construction work was almost done. When Srila Prabhupada saw the contractor he said, "It is all very nice, thank you very much." Visvambhar, who was one of Srila Prabhupada's good friends told Srila Prabhupada that the veranda space in the gurukula was especially for the students to take rest in the hot summer months. Srila Prabhupada approved of the idea. When Srila Prabhupada saw a class room he said, "This is very nice." We took Srila Prabhupada around and showed him all of the rooms. He approved of the size of the living quarters. Then Srila Prabhupada said, "Now we have a big building, so you must bring 500 students. Bring from India or abroad; but you must fill up this school. Everyone wants this place that office, one leg here, one leg there, but now you must get students." Srila Prabhupada continued, "In Bengal there is a proverb which says, 'Do not face the north with your head.' One man said, 'How can I face anywhere without having a head!' Everyone is planning, this office, that office, but bring students first!" Then Srila Prabhupada paused at the stairway and spoke for a few more minutes. He said, "This university education is useless! Boys are going to schools and then they become hippies. The most important thing is self-control. Acaran dasa van nico - Now they get degrees and then they are unemployed. When I was in India before I tried to get Indian children, but everyone was saying that 'What will happen to my son? He will become a sadhu. What is the use? He will not earn money! They do not know. They are simply thinking money, money, money. No one is thinking of the next change of body. Na jayate mriyate va kadacin. The soul does not die, nor take birth. Anyway we must try to bring 500 children. Whether they are ISKCON or non-ISKCON children, that does not matter." Then Visvambhar asked if the education should be given free. Tamal Krishna Maharaja said that would attract low class people and Srila Prabhupada said, "No, we want high class people. The low class they do not need to come to school. They can learn from another person. Book education is for the brahmanas and kshatriyas. The others can plow the fields. We carried Srila Prabhupada back to his quarters. As we passed the temple door Srila Prabhupada asked what they were chanting. We said they are chanting, "Jaya Prabhupada Jaya Prabhupada·" Srila Prabhupada said, "I do not like this! Tell them to chant Hare Krishna!" Srila Prabhupada was so humble that he didn't even like his name chanted in the kirtans. I understood that it was ok a couple of times but not over and over. When Srila Prabhupada got back to his room he continued talking about the gurukula. He said, "Before one can manage, he should bring 50 children. What is this 4 children and 300 managers? Bring 500 children from all over the world. I built this school because there in America the government wanted this change, that change. So I built this school for that purpose." Gopal Krishna Maharaja asked if the school should be associated with the Government. Srila Prabhupada said, "No! Otherwise they will want to change everything. They will say- Study in this way- eat 3 eggs per day- Do not go to the Yamuna - it is polluted!" Srila Prabhupada was very proud of his Vrindavan project. He called Vrindavan his home. He wanted the devotees to visit as much as possible. I remember when I was a pujari in Vrindavan and was sitting by the Deities while Srila Prabhupada gave class. He said all of the devotees should come to Vrindavan to get trained up for at least 2 years then go out and preach around the world. He said you make 7 times the advancement in Vrindavan as in the west. He said after preaching during our lives around the world, to come back to Vrindavan, to retire and go back home, back to Godhead. [by Gauridasa Pandita Dasa using Yasodanandan's diary] Here is a clip about the Gurukuli's from a KRSNA Cryer: Haribol, prabhus-PAMHO AGTSP! Anyone who was molested and/or physically abused or who witnessed same to others-- male or female,in New Vrindaban and who wants to have the perpetrators brought to attention of the Child Protection judges act NOW. Radha dasi is heading up the N.V. investigations. (Yudhisthira's wife,formerly of CA.) Write or call her so that this can be dealt with and (hopefully) justice acheived for the victims and their families. You can get her phone # and e-mail from Children of Krishna or Dhira Govinda at office of child Protection. signed-Gurukuli's Mom >From Gauri Das Pandits Newsletter Subj: Re: Prabhuapda's Magic Part 1 Date: 1/12/99 6:00:08 PM Pacific Standard Time From: Gauridas To: Anudasa In a message dated 99-01-12 20:07:36 EST, you write: << This essay inaugurates my daily newsletter. You can join by simply contacting me. "Prabhupada's Magic;" Cure for ISKCON Child Abuse >> Dear Raghunatha Prabhu, PAMRO AGTSP! Thank you for sending me this important information. Please put me on your mailing list. I just finished reading the whole thing and I must say that I felt that this is the way the GBC has treated the ritviks also. I can see why that devotee you talked about used your case examples. I would of also. Your comments about the ritvik meeting were unfortunate. Bhutatma suggested that you speak at this meeting coming up. I don't know if he followed up with an official invitation or not but I hope you do. We have invited all of the GBC but will any show up? The same reaction the GBC have given to the problems and abuses of the youth which is practically nothing, is the same reaction the ritviks and women have had from them! Practically nothing! They have their heads in the sand. They should be voted in or out as Srila Prabhupada first said. Anyway I hope and think it's getting better all the time for the youth due a lot to your noble efforts and the whole society by all of the devotees involved in the reform movement. Jai to the Youth; our future and present hope! Hoping this meets you well, Your servant, Gauridasa Pandita Dasa See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9901/WD20-2886.html
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