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WORLD March 13, 1999 VNN3315 Raghu's, Vrindavan Wins Academic & Media Acclaim For Vedic Empire BY RAGHUNATHA ANUDASA USA, Mar 13 (VNN) — Save time with the newsletter summaries. It takes about a minute to read and you know everything. If you want more detail, then go to the individual letter. Purpose: A community center wherein we can honor our common bonds and tap the resources of each others gifts while in dialogue with our most sensitive differences. VRINDAVAN - ISKCON's infighting is irrelevant to the rest of world - CKI is impersonal in it's approach, forcing the victimized parties to seek compensation. - They were individually abused, so individually heal them. -My (preaching) thru Vedic Empire recognized by scholars & awards, published by scientific journal & mainstream newspapers. ISKCON has refused us such recognition. - my parents: presented "The Best World Music Award" by Governor of Hawaii, for CD "Rathayatra Live." - BSWAMI "THE VEDIC EMPIRE CREW ARE ALL DEMONS GOING TO HELL." VRINDAVAN Subj: krsna youth etc Date:3/4/99 From:vedic108@hotmail.com (vrin parker) To:Anudasa@aol.com Dear Raghu I am very proud of you for your article in defense of Prabhupada and for the response you have generated. I know for years you have been trying to generate positive change, in not only the small society of ISKCON, but in the larger world society, as well. Sometimes the squabbling in Iskcon, reminds me of kindergardeners fighting over toys in a sandbox. it seems so important to them, but the adults don't take it very seriously. In the same way, ISKCON's infighting is, at best, basically irrelevant to the rest of world, and at worst, it is seen as more proof about the nature of an irresponsible, abusive cult. I personally have no doubt that Prabhupada's real ISKCON is transcendental and eternal. It did not begin in the 1960s, but rather it is the same movement that Lord Nityananda and His wife Jahnavi Devi led some 500 years ago. It is the same movement the 6 Gosvamis are such an integral part of. Srila Bhaktivinod and Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta are leaders of this same movement. According to the philosophy, this Krishna conscious movement is the reality of existence and the Mayic world is illusion. Shrila Prabhupada brought this movement into this western material world as ISKCON. However this does not automatically make ISKCON forever the only representation of the Krsna concious reality. ISKCON is only truly an International Society for Krsna Conciousness as long as it is promoting conciousness of Krsna or God. Neither the name, it's history nor it's members can automatically guarantee that it is truly a representation of the Spiritual World. This is a fact. Vrindavan Dham is without a doubt a holy place, but after visiting Vrindavan, Bhaktisiddhanta was sorely disappointed because, while there, he "did not see one sincere devotee." I am not saying there are no sincere devotees in ISKCON, but I am saying that the leadership is lacking in sincerety and in vision. I am actually so shocked by their stands on most issues, I am sorry to say, that I have come to a rather negative conclusion. Either they do not really have a heart-felt understanding of the Krsna Concious philosophy nor for the society as envissioned by Prabhupad, or they are demoniac infiltraters. Because this is a heavy statement, I must say that though I do have some individuals in mind, I will not name them, and that I am speaking in general and not about every ISKCON leader, past, present and future. It is also important to separate spiritual and hierachal matters from this debate. Many people in past leadership positions were hiding behind their positions of guru, maharaja and prabhu, while they perpatrated horrible acts, despicable even to most fallen meat-eaters. Being one of the 1st Gurukulis, I was also one of the first to be blacklisted and demonized in the eyes of the younger kids, by certain teachers. At 13 yrs old, no exposure to the karmi world, and a mother completely surrendered to ISKCON, I had no shelter. I ended up running away on a Greyhound bus, 1000 miles away to my Grandma's. Completely disenchanted by Spiritual life, I did my best to forget Krsna or God in any way. But even then, I always loved Prabhupada. like you said, he loved us and cared for us, and we knew it. Even at my most "blooped phase" I always loved him and cherished and defended him. I have always looked back and wondered what made me change from my happy Vrindavan Gurukul times to running away, physically and mentally, from Krsna. Well, the final straw was my Lake Huntington experiance. I was ostrocized, blacklisted and cutoff from the other kids, because Murlivadaka said I was a demon. Now I find out he was raping the kids and saw me as a threat to his perversions. I also found out that another teacher, (I forget his name) was also guilty of the same thing. I was basically driven from Krsna Conciousness by these individuals, so that I wouldn't expose them. Has ISKCON in anyway tries to rectify this crime. They can never do so, but they can make a good start by responding to the offenses on an individual basis. For example, I was individually singled out, in a negative way. ISKCON can rectify their crimes by individually singling us out, in a positive way. From experiance, I can personnaly vouch for the fact that CKI is impersonal in it's approach, forcing the victimized parties to seek compensation. This is a weak approach because it is reactive. Only a proactive approach can come close to making amends. Let us use my case as an example. I have been actively preaching to the best of my capacity for 3 years now. My methods are unorthodox yet they are effective. I am a directly initiated disciple of Prabhupada, so I am legally and morally in my rights to preach as I see fit. As long as I don't change the philosophy, I am in line with the Sampradaya. My work has been recognized by not only some members of ISKCON, but by recognized scholars in the field of Vedic science and Culture. I have received awards and my research has been published by a prestigious scientific journal. My legally registered Corporation "Vedic Empire Productions" is recognized as the premiere cultural presentaion group in Hawaii. Mainstream newspapers such as the Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Weekly have written about our work more than once. The University of Hawaii, twice funded and hosted our events at their Campus, because they recognized the positive impact we have on the youth. ISKCON has refusen us such recognition. In fact, my parents, (Bhavatarini & Narihari) who have been performing for years at ISKCON functions, with no official apprreciation, were spotted performing at one of my parties. They were invited to the Hawaii Music Awards and were presented with "The Best World Music Award" by the Governor of Hawaii, for their CD "Rathayatra Live."I regularly air KC programs in Hawaii and here in Eugene, Oregon and am a member of Community Television. Have I received any help from ISKCON? NO, NO, NO!!! Only Kunti Dasi of Hare Krsna World has been encouraging, by reporting on my work. Though ISKCON has been involved in Rock concerts since the 60s, including Shelter, Boy George etc. they have been at best neutral and most of the time have been outright hostile. IN FACT LESS THAN A WEEK AGO, BSWAMI ABUSED A BHAGAVATAM CLASS AT THE HONOLULU TEMPLE, TO SAY THAT THE VEDIC EMPIRE CREW ARE ALL DEMONS AND GOING TO HELL. I personally challenge him to a debate to back up his statements, with scriptural, moral and legal evidences. I challenge him to justify his willingness to involve ISKCON in Hippy Jimi Hendrix festivals and Punk Rock concerts and at the same time, abuse his position as an ISKCON leader, to slander our preaching activities. All the evidence proves he and others like him, fear our independence and our ability to preach without the GBC stamp of approval. The Unfortunate truth is, ISKCON's buruecracy is so slow, that if I did wait for approval I'd never get anything done. How does this tie in to CKI? Well, CKI should be campaigning on my behalf. They should defend me and seek out my needs. Not my personal needs, but my needs in continuing the preaching programs. ISKCON should also actively support these programs. Not one ISKCON leader has contacted me, not even to criticize. Its all behind my back, this prooves they are in the wrong. I was very surprised by Kavi Chandra Swami's pleasant letter to you, because he has always been verbally abusive to me and my friends. These people realize we are not kids anymore, and so they are in fear of us and are trying to artificially befriend us. I will believe them , when they put their apologies into action on an individual basis. Giving money for being beaten and molested turns people into victims and prostitutes. THE ONLY WAY TO COME CLOSE TO RECTIFYING PAST INJUSTICES IS BY ESTABLISHING INDIVIDUAL LIASIONS WITH EACH SUBJECT AND ESTABLISHING THEM IN LONG TERM BENEFICIAL ARRANGEMENTS. They were individually abused, so individually heal them. Mo more impersonal, buearacratic psuedo welfare payments. Get to the root of the problem by welcoming us back to ISKCON as ACTIVE members.(that doesn't mean set us up with the new bhaktas) Iskcon was built on the energy of people younger both materially and spiritually than us, so it is high time we were allowed to take our proper places in the movement. Where is that? Well ISKCON would find out if they took the time to get to know us. I don't think I have served you lately, so lets just say.... To get more details on Vedic Empire Productions, check out our website at: http://members.xoom.com/vedicempire your friend and brother, Vrin parker Subj: various Date:3/5/99 From:vedic108@hotmail.com (vrin parker) To:Anudasa@aol.com Dear raghu, When you post my article re: krsna youth, please make the point that even now, when everyone is supposedly regretting the past injustices, present injustices are being perpetrated at the highest levels. All the abuse that happenned, started with the negative attitudes, progressed to negative wortds and culminated in negative actions. I AM DEMANDING THAT ISKCON AUTHORITIES RECOGNIZE OUR ENDEAVOURS AND SUPPORT US AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Presently they are fumbling and missing oppurtunities left and right. For example, at our Vedic Empire events we are successfully advertising Krsna Consciousness to the general public. We are not trying to convert them, just make people aware, it is up to ISKCON to actually invite them to join, initiate etc. But because they have no respect for us and never did, they don't take us seriously and are losing a golden preaching oppurtunity. The truth is they can not stop us, they can only expose themselves as petty and immature or they can join us and dovetail the people's obvious interest in Vedic Culture, by being there to preach. Because B. Swami is so negative towards us, ISKCON Hawaii will not participate and other Vaishnava groups have been coming to preach of their own accord. I think my point is clear. Basically, by being against us, BSwami is impeding the mission of ISKCON, ie. To promote Consciousness and Awareness of Krsna (God), amongst the public. Prabhupada named the Society the International Society of Krsna Consciuosness for that reason. It is not called IS-GBC-CON. Prabhupada started the GBC to maintain the movement, and it is, 1st and foremost, a preaching movement. None of us in Vedic Empire have made any money, in fact it has been a major sacrifice for all involved. And what has been the most troublesome aspect of putting on these programs? Dealing with ISKCON! I am convinced that if I were doing exactly the same things but I was initiated by BSwami, he would not only be my biggest supporter, but he would probably be at every one of the events, playing his guitar and singing some retro 60s tunes. You, yourself attended one of our events last year. It was in honor of Lord Nityananda's Appearance. The ISKCON brahmacari's attended, without permission,and performed Harinam and gave out Prasad in front of the venue. The public response was positive in the extreme. The following Gaur Purnima program at the Temple was packed more than it had been since the 1970s. As word began filtering out that ISKCON was inimical towards us, the attendance plummetted. Another person who has been detrimenting our preaching is Peter Burwash. He sees himself as the real rep to the outside for ISKCON and is very threatened by us.He comes from the Country Club clique, a group that wants the Temple to be a quiet retreat for well to do yuppies etc. He actually started a petition to have the authorities officially ban any devotees from attending our events. Their excuse that Temple devotees shouldn't be up after 9, goes against every preaching rule ISKCON ever had. While this same petition was being circulated, ISKCON attended not only 2 Shelter concerts, but was actually inside Night Clubs selling, not distributing, Prasad. To add insult to injury, they were at the same club where we had held several events and they had refused to participate. It is obvious that all their resistance has nothing to do with any spiritual or moral reasonings. It is solely political and Peter Burwash's statement sums it all up perfectly," I don't see anything special or unique about any of these gurukulis. They are all a bunch of losers." It is time for a wake up call. Shrila Prabhupada personally said that the 2nd generation are more advanced than the 1st, and that the 3rd generation would be even more advanced. I am proud that my children are purer than I am, but the 1st generation resents us. That is just one example to show the differance between us. Prabhupad said that there are demons in the movement, and I personally believe the Demons know the future well-being of the movement is dependant on us and our children. That is why the Gurukulas were infitrated by evil-minded child molesters and violent abusers. From their actions so far, it appears that people like B Swami and Peter Burwash are adding the final touches and doing their utmost to disenfranchise from our society. Yes, ISKCON is our society. If we were born in America, then America is our country. In the same way, we were raised day in and day out for years on ISKCON diets, ISKCON philosophy, ISKCON consciousness, ISKCON everything, so we are ISKCON products. And if we are really so horrible, than we are ISKCON FRANKENSTEINS and we are coming back home. About the Author | Other Stories by this Author Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9903/WD13-3315.html
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