02/12/98 - 1595

Formal Complaint To GBC / BBT

USA (VNN) - (see also VNN story# 1602) VNN has obtained a copy of a formal complaint sent to selected GBC, BBT Trustees and ISKCON management, by Sadhusanga dasa, a (former) BBT employee. Under normal circumstances the following text would be in violation of the VNN Standards of Publication and would not qualify for publication. However, VNN editors decided to post this text in it's entirety, since this complaint has become the center of controversy and has made news in other publications.

Readers are hereby cautioned about the sometimes very offensive language contained in this letter:

From: Sadhusanga das, (former) BBT employee
To: Selected GBC, BBT Trustee and Management Members.
Subject: Formal complaint concerning the behavior of Sura dasa.


Dear GBC members, Maharaja’s and Prabhus,

Please accept, my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Just a couple of weeks ago (the week before Christmas), Sura dasa gave a morning Srimad Bhagavatam lecture here at the Los Angeles temple. Within the scope of his lecture, he addressed some political issues within ISKCON (which he often does in his lectures), and he then encouraged (or challenged) anyone who had a problem with a particular issue or a particular individual's behavior to “contact the local GBC or temple authorities and place a formal complaint”. He explained that, this was the system for rectifying problems within ISKCON, and that this is the proper course of action for devotees who have nowhere else to turn. He assured everyone that the ISKCON upper management would do the needful with every issue addressed to them. So, on the strength of Sura dasa’s OWN suggestion, I humbly lodge this complaint.

My Personal Profile: Most of you know me, some of you may not. My name is Sadhusanga das (disciple of Kavicandra Swami Maharaja). Even though I have been active in Krsna Consciousness since 1976 & 1977 (in New York), I've been an active, full time member of ISKCON for over 10 years now. I spent time in St. Louis with Sura dasa and Govinda datta prabhu, I also worked with the BBT Archives for over 3 years, being involved in many different projects there. Recently for the last 3 and a half years, I've worked here at the BBT in Los Angeles. I had been involved in many projects here also, including production of the latest Bbt catalog and remastering of the vast audio tape inventory. For the last year and a half, however, I've worked exclusively at the BBT warehouse facility, managing the shipping and receiving operations. I've also been intimately involved with the pujari department here, doing service daily for Their Lordships, in some capacity or other, including the annual Rathayatra Festival.

I have decided to resign from the BBT and leave this temple because of the ongoing behavioral problems of Sura dasa.

This letter is an official statement of complaint, and I hope it sparks proper action from the management of ISKCON and the BBT, for the sake of all vaisnavas concerned.

General Complaints concerning Sura dasa: As you know we all have our own “shortcomings” in life, I suppose it's part of being in the material world. I'm the first to admit my own shortcomings also. As such, I don't wish to address issues of Sura prabhu's ability at the BBT, his years of service, nor issues revolving around his personal life. Rather, I want to address the specific issue of how he treats, speaks of, and respects other devotees. This principle of vaisnava aparad is the worst of all possible offenses... and on this issue alone do I humbly submit this complaint.

a) Sarcasm, criticism, racism, and sexism: For years, the sarcastic remarks form Sura dasa’s mouth have reverberated around the world. I have personally had to listen to intense criticism, racial jokes and slurs directed at respected gurus, GBC members, BBT Trustees, sanyasis, temple presidents, kirtan leaders, managers, innocent women and just “regular prabhu's”. He knows “no limit” to the pleasure of insulting a godbrother or a godsister. Factually speaking there isn't one individual who has received this letter and e-mail, who hasn't been a target of Sura dasa’s sarcasm etc. Even his good friend and boss, Svavasa prabhu, is an unsuspecting victim. Behind his back he speaks of him like he is an incompetent child, and often comments on how Svavasa is “just a puppet”. (Please forgive me Svavasa prabhu but it's true...).

b) Inappropriate violent behavior: His violent screaming episodes (most often times using 4 letter words), is something right out of some kind of gangster movie. Whether its on the phone to someone on the other side of the world, or on the street in front of the temple and the Deities it does not matter. I have seen devotees breakdown in tears and literally “bloop” after a confrontation with Sura dasa. Violent and “foul” behavior has no place in the vaisnava etiquette. I can honestly say that I know many so called karmis who behave more “humanly” than Sura dasa.

c) Political corruption: We've all heard Sura prabhu's favorite line: “It's all a lie, I'm on YOUR side prabhu (Maharaja), trust me. This prabhu (matagi) is just a demon and a rascal....”. I personally know of devotees who used to work at the BBT but where “blown out” by Sura prabhu. Quite bluntly, if he can't control someone, “they've got to go”. I've seen devotees live’s in Krsna Consciousness ruined, nice devotees, because of the “lording it over” nature of Sura dasa. I recall a conversation of 3 or 4 devotees some time back (Sura not being present). It was mentioned that if the “politics” ever got thick at the BBT, Sura dasa would be the first to “jump ship and join the other side”. Everyone laughed because they knew it was true. but destroying the lives of devotional creepers of nice devotees because of “politics” is not a laughing matter. Sura dasa will try to destroy anything or anyone to hold his shaky position at the BBT.

Final comments: I don't wish to go on and on about the situation, I'm sure the picture is clear. So I humbly request decisive action is taken to rectify the entire situation at the BBT in North America concerning Sura dasa. It certainly will take a dominating group of leading managers in ISKCON and the BBT to do so.

Again, the issue at hand here isn't Sura prabhu's years of service (which is certainly admirable), or his job performance etc. The issue is “ the constant and unrelenting offenses to devotees, in the most abominable and insulting ways”. There has certainly been permanent damage to the lives of many good devotees, both mentally and spiritually, because of this man.

I may be permanently “blackballed” or even ex-communicated from ISKCON because of my out-spoken and harsh criticism of Sura dasa on this issue, but I feel it's my duty to all the vaisnavas who have been injured in the past to take a stand and make this formal complaint to the appropriate authorities. After all, Sura dasa himself personally recommended this type of action for “offenders”.

If something isn't done about Sura dasa, his rude behavior will continue, and only increase in severity. It's the duty of ALL concerned devotees of this Krsna Consciousness movement to end these offenses, and protect Sura prabhu from future reactions for these offenses. Nothing less than relieving him of all his duties at the BBT is acceptable. History has shown time and time again that he'll never change his behavior, nor will he accept reprimands seriously. The only course of action is total and complete expulsion from the BBT, not having any connection what-so-ever with this division of ISKCON.

The BBT is too much of a ‘high profile’ office, and it only facilitates the disruptive behavioral activities of someone like Sura dasa. I'm sure there's a place for him somewhere in Srila Prabhupada's home where he can work in such a way as not to offend his godbrothers and godsisters. I humbly request you find that place for him.

SAMPLES OF EXTREMELY OFFENSIVE REMARKS: At this point in this formal letter of complaint, I would like to include ‘word-for-word’ quotes that I have personally heard from the mouth of Sure das over the years. Many other have heard as well, the same or similar comments. But, unfortunately, no one has cared, or has had the ‘guts’ to make formal complaints. .. until now. Kindly forgive the graphic 4 letter words and descriptions, but it's the “way it is”. I don't intend this to be some kind of sick joke etc., it's given here as a personal testimonial, so as REAL ACTION can be taken to remove this man, Sura dasa, from the BBT. Again, I apologize to the senior prabhus who's names are thus referred to in the following quotes. Please forgive the graphic descriptions.

Also, don't forget, Sura dasa is EXPERT at political diplomacy. If he is confronted with any of these quotes, he'll outright deny them of course... calling me a liar and a demon. He'll claim to be “everyone's friend and well-wisher, and on their side”. But just take a survey up and down Watseka Ave., and you'll surely get a 95% “thumbs-up” confirmation from any prabhu on the street, that Sura dasa speaks like this toward his godbrothers often. It's what we would call his MO (main occupation).

READ THIS WITH CAUTION:

REF: Svavasa - “... he's just a puppet, doing everything I tell him. Don't you know I have to correct his errors with the computer on a daily basis? What would he do without me? As long as I keep him in office, I know I'll have a job!”
REF: Jayadvaita Swami - “He's a f****ng fag don't you know? He better not sit on MY lap next time he comes to town, like he did with some other people I know! Man, he's GOT TO GO!”
REF: Naresvara dasa - “This guy's god-d*** raksasa. He has 6 toes on each foot for Christ sake! I know he is embezzling money from the BBT too, how the hell do you think he can own 3 houses in the countryside? The only reason he's a trustee is because one of his fag buddies got him in.”
REF: Badrinarayan dasa - “Everybody knows he's balling a woman on the side, you can see the dull look on his face.” “...He'll never make an “honest decision” about anything, he’s too concerned about his GBC position.” “...Never trust what he says, he’s just a two faced liar.”
REF: Virabahu prabhu - “He’s is just a spineless patsy who can't manage his money and can't make a decision on anything. They need to get him OUT OF HERE so some real manager can move in...”.
REF: (Name removed) prabhu - “I’ve finally figured out why this guy act like he’s on the “rag” all the time, he’s a god-d*** HOMO man! That explains everything... why he’s so fussy, prissy and moody. I just wish Svavasa would get rid of his a**. Just like I told him to get rid of Subra and Ganesh, he needs to just do it!”
REF: Nirantara dasa - “Nirantara is a wimp with a false ego the size of LA, he’ll probably bloop or have nervous break down at any moment. Why does Svavasa hire kids for a man’s job anyway?... did you hear his latest so called sankirtan tape? It sucks man. I’m gonna do what I can to keep Svavasa from publishing it this year, he should do my music instead, don’t you think? I’m at least a professional...”
REF: Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja - (... so Sura calls me at the warehouse one day in November or December 1997, when Maharaja was in town, just to rattle off a couple of minutes of insults. There was NO talk of BBT business at all, mind you! At this point, I almost picked up the phone and called Svavasa prabhu to submit my resignation on the spot, but some how or other I controlled my anger). “Tho, (so), Bhakti Tirtha ith (is) in town brotha (brother), one of da (the) “soul bros”. Hey man, yeth (yes), why don (don’t) ya’ get yo’ black bro step-ma ma to take sum’ diksa from da’ (the) “soul man”!? (my mother-in-law has dark skin).... hi, hi, hi (the Sura laugh) Ya all can give some auv (of) dem (them) nice hats out at da (the) fire sack-a-fise.” (then he abruptly hung up the phone, knowing I was steaming).
REF: Harikesa Maharaja - “He’s running the whole Hare Krsna movement, wanting to print all of HIS books and telling his disciples to read just HIS “gospel”. Before you know it, this will be the Gurudeva publishing house not the BBT. I guess he thinks he is the new Acarya.” “...He’s the one that’s gonna make ISKCON fall, just like Srila Prabhupada said: Iskcon will fall from within.” “Have you heard his music on that CD? Man, the only way that got published is because HE’S bank rolling it, and his disciples are selling it!”
REF: Hridayananda Dasa Goswami - “ So Gurudeva wants to come in and control everything again. Well, we’ll just have to blow him out like we’
ve done before!” “...I’m NOT gonna let Svavasa print any of this a** hole’s books! This isn’t the way things should be run around here!” “...Varesha is MY wife, what business does Gurudeva have in telling ME what to do anyway? If she wants to marry me, she CAN!” (Mother Varesha is young enough to be Sura’s daughter).
REF: Tamal Krsna Goswami - “ ...Yea, I heard that spot on his head is from getting “blown away in his last life! I’m sure he deserved it”. “ I don’t want to go to the spiritual world if Tamal is there!” “...you heard he went to China to get his p**** “disconnected”? He should have gotten his brain disconnected too!”
REF: Romapada Swami - “... Hey, can you take this call on line one, it’s the man that can’t make up his mind. I can’t deal with this flake!”
REF: Amarendra Dasa - “It’s unbelievable how this guy just takes money form the BBT for his low production/ high maintenance life style! If his girlfriend wasn't taking all his se***, he might be able to think of legal matters for a change”.
REF: Sura dasa (on himself) - “You know I’ve been thinking, I really want to be a Yamaduta in my next life. What do you think I have to do?

At this point, I’ve probably achieved an even GREATER infamy than Sura dasa himself, because I’ve “offended a senior devotee (Sura dasa, by making ‘false claims of his behavior’”. Well, please forgive me, they are not ‘false claims’ they are ‘dark truths’. I don’t think I could leave the BBT in good concious without making this issue with Sura prabhu a matter of public record. THAT would be an offense and injustice to the dozens and dozens who have suffered over the years because of the inappropriate and offensive behavior of this man.

Again, I humbly apologize to the senior vaisnavas referred to above, within the scope of the Sura dasa quotes. I felt I had to ‘cross the line’ and actually include these in this letter because of the intensity of Sura dasa’s nasty remarks. This man has to be exposed for what he is to the fullest extent, and ti this end I felt it necessary to relate these lowly insulting statement, “as they are”, so as there is no doubt as to what was or wasn’t spoken by Sura dasa. Now that you again realize what Sura dasa’s “MO” is really all about, I humbly request you to take action and remove this person, remove this person, remove this person.

Your sincere and damaged servant,

Sadhusanga das

CC:
Svavasa dasa, BBT Trustee, NABBT
Virabahu dasa, GBC - Los Angeles
Hridayananada Goswami
Jayadvaita Swami, BBT Trustee
Romapada Swami - GBC
Naveen Krsna - BBT Trustee
Tamal Krsna Goswami - GBC
Nirantara dasa - VP, LA Temple
Amarendra dasa
Jagadishananda dasa - BBT
Badrinarayan Dasa, GBC - Los Angeles
Harikesa Maharaja - GBC, BBT Trustee
Naresvara dasa - BBT Trustee
BBT Archives Staff
Bhakti Tirtha Swami