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USA May 23, 1999 VNN3935 See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this story L.A. Times BY RSABHADEVA DASA USA, May 23 (VNN) — Jaya Sri Sri Guru Gauranga! Vaisnava pranams. ISKCON: All those who are FOR Krishna Consciousness are automatically members of this international society. We aspire to this original and eternal energy of the living entity. ISKCON's Founder/Acarya personified this perfectional state and we are not fully following his instructions until such pure-heartedness exists within us. Pure goodness is a symptom of such attainment. Vaisnava aparadha is more devastating to achieving this than breaking all the other rules and regulations that create the field conducive for its manifestation. Those that offend Vaisnavas are not Vaisnavas; thus, those that expose them are not making Vaisnava aparadha. How is it that a FEW GBCs have been able to bully the others to accept their personal policies of fear and fierce control? The result has been devastating. We see now that those who ambitiously foisted themselves upon their godbrothers and godsisters as leaders created moods and policies which resulted in the early departure of Srila Prabhupada, the mass exodus of his sincere followers and the continuation of a culture of intolerance more rabid than modern society's. The so-called ritviks have had legitimate and sincere questions regarding the will of His Divine Grace. Yet they're demonized and ridiculed Srila Narayana Maharaja, accepted worldwide as a pure devotee and best friend and principal defender of Srila Prabhupada, is feared for attracting everyone everywhere he goes to pure bhakti. He has consistently admonished devotees to remain serving in ISKCON; yet those devotees re-enlivened by his potency have been cast out of their temple seva by wrong-headed policies. [See NOD, chap 6, 1st para, re the false argument of minor details of difference between bona fide spiritual masters.] Who else can now guide the Society out of the current dangers of lawsuits and imminent media exposure? To be frank: An uttama devotee guru is a rare thing in this world. Srila Prabhupada warned against a system of electing gurus. It was defiantly done anyway, completely ignoring his instructions. When a devotee is fortunate enough to come into the presence of someone like Srila Narayana Maharaja (one who for sixty years has fully taken up the life mapped out by Srila Rupa Goswami, with no falldown and absent any politics), the contrast to the pre-mature gurus is stark. What happens? The devotees seek shelter under the one who is actually there in the highest realm. The unqualified get angry about 'losing' 'their' followers. Better they're happy at their fortune. Better they themselves avail themselves of such fortune. Historically, even those that are liberated yet seek out the association of the leading Vaisnavas present on the planet. Srila Prabhupada's Western World Headquarters is here in Los Angeles. I've been witnessing a wonderful thing happening that gives me great hope. The mature and common-sense policies present have allowed devotees from all camps to frequent and even live in the temple. Visitors from afar -- no matter their sentiments -- are honored and feel welcomed. What happens? The culturing of humility and respect from the hearts of everyone on all sides. Contributions of money and service from everybody. An atmosphere free from fanatical confrontations. A place where uninitiated guests feel comfortable -- a unity in diversity that even includes them. Good humor. Children in a safe place, free from ugly hate. Let each GBC personally re-evaluate the mood and methods that have previously been instituted by the meanest and most mendacious among you -- better hear the mild devotees than the loud. It's now known that those who used to set the tone did not have Srila Prabhupada's interest at heart -- witness the result. Why continue in that direction? Temple presidents: Love those under your care and all those seeking what's right -- even when they're wrong. See them as sincere rather than dismissing them. To everyone: Spiritual life is a personal responsibility. Be careful and seek the sweetness. The Prabhupada Festival in ISKCON Los Angeles takes place May 29 and 30. Come experience the cooperative spirit which was the very plea to us from His Divine Grace, expected of his true followers. Srila Prabhupada's intimate friend and foremost follower, Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, will be present May 27-30, sprinkling the nectar of his love for him whom he honors as the divine leader of us all. Related VNN Stories | Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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