© 1999 VNN
|
WORLD March 16, 1999 VNN3341 See Related VNN Stories Message From The GBC To Devotees Of ISKCON BY BADRINARAYAN DASA USA, Mar 16 (VNN) — Dear devotees, please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. This past year has been one of inspiring victories as well as demanding challenges for the devotees in Srila Prabhupada's International Society for Krsna Consciousness. We saw such wonderful achievements as the inauguration of three major temple projects in India: the Ahmedabad temple; the Bangalore temple; and the Glory of India Temple and Cultural Centre in New Delhi, India, which was opened by the Prime Minister of India himself. In Germany, an official commission of inquiry ruled that ISKCON was not a dangerous "sect" or "cult" and recognized ISKCON as a authentic religion. In Russia, ISKCON was recognized by the Government as an official religious organization with all legal rights. The GBC meetings began with the presentation of reports from the different Zonal Secretaries, describing the preaching successes of last year. We heard a presentation from the Sri Mayapur Project Development Committee about the progress being made towards beginning the construction of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium. Under the expert guidance of the current management team the budget for the project has been considerably reduced, and we look forward to the completion of the temple within our lifetimes. We feel satisfied that ISKCON has been making progress, and we are sure that Srila Prabhupada is pleased with the devotees' excellent achievements. However there have been a number of difficulties that Srila Prabhupada's movement has had to face, in particular the departure of one of our senior members in Europe. In the meetings we have just concluded the GBC Body has deeply considered these issues that are at the heart of our movement and of Krsna consciousness in general. We have carefully considered the guru system in ISKCON, the improvement of which has been a cause of concern for many devotees for some time. We have also discussed at length the nature and functions of the GBC Body and the duties of its members. We have heard testimonies from ISKCON children who suffered due to mistreatment in our gurukulas. In our meetings we feel we have addressed these matters decisively and appropriately, and now we want to present the results to all of you. Last year the GBC Body focussed on assessing its members. This year the major focus was on guru reform, and several important resolutions concerning the position of Srila Prabhupada and gurus within ISKCON were passed. By delineating clearly the position of Srila Prabhupada as Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and the clearly subordinate positions of current day diksha and siksha gurus, and by clarifying the process by which we receive transcendental knowledge from the Founder-Acarya with the assistance of diksha and siksha gurus, a clear basis for establishing appropriate standards of etiquette in regard to worship of gurus has been established. These standards reflect a strong consensus within the GBC that the status of diksha-guru within ISKCON has been over-emphasized, due in great extent to a misunderstanding of the parallel complementary relationship of the bhagavata-marga (which emphasizes siksha) and the pancaratrika-marga (which emphasizes diksha). This misunderstanding has led to an eclipsing of both the position of Srila Prabhupada as siksha-guru for all ISKCON devotees as well as the function of siksha and the position of siksha-gurus within our Society today. At the same time, they show recognition of the need to make the training and practice of proper Vaisnava etiquette in relation to all devotees our highest priority. On the whole the Body feels that the worship of current gurus should be conducted on a more modest scale. Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON in 1966, and prior to his disappearance in November 1977, he stated in his will that the GBC is "the ultimate managerial authority" for the Society. Unfortunately, shortly after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance, the GBC allowed for an unauthorized "zonal acharya" system to evolve in ISKCON, elevating eleven devotees to the positions of exclusive successor diksa gurus. ISKCON leaders at the time then introduced the concept that ISKCON diksa gurus were mahabhagavatas and the only current links to Srila Prabhupada and the disciplic succession. In the process of expanding the movement, some ISKCON diksa gurus who had been practising vairagya vidya, began living opulently, accumulating property, wealth, disciples and prestige far beyond the necessities for effective preaching. In their overemphasis on diksa gurus, Srila Prabhupada's disciples and followers failed in various ways to properly establish and sustain Srila Prabhupada's unique role and personal relationship with all ISKCON devotees as the Founder-Acarya and pre-eminent siksa guru in ISKCON; ISKCON leaders failed to also properly establish the importance and role of siksa gurus in ISKCON. The authority and resources of the GBC Body were minimized by the exaggerated prominence of ISKCON diksa gurus, resulting in a fragmented ISKCON composed of many guru-zones instead of a united ISKCON movement under the auspices of the GBC Body. Despite warnings by Pradyumna prabhu and others, for many years the Governing Body Commission, being weakened due to the Zonal Acarya deviation, failed to correct these errors to the detriment of many ISKCON members. Pradyumna prabhu had written in 1978: "Many of us here, older Godbrothers, are very concerned in two ways -- 1) that the 11 gurus not having been appointed to the position of acarya and are accepting worship on a level beyond their qualification, which may lead to anomalies in the society and personally, because of lack of complete detachment in atmajnana, to a buildup of pride and subsequent falldown, and -- 2) that the united society ISKCON, because of illegal division and control by a few members instead of the joint GBC will become bro- ken up in separate societies and the unified preaching effort very much hindered." Despite these and other warnings, for many years the Governing Body Commission proved unable to correct these errors. As flaws in the system surfaced and many of the Zonal Acaryas left ISKCON, the GBC Body finally undertook serious reforms to correct the Zonal Acarya deviation. In spite of that, our society still continues to be affected by the misunderstandings of that system. As humble followers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, it is the GBC Body's duty to execute his will to the best of our ability as we collectively understand it. During Srila Prabhupada's physical presence, he simultaneously empowered the GBC Body and guided us when we erred. We continue to pray for his guidance and feel it is his will that we now correct the misunderstandings of the past. Thus, the GBC Body, both individually and collectively, wishes to express its deepest apologies to, and beg the forgiveness of Srila Prabhupada, as well as the followers of Srila Prabhupada who were offended or hurt by our past decisions resulting in the excesses and abuses of the zonal acharya system and its ongoing ramifications. In the Governing Body's resolutions this year we have clearly delineated the position of Srila Prabhupada as Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and the clearly subordinate positions of current day diksha and siksha gurus, and by clarifying the process by which we receive transcendental knowledge from the Founder-Acarya with the assistance of diksha and siksha gurus, a clear basis for establishing appropriate standards of etiquette in regard to worship of gurus has been established. In order to offer appropriate respect to Srila Prabhupada as Founder-Acarya and pre-eminent spiritual master of ISKCON, it is considered an essential devotional practice for all ISKCON devotees to observe or perform Srila Prabhupada's guru puja daily either in an ISKCON temple or if not possible in one's home. With an aim to focus more fully on Srila Prabhupada and every devotee's special relationship with him and to correct any imbalance in application between the respect offered to siksa gurus, diksa gurus and other senior vaisnavas contributing to a devotees spiritual progress, the GBC Body resolved that an ISKCON siksa or diksa guru may accept public guru-puja on ISKCON property (arati and/or foot bathing) in person only once a year as a Vyasa-puja. We resolved that guru daksina and other donations offered to siksa and diksa gurus are the property of ISKCON. No one in ISKCON will be addressed either publically or privately with honorific titles ending in "pada". Disciples may address their ISKCON diksa or siksa gurus as "gurudeva" or "guru-maharaja". After chanting the pranama mantra of their diksa (or siksa) guru, all grand-disciples and future generations should chant at least the first of Srila Prabhupada's pranam mantra while offering obeisances as a means of respecting the Founder-acarya. To bring about other long-term, systemic changes, the GBC established a Task Force for Spiritual Leadership. This group, which will be fully staffed and funded, is charged with the responsibility of developing for gurus and other spiritual leaders systems for regular financial accounting and reporting, for monitoring and assessing performance, and for continuing vocational education and training. It will also establish a standard curriculum to teach new devotees the fundamentals of guru-tattva. And it will oversee the development and implementation of the (long-delayed) four-stage degree-program ordered by Srila Prabhupada: Bhaktisastri, Bhaktivaibhava, Bhaktivedanta, and Bhaktisarvabauma. Recently the so-called "ritvik" movement has been making attacks on Srila Prabhupada's movement, particularly in India. During the course of the year GBC officers met on a number of occasions with ritvik representatives in an effort to establish common ground between them and ISKCON, and to appeal to them to work within the framework of the movement to effect positive change. This included allowing them to make a philosophical presentation to the entire GBC Body during the meetings. The matter has been made even more sensitive by the fact that some of the "ritvik" proponents are senior members of ISKCON and have done many years of service to Srila Prabhupada. In this light the GBC Body has endeavoured by all means possible to accommodate them in Prabhupada's movement and avoid any confrontational situations, despite the fact that since adopting the "ritvik" philosophy these devotees have been actively involved in undermining guru/disciple relationships in ISKCON, and attacking the authority of the GBC Body. With great regret we have been forced to consider taking disciplinary action against them, to ensure the stability of Srila Prabhupada's movement. After deeply considering the situation, the Body overwhelmingly voted to put these devotees on probation, and it unanimously reconfirmed and reinforced its existing legislation regarding the fallaciousness of the "ritvik" philosophy. The doctrine that Srila Prabhupada desired to continue to act as diksha guru after his departure from this world, and did not desire any of his disciples to give diksha in succession after him, is a dangerous philosophical deviation. Ritvikism directly goes against the principle of parampara itself (of successive diksha and siksha gurus), which sustains the pure teachings and practices of Krishna consciousness. This principle has been established by Krishna and is upheld by all Vai–‘ava acaryas. Indeed, it is accepted by all followers of Vedic culture. Ritvikism is thus an extreme deviation. It is utterly erroneous to espouse it, deluding and misguiding to teach it, and blasphemous to attribute it to Srila Prabhupada. No one who espouses, teaches, supports in any way, or practices ritvikism can be a member in good standing of ISKCON. The GBC acknowledges that this body has since 1977 made changes in the manner in which initiations are carried out in ISKCON, is contemplating changes at present, and may well make changes in the future. However, the GBC maintains that these changes concern practical adjustments according to time, place, and object undertaken in the application of absolute, unchanging principle. In spite of its adjustments, the GBC has held steadily to the principle of parampara and remains committed to it, for it is the teaching of Srila Prabhupada and his predecessors, and it is a necessity in the matter of sustaining a living tradition. The process of GBC reform was begun in earnest last year with detailed assessments being made of the individual GBC's services. This year that work continued, but focussed on the functionings of the Body itself. In an effort to improve its working effectiveness and generate better communications amongst ISKCON devotees the GBC formed a Task Force to develop an ISKCON constitution and examine carefully suggested organizational and attitudinal adjustments within the Body. The Task Force will convene further discussions across the globe regarding the GBC's mission, vision, membership, justice system, systems of checks and balances, and decision making process. A sub-committee was assigned to propose reforms for the GBC to help them address the continued broad debate over the intricacies of the succession of authority from Srila Prabhupada. Although the allotted time did not allow the group to get to the stage of structural and constitutional forms, they did achieve a strong consensus as to misconceptions as well as principles that will lead to a correction and improvement. The GBC endorsed the basic content of their work, which was compiled in a paper entitled "GBC Reform" as a direction for the work of the GBC Reform Taskforce. In particular the body agreed to the following conclusions: 1) That the creation of the "Zonal Acharya" system after the departure of Srila Prabhupada deviated from the principle of the ultimate management authority of the GBC, introducing a tendency to view our society as a confederation of independent guru-disciple groups rather than an integrated union of devotees. 2) That the true guiding principle for ISKCON governance must be that, in every respect, the authority to accept disciples, or to act as a manager and/or officer of ISKCON must be firmly understood as derived from the sanction of the GBC body. 3) That the principle of division of work according to compatible modes of work based on training and individual propensity should be utilized to reform and improve the GBC. Further, the GBC encouraged its current members to take steps towards implementing this last principle and several members volunteered to withdraw from their GBC zonal administrative duties (although remaining responsible for the time being) by either identifying an individual devotee who can be trained to step into the role of GBC Zonal Secretary acting as his or her deputy during the transition or delegating his administrative and managerial duties to zonal committees established for the purpose. The Governing Body Commission accepts that in general sannyasis and gurus should focus their energies on brahminical activities such as the study and teaching of sastra, the development and teaching of training systems, holding seminars, and ministering to individual devotees, and that they should avoid administrative and managerial duties. Equally significant the GBC recognized the need to strengthen the process of istagosthi so that leadership and the general body of devotees can enhance communications, respect and cooperation and provide maximum opportunity for the power of the devotee sangha to manifest. Therefore they advised these GBC members to affect their change of duties through istagosthis held within their GBC zone. Important questions regarding zonal evaluation and devotees' financial accountability will be followed up by the coming year's GBC Executive Committee and a newly formed GBC Support Office. The formation of the Support Office is intended to help the GBC Executive Committee act more quickly and effectively during the year, improving its functions in the areas of communication, record-keeping, and administration. The office is also intended to provide the Body with long-term continuity and consistency throughout the rotation of members on the Executive Committee. Other initiatives taken to improve the functioning of the GBC will be found in plans to increase the effectiveness of Regional Governing Boards and to reconstitute the body of the Deputies so as to serve as aides de camp with the Support Office and the Regional Governing Boards. Last year the GBC established an ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection, in response to the increasing number of reports being received of mistreatment of children in gurukulas in the past. The Office has developed a grant program for young devotees who were mistreated as children while under the care of ISKCON, has been investigating and adjudicating cases of alleged child abuse connected with ISKCON, and establishing child protection screening and education programs in ISKCON temples, projects and schools. It has distributed more than $60,000 in grants to gurukula veterans, for therapy as well as educational and vocational development. The GBC Body voted to provide the Child Protection Office with $160,000 to further develop their work during the coming year. For the coming year the GBC Executive Committee will consist of Bir Krsna Goswami as Chairman, Madhu Sevita das as First Vice Chairman, and Gopala Krsna Goswami as Second Vice Chairman. Under their guidance we are confident that our resolutions will be enacted effectively, as important building blocks in the ongoing construction of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON house. The GBC also accepted the resignations of three stalwart members. They are H. H. Hrdayananda das Goswami, whom Prabhupada selected to the GBC in 1974; H. H. Mukunda das Goswami, who became a member in 1984; and H. H. Sridhara Swami, who joined in 1990. We want to give our heartfelt thanks to all three of them for their faithful, dedicated, and steady service on the Governing Body. We beg all three not to forget their old comrades and to please continue bless us with your association and with your wisdom, even though you are no longer compelled to do so by the "Rules of Order." Note: New members* One of Srila Prabhupada's final orders was that his followers show their love for him by cooperating with one another. Within Vaisnava culture, such cooperation should be based on the principle of humility. Lord Chaitanya prayed "amanina manadena," we should offer all respects to others and expect none for ourselves. Within our Vaisnava society it is essential that devotees learn to offer appropriate honor and respect to all living beings, especially to all devotees, including all generations of men, women and children. All leaders of ISKCON shall make it a top priority of our Society that all devotees are systematically educated in the sacred principles of Vaisnava etiquette. They should implement specific local programs to offer love and care to all devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus-feet of Srila Prabhupada. All devotees of ISKCON are meant to live together as one wonderful spiritual family connected by our sincere desire to please Srila Prabhupada by assisting him in his glorious service to his Guru Maharaja in the line of Sri Rupa and Raghunatha. Let us cooperate together and humble ourselves to be their instruments in flooding the world with love for Sri Krishna through the congregational chanting of the Holy Name. In closing, we wish to note that we are conscious of our numerous defects and shortcoming, but we hope this year's meeting shows that we are sincerely striving to improve. We pray that our work this year with bear it out with tangible progress.We therefore beg each one of you to give us your blessings and to pray to Lord Krishna to guide, protect, and inspire now and throughout the new year. Only by your mercy and good wishes can we accomplish anything. Praying for the mercy of the followers of Srila Prabhupada, The GBC -------------------------------------- Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah 7 August, l978 Dear Satsvarupa Maharaj, Please accept my most humble obeisances. Maharaj, I am writing you this letter with great anxiety in my heart and after days and days and long nights of thought and careful consideration. I have been staying in Vrndavan for some time and have not visited any other center recently except Delhi. Therefore, my information I have about what is happening at our other centers comes only from devotees visiting here, occasional letters, newsletters and our society's magazine and other publications. But the news I hear from these sources is very alarming and therefore I am writing you in some anxiety. The matter concerns the Godbrothers who were selected by Srila Prabhupada to accept disciples. At the time of Srila Prabhupada's disappearance, it was most clearly understood by all of us present that Srila Prabhupada made no successor. Everyone admitted that fact and understood it clearly. Instead, the GBC was to jointly manage all affairs of ISKCON just had been the case previously. This was the same solution as desired by Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who also had not made any successor, although his wishes were not followed. In addition to the GBC management, Srila Prabhupada also selected 11 somewhat advanced disciples to grant initiation to newcomers. However if was never mentioned at any time by His Divine Grace that these 11 were to be known as acaryas. He simply instructed that they may now accept disciples. Otherwise, as it was understood and practiced at that time, there was no special position given to these 11, either in the society as a whole or in relation to their Godbrothers. Management would depend on the joint GBC, and among Godbrothers and sisters all are on the same level, with the exception of some special regard and respect shown to older (senior) disciples by these Godbrothers and Godsisters who are junior. Now at present, I understand that the 11 gurus are all 1)adopting the title of acarya, 2)sitting on high Vyasasanas in front of Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana and their own Godbrothers, 3)accepting worship and great respect normally reserved for a guru from the rest of their Godbrothers and 4)that the previous GBC zones have all been given by mutual agreement or by invitation among the different acaryas. First of all, the word ACARYA may be taken in 3 senses. Etymologically the word means "one who practices" or "one who practices what he preaches." This is the general meaning and may be used in relation to any pure devotee period. Secondly. The word means "one who grants initiation to a disciples." This is specifically indicating one who is a guru. Anyone who grants initiation or is a guru may be called as "acaryadeva," etc.-by his disciples only! Whoever has accepted him as guru must give all respects to him in every way, but this does not apply to those who are not his disciples. Thirdly, the word acarya indicates "the spiritual head of an institution or pitha." This meaning is very specific. It does not mean just anyone. It means only one who has been specifically declared by the previous acarya to be his successor above all others to the seat of the spiritual institution which he heads. He alone, among all of his Godbrothers, is given a raised set and special honor. No other Godbrother may receive such respect and he is the authority in all spiritual and material matters. This is the strict tradition in all of the Gaudiya Sampradayas. Now Srila Prabhupada, it is clear, did not appoint any such successor because no one of his disciples at present is advanced to the level of Krishna Consciousness necessary to assume such a position. Nor did Srila Prabhupada make 11 such acaryas. This was never mentioned by Him. They were only given permission to make disciples and the GBC was to jointly mange, materially and spiritually. There was never any distinctions made by Srila Prabhupada between material management and spiritual management. Both are the concern of the GBC. The 11 gurus may be known as acaryas only in the second sense of the word-to their disciples as mantra-giving gurus, not in the third sense, as "the" spiritual successors of Srila Prabhupada. That was never meant to be by His Divine Grace. Secondly, among Godbrothers it is not correct that any one of them sit above the others, especially in the presence of Gurudeva. If Gurudeva is not present, sometimes the sannyasi Godbrothers may be given an asana, but that asana does not mean a huge gigantic seat. It simply means a square piece of cloth or wool not more than 1/8" or 1/4" thick. This is asana. If any one Godbrother or many Godbrothers sit above the others it is not at all proper. Sometimes in an assembly there may be raised platform or table on which the sannyasi speakers sit, but all sannyasi Godbrothers must be invited to sit in an equal place on the speaker's platform. Sometimes a grhastha or brahmacari Godbrothers may also be invited to sit there if they are deserving by their advancement. If there is an appointed acarya as mentioned before (third sense of the word) then he alone may sit higher than the other Godbrothers. Indeed in the different Gaudiya Mathas, even if one Godbrother is in the position of acarya, he usually, out of humility, takes only a thin cloth asana, not anything higher. It is the symptom of a Vaisnava to be extremely humble. He must always be extremely careful of putting himself in a position where he may become conceited. A guru may take a higher seat than his disciple--that is bonafide. But he cannot illegally take a higher seat than his Godbrothers. The relation between the guru and his Godbrothers and a guru and his disciples is entirely different. He should not sit higher than Godbrothers other than if he is a sannyasi, on a thin cloth as already mentioned if offered by his Godbrothers, or accept respect from them without offering respect in return. This is the general niti or etiquette. Besides this, there are, among Godbrothers, some further rules to be observed between those who are senior and those who are junior. Seniority is calculated according to the time of receiving 1st (Harinam) initiation or by his ability to perform bhajana. If one Godbrother has disciples, the guru-puja and Vyasa-puja of that Godbrother should be conducted in a separate place or his private room--not in from of all his other Godbrothers. In an assembly of Vaisnavas, all sit on the same level together, Godbrothers along with their sisyas. No one is permitted to accept separate respect from disciples in any gathering of other Godbrothers. In Gaudiya Math, the Vyasa-puja of one Godbrother who has disciples is usually performed in the following manner. The guru takes his raised seat in his private place and invites all his Godbrothers to come to the function also. If his Godbrothers come to offer him some flowers, that Godbrother guru immediately first worships his other Godbrothers and offers them garland, candana, etc., and in some cases presents like cloth, umbrella, etc. They honor each other and are seated properly, then that guru's disciples may come forward and offer their worship. This is the system being observed. Incidentally, the words of Om Visnupada Srila Bhakktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura found in the English book Sri Caitanya's Teachings regarding the sitting above everyone else are from a speech delivered in response to the offerings of his disciples on the occasion of his Vyasa-puja. Those words are in relation to his disciples--not to his Godbrothers, of which there weren't any. The niti in regard to Godbrothers is completely different from that to disciples. One who is actually guru may make disciples anywhere he finds someone who is worthy. The connection between guru and disciple is arranged by Krsna directly--and it is not subject to legislation. All the world-wide temples of ISKCON are controlled by the GBC. The temples are managed by them jointly and they decide each year which member of the GBC will manage in which place. The GBC who is appointed to be responsible for a certain zone somewhere on this planet, if a guru, will naturally make many disciples in that place--but how can he be illicitly restricted from accepting a disciple from someplace else. That is material consideration. It has another to do with transcendental order, by which guru and disciple make their meeting. It is not geographical. Secondly, no GBC who is guru may make that zone of which he is temporarily in charge by appointment of the joint GBC, into his own private place. If some other guru visits there and some newcomer wishes to accept him as spiritual preceptor, how can he be prohibited? Furthermore, all the temples of ISKCON are to be run by the GBC. No one GBC who is a guru may use the title acarya of such and such a zone. Srila Prabhupada never appointed one acarya of the whole ISKCON nor did he appoint several acaryas for parts of ISKCON. This will only lead to an ultimate division of the one ISKCON into many different fragments and destroy our united preaching work. If someone sets up his personal seat as acarya in different temples, how can it be removed? Who else can sit in it? Then does that temple belong to that guru or does it belong to the GBC? That means the power or control is switched from joint GBC to the 11 gurus. Srila Prabhupada never intended this arrangement. Moreover, in the future, in accordance with His Divine Grace's instructions, other qualified Godbrothers may also become gurus. Where will they go? In Srila Prabhupada's temples no raised seat should be given to any but Srila Prabhupada--all Godbrothers should sit on the same level. One exception may be made in the case of one speaking from the sastras like Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya-caritamrta, etc. during the class. But that seat is very special. It is not for the reader--it is meant for the book. After paying obeisances to that seat, he who is to read, may, after taking permission from his senior Godbrothers and sannyasis, ascend to read from Bhagavatam. After finishing, he may again pay his obeisances. Much of the knowledge written here is not found in sastra, but is called sistacara--that which has been taught by the conduct of the past guru parampara. It has not been specifically mentioned in any sastra, but still it is accepted as authoritative because of being seen to be the conduct of previous acaryas and their disciples. Maharaja, after very much consideration and consultation and also confirmation by older members of our sampradaya, I am writing to you to see if you can rectify the present situation. Many of us here, older Godbrothers, are very concerned in two ways-- 1) that the 11 gurus not having been appointed to the position of acarya and for which they are unqualified both by a.the insufficient knowledge of sastra and b. the incomplete realization of Krsna consciousness, are accepting worship on that level--and this may lead to anomalies in the society and personally, because of lack of complete detachment in atmajnana, to a buildup of pride and subsequent falldown, and 2) that the united society ISKCON, because of illegal division and control by a few members instead of the joint GBC will become broken up in separate societies and the unified preaching effort very much hindered. Hoping for your immediate attention and kind reply, Pradyumna das Adhikari P.S. These are not good signs for our society. Older Godbrothers and sannyasis here are very concerned that if the present trend is not checked immediately, it will have passed beyond that point and ISKCON will be in chaos in the near future. I hereby formally request that all these points be immediately brought to the attention of the GBC so that a very tactful solution for all concerned may be decided and amicably implemented in our society. Please note that there is nothing personal in this letter. It is some pertinent spiritual knowledge meant for the good of all. If anyone takes offense, I very humbly beg pardon at his feet. I would like to request your kind acknowledgement of the receipt of this letter and information on what action you intend to take as soon as possible, preferably before this coming Janmastami (Aug. 26). Hoping that this meets you in the best of health, In the service of Srila Prabhupada, Pradyumna das Adhikari (end letter) See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://vaishnava-news-network.org/world/WD9903/WD16-3341.html
|
