Time for a change!

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TIME FOR A CHANGE!

 

By: Yaduvendu

 

 

A. Krsna Conscious philosophy is based upon Vedanta – the end of knowledge.

In other words it is the ultimate philosophy. Vedanta is above dogma or

canons for it directs the devotee to seek the essence in all things and to

separate reality from illusion.

 

B. The world’s popular religions on the other hand rely on canons and dogma,

to make up for what they lack in comprehension. In other words, the absence

of genuine wisdom and discernment means that they have to rely heavily on

rules, for they often have little else.

 

These two approaches to spiritual life could not be more different. (A) is

the end of knowledge, while the other, (B) based wholly on ecclesiastic law

is the very beginning of that process. However, our Spiritual Master Srila

Prabhupada was designated 'Bhaktivedanta' by his godbrothers.

 

Bhakti – vedanta throws a different slant on Vedanta being the end of

knowledge, for it indicates that when you have actually separated reality

from illusion, distinguished the difference between spirit and matter and

understood our relation to the supreme, there is still something more. That

something is Bhakti – loving devotion to the Lord. Bhakti is therefore, the

ultimate end of knowledge.

 

Given that we have this wonderfully sublime and transcendent knowledge (A),

that is intended to help us distinguish between what is useful and what is

not and to aim for the quintessence, why do we insist on downgrading it to

type B?

 

In other words, why do we constantly seek to introduce canons and dogma into

a sublime process, that is naturally free from such low and profane

formulas?

 

I’m referring here to the way in which Srila Prabhupada’s words are

ceaselessly quoted as canons, when in fact they are of two kinds, practical

and sublime, non-essential and essential:

 

1. Those dealing with essential principles and categorised as revealed

wisdom (sruti).

 

2. Those spoken according to time and place (smriti).

 

The essential principles of Krsna Consciousness cannot be changed in any

way. While those, which are spoken according to time and place may be

reviewed. There is a need for smriti, but smriti must be updated because

situations are always changing. How can we make a definite rule about

circumstances that are constantly changing? How can we canonise

instructions, given to different people that are sometimes contradictory?

 

So, in keeping with the tradition of Vedanta, we must learn to distinguish

between these two types of instruction, for it is part of the same process,

of separating what is useful from what is not. Srila Prabhupada did not

quote his Spiritual Master out of turn in this way.

 

I’m not suggesting that we dismiss Srila Prabhupada’s personal instructions

to disciples on practical issues, but just that we see them as personal and

not necessarily general.

 

The point that I’m working my way to here is the position of women in

Iskcon. It is common, logical sense, that women are exactly as competent as

men in every possible way. There is no job that I can think of that a woman

could not do as well as a man. They can become scientists, doctors,

university lecturers, politicians, company directors and authors. Name the

occupation and I’ll guarantee that you’ll find women there doing it and

doing it well. Many becoming leading authorities in their field.

 

In view of this situation I’d like to know why in Iskcon women are not even

allowed to give a Bhagavatam class, when a spaced out bramacari who knows

practically nothing about the philosophy can often do so. How many times

have we heard such neophytes spend the whole hour talking about their

particular sexual hang-ups?

 

Why also are there are no lady Temple Presidents or GBC representatives? The

answer is that the male devotees who traditionally run the show will trot

out a string of quotes by Prabhupada to back up their ‘male clique’

attitudes. The fact that there are other quotes where Prabhupada say’s that

women are equal with men, will be completely ignored.

 

But Krsna Consciousness, being the end of knowledge, is transcendental to

all material considerations. It is not Indian, it can be practised just as

easily by Westerners and it is not just for men. Amazingly, bhakti can also

be performed by women. In fact, they are often better suited because they

have naturally soft and loving hearts. Just stand in the Vrindavan temple on

Janmastami and see the widows arrive in their droves. Notice how they look

at the deities, with such love in their eyes.

 

Women have better communicative skills than men, are steadier than men, are

more down-to-earth and realistic than men, are more intuitive than men, are

more prudent than men, are better at managing money than men, are more

nurturing than men (nurture means not only to nourish but also to train,

educate and discipline) and are more caring than men – all excellent

leadership qualities.

 

The aspect of caring is an interesting one. Care is the opposite of neglect

and means to have a ‘regard’ for a thing, which we place value on. By

comparison, how have the male leaders treated the majority of devotees under

them? Without regard! How have they treated women in the movement? Without

regard! How have they treated the children in the movement? Without regard!

 

Had women been placed in charge of the Gurukula we would certainly not have

seen the sort of abuse and neglect that the men imposed and I suspect the

same would be true had they managed the society. Don’t hand Iskcon over to

the kuli’s – hand it over to the women and perhaps there will be hope.

 

Of course, this would be another extreme. Mutual co-operation is the answer.

Let the women manage equally. Do not bar them on the basis of illusory

bodily concepts.

 

We can change smriti when it is for the better. Women make up 50% of the

population and no intelligent woman will want to be part of a society that

claims to be spiritual, but treats them as second-class citizens. Not only

women, no intelligent man would be impressed with the Iskcon position

either. Anyone, who therefore, wants to retain these narrow prejudicial

concepts, are destroying Srila Prabhupada’s reputation and movement, by

stopping it from being taken seriously.

 

The modern age has been characterised by the struggle for liberty, beginning

with the French Revolution, which was as much against the abuses of the

Church as it was the Monarchy. The people of India have fought against

Colonialism. Africans have fought and died for their human rights and women

have remonstrated tirelessly for the last hundred years, even for the right

to vote. The sixties sub-culture was also a movement against suppression.

Freedom is therefore, the most valued attribute of modern civilisation.

 

But what does freedom mean? It is simply the exemption of restraints. Of

being told, ‘you can’t come to this college because you’re black’ ‘you can’t

live here because you’re Jewish’ ‘you can’t do this because you’re a woman’.

It means to be free of any restraining power or influence.

 

The difference between liberty and freedom is that liberty hints at previous

restraint, whereas freedom does not. So what we actually require is the

liberty for all devotees to preach, manage and act according to their own

determination and ability, without prejudicial restrictions. For repression

equals despotism – lording it over.

 

If you can’t have that in a society based on Vedanta – which represents the

ultimate freedom from dogma, where can you have it?

 

I would like to know from all would-be reformers, IRM, Prabhupadanugas and

others, if such changes are part of their agenda – if not, you’re best

efforts will be worthless. Krsna consciousness must change in order to move

forward and retain its validity.

 

Comments please,

 

Yaduvendu

 

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