Prabhu VS Mataji--can we have closure on this?

[Guest guest]

Nicely rounded conclusion, prabhu. Thank you.

 

I was just sent this quote by one of the ladies on this conference. While I

am not of the opinion that someone who wishes not to be called mataji is

"evil", I am of no doubt that there are some on this conference who actually

do believe it.

 

"The effects which follow the constant and intense a concentration upon evil

are always disastrous. Those who crusade, not for God in themselves, but

against the demons in others, never succeed in making the world better ...

No man can concentrate his attention on evil, or even the idea of evil, and

remain unaffected. To be more against the demon than for Godliness is

exceedingly dangerous. Every crusader is apt to go mad. He is haunted by the

wickedness which he attributes to his enemies; it becomes sort of a part of

him."

- Aldous Huxley

 

> Dear Gauri das prabhu,as well as all maharajas and other prabhus (both

> male and female) on this network;

> Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

> In general, the position you are taking on this issue seems to be

> reasonable. Malati prabhu has presented the multiple quotes indicating

> Srila Prabhupada's usage of "prabhu" in dealing with his female disciples.

> Other prabhus have presented ample evidence that Srila Prabhupada

> introduced calling women "mother" or "mataji" into the movement. Clearly,

> it was not a concoction by male chauvanists or brahmachari fanatics, etc.

> However, I was also present in the movement during the heavy male

> chauvanism period, and it was clearly very offensive and destructive, as

> has been painfully documented by some of my God sisters joining this

> discussion. It seems to be primarily an American problem, as well as

> incidences in Europe. For some Vaishnavis, the word "mataji" is what is

> known, in psychological terms, as a "negative anchor", or something that

> immediately draws the mind to painful treatment or events of the past,

> which are many in our society. Most of the worst perpatrators of offenses,

> both

> against women and men, from the eras being discussed, are long

> gone--fallen sannyasis or others whose whereabouts are completely unknown.

> Shastra clearly states that this is the result of Vaishnava apharada,

> regardles of gender! There certainly have been many atrocities against

> common decency in our society as to how women have been treated, such as

> the infamous Berkeley SKP group or the New Vrindavan SKP group, which

> mixed apparent exploitation of women, even sexually, with book

> distribution and "the pick", all in the name of Krishna consciousness; yet

> the movement said little because they produced "results". So many years

> later we see what kind of "results" came along with the scores and money

> galore in terms of pain and suffering. Many devotional lives were

> completely destroyed, barely to be recovered in this lifetime, if at all.

> Therefore, the best thing is to respect the ladies as they care to be

> called. For example, since I know that my God sister Vishaka would be

> strongly

> displeased by being called "Mataji", I would not do it. I call her by her

> spiritual name, given by Srila Prabhupada personally. In this regards,

> discretion is wise, rather than a flat policy to all. On the other hand, I

> have been in India for the past two years, and here, for the vast majority

> of ladies, calling them "mataji" would not be an issue, because it is

> within the culture. For them it does not trigger trauma or issues of male

> domination. Anyways, sensativity is required, along with desa, kala patra

> considerations. In any case, I certainly feel this issue is now becoming

> belabored. Can we "complete" by agreeing for some time that there is more

> than one way of addressing ladies, and that one should be wise and

> sensative about it? I request that all the prabhus, both male and female,

> consider bringing this discussion to a close for now, as it is becoming

> rather obtrusive, as different parties bring forth empassioned oppinions.

> It is also very time consuming just attempting to process such a flood of

> entries on this issue. I have almost been tempted just to erase entries,

> regardless of party, which are flooding the Internet with this subject, in

> the interest of not getting bogged down by the weight of so many letters

> on this one subject (though I attempt to honor them all by reading, but I

> don't really have the time for it). All readers please consider laying the

> matter to rest for some time, although there are points on both sides of

> value. Continued fighting will inevitably lead to Vaishnava

> apharada! We can utilize this valuable time reading shastra and chanting

> the glories of the Lord, as well as other forms of service. Thank you in

> advance for your consideration.

> Your servant,

> Makhanlal das (ACBSP)