Culture Matters, What is ISKCON? - Incompatibility with ISKCON

[Guest guest]

With regard to some of Giri-nayaka Prabhu's grievances and the current

discussion about mediation, it should be noted that, as per the Minutes of

the 2005 GBC meetings, approximately two-thirds (2/3) of the reported budget

was allocated to conflict resolution and to dealing with a specific

emergency (a temple in Germany); the allocations were more or less split

evenly. That 2/3 of the GBC's already small budget (about US $40,000) was

allocated to emergency management means things are, overall, not in a good

way. In a spiritual society, even one where the vast majority of converts

are understood to be imperfect, this means something.

 

As a cause for conflict, I think culture figures more into these issues than

many of us realize. About a year or two ago, in a copy of the Wall Street

Journal, there was a double page add advertising for businesses to relocate

themselves from America to Japan, and a selling point in the advertisement

was that even though Japan was expensive place to have a business, it

nevertheless (compared with America) had low levels of crime. It also

advertised what it believed to be a superior work culture. That low levels

of crime and low levels work place conflict are more functions of culture

than of efficient law enforcement and efficient legal systems raises the

question as to the causes of most conflicts within ISKCON. From an ISKCON

perspective, Srila Prabhupada once remarked how he liked the manners of the

Japanese and remarked how the young Japanese boys and girls were often

better behaved than even his own disciples. Perhaps the majority of

conflicts (and criminal activity for that matter) within ISKCON have more to

do with culture, and culture is something that I see as persistently missing

in these discussions.

 

Your servant, Krishna-kirti das (HDG)

 

On Thu, 22 Dec 2005 10:51 +0100, Giri-nayaka (das) BVS (Ljubljana - SLO) <

Giri-nayaka.BVS (AT) pamho (DOT) net> wrote:

>

> Dear Braja Bihari Prabhu.

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

>

> Thank you for your information. I have some second thoughts, if program of

> ISKCONResolve is what I can really take shelter of.

>

> I had some experience with mediation some months ago, and it didn't turn

> out

> well, to put it politely. Actually, it worsened situation to a large

> degree.

> I don't know if the reason was inexperienced mediator (who was

> sannyasi/Guru/GBC in this case), or was it the nature of problem itself,

> maybe not being most suitable for mediation. I'd rather not think about

> this

> specific mediator being incapable, because of his high status in ISKCON.

> So

> I prefer thinking, that this case was not really suitable for mediation.

> Maybe this is not the right place to describe matter in detail. Therefore

> let me just say, that basically it was dispute between local authorities

> and

> several other devotees, including myself, regarding perceived intentions

> of

> local authorities to adjust Srila Prabhupada's books for better public

> acceptance.

>

> I think Power-based decision seems the right way to go in this case. What

> would you suggest? You say, that proper system uses all three approaches,

> namely power, rights and interest based. Please let me say again, that I

> have terrible experience with mediation, and am not likely to engage in it

> in any near future. Can you please tell whom I can turn to for Power-based

> decision, in the case, where local GBC representative refuses to come up

> with such decision. What are my options, if any at all.

>

> Thank you

>

> your servant Giri-nayaka das

>

> > > I was not aware that ISKCON has Justice Ministy. This is most

> promising.

> > > Is it operating? What can one expect from it? How to propose a matter

> to

> > > their investigation. Any procedures? Who to contact? Can please

> somebody

> > > help with this information.

> >

> > Yes, the Justice Ministry is very active. Sesa Prabhu is the Minister,

> > while nearly all the work is being done by the ISKCONResolve office.

> >

> > www.ISKCONresolve.com

> >

> > The website is still being developed, but the services offered are

> > outlined there. So far the results have been far beyond our

> expectations.

> >

> > A brief background: Decisions are made in three ways:

> >

> > Power-based

> > Rights-based

> > Interest-based

> >

> > Power-based is the standard system of authority in ISKCON: the line of

> > authority wherein an leader takes a decision in a conflict or question

> of

> > justice.

> >

> > Rights-based is when a neutral third-party (like a judge) takes a

> > decision. The Child Protection office runs in this way, and we are

> working

> > to establish arbitrators for taking such decisions.

> >

> > Interest-based is when two parties discuss matters (often with the help

> of

> > a mediator) with each other and through improved communications and

> > empathy try to settle matters in a way that all are satisfied. It may

> > sound hard to do, but about 75% our our mediations in ISKCON end in an

> > agreement being reached by the parties.

> >

> > A proper system allows for all three approaches, though the

> Interest-based

> > one is preferred as decisions are voluntarily reached by both parties,

> and

> > thus (especially in a voluntary spiritual organization) there is far

> > better chance of compliance.

> >

> > Also, you will note that on the website there are opportunities for all

> > devotees to voice concerns and complaint anonoymously (if they prefer).

> >

> > Ys, Braja Bihari dasa

>

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