Vedic definition of atheism, mayavada in ISKCON

[Guest guest]

> >what of the symptoms of atheism within ISKCON? Could someone

> >perhaps outline those and define them?

 

Once I compiled an overview of mayavada influences in ISKCON and sent

it to Jahnu P. who wanted it. See below.

 

ys Jan

 

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Influence of Mayavada in ISKCON

 

 

Manifests in three stages beginning with ahamkara.

 

1. Character level

 

cause: inherent flaws of a conditioned soul

 

1.1 bhoga (desire for power and enjoyment/fame)

 

1.1.1 isvara bhava (rivalry with Krishna, feeling of superiority)

 

-> (leads to) hypocrisy, lying, faultfinding, slandering,

incrimination, corruption, antinomianism (considering oneself beyond

the law/dharma)

 

-> too much care for material needs (fallen gurus)

 

-> in book distribution people seen as mere sources of money

("find-fleece-forget" fundraising style)

 

1.1.2 premature desire for spiritual perfection by skipping

sadhana-bhakti

 

-> raganuga movement (NM)

 

1.2 tyaga

 

1.2.1 "holy detachment" from this world (actually disdain and

bitterness) confused with dharmic care

 

-> violence toward children and women ("agents of maya")

 

1.2.2 "holier-than-thou" spiritual pride toward other traditions and

even devotees in rasas other than madhurya

 

-> sectarianism, offensiveness

 

1.2.3 lack of empathy and trust

 

-> lack of care for devotees (esp. women, children, sick, etc.)

 

 

2. Philosophical level

 

cause: lack of realization of Vaisnava siddhanta

 

2.1 speculativeness

 

-> syncretism, uncritical acceptance of doubtful knowledge sources

 

e.g. gnosticism, later manifest in Theosophy, New Age, antisemitism,

nazism, racism, sexism, liberalism, scientism, feminism and other

materialistic philosophies

 

2.2 apostasy, heresy, schism

 

-> reformation, counter-reformation, purges, betrayals, murders

 

e.g. ritvikism (creation of an idealized authority, rejection

of parampara)

 

 

3. Organizational level

 

cause: lack of functioning internal checks, feedbacks and sychronized

defense, lack of common mission viewpoint (preoccupation with

individual goals)