Cutting down of power ...

[Guest guest]

> > But we are relating to the Tp's on a daily basis also,they have to be

> > cutdown first.

>

> I don't think it is necessary to cut down their power. It is just

> necessary that they behave like gentlemen, with the intention to serve the

> devotees.

>

> If this attitude is not adopted, even cutting down their power will not

> stop them from misusing everything and anything and to engage in countless

> politics.

>

> Ys Ud

 

Unless certain standards are established and implemented an expert

politician can easily work around any obstacles. Transparency is needed. You

cant just tell a TP who is notorious for politics to be a good boy and

expect he will change.

 

Apparently there has been a system in place in Venice (Italy) which operates

like this. There are a number of posts held by the rulers. The most powerful

posts are occupied for around 6 months only and rotated, these are the

people who make the major decisions. There are lesser officials who maintain

the bureacracy, whose posts last longer, but are also subjected to change.

The idea is that no one can usurp power for any lenght of time. I dont know

the full working of this, Abhirama Prabhu has been telling me about it.

Apparently the system works so well, it has existed for centuries.

 

As far as I understand the elders of the society are always accessible for

advice, but the office holders are the ones who after processing this

advice, actualy make the hard decision. In many cases for us, it should be

fairly clear according to guru sadhu & shastra, which way to go. In cases

where there are a *number* of equally good options, or even opposing ones

the sitting leader has to make the final decision.

 

In many temples in the past the managers have tried to start Brahminical

councils. I have heard that this has not always worked. The problem seems to

be that in any given temple the TP is almost free to manage in any way he

wishes. I feel this is wrong. ISKCON should spend some time to work out an

appropriate management system which encourages and even assists any and

every devotee who is able to participate in spreading this movement. The

devotees should be given an opportunity to show their wisdom. Only by

learning in a forum of elders can a person mature and take up real

responsibility. The future actions of any given community should be dictated

by the combined wisdom of the devotees (reflected by Srila Prabhupadas

orders, sadhu & shastra). Why not use the Isthgosti system to allow the

devotees to debate the pros and cons of future action amongst themselves?

The elders in such a forum can use their experience to examine the motives

of a younger members suggestions, but can also benefit from the valuable

ideas that any member of the Sanga is inspired to reveal. It would be a

maturing experience for all involved. There may be the odd occasion when an

older members motives are revealed to be faulty. At least such elders would

be very cautious in a gathering of learned men, to make sure their motives

are transparent.

 

YS Samba das