Expulsion of NV and robes

[Guest guest]

>

>

> I'm confused. My ex-husband left New Vrindavan in the 80s because of these

> changes. When they first started, NV was still in ISKCON, and he was

> confused about who was right, but then ISKCON excommunicated NV and things

> started getting really weird so he bolted.

 

I don't know the exact date of excommunication but am quite sure it was after

Jan.

3, 1987 raid and the GBC wanted to isolate themselves from any legal fallout

from

the raid.

 

 

>

>

> Your description of the hierarchy of the altars was fascinating. Has anyone

> recorded the history and documented all the changes that did happen?

 

I have no idea what you are taling about here. Must be thinking of some other

post

on some other conference.

 

> I know

> Maitreya for one was deeply disturbed by the polyester robes. I mean if

> you've grown up in the 60s and 70s with natural fibers, that's completely

> unacceptable (I'm only partially kidding)....

 

Just refreshed my memory of when robes happened by calling one of the women who

actually sewed them. She says it was 89 - 90 that the robes were started.

Incidentally it was a 50/50 linen/polyester blend. The material itself was

quite

nice.

 

The robes were a problem on several levels, not least of which it was

physically

impossible to nurse a child, an activity to which a sari is very adaptable. I

could expound on the socialogical ramifications of that fact, but for the

misogynists they won't get it anyway and for the more socially aware the

atttitude

that reflects from Kirtanananda is obvious.

 

Anyway, all the outward cultural changes happened after the expulsion. That

is a

fact. I remember it unfolding gradually, and even one of the reasons

Kirtanananda

gave for the change in dress is that if ISKCON didn't want to be associated

with

NV, then changing the dress would more completely make that differentiation in

the

mind of the public then some GBC resolution. It was like doing ISKCON a favor

and

helping to fulfill their desire.

 

I am just reporting this, and have no desire to defend the point. He had

lots of

other reasons, all based on scripture and all done with the approval of a

majority

of the devotees. Every change was brought up one thing at a time, and

discussed

in excruciating detail for a good period of time before being instituted.