Formal Public Apology for Incidents of Cow Abuse

[Guest guest]

>But I believe there is a subtle spiritual

>deterioration that is taking place because we haven't come clean about

>the cows, that we -- as a society -- have not owned up to our

>responsibility for what has happened to them.

 

>And, as long as we are reluctant to investigate past abuses, as long as

>we refuse to take responsibility for them, I am afraid that we are

>condemned to commit further abuses to the cows.

 

>There are so many allegations of abuse? Are they true or untrue? Where

>are the investigations to learn the truth? And, if they are true, where

>is our apology? It seems important that this apology should be

>personally and formally led by the GBC in charge of the project where

>the abuse is found. The present GBC and the present temple president>

>should lead the apology. Other devotees may also want to join in.>

 

>But without apology, without any repentence, how can we ever change our

>wrong course?

 

>What are the feelings of others about the need for formal apology for

>incidents of cow abuse -- whether they be current or in the past?

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

 

Apology means we are sorry and we are now going to do different. Otherwise

it is not apology it is something bluff. It may cause even worse politics.

My approach is to go forward and address the fact that we have a serious

problem with educational proceedures. It is a matter for designating and

delegating the right people for the right job once they are trained. This

should be the job of our top managers. In other words the varnasrama

principle is the only real way forward. This I find is backed up

wholehartedly by most of the GBC I know, but this alone does not mean

anything is going to change.

 

Now this also brings up the question of the politics of being a guru and a

GBC and a Sannyasi all at the same time. It is as if we have lumped

everything, all responsibility, into one roll with these three criteria.

And there seems to be to a big gap in many respects between these positions

and all others.

Therefore varnasrama management principles are far in the distance.

 

The Old GBC used to say. 'This is a good idea, let's do this.' There was

vision and qualification from them, that is why so much success has been

seen worldwide.(But obvoiusly not in the Indian/Cow department).

I'm particularly thinking of Jayatirtha prabhu, who operated in this way.

(And Prabhupada said he was one of our best managers!)

 

 

Now this old system of management is even more unpopular, therefore we have

to replace it with another system. Which should, if possible, be fully

endorded by the GBC body, and the policy may then be effective.

Thus we have to emphasize everything on education. This may take a couple of

generations like the effect of good feeding, but it may be the only course

left to us. If things can be effected quicker then all well and good.

 

In many spheres of activity devotees would rather consult karmis about their

problems than devotees who have spent years and years researching the

problems, and spent a lot of money doing it. This is a fundamental floor in

our educational system. And this is why so many qualified devotees go away

to do their projects elswhere. What is the point in training if we don't

listen to those we've trained? This is a symptom of non-community. Of non

cultural practice. What use are elders in modern misdirected society?

 

 

Without a varnasrama concept we will go round and round in circles.

[Guest guest]

Dear Hare Krsna dasi Prabhu,

 

PAMHO. AGTSP.

 

Don't we owe an

>apology to the Krsna and Prabhupada and the cows and sometimes even the

>cow-herds who struggled in vain to protect the cows but whose pleas fell

>upon our deaf ears?

 

Yes a public apology would cleanse the soul of ISKCON in regards to Cow

abuse. But alas, at this point, cow protection is still at the bottom rung

of the ladder of causes to be championed and apologized for. In the GBC

minutes it is stated the causes that should receive funding. Cow protection

is not one of them.

 

Your servant,

Chayadevi