GBC has agreed to active participation in cow protection

[Guest guest]

"WWW: Janesvara (Dasa) ACBSP (Syracuse - USA)" wrote:

 

> [Text 2398841 from COM]

>

> On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote:

>

> -- but if Krsna's

> > devotees don't make some arrangements to train and support devotees who are

> > protecting cows, we may find that in a couple years there are hardly any

> cows

> > left.

>

> And this will benefit no one and all will be lost for everyone. How can those

> claiming to be "leaders" not make this a priority when they claim to be the

> "leaders" of a culture which clearly prioritized it. It is very clearly NOT a

> priority in the minds of these so-called leaders - there is only talk.

 

Sometime I need to address this problem of painting all of ISKCON's leaders

with

the same brush. Several of them have worked to provide a substantial amount of

funding which is the only reason why this varnasrama book can be written. A

number of other ones are quietly starting self-sufficient communities at

different

parts in the world. Admittedly, some are afraid of varnasrama -- but I think

you

might be surprised at how many of ISKCON's leaders are really supportive of

varnasrama. They are cautious, but they are pushing things forward.

Gradually,

you will see the results of their quiet efforts. Anyway, that's for a later

time.

 

But as for cow protection -- we certainly have to admit that their have been

devastating and embarrasing shortcomings over the years. But again, please

don't

say that our leaders, especially the GBC, are indifferent to cow protection.

This

past spring in Mayapura they all voted to approve a comprehensive set of cow

protection standards which was even longer than all the rest of the by-laws put

together.

 

I personally am adverse to kicking sand in someone's face when they have just

begun to reform their actions. I prefer to give them a chance to stand up and

demonstrate their sincerity first. At least you should give the GBC until

August

15 before you call them negligent on cow protection.

 

One aspect of what they endorsed obligates them to visit each of ISKCON's farms

and traveling ox program 4 times per year. The need to schedule 1 hour private

meetings with the herdsmen and teamsters at each visit, and also inspect the

cows'

facilities. They also need to submit a report to ISKCON's Ministry for Cow

Protection and Agriculture quarterly. The first one is due by July 30. So

allowing 2 weeks for slow mail, let's at least give them until August 15 before

we

put them down for not being sincere about cow protection. We may be pleasantly

surprised at how conscientious many of them are about fullfilling their promise

on

this matter.

 

At least we owe it to them to give them a fighting chance to prove their

determination to set things right as far as cow protection goes. They've said

they will do this. Now let's give them a chance before we criticize them more.

It's only fair.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi