raffles

[Guest guest]

I recall back in 1973 in LA, Karandhar had this idea of selling raffling

tickets to the indian congregation. He talked it over with some leading

congregational members and they concluded that they should be able to get

100's of people to buy $100 raffling tickets to win a very special car. The

first car to raffle off was to be the Rolls Royce that Karandhar had just

bought to pick Srila Prabhupad up from the airport. Later they could buy new

regular cars as a way of raising funds for the temple. [i know how he

managed to get that Rolls. Srila Prabhupad was coming, and the temple only

had a VW last time to pick him up from the airport. Rather then rent,

Karandhar decided to buy a used Mercedes. He spent about $2,000, all he

could afford, and got a really good deal on a used Mercedes. Then Srila

Prabhupad changed his schedule and delayed his trip for a month. In the mean

time Karandhar sold the car for a good profit and bought another newer

Mercedes. Srila Prabhupad changed plans again, and Karandhar again sold that

car for a good profit and bought a (used), but nice, Rolls Royce, paying

$16,000 for it (all made from his original $2,000 investment). So, he had

this idea of Raffling off the car after SP left as a way to raise money for

the temple. He figured they could do this several times a year. The

congregation would love it because they would get a chance to win a Rolls,

or another nice car, for just a $100 or two (or 3, or 4), and the first time

it would be a Rolls that Srila Prabhupad had ridden in. What a better way

to donate money to the temple, to buy tickets for the change of winning such

a car. So, Karandhar was all excited about it. This is how many churches

raise money. So, he took the idea to Srila Prabhupad - who completely shot

it down. He rejected it as 100% gambling. The temple and devotees must have

NOTHING to do with it. At that time I recall strong preaching against

Bingo, so maybe Karandhar also asked about that at the same time.(?) But,

with the Raffling, I think Karandhar either had already printed the tickets

or was about to do so.

 

The thing is, Karandhar was the leading GBC man for all of ISKCON at the

time. Everyone came to Karandhar to solve problems, even Kirtananda would

consult with Karandhar. Practically he was considered the next in-line from

SP. Yet, for all his so-called advancement he could not see that Raffling

was nothing but direct gambling.

 

ys ameyatma