How does the GBC propose to engage senior Vaisnavis in devotional

[Guest guest]

Dear Maharajs and Prabhus,

 

Dandavats! Jayasrila Prabhupada! I agree with Srila Prabhu regarding the

historical context that lead up to the incident regarding darshan in

Vrindavan. We, Vaisnavis have endured terse management attitudes for

decades. At best, we ladies have been tolerated. Most of the mataji's are

accustomed to being handled roughly by ISKCON's embrace, but still they

remain in their Lord's seva unconditionally.

 

Venerable Vaisnavis do not participate in our ISKCON society for name and

fame. Generally, they have no ambition for these things. Their addiction to

devotional service and their wealth of realization is amazing. ISKCON has

gained much through their selfless service. I applaud them.

 

How does the GBC plan to engage senior vaisnavas and senior matajis as our

household duties reduce and we move toward vanaprasta? Please also consider,

our ability to physically work may be diminishing.

 

I know my mother is the flotilla commander of the auxiliary coast guard in

Kaneohe, Hawaii. She is retired and does this as her charitable work. She is

in charge of her flotilla and recruits first class young people into coast

guard colleges. Interestingly, she is in charge of her locale. She answers

to superiors on a national level. While we were growing up my mataji didn't

work, she took care of children. When we grew up, she went to work. Now that

she is retired she is doing charitable work.

 

Just some food for thought for the GBC! We ladies have years of on the job

training, we have heard Srimad Bhagawatam for years and years. When cooking

and cleaning are no longer an option, what kind of service will you propose

for us?

 

The GBC needs to recognize and plan to engage this large body of talent in

devotional service. It has been noted that some of our senior talent is being

engaged elsewhere in devotional activities. ISKCON is our family. Isn't it

the GBC elders joyful duty to engage their loving family members in the

family business?

 

Thank Srila Prabhupada our ISKCON family business is Krishna seva!

 

Yours in devotional service, Kusha mata

 

 

Srila Prabhu wrote: <<<<Prabhupada showed the example by being sensitive to

EVERYONE's spiritual needs! The more we see such worshipful qualities of

*suhrdam sarva-bhutanam* and *sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma* manifested in our

sannyasis, the more we will all be pleased to grant them whatever special

facility as they deserve.

Now I want to propose a *COMPROMISE* to relieve this impasse. That is, the

Vrndavan temple managers can make some SMALL concession to the sannyasis,

which I am sure the ladies would also be agreeable to: For the first minute

or

so of Deity greeting, the ladies can leave a 3ft-wide TEMPORARY CORRIDOR so

that the sannyasis -- and sannyasis ONLY! -- can one-by-one pass and HUMBLY

offer their dandavats, and then quickly return to where the rest of the men

are. That would seem both FAIR and PROPER, and causing the minimal

inconvenience to ladies as well as sannyasis.

 

How could anyone who was truly renounced and dependent on Krsna ask for more?

 

What do all my honorable Vaisnava Prabhus think?

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Vaisnavanudasa abhilasi,

 

Srila dasa

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