An open letter to the leaders of the Hare Krishna Movement

[Guest guest]

On 15 Sep 2001, Kavicandra Swami wrote:

 

> Here are some suggestions:>

> 1 - A direct letter to president Bush and all major authorities offering

> help.

> 2 - Massive prasadam distribution at the site

> 3 - Professional signs made: "Hare Krishnas for a Safer America" or "We are

with you Mr. President and Fellow Americans" something like that.

> 4 - T-Shirts or Bright Vests should be made immediately with similar phrases

> and all devotees participating in this relief effort should wear them.

>

> We must be there to help. It is a must.

>

> I read the article on Chakra about "New York ISKCON Okay After Terrorist

> Attack" and this is very nice. We are happy to know the devotees are safe.

 

Reality Check Report from Ground Zero: New York City

by Ramabhadra das

President

ISKCON New York

 

Dear Maharaja's and Prabhu's

Pamho AgtSP

As thew Crow flies Brooklyn ISKCON temple is three miles from where the World

Trade Towers stood. Five thousand people were killed in the devastation.The

Jet that crashed in Pittsburgh was planning an attack on the White House, an

attempt to asassinate the President of the United States. More than three

hundred Fireman including much of the Top Brass and Friar Mychal Judge the

Firefighters Chaplain were killed. Friar Judge for decades served at the site

of many disasters giving Last Rites to fallen Fireman.He was considered a

Saint by the Fireman. He was giving last rites to a Fireman when the Tower

collapsed killing him. The Fireman found his body under a Fire Engine Truck

and immediately carried him a few blocks to a local Church and laid him on an

Altar in front of Jesus Christ for a few moments then proceeded to carry him

thirty blocks to the Altar in his Franciscan Monestary. The entire Elite

Police Crisis response team was killed in the disaster.Six hundred Pakistanis

and seven hundred British citizens were killed. This was an attack not just

against the USA but the entire free world.

If you are not in this City at this time you cannot imagine the Emotional

intensity of the situation. The Deputy Mayor announced Saturday morning no

more supplies including Food and no more Volunteers are needed.

Food for Life was never an option but only a Sentiment and volunteers in the

Disaster zone were required to be Labor Union members. The entire crisis zone

South of Canal St. was only open only to Autorized Personnel under Executive

Order to arrest unauthorized persons.

For the immediate response there are only two or three things that ISKCON

members can do to help show their care and concern for people,

1) Donate a humble total amount maybe $50,000 to the Fireman and Police Relief

Fund. (Even the Dali Lama gave $30,000)

2) Gentle and Humble sit down Harmonium Bhajan Hari Nam Prayer Vigils with

signs that read "God Bless America" and Hare Krishna People Pray to the Lord

to Bless the Victims and Their families, and "One who does good my Friend is

never overcome by evil."

3) To attend Prayer Vigils with other Religious or Muliethnic groups.

 

After seeing this Act of War under a Microscope since Tuesday I have the

following urgent recommendations for the Leaders of ISKCON,

1)GBC's and Temple Presidents in NATO cities such as London, Paris, Rome,

Germany, etc. should immediately construct strong wooden transport crates for

the large Marble Altar Deities in case of a need to move to a Safer location

on short notice.

2)Create a storage room with essential supplies in case of Biological or

Nuclear disaster.

3)Develope a plan of escape to an ISKCON Farm or Safe Haven far away from

Major Cities.

 

>From my close focus on all News reports since Tuesday be prepared in the

coming months to see a NATO Alliance Land and Air attack first against

Afganistan across the length of the Pakistan border. As that conflict

continues a key thing to look for is whether China assists the Taliban in any

way either with Troops or Supplies. If China enters against NATO the chance of

Nuclear Holocaust increases considerably.

The people of the USA and its Conservative and Hawkish leaders have drawn the

line and are determined to crush Terrorism. President Bush will not be

satisfied with a Trial and a small group of Terrorists sent to prison. They

attempted to kill the President and his Military leaders and destroy the World

Economy.

This act of War flaunted in the eyes of the World last Tuesday immediately in

my mind shrunk the importance of many issues presently plaguing ISKCON.

If devotees are thinking, "how will we preach during a Major War" I'll tell

them. Get out of the Cities to Farms and Safe Havens and "Save yourself and

the other devotees". ISKCON is a Brahminical Society and we are not equiped or

qualified as a Search, Rescue, and Protection agency.

 

Any GBC members, Ministers, Temple Presidents,and ISKCON members who could

help during this time of Crisis by mailing an International Money Order,

Check, or Bank Transfer it will help us immensely by showing the Leaders of

the World that we care and support the Victim's and this War against

Terrorism.

 

All Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to:

ISKCON New York and mailed to 305 Schermerhorn St. Brooklyn, New York 11217

I will publish a list of all donors on Chakra for a Checks and Balances that

we received your donation. A copy of the ISKCON check made to the Victims

Relief Fund will be given to the North American Executive Committee along with

the Donor list for Auditing.

The donation will be presented as a gift from the World Wide Congregation of

Hare Krishna People.

Anyone wishing to send a Bank transfer please contact me via e-mail:

Ramabhadra (AT) aol (DOT) com for Bank Account information.

I am doing a fund drive in the New York congregation and will personally

pledge $1,000 from my Business income.

 

I hope this meets you in the best of health,

Your insignificant servant

Ramabhadra das

Temple President

New York ISKCON

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/14/2001 8:30:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Urmila.ACBSP (AT) pamho (DOT) net writes:

 

 

> 2 - Massive prasadam distribution at the site

>

The site is cordoned off and entry forbidden to all except rescue workers,

from what I am told. There is another point here, regarding prasad, we are

not in a starvation crises, food is available. And, if I may be blunt, these

people are not going to be into "massive"prasad distribution" (which usually

means kicheree). These people want "American" food, which means unofferable

items such as hamburgers, hot-dogs, and lots of hot coffee.

 

The other suggestions were more do-able. In addition, each temple can easily

a local event to participate in. Just by attending a prayer vigil in

devotional attire is meaningful and well recieved. We went to a large

"telethon" at the OSU Football stadium, attended by the governor, the Mayor,

and other leading dignitaries as well as radio and TV. We freely passed out

small books to a very receptive audience of attendees along with appropriate

flyers. We even held an American Flag as we sat through the program (eveyone

was doing this and I was given one by a happy recipricant of our book.)

 

I suggest also calling your local relief coordinator and finding exactly what

they need and see where your temple can fit in. You'll be respected for

asking and cooperating rather than assuming a solution that may or may not be

appropriate.

 

Thank you, Hare Krishna, yr servant, malati dd