Allegations of Cow Slaughter at iskcon Murari Sevaka

October 25, 1999

Thankyou Hare Krsna dasi for this information, I wish I'd read it first. My

comments on collecting snails/employing ducks now seem trivial. This is

terrible.

What's done is done, these male cows are already slaughtered, question is

HOW TO ENSURE THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN ON OUR FARMS AGAIN. The only

solution is to have regular observers of the herd,separate from the

management, at least one for each farm. There is no need for appointment,

because it is the responsibility of every devotee to ensure that this does

not happen. And it possibly will, as well as the possibility/probability of

other types of abuse, unless the devotee/s on each farm get to know exactly

who is in the herd, and by regular observation, know exactly when one has

disappeared, and raise the alarm. If the manager is a bit crazy, or not to

be trusted, the counting should be done, ideally, almost daily. If this had

happened, then the alarm might have been raised before the animals were

actually slaughtered.

Sending the GBC in every 3 months is nice but it would have been too late

for these animals! Every 3 months is not enough, nor is a rubber-stamp

approval necessary. All it needs is devotees with eyes and feelings. And

there are plenty of those.

Where I live, I was never appointed, nor was I even allowed to go near the

cows. However, because I do, our manager has to answer up to a lot of

opposition from our community should he mistreat our cows, though there is

at present still some neglect which I am working on. But gross neglect is

presently not there. I feel that the cow ministry would have more luck

pushing the resposibility into the hands of local devotees rather than go

through the GBC, which has only ended in failure.

For instance these devotees who raised the alarm, Debbie and Damien, should

be encouraged by the ministry to take up the resposibility of regular

observation, and writing reports for the cow ministry, if they have time.

And any other concerned devotee on any other farm.

YS, Niscala

>"COM: Hare Krsna dasi (Brunswick, Maine - USA)"

><Hare.Krsna.dasi (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

>Hare.Krsna.dasi (AT) bbt (DOT) se, Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se,

>Varnasrama.development (AT) bbt (DOT) se, Topical.Discussions (AT) bbt (DOT) se,

>Free.Forum (AT) bbt (DOT) se

>"COM: Cow (Protection and related issues)" <Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se>, "COM:

>Varnasrama development" <Varnasrama.development (AT) bbt (DOT) se>, "Bir Krishna

>Goswami" <70324.1511 (AT) compuserve (DOT) com>

>CC: "Noma Petroff" <npetroff (AT) Bowdoin (DOT) EDU>

>Allegations of Cow Slaughter at ISKCON Murari Sevaka

>Sun, 24 Oct 99 19:30 -0400

>

>[Text 2725563 from COM]

>

> Hare Krsna dasi

>

>******************************************

>The Lord is the protector of cows and the brahminical culture. A society

>devoid

>of cow protection and brahminical culture is not under the direct

>protection of

>the Lord, just as the prisoners in the jails are not under the protection

>of

>the

>king but under the protection of a severe agent of the king.

>-- SB 1.14.34 PURPORT

>

>**************************************

>

>I have recently heard troubling allegations of cow slaughter at one of

>ISKCON's

>North American farms. I felt that the most effective way of getting to the

>truth

>of the matter, resolving the situation, and preventing similar problems in

>the

>future was to present what I have heard - from sources which I consider

>reliable

>- to the devotees.

>

>Before saying more, I want to say that I am very sorry to bring Bir Krsna

>Maharaja's name into this because I personally have a high regard for him

>and I

>believe that he has made an attempt to help the situation. However, if the

>allegations below prove to be true, I don't believe that it was enough.

>

>I also regret mentioning name of a devotee, Drumila dasa, whom I do not

>know,

>before it is ascertained whether or not these allegations are true, but the

>matter seems so serious and so much requiring attention that it seems

>necessary.

>As I say, these are allegations. I have not verified them. This letter is

>an

>attempt to call for an investigation of the allegations.

>

>************************************

>

>1. Allegation: That Drumila dasa, the leader of ISKCON's Murari Sevaka

>Farm in

>Mulberry, Tennessee, collaborated with a neighboring farmer to ship 12 of

>Murari

>Sevaka's cows (3 females, 9 males) to be sold at the Fayetteville auction.

>

>2. Allegation: That the 12 animals were sold for $5000.00 which was paid

>directly to the neighboring farmer.

>

>3. Allegation: That that farmer then divided the money with Drumila dasa.

>

>4. Allegation: That the 9 male cows were then sold to slaughter; that the

>3

>females were sold to a farmer who intends to use them to breed beef cows.

>

>5. Allegation: That at least 6 of the male animals which were ultimately

>sold

>to

>slaughter were trained oxen.

>

>6. Allegation: That the large Gaura-Nitai Deities of Murari Sevaka are no

>longer

>being worshiped, but have been put to sleep in a box in an unheated

>building.

>

>7. Allegation: That Bhaktin Debbie (who had trained some of the male

>animals)

>and her husband Bhakta Damien pleaded to the GBC for help when they

>realized

>that

>animals were disappearing.

>

>8. Allegation: That Bhaktin Debbie and Bhakta Damien sought the help of

>the

>local sheriff in investigating the case.

>

>9. Allegation: That the sheriff devoted considerable time and effort into

>uncovering the facts of the case, in hope of gaining a prosecution.

>

>10. Allegation: That a number of leading devotees connected with Murari

>Sevaka

>were initially in favor of prosecuting Drumila.

>

>11. Allegation: That Bir Krishna Maharaja dissuaded them from pursuing a

>prosecution of Drumila, preferring instead to expel him from the property.

>

>12. Allegation: That the sheriff was discouraged to find that his hard

>work

>for

>the devotees was in vain, saying "Don't ask me for help anymore."

>

>13. Allegation: That Bir Krishna Maharaja arranged for the remaining cows

>to

>be

>transferred to New Talavan where they could be safely cared for, and that

>all

>but

>5 cows have now been transferred to New Talavan, and that those 5 are being

>taken

>care of by Bhaktin Debbie until veterinary papers can be processed for

>them.

>

>14. Allegation: That no charges will be brought against Drumila unless

>they

>are

>brought by Bhaktin Debbie and Bhakta Damien, and that there will be no

>support

>from ISKCON to press charges against Drumila.

>

>15. Allegation: That Drumila is an emotionally unstable devotee.

>

>***************************

>

>Commentary: If these allegations are true, they are a shocking but not

>surprising

>commentary on the sad state of cow protection in ISKCON. According to

>accounts,

>over the years devotees at Murari Sevaka have felt neglected by ISKCON

>sannyasis

>and by ISKCON's GBC. They felt that they did not get sufficient audience

>for

>their troubles with maintaining their community and with protecting their

>cows.

>

>Partly due to hearing about grievances of neglect by the GBC, ISKCON's

>Ministry

>of Cow Protection and Agriculture worked with several dozen ISKCON cowherds

>around the world to formulate a comprehensive set of MINIMUM COW PROTECTION

>STANDARDS that were passed in March 1999 and are now available at the GBC

>website

>and at ISCOWP'S website:

>http://www.angelfire.com/co/iscowp/frameset.html

>

>These standards require an active participation by the GBC in the process

>of

>cow

>protection, specifically to avoid tragedies like the one at Murari Sevaka.

>

>Among other things, the GBC is required to monitor each farm in his or her

>district by quarterly visits and reports to be filed with ISKCON's Minister

>for

>Cow Protection and Agriculture:

>

>**************************************

>Recommended

>

> 1) The GBC Should Quarterly

> a) Meet with cowherds and ox teamsters. This meeting should be a minimum

>of 1

>hour and private.

> b) Visit every cow facility and traveling program and review records.

>(See

>Standard 1)

> c) Present written reports to the Ministry of Cow Protection and

>Agriculture.

>(Report forms will be provided to the GBC)

>

> 2) Investigation of Abuses When a GBC receives reports of cow abuse in

>his/her

>locale, the complaint must be investigated by the GBC and if found true,

>the

>situation must be corrected by consultation with local Farm Council and the

>Ministry.

>

> 3) Follow-up by Investigation Team. Where no action has been initiated

>after

>one week following investigation or if the Ministry deems the action

>insufficient, the Ministry will appoint an investigation team to create a

>report

>specifying actions needed to correct the situation.

>

> 4) ISKCON's Ministry of Justice Involvement. If corrections are not

>initiated

>within one month following the initial abuse report, the problem will be

>referred to ISKCON's Ministry of Justice for further action to protect the

>cows.

>

> Permitted

>

> 1) Monitor Appointed Substitute. The GBC may appoint a monitor to

>represent

>him in investigating cow abuse in relation to these standards and to

>fulfill

>his

>quarterly meetings and reports. The GBC must personally make 1 private one

>hour

>visitation to the cowherds annually and in addition visit the cow

>facilities

>annually, the monitor fulfilling all other duties.

>

> 2) Selection of Monitor.

> The monitor may be chosen from the Local Farm Council (the intent being

>he is

>knowledgeable in agricultural practices) or come from outside the community

>(chosen because of nonagricultural reasons) and to be chosen at the GBC's

>discretion.

>

> 3) Response to Abuses

> Permitted standards are the same as recommended standards #2,3,4 above.

>

> Not Allowed

> Failure to meet even permitted standards.

>*************************************************

>

>It must be recognized that Bir Krishna Maharaja, though he apparently did

>not

>file a report on Murari Sevaka, apparently did at least discuss the

>situation

>with the Minister of Cow Protection, though it is not clear whether this

>was

>before or after the July 30 deadline for filing the first report.

>

>Prabhupada has told us that Krsna can never be satisfied where cow

>protection

>is

>lacking. And if it is indeed true that 9 animals were taken from an ISKCON

>farm

>and slaughtered for the profit of an initiated devotee, then cow protection

>is

>indeed lacking in ISKCON.

>

>As we worship Lord Damodara in this Kartik season, we need to search into

>our

>hearts to see how sincere we really are about protecting His dearly loved

>cows.

>Points to consider:

>

>1. This situation might have been prevented if the quarterly monitoring

>process

>had been in place much earlier and were being conscientiously followed.

>

>2. An untrained leader such as Drumila evidently was, can bring ruination

>upon

>a

>project. ISKCON needs to build up its training in agriculture and in

>community

>development, two important aspects of varnasrama development.

>

>3. Although Srila Prabhupada states in the first canto of the Bhagavatam

>that

>cow protection is one of the two pillars of spiritual advancement, ISKCON's

>Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture has an annual budget of $0.00.

>

>4. As far as I know, as of this moment *none* of ISKCON's 35 farm

>communities

>has filed even the first of the required COW STANDARDS reports (due July

>30).

>None of ISKCON's GBC's have visited the farms and filed a report (the

>second of

>which is due October 30).

>

>5. This means that by the GBC's neglect of cow protection in ISKCON, we

>are

>inviting further tragic situations for the cows that Krsna has trusted us

>with.

>

>6. Is it possible that such a great aparadha to Krsna's cows can occur

>with no

>public apology - to the cows, to Srila Prabhupada, to the Deities and to

>Krsna's

>devotees - by those responsible, beginning with those in the topmost

>position

>of

>responsibility?

>

>7. How much of our sufferings in ISKCON stem from our failure to provide

>protection for Krsna's cows, thereby setting a standard of neglect for

>protecting

>the rest of Krsna's devotees, in particular the women, the elderly and

>especially

>the children who have taken shelter of this movement?

>

>***************************************

>

>I am sending copies of this letter to both Bir Krishna Maharaja and to

>Balabhadra

>Prabhu, ISKCON's Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture. I hope they

>will

>give us some clarification of this situation soon.

>

>I am posting this letter on the COW and VARNASRAMA.DEVELOPMENT conferences,

>with

>blind copies to the Free.Forum and Topical.Discussions. Those who have

>further

>comments are invited to join the Cow or Varnasrama Development conferences.

>

>I apologize that I have to present this disturbing news to the devotees at

>the

>beginning of this auspicious Kartik season, but I believe that we do not

>further

>our spiritual development and service to Lord Krsna by cover-up and

>hypocrisy.

>

>Below, you will find more comments from Srila Prabhupada about the

>importance

>of

>cow protection, in relation to maintaining brahminical culture.

>

>your servant,

>

>Hare Krsna dasi

>

>********************************************************

>

>TRANSLATION

>I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God

>consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom,

>strength

>and

>riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brahmana's wrath so that in

>the

>future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes.

>PURPORT

>Progressive human civilization is based on brahminical culture, God

>consciousness

>and protection of cows. All economic development of the state by trade,

>commerce,

>agriculture and industries must be fully utilized in relation to the above

>principles, otherwise all so-called economic development becomes a source

>of

>degradation...Where wealth and strength are not engaged in the advancement

>of

>brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection, the state and

>home

>are

>surely doomed by Providence.

>--SB 1.19.3

>

>Lord Krsna as Govinda is more inclined to the brahmanas and the cows,

>indicating

>thereby that human prosperity depends more on these two items, namely

>brahminical

>culture and cow protection. Lord Krsna is never satisfied where these are

>lacking.

>--SB 1.8.21 PURPORT

>

>For the cowherd men and the cows, Krsna is the supreme friend. Therefore He

>is

>worshiped by the prayer namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. His

>pastimes

>in Gokula, His dhama, are always favorable to the brahmanas and the cows.

>His

>first business is to give all comfort to the cows and the brahmanas. In

>fact,

>comfort for the brahmanas is secondary, and comfort for the cows is His

>first

>concern.

>--SB 10.8.16 PURPORT

>

>namo brahmanya-devaya

>go-brahmana-hitaya ca

>jagad-dhitaya krsnaya

>govindaya namo namah

>(Visnu Purana 1.19.65)

>Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the prime protector of

>brahminical culture and the cow. Without knowing and respecting these, one

>cannot

>realize the science of God, and without this knowledge, any welfare

>activities

>or

>humanitarian propaganda cannot be successful.

>--SB 4.21.38 PURPORT

>

>One cannot become spiritually advanced without acquiring the brahminical

>qualifications and giving protection to cows.

>--SB 6.18.52 PURPORT

>

>The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped with the prayer namo

>brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. Thus it is clear that the Supreme

>Personality of Godhead respects and protects the brahmanas and brahminical

>culture, as well as the cows; in other words, wherever there are brahmanas

>and

>brahminical culture, there are cows and cow protection. In a society or

>civilization in which there are no brahmanas or brahminical culture, cows

>are

>treated as ordinary animals and slaughtered, at the sacrifice of human

>civilization.

>--SB 4.21.44 PURPORT

>

>So the example is set by the Supreme Personality of Godhead that human

>civilization will advance only on the basis of brahminical culture and cow

>protection. As soon as there is falldown from brahminical culture, and as

>soon

>as

>there is discrepancy in the protection of cows, there will be no more peace

>in

>the world.

>--Lecture

>Los Angeles, December 4, 1968

>

>In Vedic culture, the welfare of the cows and the welfare of the brahmanas

>are

>essential. Without a proper arrangement for developing brahminical culture

>and

>protecting cows, all the affairs of administration will go to hell.

>--SB 7.3.13 PURPORT

>

>The brahmanas, the cows and the defenseless creatures are My own body.

>Those

>whose faculty of judgment has been impaired by their own sin look upon

>these as

>distinct from Me. They are just like furious serpents, and they are angrily

>torn

>apart by the bills of the vulturelike messengers of Yamaraja, the

>superintendent

>of sinful persons.

>--SB 3.16.11

>

>Without protection of cows, brahminical culture cannot be maintained; and

>without

>brahminical culture, the aim of life cannot be fulfilled...If human society

>wants

>to be exalted, the leaders of society must follow the instructions of

>Bhagavad-gita and give protection to the cows, the brahmanas and

>brahminical

>culture.

>--SB 8.24.5

>

____

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October 26, 1999

Dear Prabhus,

PAMHO. AGTSP.

Regarding the situation with the cow slaughter at Murari Sevaka- we have

been in touch with Bhakta Damon and Bahktin Debbie for the last month. They

are the ones who are doing all of the leg work with the sheriff on this

case. I have also been in touch with Balavanta prabhu, who is one of the

land trustees for Murari, and also practicing lawyer for many years. The

community at Murari Sevaka has recently formed a new management board headed

by Gayatri prabhu. I have spent many hours on the phone with Gayatri and

Balavanta prabhus concerning this issue. Daman prabhu, has been in e-mail

correspondence with Bir Krishna Goswami numerous times as things progress. I

will speaking again tonight with Gayatri prabhu as he will be speaking again

to Balavanta prabhu regarding the legal aspects of this particular case.

>From a distance it looks black and white, the cows were killed at the

arrangement of the so called temple manager. In actuality this is a fact.

However, the tremendous amount of gray area surrounding the circumstances of

prosecution are tremendous. Don't forget, this Kali Yuga and the law of this

land does not perceive cow killing and meat eating as a legal offense.

Hopefully within the next week to ten days there will be a closure on this

issue and a full report made to the community of Vaisnavas world-wide.

This is a serious heinous situation at Murari Sevaka which is being dealt

with. It is a fact, that these cows have been slaughtered. This will force

the issues of accountability from the GBC to local management and land

trustees. It will force a complete revamping of management checks and

balances so that perpetrations of this nature will not be able to happen

again without swift and immediate legal ramifications. Not only in this

situation but ISKCON world-wide.

Your servant,

Balabhadra das

ISKCON Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture

..dasi (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

COM: Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se>; COM: Varnasrama

development <Varnasrama.development (AT) bbt (DOT) se>; Bir Krishna Goswami

<70324.1511 (AT) compuserve (DOT) com>

Cc: Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) Bowdoin (DOT) EDU>

Sunday, October 24, 1999 7:30 PM

Allegations of Cow Slaughter at ISKCON Murari Sevaka

> [Text 2725563 from COM]

>

> Hare Krsna dasi

>

> ******************************************

> The Lord is the protector of cows and the brahminical culture. A society

devoid

> of cow protection and brahminical culture is not under the direct

protection of

> the Lord, just as the prisoners in the jails are not under the protection

of

> the

> king but under the protection of a severe agent of the king.

> -- SB 1.14.34 PURPORT

>

> **************************************

>

> I have recently heard troubling allegations of cow slaughter at one of

ISKCON's

> North American farms. I felt that the most effective way of getting to

the

> truth

> of the matter, resolving the situation, and preventing similar problems in

the

> future was to present what I have heard - from sources which I consider

> reliable

> - to the devotees.

>

> Before saying more, I want to say that I am very sorry to bring Bir Krsna

> Maharaja's name into this because I personally have a high regard for him

and I

> believe that he has made an attempt to help the situation. However, if

the

> allegations below prove to be true, I don't believe that it was enough.

>

> I also regret mentioning name of a devotee, Drumila dasa, whom I do not

know,

> before it is ascertained whether or not these allegations are true, but

the

> matter seems so serious and so much requiring attention that it seems

> necessary.

> As I say, these are allegations. I have not verified them. This letter

is an

> attempt to call for an investigation of the allegations.

>

> ************************************

>

> 1. Allegation: That Drumila dasa, the leader of ISKCON's Murari Sevaka

Farm in

> Mulberry, Tennessee, collaborated with a neighboring farmer to ship 12 of

> Murari

> Sevaka's cows (3 females, 9 males) to be sold at the Fayetteville auction.

>

> 2. Allegation: That the 12 animals were sold for $5000.00 which was paid

> directly to the neighboring farmer.

>

> 3. Allegation: That that farmer then divided the money with Drumila dasa.

>

> 4. Allegation: That the 9 male cows were then sold to slaughter; that the

3

> females were sold to a farmer who intends to use them to breed beef cows.

>

> 5. Allegation: That at least 6 of the male animals which were ultimately

sold

> to

> slaughter were trained oxen.

>

> 6. Allegation: That the large Gaura-Nitai Deities of Murari Sevaka are no

> longer

> being worshiped, but have been put to sleep in a box in an unheated

building.

>

> 7. Allegation: That Bhaktin Debbie (who had trained some of the male

animals)

> and her husband Bhakta Damien pleaded to the GBC for help when they

realized

> that

> animals were disappearing.

>

> 8. Allegation: That Bhaktin Debbie and Bhakta Damien sought the help of

the

> local sheriff in investigating the case.

>

> 9. Allegation: That the sheriff devoted considerable time and effort into

> uncovering the facts of the case, in hope of gaining a prosecution.

>

> 10. Allegation: That a number of leading devotees connected with Murari

Sevaka

> were initially in favor of prosecuting Drumila.

>

> 11. Allegation: That Bir Krishna Maharaja dissuaded them from pursuing a

> prosecution of Drumila, preferring instead to expel him from the property.

>

> 12. Allegation: That the sheriff was discouraged to find that his hard

work

> for

> the devotees was in vain, saying "Don't ask me for help anymore."

>

> 13. Allegation: That Bir Krishna Maharaja arranged for the remaining cows

to

> be

> transferred to New Talavan where they could be safely cared for, and that

all

> but

> 5 cows have now been transferred to New Talavan, and that those 5 are

being

> taken

> care of by Bhaktin Debbie until veterinary papers can be processed for

them.

>

> 14. Allegation: That no charges will be brought against Drumila unless

they

> are

> brought by Bhaktin Debbie and Bhakta Damien, and that there will be no

support

> from ISKCON to press charges against Drumila.

>

> 15. Allegation: That Drumila is an emotionally unstable devotee.

>

> ***************************

>

> Commentary: If these allegations are true, they are a shocking but not

> surprising

> commentary on the sad state of cow protection in ISKCON. According to

> accounts,

> over the years devotees at Murari Sevaka have felt neglected by ISKCON

> sannyasis

> and by ISKCON's GBC. They felt that they did not get sufficient audience

for

> their troubles with maintaining their community and with protecting their

cows.

>

> Partly due to hearing about grievances of neglect by the GBC, ISKCON's

Ministry

> of Cow Protection and Agriculture worked with several dozen ISKCON

cowherds

> around the world to formulate a comprehensive set of MINIMUM COW

PROTECTION

> STANDARDS that were passed in March 1999 and are now available at the GBC

> website

> and at ISCOWP'S website:

http://www.angelfire.com/co/iscowp/frameset.html

>

> These standards require an active participation by the GBC in the process

of

> cow

> protection, specifically to avoid tragedies like the one at Murari Sevaka.

>

> Among other things, the GBC is required to monitor each farm in his or her

> district by quarterly visits and reports to be filed with ISKCON's

Minister for

> Cow Protection and Agriculture:

>

> **************************************

> Recommended

>

> 1) The GBC Should Quarterly

> a) Meet with cowherds and ox teamsters. This meeting should be a minimum

of 1

> hour and private.

> b) Visit every cow facility and traveling program and review records.

(See

> Standard 1)

> c) Present written reports to the Ministry of Cow Protection and

Agriculture.

> (Report forms will be provided to the GBC)

>

> 2) Investigation of Abuses When a GBC receives reports of cow abuse in

> his/her

> locale, the complaint must be investigated by the GBC and if found true,

the

> situation must be corrected by consultation with local Farm Council and

the

> Ministry.

>

> 3) Follow-up by Investigation Team. Where no action has been initiated

after

> one week following investigation or if the Ministry deems the action

> insufficient, the Ministry will appoint an investigation team to create a

> report

> specifying actions needed to correct the situation.

>

> 4) ISKCON's Ministry of Justice Involvement. If corrections are not

initiated

> within one month following the initial abuse report, the problem will be

> referred to ISKCON's Ministry of Justice for further action to protect

the

> cows.

>

> Permitted

>

> 1) Monitor Appointed Substitute. The GBC may appoint a monitor to

represent

> him in investigating cow abuse in relation to these standards and to

fulfill

> his

> quarterly meetings and reports. The GBC must personally make 1 private one

> hour

> visitation to the cowherds annually and in addition visit the cow

facilities

> annually, the monitor fulfilling all other duties.

>

> 2) Selection of Monitor.

> The monitor may be chosen from the Local Farm Council (the intent being

he is

> knowledgeable in agricultural practices) or come from outside the

community

> (chosen because of nonagricultural reasons) and to be chosen at the GBC's

> discretion.

>

> 3) Response to Abuses

> Permitted standards are the same as recommended standards #2,3,4 above.

>

> Not Allowed

> Failure to meet even permitted standards.

> *************************************************

>

> It must be recognized that Bir Krishna Maharaja, though he apparently did

not

> file a report on Murari Sevaka, apparently did at least discuss the

situation

> with the Minister of Cow Protection, though it is not clear whether this

was

> before or after the July 30 deadline for filing the first report.

>

> Prabhupada has told us that Krsna can never be satisfied where cow

protection

> is

> lacking. And if it is indeed true that 9 animals were taken from an

ISKCON

> farm

> and slaughtered for the profit of an initiated devotee, then cow

protection is

> indeed lacking in ISKCON.

>

> As we worship Lord Damodara in this Kartik season, we need to search into

our

> hearts to see how sincere we really are about protecting His dearly loved

cows.

> Points to consider:

>

> 1. This situation might have been prevented if the quarterly monitoring

> process

> had been in place much earlier and were being conscientiously followed.

>

> 2. An untrained leader such as Drumila evidently was, can bring ruination

upon

> a

> project. ISKCON needs to build up its training in agriculture and in

community

> development, two important aspects of varnasrama development.

>

> 3. Although Srila Prabhupada states in the first canto of the Bhagavatam

that

> cow protection is one of the two pillars of spiritual advancement,

ISKCON's

> Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture has an annual budget of $0.00.

>

> 4. As far as I know, as of this moment *none* of ISKCON's 35 farm

communities

> has filed even the first of the required COW STANDARDS reports (due July

30).

> None of ISKCON's GBC's have visited the farms and filed a report (the

second of

> which is due October 30).

>

> 5. This means that by the GBC's neglect of cow protection in ISKCON, we

are

> inviting further tragic situations for the cows that Krsna has trusted us

with.

>

> 6. Is it possible that such a great aparadha to Krsna's cows can occur

with no

> public apology - to the cows, to Srila Prabhupada, to the Deities and to

> Krsna's

> devotees - by those responsible, beginning with those in the topmost

position

> of

> responsibility?

>

> 7. How much of our sufferings in ISKCON stem from our failure to provide

> protection for Krsna's cows, thereby setting a standard of neglect for

> protecting

> the rest of Krsna's devotees, in particular the women, the elderly and

> especially

> the children who have taken shelter of this movement?

>

> ***************************************

>

> I am sending copies of this letter to both Bir Krishna Maharaja and to

> Balabhadra

> Prabhu, ISKCON's Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture. I hope they

will

> give us some clarification of this situation soon.

>

> I am posting this letter on the COW and VARNASRAMA.DEVELOPMENT

conferences,

> with

> blind copies to the Free.Forum and Topical.Discussions. Those who have

further

> comments are invited to join the Cow or Varnasrama Development

conferences.

>

> I apologize that I have to present this disturbing news to the devotees at

the

> beginning of this auspicious Kartik season, but I believe that we do not

> further

> our spiritual development and service to Lord Krsna by cover-up and

hypocrisy.

>

> Below, you will find more comments from Srila Prabhupada about the

importance

> of

> cow protection, in relation to maintaining brahminical culture.

>

> your servant,

>

> Hare Krsna dasi

>

> ********************************************************

>

> TRANSLATION

> I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God

> consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom,

strength

> and

> riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brahmana's wrath so that in

the

> future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes.

> PURPORT

> Progressive human civilization is based on brahminical culture, God

> consciousness

> and protection of cows. All economic development of the state by trade,

> commerce,

> agriculture and industries must be fully utilized in relation to the above

> principles, otherwise all so-called economic development becomes a source

of

> degradation...Where wealth and strength are not engaged in the advancement

of

> brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection, the state and

home

> are

> surely doomed by Providence.

> --SB 1.19.3

>

> Lord Krsna as Govinda is more inclined to the brahmanas and the cows,

> indicating

> thereby that human prosperity depends more on these two items, namely

> brahminical

> culture and cow protection. Lord Krsna is never satisfied where these are

> lacking.

> --SB 1.8.21 PURPORT

>

> For the cowherd men and the cows, Krsna is the supreme friend. Therefore

He is

> worshiped by the prayer namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. His

> pastimes

> in Gokula, His dhama, are always favorable to the brahmanas and the cows.

His

> first business is to give all comfort to the cows and the brahmanas. In

fact,

> comfort for the brahmanas is secondary, and comfort for the cows is His

first

> concern.

> --SB 10.8.16 PURPORT

>

> namo brahmanya-devaya

> go-brahmana-hitaya ca

> jagad-dhitaya krsnaya

> govindaya namo namah

> (Visnu Purana 1.19.65)

> Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the prime protector of

> brahminical culture and the cow. Without knowing and respecting these, one

> cannot

> realize the science of God, and without this knowledge, any welfare

activities

> or

> humanitarian propaganda cannot be successful.

> --SB 4.21.38 PURPORT

>

> One cannot become spiritually advanced without acquiring the brahminical

> qualifications and giving protection to cows.

> --SB 6.18.52 PURPORT

>

> The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped with the prayer namo

> brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. Thus it is clear that the Supreme

> Personality of Godhead respects and protects the brahmanas and brahminical

> culture, as well as the cows; in other words, wherever there are brahmanas

and

> brahminical culture, there are cows and cow protection. In a society or

> civilization in which there are no brahmanas or brahminical culture, cows

are

> treated as ordinary animals and slaughtered, at the sacrifice of human

> civilization.

> --SB 4.21.44 PURPORT

>

> So the example is set by the Supreme Personality of Godhead that human

> civilization will advance only on the basis of brahminical culture and cow

> protection. As soon as there is falldown from brahminical culture, and as

soon

> as

> there is discrepancy in the protection of cows, there will be no more

peace in

> the world.

> --Lecture

> Los Angeles, December 4, 1968

>

> In Vedic culture, the welfare of the cows and the welfare of the brahmanas

are

> essential. Without a proper arrangement for developing brahminical culture

and

> protecting cows, all the affairs of administration will go to hell.

> --SB 7.3.13 PURPORT

>

> The brahmanas, the cows and the defenseless creatures are My own body.

Those

> whose faculty of judgment has been impaired by their own sin look upon

these as

> distinct from Me. They are just like furious serpents, and they are

angrily

> torn

> apart by the bills of the vulturelike messengers of Yamaraja, the

> superintendent

> of sinful persons.

> --SB 3.16.11

>

> Without protection of cows, brahminical culture cannot be maintained; and

> without

> brahminical culture, the aim of life cannot be fulfilled...If human

society

> wants

> to be exalted, the leaders of society must follow the instructions of

> Bhagavad-gita and give protection to the cows, the brahmanas and

brahminical

> culture.

> --SB 8.24.5

>

October 26, 1999

> However, from my vantage point, I

> have a difficult

> time coming to another conclusion.

> Respectfully,

> Vyapaka dasa

> vyapaka (AT) accel (DOT) net

Yes, I believe that to be true. You really can only come to the worst

possible

conclusions. I feel sorry for you.

October 26, 1999

Dear Balabhadra Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for your prompt and direct response to my concerns. This is a tragic

and complex situation, but I hope that all devotee communities will benefit

from

the important lessons derived from this incident. For one thing, it highlights

the importance of the GBC maintaining direct communications with a community's

cowherds on a regular basis, as now required by ISKCON law.

I just want to note that I have received several letters from devotees

wondering

why I criticized Bir Krsna Maharaja's decision to move the remaining cows to

New

Talavan. For devotees not familiar with English I want to clarify to say that

someone "allegedly" did something should not necessarily be taken to mean they

are "accused" of doing something. It is not necessarily a negative statement.

A person may be "allegedly" innocent. That just means they are said to be

innocent, but it has not been conclusively established at this time. In this

specific situation, it seems clear that to move the remaining cows to New

Talavan was the best option available for assuring their welfare and was a

correct and commendable decision for Maharaja to make.

My disappointment with the case, as I understand it at this point, is the

feeling that it is not being as strongly supported by the GBC as it ought to

be. For example, as I understand it, the GBC did not provide the funds to move

the cows to New Talavan. It fell to the two bhaktas to raise $700 for

transporting the animals. And other community members, such as Balavanta and

Gayatri prabhus have already have had to contribute considerable funds to cover

other aspects of this crisis. I am very concerned that if it comes to a

situation of going to court to press charges for acts against the interest of

Murari Sevaka, the whole burden will fall on Gayatri prabhu and the few

devotees

at Murari with insufficient financial and moral support from the GBC and the

larger ISKCON community. It may not be financially possible for this small

community to shoulder all the costs by themselves. Further, it may be very

difficult for them to rebuild the promise of Murari Sevaka after this debacle,

if they are forced to attempt it with no outside help. Hopefully, the GBC has

a

stronger commitment to support this case than I originally perceived. Then

again, perhaps this points to the larger issue of how we can structure funding

in ISKCON to address such emergencies.

I will look forward to hearing the full account of progress of this situation

from Bir Krsna Maharaja and the other devotees who are working on it, as you

have described. Thank you again for addressing these concerns.

your servant,

Hare Krsna dasi

"COM: ISCOWP (Balabhadra Dasa & Chaya Dasi - USA)" wrote:

> [Text 2729745 from COM]

>

> Dear Prabhus,

>

> PAMHO. AGTSP.

>

> Regarding the situation with the cow slaughter at Murari Sevaka- we have

> been in touch with Bhakta Damon and Bahktin Debbie for the last month. They

> are the ones who are doing all of the leg work with the sheriff on this

> case. I have also been in touch with Balavanta prabhu, who is one of the

> land trustees for Murari, and also practicing lawyer for many years. The

> community at Murari Sevaka has recently formed a new management board headed

> by Gayatri prabhu. I have spent many hours on the phone with Gayatri and

> Balavanta prabhus concerning this issue. Daman prabhu, has been in e-mail

> correspondence with Bir Krishna Goswami numerous times as things progress. I

> will speaking again tonight with Gayatri prabhu as he will be speaking again

> to Balavanta prabhu regarding the legal aspects of this particular case.

>

> From a distance it looks black and white, the cows were killed at the

> arrangement of the so called temple manager. In actuality this is a fact.

> However, the tremendous amount of gray area surrounding the circumstances of

> prosecution are tremendous. Don't forget, this Kali Yuga and the law of this

> land does not perceive cow killing and meat eating as a legal offense.

> Hopefully within the next week to ten days there will be a closure on this

> issue and a full report made to the community of Vaisnavas world-wide.

>

> This is a serious heinous situation at Murari Sevaka which is being dealt

> with. It is a fact, that these cows have been slaughtered. This will force

> the issues of accountability from the GBC to local management and land

> trustees. It will force a complete revamping of management checks and

> balances so that perpetrations of this nature will not be able to happen

> again without swift and immediate legal ramifications. Not only in this

> situation but ISKCON world-wide.

>

> Your servant,

> Balabhadra das

> ISKCON Minister of Cow Protection and Agriculture

October 26, 1999

> From a distance it looks black and white, the cows were killed at the

> arrangement of the so called temple manager. In actuality this is a fact.

> However, the tremendous amount of gray area surrounding the circumstances

> of prosecution are tremendous. Don't forget, this Kali Yuga and the law of

> this land does not perceive cow killing and meat eating as a legal

> offense. Hopefully within the next week to ten days there will be a

> closure on this issue and a full report made to the community of Vaisnavas

> world-wide.

>

> This is a serious heinous situation at Murari Sevaka which is being dealt

> with. It is a fact, that these cows have been slaughtered.

My God, for long time I thought the rumors about cow sloughter in "our so

pure and dedicated to Krsna,s will society", the protector of the cows and

brahmanas, are just unproofed rumors. I could not imagine myself that

"devotees" would go so far to kill theyr own mothers, like Srila Prabhupada

used to write. But upon hearing this report about cow killing on ISKCON,s

farms, my faith and my idealism got another serious crack.

I just ask myself - whats next...?

ys

Harsi das

October 26, 1999

"COM: Harsi (das) HKS (Timisoara - RO)" wrote:

> [Text 2730629 from COM]

>

> My God, for long time I thought the rumors about cow sloughter in "our so

> pure and dedicated to Krsna,s will society", the protector of the cows and

> brahmanas, are just unproofed rumors. I could not imagine myself that

> "devotees" would go so far to kill theyr own mothers, like Srila Prabhupada

> used to write. But upon hearing this report about cow killing on ISKCON,s

> farms, my faith and my idealism got another serious crack.

>

> I just ask myself - whats next...?

>

> ys

> Harsi das

What's next is we'll help each other move to the next level of Krsna

consciousness -- responsibility:

1. Heightened individual discrimination about the characteristics of a

legitimate authority: What's really strict Krsna consciousness, and what's

actually a cover for ego problems and emotional instability?

2. Devotees taking more responsibility to work together to monitor their

authorities, and to get help sooner when something appears to be wrong.

3. An exemplary reponse from the GBC which will renew your faith in ISKCON's

ability to respond to and prevent this kind of crisis.

your servant,

Hare Krsna dasi

October 27, 1999

Dear Harsi Prabhu;

PAMHO AGTSP

I would very much appreciate if you are going to present yourself as a

devotee then you should be more responsible how you conduct yourself in

these matters.

Our Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON is an institution dedicated to cow

protection and many other wonderful world wide preaching activities. There

is always some imperfections in any endeavor. This incident in particular

is one that occured because a person calling himself a devotee and disciple

of Srila Satsvarupa Maharaja became deviant. Like you the authoriites

didn't think him capable of such an act. It goes without saying that they

will be more aware of who they let take control of a temple.

The situation at Murari is that it has always been very isolated since

about 10 or 15 years ago. There have been various attempts to develop it,

but no one really has been able to get over the hump, so to speak. This

group of cows is the second large group that New Talavan has received from

Murari Sevaka. There are many fingers to point, but beleve me as I am one

of the persons at New Talavan who has been fortunate enough to be a servant

of the Vaisnavas cows, everyone is trying their best. So please don't just

jump up and try to criticize. It is not so nice. If you would like to try

and help. That would be greatly appreciated. I know that HH Bir Krishna

Maharaj feels as bad as anyone about what happened at Murari, but it was one

devotee and one devotee who is ultimately responsible for what he did. That

persons name is Drumilla and he will always be paying for this heinous act.

Both in this life and the next. Of course Lord Caitanya is the Patita

Pavana so let us pray that he please deliver us all from the clutches of

Kali.

I hope this meets you well

ys

Dvibhuja Das

COM: Harsi (das) HKS (Timisoara - RO) <Harsi.HKS (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

COM: Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se>; COM: Varnasrama

development <Varnasrama.development (AT) bbt (DOT) se>; Bir Krishna Goswami

<70324.1511 (AT) compuserve (DOT) com>; COM: Mukhya (dd) (SysOp) (Lund - S)

Cc: Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) Bowdoin (DOT) EDU>

Tuesday, October 26, 1999 1:20 PM

Re: Allegations of Cow Slaughter at ISKCON Murari Sevaka

>[Text 2730629 from COM]

>

>> From a distance it looks black and white, the cows were killed at the

>> arrangement of the so called temple manager. In actuality this is a fact.

>> However, the tremendous amount of gray area surrounding the circumstances

>> of prosecution are tremendous. Don't forget, this Kali Yuga and the law

of

>> this land does not perceive cow killing and meat eating as a legal

>> offense. Hopefully within the next week to ten days there will be a

>> closure on this issue and a full report made to the community of

Vaisnavas

>> world-wide.

>>

>> This is a serious heinous situation at Murari Sevaka which is being dealt

>> with. It is a fact, that these cows have been slaughtered.

>

>My God, for long time I thought the rumors about cow sloughter in "our so

>pure and dedicated to Krsna,s will society", the protector of the cows and

>brahmanas, are just unproofed rumors. I could not imagine myself that

>"devotees" would go so far to kill theyr own mothers, like Srila Prabhupada

>used to write. But upon hearing this report about cow killing on ISKCON,s

>farms, my faith and my idealism got another serious crack.

>

>I just ask myself - whats next...?

>

>ys

>Harsi das

October 27, 1999

>

> My God, for long time I thought the rumors about cow sloughter in "our so

> pure and dedicated to Krsna,s will society", the protector of the cows and

> brahmanas, are just unproofed rumors. I could not imagine myself that

> "devotees" would go so far to kill theyr own mothers, like Srila Prabhupada

> used to write. But upon hearing this report about cow killing on ISKCON,s

> farms, my faith and my idealism got another serious crack.

>

> I just ask myself - whats next...?

>

> ys

> Harsi das

Just ask yourself, do you drink milk? What happens to the cow that the milk

you

drink comes from? What are you doing to promote cow protection?

I am directing this not only at Harsi, but all the readers.

October 28, 1999

>"COM: Madhava Gosh (das) ACBSP (New Vrindavan - USA)"

><Madhava.Gosh.ACBSP (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

>Madhava.Gosh.ACBSP (AT) bbt (DOT) se, Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se,

>Varnasrama.development (AT) bbt (DOT) se, Free.Forum (AT) bbt (DOT) se

>"COM: Cow (Protection and related issues)" <Cow (AT) bbt (DOT) se>, "COM:

>Varnasrama development" <Varnasrama.development (AT) bbt (DOT) se>, "COM: Mukhya

>(dd) (SysOp) (Lund - S)" <Mukhya (AT) bbt (DOT) se>

>Re: Allegations of Cow Slaughter at ISKCON Murari Sevaka

>Wed, 27 Oct 99 08:23 -0400

>

>[Text 2732341 from COM]

>

> >

> > My God, for long time I thought the rumors about cow sloughter in "our

>so

> > pure and dedicated to Krsna,s will society", the protector of the cows

>and

> > brahmanas, are just unproofed rumors. I could not imagine myself that

> > "devotees" would go so far to kill theyr own mothers, like Srila

>Prabhupada

> > used to write. But upon hearing this report about cow killing on

>ISKCON,s

> > farms, my faith and my idealism got another serious crack.

> >

> > I just ask myself - whats next...?

> >

> > ys

> > Harsi das

>

>Just ask yourself, do you drink milk? What happens to the cow that the

>milk

>you

>drink comes from?

That is the point, not just for Harsi, but for everyone.

I would like to see our farm here at New Gokula, Australia, providing milk,

ghee and butter for use at our temple. I was using the cream off the milk to

produce ghee and butter, so we didn't have to support this demoniac dairy

industry that sends the calf off for slaughter and slaughters the mother.

However it was stopped by the authorities there, and now they are buying

ghee and butter. Anyone wanna protest this?

Another thing I'd like to bring up, I wrote to the cow ministry but they

haven't had time to address it. The authorities here are hoping to get

around the Minimum guidelines regulation that goes : "no breeding of cows

without a plan for the training of offspring", by making sure there are no

offspring! They plan to stop breeding altogether on our farm and simply

purchase milking cows whose calves have been sent for slaughter. These cows

are suffering intensely from separation from their calves, A practice which

is condemned in SB.

What are you doing to promote cow protection?

Promoting real protection, not a show.

>

>I am directing this not only at Harsi, but all the readers.

Yes we all have this responsibility

YS, Niscala

>

____

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

October 28, 1999

>

> Just ask yourself, do you drink milk? What happens to the cow that the milk

> you

> drink comes from? What are you doing to promote cow protection?

>

> I am directing this not only at Harsi, but all the readers.

Yes we all drink milk. Srila Prabhupada drank milk. He drank the same milk we

did.The cows that give milk at these big dairies are very well taken care of.

I read once about some Borden's cows giving huge amounts of milk and they were

worth many thousands of dollars. So what are you saying? That we are guilty of

abusing cows by drinking milk from the store? We have to be a little

practical. The big temples in the cities can't raise cows. So we do what we

can practically and try to do everything as nice as we are realisticly able

and then depend on Krsna for the results.

Below is an article I wrote on VNN after a vegan there attacked the idea of

devotees drinking dairie.

EDITORIAL, Jul 27 (VNN)

Milk... Krsna's Miracle Gift To Mankind

BY MAHANANDA DASA

— "The protection of cows maintains the most miraculous form of food, i. e.,

milk for maintaining the finer tissues of the brain for understanding higher

aims of life. " Srila Prabhupada

In response to the article written a few days ago about the harmful affects of

drinking milk, I would like to present our view of milk drinking that we have

accepted from our spiritual master.

Despite the evils of modern dairies and the cruel methods of obtaining milk

from the mother cows, or despite the unwanted chemicals that store bought milk

might introduce into your body and cause ill effects, still, we do not condemn

drinking milk nor support veganism as part of our philosophy.

Quite the contrary. The glories of drinking cow's milk are everywhere in Srila

Prabhupada's books. And though this may cause some doubts in the minds of

those who have embraced vegan-ism, we as devotees faithfully follow the advise

of our teacher, though it is sometimes contrary to fads or scientific theory.

To reject scientific evidence is basic to a devotee's understanding of how to

reach real knowledge of the actual condition of the living entities, both

spiritually and materially. In a few years, vegans may become milk drinkers,

or theorist may change their minds many times about the affects of milk, but a

devotee remains steady and accepts the Vedic version as it is handed down

through disciplic succession.

Among the few thousands references to milk in Srila Prabhupada's books and

lectures, I would like to point out a few here that will give a different

perspective of drinking milk than that of the vegans. Srila Prabhupada says.

''Cow has got special importance because it supplies milk, and milk is very

essential food that is... From the childhood, a child lives on milk, and there

are many saintly persons, they also live by drinking milk. Milk is very

important item in the human society, and it supplies all vitamins. "

Also he says "But He's (Krsna) speaking of go-raksya for our special material

benefit, that if we protect the cows, we can have the facility of drinking

milk, which will help us in keeping our health in order and developing very

nice brain tissues to understand spiritual subject matter. "

Of course, like the vegans, we condemn the inhuman treatment of the cows at

the dairies and slaughterhouses. Srila Prabhupada says "the cow's calf not

only is beautiful to look at, but also gives satisfaction to the cow, and so

she delivers as much milk as possible. But in the Kali-yuga, the calves are

separated from the cows as early as possible for purposes which may not be

mentioned in these pages of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The cow stands with tears in

her eyes, the sudra milkman draws milk from the cow artificially, and when

there is no milk the cow is sent to be slaughtered. These greatly sinful acts

are responsible for all the troubles in present society. People do not know

what they are doing in the name of economic development. "

Srila Prabhupada also instructed us "Milk is compared to nectar, which one can

drink to become immortal. Of course, simply drinking milk will not make one

immortal, but it can increase the duration of one's life. In modern

civilization, men do not think milk to be important, and therefore they do not

live very long. Although in this age men can live up to one hundred years,

their duration of life is reduced because they do not drink large quantities

of milk. This is a sign of Kali-yuga. In Kali-yuga, instead of drinking milk,

people prefer to slaughter an animal and eat its flesh. The Supreme

Personality of Godhead, in His instructions of Bhagavad-Gita, advises

go-raksya, which means cow protection. The cow should be protected, milk

should be drawn from the cows, and this milk should be prepared in various

ways. One should take ample milk, and thus one can prolong one's life, develop

his brain, execute devotional service, and ultimately attain the favor of the

Supreme Personality of Godhead. As it is essential to get food grains and

water by digging the earth, it is also essential to give protection to the

cows and take nectarean milk from their milk bags. "

Another reason for milk's consumption is given here. "Animal fat is available

in the form of milk, which is the most wonderful of all foods. Milk, butter,

cheese and similar products give animal fat in a form which rules out any need

for the killing of innocent creatures. It is only through brute mentality that

this killing goes on. The civilized method of obtaining needed fat is by milk.

"

Our position on milk drinking as taught in the Vedic literature is summed up

in the following words spoken by a disciple of Srila Prabhupada (Madhudvisa

dasa) who was with his spiritual master speaking to a Dr. Muncing.....

Madhudvisa: "One thing that we would like to mention, as our spiritual master

says, there is a definite, according to the Vedic scripture, there is a

definite link between consumption of milk and development of fine brain

tissues. And if your department of knowledge has some research in that area,

we think it would be a great service to mankind if they can be informed how

they can develop fine brain tissues. Fine brain tissues which are needed for

coping with the problems of this day and age. Not that simply if I disagree

with you we'll just fight. There has to be fine brain tissues in order to say,

'Let us sit down and talk about this together. ' And we say, not we, but

according to the scripture, there is a definite link between the consumption

of milk products, not just milk, but cheese and all different milk products,

the consumption of milk products and development of the necessary intellect.

This is why, as our spiritual master said, the highly intelligent people of

India have lived predominantly, not just drinking milk, but everything they

ate was cooked in milk products. The vegetables, rice, even if rice was

boiled, milk was put on, ghee was put on the rice. So that is like an

unavoidable essential in their diet, not simply from the palatable standpoint,

but actually from the relationship between the physical and the metaphysical

progress"

I have submitted this document in all humility to the Vaisnavas. All glories

to Srila Prabhupada.

"the cow delivers milk, the miracle of aggregate food values" (Srila

Prabhupada)

Sincerely, Mahananda dasa

October 29, 1999

>

> Yes we all drink milk. Srila Prabhupada drank milk. He drank the same milk we

> did.

Only for a small portion of his life in extreme circumstances.

> The cows that give milk at these big dairies are very well taken care of.

Until they are slaughtered. Their children are slaughtered. I think killing a

child would probably qualify as abuse.

>

> I read once about some Borden's cows giving huge amounts of milk and they

were

> worth many thousands of dollars. So what are you saying? That we are guilty

of

> abusing cows by drinking milk from the store?

That by buying artificially cheap milk from the store, you are fueling the

economic demand that drives the culture of slaughtering the milk cow and her

children.

> We have to be a little

> practical. The big temples in the cities can't raise cows. So we do what we

> can practically and try to do everything as nice as we are realisticly able

> and then depend on Krsna for the results.

And the results have been child abuse, sannyasa falldown, etc etc details

available from any disgruntled devotee. News flash - it ain't working very

well.

Ergo, we can understand that Krsna , the cowherd boy, is probably not too

happy

being offered milk from unprotected cows.

>

> Below is an article I wrote on VNN after a vegan there attacked the idea of

> devotees drinking dairie.

This is a very nice article on the benefits of milk. Congratulations. However,

that is a side issue to the problem of drinking milk from unprotected cows.

The

problem is not drinking milk or not drinking milk. The problem is where is

that

milk coming from, how is it produced.

October 29, 1999

Haribol prabhus,

PAMHO AGTSP

I hate to divert any attention from such a terrible act, which reeks of all

the things Srila Prabhupada warned us of in Kali Yuga, especially in

connection to the bulls. However, when there is affordable time, as I

believe this problem will take up a considerable amount of that, can we try

to use the energy from this negative deed, to really hammer home the idea of

trusts, programme management and the responsibility of the communities where

Krsna's cows are kept. Right now we are at a stage of trying to implement a

land trust to protect what's left for the cows, but apart from one or two,

its hard to get the interest. Is it possible that the GBC's are encouraged

not only to inspect themselves, but that they would issue some statement or

letter to every community? We have standards, and in most cases I would

assume devotees willing to be responsible, but community wide interest is

not there, mainly due to lack of identity of the project being a rural

agricultural one, rather more and more devotees see living in rural ashramas

or connected to such projects as better than being in the city for whatever

reason, but agriculture does not seem to a main one, nor cow protection.

Also can we look at the emerging situations of ISKCON properties or centres,

whereby directions from the GBC are 'not taken too seriously' or there is

again so many gray areas, that it would be refreshing to see black and white

for a change.

ys

October 30, 1999

Dear Prabhus,

Niscala prabhu wrote:

> HOW TO ENSURE THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN ON OUR FARMS AGAIN. The only

> solution is to have regular observers of the herd,separate from the

> management, at least one for each farm. There is no need for appointment,

> because it is the responsibility of every devotee to ensure that this does

> not happen. And it possibly will, as well as the possibility/probability

of

> other types of abuse, unless the devotee/s on each farm get to know

exactly

> who is in the herd, and by regular observation, know exactly when one has

> disappeared, and raise the alarm. If the manager is a bit crazy, or not to

> be trusted, the counting should be done, ideally, almost daily. If this

had

> happened, then the alarm might have been raised before the animals were

> actually slaughtered.

Yes, this is a good idea.

I feel that the cow ministry would have more luck

> pushing the resposibility into the hands of local devotees rather than go

> through the GBC, which has only ended in failure.

> For instance these devotees who raised the alarm, Debbie and Damien,

should

> be encouraged by the ministry to take up the resposibility of regular

> observation, and writing reports for the cow ministry, if they have time.

> And any other concerned devotee on any other farm.

The structure of ISKCON is such that if you are not honoring, or

working cooperatively with, the wishes or mood of the Guru of a particular

temple or community at which you are serving, you will be in friction with

the other devotees and local management. In other words if you act

independent, your actions will likely be frowned upon even if they contain

some truth and validity. In such situations, cooperation from the

authorities in solving the problems (the solution to be implemeted over

several years) is not likely to be initiated nor last over the necessary

time span.

So, you can see we are working within a larger problem in order to solve the

problem with cow protection. The best would be to raise the consciousness

and awareness of cow protection of those in charge and the general devotte

population. This is what we are struggling with. Devottees on a local level

can count the cows and report to their local mangement if some are missing.

If someone writes us a report we can write to the GBC in charge etc. But we

have been ignored in various cases. The cow protection ministry has no funds

and even if it did it has no judiciary, police powers.

Uplifiting the consciousness alongside with pressure. Uplifting the

consciousness means education. Education, to be effective needs some

financial support. Pressure in the form of enough local devotees getting

concerned and making a fuss can effect changes locally. Public exposure of

authority neglect and inability to deal with the problem would be one

possibility of pressure to effect change, but we as devotees must be

carefull not to alienate each other since we do need to work together to

create solutions. Srila Prabhupada said we would show our love for him in

how we cooperate with each other. No easy task these days.

Your servant,

Chayadevi

November 1, 1999

<<The cows that give milk at these big dairies are very well taken care of.

This is a sick joke. Go and work on a diary farm for some time and then

participate on a devotee farm and you'll know what you're actually talking

about...

<<I read once about some Borden's cows giving huge amounts of milk and they

were

worth many thousands of dollars.

So what !? Didn't they end up as meat on someonses' plate after a life-time

of abuse, or what ? So far for being the mothers of human society !!

<<The big temples in the cities can't raise cows

Srila Prabhupada gave the whole set-up. These centres should buy dairy

products from the farm communities on the country-side AT A FAIR PRICE and

thereby support cow protection and the farmers' family. You just have to do

a little research in Srila Prabhupadas' books to know what is to be done.

<< So what are you saying? That we are guilty of abusing cows by drinking

milk from the store?

Yes, because what are you actually doing for her protection and well-being ?

You are drinking her milk and don't even know her, what to speak of being

able to protect her from the evil system she is under ? There's no more

connection, no more respect, no more gratitude... it's all store-bought from

a demoniac system, and...

<<We have to be a little practical.

Kali is laughing !

<< So we do what we

can practically and try to do everything as nice as we are realisticly able

and then depend on Krsna for the results.

Krsna is telling us to protect the cows. So, where is your 'dependance' on

Krsna ? You're just consuming on the back of exploited creatures, who also

happen to be MOST dear to Krsna. And the result of all this is massive

cowslaughter outside of ISKCON and neglect and abuse inside. Very nice ...

INDEED !

<<— "The protection of cows maintains the most miraculous form of food, i.

e.,

milk for maintaining the finer tissues of the brain for understanding higher

aims of life. " Srila Prabhupada

Yes, COW PROTECTION does so ! And the result of cowslaughter, you can see

all around you: absence of any brain-tissue and higher understanding.

<<In response to the article written a few days ago about the harmful

affects of

drinking milk, I would like to present our view of milk drinking that we

have

accepted from our spiritual master.

You can present your view all you want, but don't hide behind Srila

Prabhupada ! He told us often and clearly to develop varnasrama, farm

communities and to protect the cows. So, you drink 'your' milk and speak

your views, I WON'T.

<<Despite the evils of modern dairies and the cruel methods of obtaining

milk

from the mother cows, or despite the unwanted chemicals that store bought

milk

might introduce into your body and cause ill effects, still, we do not

condemn

drinking milk nor support veganism as part of our philosophy.

No, we support COW PROTECTION and consuming dairy products is a part of

that. But, the milk you buy in the stores (or from a dairy farmer) is NOT

milk, it's BLOOD. To drink 'milk' is easy, but to protect a cow is a

whole-n-other thing !! And as there are no real alternatives developped for

consuming REAL dairy products up to date, we reject the unfavourable and

accept the favourable. WE WON'T FUEL A DEMONIAC SYSTEM THAT IS

SYSTEMATICALLY EXPLOITING AND KILLING OUR MOTHERS & FATHERS. We endeavour to

develop alternatives and live a clean life.

Like Madhava Gosh said : "In the meantime, it is unrealistic to expect

everyone to become a vegan, hence the alternative we have proposed that by

donating laxmi to cow protection programs we can purify the blood milk

and still use it in the meantime." Still, this is no excuse ... neither for

consuming 'bloodmilk' nor for discouraging veganism when there are no

reasonable alternatives.

<<Quite the contrary. The glories of drinking cow's milk are everywhere in

Srila

Prabhupada's books.

Yes, milk from protected cows.

<< And though this may cause some doubts in the minds of

those who have embraced vegan-ism,

We do not embrace veganism ! We reject cowslaughter and support cow

protection. Where's your alternative ?

<< we as devotees faithfully follow the advise of our teacher,

Depends which advice you wish to follow. Everyone's happily consuming dairy

products, but where is cow protection ? Just ask the cowherds what a

struggle it is to protect a few cows and to get support for this !!

<<To reject scientific evidence is basic to a devotee's understanding of how

to

reach real knowledge of the actual condition of the living entities, both

spiritually and materially.

Where do you get such a conclusions ? If scientific evidence helps us to

understand the Absolute Truth, it's called KNOWLEDGE. If it doesn't, then

it's called IGNORANCE. We accept the favourable and reject the unfavourable

! If science gives prove that drinking 'milk' causes this and this

mal-effect on our health (and we can practically see so), then we can accept

that being so. Cause it's not milk, it's BLOOD. If they were able to

actually do research on REAL MILK, they might come to different conclusions.

And if WE actually would be consuming dairy in a responsible way, we could

actually experience the miraculous effects of it.

<<In a few years, vegans may become milk drinkers,

or theorist may change their minds many times about the affects of milk, but

a devotee remains steady and accepts the Vedic version as it is handed down

through disciplic succession.

Vedic civilisation means cow protection.So, what are you steadily accepting?

<<Among the few thousands references to milk in Srila Prabhupada's books and

lectures, I would like to point out a few here that will give a different

perspective of drinking milk than that of the vegans. Srila Prabhupada says.

''Cow has got special importance because it supplies milk, and milk is very

essential food that is... From the childhood, a child lives on milk, and

there

are many saintly persons, they also live by drinking milk. Milk is very

important item in the human society, and it supplies all vitamins. "

It is, but again: milk from protected cows consumed in a responsible manner.

<<Also he says "But He's (Krsna) speaking of go-raksya for our special

material

benefit, that if we protect the cows, we can have the facility of drinking

milk, which will help us in keeping our health in order and developing very

nice brain tissues to understand spiritual subject matter. "

Yeah, so here you have given us the prove from Srila Prabhupadas' mooth:

...."if we PROTECT the cows, we can have the FACILITY of drinking

milk"...

<<Of course, like the vegans, we condemn the inhuman treatment of the cows

at the dairies and slaughterhouses.

So, how are you condemning it ?

<<Srila Prabhupada says "the cow's calf not

only is beautiful to look at, but also gives satisfaction to the cow, and so

she delivers as much milk as possible. But in the Kali-yuga, the calves are

separated from the cows as early as possible for purposes which may not be

mentioned in these pages of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The cow stands with tears in

her eyes, the sudra milkman draws milk from the cow artificially, and when

there is no milk the cow is sent to be slaughtered. These greatly sinful

acts

are responsible for all the troubles in present society. People do not know

what they are doing in the name of economic development. "

Exactly ! In the name of consuming dairy (for the sake of 'finer'

braintissues, 'health' and 'higher' understanding), this evil system is

supported and maintained. And thus the troubles in the world continued.

Where's the alternatives ? So draw your own conclusions...

<<Srila Prabhupada also instructed us "... The Supreme

Personality of Godhead, in His instructions of Bhagavad-Gita, advises

go-raksya, which means cow protection. The cow should be protected, milk

should be drawn from the cows, and this milk should be prepared in various

ways. One should take ample milk, and thus one can prolong one's life,

develop his brain, execute devotional service, and ultimately attain the

favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As it is essential to get food

grains and water by digging the earth, it is also essential to give

protection to the cows and take nectarean milk from their milk bags. "

Again enough prove. What is the use of living a long life and how we will

attain the favor of Krsna, if we are not going to protect the cows ? Just

sip our milk happily and watch them being MERCILESSLY abused and finally

slaughtered. So far for perfection in life ...

<<Another reason for milk's consumption is given here. "Animal fat is

available

in the form of milk, which is the most wonderful of all foods. Milk, butter,

cheese and similar products give animal fat in a form which rules out any

need

for the killing of innocent creatures. It is only through brute mentality

that

this killing goes on. The civilized method of obtaining needed fat is by

milk.

"

Wonderfull !! This is civilisation.

<<Our position on milk drinking as taught in the Vedic literature is summed

up

in the following words spoken by a disciple of Srila Prabhupada (Madhudvisa

dasa) who was with his spiritual master speaking to a Dr. Muncing.....

Madhudvisa: "One thing that we would like to mention, as our spiritual

master

says, there is a definite, according to the Vedic scripture, there is a

definite link between consumption of milk and development of fine brain

tissues. And if your department of knowledge has some research in that area,

we think it would be a great service to mankind if they can be informed how

they can develop fine brain tissues. Fine brain tissues which are needed for

coping with the problems of this day and age. Not that simply if I disagree

with you we'll just fight. There has to be fine brain tissues in order to

say,