GBC has agreed to active participation in cow protection

[Guest guest]

Rohita and Janesvara prabhus,

 

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

 

You have both written good comments full of patience and heartbreak. You are

willing to give the GBC one more chance. That is laudable. But you are also

heartbroken about the neglected state of Krsna's cows and cowherds in so many

places for so many years. Maybe Balabhadra prabhu should forward a copy of

this

to the GBC, just so they can see how important this is to us.

 

It would be good if sometime in August, Chaya and Balabhadra could post a list

of

the farms and list the GBC's who have turned in reports -- also a list of farms

who have not turned in reports, together with their GBC's.

 

What will we do for those GBC's who neglect to fulfill their pledges in the

matter? I guess it is obvious that the only kind of recourse that we have at

our

disposal is publicity.

 

Just like the local town of Bowdoinham, here in Maine. Whoever does not pay

their

town taxes gets their name published in the paper. Very effective.

 

So, how else we could respond to someone who after so many years of cow neglect

in

ISKCON would fail to fulfill his or her pledge in the matter.

 

Let's just hope that the slackers are few and that the conscientious friends of

Krsna's cows and cowherds are many.

 

Again, very nice letters from both of you, with many points very well taken.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

"WWW: Rohita (Dasa) ACBSP (New Talavan MS - USA)" wrote:

 

> [Text 2402886 from COM]

>

>

> > > [Text 2398841 from COM]

>

> > > Janesvara (Dasa)

> > > > -- 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.

>

>  On 12 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote:

> 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.

>

> Comment:

> Yes we understand they are supportive of the concept of Varnasrama, and yes

as

> individuals they have made steps to back that up. But as a group their voice

> in this matter has had a rather small volume. Cow protection receives even

> less notice from them than varnasrama. Varnasrama is the next step, Srila

> Prabhupada indicated and it is obvious that the cows' makeup the central

core.

>

>  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.

>

> Comment:

> What they have done it is attentive step in the right direction, the cows

have

> suffered over the years, and I know 25 years on two different ISKCON farms.

> The farms (I am excluding those farms were GBC and sanyassis resided) were

> visited rarely and when they did visit it was even rarer for them to look for

> the cowherd and walk with them and ask about the conditions. Children where

> abused, women mistreated and they raising a big stink, lawsuits and talks

> about editing the books to give a more favourable light towards women. These

> are some of the things that come to mind. The cows are the dearmost of

> Govinda, but you see no big protest about their conditions. Very little.

> They're breeding, decreased, because it is such a burden to care for them

> without the proper support.

>

>  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.

>

> Comment:

> We are not saying bad things just expressing our doubts based on past

> circumstances. We are waiting, for them to show us that they care. Then if

> they do it will indeed be glorious and we can move forward. Then signs of

> mourning can be removed. It will be a strengthening and an encouragement to

> us, just by this simple act, just 6 hours out of 8,760. But we are cautious

> not to get our hopes up to much, otherwise the heartbreak maybe too much, it

> has happened for too long.

>

>  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 fulfilling their promise on this matter.

>

> Comment:

> If they do not perform as expected, are we to just to avert our eyes and turn

> away back to the chores? That will only put us in their boat. There is need

> for a stronger stand, denouncing those who do not act is required. Because

> they are the leaders their behavior must become exemplary how else will the

> rest of the devotees understand the importance.

>

>  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.

>

> Comment:

> It is also fair for us to say that we are hurt, we have not drawn and

> quartered them only expressed our hurt feelings. We wait with expectant

hearts

> for their feet to tread the earth with us. Forgive us if we are not very

vocal

> in praise or in telling what the problems are, because it will be a shock if

> they do come and show they care. They must also be patient with us for we

have

> much baggage accumulated for so many years. Only those cowherds who have

daily

> worked with the cows really know the full extent of what kind of tolerance

the

> cows have mustered to meet the conditions. Then when the GBC have shown their

> true colours, can we turn to the local management and ask their help to heal

> the hurt. There needs to be a change of heart of all the devotees and the

> leaders must be the ones to show it first.

>

> So many unengaged, acting the part but not doing the deed. We must become an

> agrarian society for varnasrama to work. The only education worth having is

on

> how to remember Krsna all other is simply a waste of time.

> Ys,

> Rohita dasa

>

[Guest guest]

Hare Krsna dasi:

 

> Maybe Balabhadra prabhu should forward a copy of this to the GBC, just so

they can see how important this is to us. It would be good if sometime in

August, Chaya and Balabhadra could post a list of the farms and list the GBC's

who have turned in reports -- also a list of farms who have not turned in

reports, together with their GBC's. What will we do for those GBC's who

neglect to fulfill their pledges in the matter? I guess it is obvious that

the only kind of recourse that we have at our disposal is publicity.

 

Comment:

Nice sugestion, mother Chayadevi? Post on Announcements conference, I feel

uncomfortable posting this type of thing on Chakra, etc. they have tendency to

enter the rumour mill and things said end up every where. This process has to

be done with humility and a sincere desire to initiate some reformation.

ys,

Rohita dasa

[Guest guest]

>[Text 2404183 from COM]

>

>Hare Krsna dasi:

>

>> Maybe Balabhadra prabhu should forward a copy of this to the GBC, just so

>they can see how important this is to us. It would be good if sometime in

>August, Chaya and Balabhadra could post a list of the farms and list the

GBC's

>who have turned in reports -- also a list of farms who have not turned in

>reports, together with their GBC's. What will we do for those GBC's who

>neglect to fulfill their pledges in the matter? I guess it is obvious that

>the only kind of recourse that we have at our disposal is publicity.

>

>Rohita's Comment:

>Nice sugestion, mother Chayadevi? Post on Announcements conference,

 

I think something more widespread, like Free Forum?

 

By the way, so far no reports in.

 

Yrs,

Chayadevi

[Guest guest]

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

 

> [Text 2404728 from COM]

>

> >[Text 2404183 from COM]

> >

> >Hare Krsna dasi:

> >It would be good if sometime in

> >August, Chaya and Balabhadra could post a list of the farms and list

theGBC's

>

> >who have turned in reports -- also a list of farms who have not turned in

> >reports, together with their GBC's. What will we do for those GBC's who

> >neglect to fulfill their pledges in the matter? I guess it is obvious that

> >the only kind of recourse that we have at our disposal is publicity.

> >

> >Rohita's Comment:

> >Nice sugestion, mother Chayadevi? Post on Announcements conference,

>

> I think something more widespread, like Free Forum?

>

> By the way, so far no reports in.

>

> Yrs,

> Chayadevi

 

HKDD comments:

 

Free Forum sounds appropriate. Good idea. Probably, to make it fair, we

should

also post on the Free Forum a polite reminder that this needs to be done,

including a suggestion that the primary cowherds and their project leaders

could

contact their GBC to schedule a date for the visit.

 

It occurred to me that the date of the GBC visit should be listed on the form.

Is it? This could be a very important piece of evidence in some cases.

 

Also, I predict that there will be a problem in cases where there is more than

one GBC (which is everywhere?). Each one may leave it to the other to take

responsibility. Cowherds should be proactive in this case: "Dear Krsna Swami

and Govinda Swami, we are trying to schedule a convenient time for your

quarterly meeting (the report of which is due by July 30) with our cowherds and

tour of the cow's facilities (as per ISKCON law 507). We are wondering, should

we arrange accommodations for both of you? If not, which one of you will be

coming and when should we expect you to arrive. We would like to know in

advance so we can have someone meet you at the airport. The devotees are very

much looking forward to your visit. Hope to hear from you soon. ys... etc."

 

Just curious-- have any GBC members yet scheduled their first visits?

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

[Guest guest]

On 15 Jun 1999, Rohita Dasa wrote:

 

> Lord

> Krsna is arranging something; he is doing it this way for some reason.

 

 

As Srila Prabhupada said many times: Don't blame Krsna for your problems.

 

And don't confuse mayadyaksena prakriti with someting divine. I don't think we

are quite there yet as evidenced by our record of the past 22 years or so.

 

 

 

> We can pray, for Krishna to curb our tongues and arrange that

> things should be corrected according to his desire.

 

 

Yes. That is the subject of this conference. Funny we have zero participation

from any GBC's on this conference. They must have found a BETTER social system

than the catur-varnyam mentioned by Someone in Bg?

 

 

 

> The GBC is not a group of Ksatriyas as you seeming think they should be.

 

 

 

They SHOULD be ksatriyas or they SHOULDN'T be managing. One or the other.

That's what DIVIDE this society means!

 

 

> This

> is a unique time and circumstance, true varnasrama; daiva varnasrama is not

> existent on this planet.

 

 

The varnas are there because the modes of nature are there. That is eternal in

this material world. There is no escaping it. Intelligent means RECOGNIZING

it. Catur-varnyam maya srstam. Krsna created it. To make it daiva we train

varnas according to the QUALITIES defined in the Bhagavad-gita in the 18th

chapter.

 

 

> That is the duty that Srila Prabhupada has passed on

> to his followers. But before we should concern ourselves with how they are

> organized (the GBC) it is more important for our spiritual life to worry

about

> how much we are following.

 

 

Asrama first? Varna later? I don't believe that is what Srila Prabhupada said.

 

 

> Have you come to Mangala arotik for the last 25

> years (or however long any of you had to opportunity)? Have you faithfully

> chanted the prescribed number of rounds - DAILY I there can be no excuse if

> you have not been or done you are no better than a dead body if you have

not.

 

 

Now here's that good old ISKCON I once knew! Boy that makes me feel like

joining right up again!

 

(Actually I have a wonderful morning program every morning with all the fine

paraphernalia. I love the smell of the flowers I offer to Krsna which I grow

myself! And I chant rounds and read everyday too. But I still need varnasrama

because I am a fallen soul and I need it to make the path clear and easier.)

 

 

> To continue in the same vein, when was the last time you milked a cow,

hooked

> up the team or brought hay and to a cow that is unable.

 

 

Not that its really relevent, but it was in 1975, when I milked the first cows

ever brought to Gita-nagari. I loved it but it was not my prescribed duty. I

was fortunate to have a tiny bit to do with gita-nagari's beginnings.

 

 

But there are FOUR varnas and not everyone is to milk cows and bale hay.

[Guest guest]

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

 

> [Text 2408923 from COM]

>

> Yes. That is the subject of this conference. Funny we have zero participation

> from any GBC's on this conference. They must have found a BETTER social

system

> than the catur-varnyam mentioned by Someone in Bg?

 

Hare Krsna dasi comments:

 

Too catty, my son. There are several GBCs who are quite interested in

varnasrama

and who do read much of the posting on this conference. They are silent

observers. I think for the most part they do not speak out because they cannot

afford the time to be drawn into some of our endless controversies. But they

are

listening. I at least get private notes from different members from time to

time,

usually requesting information on self-sufficiency. So let's not be sarcastic

and

say they think they have found a better system. You know, if I were a GBC and

had

to listen to to this continual stream of disparagement, I personally would just

want to give up. I don't know how they can stand it. Pretty discouraging --

especially for those GBC who are actually working to support our rural

communities

and help the establishment of varnasrama.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi