Last Call - Global Excellence Award 2004 nominations

[Guest guest]

Fear of Vaisnava aparada becomes one of the big reasons that parts of

ISKCON have become like the mafia.

 

Fear of Vaisnava aparada is why we have a known child abuser heading one

of the Mayapura gurukulas.

 

It is a good principle, but when it means not holding leadership

properly accountable, it leads to pollution, spiritual diversion, and

corruption.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

 

Rupanuga (das) TKG (Dallas, TX - US) wrote:

 

>Your words of caution are well taken, Hrimati devi. Thanks for reminding

>us.

>

>Hrimati dd writes:

>

>who are THEY you are talking about here?

>please be careful not to commit Vaishnava Aparada

>In Mayapur we have a agriculture department, and a goshalla department.

>The Management just opened a big Goshalla shop for promoting and benefiting

>the cows, right in front of the temple.

>During the festival, one day is reserved for devotees to worship the cows.

>they are setting up a big pandal at the Goshalla.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dasgopal (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote:

 

> *I think that the preaching and cow protection in India, in most cases,

very

>great and the level and quality and quantity is world-class, however, it is

>also easier there due to the piety of the general population and their

>familiarity with the basic culture related to Vaisnavism as we know it; it is

>easier to

>produce positive results there.

>

I am afraid that you are being mislead by sentiment when you call

ISKCON's cow protection programs in India first class.

 

It's hard for me to think that ISKCON's cow protection preaching in

India is first class. No doubt there are many devotees working hard at

the cowherd level. But support and encouragement from ISKCON's

leadership is *precisely* what is missing.

 

The fact that we had to struggle for years, simply to get some Indian

temples to send us a simple list of names and ages of all their cows --

when it was already required by ISKCON law -- shows me that ISKCON's cow

protection program in India was far from first class.

 

Another example where we have opted for the Hindu route rather than

Prabhupada's route is the fact that at most of ISKCON's Indian farms,

cow protection consists mostly of the sentimental idea of a cow existing

and possible giving milk.

 

But Srila Prabhupada emphasized the importance of ox power: "If you do

not work the ox, one day you will cut his throat." (ISKCON Farm Newsletter)

 

Prabhupada: If our men are not trained to plow the earth, then what is

the point of having all this land [in Mayapur]?

Tamal Krsna: They are not being trained, Srila Prabhupada. [March 1974

varnasrama walks -- my paraphrasal]

 

Because of a rising Hindu perspective in ISKCON India, to actually be

out working the oxen in the fields is considered the contemptible work

of a low-class sudra. But according to Srila Prabhupada's statements,

all forms of devotional service are equally pleasing to Krsna -- to be a

vaisya working with oxen is just as good as to be a sannyasi preaching

to a congregation. But that perspective is not emphasized by the Indian

GBC. Rather, if oxen are used, too often it is hired Muslims, who are

looked upon with a certain degree of contempt, and are not considered an

intimate component of Krsna's community. Are there any devotees other

than Hrimati working the oxen at Mayapur?

 

Please do not understand me. Hinduism, vegetarianism, pacificism --

these can all be practices in the mode of goodness. As such, they have

great potential as a platform for launching people to the platform of

Krsna consciousness. But by themselves they all lack important elements

which Srila Prabhupada taught us. As such, if we revert more and more to

emphasizing their values, then we will find that we have gradually

strayed from Srila Prabhupada's revolutionary and inclusive vision for

spreading Krsna consciousness.

 

And, when it is the leaders of the movement who are straying, then it

should be honestly pointed out.

 

>But, we must take note that Srila Prabhupada

>wanted very much that this movement spread and flourish everywhere, especially

 

>the West or the Americas (Pascatya desa tarine). ISKCON and Cow Protection

>can flourish in India and the West will look and say, "yes, it is a Hindu

>movement."

>

Of course, the great irony is that Srila Prabhupada many times went out

of his way to point out that this is *not* a Hindu movement:

 

**********************

Prabhupada: (chuckles) And that mataji, she has taken land. I dont like

that idea. Some Hindus are supporting.

I dont want a Hindu temple. Our constitution is different. We want

everyone.

Krsna consciousness is for everyone. It is not a Hindu propaganda.

People may not misunderstand.

And actually, till now in our society there is not a single other Hindu

than me. (laughter) Is that not?

 

New Vrindaban, June 9, 1969

*****************************

 

How much we have already forgotten -- due to the ignorance of our leaders.

 

ys

hkdd

[Guest guest]

Hrimati (dd) ACBSP (Mayapur - IN) wrote:

 

>>Are there any devotees other

>>than Hrimati working the oxen at Mayapur?

>>

>>

>

>The Goshala has 16 working oxen now. This was 3 month ago. They may have

>more by now.

>We are working on a very nice design for a new wagon with a better hitching

>system.

>The people from the German ox web site are in contact with me and are

>sending me pictures and lots of good advice how to improve the present

>implications we have here for the oxen.

>Y.s.

>Hrimati dasi

>

 

You know, this is actually a lot better than I thought, and a big

improvement from a couple years ago. Someone from there should post an

article on Chakra.

 

All devotees see are articles about the temple.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

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