GBC has agreed to active participation in cow protection

[Guest guest]

On 14 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote:

 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.

 

Comment:

Such activity would put the situation in everyone's mind. The date should be

on the form.

 

 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."

 

Comment:

That is a nice suggestion, a sort of personal invitation, I am not opposed to

anything that gives them encouragement to come. Time is running short however.

 

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

 

Comment:

I have just spoken with the temple president here (Yogindra Vandana das), who

saw our GBC at the Temple presidents meeting in New Vrndavan. Our GBC is now

Bir Krishna and due to his many responsibilities he is unable to come at all

this year. This to me means he has not thought about (at least he has not

expressed) these four visits - I say he has not thought, because there is no

mention of a monitor coming.

Ys,

Rohita dasa

[Guest guest]

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

 

> [Text 2405388 from COM]

>

>  Just curious-- have any GBC members yet scheduled their first

visits?

>

> Comment:

> I have just spoken with the temple president here (Yogindra Vandana das), who

> saw our GBC at the Temple presidents meeting in New Vrndavan. Our GBC is now

> Bir Krishna and due to his many responsibilities he is unable to come at all

> this year. This to me means he has not thought about (at least he has not

> expressed) these four visits - I say he has not thought, because there is no

> mention of a monitor coming.

> Ys,

> Rohita dasa

 

Hare Krsna dasi comments:

 

Well, I am an admirer of Bir Krishna Maharaja. He's the only GBC I've seen

behind

a team of oxen (Balabhadra's). Nevertheless, if he neglects to make even one

single visit to New Talavana, he is breaking Krsna's law.

 

Srila Prabhupada states in the First Canto of the Bhagavatam that cow

protection

and brahminical culture are the "two pillars of spiritual progress." How can

ISKCON make spiritual progress if the head of the GBC only has one pillar?

 

This would not be satisfactory at all.

 

The head of the GBC must make it a priority to set the proper example for all

the

other GBC members. We know that he is busy, but if he takes the time, it sends

a

strong message to the rest of the GBC: "I am a very busy man, yet I made time

to

see Krsna's cows and Krsna's cowherds because I know this is important for the

welfare of ISKCON and important to my personal welfare. Now I don't want to

see

any excuses from anyone of the rest of you."

 

If he can't come in time for the July report, he must appoint a monitor, and he

must arrange to personally come to the farm and meet with the cowherds and tour

the facility on at least one of the 365 days in the year. He must do this.

This

is ISKCON law. As he is head of the GBC, he must be exemplary in following

ISKCON's law -- especially when it involves something as important to our

spiritual advancement as cow protection.

 

I'm sure he will do this if he is properly approached. I'm sure he will want

to

set a good example.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

[Guest guest]

>Comment:

>I have just spoken with the temple president here (Yogindra Vandana das), who

>saw our GBC at the Temple presidents meeting in New Vrndavan. Our GBC is now

>Bir Krishna and due to his many responsibilities he is unable to come at all

>this year. This to me means he has not thought about (at least he has not

>expressed) these four visits - I say he has not thought, because there is no

>mention of a monitor coming.

>Ys,

>Rohita dasa

 

Well, well, why does this sound so very familiar; "Due to many

responsibilities <<default prabhu/swami>> is unable to fulfill his/her GBC

responsibilities". As far as being "ISKCON Law", that's hardly any

overwhelming assurance. For instance does anyone have any idea how many

Child Protection Teams have actually been formed in ISKCON temples? It's

another similar 'Law', and under present circumstances, one would imagine

it receiving a rather high priority.

 

If all (or even most) of 'ISKCON Laws' or 'Suggestions' were actually

followed, or the GBCs were either capable or 'had the time' to fulfill

them, ISKCON would be a much different place to live in.

 

Your servant (trying hard not to be too cynical), nistula dasa

[Guest guest]

On 14 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote:

 

> > Our GBC is now

> > Bir Krishna and due to his many responsibilities he is unable to come at

all

> > this year. This to me means he has not thought about (at least he has not

> > expressed) these four visits - I say he has not thought, because there is

no

> > mention of a monitor coming.

 

 

 

Aw gee, surprise?! surprise?!

 

 

 

> Hare Krsna dasi comments:

>

> Well, I am an admirer of Bir Krishna Maharaja. He's the only GBC I've seen

> behind

> a team of oxen (Balabhadra's).

 

 

I wouldn't judge a ksatriya by this. I do not believe it is one of the

qualities Krsna mentions in Bg. for a ksatriya. Or maybe the GBC aren't

ksatriyas? Why are they responsible for management then?

 

 

 

>Nevertheless, if he neglects to make even one

> single visit to New Talavana, he is breaking Krsna's law.

 

 

Gosh, the GBC has never done THAT before!!

 

 

 

> Srila Prabhupada states in the First Canto of the Bhagavatam that cow

> protection

> and brahminical culture are the "two pillars of spiritual progress." How

can

> ISKCON make spiritual progress if the head of the GBC only has one pillar?

 

 

What have they been standing on for the last 25 years? They don't seem too

concerned about it obviously.

 

 

 

"I am a very busy man, yet I made time

> to

> see Krsna's cows and Krsna's cowherds because I know this is important for

the

> welfare of ISKCON and important to my personal welfare. Now I don't want to

> see

> any excuses from anyone of the rest of you."

 

 

 

What have the excuses been for the last 25 years? What incredible realization

did they all of a sudden come to that woke them up?

 

 

 

 

> I'm sure he will do this if he is properly approached. I'm sure he will

want

> to

> set a good example.

 

 

I wouldn't hold your breath, you may be holding it for another 25 years.

[Guest guest]

>Several of them have worked to provide a substantial amount of

>funding which is the only reason why this varnasrama book can be written.

 

Is it possible to contribute to this title? Or is it being written solely

privately?

[Guest guest]

On 16 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote:

 

>

>

> "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.

 

 

Yes. You are right. It is too cynical. I have allowed myself the cowardly

attitude of cynicism. I don't like it. I'm sure if Srila Prabhupada were here

he would tell me to not be so cynical. I will try to stop. I hope patience

will be extended to me at least a fraction of the time that is afforded to

"leaders" who haven't reformed their varnasrama priorities in a quarter

century.

 

 

I do not mind being a critic, however. Srila Prabhupada was an accomplished

critic of bad leaders for they prey upon the apathy and weaknesses of their

citizens including cows, children, women and other humans desiring to engage

in their rightful varna dovetailed in the service of the Lord by hearing,

chanting, remembering, etc., His pastimes, name, etc.

 

 

> 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.

 

 

Leaders should not remain "silent observers" for very long. Active

participants is the opposite of 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.

 

Their responsibility as leaders is to address all controversies with the

correct prescribed medicine of varnasrama-dharma as advised by guru and

sastra. Controversies will NEVER end, even with VAD, but the direction has to

be correct. You have to take the right medicine to treat the disease.

 

 

 

> But they

> are

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

> time,

> usually requesting information on self-sufficiency.

 

 

There are thousands of people out there attempting self-sufficiency who know

absolutely nothing about daiva varnasrama-dharma. It will not really help the

fallen souls go back home. It sometimes ends up being a hippie-like protest of

technology. Prabhupada said we are not opposed to technology - only its

application.

 

 

 

 

> 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 have asked the question many times previously without an answer to date:

What IS the social system they have been leading and supporting for the last

20+ years? Emergency social system? Hogwash. Emergencies don't last 25 years

especially after pure, clear advice was given by the pure devotee and recorded

for everyone's review.

 

 

If I were a GBC who had failed to implement the instructions of the guru for

the leadership of his disciples for 25 years I would be a lot more worried

about the reactions to that than a little disparagement.

 

 

Its amazing how some people claiming the title of "leader" can neglect clear

instructions to start varnasrama colleges in EVERY center for more than 25

years and if they make some token acknowledgment of VAD once in awhile all of

their past neglect is forgotten.

 

 

> 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.

 

 

 

I would not discourage any person, GBC or otherwise, working to support such

projects. But perhaps they should be a little more active in our discussions

of this subject on this conference. We have the right to question them any

time. If they are following the prescribed method of implementing

varnasrama-dharma in ISKCON as advised by Srila Prabhupada in his morning walk

conversations in March 1974, and with Hari-sauri in Feb. 1977 they have

nothing to worry about. If they are changing the prescription according to

their own whims and speculations, like we have seen in so many cases before,

they have a lot to worry about.

 

They also must show some contrition. This responsibility as leaders to

implement VAD has been neglected for more than 25 years and they have hardly

even begun! Citizens would regard any so-called leader as purely arrogant and

out of touch with his responsibilities if he does not at least attempt a

contrite demeanor. I do not see this.

 

 

Thanks again for the reminder to watch my cynicism. I will make every attempt

to control the same.

 

Sincerely,

 

Janesvara dasa

[Guest guest]

I'm inclined to agree to this. Sometimes it can get into a mob situation if

the focus is too strictly leveled at a small group of appointed leaders

rather than ourselves individually and collectively. We are ISKCON, not just

the GBC. If every devotee behaves honourably to the best of his/her ability

then we can implement Srila Prabhupada's wishes. The others, well, Krsna

will sort them out Himself, He is more than capable. However we need the

appointed leadership to assist us in maintaining the high profile and

standards required for the cows. So a balance has to be struck. In the past

it has not been there. The time is ripe and the mood set to create this

balance and rectify problems.

 

We can only destroy ourselves by turning negatively to factionism, and

hopefully this will stop. The very fact that this dialogue is taking place,

shows that change is happening, even if it is slow, it is happening. We

should be more self-aware and should ourselves be leaders by being honest

devotees, performing our service and praying to Krsna to assist us in

protection of His Society and His Land and His Cows and His Devotees. The

GBC don't own the land and cows they have some responsibility as currently

appointed leaders. We as members of ISKCON collectively hold that

responsibility, and collectively we can assist the GBC in procurring change

for the better. The problems have being accrued over many years, the

solution will not happen over night. But there must be some movement in good

faith from both sides, appointed and unappointed leaders/devotees. We must

make some movement in both directions. If we can gain a little response by

being pro-active and issuing invitations so be it. However, we must have

some visit at some time, not even I feel that our GBC will make it four

times a year, but I think once is a bottom line. I praise any devotee leader

or not who fights the battes of ISKCON on different fronts such as ritviks

and other difficulties. However, a lot of these problems will be solved, as

we ourselves become better equipped to solve them, and we will do this by

maintaining the standards we set as a movement. I often train development

groups and my first rule of thumb is 'housework'. If your house is a mess,

not only do you not want anyone to see it, but you find it hard to preach

about clarity and organisation. Then otherwise you become hyprocrite.

Although it's a karmi example, there is a measure of truth there. If we have

these standards and preach these standards, as we do, then how can we be

successful if our housework is not done?

 

Individually, I don't know enough sanyassis, GBC's or appointed leaders in

ISKCON to personnally make an evaluation. Nor do I really feel qualified.

However, I have enough years under my belt to know that we've all made

mistakes, and need to fix them. I haven't even the intelligence to remember

the names of a lot of those that I have met, which points to the fact that

maybe because many didn't get into the garden with us, or that I'm

completely dull in the brain. Both could be said to be true. I still feel

that we should be calculated on where the problems lie and lay blame there.

I personally feel that it is evenly spread. As initially we may have cried

in the wilderness because (i) nobody took action or listened and (ii) we

ourselves did a lot of crying but didn't have any effect until now. So

rather than focusing on the glass being half empty, lets look at it being

half full and learn from the past. I don't think that we can pray and

expect Krsna to give us a quick fix, but we do have to rely on Him. Isn't

that why we are devotees in the first place. If and when we do strike a

balance and get things sorted, it will be through His mercy and through the

mercy of His pure devotee Srila Prabhupada who tried so hard to sort us out.

 

Hope this meets you in the very best of Krsna Consciousness

ys

Ananda Maya dd