ISKCON Law 507 -- for the spiritual benefit of the GBC

[Guest guest]

"Pragosh (das) SDG (IRL)" wrote:

 

> > If the requested reports were forthcoming, then perhaps the Ministry would

> > know about those improvements. You can't simultaneously feel offended

> > that some one asks for facts, and then condemn them for not knowing them.

>

> I of course didn't raise this issue and I wasn't feeling offended at all, we

> didn't build the goshalla in order to get pats on the back from the

> ministry. I was simply making the point that from a PR point of view the

> ministry is often seen in a negative light by the very devotees it is

> intended to serve - those working hard serving Krsna's cows. Whatever horror

> stories have happened in relation to cow protection in ISKCON shouldn't be

> considered the standard for all devotees serving in this area. The ones I

> know, who are doing this service, do it out of love for the cows, not to

> inflict suffering on them.

 

One of the real essential problems that Section 14 of ISKCON law 507 is trying

to deal with, is that we percieve that in many -- if not in the *majority* --

of

cases where cows are suffering on ISKCON farms, it is not the fault of the

cowherds, but rather the fault of the administrative oversight -- which is best

represented by the GBC. Often the cowherds themselves are extremely dedicated

devotees -- but from lack of funding, lack of training, and lack of

sophisticated foresight -- they run into serious problems.

 

They need help to avoid these problems -- and that is why these minimum cow

protection standards were developed -- by several dozen of Krsna's cowherds

from

around the world -- to help these cowherds.

 

But all the care that these cowherds worlwide have put into developing

standards

is basically ineffective if not overseen on a regular basis by the ISKCON

administrative official -- the GBC. It's actually the GBC who is supposed to

file the reports. If your cowherd is reluctanct to help a GBC member prepare a

report -- could it be because the attitude of the GBC has already prejudiced

her

against the Ministry?

 

The quarterly meetings of the cowherds and GBC's should be beneficial for all

parties involved. They should benefit the cows and bulls. They should enliven

the cowherds and give them a chance to express any concerns they have about the

cows' welfare, as well as a chance to get official appreciation for different

improvements they have made -- both in the cows welfare and the public

participation in the project -- which is the preaching aspect.

 

And, the most hidden fact is: these quarterly meeting also should benefit the

GBC's themselves -- because what is this meeting? -- It's a chance for the

GBC's to associate with Krsna's cowherds. This is exactly what they will be

doing when they go back to Godhead -- associating with Krsna's cowherds. If

they don't want to do it in this life, how will they get the taste to do it in

the next life?

 

By associating with Krsna's cowherds, they will see the possibility of

developing Srila Prabhupada's ideal of simple living and high thinking. They

will take steps to make Srila Prabhupada's vision a reality. And as these

villages become the homes of satisfied devotees -- the GBC who helped develop

them will also feel great satisfaction.

 

So Krsna has made this law just for the benefit of the GBC -- but because the

GBC are seeing it as an unimportant burden, failing to appreciate the spiritual

dynamic of the process -- they are depriving themselves of important spiritual

nutrition. It's like going for a year without going to mangala arotik because

you have more important things to do. One one day, you may have something else

you need to do -- but if you make it a habit, then you simply miss out on

something which would have been important to help you develop your spiritual

life.

 

Similarly, Section 14 of ISKCON Law 507 is meant as much for the benefit of the

GBC as for anyone else. But the GBC do not see it this way, thus they are

missing out on the nectar of Krsna's mercy, they are missing out on the

exchanges with Krsna's cowherds. These are not ordinary people.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi