Clarification on my Open letter to all street collectors

[Guest guest]

Dear prabhus,

 

Please accept my most humble respects. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

I would like to clarify some of my statements in my open letter to street

collectors.

 

When I said that some collectors were being "manipulated by ISKCON

authorities", I meant, "unscrupulous people acting as an authority in

ISKCON." These people know who they are and I certainly did not mean to

imply that all ISKCON authorities were involved in this activity.

 

When I used the generic "they" and "you", I also did not mean to attack

everyone. My hope was by sending out my letter to all PAMHO users my letter

would get to those who need to read it.

 

When I said, "How most of you have been trained," again, this statement is

directed to those involved in the unethical fundraising activity and not all

of ISKCON.

 

I am also concerned that my exclusive/inclusive labeling may have indirectly

portrayed myself as the only honest person inside ISKCON. Nothing could be

further from the truth. Devotees by definition are honest people,

unfortunately there are some on the devotional path who are either outright

pretenders or are allowing their good intelligence to be clouded because of

material attachment.

 

My letter was strong, because I felt the subject matter was so important. My

hope was that at the very least it would get the society talking about this

issue, which is a big thorn in our side. For too long we have all been

turning a blind eye and something practical and positive needs to be done

about this. I am now learning that some parents are training their children

in these unethical schemes. For ISKCON to succeed, we absolutely must create

positive role models for our children. Hustling on the street and tricking

people to give us their money is not what Srila Prabhupada envisioned for

ISKCON's economic development.

 

Your servant,

 

Priyavrata Das