I really hope everyone got this illuminating letter from ShyamasundaraPrabhu

[Guest guest]

Syamasundar Prabhu has indeed nicely illuminated this very important topic

of correctly observing Ekadashi and Vaisnava Festivals. The calculations are

not centralised to Mayapur but are according to a temple's local tithi,

nakshatra, and sunrise. The calculation rules are given in Hari Bhakti

Vilasa (HBV) wherein there is continuous referral to the various planetary

and nakshatra positions. If the Goswami authors of HBV were referring to a

centralised location like Sridham Mayapur or Vrindavana Dhama for

calculations they would have surely said so at least once, but there is not

even a hint of it.

 

I also agree with Syamasundar Prabhu that the "presently constituted

Vaisnava Calendar committee headed by Bhaktarupa Prabhu is NOT competent."

 

There are bugs in the old VCAL programme and in the new one on the website.

They need to be sorted out. But that is not as concerning as to what

recently emerged in recent lengthy discussions with Bhaktarupa Prabhu on the

Vaisnava Calendar conference about the proper Janmasthami observance and

break fast times according to the rules given by the Goswamis in HBV.

 

HBV says that it is most important to break the Janmasthami fast at the

right time otherwise the whole fast is reversed completely. The 1st

mandatory break time is at the end of the local astami tithi, and the later

2nd more advanced optional break fast time is at the end of the Rohini/Moon

conjunction. HBV clearly states that to break fast after both these times

have passed is the best and gives the FULL result. Breaking fast after the

tithi, which comes first usually around midnight depending upon where you

are, gives half the result. So I proposed to Bhaktarupa Prabhu to include

these crucial break fast times for each temple in the Vaisnava Calendar (The

VCAL Programme) so that devotees worldwide could be informed and thus choose

to please Krishna more in that way. This was his reply:

 

====================

"I see nothing wrong with the temples having standard programs, observed

year to year, of anukalpa prasad served after the midnight abhisheka. To all

of a sudden one year have to schedule the anukalpa feast for 3:30 AM would

not be practical, and might even cause a riot! In a mass-preaching based

movement such as ISKCON, how will there ever be more than a small minority

that will care much about such detailed rules? Those that want to follow

them can bring their tiffin carriers and eat later.

 

When we have the new version of VCal ready to go and someone wants to

provide this additional information on a separate site, then we can figure

out a convenient way to make our calculations available to them.

 

Your servant, Bhaktarupa Das"

====================

 

I was disappointed.

 

He essentially said that proper fasting on Janmasthami may cause a riot!!!

:-) It seems he's not bothered to try to make such an auspicious change. He

suggested someone else set up a separate website and provide the info. He is

in charge of the Vaisnava Calendar yet he can't be bothered to put at least

the tithi ending time of the most important fasting day of the entire year,

Sri Krishna Janmasthami?? This can only be described as uninterested and

irresponsible.

 

Sometimes on Janmasthami uninformed devotees break their fast just 10-15

mins before the tithi ending and thus greatly displease Lord Krishna,

according to HBV. But if that tithi ending was on the Vaisnava Calendar then

a LARGE majority of devotees would surely wait a little more till the

auspicious time and then take non-grain prasad. If the tithi falls at an

awkward time, say at 3 or 4 am, informed devotees can make their own choices

accordingly. Guests of course may wish to take early, but some may go longer

if things are explained properly ahead of time. Simply state on the calendar

THESE ARE THE OPTIONS, now do as you wish to do. So where is the question of

a riot? What an exaggerated excuse to avoid providing a better service. The

current calendar does not even provide a clue for the Janmasthami tithi

ending and Moon/Rohini conjunction ending. HBV states that Janmasthami is

the most important fasting day in the entire year.

 

Bhaktarupa Prabhu also suggested that not too many devotees would be

interested, but even in only 10% of devotees observe the fast correctly that

is 10% auspiciousness gained and more pleasing to Krishna. Unless Bhaktarupa

Prabhu can show better enthusiasm to serve the devotees with the

aforementioned most important of all Vaisnava Calendar timings I suggest

that his position is untenable and that the GBC should adjust the committee

accordingly.

 

ys

 

ad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

> Dear Maharajas, Prabhus and Matajis,

>

> Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

>

> I have just received the following disturbing text regarding a temple in

> the USA that wants to deviate from standard ISKCON policy regarding the

> Vaisnava calendar and hence setting s precedent that could lead to

> fragmentation in ISKCON.

>

> SP wanted ISKCON to increase its standards not lower them.

>

> Prabhupada: They must be all ideal acarya-like. In the beginning we have

> done for working. Now we should be very cautious. Anyone who is deviating,

> he can be replaced. (GBC Meets with Srila Prabhupada--May 28, 1977,

> Vrindavana)

>

> Here Srila Prabhupada refers to the fact that in the beginning he had to

> do so many things to start ISKCON but now (1977) the standards have to be

> raised. In this instance he is referring explicitly to the GBC but it

> applies to the whole society (and its practices) as well because the

> society will follow its leaders. According to the author of the text cited

> below we should roll back any improvements in ISKCON back to pre-1977

> levels but Srila Prabhupada himself clearly indicates a preference for

> increased standards.

>

> My understanding is that SP sanctioned the Mayapura calendar because it

> proved too hard for Pradyumna to make individual calendars for the rest of

> world. He tried during SPs time, I have seen old copies of the Sankirtana

> Newsletters where Pradyumna explained which days to follow ekadasi in

> different parts of the world, but when that proved too difficult SP said

> just stick to Mayapura calendar. But, now with availability of PCs it is

> now possible to do what could not be done prior to 1977.

>

> Of course by the author's "logic" anything that could not be done before

> 1977 but can be done now should not be done. That is "under-intelligent."

>

> Following the correct ekadasi is indeed important as emphasized by Lord

> Caitanya to his mother and as seen by the fact that Ambarisha Maharaja

> risked his life to follow it correctly by angering Durvasa Muni.

>

> Following the calendar properly is also an important element of Deity

> worship. Should we never improve our efforts in Deity worship especially

> when it can be easily done?

>

> The Lord is called Brahma which means ever expanding. Devotional service

> is ecstatic not static--it is always increasing with higher and higher

> levels and standards. But according to the author we should not aspire to

> improve our standards even when it is easy to do so. Now if it were a real

> over-endeavor as it was prior to 1977 that would be one thing but now it

> easy and the technical difficulties were solved back in 1983-84.

>

> What Boston has done if not corrected by ISKCON authorities may lead to a

> fragmentation of ISKCON.

>

> And, also note the comments of the person below and my further comments

> after that.

>

> Your humble servant

>

> Shyamasundara Dasa

>

> PS feel free to pass this out if you want to.

>

>

>

> www.ShyamasundaraDasa.com

>

> ---------- Forwarded Message ----------

>

> Letter PAMHO:12441721 (194 lines)

> Internet:

> 20-Oct-06 23:11 -0400 (17:11 -1000)

> Shyamasundara (das) ACBSP (Vedic Astrologer) (USA) [33127]

> Reference: Text PAMHO:12441084 by Internet: Nimai Nitai Das

> Fwd: please don't follow the Mayapure calendar outside Bengal

> ---------------------------

> Dear Shyam, PAMHO AGTSP

>

> I guess that you saw this. If not please let me know what you think.

> Interesting, I was not aware that there were still people out there

> with such attitudes. As far as I know a non-Vaisnava astrologer

> calculates the Caitanya Math panjika and another one calculates the

> panjika for Devananda GM. I mean this devotee seems to think that

> there is something innately transcendental about the Caitanya Math's

> calculations. I really don't understand his logic in saying that we

> should not do material calculations. What other type of calculations

> can we make? Again this comes back to the GBC. If they have never

> rescinded or superseded the ISKCON law that everyone should follow

> the mayapur calendar then they are at fault for this confusion. I

> suggest that the GBC (with your urging or Hari Sauri's or whoever's)

> please clarify this. It seems crazy that one GBC member allows one

> temple to follow a completely different system than everyone else.

> (Or are there more of these people following Mayapura calendar?) I

> would like to know if they have Mangal Arati also at the same time in

> Boston as it is in Mayapur? Mangal Arati is performed calculated

> according to the Sunrise in the same way as Ekadasi is, so why not do

> that also? You and I and many others all know that in the old days we

> used to use the Mayapur Panjika. I have on many occasions gone to the

> Yoga Pith, bought it and brought it back to Mayapur for translation

> and worldwide distribution. I can remember buying an extra copy for

> myself to use for many years. However when Vcal came along I was

> definitely much happier. Even if there may be minor errors in any

> program or even in the Mayapur panjika's we have got to follow

> something. I feel that we should try to follow the most accurate

> calculation that we can. To my understanding that at present is Vcal.

>

> ys

>

>

>

>

>

> > "Nimai Nitai Das" <nimai.nitaidas >

> > October 20, 2006 11:31:24 AM HST

> > "Narasimha44 (AT) aol (DOT) com" <Narasimha44 (AT) aol (DOT) com>

> > Cc: jayapataka.swami (AT) pamho (DOT) net, jayadvaitaswami (AT) aim (DOT) com,

> > bhurijana.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net, Bhanu.Swami (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > devamrita.swami (AT) pamho (DOT) net, bhakti.purusottama.swami (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > nrs108 , bhakti.charu.swami (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > dravida (AT) mindspring (DOT) com, bhakti.vikasa.swami (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > ajamila.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net, Bhaktarupa.ACBSP (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > madhavananda.ggs (AT) pamho (DOT) net, India.Open (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > isvara.ggs (AT) pamho (DOT) net, bhima.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > basu.ghosh.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net, Ramabhadra (AT) aol (DOT) com,

> > braj.hari.jps (AT) pamho (DOT) net, gregjay (AT) bluebottle (DOT) com,

> > hari.sauri.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net, nimai.nitaidas ,

> > ramadevi.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net, sixgoswamis (AT) hotmail (DOT) com,

> > satsvarupa_dasa_goswami (AT) hotmail (DOT) com, janardana.gkg (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > bhagavatpuranadas , yadu (AT) krishna (DOT) dk,

> > lalitanatha (AT) krishna (DOT) dk, Sura.ACBSP (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > panchratna.gkg (AT) pamho (DOT) net, purnacandra.acbsp (AT) pamho (DOT) net,

> > cnd108 , sporecki (AT) msn (DOT) com

> > Re: please don't follow the Mayapure calendar outside Bengal

> > nimai.nitaidas

> >

> > Dear Payonidhi Prabhu,

> >

> > Please accept my humble obeisances.

> > All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

> >

> > Although i respect your opinion, please do not presume to judge our

> > practices, and to unnecessarily provoke controversy in a public

> > forum without first having the common courtesy of engaging in a

> > dialogue with the parties involved to seek unbiased information.

> >

> > In any case, this is not a topic that should be discussed in an

> > email exchange, where opportunities for sober dialogue are

> > extremely limited, and the urge to form a quick opinion and express

> > an even quicker rejoinder are the rule, rather than the exception.

> > Still, because you have chosen to open this untimely discussion,

> > which we have studiously avoided out of respect for devotees with

> > different views on the subject as well as for pastoral economy, i

> > will reply briefly.

> >

> > We are aware of the many divergences in lunar phases as observed in

> > different geographical locations, and we are also aware of the

> > reasoning that impelled the ISKCON GBC, together with some branches

> > of the Gaudiya Matha, to produce multiple local calendars for the

> > observance of Ekadasi and other dates. We have read the learned

> > studies, and freely accept their firmly based scientific

> > conclusions regarding the relative accuracy of the local calendars

> > and the original Gaudiya Panjika (Mayapura Liturgical Calendar).

> >

> > In our humble opinion, however, that line of reasoning is both

> > inconclusive and ultimately irrelevant. Were the Gosvamis guilty of

> > fasting when They should have feasted, or feasting when They should

> > have fasted, because Their calculations were probably less accurate

> > than today's computer-generated outputs?

>

> This is an not correct and based on the supposition that the calendars

> used by the Goswamis were inherently flawed because they used calculations

> not based on JPL algorithms. The calculation tolerances need not be so

> hairsplitting. But one should always use the best methods available; just

> as one should always use the best ingredients available for cooking for

> the Lord.

>

> Do the devotees in Boston also only offer the Lord a ball of dough thrown

> in the fire and without even any salt like the Gosvamis did because the

> Goswamis didn't have the means to cook more opulently? Are we now "over

> intelligent" because we offer salt and nice bhoga to the Deities unlike

> the Six Gosvamis?

>

> The Six Gosvamis did follow the local calendars as calculated in their

> areas as would any Brahmana or Vaisnava. The calculations were accurate

> enough for calendric purposes. The author uses a false argument that

> calculations have to be super accurate like using an accuracy of 1

> thousandth of second of arc or more as in the JPL calculations.

>

> Does the Hari Bhakti Vilasa of Santana Gosvami and Gopala Bhatta Gosvami

> say that we should calculate calendars using shoddy methods or not do them

> according to the locale? No.

>

> Even if the calendars of their day made mistakes and gave a wrong day here

> or there it was the best that was available. The point is to use the best

> in the service of the Lord not the worst. That is what I was always taught

> by my guru maharaja.

>

> Even with the best calculations devotees sometimes fail to observe a fast

> or miss an ekadasi by mistake, in which case there is an appropriate

> atonement.

>

> Maharaja Jai Singh founder of Jaipura was not a contemporary of the Six

> Gosvamis but of Visvanatha Chakravarti and Baladeva Vidyabhusana. He was

> an astronomer King. His observatory "Yantar mantar" boasted more accurate

> observations and resulting calculations and calendars than those of the

> contemporary Europeans. His sundial "Raja yantra" still keeps time

> accurate to within 10 seconds. He had observatories in several places in

> India including Delhi, Ujjain, Benares and Mathura. That is what the local

> pandits used, the most up to date calculations, and that is what the

> Vaisnavas in Mathura mandala followed.

>

> One uses the best that one has when it comes to worshipping the Lord. The

> Lord says He accepts a leaf a flower or some water if it is offered in

> devotion. Hence even a poor man can worship him. But Srila Prabhupada

> warns against trying to cheat Krsna. If one has the means to offer

> something better then he should.

>

> Today we have the means to offer something better but they do want not

> want to do so.

>

>

>

> >

> > There is NO exact calculation possible, anywhere in the material

> > world. Every calculation is just an approximation. Among such

> > inexact calculations, we choose to accept that approximation

> > received in disciplic succession, rather than the most current

> > computer-generated astrological data, which will inevitably be

> > "improved" and "corrected" at some future point in time --just like

> > toothpaste or shampoo, or so many other consumer products.

>

> So because there is no exact calculation their solution is to choose the

> least accurate, not the most accurate. (-:

>

> Because of the nature of the material world the observable planetary

> positions gradually gets out of phase with calculations. To bring

> calculations back into alignment with observable reality the astronomical

> texts prescribe that a "bija samskara" be performed because the

> calculations must preserve the phenomena. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta did this

> to the Surya Siddhanta which had not had such a samskara performed in

> almost 1000 years and hence had become practically useless. Western

> Astronomers do basically the same thing about every 25-50 years to adjust

> the "astronomical constants" which are inherently non-constant but are

> brought back into alignment with observable reality. What to speak of

> astronomy Lord Krsna has to do the same thing with transcendental teaching

> as explained in BG 4th chapter because the material world is such that as

> a function of time things tend toward chaos and must be brought back into

> order by an intelligent hand.

>

> The author uses the terms "improved" and "corrected" as an aspersion

> alluding to how SP would attack modern science as being speculative and

> never arriving to any truth hence tries to create a similar sentiment in

> the minds of the reader that SP would also mock and disapprove of such

> astronomical adjustments. But we see that jyotish acaryas like Varaha

> Mihira and the astronomical texts themselves recommend such procedures.

> And BSST himself was noted for bringing the Surya Siddhanta back into

> alignment with observable reality. It is the phenomena which is important

> not the calculation, so the calculation has to present as accurately as

> possible the phenomena and when necessary the calculation adjusted for

> that purpose.

>

> SP gave different standards at different times according to the capacity

> of his followers to follow and implement. One can easily find instructions

> that Srila Prabhupada gave at an earlier time which he then countered at a

> later time. For example prior to Feb 14, 1977 you will find many times

> when Srila Prabhupada would extol VAD but then say it could not be done.

> And those in ISKCON who are against VAD will trot out those passages.

>

> But on Feb 14, 1977 SP insisted that VAD had to be established in ISKCON,

> his disciples even argued with him using the very same arguments that SP

> himself previously used to try to defeat him. But SP was relentless in his

> insistence that VAD had to be established. (I want to make it clear that

> the discussion between SP and his disciples on that topic was not polemic

> and the disciples were not being offensive, bewildered would be a better

> description.)

>

> Because his disciples had no way of doing a local calendar Srila

> Prabhupada authorized a Mayapura based calendar. But Srila Prabhupada

> always wanted increased standards when they could be implemented in a

> practical and consistent manner. The higher standard that could not be

> consistently applied or practical before can now be done in 5 seconds.

> Hence the author's position has no standing.

>

>

> >

> > It is not ignorance of geography and astronomy, but faithful

> > adherence to the previous decisions of our Acharyas, that dictates

> > our determination to observe the Mayapura Calendar. Furthermore,

> > this determination is in strict agreement with the practice

> > established by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada for His worldwide

> > movement during His entire manifest pastimes. ISKCON's GBC, in its

> > RESOLUTION #53 of February 20, 1988, confirmed this practice as

> > authoritative:

> >

> > 53. That the GBC accepts the Yoga Pitha Gaudiya Panjika calendar as

> > authoritative for ISKCON on the instructions of Srila Prabhupada.

> > It is also Srila Prabhupada's instructions that the Panjika be

> > followed in any time zone of the world according to the same

> > Calendar date as observed in Mayapur.

> >

> > Please note that the resolution states categorically that Srila

> > Prabhupada instructed ISKCON to follow the Panjika "IN ANY TIME

> > ZONE OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE SAME CALENDAR DATE AS OBSERVED

> > IN MAYAPUR." To our knowledge, there is no subsequent ruling of

> > the GBC that specifically prohibits the observance of the Mayapura

> > Calendar.

>

> Here is the 1990 GBC resolution on the calendar based on research I

> commission Markendeya Rsi Prabhu to do on my behalf:

>

> <begin quote>

>

> 1990-42. That the report of the Calendar Research Committee is accepted in

> principle, with thanks. ISKCON temples throughout the world shall follow

> the official calendar calculated according to the conclusions of this

> report, which are:

>

> a) That the calculations should be made based upon the local time of

> sunrise.

>

> b) That a computerized method of calculations is acceptable.

>

> c) That the length of a muhurta shall be calculated as a 15th

> part of

> the daytime and a 15th part of the nighttime.

>

> d) That sunrise shall be defined as the time of calculated

> visibility

> of the upper limb of the sun at the horizon, and the time of sunset

> as the time of calculated disappearance of the upper limb of the sun

> at the

> horizon.

>

> e) That the calculations shall be based upon the positions of

> the

> heavenly bodies as determined according to modern scientific

> astronomical

> observations.

>

> <end quote>

>

> The resolution states: "ISKCON temples throughout the world shall follow

> the official calendar calculated according to the conclusions of this

> report" and then goes on to state what those factors are. This constitutes

> a "yama"- what must be done. And by implication also includes a

> "niyama"-what must not be done. The Niyama is that the calendar followed

> by ISKCON temples CAN NOT be done in a different way. This is standard

> Mimamsa - method of sastric analysis. The author tries to quibble by

> stating that the GBC not only has to state what must be done but must also

> anticipate every possible wrong thing that can be done and then

> specifically say it can't be done. That is unnecessary. Simple by saying

> it must be done in a specific way automatically means it can not be done

> in another way. Any other

> interpretation is mere quibbling and hair splitting.

>

>

>

> >

> > Although he favors the use of local calendars, Sripada Romapada

> > Swami Maharaja, North American GBC Executive Committee Chair, is

> > aware and respectful of our practice, as is the GBC Vaisnava

> > Calendar Committee, with whose members we have held a brief and

> > respectful exchange.

>

> In my opinion the presently constituted Vaisnava Calendar committee headed

> by Bhaktarupa Prabhu is NOT competent.

>

> >

> > Sripada Jayadvaita Maharaja, in a recent visit to New Gundicha less

> > than two months ago, stated that, when approached by devotees with

> > the very same arguments you and others have presented here and

> > elsewhere, Srila Prabhupada dismissed them as "over-intelligent."

>

> I would like to hear that from him directly not hear say. But even if what

> he said is true, it was true before 1977 because then it was an

> over-endeavor whereas today it is only 5 seconds work for a PC.

>

> >

> > Earth is one planet, and in Kali Yuga its spiritual capital is Sri

> > Mayapura. Fragmentation of our unity as a Society and a Sampradaya,

> > and an unhealthy obsession with the minutia of the material world

> > are some of the potential unwanted results of calculating local

> > dates and times for transcendental events, which in any case, are

> > commemorated and observed for their spiritual, and not their

> > material import.

>

>

> So very good, in Mayapura they have mangala arotika (a transcendental

> event) at 4:30 AM which is 6 PM in Boston the previous day. Is that when

> the Boston devotees have Mangala Arotika? They have Sandhya arotika

> (another transcendental event) at 6 PM and then all take rest by 9 PM in

> Mayapura. For Boston that means that they should be having Sandhya arotika

> at 7:30 AM and all retire for rest of day at 10:30 AM and get up for

> Mangala arotika which as we already know is 6 PM Boston time. Boston

> temple should also do all their rituals and daily life exactly at the same

> time as in Mayapura (breakfast at 10:30 PM, etc) and not let unhealthy

> obsession with minutia of the material world stop them. After all why

> should they care if the sky is dark in Boston it is daylight in Mayapura

> the spiritual capital.

>

> The rest of ISKCON follows a local calendar; it is Boston temple leaders

> only who are causing fragmentation.

>

>

> >

> > When Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada, as a young man, "corrected"

> > the calculations of the traditional Vaisnavas and presented them to

> > His Father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura noted that these new

> > calculations were indeed more correct. Then He said: "Now, discard

> > them, and use the traditional Panjika."

>

> Citation and context please.

>

> I asked Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja (who is working on what will probably be

> the definitive biography of Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami) about this

> and he said something to the effect that it is a misquote of hearsay

> attributed to BR Sridhar Svami.

>

> BSST didn't work on the calendar at the behest of Bhaktivinode Thakura but

> at the behest of Jagannatha Dasa Babaji who specifically told him to

> revise the Vaisnava calendar. So why Bhaktivinode would go against the

> instructions of his own guru? The following quote from my original

> introduction to the 1984 copy of the Vaisnava calendar sheds light on this

> point:

>

> " Just as Jiva Goswami compiled a Sanskrit grammar using the names of

> Visnu, the Gaudiya Acaryas have compiled a Navadvipa Pancanga using the

> names of Visnu for the days of the week, the twelve months, the 30 tithis

> and nakshtras or constellations, giving proper times for Vaisnava

> festivals and appearance and disappearance days of Gaudiya Acaryas. Srila

> Jagannatha Das Babaji first compiled the list of lunar tithis for

> appearance and disappearance times of the associates of Lord Caitanya and

> the major Vaisnava festivals. This was published in a calendar form by

> Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. When Jagannatha Das Babaji met Srila

> Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, he requested him to make a Vaisnava

> calendar using Caitanya years, Visnu months, Visnu tithis, Visnu

> nakshtras, determined accurately according to Vaisnava sastra. This

> Navadvipa Pancanga first appeared in Srila Bhaktivinoda's Sajjan Tosani,

> and in 1918 the Pancanga appeared in book form."

>

> The point being the revision of the calendar was not the independent idea

> of BSST but rather of Jagannatha Dasa Babji Maharaja. Hence how BVT could

> interfere with it?

>

> >

> > In His own time, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Himself a

> > brilliant astrologer, utilized the Mayapura Calendar for His entire

> > movement, including preaching activities in Burma, Germany, and

> > England. Was He ignorant of the astronomical facts and misguided in

> > His insistence on the observance of one calendar? We beg to abstain

> > from such blasphemy.

>

> As pointed out above what was not possible to do easily in the 1920-30s is

> now simplicity itself. The author's argument for keeping a lower standard

> when a higher standard is easily achieved is not persuasive. Keeping a

> lower standard when a higher standard is very simple to implement is

> blasphemy.

>

>

> >

> > Are we to suppose that Srila Prabhupada led ISKCON into

> > inauspiciousness, even sin, by simultaneously observing Ekadasi

> > according to the Mayapura Calendar in New York and London, Mumbai

> > and Sydney, Moscow and San Francisco? Are we to imagine that His

> > decision to hold Festivals, initiations, Deity installations, and

> > Temple openings according to the Mayapura Calendar were mistakes

> > leading to inauspiciousness? Again, we beg to abstain from such

> > blasphemy.

>

> The author has misapprehended the law of karma. One only gets karma when a

> choice is involved. If there is no choice there is no karma. If a bank

> robber sticks a gun to the head of a bank employee and tells them to give

> the money and they comply the bank employee is not charged with a felony

> as they had no real choice - it was comply or die.

>

> In the past there was no real choice. It was extremely difficult and

> practically impossible to implement local calendars consistently during

> Srila Prabhupada's time what to speak of BSST's time. To do so at that

> time would have required hand calculations by experts for each and every

> center. Such calculations would have taken months to do just for one year

> for each and every place. When I first wrote the VCAL program back in

> 1983-4 I was able to reduce what previously took almost a year to

> calculate by hand to about 3 hours. Now with more powerful computers it

> takes less than 5 seconds.

>

> Then (pre-1977) there was no real choice hence no karma. Now there is a

> real choice and with it comes karma.

>

>

> >

> > We're not astrologers or smarta brahmanas, but aspiring devotees.

>

> Ahh the "S" word, I knew it would appear at some point. The author does

> not appear to know what a Smarta brahmana is otherwise he would not use it

> as he has. However, he uses it the way most ISKCON devotees use it when

> they want to put down anyone who is trying to follow more strictly than

> they are. It is their justification for following a lower standard and

> feeling superior about it.

>

> As aspiring devotees it is incumbent on us to learn the cultural

> activities in Krsna's Vedic civilization and apply it in our daily lives

> when it is practical to do so. What was previously not practical has now

> become simple. To avoid adopting a higher standard when it is simple to do

> so is not the symptom of an aspiring devotee who always wants to give the

> best to the Lord.

>

>

> > Here in New Gundicha, with the kind authorization of our Governing

> > Body Commissioner, Srila Niranjana Swami Maharaja, we observe the

> > one calendar that Srila Prabhupada received in disciplic succession

> > and transmitted to us: the Mayapura Calendar.

> >

> > We are not proselytizing for others to return to the Mayapura

> > Calendar, but we humbly request a modicum of respect for this

> > determination, which has been made after much meditation and

> > prayer, and not out of gross material ignorance regarding astronomy

> > and geography.

>

> I beg to differ on the author's self assessment.

>

>

> >

> > If we each attend to our own devotional service, rather than

> > provoking unnecessary controversies, then, regardless of the

> > liturgical calendar that we follow, we will be utilizing our time

> > more fruitfully.

>

> And previously the author was saying that ISKCON should be unified now

> they don't care and want to do their own thing.

>

>

> >

> > I beg to remain the servant of the servants of the Lord.

> >

> > Respectfully,

> > Nimai Nitai dasa

> >

> >

> > --

> > New Gundicha Temple Community

> > ISKCON of New England

> > 72 Commonwealth Avenue

> > Boston, MA 02116

> > Tel. 617.247-8611

> > Nimai.Nitaidas

> (Text PAMHO:12441721) -----

>

> ------- End of Forwarded Message ------