Report from the Feburary/March GBC meetings 2008

[Sarva gattah]

 

 

Report from the Feburary/March GBC meetings 2008

 

 

 

 

Report from the 2nd day of the GBC meetings 2008

 

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By Ananda Tirtha Das

 

 

Bhakti Marg Swami began today’s meeting with a vigorous kirtan following which Bhakti Vaibhava Swami read from Srimad - Bhagavatam 4.11.27:

 

“My dear boy Dhruva, please surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the ultimate goal of the progress of the world. Everyone, including the demigods headed by Lord Brahma, is working under His control, just as a bull, prompted by a rope in its nose, is controlled by its owner.”

 

Chairman Bhanu Swami welcomed everyone and announced that today being HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s Vyasa Puja, his disciples have sponsored feast prasadam for all devotees and GBC members at the Gada Kitchen. Bhanu Swami thanked Radhanath Swamifor his moving tribute to Bhakti Tirtha Swami in class this morning, and announced that ISKCON Juhu was voted to host the next GBC meeting in October.

 

Anuttama Das, a member of the Guru Services Committee, reported that the committee had been studying how to help prepare devotees to serve Srila Prabhupada as initiating and instructing spiritual masters.

 

The committee also considered how to offer support and peer association for devotees currently serving as gurus. To this end, in May 2007, about two dozen senior devotees met in Washington DC for four days of intensive planning.

 

Attendees included ISKCON leaders, scholars and educators including Radhanath Swami, Bhakti Charu Swami, Ravindra Svarupa Das, Jayapataka Swami, Rukmini Dasi, Braja Bihari Das, and others representing a cross section of international devotees.

 

Based on the work of that group and in coordination with Vaisnava Training and Education (VTE), the Guru Services Committee prepared a four-day seminar that was launched in Ujjain just prior to the current GBC meetings.

 

Anutttama’s report prompted a discussion of the need for ongoing learning and Vaisnava association for all members of ISKCON.

 

In this regard, Anuttama shared the following illumination from Prabhupada Lila (7-7):

 

“Every morning Prabhupada would take a stroll to one of the nearby parks, sometimes with a few disciples and sometimes with only Sivananda.

 

Sometimes while he walked along the waterfront, Prabhupada would ask about shipbuilding and related industries, and Krsnadasa would answer. When Prabhupada asked Krsnadasa what the population of Hamburg was, he knew.

 

Prabhupada began to jokingly call Krsnadasa “Stats,” because he knew so many statistics.

 

“One morning, while Stats was answering Prabhupada’s questions about various cranes used in shipbuilding, Prabhupada turned to the others and said, “You see, although I am the guru and I am taking you back to Godhead, that doesn’t mean that I cannot learn from him.”

 

Attendees from the Ujjain seminar, including GBC members and gurus Prahladananda Swami and Madhu Sevita Das, expressed their strong endorsement of the seminar.

 

They also offered their appreciation for the facilities provided at the new Ujjain temple, and commented how appropriate it was to hold the Guru Seminar in Ujjain, the place where Lord Krishna Himself attended the school of Sandipani Muni.

 

“This seminar will assist spiritual leaders to always remember that they are first and foremost servants of Srila Prabhupada,” said Madhu Sevita.

 

“We can feel Prabhupada’s presence through spiritual association with our peers. I strongly suggest the GBC encourage all ISKCON gurus to attend this seminar.”

 

Bhakti Charu Swami offered to host the seminar annually in Ujjain and expressed his own need and gratitude for such association.

 

Topics covered in the seminar were then discussed. They include twelve core principles of spiritual leadership in ISKCON such as fidelity to Srila Prabhupada, allegiance to ISKCON, brahminical leadership, cooperation, unity, empowering disciples, and peer association and support.

 

Other topics included care for disciples, relationship of the guru with ISKCON, maintaining spiritual health, and improving association with devotees.

 

Some GBC members suggested that attendance should be made mandatory to avoid the problems that arise when senior devotees become isolated, or lack peer support.

 

Based on the Ujjain experience, the Committee is fine tuning the seminar program and is planning a second level, or Guru Retreat, for leaders. It was suggested to schedule the next seminar alongside the next GBC meeting. This will be decided before the GBC meetings end.

 

Next was a Bhaktivedanta Institute powerpoint presentation by Rasaraja Dasa on “Scientifically Proving God’s Existence,” specially prepared for the GBC. He presented examples of his current research to bridge the historical gap between science and religion.

 

Science admits only entities of this world as causes, whereas religion is based on God beyond this world and thus scientifically not provable. Rasaraja presented the Vaisnava concept of the Deity, an apparently material object, yet accepted as God himself, as amenable to scientific proof.

 

Traditionally, science and religion battle over God and soul. But Vaisnava religion, Rasaraja argued, can challenge science even in the realm of matter. The presentation generated a lively discussion amongst the GBC members. He is preparing a version of the same presentation for release to the general public.

 

The GBC Deputies, with Aniruddha Prabhu facilitating, next presented several proposals to the GBC body for straw voting. Topics included:

 

* Annual Holy Name Week: Temples worldwide to celebrate one day during the anniversary week of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the US.

 

* Anukalpa [Ekadasi] Prasadam, or fasting from grains, on Visnu Tattva Appearance Days: There was a discussion that the recommended standard for Prabhupada’s followers is for devotees to fast from grains on Gaura Purnima and Janmastami. Other days are optional and guests are not required to follow this.

 

* Jurisdiction of ISKCON Centres. Discussion about several ISKCON entities operating in the same geographical area.

 

* Eligibility to be Guru-special cases were discussed, covering Srila Prabhupada first initiates, disciples of gurus who have resigned or left ISKCON, etc.

 

In the afternoon and evening, additional meetings of the GBC-BBT Committee, Sannyasa Committee, and Latin American Regional Governing Body were held.

 

Many GBC members also attended the graduation ceremony of the Mayapur Academy (of Deity Worship) this afternoon.

 

During that ceremony the first graduates of the Academy, twenty one in total from fifteen different countries were honored for having completed ISKCON’s first three-month brahminical and pujari training program.<!-- Processed by EzStatic -->

[Sarva gattah]

 

 

Day 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ananda Tirtha Das

 

 

This morning’s kirtan was led by Bhaktivaibhava Swami following which Bhakti Charu Swami read from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.2.12:

“Immediately go wherever there is good protection for the cows and brahmanas and wherever the Vedas are studied in terms of the varnasrama principles. Set fire to those places and cut from the roots the trees there, which are the source of life.”

Srila Prabhupada’s strong comments in the purport on the proper and improper use of paper elicited humour among the meeting attendees.

Sesa Prabhu presented the ongoing work of the Constitution Committee, one of six Strategic Planning groups. This presentation was the major focus of this morning’s session.

At the New Vrindaban meeting last June, the GBC members recommended names of devotees qualified to assist in the work of the Constitution Committee.

This expanded group had productive email discussions and held a meeting before the current AGM attended by Sesa Das, Hrdaya Caitanya Das, Parivadi Das, Salagrama Das, Bhaktarupa Das, Prema Bhakti Das, Pancaratna Das, Bhakti Marg Swami and Param Gati Swami.

Many of the members were present today too. The committee handed out their research and Sesa Prabhu facilitated an overview of it for feedback and straw voting.

Sesa presented the reason ISKCON needs a constitution: ISKCON is complex international society with many projects and people bound by a grand mission given by Srila Prabhupada. To give shape to that, a constitution is necessary.

Srila Prabhupada has also talked about a constitution for ISKCON. The present paper is not intended to be a legal document; but is rather more inspirational and foundational.

Sesa presented 27 out of 30 principles presented in the committee’s paper covering topics such as the Definition of ISKCON, Definition of Members, Member’s Rights and Responsibilities, etc. The presentation generated

considerable discussion.

Next was another set of presentations from the Deputies for straw voting.

Topics covered were

· Standards for Worship of Srila Prabhupada

· Regulations of Deity Installations

· Financial Reporting by Ministers/Leaders

· Attendance of Deputies at GBC AGM

· Initiations where there are no Temples

· Moving the San Diego Deities.

At noon the meeting was adjourned for Gayatri chanting and puspanjali of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur in the temple. Upon returning to the meeting room, the attendees were surprised to find a large amount of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur’s maha prasadam at the refreshments table. Many took the opportunity to break their fasts until the meeting resumed.

After a brief proposal on financial accountability of ISKCON Leaders, Braja Bihari Das presented the work of ISKCON Resolve. He presented ISKCON’s system for dealing with conflicts which includes an Ombudsman office, mediation, dialogue, and the recently added arbitration service.

Braja Bihari said that there are two key principles that ISKCON’s system should be run on such as:

· “Fair Process”—that the process and decisions made are not unreasonable or arbitrary in nature.

· “Zero barrier”—The Ombudsman’s Office is meant to provide a credible, safe, and accessible place for all members, from top to bottom within ISKCON, to raise problems without fear of retaliation or repercussions.

ISKCON Resolve dealt with about 400 cases last year

Next was a report by Hari Sauri Das on behalf of Parthasarathi Das, a sergeant in the US Army in Iraq. He wished to share his preaching activities to the GBC Body and asked for their blessings. His preaching activities include:

· First Iraqi Ratha Yatra held on an army base

· Over 100 attendees at Govardhan Puja festival

· 750 books distributed via 15 smart boxes

· Weekly Bhagavad-gita classes and mantra meditation sessions for soldiers and Indian contractors

· A dozen soldiers chanting and performing service as a result of his preaching

· Daily worships salagrama silas and keeps Ugra Narasimha with him at all times, helping him assist dying victims to pass away in presence of the Lord.

The GBC were moved to hear of his bravery in the preaching field and Bhanu Swami, GBC Chairman, sent him a letter of appreciation.

Tamohara Das, Director of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection Office, presented his annual report as the final item of this morning’s session.

A major positive this year was the appointment of Mahavisnupriya Devi Dasi as Assistant Director. She will be mainly working on investigations and adjudications while Tamohara will focus more on preventative training and education.

Tamohara stated that he is willing to give seminars wherever required. He noted that although in 2007 there were some cases of reported abuse, there are fewer cases involving temple residents or schools. Most reports are within the larger congregation.

He noted that physical distance and service overload for the judges are major challenges in timely adjudication of cases.

The best solution for this is to ensure there are functioning regional offices and local Child Protection teams, the first line of defence in child abuse prevention.

 

Brazil is setting a good example in this regard.

Tamohara reported that the current budget of $60,000 is just adequate to maintain the activities of the Office. He ended his presentation by listing the contributors to the Office.

Radhanath Swami and Anuttama Das and his wife, Rukmini Devi Dasi, are major donors. The vast majority of the funding for the CPO comes directly from individual GBC members.

Afternoon meetings included the Moscow Project, Indian Regional Governing Body, and GBC Deputies.

 

[theist]

 

Next was a report by Hari Sauri Das on behalf of Parthasarathi Das, a sergeant in the US Army in Iraq. He wished to share his preaching activities to the GBC Body and asked for their blessings. His preaching activities include:

· First Iraqi Ratha Yatra held on an army base

· Over 100 attendees at Govardhan Puja festival

· 750 books distributed via 15 smart boxes

· Weekly Bhagavad-gita classes and mantra meditation sessions for soldiers and Indian contractors

· A dozen soldiers chanting and performing service as a result of his preaching

· Daily worships salagrama silas and keeps Ugra Narasimha with him at all times, helping him assist dying victims to pass away in presence of the Lord.

The GBC were moved to hear of his bravery in the preaching field ...

 

As am I.

[Sarva gattah]

 

 

Days 4-6 of the GBC Meetings

 

Praghosa prabhu

By Ananda Tirtha das

 

 

Tension was in the air as GBC member Praghosa Das traded insults and criticisms with ISKCON Resolve Director and meeting facilitator Braja Bihari Das during a presentation by Praghosa.

 

As the debate got uglier and began to resemble a “Daksa-yajna”, worried attendees looked to the Chairman to pacify the situation. Some considered leaving. Some were considering removing the two antagonists before the situation got out of control. The good will that had permeated the meetings thus far was being threatened. . . .

 

A few attendees, however, realized it was all an elaborate role play and began to call their bluff. Praghosa and Braja Bihari relaxed and broke into smiles, apologizing to the Body for any discomfort caused and explained that their purpose was to illustrate the result of disunity and disharmony.

 

The role play had a galvanizing effect on the GBC. Praghosa and his fellow committee members then presented their Strategic Planning report on the Team Building Committee. They will be conducting the annual GBC Retreat Day on March 2.

 

Thus February 26-28, days 4-6 of the GBC meetings, were devoted to Strategic Planning towards the future of the GBC and ISKCON. All other issues were put aside for the members to focus on Strategic Planning, as facilitated by Gopal Bhatta Das.

 

The basic format of the meetings continued: kirtan and reading from Srimad-Bhagavatam, plenary sessions, Gayatri recesses, smaller break-out meetings, and reporting from the sub-committees and break-out groups. The Strategic Planning Groups met in the afternoons. Strategic Planning has been a major focus of the GBC in the last few years.

 

“In October 2006 when the GBC met and talked about their vision of ISKCON, there was a lack of unified vision,” Gopal Bhatta noted.

 

“Since then, we came up with these committees and began our work. Today, seeing the progress, focus, intent, and clarity generated over these last few days, I feel thrilled.”

 

The importance of Strategic Planning was further highlighted by Radhanath Swami, who addressed the Body on the second day of Strategic Planning on the subject of the Seven Purposes of ISKCON as laid down by Srila Prabhupada upon ISKCON’s incorporation:

 

“These Seven Purposes are in essence teaching loving, caring Vaisnava relationships where we inspire each other to chant Hare Krsna, read Srimad-Bhagavatam, and make plans to preach this message.

 

Whatever organization or management planning we do is meant to exclusively facilitate execution of these purposes. Prabhupada emphasised that our work is in vain unless we develop a taste to chant Hare Krsna and inspire that in others. The devotees will be enthused and inspired in a loving, caring environment”, Radhanath Swami noted.

 

Two core queries submitted by the Strategic Planning Group for discussion were “What sort of changes would we like to see in the GBC in strategic planning in the next few years?” and “What sort of changes would we like to see in ISKCON based on this?”

 

The break-out groups threshed out these topics and reported their findings back to the whole GBC Body based on the categories of Building Community, Organizational Development, Leadership, Finances, Devotee Care, etc.

 

Another question given for discussion was “In the next two years, what cultural elements can we improve in the GBC Body that would assist in Strategic planning?”

 

This discussion generated many ideas, particularly on how to improve the effectiveness of the GBC meetings.

 

Highlights from the Strategic Planning Committees included the work done by the Constitution Committee and the Succession and Leadership Training Committee as presented by Anuttama Das.

 

Anuttama reminded the Body of the urgent need to find new future leaders for ISKCON. To this end, his team, headed by Yadunandana and Jaya Krsna Prabhu’s of Bhaktivedanta College (Radhadesh) are concentrating on creating a training course for current and future leaders.

 

Anuttama presented slides of the detailed outline of the course which would consist of six two-week sessions over two years focusing on both spiritual values, and leadership and management skills.

 

The curriculum would include topics such as Srila Prabhupada’s Teachings and Example, Vaisnava Behaviour, a Japa Retreat, Congregational Preaching, Communications, Property Management, Public Speaking, etc.

 

A large amount of the curriculum is already prepared and the plan is for the course to start later this year or early 2009 in the US and Russia. Some funds are required for completion of the curriculum.

 

Anuttama requested the Body for blessings as well as finding qualified applicants for the course. Attendees were enlivened by the committee’s meticulous planning and presentation, and Sesa Das spontaneously volunteered to help in the project.

 

Braja Bihari presented the work of the Srila Prabhupada’s Position Committee. For starters, Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu is writing a definitive 60 page paper on Srila Prabhupada’s unique position, and Sraddha Devi Dasi is writing a book on granddisciples’ experiences and relationship with Prabhupada.

 

The committee is also planning to create a website.

 

A preliminary report from the Devotee Care Committee stressed that caring for devotees and keeping them happy is foundational to ISKCON’s future. The Committee will create a website and conduct a survey among the devotees’ to hear about their needs.

 

The Strategic Planning meetings ended with loud applause and appreciation for all the devotees’ hard work. Bhanu Swami, GBC Chairman, commended Gopal Bhatta Prabhu’s effort in promoting Strategic Planning. To suit the schedule of devotees in other time zones, he sometimes attends conference calls at 1:30 am.

 

In turn, Gopal Bhatta thanked the GBC for engaging him in service and drew particular attention to the efforts of the core Strategic Planning Team of Ramai Swami, Braja Bihari Das, Kaunteya Das, Aniruddha Das and Laksmimoni Dasi.

 

The Strategic Planning Groups are as follows:

 

1. Constitution Committee

 

2. Succession and Leadership Training

 

3. Parallel Lines of Authority & Guru Issues

 

4. Team Building

 

5. Srila Prabhupada’s Position

 

6. Core Strategies/Book Distribution

 

7. Fund Raising

 

8. Devotee Care (recently-formed)

Other miscellaneous points of interest from Days 4-6:

 

· Kazak Edition of Bhagavad-gita presented to Srila Prabhupada. This is now the 55th language in which Bhagavad-gita has been printed.

 

· Srimad-Bhagavata Vidyapitha (Govardhan Sanskrit School) prospectus distributed to the Body Revati

 

· Satsvarupa Das Goswami’s resignation as GBC Emeritus was accepted

 

· Revati Raman Das, ISKCON Tirupati President, shared with the GBC the benefits of installing a Garuda Stambha in temples

[theist]

Forgive me but, "Yada Yada yada".

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

 

Forgive me but, "Yada Yada yada".

 

But this year ravindra svarupa is writing "a definitive 60 page paper on Srila Prabhupada’s unique position". So it really is a big change. He is going to write a booklet on the guru issue.

 

Oh wait. That's what he has been doing for the last 20 years.

[theist]

 

But this year ravindra svarupa is writing "a definitive 60 page paper on Srila Prabhupada’s unique position". So it really is a big change. He is going to write a booklet on the guru issue.

 

Oh wait. That's what he has been doing for the last 20 years.

 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

 

60 pages. Prabhupada has already covered that in one short sentence. "Acarya is self-effulgent."

[Sarva gattah]

 

 

Forgive me but, "Yada Yada yada".

 

The theist

 

[Beggar]

 

 

 

The theist

Srila Prabhupada - “Originally everyone is nitya-siddha. Nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti ’sadhya’ kabhu naya sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya Every living entity originally nitya-siddha, “. Srimad-Bhagavatam Class 7.9.4– Mayapur, February 18, 1977

 

 

 

 

Kramer could not have possibly come from Goloka. This is the final proof!

[theist]

Don't dis' Kramer. Don't be fooled by his outward persona. Does the word avadhuta mean anything to you?

 

I can't ever even read these synoposis' of the GBC meetings. So many words. So little meaning. Minimizing words and maximizing meaning is a more attract principle to me.

[gHari]

 

Kramer could not have possibly come from Goloka. This is the final proof!

At last an argument with some bite.

[Kulapavana]

 

Kramer could not have possibly come from Goloka. This is the final proof!

 

He fell from Shivaloka, an often overlooked source of many jivas in our universe

[Sarva gattah]

Quote:

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Interesting "Yada Yada Yada and more Yada".

 

 

 

 

 

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By Ananda Tirtha das

 

 

A mock debate between GBC members on the topic of “Unity in Diversity Across the Continents” ended in intriguing circumstances during the annual GBC Retreat day on March 2.

 

The debate was one of various activities on a day devoted to kirtana and krsna-katha in novel forms in the tranquil setting of the Jagannath Mandir.

 

The day began with the GBCs, Deputies, and Ministers honouring breakfast prasadam at Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi Mandir, following which they gathered in front of Srila Prabhupada for an invigorating kirtana by Lokanath Swami and re-taking of the Oath of Allegiance to Srila Prabhupada.

 

The GBC then traveled to the Jagannath Mandir, an ancient temple of Lord Jagannath in a quiet village setting, where Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra were gorgeously decorated replete with golden arms.

 

Lokanath Swami introduced the day’s theme, “Unity in Diversity,” as stipulated in a letter by Srila Prabhupada:

 

“I am therefore suggesting that all our men meet in Mayapur every year during the birth anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With all GBC and senior men present we should discuss how to make unity in diversity. But, if we fight on account of diversity, then it is simply the material platform. Please try to maintain the philosophy of unity in diversity. That will make our movement successful.”

 

Praghosa Das, Master of Ceremonies, announced the first activity: short pantomimed dramas on Prabhupada-lila. Four groups of GBCs enacted various incidents from Srila Prabhupada’s life, such as Prabhupada pacifying the disruptive Naxalite hooligans at the Calcutta pandal programme, Prabhupada mediating in the famous showdown between the sannyasis and grhasthas in Mayapur in 1976, Prabhupada sanctioning the use of frozen vegetables in Iran, and Prabhupada in Nairobi training Brahmananda to preach to the local African community.

 

At the end of each drama, the viewers had to guess which pastime was being depicted. Both actors and viewers thoroughly enjoyed the transcendental entertainment, particularly the way the actors depicted particular mannerisms of prominent early devotees.

 

The next event was the on-the-spot debate on Unity in Diversity. The two groups of protagonists each had 90 seconds to argue their points. Madhu Sevita Das, on the team arguing for the notion, commenced by stating that since modern means of communication have bridged the geographical divide, and as the culture of world becomes more homogenous, the same goals and problems are shared everywhere. Thus teaming up is possible and necessary.

 

Anuttama Das of the opposing party countered that we live in the age of quarrel where more and more countries are being created. Thus, unity is not possible.

 

Then Bhakti Vaibhava Swami pointed out that we are in the golden age where the maha-mantra will unite everyone for 10,000 years.

 

Dina Sharana Devi Dasi rubbished such claims of unity and said that after the meetings when she has to return to her field in Germany, she will be left to struggle alone.

 

To this, Ramai Swami kindly offered to visit Germany and stated that in the ecstasy of kirtana, not only devotees, but even the opposing elements will unite.

 

Sivarama Swami’s comment that the idea of going to Germany was simply to exploit that yatra brought peals of laughter from the audience. Bhanu Swami added that we have to be practical and first identify with our own diverse cultures, and also be humble enough to admit that unity is utopian.

 

To both the humour and dismay of Praghosa, whose purpose was to promote unity, the debating skills of the party arguing against the notion led the audience to pronounce them victors!

 

Next, Praghosa divided the attendees into their respective Strategic Planning Committees to discuss how “Unity in Diversity” can be utilized in their Committee’s aims.

 

Each group had half an hour to prepare a poem, dance, or song to illustrate to the gathering the points they had collected.

 

Once again the audience was treated to a surprisingly professional devotional performance of both historic and hypothetical events. The Succession Committee enacted a modernistic Los Angeles Ratha-yatra kirtana performance where a debate arose whether such music was bona fide.

 

The debate connected to the next scene, a flashback, in which a devotee was complaining to Srila Prabhupada about a devotee distributing books in civil clothes. Upon Srila Prabhupada hearing both sides of the story, he advised caution but agreed this was acceptable if it helps to reach people’s hearts.

 

The Srila Prabhupada’s Position Committee enacted a hilarious depiction from the first Mayapur Festival where devotees from around the world began to bicker with each other over their services speaking different languages like German, Spanish, French, and Italian. Suddenly, upon realizing Srila Prabhupada should be in the centre, they all began apologizing to each other and appreciating the other’s services. They also mysteriously developed the ability to converse in English!

 

Bir Krsna Maharaja of the Devotee Care Committee brought the house down as Upadhi-ananda Swami with his harsh treatment of a woman, child, and Bhakta Joe, while flattering a grhastha donor and GBC representative.

 

Sadhu Das (Kavicandra Swami) showed Upadhi-ananda Swami the error of his ways by reminding him that everyone is equal in Krsna consciousness, despite external differences, and how Prabhupada would treat everyone with kindness.

 

The Parallel Lines of Authority Committee, under the direction of early GBC member Madhudvisa Das, depicted the historical occasion of Prabhupada instructing his leading disciples to create the GBC after managerial issues arose between them.

 

They noted how in the beginning of ISKCON there was unity among the few devotees, then as ISKCON expanded and devotees were sent out to establish Krsna consciousness around the world, diversity arose.

 

The Constitution Committee also drew many laughs depicting the experience of a young couple, excellently played by Paramgati Swami and Bhaktimarga Swami, coming to the temple for the first time and treated in various comic ways by different devotees.

 

Inevitably they are turned off and scared away, following which the Temple President gathers the devotees to instruct them that although Prabhupada allowed diversity of opinion, unity also must be there and therefore they must devise a unified way of preaching to newcomers.

 

The day ended perfectly with prasadam for all at the Jagannath Mandir. Thus the GBC members tangibly followed Srila Prabhupada’s instructions to meet in Mayapur and focus on creating unity in diversity.

 

All agreed the experience was most memorable and enriching. Srila Prabhupada ki jai!

[Kulapavana]

 

...Bhakti Vaibhava Swami pointed out that we are in the golden age where the maha-mantra will unite everyone for 10,000 years.

 

Dina Sharana Devi Dasi rubbished such claims of unity and said that after the meetings when she has to return to her field in Germany, she will be left to struggle alone.

 

 

Apparently that 10,000 year period of unity has not started yet

[Beggar]

 

 

Then Bhakti Vaibhava Swami pointed out that we are in the golden age where the maha-mantra will unite everyone for 10,000 years.

 

Dina Sharana Devi Dasi rubbished such claims of unity and said that after the meetings when she has to return to her field in Germany, she will be left to struggle alone.

 

To this, Ramai Swami kindly offered to visit Germany and stated that in the ecstasy of kirtana, not only devotees, but even the opposing elements will unite.

 

Sivarama Swami’s comment that the idea of going to Germany was simply to exploit that yatra brought peals of laughter from the audience. Bhanu Swami added that we have to be practical and first identify with our own diverse cultures, and also be humble enough to admit that unity is utopian.

 

Bugs Bunny always beats Daffy Duck. As shaped by genius animator Chuck Jones—he didn't create the Warner Bros. icons, but he gave them their later looks and personalities—Bugs and Daffy represent polar opposites in how to deal with the world. Bugs is at ease, laid back, secure, confident. His lidded eyes and sly smile suggest a sense that he knows the way things work. He's onto the cons of his adversaries. Sometimes he is glimpsed with his elbow on the fireplace mantel of his remarkably well-appointed lair, clad in a smoking jacket. (Jones once said Cary Grant was his inspiration for Bugs. Today it would be George Clooney.) Bugs never raises his voice, never flails at his opponents or at the world. He is rarely an aggressor. When he is pushed too far and must respond, he borrows a quip from Groucho Marx: "Of course, you realize this means war." And then, whether his foe is hapless hunter Elmer Fudd, varmint-shooting Yosemite Sam, or a raging bull, Bugs always prevails.

__________________

Srila Prabhupada - “Originally everyone is nitya-siddha. Nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti ’sadhya’ kabhu naya sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya Every living entity originally nitya-siddha, “. Srimad-Bhagavatam Class 7.9.4– Mayapur, February 18, 1977

 

Srila Prabhupada -“The living entity should become purified and regain his svarūpa, his original identity” Srimad Bhagavatam 8.24.48

[Sarva gattah]

<!-- start 'content' --><!-- begin content -->Annual GBC Meeting Report presented to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava (watch & listen live)

 

By anandi on Wed, 2008-03-05 19:10.

 

 

 

 

Today 07:15 PM (IST, +5:30) the GBC chairman will present the Annual GBC Meeting Report for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha –Tattva, Nrsimhadev and Srila Prabhupada!

Watch and listen the presentation Live on live webcams.

 

The presentation will be followed by ecstatic kirtan by HH Radhanath Swami, HH Lokanath Swami & HG Aindra Prabhu.

 

Don’t miss a chance to capture the power of Sankirtan in Sri Mayapur dham. :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:

[suchandra]

 

<!-- start 'content' --><!-- begin content -->

Don’t miss a chance to capture the power of Sankirtan in Sri Mayapur dham

Good point, Krishna's Holy Name is the essence.

 

 

 

 

<embed src="

" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425">

[theist]

 

Apparently that 10,000 year period of unity has not started yet

No I don't think it has either. I believe one mistake that is made is that like the Jews waiting for the Messiah to defeat the Romans and establish the Kingdom of God on the earth in an external way most devotees of Mahaprabhu

are waiting for this 10,000 golden age to float down out of the sky external to themselves.

 

This is not how the Kingdom of God manifests on the earth. Just like the Lord enters the statue of Krishna on the altar through the hearts of His servants so does the Kingdom of God arrive through the hearts of His devoted servants.

 

As we enter internally into the Kingdom of God our external surroundings will become reflective of our Krishna consciousness and when enough have so entered we will be able to say this 10,000 year Golden Age has begun.

 

No one can live in the Kingdom of God without personally becoming a loyal and surrendered servant of the King.

[Sarva gattah]

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such beautiful Deities

 

[suchandra]

 

 

Latest News Hot off the Press from the GBC Meetings!

BY: ATMARAMA DAS

 

Mar 6, USA (SUN) — ISKCON finally recognizes that our Gurus need ongoing mandatory professional training.

 

Report of ISKCON Guru Seminar

 

Anuttama das, a member of the Guru Services Committee, reported that the committee had been studying how to help prepare devotees to serve Srila Prabhupada as initiating and instructing spiritual masters. The committee also considered how to offer support and peer association for devotees currently serving as gurus. To this end, in May 2007, about two dozen senior devotees met in Washington DC for four days of intensive planning. Attendees included ISKCON leaders, scholars and educators including Radhanath Swami, Bhakti Charu Swami, Ravindra Svarupa das, Jayapataka Swami, Rukmini dasi, Braja Bihari das, and others representing a cross-section of international devotees. Based on the work of that group and in coordination with Vaisnava Training and Education (VTE), the Guru Services Committee prepared a four-day seminar that was launched in Ujjain just prior to the current GBC meetings.

 

Anutttama's report prompted a discussion of the need for ongoing learning and Vaisnava association for all members of ISKCON. In this regard, Anuttama shared the following illumination from Prabhupada Lila (7-7):

 

• "Every morning Prabhupada would take a stroll to one of the nearby parks, sometimes with a few disciples and sometimes with only Sivananda. Sometimes while he walked along the waterfront, Prabhupada would ask about shipbuilding and related industries, and Krsnadasa would answer.. When Prabhupada asked Krsnadasa what the population of Hamburg was, he knew. Prabhupada began to jokingly call Krsnadasa "Stats," because he knew so many statistics.
  
  
  "One morning, while Stats was answering Prabhupada's questions about various cranes used in shipbuilding, Prabhupada turned to the others and said, "You see, although I am the guru and I am taking you back to Godhead, that doesn't mean that I cannot learn from him."
  
  

 

Attendees from the Ujjain seminar, including GBC members and gurus Prahladananda Swami and Madhu Sevita Das, expressed their strong endorsement of the seminar. They also offered their appreciation for the facilities provided at the new Ujjain temple, and commented how appropriate it was to hold the Guru Seminar in Ujjain, the place where Lord Krishna Himself attended the school of Sandipani Muni.

 

"This seminar will assist spiritual leaders to always remember that they are first and foremost servants of Srila Prabhupada," said Madhu Sevita. "We can feel Prabhupada's presence through spiritual association with our peers. I strongly suggest the GBC encourage all ISKCON gurus to attend this seminar." Bhakti Charu Swami offered to host the seminar annually in Ujjain and expressed his own need and gratitude for such association.

 

Topics covered in the seminar were then discussed. They include twelve core principles of spiritual leadership in ISKCON such as fidelity to Srila Prabhupada, allegiance to ISKCON, brahminical leadership, cooperation, unity, empowering disciples, and peer association and support. Other topics included care for disciples, relationship of the guru with ISKCON, maintaining spiritual health, and improving association with devotees.

 

Some GBC members suggested that attendance should be made mandatory to avoid the problems that arise when senior devotees become isolated, or lack peer support.

 

Based on the Ujjain experience, the Committee is fine tuning the seminar program and is planning a second level, or Guru Retreat, for leaders. It was suggested to schedule the next seminar alongside the next GBC meeting. This will be decided before the GBC meetings end.

 

Now we can all rest assured, that ISKCON gurus are going to be bonafide - that means truly qualified Gurus.

 

And who shall train them? Lean back, put your feet up and close your misty eyes, for it is none other than Braja Bihari - self-styled Corporate Acharya to the rescue! Braja Bihari the professional is here. He has the credentials. He has the walk and the talk of a slick Corporate Executive. He knows what to do. He is a professional. Come on, the guy was trained by professionals (TBP). He also comes with his band of merry men.

 

None of this hippie mentality. No amateurs around ISKCON anymore. No more tediously long hours reading and discussing the philosophy with your friends, then putting it into practice. This is the 21st Century folks! Get with the program!

 

Do the fast track ISKCON Guru Program (FTIGP).

 

Sign up now! Be quick, for the positions are filling fast. Sign your kids up before they are born so they don’t miss out!

 

Be quick to enjoy the privileges available to devotees for this year (2008) and this year only.

 

• 1. Full educational training packages. Work from the comfort of your own home, trailer or cave with our up-to-the minute fully online upgradeable Bachelor Degree course in Gurudom (BDG).
  
  
  2. Meet in secret locations for our Weekend Intensive Training Lifeskills Efficiency Scheme (WITLES). Date and times disclosed by Danda Mail (DM).
  
  
  3. Bask in the glory of our universally certified Guru Degree (GD) program upon course completion.
  
  
  4. Seek higher credentials with our super-duper advance GD course - the Masters course (MGD).
  
  
  5. Put your mind at ease with our ongoing support package, which includes the new 24hr hotline - Guru Help Desk (GHD).
  
  

 

Sign up now and you will also receive your ‘wanna have’

sidha pranali

badge of distinction by Danda Mail, in advance.

 

Stay tuned for the yet to be released Sannyasi Fast Track Training Package (SFTTP) and the Bhakta-to-Guru in ten easy steps program (BTG).

 

Come on GBC, what are you thinking? Are you guys so easily influenced? Take a good long hard look at Braja Bihari. Is he really believable? Do you all really believe that the way to develop our movement is to listen to him or his co-workers? Have you ever asked the question that if a Spiritual Master needs training, is there is something wrong?

 

I remember the first Chairman of the GBC Executive Board, HDG Harikesa Swami, saying something about the child of his live-in therapist cum wife being Srila Prabhupada, and how he would now train Srila Prabhupada so that he would get it right this time! That is from the lips of the devotee you all voted in. The one you all went running after. The devotee who started this Ministry for Educational Development! The devotee who gave Braj Bihari his entrance into the abodes of power…

 

But seriously, if you want to find out exactly what platform Braja Bihari is on please read "

Bagels Ki Jaya!!!

".

 

Search on the web for Credentialism and Professionalism. Then look up Secularism and Corporatization. Maybe then you will know what he is doing! I know it is harder than listening to him, but seriously you really need to educate yourself in western thought before you go running around all excited about whatever he utters from his mouth. You think that you control him, don’t you? But really he is controlling you. WAKE UP! JIVA JAGO!

 

 

[Beggar]

 

"We can feel Prabhupada's presence through spiritual association with our peers. ..."

 

This is not what Srila Rupa Goswami advises. He advises that if we want to advance (which includes, feeling Prabhupada's presence) then we should associate with sadhus who are more advanced, in the same devotional mood (sakhya, madhurya), and affectionate towards us (snigdha). The GBC has painted themselves and their charges into a politically motivated corner and it must therefore be justified through apasiddhanta.

[son_of_erin2000]

love this picture wonder if they have one of george to

[AncientMariner]

 

Apparently that 10,000 year period of unity has not started yet

 

Yep I am still waiting on the peace and harmony of the Age of Aquarius and all that although I am getting more and more skeptical that it will ever arrive. Seems like wishful thinking a lot of the time but who knows maybe someday.

[suchandra]

 

Yep I am still waiting on the peace and harmony of the Age of Aquarius and all that although I am getting more and more skeptical that it will ever arrive. Seems like wishful thinking a lot of the time but who knows maybe someday.

Peace and harmony = unity in diversity? Thoughts by Hare Krishna Journal editor Krishna-kirti prabhu.

 

Taking Unity in Diversity Seriously

 

Submitted by krishna-kirti on Thu, 03/06/2008 - 00:47. Over at Dandavats is a report that the GBC has been trying to engage the topic of "Unity in Diversity":

 

A mock debate between GBC members on the topic of “Unity in Diversity Across the Continents” ended in intriguing circumstances during the annual GBC Retreat day on March 2. The debate was one of various activities on a day devoted to kirtana and krsna-katha in novel forms in the tranquil setting of the Jagannath Mandir.

 

(Ananda Tirtha das, "GBC Breaks Meetings for Day of Retreat", 4 Mar. 2008 Dandavats, <

http://www.dandavats.com/?p=5430

>)

 

However, the fact that this was a mock debate raises this question: When does the real Unity in Diversity debate between GBC members and those who think differently from them begin?

Taking the Unity in Diversity debate seriously means doing the following, in this order:

1. Indentify the differing points of view.
   
2. Find out what those who differ with you agree on with you.
   
3. Conjointly (not separately) ascertain which ideas in each group can be reconciled, and if not, why not?

Otherwise, if this approach isn't followed, then what we end up discussing in the name of "unity in diversity" are mundane multi-culturalist platitudes. The phrase "unity in diversity" is, after all, a well-worn phrase in contemporary Western culture. That is why we cannot take for granted that we know what the term means.

To begin with, the major, differing points of view extant in ISKCON are more or less divided along these lines:

• Progressives/Liberals
  
• Traditionalists
  
• Philosophical Idealists

Each social category more or less rests on these respective philosophical foundations:

• Subjectivist ideologies, especially philosophical pragmatism, consequentialism, socialism, postmodernism, feminism, etc.
  
• Literalism with tradition serving as the cultural and textual context in which anything is interpreted.
  
• Philosophical idealism, which posits that all that exists is fundamentally comprised of ideas.

The first group of ideologies all share the characteristic that human experience is the start-and-end point of all possible understanding. In these ideologies, values are not fixed, they are changeable and are valid insofar as they are suitable to a purpose, which may or may not belong to that of the values holder. Theistic permutations of this group of ideologies typically hold all but the highest, most abstract ideals as subject to acceptance and rejection at the discretion of the person who receives these ideas.

The second group of ideologies is simpler to categorize because it is easily recognizeable across different cultures. It is characterized by what is known as scriptural literalism. If God lifted Govardhana Hill, then He lifted Govardhana Hill. Any other understanding is unacceptable to the literalist. However, there is one characteristic of this group that is not as easily identified by those who aren't at heart literalists: the role of tradition. For literal traditionalists, tradition forms the context within which any particular statement in scripture is understood. There are other literalists who selectively reject or minimize scripture wherever it conflicts with current doctrines they might uphold. Because this latter group uses tradition in more of a utilitarian or pragmatic fashion, they belong more with the subjectivists than they do the traditionalists.

 

 

The third group of ideologies is quite rare in ISKCON, but some follow it. This category sees everything existing first as a mental construct, specifically Krishna's mental construct, which is then transposed into the world we live in.

This group is closely aligned with the literal traditionalists because both accept, as a tenet of faith, that categories are real, not simply mental constructs. Both of these groups reject the nominalist view that only particulars are real. They are essentialists, meaning that things have an essence and one can know their essence. This puts ISKCON's literal traditionalists and the philosophical idealists at odds with ISKCON's subjectivists on a number of important issues.

The problem with the GBC's mock debate is that the GBC itself is more or less comprised of subjectivists. They all think alike in the sense that they believe variously that truth is a means by which existing realities can be changed. The GBC is very much a "be-here-now" group of people.

In one sense, the immediacy of management is liable to condition people who are basically managers to adopt a pragmatic, managerial approach to whichever issue they happen to address at any given moment, which suggests that management itself tends to predispose managers to prefer subjectivist ideologies and techniques founded on subjectivist ideologies.

Yet this is the problem: When everyone is more or less a subjectivist, and hence is, in management speak, "already on the same page", then how does a mock debate adequately prepare one for debating with people who think differently? It doesn't, and hence the skills gathered in the "mock debate" will never adequately prepare them to debate with anyone other than a mock opponent.

Of course, the debates featured differing points of view that had to be contested, but those represented were either liberal charictures of traditionalist views or were basically the same point of view that differed only in means rather than in ends.

Although this did not appear to be a part of the Unity in Diversity meeting, it seems that Bir Krishna Swami and Kavicandra Swami presented what appears to have been a mean-spirited charicature of traditionalist values and ideas as part of the conference entertainment:

 

Bir Krsna Maharaja of the Devotee Care Committee brought the house down as Upadhi-ananda Swami with his harsh treatment of a woman, child, and Bhakta Joe, while flattering a grhastha donor and GBC representative.

 

The name "upadhi-ananda" literally means someone who finds bliss in impositions, or imposing limitations on others. "Upadhi" is literally "imposition" or "limitation." Kavicandra Swami playing the character Sadhu-das delivered the very limited Upadhi-ananda Swami from "the errors of his ways" by reminding him that Srila Prabhupada was socially egalitarian.

Of course, both Bir Krishna Swami and Kavichandra Swami are both known as being ISKCON leaders who are very liberal and to some extent favorable to accommodation with Western social values. As per the article, that this skit "brought the house down" shows that their values are very much shared by other top ISKCON leaders. The two swamis' skit and its enthusiastic acceptance points to the homogeneity of values based on subjectivist philosophies among ISKCON's upper cadres.

It is this homogeneity of thinking that should be of most concern to all of us in ISKCON, especially considering that there are many in ISKCON, particularly traditionalists, who do not share their way of thinking. Since there are significant numbers of devotees who do not share their thinking, prefering closer adherence to tradition in both interpretive and managerial areas, then what the GBC needs to do is actually try to talk to them--that is, if they are serious about implementing Unity in Diversity beyond mere appearance of being concerned about it. Forget about the "mock debates", go out and talk to some real traditionalists if you are serious about Unity in Diversity.

Perhaps if a traditionalist were allowed to play the Upadhi-ananda swami, despite its mean-spirited name, the swami might remind remind Sadhu das that it was this lack of limitation that has underlied much of ISKCON's turmoil almost from its beginning. Srila Prabhupada also reminded his disciples that their difficulty in being able to avoid illicit sex was strongly tied to their taste for associating closely with the opposite sex, and widespread inability to avoid illicit sex has not only hurt the spiritual progress of many devotees personally but has also undermined faith in ISKCON's spiritual leadership.

An Upadhi-ananda Swami played by a real traditionalist would remind Sadhu das and, perhaps, a shocked audience that imposition is unavoidable. If the GBC would allow an authentic traditionalist to play the Swami, the character could nicely explain that either we accept the direction of the Vedas, as distasteful and inegalitarian the social system called Varnashram may appear to Western sensibilities; or we accept the imposition of material nature, or maya, and forget about going back to Godhead.

In terms of public policy, a varnashram society privileges sexual restraint over career opportunity, because without sexual restraint it is all but impossible to make spiritual advancement. Traditionalists argue that sexual restraint is more important than career opportunity. Not being able to become a GBC or temple president will not prevent one from going back to godhead, but inability to avoid sexual infidelity, or discouraging others from being able to remain celibate or chaste, will prevent one from returning back to Godhead.

As a society, ISKCON has never done particularly well in helping its initiated members remain celibate. This is something ISKCON's liberals and conservatives both agree on.