The Honor of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami

[krsna]

 

BY: HARI DASA

 

 

 

Oct 5, USA (SUN) — Recently, there has been many negative things being said about my Nama Guru and dearmost wellwisher- His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami. Maharaja, as most of you know, left his body rather recently after an intense and extremely painful fight with melanoma skin cancer.

 

 

The level of pain cannot be conceived by those who have not experienced cancer. Not only that, but the sheer inconvenience of not being able to move and to be cared for so intimately ( including being assisted to perfom bodily functions such as going to the bathroom and being bathed), for a travelling and dynamic preacher cannot be understood by those of us still able to walk around without the aid of any assistance. Under the circumstances, it is highly insensitive and offensive to make judgements in regards to someone who gave so much of himself to so many. I kindly beg the reader to read the evidences below and to use plain and simple logic to conclude that Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja was a selfless soul who harmed no one and always stayed loyal to Srila Prabhupada despite being abused and minimised himself.

 

 

Some are doubting Maharaja’s authenticity due to some supposed historical background involving events surrounding Kirtanananda Swami over 20 years ago. Some are being sceptical as to why Maharaja would sometimes wear non sanyassi clothing to certain preaching engagements. Some are saying that Maharaja had no business writing books on leadership and psychic phenomena.

 

 

I fail to realise why some wish to discredit Maharaja in such a way in light of his considerable achievements. Those that knew Maharaja well enough knew that he didn’t think small, but wanted to reach as many people as possible. Some sanyassi’s criticised Maharaja’s first publication “Spiritual Warrior 1- uncovering spiritual truths in psychic phenomena”.

 

 

Maharaja used this publication as a bridge preaching tool and it worked- 50+ of persons who read this book became his disciples and fully fledged members of Iskcon.

 

 

Maharaja also preached to heads of state, v.i.p’s, celebrities , sports stars etc… and to facilitate this he wore clothing that enhanced his appearance as a Guru/ consultant etc….under these circumstances, the traditional sanyassi cloth may have looked slightly understated due to the impression he had to make.

 

 

I should not have to explain why my Guru did the things he did or why he was the way he was- that was the way it was with him and he was successful.

 

 

The best possible explanation to give would be to provide evidence of just how successful Maharaja was and how appreciated he was in Iskcon. It would appear that some may hold the opinion that the only empowered leader in Iskcon is Srila Prabhupada. Of course he is the most empowered, but a true leader does not keep such empowerment for himself-he also empowers OTHERS. To minimise those that preach sincerely on behalf of Srila Prabhupada is to minimise our founder/Acarya himself. This is the parampara system- to follow and preach.

 

 

In my times of personal service to Maharaja, I saw that he was always giving himself to others, he made himself available to one and all from after the morning class until late at night. One disciple stated that Maharaja came back from Africa to America and after a long flight, he stayed up all night answering correspondence. The disciple said to Maharaja- “you have had a long flight and it is late-why not rest?” Maharaja replied “These people have spent so much time writing these letters and have faith that I can help them, some may be distressed-it is the least I can do that I respond as quickly as possible”

 

 

In the hope that the sincere recognise the harm in criticising advanced and empowered vaisnavas, I present a report from one of Maharajas tours, this report will show just how an active preacher Maharaja really was.

 

 

Also included are two sample appreciations from the BBT and the GBC, Iskcon’s guiding authorities. The samples and reports are quite long but worth reading.

 

Your servant,

 

Hari dasa

 

 

 

 

 

European Tour: August – October 2003

 

 

Below are highlights of H.H. Bhakti-Tirtha Swami’s tour of Europe. He addressed the media almost daily on ways to minimize social degradation, increase authentic spirituality, business ethics, principle centered leadership and strategies for world peace. He had about one hundred interviews on radio, TV, newspapers and magazines. Many times he appeared on the most popular national TV stations and main newspapers. Several times full page interviews in the papers and even front-page coverage. Some of the TV programs aired all over CIS, i.e. population of 300 million people. He met in most cities he visited with leaders in business, education, religion, politics and social services. Maharaj was received as an African king, a scholar of international relationships, a vaishnava guru and an author of 15 books now being translated into 13 different languages. While doing all of these engagements, often five programs a day, he gave classes at the local temples, met with groups of his disciples, and gave private darshans to as many devotees in each area as he could. He gave almost 20 seminars and workshops to the devotee community and constantly led awesome kirtans. As usual he will use some of the media coverage for his own TV show in USA and some of the seminar material for his next book. In a few days he starts his next tour in Africa and later in Australia.

 

 

ITALY

 

1) One week festival for Pandava Senas, he gave seminars for 200 students on:

a) “Choosing Love over Fear”

b) “Reflecting on the Agenda of the Demons”

 

IRELAND

 

1) TV interviews – a) BBC Interview on arrival

a) BBC coverage of Initiation ceremony

2) He taught a three-day workshop on the Island at Inis Rath for 60 students on “Transforming anger”

3) Meeting with gurukulis from all over Ireland.

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 

1) Three day seminar at Soho temple for 150 students – “Transforming fear to love”

2) Course at Bhaktivedanta Manor – “Servant leadership”

3) Class in East London for young professionals – “The paranormal in connection with spirituality”

4) Workshop at six day Krsna camp retreat – “Creating and identifying miracles in our lives”

5) Initiations

 

BOSNIA

 

1) Class on “Mission and vision for the devotee community”

2) Public lecture on “Dreams” in connection with a drama on the same topic, 300 guests

3) Public book signing program featuring the Croatian editions of his books “Reflections on Sacred Teachings series”.

 

CROATIA

 

1) Krsna Janmastami public program, Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day celebration

2) Workshop at yearly one week summer camp and festival – “Conquering over anger” 350 students

3) 20th anniversary celebration for ISKCON in ex-Yugoslavia – class on his earlier visit to the former communist Yugoslavia 26 years ago

4) Interfaith conference in Lika – Croatia

5) Visit to future rural community in Lubena - Lecture on “Rural development”

6) Meeting with politicians

7) Met with Croatian former ambassador to India, UK and Italy Dr Drago Stambuk – Maharaj encouraged him to enter again into politics but as servant leader. Gave him Leadership book.

8) Assistant to the president was given Leadership book

9) Met with Head of the Seven Day of Adventist for the country and Head of Buddhism for the country

10) Met with president representative to religion

11) Met with delegation from Indian embassy

12) Interview for Woman magazine “Gloria”

13) TV interview for national TV

14) 14. Gave initiations

 

UKRAINE

 

Odessa

 

1) Yearly festival. Five days workshop on “Resolving conflicts in our lives”, 700 students in course. Dnepropetrovsk

1) 3 days Ratha-Yatra festival, gave several lectures

2) TV appearances:

a) Channel 5 – “Good Morning Zaporozye”

b) Channel II – “A New Day”

3) Lectures at National University of Zaporozye introduced by the president of the University; National Mining University

4) Interview for local paper “Evening Dnepropetrovsk”

5) Met with two vice Mayors of the city

6) Met with head of Trade Union for the country Ilya S. Briskin, accepted an offer to be a partner with him in his role as leader of the international Handicap Organization

7) Met with Igor G. Hinen, famous Soviet scientist who created the missile, which established military balance of power between USA and the Soviet Republic. Maharaj gave him copies of his Leadership books and they agreed to work together in creating a national conference for educators and scientist to focus on world peace and character development in leadership.

8) Met with businessman and sports head Kachurovsky Dmitrij. He was already reading Bhakti-Tirtha Swami’s books and Maharaj made himself available for answering his questions and consultation.

 

Kiev

 

1) TV interviews

a) 1+1 channel – “Breakfast show” (biggest station in Ukraine)

b) New channel- “Wake up”

c) New channel – Zone of Night” (one hour program)

2) Newspaper and Magazine interviews:

a) “Keshatie” – The government newspaper

b) “Facts” – very popular paper

c) “Today” – biggest paper in Ukraine

d) “Partner” – business magazine

e) “Contracts” –business magazine

3) Press conference at Press center – Main TV stations and representatives from over 15 media houses came.

4) Lecture to the managers of “Aska Insurance company”

5) Visited Lavra Monastery – world famous where monks took life vows to live separately in small dark caves with no association but prayer

6) Gave seminar at temple on “Divya Mada”, i.e. divine madness

 

Alcevsk

 

1) TV & Radio Interviws

a) Free lance TV – to send to various net works

b) “Asket” – short interview for news

c) “Public radio”

2) Lecture at Donbass University of Mining and Metallurgy – “The Leader of the future” (mining is the main profession in this state). he was introduced by the vice mayor of the city, professor Anatoly Novak who had been reading Leadership Vol.1, he spoke very highly of it and was delighted to met the author and Maharaj gave him Vol.2.

3) Three day seminar at the temple on “Strengthening the vaisnava communities”

4) Had special sauna bath at a business company where he later consulted several devotee businessmen and their associates.

 

Lugank

 

1) Met with devotees in the city before leaving Ukraine.

 

RUSSIA

 

Perm

 

1) “Perm underground”, TV interview on main channel

2) “Fourth Eye” – he was asked to give a one hour TV interview on advice for the leaders of the country before the elections

3) Radio interview

4) Press conference and meetings with officials of the city government. They all gave him gifts and he as usual gave them books and prasadam

5) Visited major orphanage to learn and discuss possibilities for International help

6) Meeting with a group of professors, accepting questions on vaishnavism and the role of religion in peace making

7) Lectures at University of Perm – Met with Rector and lectured to students studying politics, sociology and psychology on “Globalization: its problems and benefits”. Lecture on business ethics to over 200 guests

 

Ekaterinburg

 

1) TV and local newspapers interview. Public lectures on “The need for authentic religion”.

 

Vladivostok

 

1) Five days festival and seminar on “Increasing trust in devotees and in Krsna”

 

Kazan

 

1) TV programs:

a) “Alone with all”

b) “News in Tatrastan”

c) “Kazan Times”

2) Newspaper and magazine interviews:

a) Internet Newspaper

b) “New Evening”

c) “Youth of Tatarstan”

d) “Truth of Lenins followers”

e) “Followers of Lenin in Tatarstan”

f) “Alphisha magazine

 

Krasnodar

 

1) TV interview – Local news interview at arrival and at temple next morning after Srimad-Bhagavatam class.

 

Rostov

 

1) TV Interviews:

a) Channel Pulse “News”

b) Channel 38 “We have a guest” – (one hour) host gave Maharaj gifts on the show.

2) Newspaper – “Seventh main city” – article and picture on front page of paper

3) Met with professor Buzknev – he over sees interfaith concerns for the government.

 

Moscow

 

1) TV interviews and radio

a) 1st channel “Big wash” – very popular talk show airs all over CIS, i.e. 300 million people and interview with 8 other famous TV personalities recording for yearly TV award ceremony.

b) “Good morning on NTV” – an interview on what message he is sharing with leaders he is meeting in the country

c) “Teleinform” – 30 minutes TV interview on his achievements in Africa as a traditional ruler, author and guru

d) “Moscow Fm 91.2” – main radio and TV interview on politics

e) “Moscow speaks” – radio program, 30 minutes

2) “The world of news” – newspaper interview on nation building, full page.

3) Meeting with businessmen at “Russian club”.

 

Divnomorsk

 

1) TV interview – channel 33 “Novorosiysk“; two interviews, one at hotel and the other in studio.

2) Met with Director of the Hotel retreat facility, her board and local officials

3) Met with daughter of Mayor twice

4) Met with Mayor assistant

5) Initiated devotees

6) Five days seminar on “Gaining our Freedom from the False Ego”, 2000 students in his classes.

 

 

 

 

 

Dear disciples and servants of Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja, On the departure of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja, we write to you with mixed sadness and joy--sadness because we miss him and because his presence cannot be replaced, joy because he was glorious both in his life and in his departure. He showed the qualities of a first-class devotee, always thinking of the welfare of others, thinking of how to bring them to the lotus feet of Krsna and nourish and support them in Krsna consciousness. With dedication, boldness, and expertise, he served as a pioneer in securing orders for full sets of Srila Prabhupada's books from libraries throughout America. And later, at great risk, he traveled throughout Eastern Europe during the Communist regime and placed Srila Prabhupada's books--books teaching the science of Krsna--in the libraries of officially godless states. He was dear to the heart of Srila Prabhupada, who expressed so much pleasure at regularly hearing the news of his accomplishments. We think of him with pride as a true son of Srila Prabhupada, a hero for the BBT, and an example of pure devotional service for people throughout the world, now and yet to come. He personally lived the teachings given in the books and taught others how to live them. Chanting and dancing with ecstatic abandon, strictly following the rules of devotional life, materially detached, attached to Krsna, worshiping the Lord with great devotion, he deepened and strengthened among devotees wherever he went the spirit of love for Krsna, and for one another. He was unafraid to innovate, to try new ways to bring others to Krsna consciousness, yet he always carefully preserved and delivered the essence of the message. He dedicated his whole life to Krsna, the Absolute Truth, and finally he defeated death by dying before death came. May you continue to be ever enlivened by his teachings, ever inspired by his example, and ever dedicated to his service. And may we humbly continue to serve together, following his glorious example.

 

 

 

Your servants, The BBT directors and trustees Bhima Dasa, Brahma Muhurta Dasa, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Jayadvaita Swami, Madhusevita Dasa, Satyanarayana Das,a Svavasa Dasa.

 

 

 

Also assembled for the annual meeting of the BBT Gopala Bhatta Dasa, Govinda Das,a Govinda Madhava Dasa, Hanuman Dasa, Janananda Dasa, Naresvara Dasa, Nimai Pandit Das,a Pranada Devi Dasi, Ranjit Dasa, Rupa-Sanatana Dasa, Sura Dasa, Tamraparni Dasa, Tattvavit Dasa.

 

 

GBC STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF HH BHAKTI TIRTHA SWAMI

 

 

 

Today we reflect on Bhakti-tirtha Swami's many extraordinary accomplishments in the service of Srila Prabhupada [iSKCON's founder] and recall with deep gratitude the immeasurable ways, both great and small, that he inspired our Krishna consciousness, strengthened our communities, and touched our hearts.

 

 

 

During his 33 years of service to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, His Holiness Bhakti-tirtha Swami:

 

* Was the founder of the Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology which, molded by his hands, became a powerful instrument in spreading Krishna consciousness,

* Systematically developed bold and unconventional methods to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the world and thus reach those unapproachable by traditional means,

* As a dynamic member of the original BBT Library Party, introduced Srila Prabhupada's books to universities and libraries in the United States, Europe, and behind the "iron curtain" with deep conviction and enthusiasm, and often at great personal risk,

* Wrote two dozen books that explore the techniques and substance of Krishna consciousness, winning the acclaim of international experts for bringing his profound spiritual perspective into the fields of leadership and personal growth,

* Was a spiritual counselor to heads of state, and developed the art of winning their support to facilitate the spread of Krishna consciousness,

* Was honored with the position of High Chief of an African tribe, and thus demonstrated his expertise in connecting foreign cultures to Vaishnavism and making them fertile grounds for offering Krishna consciousness,

* Set a profound example of being strict with himself while lenient with others, through his unparalleled habits of personal austerity and service and compassion for others,

* Was chaste yet broadminded; chaste to Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON, while touching the hearts of those outside of ISKCON and spiritualists throughout the world,

* Had compassion for suffering souls, and tried to help them by offering seminars to honestly confront issues that plague us in the modern world such as domestic abuse, depression, and suicide,

* Provided regular guidance to hundreds of disciples in their spiritual life, and was a voice of insight, consultation and inspiration for many god-brothers and god-sisters,

* Was a voice for those that had no voice, and was a powerful example to all he met that no obstacle is this world is insurmountable if met with determination, enthusiasm, and full faith in the mercy of the Supreme Lord and His pure devotees,

* Had a powerful and positive influence on ISKCON's Governing Body Commission, because he knew the art of dealing with understanding and affection, thus proving that loving dealings are the basis of our society,

* Showed by his example how to develop intimate and caring relationships among devotees, and the importance of providing first and foremost for their necessities in devotional life,

* In the last stage of his life he was absorbed in hearing Krishna-katha, and he left this world surrounded by loving devotees and the transcendental sound vibration of the Holy Name.

 

 

 

We, the Governing Body Commissioners of ISKCON, express our profound bereavement at his passing. We miss him deeply as we remember and glorify his exemplary life of service to Srila Prabhupada. May his presence, wisdom and love be felt by all of us for many years to come.

 

[Guest guest]

 

Some are doubting Maharaja’s authenticity due to some supposed historical background involving events surrounding Kirtanananda Swami over 20 years ago. Some are being sceptical as to why Maharaja would sometimes wear non sanyassi clothing to certain preaching engagements. Some are saying that Maharaja had no business writing books on leadership and psychic phenomena.

 

 

I fail to realise why some wish to discredit Maharaja in such a way in light of his considerable achievements. Those that knew Maharaja well enough knew that he didn’t think small, but wanted to reach as many people as possible. Some sanyassi’s criticised Maharaja’s first publication “Spiritual Warrior 1- uncovering spiritual truths in psychic phenomena”.

 

 

 

The reason some devotees are doubting Bhakti Tirtha Swami's authenticity is because they are intelligent and can realize that he is not an authentic Vaishnava, what to speak of an authentic Gaudiya Vaishnava.

 

Bhakti is defined in Rupa Gosvami's works as being devoid of mundane empiricism and fruitive action. But Bhakti Tirtha Swami's preaching is exactly the opposite - it is couched in mundane information regarding weird personality cults, UFOs, alien beings and other rubbish that primarily appeals to members of the Western new-age, counter-culture.

 

Practically nothing in his books is presented with even a shred of supporting evidence. Bhakti-Tirtha Swami claims to have knowledge of all these things because he "accesses higher dimensions." This is bogus. Genuine Vaishnavas have only these methods of acquiring right knowledge: guru, sadhu, and sastra.

 

Lord Krishna explains in Bhagavad-Gita 16.23 that one cannot obtain the supreme goal without being loyal to the scriptural injunctions, or in other words, dharma. Bhakti-Tirtha Swami thumbed his nose at these words of the Lord by claiming in 2003 that homosexuals were considered auspicious in Vedic culture (again without proof). Thus, he participated in the attempt to legitimize homosexuality even though it is against the standards of dharma and against his own spiritual master's unequivocal views on the subject.

 

When asked by some ISKCON leaders to authenticate his views regarding homosexuality and other deviations, Bhakti-Tirtha Swami flew into a rage and began attacking the doubters, claiming they were all offensive to him. An online archive showcasing Bhakti-Tirtha's rabid attacks and unconvincing rebuttals can be found at http://siddhanta.org/articles/speculation/btswami/

 

Clearly, if one cannot doubt what is obviously rubbish for fear that one will be labeled as an offender, then there is no way one can object to nonsense that is being propagated in the name of "preaching." In this way, ISKCON has successfully created a mythos surrounding BHakti-Tirtha Swami that emphasizes only his accomplishments while neglecting the very frank and obnoxious deviations that he is guilty of.

 

Bhakti-Tirtha Swami followers are quick to plead in his defense that the Swami has passed away, that he suffered from metastatic melanoma, that he endured so much pain, that he preached successfully to many world leaders, that he attracted so many people to ISKCON, etc. But these things do not make one a bona fide Vaishnava guru. It cannot be the case that having so many accomplishments excuses one from having certain excesses. In other words, when it comes to be authentic, there is nothing like being "50% authentic." One is either fully faithful to the principles, practices, and teachings of the previous acharyas, or one is not.

 

ISKCON claims that Bhakti-Tirtha Swami got metastic melanoma because a year earlier he had prayed to take the sins of the world onto himself in a Vyasa Puja offering. In fact, people get malignant melanoma for failing to get a full physical exam by a physician, who can easily recognize the lesion if a complete skin exam is performed. If Bhakti-Tirtha Swami wanted to get malignant melanoma, then why did he waste thousands of his disciples' dollars trying to get "treatment" at a new age spa in Mexico? Just for your kind information, the spa therapy he undertook at his disciples' expense was completely bogus. If he truly wanted to suffer, then why was he looking for spa therapy? Is this very proper for a man who is in the renounced order of life?

 

As mentioned before, ISKCON is constructing an elaborate mythology surrounding Bhakti-Tirtha Swami because it needs exemplars, even fake ones. ISKCON has a history of frequent guru fall-downs and perversions. So when one of its gurus leaves the world without a scandal under his belt, it is a cause for celebration. One can debate whether this sort of propaganda machine is really honest or not (clearly it is not), but the point remains that it is not the truth.

 

Believe whatever you wish. The fact of the matter is that most ISKCON devotees will never question this one-sided propaganda about Bhakti-Tirtha Swami because they are taught to follow and not think (for fear that they will be excommunicated). But the facts remain that Bhakti-Tirtha Swami's preaching differs markedly from that of Srila Prabhupada's.

 

It is very hypocritical that when Narayana Maharaja appeared on the scene and preached about rasika topics to ISKCON devotees, the ISKCON GBC banned him on the pretext that his preaching "differs markedly from that of Srila Prabhupada." Yet, when it is one of their own, claiming that homosexuals are auspicious and that one can access higher dimensions as Bhakti Tirtha Swami, then the ISKCON GBC looks the other way? What is the difference? THe difference is that Narayana Maharaja was challenging the authority of the GBC, while Bhakti Tirtha Swami did not.

 

So, in other words, ISKCON GBC is more interested in protecting its authority than in enforcing the siddhanta.

 

Shame on them.

[Guest guest]

hare krishna

 

jaya srila prabhupada !

 

are you a follower of narayan maharaja; if so kindly you should to know, when asked in isckon journal about 'malicious ritvik'teachings he said that such a word does not exist in vaishnava language

 

I was curious, chacked the ritviks and found in the bhagavtam 32 derivatiefs of that word including that word self

 

you get the point>???????????????????????????????

 

 

tirtha maharaja didnt wish to debate with me in front of the deities about changed bhagavad gita by advaita maharaja

aproving and defending the view of ofenders of orders of his divine grace to not changed NOTHING in his all books!!!

 

I red the letter of his ex student which he send to africa for preaching just to get rid of her and evrything she knows about one case he got with another his student

 

severe injuries she got in africa...

 

he just answered from his bad on that very long letter that he thanks that she is been remebering him....

 

it was replayed by some of his attendents

 

jaya srila prabhupada remember this

 

srila prabhupada teach us from his books which are not changed and senior devoties MUST give us inspiration to go on...

 

mirza

[vijay]

"But Bhakti Tirtha Swami's preaching is exactly the opposite - it is couched in mundane information regarding weird personality cults, UFOs, alien beings and other rubbish that primarily appeals to members of the Western new-age, counter-culture. "

 

His books attracted people to full fledged devotional service he many times said it was a bridge preaching tool.

 

Bhaktivinod takhur also wrote things which are completely not vaishnava not even gaudiya vaishnava such as the avataras representing evolution and the rasas representing mundane evolution of societies, as well as giving sholorly dates on when the vedas were written and whom (other than vyas) Although he knew the truth he used it to get the british to accept vaishnavism as a first step. All this is completely against what you interpret as vaishnavism.

 

 

As for dressing up funky, bhaktisidhnata maharaj explained by his example we can use anything in the service for krishna by coming to radahkund in a suited in a car, showing the fault finding babajis that anything can be used in service, the dress of sanyas is supposed to be used in service but krishna conciousness is above even the material designation of sanayas.

 

As for all the other things you mentioned I dont know his level of relisation or is sastric knowledge but as someone who did service that prabhupada was extremely happy with and bring so many conditioned souls to krishhna he definately is a an athentic vaishnava as krishna says one that preaches my glories is dear to me.

 

My personal opinion is that many devotees who spend their time being the critics of vaishnavas and so called protectors of (thier version of) truth need to go out and preach like they were ordered to and hopefully fill the void of pure devotees that they percieve. Spending ones life analysing ISKCON and vaishnavas wont change your own hearts nor the 6 billion people on this planets hearts.

 

If prabhupada spent his time talking about every big and little thing his god brothers did wrong and even starting a movement against them in the name of helping the diciples of these gurus by speaking the truth and trying to help his gurus mission then im afraid most of us wouldnt of known krishna. Instead he did what his guru had ordered and thats to preach mahaprabhu's mission.

 

Small minds live in their small worlds, there is a bigger world out there.

 

I've seen devotees like tribhuvanatha prabhu in action, they have little concern for who is relised who is pretending, they go on harinams alone if they have to, they do festivals and continue with the mission as ordered always blissed out (unfortuantely we tend to surrender as new bhaktas fully blissed out but lose it very quickly so we focus on socio-political problems like institutional politics, gayism, femnism in kc, animal rights, ecology etc), if people see someone doing something great others natuarally follow, if you dont like them following that person then you do something better, as krishna says what great men do common men follow. Thats what prabhupada did, and many sincere devotees today are doing.

 

 

[Guest guest]

I know Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj by name and thats it and nothing more.

 

So, iam not for or against what he did.

 

Now, i do accept the VIJAY's post completely of his view of service.

 

It is totally true, we become so engrossed in the faults of others, that we forget, fault finding is not Vasihnava quality.

 

If we strictly go by Vaishnava standards, then Srila Prabhupada crossing the ocean to a foreign land is strictly prohibited, which means he is not a proper vaishnava anymore !!??

 

Prabhupada once said " i have relinquished sanyasya itself to preach here" Generally we relinquish material life to take sanyasa, but Srila Prabhupada says he relinquished sanyasa itself to fulfill his Guru's orders.

 

Also, Srila Prabhupada said, since we are in the material platform, and since human beings with flaws conduct business in the material platform we will end up in mistakes all the time. So he says ISKCON is no different. Yes, ISKCON has had its problems, and some Gurus have indeed fallen, but, tell me, in this insane world, people have attempted to become Vaishnavas, some have fallen and some have clinged on, this is all because of ISKCON (good ISKCON or bad) neverthless ISKCON has changed many people's lives.

 

I think we should understand that till one dies and as long as one is in the material platform, everyone can fall and get up but who are we to judge.

 

It would be nice, if people stop criticizing ISKCON for that matter, any organization that truly spreads the love of God.

 

I think we should concentrate on the good- recognize the bad and try to prevent it in the future.

 

Haribol!

 

anand

[Guest guest]

 

I fail to realise why some wish to discredit Maharaja in such a way in light of his considerable achievements.

 

 

Srila Prabhupada taught that the Guru carries his authority form the fact that he doesn't deviate from the teachings of the previous acharyas. Further he explains that devotees have a system of checking spiritual teachings against three sources (guru, sadhu and shastra) to test the teachings authenticity.

 

Now in the case of Bhakti Tirtha Swami, he manufactured teachings about aliens, lost continents, etc., from his imagination and then claimed that he received this knowledge through psychically linking to higher dimensions. He admits that what he teaches isn't found in shastra, nor from his gurus teachings, nor from the teachings of the assembly of sadhus, but that doesn't matter. Why? Because he has a direct psychic link to higher dimensional teachers that no one can verify or question.

 

Now what does this mean for his disciples? They are in a position where they can no longer verify their gurus teachings against guru, sadhu and shastra. There is absolutely no way for them to judge these nonsensical teachings, and as a result they blindly follow them on the strength of the guru's charisma and the gurus personality cult. This was the same thing about Kirtanananda. He made insane deviations from Prabhupada's teachings and then claimed immunity on the strength that he was a pure devotee not subject to our judgements, nor under the purview of guru, sadhu and shastra.

 

Is it any coincidence that Bhakti Tirtha Swami was one of Kirtanananda's staunch followers and supporters even after he was found to be a criminal and expelled from ISKCON? Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but there seem to be many lines of comparison between the two in regards to deviating from the teachings of their gurus.

 

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 05:47 +0200

"Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

"Bhakti-tirtha Swami" ,

"Bir Krishna das Goswami" ,

"Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN)" ,

"Malati (dd) ACBSP (GBC) (New Vrindavan/Columbus - USA)"

,

"Balarama LOK" ,

"Isvara (das) GGS (Vrindavana - IN)" ,

"Quotes"

Cc: "Trivikrama Swami" ,

"Tattvavit (das) ACBSP (NE-BBT)" ,

"Krishna Kirti Prabhu @ USA"

(3) aliens from Mu and Atlantis, Skull and Bones Society

 

 

Another classification of aliens are those found at the center of the earth. Some of these aliens are not humanoid while others, such as those descendants of the "lost continents" of Mu and Atlantis , are humanoid. During the fall of Mu and Atlantis, some residents were guided by the mother-ship to take shelter at the earth's center. Surprisingly, some unidentified flying objects do not necessarily come from other planets but from the core of our own.

 

There are also those extraterrestrials who are of a definite negative nature. They rebel against the divine order and negatively affect earthly arrangements. They are sometimes called demons. There are humans who maintain contact with these negative extraterrestrials. These personalities have consciously evolved into tyrants. They are trying to control the minds of people on this planet for personal power and the amassment of slaves. They encourage people to engage in scams, initiate wars and participate in satanic worship. These tyrants have highly placed agents in governments all over the world and have more control than the secret societies. They have infiltrated secret societies as a means to exercise their powers of control and manipulation.

 

This planet is controlled by secret societies such as the Illuminati and the Skull and Bones Society. Skull and Bones is one of the most powerful organizations in existence. Its members involve themselves in human sacrifice in order to gain power. Members of the Illuminati have immense knowledge about demigods and extraterrestrial beings. They contact negative entities through meditation and other types of metaphysical powers. As they call upon these entities, they are supplied with various metaphysical weaponry, for the purpose of control and domination. Through government agencies such as the Trilateral Commission, the Federal Reserve, and the International Monetary Fund, etc., these societies work their agenda of control and manipulation, in full view of the world's population.

 

(from "Spiritual Warrior I" by Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapad)

[Guest guest]

Here Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapada speaks about the pure and unadulterated teachings of the Gaudiya parampara in regards to mother-ships:

 

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 05:47 +0200

"Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

(1) ISKCON guru's categorical knowledge to solve the UFO mystery

 

The following is from "Spiritual Warrior I" by Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapad (as his name appears in the book)

 

Unidentified flying objects (UFOs), extraterrestrials and the mother-ship are topics that conventional thinkers have historically regarded as disreputable or, at best, questionable. However, the large number of reports and photographic records of these phenomena indicate that they merit serious consideration. These phenomena are real...

 

A term frequently heard in UFO discussions is mother-ship. A mother-ship is a type of UFO that is like a huge "flying city." A mother-ship can contain hundreds or even thousands of smaller ships that are the size of ballrooms. If fully lit up, a mother-ship would shine more powerful than 10,000 suns. They are incredibly large. There have been times in our history when mother-ships have appeared, but the occurrences were misunderstood. For example, the Star of Bethlehem was a mother-ship. The destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah was carried out by a mother-ship. Angel Gabriel and Moses had connections with a mother-ship. Many of the Vedic vimanas were mother-ships.

 

The beings of the mother-ships look more like us than any other extraterrestrial being. They have always monitored this particular universe. Their role is to assist the earth with balance and advancement. They are providing support through the transformation of consciousness that is happening now and the transformation that will be necessary in the future. They are able to prevent certain catastrophes and currently are monitoring nuclear armaments to help control this precarious situation.

 

During destructive events, beings of the mother-ship "beam up" human beings of high levels of consciousness. This pick-up is by a beam of light and happens instantaneously, as fast as thought. The humans who are picked up are put to sleep immediately, especially if the circumstances under which they were picked up are extremely serious, such as in a catastrophe requiring global evacuation. These people will help to reseed the planet at a later time.

 

[Guest guest]

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 05:47 +0200

"Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

"Bhakti-tirtha Swami" ,

(2) More Categorical Assertions by Swami Krishnapad

 

Let's now examine a few types of extraterrestrials. The first category of such entities includes the ones who oversee the mother-ships: the demigods. One type comes from the North Star and beyond. If you could see them, you would immediately notice their fiery bodies. They are very tall, approximately eight feet in height. They have tremendous mystic powers. They are able to move at the speed of the mind and have the extraordinary ability to be able to see what we are doing at any time. There are many categories of demigods who reside in the higher planetary systems.

 

The second classification of alien beings is called the "gray" type. They are depicted as very short with large black eyes, big oval heads, thin bodies and vestigial mouths, noses and ears. This type carries out the majority of the abductions. One major book about abductions is Communion by Whitley Streiber. It details UFO contact in which people have been abducted and subjected to various types of experiments, resulting in a change of consciousness. Examinations are typical of UFO abductions. The examination involves exploring and probing the abductee's body with elaborate machines. Instruments are inserted in the body, particularly in the nose and rectum. Humans who have been abducted in this way later experience pain or consistent bleeding in the nose.

 

Some people who have been abducted have dreams of being raped or of being on a spaceship and ejaculating continuously. These dreams represent their real experiences. The abductors take semen and use it for the continuation of their own race. Humans who have had their seed taken during these experiences later feel pain in the genitals. If you have had recurring dreams of associating with something otherworldly and have experienced the problems just mentioned, then you may have already been affected by these beings. But don't fear; these entities are not necessarily negative. They are a sad case. They have minimized the ability to love and thus have evolved without loving tendencies. Having evolved into a state where theyare basically composed only of intelligence, they have no emotions. This is why their heads are big and their bodies are small. They use their mental capabilities to abduct; they paralyze their subjects through mental telepathy. These entities have a very deep involvement and interaction with this planet.

 

(from "Spiritual Warrior I" by Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapad)

 

[Guest guest]

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 05:47 +0200

"Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

(4) Where Swami Krishnapad gets his knowledge from

 

Much of this information was made available through contact with a level of cosmic attunement as well as a connection from a previous life.

 

(from "Spiritual Warrior I" by Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapad)

[Guest guest]

Tue, 19 Aug 2003 05:29 +0200

"Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

"Malati (dd) ACBSP (GBC) (New Vrindavan/Columbus - USA)"

Encouraging celibacy - interesting comment on the subject...

 

> I read the submitted lecture by BTS, and I could not

> understand how it is percieved that he is promoting

> homosexual activities. While he is discussing the

> issue in an open manner, it was not obvious to me that

> he is sanctifying illicit sexual contact.

 

This is not my point. My point is why is he making statements without giving evidence, eg homosexuals are considered auspicious in Vedic culture?

 

With motherships from Atlantis, the world controlled by a Skull and Bones Society, etc., etc., BTS has a history of talking and publishing imaginative nonsense that disqualifies him from being an acarya. He should talk according to guru sadhu and sastra or take a mothership and fly off to another dimension.

 

This nonsense must stop. It is simply cheating.

 

[theist]

I have never read or heard anything from Bhakti Tirtha until reading a few posts from people here and elsewhere. I know I disagree with the pro-homosex propaganda gay activists are trying to inject into ISKCON. It seems he may have been one.

 

The UFO stuff is an interest I share but unless we can show how it is linked up with Krsna consciousness how can it serve as a bridge to anyone?

 

I am curious, did he link up these other topics with Krsna consciousness? I think that should be the main point. Many people have an existing interest in such topics and to show how those topics are related to Krsna can't be a bad thing IMO.

 

Flying ships from other planets is certainly not a banned topic now is it? Maybe JNdas should open up another forum category, Other Worlds Review.

 

But the danger is other things become a topic unto themselves and Krsna is de-emphasized and minimialize or forgotten altogether. I know this because I suffer and struggle with this problem alot myself.

 

There are so many Vaisnava heros that none need to invented or exagerrated into place. But nor should some souls genuine accomplishments be overlooked because of some faults.

 

[Guest guest]

http://harekrsna.com/sun/sunblogs/archives/00000039.htm

 

Posted by Bhakti Vikas swami's at pamho @ 10/05/2005 11:12 PM PST

 

FROM: Bhakti Vikas swami (PAMMHO.NET) posted December 20, 2004.

 

Dear Bhakti Tirtha swami, Please accept my obesiances.

 

I am very sorry for criticizing your book "Spirital Warrior I." Who am

I to dispute that the world's biggest leaders are engaged in human

sacrifices to the Devil? They probably are. We all know this is why

George Bush gives Vladamir Putin that special "Texas hot sauce" when

they meet. And who am I to say that we humans were not placed on earth

by alien spaceships on the continent Mu, before it sank into the

Atlantic ocean, and it is now known as Atlantis. And our ancestors

escaped by floating off on giant leaves, to England? And we are a

colony of space alien's experiments? This all seems quite possible.

And who am I to say that the leaders of the Trilateral commission are

not really other aliens from the lower planets? Maybe they are. And

who am I to say that you are not really an African prince from Motubu?

Maybe you are.

 

And who am I to disagree with you that when the next asteroid passes

earth, named Zectoid five, is not really a space ship which going to

gather up the faithful citizens of planet Earth? And this will give

the faithful Zectoid-ites special space-capable bodies so they can

float off to Jupiter and meet Glankon one, the leader of the

interplanetary space commission. And this leaves the rest of us earth

citizens behind to fight an invasion of "Waroc," the mechanically

aided insect - like aliens from the next asteroid, named "Tweeble

1006"? This is all probably going to occur. Why should we GBC ever

doubt your holy predictions, which you conducted using the special

kwabble tree from the African garden planetarium in Washington DC?

Sorry, I have to run off now, going to the store to get my "Waroc"

language decoder ring as we speak! Just in case the invasion starts

soon, I need to be able to say, "Hold your fire, master Waroc insect

race, I am not an employee of 'Bug Hitters.' I will be your house

cleaner servant." Thanks for warning us! Your servant, soon to be

Waroc interstellar space commander number seven, Bhakti Vikas Swami.

 

This is a public message from Bhakti Vikas Swami December 17, 2004

 

I offer obeisances and apologies to all devotees who have been

offended by my recent posting regarding my philosophical differences

with HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja. It was not my intention to offend but

to clarify that my stance had not changed. I did so publicly and

succinctly because quite a few devotees have commented or asked me

about it. I reiterate that these differences are primarily

philosophical and I pray not to harbor bad feelings toward anyone,

especially a devotee of the Lord. Although philosophical clarity needs

to be upheld, this is undoubtedly a difficult time for Maharaja and

those close to him, and my posting seems to have made it more

difficult. I apologize for that and hereby withdraw the posting. [end

of statement]

 

My Angry Letter to Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 06:50 +0200

"Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

"Bhakti-tirtha Swami"

 

I have been warned that my angry letter to BTS will cause spiritual

suicide. But I have reason to be angry. Many devotees around the world

are being spiritually murdered by believing BTS's bizarre assertations

(in his widely distributed book Spiritual Warrior I), for instance

about "motherships" coming from "the fallen continents of Atlantis and

Mu"; Skull and Bones society controlling the world by conducting human

sacrifices; that the world was formerly ruled from Africa (not, as

sastra and Srila Prabhupada state, from India), etc.

[bhakta_john]

"the evil that men do lives after them...."

- william shakespeara

[theist]

Is all that really in his book or is it a sarcasam on Bhakti Vilas' part? I also believe that the human race was seeded here by beings from other planets. Isn't that what everyone here thinks or do some contend the human species evolved from apes. Who are the prajapatis anyway? But trying to tie up Atlantis and everything is way too much IMO. I am surprised but now I see what people are talking about at least.

[krsna]

 

 

 

 

 

Oct 8, USA (SUN) —

Namah Om Vishnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhu tale, Srimate Bhakti Tirtha Swamin/ Danavir Goswamin iti namine

 

Namah Om Vishnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhu tale, Srimate Bhaktivedanta Swamin iti namine, namaste Sarasvate deve Gaura vani pracarine, nirvesesa sunyavadi pacatya desa tarine

 

 

I offer thousands and thousands of prostrated obeisances to my spiritual masters and all the vaisnavas of the Lord, who, by their causeless mercy are opening my eyes with the torchlight of knowledge. May this fool named Hari dasa be able to somehow render menial service at their holy feet and be fortunate one day to count himself as a particle of dust therein.

 

 

I have tried to the best of my limited ability to defend the honor of my Nama Gurudeva- His Holiness Sripad Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja, an offenseless soul who's only desire was to take the suffering away from devotees and the global community in general. His countless achievements and sucesses speak for themselves and countless persons also speak of his kindness and compassionate example.

 

 

We are living in a world of duality and the age is Kali yuga, it goes without saying that even in devotional communities maya will enter in the form of quarell, minimisation of the siddhanta, offenses to sadhu's and misenterpretation of sastra. Empowered preachers are envied by those who are not. Even Srila Prabhupada was envied by most of his Godbrothers, so it is to be expected that Prabhupadas current representatives will not always meet with approval and some will be misunderstood.

 

 

Sripad Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja is one such sadhu. But for each one that has misunderstood him, minimised him or even tried to discredit him there are countless more who loved and applauded his constant spirit of self sacrifice. He went on preaching right until the end and was smiling throughout the whole cancer ordeal. Maharaja met death head on with courage and a smile-how many are able to face the biggest fear with a smile on their face? He was always truthful and had full integrity and when challenged would take the humble position and make statements like "I celebrate feedback, both positive and negative"

 

 

From this statement alone, we can see that Maharaja trancended duality and he even trancended the immense physical pain and cried not for his own suffering but constantly emphasised the sufferings of others.

 

 

Maharaja was loyal to Prabhupada until the end, some misinterpret his past involvments and affiliations as being disloyal, but the fact is that he was and is always Prabhupada's disciple.

 

 

History has shown the great risks that Maharaja took for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, risking his life in former communist countries and even risking his life by travelling to intense political and war scorn areas all over the planet- ON BEHALF OF SRILA PRABHUPADA.

 

 

I would like to ask those that criticise him emphatically- "if you do not accept that Maharaja was an unalloyed servant of Srila Prabhupada, then excell him in all the areas he himself excelled in. Help and affect more people than he did. Risk your life like he did and try to smile in the face of death like he did and chant your rounds everyday without fail like he did. Make Nelson mandela and similair personalities listen to you and take Srila Prabhupada's teachings like he did and above all-love others without discrimination like he did.

 

 

I will not be commenting anymore on this issue as offenders will continue to offend. I have done my duty as a disciple is duty bound to do and i can only pray that aparadha will become a minimal affair in curent day vaisnava circles. We all know the philosophy-chant, follow the regs, avoid offenses and leave the body while engaged in Krsna smaranam.

 

 

Now we have the news that thousands have died in Pakistan due to the INCREASING NUMBER OF ADI DAIVIKA CALAMITIES, we just do not know if we ourselves will be next.

 

 

We had better be ready by being offenseless and true to our vaisnava philosophy.

 

 

Our time may be up sooner than later, one thing for sure is that it is running out and Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja showed us all-love him or hate him- how to deal with the final test we all must face.

 

daso smi

Hari dasa

 

[krsna]

 

 

 

The next issue of Back to Godhead (the magazine of the Hare Krishna Movement) will be featuring a beautiful 12-page article with many full-color pictures, clearly illustrating HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja's life and times.

 

This article written by HG Satyaraja Prabhu, the author of "The Hidden Glory of India" as well as many other books. It is a precursor to the book by the same author, which should be ready early in the new year.

 

Please see www.Krishna.com for more information about Back to Godhead magazine.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

See the good...the guy left his body in all auspicious circustances...i checked out his web page...there are definite signs that he made it Back to Godhead...why all the noise here...while we r still stuck in this material conception of life!!!!Pray to him for mery that we get out in a spiritual manner that he did.

[Guest guest]

The fact that he heard Krishna's name at the time of death and went back to Godhead doesn't make his nonsensical teachings any more true. He is a glorious person because at the end of his life he heard Krishna's names.

 

But his disciples continue to print and distribute his teachings which are better off forgotten. It has become a habit in the present times for gurus to push the distribution of thier own books instead of Srila Prabhupada's books. Add to that the fact that their own books sometimes have little to do with Krishna consciousness and more to do with aliens and motherships.

 

You say we should leave him alone since he is no longer present and has gone to Krishna. But his offtrack teachings are very much alive, more so than when he was present. Now BTG will try to deify him and Satyaraja is writing a book about his life. ISKCON and the GBC have a duty to uphold Prabhupada's teachings and standards, but instead they are encouraging those who have deviated and propping them up even after they have left.

 

[Guest guest]

Much of this information was made available through contact with a level of cosmic attunement as well as a connection from a previous life.

(from "Spiritual Warrior I" by Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapad)

 

Actually, all of this information has been available for many years on the internet and in numerous books. The only special connection you need to know this info is an internet connection!

Do a google search for:

Skull and bones

Illuninati

New World Order

[vijay]

It looks like devotees like to pick out what suits their agendas, heres one in a series of replys maharaj has given in those email discussions.

 

 

 

"Bhakti Tirtha Swami" btswami@ifast.net

Ajamila.ACBSP@pamho.net

Cc: Bhakti.Vikasa.Swami@pamho.net,

Malati.ACBSP@pamho.net,

"Kavicandra Swami \(GBC Japan\)" Kavicandra.Swami@pamho.net,

Krishna_Kirti@hotmail.com,

Isvara.GGS@pamho.net,

bkgoswami@compuserve.com,

India.Open@pamho.net,

Prabhupada.Disciples@pamho.net,

Ripuha@pamho.net,

Dadhibhaksa@pamho.net

Encouraging celibacy

Fri, 22 Aug 2003 19:07:11 +0200

 

Dear Ajamila das,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 

I am always glad to hear from you for you are very dedicated in your

services.

 

There is a difference between open discussion and endorsement. Perhaps a

problem also here is my use of the term gay man or third gender. I

earlier said: "We should not lump all gays into the same category." I

used gay in a rather broad sense. I didn't say homosexuals.

 

I was thinking more of eunuchs and many who have a physical and

chromosome issue, man as well as woman. For instance, there are people

who are born with both genitals male and female. There are also those

who are assigned one gender at birth by the doctors, and later as they

mature find their body physically or biologically responding to

different gender. These and other complicated cases are more numerous

than most people are aware of, ask any gynecologist. I know of about ten

cases. Never have I advocated illicit sex or deviant behavior. But yes,

I do advocate trying to understand our as well as others particular body

disease so we can rise above them. I am sorry some who have their agenda

are trying to use me (I see this coming from two different opposite

camps), put words into my mouth, etc. Whatever is perceived, my

conclusions were honoring celibacy and following the 4 regs and

compassionately encouraging everyone to rise above any various

challenges so we can be first class in Srila Prabhupada's service. Some

discussions can open up flood gates, but avoiding certain issues can

increase underlying conflicts or cover over problems that are already

existing.

 

I hope these recent exchanges will help any of those who are in the

(homosexual) communities who are trying to push on the movement

anything that goes against dharma or sanatana dharma to stop. And I pray

those recent exchanges on these important days will encourage more

devotees to better understand various Vaisnavas suffering difficulties

and struggles so we can all be more able to protect each other from maya

in her gross and subtle forms. I pray all of us will do our part in

protecting Srila Prabhupada's house by avoiding making offences towards

each other and being more cautious in how we come to our conclusions.

I will surely personally try to be more precise and clear in the future.

 

Below are some references some of you asked for:

 

1. SB 10.1.69 - purport, a discussion on man woman or (in between):

(To distinguish persons that are bereft of these transcendental

pleasures, Pariksit Maharaja has used the words (virajyeta puman).

The word puman refers to any person, whether man, woman, or in-between)

 

2. Tape #67-002 San Francisco 04/05/67

Special attendent on Lord Caitanya's birth

 

SP: (Srila Prabhupada) Jagannatha Misra is father. He was. whatever

money and cloth and gold and silver. they were coming. he was also

distributing to poor man, some dancers. In India there is a system. what

do you call the eunuchs? Those who are neither male or female? What do you

call them? What is their name?

 

HD: (Hayagriva dasa) A combination of both?

SP: Yes.

 

HD: Male and female? Hermaphrodite.

SP: Eunuchs? What is the eunuch?

 

HD: Eunuch. A eunuch is a .

SP: Tell me that.

 

HD: Impotent. someone who's been castrated.

SP: Oh. That is called a eunuch.

HD: Eunuch.

SP: Rather, by nature, neither man nor woman.

HD: Oh. This is also called asexual. That is to say, no sex.

SP: No sex?

HD: Hermaphrodite means they have the physical characteristics of both

man and woman.

SP: Oh? At the same time?

HD: At the same time.

SP: I do not know exactly, but such people, they have their own

society, and their means of livelihood is, that whenever there is some

good occasion.marriage or childbirth, like that, so, they go there and pray

to God that this child may be very long-living. In this way they make

some prayer and get some.

HD: These people. Now, I don't understand.

SP: .Yes. Saci devi is the mother of Lord Caitanya. She is sitting with

 

the child. And everyone is greeting and visiting and everyone is

saying, "Oh! Look how nice a child He is!"

HD: And these "asexual" people?

SP: They are dancing.

HD: They are dancing.

SP: Yes. They are chanting Hare Krsna. Like that. So. Hare Krsna

dancing is going there and visitors are coming and presenting very nice

things. Yes.

 

3. SB 10.62.25-26

 

Srila Visvanath Chakravati has defined the word bhatah as (female

guards), whereas Jiva Goswami defines them (eunuchs and others).

Grammatically the word can function both ways. As there are professional

singers, dancers and reciters of prayers in the heavenly planets, so in

India still are professional dancers, blessers and singers, all of whom

assembled together during householder ceremonies, especially marriages

and birth ceremonies. These professional men earn their livelihood by

taking charity on such occasions from the home of the Hindus. Eunuchs

also take advantage of such ceremonies to receive charity. That is their

means of livelihood. Such men never become servants or engage themselves

in agriculture or business occupation; they simply take charity from

neighborhood friends to maintain themselves peacefully. The bhatah are a

class of brahmana who goes trough such ceremonies to offer blessings by

composing poems with references to the Vedic scriptures.

 

4. (a) Here are two inserts from my own Spiritual Warrior II book pg 15:

(.Society itself encourages a wide variety of self-indulgent boundaries

violations, so that today's culture is replete with signs of serious

imbalance: pornography, promiscuity, abortion, incest, homosexuality and

sexually transmitted disease.)

 

(b) (Another manifestation of misdirect sexuality in modern society is

the growing number of homosexuals and bisexuals) (SW II pg 18) Krishna's

dharma and Isvara's submission are very clear.

 

I hope you had a wonderful festival period. I think it is so wonderful

there are devotees like Bhakti Vikasa Swami to keep in check devotees

like myself who with good intention may appear by some to be too

inclusive and sentimental and I think it is good to have devotees like

myself who can help check devotees like Bhakti Vikasa who may appear to

some to be a fundamentalist and too harsh. What a wonderful society His

Devine Grace Srila Prabhupada has given us! So not to be sentimental

(smile) let me address another issue.

 

Srila Prabhupada's first book was "Easy journey to other planets". He

tried to capture people by using this contemporary theme. I have one

very unusual book: Spiritual Warrior I, which was a series of lectures

to professionals who are metaphysics. I made a few wild statements. I

have several disclaimers in the book however, clarifying that the real

goal is not these passages of secondary knowledge but primary knowledge

which brings one to full surrender to the Supreme.

 

I have even included in the new edition at the beginning that the author

is purposely using the language of the psychics to attract them to

bhakti and not to influence the devotees to embrace secondary knowledge.

In rare cases some of our acaryas like Bhaktivinoda have done this, so

it is not unique. The beauty of the book really is how it shows how

these professionals become devotees now serving in ISKCON, following all

four principles and giving up their past gurus, impersonalism, etc. All

of my books target different audiences and are selling up to 1/4 million

very soon. This book was discussed in Mayapura and the settlement is

with Kalakantha, so there is no problem here when things are understood

in the proper prospective. Srila Prabhupada often quotes Canakya Pandit,

but he is only a secondary source used to enhance a primary

consideration, he even quoted the Aquarian gospel which is offensive to

Krishna.

 

If this book is too disturbing with all these clarifications, then maybe

it is best to withdraw it. For some will say I do not have the spiritual

potency to do such things as Bhaktivinoda, as he used the language of

Bauls, sahajiyas to convert them or as Srila Prabhupada. The same ones

will say you must do more as our acharyas have done. So, what to do?

Many know when Srila Prabhupada was on the planet this was my kind of

service i.e. sneak in like a needle and came out like a plow - spiritual

espionage. So I still find ways to do this from time to time, sometimes

even as an African king or etc. Now I am praying every day very hard to

Srila Prabhupada to help me to assist more in minimizing the suffering

of devotees and to reach so many more pious karmis. I am sometimes

creative and radical, so please watch me closely. Read my other books,

if anyone feels my behavior is getting too radical, please tell me. I

not only want constant feedback but I celebrate it! How blessed I was to

have several of you thinking of me during these auspicious days. I see

it as a wonderful omen. Let us keep checking in on each other as a

family seeing how to protect Srila Prabhupad's house. After all, all we

have is each other. I look forward to this being my best year in

devotional service. I hope you are feeling the same.

 

Srila Prabhupada ki jay!

 

Yours in Srila Prabhupada's service,

with love,

Bhakti-Tirtha Swami

[Guest guest]

Yeah ...i hear what u say. It is tru that all authors need 2 b careful not 2 eclipse Srila Prabhupada's teachings.

 

This could have been his error. However about BTG and others glorifying him....they should. He did some glorious distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books. He introduced many souls from varied backgrounds to the chanting of Hare Krishna. So looks like his errors are like spots on a moon.

 

He ...towards the end did advise that others should not try to preach in the circles that he did.

 

Since his distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books earned him the greatest mercy in pleasing Srila Prabhupada, would be nice if his followers just did the same.

 

It is said that anyone who has implicit faith in the service of the Lord, or who actually engages in transcendental loving service, has all the good qualities of the demigods. Therefore, a devotee cannot be at fault. If sometimes it is found that he is in error by accident or by some temporary arrangement, that should not be taken very seriously.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.16.25

 

In general, when dealing with devotees, we should not try to find faults. In Bhagavad-gita also it is confirmed that the devotee who faithfully serves the Supreme Lord, even if found to commit a gross mistake, should be considered a sadhu, or saintly person. Due to former habits he may commit some wrong, but because he is engaged in the service of the Lord, that wrong should not be taken very seriously.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.16.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

The next time one of these iskcon followers tries to tell me that all us Indians are materialistic, have ruined Vedic culture, have nothing but bogus spiritual leaders, don't know any philosophy, etc etc etc, i'm going to copy-cut-past this Swami's stuff and send it back to his face.

 

Aliens from outer space? Cults controlling the world? Come on now - this is complete garbage. Do you iskcon people have so little faith in your own sampradAya that you have to create books about this nonsense? How can anyone be such a dolt as to read this rubbish and be convinced by it? I thought I had disagreements with iskcon philosophy in the past, but that was before I realized iskcon people were into this "psychic phenomena" and all that sort of new-age bunk.

 

raghu

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Mentality of a Sheltered Disciple

BY: ROCANA DASA, SUN EDITOR

 

Oct 9, USA (SUN) — Counterpoint response to Hari dasa's editorial, "The Honor of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami"

 

Many readers have been following the lengthy debate regarding HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami, HH Radhanath Swami, Kirtanananda, and other ISKCON notorieties found in the Sun Blog, “Faith Before Initiation" and the Krsna Blog entitled "ISKCON Outed".

 

The latest enthusiastic contributor to this debate has been the offended disciple of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami, Hari dasa. Hari dasa is articulate and emotional in his defense of his guru, thus providing our readers with an opportunity to taste “a drop of the ocean” of the disciple mentality that can be found in varying degrees throughout ISKCON and the Gaudiya Matha.

 

I recently addressed this problem from a slightly different angle in my article entitled “Disciple’s Dilemma". The emotional reactions expressed by second generation disciples are one of the main reasons many of Srila Prabhupada's disciple’s have difficulty interfacing with today’s ISKCON.

 

From day one, directly after the Zonal Acarya take-over in early 1978, this issue took front and center stage. The successful take-over conspirators initially came up with their simple solution, which was immediately employed with tyrannical fervor. Every ISKCON member was obliged to instantly act as if they were direct disciples of the Zonal Gurus. Keep in mind that the Zonal Acaryas were imitating Srila Prabhupada, not just acting as regular diksa gurus. Their rational was that new disciples had to be shown practical examples of behavior that they could emulate.

 

Hari dasa has no historical memory going back to that period, therefore he can’t even imagine what it was like for us. We were probably about the same age as he is now. So it isn’t like we haven’t gone through a lot of trauma after the departure of our Guru. The ISKCON elite have successfully de-emphasized, rewritten and basically deleted these embarrassing Zonal Acarya historical chapters. The result of this censorship policy is that we now have to experience self-righteous disciples like Hari dasa demanding that we stop criticizing their gurus. Of course, they have no qualms about condescendingly "preaching" to the Godbrother’s of their guru. They have been living in an insulated environment wherein everyone is obediently conforming to ISKCON’s policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell”. I say to Hari dasa and those like him, welcome to the real worldwide ISKCON, which goes all the way back to 1966. The real ISKCON includes all of Srila Prabhupada's followers, the majority of whom are not participating in the present day institution going by the name ISKCON. Many of us view today's ISKCON as a perverted reflection of the transcendental version. Those of us with a public presence are not likely to back down and stop talking simply because the second generation disciples feel uncomfortable about what we have to say.

 

Let’s keep in mind that this whole discussion with Hari dasa was initially sparked by Praghosa dasa, whose comments on HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami can be found in the Krsna Blog. Praghosa dasa's comments were followed by many others, including the recent comments by Bhakti Vikas Swami. By reading his comments, we see that at least one brave, straightforward ISKCON Swami/GBC/Guru has publicly revealed his mind. Apparently unbeknownst to Hari dasa, heated discussions such as these frequently take place behind the saffron curtain, well out of earshot of the disciples.

 

Another interesting dynamic to consider is that Bhakti Vikas Swami’s disciples are obliged to accept his perspective, which is obviously in direct conflict with Hari dasa and the other disciples of Bhakti Tirtha Swami. Hari dasa, showed signs of shock when he innocently wandered into the glare of Sampradaya Sun. Once his eyes adjusted, he discovered the goings-on in the world outside of his own sphere. Finding many devotees and ISKCON leaders who are criticizing his recently departed guru, we witness the “deer in the headlights” syndrome now being exhibited by Hari dasa prabhu.

 

Hari dasa personifies so many over-incubated disciples found in ISKCON today, who have been sheltered from real life. The questions raised about the departure of Bhakti Tirtha Swami were a catalyst for his outburst of immaturity. We can only expect more displays of emotion like this one in the future, as more and more diksa gurus come to meet their inevitable demise. The Godbrothers surviving them will undoubtedly have strong opinions about how these gurus lived and served. Some will be willing to share their opinions publicly.

 

My frequently expressed position is that the interests of the second generation disciples are better served if they have the opportunity to experience reality, in the form of hearing legitimate viewpoints which go beyond their own cloistered sentiments. I feel that I'm performing a service by providing a forum in which Srila Prabhupada's followers may express their opinions and understandings. A great deal of historical truth-telling takes place here, and this sometimes agitates the minds of the second generation disciples. Many of these disciples seem not to understand that their beloved gurus had a spiritual life prior to taking on their own diksa disciples. These gurus had relationships with many devotees in the movement, outside of the disciple/guru relationship. As sadhana bhaktas, it wasn’t so long ago that these gurus were neophytes who made mistakes, offended Godbrothers and associates, aligned themselves with the wrong persons, and struggled with their mind and senses. Just how spiritually advanced a sadhana bhakta is, is almost impossible for another conditioned soul to accurately determine. If you happen to accept diksa from such an imperfect person, then your unbiased objectivity is bound to be blurred sooner or later.

 

Many of ISKCON's gurus, especially the originals going back to the Zonal Acarya era, have perfected the art of appearing more advanced than they are. There are many tricks of the trade which they have shared with one other or learned by example. They have their own internal lineages, such as Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s, which can be traced back to Kirtanananda. These lineages are traced not just by chronological time, but by actions, attitudes, style, charismatic techniques, and siddhantic interpretation.

 

The enduring strength of these lineages was illustrated by the recent sentimental reunion between Bhakti Tirtha Swami and Kirtanananda, who came to visit the Swami on his death bed. The dynamics of that visit parallel so many other dynamics prevalent in these lineage relationships. The very fact that Bhakti Tirtha didn’t take into consideration the impact of having Kirtanananda visit him at Gita Nagari, or allowing Vakesvara Pandit to take a leading role in kirtans during his departure, says a lot to me and many others about just how he perceived himself. Only someone who believes they are above and beyond even Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON, the GBC, and many of their esteemed Godbrothers would have acted in this manner. Who can argue that these activities did not have a negative impact on Srila Prabhupada's movement? What was the point Bhakti Tirtha was trying to make? Now it’s all up to interpretation, because he obviously didn’t see fit to share his rational for taking these actions with the community of devotees. The movement could well do without such disturbances, but Bhakti Tirtha Swami didn’t take that into account. What does this tell you about the man?

 

Hari dasa is like a child growing up and being forced to accept that his loving parents aren’t adored by everyone in the neighborhood. ISKCON goes overboard in molly coddling their disciples, adopting unwritten agreements that they will all appear friendly and cordial, not criticizing one another in public. Of course, we know that they freely criticize one another behind closed doors. Let's take note of the fact that no GBC has stepped forward to defend Bhakti Tirtha Swami from the challenges laid down by Praghosa dasa, Shiva dasa, Bhakti Vikas Swami, or myself.

 

Hari dasa pasted-in to his article the "GBC Statement on the Passing of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami" in order to prove to the readers that collectively, the GBC all “feel” exactly the way the funeral eulogy reads. This is yet another sign of extreme naiveté on the part of Hari dasa.

 

The GBC are conspicuous in their absence in this conversation. While their eulogy seemingly endorses some of Bhakti Tirtha Swami's activities, a eulogy can hardly be taken as formal acceptance of the Swami's practices. There is no official GBC document wherein they are willing to officially condone Bhakti Tirtha's many activities which are, and have long been, under question by his Godbrothers, such as his dress, his books, his separate associations, etc. The GBC is apparently not willing to do that. Perhaps Hari dasa should push them to endorse these things as being bona fide and acceptable, thereby clearing up the issue for us all.

 

By listing Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s lifetime accomplishments throughout his ISKCON tenure, the GBC are inadvertently endorsing all the controversial activities found on the list of his pastimes. In reality, many of Bhakti Tirtha's “out of the box” pastimes do not sit well with individual GBC members, other Godbrothers, or even the open-minded followers of Srila Prabhupada. Again due to ISKCON's long entrenched “mushroom” policy, which is exacerbated by a lack of free speech, these problems increase exponentially with each episode, and will eventually contribute to the further deterioration of ISKCON as a whole. As Praghosa dasa explained, the problems posed by Bhakti Tirtha were thankfully resolved by his passing on. All the dilemmas this phenomena poses, some of which I listed above, cannot be avoided. These problems will undoubtedly find their way to open debate, here in the Sampradaya Sun and elsewhere.

 

Hari dasa and all those he represents should understand that many of those he fault-finds have courage, conviction, and the skill to communicate. They have taken the time to express themselves and they speak for many other Vaisnavas. Carte blanche characterization of them as 'offenders' is in itself an offense. I suggest that Hari dasa consider this wake-up experience to be an intrinsic part of his spiritual education and journey. Jumping onto the Hari dasa bandwagon is not something I recommend to other readers who find themselves in a similar situation. Ultimately, situations such as this are a test of how well one understands our siddhanta, how properly trained-up, mature, and open-minded one is.

 

Hari dasa and company should consider the fact that a great many second generation disciples of the multitude of fallen ISKCON gurus have had to endure far more emotional trauma than the bruised ears he is having to endure. As Praghosa dasa suggested, HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s premature demise has possibly prevented his disciples from experiencing a similar fate. They have also been spared the anxiety that so many other disciples of still-standing gurus face, as they pray, wonder and wait in hopes that their diksa guru will survive.

 

Like other departed ISKCON diksa gurus, Bhakti Tirtha's disappearance yet again re-opens the Pandora’s box of unanswered questions that the GBC is obliged to address. A few of them follow:

 

1) Is there a GBC committee empowered to determine which departed Vaisnavas are spiritually qualified to be laid in Samadhi on Mayapur lands?

 

2) Are the disciples of the departed gurus all now eligible to apply to the GBC for diksa guru status?

 

3) Is the GBC responsible to oversee/control the “myth-making” tendencies of the departed guru’s disciples?

 

4) If the departed guru’s disciples managerially control an ISKCON facility such as Gita Nagari, and have the backing of a majority of the community constituency, how much control or influence does the GBC have in regulating the degree of worship given to the departed Guru?

 

5) How are the GBC proposing to deal with the reality that some departed gurus/swamis have accumulated great riches or have wealthy followers who wish to erect huge or multiple Samadhis and/or monuments to their departed objects of affection?

 

6) How is the GBC going to deal with properties or Matha-like situations where only one guru reigns supreme? The assets are not assigned to ISKCON, yet they fly the ISKCON flag. We all know such circumstances exist and the gurus play an increasingly important role in the GBC.

 

Tamal Krishna Goswami was the first test case for many of these questions. We witnessed, with various emotions (none favorable), what transpired in regards to his “requested deification".

 

A respected friend of mine, Kurma Rupa dasa, wrote an article a few years back entitled “Neglect Them Also”. Following are a few excerpts that are particularly relevant to the current discussion:

 

"TKG ordered his followers to construct his samadhi. The term “samadhi” refers to two things: an elevated state of awareness beyond the modes of nature, and a mausoleum honoring those who have achieved such a state. In Vaishnava terminology, “samadhi” refers specifically to full absorption in the nama, guna, rupa, and lila of Sri Krishna. Those Vaishnavas who leave their body absorbed in samadhi are exalted and to commemorate their unique achievement their followers construct a samadhi tomb in which they place their remains. Yes, Srila Prabhupada instructed his followers to put him in a samadhi, but he demonstrated that elevated state by his absorption in translating Srimad Bhagavatam and hearing kirtana up to his last breath."

 

….TKG has a samadhi in Mayapura and will have a pushpa samadhi in Govardhana.

 

What’s the harm? We create an inaccurate account of history...a myth...a legend, an illusion. We dupe ourselves and others in the name of bolstering the faith of his disciples, uniting the institution, taking only the honey like the bee, and so on. Worse, we now open the door for anyone with a few wealthy sentimental followers to be awarded a “samadhi.” We deteriorate the tradition. In due course, at least in ISKCON, the term “samadhi” will lose its true meaning and will become synonymous with “death” and “tombstone.” And those who refuse to participate in the swindle, the honest devotees, those who are dedicated to living with their eyes open, will no doubt be ostracized. More tragedy?

 

And what to do with people who embrace the myth despite having information to the contrary? What to do with those who lack the courage to maintain awareness of the Truth? What to do with the duped, the cheated? Bhaktivinoda Thakura classifies them as dharmadvajis also, inasmuch as they serve to perpetuate the myth.

 

Not unlike the dharmadvajis mentioned by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Hari dasa has adopted the persona of a self-appointed crusader venturing out to defend his “Jagat-Guru”, HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krsnapada. His defense of Bhakti Tirtha Swami reveals that he assigns the same spiritual status to Bhakti Tirtha as he does to Srila Prabhupada. Hari dasa has equated Srila Prabhupada’s purported sastras to Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s science fiction. He equates Srila Prabhupada's worldwide travels to Bhakti Tirtha Swami's tours. How did he come to embrace these misconceptions? He has been a disciple of Bhakti Tirtha Swami for over ten years. Didn’t Bhakti Tirtha have ample opportunity to correct him on such misconceptions? Hari dasa seems to be oblivious of the reality that he displays, for all the world to witness, the very essence of what we are trying to point out to be wrong. By his words, he demonstrates himself as uneducated, immature and offensive to Srila Prabhupada, while proudly presenting himself as a senior disciple of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami.

 

How many more Bhakti Tirtha disciples are there like Hari dasa, what to speak of disciples of the other diksa gurus? Would Srila Prabhupada be pleased by the results of these disciplic relationships? The readers must judge for themselves.

 

[theist]

It is sometimes found that Western devotee stereotype Indian devotees in the way you describe and Indian devotees may sometimes have their sterotypes for Western devotees ("you Iskcon people").

 

Better for the few that can see above this small-minded way of acessing people. For instance I accept an other wordly source for life on Earth and I find it referrenced in the Bhagavatam. But I am not an Iskcon type and no one should judge "Iskcon people" by anything I say. I speak for myself only.

 

These teachings by this one swami, right or wrong, seem to largely be his own.

 

Another thing we all should remember is that it is natural for a disciple like Hari das to speak up for his guru. Anyone who has received valuable teching about the Supreme Lord from someone would feel the same. And likewise those that haven't won't share those sentiments. If we are not lead by the Lord in the Heart to hear from someone that doesn't measn someone else hasn't been. This is yet another problematic situation that trying to institutionalize spiritual life brings about; the Guru mold.

[vijay]

 

 

“We are Vaisnava devotees, not politicians. So these things must be stopped, plotting. Your merit stands far above theirs, you have done some tangible work to please me by spreading this Krishna Consciousness message in New Orleans, that is the test. Let them do something first, then we shall see what is their criticism. Simply criticizing and no work, that is the business of inferior men. So do not be disturbed by them, go on with your work, increasing more and more. Never mind the jackals howl.

Hoping this meets you in good health.

 

Your ever well-wisher,

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami”