Dear Editor of the IBDA blog,
In your response to Mr Row ( Grind your teeth on this) you have admitted that “That ISKCON had a problem with the Gurus is too well known”. However you make it sound as if all those Guru problems are all solved.
But you & I know that the problem with the gurus is far from over. In fact, it is precisely this problem that drove Madhu Pandit Das to do what he did. If the IBDA is really desirous of a unified ISKCON then it must do something about the mess-ups in ISKCON. The question is “what is IBDA doing about this issue?” Given the enthusiasm against Madhu Pandit Das and his associates, I presume IBDA is also working with similar gusto on this issue too. In fact I can tell you that if you solve that issue, Madhu Pandit Das and his associates will be glad to rejoin ISKCON. But as along as nothing is done about that, how can you expect them to join in especially as it was this that drove them out?
Having said so much I must inform you that I am not from the HK Hill. I am an independent observer who has nothing to gain either way. In fact, I am of the opinion that ISKCON Karnataka’s break away was probably not the right thing to do but given the options they had it was probably the only thing they could do when faced with expulsions back in 2001. But I also think its time ISKCON asked itself why did a star Guruvadi devotees like Madhu Pandit and his associates do what they did? Its time ISKCON put its own house in order so that independent thinking and bold devotee do not have to repeat his ordeal. The main issue is that unsolved Guru Issue. It will do even more damage to ISKCON as it is unchecked.
You have also said in previous posts that Ritviks in ISKCON enjoy good posts & are more than tolerated. So then why do they still have a resolution that the Ritvik system is a ‘deviant system that can, if practiced attract an expulsion from ISKCON?’
The IBDA members were once proud Ritviks. Have you all given up your stance on that issue in that other camp? I don’t think so. Deep inside you all know where the real problem lies.
Hundreds of devotees attracted by Srila Prabhupada’s books and movement join ISKCON only to be used as sources of money and free work for their ‘gurus’. Gurus in ISKCON do not have to report the Dakshina & donations they collect among other things. Accountability with respect to Gurudakshina & other donations to gurus simple DO NOT exist in ISKCON.
The GBC has not asked for such an accountability. Why? Because the GBC is mostly made up of gurus! If you add up all the money that flows into the hands of the present gurus, it runs into millions and would put the allegations against the Akshayapatra sound silly. All this is money that should have gone into ISKCON’s preaching activities. Not for flats, plush accommodation, luxury cars, first class air tickets and so on for gurus. Who audits these?
Perhaps a blog called GBC .com as in “Guru Bandits & Con-men.com?” Please take this suggestion positively and take on the role of reforming ISKCON as a whole. And why not? You guys have the numbers, the means and the readership as demonstrated here in this IBDA blog.
Besides why do these gurus not realize that its Srila Prabhupada’s books that attracted these devotees to ISKCON? Instead they compete with each other to get more disciples. They even have poaching problems. In my opinion the Gurus have done worse than Madhu Pandit Das as they have usurped ISKCON from within the movement. I would say that is a lot clever than what MPD has done. Without court cases and lawyers, without being branded deviant and without being harassed these gurus have each craved out their own little kingdoms within ISKCON with their own band of fan-disciples and their own agendas, books & lectures replacing Srila Prabhupadas preaching. Who can deny this? Who can ask for more?
Is ISKCON united? No way! Each temple is some guru’s private domain except for the big ones. And in big temples there is no unity or common goal. Disciples of each guru have their own agendas. ISKCON has become a collective conglomeration of each guru’s private plans for their well being. As a result ISKCON is without common goals or definite goals. There must be a definite mission statement and specific targets to be achieved within set time frames. The US yatra is in a mess. What are the remedial measures being taken to revive it? Karmi companies that went down are known to have restructured themselves and changed to suit the times to bounce back into being big cooperates once again. ISKCON has this great brand equity in US even today. But is the GBC planning to revive that again or have they just resigned themselves to the down-slide?
I am for both the ISKCON merging having ironed out most of the major differences keeping what Srila Prabhupada wants in mind. Setting aside all the anger and rage for each other, I still think there is hope for a cool headed talk and some agreements to be forged out. I can see that the fire works from both sides will take a few more months to subside. But after the smoke clears, I think both sides will see that its Srila Prabhupada who is hurt & the most damaged. A little give-and-take can go a long way to solving this unless of course both sides are as immature as street urchins in a brawl.
Hare Krsna
an ex-devotee
Jiva Himsa 