| How the Gurukulis feel about ISKCON Leaders An excerpt from "Spirit Not this Body," Number 6, 1997.(If you would like to update your comment or add something to the discussion,please email or post your message to ourbulletin board.) The following statements were submitted by people who were born andraised in this Movement and are now young adults, between the ages of 20- 30. To facilitate open and honest communication, we have tried to printexcerpts of most everything that was submitted. We wish that the leaderswho may read this take it as feedback on leadership in general, and notas an attack on their person. We also wish to acknowledge that the GBCbody and individual ISKCON leaders are giving donations to support thismagazine, and that they actually want to find out how the second generationyouth, ISKCON's "future hope," feel about the present leadership. My single biggest problem with the GBC is that it is not a representativebody, but rather a collection of sannyasis and some senior male householderswho dictate policy for the entire Movement. What we need is for those sannyasisto be what Srila Prabhupada taught us a sannyasi should be: the most humble,pious, and forgiving of all people. Yet that is not what we see from ourgoverning body. Long-time disciples of Srila Prabhupada are forced out,told they are crazy (or committing serious Vaisnava aparadha) and replacedwith fresh young bhaktas that do as they are told. The people we were told were pure devotees and at whose "lotus feet"we should take shelter have fallen down like the candalas they were. There needs to be more representation of women and children among theGBC because a society that strives for longevity cannot afford to alienatethem. Why must the GBC continue to be the "old boys" network, protectingtheir own? Anybody that was at the L.A. Reunion could feel the hatred andvehemence directed toward DDS, the former principal of the Vrindavana Gurukula.Even after all the offenses he made to countless gurukulis, the GBC wasstill protecting him. I don't think anything can save the present management from itself,because most are merely worthy politicians! Promise you the world and thendeliver nothing. They just don't inspire an ounce of confidence in me.I'm sorry if this view offends anyone, but I just needed to get it offmy chest. Your servant, rgd hotel a BucharestI can count on one hand the number of ex-gurukulis I've met who haveany respect left for the leadership of ISKCON. Examine this single incident. At the Alachua meetings of the North American leaders (GBC, TPs) [on5/20/96], gurukulis bared the scars of the abuses they suffered in ISKCON's"schools." A slightly bellicose youth kicked it off by saying, "This isyour last chance" to fix things. After much heartfelt emotional outpouring from the gurukulis, the #1concern of the GBC members was "Oh my God! They're going to sue us forevery last penny, and if we apologize, they're going to use it againstus in court." What is wrong with this picture? Apologies followed later, but first was the legal nicety of "coveringthe GBC's behinds." I have yet to hear any leader ask the victims of ISKCONgurukula abuse what they want! Finally, many thousands of dollars of pledgesmade have yet to materialize. We're talking a pretty low integrity levelhere. I am an optimist and I believe ISKCON's leaders will "do the rightthing," eventually. So I give them the benefit of the doubt on a personallevel, and work with them on worthwhile projects and goals like Childrenof Krishna, Inc. Sometimes this optimism is rewarded. H.H. Tamal KrishnaMaharaj came through on his $10,000 pledge last year. Anuttama Prabhu andhis wife, Rukmini, did the same. He is a real joy to work with on Childrenof Krishna. Overall, CKI got less than half of the funds promised. I thinkit would be a good idea if ISKCON had some real leaders. -sda What do I think of ISKCON leaders? There are a few good ones out therebut there are some that I don't care for. On an individual level, they'reokay. But when they get together, they make weird decisions. For example,when Hridayananda Maharaja wrote that [a known child abuser] had to go,he was attacked by his godbrothers saying that two wrongs do not make aright. Most of my friends hold the GBC in extreme contempt. But accordingto a survey conducted by Children of Krishna, the gurukulis believe thatthe leaders are moving in the right direction on second generation issues. I was extremely disappointed that less than half of the leaders whopledged funds to Children of Krishna actually kept their word. --kad My experience with ISKCON leaders has been similar to what's been expressedby many of my peers. During the time I was in L.A. "Representing" gurukuliissues, I went to four GBC meetings over a two year period (1992-94). ILbecame frustrated and disgusted with the overall GBC body. ISKCON's so-called managerial system was developed by young people whohad no idea what they were doing, despite the vast amounts of informationavailable to them. The result of this vacuum is the mess and chaos we seetoday. At the time I was attending the GBC meetings, the unspoken word on thegurukula child abuse issue was, "Don't talk about it, not your head insympathy, don't admit anything, and deal with it only if a lawsuit arises."In 1992 the GBC representatives pledged $50,000 a year for a three-yearprogram that was meant to deal with Gurukula-related issues. The fundingnever manifested, except for a one-time donation of $12,000 by Jagadisha(then Swami). On their word, I moved from Michigan to Los Angeles to helphead up the project, later to be called "Gurukula Alumni, Inc." and "ProjectFuture Hope." Our program struggled along only because of the stubborndetermination by Manu and myself to spend most of our earnings from ourday jobs on it. After some time, I realized I was wasting my time becauseultimately it was the GBC's responsibility. On an individual level, there probably are many sincere, good-heartedpeople on the GBC. On a group level, their conduct, integrity and accountabilityis lacking. I am an optimistic pessimist. I hope for the best and prepare for theworst. I hope the GBC will get it together and in the meanwhile don't dependon it happening. luxury hotels in BudapestIf someone reading what I've written wants to respond, please contactme personally. In the same regard, I hold each GBC member personally responsiblefor their part in the decisions they make, Seeking the essence, cmd I was raised in the New Vrindavana Gurukula until the age of eleven.During the course of those years, I was severely and constantly beaten,intimidated, shunned, molested (by three teachers), my brother was killedin a refrigerator, and my father was murdered by "devotees." I feel that ISKCON is lacking in purity, sincerity, and COMPASSION andthat the followers will reflect the consciousness of the leaders. Manyof the GBC don't "walk their talk." A qualified person would be outragedwith ISKCON's reluctance to deal with their highly abusive past. Dealingwith these issues provides an opportunity for healing, transformation,growth, advancement and realization. The most fundamental and importantlevel of preaching is to face one's inconsistencies with humility and sincerity. I see that by overcoming the obstacles from my past, I have the possibilityof improving my character. If ISKCON leaders did the same, all would notbe lost. It is sometimes hard to recognize the pure, untouched, resilientpart of me, but I'm doing it and finding extraordinary results. I'm justtrying to pursue my own spirituality independently of the shameful behaviorof some of our spiritual leaders and their followers. Please forgive mefor any disrespect. This is my honest perspective at this time. -bkd I would like to say that most of my experiences with ISKCON leadershave been very positive. If someone asked me what do I think of gurukulis,I could easily say they are a bunch of arrogant, uncultured, spoiled bratswith no regards for anyone except themselves. They think they can walkin a place and do whatever they want. Do you think it would be fair tosay? But I have experienced the above. I have seen guys coming to Mayapuracting as if they own the place and shouldn't be told anything becausethey are the "gurukulis." I agree that the GBC have blown it in many areas, but when I see themdepicted as some sort of mafia group, a disgusting body of individualswith no integrity, etc., I think it is unfair. Consider that most GBC were:a) hippies; b) not trained in education, household affairs, society organization,finances, or long-term planning; c) thinking that pure chanting was thesolution; d) inheriting an over-expanded ISKCON; e) expecting gurukulisto act with a convert's zeal; f) fanatical and narrow minded; g) trainedto make devotees by hook or by crook; h) prohibited from reading non-ISKCONbooks; i) too young to realize mistakes; j) fighting off sense gratification,and the desire for name, fame, glory, profit, adoration and distinction;k) prone to commit mistakes, cheat others, have imperfect senses and fallunder illusion; l) sannyasis without having been proper grihasthas. Considering this, I think that it is glorious that some are still around.What a thankless task! I would hate to be in their shoes. I don't thinkwe could have expected more because honestly, I don't think anyone couldhave done much better in those circumstances. Could we, the gurukulis,have done much better? -pvd Pvd wrote: ". . . What do I think of the gurukulis, I couldeasily say they are a bunch of arrogant, uncultured, spoiled brats . .." I busted a gut on that one. It was truly funny. I wonder who the gurukulislearned that particular behavior from? Any guesses? I don't remember anylessons on culture or good behavior -- unless you count making kids eattheir food on the garbage pile with the stray pigs, dogs, and flies, becausethey ate with their mouths open. (A tactic used by one of our VrindavanaGurukula teachers.) Each individual is judged both by their actions and by the actions ofthe company they keep. It is a sword that cuts both ways. You also have been repeatedly trying to make the point that there areusually two (or more) sides to every issue. The point is genuine and Iagree. However, putting down gurukulis was in very poor taste. At leastwe try to have some semblance of honor and decency. -bvd After a Mayapur GBC "hearing," where a "devotee" was found guilty ofstealing form my family, conspiring to discredit us, then lying to thecommittee in front of the Deities, he was still given sannyas and guruship.This shattered my trust in the "system." This person is accepting worshipand respect, with the consent of the GBC, and is clearly not qualified.ISKCON's standards are not very high, I guess. By "vedic" standards, hishands would be cut off, but the GBC gives him sannyas and guruship instead. There maybe some sincere individuals in ISKCON, but the overall systemis rotten and ready to burst with the weight of their sins. They can'tclear out some of the people known for abuse because they all have "stuff"on each other and can't point their fingers. In this way it is an "oldboys" network based on fear and suspicion. After reading what Prema Vikas said in favor of the GBC, I still don'tthink any better of them. In the 80s, the GBC and gurus could have doneanything and most everyone would have followed. Instead of establishinga movement with love and trust, it became a sexist cult led by eleven individuals(and their proteges) who have to take responsibility. "Could we, the gurukulis, have done much better?" We could not have done much worse. -sgdd I am not in the position to say (nor do I want to be) why the person S.G. mentioned was madea guru and a sannyasi. It is a disgrace that ISKCON lacks a proper justice system, butthe reason it does not exist is because no one would listen to their judgments. GuruGauranga dasa tried to make zonal cours where local people would take care of their own justice but it never worked. I don't think it ever will. pernottamento Daugavpils CityOne of the biggest mistakes ISKCON made was to institutionalize absolute philosophy. Management and institutions are relative systems and are not absolute. We judge according to our subjective experience. You are sayying it is a rotten system; I don't agree. I don't say it is perfect, but you can't show me an institution where there aren't dissatisfied, angry individuals. These are unavoidable. There is no perfect country, no perfect government and we have got to face this fact. If what you are saying is right, time will tell. Whoever has "stuff" on him will be clearedout sooner or later, of this I am convinced. Look at [a current sannyasi and guru found guiltyof child abuse]. Who would have thought ten years ago that he will be in this situation? -pvd I was born and raised in New Vrindavana and let me just stay that I'veseen it all. From my own experiences, I personally don't trust most ISKCONleaders because the ones I dealt with were selfish, greedy, mean, and outfor personal gain. I know some of this seems really negative, but it is,after all, my own personal experience. I feel very relieved to talk to people that have gone through the sameas I have. Thanks for listening. -bd ERROR MSGI've always loved acting. I've been part of the theater group at mytemple since I was a little boy. The other day, the manager of the theatergroup told me that he didn't want me near the theater room anymore, becausemy father has since seriously investigated the "Ritvik" philosophy. I wasbeing discriminated against and it brought me great distress and shock.I enjoyed friendly relationships with all the actors and now this conflictbreaks my heart. I am afraid that my wounds can never be healed becauseof this unjustice. I feel used and chewed-up, like a piece of dirt on thefloor. I now wonder if my relationship with these people was ever genuine. My father, along with several others, is now banned from going to thetemple because of his beliefs. I feel that I too will lose my privilegeof going to a place where I spent my whole childhood. I don't even understandwhat the Ritvik belief is all about! My life has changed. I hardly ever go to the temple anymore. I do notfeel inclined to go and enjoy the scenery, or see the Deities. I feel likean outcast, similar to my father. But hey, like father, like son! Your Brother, ptd Well I think that ISKCON leaders are doing their best to carry on SrilaPrabhupada's movement. In some cases I think they could be more open mindedand merciful. On the whole I feel that what they are doing is pleasingtheir spiritual master. I do think that they need to stop picking favorites." I have seen inmany cases, a certain guru or GBC encourages someone they like so muchthat the person prospers in Krsna Consciousness. Is it any wonder? Thesame result would occur for anyone, but the GBC or guru puts their "pet"up on a pedestal and praises them. I think everyone should be given equalattention and encouragement in Krsna Consciousness. Just my two cents worth. -ndd I won't judge all ISKCON leaders for what some of them have done. ButI can say that I think most of the Temple Presidents and GBC are cool!Take Mother Nanda, for instance, who is Temple President here; she is reallysweet. But people are different. -vdd I've come to the conclusion that hierarchical power and religion don'tmix very well. It seems that people have a tendency to want material thingswhen they get power, but that doesn't mix with spiritual life. I'm notpointing fingers at anyone in particular. I haven't paid attention to who'swho on the ISKCON totem pole. I definitely don't like this idea of banningpeople from temples though. I mean, if the bum off the street is allowedto come and see the Lord even if he doesn't know that he is making spiritualadvancement, why shouldn't devotees who have been labeled as being "offensive"or "rebellious" or "dangerous" be allowed darsana of the Lord? I don't have any respect for the GBC because I only hear how they offenddevotees who are trying to speak out. They just seem so narrow-minded andstuck in their ways. Sort of like a bunch of old imperial British men drinkingtea and playing cards. Who do they think they are anyway? I would like to see a structure that doesn't allow one person to becomeentrenched into a position of power. We should use business people trainedand experienced in running organizations to make laws and manage ISKCON,and use the sannyasis, gurus, as well as some qualified women, as a governingbody to advise. Haribol, ndd What I think? Many different things. What I feel? That depends. Butwhat I can say now is: "May he who has no sin cast the first stone." Basicallythere are not so many people that are perfect. -bd I think it's easy for us to judge ISKCON leaders without fully understandingthe complexities of their position. Unfortunately, past mistakes have beenmade, but I think many of the present leaders are sincere and are tryingto please Srila Prabhupada. I have faith Srila Prabhupada will continueto guide them. I also think the ISKCON leaders sometimes don't understand what it islike to be in our position, as gurukulis. It would be nice if there couldbe more open communication and mutual understanding. Also, I fear sometimesthat they may get carried away with making resolutions, etc., and missthe real heart of the matter -- that we all develop our love for Krsna.We may be guilty, too, of the same thing by getting distracted with issues.However, I am committed to serving Srila Prabhupada and my spiritual masterin ISKCON. And I feel indebted to Srila Prabhupada for everything he didfor us. --lmdd I request to be anonymous. I want to also in the future be able to walkinto a temple and have darsana of the Deities. Please, all of you who readthis letter, forgive me if I offend you. If a leader is not qualified, or not trying very, very hard to be qualified,or if he has committed severe crimes in the past, then he shouldn't bea leader. If he has done something wrong, the best way to apologize isto never do it again. I don't believe in punishment. It is extremely importantthat an unqualified leader is removed, his wrong doings stopped immediately,and that they never happen again. A leader must set an example for his followers. He has the power tomanipulate a follower's entire spiritual future! It is not good to acceptan unqualified person as your supreme authority. No ISKCON leader otherthan Srila Prabhupada should be worshipped on this level -- by this I donot mean that other Vaisnavas shouldn't be served and paid respect, butthey should also at least try to chant Hare Krsna, practice humility, followthe regulative principles, preach, and distribute Prabhupada's books. This letter is simply my opinion on how things should be ideally --standards I would like to see my authorities live up to, so that one dayI too will find the energy to follow in their footsteps. I'm sure manyISKCON devotees are very sincere and elevated and I offer my respectfulobeisances to them. Anonymous, raised in ISKCON, age 23 Haribol. I have the utmost respect for all the ISKCON leaders I havecome in contact with, such as Murlivadaka Prabhu, who has done a lot forhis gurukula and me. He got me into college and by his teaching, preaching,encouragement, and association I've been able to keep a 3.6 GPA. Also,Bir Krsna Maharaja, who sends any sannyasis who are visiting the Honolulutemple for more than a week to the "Big Island" for home programs. A monthago, Navayogendra Maharaja came and we had a wonderful program. Last Tuesday,Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja came for two evening programs. The programs areso nice and it brings the island community together. Your servant, ld It makes me angry to hear that some of our leaders knew about what happenedin the past to the children in gurukula and didn't do anything. Anothervery upsetting thing is that even after so much talk about helping theyouth, some leaders still treat us badly. Sometimes I feel I'm only wantedas long as I do what I'm told. As soon as you point out discrepancies,you are kicked out. Many people go away from ISKCON because of this. Thisis the situation where I live. One of our "department heads," for example, thinks that because he isin a position of authority, he can have affairs with other people's wives.When we tell our GBC, he doesn't believe us or just doesn't seem to care.I think the older "devotees" should: a) not push us away; b) be genuineand supportive; c) respect our opinion; d) understand that we are individuals;e) not exploit us! I hate this kind of hypocrisy. ERROR MSGSorry if I offended anyone, but I have been waiting a long time to saythis. I found all the other texts from the youth on this subject very clearand to the point. Keep up the good work, ISKCON Youth Ministry. jkdd |