Reflections on Krishna Consciousness…
I lived in New Dwaraka from 1980 to 1990 and have been still devoted to the L.
A. Ratha Yatra and still give some donations for appearance days etc. I am not so up to date as to what nonsense may be going on within the GBC or elsewhere, nor am I necessarily qualified to judge. I do certainly agree that Srila Prabhupada’s books should not be changed since that was his
Hare Krishna, All glories to a most dear and precious Srila Prabhupada,
I lived in New Dwaraka from 1980 to 1990 and have been still devoted to the L.A. Ratha Yatra and still give some donations for appearance days etc. I am not so up to date as to what nonsense may be going on within the GBC or elsewhere, nor am I necessarily qualified to judge. I do certainly agree that Srila Prabhupada’s books should not be changed since that was his personal order which should be absolutely honored. If some editor wishes to correct some typo or disorder I would think it should be in the form of footnotes without physically changing the texts, and in no way should it alter any meaning of the texts. That system in Christianity led it from abstaining from eating meat to demonizing vegetarians. I am actually surprised that the so-called advanced leaders of ISKCON could be so careless in regards to an original manuscript from an actual Saint.
Still, I don’t feel that attacking them is the best course.
Nor do I like seeing devotees condemning the Temples themselves as though they have no more importance to Srila Prabhupada. I don’t believe that devotees should act in such a way that even though they disagree with possible fallen ISKCON management, that they themselves are banned or hated by those who at least do arrange some kind of activity to pay the bills of the Temples. I would suggest that those who may be rightfully critical of what’s left of Srila Prabhupada’s movement should portray good example, not put up walls, and engage as many in positive preaching as possible despite the misdeeds that are going on. I don’t know that Krishna couldn’t or wouldn’t take some direct charge regarding what goes on in His pure devotee’s Temple/organization, and I don’t think He would remain unavailable to souls that still approach Him at Srila Prabhupada’s Temples. They are still Prabhupada’s Temples and those that see should still serve Prabhupada there.
I am one to talk. I certainly couldn’t deal with life in ISKCON, but it is as much my own fault as anyone else’s. Still I go there to see Srila Prabhupada’s Murty and the Deities. It may be seen that Their presence is a bit removed, but not unavailable. And how can it be wrong to support what Srila Prabhupada initiated like Ratha Yatra?
Well you might say that if the books are significantly changed then preaching is ruined, and I’d have to agree that at some point ISKCON could become “Churchianity”, and certainly everything should be done to reverse the damage. Anyone who does, deserves great credit for upholding Srila Prabhupada as He is. There are things that even I may disagree with Srila Prabhupada over out of whatever visionary limitations, still the preservation of everything that someone so great has brought forward for the re-spiritualization of lost mankind is so critical that how could any of us who were utterly lost souls without Srila Prabhupada’s touch, even think to begin to “improve” upon his work?
Time is revealing Srila Prabhupada’s unique position and Krishna is serving notice that He will clean house one way or another. I am testimony to that.
Haribol, Hare Krishna.
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