Kavichandra, please rectify yourself !
Kavichandra Swami, another bogus Sannyasi and Guru
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Complaint about Kavichandra Maharaja by Damodar das
To all GBC
09. April 2007 - Hare Krsna. Please accept my humble
obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I am Damodar dasa, an Indian devotee initiated by Srila
Prabhupada and a Mayapura gurukula graduate. I have been in Iskcon since I was
4 when I began attending the Mayapura gurukula. I have been preaching in
Bangkok, Thailand, for 17 years on the approval of His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja.
I would like to register a complaint concerning Kavichandra Swami, that based
on past actions witnessed by myself and some by Gaura Mandala Bhumi prabhu in
1993, and based on current activities, he is i) not fit to be the GBC for Thailand;
ii) not fit to be a sannyasi; and iii) not fit to be an initiating guru, based
on the following:
I am attaching a letter "To All GBC" wherein I have explained in detail
Kavichandra Maharaja's concerning numerous incidents that occurred at the old
temple here in Bangkok, Thailand, between he and his female disciple, Krsna dasi,
from Finland, in 1993. Although the incidents happened a long time ago,
the effects are continuing to be felt today, as he has since then tried to avoid
me and tried to discredit me, as detailed in the attachment, on fear that I would
expose his actions.
This attempt to discredit me has continued to today, where he is publishing negative
remarks and aspersions to my character to the public, calling me a "debauch,"
which should normally not be done. one's dirty laundry, so to speak, should
not be displayed in public, especially internal Iskcon matters. He is posting
his comments on an Indian website forum, www.thaindian.com,
and encouraging his followers here to refer to my preaching center as a "fake
Iskcon temple" and encouraging the Indian community to stop associating with me.
If there is any question of my character or activities, I feel I should have been
notified to provide a chance to make a rebuttal. Also, since I was approved by
His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja, as contained in attached "To All GBC" to engage
in preaching here in Bangkok, how can I suddenly be called a "fake Iskcon temple,"
or as Kavichandra said, not affiliated with Iskcon?
The reason, on introspection, is that I have not had a good working relationship,
or any at all, with Kavichandra Maharaja since his strange activities here in
1993 that I mentioned in "To All GBC." I do not welcome anyone in the temple
who would create a disturbance. I admit that I should have reported his
activities when they occurred, because if I had, perhaps he would not be the GBC
for Thailand now.
Another complaint is that I sent a few letters to Jayapataka Maharaja as of March
31 about Kavichandra trying to discredit my activities here, but he did not respond.
Rather, he responded to the Indian man here in Bangkok (see below) who is being
used by Kavichandra to attack me,
saying that I and my namhatta preaching center here is not authorized by Iskcon
nor affiliated in any way. Below are the e-mail from Jayapataka Maharaja
to the Indian man, and Kavichandra's e-mail to the same person.
I have been preaching here in Bangkok, Thailand, for 17 years, have made tangible
progress by having attracted a large congregation of members in the Indian community.
Roughly 50 people normally attend the Sunday programs, and up to 500 attend special
programs such as Janmastami, Gaura Purnima/Holi, etc. I have taken a long-term
lease for a building and refurbished it into a temple with a kirtan hall and deities
and altar. The temple is open all day and evening so people can come for
darshan. Noon and evening aratis are performed, and there is always someone
to greet visitors. I perform fire sacrifices for weddings, etc., in the
Indian community, and other services. If because of this negative publicity
being spread in the Indian community by Kavichandra and his followers my preaching
program is forced to stop, it would have more of a negative effect than a positive
one.
Action requested: i) for Kavichandra and his people here to immediately desist
spreading rumors and accusations of being a fake temple; ii) for a statement to
be issued on www.thaindian.com
by Kavichandra retracting his accusations against me; iii) a review of the qualification
of Kavichandra to be the GBC for Thailand; iv) a review if I have engaged in any
wrongdoing; or v) a statement by His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja, Bhanu
Swami, and Bhakti Purusottama Swami stating that I am no longer affiliated with
Iskcon, then I will humbly accept.
Attached are "To All GBC," Kavichandra's elimination of me from Iskcon in "Iskcon
Bangkok Notice," and emails to Jayapataka Maharaja, which he has not responded
to.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this pressing matter.
Your servant,
Damodar dasa
P.S. Below are two emails sent my Kavichandra and Jayapataka Maharaja to the Indian
man in Bangkok, but I received no email notifying me of my change in Iskcon status
to, basically, non-performing:
HARE KRISHNA NAMHATA PREACHING CENTER
Founder-Acharya of the International Society
for
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
154/4, 5 Soi Putho Osoth, New
Background
I and my entire
family are devotees initiated by Srila Prabhupada, and I am a member in good standing
of Iskcon. I entered Mayapura gurukula school in 1972
when I was 4 years old and completed my education in gurukula in 1981-82. I traveled to other countries before I
came to
I saw
Since I am
an Iskcon devotee, I have always advertised that the temple is a Hare Krsna namhatta
preaching center under His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and
affiliated with Iskcon. We currently
hold simple morning programs, and
All At
Risk
But all this
is at a risk of being destroyed by one person: Kavichandra Maharaja.
He is using
one of his followers, an Indian student here, and others to try to discredit me
and to even threaten me. This person,
on the instruction of Kavichandra, is posting negative and offensive things about
me and the preaching mission here on a local Indian website forum here, thaindian.com,
claiming I am not in any way related to Iskcon.
Kavichandra
wrote a letter on official GBC letterhead in January this year to his follower
saying I am not affiliated with Iskcon, and instructed the follower to spread
the letter throughout the Indian community saying that the
This follower,
on the instruction of Kavichandra, is also suggesting some threat to me personally,
even though he has never met me. On
one of this person’s postings to the forum, he wrote: “it is because
of the humble and kind gurus like Jayapataka Swami that he {Damodar} is not yet
forced to leave his body.”
Action?
I would have
thought that the GBC would have taken appropriate action to deal with Kavichandra
in response to the letter written by His Grace Gaura Mandala Bhumi prabhu in 1998
entitled “I tried to serve you” (please see attachment 2).
But this was
apparently not the case. He is still
engaging in actions unbecoming an Iskcon sannyasi and guru as shown by his attempts
to discredit my activities here, and he is possibly continuing to engage in conduct
unbecoming a sannyasi still (please see attachment “Kavichandra Rectify Yourself”).
What
happen
I do not mean
to bring up old subjects, but it has come time for me to break my silence and
fully explain some references about Kavichandra that were made in the letter by
Gaura Mandala Bhumi. If I speak now, perhaps finally some action
may be taken to deal with this recidivist.
In his letter,
Gaura Mandala Bhumi said “there have been a few rumors of Kavichandra being
alone in a room with a mataji in
What happened
was that in 1993 after the Mayapur festival, Kavichandra came to Bankgok and stayed
in the temple here which I had been managing under the direction of he and His
Holiness Jayapaka Maharaja since 1989. One
morning right after Tulasi arati, Kavichandra called for his female disciple,
Krsna dasi, from
I do not understand
why Gaura Mandala Bhumi said this incident was not proven, after all, the female
disciple telephoned me at the temple in April 1993 after their visit and confessed
to me, but she also spoke and confessed the same to Gaura Mandala Bhumi, who was
visiting me at the
I can also confirm what Gaura Mandala Bhumi said in his letter about Kavichandrda staying in the bathroom for hours, which I saw many times. At that time, I did not understand, but now I realize that Kavichandra is mentally and physically a sick man.
On another
one of his visits to the temple here, I saw women’s bras and underwear in
his bag one day. I could not believe my eyes that he had
such undergarments in his bag, so I asked him to explain.
Kavichandra told me the items were for his wife and daughter, who were
staying in
Strangely,
whenever Kavichandra would travel to
On another
time, he came into the temple kitchen and began eating out of the pot used to
cook for the deities while complaining, “this is too spicy, this is not good,”
but continued eating.
In 1996, I
was told by the temple president in the Honolulu, Hawaii, temple when I visited
there that Kavichandra was kicked out
of the temple two days before I had arrived because he was talking all nonsense
and manipulating devotees, and basically engaging in activities that caused a
disturbance to others in the temple. A few days after, Kavichandra telephoned
to talk to the temple president. When
he learned that I was there, Kavichandra ranted and raved, saying many negative
things about me. The president told me, however, that he
didn’t believe anything Kavichandra said, because he knew his background.
Since the incidents
in
Apart from
these incidents, even though Gaura Mandala Bhumi wrote so many things in his letter
about Kavichandra, why was there no stern action taken against him.
Action
needed
Considering
that he is in the sannyasi ashram and considering all the things mentioned in
Gaura Mandala Bhumi’s letter, Kavichandra should not be allowed to wear the
sannyasi robes, or else have the rules of Iskcon changed where one can break the
regulative principles but have no action taken if one holds a high position in
the society? I have seen some sannyasis
and gurus who have either stepped down or been forced by the GBC to step down
because they had broken the regulative principles. So why was Kavichandra allowed to maintain
his status?
Standing
The question
is just where do I stand in all this? I
have kept quiet for all these years about Kavichandra’s discretions here
in
As far as I
understand, I have been under His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja, who is a faultless
sannyasi and guru worthy of all respect and honor.
Even if he does not provide me a letter of recommendation confirming that
I am a member of Iskcon, I will always be indebted to him for everything he has
done in the past for me and my parents.
If 3 GBC members,
namely, His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja, Bhanu Swami, and Bhakti
Purusottama Swami, issue a letter stating that I am
not affiliated with Iskcon, then I will humbly accept.
Attached are
letters and emails I have sent to His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja in seeking
his help. I have had no reply as of yet.
I feel heavy
hearted in writing this letter, as being of Indian birth and a devotee trained
in Iskcon since 4 years of age, I do not feel good being critical of another vaishnava,
especially a senior devotee, sannyasi, and guru.
I hope that I have not committed any offense, and if I have done so, I
beg forgiveness. However, I feel that the stakes are now
so high that inaction would be the worst for both Kavichandra, Iskcon’s preaching
mission in
Your servant,
Damodar dasa
From: JPSTAT <JPSTAT@pamho.net>
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 01:47 -0500
Subject: Iskcon in Bangkok?
To: "Praghosa (das) SDG (IRL)" <Praghosa.SDG@pamho.net
>, Sajal Kayan <sajal@thaindian.com
>
Cc: "Kavicandra Swami (GBC Japan)" <Kavicandra.Swami@pamho.net
>, info@thaindian.com
Dear Sajal,
Hare Krishna. Damodar das is an initiated devotee from ISKCON
who has established his own independent program which has no legal connection
with ISKCON. ISKCON is not responsible for his activities. If
he can do some good community service and spread the message of Lord Krishna on
his own we wish him all good fortune. Personally I visited his site
in Bangkok. I didn't see any sign indicating he was claiming to
be ISKCON when I went. I don't know about his web site. ISKCON
has a number of followers in Thailand and they are trying to organize themselves
into an authorized Temple for serving the larger community. Kavicandra
Swami has the address of the Thailand preaching center which is
authorized by ISKCON. I think he is visiting Thailand at the present
moment.
Yours in service,
Jayapataka Swami
---- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kavicandra Swami (GBC Japan) <Kavicandra.Swami@pamho.net
>
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 05:13 -0400
Subject: Re: Iskcon in Bangkok?
To: Sajal Kayan <sajal@thaindian.com
>
Damodara is well known as a debauch. He does not look like
anyone in ISKCON. We were not aware just how much
he has promoted himself as ISKCON. I guess the Thai Indian community
is not familiar with ISKCON.
We will discuss about honoring the life memberships that he has given.
For sure none issued after today will be honored. They gave in good
faith.
If people want to support him, they are free to do that. But not report
anything to anyone in ISKCON, everyone should know that.
Kavichandra Swami
 |
ISKCON
(International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace AC. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Website: www.krishna.com |
|
| Date: 17th January 2007 | |
|
NOTICE There are many devotees of LORD KRSNA and many temples of LORD KRSNA. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is one International organization of KRSNA temples. The Radha Krsna temple known as "Hare Krishna Temple, Namhatta Preaching
Center at 154/4,5 Putha Osoth Newroad opposite to K-Building, Suriwong is not
an ISKCON Temple, nor is the organizer, Damodara Dasa, a member of ISKCON. ISKCON does not take any credit for nor can be accountable for the activities
there. |
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E-mail
Dear Srila Jayaptaka Maharaja.
Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Maharaja, an Indian attendee of the temple
here in Thonburi has for some reason begun a vendetta to discredit my activities
here. He has been posting on the Thaindian.com
website that I am not affiliated with Iskcon and have nothing to do with it, and
that I am a charlatan cheater for claiming to be.
He has also enlisted the help of Kavichandra
Swami, who issued an official letter on GBC letterhead stating that my temple
is not an Iskcon temple, nor is the organizer, Damodar dasa, a member of Iskcon.
My dear Maharaja, I have been here in
As you know, I was a gurukula student
since I was four years old, graduating in 1972, and was initiated by Srila Prabhupada. Yes, I maintain a low profile, and sannyasis,
etc., do not visit temple on
But I know that Kavichandra Swami will
never come. In fact, whenever he sees me, he goes in
the opposite direction. And I believe
this is because he feels uncomfortable seeing me, and that, I believe, is the
reason he is also behind those trying to discredit me.
You see, Maharaja, he is uncomfortable because I have seen him a few times
here in Bangkok engaging in acts against the order of sannyas and so would be
considered a fall-down, and one incident occurred in the temple.
I am not a whistle-blower and never tried
to report his behavior to the GBC, because I simply wish to carry out my preaching
activities here and not be involved in politics of any kind.
But it seems the politics is seeking me out, without having done anything
to anyone.
In the letter by Mr. Souvik Datta, which
is attached as “From the Website,” he states that “”
Maharaja, if you believe I am still part
of Iskcon, I beg you to please issue a letter so stating.
If you view me as being a deviant, unwanted person, being outside
of Iskcon, then also please so state. But
if that is the case, I would have no longer have the shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s
Iskcon that I love so dearly.
Please find attached Kavichandra’s
letter, “Iskcon Bangkok Notice,” and my reply to Souvik Datta and 2
other Indians here entitled “Response.”
As mentioned, Mr Souvik Datta’s posting on the Thaindian.com website
is attached as “From the Website.”
This is such an urgent matter, that I
would kindly request your earliest reply.
Your servant,
Damodar dasa
--------------------
April 1, 2007
Fwd to: Ekanath Gaura prabhu
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Maharaja, I was preaching here in
You may remember that I had many hardships
during that period. From then, I have
developed a very nice congregation among the Indian community that I refer to
as a namhatta preaching center.
I took a long-term lease on a building
for more than 30,000 baht per month which I converted into a temple with small
Radha Govinda deities. I hold Sunday
evening programs and special programs for all of the special holy days such as
Janmastami, Radhastami, and am also invited for outside programs in the Indian
community as well as in member homes, performing fire sacrifices, weddings, etc.
I have developed some business, from my
own money entirely, such as a tailor shop, small restaurant opposite the preaching
center that has a “guest house,” which is actually a few rooms above
the restaurant that I can rent out for about 150 baht per room per night, for
which I pay rent of 10,000 baht per month.
These help pay for our various expenses.
Also, some congregation members donate some laxmi every month, from 500
baht to 1,000 baht. My monthly expenses
are 50,000-60,000 baht, which also comes from monthly donations from some of our
members.
This preaching program I have been doing
for so many years, before there was an official Iskcon temple at Isarapap in Thonburi. So now some at this temple are instigating
some politics against me that I am not Iskcon, am not part of Iskcon, and they
are encouraging the Indian community to stop associating with me.
Kavicandra Maharaja seems to be involved to support this because of his
letter on official GBC letterhead that says I am not affiliated with Iskcon.
I am not surprised by this. He has avoided me at times when he saw me,
and I suspect he has been saying some negative things about me.
This is of course because of his fall-downs that I personally witnessed
when he was here a few years ago, like with his female disciple, with his going
to the prostitutes, like his buying bras and undergarments for his wife and daughter,
like intentionally eating out of Lord Krsna’s pot used for cooking. I know so many things about him, and thus
he must not be able to look me in the face.
This is one reason why I tend to not pay much attention to what others
at the Isarapap temple are doing. I
prefer to stay separate. I never reported his behavior to you or
the GBC, because I simply want to keep a low profile and focus on preaching, not
politics.
Maharaja, I was brought up in gurukula
since I was 4, graduated in 1972, initiated by Srila Prabhupada (entire family
initiated, as well), always strictly followed the 4 regulative principles, have
been preaching the mission of Srila Prabhupada in Bangkok on behalf of Iskcon
for the last 18 years, with your blessing.
So have I now been kicked out of Iskcon?
Are my activities no longer authorized in the eyes of the GBC?
Is it because since an official Iskcon temple was started, I and
my preaching center are no longer needed?
The Indian community is using Kavichandra Maharaja’s letter as evidence,
as proof that I am a bogus, cheating businessman, not affiliated in any way with
Iskcon.
This is the letterhead I am using for
our correspondence and website. Is
this proper? Am I authorized to use the reference to Srila Prabhupada, or now
I should take out and no longer be associated?
HARE KRISHNA
NAMHATA PREACHING CENTER
Founder-Acharya
of the International Society for
A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
154/4, 5 Soi Putho Osoth,
New
Maharaja, being confused about my duty,
I am humbly requesting that you clarify this matter.
Apart from Srila Prabhupada, I have always had deep respect love and respect
for you as my senior, an Iskcon guru, and full faith in you. Please, can you either
issue a letter stating that my preaching is in accordance with, authorized by,
or affiliated with Iskcon, or else Iskcon has nothing to do with me.
Thank you, Maharaja, for taking the time
to consider this matter.
Your servant,
Damodar dasa
---------------
April 1, 2007
Dear His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Maharaja, I was preaching here in
You may remember that I had many hardships
during that period. From then, I have
developed a very nice congregation among the Indian community that I refer to
as a namhatta preaching center.
I took a long-term lease on a building
for more than 30,000 baht per month which I converted into a temple with small
Radha Govinda deities. I hold Sunday
evening programs and special programs for all of the special holy days such as
Janmastami, Radhastami, and am also invited for outside programs in the Indian
community as well as in member homes, performing fire sacrifices, weddings, etc.
I have developed some business, from my
own money entirely, such as a tailor shop, small restaurant opposite the preaching
center that has a “guest house,” which is actually a few rooms above
the restaurant that I can rent out for about 150 baht per room per night, for
which I pay rent of 10,000 baht per month.
These help pay for our various expenses.
Also, some congregation members donate some laxmi every month, from 500
baht to 1,000 baht. My monthly expenses
are 50,000-60,000 baht, which also comes from monthly donations from some of our
members.
This preaching program I have been doing
for so many years, before there was an official Iskcon temple at Isarapap in Thonburi. So now some at this temple are instigating
some politics against me that I am not Iskcon, am not part of Iskcon, and they
are encouraging the Indian community to stop associating with me.
Kavicandra Maharaja seems to be involved to support this because of his
letter on official GBC letterhead that says I am not affiliated with Iskcon.
I am not surprised by this. He has avoided me at times when he saw me,
and I suspect he has been saying some negative things about me.
This is of course because of his fall-downs that I personally witnessed
when he was here a few years ago, like with his female disciple, with his going
to the prostitutes, like his buying bras and undergarments for his wife and daughter,
like intentionally eating out of Lord Krsna’s pot used for cooking. I know so many things about him, and thus
he must not be able to look me in the face.
This is one reason why I tend to not pay much attention to what others
at the Isarapap temple are doing. I
prefer to stay separate. I never reported his behavior to you or
the GBC, because I simply want to keep a low profile and focus on preaching, not
politics.
Maharaja, I was brought up in gurukula
since I was 4, graduated in 1972, initiated by Srila Prabhupada (entire family
initiated, as well), always strictly followed the 4 regulative principles, have
been preaching the mission of Srila Prabhupada in Bangkok on behalf of Iskcon
for the last 18 years, with your blessing.
So have I now been kicked out of Iskcon?
Are my activities no longer authorized in the eyes of the GBC?
Is it because since an official Iskcon temple was started, I and
my preaching center are no longer needed?
The Indian community is using Kavichandra Maharaja’s letter as evidence,
as proof that I am a bogus, cheating businessman, not affiliated in any way with
Iskcon.
This is the letterhead I am using for
our correspondence and website. Is
this proper? Am I authorized to use the reference to Srila Prabhupada, or now
I should take out and no longer be associated?
HARE KRISHNA
NAMHATA PREACHING CENTER
Founder-Acharya
of the International Society for
A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
154/4, 5 Soi Putho Osoth,
New
Maharaja, being confused about my duty,
I am humbly requesting that you clarify this matter.
Apart from Srila Prabhupada, I have always had deep respect love and respect
for you as my senior, an Iskcon guru, and full faith in you. Please, can you either
issue a letter stating that my preaching is in accordance with, authorized by,
or affiliated with Iskcon, or else Iskcon has nothing to do with me.
Thank you, Maharaja, for taking the time
to consider this matter.
Your servant,
Damodar dasa
More Complaints about Kavichandra
General
Board of Complaints gbc1008@aol.com
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Krishna and be happy!
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