[Note: Iskcon GBC's and Gurus felt threatened by Pradyumna
Prabhu's letter to Satsvaruppa das. Because of his letter, Pradyumna Prabhu was
considered "offensive" and "demoniac" and had
been thrown out of Iskcon. After more than 20 years Iskcon GBC's finally apologised
to Pradyumna Prabhu.]
*Note All words that were
underlined are in UPPER CASE letters for lack of other facility in my email program.
(Retyped for clarity)
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah
7 August, l978
Dear Satsvarupa Maharaj,
Please accept my most humble obeisances. Maharaj, I am writing you this letter
with GREAT anxiety in my heart and after days and days and long nights of thought
and careful consideration.
I have been staying in Vrndavan for some time and have not visited any other center
recently except Delhi. Therefore, my information I have about what is happening
at our other centers comes only from devotees visiting here, occasional letters,
newsletters and our society's magazine and other publications. But the news I
hear from these sources is very alarming and therefore I am writing you in some
anxiety.
The matter concerns the Godbrother who were selected by Srila Prabhupada to accept
disciples. At the time of Srila Prabhupada's disappearance, it was most clearly
understood by all of us present that Srila Prabhupada MADE NO SUCCESSOR. Everyone
admitted that fact and understood it clearly. Instead, the GBC was to jointly
manage ALL affairs of ISKCON just had been the case previously. This was the same
solution as desired by Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who
also had not made any successor, although his wishes were NOT followed. In addition
to the GBC management, Srila Prabhupada also selected 11 somewhat advanced disciples
to grand initiation to newcomers. However if was never mentioned at any time by
His Divine Grace that these 11 were to be known as ACARYAS. He simply instructed
that they may now accept disciples. Otherwise, as it was understood and practiced
at that time, there was NO SPECIAL POSITION given to these 11, either in the society
as a whole or in relation to their Godbrothers. Management would depend on the
joint GBC, and among Godbrothers and sisters all are on the same level, with the
exception of some special regard and respect shown to older (senior) disciples
by these Godbrothers and Godsisters who are junior.
Now at present, I understand that the 11 GURUS are all 1)adopting the title of
ACARYA, 2)sitting on high Vyasasanas in front of Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana
and their own Godbrothers, 3)accepting worship and great respect normally reserved
for a GURU from the rest of their Godbrothers and 4)that the previous GBC zones
have all been given by mutual agreement or by invitation among the different acaryas.
First of all, the word ACARYA may be taken in 3 senses. Etymologically the word
means "one who practices" or "one who practices what he preaches."
This is the general meaning and may be used in relation to any pure devotee period.
Secondly. The word means "one who grants initiation to a disciples."
This is specifically indicating one who is a GURU. Anyone who grants initiation
or is a guru may be called as "acaryadeva," etc.-by his disciples only!
Whoever has accepted him as guru must give all respects to him in every way, but
this does not apply to those who are not his disciples.
Thirdly, the word acarya indicates "the spiritual head of an institution
or pitha." This meaning is very specific. It does not mean just anyone. It
means only one who has been specifically declared by the previous acarya to be
his successor above all others to the seat of the spiritual institution which
he heads. He alone, among all of his Godbrothers, is given a raised set and special
honor. No other Godbrother may receive such respect and he is the authority in
all spiritual and material matters. This is the strict tradition in all of the
Gaudiya Sampradayas. Now Srila Prabhupada, it is clear, did not appoint any such
successor because no one of his disciples at present is advanced to the level
of Krishna Consciousness necessary to assume such a position. Nor did Srila Prabhupada
make 11 such ACARYAS. This was never mentioned by Him. They were only given permission
to make disciples and the GBC was to jointly mange, materially and SPIRITUALLY.
There was never any distinctions made by Srila Prabhupada between material management
and spiritual management. Both are the concern of the GBC. The 11 gurus may be
known as acaryas only in the second sense of the word-to their disciples as mantra-giving
gurus, not in the third sense, as "the" spiritual successors of Srila
Prabhupada. That was never meant to be by His Divine Grace.
Secondly, among Godbrothers it is not correct that any one of them sit above the
others, especially in the presence of Gurudeva. If Gurudeva is not present, sometimes
the sannyasi Godbrothers may be given an asana, but that asana does not mean a
huge gigantic seat. It simply means a square piece of cloth or wool not more than
1/8" or 1/4" thick.
This is asana. If any one Godbrother or many Godbrothers sit above the others
it is not at all proper.
Sometimes in an assembly there may be raised platform or table on which the sannyasi
speakers sit, but ALL SANNYASI Godbrothers must be invited to sit in an equal
place on the speaker's platform. Sometimes a grhastha or brahmacari Godbrothers
may also be invited to sit there if they are deserving by their advancement. If
there is an appointed acarya as mentioned before (third sense of the word) then
he alone may sit higher than the other Godbrothers. Indeed in the different Gaudiya
Mathas, even if one Godbrother is in the position of acarya, he usually, out of
humility, takes only a thin cloth asana, not anything higher. It is the symptom
of a Vaisnava to be extremely humble. He MUST always be extremely careful of putting
himself in a position where he may become conceited. A guru may take a higher
seat than his disciple--that is bonafide. But he cannot illegally take a higher
seat than his Godbrothers. The relation between the guru and his Godbrothers and
a guru and his disciples is entirely different. He should not sit higher than
Godbrothers other than if he is a sannyasi, on a thin cloth as already mentioned
if offered by his Godbrothers, or accept respect from them without offering respect
in return. This is the general niti or etiquette. Besides this, there are, among
Godbrothers, some further rules to be observed between those who are senior and
those who are junior. Seniority is calculated according to the time of receiving
1st (Harinam) initiation or by his ability to perform bhajana.
If one Godbrother has disciples, the guru-puja and Vyasa-puja of that Godbrother
should be conducted in a separate place or his private room--not in from of all
his other Godbrothers. In an assembly of Vaisnavas, all sit on the same level
together, Godbrothers along with their sisyas. No one is permitted to accept separate
respect from disciples in any gathering of other Godbrothers. In Gaudiya Math,
the Vyasa-puja of one Godbrother who has disciples is usually performed in the
following manner. The guru takes his raised seat in his private place and invites
all his Godbrothers to come to the function also. If his Godbrothers come to offer
him some flowers, that Godbrother guru immediately first worships his other Godbrothers
and offers them garland, candana, etc., and in some cases presents like cloth,
umbrella, etc. They honor each other and are seated properly, then that guru's
disciples may come forward and offer their worship. This is the system being observed.
Incidentally, the words of Om Visnupada Srila Bhakktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
found in the English book Sri Caitanya's Teachings regarding the sitting above
everyone else are from a speech delivered in response to the offerings of his
disciples on the occasion of his Vyasa-puja. Those words are in relation to his
disciples--not to his Godbrothers, of which there weren't any. The niti in regard
to Godbrothers is completely different from that to disciples.
One who is actually guru may make disciples anywhere he finds someone who is worthy.
The connection between guru and disciple is arranged by Krsna directly--and it
is not subject to legislation. All the world-wide temples of ISKCON are controlled
by the GBC. The temples are managed by them jointly and they decide each year
which member of the GBC will manage in which place. The GBC who is appointed to
be responsible for a certain zone somewhere on this planet, if a guru, will naturally
make many disciples in that place--but how can he be illicitly restricted from
accepting a disciple from someplace else. That is material consideration. It has
another to do with transcendental order, by which guru and disciple make their
meeting. It is not geographical.
Secondly, no GBC who is guru may make that zone of which he is temporarily in
charge by appointment of the joint GBC, into his own private place. If some other
guru visits there and some newcomer wishes to accept him as spiritual preceptor,
how can he be prohibited? Furthermore, all the temples of ISKCON are to be run
by the GBC. No one GBC who is a guru may use the title acarya of such and such
a zone. Srila Prabhupada never appointed one acarya of the whole ISKCON nor did
he appoint several acaryas for parts of ISKCON. This will only lead to an ultimate
division of the one ISKCON into many different fragments and destroy our united
preaching work.
If someone sets up his personal seat as acarya in different temples, how can it
be removed? Who else can sit in it? Then does that temple belong to that guru
or does it belong to the GBC? That means the power or control is switched from
joint GBC to the 11 gurus. Srila Prabhupada never intended this arrangement. Moreover,
in the future, in accordance with His Divine Grace's instructions, other qualified
Godbrothers may also become gurus. Where will they go? In Srila Prabhupada's temples
no raised seat should be given to any but Srila Prabhupada--all Godbrothers should
sit on the same level. One exception may be made in the case of one speaking from
the sastras like Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya-caritamrta, etc. during
the class. But that seat is very special. It is not for the reader--it is meant
for the book. After paying obeisances to that seat, he who is to read, may, after
taking permission from his senior Godbrothers and sannyasis, ascend to read from
Bhagavatam. After finishing, he may again pay his obeisances.
Much of the knowledge written here is not found in sastra, but is called sistacara--that
which has been taught by the conduct of the past guru parampara. It has not been
specifically mentioned in any sastra, but still it is accepted as authoritative
because of being seen to be the conduct of previous acaryas and their disciples.
Maharaja, after very much consideration and consultation and also confirmation
by older members of our sampradaya, I am writing to you to see if you can rectify
the present situation. Many of us here, older Godbrothers, are very concerned
in two ways-- 1) that the 11 gurus not having been appointed to the position of
acarya and for which they are unqualified both by a.the insufficient knowledge
of sastra and b. the incomplete realization of Krsna consciousness, are accepting
worship on that level--and this may lead to anomalies in the society and personally,
because of lack of complete detachment in atmajnana, to a buildup of pride and
subsequent falldown, and 2) that the united society ISKCON, because of illegal
division and control by a few members instead of the joint GBC will become broken
up in separate societies and the unified preaching effort very much hindered.
Hoping for your immediate attention and kind reply,
Pradyumna das Adhikari
P.S. These are not good signs for our society. Older Godbrothers and sannyasis
here are very concerned that if the present trend is not checked immediately,
it will have passed beyond that point and ISKCON will be in chaos in the near
future. I hereby formally request that all these points be immediately brought
to the attention of the GBC so that a very tactful solution for all concerned
may be decided and amicably implemented in our society. Please note that there
is nothing personal in this letter. It is some pertinent spiritual knowledge meant
for the good of all. If anyone takes offense, I very humbly beg pardon at his
feet.
I would like to request your kind acknowledgement of the receipt of this letter
and information on what action you intend to take as soon as possible, preferably
before this coming Janmastami (Aug. 26).
Hoping that this meets you in the best of health,
In the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Pradyumna das Adhikari
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE ISKCON GBC BODY SRI
DHAM MAYAPURA, FEBRUARY 5 -16, 1999
403 [ACTION ORDER] CONCERNING GURUS IN ISKCON
Whereas despite warnings by Pradyumna prabhu and others, for many years
the Governing Body Commission, being weakened due to the Zonal Acarya deviation,
failed to correct these errors to the detriment of many ISKCON members;
And whereas, despite GBC Body efforts to correct the Zonal Acarya deviation as flaws in the system surfaced and many of the Zonal Acaryas left ISKCON, our society continues to be affected by the misunderstandings of that system:
It is hereby resolved THAT:
A. APOLOGY TO SOCIETY FROM THE GBC BODY
The GBC Body offers the
following apology to the members and friends of ISKCON:
The GBC Body, both individually and collectively, wishes to express its deepest
apologies to, and beg the forgiveness of, the followers of Srila Prabhupada who
were offended or hurt by our past decisions resulting in the excesses and abuses
of the zonal acharya system and its ongoing ramifications.
B. APOLOGY TO PRADYUMNA PRABHU FROM GBC BODY
The GBC Body offers the following apology to Pradhyumna dasa:
The GBC Body extends its heartfelt apologies to Sriman Pradyumna dasa Adhikari for any offences caused in its dealings with him in 1978-9. During this period Pradyumna Prabhu wrote to the GBC via Satsvarupa dasa Goswami warning them of serious repercussions with the Zonal Acharya system in his letter dated 7th August 1978. Unfortunately Pradyumna prabhu's good advice was not taken seriously. In retrospect the GBC Body and ISKCON could have benefited greatly by heeding his well-meant and pertinent observations.
Although it is now many years hence, we nevertheless wish to state publicly that we sincerely regret the actions and words of the GBC Body that contributed to his leaving his active service in ISKCON. We unreservedly and humbly beg the forgiveness of Pradyumna Prabhu for any offences caused to him by our dealings.
We would also like to extend
our most heartfelt invitation to Pradyumna Prabhu to participate actively in ISKCON
activities and we pray that Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha-Madhava continue
to bestow Their causeless blessings upon him.
Pradyumna Prabhu & GBC Apology
BY SATYAHIT DAS, February
19, 1999 VNN3102
EDITORIAL, Feb 19 (VNN) --
The discussion of the original 11 zonal acharyas with Pradyumna prabhu is on 3
cassette tapes. Rocana prabhu gave them to us to transcribe which we did not do,
so we returned them to him. I clearly heard Ramesvara prabhu say that Hridayananda
prabhu, after reading Pradyumnas letter to Satsvarupa prabhu, (of 1978, directly
after Srila Prabhupadas disappearance, when they were all set to install their
vyasasanas in the ISKCON temples) remarked that Pradyumna prabhu is a "demon".
This I heard quite clearly and so can you. Jayapataka prabhu, Jayatirtha prabhu
were also there, among others.
The point of apology by the GBC to Pradyumna prabhu, that my friend Ananda prabhu
has posted, quite entirely misses the mark, although the apology may be counted
as nice by some. We say it misses the mark because in that letter by Pradyumna
prabhu, whom Ananda prabhu rightly points out that he loves Srila Prabhupada most
dearly and that he performed highly meritorious work assisting Srila Prabhupadas
movement, and that he has been absent from ISKCON the last 20 years. Pradyumna
prabhu was literally shocked and dismayed by the new intention to install 11 new
vyasasana and acharyas in ISKCON.
Hridayananda prabhu not only named Pradyumna prabhu a demon, but also took over
his service of translating the Srimad Bhagavatam and then all 11 acharyas kicked
Pradyumna prabhu out of the Hare Krsna movement for good it appears.
An the apology though possibly well intentioned does not address what Pradyumna
prabhu wrote in his letter to Satsvarupa prabhu. In other words, what is the point
of glorifying this devotee Pradyumna prabhu,then apologizing for past abuse of
his highly good self, all the while not changing one iota in ISKCON pertaining
to what Pradyumna prabhu said.
Yasodananda prabhu was also heard to be present at this
meeting. The two, Pradyumna prabhu, Yasodananda prabhu were simply over shadowed,
over ruled, named as demons & kicked out of their spiritual masters movement
some 20 years ago, to which they have not returned, nor do show any intention
of doing unless Srila Prabhupada be placed back as the only initiating acharya
of ISKCON.
So you may say that these two devotees were the first to bring up the ritvik argument
in protest & the very same argument has just placed seven more well liked
leader type devotees on probation. NOTHING has changed,
so where is the point to apologize to Pradyumna prabhu. May as well
also apologize to Yasodananda prabhu, another highly scholarly devotee, dedicated
to Krsna consciousness and Srila Prabhupada!
To utilize an analogy, this apology is like bombing a country while simultaneously
apologizing for the devastation, while still continuing to destroy the country.
What is the point of apologizing to Pradyumna prabhu, while simultaneously continuing
the same program for which he protested & was kicked out of ISKCON. That's
like saying we apologize to you Pradyumna prabhu, and your very nice, but we still
do not agree with you and if you return, we have to put you on probation.
We do not intend to be vicious here at all,but the high degree of hypocrisy inherent
in the apology is much too evident to ignore.
Our general conclusion being that we are all in illusion, and we have therefore
descended to this material realm, where Srila Prabhupada came to save us requesting
that we cooperate, but to the great misfortune of the world at large and the Hare
Krsna movement, we are not doing so.
Quarrel and hypocrisy being the symptoms of this age,we disciples of His Divine
Grace are doing a great job of quarreling with each other, while banning devotees
of differing views from ISKCON.
There were 11 who first took the guru posts, half of whom left in one way or
another, and now there are 100 gurus in ISKCON, but the majority of older
god brothers & sisters are not returning to their spiritual masters movement
to serve these 100 gurus and it does not appear that they are ready to change
anything, although apologies may appear nice.
Satyahit das
GBC Apologizes To Pradyumna Prabhu
BY ANANDA DAS,
February 9,
1999 VNN2985
INDIA, MAYAPUR, Feb 9 (VNN)
Dear Devotees, I would like to offer my obeisances to all of you, and send
my prayers that Supersoul will correctly guide the GBC in their ongoing deliberations
in Mayapura, India this year. For those who may have missed my editorial comment
in "GBC Hansard Report 1", I will take the liberty of quoting myself:
The most notable results of the GBC meetings to date, in my opinion, was the exciting
and extremely encouraging report from Kalakantha das (see GBC Hansard Reports
5A, B and C) and the ready, if long-overdue, official apology by the GBC for its
attempts 20 years ago to anathematize His Grace Sriman Pradyumna das Adhikari,
my beloved brother and extremely dedicated servant of Srila Prabhupada's book
translation mission.
It was Sriman Pradyumna das who first enabled Srila Prabhupada
to speed up his Srimad Bhagavatam publication schedule by freeing him of the burdensome
tasks of transliterating the Devanagari into a romanized representation, and writing
the word- by-word dictionary-style translations of the Sanskrit. Without Pradyumna
dasa's early efforts and the later efforts of others he trained, it is doubtful
that Srila Prabhupada would have been enabled to complete as much of the translation
of his chef d'oeuvre as he in fact accomplished.
[Note: Hridayananda has stolen this service from
Pradyumna Prabhu, after kicking him out of Iskcon]
The entire community of Vaisnavas around the world owes Sriman Pradyumna dasa
an enormous debt of gratitude which can only be repaid by a personal commitment
on the part of every Vaisnava to rededicate himself or herself body, mind and
soul to the life-saving preaching mission of ISKCON, which Srila Prabhupada established,
declaring, "I am ISKCON. ISKCON I am." Whatever Pradyumna now decides
to do, whether he chooses to rejoin ISKCON or not, we love him forever as a real
brother in faith to ISKCON's preaching mission, and we esteem him highly for his
ongoing, eternal and unquenchable service to the Hare Krishna movement as a pure
devotee disciple of Srila Prabhupada.
What a shame it is that ISKCON has been deprived of his wonderful association
for twenty years! Congratulations to the entire GBC body for humbly acknowledging
their error in unfairly stigmatizing this sober and intelligent devotee!
Again, I would like to heartily commend my esteemed god-brother, friend and siksa-guru
H.H. Vipramukhya Maharaj for his obvious commitment to openness in the councils
of the GBC. All glories to our Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, to his many pure devotee disciples, and to Lord Gauranga.
Best wishes,
Ananda das