September 1998
Harikesa Swami Resigns |
$500,000 already handed over to HK and rest to be ‘negotiated’ |
> From: COM: Hari Sauri (das)
ACBSP <Hari.Sauri.ACBSP@com.bbt.se>
> Subject: Fw: Harikesha das
> Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 1:30 PM
>
> [Text 1652205 from COM]
Just a brief message to inquire from you, as you appear to be in the forefront of the problem’s with Harikesha, did the GBC recently agree to release a very large amount of Lakshmi to him ? There are rumours flying about all over the place. |
Dear prabhu,
Please accept my humble respects. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
There was a dispute over several million dollars in the Visva Toshani fund. HK
claimed it was his, part of some private business he was running and made
threats to Brahmamuhurta that if he didn’t send the entire amount to him he
would expose some wrong doings in ISKCON and the BBT and send BMd to jail for 5
years. BMd pointed out that HK himself would go to jail too if that happened.
The Russians had also made threats to Locan and Dharmaraj that the money was
actually theirs (it originally came from Prema Invest in Russia) and if
it was not given back to them they would make life hell for them and their
families.
In preliminary negotiations between HK and Locan and co. it turned out $1.4m was
actually Moscow BBT money and HK agreed it should be given back to them. He also
agreed that a further $600,000 be used to pay off
VT’s existing liabilities. And he wrote off some $2.5m in outstanding
loans given to ISKCON temples. Still there was $1.5m that he was claiming. He
had already been given $500,000 in the form of a couple of vehicles and some
cash.
Some say that you were recently attacked, under orders from Harikesha. Is this true ? Surely we are not going to allow him to blackmail Srila Prabhupada’s movement. I know you must be busy, but could you kindly let me know what is the truth in all this. |
To save these men from further threats and to protect the money,
Naresvara stepped in as a negotiator. They were all taken off the VT accounts
and it was put under someone else’s control (can’t say who).
Naresvara and myself went to see HK last Thurs. evening, meeting at a hotel
where the main Russian dissidents were staying. When he realized he wasn’t
going to get the money by the deadline he had demanded (Aug. 26) he
became furious and stormed off. He jumped in his car and yelled to Brahmananda
Puri (the main Russian mafioso who runs Prema Invest) “They are
cheating me!
They are not giving me my money. Stop them!”
Me and Nares had already gotten into Nares. car and tried to drive out but
B.Puri stood in front of us and blocked us while he called his friends down from
the hotel room. Meanwhile HK parked his car sideways across the driveway to stop
us getting out. He looked angrily on while about 5 Russians gathered around
Nares.’s window. We locked the doors and
Nares. opened his window about an inch and half and we talked. B. Puri told us
the money was his, and if it was not given to HK he would kill us all. He said
he would get the Mafia and all of us would be killed.
Sannyas was a bit more reasonable and tried to get us to come up to
their room to talk. We refused and told him we wouldn’t talk while B.
Puri was present. After 10 minutes HK saw that nothing was going to happen and
suddenly drove out and went off on his own. I don’t think that he was
within hearshot when B. Puri made the death threats.
After another 5 minutes we told Sannyas we would talk to him in the morning and
they let us go. Naresvara spent the night in a hotel and I stayed at the
Abenteurer temple.
Sannyas did come to see me the next morning and we talked for about half an
hour. He is actually a nice person but caught up with his loyalties to HK. He
tried to say that the money was given to HK personally and was not ISKCON’s.
Our argument was that HK made threats against ISKCON and the BBT and there had
to be an agreement reached before he could be given anything.
I got Sannyas to ring Naresvara who was already in his car on the way to the
airport. They talked along the same lines and the conclusion was that HK
should wait till after his 2 week holiday and then they would negotiate
but this was not a good time right now.
After that I heard over the weekend that HK has now told his Russian
followers that he will not pursue the money (he apparently realized that his
threats would make more trouble for himself than for the society) and
instead the Russians are going to finance his new helaing and education center
he wants to start with Monika as the chief therapist. Whether this means the
Russians will now desist in their claims for the VT funds or not remains to be
seen. But for now it seems the heat is off.
We shall see what transpires. I don’t know the exact status of the
VT right now, I am not in the loop on that one.
Your humble servant,
Hari-sauri dasa
HK given $250,000 as ‘pension’. |
2-9-98 - New revelations detail an earlier cash payment of $250,000
The following extract from an e-mail from Locan Das, one of the trustees of the
Visva Tosani fund, proves that HK had earlier been given $250,000 cash:
Letter COM:1653462 (16 lines)
From: Locan (das) HKS (Lund - S) Date: 02-Sep-98 09:43
“Our Foundation has 12 Trustees and we decided to give him $250,000 to buy
a house at a time when he was very sick and still not so far gone
philosophically. We thought this would be a kind of pension for his retirement.
We thought this was fair for someone who gave so much to ISKCON for 30 years.
After that he changed very much and it become more evident that he wanted to
leave ISKCON so we did not give him anything besides that. The rest of the money
is with ISKCON and the BBT.”
Now we saw in our earlier story (Please see ‘HS
states that HK already given $500,000’) Hari Sauri prabhu admitting that
HK had already been given the following:
“He had already been given $500,000 in the form of a couple of vehicles
and some cash.”
We do not know if this $250,000 is included in the $500,000 mentioned by Hari
Sauri. If not the total given to HK is now confirmed to be at least $750,000.
Badri Criticises JPS |
More revelations regarding discontent
with current Gurus
1) Badrinarayan Das, the GBC EC member said this recently about H.H. Jayapataka
Maharaja:
"It is a long struggle. Thanks go to Naresvara and Abhiram. However now the Mafia killers are aiming at the EC officers. What a year this has been! As for Jayapataka Maharaj...frankly his mood reminds me of his propping up Bhavananda until the last day. He is swimming completely against the current of the EC and the GBCs in Russia."
Please Note:
We wonder what maharaja will make of all this criticism!
2) Next we His Grace Prithu Das attacking some of the CURRENT REMAINING 'zonal
acaryas':
Text COM:1659684 (21 lines)
From: Prithu (das) ACBSP
Date: 04-Sep-98 11:51
Cc: Prabhupada Disciples [2588]
Reference: Text COM:1659202 by Mahadyuti (das) ACBSP (TP Soho St. London -
GB)
Subject: Guru, Guru, off the wall...
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hari Sauri Prabhu,
Some devotees here have asked how it happened that a sannyasi (HKS) had a female
therapist and masseuse. Do you have the answer?
Thats why it's better to be married. No wife would tolerate it.
The other point of course is that some of out big leaders have been out of
control since the Zonal Acarya days and have been doing whatever they see fit.
Never mind how much we have been screaming (this very issue in fact came up
in last year's assessment by the Deputies, therapist) its going on in one
way or another since SP left.
Till Krishna finally pulls the plug out and another such and such pada or deva
comes down in a blaze.It comes down to culture. Cultured people's humility
increases the bigger they get.
yspda
(Text COM:1659684) -----------------------------------------
ext COM:1658322 (101 lines)
From: Prithu (das) ACBSP
Date: 04-Sep-98 00:12
To: Prabhupada Disciples [2576]
Cc: ***********************************!
(sent:04-Sep-98 00:18)
Reference: Text COM:1657973 by Janesvara (das) ACBSP (Syracuse - USA)
Comment: Text COM:1658460 by Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN)
Comment: Text COM:1659200 by Mahadyuti (das) ACBSP (TP Soho St. London -
GB)
Subject: RV: *******************************!
-------------------------------------------------------------
[...]
I know things are not at all good and many of us have protested against the
preposterous Zonal Acarya profile since the day of yore, which is one of
the items of discontent after all. In fact most of the GBC are very upset that
this profile has been pepetrated all these years by some and still is - covert
or overt - by less than you have fingers on one hand.
But what do you do if those people don't listen to their godbrothers. Krishna
cuts them down, one by one.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please Note:
a) Prithu Prabhu is clearly attacking current gurus besides HK still in 'good
standing', but is not brave enough to name them unlike Badri prabhu. He
states:
"Till Krishna finally pulls the plug out and ANOTHER such and such pada
or deva comes down in a blaze."
"In fact most of the GBC are very upset that this profile has been
perpetrated all these years by some and STILL IS - covert or overt - by less
than you have fingers on one hand."
Now we wonder who are these current 'zonal acarya' 'padas' who are
STILL perpretating this profile, and who in number are very few, that Prithu
wants to see 'cut down' and 'come down in a blaze'!
For our readers who are struggling, we will provide some clues:
3) Finally we have His Grace Hari Sauri revealing how HK fell:
Text COM:1660898 (18 lines)
From: Hari Sauri (das) ACBSP
Date: 04-Sep-98 21:12
Cc: Prabhupada Disciples [2593]
Reference: Text COM:1659202 by Mahadyuti (das) ACBSP (TP Soho St. London - GB)
Subject: Monica
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hari Sauri Prabhu,
Some devotees here have asked how it happened that a sannyasi (HKS) had a
female therapist and masseuse. Do you have the answer?
Monika was introduced to HK while he was in the hospital following his collapse
in early June. She had some contact with devotees for about a year previously
and after the regular doctors failed to diagnose what was wrong (Hk also
objected to any tests) these devotees suggested she be brought in to try out
her prana therapy. The rest is history.
I think that because there was always a tendency by HK to go for tantric and
other esoteric "cures" it was not considered unreasonable for a
New Age woman healer to be brought in. Perhaps they thought he was
transcendental to womanly association--obviously he wasn't.
Your humble servant,
Hari-sauri dasa
(Text COM:1660898) -----------------------------------------
"Lord Sri Krishna Has To Do The Needful" |
Camp: ISKCON Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, Radhastami Festival, Mayapur Dham,
India.
My Dear Spiritual Nephew (name removed),
Please accept my best wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Thankyou for your
letter cited below with my comments. I have noted the contents carefully.
Thank you Jayapataka Maharaja for your empathy and concern. |
It is the least I can give. I wouldn't hesitate to give my blood for the devotees.
Many disciples and devotees feel heavily cheated by Harikesa Maharaja's current turn and choices. It is a difficult time, and this is not as innocent as it looked in the beginning. |
In my discussions with HKM there was always a thin layer of seperation
between reality and illusion. I may not have been able to distinguish which side
he was on initially. He is being heavily influenced, but he feels himself very
much in control. Isn't that how illusion works. Kartaham iti manyate...
He didn't reveal everything he is thinking to me. But I got some hints. I am
sure that before things settle down we will get more surprises as well. The EC's
advise to not take what he is saying seriously is good advice considering the
things being said and done. It is for you especially and for all of us a very
difficult time.
One thing is a period of temporary confusion, an other a firm stand against Srila Prabhupada's movement and other basic fundamental principles in our philosophy. |
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati thakur states in his preaching examples that if a disciple wants to prove his guru wrong the only thing that sets him straight is getting smashed. This is called "Guru upare Guru-giri". I hoped that HKM would avoid confronting Srila Prabhupada as that means going to an extreme which is very self-destructive for a disciple. The only hope is that with all the prayers of the disciples and well-wishers he will come to his senses or when/if the crash happens he will be able to pick himself up with our help and humbly submit to Srila Prabhupada.
Let's stay together and pray, hope against hope. |
Yes. We need to stay together. To pray, to serve, to support. Hope
against hope. We should do what we can to see that no one leaves Krishna
consciousness. Maya will give many ideas to entice the devotees. Now is the most
difficult of times. I haven't given up hoping, but in the face of confrontation
other emotions sometimes prevail. My heart is bleeding.
Today is Vamana Dvadasi. Bali Maharaja had to make the choice follow Guru
(sukracarya) against Lord Sri Krishna or stick with Krishna consciousness and
devotional service. Bali made the historic choice and has been elevated to the
position of Mahajana due to rejecting his deviant guru and surrendering to Lord
Sri Krishna. Interesting lesson for us all.
Later Sukracarya realized his error and begged for forgiveness. Then he was
accepted back.
History repeats itself.
Srila Prabhupada and Lord Sri krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu love all of you very
much. Don't forget that. If a guru is somehow off the track then Lord Sri
Krishna has to do the needful to protect the disciples from being also
derailed---he has to reveal the actual situation to keep the devotees on target
to get Back to Godhead. The Guru will get chances to return to the correct
position and situation. Disciples and devotees can make a difference. Let's stay
together under the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada in the association of ISKCON
devotees.
I hope that this finds you in good health.
Your well wisher and spiritual uncle,
Jayapataka Swami
"Do You Know Your Brother Talks to Statues?" |
07/09/1998
- "They said to my sister, 'Do you know that your brother
talks to statues?'"
Excerpts from a darsan of Harikesa to Bhramika das in Abenteuer, transcribed
from an audio tape, recorded on August 30, 1998.
Sri Visnupad: You
shouldn't call it varnasrama, you should call it social development and don't
say brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, sudras. Say guides, leaders, economic
developers and tradesmen, okay? Use those kind of designations. And it's just
basically what it boils down to, that we need somebody to have a good idea and
to train people, educate people and to give them some kind of healing or
therapy. Because most people in the world are damaged. Most people in the world
were abused as children or had many difficulties. And had not proper love.
Because everybody in the world wants to be loved. They want to love and be
loved. That is the basic principal in the world. To love and be loved.
So everybody wants to love and be loved. But they don't know how to love. And
therefore they can't accept love, you know. People they don't know how to love
others 'cause they don't feel love within themselves, because they are so
damaged. So they get married and they expect to be loved, to love and be loved.
For short period of time they feel love and loved. But them when they find out
what their partners actually are like really, then they get disappointed. They
have false expectation, they feel very hurt. Because they didn't really loved
the person as a person for what they were. They loved them for what they thought
they were. Right? What they wanted them to be. Just like every woman puts the
man, "He's gonna protect me, he's gonna take care of me." And every
man puts the woman, "She's gonna love me and be this and that and other
thing." But you know, they have needs. One wants it hot, one wants it cold,
one wants it this.. You have to learn to adjust and cooperate and respect each
other and accept each other for what you are. And take care of children and love
children and help children. Not that like in ISKCON we send them all over the
place and don't care of them and call them all Maya and this and that and other
thing.
There has to be actually loving relationship, and we have to help each other as
people. And when we are solidly situated properly, then very easily we will be
able to chant Hare Krsna and be Krsna conscious. Just like you are saying you
are not chanting. Why? because materially you are not situated properly, and
because you are so disturbed in your mind and heart you can't chant. Because you
don't want to. Right? But if you're feeling very together, and peaceful, and
happy, and balanced then chanting is a wonderful thing. Singing the names of
Krsna and singing like that is wonderful thing. The Deities are wonderful. But
people are so unbalanced materially and so improperly situated. And there is no
social structure within which they can properly develop and learn and love each
other and help each other. Therefore everything is in chaos. So the point is
that first of all people live terribly. They have to get freed from their very
severe material problems. Because just chanting Hare Krsna does not cure your
material problems, and never it was meant for that. When insane person chants
Hare Krsna, they don't become sane, you know. If a damaged person chants Hare
Krsna, they don't become less damaged. You still have to go through some
therapy. And so many our girls have had been sexually abused when they were
children. And they don't know why they are disturbed all the time. Then they
have to go to psychiatrist and they find out really what's wrong with them. Or
hypnotist or whatever they do. And then they find out what's wrong with them.
And then they realize why they were always (?) all this time.
So chanting Hare Krsna brings you to the highest spiritual platform. But you
can't get there unless you are in the mode of goodness. You have to go first
from… free yourself from ignorance, free yourself from passion. Get to the
mode of goodness. Or at least predominately a goodness because you can never
free yourself from passion and ignorance completely. There'll always be some
mixture in the material world. But when you are predominately in the mode of
goodness, at least you have a lot of goodness, then you are very peaceful and
happy and well situated. And then from that platform you can come to
suddha-sattva. That is said in the Bhagavatam in first canto second chapter. You
have to come gradually through the different modes. But we are not doing that in
ISKCON. We still maintain all this terrible qualities, even amongst the leaders.
We cheat each other, we lie, we steal, we harm each other, we don't take care of
each other, we don't give medical treatment which people needed. We have crazy
situations in our movement where everything goes wrong through different
individuals. It is really improper. Because we are not properly situated, we
can't help others. And that the real problem. First of all we have to be
properly situated. Save yourself first is a Vedic aphorism. First save yourself,
then you can help others. If you are situated properly, you can help others.
So first it has to be some therapy for everybody. But I don't care if they do it
or they don't do it. But if somebody's smart and has some feeling that they need
help, then I want to help them make a center for healing. Some therapy center.
And with the therapy center there will also be education center. Different
therapy and education. Education has to be. Mothers have to be proper, fathers
have to be proper, wives have to be proper. Parents have to take care of
children really protecting them nicely, loving them nicely. With respect,
acceptance and real love. These things after all you'll require. Without
grhastha asrama there could be no society. Because only grhasthas make society.
And if you have this rule that no illicit sex, then no one wants to be grhastha.
Right? Because they can't do anything. So they figure what's the use. Why
maintain a cow if you have milk in the market place? Maybe that's a wrong
example. Or rather we should say, why maintain a wife if you can't do anything
anyway? Except (indistinct), you lose your freedom in so many things.
So therefore that rule is not there. In marriage life they can't have no
relationship. I don't mean insane sense gratification and all this crazy stuff.
I mean the properly situated loving relationships. Like everybody in India does.
Even Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Nobody has such a rule except us. Then people can
actually start to develop themselves properly, as grhasthas. Then every
brahmacari will become a grhastha, because it's normal. So we won't have all
this young people or whoever they are taking sannyasa and being very imbalanced
and improperly situated. Everyone should go through the grhastha asrama fully.
And that's the Vedic way, that's the proper way. Dharma, artha, kama, moksa
[stresses the word 'kama']. Right? That's normal, normal. That's normal stuff.
Okay, so we have to give therapy to people so that they can become cleansed and
healthy. Then we have to give training and the education to all people. I'm not
just talking about devotees. What's the use of a small group of devotees being
in a society? Which just have some buildings which have no life in them. Empty
buildings, empty shells, you know. With rules and regulations that no one can
even remember or care about. And following people… you don't know what they
are doing really. Materially speaking, cannot help anybody. This is not proper.
You should all be well situated. Everyone should have a job. Everyone should
have income. Everyone should have a house. Everyone should have a little land so
that they can have garden. Everyone should take care of themselves, everyone
should have medical treatment. Everyone should have family, have the cloth for
the children. Proper everything for their children. Everyone should be well
situated themselves. Best thing is on the land, you know, in villages. Village
communities, where everyone has a piece of land and everyone has a house. And
everyone can grow their own food and live nicely and help each other. Next you a
neighbor needs help, or person down on the street needs help, everyone goes and
helps them. If somebody's sick everyone goes and helps him. If somebody has a
problem everyone goes and helps him. This is proper life, not all this crazy
institutionalized communism which destroys everything. Communism is useless,
everyone knows that. Everyone except ISKCON knows that. And of China.
So the point is that we have to make some changes which we can't do within this
movement 'cause everybody is too close-minded. They don't have the vision to
understand what's wrong. Therefore it has to be done outside of ISKCON.
Therefore I'm no longer in ISKCON. But I really want to help you. I'm not
interested in an institution which is crazy, which is a big pile of garbage. I
want to deal with people, not institutions, not laws, and rules, and
regulations. There's enough rules and regulations in the karmi society. We don't
need that. So therefore I want to do something different which will actually
help people. And I don't care if they are devotees or nondevotees. There're
beautiful people everywhere in the world, very nice people in the world. Just
like here in (?), wherever I go I'm just having so much fun dealing with people.
It is just so wonderful to deal with people personally. You know, they're so
nice, some people. You deal with them nicely, and they are immediately nice. I
mean they immediately respond. It's incredible! You're just a little bit nice
with somebody, and he immediately responds. Because everybody starving for it.
Even in our movement. People are starving for love, they are starving for
appreciation, they are starving for respect. They want these things. But we
don't do it! So we have to start doing it ourselves, and then immediately
everybody will respond. When you are loving, kind, happily situated person,
everybody will respond you, and will want to be with you all the time.
So, anyway, we'll make a healing center first for anybody who needs it. That
means devotees, nondevotees, anybody. And education center for everybody who
needs it. Not just, you know, some narrow-minded ISKCON thing. It should be for
anybody. Because the suggested way of life is the same for everybody, really.
Basically it all boils down, everybody can be happy in the same exact way. And
then… after that people will gradually make their own communities. So first
what I want to do, near (?). We cooked this idea out together. It's not fully
developed', but its pretty well. The scheme is pretty well developed. Which is
that we'll have a place somewhere, working with trained psychiatrists, trained
doctors, trained therapists, everybody with degrees. Completely legal. We'll
accept it whatever it is. And then we'll train up maybe two or three experts for
Russia. Russians will come.
We have to pick the most qualified people in Russia. And we'll train them how to
do what we are doing here. And I will go there and then do the same thing there.
Make a center there. I will not do it personally I will just set it up. Right?
And then those trained people, they will do the same thing in Russia. Right? And
then you can build community around clean people. Because if you just go now and
start buying lend and building houses, you're gonna fill it with insane people.
Right? That's not good, you should wait. You should just get yourselves
economically together. Right? You can buy land, and you can maybe buy things to
maintain.
But the first thing we should do is what here in Germany. Because we have ú
qualification here to do it. And then to train some Russians, and then they will
do it there. It may take two years to train them properly, because it is not a
simple thing. They have to learn enormous things. It's not so simple to heal
people, it's not so simple. You know. We take it cheaply, it's not a cheap
thing, it is a very difficult thing. We have to develop this education. And I'd
like to work with qualified people. That means I have to pay them. It's not a
cheap thing, you know, we have to pay salaries, big salaries because these are
very highly qualified people. So we need a lot of money here to do that. And
then we'll train up Russians. And in the meantime if you have extra money you
can buy real estate, community places, farm, land where you can build, and also
you just find land. And maybe you can accumulate materials for building and
everything. Right? Or you can maybe get houses or whatever. If you have extra
money. And then in this way we can then prepare community there. And then we can
create people to go into that community. That's essential, because you just
can't put anybody in there like in ISKCON they've just put any unqualified
person in the temple. And they all have to live together, and they all are
totally different kind of people. In the community there should be a compatible
kind of people. People who have the same kind of ideas in the heart and the same
desires in their heart, you know. Which basically everybody has. But they should
be open-minded people, they should be spiritually minded people, not total
materialists. Although total materialists are sometimes better then the
spiritualists because at least they have a heart. They're not cold and
impersonal people. So basically... you don't have to worry about such. But I
think I finished that, basically, it is... Is that okay?
Bhramika: We have ideas
about… to finance devotees who would like to be like vaisyas, like traders.
Sri Visnupad: Yes, but you
should only do that with contracts.
Bhramika: Yes, right.
Sri Visnupad: Absolutely legal contracts. Because they will cheat you. Devotees
learned how to cheat very well. And you nave to be very careful. And they are
lazy also. They don't work. They'll think, "Oh, I have to go to
chant". Or, "It's too much for me", or, "It's Maya", or
this, or that. That's nonsense. Everybody has to work properly (indistinct).
"You can do whatever you want and whenever you want". I used to work
twelve hours a day.
But I saw other people, you know, they are just spaced around, do this, do that.
Slow working. What I can do in five minutes takes them five hours. Because they
are not committed. Therefore you have to pay them and demand them. In other
words, "You'll get this and this and this, but you work like this and this
and this." You have to employ, just be very strict with that. And with
others, you give them loan or you give them investment and you demand return. It
must be like that.
Bhramika: Yes. We would
like to find people who can run the company, you see, like ksatriyas, who can
run.
Sri Visnupad: Ksatriyas,
they don't run companies, they run states. Companies are ran by vaisyas. Vaisya
doesn't mean just businessman, it also means managers. Or organizational manager
of a company to make business. That you have to find.
Bhramika: And when we
found such people and then give them money with agreement.
Sri Visnupad: That they
must accomplish certain thing. Bhramika: Yes. And give them percentage from the
profit, like 50 percent or.
Sri Visnupad: Yes,
something reasonable. Not tons.
Bhramika: Something
reasonable, yes, maybe 25 is okay.
Sri Visnupad: They're all
puffed up. They think themselves very great, but they are not so great. You have
to really work hard and earn your money. No one should just demand anything. If
somebody comes in and says, "I'm a big time manager, you give me a lot of
money." So you say "Ok. We'll guarantee you at the end a bonus. Right?
If you accomplish. If you accomplish, you'll get a bonus. You don't accomplish,
no bonus. We make rules what you gonna get." Not that you just give
somebody money, and he says, "Okay I'll do something." And two weeks
later or month later or year later he's gone, he did nothing and you loose. So
you give it on a bonus basis or something like that.
Nobody should be dependent, "Give me money, give me money." Everyone
should be self-sufficient. Only brahmanas who are doing research and writing and
education, they should be given the money to do that. Support. Whatever they
need. Or even more. Give them a salary. Why should anybody be just dependent?
Give them a good salary. Let them write, let them research, let then do good
things.
Bhramika: Sri Visnupada,
is it right that ksatriyas can't run company, because this is.
Sri Visnupad: Ksatriya…
And who is a ksatriya? If somebody wants to manage a company, he is not a
ksatriya, he is a vaisya. Like Nanda Maharaja was a vaisya, but he was a king of
the vaisyas. So you can have vaisyas who are like kings, who are not ksatriyas
but they have a quality of protecting vaisyas, helping them organizing them and
everything. But that is not a ksatriya, that's a vaisya. It's just different way
in which vaisya... Everybody manages, you see. Being a manager does not mean you
are a ksatriya. Everybody manages. Brahmanas manage their writing and their
papers and their puja and their families. Ksatriyas manage states and armies,
and vaisyas manage businesses and cow protection and farming. It is a big
management. Sudras manage all kind of things. Everybody manages everything.
Every person manages.
Bhramika: What can we do
with our chanting because we had no time, we have inspired very much.
Ajata Yauvana: We slept
only four hours during...
Sri Visnupad: That's what
I've being doing, too. Sometimes I go to bed at 11:30 and get up at 2:00. And
because I'm just so busy I have no time, you know. It takes hours to do all this
kind of stuff. But now I'm more peaceful, I'm much more peaceful because
everything finished because of them. They are so wonderful, they did everything
for me. They are so great, I can't believe it. They gonna get so much mercy you
can't imagine. Because they did such wonderful things for me. And I was
helpless. And I was running all over the place. Even with their help I'm still
running all over the place. I know exactly what you're going through. But for me
it's gonna be last, but for you it's difficult. So you chant when you can, it
doesn't matter when you do it. Like now I still haven't chanted one round and
I'm gonna go immediately after this conversation to the forest and chant. So,
when you can you chant. If you can't chant 16, okay, chant what you can. The
point is to be Krsna conscious, you know. Not that you have to do this and have
to do that. I knew people have been chanting 16 rounds for years and they are
not Krsna conscious. I know people haven't been chanting and they're Krsna
conscious. Prabhupada chanted maximum four rounds a day. Maximum. I know,
because I've used to be with him in the middle of the night. I know what he was
doing. Maximum four rounds. Not more than 20 minutes. Maybe sometimes 30 minutes
of chant.
Bhramika: But when we
chant we have difference (indistinct).
Sri Visnupad: When you
chant, you just it the best you can. Because the quality counts more than the
quantity. You have to really have quality. You have to feel something for Krsna,
you know. Like people go in front of the Deity, what do they see? They see a
statue. Why? Because they are statues. When you are statue, the Deities are
statue, because He reciprocates. And if you are person, the Deity will be a
person, because They reciprocate. Radha and Krsna reciprocate. The more you are
person, the more you have love for Them, the more They are persons, the more
They have love for you. And you can actually speak with Them. And they will
speak to you. You know these EC members they are so foolish, they were talking
with my sister. They tried to trick her in different ways like to get her to
sign away my freedom so that I to go to the mental institution. Can you imagine
that? I've talked about that with a head police commissioner here he said that
totally illegal in Germany. They could go to jail for years for that. Anyway,
they were so stupid they don't even know what they were doing, but anyway. They
also did something funny with my sister, they said, "Do you know that your
brother talks to statues?" And then my sister said, "Wait a minute
here. If you consider that these statues are God then why can't he talk with
them? Of course, God can talk. Right?" My sister. She is just a plain
karmi. And these are big-big-big leaders. And she understands.
Ajata Yauvana: I'm so
(indistinct) for your mercy.
Sri Visnupad: No, mercy
you get from Krsna. Radha and Krsna, you get from, not from me. But maybe I can
help you. I'll just give you some suggestions. I'm not gonna order you to do
anything, I'm not gonna make you do anything, you do what you like. I'll just
make some suggestion, that's all. Please, you don't accept anything I say as an
order. Absolutely not. If you like what I say and you agree with what I say and
you think it makes sense and you can accept it with your own intelligence, you
challenge it in different ways… Don't just accept what I say. You should
really think about it clearly. And if you like this project and you it makes
sense and it can help people, then let's work together. Okay?
Ajata Yauvana: What can
you suggest us right now?
Sri Visnupad: I did.
Sri Visnupad: Okay? Can I
go?
Ajata Yauvana: Thank you
very much. Thank you
Situation Of The Vaisnavas In Europe |
08/09/1998
- by Giridhari das
Regarding the situation of the Vaisnavas in Europe
It has come to our attention that Harikesh das, aka Harikesh Swami or aka Sri
Visnupada, who has been the leader of the International Society for Krishna
Conciousness-Iskcon in northern Europe and many other places in the world, has
been removed from Iskcon leadership for several severe deviations from the
proper conduct of a spiritual master. We want to make the following statement in
order to protect our interests as living and preaching followers of the Vaisnava
faith in Europe.
Harikesh, the management of Iskcon worldwide and in particular in northern
Europe, has been rejected by us since 1984. Because of the mismanagement and
mistreatment of many members by Harikesh das and other Iskcon leaders, many
Vaisnavas have left Iskcon and incorporated several new religious nonprofit
trusts in Europe. We want to protect the good name of our founding father, Srila
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and also our sacred tradition. Iskcon leadership
including Harikesh das has been outstandingly known not to follow their own
rules of transparency. Also they do not recognize other branches of the same
Vaisnava family. They are sectarian and offensive to other Vaisnavas outside of
their institution. They have behaved very offensively against the most prominent
members and authorities of Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition. They disobeyed the
founder of Iskcon to let local men manage and centralize the whole world
management in the hands of a few individuals. Iskcon is manipulated by a very
small group of mainly North Americans. They expelled whoever opposed their
non-transparent misuse of the movement. Harikesh's misbehavior and fall down as
well as the same sad occurrence of Jayatirtha, Hansadutta, Bhagavan,
Drishthadyumna, Jagadish, Sundara Rupa etc. (just referring here to those from
Iskcon Europe) are not surprising. These are the natural karmic reactions of
misuse of a spiritual function.
Iskcon has no forum for constructive critique and filled many of the leading
posts with opportunists, seeking to go the same path of the previous leaders.
There is nobody in Iskcon now with the authority to fix the situation. That is
why, long ago, many Vaisnavas who previously belonged to Iskcon and other
Vaisnavas from the same roots in India established separate Vaisnava missions in
the world. Today there are hundreds of temples of different Vaisnava missions in
the world with no connection to Iskcon.
We carefully pray to the press and the civil authorities to discriminate between
the sad history of Iskcon management and other sincere Vaisnava groups all over.
We also appealed to Iskcon leaders for the last 14 years to remove their corrupt
and abusive leaders on numerous occasions. We requested them to work conjointly
with all the disciples of the founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada in order to save
the heritage and good name of Iskcon. But so far, Iskcon has done a lot to ruin
the reputation of their founder and of the Vaisnavas. Iskcon authorities refused
to accept the invitation of the World Vaisnava Association
(http:/owplaza.com/wva) to accept a common ground with other Vaisnava missions
belonging to the same tradition and following the same scriptures. We are very
sad and embarrassed that we have to make this public statement in order to
protect ourselves.
Those who signed under this statement:
Isev, Spain
Vrinda worldwide
Vrinda Institute Miami Florida
Hungarian Vaisnava Hindu Association (Magyar Vaisnava Hindu Egyesület) Hungary
Hindu Kultura Háza (The Houses of Hindu Culture)
Gaurangas Kulturtreff - Germany
Bhaktivedanta Parivad - Switzerland
Oesterreichisches Institut fuer Selbstverwirklichung - Austria
Giridhari das
Statement of the Russian GBC |
10/09/1998 - Statement of the Russian GBC to the devotees of the CIS
By propagating a doctrine contrary to the fundamental teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the existing authorities of St. Petersburg Temple, Moscow BBT, Radio Krishna Loka are undermining the faith of many sincere vaisnavas and vaisnavis.
Sannyas dasa, Kamala Mala dasa, Brahmananda Puri dasa, and Bhramika dasa and their followers have been systematically propagating misinformation of the events surrounding the collapse of Harikesh Prabhu.
They have rejected the authority of the GBC and have chosen not to participate in discussion with them.
They are propagating the following erroneous
philosophical doctrines that are contrary to the teachings of His Divine
Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:
a. That in marriage the restriction of no illicit sex, as defined by Srila
Prabhupada, should not be followed.
b. That sexual expression is the basis of love between husband and wife.
c. That it is not necessary to chant 16 daily rounds of japa.
d. That the chanting of the gayatri mantra may or may not be accepted by
second initiated devotees.
e. That only those of Brahminical inclination can follow 4 regulative
principles and chant 16 rounds.
Therefore the Russian GBC is recommending that:
For the sake of their spiritual well-being the devotees of the CIS show extreme caution when having to deal with devotees representing the above mentioned devotees.
Due to the fact that the above mentioned devotees are not strictly adhering to the philosophical conclusions of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the disciples of different spiritual masters are advised not to visit or accept service in the St. Petersburg temple or accept service under their guidance until this situation is resolved.
The GBC recognizes the congregation of at least 300 devotees in St. Petersburg that do not endorse the activities of Kamala Mala dasa, the leader of the local temple, or the other above mentioned devotees.
The status of membership in ISKCON of the St. Petersburg temple will be reviewed in the near future.
No ISKCON Sanyasis or visiting preachers will visit the St. Petersburg Temple until the current situation changes.
The GBC invites any devotees that have any doubts about the
spiritual practices accepted in ISKCON for open discussion of these points in
the form of personal talks and discussions or debate.
The GBC cordially welcomes any devotees from the St. Petersburg Temple, BBT, and
Radio Krishna Loka that wish to return to the safe shelter of the lotus feet of
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Russian Radio Krsnaloka Blasts ISKCON |
13/09/1998
- [Text 1678676 from COM]
> It seems that the congregation in different parts of the world recognises
> and stays away from deviationists of all types - whether ritviks or the
> other extreme - the blind followers. And probably outnumbers the
> deviationists heavily.
That's a fact. But the problem is that the fanatics took over Radio Krsnaloka,
and they spread they criticism of Iskcon all over the country. Anticult and
governement already know about the split, and they are very happy, having good
reasons to ban Hare Krsna in Russia forever. I am adding a letter from
(removed). Those who don't know Russian mentality, will find it unbelievable.
Unfortunately, it's reality.
*****************************************
>From (removed) comment on Sannyasa's letter
>Sri Visnupad recently heard the strangest idea that some devotees are
>thinking that Monika's son in Prabhupada. He doesn't want that devotees
>think like that and spread around such fantasies and speculations.
On a famous meeting in BBT Kamalamala was trying to convince us that Monika's
son is SP. He said (typing from the tape) that although many fools didn't
believe their spiritual master he believed him at once and together with
Sannyasa and Brahmananda Puri went to see him. At first Sannyasa didn't believe
he was SP, but when he saw him his doubts were dispelled. They offered him
obeisances (applause and happy laughter of devotees at the meeting) and
Kamalamala took some dust from his lotus feet (again applause and happy
laughter)
The only thing which is still unclear for me : Sannyasa prabhu, did you took the
sacred dust from Leon's lotus feet?
They say you never believed it. If so why you were supporting all this nonsense?
Why are you still supporting it?
Please forgive me, my purpose is not to embarrase you publicly.The only reason
I'm writing you this letter is to appeal to your common sense with the hope that
you stop this madness.For many years I had a great respect for you considering
you a great devotee of Sri Vishnupad. In fact I thought there were no souls more
devoted to our spiritual master than you and Kamalamala. For his sake you were
publishing books underground, risking your life, suffering in jails. I sincerely
bow down to you for everything you did for our spiritual master.
However,the situation you created now is so unbearable that I can't be silent
any longer. I didn't want to write this letter hesitating for a long time, but
recent incidents were a last drop for my patience. We had a phone conversation
recently and I was begging you to at least not allow your people use radio in
your campaign.
I warned you that all these activities will destroy ISKCON in Russia, but you
ignored this warning,instead you started screaming that ISCkON MUST BE
DESTROYED!!! That without SV there cannot be ISKCON. That ISKCON should be
destroyed and a new spiritual organization created. That confrontation is
inevitable and it will surely cause a destruction of ISKCON. Well, we can say it
already started: Few days ago your friends Bhramika and Ajatayouvana made a two
hours talk show on a radio presenting to the audience of hundreds of thousands
people their understanding of a situation.
They severely critisized ISKCON, calling it dangerous sect, which turns people
into zombi, spoil and deform children. They told people not to come to our
temples, blasphemed GBC, saying that leaders of ISKCON are after money and power
only. That's why they want to destroy the only pure devotee SV who insists on
reforms which they don't like being attached to their positions.
Ajatayauvana said that this confrontation may cause a BLOODSHED (do you see a
rapture and thrill of our dear friends from KGB and anticult movements who were
recording this beautiful revelation? Do you hear their delightful laughter?)
Mr Dvorkin famous anticult leader whom you know very well already called
Vaidyanath and Sucaru informing them that he is writing an article about a SPLIT
IN A DANGEROUS SECT ISKCON, SUICIDE THREAT AND POSSIBILITY OF BLOODSHED.
You know our friend Dvorkin he is a great writer and he will make sure that such
a delishous dish will be published in a biggest central newspapers since they
love scandals.He called them asking for a details.He already wrote one article
in MK (most popular newspaper) where he blasphemed SV severely. We should
be thankful for that to those who made this talk shows, and their supporters:
Kamalamala and your good self. At the end they read a fax from SV to confirm
their preaching with sastric evidences. That talk show took two hours and
created a big uproar. Besides of spoiling our reputation and turning thousands
of people off any vaishnava organisation (including the one you want to
organize after destroying ISKCON) it heavily injured a tender shraddha of
thousands of our congregational members whom we cultivated for so many years.
What is their fault?Do you accept responsibility for killing their spiritual
lives?Another result of this wise action was that they agitated the minds of so
many devotees,disciples of other gurus who were offended publicly.Do you know
how many people are cursing you all over the CIS, including many of our
godbrothers?
You may say what is my fault? It was not me who spoke these harsh words. But
everyone knows who organized this campaign. You and Kamalamala. You can't
imagine how many people are now writing their letters to GBC and BBT
international blaming you. Do you know that devotees blame
Kamalamala saying that he is guilty in the tragedy of two devotees who, being
upset with the heavy situation in the St.Petersburg temple were forced to leave
in the night completely agitated and met
their death in a horrible accident?
You turn innocent devotees into blasphemers. During this few weeks I've heard
more vaishnava aparadhas than in my whole life. They offend pure devotees, GBC,
advanced vaishnavas. This campaign is a slaughterhouse for their spiritual life.
Why should Vaidyanath receive letters from brainwashed people threatening him
calling him Judas etc. Why should he be surrounded with the bodyguards? Of
course you are not doing it personally, but you are supporting it, you are not
trying to stop it. Are you not ashamed?
Remember in1993 in a similar circumstances when you were running another
campaign against GBC I was trying to convince you that we should not offend
senior vaishnavas. You told me: let us commit aparadhas, what is the problem?
Yes we may go to hell, let it be! But Sri VISHNUPAD will become GBC in Moscow.
If you are so determined going to hell you can go.I can appreciate your
determination.But why do you so enthusiastically dragging with you so many
innocent young devotees?
Do you know that in the shastras it is said that guru suffers severely,because
of vaishnava aparadhas committed by his disciples.Instead of telling devotees to
pray for SV in such a crucial period of his life you induce them to blaspheme
vaishnavas thus throwing on a head of our spiritual master tonns and tonns of
severe reactions.So who is betraying SV?Your activities will eventually destroy
him.
Last news-goverment is already aware about the split.We have serious information
that they are under the pressure of orthodox church making arrangements to shut
down the whole movement.You know they loved us so much all this years that they
were simply waiting for a good excuse to stop us. By your causeless mercy they
have more than enough:suicide threats,radio talk shows,armed guards in front of
St.Petersburg temple etc,etc.
At any moment one of the especially devoted souls may hit or shoot somebody who
is a traitor of SV.Then the organizers will be put in jail and the movement will
be SHUT DOWN PERMANENTLY.Thus you will destroy everything we achieved during
these years,all of the austerities SV accepted to organize this
movement.Hundreds of thousands innocent people will loose their chance to become
Krishna conscious.We will be banned for decades and decades.It is the greatest
disservice for SV and SP. And you with your friends will be responsible for
this.
Do not think that only ISCKON will be closed; everything which even slightly
smells like HARE KRISNA will be persecuted. Even the medical centre you want to
organize under the expert guidance of H.H. Monika Krantz. I've wrote you this
letter so that you would explain your activites to all of our godbrothers and
godsisters who love SV not less than you.
I can just ask you,no,I implore you,please,run your campaign in a civilized way.
Discipline your people, at least for the sake of survival. If you want SV to
organize anything in this country don't spoil ISCKON, by doing so you create
great obstacles for SV. Dvorkin already made him infamous all over the Russia.
If you continue in this way he will be a persona non grata and never be allowed
to visit this country. In this way because of your activities we might never see
again our spiritual master in this country. When I write you I mean you and
Kamalamala.Although he is a main actor in this play you seem to be a producer
acting behind the curtain.That is your style.In any case it is obvious for
everybody that you are playing important role and you want to change situation
you can.
I still love you and hope that you will stop this self destructive compaign.
y.s.
BBT Trustees Change Moscow Leadership |
15/09/1998
- by Bhagavat Dharma das
BBT Media Release. 14th Sept. 1998. BBT Trustees Change Moscow
Leadership
The BBT Trustees, after an on-the-spot investigation by Jayadvaita Swami,
Naresvara Dasa and Brahma Muhurta Dasa, have decided to remove Sannyas Dasa from
being director of the Moscow BBT. Sannyas is a leading member of the Harikesa
splinter group, and in the judgment of the Trustees his recent actions have not
been in the best interests of Srila Prabhupada's BBT. Sannyas is expected to
vacate his offices in the Moscow Begovaya temple within the next week. It is
believed he will move to St. Petersburg, where the splinter group has taken over
the ISKCON temple.
The Trustees regret the need to take this action. Over a period of time, they
have tried to reach agreement with Sannyas, and have offered many opportunities
for his continued involvement. Unfortunately, Sannyas felt unable to cooperate.
Nevertheless, in a letter to Sannyas, the Trustees offer an olive branch:
"Should you ever be willing to serve again in full cooperation with the BBT
trustees, we will also be grateful for the opportunity to welcome you
back."
In a similar letter to a group who have decided to follow Sannyas to St.
Petersburg, the Trustees thank the devotees for their past service and state,
"Disturbances are temporary, and Krsna consciousness is eternal. So we want
you to know that whenever you may have a change of heart and wish to return to
your ISKCON/BBT family and serve under the guidance and shelter of Srila
Prabhupada's ISKCON and the BBT, we will be grateful for the opportunity to have
you with us so that we may serve together once again."
Brahma Muhurta Dasa, the Northern Europe Trustee, will take charge of rebuilding
the Russian BBT. New managers have already been chosen. The distribution of
Srila Prabhupada's books will go on, and new books - several titles are ready -
will be printed.
The handling of BBT affairs for the Ukranian language will shift from Moscow to
Kiev, in Ukraine itself, a positive step regardless of the recent disturbances.
For further information, please contact
Bhagavat Dharma Dasa or Anjana Dasi at the BBT Communications Office
HK group takes $800,000 in books |
Update
on official BBT statement
Following the official BBT media release regarding the change in BBT leadership,
we received the following information from our BBT sources:
"Sanyasa Das took control of the BBT warehouse in Moscow along with book stocks worth 800 thousand US Dollars. His Holiness Jaya Advaita Swami went to Moscow to save the situation, but the horses had already left the barn."
We
then put the above to the BBT communications office for their reply. They gave
us the following response:
Dear IRG.
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our earlier statement. I was able to
contact HH Jayadvaita Maharaj in Moscow and put your questions to him.
The more accurate figure is probably a little less than your informant suggests,
in terms of the value of the books at the time they were printed. How much the
books are worth now, in today's Russian economy, is unclear.
While still in charge and in good standing, Sannyasa himself had been
responsible for needless overprinting. And so the Russian BBT had a huge book
stock.
Sannyasa has now seized control of about 40% of that stock. The other 60% lies
with ISKCON. That 60% probably amounts to enough books to last 5 years or more.
The building in Moscow is not really a building; it's the BBT offices on the
ISKCON premises in Moscow. As of last week, Sannyasa and his devotees were busy
vacating those offices. It is likely that whichever of those people haven't yet
shifted to St Petersburg will have gone by the end of this week.
I hope that answers the questions you had. Please contact us at the BBT
Communications Office for any further information.
Your servants in the service of Srila Prabhupada.
Bhagavat Dharma das and Anjana Dasi
To Bhakti Tirtha Swami About Harikesha Swami |
15/09/1998
- by Nityarupa dd
To Bhakti Tirtha Swami.
My name is Nityarupa dd and I live in Vienna. I am a disciple of Harikesha Swami
since seven years. Without his compassion I would have never make this way.
I am shocked after having read your message from the 1st of August 1998 on
Internet. You are writing that Srila Prabhupada has given you the order for this
mission. I would be very much interested how you are getting the message form
Srila Prabhupada? You are seeing this mission yourself as a big service which
you are doing for all devotees. But I have the opinion that you are doing
extreme harm to the whole Hare Krsna movement as well as to all devotees.
The report concerning the disease of Harikesha Swami does absolutely not belong
into the Internet. Also Harikesha Swami has the right for medical secrecy and
respect for his privacy. Where is your humbleness and love for a spiritual
master? I was not aware of anything of it in your letters. How can you write
things like that about somebody like Harikesha Swami who was only spreading love
and the glory of God for the well-being of human kind. But here you made him
ridiculous in public by your reports. When I read a letter like this as his
disciple I do become very much confused and sad. And I am asking myself how can
a Swami behave like that?
I do not have a doubt about Harikesha Swami for a single moment. I
wholeheartedly wish that Radha Krsna may pour out wisdom on you.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Nityarupa dd., Vienna, Austria.
Statement by JPS on Russian Situation |
16/09/1998
- by Jayapataka Swami
Camp: Sri Mayapur Dhama Date: Originally Drafted September 3, 1998.
My Dear ISKCON devotees in Russia,
Please accept my humble obeisances and best wishes. All glories to Srila
Prabhupada!
This letter is to explain my position and to offer some advice for ISKCON
devotees in CIS and everywhere to the followers of Harikesa Maharaja.
1. MY ACTUAL POSITION IN RELATION TO HARIKESA MAHARAJA'S RECENT
PRONOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER EVENTS.
It has been brought to my attention that some followers of Harikesa Maharaja in
Russia are claiming that I am supporting their revolution against ISKCON. This
claim is not true, and it is creating confusion amongst Harikesa Maharaja's
disciples and amongst other devotees who have some faith in me. I am a well
wisher, friend and God-brother of Harikesa Maharaja and want to see that he has
a peaceful Krishna conscious life. I would like to see a peaceful positive
resolution to the present difficulties and misunderstandings. That led me to see
Harikesa Maharaja and report the highlights of my visits.
This respect and love that I feel for Harikesa Maharaja shouldn't be
misrepresented as a support for rebellion or aggression against Srila
Prabhupada, ISKCON or ISKCON's devotees. I would not have written this letter,
but I am compelled to do so due to this misrepresentation of my position.
How is it possible for me to support a revolution for leaving the shelter of
Srila Prabhupada? Srila Prabhupada has always said to remain in ISKCON and work
towards improving his movement. Srila Prabhupada said ISKCON was "his
body". So there is no way that I can support such a stand.
According to reports I am receiving, there is an extreme polarisation being
promoted in Russia by Kamalamala das, Sannyas das, and Brahmananda Puri das.
This action is completely contrary to what they assured me they wanted when we
met in Germany. They told me they wanted to be in ISKCON, and that we would work
together to bring Harikesa Maharaja back to ISKCON. I did support their staying
humbly in ISKCON and working co-operatively to spread Krishna consciousness.
That was something I appreciated.
However, now things have changed. I certainly don't agree to an aggressive
promotion of Harikesa Maharaja's new ideas nor to an appeal for Harikesa
Maharaja's disciples to leave Srila Prabhupada's house and our spiritual family
of ISKCON.
Furthermore, I do not support Harikesa Maharaja's present attitude and dealings
toward Srila Prabhupada. I feel it is outside the bounds of etiquette to
criticise or mention demeaning things about any properly situated spiritual
master, what to speak of a faultless spiritual master like Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada is due all of our respect and love.
Adjustments of preaching strategies can be easily proposed within ISKCON without
denigrating the position of our Founder Acharya. I am shocked and very hurt by
the public criticisms and minimisation being directly or indirectly aimed at
Srila Prabhupada. I never expected this to happen from Harikesa Maharaja or any
of his followers. These things should be carefully avoided.
Harikesa Maharaja's present portrayal of ISKCON as a dangerous sect and his
declaration of leaving ISKCON cause me great pain. ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada's
body and is sheltering millions of devotees both in the temples and in the
broader congregation. Harikesa Maharaja has sacrificed so much personal energy
and service for the betterment of ISKCON. Now it is almost inconceivable that he
is denouncing the society, which has also provided so much spiritual development
for him and his disciples.
I emphatically do not support this negative portrayal of ISKCON. I am an ISKCON
member and am giving all of my energy to seeing to the development and
improvement of ISKCON. It is painful if someone near and dear doesn't want to
remain any longer in ISKCON, but what can we do? ISKCON is a free society, and
people can stay or leave as they like. However, openly and un-constructively
criticising ISKCON or its members should be totally avoided. I certainly, and I
am sure all ISKCON members including Harikesa Maharaja's disciples, would like
to see our dear Harikesa Maharaja's outlook of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada
return to the standard of his 1998 Vyasa Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada.
As far as the treatment of Harikesa Maharaja has received during and after his
recent collapse by the Executive Committee (EC) of the ISKCON Governing Body
Commission (GBC) is concerned I think that they took extreme care to do the
right thing. I consider that all the EC members are and were well intentioned in
all they did.
At first I felt, along with other GBC's of Russia, that some of the technical
aspects of the notification could have been improved and more sensitive. I
appreciated the EC's apology letter which explained the difficult situation they
were under. This graciousness of the EC was appreciated by everyone at the
temples I discussed it.
I tried to explain to Harikesa Maharaja in our first meeting that it really was
a very minor restriction that the EC placed, and if he could demonstrate he was
healthy enough to do his duties then he could soon be reinstated. However, by
then he had already decided he didn't want to be part of ISKCON. It definitely
seemed like he was over-reacting to the EC decisions. Even then, I was trying to
smooth things out. The apology letter from the EC demonstrates that they didn't
want to upset Harikesa Maharaja or his disciples and assured of future enhanced
sensitivity.
2. HOW I WAS CHEATED AND MY GOOD INTENTIONS EXPLOITED
During our meeting, Harikesa Maharaja stated clearly to me that he didn't want
to be the leader of a spiritual organisation. Specifically, he said he didn't
want to be a "sect leader". Later, when the Russian leaders were
present (Kamalamala das, Sannyasa das and Brahmananda Puri das), Harikesa
Maharaja asked them to discuss with me and work out something peaceful.
My point to them was that if they wanted to be inside, then I would work for
that. If they wanted to be outside, then it could be a clean break, avoiding
confrontation. The three met me twice for almost two hours each time. They were
very clear that they wanted to be part of ISKCON, and they wanted Harikesa
Maharaja to also be a part of ISKCON in the future.
We understood that presently, by his own desire, Harikesa Maharaja has declared
himself out of ISKCON. We agreed that if things got normalised and some steps
were taken to consider Harikesa Maharaja's proposals then the climate might be
made right for him to return to ISKCON. I confess that I felt more optimistic
after Harikesa Maharaja told me three times during my final visit that he might
come back if things improved in ISKCON.
The three Russians gave details on how they would allow ISKCON sannyasis, GBCs
and Gurus to again enter and preach in St. Petersburg. They would submit to the
ISKCON discipline. They said they didn't want to destroy the relationship
between the congregation in St. Petersburg and the temple so they requested not
to have any announcement that they left ISKCON since for sure they wanted to be
back.
They only wanted some assurance that blasphemy against Harikesa Maharaja would
be avoided. They assured me they wouldn't politicise the Radio since public
confrontation would attract Government attention and in CIS that could be
disastrous. Already laws were in place allowing Government to come down heavy on
most religious groups without much protection of law. I have been
enthusiastically telling my GBC colleagues to hold off and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.
Unfortunately, the report I got is that when Sannyas das, Kamalamala das and
Brahmananda Puri das returned to Russia they brought a new Harikesa Maharaja
video as well as an audio interview for the radio. By now you have all probably
read the transcripts of both of these productions. Just the fact that they
broadcast such things on the radio and are planning to distribute Harikesa
Maharaja's video endorsing his new ideas and leaving ISKCON is very
confrontational.
More serious is that the radio broadcast contains statements that are directly
derogatory and offensive towards Srila Prabhupada.
Now receiving these reports I feel cheated that my good intentions have been
politically exploited and misused in order to bewilder devotees and encourage
people to leave ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada has always preached to remain within
the ISKCON family. How can I endorse that people should leave? This is very
political and I couldn't imagine that these devotees would stoop so low as to
misuse my desire to help them in such a way. Many leaders had been quite
emphatic that we shouldn't trust them, but I was preaching for restraint and to
give them a chance.
Look what they have done! I would like it to go down in everyone's memory and
for the permanent record that full opportunity was extended to these Russian
devotees to be accepted back in ISKCON. If they now are doing politics to
encourage devotees to leave ISKCON it is their own free will. I worked to give
them the opportunity to remain in ISKCON, but they have misused my attempts. I
was trying to create an environment where all Harikesa Maharaja disciples could
serve nicely in ISKCON and in which Harikesa Maharaja could more easily return.
Now I am told there is simply chaos and confrontation caused by them. I hope
they will come to their senses and avoid confrontation and creating chaos. After
all they are all Srila Prabhupada's grandchildren who have sacrificed much for
the Krishna conscious cause. It is senseless and destructive to fight amongst
ourselves. Our energy should be used to uplift fallen souls and not to promote
enmity or division amongst the Vaishnavas thus playing into the hands of
materialistic enemies who wish our mutual termination.
3. HARIKESA MAHARAJA'S CURRENT RELATIONSHIP WITH SRILA PRABHUPADA
In the first meeting with Harikesa Maharaja I explained that he told me he
didn't agree with some things Srila Prabhupada did. He wanted to change these.
He mentioned how when he was in his emotional volcano he was even angry at Srila
Prabhupada, but then he cooled down. In the second meeting Harikesa Maharaja
said his relationship was now all right. I was feeling optimistic.
However, when I read the transcript of the recent Radio broadcast of an
interview between Harikesa Maharaja and Brahmika das (a Russian disciple), I saw
that Harikesa Maharaja stated disrespectful things about Srila Prabhupada. It is
offensive to Srila Prabhupada to say such things.
(Hari Sauri Prabhu has responded that while he was Srila Prabhupada personal
secretary he always saw Srila Prabhupada acting exemplary and such statements
are completely unfounded in fact.)
Now when I compare what Harikesa Maharaja told me during the first visit, with
this last statement in the radio interview, it is clear that Harikesa Maharaja
really doesn't accept Srila Prabhupada like he used to. Because I had been very
anxious for a solution during the second visit with Harikesa Maharaja, when he
said his relationship with Srila Prabhupada was okay, I can now see I got overly
optimistic and took him at his word. It is not okay from the Krishna conscious
standpoint.
Instead of following Srila Prabhupada as his absolute authority, Harikesa
Maharaja is now apparently following new intuitions and other guides. Hopefully
in the future he will again realise that Srila Prabhupada is the dependable and
proper person to take shelter of.
4. THE PRESENT VOLATILE SITUATION IN CIS
Harikesa Maharaja told me a week ago that he wanted his disciples to go on with
their devotional service, but now he is doing something else by supporting the
revolutionaries in Russia. It seems we cannot depend today on what Harikesa
Maharaja says. It is changing quite rapidly. Therefore what is the use of
reporting it?
Although Harikesa Maharaja claims to be reasonable, what is being proposed or
endorsed doesn't seem reasonable for Krishna conscious devotees. Of course, we
don't know to what extent those advocating rebellion in Russia are
misrepresenting him. Certainly it contradicts his standing instructions for so
many years and his present instruction to not do any violence to anyone.
Allowing or encouraging his fanatic disciples in Russia to issue his mass video
release, knowing it could cause mass chaos in Russia, is completely against what
he told me he wanted. So now I don't know how much value to place on what he
tells me or anyone. It is changing without warning.
My appeal is that all Harikesa Maharaja disciples should stay within the shelter
of ISKCON. Continue on with sadhana bhakti and devotional service. There is
absolutely nothing to be gained to leave the association and shelter of the
wonderful devotees of ISKCON. How can ISKCON devotees be called cult or sect
members? They are the most wonderful people I have ever met. I cannot imagine a
better association to be in. Let us all work co-operatively to bring up ISKCON
to a higher level---to show that are happy in Krishna consciousness and from
that position invite Harikesa Maharaja to come back and be with us.
We don't need psychotherapy centres to teach us how to love. We can learn that
practically in Krishna consciousness by careful Vaishnava dealings. We are
grateful for all that Harikesa Maharaja has done and we want him to return to
ISKCON to continue serving Srila Prabhupada as is his duty as a disciple. My
heart is heavy that my beloved Godbrother has decided to separate himself from
his family members. I am still hoping upon hope and praying that eventually
Harikesa Maharaja will see the light and come back to ISKCON knowing that he is
always welcome to return to his home. I implore Harikesa Maharaja and anyone who
considers himself as his follower, not to do anything that will disturb the
peaceful environment of the devotees in ISKCON or anyone for that matter.
Provocative videos and political radio broadcasts in Moscow are disturbing the
minds of devotees unnecessarily. All these political manoeuvres and provocative
actions should be immediately stopped. Brahmananda Puri das had previously given
me a written request to avoid doing something provocative. I am amazed that now
so many provocative things are going on.
If there are devotees who are determined not to serve in ISKCON let them
peacefully go their way, but they should not try to compel other devotees to
also leave their devotional service. That is not proper. So please everyone
should act as gentlemen and ladies and avoid all kinds of Vaishnava aparadha
(offences to Vaishnavas). I am sorry I have to say all these things, but since
my name is being broadcast that I am endorsing everything being done in the name
of Harikesa Maharaja I have no choice but to make my position clear.
Please, in the future, before taking seriously any claim about what my stand is
or what I am supposed to be saying please contact me directly. When I reported
on the two meetings with Harikesa Maharaja, I clearly mentioned that I was just
stating what Harikesa Maharaja told me I could say. I specifically stated that
they were not my own endorsements with these words:
"As far as what my realisations about this visit were, apart for one
paragraph, I haven't gone into that here. So please don't take my repetition of
his [Harikesa Maharaja's] statements as any kind of personal endorsement from
me."
Still somehow this reporting has been misunderstood as an endorsement from me.
So please don't think like that. My reporting wasn't any kind of personal
endorsement. Actually now I may have to report less about any meetings since
they are being used as propaganda against ISKCON which is deplorable and
political. I hope I will be able to maintain a positive link with Harikesa
Maharaja and that relations with ISKCON will remain cordial leading to an
eventual reunion. Thank you for your patience.
Your well wisher,
Jayapataka swami
Sex Question Splits Hare Krishnas |
24/09/1998
- from The Moscow Times
Copyright 1998 Independent Press The Moscow Times September 23, 1998
SECTION: No. 1545
LENGTH: 823 words
HEADLINE: Sex Question Splits Hare Krishnas
BYLINE: By Julia Solovyova Staff Writer
While the world follows the twists and turns of the Bill and Monica story, the
international Hare Krishna community is playing out its own, slightly more theological
version of a sex scandal. The movement's spiritual leader, Harikesa Swami Sri
Vishnupad, created the scandal by proposing that sex be allowed between married
couples other than for procreation, and announcing plans to marry his own Monica.
Vishnupad's proposal appears to have hit the loudest chord in Russia, where a
group of his followers has broken away from the mainstream.
The proposal would change one of the fundamental principles of the Hare Krishna
religion, which condones sex within marriage only in order to produce children.
The movement as a whole considered the proposal a sacrilege.
Vishnupad, 49, an American living in Germany whose secular name is Robert Compagnola,
was stripped of his post as chairman of the GBC - the body governing the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON.
In response, Vishnupad quit ISKCON, denouncing it as a corrupt "communist"
organization only interested in "money, power, buildings and fruitless institutionalization."
While the rest of the international Hare Krishna community has taken the developments
in stride, Vishnupad's Russian devotees have been deeply divided. He is one of
about a dozen Hare Krishna gurus who have disciples in Russia, but is by far the
most influential.
At least 200 of his devotees have broken away, concentrating around a temple in
St. Petersburg.
"We are disappointed in ISKCON. They are a bunch of scribes and pharisees,"
said Karen Saakyan, president of the St. Petersburg temple and leader of the splinter
group. "(The movement) doesn't have any future. Vishnupad used to be its
heart. Without him it is doomed." The guru's change of heart came after he
fell into a coma in early June. When he recovered, with help from Monica, a healer,
he told his disciples that he realized the social status of a sannyasi, or celibate
monk, was not right for him anymore.
His former fellow clerics blame the medication he was taking for chronic fatigue,
saying it made him emotionally and mentally unstable.
"I wish to change this rule of no illicit sex, which means no sex except
for having children," Vishnupad said in a video address to Russian devotees
last month. "It should be changed to no sex outside of marriage so that married
couples can have normal and loving relationships." Vishnupad went on to say
that people who join the Hare Krishna movement have to "constantly repress
their various desires," which causes "unlimited problems to their minds."
He acknowledged that the movement was not ready for the change, "although
everybody knows that something's wrong," and said he no longer wanted to
be part of it.
"I consider it a sect," Vishnupad said. "Do not be dependent on
some communist society. ISKCON is a communist society. Everyone knows that communism
does not work." Echoing his guru, Saakyan called ISKCON "a kind of a
young pioneer camp" whose leaders have discredited themselves by "being
jealous of their more advanced peer." Saakyan also criticized the movement
for Internet postings describing Vishnupad as ill, when the Russian disciple said
the guru was actually in a "transcendental state." "I'm sure within
a couple years 90 percent of ISKCON members will join us," Saakyan added.
Sergei Zuyev, president of the Russian Krishna community, played down the importance
of the split.
"There is no schism going on. We've got 120 temples (around Russia) and only
one of them has stepped aside," he said, adding that the total number of
Krishna devotees in Russia is about 100,000. "It's a healthy development
process." Zuyev expressed a willingness to consider Vishnupad's proposal.
He said it may be brought up for discussion at a GBC meeting next year, if Vishnupad
fully recovers from his "emotional instability." "It's not a problem
that needs an immediate solution," Zuyev said. "It probably wouldn't
make sense for devotees who have taken their vows, but it may be acceptable for
the newcomers." Saakyan said the proposed reform is vital.
"The Hare Krishna society is based on abstinence, but it's not the crucial
factor of spiritual growth," he said. "People should be able to create
families but if they are allowed to have sex only once in their lives, why live
together? Why torture each other? It turns into some sort of perversion."
The rebellious guru has been one of the highest spiritual authorities in the Hare
Krishna movement. Rumors have circulated among his disciples who chose to stick
with ISKCON that Vishnupad's soul was replaced by someone else's while he was
in the coma.
"I believe it's a temporary aberration," said Andrei Kharitonov, a Moscow
disciple who stayed within the mainstream. "I trust in my guru and pray to
God to help him overcome this temptation."