Hare Krishna, great answer. Devotees need to be serious about following sadhana bhakti, then they will be spiritually strong, otherwise they will be weak in Krishna consciousness and will be more in Maya :-( and they will think that Krishna consciousness does not work, but in fact they do not work in Krishna consciousness... There is nothing more than chanting Hare Krishna.... Who does not understand that should chant more and more until he realizes it. Then he will want to spread The Holy Name everywhere. Hare Krishna 🙏
I see so many comments, probably many have concerns and so do I, thanks Maharaj for giving us directions. I like the sentence that Maharaj had said "Let's be part of the solution."
Hare Krsna Maharaj🙏🏽All Glories to Srila Prabhupada 🙏🏽All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga🙏🏽 very nicely and patiently it was explained by Maharaj that we need to have faith in our hearts and someday we too shall become fortunate enough to have Krsna's mercy and his shelter.
Maharaja you give us much hope! Eagerly look forward to your book and all future communications on these matters! Thank you for your mercy! All Glories to your Service! Jaya Prabhupada!
(Managed by disciples): Hare Krishna! Thankyou very much for your kind appreciation. We have thousands of such lectures in our mobile app. Download now: Android: bit.ly/3qDPzTI iOS and iPad OS: apple.co/39MDAML Or listen on the web: web.bvksdigital.com And if you haven’t already subscribed to our channel kindly do so.
@@BhaktiVikasaSwami I recommend you have a look at a TH-cam channel called Forever Conscious Research Channel you should have a open mind and have a look
Positive preaching Maharaja and I hope it makes the author of the letter you are quoting becomes positive enough to positively follow Srila Prabhupada's consistently positive preaching. All glories to your always positive preaching.
(Managed by disciples): Hare Krishna! Thankyou very much for your kind appreciation. We have thousands of such lectures in our mobile app. Download now: Android: bit.ly/3qDPzTI iOS and iPad OS: apple.co/39MDAML Or listen on the web: web.bvksdigital.com And if you haven’t already subscribed to our channel kindly do so.
Srila Prabhupada said things clearly, only thing is that people are not engaged in Krishna consciousness with full devotion. What's full devotion? When you're engaged in Krishna consciousness even when you're sleeping. Your mind should be focused on Krishna. Then you see the miracles happen. 🙏
Yes Maharaj, Hare Krsna, people are too much indulge into sense gratification, the second concern people do not have much faith in spiritual values though ISKCON have all the genuine and high spiritual & practical values. Like Lord Krsna says in BG to Arjuna one need not to give up his present activities rather divert all such present activities into Krsna consciousness following the four regulative principals do not over endeavour too much into material things beyond ones capacity and end up into problems. Basically what I see here human beings do not realize the dangers they are facing now and going to face future, this is due to their too much indulging into Maya, no body serious although exposures are destroying their lives, Faith in SPIRITUAL VALUES are seriously lacking What I feel to say here is when we preach or give class we have to touch their insight and the dangers they are going to face moving forward. I also notice sometimes people use to say ISKCON's preaching leading to the extreme of telling people to give up this and that even though they continue their life within the four regulative principles, things like working, earning money and so on, this also confuse people in general. The so called many Hindus even though they know the present problems and dangers in Islam and Christianity they are following them and converting themselves what we can say about this is it due to too much sense gratification or any other reasons, or money problems and so on, ISKCON have to find a model in a reasonable manner to attract them into KC. The big dangers is that ISKCON preachers should not critize the Devas rather include the Devas as subordinates and how they are facilitating our lives to continue successfully. My apologies if any thing I say wrongly here. Haribol.
I've been receiving the Back To Prabhupada magazine for about 6 years, but I'll admit that I've only skimmed a few of them because I hate the strife that politics, egos, and power struggles cause. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Dear Maharaj, you mention the institutionalization phase of Iskcon, which of course is an undeniable fact. Some comments I’d like to make about this, divided in three parts. Part 1: I was thinking about how it looks like, at least some portions of Iskcon, it’s like they are in a new charismatic phase. Primarily may have happened soon after Prabhupada left, with the new gurus starting their own charismatic phase, to some extent the institutionalization went on, but there was changing and adding things different from what Prabhupada gave. I see marks of charismatic phase in these aspects: making something ‘new’ (in terms of programs and approaches), not emphasizing Prabhupada enough and overemphasizing Prabhupada (rtvikvada, in this case i see two aspects of charisma, one trying to reestablish Prabhupada as charismatic leader and the other, the rtvik guru/acarya as a new charismatic leader). When guru, sadhu and sastra are neglected, that seems to be a sign of charismatic phase, because if tradition is broken, means more importance is being given to a specific individual who is saying something new. So it’s like there is a big umbrella called Iskcon but not everything in the institution is moving forward, mostly because instead of continuity there is a rupture and someone ‘starts over,’ perhaps this could be simplified as saying that the points in which the parampara was broken there is a new charismatic phase. I suppose this mismatch/anachronism among different portions of the institution could be the source of many difficulties in fixing institutional issues. Another problem would be, how much the novelties themselves have been institutionalized.
I have lived by New Vridavan my whole life and ill say this. That community is thriving but theres not much coming from the youth which in the 90s the community was filled with young people that was very enthusiastic. Now its mostly middle aged people. The youth needs to get excited again.
Part 3: so I was thinking about how to prevent institutionalization of deviations and the most obvious thing seems to be officially recognizing discrepancies and establishing steps to overcome them (short and or long term). And when I think about it, that’s actually the original purpose of the GBC, isn’t it? However that seems to have failed to some extent, probably due to up and coming charismatic leaders. Institutionalizing deviations may have been a way to avoid splitting. There is indeed an issue with splitting, mainly, when starting something new it seems almost inevitable that another charismatic leader will arise, with all the risks that it entails. But the perceived need to institutionalize the deviation is already consequence of the effects of charisma, it can’t prevent the problem because it’s actually a consequence of it. The tradition came to be thought of as sectarian and the sect became mainstream. The tradition would have to be re-institutionalized, but how? It comes to mind that, where there is a philosophical deviation there will also probably be a concrete misbehavior, for example in deity worship. If ISKCON is not able to fix standards in Deity worship in all the centers, I very much doubt it could do anything else properly. I remember something I read, Prabhupada was discussing with GBC men regarding misbehavior in relation to the BBT and the GBC were requesting that Prabhupada would let them manage BBT, and Prabhupada said “show me that you can fix this specific problem first,” otherwise what is the point in just letting them take over something if they don’t demonstrate they can fix things in the areas they are already managing?
(Managed by disciples): Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! We are pleased to hear this. Thankyou so much. Please let us know where are you from so that we can connect you with appropriate authorities who can help you in this regard.
@@BhaktiVikasaSwami I currently live in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I am also active duty in the United States Air Force so I hope that doesn't conflict with my ability to assist a nearby farm.
Meditation brings about a maturation, and that maturation, and the perspectives it enables is a tide-swell that raises all boats. The value of universal compassion sells itself if you're mature enough to recognize it. I look to Sat Guru Maharaji claiming he would explode the peace bomb, and I think of him spreading meditation beyond the cultural bounds that had impeded it's spread as Prem Rawat succeeding at that quest. The Flynn Effect, the Evolution of Childhood/Parenting-Styles, and Moore's Law keep demonstrating that we are getting better in vary real tangible terms.
great important questions. I think this questions should have been asked many years ago. Andthe answers should not just be given from leaders above but rather developed from hARE kRISHNA DEVOTES TOGETHER IN WORK GROUPS AND REGUALAR MEETINGS: The answers should come from the base, who live practically lifes, not from leaders who actually not living in a practual situation.
An excellent email to Bhakti Vikasa Swami, and I like that he responds with what appears to be a sincere view. I see the main issue to be that of co-operation between members and from this a common goal. Just like at the end Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeals to the concept of re-incarnation as a unifying concept to bring ISKCON members together to preach in unison. In this way the weight of disagreements is diminished where focus is on something more positive in relating to the population at large. Indeed the study of NDEs then become prominent, and in my view constitute the proof whereby modern material science is shown up for the limitations of itself. They dismissing NDEs as delusions when so many persons repeat very similar profound experiences is very telling. The achilles heel if you will. In my view, a concept of co-operation and working together is what can bring in the varna-ashrama. But this unifying principle has to be an even bigger subject matter. And yet a subject matter that encompasses everything outside of any so-called 'cult' belief system. The first thing that Krsna says to Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita, before the latter formerly requests guidance is, 'How have these impurities come upon you? They are not at all befitting one who knows the *progressive* values of life, they lead not to higher planets but to infamy. I think the word 'progressive' values of life, rather than 'higher' is important, as this implies that a devotee has full knowledge of the value of each level/stage of life and its applications to the whole system, rather than just attachment to the 'higher' ones only, a problem I find in ISKCON group-think. All the levels of life are encompassed in Varna-ashrama. Understanding this is the perfection of knowledge of a Vaishnava so far as this phenomenal world is concerned. So what is this big subject matter I mentioned earlier? In my view it is the obvious one that has seemingly plagued the world for the last 2 and a bit years, but in reality many, many years before that. During the time Srila Prabhupada was here, it was noted that he was expert at business dealings and in particular when he was being cheated and how and why. (This often escaped his disciples, and I do have a lot of sympathy with them!!) I believe that a cheating/scam is now going on on a global scale for nefarious ends which can be understood by anyone going to a 'Stand in the Park' meeting. Conspiracy, etc and details can be found elsewhere. This has brought people around the world closer together and projects such as self-sufficient communities, getting out of maritime law (what is the real law? - often based on 'Do no harm'), etc are routinely discussed. In other words people of many differing philosophies are coming together to oppose a worldwide 'sinister' movement. Unfortunately I see much of ISKCON itself sucked in as many Temples just follow government mandates etc. (Questioning authority is an ISKCON group-think weakness, in my opinion) However, many devotees do see through the worldwide scam, and wonder how to act against it. Indeed what is the position of Vaishnavism to this co-operation with others seeing through the so-called pandemic, etc? I see it as potential opportunity to cast aside many disagreements among its own members, or at least not weight them so highly in the face of this danger. To come together and co-operate not just with themselves in common unity, but with others and groups that have 'spiritual' inclinations albeit of a 'new-age' variety. How can that work and not compromise Vaishnavism? I see Vaishnavism as the topmost mainly due to the acceptance of Sri Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the process of Varna-ashram is the filtering down of that knowledge into worldly affairs so things run nicely for God realisation. This means seeing the value of other systems, sentimentalities, ideas, beliefs instead of only seeing where they fall short to the Vaishnava conception. This requires patience, and detailed understanding, but at the same time an ability to cut-to-the-chase, like Prabhupada often did in his conversations with others when he received guests who came from other paths, ideas, etc. I think those conversations of Prabhupada need more weight on for the importance of being studied. Bhakti Vikasa Swami states that sadhana is spiritual life. I would say that sadhana is the practise of spiritual life. That is an important distinction. Real spiritual life is being convinced and continually so on the principles of Vaishnavism found in abundance in Srila Prabhupada's books. This provides the impetus and enthusiasm indicative of the real Prabhupada vani, and where real internal spiritual discussions can manifest and enliven the devotee. This is higher than anything in the material world. Such is its position. When I first came into contact with Krsna Consciousness back in 1992, I saw it as a living, breathing thing! Hard work for the purpose of Krsna Consciousness propagation and advancement is the domain of very elevated persons which would of course include Bhakti Vikasa Swami, (ie: those who have very much dedicated their lives to it) but in reality many people and often practitioners of Vaishnavism themselves do struggle with the concept of leading their lives in a different concept of reality to the current world-wide way of thinking. This struggle and anguish should never be underestimated in my view. Which is why the integration of Krsna Consciousness into the world wide anti globalist movement without compromising its integrity can be of utmost value not just to the interested populace at large, but to devotees in general whereby they can see the value of what they follow more and indeed by persons who are understanding more, the *progressive* values of life. That is an idea anyway, and I think it is correct.
Seems the movement has still not found someone to take the place of Prahbupada. Its been going downhill slowly since he left. I know there will never be another Prahbupada but seems a true leader has yet to take the reigns and take the movement into the future
Hare Krishna maharaja dandvat pranam please accept my humble obescence ,it's a very important question please tell me how a devotee who is gay can follow devotional path because for it one must have to associate with devotees but a gay devotee can't associate with them because he will be attracted towards them it's not practical also he can't associate with female devotee because he is not allowed to do so , it's a great delima we all r krsna children what u suggest for us we need guidance if somehow other u can solve this then it will be a great help.please help and forgive me for any offences
As I see it, it’s not just sadhana and book distribution which have been de-emphasized, the whole idea of preaching has been destroyed in some places, because preaching means proselytizing, and we’re not supposed to “judge” anyone or state that something is right or wrong, better or worse. At most when there are classes, people just read the book and comment on it in a very mild way and that’s all. No attempts to change anyone’s way of thinking because “that’s fanaticism and sectarianism.” If this is not a preaching movement, what is it? “Just let it be, everything is good, there’s no difference between devotees and non devotees.” Just total dissolution. If everything is equally good why chose one thing over the other? Join or don’t join it doesn’t matter, take a little bit of everything and make your own personal religion. Unfortunately this has become mainstream in some areas. Pure hypocrisy. People simply are not able to make solid arguments, there is lack of knowledge or they don’t want to deal with any type of conflict. And if they don’t support proper preaching, they probably won’t support book distribution either. At most if they encourage people to take books, it’s not Prabhupada’s books. Iskcon becoming a new age movement. Even senior devotees, so called disciples of Prabhupada, giving “yoga” classes in the temple and calling it “yoga for everyone.”
It is simply not true that the world will become conscious or spiritual through book distributions. Because a normal european does not even understand the books, they are too far out of his cultural backround. Even if you manage to give a book to somebody the majority will not read them. I had been given 10 Hare Krishna books, and could zero connect to them, despite I tried. What did speak to me was the harinam, music, gatherings and farms but I never knew how to integrate the Krishna consciosnes into daily life it felt like 2 parallel universes, like living 2 different lives. The talks were often so far away from a everyday working peoples reality. Most people do not even read books anymore. Giving people part to be of the community and taking part in activities like music, cooking, yoga, meditation classes, group activities maybe like hiking together ect maybe would attract people much more. More practical activities. which bring people together.
If at all there is going to be a future for ISKCON, then it will have to begin with its current and future generations being thought to have full conviction in the words of the Founder Acharya. The disease of trying to find something new as if we've currently done everything cent percent as per the Acharya's words and still nothing works has to be cured. Judging based on the contents of the letter that has been read out, it looks like the future is quite bleak.
Part 2: Ironically, preachers who want to avoid being “fanatical” may actually be the ones developing sectarian/cultish mentality. The original definition of “sect” is an offshoot from a tradition, could be cherry-picking from a tradition and or reinterpreting things in a new way. So, it’s a derivation from a tradition that comes in conflict with it or with other derivations. However things seems to having been turned upside down to the point that the adherence to the tradition is labeled as sectarian, but that’s actually the perspective from the sect itself. Following a tradition that is in conflict with other traditions or philosophies is not sectarianism. Annulling aspects of the tradition and reinterpreting is actually the way to promote a sect. So, institutionalizing deviations is the way to turn a tradition into a sect. For example, rtvikism is a Vaishnava sect, if ISKCON institutionalizes rtvikism, that’s the way to turn ISKCON into a sectarian institution. However the sects itself will claim that those who reject the deviations are themselves sectarian (sectarian in this case understood as “radical or fanatic”, “intolerant”).
You can dam the river by adding rocks and timber but eventually the water will erode them and continue to flow again ,this is the path of dharma and Sri Krishna s arrangement, the truth will always find its path and prevail, in this age of kali, there will always be turmoil ,but ultimately Krishna is the only controller.
Another example of overemphasizing Prabhupada: neglecting sastra. Then, they use Prabhupada to promote their own nonsense based on very particular things Prabhupada said or did. That’s the Prabhupada who exists in their imagination, I’m pretty sure they are fully convinced they are right. That’s why they do so much damage to the movement.
I’m pretty sure for some the next step is writing their own purports to scripture so that no one needs to read Prabhupada’s books anymore. “After all they are outdated, and if Prabhupada was here he would have done the same”, right? Oh, actually, it’s already going on. At least in the west people have some option and don’t need to be outraged with what Prabhupada wrote. Why Mayapur tv(s) has no classes on Bhagavad-Gita, only Bhagavatam at most, if at all? Actually it seems most temples transmitting classes online here also do the same. Some people giving classes online don’t even read any verses! Just be spontaneous, right? And look at those beautiful Deities!
(Managed by disciples): Hare Krishna! Please scrutinizingly read all the books of Srila Prabhupada and listen to his lectures. That will help you to understand the essence of all the scriptures. And after that, if your guru engages you in some seva where you need to refer the Manu Samhita, then after taking his permission, you can read it.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura lived as a magistrate. Srila Prabhupada during his grahastha ashram lived as a pharmacist. They lived in big cities, not in a rural farm community. None of our grahastha acaryas lived in any rural farm community. So what is the need for these farm communities so much in India to attract millions?
Hare Krishna 🙏 There are two kinds of living entities: nitya-siddha, nitya-baddha. nitya-baddhas are within this material world beginning from brahmā down to a small ant, insignificant ant, they are all nitya-baddhas. anyone who is in this material world-nitya-baddha. and nitya-siddhas, they belong to the spiritual world. they never come in contact with this material world, and even they come for some business under the order of the supreme lord, they do not touch these material qualities they remain always transcendental as kṛṣṇa remains always transcendental, even though he is in this material world, similarly, kṛṣṇa's nitya-siddha associates, they are also transcendental. they never touch this material world. Srila Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur pad both are Nitya siddha ....they come here to preach conditioned souls like us who are busy day and night earning money in cities otherwise they can stay anywhere as Prabhupad writes in purport to SB 7.9.44 A pure devotee of the Lord, for himself he has no problems, even if he has to stay in this material world, because his only business is to remain in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person can go even to hell and still be happy. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja said, naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaraṇyāḥ: “O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence.” The pure devotee is never unhappy in any condition of life.He is interested in enlightening people in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because that is the only way for them to become happy." But we being nitya baddha won't be able to practice Krishna consciousness fully in cities as there are so many distractions , we have to take association of non devotees in school college and office to earn money which effects our consciousness and takes us away from Krishna When Śrīla Prabhupāda visited Hong Kong and Bhurijan Prabhu, who was preaching there had rented the most expensive suite in the most important or most expensive hotel, the Hilton Hotel in Hong Kong very, very, very costly. And when Prabhupāda arrived, he called the reporters to come and see Prabhupāda and one of them put the question and asked Śrīla Prabhupāda that you see you're preaching against materialism, but you're staying in the very expensive suite in the most costly Hotel. How does that fit? And Prabhupāda said, “I can stay anywhere. But if I wasn't here, you wouldn't have come to see me.” And they understood. That's true. They wouldn't have come if they'd have gone if they've gone to some little ramshackle apartment, the reporters wouldn’t have come. But when they see it's very costly, this, then they say oh, must be something important. Prabhupāda’s importance was not increased by his staying in an important apartment or when he was wandering the streets as he put himself in 1965, 1966 in New York City, it wasn't that Prabhupāda was any less than when he was later recognized as a world ācārya. But in people's minds, people need this kind of thing, to impress them, that this is something very important. The objective is to be fully Krishna conscious whether we stay in cities or in farms but the environment is more conducive at farms to be fully Krishna conscious as u get devotees association 24 hours a day Prabhupad also said if u can preach and distribute books extensively then stay in cities,if u can't preach then go to farms and try to cultivate Krishna consciousness
What??? Read prabhupada's books. His desire for establishing varnashram dharm is clearly visible in his books. In so many lecture and letters, srila prabhupada instructed us to establish farm community.
Even Krishna reincarnates. Let's all be grateful for the lives that we lead and by the way iskcon needs to advertise with billboards and TV commercials. Also one time I exploded in lightning and fire after doing the mantra so I'm some kind of a big deal
The various anomalies that have occurred since Srila Prabhupada departed have created factions and fragmentalization. Poor leadership and scandals. The book changes controversy has also split the unified push for clear working together. Poor leadership is sometimes an understatement -bad leadership and the resulting distrust. Also the various standards that to not comply with the actual standards - such as the FDG and others. Ritvik. Envious devotees who propagandize against other devotees and the movement what to speak of those outside of Iskcon who have their own mistaken agendas. The history of the many mistakes is still influencing the present. We have various gurus with their own ideas that are allowed to be propagated that are nor in line with Srila Prabhupada. This disfunctional organization should be healed with strict and strong endeavor. Devotees are waiting to see the movement become healthy by the removal of these disturbing elements. The Wishy Washy Iskcon does not have a good reputation for integrity inline with Srila Prabhupada's standards. Hare Krishna.
Future looks very bleak for kaliyuga indeed actually whole institution lost visions after founder departure in 1977 and everything after is absolute dismal performance.
I. am. finding. it. too. hard. to. keep. the. rules;. I. am forced off. it. due. to. peer. pressure;. I. think. many. others. find that too. Also. I. can't get. out. because of. my. prostate. so. I. have to. rely. on. others to. buy. my. food and. don't. agree. to buying me. vegetarian. food. At least I. can get to the ATM.
One thing that comes to mind is that ACBSP emphasis on the tremendous potential of farms was mostly delivered on the basis of managing them in western contexts... he did not put much emphasis on doing these things in India (Mayapur was an exception, but then mayapur is a unique project in many regards). Self sufficiency and simple living are novel projects in post-industrial western civilization whereas doing them in places like India are just seen as a throw back to an era that the population is, by and large desperately trying to depart from (connecting temples to respectable and educated locals seems to be the predominant method ACBSP emphasised in India ... hence life membership, etc etc) . I remember on one farm in a western country, a devotee made a mud hut (pretty dreadful design by indian village standards) and guests used to frequently take photos of it, charmed by the simple living ethic. Constructing a mud hut in India practically draws no traction in the social landscape. Keep in mind that this is discussing varnasrama in terms of "placing a model before the world" and "attracting millions". If one has a nice devotee community anywhere in the world, that is its own reward, but if one wants to understand ACBSP instructions on varnasrama as something to gain traction on the world stage, one has to recognize that in a vast majority of his discussions about the phenomenal potential of these projects, he is discussing about undertaking them in western countries. I am not sure if many devotees will find this relevant, but I found this discussion fascinating th-cam.com/video/rA0c12RJmVE/w-d-xo.html It is 3 young christians talking about their experiences in pursuing simple living communities in the USA... particularly their point about how "intentional communities" tend to lack the social diversity that "simple village" living requires in order to be sustainable.
(Managed by disciples): Hare Krishna! It was Srila Prabhupada's deep desire to establish varnasrama farm communities all over the world and that include India also. Please find below a remembrance from Hari Sauri Prabhu's "A Transcendental Diary Vol. 5": "Just before we set off, Srila Prabhupada turned to Jagadisa prabhu, who was sitting by his side in the back seat and said, "Now we are going to embark on a new phase of the movement." He paused for a moment, leaving Jagadisa hanging. Then he added soberly, "Varnasrama dharma." He is clearly hoping that something significant will be achieved in Hyderabad towards setting up a self-sufficient rural community based on the tenets of Bhagavad-gita. >>> Ref. VedaBase => TD 5-3: Sri Vrndavana Dhama Also, Srila Prabhupada encouraged Lokanatha Swami Maharaja to enthusiastically carry on with the bullock cart preaching (pada-yatra) in Indian villages. The idea was to encourage the villagers to take to Krsna consciousness and in this way build a strong community of devotees in villages. Please find below a letter from Tamala Krsna Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada's secretary at that time) to Lokanatha Swami Maharaja: "Srila Prabhupada was very very pleased with your report of your preaching activities. When He heard how strongly you were preaching, He commented, "Our Lokanath Swami is just like Saint Tukaram. The whole of India and specifically your Maharashtra are enthused with Krishna. Now you have to revive their Krishna consciousness. This is Tukaram's country, but now they are becoming bad politicians. So revive them by the process of the sankirtana movement. I am very glad that you are preaching village to village and will cover all of Maharashtra. You should train the one farmer from your native village so that he can actually become an ISKCON representative there." >>> Ref. VedaBase => From: Tamal Krishna - SL_770730_C1 So in this way we can understand that it was Srila Prabhupada's dream to establish the new phase of the movement, i.e. varnasrama, all over ISKCON and not only in the West.
@@BhaktiVikasaSwami Thankyou for your reply. I was working from the common agreement that ACBSP desired to implement varnasrama in the broader world and that it was desired to be set up all over the world. I didn't mean to suggest that it is something only meant for the west or that it is something that only holds value in the west. As I said, if one has a nice devotee community, that is its own reward- it doesn't require some further validation for authenticity. I was addressing more the context behind ACBSP numerous quotes about these farm communities "attracting millions", "placing a model before the world" etc etc .... that seemed to be the subtext to the devotee's disenfranchised inquiry that prompted this discussion by Maharaja. There are just under about 2000 pages of folio hits in ACBSP conversations about varnasrama. If you read them, not only in terms of content but also in terms of the time and the people he is talking to (for instance, Jagadisa) you get a strong sense of how these statements are contextualized. In fact I would say there is great value in reading all of ACBSP conversations chronologically. The tendency is just to cut and paste around ideological ramparts.
@@davanamrita I don't think you understand what I was saying. The mud hut was a dreadful design by the standard of mud hut design that is common in india. Yet despite this mediocre attempt, it drew unbridled praise. I was drawing a comparison to how pulling off a successful simple living village program in India draws a limited response, in terms of "attracting millions", "a model for the world to follow" etc etc. Living in a mud hut in India takes on another significance due to culture and history. ACBSP seems to clearly recognize this. But, as I mentioned, if one has a nice devotee community, that is its own reward. I was talking more about strategic preaching, which was what the devotee was alluding to in his written response to Maharaja.
By now the GBC has realized that their strategy of questionable "direct representatives of God" cannot be accepted by the western Christian world because it is inferior to the Christian system with an infallible Jesus. According to Prabhupada, vegetarian Christians are fine. However, the GBC strongly insists on appointing gurus because these gurus generate income. In Europe, all local devotees were kicked out and replaced by imported devotees from Eastern Europe and India. These Eastern European devotees, because of their upbringing, see the West as the dragon and themselves as St. George. Russians naturally see Americans as the dragon and Russia as St. George. So they see that there is nothing wrong with Western devotees being kicked out. In that sense, ISKCON has been transformed into a political movement whereby the imported devotees from Eastern Europe and India regard the West as "very, very fat and very, very spoiled and sickly rich" and they are told that they are the real devotees who are now taking over. At the same time, they don't realize that the GBC gurus are trying to take all the money from them and have also transformed the buildings and farms into GBC Society Inc. estate. So the exploitation of the rank&file devotees continues. In the long term, ISKCON is going to be a church-like entity that attracts people with fancy buildings, see the woofers who work for free. A business of showing the deity for a living. The church has survived for two thousand years because of the saints living outside who kept the religion alive. We see that here too, the essence of transcendental knowledge is preached by the devotees living outside the institution. Btw, according to his own words, Prabhupada would have never joined a movement like present ISKCON. "So I said, "I have seen many sadhus. They come at my father's care. I was not very much pleased with their behavior." Or, "I am trying to execute the orders of my Guru Maharaja, predecessor. I am not a so-called sadhu, taking a saffron robe, begging for fulfilling the belly."
Reading is a part of sadhna n 2 b persistent practitioner of programmes given by SP constitute spiritual life and life comes from life Once we get accustomed to spiritual life there will be a spiritual world.... Each time I hear mahraj I remember the mangalacharan offering om ajnan timirandhasya jnananjanshalakaya chakshurunmilitam yen tasmai Sri gurave namah agtSP Hare Kṛṣṇā
You continue to say what other ISKCON gurus are afraid to say! Don't stop! Hare krishna Swamiji!
Hare Krishna, great answer. Devotees need to be serious about following sadhana bhakti, then they will be spiritually strong, otherwise they will be weak in Krishna consciousness and will be more in Maya :-( and they will think that Krishna consciousness does not work, but in fact they do not work in Krishna consciousness...
There is nothing more than chanting Hare Krishna.... Who does not understand that should chant more and more until he realizes it. Then he will want to spread The Holy Name everywhere.
Hare Krishna 🙏
"they'll think Kṛṣṇa Consciousness doesn't work, but they don't work in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness..." 🔥💯
I see so many comments, probably many have concerns and so do I, thanks Maharaj for giving us directions. I like the sentence that Maharaj had said "Let's be part of the solution."
Hare Krsna Maharaj🙏🏽All Glories to Srila Prabhupada 🙏🏽All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga🙏🏽 very nicely and patiently it was explained by Maharaj that we need to have faith in our hearts and someday we too shall become fortunate enough to have Krsna's mercy and his shelter.
Maharaja you give us much hope! Eagerly look forward to your book and all future communications on these matters! Thank you for your mercy! All Glories to your Service! Jaya Prabhupada!
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@@BhaktiVikasaSwami I recommend you have a look at a TH-cam channel called Forever Conscious Research Channel you should have a open mind and have a look
Very good preaching ! ❤Bhagavadgita ! Jagat guru 🙏❤️🌞Shri Radhey krisna
Hare Krishna dear beloved Guru Maharaj ..!!
My humble Dandavat Pranam unto your Lotus Feet...!!
👏👏🌺🌺
Positive preaching Maharaja and I hope it makes the author of the letter you are quoting becomes positive enough to positively follow Srila Prabhupada's consistently positive preaching. All glories to your always positive preaching.
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Srila Prabhupada said things clearly, only thing is that people are not engaged in Krishna consciousness with full devotion.
What's full devotion?
When you're engaged in Krishna consciousness even when you're sleeping. Your mind should be focused on Krishna.
Then you see the miracles happen.
🙏
Yes Maharaj, Hare Krsna, people are too much indulge into sense gratification, the second concern people do not have much faith in spiritual values though ISKCON have all the genuine and high spiritual & practical values. Like Lord Krsna says in BG to Arjuna one need not to give up his present activities rather divert all such present activities into Krsna consciousness following the four regulative principals do not over endeavour too much into material things beyond ones capacity and end up into problems. Basically what I see here human beings do not realize the dangers they are facing now and going to face future, this is due to their too much indulging into Maya, no body serious although exposures are destroying their lives, Faith in SPIRITUAL VALUES are seriously lacking
What I feel to say here is when we preach or give class we have to touch their insight and the dangers they are going to face moving forward. I also notice sometimes people use to say ISKCON's preaching leading to the extreme of telling people to give up this and that even though they continue their life within the four regulative principles, things like working, earning money and so on, this also confuse people in general.
The so called many Hindus even though they know the present problems and dangers in Islam and Christianity they are following them and converting themselves what we can say about this is it due to too much sense gratification or any other reasons, or money problems and so on, ISKCON have to find a model in a reasonable manner to attract them into KC. The big dangers is that ISKCON preachers should not critize the Devas rather include the Devas as subordinates and how they are facilitating our lives to continue successfully. My apologies if any thing I say wrongly here. Haribol.
All glories to you Guru Maharaj ..!!
All glories to Sril Prabhupad..!!
🙌🙌🌺🌺
HareKrishna Maharaj ji... Dandavat Pranamam Maharaj ji 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I've been receiving the Back To Prabhupada magazine for about 6 years, but I'll admit that I've only skimmed a few of them because I hate the strife that politics, egos, and power struggles cause. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Dear Maharaj, you mention the institutionalization phase of Iskcon, which of course is an undeniable fact. Some comments I’d like to make about this, divided in three parts. Part 1: I was thinking about how it looks like, at least some portions of Iskcon, it’s like they are in a new charismatic phase. Primarily may have happened soon after Prabhupada left, with the new gurus starting their own charismatic phase, to some extent the institutionalization went on, but there was changing and adding things different from what Prabhupada gave. I see marks of charismatic phase in these aspects: making something ‘new’ (in terms of programs and approaches), not emphasizing Prabhupada enough and overemphasizing Prabhupada (rtvikvada, in this case i see two aspects of charisma, one trying to reestablish Prabhupada as charismatic leader and the other, the rtvik guru/acarya as a new charismatic leader). When guru, sadhu and sastra are neglected, that seems to be a sign of charismatic phase, because if tradition is broken, means more importance is being given to a specific individual who is saying something new. So it’s like there is a big umbrella called Iskcon but not everything in the institution is moving forward, mostly because instead of continuity there is a rupture and someone ‘starts over,’ perhaps this could be simplified as saying that the points in which the parampara was broken there is a new charismatic phase. I suppose this mismatch/anachronism among different portions of the institution could be the source of many difficulties in fixing institutional issues. Another problem would be, how much the novelties themselves have been institutionalized.
❤ Hare krishna!
I have lived by New Vridavan my whole life and ill say this. That community is thriving but theres not much coming from the youth which in the 90s the community was filled with young people that was very enthusiastic. Now its mostly middle aged people. The youth needs to get excited again.
HARE KRSNA❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
God bless
Part 3: so I was thinking about how to prevent institutionalization of deviations and the most obvious thing seems to be officially recognizing discrepancies and establishing steps to overcome them (short and or long term). And when I think about it, that’s actually the original purpose of the GBC, isn’t it? However that seems to have failed to some extent, probably due to up and coming charismatic leaders. Institutionalizing deviations may have been a way to avoid splitting. There is indeed an issue with splitting, mainly, when starting something new it seems almost inevitable that another charismatic leader will arise, with all the risks that it entails. But the perceived need to institutionalize the deviation is already consequence of the effects of charisma, it can’t prevent the problem because it’s actually a consequence of it. The tradition came to be thought of as sectarian and the sect became mainstream. The tradition would have to be re-institutionalized, but how? It comes to mind that, where there is a philosophical deviation there will also probably be a concrete misbehavior, for example in deity worship. If ISKCON is not able to fix standards in Deity worship in all the centers, I very much doubt it could do anything else properly. I remember something I read, Prabhupada was discussing with GBC men regarding misbehavior in relation to the BBT and the GBC were requesting that Prabhupada would let them manage BBT, and Prabhupada said “show me that you can fix this specific problem first,” otherwise what is the point in just letting them take over something if they don’t demonstrate they can fix things in the areas they are already managing?
I want to be engaged in the development of the farms!
(Managed by disciples):
Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! We are pleased to hear this. Thankyou so much. Please let us know where are you from so that we can connect you with appropriate authorities who can help you in this regard.
@@BhaktiVikasaSwami I currently live in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I am also active duty in the United States Air Force so I hope that doesn't conflict with my ability to assist a nearby farm.
Meditation brings about a maturation, and that maturation, and the perspectives it enables is a tide-swell that raises all boats. The value of universal compassion sells itself if you're mature enough to recognize it. I look to Sat Guru Maharaji claiming he would explode the peace bomb, and I think of him spreading meditation beyond the cultural bounds that had impeded it's spread as Prem Rawat succeeding at that quest. The Flynn Effect, the Evolution of Childhood/Parenting-Styles, and Moore's Law keep demonstrating that we are getting better in vary real tangible terms.
Jay guru deb
Hare Krishna pranams to guru Maharaja
great important questions. I think this questions should have been asked many years ago. Andthe answers should not just be given from leaders above but rather developed from hARE kRISHNA DEVOTES TOGETHER IN WORK GROUPS AND REGUALAR MEETINGS: The answers should come from the base, who live practically lifes, not from leaders who actually not living in a practual situation.
Hare Krishna guru maharaj
One thing is that the person writing is in the USA and doesn't see how in India ISKCON is very significant and influential compared to the West.
An excellent email to Bhakti Vikasa Swami, and I like that he responds with what appears to be a sincere view.
I see the main issue to be that of co-operation between members and from this a common goal. Just like at the end Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeals to the concept of re-incarnation as a unifying concept to bring ISKCON members together to preach in unison. In this way the weight of disagreements is diminished where focus is on something more positive in relating to the population at large. Indeed the study of NDEs then become prominent, and in my view constitute the proof whereby modern material science is shown up for the limitations of itself. They dismissing NDEs as delusions when so many persons repeat very similar profound experiences is very telling. The achilles heel if you will.
In my view, a concept of co-operation and working together is what can bring in the varna-ashrama. But this unifying principle has to be an even bigger subject matter. And yet a subject matter that encompasses everything outside of any so-called 'cult' belief system.
The first thing that Krsna says to Arjuna in Bhagavad-gita, before the latter formerly requests guidance is, 'How have these impurities come upon you? They are not at all befitting one who knows the *progressive* values of life, they lead not to higher planets but to infamy.
I think the word 'progressive' values of life, rather than 'higher' is important, as this implies that a devotee has full knowledge of the value of each level/stage of life and its applications to the whole system, rather than just attachment to the 'higher' ones only, a problem I find in ISKCON group-think.
All the levels of life are encompassed in Varna-ashrama. Understanding this is the perfection of knowledge of a Vaishnava so far as this phenomenal world is concerned.
So what is this big subject matter I mentioned earlier?
In my view it is the obvious one that has seemingly plagued the world for the last 2 and a bit years, but in reality many, many years before that. During the time Srila Prabhupada was here, it was noted that he was expert at business dealings and in particular when he was being cheated and how and why. (This often escaped his disciples, and I do have a lot of sympathy with them!!)
I believe that a cheating/scam is now going on on a global scale for nefarious ends which can be understood by anyone going to a 'Stand in the Park' meeting. Conspiracy, etc and details can be found elsewhere. This has brought people around the world closer together and projects such as self-sufficient communities, getting out of maritime law (what is the real law? - often based on 'Do no harm'), etc are routinely discussed. In other words people of many differing philosophies are coming together to oppose a worldwide 'sinister' movement. Unfortunately I see much of ISKCON itself sucked in as many Temples just follow government mandates etc. (Questioning authority is an ISKCON group-think weakness, in my opinion) However, many devotees do see through the worldwide scam, and wonder how to act against it.
Indeed what is the position of Vaishnavism to this co-operation with others seeing through the so-called pandemic, etc? I see it as potential opportunity to cast aside many disagreements among its own members, or at least not weight them so highly in the face of this danger. To come together and co-operate not just with themselves in common unity, but with others and groups that have 'spiritual' inclinations albeit of a 'new-age' variety.
How can that work and not compromise Vaishnavism? I see Vaishnavism as the topmost mainly due to the acceptance of Sri Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the process of Varna-ashram is the filtering down of that knowledge into worldly affairs so things run nicely for God realisation. This means seeing the value of other systems, sentimentalities, ideas, beliefs instead of only seeing where they fall short to the Vaishnava conception. This requires patience, and detailed understanding, but at the same time an ability to cut-to-the-chase, like Prabhupada often did in his conversations with others when he received guests who came from other paths, ideas, etc. I think those conversations of Prabhupada need more weight on for the importance of being studied.
Bhakti Vikasa Swami states that sadhana is spiritual life. I would say that sadhana is the practise of spiritual life. That is an important distinction. Real spiritual life is being convinced and continually so on the principles of Vaishnavism found in abundance in Srila Prabhupada's books. This provides the impetus and enthusiasm indicative of the real Prabhupada vani, and where real internal spiritual discussions can manifest and enliven the devotee. This is higher than anything in the material world. Such is its position. When I first came into contact with Krsna Consciousness back in 1992, I saw it as a living, breathing thing!
Hard work for the purpose of Krsna Consciousness propagation and advancement is the domain of very elevated persons which would of course include Bhakti Vikasa Swami, (ie: those who have very much dedicated their lives to it) but in reality many people and often practitioners of Vaishnavism themselves do struggle with the concept of leading their lives in a different concept of reality to the current world-wide way of thinking. This struggle and anguish should never be underestimated in my view.
Which is why the integration of Krsna Consciousness into the world wide anti globalist movement without compromising its integrity can be of utmost value not just to the interested populace at large, but to devotees in general whereby they can see the value of what they follow more and indeed by persons who are understanding more, the *progressive* values of life.
That is an idea anyway, and I think it is correct.
World preacher srila prabhupada ki jay
Seems the movement has still not found someone to take the place of Prahbupada. Its been going downhill slowly since he left. I know there will never be another Prahbupada but seems a true leader has yet to take the reigns and take the movement into the future
thank you i feel inspired now. Im starting a business building computers
Hare Krishna maharaja dandvat pranam please accept my humble obescence ,it's a very important question please tell me how a devotee who is gay can follow devotional path because for it one must have to associate with devotees but a gay devotee can't associate with them because he will be attracted towards them it's not practical also he can't associate with female devotee because he is not allowed to do so , it's a great delima we all r krsna children what u suggest for us we need guidance if somehow other u can solve this then it will be a great help.please help and forgive me for any offences
As I see it, it’s not just sadhana and book distribution which have been de-emphasized, the whole idea of preaching has been destroyed in some places, because preaching means proselytizing, and we’re not supposed to “judge” anyone or state that something is right or wrong, better or worse. At most when there are classes, people just read the book and comment on it in a very mild way and that’s all. No attempts to change anyone’s way of thinking because “that’s fanaticism and sectarianism.” If this is not a preaching movement, what is it? “Just let it be, everything is good, there’s no difference between devotees and non devotees.” Just total dissolution. If everything is equally good why chose one thing over the other? Join or don’t join it doesn’t matter, take a little bit of everything and make your own personal religion. Unfortunately this has become mainstream in some areas. Pure hypocrisy. People simply are not able to make solid arguments, there is lack of knowledge or they don’t want to deal with any type of conflict. And if they don’t support proper preaching, they probably won’t support book distribution either. At most if they encourage people to take books, it’s not Prabhupada’s books. Iskcon becoming a new age movement. Even senior devotees, so called disciples of Prabhupada, giving “yoga” classes in the temple and calling it “yoga for everyone.”
It is simply not true that the world will become conscious or spiritual through book distributions. Because a normal european does not even understand the books, they are too far out of his cultural backround. Even if you manage to give a book to somebody the majority will not read them. I had been given 10 Hare Krishna books, and could zero connect to them, despite I tried. What did speak to me was the harinam, music, gatherings and farms but I never knew how to integrate the Krishna consciosnes into daily life it felt like 2 parallel universes, like living 2 different lives. The talks were often so far away from a everyday working peoples reality. Most people do not even read books anymore. Giving people part to be of the community and taking part in activities like music, cooking, yoga, meditation classes, group activities maybe like hiking together ect maybe would attract people much more. More practical activities. which bring people together.
If at all there is going to be a future for ISKCON, then it will have to begin with its current and future generations being thought to have full conviction in the words of the Founder Acharya. The disease of trying to find something new as if we've currently done everything cent percent as per the Acharya's words and still nothing works has to be cured. Judging based on the contents of the letter that has been read out, it looks like the future is quite bleak.
Can we please get this video subtitled in Spanish?
Part 2: Ironically, preachers who want to avoid being “fanatical” may actually be the ones developing sectarian/cultish mentality. The original definition of “sect” is an offshoot from a tradition, could be cherry-picking from a tradition and or reinterpreting things in a new way. So, it’s a derivation from a tradition that comes in conflict with it or with other derivations. However things seems to having been turned upside down to the point that the adherence to the tradition is labeled as sectarian, but that’s actually the perspective from the sect itself. Following a tradition that is in conflict with other traditions or philosophies is not sectarianism. Annulling aspects of the tradition and reinterpreting is actually the way to promote a sect. So, institutionalizing deviations is the way to turn a tradition into a sect. For example, rtvikism is a Vaishnava sect, if ISKCON institutionalizes rtvikism, that’s the way to turn ISKCON into a sectarian institution. However the sects itself will claim that those who reject the deviations are themselves sectarian (sectarian in this case understood as “radical or fanatic”, “intolerant”).
You can dam the river by adding rocks and timber but eventually the water will erode them and continue to flow again ,this is the path of dharma and Sri Krishna s arrangement, the truth will always find its path and prevail, in this age of kali, there will always be turmoil ,but ultimately Krishna is the only controller.
Another example of overemphasizing Prabhupada: neglecting sastra. Then, they use Prabhupada to promote their own nonsense based on very particular things Prabhupada said or did. That’s the Prabhupada who exists in their imagination, I’m pretty sure they are fully convinced they are right. That’s why they do so much damage to the movement.
I’m pretty sure for some the next step is writing their own purports to scripture so that no one needs to read Prabhupada’s books anymore. “After all they are outdated, and if Prabhupada was here he would have done the same”, right? Oh, actually, it’s already going on. At least in the west people have some option and don’t need to be outraged with what Prabhupada wrote. Why Mayapur tv(s) has no classes on Bhagavad-Gita, only Bhagavatam at most, if at all? Actually it seems most temples transmitting classes online here also do the same. Some people giving classes online don’t even read any verses! Just be spontaneous, right? And look at those beautiful Deities!
Hare krishna Maharaj.
Is the manu samhita bona fide to read?
(Managed by disciples):
Hare Krishna! Please scrutinizingly read all the books of Srila Prabhupada and listen to his lectures. That will help you to understand the essence of all the scriptures. And after that, if your guru engages you in some seva where you need to refer the Manu Samhita, then after taking his permission, you can read it.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura lived as a magistrate. Srila Prabhupada during his grahastha ashram lived as a pharmacist. They lived in big cities, not in a rural farm community. None of our grahastha acaryas lived in any rural farm community. So what is the need for these farm communities so much in India to attract millions?
Hare Krishna 🙏
There are two kinds of living entities: nitya-siddha, nitya-baddha. nitya-baddhas are within this material world beginning from brahmā down to a small ant, insignificant ant, they are all nitya-baddhas. anyone who is in this material world-nitya-baddha. and nitya-siddhas, they belong to the spiritual world. they never come in contact with this material world, and even they come for some business under the order of the supreme lord, they do not touch these material qualities they remain always transcendental as kṛṣṇa remains always transcendental, even though he is in this material world, similarly, kṛṣṇa's nitya-siddha associates, they are also transcendental. they never touch this material world.
Srila Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada and Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur pad both are Nitya siddha ....they come here to preach conditioned souls like us who are busy day and night earning money in cities otherwise they can stay anywhere as Prabhupad writes in purport to SB 7.9.44
A pure devotee of the Lord, for himself he has no problems, even if he has to stay in this material world, because his only business is to remain in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person can go even to hell and still be happy. Therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja said, naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaraṇyāḥ: “O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence.” The pure devotee is never unhappy in any condition of life.He is interested in enlightening people in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because that is the only way for them to become happy."
But we being nitya baddha won't be able to practice Krishna consciousness fully in cities as there are so many distractions , we have to take association of non devotees in school college and office to earn money which effects our consciousness and takes us away from Krishna
When Śrīla Prabhupāda visited Hong Kong and Bhurijan Prabhu, who was preaching there had rented the most expensive
suite in the most important or most expensive hotel, the Hilton Hotel in Hong Kong very, very, very costly. And when Prabhupāda arrived, he called the reporters to come and see Prabhupāda and one of them put the question and asked Śrīla Prabhupāda that you see you're preaching against materialism, but you're staying in the very expensive suite in the most costly Hotel.
How does that fit?
And Prabhupāda said, “I can stay anywhere. But if I wasn't here, you wouldn't have come to see me.” And they understood. That's true.
They wouldn't have come if they'd have gone if they've gone to some little ramshackle apartment, the reporters wouldn’t have come. But when they see it's very costly, this, then they say oh, must be something important. Prabhupāda’s importance was not increased by his staying in an important apartment or
when he was wandering the streets as he put himself in 1965, 1966 in New York City, it wasn't that Prabhupāda was any less than when he was later recognized as a world ācārya. But in people's minds, people need this kind of thing, to impress them, that this is something very important.
The objective is to be fully Krishna conscious whether we stay in cities or in farms but the environment is more conducive at farms to be fully Krishna conscious as u get devotees association 24 hours a day
Prabhupad also said if u can preach and distribute books extensively then stay in cities,if u can't preach then go to farms and try to cultivate Krishna consciousness
What??? Read prabhupada's books. His desire for establishing varnashram dharm is clearly visible in his books. In so many lecture and letters, srila prabhupada instructed us to establish farm community.
Gurudev Dandwat Pranam 🙏🙏
Even Krishna reincarnates. Let's all be grateful for the lives that we lead and by the way iskcon needs to advertise with billboards and TV commercials. Also one time I exploded in lightning and fire after doing the mantra so I'm some kind of a big deal
when are these "geniuses" going to allow women to be swamis?!?!?!?!
The various anomalies that have occurred since Srila Prabhupada departed have created factions and fragmentalization. Poor leadership and scandals. The book changes controversy has also split the unified push for clear working together. Poor leadership is sometimes an understatement -bad leadership and the resulting distrust. Also the various standards that to not comply with the actual standards - such as the FDG and others. Ritvik. Envious devotees who propagandize against other devotees and the movement what to speak of those outside of Iskcon who have their own mistaken agendas. The history of the many mistakes is still influencing the present. We have various gurus with their own ideas that are allowed to be propagated that are nor in line with Srila Prabhupada. This disfunctional organization should be healed with strict and strong endeavor. Devotees are waiting to see the movement become healthy by the removal of these disturbing elements. The Wishy Washy Iskcon does not have a good reputation for integrity inline with Srila Prabhupada's standards. Hare Krishna.
I. quit.
Future looks very bleak for kaliyuga indeed actually whole institution lost visions after founder departure in 1977 and everything after is absolute dismal performance.
Dont worry, Krsna Got his plan...
What you should really be asking your Self is why & who are you trying to teach?
*RorriMaesu says useaMirroR*
Who the hell you are😂
I. am. finding. it. too. hard. to. keep. the. rules;. I. am forced
off. it. due. to. peer. pressure;. I. think. many. others. find that
too. Also. I. can't get. out. because of. my. prostate. so. I. have
to. rely. on. others to. buy. my. food and. don't. agree. to buying
me. vegetarian. food. At least I. can get to the ATM.
One thing that comes to mind is that ACBSP emphasis on the tremendous potential of farms was mostly delivered on the basis of managing them in western contexts... he did not put much emphasis on doing these things in India (Mayapur was an exception, but then mayapur is a unique project in many regards). Self sufficiency and simple living are novel projects in post-industrial western civilization whereas doing them in places like India are just seen as a throw back to an era that the population is, by and large desperately trying to depart from (connecting temples to respectable and educated locals seems to be the predominant method ACBSP emphasised in India ... hence life membership, etc etc) . I remember on one farm in a western country, a devotee made a mud hut (pretty dreadful design by indian village standards) and guests used to frequently take photos of it, charmed by the simple living ethic. Constructing a mud hut in India practically draws no traction in the social landscape. Keep in mind that this is discussing varnasrama in terms of "placing a model before the world" and "attracting millions". If one has a nice devotee community anywhere in the world, that is its own reward, but if one wants to understand ACBSP instructions on varnasrama as something to gain traction on the world stage, one has to recognize that in a vast majority of his discussions about the phenomenal potential of these projects, he is discussing about undertaking them in western countries.
I am not sure if many devotees will find this relevant, but I found this discussion fascinating
th-cam.com/video/rA0c12RJmVE/w-d-xo.html
It is 3 young christians talking about their experiences in pursuing simple living communities in the USA... particularly their point about how "intentional communities" tend to lack the social diversity that "simple village" living requires in order to be sustainable.
(Managed by disciples):
Hare Krishna! It was Srila Prabhupada's deep desire to establish varnasrama farm communities all over the world and that include India also. Please find below a remembrance from Hari Sauri Prabhu's "A Transcendental Diary Vol. 5":
"Just before we set off, Srila Prabhupada turned to Jagadisa prabhu, who was sitting by his side in the back seat and said, "Now we are going to embark on a new phase of the movement." He paused for a moment, leaving Jagadisa hanging. Then he added soberly, "Varnasrama dharma." He is clearly hoping that something significant will be achieved in Hyderabad towards setting up a self-sufficient rural community based on the tenets of Bhagavad-gita.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => TD 5-3: Sri Vrndavana Dhama
Also, Srila Prabhupada encouraged Lokanatha Swami Maharaja to enthusiastically carry on with the bullock cart preaching (pada-yatra) in Indian villages. The idea was to encourage the villagers to take to Krsna consciousness and in this way build a strong community of devotees in villages. Please find below a letter from Tamala Krsna Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada's secretary at that time) to Lokanatha Swami Maharaja:
"Srila Prabhupada was very very pleased with your report of your preaching activities. When He heard how strongly you were preaching, He commented, "Our Lokanath Swami is just like Saint Tukaram. The whole of India and specifically your Maharashtra are enthused with Krishna. Now you have to revive their Krishna consciousness. This is Tukaram's country, but now they are becoming bad politicians. So revive them by the process of the sankirtana movement. I am very glad that you are preaching village to village and will cover all of Maharashtra. You should train the one farmer from your native village so that he can actually become an ISKCON representative there."
>>> Ref. VedaBase => From: Tamal Krishna - SL_770730_C1
So in this way we can understand that it was Srila Prabhupada's dream to establish the new phase of the movement, i.e. varnasrama, all over ISKCON and not only in the West.
@@BhaktiVikasaSwami Thankyou for your reply.
I was working from the common agreement that ACBSP desired to implement varnasrama in the broader world and that it was desired to be set up all over the world. I didn't mean to suggest that it is something only meant for the west or that it is something that only holds value in the west. As I said, if one has a nice devotee community, that is its own reward- it doesn't require some further validation for authenticity. I was addressing more the context behind ACBSP numerous quotes about these farm communities "attracting millions", "placing a model before the world" etc etc .... that seemed to be the subtext to the devotee's disenfranchised inquiry that prompted this discussion by Maharaja. There are just under about 2000 pages of folio hits in ACBSP conversations about varnasrama. If you read them, not only in terms of content but also in terms of the time and the people he is talking to (for instance, Jagadisa) you get a strong sense of how these statements are contextualized. In fact I would say there is great value in reading all of ACBSP conversations chronologically. The tendency is just to cut and paste around ideological ramparts.
@@davanamrita I don't think you understand what I was saying. The mud hut was a dreadful design by the standard of mud hut design that is common in india. Yet despite this mediocre attempt, it drew unbridled praise. I was drawing a comparison to how pulling off a successful simple living village program in India draws a limited response, in terms of "attracting millions", "a model for the world to follow" etc etc. Living in a mud hut in India takes on another significance due to culture and history. ACBSP seems to clearly recognize this. But, as I mentioned, if one has a nice devotee community, that is its own reward. I was talking more about strategic preaching, which was what the devotee was alluding to in his written response to Maharaja.
IN FUTURE, ONLY ONE RELIGION WILL EXIST IN THE WORLD. DO YOU KNOW THAT? AFTER THE KALKI.....
By now the GBC has realized that their strategy of questionable "direct representatives of God" cannot be accepted by the western Christian world because it is inferior to the Christian system with an infallible Jesus. According to Prabhupada, vegetarian Christians are fine. However, the GBC strongly insists on appointing gurus because these gurus generate income. In Europe, all local devotees were kicked out and replaced by imported devotees from Eastern Europe and India. These Eastern European devotees, because of their upbringing, see the West as the dragon and themselves as St. George. Russians naturally see Americans as the dragon and Russia as St. George. So they see that there is nothing wrong with Western devotees being kicked out. In that sense, ISKCON has been transformed into a political movement whereby the imported devotees from Eastern Europe and India regard the West as "very, very fat and very, very spoiled and sickly rich" and they are told that they are the real devotees who are now taking over. At the same time, they don't realize that the GBC gurus are trying to take all the money from them and have also transformed the buildings and farms into GBC Society Inc. estate. So the exploitation of the rank&file devotees continues. In the long term, ISKCON is going to be a church-like entity that attracts people with fancy buildings, see the woofers who work for free. A business of showing the deity for a living. The church has survived for two thousand years because of the saints living outside who kept the religion alive. We see that here too, the essence of transcendental knowledge is preached by the devotees living outside the institution. Btw, according to his own words, Prabhupada would have never joined a movement like present ISKCON. "So I said, "I have seen many sadhus. They come at my father's care. I was not very much pleased with their behavior." Or, "I am trying to execute the orders of my Guru Maharaja, predecessor. I am not a so-called sadhu, taking a saffron robe, begging for fulfilling the belly."
Reading is a part of sadhna n 2 b persistent practitioner of programmes given by SP constitute spiritual life and life comes from life
Once we get accustomed to spiritual life there will be a spiritual world....
Each time I hear mahraj I remember the mangalacharan offering om ajnan timirandhasya jnananjanshalakaya chakshurunmilitam yen tasmai Sri gurave namah
agtSP Hare Kṛṣṇā