A Hindu Temple?
BY: MAHAVIDYA DASA (ACBSP)
Jan 18, UK (SUN) —
I'm interested to know why my local temple, Bhaktivedanta Manor,
is constantly being presented to the public as a Hindu temple.
After all,
Bhaktivedanta Manor is one of Srila Prabhupada's many ISKCON temples.
Can anyone remember when Srila Prabhupada tirelessly campaigned to promote His ISKCON as a Hindu organisation?
Having said that,
There is no doubt in my mind that Srila Prabhupada sought to engage Hindus in His ISKCON.
There is also no doubt in my mind that, more importantly, Srila Prabhupada sought to engage EVERYONE in His ISKCON.
Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jews, even the atheists.
Srila Prabhupada did teach us about Hinduism, that's for sure, as much as he taught us about other religions, about impersonalism, about everything.
We may consider ourselves "experts" on the subject of Hinduism.
We may even consider ourselves "experts" on the subject of impersonalism.
But..
When ISKCON is constantly being presented as a Hindu society,
I consider this a gross misrepresentation of the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
Are we to convince Muslims, Christians, Jews or atheists to become Hindus?
Certainly not.
Srila Prabhupada constantly stressed the non-sectarian nature of Krishna consciousness.
I have never read in any of Srila Prabhupada"s books or heard Him ever instruct us to become Hindus.
He taught us the science of Krishna consciousness, the science of self-realisation.
So why is ISKCON being misrepresented as a Hindu society?
Why do my local temple managers (this includes Kripamoya das) continue to promote Srila Prabhupada's temple, His institution, as Hindu?
One answer that comes to my mind is the financial benefits.
And just who profits from those?
The "leaders" who promote grossly or subtly this misrepresentation.
Let's look at who those "leaders" are.
Kripamoya das is only one example.
He is considered a senior devotee and disciple of Srila Prabhupada here in the UK.
He is involved in the congregational development.
He is considered a leader,
Yet... I have yet to hear him speak up against the present situation at Bhaktivedanta Manor. I have yet to hear him speak up against the misrepresentation of his Guru's society.
Why is that?
Well... His family are some of the principal financial beneficiaries.
Enough of Mahavidya dasa,
Let's hear what Srila Prabhupada has to say.
I am only providing a sample representation of Srila Prabhupada's teaching.
All the following quotes may be found in Siksamrta.
A compilation of Srila Prabhupada's letters.
On Hinduism - Volume 2, Preaching to the Indian Community:
"I am trying to implement the truth in this part of the world and it is the duty of the Hindus and Indians to help me in all respects."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sri Krishnaji, March 25, 1967
"Of course, there are many Indians who may be delighted to have a Hindu temple there, but we are especially interested in something else. Our plan is not to sponsor the Hindus or any other individual group. Our real purpose is to spread Krishna consciousness."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Yamuna, May 27, 1969
"I am not very interested to establish a Hindu temple. Perhaps you know from the very beginning I never described my movement as Hindu religion."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Mukunda, June 10, 1969
"We should not anymore think in terms of Hindu society. If we limit ourselves to Hindus then there will be many competitors like Christians, Mohammedans, Buddhists and so on. But if we preach the philosophy of Krishna consciousness in right earnest, it will be accepted throughout the whole world."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sriman Bankaji, March 13, 1970
"Regarding the Hindu centres in the foreign countries, none of them are bona fide. There is similar hodge podge center in London. Actually, Hindus and non-Hindus, everyone is at the present moment out of touch of the real science of spiritual knowledge."
And...
"The difficulty has become more acute on account of Rama-Krishna Mission's preaching that any opinion about religion is all right."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Jayapataka, April 17, 1970
"We must avoid the risk of a separatist movement, unity is our purpose; just like in London where the Indians are starting their own Radha-Krishna temple. We want to avoid skin disease and the Indian people are like the tannery expert."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sriman Hariprasad Badruka, March 5, 1973
Kripamoya and his wife are both receiving independent salaries. He is a manager. His good wife teaches in the school. (She has been offered a position in the new Hindu school. Ref: Racism in ISKCON.)
The Manor management refuses to disclose any information on who gets what.
Here is what Srila Prabhupada said on the subject of financial remuneration....
"Any householder devotee who is working full time ( with his wife ) as a sankirtana book distributor, or temple managerial duties, artist, cook etc, shall be provided food shelter, and other bare minimum necessities by the temple itself. They should not cook their own meals separate from the temple meals. If they have children, then some minimal allowance may be given according to the number of children. If they want anything extra or over and above what the temple president sees as absolute necessity, then they should work outside--the temple cannot pay for anything beyond the bare necessities. And definitely, the BBT cannot pay any salary to anybody. Our philosophy is "simple living and high thinking"---not sense gratification. The temple president and leaders (elder students) must show this by example. Temple or ashrama means for renunciation and renounced persons. If one is engaged in self-realisation process, then his material necessities become almost nil. Persons who do not like this can work outside."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Kirtiraja 12 01 1975
And on the subject of weddings...
"We should not allow anyone to hold any function in our temple, otherwise than Vaisnava principle."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Hamsaduta, October 10, 1968
"Uninitiated couples cannot be married by us. We shall not take the responsibility of ordinary marriage maker. Our practise is to help devotees for advancing in Krishna consciousness ."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Jaya Gopal, January 11, 1970
"Regarding using our temple for Marriage ceremonies for the Hindu community, if they contribute something to the temple they can use the temple and perform the marriage with their own priest, but we cannot take responsibility for marrying others who are not initiated by us."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Upendra, May 25, 1970
"You can allow the sacrifice in the Manor for Mrs. Mehta, but as with the weddings they must pay for the room.( Don't have it in the temple room.) She can bring her own brahmanas.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Patita Uddarana das, February 3, 1975
"Concerning marriages in the Bombay center as a means of income, if it does not disturb the daily routine then it can be done. However, the marriages cannot take place before the deity in the temple."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Surabhi, May 20, 1976
