Research Methods and Tools
BY: SUN STAFF
Jul 01, CANADA (SUN) — As we stated in yesterday's article, "Sun Editorial Policy on the Jewish Issue", we believe that in order for this emerging discussion to go forward, the fundamental assertion must be proved - that is there, in fact, an identifiable trend with respect to the ethnic, cultural, or religious background of certain ISKCON leaders, which has contributed to their having a negative impact on Srila Prabhupada's movement. While a great deal of narrative material exists on the topic of ISKCON leadership and the individual leaders, including historical and anecdotal information, it has never been reduced to the sort of data that can be easily weighted, valued, associated, and thereby studied and summarized.
In order to avoid finger-pointing at individuals or brandishing broad labels or characterizations, especially on a topic as volatile as this one, one can only approach a study of the matter in as neutral and dispassionate a way possible. In that spirit, we have given some thought to how relevant data might be collected and organized, so that a true picture can emerge as to the presence or absence of the sorts of predominating influences that are current under discussion.
As we have said, the Sun editors do not see this as "our project", and we don't intend to superimpose controls on the process, beyond the stated editorial policy. But we thought it might be helpful to suggest an approach to data collection to might help produce a body of information that will be of value to all devotees studying, or writing about ISKCON history, from many angles of vision.
Our natural inclination is to create a structure along a timeline, identifying particular eras that have unique characteristics. For example, the timeline could be marked by shifts in the ISKCON power base or management structure. The two most obvious eras are the following:
1977-1985 : From the Zonal Acarya phase to the Reform Movement
1986-1991 : Transition phase when most Zonal Acaryas left the movement
There are a number of markers that one might use to help define the period from 1992 to present, for example:
- The departure of Harikesa, which had a particularly big impact on how money moved through ISKCON and the BBT, and on the opening of the Eastern Europe preaching field
- The return to influence of the New Vrindaban crowd (Radhanath, Malati, Umapati, Kuladri, etc.)
- The advent of the 'road show' preachers - those Gurus/Swamis traveling the globe with large retinues of followers, or regularly holding maha-events
- The Era of Litigation, which began with the Turley lawsuit, etc.
When we consider the actual data points that might be gathered with respect to each and every 'big leader' in ISKCON, the following come to mind:
Name
When/where they joined
When initiated
Initiating guru
Status as: GBC, Guru, Sannyasi, Trustee, Manager, etc.
Nationality
Ethnic / Cultural background
Pre-ISKCON Religion
Pre-ISKCON Educational background
Post-ISKCON Educational pursuits
Field of service: titles, places, dates, etc.
Close Associates
Sphere of Influence
Controversial episodes
Participation with BBT or Gurukulas
Fund-raising activities, street sankirtan, Life Members, etc.
Access to funds and how expended
A devotee recently pointed us towards the Google Docs toolset (video tutorials will follow shortly). Google Docs might be an excellent collaborative way to gather and share data, as the collection process unfolds. This would probably have to be a moderated collaboration, since the likelihood of attack would be high on a completely open spreadsheet.
Those interested in pushing this project forward might also consider using a tool like Muckety.com, or a similar relationship mapping tool that lets you program in the data, and click on a single item (a person, place or thing), resulting in a new map showing all the available relationships with other persons, places, or things. We've long had an interest in mapping out the ISKCON family and preaching projects with such a tool, so that Srila Prabhupada's influence can be seen in a new visual format.
