More for Our Collective Consideration
BY: PRAGHOSA DASA
Aug 8, NEW YORK (SUN) — A representative from the First ISKCON Studies Conference - Krsna Ksetra prabhu confidently exclaimed:
"When Srila Prabhupada said, ‘Don’t misinterpret,’ he meant ‘interpret well, interpret skillfully,’ so that we can communicate our tradition well and skillfully to the world."
This statement perfectly represents both the defiant statements of the architect of rebellion in ISKCON - Tamal Krsna Goswami himself delivered in the not too distant past, as well as the North American Body now purported to be commissioned as the NA GBC Executors - in the present.
When I say one thing to a group of people and one man turns to this collective audience and states "What Praghosa Prabhu meant in saying what he just said was"..... and he proceeds to give a subjectively understood meaning of my statement, that is in essence the polar opposite of my statement - then he is directly interpreting my comments. There is no other way to define what just occurred. To say that when Srila Prabhupada insisted we "Don't interpret" his explanation of the Absolute Truth - he actually meant " to interpret wisely" - one immediately identifies himself as either a complete and utter fool - or as an envious deviant who despises the authority of Srila Prabhupada.
Tamal Krsna Goswami, in one of his essential interpretations of the Absolute Truth, gave voice to what is perhaps the most influential flaw in his (mis)understanding or rejection of the Absolute Truth as given us by Srila Prabhupada, with the following statement published in a Thesis Paper, that was later published as "A Hare Krsna at Southern Methodist University". I quote:
"But when the guru departs, sadhu and sastra can take on a new import, as those who succeed him become the new interpreters of past precedents, scriptural law, and the new set of circumstance."
If I am obliged to point out each and every aspect of the above statement that lacks the true touch of truth - to anyone - then shame on you. I will assume that the audience is educated sufficiently to see the truly demonic nature of the above representation of "illusion as reality for the denial of real welfare of all".
Recently the NA GBC attempted to elicit acquiescence from the aggregate of responsible leadership across North America - with a concocted "oath of allegiance" - to the very same misrepresentation of Truth with the following demand that:
"Although ISKCON of _____________, Inc. is legally, financially, and managerially independent, all activities and powers of the corporation shall be carried out and executed in accordance with the teachings and instructions of Srila Prabhupada, as construed and applied by the GBC. The corporation shall not conduct itself in any way contrary to the ecclesiastical policies of the GBC.
Clearly - in the eyes of some, the meaning of "Don't interpret" is - "ONLY A SELECT GROUP or SELF ANNOINTED CHOSEN INDVIDUAL can construe or interpret the teaching of the Truth under the banner of ISKCON."
The essence of the self-deluded condition is to believe one's own lie. To say "something is not allowed' really means "it is allowed but only for a select group that fortunately includes me or us" - is in actuality just simple lying. It is first off all, lying to oneself. Then - when we attempt to "pass off" the lie we have willingly expressed and accepted - we are lying to others. This is commonly referred to as cheating.
I am curious as to how much money was spent by all to attend this all-important conference that offered up such contrary conclusions, rooted in the lie: interpretation of the Truth as opposed to simple re-presentation of the Truth, is both wanted and valuable in the name of serving the Purest Servant of the Truth - His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada?
Respectfully,
Praghosa Das - NYC
