A New Statement From H.H. Bhakti Vikasa Swami

BY: H.H. BHAKTI VIKASA SWAMI

Sep 11, 2012 — USA (SUN) — [Updated] All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

During my ongoing tour of Europe and America, I have been deliberately not speaking on contentious issues, considering that I had done enough for the time being and that it would be better for me to concentrate on direct Krsna-katha. (However, when presented with pointed queries I have not shied from answering them -- which particularly happened in Russia).

I did not desire or anticipate the controversy in which I am now involved. Nevertheless, I must convey my gratefulness to all the devotees who have expressed appreciation of my position and dismay at the "ban" on myself. It is a fact that I have been asked not to speak at two centers (Alachua and Gainesville) although I am not officially banned from either center.

I wanted to deal with this situation discreetly, but now that is not possible. I understand that being a leader within ISKCON is not at all easy and that certain of my statements are creating considerable difficulty for certain leaders.

However, I maintain that I am not the main problem, and that all this focus on myself is diverting attention from the real problems, which are the serious concerns that I have previously stated, and which need to be addressed by ISKCON leaders. Examples:

Hinduization:

Increasingly, we present ourselves as Hindus. For instance, recently in Russia I learned that the article titled "Krsna Consciousness: Hindu Cult or Divine Culture?" had been expunged from the Russian edition of The Science of Self-realization. Srila Prabhupada opens that article by giving his definitive statement as to whether or not his movement is Hindu:

"There is a misconception that the Krsna consciousness movement represents the Hindu religion. In fact, however, Krsna consciousness is in no way a faith or religion that seeks to defeat other faiths or religions. Rather, it is an essential cultural movement for the entire human society and does not consider any particular sectarian faith. This cultural movement is especially meant to educate people in how they can love God. Sometimes Indians both inside and outside of India think that we are preaching the Hindu religion, but actually we are not."

However, a pamphlet called "Who are the Krsna-ites?", prepared by devotees for mass circulation in Russia, opens by stating that the Krsna consciousness movement is a branch of Hinduism, and includes the word "Hindu" four times in the first paragraph. It is certainly a matter of concern that devotees wish to redefine Srila Prabhupada's movement in a manner that directly opposes his own definition.

Portraying ISKCON as a Mundane Welfare Organization:

Just one example: in a newspaper report a few years ago, an ISKCON leader was quoted as saying, 'We believe that feeding a hungry child is the best way to serve Lord Krsna'. Shades of daridra-narayana philosophy and definitely not the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.

Increasing Mayavada Influence Within ISKCON

Promotion of Mayavadis and Nama-aparadhis, especially by certain of our esteemed swamis, should not go unquestioned. This has been elaborately analyzed on Sampradaya Sun.

None of these can be said to be mere adjustments for time, place, and circumstance, as all of them radically alter the tenor of our movement ("mission drift"). From the responses I am receiving, it appears that many devotees worldwide share similar concerns. I do not wish to cause unnecessary disturbance within our movement and thus create more headaches for our esteemed leaders, but such issues are not going to go away and failing to deal with them will make for worse problems in future.

I appeal to all who have read this far to please keep a cool head. Understandably many devotees are upset, but I feel that the weighty issues at stake may best be tackled in a composed manner.

Although I appreciate the spirit of making a petition in my favor, a significantly more important petition would be one asking the GBC to clarify its stance on various issues, such as: is the Krsna consciousness movement Hindu; is feeding hungry children the best way to serve Krsna; are the apparent leanings toward Mayavada of certain of our swamis acceptable?

Rather than attempt to reply to the many queries being sent me, I am forwarding the relevant emails between myself and leaders at Alachua and Gainesville. I apologize to the senders for not consulting them before forwarding their mails, but doing so seems to be the best way to somewhat clarify the presently inflamed situation.

I must add that I have a long-standing and sweet relationship with Kalakantha Prabhu, and that although our outlooks on some issues are quite different, I respect his role as a preaching leader and his right to not invite persons who he sees as detrimental to his preaching strategies. I do not personally know Tamohara Prabhu or Mukhya Mataji. I have known Nartaka Gopala Mataji for many years. She has always been very supportive of my efforts, as also in this instance.

Dasa BVS

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:24021005 (17 lines) {I4}
From: Internet: "tamohara" tamohara@yahoo.com
Date: 08-Sep-12 05:41 -0500 (03:41 -0700)
To: Bhakti Vikasa Swami [164845]
Cc: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US) [116583]
(received: 08-Sep-12 09:06 -0500)
Cc: "Mukhya" mukhyadd@gmail.com
Cc: nartaka@windstream.net

Attached: 24021005.eml (4728 bytes) "Original email file"
Subject: Coming to Florida

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prahupada.

There seems to be some confusion regarding your coming to the Alachua/Gainesville area and giving classes. Both the temple presidents of Alachua and Gainesville have told you that they prefer you do not give classes or preach here. This must be, and will be respected. As the GBC of Alachua, I fully support this decision. We feel that your opinions and style of preaching has tended to be disruptive and at times offensive to devotees, the GBC, and ISKCON.

Of course, any devotee is always welcome to visit, take darshan of the deities, etc. But, you will NOT be asked to preach, do programs, or give classes. Thus, I would suggest you may want to alter your September schedule.

Your servant,
Tamohara das GBC - Southeastern USA
Vice-Chair GBC Executive Committee
(Text PAMHO:24021005) --------------------------------------




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:23733958 (29 lines) {I4}
From: Kalakantha ACBSP
Date: 10-Jul-12 09:45 -0500 (10:45 -0400)
To: Bhakti Vikasa Swami [163252]
Comment: Text PAMHO:23767072 by Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Subject: Gainesville Visit

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bhakti Vikas Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Your disciple Gauranga Prasad dasa in Orlando has asked me to see about arranging a class for you here in Gainesville's Krishna House in September.

Rather than reply to him, I'm writing to you directly. After consulting with some senior devotees here, I am compelled to tell you frankly that your recent protestations against the GBC and ISKCON are contrary to the strategies we employ in preaching in this area. Since you have chosen to be so high profile about your views, even inviting you here to speak on sastra is a tacit endorsement of your outspoken politics.

Since I know you for so many years as a sincere servant of Srila Prabhupada, I can only conclude that somehow you have no idea how badly your lectures such as "A Cancer in ISKCON" affect the young Westerners we are shedding blood to attract to Krishna. They do not see one side or the other of the debate; they simply see another squabbling religion and want nothing to do with it.

Perhaps your recent preaching approach works in other parts of the world, but for now your chosen strategy has tainted your ability to meet our needs at Krishna House. I am sorry.

If you would like to discuss this in more depth, feel free to write.

Always your friend and servant,
Kalakantha dasa
(Text PAMHO:23733958) --------------------------------------




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:23767072 (14 lines)
From: Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Date: 16-Jul-12 09:33 -0500 (15:33 +0100)
To: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Reference: Text PAMHO:23733958 by Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Comment: Text PAMHO:23772482 by Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Subject: Gainesville Visit

------------------------------------------------------------

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Dear Kalakantha Prabhu,

Dandavat.

I am sorry that I have so badly affected your preaching. But I am surprised also, as my voice of disaffection is only one of many. Also, I am receiving several invitations to visit centers in USA.

What do you think of the idea of organizing a symposium in Alachua, during my visit there, to discuss these issues?

Your servant BVS
(Text PAMHO:23767072) --------------------------------------




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:23772482 (26 lines)
From: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Date: 18-Jul-12 03:50 -0500 (04:50 -0400)
To: Bhakti Vikasa Swami [163430]
Reference: Text PAMHO:23767072 by Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Comment: Text PAMHO:23790005 by Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Subject: Gainesville Visit

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bhakti Vikas Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for your reply to my letter. Yes, I am always happy to sit and discuss with my dear Godbrothers. I'm not sure what you mean by a symposium; I would be more inclined to discuss these matters privately than publicly. Please let me know what you have in mind.

Ys,
Kd  




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:23790005 (12 lines)
From: Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Date: 21-Jul-12 10:19 -0500 (18:19 +0300)
To: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Reference: Text PAMHO:23772482 by Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Comment: Text PAMHO:23827215 by Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Subject: Gainesville Visit

------------------------------------------------------------

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Dear Kalakantha Prabhu,

Dandavat.

Symposium is a bit of a fancy word. I had in mind an organized group discussion, preferably with a moderator, as there may be several devotees interested in these topics, and it would be more practical for me to discuss with a group than with various individuals, one by one.

Ys BVS
(Text PAMHO:23790005) --------------------------------------




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:24032053 (78 lines)
From: Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Date: 10-Sep-12 20:06 -0500
To: "tamohara" tamohara@yahoo.com
Cc: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US)
Cc: "Mukhya" mukhyadd@gmail.com
Cc: nartaka@windstream.net

Reference: Text PAMHO:24021005 by Internet: tamohara
Comment: Text PAMHO:24032164 by Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Subject: Coming to Florida

------------------------------------------------------------

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Dear Tamohara Prabhu,

Dandavat.

Thank you for your letter. Actually, it was not clear to me that I was not welcome to speak in ISKCON Alachua. The only letter that I received from Mukhya Mataji stated that the management team there did not wish to host a particular discussion (see below). So, thank you for clarifying to me that I am not welcome to speak on any subject in ISKCON Alachua. I am reorganizing my schedule accordingly. One option is to accept an invitation that has been extended to me for a house program in Alachua.




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:23867867 (31 lines) {I4}
From: Internet: "Mukhya devi dasi" mukhyadd@gmail.com
Date: 07-Aug-12 07:36 -0500 (08:36 -0400)
To: Bhakti Vikasa Swami [163991]
Cc: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US) [115780]
(received: 07-Aug-12 19:53 -0500)
Reference: Text PAMHO:23866168 by Bhakti Vikasa Swami Attached:
23867867.eml (4563 bytes) "Original email file"
Subject: Alachua Visit

------------------------------------------------------------

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. After discussing with our management team we feel best you speak in Gainesville since Kalakantha prabhu has invited you there. We do not wish to host this discussion in Alachua.

your servant, Mukhya devi dasi




On Tue, Aug 7, 2012 at 3:18 AM, Bhakti Vikasa Swami Bhakti.Vikasa.Swami@pamho.net
> wrote:

> Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah
>
> Dear Mukhya Mataji,
>
> Dandavat.
>
> Kalakantha Prabhu, who I have added as a receiver here, recently expressed
> a desire to discuss with me his concerns about my public expression of my
> concerns regarding ISKCON. I suggested that, as several devotees might be
> interested to discuss these matters with me, it would be better to have an
> open discussion in Alachua. He then suggested that I write you.
>
> I am scheduled to arrive Alachua 22 Sep, probably late morning. 23 is
> Radhastami, and 24 I am scheduled for Orlando, then 25 on to Atlanta. So
> 22 Sep afternoon would be the only feasible time. What do you think?
>
> dasa bvs
>
(Text PAMHO:23867867) --------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

It is certainly a matter of grave concern if, as you perceive, an ISKCON
sannyasi is offensive to devotees, the GBC, and ISKCON. Obviously this is
not simply a local issue. I suggest that you pursue it with the GBC body.

You may wish to consider that although a few devotees have reacted strongly
against my opinions and what you perceive as my disruptive and at times
offensive style of preaching, many more devotees have expressed empathy with
me. And most devotees who I have met during my ongoing visit to America have
seemed to be appreciative.

I understand that email is not the best medium for discussions such as
these. Face to face is usually better. Therefore I had requested the
opportunity for an open discussion in Alachua, which was denied.

Your servant in Srila Prabhupada's service,

Bhakti Vikasa Swami
(Text PAMHO:24032053) --------------------------------------
------- End of Forwarded Message ------




---------- Forwarded Message ----------

Letter PAMHO:24024234 (29 lines) {I4}
From: Kalakantha ACBSP
Date: 09-Sep-12 06:10 -0500 (07:10 -0400)
To: Bhakti Vikasa Swami [164898]
Subject: A personal note

------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bhakti Vikas Maharaja,

Please accpet my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I just want to say to you, as an old and dear friend, how much it pains me to ask you to stay away from my preaching field in Gainesville. I've explained the reasons; somehow, by Krishna's grace we are finally having some success reaching young Westerners wholesale, and what you are doing (eg. speaking out so vigorously about internal ISKCON issues) is absolute poison for this effort.

Though I value our friendship, these young people are the future of Prabhupada's movement and the polemics and criticism do not help them progress one bit. When Prabhupada's Godbrothers began introducing controveries in ISKCON, Prabhupada did not address the issues but simply cut the communication. Facing a similarly difficult choice, I find myself going in a similar direction. The preaching is far too important. The controversies you are so outspoken about are details, as much as you might not like to hear my opinion on the matter. Getting out of the ocean of birth and death is the important matter, and how we arrange things in the lifeboat is not really worth a lot of energy to me. If we are successful, we will not be here very long.

Life is short. Please drop the politics and get back to Srimad Bhagavatam. You have so much to offer in that regard. Be a lion on the prowl and a lamb at home. Please.

Your friend and servant,
Kalakantha dasa
(Text PAMHO:24024234) --------------------------------------

| The Sun | News | Editorials | Features | Sun Blogs | Classifieds | Events | Recipes | PodCasts |

| About | Submit an Article | Contact Us | Advertise | HareKrsna.com |

Copyright 2005,2012, HareKrsna.com. All rights reserved.