Higher Spiritual Standards Desirable in
Phoenix Temple
BY: DR. PRAYAG NARAYAN MISRA
Nov 25, 2010 — PHOENIX, ARIZONA, USA (SUN) — Phoenix, Arizona is the 5th largest city in the country and has potential to be an important, vibrant and relative temple – but not with the present small-minded management, who have not consulted the previously formed Advisory Board for the past one year. Even though ISKCON Phoenix was the first temple in Arizona, we are now lagging behind the other dozens of Hindu Temples due to the inadequate and faulty leadership.
As a senior, retired congregation member at Sri Sri Radha Madhava Hari, SriNath Gopal Ji, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Dham in Phoenix, Arizona and a volunteer servant for the past eleven years, I have been accused of false unproven charges and even banned to visit unless permitted so in writing from the management.
Truth is that I have been doing my best to serve the Deities, devotees and community at large. Most specifically I meet and bring high level government officials to the temple and also meet them in City meetings, Interfaith councils and Governor's functions. I present them with a blessed garland, some maha Prasad, a Bhagavad-gIta As It Is and convey the purposes and value of ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. With their permission, I take photos to document the event. Many have taken my invitation to be our esteemed guests at important festivals at the temple. (See pictures below, and this letter from Leah Powell, Diversity Manager, City of Chandler).
Recently due to the immaturity and lack of experience of the present Temple management and GBC, I have been accused of ‘unauthorized taking of Prasad garland, left over maha and books (that were already sponsored to distribute) with an aim to collect donations and keep the donations.' There couldn't be anything further from the truth. Because of this I have been banned from attending the temple. The appointed GBC followed the ban up with a verbal attack on me, saying such things as if I show up, he will give a public chastising at the Sunday feast, using very base and vulgar language. In my defense, many letters to the GBC and Temple President were sent from the very government offices I have presented the mercy of the Lord to. In their letters they have emphatically stated their support and appreciation of me and my holy gifts with no monetary exchange whatsoever. The official letters and appeals from the other congregation members have landed on deaf ears.
If it was only myself being bullied and harassed by the local Temple President I can tolerate it, but I see it's a pattern, and repeated similar action taken even to the simple devotees who are residing in the temple. The present President and Vice President (wife and husband) do not regularly attend any morning programs, have visible japa or other saddhana, or bring any senior devotees or sanyassis to give good association. In addition, the finances of the temple have been unknown and secret to the local community for many years, and despite all our inquiries and objections, there has been no change. Although they may have experience in hotel management, serving as President in one of Srila Prabhupada's temples is another thing.
If this ridiculous ‘ban' is not removed I will have no choice but to go the Zoning and Planning Commission of Chandler, the Arizona Interfaith Governor's Council, and Terry Goddard, the Attorney General for the state of Arizona, not to mention ACLU, in order to preserve my rights to do spiritual sadhana at a temple of my choice!
During morning Mangal Arti and Srimad Bhagavatam class, there are very few present except on weekends. Garland is not regularly offered to the Srimad Bhagavatam speaker, as is customary - because the management says: "You steal the garland after the class". There have been no lectures or home programs by visiting Sannyasis in the past six months, although they pass through Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and visit other Krishna Consciousness centers in Sedona and Tucson in order to conduct organized and structured preaching programs.
If anyone would like to correspond with me on this issue and lend your support or objections, please write at Radhamadhavahari@yahoo.com.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, U S Supreme Court holding a blessed garland
from Dham this year on April 16. She received "BG As It Is" - hidden by the garland.
President Vicente Fox, Mexico and Madam Secretary Janet Napolitano, D H S (then Governor of Arizona)
in an Interfaith Meeting with clergies in Phoenix, Arizona, 2003;
Dr Prayag Narayan Misra, Director, Media & Communications to her right.
LIST of VIPS who have received the blessings of Srila Prabhupada:
[1] Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Congress Party in India, First Lady, in Houston 1985
[2] Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi accepted blessed garland from Sri Sri Radha NilaMadhava and Bhagavad-gita As It Is from me in Houston, 1985
[3] Indian Ambassador Kishan Lal, in Dallas, 1986 with his wife, and 25 delegates.
[4} Indian Consul General Kishan Rana in Dallas, 1986
[5] Indian Ambassador and Secretary at Ekta Mandir in 2003
[6] Melinda & Bill Gates, in San Jose 2002- BG and blessed garlands
[7] Janet Napolitano, Secretary, D H S, and former Governor Arizona, 2003-2007
[8] President Vicente Fox, Mexico, 2004 In Phoenix- Interfaith meeting
[9] Mayor Phil Gordon, Phoenix 2005
[10] John McCain, Senator, 2003 and 2005 and 2009- BG As It Is and blessed garlands
[11] Congressman J D Hayworth, in Phoenix 2004
[12] Vice Mayor Phil Westbrooks, in Chandler 2002- 2007
[13] Mayors Tempe 2003, 2008, 2009
[14] Mayor Mesa 2010
[15] Mayor & Council Members, City of Chandler 2002 - 2010
[16] Mayor & Council Members, Town of Gilbert 2008- 2010
[17] AG Terry Goddard, 2006, 2007; his assistant Gerald George 2009, SriNath Mandir
[18] John Kramar, District Director, D H S, Phoenix, Jan 2010; Naturalization Ceremony
[19] Sandra O Connor, Supreme Court Judge, Mesa April 2010
[20] Ambassador from Mauritius in 2007 in Phoenix during Discover India Festival
[21] Indra Nooyi, President & Chairman, PEPSICO, 2006 in Phoenix
[22] Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University, 2004 in Tempe, Arizona
Your humble servant,
Dr. Prayag Narayan Misra
BhaktiVedanta Cultural Center
100 S Weber Dr, Chandler, AZ 85226-3216
(480) 814 1372
www.iskconphoenix.com
