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The
truth about "ISKCON"k
This explanation will hopefully make it clear to the honest seekers
of Krsna Consciousness
about the actual situation with the ISKCON institution. What is
presented here is not a distortion but the actual facts. It is indeed
a painful reality to face and we are not proud of it but the truth
must be spoken to benefit others who may not be in awareness of
the true happenings.
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Our dear spiritual master Srila Prabhupada |
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ISKCON (International Society for Krsna Consciousness) a worldwide
organisation meant for the propagation of Krsna Consciousness was
founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(Srila Prabhupada) in 1966 in America. In simply a short period
of 11 years it grew to international recognition and was revered
as the movement where its members practise what they actually preach.
Srila Prabhupada's vision is certainly universal and oceanic and
out of compassion for suffering humanity he wanted that the pure
process of Krsna Consciousness be spread all over the globe. He
was, is and will continue to be the pure and direct representative
of Krsna. A few months prior to the physical departure of Srila
Prabhupada he made an official policy document to the entire institution
wherein he had appointed 11 representatives who were to act in the
capacity of performing initiation ceremonies on his behalf for the
acceptance of future disciples of Srila Prabhupada. They were designated
as Rittviks. A Rittvik is the Vedic term for a priest or proxy whose
specific function is to act on the behalf of the person they were
appointed by and not in their own right. Thus in the context of
ISKCON Srila Prabhupada in fact authorised a system of initiation
for his acceptance of new disciples in the movement. The specific
purpose of this system was that it could run without his physical
intervention in anyway. In standard initiation ceremonies where
a qualified candidate is accepted as an initiated disciple the new
disciple is awarded a spiritual name with the title Dasa (at the
end signifying that this person is an eternal servant of Krsna)
he/she is also given a set of chanting beads (consisting of 108
beads) in which they vow to chant the Hare Krsna Maha-mantra a minimum
of 16 rounds per day (16 x108 beads) at the ceremony the beads are
chanted on by the guru or his representative thus making them sanctified.
The new disciple makes vows to also observe the four prohibitions
(no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit-sex).
"The word purah means "before," and carya means "activities."
Due to the necessity of these activities, we do not immediately
initiate disciples in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
For six months, a candidate for initiation must first attend arati
and classes in the sastras, practice the regulative principles and
associate with other devotees . When one is actually advanced in
the purascarya-vidhi, he is recommended by the local temple president
for initiation. It is not that anyone can be suddenly initiated
without meeting the requirements . When one is further advanced
by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra sixteen rounds daily, following
the regulative principles and attending
classes, he receives the sacred thread (brahminical recognition)
after the second six months ." (C.C Madhya lilä chp 15.108)
These formalities in effect constitute only a single element in
the process of initiation( Sanskrit term Diksa) the most essential
part being that the disciple receives transcendental knowledge from
the Guru by aural reception of transcendental sound passed down
by the supreme lord Krsna himself ultimately coming through a chain
of authorised predecessor spiritual masters.
"Diksa is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental
knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity.
A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this
process as diksa." (C.C madhya chp 15.108)
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Bearing
these things all in mind it is self-evident truth that Srila Prabhupada
initiating disciples in the future could run smoothly even after his
physical departure from this world. As is usual in most organisations
the tiger of material ambition unfortunately tends to creeper in and
poison spiritually weak souls. What was not well known and even to
this very day is that a group of Srila Prabhupada's leading "disciples"
of which a major portion consisted of the 11 Rittviks formed a conspiracy
to hijack the ISKCON organisation and claim disciples for themselves,
only for the purpose of material satisfaction.
"Unfortunately, when the acarya disappears, rogues and nondevotees
take advantage and immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles
in the name of so-called swamis, yogis, philanthropists, welfare workers
and so on…The acarya(spiritual master), the authorized representative
of the Supreme Lord, establishes these principles, but when he disappears,
things once again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the
acarya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions
of the spiritual master" (Srimad-Bhagavatam chp 4.28.48)
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The July 9th letter 1977 stating that the role of
the rittvik representative is simply to initiate a new devotee on
Srila Prabhupada's behalf (click to see larger picture) |
In the manner of business men these 11 Rittviks violated their roles
as representatives and declared to the whole movement that they were
the successors to Srila Prabhupada in this way they gathered their
own rubber-stamped brand of cheap disciples. Thus within a few short
years the ISKCON movement managed to kick out the majority of its
sincere devotees and replace them with their fanatical sycophant "disciples"
as a result it has completely degenerated into a society of cheaters
and cheated.
"If a so-called spiritual master accepts a disciple for his personal
benefit or for material gain, the relationship between the spiritual
master and the disciple turns into a material affair, and the spiritual
master becomes like a smarta-guru. There are many caste gosvamis who
professionally create some disciples who do not care for them or their
instructions. Such spiritual masters are satisfied simply to get some
material benefits from their disciples. Such a relationship is condemned
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who calls such spiritual
masters and disciples a society of cheaters and cheated. They are
also called baulas or prakrta-sahajiyas. Their aim is to make the
connection between the spiritual master and the disciple into a very
cheap thing. They are not serious in wanting to understand spiritual
life." (Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya Lila Chp 24. text 330)
As is always the case when individuals take on the role of spiritual
masters without the necessary qualification ( Maha-Bhagavata-being
a perfectly self-realised soul) and specific authorisation (coming
from one's spiritual master) they fall down deep into the darkest
regions of immoral conduct. |
"Indeed,
the advanced uttama-adhikari ( maha-Bhagavata) Vaisnava devotee should
be accepted as a spiritual master. Everything one possesses should
be offered to him, for it is enjoined that one should deliver whatever
he has to the spiritual master. The brahmacari (celibate student)
in particular is supposed to beg alms from others and offer them to
the spiritual master. However, one should not imitate the behavior
of an advanced devotee or maha-bhagavata without being self-realized,
for by such imitation one will eventually become degraded ." (Nectar
of Instruction Mantra 5)
"The spiritual master must never be carried away
by an accumulation of wealth or a large number of |
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followers . A bona fide spiritual master will never become like
that. But sometimes, if a spiritual master is not properly authorized
and only on his own initiative becomes a spiritual master, he may
be carried away by an accumulation of wealth and large numbers of
disciples . His is not a very high grade of devotional service. If
a person is carried away by such achievements, then his devotional
service becomes slackened. One should therefore strictly adhere to
the principles of disciplic succession ." (Nectar of Devotion chp
14)
"One should, therefore, follow the path of Bhagavad-gita as it
is expressed in the Gita itself and beware of self-interested people
after personal aggrandizement who deviate others from the actual path."
(Bhagavad-gita chp4.43 purport)
"Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari
as a spiritual master ." (Nectar of Instruction mantra 5)
Soon enough the lack of spiritual purity amongst Srila Prabhupada's
so-called successors became embarrassingly visible to the vast majority
of the movement. Sadly ISKCON didn't revert to the Rittvik system
as sanctioned by Srila Prabhupada to continue indefinitely in the
future even after his physical departure. Rather they made a further
compromise and concoction. They declared to their followers that the
post of Guru could be awarded to anyone who was simply rubber-stamped
by ISKCON'S GBC(Governing Body Committee) at an annual meeting wherein
the aspiring "guru" would need a 2/3 majority vote to certify his
so-called right to accept disciples.
"Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaisnava acarya (spiritual
master)" (Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya lilä chp 1.220)
"Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master
in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions.
One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master
for actual advancement in spiritual understanding" (C.C Adi lilä chp1.35)
Thus what we have now is a society in which there are many cheap gurus
and cheap disciples each wanting simply material benefit thus being
cheated of actual spiritual life. In addition to this mother of all
deviations, it should be noted that the conspirators in order to make
their fabrications sound plausible made numerous unauthorised changes
to the writings of Srila Prabhupada which veritably is his most significant
contribution to suffering humanity. In fact so desperate were they
to realise their selfish ambitions that they began these changes even
while Srila Prabhupada was physically present (see article "Distinguishing
the original books from the changed ones"). He brought these grievous
happenings to the attention of his disciples but nobody really took
these warnings seriously as a result of this lack of concern the original
writings are rare to be found( though at present sincere attempts
are being made to get them reprinted). There is in fact no underestimating
the power of greed and envy. The conspirators were so much craving
the position of Srila Prabhupada that they went to the extent of performing
the most heinous crime of administering poison to him. Srila Prabhupada
of course being completely transcendentally situated was completely
unaffected by the effect of the poison. |
"A
devotee's attention is concentrated only upon the eternal loving service
of the Lord, and therefore the power of death has no influence over
him. In such a devotional state, a perfect yogi can attain the status
of immortal knowledge and bliss."(SB 3.27.30)
"People with a poor fund of knowledge do not know the difference
between the death of a devotee and the death of a nondevotee . In
this connection, an example can be given: a cat carries its kittens
in its mouth, and it also catches a rat in its mouth. Superficially,
the catching of the rat and the kitten appear to be one and the same,
but actually they are not. When the cat catches the rat in its mouth
it means death for the rat, whereas when the cat catches the kitten,
the kitten enjoys it ." (SB4.12.30)
"Because a devotee is freed from all contaminated material
association, he is not affected by the miseries of material existence
. Even though he appears to be in the material world, he is not affected
by the miseries of the material world. How is it possible? There is
a very good examplein the activities of the cat. The cat carries her
kittens |
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in her mouth, and when
she kills a rat she also carries the booty in her mouth. Thus both
are carried in the mouth of the cat, but they are in different conditions.
The kitten feels comfort in the mouth of the
mother, whereas when the
rat is carried in the mouth of the cat, the rat feels the blows
of death. Similarly, those who are sadhavah, or devotees engaged
in Krsna consciousness in the transcendental service of the Lord,
do not feel the contamination of material miseries, whereas those
who are not devotees in Krsna consciousness actually feel the miseries
of material existence . "(SB3.25.24)
"For a devotee there is no pain, pleasure or material perfection.
One may argue that at the time of death a devotee also suffers because
of giving up his material body. But in this connection the example
may be given that a cat carries a mouse in its mouth and also carries
a kitten in its mouth. Both the mouse and the kitten are carried
in the same mouth, but the perception of the mouse is different
from that of the kitten. When a devotee gives up his body (tyaktva
deham), he is ready to go back home, back to Godhead. Thus his perception
is certainly different from that of a person being taken away by
Yamaraja for punishment . A person whose intelligence is always
concentrated upon the service of the Lord is unafraid of accepting
a material body, whereas a nondevotee, having no engagement in the
service of the Lord, is very much afraid of accepting a material
body or giving up his present one." (SB9.13.9)
Astonishing enough was the fact that just prior the physical departure
of Srila Prabhupada he mentioned to his "disciples" that he was
poisoned but it fell on deaf ears. The following quotes substantiate
the facts.
"You try to trace out the history of the world, you'll find always
persons who are for Krsna or God, they have been persecuted" (lecture
on Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.8, Seattle, Oct 21, 1968)
"When something is arranged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
one should not be disturbed by it, even if it appears to be a reverse
according to one's calculations. For example, sometimes we see that
a powerful preacher is killed, or sometimes he is put into difficulty,
just as Haridäsa Thakura was. He was a great devotee who came into
this material world to execute the will of the Lord by preaching
the Lord's glories. But Haridäsa was punished at the hands of the
Kazi by being beaten in twenty-two marketplaces. Similarly, Lord
Jesus Christ was crucified, and Prahlada Maharaja was put through
so many tribulations. The Pandavas, who were direct friends of Kåñëa,
lost their kingdom, their wife was insulted, and they had to undergo
many severe tribulations . Seeing all these reverses affect devotees,
one should not be disturbed; one should simply understand that in
these matters there must be some plan of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. The Bhagavatam's conclusion is that a devotee is never
disturbed by such reverses. He accepts even reverse conditions as
the grace of the Lord . One who continues to serve the Lord even
in reverse conditions is assured that he will go back to Godhead,
back to the Vaikuntha planets. Lord Brahma assured the demigods
that there was no use in talking about how the disturbing situation
of darkness was taking place, since the actual fact was that it
was ordered by the Supreme Lord. Brahma knew this because he was
a great devotee; it was possible for him to understand the plan
of the Lord."( S.B CHP 3.16.37)
Prabhupada: This is our position. Gradually they will show Hare
Krsna movement. In India also, although India's... They will want
to crush down this movement. So this will be up to Him. Krsna or
Krsna's movement, the same thing. And Krsna was attempted to be
killed by Kamsa class of men and his company, the demons. So it
will be there; it is already there. Don't be disappointed, because
that is the meaning that it is successful. Krsna's favor is there,
because Krsna and Krsna's movement is not different, identical.
So as Krsna was attempted to be killed, many, many years before
He appeared... At eighth child, if the mother produces child yearly,
still ten years, eight years before His birth, the mother was to
be attempted to be killed. So there may be attempt like that. And
Lord Jesus Christ was killed. So they may kill me also. (Room conversation,
May 3, 1976, Honolulu)
"Prabhupäda: That is my only request, that at the last stage
don't torture me and put to death. "
(Room Conversation Nov 3, 1977, Vrndavana)
"Bhavananda: We will never allow them to remove you to a hospital,
Srila Prabhupäda.
Prabhupada: You'll have to, gradually, according to his advice.
Bhavananda: Therefore we asked you yesterday for your guidance.
Prabhupäda: No, I'll guide. Don't move me to the hospital. Better
kill me here.
Svarüpa Damodara: We won't, Srila Prabhupada.
Bhavananda: Never.
Prabhupada: But if you are disgusted, that is another thing ."
(Room conversation,Oct 3,1977,Vrndavana)
Prabhupada: Someone says that I've been poisoned. It is possible
. (Nov 9, 1977, Vrndavana)
Prabhupada: That same thing… that someone has poisoned me . (Nov
10, 1977, Vrndavana)
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These are just
a few of the many statements of Srila Prabhupada which confirm his
being poisoned. The list of Iskcon's atrocities are enough to write
a book on the subject but we have mentioned them only in brief so
as to warn the sincere people that Srila Prabhupada and his genuine
followers have absolutely nothing to do with the present corrupted
organisation and the sane person would do well to have absolutely
nothing to do with such cheating association. Srila Prabhupada has
offered his guidance as to what to do in such a situation.
There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaisnavas in this
Krsna consciousness movement, and they should be completely neglected.
There is no need to serve a jealous person who is in the dress of
a Vaisnava. (C.C Madhya lila chp 1.218)
If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees
in the Krsna Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company
with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should
consult the spiritual master . However, unless one follows the spiritual
master's instructions concerning the
regulative principles and chanting and hearing the holy name of
the Lord, one cannot become a pure
devotee. By one's mental concoctions, one falls down. ( C.C Madhya
lilä chp 19.157)
"If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a
devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There
is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and
the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words
of direction should be the pride of the disciple" ( C.C Adi lilä
chp 1.35)
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Please chant
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
And be happy!!! |
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