Founder-Acarya
Of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Devotees and Friends,
Srila Prabhupada is the jagad-guru who opens the eyes of everyone in this material darkness through his words, his books and his instructions.
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual master, who has opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge in my material existence of darkness.”
In the year 2000, I received some of Srila Prabhupada’s books and within a few months, I joined one of the so-called ISKCON temples in Germany. Since that time my main service is to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books.
In the summer of 2004, after many disappointing experiences in various ‘so-called’ ISKCON temples around the world, I started to investigate. I found some very disturbing facts about the organization in which I was putting my trust and service.
By the Lord’s grace, I found Srila Prabhupada’s original ISKCON mission still alive and well. At the request of the devotees I am writing this paper to share with others why and how I left the deviant ISKCON and how Srila Prabhupada’s Original mission still operates today on the transcendental platform.
Being fallen and insignificant, I am writing this under the guidance, dependence and protection of Srila Prabhupada, the savior of the fallen, for the benefit of everyone.
I offer my many thanks to all of the great devotees who helped me put out this report and His Holiness Kapindra Swami. I offer my special thanks to my husband Caitanya prabhu.
In the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Your fallen servant,
Jayasri Gaurangi devi dasi
---
CONTENTS:
I. Five reasons that convinced me to leave deviant ISKCON
1. Pretending Gurus
2. Prabhupada’s Body: Poisoned by So-called Disciples
3. Horrible Scandals: So-called Leaders/Guru’s of Deviant ISKCON
4. Adulteration of Srila Prabhupada’s Books
5. Deviant ISKCON: Tries to Diminish Significance of Srila Prabhupada’s Divinity
6. Today’s ISKCON: NOT on Transcendental Platform
II. Srila Prabhupada is the Spiritual Master of ISKCON and the world
1. Srila Prabhupada: Manifestation of Krishna
2. Surrendering to Srila Prabhupada, the Liberated Soul
3. Srila Prabhupada is Present
4. Process of Bhakti Yoga: Hearing from the Pure Devotee
III. Making the Move: How I Left Deviant ISKCON
VI. Prabhupada Sankirtan Society- The Original ISKCON today
§ - The presiding deities of the Prabhupada Sankirtan Society
§ - How we are developing our relationship with Srila Prabhupada
§ - Prabhupada Sankirtan Society; engaged in 24 hour a day devotional service
§ - Tompkins Square Park, NYC
§ - Prabhupada Sankirtan Society Sadhana
§ - Transcendental Book Distribution
§ - His Holiness Kapindra Swami
§ - Some of maharaja’s Qualifications and Accomplishments
§ - Prabhupada Sankirtan Society’s Devotees and Friends
§ - Srila Prabhupada's method of reforming deviant ISKCON and the whole world
§ - Our Current Project to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s Desire
---
I. Five reasons that convinced me to leave deviant ISKCON
1. Pretending Gurus—
Srila Prabhupada is the worshipable Spiritual Master of ISKCON, but people who come to today’s so-called ISKCON are directed to worship individuals who do not fit the description of the spiritual master. They are unfit to accept the title of spiritual master because they are regularly falling down. They do not follow the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, they break their vows of chanting 16 rounds of japa daily and can not refrain from illicit sex, intoxication, etc., much to the dis of their followers.
Prabhupada: " He is not devotee. He’s pretending to be devotee. One who is devotee never falls down. There are so many false devotees. He falls down.”
- [Morning Walk, June 21, 1976, Toronto]
“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari. A neophyte Vaisnava or a Vaisnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore, a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.”
- [Nectar of Instruction, text five, purport]
“A student is to be considered perfected when he understands the identity of the holy name and the Supreme Lord. Unless one is under the shelter of a realized spiritual master, his understanding of the Supreme is simply foolishness.”
- [Teachings of Lord Caitanya, page 20]
“As for your next question, can only a few pure devotees deliver others, anyone, if he is a pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he on that platform he should not attempt it. Then both of them will to go to hell, like blind men leading the blind.”
- [S.P. Letter, December 14, 1972]
“The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class. The first-class devotee is the spiritual master for all kinds of people. It is said: gurur nrnam. The word nrnam means "of all human beings." The guru is not limited to a particular group. It is stated in the Upadesamrta of Rupa Gosvami that a guru is a gosvami, a controller of the senses and the mind. Such a guru can accept disciples from all over the world. Prthivim sa sisyat. This is the test of the guru.”
- [Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya lila 24.330]
2. Srila Prabhupada’s body; poisoned by some of his so-called disciples—
The following excerpts are from room conversations that Srila Prabhupada had with his so-called leading disciples, recorded in Vrndavana, India, in October – November 1977:
Prabhupada: Don’t move me to the hospital. Better kill me here.
Swarupa Damodar: We won’t Srila Prabhupada.”
Bhavananda: Never.
Prabhupada: But if you are disgusted, that is another thing.
- [Room Conversation, October 22, 1977, Vrndavana]
Prabhupada: Someone says that I’ve been poisoned. It is possible.
Kaviraja (doctor): What is he saying?
Prabhupada: Someone says that someone has given poison.
Kaviraja: To whom?
Prabhupada: To me.
Kaviraja: Who said?
Prabhupada: These all friends. …
Kaviraja: Who would give you poison? Why would anyone do that?
Prabhupada: I do not know, but it is said.
- [Room Conversation, November 9, 1977, Vrndavana]
Bhakticaru: Some one gave him poison here!
Tamal Krishna: Srila Prabhupada, Sastriji (Doctor) says that there must be some truth to it if you say that. So who is it that has poisoned?
- [Room Conversation, November 8, 1977, Vrndavana]
Prabhupada: “Krishna or Krishna’s movement, the same thing. And Krishna 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. Krishna’s favor is there, because Krishna and Krishna’s movement is not different, nondiff... identical. So as Krishna 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]
“Yes. Just see. And he was persecuted, and still, he was kind. He was kind. Still, he was praying to God that "These rascals are doing. They cannot kill me, but they are thinking that I will be killed. So they are committing offense."
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture, June 30, 1975, Denmark]
3. Horrible scandals of leaders and gurus in deviant ISKCON
Thousands of people around the world have fallen victim to the false guru system, and their hope and faith in the process of Krishna consciousness diminished after being exploited, misled, mistreated and let down. There are many cases of so-called gurus and leaders in the deviant ISKCON involved in murder, adultery, child molestation, homo-sex, embezzling, drugs, and other criminal activities which are too horrible to describe. If one wants to find out more about the criminal activities of the deviant ISKCON, it can be researched.
“It is a fact however that the great sinister movement is within our Society.”
- [S.P. Letter, September 2, 1970]
“So kindly be responsible, those who are second initiated. If you fall down, then the whole movement becomes false. That is happening. So kindly rectify if that is happening, that guna-karma. You must acquire the qualities and must act accordingly. That is practical.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 6.1.21, May 21, 1976, Honolulu]
“Just like if you, in calculating one mathematical sum, if you commit mistake anywhere, the whole thing is spoiled. Whole thing is spoiled. You go on. You are making progress. But real mistake was there. It will never carry. The balance, it will not come into being.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 1.15.44, December 22, 1973, Los Angeles]
4. Adulteration of Srila Prabhupada’s books:Since 1977 most of the books written by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, have been changed. Even in the world of ordinary books it is illegal to change the words of the author, what to speak of one who is carrying the absolute word of God. Many devotees in good standing have spoken up against these unauthorized changes, because these changes are not simply grammatical. So-called re-editing has changed the meanings of the text and purports and is therefore not on the transcendental platform.
“I am speaking simply what the Supreme Personality of Godhead has said. I'm just repeating the same words. That's all. Don't think that I am speaking. I am simply instrument. Real speaker is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is without and within.”
- [Bhagavad-gita Lecture 6.1-4, September 2, 1968, New York]
Srila Vyasadeva revealed these statements after perfect realization and therefore they are perfect, for liberated sages like Vyasadeva never commit errors in their rhetorical arrangements. Unless one accepts this fact, there is no use in trying to obtain help from revealed scriptures.”
- [Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi 2.86, purport]
"On the other hand, that literature which is full with descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though irregularly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest."
- [Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.11 and preface]
In verse 4:34 of the Bhagavad-gita (1972) the original wording in the translation is: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
The deviators changed the key words soul to souls and changed the word he to they.
An example of an illicit change, found in the deviator’s addition, reads in their unauthorized Sri Caitanya Caritamrta as follows:
Even if one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or non-devotees in the Krishna Consciousness Society, still one should stick to the Society; if one thinks the Society’s members are not pure devotees, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master.
- [Unauthorized change, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 19.157]
In Srila Prabhupada’s authorized, original Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, the same verse Madhya 19.157 reads as follows:
“If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Krishna Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master.”
- [Original Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 19.157]
Srila Prabhupada says: “Just like the Christians, they are changing the words. But you cannot do that. Then where is the authority? If you change the word of the scripture, then where is the authority of the scripture? Just like in law books, there is some law made already. Whimsically you cannot, I mean to say, erase the words and put something that ‘It should be changed like this.’ That will not be accepted… You cannot change. So as soon as you change, that means it is imperfect. You change.
So change means imperfect knowledge. No change means that is perfect knowledge. So we follow that no change policy. No, not that because I think I have become now advanced, I change this to that. That mean I am not advanced. My knowledge is imperfect. Therefore I am changing.”
- [Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture, September 20, 1972, Los Angeles]
Prabhupada: “So you... What you are going... It is very serious situation. You write one letter that ‘Why you have made so many changes?’ And whom to write? Who will care? All rascals are there… ‘This is the position. They are doing anything and everything at their whim.’ The next printing should be again to the original way.”
Prabhupada: “They cannot change anything.”
- [Conversation and Morning Talk, June 22, 1977, Vrndavana]
5. Trying to diminish Srila Prabhupada’s divinity—
“Therefore the guru is addressed as Prabhupada. The word prabhu means ‘lord,’ and pada means ‘position.’ Thus Prabhupada means “he who has taken the position of the Lord.”
- [Science of Self-Realization 2, Talk, England 1973]
Deviant ISKCON does not accept Srila Prabhupada’s absolute authority as Lord Krishna’s representative. They say that Srila Prabhupada made mistakes- I heard it myself in a public Srimad Bhagavatam class. Even in published literature they portray His Divine Grace as an ordinary man, in other words, a conditioned soul. Also in a so-called Bhakta program I visited briefly in 2001 they portrayed Srila Prabhupada to the newcomers as an ordinary man, as only one great personality out of many.
“Similarly, we have to accept authority, and if the authority is not a conditioned soul, if he is liberated soul, if he is not a cheater, if his senses are not imperfect, if he does not make any mistakes, if he is not in illusion, if you receive knowledge from that authority, then your knowledge is perfect. That is the process.”
- [Lecture, June 15, 1968, Montreal]
“You are correct when you say that when the Spiritual Master speaks it should be taken that Krishna is speaking. That is a fact. A Spiritual Master must be liberated.”
- [S.P. Letter, June 10, 1969]
According to scripture, the spiritual master descends from the abode of the Lord. He is sent from God, as the messenger coming from the kingdom of God to earth simply to show us the way.
“Nitya-siddha devotees come from Vaikuntha to this material world to teach, by their personal example, how to become a devotee. The living entities in this material world can take lessons from such nitya-siddha devotees and thus become inclined to return home, back to Godhead. A nitya-siddha devotee comes from Vaikuntha upon the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and shows by his example how to become a pure devotee (anyabhilasita-sunyam). In spite of coming to this material world, the nitya-siddha devotee is never attracted by the allurements of material enjoyment.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.10.3, purport]
Today’s ISKCON: NOT on the transcendental platform—
“One has to receive the transcendental sound from the right source, accept it as a reality and prosecute the direction without hesitation. The secret of success is to receive the sound from the right source of a bona fide spiritual master. Mundane manufactured sound has no potency, and as such, seemingly transcendental sound received from an unauthorized person also has no potency. One should be qualified enough to discern such transcendental potency, and either by discriminating or by fortunate chance if one is able to receive the transcendental sound from the bona fide spiritual master, his path of liberation is guaranteed.”
- [Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.8 purport]
“When the transcendental devotional service is mixed with a subordinate process, it is no longer transcendental but is called mixed devotional service.”
- [Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.6.35 purport]
“Instead of indulging in the organization of such unauthorized persons you may kindly learn the science from the authority and make your life enlightened and attain success of the boon of human form of life.”
- [S.P. Letter, May 08, 1958]
II: Srila Prabhupada is the Spiritual Master of ISKCON and the World:
1. Srila Prabhupada is a manifestation of Krishna
“My dear Uddhava, the spiritual master must be accepted not only as My representative but as My very Self. He must never be considered on the same level as an ordinary human being. One should never be envious of the spiritual master, as one may be envious of an ordinary man.”
- [ Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.17.27]
“The guru, the spiritual master, he’s also Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktah. In all the sastras, guru is accepted as Krishna. Saksad-dharitvena. Saksad means directly.”
- [ Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Lecture Adi 1.1, March 25, 1975, Mayapur]
“The spiritual master is God, and Krishna is God, but Krishna is worshipable God where as the spiritual master is worshiper God.”
- [Teachings of Queen Kunti 28]
Prabuddha continued to speak to the King as follows: “… In other words, the disciple should accept the spiritual master as God, because he is the external manifestation of Krsna.”
- [Nectar of Devotion 7]
This means that the conditioned souls are being reclaimed by the Lord both ways, namely by the process of punishment by the external energy of the Lord, and by Himself as the spiritual master within and without. Within the heart of every living being the Lord Himself as the Supersoul (Paramatma) becomes the spiritual master, and from without He becomes the spiritual master in the shape of scriptures, saints and the initiator spiritual master
- [Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.5 purport]
In Srila Prabhupada’s life, everything he says is about Krishna, and every action he takes is to spread Krishna consciousness. There is never a time when he does not remember Krishna. There is nothing outside of Krishna in Srila Prabhupada, the liberated soul:
“Although I had immense opportunities to indulge in the four principles of sinful life because I was connected with a very aristocratic family, Krishna always saved me, and throughout my whole life I do not know what is illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating or gambling. So far my present life is concerned, I do not remember any part of my life when I was forgetful of Krishna.”
- [S.P. Letter, June 21, 1970]
Prabhupada: “I am seeing God every moment.”
- [Reporter’s Interview, June 29,1974, Melbourne]
The following quotes are from notable people who saw Srila Prabhupada’s divinity:
“Besides being a man of deep moral strength, humility, and holiness, he was genuinely renounced. Srila Prabhupada’s life... is the epitome of his ideal, an ideal that he set forth for others to follow. In an age of pervasive hypocrisy and cynicism, it is this kind of rare model that we need.”
• Dr. J. Stillson Judah
“His books are significant contributions to the salvation of mankind.”
• Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Former Prime Minister of India
The great contribution of Srila Prabhupada was not just that he taught spiritual values, not just that he provided the answers to life’s inevitable and ultimate questions, but that he inspired people to live those values and realize the truth for themselves. Prabhupada’s stature is awe-inspiring, and a consciousness radiated from him, steering many minds from material concerns to spiritual ones, helping them develop the inner strength to see that the ‘self’ could become a far more potent force than the body. In many parts of the world today men and women are seeking the consciousness Srila Prabhupada inspired, and his followers believe that happiness and world peace can be achieved by the way of life that Srila Prabhupada taught. For these Krishna conscious people, a new (though ancient) age is in the making. For them, a life of bliss, purity, responsibility, and civic service is no longer a dream belonging to a remote future, but is a vision almost within grasp.... Srila Prabhupada was here in this world to show us how to live. His words and deeds ... have the ability to make us joyous and to set our souls free.”
• Dr. Shaligram Shukla, Professor of Linguistics, Georgetown University
2. Surrendering to Srila Prabhupada, the Liberated Soul
“Another meaning of guna is rope; it is to be understood that the conditioned soul is tightly tied by the ropes of illusion. A man bound by the hands and feet cannot free himself- he must be helped by a person who is unbound. Because the bound cannot help the bound, the rescuer must be liberated. Therefore, only Lord Krishna, or His bona fide representative the spiritual master, can release the conditioned soul.”
- [Bhagavad-gita 7.14, purport]
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He said that even by a moments association with a pure devotee, one can achieve all perfection.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.13.29, purport]
As Lord Sri Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita 4.34:
upadeksyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darsinah
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya’ the student must approach a spiritual master and surrender unto him fully (pranipatena).
“This surrendering process is the remedial measure for getting relief from the bewildering ways of the illusory energy. The surrendering process is completed by the influence of association. The Lord has suggested, therefore, that by the influence of the speeches of saintly persons who have actually realized the Supreme, men are engaged in His transcendental loving service. The conditioned soul gets a taste for hearing about the Lord, and by such hearing only he is gradually elevated to the platform of respect, devotion and attachment for the Lord. The whole thing is completed by the surrendering process.”
- [Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.7.5 purport]
3. Srila Prabhupada is present:
A. The real presence of the spiritual master is his sound vibration, his instruction. Srila Prabhupada is present in his books, his sound vibration on audio recordings, in videos, his murti or picture and in bona fide association. By accepting Srila Prabhupada as our initiating spiritual master one can experience a practical change of heart and consciousness purification. Who else but Srila Prabhupada- a spiritual master like Lord Caitanya- can perform such miracle?
“I shall always remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically, as I am getting personal guidance from my Guru Maharaja.”
- [Room Conversation, July 14, 1972, Vrndavana]
“Never think that I am absent from you. Physical presence is not essential; presence by message (or hearing) is real touch.”
- [S.P. Letter to Students, August 2, 1967]
“Gurusu means those who are acaryas, to accept their body as ordinary man’s body, this is denied in the sastras. So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master, vibration. What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.”
- [Lecture, January 13, 1969, Los Angeles]
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilize
- [Interview, 1975, Berkeley]
Tamala Krsna: Can a Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the Bible and following Jesus’ words, reach the...?
Prabhupada: “When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without? As soon as you read Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ, that means you are following spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without spiritual master?”
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living spiritual master.
Prabhupada: “Spiritual master is not the question of... Spiritual master is eternal. Spiritual master is eternal. So your question is without spiritual master. Without spiritual master you cannot be, at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that ‘by reading Bible,’ when you read Bible that means you are following the spiritual master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ. So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear?”
- [Lecture, October 2, 1968, Seattle]
“We are not separated actually. There are two--vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence and vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. So Krsna when He was physically present before Arjuna is the same when He is present before us by His vani of Bhagavad-gita. So far I am concerned, I do not factually feel any separation from my Spiritual Master because I am trying to serve Him according to His desire. That should be the motto. If you kindly try to fulfill my mission for which you have been sent there, that will be our constant association.”
- [S.P. Letter, June 22, 1970]
B. Srila Prabhupada is ever present by associating; cooperating, serving and working with like-minded devotees who dedicate their life to the service of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedamta Swami Prabhupada, the spiritual master of the world. His Divine Grace instructs us to avoid those who do not have the same understanding.
“Friendship should be cemented between persons with mutual interests and understanding. Such persons are said to be sva jati, ‘of the same caste.’ The devotee should avoid a person whose character is not fixed in the standard understanding; even though he may be a Vaisnava, or a devotee of Krsna, if his character is not correctly representative, then he should be avoided. One should steadily control the senses and the mind and strictly follow the rules and regulations, and he should make friendship with persons of the same standard.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.29.17, purport]
4. The Whole Process of Bhakti Yoga is Based on Hearing from the Pure Devotee
“Out of all the nine different methods, the first one, namely hearing, is the most important function in the process of bhakti-yoga. Without hearing sufficiently and properly, no one can make any progress by any of the methods of practice.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.2.36, purport]
“I have received very nice reports from all our centers how they are very much appreciating my books and they are understanding association with the Spiritual Master is the same as association with His vani or teachings. This is a transcendental fact.”
- [S.P. Letter, November 25, 1970]
“As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.”
- [Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.25, purport]
“His vibration is just as important as His physical presence. When we feel separation from Krsna or the spiritual master, we should just try to remember their words of instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Krsna and the spiritual master should be association by vibration, not physical presence. That is real association. We put so much stress on seeing, but when Krsna was present on this earth, so many people saw Him and did not realize that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By seeing Krsna, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can come to the platform of understanding. We can touch Krsna immediately by sound vibration; therefore we should give more stress to the sound vibration of Krsna and of the spiritual master--then we'll feel happy and won't feel separation.”
- [Elevation to Krishna Consciousness 4]
“If one lends his aural reception of spiritual knowledge through the authorized person, devotee, then he relishes taste in spiritual life.… One should submissively approach the spiritual master. Jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva. Namanta eva means submissively offering respect, obeisances. And after that, if you hear from the self-realized soul, jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva san-mukharitam. San-mukharitam means self-realized soul. From his mouth one has to hear.”
- [Initiation Lecture, February 22, 1975, Caracas]
Worship of the devotee is more potent than worship of the Lord. It is therefore the duty of the transcendental students to hear of pure devotees, as explained by similar devotees of the Lord, because one cannot explain about the Lord or His devotee unless one happens to be a pure devotee himself.
- [Srimad Bhagavatam 3.13.4 purport]
PART III: Making the move: how I left the deviant ISKCON and came to the Prabhupada Sankirtan Society
For the benefit of the readers, I would like to share one embarrassing personal experience with the false guru system. After living for about one year in a temple asrama, I moved to another temple where a senior mataji influenced and pushed me to take initiation from the her “guru”. His track record was doubtful and at that time he would not initiate. I got different opinions from devotees and from members of the ‘GBC’, the leadership of ISKCON. I was never comfortable with the whole situation but I was swept up in it. So I waited, and after officially proclaiming he would not initiate any more, he gave me secret initiation via the Internet. Later on he regretted it. He told me he was sorry, that I should forget about it and erase the e-mail messages. So I just continued book distribution, and there was no difference, because the mercy for all service always comes from Srila Prabhupada.
Later on I met a devotee from the early ISKCON on book distribution who told me about the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada and other disturbing facts about deviant ISKCON.
I began to experience Sankirtan “harassment” by temple authorities. They pressured me for more and more money. As a result, I became fearful and felt discouraged to perform my service. I inquired where all the big sums of collected money went. I spoke with senior devotees who agreed to the fact that there is something fundamentally wrong in today’s deviant ISKCON, but they have to compromise to live in this environment (home, temple, lifestyle etc.)
So I fled to the Berkeley temple (known as a rtvik-temple). I could not get a ride to the bus station from any mataji from the temple. However, one senior devotee kindly offered me a ride and he told me that he is aware of the impersonalism in today’s so-called ISKCON and that he does not like it at all.
In the Berkeley temple I shared a room with Mother Isvari who was there to paint Lord Jagannatha. She told me more about maya- (illusory) ISKCON’s scandals, the changing of Srila Prabhupada’s books and the poisoning of Srila Prabhupada. This is how I came to know about the seriousness of criminal activities of this organization. On her advice I did some research, and what I found made me sad and scared.
I spoke to different devotees in the Berkeley temple, also to relatives and friends of abused gurukulis, and I learned that there are child abusers still active and honored in maya-ISKCON.
I decided not to clean one more pot in this or any other maya- ISKCON temple. Mother Isvari made the connection for me to the Prabhupada Sankirtan Society. I already had airline tickets to Philadelphia to do Sankirtan there in the name of maya-ISKCON, but I utilized them to get to Srila Prabhupada’s real mission.
From the Greyhound bus station in LA I phoned PSS, and had my first talk with His Holiness Kapindra Swami. I was standing in the hot sunshine and Maharaja was preaching to me about Srila Prabhupada, his real mission and Krishna consciousness for about one hour. During that conversation I experienced the transcendental nature of Prabhupada Sankirtan Society for the first time. Everything Maharaja spoke of was sastrically correct, philosophically on target and therefore nectar to the soul.
On my way to the airport I went to the LA temple, even though I was very scared for my health and my life. I sneaked into the ashram, trying to avoid anybody who might see me. I called a cab. With 45 minutes to go, I cleaned out my locker as quickly as possible. I gave away valuable books for a five-dollar donation. After giving away saris and chaddars, I threw out the rest. Bhaktin Chloe helped me carry the two packed bags to the cab. She said, “Since I’ve known you I’ve never seen you so happy...!”
I caught my flight out of LAX at 11:30pm. After much delay I finally landed in Philadelphia where I took a Greyhound bus to the NY Port Authority bus station. A little Sankirtan party greeted me there. It was the first time I was ever picked up by a sankirtan party on my way to a new temple. Chanting the Holy Names and playing musical instruments, mrdangas and kartalas, I was welcomed by His Holiness Kapindra Swami, His Grace Caitanya prabhu, and Mother Pia. I felt relieved from the threatening dupliciousness of deviant ISKCON, and now my real spiritual life started right there in Prabhupada Sankirtan Society, then located at 599 6th Avenue, NY, NY.
Until February 2005 the PSS was located in the center of Manhattan where I first experienced the 24 hour devotional program of hearing and immersing myself in the teachings and personality of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada under the direction of His Holiness Kapindra Swami and his assistant, His Grace Caitanya prabhu. Recently the PSS moved to Oregon to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire to establish a varnasrama college and a self sufficient farm project with cow protection (goshala).
PART IV: Prabhupada Sankirtan Society -
The Original ISKCON today:
Our most beautiful Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga Deities along with a few other sets of identical Deities manifested under the direct order of Srila Prabhupada by the Fate project under the supervision of Bharadvaja prabhu.
When shown pictures of Their Lordships in Vrndavana on July 14, 1977 Srila Prabhupada said, “Very, very nice. They’re superexcellent. Not only excellent, but superexcellent.”
How We are Developing Our Relationship with Srila Prabhupada, Our Ever Well-Wisher
In Prabhupada’s original ISKCON, we are learning how to glorify Srila Prabhupada. We tell everyone we meet about Prabhupada and Krishna Consciousness. It is our standard practice to meditate on Srila Prabhupada’s personality through reciting and discussing his instructions, his poems, his pastimes, his form, etc. This opens new dimensions in spiritual happiness and it (re)establishes our PERSONAL REALATIONSHIP WITH SRILA PRABHUPADA, who is our eternal spiritual father.
We try to serve, to glorify and to love Srila Prabhupada through activities like:
§ - Putting on tilaka to match Srila Prabhupada’s tilaka.
§ - Pronouncing words as Srila Prabhupada pronounces them. (example: Yamuna pronounced Jamuna.)
§ - Cooking recipes that Srila Prabhupada taught and/or personally likes such as kitchri, moong dal, shukta, puris,
kachoris, and sweet rice etc.
§ - Facing the Deities in the kirtan and raising our hands and dancing as Prabhupada teaches.
§ - Memorizing his life history, his family, his achievements, etc.
These exercises, as well as the daily sadhana program, train our minds to always remember Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna.
Prabhupada Sankirtan Society: Engaged in 24 Hour a Day Devotional Service
The Prabhupada Sankirtan Society devotees are dedicated 24 hours a day to the service of Srila Prabhupada, seeking to fulfill his desires, carry out his orders and pushing on his movement.
“So the Krishna Consciousness movement is training people how to be absorbed in the thought of Krishna, 24 hours”.
- [S.P. Letter October 17, 1968]
“I want to see that all my disciples are engaged 24 hours in the service of the Lord. If one is engaged full time in the service of the Lord, under my direction, that is my personal service.”
- [S.P. Letter, January 9, 1970]
“To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me”.
- [Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Chapter 10 Text 10]
“Buddhi-yoga itself is action in Krsna consciousness; that is the highest intelligence. Buddhi means intelligence, and yoga means mystic activities or mystic elevation. When one tries to go back home, back to Godhead, and takes fully to Krsna consciousness in devotional service, his action is called buddhi-yogam. In other words, buddhi-yogam is the process by which one gets out of the entanglement of this material world. The ultimate goal of progress is Krsna. People do not know this; therefore the association of devotees and a bona fide spiritual master are important. One should know that the goal is Krsna, and when the goal is assigned, then the path is slowly but progressively traversed, and the ultimate goal is achieved. “
- [Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Chapter 10 Text 10 purport]
Tompkins Square Park, NYC
Krishna’s representative, Srila Prabhupada, out of his compassion, came to New York in September 1965 to deliver the fallen conditioned souls. He chanted the Hare Krishna mantra for hours under an elm tree in Tompkins Square Park in October of 1966, thus inaugurating the Krishna consciousness movement in the Western world.
PSS elder devotee, His Holiness Kapindra Swami began regular festivals celebrating Srila Prabhupada at Prabhupada’s Tree in Tompkins Square Park in 1995. He continued till spring 2004 with two festivals a year, as well as Bhagavad-gita classes there, Hare Krishna Food Relief (prasadam distribution), tours to the tree, worship on Srila Prabhupada’s appearance and disappearance days and chanting japa as a regular activity. We also regularly went there for meditation and prayer. It is a tirtha for the devotees as well as for the residents of the Lower East Side.
Since 1988, PSS regularly distributed free prasadam to the public at the entrance of the park and did a lot of harinama and preaching in the Lower East Side temple in New York.
From the food line at Tompkins Square Park, a friend said, “When you come here to distribute your delicious food, the whole park becomes peaceful and beautiful.”
- (His Holiness Kapindra Swami offering Guru Puja at Prabhupada’s appearance day celebration at Tompkins Square Park)
Prabhupada Sankirtan Society Sadhana
The Morning Program
1. We rise early at 4 AM
2. Bath
3. Mangala Arati begins at 5:00 AM with Srila Prabhupada leading the singing of Gurvastakam prayers while we sing and dance with raised arms in front of the transcendentally beautiful Deities Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. The devotees lead the singing of the Hare Krishna mantra and then;
4. Narasimha prayers
5. Tulasi Puja
6. Govinda jaya jaya
7. Reciting the 10 offences against the Holy Name
8. Obeisances to the vaisnavas
9. Reading of a passage from Srila Prabhupada’s books: Sri Namamrta (The Nectar of the Holy Name), Siksamrta (letters of instruction) and Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta As It Is (compiled by Mukunda prabhu).
10. Announcements: Book scores, income and expenses are made to Srila Prabhupada.
11. Chanting japa 1 round of japa in unison with Srila Prabhupada and then 2 hours of japa (16 total rounds is a daily minimum)
12. Greeting the Deities and offering Them flower petals (pushpa)
13. Guru puja with a bathing of Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet and offering flower petals at his lotus feet while reciting the English translation. (Someone begins cooking food preparations at this time for the Lord.)
14. Studying “the verse of the week” ( a verse that Srila Prabhupada quoted most )
15. Singing Jaya Radha Madhava along with Srila Prabhupada.
16. Studying Srimad Bhagavatam by reading the Sanskrit translation and purport together from an original book, by hearing a lecture, and an extended purport on the same verse given by Srila Prabhupada.
17. Discussion of Srila Prabhupada’s lecture together. The discussion is moderated by one devotee.
18. Prasadam consisting of rice, dal, subji, chapatis as Srila Prabhupada recommends is then served. We chant the prasadam prayer together in Sanskrit and English. Then we say our pranams (respects) to Srila Prabhupada. We honor prasadam together, which is distributed in Vedic style, and hear a Srila Prabhupada conversation while watching images of him on video.
19. After we clean up, we meet and have a short discussion about ouractivities for the day and then,...
20. Go on sankirtran- book distribution or do other preaching work.
The Evening Program
1. Gaura Aratik: At 6:30 PM in the evening we get together before Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga
2. Nectar of Devotion or Bhagavad Gita class, hearing His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada lecture, followed with a discussion.
3. Reciting quotes of Srila Prabhupada about the simple formula for success by maintaining a high standard of our routine work and quotes from him being our personal guidance whether he is physically present or not.
4. Reciting from Prabhupada Pranati in English as well as various other prayers (vandanam) in Sanskrit and English like Sikshastaka, Prabhupada Stotram by Ananta Rama Sastri dasa (which Srila Prabhupada wanted the gurukula children from Vrndavana to sing), Prayers of confession from the Padma Purana, Markine Bhagavata dharma and Prayers to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna written by Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada’s poem to his spiritual master His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Prabhupada, entitled “His Divine Grace”. We also read the English translations of Gurvastakam, Tulasi, and Narasimha prayers.
5. Putting the Deities to rest.
6. Honoring hot milk prasadam while hearing Srila Prabhupada reciting Krishna’s lila from the Krishna Book.
7. Take rest at 10 PM.
Throughout the day, whenever we have time, we also read Srila Prabhupada’s books or books about Srila Prabhupada from authentic sources. We talk about the things we read in the books and the class that we heard. We quiz each other on the prayers and the verse of the week.
The program is a transcendental experience. In the presence of H.H. Kapindra Swami one gets trained up to always speak and think about Lord Krishna, Krishna conscious philosophy, and of course His bona fide representative, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who gives us everything we need to know, everything we need to be really happy and to go back to home, back to Godhead. Srila Prabhupada is our savior, the jagad guru.
Transcendental Book Distribution
We do book distribution with devotional clothing as far as the situation allows. We are being trained to always be aware that we are representatives of Srila Prabhupada. We are giving the conditioned souls Srila Prabhupada’s original books and preach to them only what we have heard from Srila Prabhupada.
“There is sufficient merit in our books that if you simply describe them sincerely to anyone, they will buy. That art you must develop, not art of lying. Convince them to give by your preaching the Absolute Truth, not by tricking, that is more mature stage of development of Krishna Consciousness.”
- [S.P. Letter, December 25, 1972]
We tell them about the difference between the body and the soul, reincarnation, mind and sense control, chanting and hearing, about Lord Krishna, Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes, and how he came to America, stories Prabhupada narrates, how the books result in bliss from the heart etc.
By hearing Srila Prabhupada on a daily basis, followed by a discussion and remembering what Srila Prabhupada said, we have so many things to say about Srila Prabhupada, Krishna and the philosophy. We simply repeat what we have heard have from Srila Prabhupada’s classes and the discussions about them, therefore, we experience factual transcendental realizations. It is an ecstatic experience when people purchase the books on the basis of the pure philosophy. We ask them for donations to cover the printing costs and to help spread this mission. They knowingly give a contribution to the right cause. When we invite them to our temple, we know for certain that they come under the shelter of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, sevaka bhagavan- servitor Godhead.
“What you have heard from the authorities, if you speak, you repeat that, that is real speaking. Then prthivim sa sisyat: then you’ll be guru for the whole world, if you don’t manufacture.”
- [Morning Walk, January 22, 1972, Mayapura]
His Holiness ~
KAPINDRA SWAMI
His Holiness Kapindra Swami met the disciples of Srila Prabhupada in 1968 in the Lower East Side where he was residing, joined at 61 Second Avenue in 1970, and was personally initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1971.
Prabhupada: “Kapindra means Hanumanji, servant of Lord Ramacandra. Come on. You know the rules and regulations? That’s all right.”
- [Initiations, July 26, 1971, New York]
He has been serving him since then constantly, without deviation. Therefore he is a most dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada and represents him in a pure and honest way, always chanting about Srila Prabhupada’s glories and advocates listening to his lectures.
In 1985 he realized that the ISKCON movement was no longer the original ISKCON movement he joined, but a mockery. Devotees were no longer going out for book distribution but instead were dressing themselves as clowns and selling rock records and stickers. Hardly anyone talked about Srila Prabhupada or listened to his lectures. He realized by Srila Prabhupada’s grace, that Srila Prabhupada was the real and only spiritual master for everyone. Inspired, he started to preach like that to the devotees. The authorities there did not appreciate this. Finally he left the maya-ISKCON in September 1986 with Caitanya Priya prabhu, an enthusiastic brahmacari, and started to worship Srila Prabhupada exclusively as he always did from 1970-1977 in the original ISKCON. In the original ISKCON every new devotee became an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. They began to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books, perform harinam, began a food relief program, organized Sunday Love Feasts, etc, and of course, were hearing Srila Prabhupada lectures daily, at a store front temple in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan. That was the beginning of the Prabhupada Sankirtan Society. His Holiness Kapindra Swami follows this 24 hour instruction of Srila Prabhupada and teaches others to do so too.
“We have to execute this twenty-four-hours’ Krishna business, Krishna consciousness, always absorbed in thought of Krishna—in sitting, in walking, in eating, in sleeping, everything. In working. That is first-class yoga. Life should be molded in such a way that twenty-four hours you’ll be able to think of Krishna. So we are engaging our students in so many Krishna activities. They are going to the park, chanting Hare Krishna, or distributing literature. All these activities, remembering Krishna. They have no other, I mean to say, thought except Krishna.”
- [Bhagavad-gita Lecture, 7.1, July 1, 1972, San Diego]
“As soon as you fully engage yourself in Krishna consciousness, then immediately you become more than a sannyasi.
- [Morning Walk, February 26,1976 Mayapur]
“One who engages in devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.”
- [Bhagavad-gita 14.26]
His Holiness Kapindra Swami guides us in serving Srila Prabhupada cooperatively, as a team. His Holiness Kapindra Swami humbly sees himself as our elder God brother .He always says we are all God brothers and sisters with Srila Prabhupada as our spiritual father. We all feel that way. There is no sectarianism; we are all legitimate Prabhupada disciples, according to Srila Prabhupada’s order. He points out that real love, trust and sharing amongst the devotees means applying and adhering to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. He emphasizes that by hearing from His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada daily, who alone can bring us back to home, back to Godhead, we get a real understanding of transcendence.
“Being the senior devotee there, you may give the younger students all good instruction and advice.”
- [S.P. Letter, December 31,1972]
We have a senior godbrother who gives us guidance and is helping us to serve Srila Prabhupada. This is the process of self-realization. We can follow Srila Prabhupada independently, but if one knows someone who has followed for many years than one should take guidance from such a devotee. That is what we are doing in PSS and we can see the practical benefits.
This principle is found in Srila Prabhupada’s instructions:
“As you say that ‘by reading Bible,’ when you read Bible that means you are following the spiritual master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus. Similarly, you have to understand Bible with the help of the priest in the church
- [Lecture, October 2, 1968, Seattle]
We are experiencing real transcendence, being properly situated at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada, under the guidance of our temple president, His Holiness Kapindra Swami. As a sannyasi his service is to give spiritual education to people in general, particularly to the devotees, and to reestablish Srila Prabhupada’s position as the jagad-guru. He is a messenger of this transcendental science of Krishna as given by Srila Prabhupada
Some of Maharaja’s Qualifications and Accomplishments—
1. Sold his business and gave all of his possessions to ISKCON in 1970.
2. Adherence to daily sadhana program for 35 years.
3. Continued the original ISKCON “1966-1977” movement in 1986 in New York City with Srila Prabhupada as the one and only spiritual master, following a 24-hour Sankirtan program.
4. Performed over 35 rtvik-initiations on behalf of Srila Prabhupada.
5. Started Prabhupada glorification festivals at Prabhupada’s Tree in Tompkins Square Park 1995 regularly twice a year until 2004.
6. Served out free hot prasadam plates to nearly 200,000 homeless and hungry at the entrance of Tompkins Square Park since 1988.
7. Established the hearing of Srila Prabhupada’s daily Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad gita lectures followed by lively discussion with devotees in New York.
8. Began the verse of the week program by practicing the reciting of the most often used slokas by Srila Prabhupada.
9. Published booklets that advocate taking shelter of Srila Prabhupada:
(a) “Srila Prabhupada - The Official Spiritual Master of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness”
(b) “The Power Obtained by Hearing Srila Prabhupada”
(c) “What is the Value of a Guru if He Cannot Deliver You from the Cycle of Birth and Death”
10. Always preaching the glories of Srila Prabhupada and talking about him.
11. Encouraging others to do the same
12. Encouraging everyone to hear Srila Prabhupada in the morning and in the evening.
13. Encouraging everyone to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada by abiding by his instructions.
14. Encouraging the distribution and reading of Srila Prabhupada’s original books and lecture CD’s.
15. Encouraging the worship and meditation on the form of Srila Prabhupada.
16. Encouraging everyone to discuss the classes they’ve heard from Srila Prabhupada.
17. Encouraging everyone to avoid association of materialists and devotees who do not have the right philosophical
conclusion (only
associating with like-minded devotees). (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.29.17)
18. Encouraging everyone to see Srila Prabhupada as worshipper-God and Krishna as worshipable God. (Teachings of Queen Kunti 28)
19. To accept Srila Prabhupada as the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead.( Sri Caitanya Caritamrta 1.46 purport)
20. Encourages everyone to understand the evil done to Srila Prabhupada (his poisoning).
21. Educating people about the adulteration of Srila Prabhupada’s books and the usurping of his ISKCON movement.
22. Coaching the devotees in serving Srila Prabhupada directly.
23. Observing brahmacharya (celibacy and austerity under the guidance
of the bona fide spiritual master Srila Prabhupada for the sake of God realization) for over 35 years.
24. Procurement of over $100,000 in grants for Hare Krishna Food Relief through the United Way of New York City and other institutions.
25. Teaching devotees etiquette, how to act properly with elders, women, devotees, those in the renounced order of life all in all walks of life.
26. Attainment of facilities for devotees to live and serve the Krishna conscious movement.
27. Received Srila Prabhupada’s murti in September 1986 and Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga in 1990 through transcendental arrangements and has cared for Their worship as well as broadcasted Their glories ever since
28. Always ready to execute the will of Srila Prabhupada
PRABHUPADA SANKIRTAN SOCIETY
Our Devotees and Friends
“Only a handful of you are there who are convinced beyond any doubt about this Krishna consciousness movement, but is sufficient to change the entire course of history.”
- [S.P. Letter, July 3, 1972]
There are many original disciples of Srila Prabhupada who are preaching that Srila Prabhupada is the initiating spiritual master chant 16 rounds daily, follow the four regulative principles and are try to push on Srila Prabhupada’s original Krishna consciousness movement. They inspire younger devotees by sharing their realizations and experiences.
There are devotees around the country and around the world who are friends of our mission and others who execute Krishna consciousness in an honest way, with Srila Prabhupada as the initiator. We are inspired by their long years of service and advocacy that Srila Prabhupada is the jagad-guru– spiritual master of ISKCON and the entire world.
Here are some devotees and members of the Prabhupada Sankitan Society:
His Grace Caitanya prabhu (today we are legally married), who has served faithfully with a deep philosophical conviction and understanding as His Holiness Kapindra Swami’s secretary in the PSS for three years. He has been putting out publications like “The Perfect Guidance” and “God’s Economic Program”. For two years, he cooked and served prasadam to the homeless every week. When not engaged in these activities, he preaches, goes on harinam and book distribution. He is engaged in the whole transcendental program.
Svarat prabhu and his wife, Mother Satyabhama in Malaysia, who print PSS publications, many PSS members, friends and donors in the New York area, like Balarama Prabhu and his wife Mother Shirley and their family, Scott prabhu and Mother Pia, Mother Lynda, Mother Sandra and Divyang Shah prabhu who assists in computer issues, advisory, and donations since 1989 Allalanath prabhu, his wife mother Satyabhama and family are following a Prabhupada centered sadhana program and supporting our mission in North Carolina.
Aubrey prabhu who has steadily helped the mission with donations since 1994 is working cooperatively with PSS on securing a farm in Oregon for the varnasrama project.
PSS has members in Germany: there are Sascha, Markus, Juergen and Sandro prabhus, and Mother Gritt who follow the PSS daily sadhana program and make excellent modern music with transcendental lyrics glorifying the Lord and His pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada.
Christopher prabhu from New York put together the PSS website: http://www.Prabhupada.cc.
Mother Premanandi from Connetticut has loyally served PSS for ten years in so many wonderful ways by distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, organizing festivals, creating leaflets and flyers, and publications like “Attack on America” and “Mantra Meditation Booklet”.
Tattva Darsana prabhu is assisting and cooperating with our mission since 1995. He is currently working on an important new publication titled “Swami Jesus”, the significant connection between Srila Prabhupada and Lord Jesus Christ.
From Canada, Kaniya and Arjuna prabhus sent a donation that we used to purchase our solid and spacious PSS sankirtan van (Ford E-350). Previously they financed the entire remodeling of the PSS Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga temple mandir in New York.
In Sweet Home, Oregon, Acyuta prabhu and Mother Bhakti (writer of the Bhagavad Gita crossword puzzles) always help out with food, donations, and inspiration.
There are many wonderful devotees and friends who have been loyal to PSS over the years and continue to help Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
We appreciate the efforts of Veda Guhya prabhu and the devotees who have made Srila Prabhupada’s original books available for everyone’s personal needs and for mass book distribution. They, Krishna Books, Inc., have the legal rights to print and publish Srila Prabhupada’s original books.
Making the Transition From Deviant ISKCON to Prabhupada Sankirtan Society
In the beginning it was not easy to accept a bona fide authority, especially after being disappointed by so many false authorities. His Holiness Kapindra Swami is a bona fide authority, because he is helping us to follow Srila Prabhupada in every way. Srila Prabhupada gives the instruction to work cooperatively under the local authority, the temple president and to assist senior devotees.
It feels good to follow this authorized method of self-realization.
Here are some quotes by Srila Prabhupada on how to work cooperatively with senior disciples:
“However if there are questions of philosophy or for personal advice, you should either answer them by consulting Rupanuga or a senior devotee, or send them to me and I shall answer.”
- [S.P. Letter, November 27, 1971]
“Now you must guide them very nicely in Krishna Consciousness, because you are a veteran devotee and practically speaking the future of our Krishna Conscious Society rests in the hands of my older disciples. Give them all facility to perfect their lives by protecting them and instructing them nicely, that is now the duty of my senior disciples.”
- [S.P. Letter, December 3, 1971]
“I am very pleased that you are assisting your god brothers so nicely. Yes, this is our real position, to be servants of the servants of the servants.”
- [S.P. Letter, February 4, 1972]
PSS is genuine because of the adherence to the point of fully depending on the mercy of the bona fide spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada through surrender, service and non-deviating from his instructions and not reading any other books than Srila Prabhupada’s. Everything is aimed on glorification and appreciation of Srila Prabhupada.
“For advancement of material knowledge there is a need for personal ability and researching aptitude, but in the case of spiritual knowledge, all progress depends more or less on the mercy of the spiritual master. The spiritual master must be satisfied with the disciple; only then is knowledge automatically manifest before the student of spiritual science.”
- [Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.1.10 purport]
“Your statements expressing your surrender to your spiritual master is proper. If this principle is followed you will remain pure and always protected by Krishna.”
- [S.P. Letter, October 1, 1974]
Srila Prabhupadas’ Method of Reforming Deviant ISKCON and the Whole World
There are many cases of child molestation, prohibited homosexual relations etc. in deviant ISKCON. We do not publish or meditate on those incidents, although we are cognizant of them. However, when necessary we do not hesitate to speak about them. Rather our energy is concentrated on glorifying Srila Prabhupada and spreading his mission.
“Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge, side by side, can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death, and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.”
- [Sri Isopanisad, mantra eleven]
Prabhupada: “No, example is better than precept.…Yes, they will appreciate. But if you don’t follow strictly, then it is useless to criticize them also. You are also victim; they are also victim.”
- [Morning Walk, November 2, 1975, Nairobi]
“… to rectify the anomalies that have been entered into the life of these centers of spiritual education and regenerate them to the sense of spiritual life through the exemplary life of devotees.”
- [Srila Prabhupada Back to Godhead magazine May 20, 1956]
The devotees of PRABHUPADA SANKIRTAN SOCIETY, Prabhupada’s "original ISKCON", do not bother to try to revive or reform deviant ISKCON, but rather take the guidance of Srila Prabhupada to try to set an example.
Srila Prabhupada states:
“The acarya, 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 4.28.48, purport]
The following is from a conversation between Srila Prabhupada and a reporter:
Reporter: “Have the real gurus like yourself ever tried to put a stop to the false gurus- that is, put pressure on them to put them out of business, so to speak?”
Srila Prabhupada: “No, that is not my purpose. I started my movement simply by chanting Hare Krishna. I chanted in a place called Tompkins Square Park, and soon people began to come to me. In this way, the Krishna consciousness movement gradually developed. Many accepted, and many did not accept. Those who are fortunate have accepted.”
- [Science of Self Realization, 2]
Our Current Project to Fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s Desire
“That is my desire. Don't waste time for bodily comforts. You have got this body. You have to eat something. You have to cover yourself. So produce your own food and produce your own cloth. Don't waste time for luxury, and chant Hare Krsna. This is success of life. In this way organize as far as possible…”
- [Conversation, October 8, 1977, Vrndavan]
Our present project to please Srila Prabhupada is to establish a self sufficient varnasrama farm community with cow protection and a varnasrama college to teach different skills to all classes of people. It will give sincere devotees facility and engagement to serve Srila Prabhupada together. Our aim is to be independent from this modern society in all respects and to chant Hare Krishna in a peaceful environment when the bombs have destroyed the cities. Preaching will always go on: book distribution, seminars, harinam, food relief, etc. By engaging the fallen souls according to their nature in the transcendental loving service of the Lord we can fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire to free them from their miserable condition.
Thank you, dear reader, for going through this post. I hope you enjoyed reading it and got some value out of it. You are welcome to join, so we can together make this project a success.
We need devotees who like to preach, distribute books and prasadam, farm and take care of cows, build houses, protect the devotees (ksatriyas), and initiated devotees to care and cook for the Deities Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga. There are so many ways to please Srila Prabhupada and spread his glories around the world.
Jayasri Gaurangi devi dasi
Prabhupada’s "original ISKCON"
PRABHUPADA SANKIRTAN SOCIETY
pss108@juno.com
http://www.prabhupada.cc
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.