BY: GEORGE A. SMITH
Aug 05, 2010 — CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — In answer to Rasaprema’s article, “Simple or Simpleton?”, I am sorry prabhu, but to my mind it is better to worship the picture of a pure devotee than the person of a rascal and a fool. But that, it seems, is where the opponents of the Ritviks would lead us, into the acceptance of some ISKCON rubber stamp or some Gaudiya Math.
If Srila Prabhupada had thought any one of you qualified to accept disciples, he would have recommended you. But he didn’t, and he didn’t say we should, and he isn’t here to say it now. But these alone are not your major inconvenience, for added to these are your respective histories, according to Srila Prabhupada in respect to the Gaudiya Math and according to you in respect to ISKCON.
There it is, look at it, it is a history of rascals and of fools.
So thanks, but no thanks, I’ll keep my picture and continue to offer my love and devotion to the pure devotee of Krsna, Srila Prabhupada, who will never betray my trust and continue to be regarded by such poor unfortunates as yourself who have accepted some GBC rubber stamp or Gaudiya Math wannabe as a simpleton, or a fool.
Ys,
Bhakta George
Hare Krishna.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Don’t give your back to Srila Prabhupada. Don’t oppress the devotees and think that you can chant “Hare Krishna†at the last moment and you are not going to pay for this one thousand times in hell. Be aware there is a great unchangeable universal law of the heavens which states, “As Ye Sow So Shall Ye Reap†Bhagavata Mahatmya says that if you read Srimad Bhagavatam and don’t develop love for devotees, then you’ll live for ever in hell. Don’t think that you can chant “Hare Krishna†at the last moment and you’ll develop love for devotees mystically. No, it depends of you!
Jesus said: “Love your enemies.†Because there is a natural law that what you rejects it becomes worst. In this order of ideas Lord Chaitannya is giving the highest to the lowest. Lord Chaitannya say in Chaitannya Mangala: “With the sharp knife of My holly nama-sankirtana I’ll cut off in the hearts of all the knots of demonic desires. Even if sinners reject religion or flee to other countries, even if they refuse mercy, I will send mora senapati bhakta, My military field commander devotee.†We are not looking for Krishna, Krishna is looking for us. Where can we flee? What can be our shelter? Be aware that Srila Prabhupada is not dead and forgotten … he is very real, he is very alive. Follow these suggestions and you will find that your people will love you even more. All improper actions must cease! Yes, it is still your choice, but why be the cause of destroying the spiritual life of devotees? We all have a lot to do and wrong to be righted. It Can Be Done! All daily changes should be stopped.
The Siksa-Guru-Parampara (stated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Srila Prabhupada) is more important than Diksa-Guru-Parampara, because follow the transmition of the revealed true through its more significant representants, witch is opposite to follow strictly any ecclesiastic hierarchy. It is plain and simple. More even, Srila Prabhupada say: “A disciple of Kali cannot become ÄcÄrya by the decision of some high court. Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a vaiṣṇava ÄcÄrya. A vaiṣṇava ÄcÄrya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgment.†(CC.Madia 1: 220: P.)
Srila Sridhara maharaja said: “If some one in ISKCON wants to become guru, then he should open a new temple apart of ISKCON, because all ISKCON temples belong to Bhaktivedanta Swami.†In the temples of Srila Prabhupada should not be given an elevate chair to anyone other than Srila Prabhupada. ISKCON temples are not the particular griha of “sannyasis†divorced of sadhana, or the property of cheap gurus that are giving initiation the meat eaters in order to gain money and initiating demons in order to create CHAOS.
Srila Prabhupada say: “So dharmasya glÄniḥ means when we defy authority. That is called discrepancy in the discharge of religiosity or occupational duty. Even in your office, even in the government, if you do not accept authority there is CHAOS, there is revolution. So this sort of mentality is very dangerous. When one does not accept any authorities these are his CHAOTIC condition. (Lectures: Bhagavad-gita 4.13 — New York, April 8, 1973)
The GBC established a bureaucratic, corrupt and politic system of gurus and has to carry with all the problems of conditioned souls. This means that the control of the GBC passes to all the “gurus.†In conclusion the GBC is a private club witch membership has its privileges, based on the premise “every contract has a lagoon.â€
When the personality of Kali was cursed by Pariksit Maharaja, he in the dress of a vaisnava sannyasi went to all temples, because there were the biggest wealth and the more beautiful girls to cheat the world. In all the religions of the world the authorities are cheaters and Iskcon is not the exception. This is the syndrome of Kali.
Iskcon is a divided house, separate into different companies. The old game of divide and conquer is not a spiritual practice. There should not be a division between the government and church, or between “authorities†and devotees it is not democratic. Srila Prabhupada said in the DOM (Direction of management): “During my absence, no one should live in my apartment.†But this the perfect place for “authorities†to give interview to all kind of girls and even boys at closed door! “Mahaprasadam and brahmacharinies are exclusively for authorities and sudras can eat ….â€
ÅšrÄ«la PrabhupÄda say “Yes. If you want to be cheated, Krishna will send you to a cheater. Krishna is super intelligent. If you are a cheater, He will cheat you perfectly. But if you are actually sincere, then He will give you the right guidance.†(Life Comes from Life: The Fifteenth Morning Walk: December 7, 1973.)
When we offer our obeisances to Srila Prabhupada (The master of all masters) the obeisances to all other spiritual masters are included. Srila Prabhupada is the siksa and diksa guru for every one in Iskcon. In the name of Srila Prabhupada they become gurus but why they can not give hariman initiation in the same name of Srila Prabhupada?
His divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is also known as SRILA PRABHUPADA because this means that he is the master of all devotees. The Acarya, Spiritual master authorized, “WHO GIVE INITIATION.†He is the Jagad Guru or The master of the whole world and the authority in all matters. He can be called SRILA PRABHUPADA only by his disciples. This is the strict tradition of all Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya. Srila Prabhupada never created eleven acaryas. He is the solely person who gives you the seed of bhakti creeper by the mercy of Sri Krishna Bhagavan and depends of you take it or not. It is some thing practical, the cultivation and does not depend of a symbolic initiation. The relation between master-disciple is from heart to heart. The bona fide spiritual master, or guru, is who tells us, “Give me your ears. I do not want any thing of you – only your ears.â€
The spiritual initiation does not depend of any material formality. In the following story of Mahabharata sambhava parva 134 is confirmed this: “Once a prince named Ekalavya, who was the son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas (the lowest of the mixed orders). Desirous of learning the science of arms, went to Drona, but Drona however, cognisant of all rules of morality, accepted not the prince as his pupil in archery, seeing that he was a Nishada who might (in time) excel all his high-born pupils. But, O oppressor of all enemies, the Nishada prince, touching Drona’s feet with bent head, wended his way into the forest, and there he made a clay-image of Drona, and began to worship it respectfully, as if it was his real preceptor, and practised weapons before it with the most rigid regularity. In consequence of his exceptional reverence for his preceptor and his devotion to his purpose, all the three processes of fixing arrows on the bowstring, aiming, and letting off became very easy for him.
“And one day, O grinder of foes, the Kuru and the Pandava princes, with Drona’s leave, set out in their cars on a hunting excursion. A servant, O king, followed the party at leisure, with the usual implements and a dog. Having come to the woods, they wandered about, intent on the purpose they had in view. Meanwhile, the dog also, in wandering alone in the woods, came upon the Nishada prince (Ekalavya). And beholding the Nishada of dark hue, of body besmeared with filth, dressed in black and bearing matted locks on head, the dog began to bark aloud.
“Thereupon the Nishada prince, desirous of exhibiting his lightness of
hand, sent seven arrows into its mouth (before it could shut it). The dog, thus pierced with seven arrows, came back to the Pandavas. Those heroes, who beheld that sight, were filled with wonder, and, ashamed of their own skill, began to praise the lightness of hand and precision of aim by auricular precision (exhibited by the unknown archer). And they thereupon began to seek in those woods for the unknown dweller therein that had shown such skill. And, O king, the Pandavas soon found out the object of their search ceaselessly discharging arrows from the bow. And beholding that man of grim visage, who was totally a stranger to them, they asked, ‘Who art thou and whose son?’ Thus questioned, the man replied, ‘Ye heroes, I am the son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas. Know me also for a pupil of Drona, labouring for the mastery of the art of arms.’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘The Pandavas then, having made themselves acquainted with everything connected with him, returned (to the city), and going unto Drona, told him of that wonderful feat of archery which they had witnessed in the woods. Arjuna, in particular, thinking all the while, O king, Ekalavya, saw Drona in private and relying upon his preceptor’ affection for him, said, ‘Thou hadst lovingly told me, clasping me, to thy bosom, that no pupil of thine should be equal to me. Why then is there a pupil of thine, the mighty son of the Nishada king, superior to me?’
“Vaisampayana continued, ‘On hearing these words, Drona reflected for a moment, and resolving upon the course of action he should follow, took Arjuna with him and went unto the Nishada prince. And he beheld Ekalavya with body besmeared with filth, matted locks (on head), clad in rags, bearing a bow in hand and ceaselessly shooting arrows therefrom. And when Ekalavya saw Drona approaching towards him, he went a few steps forward, and touched his feet and prostrated himself on the ground. And the son of the Nishada king worshipping Drona, duly represented himself as his pupil, and clasping his hands in reverence stood before him (awaiting his commands). Then Drona, O king, addressed Ekalavya, saying, ‘If, O hero, thou art really my pupil, give me then my fees.’ On hearing these words, Ekalavya was very much gratified, and said in reply, ‘O illustrious preceptor, what shall I give? Command me; for there is nothing, O foremost of all persons conversant with the Vedas that I may not give unto my preceptor.’ Drona answered, ‘O Ekalavya, if thou art really intent on making me a gift, I should like then to have the thumb of thy right hand.â€
The daksin what Srila Prabhupada wants is the distribution of his books. Srila Prabhupada say in the following quotes: “So this initiation means by the mercy of Krishna though His agent, the spiritual master, you are getting the seed of bhakti-latÄ. So you have to take care of yourself by the instruction. Not that, “Now I have got a spiritual master and I have got the initiation, my business is finished. Let me do all nonsense.†No. This initiation process, we take promise from you that no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication-before the fire. The fire ceremony means, fire is also representation of yajña-puruá¹£a, and through fire, the yajña- puruá¹£a eats, puruá¹£ottama. So there is fire, there is spiritual master, there is Å›Ästra, there is Krishna, before—they are all witness.â€
(Lectures: Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.35 — Hawaii, January 28, 1974.)
“Just like if you take a seed, nice seed, and if you sow it, and pour water little, little, then it will grow and it will become a big tree or big creeper and give you the fruits. You’ll enjoy it. Similarly, the bhakti-latÄ-bÄ«ja is given by the spiritual master in cooperation with Krishna. THAT IS INITIATION. This initiation arrangement means sowing the seed of devotional service. Now, if you get, if you think that after getting initiation, “I have become perfect. Now again, whatever nonsense I was doing, I shall go on doing it,†then it will be useless. It will be useless. Suppose if you get a seed. If you don’t take proper care, water it nicely, then it will not grow; it will be stunned there. You have to take, mÄlÄ« haya sei bÄ«ja kar Äropaṇa Å›ravaṇa-kÄ«rtana-jale karaye secana.†[Cc. Madhya 19.152]. (Lectures: Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.35 Hawaii, January 28, 1974.)
“ŚrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam, or, for that matter, any other scientific literature, cannot be studied at home by one’s own intellectual capacity. Medical books of anatomy or physiology are available in the market, but no one can become a qualified medical practitioner simply by reading such books at home. One has to be admitted to the medical college and study the books under the guidance of learned professors. Similarly, ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam, the postgraduate study of the science of Godhead, can only be learned by studying it at the feet of a realized soul like ÅšrÄ«la VyÄsadeva.†(SB 2.1.8: P.)
“One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life.†Bg (4.34: P.)
“AbhilÄá¹£a means aspiration, hope or ambition. He is ambitious of becoming a devotee in nine different ways. The first thing is Å›ravaṇa. Åšravaṇa means hearing. One has to hear from authorities. That is the beginning of spiritual life or Krishna consciousness.†(Lectures: Song Purports: Purport to Bhajahu Re Mana — San Francisco, March 16, 1967.)
â€Now this first verse has specific significance. Knowledge (idaá¹ jñÄnam) refers to pure devotional service, which consists of nine different activities: hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping, praying, obeying, maintaining friendship and surrendering everything. By the practice of these nine elements of devotional service one is elevated to spiritual consciousness, Krishna consciousness.†(Bg 9.1: P.)
“Unless one is perfectly anxious to inquire about the way of perfection, there is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master. A spiritual master is not a kind of decoration for a householder. Generally a fashionable materialist engages a so-called spiritual master without any profit. The pseudo-spiritual master flatters the so-called disciple, and thereby both the master and his ward go to hell without a doubt. MahÄrÄja ParÄ«ká¹£it is the right type of disciple because he puts forward questions vital to the interest of all men, particularly for the dying men. The question put forward by MahÄrÄja ParÄ«ká¹£it is the basic principle of the complete thesis of ÅšrÄ«mad-BhÄgavatam. Now let us see how intelligently the great master replies. (S.B.1.19.38 P.)
This is the beginning. We must see things as they really are. On the other hand every time you challenge the GBC`s politics, knowing full well the dangers of a “collective system†where no individual expression is allowed and expose their lies and refuse to allow them to manipulate you into their agendas, then you strengthen yourself in the process. But every time you trade a little piece of your soul for the supposed “benefits of the collective will†you say that you are theirs, If you serve them… every time you do this… you are weaken yourselves and capitulate your power to the enemy. In so doing, you make your struggle all the more desperate from the collectivist mindset and lose your individuality in the process.
What a bizarre institution is Iskcon today. What hypocrites we have become; we hear the truth, we think we believe it, but it is not practiced, because money is the answer to everything. Love Is the Goal. Money is good, but many have replaced the true value of God, the true worth of caring, the true power that brings abundance … love with money. Be powerful, but according to God’s power. Be powerful in Light, Understanding, Love, Balance and Charity. Without any conditions and become a part of all … do not be left standing alone … a people forgotten because of your own desire of position for power over a few.
Another problem, the book changes. Srila Prabhupada´s original text says: “We must meditate in Krishna’s form.†The reedited book says: “We must meditate in Krishna’s platform.†Change one single syllable is a crime. According to Srila Jiva Goswami´s Sat Sandarva: “vaidusya pratiaksa is the perfect knowledge that comes from acaryas who have direct perception of God, His indwelling and His associates through spiritual trance, all his senses are pure and have gone beyond the four defects of a conditioned soul.†Sruti is the knowledge that comes from an acarya and should not be altered.
Preach to a cristian is more difficult than to preach a catholic. Similarly preach to an iskconian is more difficult than to preach a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Iskcon is a material society of peace and love of mutual worshipers. Forgive please any offence. May Sri Sri Radha and Krishna protect and bless you all! We wish you all the best. For those who still remain in their grasp… we send you our LOVE and our HUGS!!! Until that time when we can all meet together as one, in TRUE freedom and peace, we want to say, WE LOVE YOU!!! Pray for us, with love, from the button of your heart in the same way we pray for all of you with more love always than yours for us.
In Simple or Simpleton, Rasaprema Dasa has written, “One just needs a picture and the intelligence of a moron, which they perfectly exemplify.”
In the Science of Self Realization (SSR 5), His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada has written:
Therefore, in the Srimad-Bhägavatam it is said that this is the incarnation of God in this age. And who worships Him? The process is very simple. Just keep a picture of Lord Caitanya with His associates. Lord Caitanya is in the middle, accompanied by His principal associates—Nityänanda, Advaita, Gadädhara, and Sriväsa. One simply has to keep this picture. One can keep it anywhere. It is not that one has to come to us to see this picture. Anyone can have this picture in his home, chant this Hare Krishna mantra, and thus worship Lord Caitanya. That is the simple method. But who will capture this simple method? Those who have good brains. Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu at home and chants Hare Krishna, then one will realize God. Anyone can adopt this simple method. There is no expenditure, there is no tax, nor is there any need to build a very big church or temple. Anyone, anywhere, can sit down on the road or beneath a tree and chant the Hare Krishna mantra and worship God. Therefore it is a great opportunity.
Hare Krishna, Prabhus
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Seems to be that siksa guru parampara is more important for our acharyas in the modern age:
“Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura was the siksa-guru [instructing spiritual master] of Baladeva Vidyabhusana, to whom he taught the precepts of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was a very prominent acarya after Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana and was the beloved siksa-guru of Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s intimate friend and associate was the eminent maha-bhagavata Sri Gaurakisora Dasa Babaji, whose sole joy was found in hari-bhajana.“ (Sri Guru-parampara-8.)
“Yes, the spiritual master is also present in his picture, though more importantly he is present in his teachings.” (Letter to: Sukadeva 2 — Calcutta 29 January, 1973.)
Thanks.