“Loans made by Romapada Swami update” (with comment by B. Radha-Govinda)

“Unbelievable About Romapada Swami!”

BY: ANONYMOUS

Feb 25, 2011 — USA (SUN) — I am writing this anonymously, as I don’t want to happen to me what I have heard of in the past as GBC retaliation – certain GBCs attacking or even ostracizing a member of ISKCON for their informing and telling the truth about deviant GBC members.

As a resident of New York for many years, I have also heard the many rumors about Romapada Swami’s material adventures in the garb of a Vaishnava sannyasi. It is disgusting and an embarrassment to the pure standard of sannyasa established by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

Usually one would think that honorable men devotees would stand up to this kind of nonsense and take action to protect the purity of ISKCON and its leadership. But it doesn’t seem to happen these days, and so a woman devotee such as myself has to speak her heart and open her mouth.

It appears that the way the modern day GBC is set up, there is little scope for bringing devotees like Romapada Swami to justice. The rest of the GBC members seem to usually ignore the complaints from the “peanut gallery” of rank and file ISKCON members, or they confer their “in-house” GBC pardon after a quiet and biased investigation of the allegation. Then again, it’s GBC business as usual.

How can anyone take donations from non-profit organizations and use that money to leverage loans, giving the lender, not the organization, profit in his pocket? That would seem to be very illegal and something the IRS would be very interested to investigate. Are there any other readers of the Sampradaya Sun, like the recent author of “Go Put On White“, who are privy to such loans made by Romapada Swami? If so, can they please make that information public?

Romapada Swami is supposed to be a public servant of ISKCON, not some kind of unpunishable “icon” of ISKCON. And a GBC that “blesses” such illegal conduct of one of its own members by looking the other way is even more guilty than the offender and perpetrator. And what about the devotees of ISKCON like me, who are supposed to be protected from this kind of exploitation by some so-called spiritual leader?

Am I supposed to accept that Romapada Swami is a pure devotee, and ignore the information and facts about his undercover and illegal loan business? Why should I be ordered by the GBC to accept that Romapada Swami is a bone fide guru of the pure Vaishnava sampradaya of Sri Rupa Goswami?

And such pretenders themselves want to be worshiped? Oh my God! Prabhupada save us! I know these kind of things conducted by mis-leaders of ISKCON have happened before in our history, so in one sense it is not surprising.

But this kind of perpetuation of “the GBC can do no wrong”, by the GBC itself, makes me sick to my stomach! Over recent years, after discovering many more complaints through the Sampradaya Sun, about the unmonitored affairs of the ISKCON GBC, I have carefully researched the legal structure of the GBC itself, with their own resolutions and ISKCON Lawbook and bylaws, etc.

To my shock and dismay, I have found that this GBC is completely autocratic! It is not representative of any other legal or managerial level of management in ISKCON, such as being an “overseeing body” appointed by the temple presidents.

They are completely airtight and run a “closed door” operation. And because of such a loose and unmonitored GBC structure, you therefore have persons like Romapada Swami, maybe even doing something against United States law, getting away with robbery, and the GBC covers up the wrong doing, or just isn’t even concerned.

I believe that it is beyond high time for the members of ISKCON to do something about this reason and even treason against Srila Prabhupada.

B. Radha-Govinda: Getting Away With Robbery?

Dear Anonymous prabhu,

By the way, before I reply, I forgot to include in my previous post, the fact that for so many years, Romapada (and Brooklyn TP, Ramabhadra prabhu), have allowed the NYC Firemen to hold their annual barbeque at the NY ISKCON Brooklyn temple building – for a fee of course for renting the space – where barbequed meats were served. There is the weekly bingo as well; for years a part of the temple building being rented to host bingo games.

You wrote,

“And because of such a loose and unmonitored GBC structure, you therefore have persons like Romapada Swami…getting away with robbery, and the GBC covers up the wrong doing, or just isn’t even concerned.”

Getting away with robbery? Please note that they get away not only with robbery, but (literally) with MURDER!!! as well, (including – by poison – murdering Srila Prabhupada). Oh yes, there’s also the child molestation: They get away with child molestation too. The GBC “addresses” something when it becomes too obvious that they can no longer keep it hidden, this suiting their purposes in making (certain) devotees think that they “address things” (when they really don’t).

We’ve got some really sicko people in positions of power within ISKCON. Some of these misleaders (liars) are extremely perverted (in many ways). One is left to question whether they started off sick, or the intoxication of the power brought to them by dint of position (and/or money) went to their heads and brought on such perversion (and deviation on all levels).

I’m aware of at least some of the things that have gone/are going on in these regards because I do free counseling, and have heard a lot of things from various devotees who I’ve counselled, regarding the (really) sick/perverted, disgusting, horrible things various ISKCON “leaders” have done to them. (May I note here, that despite rumors to the contrary, I am not a “big internet person”: I hardly know or do anything with the internet, other than some emailing, and at times when I’m able, taking a look at Sampradaya Sun.

I barely know how to use a computer. So I don’t get “stuff” off of the internet in these regards.) Besides being told of other things, I’ve also been told about orgies, where devotees were (forcibly) drugged, taken advantage of, and forced into participation in the particular (GBC/sannyasi/guru or other) leaders’ (sex) “party”.

Some – again, I’m using the word “some” (not “all”) – ISKCON leaders have used cocaine (and other intoxicants), been involved in orgies, molested children, do black magic, have devotees beaten, and/or killed, and the list goes on.

You wrote,

“It appears that the way the modern day GBC is set up, there is little scope for bringing devotees like Romapada Swami to justice. The rest of the GBC members seem to usually ignore the complaints from the “peanut gallery” of rank and file ISKCON members, or they confer their “in-house” GBC pardon after a quiet and biased investigation of the allegation. Then again, it’s GBC business as usual.”

Regarding important general issues, many devotees know that the ISKCON leaders ignore these (important) issues (and will give problems to those devotees who try to address them). So many devotees who are concerned, are silent in either feeling they won’t get anywhere in trying, or keep quiet due to fear of repercussion of what could/would happen to them if they dare attempt to make an address of such an issue. In regards to issues that individual devotees have – devotees made to think that individual issues could/should/would be addressed through the ISKCON “Ministry of Justice “- I don’t know if the GBC “Justice” Committee has ever properly addressed/resolved any issue brought to them by a “‘peanut gallery’ rank and file ISKCON member.” It would be interesting to find out if they have ever properly addressed/resolved any case(s).

The case I tried to have addressed was never properly addressed, despite my having submitted proof in 1991 to the three people (Avirama, Ganapati Swami – I can’t remember the name of the third person), who were at that time on the “Ministry of Justice” committee.

This was regarding my Godsister’s and other African devotees’ murder. Because of what I knew – an arrangement also having been made for me to “be gotten rid of,” (but wasn’t successful) – I got pushed out of ISKCON by the GBC (guru, sannyasi) who was directly responsible, his having made a “perfect arrangement” for getting our Godsister killed, so that the ongoing relationship he had been having with our Godsister would be covered up, (his also being very angry with her after she decided she no longer wanted to have any more relations with him).

I’m aware of some other devotees “failed” attempts with the GBC’s “Ministry of (In) Justice,” but can’t say if this ministry (more like mystery) has ever properly addressed any issue someone tried to bring to it.

Usually one would think that honorable men devotees would stand up to this kind of nonsense and take action to protect the purity of ISKCON and its leadership.

Although there may be other reasons, a main reason they don’t is because (using your word, “usually”), many of them are afraid to say anything for fear of the various forms ISKCON leader-generated repercussions can take, including violence. So many devotees who do know (but don’t speak up), are afraid to do so.

“How can anyone take donations from non-profit organizations and use that money to leverage loans, giving the lender, not the organization, profit in his pocket?”

Very easy: No accountability. Go and ask the various sannyasi/gurus (who have them) why they have – buy and/or have built for themselves – opulent houses, and wherefrom they get/got the money to purchase and/or build such houses. (Why would a sannyasi “need” a house when ISKCON sannyasis are(nicely) accommodated in Srila Prabhupada’s temples?)

“Romapada Swami is supposed to be a public servant of ISKCON, not some kind of unpunishable “icon” of ISKCON.”

Doe he know this? Do the others (some of whom are doing things which are even worse) know?

“And a GBC that “blesses” such illegal conduct of one of its own members by looking the other way is even more guilty than the offender and perpetrator.”

Besides other varying reasons, many GBC look/have to look “the other way,” because if they don’t, they know someone will look their way – meaning, if they point out what someone else is doing, three (or more) fingers will be pointed back towards them; in other words, that person who they call out, will be able to call out their particular deviations, as well as other GBC possibly joining in to call out their deviations. (GBC Y calls out Romapada, but Romapada and X number of other GBC people will call out GBC Y for his/her deviations.)

“Am I supposed to accept that Romapada Swami is a pure devotee, and ignore the information and facts about his undercover and illegal loan business?”

According to present-day ISKCON “standard,” you are (supposed to accept…), and if you say anything – sach bale tomare lutha juta jagat mohaye – you are considered an aparadhi, one who is blaspheming a (pure) devotee.

“Why should I be ordered by the GBC to accept that Romapada Swami is a bone fide guru of the pure Vaishnava sampradaya of Sri Rupa Goswami?”

Because if you are considering yourself to be an ISKCON devotee, the GBC is your (topmost) authority. You (according to the GBC) are “supposed” to be following them, (even if they are deviating from Srila Prabhupada’s desires/instructions). (Of course I’m saying this sarcastically.

There were times when Srila Prabhupada was extremely upset because the GBC body was not following properly His instructions, and were misleading devotees. Srila Prabhupada actually temporarily disbanded the GBC, directing the temple presidents by letter to not accept the GBC at that point.)

“And such pretenders themselves want to be worshiped?”

Well, that’s the point: Better to be worshipped “as good as God” than to be a servant of the servant…Better to be worshipped than to worship.

“Prabhupada save us!”

Srila Prabhupada will, despite!!! the GBC!

“But this kind of perpetuation of “the GBC can do no wrong”, by the GBC itself, makes me sick to my stomach!”

You’re not the only one who feels “sick to my stomach” over what the GBC is doing/has done to Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON and to the so many (good) devotees who were rendering so many years of dedicated service to His Divine Grace, and Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON society.

“Over recent years, after discovering many more complaints through the Sampradaya Sun, about the unmonitored affairs of the ISKCON GBC, I have carefully researched the legal structure of the GBC itself, with their own resolutions and ISKCON Lawbook and bylaws, etc.

To my shock and dismay, I have found that this GBC is completely autocratic! It is not representative of any other legal or managerial level of management in ISKCON, such as being an “overseeing body” appointed by the temple presidents.

They are completely airtight and run a “closed door” operation. I believe that it is beyond high time for the members of ISKCON to do something about this reason and even treason against Srila Prabhupada.”

Somehow, by Krsna’s arrangement, He has allowed the internet to be a facility for informing devotees of such things, thus we are thankful that although the GBC does not allow devotees to speak up, Krsna has made this arrangement for devotees to be able to say (write) something.

We also give thanks to Rocana prabhu, his wife, Jahnavi, and those other devotees who have set up such websites which facilitate devotees being able to write and inform other devotees what’s going on, and to those devotees who are writing, despite the possibilities of repercussion from the GBC, which are very real.

Although I myself can’t stand all the technological advances (and can’t figure out how to use practically any of them), I do have to admit that computers do serve a good purpose, especially for helping devotees to become informed of what’s what regarding present-day ISKCON.

I might add here, that various ISKCON leaders – GBC, and temple presidents (some of them doing so, only because of GBC orders), ban Srila Prabhupada’s pre-1978 books, and actually (mislead and) tell devotees that these original books are “ritvik books”.

In certain cases, Srila Prabhupada’s pre-1978 books have even been referred to as “demonic” and/or “the books with all the mistakes.” So just see how far off!!! the GBC has gone.

Your servant,

B. Radha-Govinda
Hare Krsna