Mahavidya Prabhu (ACBSP), Apr 20, 2009, London — I have been asked to re-cap the various issues surrounding Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Today I would like to re-examine the dreaded topic of salaries.
I have presented the various quotes that I have read contained in Siksamrta, a compilation of the letters of HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and Srila Prabhupada’s books.
There are obviously many more references contained in the Vedabase, but I have selected those I consider explicit.
“We must always remember that a devotee’s life is one of vairagya-vidya, or renunciation and knowledge. Therefore all devotees are warned not to live unnecessarily luxurious lives at the cost of others. Grhasthas living within the jurisdiction of the temple must be especially careful not to imitate karmis by acquiring opulent clothing, food and conveyances. As far as possible, these should be avoided. A member of the temple, whether grhastha, brahmacari or sannyasi, must practise a life of renunciation, following in the footsteps of Haridasa Thakura and the Six Goswamis.”
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 3 .101)
And…
“Any householder who is working full-time (with his wife ) as a sankirtana book distributor, or temple managerial duties, artist, cook, etc., shall be provided food, shelter, and other bare minimum necessities by the temple itself. They should not cook their own meals separate from the temple meals. If they have children, then some minimal allowance may be given according to the number of children. If they want anything extra or over and above what the temple president sees as absolute necessity, then they should work outside–the temple cannot pay for anything beyond the bare necessities. And definitely, the BBT cannot pay any salary to anybody. Our philosophy is “simple living and high thinking”–not sense gratification. The temple presidents and leaders (elder students ) must show this by example. Temple or asrama means for renunciation and renounced persons. If one is engaged in self-realisation process, then his material necessities become almost nil. Persons who do not like this can work outside. ”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter to Kirtiraja das, January 12, 1975)
When these quotations from His Divine Grace are compared against the current system of undisclosed salaries at Bhaktivedanta manor, one is obliged to question the authenticity of such a situation. Presently, the Temple President “legally” takes the most of the Spiritual Master’s money, has the biggest house and car.
All the salaries (i.e., who gets what) are a closely guarded secret. Is this the example of “vairagya-vidya” that Srila Prabhupada speaks about?
If Srila Prabhupada were present in His Vapu form, would the present management dare to behave in this way?
What disturbs me, is our Senior ISKCON leadership continues looking the other way.
And then…
they wonder why we complain.
In my opinion Mahavidya prabhu is by evidence of his sincere efforts for the benefits of Bhaktivedanta Manor and his adherence to the instructions of his spiritual master A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the the best candidate that presently exists to be president of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Hare Krishna.