“One who is serious to understand this Science, he’s Member of the Hare Krishna Movement”

“ISKCON Membership”

Vyasasana das, reporting from Mayapur, Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 10:33 AM

Dear Srila Prabhupada

Please accept my humble obeisances, and kindly forgive my offences.

om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unlimited yena
tasmai sri-guruve namah

“I was born in the darkness ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I off my respectful obeisances unto him”.

I woke at 1:00 am this morning to write this letter. I am reminded of all those nights while the devotees lay sleeping, you rose early to single-handedly, push on Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtan Movement, by translating, and composing the great Bhaktivedanta Purports, for the benefit of the entire world. At this hour, I am reminded not only of the benefit, we, your disciples have received, but of the benefit to future generations of humanity. Your books will stand as the law books for the next ten thousand years.

As you know the GBC have concluded their annual meetings in Mayapur. In the fifteen days they meet, many topics were discussed, including the topic of membership.

It was put forward by HH Sivarama Maharaja, that ISKCON, being a spiritual society, should require devotees to follow defined standards in order to be considered a member. One of those standards was accepting the GBC as the ultimate managerial authority of ISKCON.

I went to the “Constitution of the International society for Krishna Consciousness”, which you drew up in 1970, and is often referred to as the DOM, or the Direction of Management. It is clearly stated that; “The purpose of the Governing Body Commission is to act as the instrument for the execution of the Will of His Divine Grace”.
Or in layman’s terms, following the instructions of the founding acarya. As it is clearly stated in the amendments dated July 22, 1974;

“It is declared that His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Founder-Acharya of (ISKCON) International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He is the Supreme authority in all matters of the society. His position cannot be occupied by anyone else, and his name and title must appear on all documents, letterheads, publications, and buildings of the Society.”

“The GBC is to act as the instrument for the execution of the will of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada”

Then I went back and found and interview you had with Mike Robinson, a young interviewer from the London Broadcasting Company. One of the questions he asked of you was;

“Can you explain to me what difference it makes being a member of the Hare Krishna Movement?”

And you replied; “Hare Krishna Movement means one who is serious to understand this science, he’s member of the Hare Krishna Movement. This is the beginning of education, that you are a spirit soul. Our mission is to educate.”

So it appears to me that the membership issue is not so difficult. Anyone who has a desire to learn from you, the science of God, he is a member. If I desired to be a Christian, I would simply have to accept the teachings of Christ. If I wanted to become a Buddhist similarly, I would have only to follow the teachings of Lord Buddha.

It seems to me that the move to formalize the definition on ISKCON membership by the leaders, is not to include more people, but rather to restrict membership by defining rules of membership. ISKCON should not become an exclusive club of elitism, but rather a house the whole world can live in. In every town and village.

Actually, when I was still a young man, and I read my first book that you had written; Raja Vidya, “The King of Knowledge”. One of the things that prompted me to join the Hare Krishna Movement was how you were saying we are non sectarian, we are neither Hindu, Christians, or Jews.

We are all spirit souls, part and parcel of Krishna. I was very glad to hear that, because I had no desire to join a church or religion. That is why I personally find this discussion on ISKCON membership to be rather disturbing.

If the GBC leadership decided that a person was not a “member in good standing” they would not receive the same benefits as a “official” ISKCON member, such as being allowed to reside in ISKCON temples or farms, serve in official leadership positions within ISKCON, or take part in ISKCON initiative projects. In other words they would have no voice.

As I mentioned in my last letter to you entitled “Gurus and Godbrothers”, I was explaining how 90% of your initiated disciples were no longer living within the society of ISKCON. Many were driven out, or had left in disgust after your departure from our material vision.

So I find it very sad that the GBC would even consider restricting membership even further. The North American temples I have visited are mere skeletons today, compared with the way they were when I joined in 1975.

And I understand from other devotees, it is a world wide epidemic. So many gurus, but so few devotees. Many devotees are joining the Narayana Maharaja camp, or simply giving up on their Krishna Consciousness because of the oppression within ISKCON. But by your causeless mercy it is still going on, and will continue to go on, as Lord Caitanya desires.

I am just a simple, insignificant disciple of Your Divine Grace, but I am of the belief that the active principle in spiritual life is following the instructions of the Spiritual Master. Perhaps this is where we have failed as a society,or as individuals. Still I am hopeful, you are our ever well wisher, and the more we take shelter of you, the more our Krishna Consciousness improves.

For me the key to spiritual life is catching your lotus feet and refusing to ever let go. I know that will take me back home, Back to Godhead. Whether I am considered a member of ISKCON or not, that is for others to decide.

Begging to remain forever in your divine service
Your insignificant servant
Vyasasana das