In 1971, all 30 temples were supported by Spiritual Sky incense.
We bought sticks, oils, bottled them, dipped them, printed packs, packaged 20 sticks/pack, held classes & readings during packaging, delivered orders...
10 sticks in 2 hands = 20 = one package filled = Hare RAma
5th Hare = 9, 1st RAma = 10
RAma RAma: Our Supremely Personal Decimal Basis
Bhakta Dewey Decimal => Dewey/dui prabhu bhojane bosilo
Economics ~ EkanAmiks ~ Eka nAm = One Name = RAm (KRSNa later)
SpSky main centers were Pittsburgh, New VRndAvan, New Dvarka
Each temple had its own mini-operation & distribution going on.
It was great till we began to sell it off in favor of Book Sales.
In 1975, after Culver City culprits fired 3-4 sAdhu salesmen, hiring one 400 lb flesh-eater at 3K/month instead, I knew ISKCON was already down the toilet even during SP's presence.
Typical cult craziness.
Their excuse: "Oh! But fabulous flesh-devouring fatso donated an expensive sari to Our Deity RukminI on JanmASTami!"
Yeah, the sari cost $50-$75. Big deal.
Those sAdhu-salesmen were subsisting on apt rent + $40-$50/week.
We owned the apts so rent was only 150-250/month.
Fantastic Fatso couldn't live on our sAdhu-salesman's weekly salary per day!
What a farce! Emphatically I repeat: what a farce!
Why follow Ugrasena & Yudhisthir? Jail & exile them respectively.
Better we enthrone KaMsarAj & Duryodhan.
That way we can sell more newspapers. Stupid half-ass schmucks.
In our VNN article "By Hook or Crook" we explain how & why.
In short, never forget, when we make ghee, impurities rise to top.
In Keli Karandhar's absence, Robust Roberto Ramezvar somehow convinced SP to phase out incense sales altogether.
"Our temples can be supported by book sales alone."
Oh really? Oh Reilly!
Totally outrageous! Injurious itihAsa! Historical Horsemanure!
Self-inflicted sabotage. Hate yourself - spread it epidemically
Pink Floyd defeated such nonsense within one 2hr flick. Easy pickins
I don't need a guru to see what levels of S&M went on in God's Name.
We have met the enemy... us.
In 1977, Manhattan temple devotees started a candle business.
Seemed okay till one or two mismanagers managed to...
well u know the rest.
Within 1 yr it had risen, floated, folded: phenomenol not noumenal
One Indian devotee in Alachua is employing a few devotees.
He has a nice house, pious family. Cordial. Great game room. Aha!
There r exceptions. Existent, though few & far between.