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Ashvatama

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Posts posted by Ashvatama


  1.  

    IS ASHWATHAMA STILL ALIVE??

     

    Yes he is, remember the worst punishment for murdering innocent sleeping children is actually no punishment but rather disowned, shunned and ignored by all, even by the Lord of death Yamaraj!! And forced to live in the same body and wonder the earth for thousands of years even when it is greatly decayed.

     

    However even Ashvatama's fate, even though it appears to be eternal, is also only TEMPORARY IN THE FACE OF MATERIAL TIME.

     

    All karma good and bad, eventally burns out and fades - there is no such thing as 'eternal damnation' or 'eternal Heaven' in the material creation of Maha-Vishnu. EVERYTHING HERE IN THE MAHAT TATTVA IS PERISHABLE.

     

    Hare Krsna!


  2.  

    No bija, only this thread, frankly it is really not that important, its personally just my speciality I have greatly studied and written a 500 page book about. I understand Srila Prabhupada’s teachings on this issue.

    I have also met many others with different opinions like Srila Sridhar Maharaj and his disciple Govinda Maharaj, as well as other Gaudiya math Gurus like Narayana Maharaj – I’ve heard all their opinions and viewpoints but Srila Prabhupada is the real authority on this subject.

    Others like Kurma prabhu’s speciality is cooking for Krsna, the ‘origin of the soul’ does not interest him because he knows if you chant Hare Krsna, honoring prasadam and doing some service, then you will go back home, back to Godhead

    If this subject was ever brought up with Kurma prabhu the wonderful chef, he would simply bring out a delicious plate of maha prsad and we would then talk about some blissful pastime about Krsna or Lord Caitanya, or even when we were young teenager Brahmacaris back in 72.

    No, this thread is not important for everyone, only our sadhana (chanting Hare Krishna, reading the Srimad Bhagavatam and serving the devotees) is important

     

    Good advice.


  3.  

    Isn't this truth. When we make discrimination between ourselves and others due to conceiving ourselves and others according to material designations such as black & white, friend & foe etc. (differental outlook) then that means we are conceiving of ourselves and others as various beings all under the grip of eternal time which have a begining and an end (death).

     

    The thought, the very idea of death is foreign and frightening to the eternal self.

     

    The only liberation from this fear is to rise to the platform of vision where all living beings are seen as eternal parts of Krishna. And when we consider that we all share a oneness with Krishna that also directly implies a oneness with all others.

     

    Wow, this goes straight to the heart.


  4.  

    The thread asks can we beat them. Yes individually but not on a world wide scale. It's like a massive flood is sweeping the area. Can we beat it? No but we can indivdually and in small groups get to higher ground.

     

    We escape pride by developing humility, greed by becoming generous, anger by tolerance and deceit by truthfullness.

     

    Krsna prabhu should understand this, in simple language, get off the mental platform and stop seeing the material body as the self, and the material bodies of others as their self. You can be the best cook in the world, but we will NEVER advance until we understand this and the humble words of theist maharaj.:D :D :D :D :namaskar:


  5.  

    This is why children in Krishna consciousness should be given loads of love and attention. So they remember their childhoods in gurukula as the best times of their young lives. Then even if they forget for awhile they will cme back. I would hold back on temple construction and spend that money on schools and the kids. FUN schools as well as learning. Not little mini bootcamps like some tried to institute in the 70's.

    Well written, yeah you are right, the future IS the children but they neglected that years ago and put more emphasis on Temple building. Anyway, it appears that now the lessons of emotional, psychological, physical and sexual misconduct has been well documented and understood and valuable lessons learnt, its time to re-establish Gurukula to the age of 18 again, especially in the States. And some how or other, in a devotionally fun kind of way, as you say, and keep them out of the mundane Colleges and Universities that Prabhupada called slaughter houses.

    At present they attend primary school at the Gurukula, then from that atmosphere are place in karmi colleges. But I suppose they've got to face the 'real' world eventually, as we see now, the great majority do not stay on and become the Brahmacaris and Brahmatarines we 'imagined' they would become back in the eighties when we had all these kids.

    In fact, unfortunately, most cannot adjust to the karmi world and struggle in their adult life. This is because they are cut off for so long with out any reference to the outside world, when they do go out there, it is a severe cultural shock.

    They find themselves in a very, very small minority of believers and the sheer 'numbers' of meat eating karmis is over whelming that to fit in, many conform to the to the karmi life style, some even start eating meat.

    Someone should write a thesis on this because were I live, once the kids in ISKCON reach 14 or 15, you never see them. WHY is this happening?

    For example, in our area, we had about 90 Gurukulis. Out of them, 15 are regulars to the Temple.

    If you treat people with kindness, love and affection without abuse of any kind, instead of trying to 'forcibly' program them, then it may work

    But once again, we were brought up in a Christian society and rejected that due to hypocrisy - I suppose they are no different


  6.  

    Yes, but is he still chanting?

     

    He is not wearing neck beads, probably not, he probably treats 'Hare Krsna' like we treated christianity when we were growing up. My parents were Sunday school teachers, it never stopped me ;) becoming a serial killer in the 'movies'


  7. This is a REAL genuin Guru

     

    418px-Prabhupada-Dancing-at-Bhakt.jpg

     

     

     

    <CENTER>

    The Authorised understanding of Lord Buddha

     

    Lord Buddha As mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam

     

     

    </CENTER>

     

    tataù kalau sampravåtte

    sammohäya sura-dviñäm

    buddho nämnäïjana-sutaù

    kékaöeñu bhaviñyati

     

     

     

     

    SYNONYMS

     

     

    tataù—thereafter; kalau—the age of Kali; sampravåtte—having ensued; sammohäya—for the purpose of deluding; sura—the theists; dviñäm—those who are envious; buddhaù—Lord Buddha; nämnä—of the name; aïjana-sutaù—whose mother was Aïjanä; kékaöeñu—in the province of Gayä (Bihar); bhaviñyati—will take place.

     

     

     

    TRANSLATION

     

     

    Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Aïjanä, in the province of Gayä, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.

     

    PURPORT by HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada -

     

     

     

    Lord Buddha, a powerful incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, appeared in the province of Gayä (Bihar) as the son of Aïjanä, and he preached his own conception of nonviolence and deprecated even the animal sacrifices sanctioned in the Vedas.

     

     

     

     

    At the time when Lord Buddha appeared, the people in general were atheistic and preferred animal flesh to anything else. On the plea of Vedic sacrifice, every place was practically turned into a slaughterhouse, and animal-killing was indulged in unrestrictedly.

     

     

     

     

    Lord Buddha preached nonviolence, taking pity on the poor animals. He preached that he did not believe in the tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing.

     

     

     

     

    Less intelligent men of the age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principle, and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization.

     

     

     

     

    He deluded the atheists because such atheists who followed his principles did not believe in God, but they kept their absolute faith in Lord Buddha, who himself was the incarnation of God.

     

     

     

     

    Thus the faithless people were made to believe in God in the form of Lord Buddha. That was the mercy of Lord Buddha: he made the faithless faithful to him.

     

     

     

     

    Killing of animals before the advent of Lord Buddha was the most prominent feature of the society. People claimed that these were Vedic sacrifices.

     

     

     

     

    When the Vedas are not accepted through the authoritative disciplic succession, the casual readers of the Vedas are misled by the flowery language of that system of knowledge.

     

     

     

     

    In the Bhagavad-Gita a comment has been made on such foolish scholars (avipaçcitaù). The foolish scholars of Vedic literature who do not care to receive the transcendental message through the transcendental realized sources of disciplic succession are sure to be bewildered.

     

     

     

     

    To them, the ritualistic ceremonies are considered to be all in all. They have no depth of knowledge. According to the Bhagavad-Gita (15.15), vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù: the whole system of the Vedas is to lead one gradually to the path of the Supreme Lord.

     

     

     

     

    The whole theme of Vedic literature is to know the Supreme Lord, the individual soul, the cosmic situation and the relation between all these items. When the relation is known, the relative function begins, and as a result of such a function the ultimate goal of life or going back to Godhead takes place in the easiest manner.

     

     

     

     

    Unfortunately, unauthorized scholars of the Vedas become captivated by the purificatory ceremonies only, and natural progress is thereby checked.

     

     

     

     

    To such bewildered persons of atheistic propensity, Lord Buddha is the emblem of theism.

     

     

     

     

    He therefore first of all wanted to check the habit of animal-killing. The animal-killers are dangerous elements on the path going back to Godhead. There are two types of animal-killers. The soul is also sometimes called the “animal” or the living being.

     

     

     

     

    Therefore, both the slaughterer of animals and those who have lost their identity of soul are animal-killers.

     

     

     

     

    Maharaja Parikshit said that only the animal-killer cannot relish the transcendental message of the Supreme Lord.

     

     

     

     

     

    Therefore if people are to be educated to the path of Godhead, they must be taught first and foremost to stop the process of animal-killing as above mentioned.

     

     

     

    It is nonsensical to say that animal-killing has nothing to do with spiritual realization. By this dangerous theory many so-called sannyasis have sprung up by the grace of Kali-yuga who preach animal-killing under the garb of the Vedas.

     

     

    The subject matter has already been discussed in the conversation between Lord Caitanya and Maulana Chand Kazi Shaheb.

     

     

     

     

    The animal sacrifice as stated in the Vedas is different from the unrestricted animal-killing in the slaughterhouse.

     

     

     

     

    Because the asuras or the so-called scholars of Vedic literatures put forward the evidence of animal-killing in the Vedas, Lord Buddha superficially denied the authority of the Vedas.

     

     

     

     

    This rejection of the Vedas by Lord Buddha was adopted in order to save people from the vice of animal-killing as well as to save the poor animals from the slaughtering process of their big brothers who clamor for universal brotherhood, peace, justice and equity.

     

     

     

     

    There is no justice when there is animal-killing. Lord Buddha wanted to stop it completely, and therefore his cult of ahiàsä was propagated not only in India but also outside the country.

     

     

     

     

    Technically Lord Buddha’s philosophy is called atheistic because there is no acceptance of the Supreme Lord and because that system of philosophy denied the authority of the Vedas. But that is an act of camouflage by the Lord.

     

     

     

     

    Lord Buddha is the incarnation of Godhead. As such, he is the original propounder of Vedic knowledge. He therefore cannot reject Vedic philosophy.

     

     

     

     

    But he rejected it outwardly because the sura-dviña, or the demons who are always envious of the devotees of Godhead, try to support cow-killing or animal-killing from the pages of the Vedas, and this is now being done by the modernized sannyäsés.

     

     

     

     

    Lord Buddha had to reject the authority of the Vedas altogether. This is simply technical, and had it not been so he would not have been so accepted as the incarnation of Godhead.

    Nor would he have been worshiped in the transcendental songs of the poet Jayadeva, who is a Vaishnava acarya.

     

     

     

     

    Lord Buddha preached the preliminary principles of the Vedas in a manner suitable for the time being (and so also did Çaìkaräcärya) to establish the authority of the Vedas.

     

     

     

     

    Therefore both Lord Buddha and Acarya Çaìkara paved the path of theism, and Vaishnava Acaryas, specifically Lord Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, led the people on the path towards a realization of going back to Godhead.

     

     

     

     

    We are glad that people are taking interest in the nonviolent movement of Lord Buddha. But will they take the matter very seriously and close the animal slaughterhouses altogether?

     

     

     

     

    If not, there is no meaning to the ahiàsä cult.

    Çrémad-Bhägavatam was composed just prior to the beginning of the age of Kali (about five thousand years ago), and Lord Buddha appeared about twenty-six hundred years ago.

     

     

     

     

    Therefore in the Srimad-Bhagavatam Lord Buddha is foretold. Such is the authority of this clear scripture. There are many such prophecies, and they are being fulfilled one after another.

     

     

     

     

    They will indicate the positive standing of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is without trace of mistake, illusion, cheating and imperfection, which are the four flaws of all conditioned souls.

     

     

     

     

    The liberated souls are above these flaws; therefore they can see and foretell things which are to take place on distant future dates. (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srimad Bhagavatam 1:3:24. text and purport.)

    http://www.vedabase.com/

     

     

     

     


  8. Quote:theist

    <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding-right: 3ex; padding-left: 3ex;" bgcolor="#e0e0e0">Me—the distressed</td></tr></tbody></table>

    <!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->What a nice realization theist, its all a test.

     

     

    Quote:theist

    <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding-right: 3ex; padding-left: 3ex;" bgcolor="#e0e0e0">Who among us has achieved pure bhakti? It is not enough to have taken in the mere concept of pure bhakti. Most of us are really looking for libertation and are still doing business with Krishna on subtle levels hoping for some result for our 'service' so why should we feel superior to the other self motivated souls turning to the Lord?

    By the grace of these Indian theists we have been given some wonderful knowledge to share but we must share it intelligently and gently which makes it much easier for others to accept. This means we must be willing to acknowledge their search for God as the wonderful thing it is.

    These are a few of the thoughts that come to me as I try to shed my deeply embedded habit of arguing concepts of God with other's concepts of God. Such a useless waste of time. I need a change badly. I need to grow and to learn to appreciate God within others and serve Him there.

    </td></tr></tbody></table>

    So do I, only if you new how fallen I am and how I always see the external body and NEVER Krsna accompaning the jiva soul. And many Temples devotees are the same, they ignore people. I get more wisdom from reading the above than putting up with Devamrita's childish mundane puffed-up disciples at the Temple. I will NO longer give anymore donations to the Temple.

    <!-- end vEntry -->

     

     

    default.jpg

     

    Devamrita wearing christian Monk robes, not that there is anything wrong with that, that is, if your a christian :rolleyes: Yeah, I know, I should see Krsna in the the heart but so should they

     

    <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); padding-right: 3ex; padding-left: 3ex;" bgcolor="#e0e0e0">Of course we have learned the concept that there is a life beyond piety which is based on selfless love and that pure bhakti is the goal but we should never look down on those who pray to God to provided food or shelter for themselves or even those who pray to become rich or healed of some horrid disease state.

     

    </td></tr></tbody></table>


  9.  

    So, Sanatana-dharma means both the ultimate spiritual truth and the means to attain it.

     

    And that truth is the divine knowledge of the soul.

     

    So if there is to be any eternality in our relationships, or any spiritual connection with anything we do, it has to be based on that divine knowledge of the soul, the ultimate reality. That is the path of Sanatana-dharma, to realize our spiritual identity and then know how to act accordingly.

     

    Therefore, the purpose of life is to follow the path of dharma which will bring us to the conclusion of recognizing that everything is the energy of God, brahman. Following this further, the path of dharma will bring us into union with God. And the highest union is through love and devotion, or bhakti.

    Thus bhakti-yoga, the process of loving devotion to the Lord, is the epitome of following Sanatana-dharma. Making this the goal of our life means that we are living a life of dharma. And the ultimate goal of dharma is to reach God.

    Sanatana-dharma is also a matter of understanding. It is an awareness that every particle of this universe is an expansion of God’s energies. That it is all an exhibition of the potencies of the Para-Brahman, the Absolute Existence. Dharma is the path to seeing how God is everywhere. Thus, dharma is not only the path to God but is also in God.

    A truly liberated person does not worry about liberation, or in going home back to God in the spiritual world. He is already aware that he is in God’s energy, whether it is the material or spiritual energy. It is all an exhibition of God’s potencies wherever he goes. Thus, the dharmin, or Dharmist, the follower of dharma who sees God everywhere, is already home. Liberation from material existence will follow such a person like a servant.

    If we understand this properly, we can see that Sanatana-dharma is the basis of universal truth. It can be applied to anyone at anytime and anywhere in the universe. Thus, many religions can and should include Sanatana-dharma within their approach and outlook.

    It does not matter in which religion you may be affiliated, you can still benefit and grow within the fold of Sanatana-dharma to reach a higher awareness and perception of your true potential and genuine spiritual identity.

     

    In this way, the whole world could reach a new stage in its social and spiritual development, as well as in harmony and cooperation.

     

    Thanks


  10.  

     

    Open Letter to Kripamoya on Gauri's Forced Resignation

    By Sanaka Rsi Dasa

     

    Aug 12, UK— Hare Krsna Kripamoya Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisance’s. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

    My name is Sanaka Rsi das. We have met a few times at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. I grew up in the Gurukula at Villa Vrindavana near Florence, in Italy. In 1990 I was enrolled in the Bhaktivedanta Swami International Gurukula in Vrindavana, India, where Gauri das was my asrama teacher.

    Throughout the review of Gauri das's case, I have liaised with the ISKCON Child Protection Office (CPO) as the spokesperson for the numerous former students of Gauri das that submitted testimonies of mistreatment.

    I was disturbed in reading the recent correspondence between yourself and Bhakta Rob, in the recent Sun article entitled "Correspondence with Kripamoya PrabhuAs your letter was a public statement to the wider congregation of devotees, I am compelled to reply with an open letter.

    What I find concerning when I observe the history of ISKCON is our authorities' too often resolute and inveterate loyalty and protection afforded to members of the society that have been involved in child abuse issues -- especially in high-profile cases such as Gauri das's, where great financial and political interests are at stake.

     

    This mentality, that all too often in the past has "sacrificed the child to protect the institution", sadly seems to be still present.

    If we take a look at the infamous Dhanurdhara Swami case, a man whose misdeeds outweigh Gauri's, we can see how over the years he received an unjustifiable amount of support from the elite of our movement's leaders, many of them GBCs, Gurus and Sannyasis.

    When it comes to child abuse issues in ISKCON, amongst our leaders there is too frequently an overwhelming and misplaced sense of compassion and forgiveness towards perpetrators, but sadly very little or none to spare for the victims. Three GBC members have submitted official letters to the CPO in support of Gauri das for the recent case; sadly one of them is an initiating Guru and two of them are themselves fathers.

    Our Bhagavatam classes are overfilled with the highest philosophy, we discuss the most intimate knowledge available to mankind, yet it appears to me that we are unable to afford a little human decency for our children.

    It seems almost as if collectively, as a society, we believe that the mere possession of this, unapplied and unrealised, superior knowledge, excuses us from our duty to strive to become, and act as, conscientious, decent and compassionate human beings. I regard this mentality to be a disease, which, in its darkest expression, has facilitated countless so-called "men of God" in committing the worst crimes perpetrated in the history of humanity.

    In an article titled "Organized Religion", Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Maharaj wrote:

    "The churches have always proved the staunchest upholders of the grossest form of worldliness, from which even the worst of non-ecclesiastical criminals are found to recoil".

    Sadly we cannot claim ISKCON's short history to be entirely free from this failing [(however, at least ISKCON have realized their faults in a short 40 years where as disgracefully, it has taken the Catholic Church nearly 2000 years to realize the SAME mistakes!!!!)]

    In your letter, you reiterate Gauri das's defence that his use of corporal punishment "was not excessive". I would like to hope that you made this inappropriate statement in ignorance of the actual force Gauri das used when administering corporal punishments.

     

    The severity and degree of Gauri das's punishments would have been deemed disproportionate to the mistakes the children had committed by any considerate man's judgment.

    Some of the boys that much suffered at Gauri's hands were younger than your son, and Gauri's daughter.

    I like to assume that if your children had been at the receiving end of such brutal punishments you would have rightly been less understanding, supportive and compassionate towards the perpetrator.

     

    I also presume that Gauri das would no longer describe it as "not excessive" if his daughter happened to be one of the unfortunate victims of such serious maltreatment.

    I plea with you to try some empathy, and extend a similar degree of compassion for Gauri das's victims. At the time of the incidents they were also defenceless Vaisnava children, just as deserving of protection, kindness and love.

    Past abuse can be regarded a mistake, or inadequacy, or attributed to the devious nature of certain individuals, and perhaps an oversight of people in authority.

     

    However, our leaders at times inconsiderate approach to these matters seems to suggest that as a society, we are not sufficiently concerned to learn from our past mistakes and that we still do not give child abuse issues in ISKCON the importance deserved.

    As a leader you carry the grave responsibility of setting the standard of what is the appropriate approach and dealings toward child abuse; your attempts to mitigate Gauri's wrongdoings suggest that on some level, you may condone and support his transgressions.

    Seeing as the CPO was established by the GBC, it is also your responsibility and duty to ensure that its decisions are appropriately respected and supported. Unfortunately your official statement seems to undermine the authority of the Child Protection Office and the service of the judges who volunteered their time for this trying case.

    It must be pointed out that the CPO came to its conclusion after thoroughly evaluating all the confidential information pertinent to the case. If the devotees at the Bhaktivedanta Manor were to be made privy to this information, they would be in a position to better appreciate and/or understand the decision of the CPO. In the absence of this information, is it not appropriate to trust the judgment of the CPO?

    If you were simply trying to lessen the impact of Gauri das's resignation on the community, from a purely "public relations" point of view, your provocative letter was at best counterproductive.

    Attempts to diminish the severity of Gauri's misconducts are not in ISKCON's best interest as this condones his actions and undermines the reputation of Srila Prabhupada's movement. Indeed, it places the very integrity of our Society in grave jeopardy. It also sets a dangerous precedent to future transgressors.

    If this challenging situation had been approached in a more honest and constructive way and ISKCON had actually seized the opportunity to emphasize the notion that as a Society, we do not tolerate in any way the mistreatment of children, instead of pointing out that we "regret Gauri das's resignation", this could have been an invaluable opportunity to redeem ISKCON's less than perfect public image in this regard.

     

    Surely it is not the resignation of Gauri das we ought to regret, but rather his past actions that have led to his forced resignation.

    As a friend to Gauri das, your inappropriate "help and support" has actually done a two-fold disservice to him: first you have reinforced the notion that his actions were justified and second your inflammatory letter has now resulted in the degeneration of his already difficult position.

    By mastering the internal character and strength necessary to choose ethics over convenience, Gauri das would be able to earn his real redemption and thus facilitate the progress in both his spiritual and material life.

    Kripamoya Prabhu, I request you to offer the victims of Gauri das a public apology for your insensitive, inappropriate and misinformed letter and I pray that you may be able to reform your views on this very important matter.

    A society that does not take a definitive stance for the protection of its children does not stand for much and has no future.

    Thank you.

    Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada, Sanaka rsi das

    The following are excerpts from Srila Prabhupada's letters where he expresses his strong objections to the use of corporal punishment on children:

    Letter to Bhanutanya mataji, November 18, 1972

    "Now the thing is, children should not be beaten at all, that I have told. They should simply be shown the stick strongly. So if one cannot manage in that way then he is not fit as teacher. If a child is trained properly in Krishna Consciousness, he will never go away. That means he must have two things, love and education.

    So if there is beating of child, that will be difficult for him to accept in loving spirit, and when he is old enough he may want to go away-that is the danger.

    So why these things are going on _ marching and chanting japa, insufficient milk, too strict enforcement of time schedules, hitting the small children? Why these things are being imposed? Why they are inventing these such new things like marching and japa like military? What can I do from such a distant place?

    They should run and play when they are small children, not forced to chant japa, that is not the way. Srila Prabhupada's love for his children pours out of this letter, it is so sad to see what he envisioned for us when it is compared to how we were actually raised. Srila Prabhupada with prophetic insight wrote that if you beat the child, when he is old enough he may want to go away; how sadly true his words have become."

    Letter to Brahmanya Tirtha, Ahmedabad, December 10, 1972

    "Regarding your question should force be used on children, no, there shall be no forcing the children to do anything. Child should not be forced. This is all nonsense. Who has devised these things? If we want them to become great devotees, then we must educate the children with love, not in a negative way. Of course, if they become naughty we may show the stick but we should never use it."

    Letter to Aniruddha, January 10, 1972

    "Encourage them to chant as much japa as possible, but there is no question of force or punishment. If there is need you may shake your finger at them but never physical punishment is allowed".

    Letter to Rupa Vilasa, Hyderabad, November 18, 1972

    "So I have heard that there as been some beating with sticks on the children. Of course I do not know, but that should not be. You may show the stick, threaten, but better art is to somehow or other, even by tricking them, avoid this matter of force and induce them to obey out of loving spirit. That is success of disciplinary method."


  11. Testimony of physical, emotional and pschological abuse in 1995 by a Gurukuli student at Vrndavana India

    By: Radhanath das

    Aug 11, UK — My name is Radhanath das. I studied at the Manor Gurukula form my nursery education up until I moved to Vrindavana Gurukula in 1995. I studied in Vrindavan until February of 2000 when ill health forced me to return to England.

    I wish to make it clear that during my time in the Gurukula I was never personally hit or sexually abused by my teachers. I was however, witness to what was considered 'corporal punishment' under the policy of the Gurukula. I have personally seen Gauri das carry out this punishment and this is the incident I will discuss rather than incidents that occurred before my time at the Gurukula.

    At the time of the incident I was in Vrindavan Das' ashram. It would have been either 1995 or 1996. The age of the boys in my ashram at this time would have been between 9 and 11 years old.

    Two boys, Haridas (from Hong Kong) and Atula Krsna (from India), had been teasing Mahavana (from Australia). There had been some name-calling and when they threw dirty cleaning rags at Mahavan, he went to Gauri das' room and complained.

     

    The two boys were called to his room and informed they would receive corporal punishment at the lunchtime inspection in front of the rest of the boys. In my opinion this was an extremely harsh punishment for the level of teasing that had occurred.

    By the time the lunch inspection arrived the anticipation of the punishment was terrifying not only for the two boys involved but for most of the ashram. We lined up as usual in the double bedroom and Gauri das entered the room and called the two boys forward.

     

    They were made to stand in front of the group with their hands folded, Gauri began to lecture them on how what they had done was disgusting, and they would be punished for it.

    His voice raised during this speech til he was shouting. I was extremely frightened and remember physically shaking and trying to close my eyes without being noticed. This was not a calm disciplinary, this was an angry man shouting at young children.

    He proceeded to slap Haridas round the face very hard. He then turned to Atula Krsna to slap him. As he raised his hand Atula moved away in fear. Gauri became furious.

    He shouted for Atula to stand in front of him and in my opinion he slapped him harder for moving away.

    Afterwards both boys’ faces were red and swollen. Both were crying. I might add that these two boys were probably the smallest boys in our ashram at the time.

    I was recently presented with a document, signed by myself and other members of Gauri's ashram stating that he was a great teacher and we disagreed with his being investigated for a second time. I would like to take the time top put this document into perspective.

    I was 13 at the time and in no position to be used to testify to incidents that had occurred before my time in the school. I am only now becoming aware of the way in which such investigations were handled and to be honest I am disgusted.

    There was no impartiality and anyone disagreeing with Braja Bihari's and other higher staff's finding was ignored. And you would have thought we'd have learnt from the mistakes of the Catholic Church!

    When I signed that document Gauri was taking time off and we were under the care of Braj Bihari. I didn't dare disagree with the vice principal who was also married to Ananda Vrindavan dasi, the head of academics.

    Other attempts by myself and others to speak up for ourselves was treated with contempt and punishment; and this was only regarding the decisions of academic teachers.

     

    If we would have spoken out we would have undoubtedly been expelled instantly. For me this was a greater threat than any punishment, as it would mean disappointing my family and causing them to lose money on my tuition fees. So I said nothing and signed the paper.

    I have recently spoken to Gauri das directly about these incidents and others I have heard about. He convinced me that his actions were necessary and that he was in fact responsible for regulating then ending corporal punishment altogether.

    He used his relationship as a family friend since my early manor days to turn the conversation to other topics and move away from the issues I raised. He also played on the fact that I was never beaten due to his then friendship with my father.

    I do not think Gauri really understands the implications of his actions for the children enrolled in the Gurukula whilst he was in charge. If he did an unconditional apology would surely have been issued years ago and he would never have dreamed of taking his position at the Manor.

    I do not believe Gauri is a danger to children at present. But he does claim he only did what he did as it was what was expected of him. The fact that recent evidence, from the time his powers of corporal punishment were revoked, show that he wanted to continue to discipline the children means that he intended to go 'above and beyond the call of duty'. This is a far cry from his belief that he tried to end corporal punishment.

    The Manor's decisions to stand by him in response to a recent article published in the Asian Eye newspaper is appalling. The impression their comments left in my mind was that they seemed to deny any abuse occurred, let alone at the hands of Gauri.

    Despite the effects this case may have on the Manor or the movement only harm will come if it is covered up again. The Gurukulis are beginning to speak up and we can't be ignored forever.

    Whoever you are reading this I ask that you investigate this matter properly. Very serious matters are being addressed. The fact that Gauri hasn't been removed while this is investigated baffles me somewhat.

    By Radhanath dasa ex-gurukuli Vrndavana 1995

    Yes, this is what emotional, physical and psychological abuse can lead too by those who felt they have been used, abused amd made to feel insecure.


  12. Quote:

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 3ex; BORDER-TOP: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 3ex; BORDER-LEFT: #666666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666666 1px solid" bgColor=#e0e0e0>I couldn't be bothered joining this debate. Prabhupada Bhativedanta sums it up, 'When the dogs bark, you don't bark with them' :argue::D </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    <!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->


  13. Quote:

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 3ex; BORDER-TOP: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 3ex; BORDER-LEFT: #666666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666666 1px solid" bgColor=#e0e0e0>Originally Posted by Sarva gattah

    "Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet." (Bhagavad-Gita 7.23)

    Having many deities on the altar (Lord Krishna and demigods) will be looked upon as diluting Krishna consciousness.

    The aim of Srila Prabhupada’s movement is to help the fallen souls which includes helping most Indian 'Hindus' come out of ignorance by making them Krishna conscious above the idea of all of us being Hindu, American, Indian, Australian, Russian, European, Chinese African etc.

    We are not these bodies and we don't belong in this material world .

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

     

     

     

    Actually, he tried to help India right up until he was 69 years of age.

     

    I see it in two ways, leaving India because the place was spiritually bankrupt, corrupt and filthy, by leaving India and getting help by coverting others abroard, passing on the batton and new responsibility of the true essence of the Vedas to them, because of India's failure to maintain the purity and cleanliness found with the true folloers of Vedic tradition.

     

    So because of India's failure, the batton of responsibility was passed to the Americans and Europeans by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami

     

    Then bringing his new coverts back to India to revive a spiritually bankrupt corrupt filithy place where people were still passing stool in the gutter and again begin to teach the Indians the proper Vedic 'clean' tradition.

     

    Both well written and very true. I couldn't be bothered joining this debate. Prabhupada Bhativedanta sums it up, 'When the dogs bark, you don't bark with them' :argue::D


  14.  

     

    Some history of abuse in the 1990s written by GURUKULI DASA

     

    "I am a former Vrindavana Gurukula student. I am very much aware of the abuse and violence that many innocent children suffered by Gauri das, formerly Gudakesa: Asram teacher, who used to beat the kids with violent slaps and sticks.

    For over a year Gauri das, at the time a brahmacari, was sleeping in a room behind closed doors with his personal servant: a little Nepali gurukula boy. Although there is no evidence that he sexually abused the boy it was, to say the least, unacceptable practice, especially taking into consideration the history of abuse in Gurukulas.

    Once one of Yasomatinandana’s sons complained to his father about Gauri’s inappropriate behavior, after being confronted by Yasomatinandana, Gauri somehow decided that it was a good idea to teach the boy a lesson by locking him up in a room for a week.

    On a trip to Bombay a ten year old boy was throwing stones from the temple roof onto some huts workers lived in, Gauri had him put his hands on a window sill, while two boys were holding each of his hands down Gauri beat him repeatedly on his back with a wooden plank.

    On one particular incident Madan Mohan das (gurukuli) brought an incident to the attention of the GBC. Gauri das had left bruises on the leg of one boy, whom he had repeatedly beaten with a stick. Photos of the injury were supplied to the GBC.

    The boy’s crime was that he had stolen some sweets from Vaijanti Mala Mataji. Funny (or sadly) enough the GBC commissioned a very biased person to investigate the incident: Braj Bihari.

    At the time he was very much involved with the management of the Gurukula, unfortunately as mentioned earlier, he was more interested in protecting Gauri than the children. Braj Bihari made no attempt to remove Gauri.

    When Gauri was questioned, he justified his actions by saying that the boy had stolen from a brahmana; King Nrga had taken birth as a lizard for a similar crime. Gauri’s view was that he had done the boy a very selfless favor: he saved him a birth as a lizard……

    After the enquiry, instead of deciding that such a man was unsuitable to care for the children, the GBC issued a mandate that he could no longer hit the children on his own, the temple president and the vice president now had to be present (note that the GBC did not forbid the beating of the children).

    In Gauri’s words he claimed the GBC made him swallow the sour pie, it seems he was disappointed that he could no longer whimsically beat the kids.

    In a recent letter to a former student Gauri says:

    “Please name those from my asram who were maltreated? It may rather be a case of those who were not in my ashram who were largely misbehaved that didn’t like me. Indeed if there were cases of maltreatment I will with all sincerity accept full rectification and make heartfelt apologies”.

    I wish to remind to Gauri that the above incidents were far from isolated and all the children involved were, at the time of the incidents in his asram; they simply happened to be the most outrageous ones. It must be noted that while Gauri was a teacher he beat the boys regularly for all sorts of reasons.

    Some were beaten for talking back at him, some for playing at the wrong time, others for disobeying him and yet others because they had been recommended for punishment by his monitors. (a monitor was a boy put in charge of other boys) If you happened to be disliked by the monitor, you were in trouble”.


  15.  

     

    ISKCON Temple Man Quits over Beating Children Scandal

     

     

     

    BY: FILIP HNIZDO <CENTER>gauridas2.jpg</CENTER>

     

     

    Jul 19,2008, ENGLAND, UK (BOREHAMWOOD TIMES) — The president of a Hare Krishna temple in Letchmore Heath has been forced to resign after being found guilty of beating students in India. Gauri das, President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Hilfield Lane, inflicted "inappropriate and excessive corporal punishment", according to a report published this week. The abuse occurred during his time teaching at the Vrndavana Gurukula school between 1991 and 2001.

     

     

    The child protection branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) leading the investigation, refused to reveal the ages of the students involved or the extent of the abuse, but 17 students and three adults have given statements against the temple leader.

     

     

    Following the findings, Gauri das has been banned from serving in a position of leadership or teaching in temples for the next three years. He has also been ordered to pay $3,000 to projects benefiting Hare Krishna children.

     

     

    The first wave of allegations against Gauri das was investigated in May 1995 by ISKCON. At the time, it acknowledged the beatings but said they were not "serious". After the founding of the organisation's child protection branch, based in Florida, the investigation into Gauri das was reopened in 2006, resulting in Monday's report.

     

     

    Gauri das made no comment on the findings but said: "I would like to be with my family and spend some time thinking about this."

     

     

    ISKCON has said he must write a letter of apology to the abused students "clearly stating his actions and expressing remorse". After all the requirements are met, he will be permitted to return to a position of leadership.

     

     

    A Bhaktivedanta Manor representative said: "We regret that Gauri das will not be able to continue as an officer of our temple, but we also recognise the important need of the child protection office to acknowledge problems in the care of children in the past, and to address those issues.

     

     

    "We are pleased Gauri das has indicated he would like to meet with the former students in the hope of further reconciliation"

    Official Decision on the Case of Gauri das

     

    BY: ISKCON CPO

     

     

     

    ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection

     

    P.O. Box 1438 Alachua, FL, 32616-1438

     

    Email:

     

     

     

    This decision, decided on July 1, 2008 was rendered in accordance with the guidelines established by the ISKCON Child Protection Policies and Procedures Handbook and ratified by the ISKCON Governing Body Commission. This statement is the Official Decision of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (ICOCP).

     

     

     

    For purposes of identification, Gauri das is a UK devotee currently serving as President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, England. Gauri das was a teacher in the Vrndavana gurukula from 1991 to 2001, the time of the allegations. He was also known as Gudakesa during that time.

     

     

     

    This decision only defines the parameters of the relationship of Gauri das with ISKCON. It holds no legal status outside the ISKCON organization.

     

     

    Allegations and Evidence

     

     

     

    Allegations of excessive corporeal punishment have been made against Gauri das. These concerns centered primarily on the administration of corporeal punishment while a gurukula teacher at the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula in Vrndavana, India from 1991 - 2001.

     

     

     

    The ICOCP has received statements from approximately 17 former students, and three adults, alleging inappropriate and excessive corporeal punishment while Gauri das was a teacher at the Vrndavana Gurukula. The ICOCP also received and considered the lengthy evidence, testimonies, and responses presented by Gauri das.

     

     

    Conclusion

     

     

     

    The CPO investigated and received testimony over a period of several months. A panel of three arbitrators carefully considered all evidence in this case, including the responses from Gauri das.

     

     

     

    Based upon the evidence presented to the CPO panel, Gauri das is found to be responsible for inappropriate and excessive corporeal punishment, a behavior contrary to ISKCON policy and Vaisnava behavior.

     

    Restrictions:

     

     

     

    There are mitigating circumstances in this case, including the acceptance of corporeal punishment within India, and the report of many positive accomplishments while Gauri das was at the gurukula. Further, there is no evidence that Gauri presents any current threat to children. Given the mitigating circumstances in this case and Gauri’s genuine desire to serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada, the panel felt that restrictions should be moderate.

     

     

     

    The following restrictions will be immediately implemented:

     

    • 1. Gauri das may not serve in a position of leadership in ISKCON temples or projects for three years from the date of this decision. This includes positions such as temple officer, department head, Director, etc.



      2. Gauri shall not give class or lead kirtan in ISKCON temples or projects for a period of three years.


      3. The above restrictions will end at the end of the three year period provided that, Gauri das fulfills the requirements listed below.


      4. As a lifetime restriction Gauri das shall not have service directly overseeing children in an ISKCON temple or project, such as managing or teaching in an ISKCON school. He is free to assume any other service in ISKCON.

    Requirements:

     

    • 1. Gauri das must write a letter of apology to the former students clearly stating his actions and expressing remorse. The letter should be sent to the Child Protection Office.


      2. As restitution, Gauri das should pay the amount of $3000 to one of the following projects benefitting children in ISKCON: Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School (Vrndavana), Bhaktivedanta Manor gurukula, or ISKCON Youth Ministry.

     

     

    Once these requirements are met, at the end of the three year period, restrictions #1 and #2 shall be lifted. Gauri das may resume any appropriate service, and the panel and the CPO wish him well in his continued service to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada.

     

     

    Other Standard CPO Policies

     

     

     

    Restriction policy
    : The decision of the judges constitutes the minimum restrictions that an ISKCON organization must enforce. Any specific ISKCON organization may choose to invoke more stringent restrictions. However, it is expected that all ISKCON entities will carefully consider these decisions of the CPO before imposing more stringent limitations, as the constraints prescribed herein are deemed to be sufficient.

     

     

     

    Appeals
    : According to the ISKCON Child Protection Office Policies and Procedures Handbook, Section 5, in cases where allegations are determined to be valid, the Official Decision may be appealed to the Child Protection Office Appeal Review Board within one month of the date of this decision. The Official Decision described in this document is effective immediately, and the individual must abide by its guidelines during the appeal process, should he choose to appeal this decision.

     

     

    Arbitration Panel and Case Manager
    : Panel members serving on this case were: Jayasacisuta das, Kaisori dasi, and Praharana dasi. The Director of the ICOCP was Tamohara das, and the Case Manager was Mahavishnupriya dasi.

     

     

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  16. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

     

    Are You Saved?

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

     

     

    saved.jpg

    "The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

    It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

    Upon the place beneath.

     

     

     

     

    It is twice blest;

    It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

    'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes

    The throned monarch better than his crown;

     

     

     

     

    His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

     

     

     

     

    The attribute to awe and majesty,

    Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

    But mercy is above this sceptred sway;

     

     

     

     

    It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

    It is an attribute to God himself;"

     

     

     

     

    spoken by Portia, from The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

     

    Seize the Day

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>

     

     

    thesun.jpg

     

     

     

     

    "Pass, therefore, not today in vain,

    For it will never come again"

     

    "What is the value of a prolonged life which is wasted, inexperienced by years in this world? Better a moment of full consciousness, because that gives one a start in searching after his supreme interest."

    (Sukadeva Gosvami, Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto II, "The Cosmic Manifestation")

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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