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Review of Perfect Answer, Perfect Question
by bhakta Eric Johanson This book traces the journey of one ISKCON institution devotee away from Krishna consciousness. The author details his various explorations into cult psychology, the history of Krishna consciousness, as well as the psychology of religion, all in his search for objective evidence. Of particular concern is the tendency of human beings to gravitate towards a worldview centered on certainty, something apparently provided by virtually all religions. In the end the author, one Sourav Uttarkabat, concludes that the most reliable process of acquiring evidence is that of uncertain, empirical scientific observation, this despite praising the Krishna conscious philosophy “as the best and most beautiful theology made…
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Kirtanananda – A Study in Duplicity and Depravity
As referenced in Henry Doktorski’s Gold, Guns and God Vols. 1-10, a biography of Kirtanananda and history of his New Vrindavana community. by bhakta Eric Johanson “Namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhih. If one thinks that ‘I am chanting Hare Krishna mantra, so my sinful resultant actions are now nullified. Now again let me do it. Again I shall nullify.’ This is greatest offense.” Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.10, Bombay, March 30, 1974 The followers of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada have produced at least two types of cheater “gurus,” those capable of feeling shame and those who did not. Those who became ashamed after falling into scandal were…
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Review of No Enmity, Only Solution Books I & II – Gaudiya Matha Attacks
by bhakta Eric Johanson The world was inundated by many cubic miles of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s ocean of love of Krishna as a result of the preaching of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Due to this tsunami Hare Krishna became household words all over the world. Millions of books and magazines on the subject of the Lord’s devotional service were distributed and read. Billions of human beings and untold numbers of other living beings became purified by hearing the holy Names, all because of the decision of this one soul to obey the order of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada, an order to preach Krishna consciousness outside…
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Turning Rittvik On Its Head
by bhakta Eric Johanson “Srila Prabhupada never told his disciples to initiate their own disciples in his mission” Hare Krishna Society, Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta “However, Srila Prabhupada never did say that any one individual or group of individuals should become diksha guru.” Prabhupada Truth Commission, Srila Prabhupada’s Hidden Glories, Vol.2, p693 One of the pillars of rittvik doctrine is that Srila Prabhupada never ordered any specific individual(s) to be a diksa (initiating) guru. Therefore its advocates say he wanted what they preach, that he would continue to accept new disciples, even after his departure. The physically manifest person presiding over the initiation ceremony of these new people…
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The Night and Day Dream
Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, January 9, 1974 Nitāi: January 9th, 1974, Los Angeles. Morning walk. (break) Prabhupāda: . . . origin of everything, animate or inanimate. Prajāpati: Jaya. Your lecture this morning was brilliant, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Your logic could defeat anybody. (Prabhupāda chuckles) The theological rascals, though, they will not accept any authority except their own mind. They are such nonsense. Prabhupāda: That is called mano-dharmī. In Sanskrit it is called mano-dharmī, mental speculators. Prajāpati: It’s a disease, actually. Prabhupāda: And therefore mental speculators, they have been condemned. Manorathenāsati dhāvato bahiḥ (SB 5.18.12). Because they carry on, or they are carried by, the chariot of mind, manorathena. Manorathena…
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Forward to Gold, Guns and God Vol. 7
By bhakta Eric Johanson Read Gold, Guns and God Vol. 7 The search for truth can take some to unexpected places, and since the physical departure of Hare Krishna movement founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada) in November 1977 the ISKCON institution’s leadership has provided any number of cul-de-sacs in this regard. One of these is the subject of the Gold, Guns and God (GGG) book series. Author Henry Doktorski’s search for truth and healing of his experience in that space now includes giving a detailed account of its events and personalities. ISKCON is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. It is said that children inevitably…
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Only at the Time of Sri Gurudeva’s Disappearance Can One Recognize the Actual Identity of His Disciples
by Bhakti Sri Rupa Siddhanti Maharaja, a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada Independence from, or disobeying the order of Sri Guru is the cause of so many difficulties. But it is not always easy to detect during the physical presence of Sri Guru… Only at the time of Sri Gurudeva’s disappearance can one recognize the actual identity of his disciples. One can then understand who has approached Sri Guru with what intention. Even after taking shelter of a sad-guru’s lotus feet, some disciples secretly strive to occupy the seat of Sri Gurudeva at the time of his disappearance. Their acceptance of the shelter of Sri Guru’s feet was…
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Proof of God!
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 02.11-12 – London, August 17,1973 “These people are tied up with hard knots by the ropes of material nature, but still they are declaring themselves as free. They are so blind, and these blind leaders are leading many other blind followers. Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānā. They are tied up by themselves. Just like in Russia they say: “We don’t believe in God. We want to live without any God.” But they have created another God: the Lenin. Instead of going under the direction of God, they have created another God, and they are going under that direction. “So this is not a fact, that you do…
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Rittviks Follow Guru Whimsically (and Blindly)
by bhakta Eric Johanson Krishna consciousness is also known as sanatana dharma – eternal religion. It is the eternal activity of the soul, service to the supreme absolute truth, bhagavan Sri Krishna. “Sanātana-dharma means devotional service. The word sanātana refers to that which is eternal, which does not change but continues in all circumstances. We have several times explained what the eternal occupational duty of the living being is. Indeed, it has been explained by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya-kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’: the real occupational duty of the living entity is to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Purport, Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.2, Therefore, the siddhanta or spiritual…
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We are kicking out all these cheating type of religion
Srila Prabhupada Conversation, London – July 14, 1973 Indian man (1): But if an animal kills, he kills for food. Indian man (2): Another one, Guru Mahārāja, they are taking our picture and selling all Christian books as religion education, moral education. And this is the tools. These people little cunning, eh? When it comes to my knowledge, I was almost . . . Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. Indian man (2): Hare Kṛṣṇa. And they are selling all these Christian books in the schools and all over. Prabhupāda: Wherever. This is our advertisement. Indian man (2): Advertisement . . . Prabhupāda: Demonstration of world religion. Indian man (2): World religion.…
