By Nitya Krishna dasa Spiritual Walmart & What Comes After Another current institutional catch-all, save-all device is that no one is forced to follow any particular so-called guru, but can simply engage is services directed by Srila Prabhupada, seeing him as their pre-eminent siksa guru. ISKCON institution law says as much: “ISKCON devotees shall instruct new members to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and to receive guidance, training and assistance from those who are practically and directly instructing them in Krishna consciousness. ISKCON members shall not compel or coerce new members to accept any particular siksa or diksa guru or to take diksa initiation at any particular point in time.…

By Nitya Krishna dasa Wrangling the Future Needless to say, the institution’s leaders have had a difficult time sweeping the many consequences of their material solutions under the brand or auspices of Srila Prabhupada’s purity. Scandals like ongoing child abuse and pedophilia haven’t gone away completely despite the cover-ups and apparent amends. The now grown gurukuli child victims are another group largely ignored by the institution’s leaders, along with those who don’t think Srila Prabhupada’s books should be changed. Minimizing Srila Prabhupada as absolute authority and approval of mayavada contamination have also received attention. Observers also regularly find the scandals of those close to the GBC being ignored, dismissed or…

By Nitya Krishna dasa The Devil in the Wrangling Details The deposing of Srila Prabhupada as absolute spiritual authority and tolerance of mayavada certainly leads one to think that the ISKCON institution is now following a different process than his. This quote, cited previously, bears repeating: “We cannot simply accept that part of the scripture we like, and reject what we don’t like, and still expect to get the result. For example, a hen lays eggs with its back part and eats with its beak. A farmer may consider, ‘The front part of the hen is very expensive because I have to feed it. Better to cut it off.’ But…

By Nitya Krishna dasa Material Adjustments – Keeping the Errors Current Of course, it is relatively easy to look back and point out where things went wrong and who was responsible. However, it is also easy to cite Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for what he wanted. “Preaching is the essence” is one all remember. Facilitating that preaching is therefore one of the prime duties of the GBC, the “ultimate managing authority.” After 40 some years of devotees subordinating themselves to the body, many have forgotten that, as servants, the GBC body’s dharma, or occupation, is pleasing Srila Prabhupada and his devotees in these ways.

By Nitya Krishna dasa Of Peacocks and Dry Ponds siddhānta baliyā citte nā kara alasa ihā ha-ite kṛṣṇe lāge sudṛḍha mānasa “A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.” Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi Lila 2.117