Learning from ISKCON’s Failures Chand Prasad, Ph.D.

Learning from ISKCON’s Failures

Chand Prasad, Ph.D.

ISKCON has failed as an authorized spiritual movement, though not as an organization. Devotees that contributed to the early growth of the mission were largely driven out of their temple residences, as they could no longer live in “ashrams” dominated by corrupt leaders that deviated from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Rates of attrition exceeded recruitment of new devotees, leading to a period of prolonged decline but not extinction. 

Despite internal power struggles, the organization maintained a management structure and retained some of its members, allowing continued survival. In response to deteriorating numbers and the loss of revenues from selling books and other items, ISKCON leaders executed a strategic shift [deviation] in favor of closer integration with Indian communities. Consequently, ISKCON has entered a relatively new era of expansion, financed by the generous support of local Hindu congregations.

ISKCON could have drawn Indian support while maintaining an exclusive focus on Krishna Consciousness. Whenever Srila Prabhupada enters a particular region / country / city, the preaching program is always Krishna-centered, based on chanting, holding class on the shastras, and serving prasadam. Srila Prabhupada’s nonsectarian teachings and methodology have proven to be effective, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or race. 

Commitment to His principles would undoubtedly have attracted Indian communities to Lord Chaitanya’s mission. But unfortunately the organization continued to move away from Srila Prabhupada’s principles, a trend that was already in force long before the Indian influx. The presence of Hindus, or white hippies for that matter, is not the actual problem. Indian donations did not “spoil ISKCON in the West.” The problem is that ISKCON did not possess strength and commitment — the organization has been weak and compromising decades before the South Asian invasion.

Although ISKCON may be on firmer financial footing, it is not clear that this opportunity will be used to preach purely by returning to Srila Prabhupada. It is more likely that the organization will move in the opposite direction. One deviation begets another deviation, and then another. In this way, infractions are compounded and sins are multiplied. 

ISKCON is obtaining some opulence, which is reinforcing the preexisting disease of disrespect for the true Guru. Ultimately, the disease will prove fatal. “If a devotee becomes absorbed in material opulence, he will neglect to respect his spiritual master, lose all opulence, and will be conquered by the demons.” This does not require that the organization will cease to exist altogether, rather it will simply become a more effective tool that the demons have at their disposal.

In sharp contrast to ISKCON’s downward spiritual spiral, it is inspiring to learn of instances where devotees are utilizing their homes as temples, without being distracted by church politics. These devotees are advancing in Krishna Consciousness, realizing that they can associate with Srila Prabhupada through his books. Although these devotees are employed at conventional jobs outside of ISKCON, they maintain their practices of reading Srila Prabhupada's books, chanting, and offering their food to the Supreme Lord Krishna. Even in the face of adversity, they attempt to improve the consciousness with which they work.

Srila Prabhupada is not dead. Through His writings, He is continuing to give us everything we need to go back to Godhead. We need not risk our spiritual life by depending on misguided institutions or organizations. We have the opportunity to associate with a pure devotee because we have complete access to Srila Prabhupada through his books. We can have firm faith in Srila Prabhupada’s ability to create pure devotees. 

Since we can become Krishna Consciousness without joining an organization or living in a temple, it is not necessary to become entangled in futile efforts to reform or purify ISKCON. If a house is severely damaged, then it is not wise to waste time and energy attempting to repair it.

Any fool can build a commercially viable material enterprise, exploiting the tax exempt status of a religious institution and taking money from Hindus while giving nothing of any real value. ISKCON leaders have manufactured a false measure of success, arguing that their temple services are well-attended in some areas. For instance in Ohio and Catonsville, Maryland, larger ashrams are necessary to accommodate a growing number of visitors. 

However, this growth has been achieved at the cost of compromising Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Prabhupadanugas have not created centralized power structures and hierarchies because they reject the concocted criteria of success that motivates ISKCON. Instead, they have carried out a valuable service by cataloging and publicizing ISKCON’s oftentimes criminal deviations, which arise from the original sin of rejecting Srila Prabhupada.

Herein lies an important word of caution——the true followers of Srila Prabhupada need not be impatient to emulate the so-called success of ISKCON or adopt their objectives. It is understandable that there is a desire for organization and leadership. However, it is extremely important to learn from ISKCON’s failures. Indeed, ISKCON is basically a case study of the Iron Law of Oligarchy, articulated by Robert Michels. 

Organizations must create bureaucracy in order to maintain efficiency as it expands. Every group contains individuals that are more committed, motivated, and skilled, both technically and / or politically. This “inner circle” functions as paid administrators, executives, spokespersons or political strategists for the organization. Centralization inevitably occurs. A relatively small number of individuals become highly influential.

The objective of this ruling class is to preserve and increase their power by controlling bureaucratic procedures and decision-making processes. It is unlikely that the rank and file members of the organization would have the ability to hold their leaders accountable—the ruling class controls access to information while creating an incentive structure aimed at rewarding loyalty. In fact to obtain accountability, members would be obligated to appeal to a judicial and prosecutorial system that is external to the organization.

Moreover, it is unlikely that members would even be aware that the inner circle is abusive of its power. Charismatic leaders are often skilled at uprooting their followers’ sense of right and wrong to create a compliant set of disciples, while creating a group mind within their organization. Groups are capable of rationalizing far more heinous crimes than any single individual, were he in a state of isolation. 

The behavior of the crowd is emotionally determined, not logically or philosophically determined, allowing a leader such as Bhaktipada to convince his followers that even the most improbable statements are true, or that the most egregious deviations from Srila Prabhupada’s principles are bona fide.

Although ISKCON was not organized as a democratic entity, it is my understanding that ISKCON was intended to be decentralized with local temples wielding considerable autonomy. And strictly speaking, the words “decentralized” and “democratic” are not interchangeable. Nevertheless, the factors that drive an initially democratic organization towards oligarchy are the same factors that transform an initially decentralized organization into a concentrated power structure dominated by a ruling class that becomes increasingly corrupt.

Although Srila Prabhupada’s true devotees are scattered across the planet, they need not be isolated from one another—physical separation does not preclude communication. Prabhupadanugas must often live and work outside of ISKCON. Occupation and livelihood influence a person’s place of residence, and consequently devotees are living apart from each other, tethered to their respective jobs and tied down to their various locations. 

And yet despite the geographic separation, there is clearly a movement toward increased communication among current and aspiring Prabhupada disciples, reflected in the growth of devotee blogs and websites. I am convinced that this form of association will ultimately lead to more coordinated preaching efforts and the emergence of leaders, within a framework of a decentralized organization. So the organizational foundations are already manifesting.

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[PADA: Good framework for moving forward!

We found that some "Christian Church Group" has been adding PADA news items onto their Web Site. Pretty much, the same problems we have are universal in many other religions? Anyway, going back to the original founding of the Christian movement, it was largely based on small grass roots operations, often conducted clandestine manner in people's homes or anonymous meeting places, then gradually forming into larger groups where formal programs could be organized. 

Importantly, the Jesus worship model empowers all its members to "witness on behalf of Jesus," which makes them have an army of preaching agents. And that was the model Srila Prabhupada wanted for his mission. 

And that seems to be the direction the Prabhupadanuga process is going at present. The decentralized model is best in any case, because it makes a smaller target for big lawsuits and other problems that a big institution can face. And the decentralized model means one or a few individuals will not gain too much power and influence, making a dangerous potential problem if these individuals deviate or fall away. 

And moreover, we believe this was the model that Srila Prabhupada himself wanted and ordered, i.e. small scale operations uniting together only for the purpose of combined book printing and other such endeavors. And this model will come back to life, especially as the flim-flam GBC program falls apart more and more. 

Meanwhile, yet another devotee said that at his temple there is a very highly strung KGB secret police "everyone has to beware of snitches" type mood. Anyone who has doubts shall be subject to a witch hunt and routed out. Problem being, too many of the citizens have doubts, which is why they are trying to restrict people from going on the internet and so forth. That only works for the short term. This devotee reports that the whole atmosphere there has become very toxic and "there cannot be any bliss" when all this stress and repression is going on, which sort of defeats the whole idea of the religion. 

OK its a cult meltdown in slow motion.

Anway, lets get back to the basics. We need small grass roots operations, whether individual families or small groups, and lets rebuild things gradually. This is already sort of taking place by default. We are getting more and more people on board with the idea they should just take shelter of the acharya Srila Prabhupada and jettison the excess baggage of worship of deviants, politicians, embezzlers and brahmana bandhu false brahmanas. There is still residual fear of the regime, which is why some folks are reluctant to use their names and all that, but times are changing and more and more people are coming forward to complain that the emperor has no clothes. 

Yep, Srila Prabhupada wanted a loose knit confederation of smaller and more importantly self-reliant independent programs, and the sooner we get back on track with that idea, the more his idea will be realized. ys pd]