Another Ex-Gurukuli Writes: "To The ISKCON Family"

PADA: Even an ordinary professional book writer who is consulting PADA -- cannot find any public recorded statement from any current ISKCON leader that says -- pedophiles are not gurus, were not gurus, could not be gurus, nor are their enablers gurus. That is what lumps them all together, none of them are publicly disassociated from the agenda -- as far as my professional writer friend is concerned. And he is a pro, he knows how to research his materials -- which in part is why he is consulting me. ys pd

NHD: To the ISKCON Family 

There is a current discussion going on within Iskcon that I can no longer ignore in regards to Lokanatha Swami. It's actually a moral conversation that is much bigger than him or his disciples or even the survivor. Who am I and why do I care? I was born into ISKCON. Both of my parents were Shrila Prabhupada disciples, we had no family home. My parents had given everything up when they joined so the different temples and the gurukulas were my home for the first 12 years of my life.

And even though I was a child member, I was Horribly abused in my childhood by members of the Society. I find that in my darkest hours of which there have been many The Bhagavad Gita still makes sense and the teachings of Srila Prabhupada hold true.

[PADA: But did the parents call the police to report the abuse?]

I was married into a ISKCON temple, did baby grain giving for both my kids in a temple and performed the last rites for both of my parents with the assistance and love of my Iskcon Family.

But this is not about me, this is about the legacy of ISKCON, a movement that Prabhupada gifted us. In the near future all of the Prabhupada disciples will be gone. Mahatma Prabhu once told me "you will not be able to effect any change in ISKCON until all the Prabhupada disciples are dead." Which may be true, but it's hard to stay silent on this issue forever. And that day is coming fast if we are all to be honest.

In San Diego in the mid 1990’s a senior member of the Iskcon community and a Prabhupada disciple admitted to his wife he was molesting his daughter, there was resistance at first because he was a great kirtan leader and gave a nice Sunday lecture, but the community eventually turned on him he was reported to the police, arrested, and spent 5 years or so in prison. Then probation, and as far as I understand he is not allowed at the ISKCON temple to this day almost 30 years later. 

I recently met a young couple at a kirtan at Krsna Lounge in San Diego. They stated they were inspired by his preaching to follow Krsna consciousness. I pray that if they find out his past they don't become discouraged on their spiritual journey. 

I don't mention his name out of respect for his daughters ONLY. He at one point justified his behavior by saying he only used his fingers -- he didn't penetrate with his ….. So it was not that bad. As you can imagine, his actions destroyed his family and left a lot of doubt and confusion in the community.

Lokanath Swami -- as Visvambhara Sheth das stated in his recent letter -- was one of those kirtan leaders that I and many others always looked forward to being with, for his Kirtan and to hear his lectures. In fact last LA Rathayatra in 2019 I was with Vishvambara Das playing mrdanga while Lokanath maharaj was leading. I actually knew of this incident for years but was told it was minor and had been dealt with only recently more details have come to my knowledge. 

[PADA: Lokanath is a great kirtan guy, because they banned, beat, sued, removed, exiled, and sometimes killed the other kirtan guys. Swell!]

I would not want to be a GBC member that had to deal with this issue, but it can not be ignored any longer. It wasn’t dealt with properly in the past, or it would not be resurfacing again and again, pitting fellow gurukuli alumni and Devotees against each other.  

Haribhakti Das made an honest and nice video personal plea to Maharaja. I don't know that his request or the request that Vishvambra Das made are the right decision for The GBC, but I would err on the side of the victim / survivor.

I don't know Lokanatha Maharaja closely, and don't presume to tell the GBC what to do. I’m sure they wouldn't listen to me if I did. And I see Haribhakti is now being threatened with violence by disciples of Lokanatha swami for his video statement. And I recently read a very threatening letter to Saraswati dasi who has been shining the torchlight of knowledge on this issue relentlessly. 

[PADA: Right, it is the enforced cult ritualistic worship of pedophiles as messiahs. Enforced means, you can get threats, or be banned, beat, sued, or killed.]

I also understand the disciples of Lokanath, We were taught in gurukula to defend the Guru at all costs and they are doing as they were taught. I am sure many have gained valuable guidance and inspiration from him. I know VIshvambhra and understand his Love for Lokanatha swami. As I get older I see life is not so black and white -- lots of grey.

To defend the Guru is also why I'm writing this letter, to defend Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON at all costs.

ISKCON is bigger than any one of us, any Guru or GBC member, when Shrila Prabhupada was here he made it clear 4 regulations and 16 rounds, NOT 3reg’s and 12 rounds or 5regs  and 21 rounds .

I ask the GBC to get clear on Child Protection. The duty of the leaders/ Kshatriya is to protect innocent from harm. If a local GBC member bans one member for 30 years but gives 2 year probation to a fellow Guru allowing him to keep all his money and followers -- this is not justice.

I am not saying the two incidents are exactly the same but there are similarities. It's easy to make simple rules: don't say Radha's name more than 3 times in a row or no djembe in Kirtan. 

Protecting the women and children should be the first priority of the leaders / GBC. Currently there are the #ME-TOO and BLACK lives Matter movements worldwide and both are asking for the same thing in many ways: Stop allowing the rich and powerful to get away with things that the average man, woman or BLack man can't get away with.

If ISKCON and the GBC don’t get clear and make tough decisions this will haunt Prabhupada’s movement and may even destroy it. Look what is happening in the 3HO Kundalini Sihk community which was started at the same time as ISKCON. The stories about Yogi Bhajan written by his secretary in 2019 in a book are destroying that Community which was very powerful with millions of dollars and many many followers.

Many of the followers, some of the most dedicated and sincere, are leaving totally disenchanted. We do not want this to happen within ISKCON. Again, That's why I say this is much bigger than Lokanatha Swami his disciples and his victim. This is about the The Family of ISKCON around the world that are conscious of Krsna / God and are we willing to draw the Line in the Sand? 

Is the GBC going to make bold declarations that no matter who you are within the hierarchy of ISKCON be that a bhakta or a GURU / GBC there are some things that are Absolutely Unacceptable and Unsupported!!!  

I have been a member of this institution for 45 years and I'm no saint. I have made many mistakes but I haven't molested kids. I shouldn't have to say this but I was scared when I found out my wife was pregnant with our daughter. I had heard how victims repeat their experiences and become abusers, and was told MAYA is strong. Thank God I was able to break that chain and never hit or abused my kids.

I watched these failings repeatedly in New Vrindavan … and have watched many big ISKCON leaders, at one time exalted Gurus, fall by the wayside over the years. There has been so much pain in this movement. I have seen so many good people, members of ISKCON become inimical towards ISKCON and leave because of double standards and dishonest guru’s and leaders.

I keep hoping we the ISKCON family, good bad and ugly can work together and right this ship stop sweeping the dirt under the rug and deal with it. I found that when I’m honest about my failings and mistakes The ISKCON family is very kind and understanding.

NPD: Thank you Nimai for being brave enough to speak openly with love and understanding. For all parties and especially Guru and Gauranga. That's the real role of administrative people including our illustrious GBC. Or its role as leading a society spreading love of Radha Krishna. Like you said many real loving kind people devoted to this spreading of Love have left for good reason when they should have been loved and supported ... and protected. 

It's still an option to make a society in ISKCON THATS honest caring practical and caring. And actually putting God first. Love you bro. Just my 2 cents on your great letter. Trying to me more positive and hopeful myself less cynical and a little less sarcastic. It's about the solution I think you're saying.

R Dasa: True!

Swami B: Thank you, Nimai.

ZB: Shitcon has been finished for years until these fake ass gurus who all associate and promote their own worship get out -- along with all of there blind followers -- nothing will change. They will continue to worship pedorapests. Just like they buried Kirtanananda in a samadhi ...

T Dasi: Thank you for this. May your voice be heard.

LR Dasi: Well said!

KD: They banned djembe? Who did that and why?

JG: “the sinister movement has already entered ISKCON” A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. This was when he was still here on earth in the 70’s. Every grass roots movement gets infiltrated by Pedos. In order to corrupt the movement. Look at the Catholic Church.

R dasa: Outstanding overview of nuance, thorough and balanced while showing empathy to all parties and still running the base line principles for justice. Wow. Brilliantly done.

BK: Well written, thanks for sharing.

YD: All of GBC should step down give up their bank accounts correct the edited books pay back $8 million × 45. To Iskcon Temple s that was stolen from Srila Prabhupada s intellectual properties. All glories to the sincere Srila Prabhupada followers -- they will keep ship from sinking.

HL: Thank you for speaking from your heart. 

R Dasi: Well said Brother.

RAC: ND, I am so impressed with your post. You are a wonderful example of Prabhupada man.

BBS: Well said, it takes courage to speak up. And especially for the Truth nowadays. It’s so covered by deceit and lies. Hare Krishna all glories to your kirtan seva thru the years.

YD: LS should step down put on white cloth continue to chant 16 rounds give up all his bank accounts then he will get the respect of the devotees again, and not be an embarrassment to Srila Prabhupada. One really important point is that he was a Swami at the time of his encounter with the girl. That is especially sinister behavior. He should have known better no excuses for him.

D Devi: Nicely said we appreciate your honesty and concern i know your pain I was also a victim... and how hard it is to stay firm in your sadhana...

JD: Beautifully written, and much needed.

M Dasa: Good job ND! Unfortunately, those with too much power can just remain silent and no change takes place. In the 4th canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada explains that, although Prithu maharaja, as a raja-rishi, was sufficiently enlightened to make all the decisions Himself without consulting the brahmanas and sages / advisors, He would NOT do so. 

He understood that, for the smooth running of society, it is extremely important to keep the social roles played by different actors. One of the very first things that need to happen to really address most problems at their root is to separate managerial authority from ecclesiastical authority. In other words, you're either a GBC or a guru, but you can't wear both hats.

⁠That way, one body of authority is accountable to the other. And one body of authority has leverage on the other and can enact changes when some deviations occur. But as long as gurus are also decision-makers, and decision-makers are also allowed to collect disciples, nothing will change because absolute power under the garb of humility and erudition is simply too intoxicating!

When the 2 power-heavy, top social roles are occupied by the same people, great societal disturbances are bound to happen. So, let’s separate them two and bring the house back to order.

ND: Mukunda Das I agree 100%.

DPD: Good points MD. There should be NO lifetime members of the GBC - 3 years max. No more nonsense absolute authority! The Direction of Management doctrine by Srila Prabhupada spells it out.

GGD: I feel you and please know I'm here to support you!! Keep Sharing!!

DP: It’s a mess. Your voice is heartfelt. There are people in those posts who have been discovered to be doing even illegal / corrupt activities for years. Some of them are overlooked, a few are removed (recently) from GBC, but are still allowed to be a so-called guru. Many complaints are totally IGNORED by the GBC body, as if using that method of silence will make the complainant and problem disappear. 

Of course, this attitude will destroy ISKCON more and more. Our GBC I had chosen for Arizona (they removed him now) wrote to me: “of course there is corruption in the GBC, but what makes you think YOU can fix it.” I was shocked by his own admission, and by his unwillingness to work with the honest segment of leaders to vanquish the problem. 

It’s like something may be wrong with the mechanics of your car. You got to fix it!!! If they the present GBC body won’t fix it, which has been there response for years, then maybe a grassroots movement of concerned devotees is needed to be organized - to remove them all, and re-elect a better working Group. That’s the only intelligent solution. Either get used to this passive GBC attitude, or organize many prabhus and even TPs, and put on the pressure. No response? Ok you are all out!

The GBC has no oversight, so they can do anything with no one to correct them, when before Srila Prabhupada was there to personally adjust and do the needful. It’s pretty much a lost cause, I’ve discovered with 0 checks and balances above the GBC. That is a pity. Srila Prabhupada himself said there are infiltrators that are trying to destroy his Movement from within. 

They have to be discovered by intelligence and removed pronto! The honest Kshatriyas within the GBC, have to boldly step up. I’ve personally given up. The corruption is too thick, I’m sorry to say. Thank you for speaking up. All glories to the sincere devotees.maybe last point. They are not untouchable. Only true if we think they are and we do nothing! Legal move against all this, forces a reaction. That’s an option too. The easiest solution is for the “good guys in the GBC to fix it. But we’ve already seen, they won’t. Love you Nimai. You’re and awesome devotee/soldier.

NHD: Give up means to surrender, I understand ultimately everything will come out in the wash it's all up to Krsna / God but my nature has been to speak up when I perceive wrong doing this as got me on a lot of trouble.

DP: If I can be of help to join a concentrated effort, I’m available. I tried to go at it alone. Didn’t do too much. But if the gurukulis start to organize they can make changes happen.

[PADA: All this is a good start. If we do not fix the name of ISKCON, there won't any ISKCON left to fix later on. ys pd]

Oh no, this poor chap also getting threats of violence evidently ...

https://krishna1008.blogspot.com/2021/07/loving-plea-to-lokanath-swami-video.html