PADA: A college student recently wrote to PADA asking, "The whole history of ISKCON's 11 gurus looks very complicated. Can you summarize their whole history in shortened form?
I said, I'll try: "The post 1978 managers of ISKCON wanted to promote the worship of assorted illicit sex with men, women and children deviants, and / or drunks and drug addicts etc. as God's -- gurus, messiahs, Godly saints, and eternal (parampara) successors.
"However, there are no examples of any previous bona fide Krishna devotees promoting the worship of deviants and pedophiles as God's successors. Nor could anyone expect to 'go back home to God' by worshiping deviants and pedophiles. The whole idea that worshiping pedophiles takes a person back to God is -- in short, a big lie. And the result of their idea that ISKCON should worship pedophiles -- and not pure devotees is, ISKCON was sued for mass child abuse and had to declare bankrupted.
And worse, Srila Prabhupada says anyone who worships deviants and sexual predators as gurus -- has a ticket to go straight to hell. In sum, he never authorized their odious form of worship. It is a criminal hi-jacking of ISKCON."
ys pd
angel108b@yahoo.com
========================
Dear Anuttama Prabhu and GBC Members,
A few weeks ago I urged you to take significant action to support child protection, in light of Vedasara’s courageous testimony. I saw the public statement on ISKCON News: https://iskconnews.org/statement-by-the-na-rgb-re-additional-shocking-testimony-filed-against-anirdesya-vapu-former-bhakti-vidya-purna-swami/
While your "thoughts and prayers" are appreciated, we need you, the leadership, to execute systemic change and demonstrable action. How symbolic is it that the sites of decades-long horrific child abuse occurred in our tradition’s holiest places? The framework and culture set in these places informs the international Krishna society.
I previously requested the following actions (#5 being the most pressing):
1) Annual reporting at GBC meetings of child protection training among zonal GBC and community leaders.
2) Making policy and public statements of protection for adult survivors of child abuse in ISKCON, and their advocates.
3) Fully funding the ISKCON Child Protection Office so they may conduct adequate community training, and investigations by professionals in the field.
4) Apologizing for your institutional affinity to Wexler.
5) Removing all child abusers from influential, leadership positions in Mayapur, including the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP).
ISKCON News cites: "Shockingly, this was the third CPO decision involving Anirdesya Vapu."
"GBC was presented with reports on Wexler investigations EIGHT times! The horrific torture by Wexler and his circle of child abusers was an open secret throughout the international Hare Krishna society; a secret that the Governing Body chose to repeatedly ignore, minimize and deny. Even still ISKCON News is publicly minimizing GBC knowledge and responsibility for allowing him to remain in contact with children for decades upon decades."
The ISKCON News article shared 21-year-old news: “We recall with deep remorse that in 2002, 400 former students of multiple ISKCON schools shared in a legal settlement that provided approximately 14 million dollars (US) for victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.” Show us what remorse for abused children looks like!
That “legal settlement” that ISKCON News refers to was actually a bankruptcy. The lawsuit pursued by Gurukula survivors was responded to with a Federal bankruptcy claim by ISKCON. ISKCON not only filed legal bankruptcy, but we can see that it remains ethically, morally, spiritually and, possibly still legally, bankrupt.
The bankruptcy settlement took hundreds of testimonies, now sealed and silenced, protecting the institution and individual abusers from criminal charges. Gurukula survivors were stigmatized and demonized. The legal settlement reinforced the power of the institution and powerlessness of the Gurukulis attempting to be heard, and seek justice.
The “lawsuit” was a massive demonstration of the GBC’s repeated disregard, disrespect and attempt to erase the legacy of Vaikuntha children, as Srila Prabhupad referred to them. ISKCON buried testimonies in exchange for a few thousand dollars for each recipient, while forever protecting certain ISKCON entities from any past child abuse liability. Those who testified received very little individually, aside from the trauma of the legal process. This lawsuit was not a remorseful reconciliation for Gurukula survivors. It is unacceptable for this old news to be reported on as a triumph of ISKCON child protection efforts.
Many Gurukulis that participated in that lawsuit were born when Srila Prabhupada was still on this planet. They have been affiliated with ISKCON by birth or upbringing for as long as the senior members reading this. Yet, they have been repeatedly marginalized, minimized and traumatized, amidst your thoughts and prayers.
We see this in the case of Dhanurdhara, the most named child abuser in the ISKCON bankruptcy settlement.
"As a result of the litigation in Texas, and the 600-plus claims filed in the bankruptcy court, we now have a vast body of information (evidence) that was not available in 1999. Although much was known with respect to allegations of physical and mental child abuse by Dhanurdhara Swami at the Vrindavan gurukula, we now have even more information than we had at that time. Based upon this additional information, it is now unequivocally clear to ISKCON’s legal team that the damage inflicted by Dhanurdhara Swami was significantly greater than that which was known in 1999. In fact, Dhanurdhara Swami is named as an abuser in the bankruptcy claims far more than any other person."
The ISKCON News article shared 21-year-old news: “We recall with deep remorse that in 2002, 400 former students of multiple ISKCON schools shared in a legal settlement that provided approximately 14 million dollars (US) for victims of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.” Show us what remorse for abused children looks like!
That “legal settlement” that ISKCON News refers to was actually a bankruptcy. The lawsuit pursued by Gurukula survivors was responded to with a Federal bankruptcy claim by ISKCON. ISKCON not only filed legal bankruptcy, but we can see that it remains ethically, morally, spiritually and, possibly still legally, bankrupt.
The bankruptcy settlement took hundreds of testimonies, now sealed and silenced, protecting the institution and individual abusers from criminal charges. Gurukula survivors were stigmatized and demonized. The legal settlement reinforced the power of the institution and powerlessness of the Gurukulis attempting to be heard, and seek justice.
The “lawsuit” was a massive demonstration of the GBC’s repeated disregard, disrespect and attempt to erase the legacy of Vaikuntha children, as Srila Prabhupad referred to them. ISKCON buried testimonies in exchange for a few thousand dollars for each recipient, while forever protecting certain ISKCON entities from any past child abuse liability. Those who testified received very little individually, aside from the trauma of the legal process. This lawsuit was not a remorseful reconciliation for Gurukula survivors. It is unacceptable for this old news to be reported on as a triumph of ISKCON child protection efforts.
Many Gurukulis that participated in that lawsuit were born when Srila Prabhupada was still on this planet. They have been affiliated with ISKCON by birth or upbringing for as long as the senior members reading this. Yet, they have been repeatedly marginalized, minimized and traumatized, amidst your thoughts and prayers.
We see this in the case of Dhanurdhara, the most named child abuser in the ISKCON bankruptcy settlement.
"As a result of the litigation in Texas, and the 600-plus claims filed in the bankruptcy court, we now have a vast body of information (evidence) that was not available in 1999. Although much was known with respect to allegations of physical and mental child abuse by Dhanurdhara Swami at the Vrindavan gurukula, we now have even more information than we had at that time. Based upon this additional information, it is now unequivocally clear to ISKCON’s legal team that the damage inflicted by Dhanurdhara Swami was significantly greater than that which was known in 1999. In fact, Dhanurdhara Swami is named as an abuser in the bankruptcy claims far more than any other person."
Amarendra, ISKCON lawyer who worked on the lawsuit for six years
AFTER finding out that Dhanurdhara was the most named child abuser in ISKCON history, the GBC felt it necessary to include a public apology to HIM, the perpetrator of violent, sadistic, and barbaric child abuse, spanning decades.
From the 2007 International GBC meeting minutes:
Part C. Apology to Dhanurdhara Swami
Dear Dhanurdhara Maharaja,
[...]The GBC Body is aware that in the course of its ecclesiastical dealings concerning past child abuse in the society, sometimes the procedures we followed were awkward and took a long time to complete. [...]
The GBC Body is sorry for the difficulties you and your disciples, followers, and friends must have experienced because of these long and cumbersome procedures. We could have done much better, and we sincerely apologize.
We support the decision of the Office of Child Protection in your case, but our procedures should not have added to your burden.
[...] we never wanted you to leave the ISKCON society. We humbly request you again to remain an active member in ISKCON. Not only are we sure that this would be the desire of Srila Prabhupada, but also that it would be the best course of action for you, your disciples, and your followers.
Your servants,
The GBC
Part D. Reconciliation Initiative
[Action Order] The ICOCP and ISKCON Resolve will develop an international plan, in consultation with a broad representation of ISKCON devotees, to address lingering issues concerning past child abuse, including failure of administrative oversight in child protection (emphasis added). The goal will be to promote reconciliation and healing while insuring fairness and integrity in ISKCON’s response to these issues. [...]
313. Apology Letter to Recipients of Compensation from the ISKCON Youth Fund
Resolved: That the following letter of apology, which is being sent to recipients of compensation from the ISKCON Youth Fund on GBC letterhead stationary, be entered into the GBC minutes book as a matter of record:
Dear [Claimant’s name]:
[...] You were a pioneer in ISKCON’s fledgling attempts to establish a Gurukula system to train our children in Krishna Consciousness. Unfortunately, you were also subjected to serious mistreatment and abuse as a result of our failure to properly implement that vision. For this we are very sorry, and we ask you to please accept our deepest and most heartfelt apology.
As members of the Governing Body Commission, past and present, [...]we take full responsibility for the wrongdoings committed in the early years of the ISKCON movement. As leaders, the GBC members were entrusted with properly providing for your care. And during the time that terrible abuses were committed, the leadership of the Society failed in its responsibility to vigilantly provide for your welfare and protect you from all forms of harm and abuse. We are also aware of our failure to provide the quality of care and education that Srila Prabhupada wanted for you, and that you deserved. [...]
Sincerely,
[signed] Bhanu Swami
GBC Chairman
In the above GBC minutes, you, the GBC, chose to first apologize to Dhanurdhara, before the Gurukula survivors. This very mixed and backwards message continues to this day.
According to GBC and CPO policy, Dhanurdhara is not recognized as an ISKCON guru or sannyasi. However, his photo was very recently being worshiped in the flagship ISKCON New York temple: Bhakti Center, on the most auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima. While ISKCON’s child abuse victims are marginalized, Dhanurdhara’s disciples are flagrantly placing Dhanurdhara’s photo on the altar, while the assembled devotees worship.
There has been a big deal made about the fact that his picture should have been kept private or secret, while his “disciple” performs important congregational public pujari service. This acceptance of the “disciples” but not the guru is really not the truth. The reality is that by normalizing Dhanurdhar’s disciples, there is tacit and sentimental acceptance and support of this false guru.
Dear Anuttama Prabhu, even your good wife, Rukmini Prabhu, who is a legal Director at the Bhakti Center, described Dhanurdhara as His Holiness - “HH” - and specifically mentioning the Bhakti Center recently on her website: https://www.urbandevi.com/lookin-at-true-self-care-with.../
Gurukuli survivors cannot feel at home at ISKCON temples, when they repeatedly see known child abusers worshiped on altars, vyasasanas, and elevated platforms, adorned by garlands and fawning followers. These silent endorsements nullify outward claims of support for child protection.
Known child abusers Bhavananda and Satadhanya are leaders at the heralded Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), Mayapur project. Ambarisa Prabhu, the Chairman of the TOVP, sought to override the CPO rulings and restrictions for managerial expediency. He believes that “they have made great effort to reform” based on what?
AFTER finding out that Dhanurdhara was the most named child abuser in ISKCON history, the GBC felt it necessary to include a public apology to HIM, the perpetrator of violent, sadistic, and barbaric child abuse, spanning decades.
From the 2007 International GBC meeting minutes:
Part C. Apology to Dhanurdhara Swami
Dear Dhanurdhara Maharaja,
[...]The GBC Body is aware that in the course of its ecclesiastical dealings concerning past child abuse in the society, sometimes the procedures we followed were awkward and took a long time to complete. [...]
The GBC Body is sorry for the difficulties you and your disciples, followers, and friends must have experienced because of these long and cumbersome procedures. We could have done much better, and we sincerely apologize.
We support the decision of the Office of Child Protection in your case, but our procedures should not have added to your burden.
[...] we never wanted you to leave the ISKCON society. We humbly request you again to remain an active member in ISKCON. Not only are we sure that this would be the desire of Srila Prabhupada, but also that it would be the best course of action for you, your disciples, and your followers.
Your servants,
The GBC
Part D. Reconciliation Initiative
[Action Order] The ICOCP and ISKCON Resolve will develop an international plan, in consultation with a broad representation of ISKCON devotees, to address lingering issues concerning past child abuse, including failure of administrative oversight in child protection (emphasis added). The goal will be to promote reconciliation and healing while insuring fairness and integrity in ISKCON’s response to these issues. [...]
313. Apology Letter to Recipients of Compensation from the ISKCON Youth Fund
Resolved: That the following letter of apology, which is being sent to recipients of compensation from the ISKCON Youth Fund on GBC letterhead stationary, be entered into the GBC minutes book as a matter of record:
Dear [Claimant’s name]:
[...] You were a pioneer in ISKCON’s fledgling attempts to establish a Gurukula system to train our children in Krishna Consciousness. Unfortunately, you were also subjected to serious mistreatment and abuse as a result of our failure to properly implement that vision. For this we are very sorry, and we ask you to please accept our deepest and most heartfelt apology.
As members of the Governing Body Commission, past and present, [...]we take full responsibility for the wrongdoings committed in the early years of the ISKCON movement. As leaders, the GBC members were entrusted with properly providing for your care. And during the time that terrible abuses were committed, the leadership of the Society failed in its responsibility to vigilantly provide for your welfare and protect you from all forms of harm and abuse. We are also aware of our failure to provide the quality of care and education that Srila Prabhupada wanted for you, and that you deserved. [...]
Sincerely,
[signed] Bhanu Swami
GBC Chairman
In the above GBC minutes, you, the GBC, chose to first apologize to Dhanurdhara, before the Gurukula survivors. This very mixed and backwards message continues to this day.
According to GBC and CPO policy, Dhanurdhara is not recognized as an ISKCON guru or sannyasi. However, his photo was very recently being worshiped in the flagship ISKCON New York temple: Bhakti Center, on the most auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima. While ISKCON’s child abuse victims are marginalized, Dhanurdhara’s disciples are flagrantly placing Dhanurdhara’s photo on the altar, while the assembled devotees worship.
There has been a big deal made about the fact that his picture should have been kept private or secret, while his “disciple” performs important congregational public pujari service. This acceptance of the “disciples” but not the guru is really not the truth. The reality is that by normalizing Dhanurdhar’s disciples, there is tacit and sentimental acceptance and support of this false guru.
Dear Anuttama Prabhu, even your good wife, Rukmini Prabhu, who is a legal Director at the Bhakti Center, described Dhanurdhara as His Holiness - “HH” - and specifically mentioning the Bhakti Center recently on her website: https://www.urbandevi.com/lookin-at-true-self-care-with.../
Gurukuli survivors cannot feel at home at ISKCON temples, when they repeatedly see known child abusers worshiped on altars, vyasasanas, and elevated platforms, adorned by garlands and fawning followers. These silent endorsements nullify outward claims of support for child protection.
Known child abusers Bhavananda and Satadhanya are leaders at the heralded Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), Mayapur project. Ambarisa Prabhu, the Chairman of the TOVP, sought to override the CPO rulings and restrictions for managerial expediency. He believes that “they have made great effort to reform” based on what?
He has manipulated Vaisnava sastra to rationalize and overlook the extreme VAISNAVA APARADHA of child sexual abuse. Lokanath was personally escorted from Delhi to headline the first TOVP event, even after the then-GBC Chairman Bhanu Swami requested that the event not involve Lokanath, even in a minor role. Ambarisa Prabhu’s attitude exemplifies the larger culture of ISKCON which has a history of dismissing child abuse by promoting, supporting and even worshiping child abusers.
ISKCON News states: “Anirdesya [...] created an environment of fear that prevented children from speaking out about their abuse.” However, maintaining notorious child sex offenders on the TOVP staff (even if you take them off your public website, as Ambarisa Prabhu has suggested), are some of the ingredients of toxic secrecy and child protection interference that attracts and protects predators. This is how the entire GBC has continued to cultivate fear, silence and abuse within our society for decades.
The ISKCON News statement continued: “with relief, that the Gurukula in Mayapur was converted from a boarding school to a day school in 2022 to promote greater parental involvement and children’s safety.” Specifically, how are parents being supported to be involved in child safety in ISKCON Mayapur?
This message of “relief” that Wexler is gone is unwarranted. The pattern of child abuse within ISKCON does not afford you relief, when vigilance is required to understand how your own Governing Body has shown repeated negligence, ignorance and denial of these matters.
Your relief is unfounded when your Child Protection Office continues to receive less than 10% of their needed operational funding, and continues to be politically repressed and manipulated by the GBC, especially when high-profile offenders are under review.
The statement published by ISKCON News contains a polished statement that simply conveys that acceptable efforts have been made and the status quo is an improvement to the heinous history of children in ISKCON. The status quo is insufficient, as measurable action has been requested repeatedly. Gurukula survivors are not demanding reparations nor retribution; we are demanding accountability and implementation of your own existing Child Protection policies and rulings!
Bhavananda and Satadhanya must be fully removed from influential leadership positions immediately!
How can ISKCON promote a massive fundraising campaign for a massive temple in Mayapur, asking North America, family-based communities to turn their pockets out, while you support child abusers at the helm of the TOVP and child protection is barely funded? Raising money for gold, while you support child abusers is the epitome of Hiranyakashipu culture.
Please reconcile this glaring conflict between your words and actions!
I am extremely concerned about the ongoing lack of support for child protection, especially in pilgrimage places of Vrindavan and Mayapur. GBC members, please make your recent in-depth inquiry into child protection (and systemic abuse problems) in Vrindavan and Mayapur transparent for the awareness and healing of our entire society.
We don’t need polished public relations statements. We need transparency, intentional actions and funding for child protection culture to overtake the historic abuse culture of ISKCON.
Sincerely,
KD
ISKCON News states: “Anirdesya [...] created an environment of fear that prevented children from speaking out about their abuse.” However, maintaining notorious child sex offenders on the TOVP staff (even if you take them off your public website, as Ambarisa Prabhu has suggested), are some of the ingredients of toxic secrecy and child protection interference that attracts and protects predators. This is how the entire GBC has continued to cultivate fear, silence and abuse within our society for decades.
The ISKCON News statement continued: “with relief, that the Gurukula in Mayapur was converted from a boarding school to a day school in 2022 to promote greater parental involvement and children’s safety.” Specifically, how are parents being supported to be involved in child safety in ISKCON Mayapur?
This message of “relief” that Wexler is gone is unwarranted. The pattern of child abuse within ISKCON does not afford you relief, when vigilance is required to understand how your own Governing Body has shown repeated negligence, ignorance and denial of these matters.
Your relief is unfounded when your Child Protection Office continues to receive less than 10% of their needed operational funding, and continues to be politically repressed and manipulated by the GBC, especially when high-profile offenders are under review.
The statement published by ISKCON News contains a polished statement that simply conveys that acceptable efforts have been made and the status quo is an improvement to the heinous history of children in ISKCON. The status quo is insufficient, as measurable action has been requested repeatedly. Gurukula survivors are not demanding reparations nor retribution; we are demanding accountability and implementation of your own existing Child Protection policies and rulings!
Bhavananda and Satadhanya must be fully removed from influential leadership positions immediately!
How can ISKCON promote a massive fundraising campaign for a massive temple in Mayapur, asking North America, family-based communities to turn their pockets out, while you support child abusers at the helm of the TOVP and child protection is barely funded? Raising money for gold, while you support child abusers is the epitome of Hiranyakashipu culture.
Please reconcile this glaring conflict between your words and actions!
I am extremely concerned about the ongoing lack of support for child protection, especially in pilgrimage places of Vrindavan and Mayapur. GBC members, please make your recent in-depth inquiry into child protection (and systemic abuse problems) in Vrindavan and Mayapur transparent for the awareness and healing of our entire society.
We don’t need polished public relations statements. We need transparency, intentional actions and funding for child protection culture to overtake the historic abuse culture of ISKCON.
Sincerely,
KD
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