PADA: Wow pilgrims. Victims of abuse in ISKCON really have a tough ride ahead of them trying to expose their victimization. In many cases, or maybe most cases, children victims do not get support from their own parents, who do not report these crimes to the authorities. And in other cases (like this one) it is even worse, the parents are the perps.
A number of parents were screaming at me when I helped the ISKCON children sue the GBC for $400,000,000, saying I was destroying "The Golden Body of ISKCON." Maybe so, but your not reporting these crimes is destroying these children, perhaps your own children.
And many of these children were destroyed, some of them have PTSD, some of them died, and almost none of them participate in the religion now. As one devotee said, "the temples have almost none of the second generation even visiting once a year. They won't even come for festivals, they are gone, and gone for good. They feel they were exploited and they are not interested any more."
But in any case, many victims do not get much support, are maligned, marginalized, made personna non grata, made out as enemies of ISKCON -- who are causing troubles etc. I know more than a few victims who tell me confidentially -- they were abused, but they have been afraid that if they speak up, the devotee community will shun and exile them. And generally their lives will be even more miserable.
So there is evidently a lot of social pressure on victims to remain silent. Silence of victims means, the predators, pedophiles and perps see a field where they can exploit and there will be little or no repercussions. So it is a self defeating -- spiral down process -- to suppress complaints of victimization. It just creates more and more victims. And attracts more and more exploiters.
Some of these victims are now mothers and even grand mothers, and they are STILL fearing speaking up -- fearing reprisals and being removed from the devotee community. One mother told me that if she exposed her abuse, then she would be removed from the community, and her kids would never be able to go to the temple etc. OK there is fear of reprisals for reporting abuse ongoing, and existing still today.
So she has been hesitating from exposing her abuser, for decades. And thus her abuser still floats around the ISKCON society with no fear of facing any consequences. There is a lot of pressure on these types of victims to remain silent.
Imagine being a child victim, knowing their own parents cannot report the child's abuse, or the child will lose access to ISKCON. This is not a healthy situation for anyone involved. Or imagine being a parent who was abused, and your kids know you are not reporting your own abuse -- even though you are now an adult -- so the kids can have "association with ISKCON." What kind of child feels safe in that environment?
Anyway we said the guru has to be free of all material contamination. Many people are complaining ISKCON has become a magnet for pedos, and that is right. We become what we worship. Worship of pedos will produce an atmosphere where they are sympathized with and protected. I said that in 1979, Jayatirtha is having an affair, and Prabhupada says when the guru is having an affair -- it is the same as a father having s*x with his own daughter, so I told the GBC, this is pedo worship.
And it will make an atmoshere of protecting and attracting that process, and it has. The only good news is that more victims are finally coming out, albeit a little late in the game. They finally had enough of the conspiracy of silence. But this is a sign that things are not well at all in the ISKCON society, that people have to write public complaints because there is no internal system to rectify these things evidently.
And it will make an atmoshere of protecting and attracting that process, and it has. The only good news is that more victims are finally coming out, albeit a little late in the game. They finally had enough of the conspiracy of silence. But this is a sign that things are not well at all in the ISKCON society, that people have to write public complaints because there is no internal system to rectify these things evidently.
Same type thing happened when we had hundreds of kids pulled out from being in ISKCON's schools in 1997. We helped create a mass pull out of kids from GBC schools by helping previous victims sue the GBC.
But then people like IRM's Krishna Kant, Sanat, Mukunda, Prahlad, HKC Jaipur, Mathura Pati ilk all complained -- and even now complain -- that saving children from being beaten and raped is "destroying the golden body of ISKCON." It is amazing that there are people out there who think the anal reconstructive surgery epidemic process is the golden body of God.
But these people do exist, but evidently only around ISKCON or similar abuse cults, because even the average Joe six pack karmis are agreeing with me -- kids need to be saved from this odious process. Anyway, long story short, unless all this is changed many people are not going to participate, or have their kids participate, in the Krishna religion. And that is cutting them off from being able to live in a safe place to worship God, which is very sinful.
ys pd angel108b@yahoo.com
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PREDATOR ALERT.====
TL: My father vraja-mohan (Nanda gokul) from Australia is a paedophile. I should know -- he did it to me. In not so many words he has admitted to this himself in a text msg. I personally have 2 friends in nz he either tried to or was successful with. And he tried it on another of my friends here. They are my age or just younger.
I have told him his karma is to not be around the temples and children. But due to the support of other devotees and elders at multiple temples here in murwillumbah he still goes. I am still not believed but their is no way I would risk exposing my children to him further let alone other children in our community. So I no longer go or take my kids.
My biggest fear was loosing my devotee family. I realised it happened anyway as a lot of those people I have know my whole life i consider my extended family. My God brothers and God sisters. And people I looked up to and thought of like aunties and uncles.
Due to me speaking up to my mum about the abuse that was happening in nz at gurukula to me, she took me to confront them. We then had to move. Fellow friends were specifically told to ignore me and pretend they didn't know me when I went to the temple. I was 7 or 8.
Now the same thing is happening again.
When I spoke up about my father. I'm not believed by many elders in our community. I've had enough so I am publicly outing him on social media. And their needs to be more done. In some countries a convicted paedophile even when they get out of jail are not allowed around schools n parks etc.
So why do we allow them at a temple where their is children. If the GBC think they should still be allowed to worship etc. How about a temple set up specifically for those people. Away from their victims and future potential victims.
I have told the police but I'm not mentally ready to replay my video in my head of what happened to me to make a fully step by step replay encounter to the police. I have told the police but they don't do anything until I fully take him to court.
All they did was send me the link n said come in when I was ready. The making a temple for them was scarcasm. Because the excuses I hear from devotees are things like:
We should show mercy
We shouldn't spread gossip and wag our tounges
The list goes on.
This post is because I have done what I am emotionally ready to do. The fact is it took a younger devotee to take over running the Sri Govinda Dham temple for him to be banned. The fact is the elders made out not to know when they did.
The fact is the ISKCON temple knows. But not one of them told him to leave and not come again. He has been multiple times in the last few months to the ISKCON temple. The elders running ISKCON, most of them know him. My parents were married on the ISKCON farm and lived on it as well.
My point it to share with more of the community to keep them safe. And to point out the backwards thinking of the temples I have dealt with, who some of the elders turn a blind eye or allow him to come n use religious reasoning.
Because at the end of the day the GBC is still getting it wrong. Also on top of the sexual abuse from my father lets not forget the other abuse I've already spoken out about that happened to me at the gurukul in Auckland nz.
Also every survivor needs to deal with their trauma in their way. Some never even speak up. Or go to report it but can't. And their needs to be a better system in place to defend the victims.
CD: I just want to say I totally understand what you're going through. I know how incredibly hard it is to go to the police because doing that means having to relive it, remember it in detail, and say it all out loud. That in itself is traumatic. You're doing what you're ready for, and that’s enough.
You’re right every survivor copes in their own way, and there’s no “right” timeline or method for healing or seeking justice. The fact that you’ve spoken up at all is powerful. You’re protecting others and breaking the silence that lets abuse hide.
It’s heartbreaking that people in spiritual communities who should lead with compassion and protection choose instead to “show mercy” to abusers while survivors are left isolated. That is not what mercy looks like. That’s enabling.
DD: Thank you and please continue to speak up. I speak about it even though I've never witnessed it and cannot give proof but I know by talking to others that over the past 40 years it has been very prevalent in our society just when everybody thought it had been nipped in the bud in the 70s we found out in the 80s it's even stronger now.
They are just hiding it better that's all. Sometimes they get so arrogant they don't even try to hide it. Anyways glad you're speaking up but it would be nice to know where your father is right now? Is he in Australia now? And where did you move to? Another place in Australia?
TL: He still lives around murwillumbah
RC: Oh dear... So sorry to read about this. You are right claiming it and pointing it. You are potentially protecting a few children, if their parents accept to really be their children's protectors.
I'm surprised, my father (same kind of story) got kicked off the nsw govardhan community when they found out what he'd done. The families there were supportive of me, offering to take me in etc. It was the first time people were really concerned and acknowledged that he was not a normal person or "a good devotee". Things seem to have changed. Or maybe your father is their friend and thus they are in denial...
TL: Yes I went from Isckon to sri govinda dham and a lot of the devotees knew him from before. I was told by a close friend who was supposed to be my kids God mother to forgive him and have him in my life. And they let him live at their place. Others actively are always seen to be around them. Tell my I am "wagging my tounge".
Told I'm lying and I am crazy like my mother
Ive seen photos of elders associating with him etc and I'm sick of the issue being avoided. I rang crying saying my dads not allowed at the dham in uki. The elders I spoke to made out it was the first he heard of it. This was a yr n a half after I did. I'm sorry but I know for a fact a few people who had actually passed on this information directly to him n his wife.
It's also been told to alot of people from the isckon temple as well. It came out about my father in 2018. Its 2025. 7 years. N I've had enough. My son should know what the temples are. My son doesn't, his sister slightly does know what the temple is.
Yes their is some who believe but to many like to play dumb n hide their head in the sand instead of helping to fix a broken system. And I'm sick of religion and service being used as a excuse to keep certain people around.
PR: Brave of you to come forward with this, hope others will follow suit somehow. I always say, I reckon the one's we hear about are a tip of an iceberg, Hare Krsna.
RJ: soooo sad.
TL: He still lives around murwillumbah
RC: Oh dear... So sorry to read about this. You are right claiming it and pointing it. You are potentially protecting a few children, if their parents accept to really be their children's protectors.
I'm surprised, my father (same kind of story) got kicked off the nsw govardhan community when they found out what he'd done. The families there were supportive of me, offering to take me in etc. It was the first time people were really concerned and acknowledged that he was not a normal person or "a good devotee". Things seem to have changed. Or maybe your father is their friend and thus they are in denial...
TL: Yes I went from Isckon to sri govinda dham and a lot of the devotees knew him from before. I was told by a close friend who was supposed to be my kids God mother to forgive him and have him in my life. And they let him live at their place. Others actively are always seen to be around them. Tell my I am "wagging my tounge".
Told I'm lying and I am crazy like my mother
Ive seen photos of elders associating with him etc and I'm sick of the issue being avoided. I rang crying saying my dads not allowed at the dham in uki. The elders I spoke to made out it was the first he heard of it. This was a yr n a half after I did. I'm sorry but I know for a fact a few people who had actually passed on this information directly to him n his wife.
It's also been told to alot of people from the isckon temple as well. It came out about my father in 2018. Its 2025. 7 years. N I've had enough. My son should know what the temples are. My son doesn't, his sister slightly does know what the temple is.
Yes their is some who believe but to many like to play dumb n hide their head in the sand instead of helping to fix a broken system. And I'm sick of religion and service being used as a excuse to keep certain people around.
PR: Brave of you to come forward with this, hope others will follow suit somehow. I always say, I reckon the one's we hear about are a tip of an iceberg, Hare Krsna.
RJ: soooo sad.
DL: My heart breaks for you! I pray speaking out brings healing and comfort.
TK: Very courageous of you.
PC: Your story is extremely sad and heart breaking. Religion and service should actually be a reason to keep abusers far out of temples and communities, UNLESS / UNTIL they get pardon and forgiveness FROM THOSE who've been offended.
It's nobody's business to interfere pushing victims about what to do. And an offender should humbly approach his / her victim, showing repentance and not asking for anything else. And even then, not take any prominent position anymore, what to say of teaching and leading.
Jagai-Madhai's story is crystal clear about this, and i'm just unable to understand why so many turn it the other way to favor abusers. You're brave to finally speak it out, i hope this is a step on to healing your wounds.
TK: Very courageous of you.
PC: Your story is extremely sad and heart breaking. Religion and service should actually be a reason to keep abusers far out of temples and communities, UNLESS / UNTIL they get pardon and forgiveness FROM THOSE who've been offended.
It's nobody's business to interfere pushing victims about what to do. And an offender should humbly approach his / her victim, showing repentance and not asking for anything else. And even then, not take any prominent position anymore, what to say of teaching and leading.
Jagai-Madhai's story is crystal clear about this, and i'm just unable to understand why so many turn it the other way to favor abusers. You're brave to finally speak it out, i hope this is a step on to healing your wounds.
JD: Thank you for being brave enough to speak the truth. My own father is a pedophile and my elder brother did the same kind of abuse to me. I was immediately disowned by my biological family and extended devotee community for speaking up about it. I've often wanted to warm the devotee community about my father and brother, but was afraid I would be told that the truth is not appropriate to share.
I have already dealt with death threats for speaking up in defense of a dear friend. Stay strong and continue being the brave protector that you are.
CD: Thank you for your courage in speaking out. It takes immense strength to share such painful truths, especially when so many choose to look away or protect the abuser. You are not alone, and your voice matters deeply. No one, especially children should ever be exposed to someone with a known history of abuse.
Communities, especially spiritual ones, should be the safest places, not sanctuaries for predators. You’ve done the right thing by speaking out, even when it’s cost you so much. I stand with you. We must prioritize the safety and healing of survivors over the comfort and image of abusers. Enough is enough.
KM: He should be in jail! Call the police! The people at the temple supporting him are not your family! ISKCON is only concerned about making money and protecting their investment!
MA: Pedophiles are a plague.
SO: He has been asked to not come to the dham and hasn’t been back since.
Please come home to your temple bring the kids let me know I’ll be there to serve you.
TL: And I will be forever grateful for you making that happen n him be banned from the dham. X
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LIVING GURU HYPOCRISY
KM: He should be in jail! Call the police! The people at the temple supporting him are not your family! ISKCON is only concerned about making money and protecting their investment!
MA: Pedophiles are a plague.
SO: He has been asked to not come to the dham and hasn’t been back since.
Please come home to your temple bring the kids let me know I’ll be there to serve you.
TL: And I will be forever grateful for you making that happen n him be banned from the dham. X
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LIVING GURU HYPOCRISY
Another example of the same phenomenon at work involves the recently departed His Holiness Narayana Maharaja (“NM”) of the Gaudiya Matha. When he was physically present, his followers would enthusiastically promote the need to surrender to him because it was essential to hear directly from a “living” guru. For example, an article on their movement’s official website states:
“This hearing the recitation from a pure devotee means LIVE hearing. Sabda-brahma is only partially conveyed via the recorded medium. The recorded audio can impart meanings, concepts and might instil enthusiasm, but does not deliver that supremely magical transcendental sound vibration, sabda-brahma.”
(http://backtobhakti.com/2010/05/the-dharmadvaji/, archived at https://www.iskconirm.com/.../backtobhakti18may2010.htm)
Sabda-brahma means the transcendental Vedic teachings:
“Sabda-brahma means Vedic literature.”
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 15/9/1976)
It is made clear that the power of the teaching is conveyed fully only through the physically moving lips of a physically present personality.
Recordings more than sufficient.
Now that NM has departed, we are told that there is absolutely no lack whatsoever in the recorded sound vibration conveyed by NM, and that on the contrary, this recorded sound vibration of this “non-living” guru allows us to receive his “transcendental presence” in “an even more intense way”:
“There are many ways to experience Srila Gurudeva’s transcendental, all-merciful presence at this crucial time. In my opinion, one of the most powerful ways is to hear his sound-files and see his videos. As we received solace, nourishment, knowledge, and Srila Gurudeva’s presence from these sound files and videos before, now we have the opportunity to receive all this in an even more intense way. For me, in my life, these sound-files and videos – there are thousands of them – have been the difference between day and night, life and death.”
(Jadurani Dasi, promoting NM’s lectures and videos folllowing his departure, 5/1/2011)
A similar situation exists also with HH Gaura Govinda Swami (“GGS”). He stated one cannot rely on books or tapes, but instead one must hear directly only from a physically present person:
“You may say, “Oh I have read their books; I have their association.” That won’t help you. […] You cannot understand what they have said merely by reading their books. Your consciousness is very low, so you cannot understand their words.”
(GGS, The Process of Inquiry, ch. 6)
“Sabda-brahma will never descend through a tape. One must hear from a physically present Sri Guru.”
(GGS, ‘Q&A’, The Worship of Sri Guru, ch. 3)
Yet following his departure, his followers have been enthusiastically distributing his books and tapes!
So books and tapes are only insufficient if Srila Prabhupada happens to be in the picture. If it’s someone trying to take his place, then, magically, they suddenly become sufficient!
Conclusion
It is one thing to put forward a false philosophy. It is quite another to then also oppose that same philosophy due to convenience and personal consideration. When this is done one’s false philosophy can easily be defeated by simply using one’s own contradictory arguments against oneself. Thus, the “living guru” philosophy is shown to be so bogus that even its own promoters are unable to follow it! Clearly, it is nothing more than a cynical ploy invented solely for the purpose of trying to take Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental position.
Hence Srila Prabhupada’s phy-sical absence does not prevent him from transmitting transcendental knowledge to us, anymore than the physical absence of his would-be substitutes prevents them from doing so!
Hence Srila Prabhupada’s phy-sical absence does not prevent him from transmitting transcendental knowledge to us, anymore than the physical absence of his would-be substitutes prevents them from doing so!
SD Dasi: Another ISKCON pedophile uncovered. No more surprised at this, seems almost daily event. Only ... we are just seeing tip of the iceberg.
ReplyDeleteThere are many more, but victims don't want to speak out. Hell ... even I don't wanna speak out, there will be BIG trouble if you do. They know that.
The GBC has all sorts of committees for this and that ... amounts to ... a band aid on a cancer tumor. Won't fix it and might make it worse. I am not shocked anymore.
There is another pedophile in ISKCON? Just another day at the park for them. And the ISKCON-ers are clamping down on the victims, not the perps. OH yeah! Heard that already. Where have we heard that story before? ISKCON, where else?
SRD: On the recent post about Pran Govinda’s CPO ruling, we saw a familiar and disturbing pattern: friends rushing to his defense while viciously attacking the victim — without providing a shred of evidence to back their wild accusations.
ReplyDeleteThe charge was headed by Akruranath and his wife, Jagarini, who ironically is supposed to work in child protection! Tragically, this isn’t new. It’s a well-worn script in ISKCON, repeated in case after case involving some of the most notorious child abusers in the movement.
We've seen this pattern with the likes of: Sri Galim, Dhanurdhara, Varkesvara Pandit, Lokanath, Laxmimoni, BVP, Satadanya and many others.
Often it's the most senior and respected members of ISKCON that are the most vocal and aggressive in defending child abusers.
I’m really tired of this twisted loyalty — where defending the abuser seems more important than acknowledging the devastation they’ve caused.
This blind allegiance doesn’t just silence survivors; it sustains a culture where predators are protected, and victims are sacrificed.
It’s time to stop enabling this dangerous culture.
We must find a way to hold devotees accountable—not just the abusers, but also those who defend them and attack survivors.
Anything less is complicity.
PADA: A society that worships pedophiles will always have a problem with same. "You become what you worship," that is not only a Vedic Maxim, it is common sense. And that is why the GBC is so vociferous against the ritviks, the ritviks do not promote worship of deviants as messiahs.
PA Dasi: Kirtanananda was offering a maha plate to his pet dogs. And there was always 30-40 boys all around him. None of the parents were alert to the red flags here! Looking at those photos now, gives me chill up my spine. What was happening to these boys? No one thought this was very weird. It was.
ReplyDeleteObvious fascination for wearing fancy silk poofer's clothes, and dogs, and young boys. And now the person in charge of this dog and pony show, Radhanath, has become the main leader. And the others are all still leaders.
WTF! He should not be in charge of any other living beings. He failed the test to protect them. These old photos tell the whole story, K Swami was a flagrant poofer and everyone there thought he was as good as God. That means all those people helped make this crisis for ISKCON. All the parents of these boys were part of the whole dog and pony show.