Italy Scandal Update / Former Lokanath Follower 10 11 25

More PADA and friends music.

Namananda and the sudden violence (ENGLISH TRANSLATION BELOW)

Former Hare Krishna temple of Padova and Villa Vrindavana: serious allegations against Bhakta Claudio and responsibility of Matsyavatara Prabhu and Madhusevita Prabhu.

Child sexual violence

Namananda Das is the son of Namahatta Das, one of the greatest book distributors at the time of criminal William Ehrlichman, aka Bhagavan Das. About thirty years ago, little Namananda was sexually abused by Bhakta Claudio, his teacher at the then Hare Krishna temple in Padua. The head of the temple was notorious conman Orlando Cecchini alias Dayanidhi Vanacari. Whoever abuses the weak betrays every human and spiritual principle.

PADA: Dayanidhi wrote to tell me I am making serious offenses to BV Puri Maharaja, who was promoting Radhanath swami at his matha. I simply pointed out that we cannot glorify the second in command to Kirtanananda, and a person evidently involved in the departure of Sulochana and so many other deviations, as a spiritual authority. And that should not require my instruction, they should already know that. In fact, BV Puri and others should be lecturing to neophytes like me not to glorify these false GBC acharyas. I should not have to lecture them. But Dayanidhi appears to be still recognized in ISKCON, despite switching camps to BV Puri? 

Transfer

Following the abuse case, Namananda's family was forced to move to Villa Vrindavana, under the presiding of Claudio Rocchi, alias Krishna Caitanya das. Initially they lived in a motorhome, then they managed to buy a house in Villa Bonazza.

Adoption and hypocrisy of Matsyavatara

After the abuse and the death of his parents, Namananda was adopted by Marco Ferrini aka Matsyavatara Prabhu, ironically called “the humble one”. Today Namananda works as a psychologist in a drug addiction recovery community in Tuscany. Genuine compassion is measured by facts, not titles.

Exposure and insufficient consequences

Last year, Namananda found the courage to report Bhakta Claudio to Matsyavatara. Result? Just a ban from Italian Hare Krishna temples. A pitiful decision, which shows how blind those who should defend the weakest are to evil.

Omerty and collusion

Matsyavatara, already known for protecting paedophiles in the past and therefore accomplice, kept everything a secret, refusing to assist Namananda in reporting to the relevant authorities. He didn’t even report Bhagavan Das, masking the scams as “lawful activities”. Already as president of Villa Vrindavana temple, he had spent over 200 million pounds on Bhagavan’s villa marbles and bath, while telling devotees to sell books in the sun and rain. Her false devotion becomes instrument of suffering.

The tragic end of Namahatta

Namananda's father Namahatta Prabhu ended his life in disgrace towards the late 1990s. The wife had already left the body a few years ago. Despite being one of the biggest distributors of Srila Prabhupada books in the world, he spent his last days in a room in Villa Vrindavana, only to be thrown out without decency, terminally ill with AIDS, by the then President Samba Das, instrument of the GBC mobster Massimo Brioli, alias Madhusevita Prabhu. This is the face of falsehood and spiritual betrayal.

Last words loaded with truth

Namahatta's very last words were:

"Those who treated me like this will pay by turning on Matsyavatara and Madhusevita. The holders of the greatest prophet in the world are not capable of loving. Words that touch the heart, shedding light on the corruption of false teachers."

Book ban and spiritual discrimination

In recent years he was officially banned from receiving books, which were only given to him under the counter by a brother of his, because Matsyavatara and his followers did not accept his initiation by B.V. Puri Maharaj. 

PADA: But BV Puri endorsed GBC gurus like Radhanath, Gopal Krishna and others and was considered as a sort of advisor for some of the GBC gurus. The only reason he was later rejected was, he was "re-initiating" ISKCON's people and was then seen as a competitor. Then they turned on him. But he did say Srila Prabhupada had only appointed ritviks, so he was at least partially correct.

True devotion knows no prejudice, but they have stepped on it.

Dedication and method of Namahatta

Many remember Namahatta, also known as Maha-rathi, as a book dealer like no other. His 'dandavat' bows to other devotees were done with unique sincerity, dispelling any anartha.

Direct quotes on Sankirtan

"I do not understand those devotees who are jealous because I distribute so many books, I am not giving this mercy but it is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;

"You need to concentrate on the heart and the paramatma when distributing a book of transcendental literature. 

The living teachings condemn every spiritual manipulation.

Conclusion

The story of Namananda and Namahatta is the crude radiography of corruption, hypocrisy and evil in ISKCON Italy. People who are supposed to protect and love turn out to be accomplices of abuse and more abuse. Matsyavatara, Madhusevita Prabhu, Bhagavan Das and their accomplices not only do not know how to love - they destroy lives, cover violence and betray Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy. 

Those who have lied and betrayed must be called to their own responsibilities, without mercy, without compromise. Devotion without discernment, in the hands of those seeking power and profit, becomes a weapon of universal suffering.

Villa Vrindavana Iskcon
Hare Krishna Dandavats Dasa
Iskcon Rijeka
Centro Studi Bhaktivedanta
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
ISKCON RITVIKS
ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

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A letter from a disciple of Lokanath Swami (2017)

To understand the situation related to Lokanath Swami case, a part of the personal correspondence between him and his disciple Abhay Charan das from New Zealand is published.

The author of the letter explains that he turned to the Guru due to growing doubts and lack of answers from senior Vaishnavis. He points out that he was not initially going to disclose this correspondence, but he is doing it now — to clarify the facts and counter attempts to silence or downplay the seriousness of what has happened.

Student's letter (June 6, 2017):

Abhay Charan das describes that after receiving the initiation in 1996, his faith has shaken for two reasons:

1. He came to know that in 1995 Lokanath Swami was removed from the GBC initiation but did not inform the disciples.

2. He later became aware of the case of sexual violence against a girl in which Swami confessed. Attempts to obtain a personal explanation were left unanswered.

He notes that, despite having doubts, he has always maintained respect for the Guru and followed his promises, but now openly expresses pain and frustration, hoping for a sincere response.

Lokanath Swami's answer (16 June 2017):

Swami confirmed that in 1995-1996, the GBC instructed him to keep the incident a secret, which he was "religiously performing". He called the incident "a minor incident thirty years ago" and expressed regret that the student found out about it later.

He also commented on Abhay Charan's refusal to publish the Vaishnava Puja offer, stating that he would not want the criticism to be made public.

Offering to Vyasa puja (Abhai Charan das, May 2017):

In his message, the disciple wished that his Guru should always remain an example of a pure, humble and responsible leader who represents Srila Prabhupada and our parampara with dignity.

The comments:

“My frustration is not in Lokanatha Swami as a man, but in the GBC reaction at the time, who protected the violator and left the victim without support. After years of waiting, I left him as a Diksha Guru - one of the hardest decision of my spiritual life. Nevertheless, I wish him spiritual well."