Prabhupada Hasn’t Left ISKCON
BY: GRAHILA DASA (ACBSP)
Apr 03, USA (SUN) —
Although the following quotes are presented as facts, they are opinions, and rather extreme ones at that (emphasis is mine):
“The devotees who have chosen to exist within FISKCON are either naïve, ignorant or criminals; let us not be mistaken here.”
“There is no doubt that, apart from older devotees who have no other place to go, anybody who is dedicated to ISKCON at this late date, with all of its history exposed to anybody who bothers to investigate, is fool number one.”
I choose to remain in ISKCON for several reasons. First of all, I stay because it is the house that Srila Prabhupada built, and to me it is obvious that he is still giving his mercy to those who take refuge in this house. ISKCON-bashers seem to be equating the overall health of ISKCON with their perceived health of the GBC. The GBC is only a small portion of ISKCON; the rank and file devotees comprise the vast majority of the institution. And among the rank and file devotees there are many advanced/advancing devotees with wonderful qualities, realizations, and attachment to Krsna. I am happy to have the association and friendship of these souls. Not only are the general devotees making spiritual advancement, they also have reverence and love for Srila Prabhupada.
I have heard many glorifications of Srila Prabhupada by ISKCON gurus that seem quite heartfelt to me, and their disciples imbibe that appreciation. Many devotees are extremely attached to their gurus and are being inspired by them to surrender to Srila Prabhupada (maybe through their initiating guru, but still it is surrender to Prabhupada because it is to his teachings and instructions that they are surrendering). The ISKCON guru can give to his disciple whatever shakti (spiritual potency) he has. He cannot give what he does not have. Thus the GBC has resolved: “It should be understood that the purpose of siksa and diksa within ISKCON is to strengthen the devotee’s relationship with Srila Prabhupada in terms of fidelity, attachment, and affection.” (Resolution 316, 2009)
I stay in ISKCON also because I like the kirtans, the festivals, the morning program (which includes Srila Prabhupada’s daily guru-puja), the Deities, and the opportunity to preach to younger devotees. I stay because I am happy here. I live in Mayapur. I’m attached to the ISKCON Deities. There are English Srimad-Bhagavatam classes by many nice devotees, such as Jananivasa and Pankajanghri Prabhus. For me it’s the best situation for spiritual advancement. And isn’t that what Srila Prabhupada wants from his followers-for them to make spiritual advancement? The society of ISKCON devotees has also helped many devotees leave this world successfully-remembering Krsna, surrounded by devotees chanting the Holy Names, etc.
The bottom line is you are connected to Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON. We have seen many disciples of ISKCON gurus who have fallen down continue to make advancement while remaining in ISKCON. They are still getting Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. I am not saying that it doesn’t matter if the guru falls. Obviously it does, because it often wreaks havoc in the spiritual lives of the disciples. But at the same time, devotees can get Srila Prabhupada’s mercy regardless; they are connected to him through the process of initiation and by following his instructions and studying his books.
Srila Prabhupada has not left ISKCON, so why should I? Call me an idiot if you like (and I expect some will write in saying just that), but what’s important to me is how Srila Prabhupada sees me. And I don’t believe he sees all ISKCON members as “either naïve, ignorant, or criminals” or as “fool number one.”
Ultimately I have faith that Lord Caitanya will preserve Srila Prabhupada’s creation. I believe this because of Srila Prabhupada’s exalted status as Krsna’s intimate associate. We are seeing that Krsna has and is weeding out the cheaters and abusers (but at His own pace). You cannot cheat Krsna; everyone will get exactly what they deserve. Eventually ISKCON will regain its health and flourish. It may take some time, but ISKCON is still a very young branch on the Caitanya tree-only a little more than forty years old out of a lifespan of 10,000 years or more.
