Hridayananda on Regulating the Sannyasa Asrama
BY: SUN STAFF
Dec 22, CANADA (SUN) — What follows is an interesting thread of discussion from the North American Temple Presidents Forum. This particular exchange culminates with a message from Hridayananda on the subject of standards for those in the sannyasa order.
Tamohara das, Chair, NAEC wrote:
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila
Prabhupada.
We are currently working on our agenda for the January Leadership meetings
in Dallas, and looking forward toward your participation.
We would like to hear of any agenda items, discussion topics, or presentations that any of you would like to see. There is also time allotted for a Temple President's meeting, to discuss specific items pertinent to our temple leaders. So you may suggest items for either the general plenary session, or the separate TP's meeting. Please send these to this
Forum, or directly to Tamohara das.
We have already scheduled a number of important and interesting presentations. We will have time for a strategic planning session, preaching presentations, and other legal and administrative issues that are relevant to you.
Another feature that we have incorporated is a half day training session on Sunday. This will be a portion of our North American Leadership Development Initiative course that is currently underway. The training will focus on "Devotee Care" and include areas of devotee care, counseling, coaching, communication, and dealing with relationship challenges in our leadership role.
Your servant,
Tamohara das
Chair, NAEC
Mahat-tattva dasa wrote:
I think it should be of our concern that the ethos of celibacy, renunciation, austerity, missionary spirit, and self-sacrifice is on decline. If we don't proactively deal with the issue, within a generation or two we will follow the Christian faith, from the "fired-up" Jesus to "everything is ok" modern followers.
Your servant,
Mahat-tattva Dasa
On Fri, Dec 18th, Pyari wrote:
I agree with Mahat-Tattva Prabhu and believe it should start at the top, with the sanyasis. I know many sanyasis are exceptionally renounced, but it seems to me that some of them are not. It appears that if you can give up sex life you can have a large bank account, modern gadgets (computers etc.), fly anywhere anytime you want (many times first class), spend time in health resorts, buy anything you want whenever you want it, and in general live an opulent life, which to me doesnąt seem very renounced. Does renunciation mean more than just giving up sex life, or is that all it means? If some of the sanyasis are setting an example of extravagance, the rest of society will follow. I believe if somehow the sanyasis can at least appear to be more renounced and austere, that would help this movement a great deal.
Ys,
Pyari
[we assume this is Pyari Mohan, Temple President of Connecticut]
On Mon, Dec 21st, Hridayananda wrote:
Since the general topic seems to be preserving Srila Prabhupada's legacy, Pyari suggests (and I don't necessarily disagree with him) that on various points we not follow Srila Prabhupada's personal sannyasa example. Srila Prabhupada had large bank accounts, used what were at the time modern gadgets, flew wherever he wanted, often first class, and built personal quarters in India that, for India, were quite opulent. If we consider these prerogatives unique to Prabhupada because of his exalted position, then we need to establish sannyasa standards that make this clear.
Regarding computers, many sannyasis do extraordinary preaching thru the internet, preaching that sustains the spiritual lives of many souls. Personally, I can envision an ISKCON in which those who take sannyasa agree to give up many things beyond sex life. I understand the unhappiness many devotees feel seeing sannyasis with what appears to be a worldly, if celibate, lifestyle. Were ISKCON to establish stricter sannyasa standards, then it would clear to sannyasa candidates, before they take sannyasa, what they are in for. And many sannyasis, if not all, may be willing and able to retroactively accept stricter standards.
In the spirit of guhyam akhyati prcchati, revealing one's mind in confidence to other Vaishnavas, I will add this: I can hardly claim that my own sannyasa example has been perfect or exemplary, though I have followed the basic principles. I accept that all of us must do what we can to improve our performance in ISKCON and maintain peace in Prabhupada's mission. At the same time, given my age and temperament, I don't think at this point I could renounce the financial freedom and independence I now have. Yet I realize that ISKCON cannot and should not base its sannyasa policy on me or any other individual, but rather on what is best over the long term for a large international spiritual society.
Honesty compels me to conclude by saying that when I put aside my personal needs and preferences and think of the kind of ISKCON I would like to see in the future, I agree that we need to further regulate the sannyasa ashrama, beyond simple celibacy, though I may not agree in every detail with Pyari or other sincere devotees.
With best wishes,
Your servant,
Hridayananda das Goswami
