Hot Air Balloon Sankirtan
BY: UGRESA DASA (ACBSP)
Mar 05, USA (SUN) — Hare Krsna. I've been reading articles submitted to the Sampradaya Sun for some years now, and agree that Rocana prabhu is providing a very valuable service in offering a platform from which devotees can voice their opinions on any topic. Freedom of speech is a vital element of any spiritual movement, otherwise we're just a cult. He and his wife deserve our thanks and financial support. Maybe a Paypal link could be set up, for voluntary donations.
There is so much truth to the saying that the 'pen is mightier than the sword'. We must continue these discussions, with or without our 'leaders'. Srila Prabhupada never avoided questions on any topic. If the GBC wants the respect of the ISKCON community, then they have to be transparent, on every level. No more meetings behind closed doors, everything on the table, so we can trust their decision making process.
Although sometimes filled with much controversy, these discussions are our modern day Istagosthi. It seems a shame that our GBC do not take a leading role in what Srila Prabhupada set-up as a means for us to straighten out any misconceptions in philosophy.
The main topic of contention seems to be whether an interested bhakta can take initiation directly from Srila Prabhupada, through his representative Siksa guru, or as the GBC has directed, he/she can only join the chain of Disciplic Succession by taking initiation through the appointed Diksa gurus. A leading GBC commented some years ago that:
"ISKCON is a family. We have to see all the members connected to each other. Similarly if the son becomes attached to the uncle, does the father feel bad about it? Or does he feel happy about it? I remember receiving more love and affection from my uncles than from my father. From my father I got chastisement and from my uncles, chocolates".
This could be a very good argument for our present ISKCON condition: accept that our father, Srila Prabhupada, owns the house (ISKCON), eternally. Shouldn't our uncle love his own family in his house?
I know how many of Srila Prabhupada's sons feel, because I'm one. After Srila Prabhupada's disappearance we had a parade of 'newly minted gurus' parading through our temple in Toronto. As I recall, Hansadutta, Bhagavan, Satsvarupa, and Kirtananada all came within the year, looking for disciples. Where are they now? And what of those disciples?
Being only a 22 year old brahmacari, and used to taking direction from older devotees, many like me went along with this fanfare. New Vyasasanas were brought into the temple room, and Gurupuja performed by us 'Prabhupada disciples' to the new 'guru godbrothers'.
We have a saying in real estate, 'caveat emptor' or 'Let the buyer beware'. Many of us have bought into philosophies that are not helping our spiritual growth. In fact, some choices have weakened or destroyed our bhakti-lata bija (our devotional creeper).
Krishna Consciousness is all-attractive, and in an effort to be linked to that sublime lineage some newer devotees are trusting, rather than understanding, the philosophy, and their choices. We have to read Srila Prabhupada's books, everything is there.
Who's to deny that connection between the guru and disciple? Personally I believe it's a beautiful thing, but if we're talking 'Diksa', then it should be outside of my father's house. I welcome comments, and hope that we will hear from GBC representatives very soon.
On a lighter note, I'm the owner and pilot of a wonderful preaching tool (pictured). My dream is to use it to spread the chanting of Hare Krishna. My hot air balloon stands 60 feet, and commands attention when inflated. It's like a floating Jagannatha cart. Some years ago, we attended Srila Prabhupada's 100th and the Janmastami celebration in Vancouver, and it was a glorious occasion. If you feel I could benefit your area of preaching, please contact me, I'm willing to go anywhere in the world.
Hari Bol.
Ugresa dasa ACBSP
