Mayavadi Association at ISKCON Boston
BY: SUN STAFF
Aug 30, 2012 — CANADA (SUN) — A reader has called to our attention yet another example of the creeping Mayavada influence permeating ISKCON, which has been the subject of a number of recent articles in the Sun. Most notable was Caritra-varnana dasa's, "'Spiritual Slut" and Company: A Corrupting Influence", which provided a well- documented exposé of the problem manifesting amongst so-called kirtaniyas. Today, in fact, we are re-presenting his article, which has now been revised and expanded.
The latest report, about ISKCON Boston's participation with the Mayavadis, included the following comments from our reader:
"I have appreciated reading your articles, particularly the Defeat of Ritvik-vada and also postings about the various Mayavadi trends that are pervading the movement. I am especially disgusted by this Krishna Cruise and the general preaching of Radhanath Swami. I think your reporting and comments about his various programs are extremely important. It is self evident, from his writings and lectures that his preaching is certainly against Srila Prabhupada's example. I don't agree with it at all and feel that this is having an extremely bad effect on the movement.
I just got a letter from a very good friend in Boston with an example of this effect, I believe. Devotees who are following his example are imitating his associating with Mayavadis, in the guise of Interfaith preaching. The Boston Temple is having co-kirtan with the local Sai Baba Temple and inviting devotees to come to this in a newsletter to the congregation. I believe this is an exact imitation of Radhanath-style preaching, and is very dangerous. Of course, the devotees are going as friends and are NOT going to challenge their bogus beliefs.
I would very much appreciate if the Sun could let everyone know about this because I think it is a direct deviation to Srila Prabhupada's methods of preaching. I am attaching the newsletter."
The newsletter referred to can be seen here. It promotes a kirtan event that ISKCON devotees and congregants are encouraged to attend at the local Sai Baba of Shirdi temple on September 1st:
"For the very first time a group of singers, musicians of Iskcon Boston would be conducting Hari Naam Kirtan at Sai Temple. Details are also available on Sai temple website."
We are glad to hear that it's the "very first time"… and we pray that it will be the last time. In fact, we hope that it won't even take place this time, because someone in a position of authority amongst the NA GBC will step in and put a stop to this embarrassing nonsense. This is not the sort of activity Srila Prabhupada wished to have his followers engage in -- not in the name of "Interfaith", and not for any other reason.
One point of intersection where Radhanath's mayavada influence meets similar non-Gaudiya Vaisnava interests is the Swami's penchant for poor-feeding, sick healing, and similar daridra-narayana type seva. This is something Shirdi Sai Baba is also famous for.
Of course, this sort of temple-hopping has been going in ISKCON for some time now, and is not limited to Planet Radhanath or the North American Bhaktifest crowd. In July 2011, the Sun reported on a similar cross-cultural jubilee in which the devotees of ISKCON New Zealand helped to raise money for the Shirdi Sai Baba's in their part of the world. In Boston, the Shirdi Sai Baba temple recently installed a life-size murti of their guru, which our ISKCON devotees will get darshan of, and perhaps offer donations to. Meanwhile, the Bhaktivedanta Archives is pleading with devotees to come up with enough money so that Srila Prabhupada's transcendental vani can be properly protected.
We encourage the devotees to contact the GBC and the ISKCON Boston temple president, and let them know how you feel about this situation. And please take time to give the revised edition of "Spiritual Slut" and Company another careful read. Follow the many links provided by the author to the evidence he provides, and confirm for yourself that his reporting is entirely accurate. Then kindly read Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, in which the Lord sternly admonishes the devotees to avoid associating with mayavadis.
This has long been an area of concern for the Sun Editors and for many of our contributing authors. In the days ahead, we will drop a banner into the Sun's right column, offering a perma-link to Caritra-varnana dasa's article and related editorials.
