More on ‘Back to Prabhupada’

Jump to Comments

Srila Prabhupada in one of a series of photographs taken by Guru Das

 

In my blog, Thoughts on Back to Prabhupada Magazine, I included a few reflections on the guru-disciple relationship. The piece was not intended as an endorsement or a refutation of the ritvik conception. Nevertheless, my blog was picked up by that magazine and run, edited and annotated, as a two-page article in the current issue. I’d complimented them on their research and production, and suggested that they were making a contribution to the Hare Krishna movements ‘intellectual vitality.’

 

 

Given that they have known my opinions for many years, I was surprised to see myself published in their literature, and can only imagine that they wanted to show their supporters that at least one ‘ISKCON leader’ had now written something positive about them and their intentions. They had, of course, cut away the parts from my piece they considered unhelpful for their propaganda. And although they were careful not to make their usual sarcastic and derisory remarks throughout the body of the article, they had reserved their sting for the tail. They concluded by wishing me well in my continuing studies of Srila Prabhupada’s books and felt sure that eventually I would realise that I was wrong and they were right.

 

 

I like to see the good in people, especially devotees of Krishna. If I see that someone is trying to do something for Srila Prabhupada’s mission I will always encourage them and wish them all success. We need so many good-hearted people to accomplish our spiritual master’s great task. So I wish I could say more in favour of the ritviks and their ongoing campaign to reform ISKCON. I really do. I believe that personal reform is a constant requirement for the spiritual health of an individual, and collective reform is essential for the good health of a movement like ours. But I remain unconvinced that they will be the ones to do it, and equally doubtful that their favoured journalistic style will bring about anything other than disdain and a hardness of heart.

 

 

When a publication bears the name and image of Srila Prabhupada, the contents should do him justice by reflecting his own compassion for his disciples. Srila Prabhupada accomplished so much in the world by offering wisdom, understanding and loving guidance to all his disciples. If they strayed from the narrow path of spiritual life he forgave them and helped them become restored. The constant criticism and fault-finding offered by the Back to Prabhpada is so un-Vaishnava, and so productive of offensive consciousness that it renders it useless for bringing any reader closer to Godhead. It is for this reason that it has become known in Vaishnava circles as Turn your back to Prabhupada magazine.

The editorial cut-and-paste treatment of Srila Prabhupada’s books, accepting what is suitable for their campaign and dispensing with what is not, displays what is described as ‘half-chicken’ logic. Although showing skill in logical argumentation, the understanding of Vaishnava philosophy displayed by the publication is actually tinged with mayavada doctrine. Some of the letters published on the letters page are manufactured, and some while genuine are ancient.

It is also worth mentioning here that, in the true spirit of splinter groups, there are now several ritvik groups in various parts of the world, and some of them have parted company, both in spirit and practise, with the publishers of the Back to Prabhupada magazine. They too find their approach intolerable. Others are too busy spreading the mission of Srila Prabhupada to be perpetually concerned with the reform of others. I suggest that those responsible for the magazine follow the example of their ritvik brothers and sisters elsewhere, and spend their time preaching, distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, holding festivals and distributing prasadam. In this way they will be of great benefit to Britain and the rest of the world.

3 Comments

Filed under Guru-Disciple