Comments on: On opinions, dissension and ISKCON schisms

By: Corey

Corey — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:43:33 +0000

Perhaps a more underlying source of these problems is our lack of following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada to “distribute books, distribute books, distribute books”?

Do you notice how when temples become centered around book distribution, these side-issues become petty?

If there is any “cause” that we should stand behind, it is the cause to preach widely and distribute books as widely as possible.

By: Nomad

Nomad — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:47:50 +0000

The solution? Tolerance. Always tolerance. And mutual understanding, negotiation, and compromise.
It sounds so easy yet it seems so difficult…and why?

Well how about introducing another element into the equation?
Culture…
With culture we should be able to tolerate diverse opinions, with culture we have the tool to negotiate with respect and compromise (not our principles) where we need to cross paths with our diverse and different opinions…

Our lack of culture is prominent in our abruptness, our ability to judge with speed (without knowing the facts) and our lack of compassion to each other.

Culture is a wonderful ally when dealing with troubles and strife. It gives you the strength when one is weak; it gives inspiration when one needs it. So how do you gain culture?

Well in my humble opinion this comes with realising that in this extremely broad church that is ISKCON – it is truly wonderful that Krishna has assembled many voices with many ideas and visions for Srila Prabhupada’s house, yet with such differing moods the goal is the same – to serve Prabhupada and Krishna.
So with this in mind we should embrace different ideas and different moods.
We should encourage every devotee on the journey in spiritual life, we should become the pillar of strength for the devotees that are struggling and we should listen and learn more about the devotees who are different to us (we will be amazed to find that are similarities we can share).

I believe culture is something that is very new to us (ISKCON) all – we have the philosophy, we have the history, we have the principles and ethics but how mature are we when it comes to giving each other advice? We can quote shastra and shout out ’Prabhupada said this’ –but are we really living what we are preaching?
Culture is not something you can pick up by reading a self-help book –it comes with experience and practice…yes we will make mistakes along the way – but who doesn’t? – let us tolerate our shortcomings and help each other and let us encourage the different minds to make Krishna Consciousness attractive to the whole world.

By: krishna-kirti

krishna-kirti — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:47:42 +0000

I like the commentator Krishna’s suggestion to focus more on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and less on the institution. If this is done, many of the institutional problems will work themselves out. However, this may be yet another suggestion that is great in theory but is unlikely to survive the real world. It’s Kali-yuga, and, even for people who take up the path of devotion, piety and enlightenment are often hard to come by.

By: Krishna

Krishna — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:36:10 +0000

I feel that it is because ISKCON’s basic messages to its members and the public are focused not on the philosophy of Krishna consciousness as much as the delivery system for the philosophy – the institution.

Perhaps better and more sustainable progress could be made through
ensuring that the public was understanding some of the key philosophical messages rather than focusing on them becoming members?

This might also help to heal the heated discussions within ISKCON, or between ISKCON and its splinter groups?

By: Jaya Tirtha Charan dasa

Jaya Tirtha Charan dasa — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:54:40 +0000

Thanks prabhu, a wonderful article.
AGTSP., AGTSG&G.,

By: krishna-kirti

krishna-kirti — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:49:45 +0000

Krpamoya: “The solution? Tolerance. Always tolerance. And mutual understanding, negotiation, and compromise.”
I think a more satisfying answer would be, “It depends.” Sometimes devotees on one side of a contentious issue are right and those on the other side are wrong. And that sometimes means disassociating one’s self with the misguided devotees. Sometimes that means schism.
This is the price for making any claim to having access to objective truth, because making that claim is simultaneously affirming that a) there is such a thing as an objective point of view, and b) we can know it.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:11:10 +0000

As I was talking to one senior devotee he said one thing his spiritual master told him “It is best to be part of ISKCON with all it’s faults than outside throwing bricks at it”

Yes, discussion and debate is good but this should not be of our own opinion, thought or feelings. But that of scripture and most important of the spiritual master. As HH Devamrita Swami once said “The message in ISKCON will always be the same, the way it is presented may be different” as the saying goes: ‘different strokes for different folks.’