Compromises in Iskcon - Daiva Sangam

Compromises in ISKCON

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ISKCON is a huge society, and it is difficult to make generalizations about a group so large and diverse. Nonetheless, there are definite trends away from the society that Srila Prabhupada established, and these trends are visible to those who are astute observers and dedicated to transcendence. One of those devotees is Bhakti Vikasa Swami. In recent lectures he has spoken out clearly identifying the issues as he sees them. In all cases we agree with the good Maharaja.

In May of 2012 Bhakti Vikasa Swami felt the need to make a public statement regarding the deviations in ISKCON that he thought were significant. This public statement is reposted on the link to the right. Below you will find our notes from his Mayapura seminar in which he discusses the deviations of ISKCON. At the bottom of this page are links to listen to, or download his lectures on this subject. There are many more links to such lectures given in the public statement, and here. 

From Bhakti Vikasa Swami - Mayapura seminar

In this seminar Maharaja discusses many deviations within the society from what ISKCON purports to be. As far as fixing them, he has little to suggest. Some of these are more serious due to the fact that they are initiated by the leaders (some by GBC) who are supposed to be protecting the institution from such deviations that they themselves introduce! One must ask where is the GBC body on this??? Hmm. . . perhaps the previous sections explain how and why these things are going on and being overlooked. If that is not the case then we should anticipate that after hearing about these things, which they have, they would then begin to take some action. Which they haven't. Rather, their action was to censor Bhakti Vikasa Swami.

You can hear the lectures of Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja with the links at the bottom of this page and have offered our own notes for these lectures here. (We apologize for the confusion with the numeration as we haven't yet figured out how to correct that).

Problems in ISKCON, summarized
  1. Many leaders, GBC and gurus are going for higher ed. and this idea is promoted by their example. However, those pursuing Ph.D. cannot present absolute truth because
  2. No absolute truth is allowed in the university
    1. However the very first principle of Krishna Consciousness is that Krishna is the absolute truth!
  1. Tamal Krishna Swami opined that it is very difficult to be a devotee in the academic environment
  2. In an academic setting Srila Prabhupada is made to be relative, and does not speak the absolute truth. Thus we can speculate on his comments and accept or reject or improve them as we see the relative truths therein; we must now re-evaluate what Srila Prabhupada says.
  3. Institutions are condemned by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja (Putana)
  4. In many places ISKCON has become an institution that the office holders use for their own purposes.
  5. Following rules of the institution is taken to be the same thing as Krishna Consciousness
  6. "devotional service" is expected to be a paid position
  7. Preaching the truth is subordinated to what will bring money
  8. Keeping the institution running is more important than the purpose of the institution
  9. New devotees are unwanted (America), they disturb the smooth running of things
  10. Demigods installed in ISKCON temples
  11. Doing what Srila Prabhupada said makes you a fanatic and unwelcome in Srila Prabhupada's temples; these things should not be said!
                a.  Cannot speak the truth; our people will become upset
                b.  You should make people favorable; they should like us...
                c.  Temple becomes materialistic for the sake of bringing money

The principles are not followed in the temples; one leader was asked:
                a.  "Should we follow what is described in your books, or should we follow what you actually do?"

Deviations from Gaudiya siddhanta for political purposes:
Gurus
            a.  Fallen but allowed to remain
            b.  Rubber-stamping is apa-siddhanta
            c.   Variations allowed that are against tradition
            d.  Disciples of living gurus
            e.  Subordinate to the institution
Sannyasis, etc.
            a.  Servants of the institution, not independently-minded brahmana teachers




A Public Statement by His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami

Here are the tapes these notes are taken from. Listen here or download

Bhakti Vikasa Swami - Some Concerns About ISKCON, part 1

Bhakti Vikasa Swami - Some Concerns About ISKCON, part 2
some_concerns_about_iskcon_part_1_salem_24_aug_11.mp3
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some_concerns_about_iskcon_part_2_salem_24_aug_11.mp3
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