A letter was dispatched in 1973 Meant for leaders, the you and me Penned by our dear His Divine Grace Of the concept he willed us to embrace

I was jolted into confronting ISKCON’s shortcomings in 1996. A dozen former gurukula students told their histories of being abused as children to seventy-five leaders at the annual North American meeting in Alachua. The vivid details of beatings, abandonment, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse were heartbreaking. Grown men and women were crying. Some fell to the ground, begging forgiveness from the youth for not being aware of the abuse and not doing more to prevent it. We were stunned. Abuse “wasn’t supposed to happen here.” Not in the Hare Krishna movement. Abuse happens elsewhere, we thought. In other religions. In other communities.

We all know that ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada strongly and repeatedly emphasized that, to demonstrate their love for him, his followers should cooperate together. (NOTE: Please refer to the first article in this regular series on this same topic https://iskconnews.org/coming-of-age/). We also know that disagreement in all groups of human beings (embodied souls) is the rule rather than the exception. And, while seemingly “big ask” of cooperation does not require agreement to exist, it does require humility, patience, tolerance, and the kind of broad-mindedness that doesn’t present as sectarianism. Plus, these prerequisites for cooperation happen to line up with Lord Chaitanya’s teachings.

Herein is a compilation of Srila Prabhupada quotes according to various topics of how Srila Prabhupada envisioned ISKCON to move forward.  I am sure there are many other relevant quotes. The reader will see patterns emerge throughout these topics which unequivocally establish Prabhupada’s multifaceted vision for his Movement.  The idea that his Movement must be either conservative or progressive is counterproductive. There is no need for devotees to argue that one position is right and another is wrong.  To do so will only deflate Prabhupada’s vision.

Recently Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus wrote about the final stages of the TOVP which will be finished within the next two years: “This project belongs to all of us, and the sense of unity that will be experienced by all devotees in this achievement for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, our acharyas and Lord Caitanya will bring everyone the greatest sense of transcendental satisfaction. . . .”

If there was a predominant message that Srila Prabhupada left all his followers at the end of his life, it would arguably be, “You will show your love for me by how much you cooperate together.”

I want to share some reflections on the role of scripture (śāstra) and theology in the context of ISKCON's ongoing efforts towards accountability and justice related to sexual misconduct.

A Ball for All . . . . No Game. I know, I know, of the cup that cheers but doesn’t inebriate; But the world cup sure gives no cheer for some close affiliate For those that know and see, and get conditioned to the game Its misery and sorrow I heard, and what to speak of shame? For the World Cup that may chee, is sure not writ on their fate!

With Christmas coming, I thought to share these thoughts about our recent Vaisnava Christian Dialogue that was held online last week with Catholic, Protestant, Sri Vaisnava and Gaudiya Vaisnava participants in India, the US and the UK.