09/06/1998 - 2158

The GBC's Scissor Logic

USA (VNN) - by Narasimha

Srila Prabhupada once told a story of two investigators who argued over a homicide investigation. One investigator insisted that the murder had been done with a knife. The other investigator insisted that the murder had been done with scissors. Although the evidence was stacked in favor of the knife theory, one investigator continued to insist the killing had been done with scissors. Finally the investigator who had concluded that the murder was done with a knife threw the other investigator into a river.

As this poor man sunk helplessly in deep, dark waters, he thrust his hand up and imitated the cutting action of scissors with two of his fingers. In telling this story, Srila Prabhupada laughed at the stubbornness of foolish persons who deny the supreme authority of God at all costs, even as they fall helplessly in death's cruel grip. He called this atheistic stubborness to admit defeat "scissor logic."

The GBC and the whole institution of ISKCON has been rocked and rattled in recent years, particularly in recent months, by serious scandals. Many devotees feel GBC leaders were involved in a plot to poison Srila Prabhupada. Many other devotees say the GBC has deliberately subverted Srila Prabhupada's mission for personal gain. Other devotees have proven that the GBC has engaged in constant lies and cover-ups just to protect their bogus guru members, who are accused of such things as child molestation, child abuse, illicit sexual perversions, embezzlement, sexual harassment, criminal mismanagement, cow abuse, and other crimes against Vaisnavas. 

In recent weeks the chairman of the GBC has resigned under pressure of allegations of gross mismanagement, embezzlement of funds, illicit sex, general abuse of power, lying, blasphemey, and conspiracy to murder. Now he threatens to become "ISKCON's worst enemy" unless he gets more money and continued recognition for his role as guru. Meanwhile, he publicly states that ISKCON gives too much recognition to Srila Prabhupada. In spite of the growing list of ISKCON gurus who have fallen down in the most reprehensible of ways, and in spite of the loss of credibility the GBC suffers for failing to deal with even the most straightforward issues of misconduct, they cling stubbornly to their fanciful idea that Srila Prabhupada wanted them to be gurus. They are not even minimumly qualified as institutional leaders, preachers or disciples, yet they insist devotees worship them as gurus.

In truth, there is no evidence to support the GBC's claim that Srila Prabhupada ordered his disciples to act as diksa-gurus in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada never set up any system or formality for sanctioning or recongnizing diksa-gurus in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada never authorized the GBC to create a system of ordaining diksa-gurus in ISKCON. Rather, by his formal written order, Srila Prabhupada set up a system for initiations by ritviks, or "representatives of the acarya." Under this system there is no need for pretense to fool innocent bhaktas. Under this system there is no need for artificial divisions in ISKCON based on guru camps. There is no need for the repeated and offensive "re-initiations". Under Srila Prabhupada's system, there is no need for a leader or sannyasis to pretend he is absolute and perfect to the fag end, or until he goes insane and leaves devotional service completely. Much of the hypocrisy and cheating in ISKCON could be immediately eliminated just by accepting Srila Prabhupada's formula for initiations and training new devotees to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada directly, as far as their determination allows.

When the atmosphere of pretense and sahajiya cheating is removed from ISKCON, devotees can once again focus on the real task of preaching sincerely and removing anarthas (impurities) from their individual and collective consciousness. When everyone in ISKCON aspires to become the servant of the servant of Vaisnava Acaryas rather than to become worshiped as gurus, the whole mood of the Movement will change, and the pure process of sadhana-bhakti will be revived. Without pretense or false authority, senior devotees should show compassion to newer devotees and assist them in their service. Natural, caring, compassionate relationships without false pretense -- this is what Srila Prabhupada wanted in ISKCON. He never ordered any system for creating gurus. ISKCON is meant to provide an opportunity for everyone to serve the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by serving the mission of the Jagat Guru. Unfortunately, the gbc has systematically tried to divert that mission.

Real devotees and sincere friends of Lord Krsna are fast losing faith in iskcon and its hypocritical leaders. The united movement that Srila Prabhupada wanted is falling apart, and in its place are springing up the weeds of speculation, false doctrine, and deviant cults. In spite of all the turmoil and their failure to do any thing positive to put out the fire that burns ISKCON, the gbc and their followers still stubbornly cling to their theory that anyone can be a guru with a rubber stamp from the GBC. Just as the gbc's former champion and chairman has so vividly illustrated, malicious persons in the dress of Vaisnavas are not genuinely concerned with Srila Prabhupada's movement. Their interest is their own prestige and profit. For that end, they will do or say anything -- even if it means blaspheming or minimizing Srila Prabhupada and endangering the grand international institution he created with such painstaking care.