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EDITORIAL March 28, 1999 VNN3441 Is Infighting An Integral Part Of Caitanya's Movement? BY VRINDAVAN PARKER EDITORIAL, Mar 28 (VNN) — I am amazed that the one offense we are warned to avoid at all costs(Vaishnava Aparadh) seems to be the one indulged in at every opportunity. Of course philosophical debates are welcome and have been a traditional part of Vedic Culture, but carrying out full scale character assassinations is absolutely wrong. It serves no purpose other than those of Kali Yuga Personified. "Is this political infighting really an integral and necessary part of Lord Caitanya's preaching movement? If not, then why be a part of it? As for myself, I know if I manage to ignite even one spark of interest in Krsna, in someone's heart, I have no doubt that I have successfully been a part of Lord Caitanya's preaching movement. There are many Vaishnavas who have decided they can accomplish more for Srila Prabhupad by not being involved in Iskcon politics (Tripurari Swami etc.). Then there are others who have had the ability to be officially involved in Iskcon and thus preach successfully. They are all Vaishnavas and worthy of respect. Even when Shrila Prabhupada expressed disappointment in his God-Brothers, he always warned us that they are Vaishnavas and to be very careful not to offend them. Lord Caitanya showed the perfect example in His Ramachandra Puri Lila. Another important point, that seems to be lost, is the history of Srila Prabhupada's relationship with his God-Brothers. Anyone who takes the time to read Shrila Prabhupada's letters books,will see time and time again that he invited them to join him in the west. He also sent Achyutananda Swami to stay with his God-Brothers in the early 70s. There a different cases, which one must be careful not to lump together, but Srila Prabhupada's primary disappointment with his God-brothers was that they preferred to stay in their temples in India, rather than preach worldwide. This was the express desire of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Shrila Prabhupada fulfilled it. But he always expressed his disappointment that his God-brothers would not join him in this endeavor. Now we come to the 1990s. For the past several years, various Gaudiya Vaishnava Spiritual masters have been doing exactly as Shrila Prabhupada wanted, i.e. traveling the world spreading the message of Lord Caitanya. But instead of being wholeheartedly welcomed, they have been shunned and blasphemed. THIS IS A GREAT MISFORTUNE and VERY DANGEROUS TO THE SPIRITUAL WELL BEING OF ALL INVOLVED. They should be honored for their efforts. Then there are those who bring up the point that some of these Vaishnavas have a different philosophy than Prabhupada. Anyone with a background in Vedic History knows that the Saints don't always agree on every point. Even Shrila Prabhupada in a morning walk in Mayapur, 1974 or 1975, says,"Who says all the Vaishnava authorities must agree on every single point?" I don't have the book right now, but it is in one of the conversation books. A disciple pointed out a contradiction between two Vaishnava authorities and Prabhupada responded by saying that all Vaishnava authorities don't always agree with each other. My point is because Vaishnava Aparadh is so dangerous, we must be very careful not to commit such offenses. It unfortunately seems to be very popular right now. I am convinced this is the root cause of all the troubles in the movement. I am also guilty of this, therefore I sincerely beg the forgiveness of any I may have offended. Vaishnava Aparadh is a self feeding disease that increases as it is committed. Lord Caitanya appeared to teach us how to be devotees. In His Lila He frequently meets Vaishnavas from other lineages and always treated them with love and respect. Of course He addressed their deviations, but it was always done in the most gracious,loving and merciful way. Because He is Radha-Krsna appearing as a Vaishnava Devotee, there is no question that we are to follow His example in our dealings with other Vaishnavas. What to speak of official Vaishnavas, Lord Caitanya treated Buddhists, Mayavadis, Shaivaites, Muslims, everyone with compassion and kindness. I could go on and on. I just want to remind everyone, including myself to read and understand Caitanya Lila and act accordingly. There are many who think they can emulate Shrila Prabhupada's preaching mood or Bhaktisiddhanta's, but even then Shrila Prabhupada warned us against calling people fools and rascals. He said people will accept it, coming from him, but not from us. The real essence of their mood was to use every means and opportunity to preach. It is obvious that all this political squabbling impedes the preaching movement and therefore should be wholeheartedly rejected. Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9903/ET28-3441.html
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