© 1999 VNN
|
EDITORIAL May 4, 1999 VNN3787 ISKCON Supports Vedic Empire BY VRINDAVAN DAS EDITORIAL, May 4 (VNN) — In a recent article that appeared on VNN, I expressed my frustration in my experiences with ISKCON and CKI. This article has inadvertently caused much anxiety to several devotees. This was not my intention. However, on a positive note, I am happy to announce that the issues that I brought up have been resolved. ISKCON has recognized my endeavors and has agreed to support the Vedic Empire preaching programs. I have also been invited to be on the advisory committee of CKI, which I am honored to accept. I am taking this opportunity to beg the forgiveness of the devotees of ISKCON in general and Bir Krsna Goswami in particular, for any anxiety I may have caused. I am sorry that I so publicly announced a second hand rumor that turns out to have been false. Bir Krsna Goswami did not say the Vedic Empire crew are demons. However, considering that the rest of my article is based on first hand experiences, the obvious question remains; Why was ISKCON so unsupportive of the Vedic Empire preaching programs? The answer is quite simple, though the dynamics of it are a bit complicated. Vedic Empire Productions was started by Neil -Kaliya' Robinson and myself, as a television show dedicated to pointing out the historical and scientific validity of the world's ancient Vedic heritage. The idea of holding public events came later, as a promotional tool. Once they began, we started working with many different people, whose help proved invaluable. Unfortunately, some of these people are notorious for being involved in illegal activities. They are well known to the devotee community of Honolulu, and Bir Krsna Goswami also knew these facts. Though the actual owners of Vedic Empire Productions, Neil Robinson and myself, were not involved, no clear distinction could be made between us and those we hired to work with us. This is the real reason Bir Krsna Goswami and others were not willing to allow official ISKCON involvement with the Vedic Empire. In my defense, it wasn't until the controversy over my article that the reason behind ISKCON's stance was revealed to me. It is now obvious that Bir Krsna Goswami was doing his dharma by protecting ISKCON from being implicated in perceived illegal activities. I must also point out that it has recently come to my attention that ISKCON had reason to be concerned. It turns out that the Honolulu Police Department was also convinced that Vedic Empire Productions and ISKCON were directly involved in these people's illegal activities. At one point in early 1998, they were actively investigating the ISKCON Honolulu temple and myself as well. When I wrote the article for Raghu's newsletter (who subsequently posted it on VNN), none of these facts had come to my attention. I have since taken the opportunity to vouch for the non-involvement of Vedic Empire Productions in illegal activities. The ISKCON authorities have graciously accepted the obvious legal and moral integrity of Vedic Empire Productions. The State of Hawaii, Honolulu Police Department, etc., have also recognized this. Actually, the State of Hawaii, due to the obvious positivity of our programs funded two of our last three events. I am happy to inform everyone that the Vedic Empire preaching programs are continuing nicely. In Hawaii, our last event (Feb 28) was well attended and well received. Sandra Chatterji, one of Hawaii's top Indian dancers, performed in honor of Lord Caitanya. Usually paid top dollar, she refused payment. Nila Kaliya Robinson (Vedic Empire Co-owner) gave a dramatic presentation about the birth of Nimai and Summer performed a traditional Japanese dance. The next scheduled event will be held in May, in honor of Lord Nrisingadev. We are also hoping to hold an event in April, in celebration of Rama-Navami. We haven't been able to serve much Prasad lately, due to being undermanned, so I'm hoping the Iskcon devotees will fill this void. (The newest edition of 'Hare Krsna World' has a detailed story on the Vedic Empire.) Meanwhile, in Eugene, OR. I am continuing to air Krsna conscious TV shows. I am currently airing "The Teachings of Queen Kunti" presented by Srila Prabhupada, every Wednesday evening, at 7:30 PM. I also air our Vedic Empire "World History As It Was" Series regularly. I am very hopeful that with the support of Iskcon and ITV, I will never run out of videos to air. It is actually quite amazing how things work out. I hope my recent experience will serve as an example to all of us. I spent two years tormented at what I perceived as envy and outright hostility on the part of the ISKCON leadership. It turns out they were misinformed and assumed the worst. I saw this as hostility and I assumed the worst. Never, until last week, was a dialogue initiated. All the accusations and insinuations resulted from miscommunication. But because all of the parties involved are sincere, as soon as a direct line of communication was opened, everything was resolved. Such co-operation has surely pleased our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. One wonders how many of the current controversies in the Vaisnava community are based on miscommunication. I humbly request everyone to learn from this example, and a golden age of cooperation will truly dawn, for each and every one of us. Vrindavan Parker P.S. About my statements on CKI: I did not mean to criticize the sincere efforts of Jahnavi. Her work- load is enormous. I do not want to tear down what is there; rather I want to add to it. It is true, I do not think CKI's current methods are proactive enough. As I mentioned in the article, we need a much more individual approach. But this definitely increases the workload and requires much more involvement and cooperation amongst all of us. After speaking with Jahnavi about my concerns, she has invited me to be on the advisory committee. In this way, I can help in this worthy cause, in some official capacity. Just to be clear, I do believe in constructive criticism, not fault finding. Therefore, I am honored to help. VP About the Author | Other Stories by this Author Comment on this Story | Contact VNN regarding this Story
NEWS DESK | EDITORIALS | TOP |
