Why is ISKCON so Wishywashy? (Part -1)

[@kashikamuller4293]

Thank you sooooo much for your brutal honesty. I can breath a huge sigh of relief, I was one of those caught up under the spell of Bhagavan Das. I had left my university studies and joined the temple , I was only 19 at the time. I was initially attracted because of Srila Prabhupad’s books and developed a taste for Bhakti. But joining the temple came as a shock, we were sent out just to collect money , the focus was on money and we were used as a labor force , an atmosphere of control and coercion. Then Bhagavan fell.... shock waves ... I have lived with this trauma ever since. I still chant, read Prabhupad’s books and follow the principles but from the privacy of my home. I find it very difficult to trust anyone in ISCKON. But from deep within my heart THANK YOU for this talk . It’s helped me put the pieces together and finally find peace .

[@tulasideviful]

I hear you. My guru wasn't exposed as fallen, but the same exploitation and heartbreak was there. Even more since devotees continue to deify him even though I have deep suspicions that not only had he broken the principles but he was involved in criminal activities. Of course, I can never say this without being designated as a "demon" and receiving death theats, even in so-called caring and compassionate circles.

[@volmarrwyrd]

I thank you for having the guts to stand up and talk about these things. The only way to fix the problems is to face them. Too many in ISKCON just want to turn their heads and let the problems remain. This will only hurt ISKCON in the long run. ISKCON will greatly improve once people face the problems and are willing to fix things. This even means pointing out that some GBC gurus don't have the best interests of Krishna Consciousness in mind. Those gurus need to be taken to task. No human, guru or not guru, is stainless and perfect in the Kali Yuga. People who try to present themselves as being perfect and flawless, tend to be the ones hiding the truth. Gurus are the ones who help to reveal the truth, not hide it. So they need to become more humble, and admit their mistakes. People in ISKCON need to stop seeing gurus as perfect and flawless. Follow what is good in a leader, but don't give up your ability to question if something is correct or not, don't blindly follow someone, even a guru, if that guru is doing things that are wrong. Krishna resides in the heart chakra of everyone. This means that if we are a devotee, we need to honor the divine of all people, and not scam or exploit them. In the past, and even to some extent now, the culture of ISKCON was to abuse and exploit non-Krishna devotees. This is wrong and has only created a culture of abuse and a cult-like aspect to the culture of ISKCON. That needs to end. The only way to fix ISKCON is to honor that everyone needs to be respected, since Krishna is installed in the heart of all, even in people who are unaware of Krishna. Developing love for Krishna, means also developing love for everyone. If people only honor Krishna in the form of temple deities, and not in any other places Krishna is installed, then they are not truly surrendering to Krishna. ISKCON culture needs to learn this one vastly important lesson.

[@tulasideviful]

👏👏👏

[@Jillian.Dreams]

Dear Bhakti Vikasa Swami - Your honesty and the honesty of the devotees I have had the honor of meeting about the state of the movement (both good and bad) have been key in making me INTERESTED in Krishna Consciousness & initiation within ISKCON. Masquerades/coverups I can't handle, that is what all the modern institutions are doing, and I have had basically no trust in almost all authority figures and institutions before I met the devotees. But a truthful evaluation and honest attempts to correct error - that is so virtuous and such a relief. I think these more mundane discussions of the issues are valuable when placed in proper context. Yes, on the highest level Krishna consciousness is the answer. However, I do not think it's a waste to look at difficulties from this lower platform. Analogy: A depressed person ultimately needs God, but they also need to consider lower level things like 1) what is my sleep like , 2) do I have any support system, 3) am I eating healthy. And considering those basic things, even from an atheistic standpoint, can enable a person to grow to a platform where they CAN fully surrender to God. Not a perfect analogy, but the point is, both macro and microscopic levels need to be considered when becoming detangled. Thank you :)

[@vasudama]

I became an initiated devotee in 1986 (Bhavananda) and lived through the zonal acharya debacle. Maharaj is spot on with his analysis of the situation.

[@fuckhollywood5218]

There's two types of Guru Srila Prabhupada says one is a Guru sent by Krishna and the other is sent by Maya. Which one did you get? Krishna makes arrangement if we are sincere to become servant of Krishna.

[@vlademarlenlandberry6739]

@@fuckhollywood5218 According to your understanding all the people who got initiated from these Gurus who eventually fell down where insincere but all those who got initiated from Prabhupada where sincere. But the Gurus who fell down are/where initiated by Prabhupada. Go figure.

[@Meenadevidasi]

It's just the history. No fault finding. Just this is what happened. Maharaja is describing very accurately and very nicely. Thank you. Keep up the much needed discussions on ISKCON issues. You present very nicely.

[@min2sia]

Hare Krishna, all glories to Srila Prabhupada! Just finished reading this awesome book by Danesvara Das - "Divine Or Demoniac?: Spiritual Movements and the Enemies Within". It is truly amazing that this lecture by Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja also came out at this point in time. What a coincidence! While there are devotees like Bhakti Vikasa Maharaja, there is hope that some day ISKCON (or part of it) will get back on track and be again the movement that Srila Prabhupada established and wanted it to be.

[@lloydmckay3241]

And thank you so very much for these talks as they are sorely needed. Nitai Gauranga. Hare Krishna.

[@keithf4594]

We appreciate your talk. Its historical facts. We need to know where we are now, and how we got here. What you point out may not be palatable to some who have other agendas like position, fame, opulence or the like. The leaders of ISKCON should take notice and refocus on what's needed to make ISKCON more how Prabhupada wanted it. I don't think yoga, kirtan melas, mundane philanthropic activities, political correctness, time wasting in bureaucratic meetings, or trying to blend in and not upset current ever-changing social standards, will please Srila Prabhupada at all. Pleasing Srila Prabhupada should be the only goal of ISKCON. Why would you want anything else other than to relieve Srila Prabhupada's stress; that he feels for the fallen conditioned souls. We should not be cowtailing to the foolish Karmis, or neophyte devotees, who in their ignorance are either facing ignominious death, or languishing in a false sense of patronizing devotional ecstacy, but giving out or reminding them continually of the real Krsna consciousness process of studying and understanding Srila Prabhupada's books and fulfilling his desires. We should err on the side of caution when preaching in any way which is different to what Srila Prabhupada introduced for ISKCON. At least this is my opinion.

[@DinabandhudasFrance]

Thanks ! Because we love Srila Prabhupada great idea of ISKCON, it's very important to know to some extend where we come from, to where we intend to go within that society.

[@chaitaliroy9630]

May Krishna parampita and radhama bless you and help to relieve the problems ( Radhe Radhe)

[@Terrible-Ted]

I grew up 15 minutes from new vrindavan and my father worked in the machine shop there in the 80s and i saw first hand the downfall of that community. Thankfully today new vrindavan is a beautiful thriving place that i still go to get association and nectar.

[@Ghanashyama]

Very educational lecture especially when you mentioned the shift from selling books to trash merchandise essentially. I was just reading a book written by a former devotee where he mentions having to sell trucker hats and stickers during the late 90's and how he found the experience to be spiritually devoid. The emphasis was to make MONEY MONEY MONEY, and not to teach others about KC. I've never seen this nowadays thankfully.

[@JayaMadhavadas]

Where is this Temple ? There is NO FLOWER GARLAND,,On HDG Srila Prabhupads MURTI... !!! WHY. ???

[@tulasideviful]

Prabhu, maybe you could send donations for flowers? That would be much appreciated 🙌🌹

[@colibrigarden3772]

Soon Srila Prabhupadas movement will be rectified . And we will learn from the past how Maya cheated use AGAIN! And truth talking, honest devotees will lead the way. Thank you Maharaja. May we all give up maya and take shelter of SriSri GaurNathai and spread this divine movement for the betterment of all mankind .And ours !

[@lloydmckay3241]

I saw all this happening . It just made things crazy. Lots of money coming in but who knows where it was going? Other peoples pockets. Many people do not know of this history even now. Hare Krishna. AGTSP. For many things the question should be "what would Srila Prabhupada think" even now. Hare Krishna. And you can imagine the caliber of classes that were being given, even now.

[@balabhadradas1710]

Srila Prabhupada was right...we need more KIRTAN not revolution. Jay Srila Prabhupada!

[@borispopovich]

When I joined in Zagreb, there was hardly any space to sleep on the floor, the temple was packed and full of life. I see a few devotees in these lectures. Maybe everybody is busy, or the temple is empty. Anyway, these are all valid points, I have seen it all, and left because of it. Sanyasi should not manage, period. Sanyasi shuold not own or order disciples to do anything, but only give advice. So, all those big gurus, sanyasis, they were actually the government and they fell down, causing many of their disciples to leave. There is no more spirit in the temples. It's like a shop banner that has been exposed in the sun for years, lost all color, and you almost can't even tell what it's all about.

[@fuckhollywood5218]

You left because you could not chant Hare Krishna purely and get the result.

[@blueladylikeable]

the truth is, many of the so called gurus are control freaks. they think they are so humble when in fact, they are the ones who want to take God's place as controler, and just can't let go of it,, they are not nearly as dettached as they think they are. I agree with you 100%, they should not manage or control anything. most of them are just great actors, when you read between the lines, you see they can be worse than people who never entered a temple.

[@sarbantz]

Stay at home order due to coronavirus is the reason for small audience. Hare Krishna is deep philosophy, very deep. If one is really sharp mentally, he/she can benefit greatly from Hare Krishna spiritually. In my opinion, devotees who left any spiritually due to imperfect guru always needed support mentally or spiritually. One has to be strong in many ways to stay on path he is following. It does not have to be in spirituality necessary. For example, if one wants to finish college in time, he has to stay focused and determined. Same thing with studying/practicing spirituality. Many not so qualified people will come and go. Just like at work, many bright and smart and also many not so smart people will come and go, and no matter who we work with, we have to finish task at hand.

[@akashverma4280]

@@sarbantz Thanks for the words! HARE KRISHNA!

[@onkaryemul2744]

I am very fortunate to be connected to pune centre which is very strict due to our leader Hg radheshyam prabhu

[@rishigooroochurn6058]

thank you very much maharaj.it is very important for every member of iskcon to know these things.waiting patiently for part 2.

[@neiljgould]

I have the privilege of knowing a few very sincere devotes who live an honest spiritual life. They are beautiful spirit soul individuals who honour themselves and practice what they preach. I have for sometime now regarded ISKCON as International society of Kali consciousness ! Its damaged so many people and denial runs deep...so many are fast asleep ! what a crazy world we live in ! Hare Krsna

[@voiceoftruth1O1]

Hare Krishna 🙏🏻. You speak about ongoing situation. Thanks

[@thp407]

Hk. Thanks for this topic. There are many lessons from those history classes. One must be very courageous to speak those out in public, though it was very clumsy of saying those topics get many likes. As if it was the real motivation behind those lectures.

[@monicapatel5298]

Hare Krishna thank you for bringing this to light.

[@BhaktiVikasaSwami]

(Managed by disciples) To listen to more lectures please : Download our mobile app Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iskcon.bvks Apple iOS: apps.apple.com/in/app/bhakti-vikasa-swami/id1536451261

[@Hari-tt7mh]

Hare Krishna Prabhu, Playback on other applications has been disabled for this video please enable to watch this video in other applications also.

[@Mukundanghri]

Tell it like it is Maharaja, thank you. Hare Krsna. vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

[@nityaliladd9506]

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha kripa-sindhubhya eva cha patitanam pavanebhyo vaishnavebhyo namo namaha🙏🙇🏻‍♀️

[@lenny108]

Take for example ISKCON Germany. Prabhupada said: "They should make their temple in Germany even more important than the one in Los Angeles." From begin with Germany was run by devotees who had migrated to Germany from Eastern Europe. Their only intention was till today, to keep control with their own people and to acquire noble properties, knight's castle. They did not want that German devotees have any responsible position but simply wanted to exploit the country for monetary gain. Latest coup, to buy a 17th century building which can be used as a museum since there is a medieval mill attached. Temples are closed during the week and when there is a festival, devotees from Eastern Europe go there to make it look like congested with devotees. So practically any substantial preaching is dead in that country.

[@atrismith7487]

Maharaj must have been in Stockholme when were were and I remember those awful records of Hrisihekesa M . He wanted to be a musician so he started blwing his awful saxaphone noise and singing . It was like these Gurus were finding themselves in a position to finally fullfill their whimsical material desires by using their slave disciples

[@michaelbowering2504]

Of course they're exploiting disciples. Wake up.

[@kirtigkg]

Hare Krishna! Is there a part 2?

[@janbruik2399]

I just want to thank you for being so honest. This is real fearlessness. Srila Prabhupada was honest also, it is not enough to acknowledge but being dishonest youraelf. Truth must be presented as it is. Thank you for educating people. You are doing great.

[@NarimanSafarov]

thank you Maharaj for what you are doing most valuable job

[@NarimanSafarov]

we live in the slaughterhouse Maharaj please guide us out...

[@JayaMadhavadas]

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.---George Santayana...(philosopher)

[@Krishnasdog]

I enjoy hearing these lectures. Thank you. Hare Krsna

[@iconst]

Hare Krishna. Is there part 2?

[@reshuagrawal1238]

Yes

[@蔡彩君]

It’s usually a testing time when the leader of a movement and the followers who knew that person pass away. The movement either grows stronger in time (e.g., Christianity) or fades away (e.g., Scientology).

[@Vashnavi369]

Hare Krishna nice information

[@d.r.malakar8686]

Srila Gurumaharaj Ki Jay.. Hare Krishna..

[@abhiramababa]

Where is part 2? It would be good to get a follow-up with more depth on the causal factors for not making genuine progress as a KC society, and what are the best solutions and strategies going forward. Particularly the latter.

[@jorgikralj905]

Sad to see so few listeners in million human souls town!

[@ManojKumar-op7ot]

I don't think so!

[@blueladylikeable]

Yukta vairagya is probably the most misused concept in Iskcon history. Without reference to guru sadhu and shastra, suddenly it is not Rupa Goswami anymore, it’s Nicolo Machiavelli (the ends justify the means). You can’t just roll around in the mud and expect you won’t get dirty. And spiritual contamination is even more dangerous, usually people don’t notice it, they think everything is ok. This was the first video I ever watched of Maharaj, it gave me hope in Krishna consciousness, but not so much in Iskcon unfortunately. Of course, it’s not all bad, but it’s difficult to put trust in the institution overall.

[@blueladylikeable]

I find it hard to believe that Iskcon wasn’t making more devotees because the culture changed. Maybe the target could have changed, but even if people became more materialistic, we know there are so many pitfalls in materialistic life. Maybe devotees themselves became more materialistic, then, how can they convince anyone else to do something different? Even when distributing books, if they just want people to take a book and give some money instead of showing them there’s something very valuable there, it doesn’t leave a good impression. How did people come to cheat book scores? They became more interested in numbers than in preaching. And of course, neglecting varnasrama which was Prabhupada’s order. The farm communities would have attracted a different set of people. The problem is, some land was purchased but the original purpose was lost. Maybe some devotees became too comfortable, chosing to do what was easier than what Prabhupada wanted, because it’s only natural that people will avoid struggling if they can. Also they may only be willing to struggle if they are being pushed by their guru who is setting an ideal example. If the guru is relaxed and the disciples become relaxed, the tendency is just do what’s easier and the ideal is often not the easier alternative. Anyway, Bhakti Vikasa Maharaj is doing a great service pointing out discrepancies and deviations because this is something Prabhupada did not address, although of course he mentioned issues which apply to Iskcon after his departure, but he is no longer physically present to discuss the current issues. I was reading something about how Krishna consciousness could solve all the problems of the world, devotees giving arguments regarding how Iskcon contributes to society, however Iskcon seems to be having a hard time addressing its own problems. But I guess there is some hope, because at least now it is clear that some sections of the society see the issues. If the issues aren’t seen, or seen and ignored, they really can’t be fixed. I hear people say iskcon has problemas as any other religion does, however what Prabhupada gave was not like any other religion. Of course there will always be problems, but Iskcon should be able to set a higher standard. At least the core of iskcon should be properly situated and issues be on the periphery, not on the mainstream.

[@kiaracabrera9526]

from "hippie" to "yuppie" preaching, I wonder if we should go back to the "hippie" way

[@karos108]

Just follow Srila Prabhupad 💜🙏🏽🕉

[@mahasimha8379]

No, no hippie way. Srila Prabhupada's way..

[@WilliamBenedict]

Good class Maharaja . Appreciate a non emotional and realistic of history.

[@jedsteelwell2354]

Obviously Prahbupad leaving is huge! Then you have the murders at New Vrindavan and the fact that leaders currently in the movement where involved in that. The 60s and 70s was so different than today. Today's teens definitely are nothing like the teens of the 70s.

[@balabhadradas1710]

Why so call controversial lectures are most popular on yt? Because people need a leader and they want a revelation in ISKCON right now! We need to kick so call sanyasis from the temples to the streets !

[@NarimanSafarov]

good idea

[@karlosfandango108]

To my mind the 'ritvik' system makes a lot of sense because Prabhupada is the guru, mainly due to the amount of GBC selected so-called gurus that have fallen down with devastating consequences for their disciples... It reminds me of the Sikhi faith where the gurus wrote the book and so the writings are now the guru after their departure from this world, it can't be messed with or changed in the future, and the system seems to have served them very well... I also feel that much like what is described in the Gita where Krishna says people approach him from different angles and perspectives, that there is a place for what people like H.D Goswami is doing... Because this nonsense of obsessing over pretending to be Indian outside of India has made me feel uncomfortable for years, just makes Iskcon seem like a crazy cult to outsiders, don't see how it helps to attract western people to the philosophy and teachings at all, if anything it puts a lot of people off... And this idea of only wearing unstitched clothing and avoiding factory food and all that is all very nice, but if you're going to use things like laptops, smartphones, and many other things which contain components mainly assembled by underpaid slaves, but it's okay because they're being used in the service of Krishna, then why not use a pair of trousers in the service of Krishna as well..?

[@maheshani]

Hare krishna. Pranam! In Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh was the last Guru. Before his death, he decreed in 1708, that the Gurū Granth Sāhib would be the final and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs and there wont be any human gurus. And hence all Sikhs follow the same. If we talk about Krishna consciousness movement, the founder acarya Srila Prabhupada never said anything like this. Between 1967 and 1977, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada initiated thousands of disciples, many of whom had never met him, receiving their spiritual name initiation through the mail, Srila Prabhupada at that time, being thousands of miles away. Therefore, His Divine Grace introduced the ritvik method as the only way to initiate absent devotees, because it was physically impossible for Srila Prabhupada to personally initiate each and every devotee in the movement, with more requesting to be initiated daily. We should also read the following conversations with Prabhupada: Indian man: When did you become the spiritual leader of Krsna consciousness? Prabhupāda: What is that? Brahmānanda: He's asking when did you become the spiritual leader of Krsna consciousness? Prabhupāda: When My Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the guru-parampara. Indian: Did it... Prabhupāda: Try to understand. Don't go very speedily. A guru can become guru when he's ordered by his guru. That's all. Otherwise nobody can become guru. Lecture on BG 7.2 -- Nairobi, October 28, 1975: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every student is expected to become Acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples. Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your Spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy. (Letter to Tusta Krsna, 2 Dec. 1975) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These two are some of the many conversations which iterate the fact that Prabhupada wanted continuance of Guru Parampara in ISKCON.

[@maheshani]

The reason we advocate simple clothing and avoid factory foods(even home cooked food which is not offered to Krishna) is, to raise our consciousness from lower modes to higher modes. If we see a Vaishnava’s lifestyle, the time he wakes up, the food he eats, the attire that he wears, the routine that he follows.. everything is in mode of goodness which is important for spiritual growth. Yes everything can be used in Krishna’s service if done to spread His message.. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati travelled to Radha kunda wearing shirt and pant, however Srila Prabhupada chose to wear dhoti kurta in the West, both were right - as per the demand of that time. While Srila Bhaktisiddhanta believed he could command more respect while donning a western outfit, Srila Prabhupada created a swirl amongst the foreigners who just got attracted to the simplicity of dhoti and kurta. As advocated by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī (in Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu ) that one should dovetail everything with Kṛṣṇa. anāsaktasya viṣayān yathārham upayuñjataḥ nirbandhaḥ kṛṣṇa-sambandhe yuktaṁ vairāgyam ucyate “Things should be accepted for the Lord’s service and not for one’s personal sense gratification. If one accepts something without attachment and accepts it because it is related to Krsna, one’s renunciation is called yukta-vairagya.” Since Krsna is the Absolute Truth, whatever is accepted for His service is also the Absolute Truth.

[@PiyushKapoor7]

Hare krishna, i think while digging too much in to history of Iskcon ( may be due to some personal experiences ) We loose the global universal prespective of Shashtras. We need to understand Srila prabhupad hasen't introduced anything new by his own , his biggest credit was that he represented the vedic treasure of knowledge coming from disciplic succession in as it is form in a way understood by foolish kaliyuga creatures. Srila prabhupad as an Aacharya shown us by his own exmaple importance of having real guru and how to follow Guru instruction coming from authorized Guru Shishya parampara. Krishna himself in BG 4.2 describes this standard process of attaining knowledge evaṁ paramparā-prāptam And is not only Iskcon but all 4 authorized sampradays follow the same method of transferring knowledge via disciplic succession only. All sampradays have real living Gurus. We cant say whole authorized vedic system is wrong except one ritvik And lastly Srila Prabhupada himself wamted his disciples to take up the role of Guru, here are the fee refernces: (1) Srimad Bhagwatam 1.14.30 lecture at Los Angeles Deceber 7, 1973 -- You cannot jump to Previous Acharya's Directly (2) Srimad Bhagwatam 1.2.4 Rome, 28 May 1974 -- Dont jump to krishna directly its useless effort (3) Conversation with Dateright 18July 1971 -- The disciples to whom i am giving Diksha , they will be Gurus in future (4) From Letter to Tusht Krishna 2 December 1974 -- I want to see my disciples to become Bonafide Gurus (5) From Letter to Madhusudan, Navdeep 2 November 1967 -- Its my wish that in my absence my disciples should take position of Bonafide Spiritual Masters (6) Srimad Bhagwatam 2.9.7 Srila prabhupad purport : As already stated, Brahmā is the original spiritual master for the universe, and since he was initiated by the Lord Himself, the message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is coming down by disciplic succession, and in order to receive the real message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam one should approach the current link, or spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession. #bvks #ritvik #iskcon #guru

[@lenny108]

Prabhupada wanted that there is heavy preaching to actually refute modern science that chemicals can produce life. Svarupa Damodar Maharaja had a whole repertoire of scientific experiments which prove that life produces chemicals. When he explained it to Prabhupada, Prabhupada immediately said that three science devotees should travel from university to university and present these scientific experiments. Prabhupada: "You should, all universities you go. All universities. You three or four, you go. Talk with them. First you will write scholarly." (February 2, 1977, Bhubaneswar) Somehow this never happened.

[@PaulHoward108]

H.H. Bhaktisvarūpa Dāmodara Maharaja has a genius disciple whose writing is available at www.ashishdalela.com, which you might appreciate. It would be good if more people see his work.

[@33333Tarun]

Book distribution started the obsession with money. Paraphernalia was an extension of that obsession.

[@fuckhollywood5218]

Wasn't it material consciousness that makes one obsessed with money and women? So the problem is lack of Sadhu Sanga and hear in pure Holy Name and Krishna Katha. Don't blame devotional service for people's short comings :)

[@samspade2657]

42:16 I had that recording: "Guru Guru on the wall, who is the greatest of them all? Whose disciples are the worst, who's going to ruin ISKCON first." "I knew a guru just like you, New York jew, nothing new."

[@saraswati999]

I like Vaishnavism from Maharashtra with Jnadeshwara or Ramanuja works, the one from Guadia tradition seems fanatical and cultish

[@aiacopino]

With all due respect...Couldn't it be that the zonal acharya was not necessarily the problem but more so the fact that ISCKON couln't come up all these years with a some TRUE representative of the disciplic succession, if not then at least now, an acharya or someone who would be able to take on a genuine leadership and VISION of the movement and everyone accept him or her? As a result it seems that the disciplic succession has been taken up by a managerial GBC body and not by ONE person as it has been for centuries... Also, on a different note.... isn't Hrdayananda Das Goswami one of the original disciples that Srila Prabhupada appointed... and he had even finished the translation of the SB and now came up with some innovative ideas as the KW (which I assume you might disagree)? Anyhow just questions which I would be interested to know your opinion. It sounds like you are an all timer not willing to accept that your own organization mutated and at least survived the changes of time and slowly seems to be taking roots, at least some places in the world...(probably not in America)

[@prosantaguha7502]

I hate to see that you Maharaj brining the old old dirt from fifty feet underground , and showing it to young devotees and people who don’t know anything about ISKCON what a wonderful job you’re doing this call preaching . Prabhupada will be so happy to see this. I am as a 40 years devotee I can not think anything worse and dis service to prabhupada then this.

[@drrenukakansal8522]

What's wrong with this talk ...it may be your personal view that this is displeasing to Srila Prabhupada but you are not the authority.....this talk by Maharaj was given 4years back and for your kind information, many more devotees from all over the world have taken initiation from him and he is being appreciated by so many Prabhupada disciples for being bold and straightforward in bringing out so many issues which are a matter of concern for Iskcon today. This particular series of lectures is just for educational purpose. Its history and everything in history maynot be palatable. Maharaj is just not addressing the problems but also sharing the positive aspects and he is also suggesting solutions to such problems. As the saying goes" Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat the mistakes " This is just an analytical information to reflect upon what went wrong at that time inspite of Śrila Prabhupad personally being present at that time . You should have listened to the whole series with an empathetic attitude rather than just with some superficial understanding. Your comment is so abusive that Śrila Prabhupad would be displeased with you for commiting Vaishnava apradh. Maharaj is serving Srila Prabhupad by spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world , writing books as per Śrila Prabhupad s teachings , establishing Varnashrama communities and gurukuls strictly as per Prabhupad s guidelines. Maharaj is writing a book Mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada where he is discussing each and every aspect of Bhakti, the way Prabhupada wanted Yes, he is running on the risk while talking on such delicate issues but its his duty as a sannyasi to warn devotees. Many devotees have appreciated this series amd they have really been benefited by this. Many of them got relief and guidance from it. Gopis gave the dust of their feet to be applied on Krishna ' s forehead to cure Him of the headache without caring for the risk of going to hell . Imbibing the same mood, Maharaj also takes the risk of being hated or criticised or comitting some offence All this history is open to the public through internet and is being discussed on various platforms in a specularive mannner, so what's the harm if Maharaj is adressing it in a humble way to caution the new devotees of the problems which they might face while practicing Krishna consciousness.

[@avyaktah9138]

​@@drrenukakansal8522these talks are extremely beneficial for me there is no doubt thank God Maharaj has given talk on these issues

[@RoyCreamm]

Dear sir, since you say Prabhupada knows everything and he did created the GBC and instructed everyone to obey the GBC , isnt it going against Prabhupada's instruction when now you are encouraging that the GBC is wrong and should not be obeyed or followed?

[@raccoonrecordsnz]

@@luciab4572 so he knew that children would be sexually abused by deviants like Kirtananda but he put them in to power anyway? That's kind of sick

[@balabhadradas1710]

How he can said that Srila Prabhupada said to them to be acarya in they own zone?! Nonsense. Srila Prabhupada said that he is last and only one acarya for ISKCON. This idea is from Sridhara swami. He destroy Iskcon from outside.

[@gauranga1008]

Notes of lecture:Leaders, bureaucrats, no leadesrhip, new people think its normal. Cause: history, diff .factors. downfall of India. Kali, undermine,mayavad, governments, various factors_similar _ change: zonal acharyas, age 30,not mature. Cont next

[@michaelbowering2504]

Is it ok to be gay in Iskcon?

[@Rob_Smoke]

Absolutely not, one of the key principles is to not have illicit sex. Only sexual intercourse with the reason of Reproduction, hare krishna

[@vishnuvardhan3047]

@@Rob_Smoke sex is anyway a waste of time . There is sin in doing it but the energy and time should be focused is spiritual journey.

[@tulasideviful]

Yes! Be yourself and just add Krishna ❤🙌

[@ravishukla884]

Is Swamiji giving class on Srimad Bhagvatam or some other subject? is he trying to look different from ISKCON or is he part of ISKCON and a genuine critic?....not clear

[@gopalkatkam]

His message is crystal clears and understood by the fallowers of srila prabhupada

[@vishalkhod6280]

Is part of iskcon and trying to talk about some important topic

[@fuckhollywood5218]

Srila Prabhupada says in Bhagavad Gita "the living entity gets what he deserves" So if people have been cheated by Maya and left that is what they deserve. Not a blade grass moves without the will of the Lord. Haribol :)

[@bhaktapeter3501]

33:33 good explanation

[@hkitm]

Srila Prabhupada warned that having more than one initiating guru within ISKCON would cause factions and that's exactly what has happened!

[@rbharat6146]

Hare Krishna

[@a.radhaney7960]

47:09 Babaji got it right ...😂😂😂😂😂

[@tomastome4018]

🌹🌹

[@libamason9987]

Why is ISKCON so Wishywashy...it has, since 1994 become, so. When Bhaktivedanta Manor was effectively taken over by swathes of Hindus, the majority of whom are not KC. Hinduism is not KC! Haribol!

[@manngalaaarti1605]

Lol the recycle book distributor

[@JayaMadhavadas]

Yuppies came into ISKCON,,,,They are Still in ISKCON.

[@JayaMadhavadas]

7 Thumbs Down,,,,,,,,,,Whats the deal rascals.??? .Cant Handle the TRUTH ?

[@gauranga1008]

11 decide,gbc no power, guru take disciples to his zone. Books to paraphernalia,

[@everythingrevolution8228]

ISKCON is glorious, this is an empty room. ineffective preaching, only bringing forth fanatical devotee mentality, not expansive. just do the hard work, on the streets- show you can bring outside people in- preaching the first 3 verses in Siksastikam: hundreds and millions of names (be open minded), no hard and fast rules (inspire & accepts people as they are)- offering the Lord's kindness He is easily approachable, and (as HE desires) be a huge open door for humanity at large.

[@yogeshwarantp6945]

Lol

[@bhaktivikasaswami_pt]

When a so called spiritual institution treats devotees as cheap (or free) labor, blindly following, not only working for free but also bringing them a lot of money, spiritual leaders don’t care about the devotees’ spiritual life, don’t instruct them properly nor provide them with an alternative lifestyle, then, what have such spiritual leaders become? They just take and take and take. They are just exploiting and cheating. Asuric varnasrama. Yeah, I guess in such situation karmi life seems to be a smarter choice.