“The path of Krsna Consciousness is compared in the Vedas with a sharpened razor blade. If you carefully manipulate it, the blade helps by clean shaving; but a little inattention causes a bloody cheek. So this example we should always remember and carefully manipulate the blade of Krsna Consciousness.” Letter to Mahananda das 1970

Unfortunately, since Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure in 1977, ISKCON has had its fair share of bloody cheeks. The GBC, which was composed of Srila Prabhupada’s most senior and trusted disciples, instituted the zonal acharya system. They claimed that the new acharyas were mahabhagavatas and that no one, including Srila Prabhupada’s initiated disciples, could any longer access Srila Prabhupada’s mercy unless they served one of these acharyas. Consequently, many of their god-brothers and sisters left ISKCON, many GBC members became involved in a sinful life and suffered, and many new devotees suffered abuse and betrayal. Nori Muster (Nandini devi dasi), who served in ISKCON’s public relations offices from 1978 to 1988, records those years. You can read her book “Betrayal of the spirit : my life behind the headlines of the Hare Krishna movement” or listen to her podcast.

The GBC subsequently recognised and apologised for their early mistakes. 

 “Whereas Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON in 1966, and prior to his disappearance in November 1977, he stated in his will that the GBC Body is “the ultimate managerial authority” for the Society. Unfortunately, shortly after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance, the GBC Body allowed for an unauthorized “zonal acarya” system to evolve in ISKCON, elevating eleven exclusive successor diksa gurus; Whereas ISKCON leaders at the time then introduced the concept that ISKCON diksa gurus were mahabhagavatas and the only current links to Srila Prabhupada and the disciplic succession; Whereas some ISKCON diksa gurus who had formerly practiced vairagya vidya, but in the process of expanding the movement began living opulently, accumulated property, wealth, disciples and prestige far beyond the necessities for effective preaching; Whereas in their overemphasis on diksa gurus, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and followers failed in various ways to properly establish and sustain Srila Prabhupada’s unique role and personal relationship with all ISKCON devotees as the Founder-Acarya and preeminent siksa guru in ISKCON; ISKCON leaders failed to also properly establish the importance and role of siksa gurus in ISKCON; Whereas the authority and resources of the GBC Body were minimized by the exaggerated prominence of ISKCON diksa gurus, resulting in a fragmented ISKCON composed of many guru-zones instead of a united ISKCON movement under the auspices of the GBC Body; Whereas despite warnings by Pradyumna Prabhu and others, for many years the Governing Body Commission, being weakened due to the Zonal Acarya deviation, failed to correct these errors to the detriment of many ISKCON members; And whereas, despite GBC Body efforts to correct the Zonal Acarya deviation as flaws in the system surfaced and many of the Zonal Acaryas left ISKCON, our society continues to be affected by the misunderstandings of that system:

It is hereby resolved THAT:

1. APOLOGY TO SOCIETY FROM THE GBC BODY

The GBC Body offers the following apology to the members and friends of ISKCON:

As humble followers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, it is the GBC Body’s duty to execute his will to the best of our ability as we collectively understand it. During Srila Prabhupada’s physical presence, he simultaneously empowered the GBC Body and guided us when we erred. We continue to pray for his guidance and feel it is his will that we now correct the misunderstandings of the past. Thus, the GBC Body, both individually and collectively, wishes to express its deepest apologies to, and beg the forgiveness of, the followers of Srila Prabhupada who were offended or hurt by our past decisions resulting in the excesses and abuses of the zonal acarya system and its ongoing ramifications.

2. APOLOGY TO PRADYUMNA PRABHU FROM THE GBC BODY

The GBC Body offers the following apology to Pradyumna Dasa:

The GBC Body extends its heartfelt apologies to Sriman Pradyumna Dasa Adhikari for any offences caused in its dealings with him in 1978-9. During this period Pradyumna Prabhu wrote to the GBC via Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami warning them of serious repercussions with the Zonal Acarya system in his letter dated 7th August 1978. Unfortunately Pradyumna Prabhu’s good advice was not taken seriously. In retrospect the GBC Body and ISKCON could have benefited greatly by heeding his well-meant and pertinent observations.”

Have the reforms made since the zonal acharya days been sufficient? Here are two messages which suggest the razor blade of Krishna consciousness continues to be misapplied:

“Being a Visiting Health Psychologist- Psychotherapist in Sridham Hospital for the last 8 to 9 years. From the last 2 years till date, offering treatment, guidance, support to devotees online….I  found Lots of devotees are traumatized, suffering from PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicidal ideations, Personality disorders, Communication problem, Fear,  Anger, Decision taking problems…. Main concern is about future generation devotees, our children… I found devotees , happy outside but dying inside …I approached authorities several times about this issue… But did not receive any concrete solution…” Dr Sanghamitra Sau Sengupta, a devotee psychotherapist serving in Sridhama Mayapura

“News Flash! There’s more pastoral abuse in ISKCON than you might imagine.  I have been saying this for a while, and as were negligent in properly dealing with child abuse, we have been negligent in dealing with this. I imagine, like child abuse,  it’s going to become another big issue in the devotee public in the future if we don’t address it. Verbally abused devotees are often afraid that telling the truth of their abuse is an offense to senior devotees or to their guru, so they remain silent. Just yesterday, three devotees wrote me to say that they have been so psychologically damaged by their gurus that they need to completely disconnect from them. One said reciting his pranam mantra is traumatic because it reminds her  of how she was abused by him but he gave her gayatri so she recites it when  going on the altar. But how does one remove oneself from an abusive guru? Just drop the Pranamn Mantra and chant Prabhupadas Pranam  mantras and continue chanting gayatri? What do you all think? These abusive gurus are good devotees, “in “good standing” in ISKCON I have received reports of some of ISKCON’s beloved gurus alienating disciples by aggressive behavior or bursts of uncontrolled anger, insisting on disciples doing things impossible for those disciples, not controlling their anger, making promises they will never keep, shaming disciples, publicly shaming, and being insensitive to disciples needs, giving very bad advice. etc.”  Mahatma das (ACBSP), an initiating ISKCON guru.

Many devotees consider it offensive to openly discuss ISKCON’s problems. However, according to scripture making false accusations is offensive, but to state the facts is not. 

“Apaiśunam means that one should not find fault with others or correct them unnecessarily. Of course, to call a thief a thief is not fault-finding, but to call an honest person a thief is very much offensive for one who is making advancement in spiritual life.” Bg 16.1-3 purport

Furthermore, our intention in discussing these problems is to analyse their root cause. Until we understand that, we will not know the solution to the problems ISKCON devotees experience. Our suggestion is that the root cause of all the problems ISKCON has experienced is ignorance.  

 “Although ignorant, people still go to other blind men for leadership. As a result, both are subjected to miserable conditions. The blind lead the blind into the ditch.”  Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.16 purport

If the root cause of our problems is ignorance, what is the solution? We suggest ISKCON stops focusing on promoting and controlling initiations and instead focuses on training and facilitating proper sastra discussion. 

“..initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. [break] …knowledge. Initiation is formality.” Press Interview 1976

Unfortunately, we have seen unqualified devotees both give and take initiation in ISKCON, and there is no surety that this will not happen again. The minimum requirement for either giving or receiving initiation is sense control.

“One who is not self-controlled, specifically in sex life, can become neither a disciple nor a spiritual master.” SB 2.9.43 purport

Trying to follow the regulative principles is not the same as following them. Improving Sanga Principles enable devotees to attain genuine sense control.

“One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction. And by thus encouraging one another, they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.” SB 11.3.30

It is interesting to note that Srila Prabhupada credited the Gaudiya Matha’s preoccupation with who gives initiation as the reason for its breakup.

“What broke up the Gaudiya Matha?” Prabhupada said, “They were always worried who was going to give initiation.” Acyutananda das

Many people have suffered due to this ignorance, both the so-called leaders and the followers. We therefore invite the reader, whether you be an ISKCON leader, temple resident, or congregation member, to please give serious consideration to Improving Sanga’s ten principles. Join the Improving Sanga community and form peer relationships wherein you feel safe to scrutinize Srila Prabhupada’s teachings from different perspectives.