Hridayananda Das Goswami Blesses Gay Male Couple

by Stan Harris

Posted February 1, 2009

On November 8, 2008, Joshua Einhorn and Stanley Harris committed to a loving relationship at a Blessing Ceremony in the Chatsworth district of Los Angeles. One hundred family members, friends and ISKCON devotees celebrated.

Santa Barbara ISKCON temple president Sarvatma das officiated. Govinda's of Los Angeles served prasad. H.H. Hridayananda das Goswami conferred this blessing, via e-mail:

"Our love for each other is a reflection of God's love for us. Thus, the perfection of every relationship is to see God in each other.

"May God bless Joshua Norman Einhorn and Stanley Earl Harris, both devoted souls, as they commit themselves to each other in the spirit of God's love for them. May Joshua and Stanley always please God through true love for each other.

"By such true spiritual love, may they always be, each for the other, a source of spiritual inspiration and happiness. May their relationship lead them, patiently and steadily, back to our real home in the spiritual world, where all relationships become eternal and perfect."

Letter of Apology From Hridayananda Maharaja to the GBC

by Hridayananda das Goswami

April 11, 2009
ISKCON Philadelphia

Dear GBC members,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing in reference to this resolution passed by the GBC this year:

317. Action and Public Statements of Hridayananda Das Goswami

The GBC has carefully reviewed the recent action (giving blessings) and the public statements of Hridayananda Maharaja concerning homosexuality. These remain controversial and divisive in ISKCON, and the GBC does not endorse or support them.

Teaching obligations have kept Hridayananda Maharaja from attending the GBC meetings this year, so the GBC has not been able to discuss this issue with him. A GBC delegation will soon meet personally with him to discuss this issue and attempt to reach a common understanding.

In compliance with that resolution I have flown to Philadelphia and on April 11, 2009 met with H.H. Bir Krishna das Goswami and H.G. Ravindra Svarupa dasa, the GBC delegation.

We have a common understanding, which I had already expressed prior to the Mayapura GBC meetings, in a dialogue with some GBC members.

I am writing to reaffirm that I uphold the Krishna conscious principle that sexual union is for procreation within marriage, and that no spiritual leader should encourage or endorse any other form of sexual relation.

I regret that I acted and spoke in such a way as to give many an impression to the contrary. I am sorry.

Your servant,

Hridayananda dasa Goswami

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