Back To Prabhupada, Issue 37, Autumn 2012
he Vice chairman of the GBC Executive Committee, HG Tamohara Dasa, has approved the banning of ISKCON guru HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami from 2 ISKCON temples of which Tamohara Dasa is the GBC, on the following grounds:
“Both the temple presidents of Alachua and Gainesville have told you that they prefer you do not give classes or preach here. This must be, and will be respected. As the GBC of Alachua, I fully support this decision. We feel that your opinions and style of preaching has tended to be disruptive and at times offensive to devotees, the GBC, and ISKCON.”
(Text PAMHO: 24021005)
Since Tamohara Dasa believes Bhakti Vikasa Swami is “offensive to devotees, the GBC and ISKCON”, and the GBC must accept in theory that their own Executive Committee Vice Chairman is speaking the truth, the GBC must also accept that:
a) Bhakti Vikasa Swami is not representing Srila Prabhupada, otherwise they would have to accept that Srila Prabhupada was offensive!
b) Bhakti Vikasa Swami would be in violation of the following GBC law, which sets down the mandatory qualifications to be approved as an ISKCON diksa guru, and thus should be removed as an ISKCON guru:
“9. Must be effective in practical preaching and counseling.
10. Must have no loyalties that compete with or compromise his loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and to ISKCON. [...]
12. Must recognize the GBC as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, support the GBC system, and follow the GBC."
(GBC Resolutions, 2010)
Conversely, Bhakti Vikasa Swami cannot believe that the GBC is representing Srila Prabhupada if they claim that Bhakti Vikasa Swami’s preaching, which he believes represents Srila Prabhupada, is offensive.
Yet, the GBC is still happy for Bhakti Vikasa Swami to remain a guru and roam largely all over ISKCON as long as Tamohara Dasa’s backyard is protected; and Bhakti Vikasa Swami — with his guru position and ability to roam over most of ISKCON still intact — is still happy to cooperate with and serve under the GBC. Which further demonstrates the hypocrisy which permeates ISKCON, whereby one does not even live by the very principles one espouses.
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