Progress Report of The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society

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1 Kartika 2013 Progress Report of The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society (IPBYS) INTERNATIONAL PURE BHAKTI YOGA SOCIETY

Progress Report of The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society (IPBYS) SRILA GURUDEVA S INSTRUCTIONS During the walk with the devotees on 15 January 2010 Srila Gurudeva gave us the basic instructions

2 Progress Report of The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society (IPBYS) SRILA GURUDEVA S INSTRUCTIONS During the walk with the devotees on 15 January 2010 Srila Gurudeva gave us the basic instructions about the development of our Sanga (International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society) after His disappearance. Srila Gurudeva said: After me I want everything that is going on now, should be continued my book distribution, my preaching by sannyasis and all. The preaching of our sannyasis is the main factor. They should sit in a meeting and decide who will go where. Otherwise, they will all end up in one place at the same time. So, for all these things, also my Navadvipa parikrama and Vraja-mandala parikrama should go on as usual. For all these purposes there should be a Society. If there is no society, everyone will be separated. They will scatter here and there; there will be no control. And in the meetings, even though we are eleven or twelve members, all the sannyasis should attend. They re the main factor and they should be giving respect We are preaching the life and philosophy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu everywhere. We are also publishing so many books with all success. Yes, so like ISKCON, like IPBYS. This should be preached everywhere. All should know that we are International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society. As I am doing preaching everywhere, publishing books, and distributing books. Like Syamarani devi dasi has devoted her life for me, preaching everywhere, editing my books. Giving each other honor 1

3 MAURITIUS FEBRUARY 2010 Dear Members! My deliberation is as follows: In my absence any important, final decision is to be made in a combined meeting, comprising of all our Sannyasis, Math Commanders, and eminent householder devotee preachers. This meeting is to convene bi-annually during Sri Gaura Janma Mahotsava and in the month of Kartik at the time of Sri Vraja Mandala Parikrama. KARTIK 2013 MEETINGS Srila Gurudeva ordered the creation of his society so that his mission can be promulgated world-wide in ever-increasing amounts after his disappearance. The first meetings held during the time of the Navadwip parikrama involved a handful of senior devotees. The pre-kartik meetings of 2013 included about twenty-five persons which expanded to more than thirty-five senior devotees on the final day. Among those who attended were: Sripad BV Padmanabha Maharaja Sripad BV Nemi Maharaja Sripad BV Vaikhanas Maharaja Sripad BV Suddhadvaiti Maharaja Sripad BV Sajjan Maharaja Sripad BV Bhagavata Maharaja Sripad BV Madhava Maharaja Sripad BV Vana Maharaja Sripad BV Sridhara Maharaja UK France 2

4 Sripad BV Narsinha Maharaja Sripad BV Tridandi Maharaja Sripad BV Srauti Maharaja Sripad BV Damodar Maharaja Sripad BG Akincana Maharaja Sriman Prakashatma Prabhu Srimati Pandita didi Sriman Jagannath Prabhu Sriman Nitin Punja Prabhu Sriman Brajanatha Prabhu Srimati Vrinda didi Sriman Somnath Prabhu Srimati Poonam didi Sriman Gokulchandra Prabhu Sriman Ramachandra Prabhu Sriman Yasodanandan Prabhu Sriman Dhira Krishna Prabhu Sriman Padabja Prabhu Sriman Syamasundara Prabhu Sriman Kishori Mohan Prabhu Srimati Sudevi didi Sriman Kamalakantha Prabhu Sriman Bihari Prabhu Sriman Krsna das Prabhu Srimati Damayanti didi Sriman Naveen Krsna Prabhu Srimati Anjali didi UK France Australia South Africa France Curacao Fiji Fiji Holland Holland UK Germany Germany Russia Russia Australia It was established that the purpose of the IPBYS is not only for executing Srila Gurudeva s external orders, but to also imbibe his internal mood. It is about love, affection, respect and enthusiasm. 3

5 OBJECTIVES OF THIS COMMUNIQUE This official communication of Srila Gurudeva s International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society (IPBYS) is written to inform you about three different areas of concern: 1. Standards recommended for gurus, initiations and sannyasis. 2. New initiatives regarding education and celebrating the 100th anniversary of Srila Gurudeva s Appearance Day and 125th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada s. 3. The transgressions of our godbrother Tirtha Maharaja and the IP- BYS s recommendations within the context of the standards referred to above. POSITIVE INITIATIVES Out of five days of meetings, four and half days were spent on positive seva. We spent the other half a day discussing the Tirtha Maharaja issue. PURE BHAKTI SEMINAR PROGRAMME We have agreed to organise each year a bhakti seminar programme for new, intermediate and more advanced devotees. This is to start after Vraja Parikrama of 2014 and continue until the start of the Navadwipa Parikram, The seminars will include courses such as the following. i. On subjects such as guru-tattva, jiva-tattva, etc. ii. On books such as the Bhagavad-Gita and the Jaiva-Dharma and other important Gaudiya Vaisnava literature. iii. On life skills such as communication, conflict management. iv. Teacher training to improve our world-wide preaching efforts v. Preaching courses such as training for nama-hatta development and community outreach, and book distribution. 4

6 vi. Currently, the idea is to locate the programme in Vrindavana, Navadwipa or Puri. In addition to developing the skills of our members, this will represent a great opportunity for sadhu-sanga and for creating strong bonds of friendship. Sriman Brajanath Prabhu is setting up a committee to spearhead this initiative. ONLINE EDUCATION During the Kartik meetings, education was a consistent theme. Whether it is educating the public or devotees of all levels, it is evident that new technologies and greater internet connectivity provides us with an excellent opportunity to reach more people and deliver ideal education on line. Programs are being created for the web to reach out to devotees around the world that are unable to come to for the courses planned in. Sripad Nemi Maharaja has already published material and is seeking partnership with others who have expertise and enthusiasm to develop training programs in this medium. CELEBRATING 100 YEARS & 125 YEARS 2021 will be the hundredth anniversary of the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Goswami Maharaja. It is also the one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary of the appearance day of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We want to inspire and facilitate local and regional celebrations, festivals, projects and other initiatives to celebrate this special year. This is a great opportunity to define and explain the unified purpose and mission of two of the greatest acaryas of the age. This will strengthen the Krsna Consciousness movement world-wide. Sripad Tridandi Maharaja has started working on a documentary about Srila Gurudeva that will present to the Vaisnava community and the world the outstanding life and contributions of Srila Gurudeva. 5

7 GURU-TATTVA & STANDARDS Srila Gurudeva taught us that in order to achieve pure bhakti we must seek the highest class of Vaisnava. The purpose of the IPBYS is to facilitate its members in finding such association and never to create obstacles in the pursuit of this ideal. For those attending the meetings during March 2013 it was obvious that our sanga was demanding for some agreed upon standards on matters relating to gurus and sannyasis, giving harinama, diksha and sannyasa initiations. Four senior persons were requested to answer questions pertaining to such standards. We are grateful for the contributions of Sriman Mithiladhisa Prabhu, Sripad BV Madhava Maharaja, Sripad BV Suddhadvaiti Maharaja and Srimati Bhadra dasi. Their papers were sent out to all. This kartik, we arranged for a series of 2-3 hour meetings to he held over five days prior to the start of the parikrama. The four papers had been simplified down to eighteen key points. A small sub-committee of three persons was appointed to refine this simplified version and support the list with an addendum that verifies it with sastra and the instructions of our acaryas, including Srila Gurudeva. Please click on this link to review the proposed standards. The IPBYS wishes to protect the sanctity of guru-tattva as set out in sastra and as explained to us by Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada. We wish to avoid the temptation to water this down and we do not expect such sacred ideals to be changeable by politics, sentimentality, the desire to collect money and followers or the vicissitudes* of popular opinion. We would very much like your input as these standards can be refined and improved by the General Board of the IPBYS at the twice-yearly meetings. The Society is to serve individuals and groups worldwide to come together to render seva and thus increase their bhakti. The Society needs to be clear about what the expected standards are so that all members can make informed choices about who to associate with and who they recommend as spiritual guides to others. TIRTHA MAHARAJA Regarding Tirtha Maharaja, we have tried to find the right balance between full and frank disclosure, on the one hand, while maintaining Vaisnava etiquette and respect on the other hand. Therefore, we have decided to communicate forthright- 6

8 ly while omitting some of the more graphic details which do not need to be aired in public. Depending on your disposition, some of you may feel we are saying too much while others will feel frustrated that we are saying too little. Please accept our apologies for our shortcomings. Please understand, however, the purpose of this communication. The IPBYS does not seek to control anyone. It seeks unity and coherence based on Srila Gurudeva s instructions and Guru-tattva. We are certain that Tirtha Maharaja will continue to attempt to travel abroad and initiate within and overseas. Therefore, by disclosing the key facts, we aim to give you the information you need to make your own decision regarding hosting him or seeking his association. The IPBYS is clear about where it stands and unambiguous regarding this issue within this communique. ORIGINAL TRANSGRESSION It is now fifteen months since Tirtha Maharaja committed major transgressions as an initiating guru. We have, in his own handwriting, an apology for his actions. The letter was addressed to the father of the family who have suffered as a result of his actions. It took months to obtain this apology. We can be sure of the following facts: a. Tirtha Maharaja did commit the transgressions in August 2012 and there have been similar problems in the past b. The transgression is very serious and should not be minimized in any way. FRIENDSHIP REJECTED, DISUNITY FUELLED Since then, major efforts have been made by senior devotees imploring Tirtha Maharaja to show proper contrition and to take a less prominent role in the activities of the sanga as well as accepting the restrictions recommended by the sannyasi board during Kartik

9 Instead of complying with these pleas to act reasonably and responsibly, Tirtha Maharaja wrote to the sannyasis a very offensive letter repeatedly insulting them in numerous ways. He has not repented with sincerity. He has repeatedly denied the original allegations and has continued accusing and slandering others. By encouraging his friends and loyal followers to disbelieve the August 2012 events, he has politicised the situation and caused much division within the sanga. SENTIMENTALITY HAS NO PLACE IN GURU-TATTVA Tirtha Maharaja has rendered much service over decades and he has been a very popular personality within our sanga. However, this does not make him free of responsibilities to uphold the standards required of a sannyasi and especially one acting as a guru. Although we wish him to remain in our family and as a close godbrother, we, the members of Srila Gurudeva s sanga, cannot sacrifice the integrity of Srila Gurudeva s mission on the altar of sentimentality or popularity. It makes a mockery of everything our Gurudeva stands for to condone, support or be complicit in spiritual anarchy. We point out that doing nothing can be construed as endorsement and it is particularly important that all senior devotees are seen to actively uphold Srila Gurudeva s instructions and the principles of guru-tattva. FURTHER DETERIORATION IN BEHAVIOUR During the final part of the five day IPBYS meeting, we discussed the transgressions that had been made by Tirtha Maharaja, his response to these transgressions and what we should be doing next as the society that Srila Gurudeva ordered be established. The meeting was even better attended and had grown to about thirty-five sannyasis, math commanders and eminent household preachers including many General Board members from. Some surprising comments were made by a devotee from, that Bengalis are not as significant as others and that it makes no difference if Tirtha Maharaja initiates them irrespective of his transgressions. We do not know anywhere in sastra or in Srila Gurudeva s teachings where Guru-tattva is adjusted because of nationality or ethnicity. It was expressed with intensity that when a guru falls down, many experience the severe damage that occurs as a result of the rape of faith. In such 8

10 a situation the only cure for the victim and the transgressor, is to take shelter of the mahabhagavata vaisnava. This is not something we can afford to compromise on; otherwise our society will be without foundations. There was concern amongst some in attendance that if Tirtha Maharaja left the sanga due to being unwilling to accept the restrictions requested, then economic problems would ensue. How would we obtain the rice that Tirtha Maharaja collects every year for the Navadwip parikrama? Are we really going to compromise on Guru-Tattva just because we are worried about money or rice? This was expressed at the time. Once it was realised that we can easily collect money for the rice before the parikrama, this anxiety dropped away. Thus, by the end of the meetings, there was seeming unity. Everybody favoured the adoption of some standards governing gurus, sannyasis and initiations. Furthermore, everyone understood and agreed to the need for restrictions on Tirtha Maharaja due to his severe transgressions. This included Tirtha Maharaja. It was agreed unanimously that he should accept the Kartik 2012 restrictions. Tirtha Maharaja also made a verbal commitment, in front of all of the senior Vaisnavas present, not to take a high profile role in the parikrama or the sanga. This did not translate into reality. The result was that Tirtha Maharaja was neither honest with any of the Bengali devotees as to what was happening nor regarding his transgressions. As a result, the parikrama essentially split into two; one for the Bengalis and one for everyone else. This was never the intention nor was it ever what Srila Gurudeva favoured. Subsequently, Madhav Maharaja and Vana Maharaja asked Tirtha Maharaja on behalf of the IPBYS to not engage in the 2013 parikrama so that it could remain united and so that he could follow his restrictions as agreed. Instead of co-operating, he started to stir up his followers. After breakfast that day, Tirtha Maharaja decided to hold a meeting with all of his Bengali followers in front of the deities of Gopinath Bhavan. He asked Yasodanandan Prabhu to attend. Sripad Vana Maharaja, on behalf of Sripad Madhava Maharaja and himself, implored Kishori Mohan and Sudevi to speak to the Bengali devotees because he and Madhav Maharaja were being accused by Tirtha Maharaja of lying about the transgressions. Therefore, he wanted the Bengalis to hear the truth of Tirtha Maharaja s indiscretions in detail. 9

11 Previously, we had attempted to deal with the situation in a private manner with only the senior Vaisnavas and Tirtha Maharaja. Unfortunately, an impromptu public meeting was instigated by Tirtha Maharaja and was not organised by the IPBYS. Those present at the public meeting included: Tirtha Maharaja, Sripad Madhava Maharaja, Sripad Vana Maharaja, Sripad Narasimha Maharaja, Sriman Brajanath Prabhu, Sriman Yasodanandan Prabhu, Sriman Kishori Mohan Prabhu, Dr. Purushottama, and a few others. Yasodanandan Prabhu das started the discussions, in front of over three-hundred Bengali devotees, spelling out that Guru Tattva was not based on ethnicity or nationality and that it was not negotiable. It is axiomatic to our faith and with it gone, we are left with nothing. He invited Tirtha Maharaja to be honest with the Bengali devotees. Tirtha Maharaja watered down his transgression to such a degree that he made it appear like a minor breach of protocol rather than the gross breach of trust and violation of everything guru and sannyasa ashrama stands for. He then set about, during a fifty minute speech, to accuse and blame everyone else for the problems. Yasodanandan Prabhu then asked Brajanath Prabhu to speak and then Kishori Mohan. Kishori Mohan started to explain one line of detailed truth of Tirtha Maharaja s transgressions in Europe. Tirtha Maharaja told his Bengali followers, He is lying, at which point the crowd surged forward and it was clear that many had the intention to beat or even kill Kishori Mohan. Kishori Mohan implored Tirtha Maharaja to do something but he acted as if he was helpless. Two local boys ran to Kishori Mohan warning him that he was in real danger at which point he was smuggled under the stage and back to his room. Fortunately, a power cut facilitated this retreat. Kishori Mohan spent the next two a half days barricaded in his room with his family. Meanwhile, back at the stage, with his 300 strong crowd to support him, Tirtha Maharaja was pressing Yasodanandan Prabhu to withdraw all allegations and lift all the restrictions. This he would and could not do. Srila Gurudeva s sanga cannot sit by doing nothing while a supposed Guru falls down and transgresses every rule and regulation of being a guru. We cannot let there be one standard for Guru in Bengal and another one for everywhere else. We cannot allow economic considerations to get in the way of all injunctions pertaining 10

12 Guru-Tattva. And we cannot let anyone suppress the truth of Bhakti Yoga and Guru-Tattva using intimidation and force. Srila Gurudeva lives his life as a model of purity and an uncompromising adherent to Guru Seva and Guru Tattva. We will not betray him by allowing his International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society to fudge and fumble for reasons of sentimentality, economy and/or convenience. We must endeavor to carry out the orders of Srila Gurudeva with our utmost ability. NO REMORSE, DENIALS, THREATS & INTIMIDATION It is one thing to experience difficulty in one s spiritual life and in the role of guru. It is another matter to act in opposition to one s role of guru, compounding the problem with denial, false accusations, threats, intimidation and an unwillingness to co-operate. No one wishes that Tirtha Maharaja leave the association of devotees. But we cannot accept that he acts as a spiritual master or official representative of Srila Gurudeva. We cannot accept that the principles given by Sri Guru and Sastra be adjusted to accommodate the kind of behaviour that Tirtha Maharaja has displayed. We encourage a firm attitude on this matter amongst all the senior devotees. Compromising on the absolute sanctity of guru-tattva renders everything that Srila Gurudeva built worthless. We are not helpless when faced with these problems. We must act based on principles, not sentiment. Doubtless, we will face more problems of a similar nature in the future. If we are not clear now, then the foundations of Srila Gurudeva s International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society will be destroyed. SUMMARY Based on the above, the IPBYS cannot support or condone Tirtha Maharaja acting as an initiating guru within (including Bengal) or outside. We also cannot support Tirtha Maharaja travelling outside of. Anyone who wishes to fund, support, facilitate, host or attend such events does so at their own risk. It will not be an IPBYS supported event. We deeply regret that despite knowing of all the transgressions in Tirtha Maharaja s behaviour, some devotees acting in the role as officers for n legal entities have supported Tirtha Maharaja and have enabled him to hold an official role of one of 11

13 these entities. We sincerely hope that these devotees will see how such support embarrasses the reputation of our most pure beloved Srila Gurudeva and hope that this situation is rectified promptly. The IPBYS will not endorse or support those who endorse or support this type of behaviour or any behaviour which directly goes against the principles of bhakti. Everyone now has enough information to make an informed decision. CONCLUSION The International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society is the desire of Srila Gurudeva. It represents an ideal espoused by Srila Gurudeva and its purpose is to unify and enhance the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is not a legal entity with money, property and assets. It is a community of like-minded devotees with a shared vision who desire to inspire and help one another in their individual and collective endeavours to obtain pure bhakti. Every initiative, whether it be local, regional or global is to be run by its own committee which is in charge of its own finances. The goal of the IPBYS is to demonstrate a coherent and unified identity and to declare shared spiritual principles to the public and to the global village of Srila Gurudeva s followers. Its value and purpose will not be defined by temporal structures such as money and buildings. Rather, the source of the society s legitimacy will be its allegiance and loyalty to Srila Gurudeva s teachings. The goal is to achieve pure bhakti as revealed to us through the grace of our guru-parampara descending from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 12

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(kindly transcribed by SheelaMataji, Singapore) Download the audio for this lecture here: https://docs.google.com/uc?id=0byzawab085dblw84uge4yvdjc2s&export=downloa d From Sri Mayapur ChandrodayaMandir