“...the devotees here are openly defying 1999 GBC resolutions.”

— NIMAI NITAI DASA
      Delhi temple not following?

CHAKRA  - September 27, 1999: CHAKRA has received an angry complaint by Nimai Nitai dasa that the Delhi temple isn't following the GBC resolutions concerning how to address an ISKCON guru.

"Under the guidance of GBC 'Second Vice-Chairman' who is the GBC and de-facto 'guru-maharaja' of Delhi, the devotees here are openly defying 1999 GBC resolutions," writes Nimai Nitai. “When you have power what is there to fear? Never mind the 1999 GBC Resolutions."

According to Nimai Nitai, "His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja makes no qualms about openly and publicly being addressed and 'glorified' as 'Srila Bhagavadpada.' Whether it is a Janmastami main pandal program in front of tens of thousands or general jaya-dhwanis on his arrival, departures and lectures." 

Nimai Nitai reminds us of the following ISKCON laws passed by the GBC body, as ammended:

406. [LAW] AMENDING LAWS ON GURU PROTOCOL C. ISKCON law 6.4.8.2, “Restricted Titles”: “No one in ISKCON will be addressed either publicly or privately with honorific title “His Divine Grace” or the honorifics ending in “-pada.”

406. [LAW] AMENDING LAWS ON GURU PROTOCOL D. ISKCON law 6.4.8.3: “ISKCON temple resident members may keep photographs of ISKCON diksa or siksa gurus privately in their ashram quarters but are not to display them publicly on ISKCON premises. Promoting occasional special preaching events may be an exception. Disciples of ISKCON diksa and siksa gurus should not wear or publicly display guru t-shirts, posters, bead-bag buttons, athletic caps, etc. (other than Srila Prabhupada).”

Nimai Nitai dasa isn't happy because he feels this is not being followed in New Delhi. "Practically every office of Delhi temple has a large picture of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja," he says, "either on the altar or as a wall hanging." He complains that Srila Prabhupada’s picture, in comparison, is often small, absent, or "obscured in the clutter."

"Most temple devotees starting from the brahmacari General Manager and prominent congregation members till date continue to sport 'Srila Bhagavadpada' bead-bag photo buttons, bead-bag photos and 'JAI SRILA BHAGAVADPADA' t-shirts," says Nimai Nitai. 

"Never mind the 1999 GBC Resolutions," he says sarcastically.

Nimai Nitai says he thinks gurus and disciples are still power-hungry, but he hopes they will one day implement ISKCON law. Nimai Nitai further quotes ISKCON law as follows:

407. [ACTION ORDER] DEADLINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION It is therefore resolved THAT all ISKCON diksa and siksa gurus and other authorities are responsible to instruct initiated devotees and aspiring initiates in the above mentioned details of worship and see that they are implemented no later than Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja celebration in 1999. After that time, devotees who fail to uphold these practices shall be subject to censure.

© CHAKRA 27-Sep-1999

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