“Ironically, Bhaktavatsala prabhu is a victim, and his letter is an excellent example, of the very problem he wishes to address.”
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Let us consider listening, with an open heart, to what the GHQ would say to us.”from Devarsi Muni dasa
Dear Chakra Editors, Bhaktavatsala prabhu, and all the assembled devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I read, with interest, Guru-Krsna prabhu's reply to Srila prabhu (If One Plus One Were Three). I also read Bhaktavatsala prabhu's follow up. I feel impelled to write this letter of encouragement to Guru-Krsna prabhu, and, sadly, to question Bhaktavatsala prabhu's basis for his unfortunately unfocused and speculative text.
Bhaktavatsala prabhu has written that "Guru-Krsna approaches Srila prabhu as if with the straw between his teeth,." Is Bhaktavatsala prabhu privy to some insight into Guru-Krsna prabhu's mind? Why does he doubt that Guru-Krsna's prabhu's humility is anything less than completely genuine? He continues: "yet it seems apparent that he (Guru Krsna) harbors some mood other than that of genuine humility." I would like to know on what foundation this wildly assumptive leap has been built? I have read and re-read Bhaktavatsala prabhu's letter, and I can still find no evidence presented to back up his claim.
Instead of providing the crucial evidence, Bhaktavatsala prabhu spends much of the balance of his letter decrying the sad state of communications held over the Internet. He rightfully implores us to a more proper utilization of the electronic communications available in this age, but fails to give any advice on how to accomplish this feat. Ironically, Bhaktavatsala prabhu is a victim, and his letter is an excellent example, of the very problem he wishes to address.
By tossing speculative accusations at Guru-Krsna prabhu without a shred of evidence to justify his position, Bhaktavatsala prabhu illustrates how easy it is to wrongly accuse a devotee of a misdeed when using a medium which allows a message to be sent with the push of a button, a method which encourages us to send messages before we have the opportunity to reconsider our comments.
By stating "Please excuse me if there is any offense, as it is not my intention to offend. I really did appreciate the fact that Guru-Krsna prabhu is making great efforts at effective communication" on the one hand, and contending that "Guru-Krsna dasa is a classic example (no offense), presenting a mood of humility, when in fact his mood is really something else. This is duplicity (according to how my former guru, Jagadish prabhu, taught me), which (I believe) has been rife within ISKCON both in the past as well as the present." Bhaktavatsala prabhu travels dangerously close to the same duplicity of which he has accused Guru-Krsna prabhu.
It is clear that Guru-Krsna prabhu has an uphill battle in store for him if his every attempt to clarify his positions and engage in philosophical debate are met with allegations of duplicity and lack of humility. I must say that when I see a devotee trying to defend himself philosophically (with great etiquette and logic) being met with ad hominem attacks against his character, I quickly lose sympathy for those who stand opposed to his positions. This was the feeling I had when I first learned of the insulting words which came from the GHQ conference. However, as I have observed the members of that conference apologize for the incident and bring forth strong sastric evidence to support their true views, and as I have seen their detractors question the character and sincerity of the GHQ members who have come forward to make amends, I find that I must offer my encouragement to the GHQ. Not for their prior (and private) offenses, but for their current attempts to bring the debate into the open and raise it to a level of honesty and integrity.
The more that the efforts of the GHQ are unfairly and categorically dismissed as insincere and duplicitous, the more I find myself listening to what they have to say. Bhaktavatsala prabhu has said that there is more to communicating than listening. While this is true, we can not forget that communication (and devotional service) begins with listening. When we stop listening, we stop learning. Let us consider listening, with an open heart, to what the GHQ would say to us. If what they say does not stand the test of guru, sastra, and sadhu, then let it be dismissed on a philosophical basis for all time. But if after listening, we find that the words of the GHQ do pass such a test, if those words are supported by Srila Prabhupada's books and teachings, then how can any of us justify condemning those words? May the assembled devotees forgive any offenses I may have committed here, and may I find correction if my words are wrongfully presented.
Your servant,
Devarsi Muni dasa
© CHAKRA 6-Jan-99
Go to the “GHQ Page”
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