I’m writing in response to a letter from Raghunnath that was published on Chakra on September 24th. In part of that letter he criticizes my comments, which were printed recently in an Indian Newspaper. Although just recently printed, this interview was taken last spring. Due to the limitations of the newspaper, my comments were then edited to fit into the limited space available to the editor. Of the 16 or so questions that I was asked, only one related to the Gurukula. However, as Raghunnath points out, it was an error on my behalf to only mention the gurukula problems in America, for as we have come to know in recent years, there were serious problems in other gurukulas as well.
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© CHAKRA 16-Oct-1999

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the many letters of support and empathy that I have received in response to the first posting. It is good to know that one is not completely falling on deaf ears. But, due to some feedback, there are some points that I feel still need clarification... My original letter was addressed to the leaders of ISKCON, and although I received several replies of support and sympathy, no GBC member has offered some concrete explanations, as to what can be done to rectify the situation.
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© CHAKRA 10-Oct-1999

After 20 years of abuse of women and children by a society that claims to have the highest material and spiritual values, makes me think justice must come from the outside, to give a rude awakening to some obvious ignorant mentality present in the collective consciousness of ISKCON.
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© CHAKRA 24-Sep-1999

Nothing mundane can solve the problems of this world. It will take something God conscious to minimize the material and spiritual distress that exists in the world. But, no spiritual society that does not address the physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of its members will survive or bring about good.
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© CHAKRA 1st-Oct-1999

Your story (and the story of other victims) is one of human shame and the most remote scenario of what you would call “Krishna Consciousness.” As late as it may be taking the liberty to speak for others as well as myself I offer you these three famous words of reconciliation, the words that most modern day politicians have a problem with. “I am sorry!” And then there are three more, “Please forgive us!”
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© CHAKRA 1st-Oct-1999

(See Raghunatha Stocker's article.) So, do we say that for the most part Srila Prabhupada has failed? I think it would be more accurate to say we have failed him. What you and those like you have experienced we ca never fully apologize for, although we must continually apologize. However, our real apologies are based on how we each do our part to strengthen our spiritual culture of ISKCON. We can surely minimize this ever happening again.
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© CHAKRA 28-Sep-1999

Thank you for writing all that you did. It is my opinion that you are completely correct in your assessment of the entire situation, and perfectly correct in your deep and abiding faith in the Supreme Lord and in Srila Prabhupada. There is no other safe repose for eternal faith.
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© CHAKRA 27-Sep-1999

In reference to Raghunatha Stocker’s recent letter about his sad and tragic Gurukula experience, I’m reminded of how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati would tell managers, “preach the truth, don’t worry, money will come.”
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© CHAKRA 26-Sep-1999