Are the methods of modern psychology and sociology compatible with Krishna consciousness? If you believe in one, can you believe in the other? And in the context of child protection, a field which relies on these two scientific fields, why do these questions matter? This article, first posted at the ISKCON India Scholars Board, addresses these questions.Continue Reading
I would like to start by offering my sincere apologies to all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord… as I failed to live up to the standard of someone trying to present Srila Prabhupada’s teachings regarding the Vedic version… I’m not trying to justify myself … I have already agreed to all the punishments imposed on me …However … now I must clarify a few points … because in any case, two sides must be heard …Continue Reading
The interesting thing is that we are struggling over the same issues that the Christians are in Western society. That suggests there is a single, secular Western influence that is driving the challenge to traditional morality in both the Christian and Vedic traditions.Continue Reading
Dear Respected Vaishnavas/i, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. This is an open affirmation on the rejection of the book entitled ‘The Emergence of Women’s Voices in ISKCON’ launched on the 22nd August 2020 by ISKCON Vaishnavi Ministry. Serving this as a strong proclaim that ideologiesContinue Reading
From Bhakti Purushottama Maharaja (JPS, GBC) on the WhatsApp ICC Informal Discussions Group on 27 August 2020.: https://akincana.net/2019/08/03/iskcon-performs-the-first-hare-krishna-gay-marriage-cerimony-in-brazil/ “Received this strange and appalling forward from a devotee asking for the credentials about this as it’s been widely circulated. This may be a propaganda to defame ISKCON.” [The above “forward” MaharajaContinue Reading
For some devotees within ISKCON, what counts as evidence from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s statements depends on what their opinion is. If the śāstra supports what someone already believes Śrīla Prabhupāda meant, then it is acceptable. If not, then it is not accepted. Thus, what has actually happened is that by eliminating the other sources of information (direct śāstra and sādhu, other saintly persons like Rāmānuja, Madvhācārya, Jīva Gosvāmī, etc.) by saying “only Prabhupāda”, or only what he has quoted from śāstra or sādhu, and by ignoring the consistency criterion (aikya), Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings have become a grab-bag of useful statements for proving almost any idea one can think up, as Dr. Hopkins has observed. In this way, instead of us serving Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desires, we engage Śrīla Prabhupāda in serving ours.Continue Reading
Below is the executive summary of our paper, which is a short, initial response to Sriman Madana Mohana Prabhu’s paper “Guru: The Principle, Not the Body” (2020), which is a response to our book Vaisnava-diksa according to Narada-Pancaratra (2019). Click here for our full paper. Your servants, Krishna-kirti Dasa (BVKS)Continue Reading
“A woman’s real business is to look after household affairs, keep everything neat and clean, and if there is sufficient milk supply available, she should always be engaged in churning butter, making yogurt, curd, so many nice varieties, simply from milk. The woman should be cleaning, sewing, like that.” (Continue Reading
Haribol Prabhus! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Yes, we are JIVAS, we are not the body. We are equal. But it would be better not to approach a tiger to explain this philosophical point! WE ARE EQUAL in the sense that both men and womenContinue Reading
“Our mathas are being built at many places, and many sannyasis, vanaprasthas, grhasthas, and brahmacans are living in them full time and receiving the opportunity to learn spiritual conduct. But we have been trying for a long time to also give mothers [women] opportunity for devotional service. Of course, thoseContinue Reading