Six Months After Leaving ISKCON

I have decided to discontinue this blog for the time being, but I would like to say a few last words.

First, my request is that you will read The Final Order. Whether or not you agree with it, it certainly makes more sense to worship Srila Prabhupada as the guru, instead of worshipping a bunch of conditioned souls as gurus.

Second, I'd like to state how I feel, six months after leaving ISKCON. I feel much more peaceful and happy now that I am no longer affiliated with ISKCON. I feel like a much more balanced individual. My mind is no longer disturbed by all of the politics and corruption in ISKCON.

The present day condition of ISKCON functions much like a cult. Much of the corruption in ISKCON is glaringly blatant, but yet if you speak out against the corruption, you are labeled a fault-finder and are silenced. ISKCON does not promote free speech or free thought, and thus very much resembles a cult, not the independently thoughtful organization that Srila Prabhupada wanted to establish.

Six months after distancing myself from such a cult-like institution as ISKCON, I feel much more at peace with myself. In the end, we all must listen to our own hearts, and to have remained in ISKCON would have been tantamount to a betrayal of my own heart.

ISKCON Priest jailed

ISKCON Priest jailed
Borehamwood Times/July 2, 2003

A former ISKCON priest from Radlett has been jailed for two months after claiming more than £9,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.

Jayesh Patel, aged 41, from 7 Willow Way in Radlett, pleaded guilty to seven counts of false accounting, relating to claims he had made for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit between July 1997 and September 2002.

He claimed he has now paid back all the money, but was still sent to jail by Watford Magistrates on Monday.

When he first applied for benefits in 1997, Patel claimed he only had one bank account containing £800.

But the court heard that over the years he held various other bank accounts, including a three-year bond and an ISA account, which contained more than £15,000, and would not have received Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if he had declared them.

In 2000 he claimed he was working 30 hours per week as a priest, employed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

This week an ISKCON spokesman said: "The Bhaktivedanta Manor management team regrets that one of its congregational members acted in a way contrary to Housing Benefit stipulations.

"ISKCON does not condone any action in conflict of the law. We wish to point out that Mr Patel has not been an ISKCON priest at the Manor Temple since December 2002."

Patel was found out when Hertsmere Borough Council's verification officer made a routine visit last December.

The officer asked Patel for some identification, which he produced after rummaging through a drawer full of personal papers, including bank books. The officer alerted Hertsmere's fraud team, who interviewed Patel.

Harikesa Swami's new website

Here is a link to the ex-ISKCON guru Harikesa Swami, now known as Robert Campagnola.

He used to be considered a paramahamsa good-as-god guru, and now look at his position, after having fallen down and stolen a huge sum of money from the BBT. What more proof do people want before they finally wake up and realize that Srila Prabhupada never instituted diksa gurus? Please read The Final Order.

Here is Harikesa's site.

http://robertcampagnola.com/

Violent GBC member Badrinarayana dasa assaulted devotee (and physically harassed me, as well)

Written by Gauridasa Pandit Prabhu

Dear Prabhus, Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada!

I write this report with a heavy heart. I moved to San Diego a few months ago and have been attending the Temple programs regularly. Last friday night, on Nirjala Ekadasi, I was assaulted by The local GBC, Badrinarayana Prabhu. I had gone to the temple with a few guests to attend the Harinam Party. When Badrinarayana Prabhu saw me in the lobby he gave me his usual bad look. I asked him if it was OK if I joined the Harinama party and he looked disturbed. Then he blurted out, "You've caused the movement a lot of pain." I replied that I did not agree with his opinion and he said, "That's the problem, you're done, just go, just go." I was shocked at his furious outburst in front of the devotees and guests and more shocked when he proceeded to physically push me out of the front door. I could of fought back but out of due respect and to keep the peace I didn't.

I did go on the Harinama anyway in honor of Nirjala Ekadasi and as soon as Badrinarayana Prabhu got there he walked up to me and told me that I had a choice to either leave the Harinama Party or not be allowed at the Sunday feast. He said to make my choice as he stood there with big whoopers close to my face in an intimidating way. I said that I came for Harinama and I will stay for Harinama. He looked disappointed and said "OK, to be continued." and he said if I came to the Sunday feast that I would be kicked out and If I came in through the back I would be kicked out through the back. 'Believe it or not the Harinama turned out to be pretty blissful for me and others. I chanted right next to Badri most of the night and did not let him bring me down.

I attended the morning program this sunday morning and I was given a paper from Badrinarayana officially restricting me from devotional services and denying my civil and constitutional rights. This letter will be printed in full below and I will respond to it for the consideration of the assembled Vaisnavas. Badrinarayana Prabhu has a reputation for rough behavior with devotees and it needs to stop. This abuse of power should be checked and for the benefit of the movement, Badrinarayana Prabhu should be removed from the GBC and relegated to washing pots for a few years.

Almost every time I attend the San Diego Temple functions I get static from Badrinarayana Prabhu. He has threathened to kick me out many times if I even mention the word 'ritvik'. I said I would not mention it and did not but still the harassment continues. I have tolerated so many insults from him and now he is resorting to physically attacking me. Without arguments he has resorted to violence.

Prabhus, is their any justice in ISKCON anymore? Can the GBC men continue to abuse the devotees in this and so many ways? Do we have to take it to court and waste more time and energy and Laxmi? I sure hope not! But a change needs to come soon before ISKCON as we know it should be is an improbable dream.

Prabhus please advise me on the best course of action to take in this regard.

Some will advise me to walk away from it. I could as hundreds of others have. But if someone doesn't stand up for righteousness the mismanagement of Srila Prabhupada's mission will continue and no intelligent people will want to join. So I feel I should stand and fight, with the pen, not the sword, not for my own benefit but the benefit of the others now and in the future. I joined this great movement with Visnujana Swami to chant and be happy. I never liked politics. I pray to Sri Sri Radha Giridari and Sri Sri Radha Damodara to resolve this matter and let us get on with the real preaching work.

(END OF ARTICLE)

NOTE BY AUTHOR OF THIS BLOG: I also have bad experience with Badrinarayana dasa, who is the GBC of the San Diego temple. I have found him to be an arrogant, harsh, and rude person. One time I was at the San Diego temple, and right before Guru-Puja, I was standing and taking darshan of the beautiful deities in the San Diego temple, and Badrinarayana purposely bumped into me quite forcefully, and remarked in a very rude and sarcastic tone "Why don't you join us?". He was referring to the guru-puja for Srila Prabhupada that was just beginning to start, and was clearly insinuating that my full attention should be on Srila Prabhupada's guru-puja, even though the puja ceremony had not fully began even. Anyway, is this any way to treat devotees? Physically push them? Badrinarayana is just a thug, and someone needs to stand up to this thug. If he ever pushes or physically assaults anyone, that person needs to file a lawsuit against him. This abuse and harassment in ISKCON MUST STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Violent' teacher still working at temple

'Violent' teacher still working at temple
Borehamwood & Elstree Times, UK/January 5, 2009
By Filip Hnizdo

A former religious leader found guilty of beating children continues paid work at a Letchmore Heath temple despite being banned from leadership and teaching roles.

In July, Gauri Das, former president of ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Letchmore Heath, was found responsible for inflicting "inappropriate and excessive corporal punishment" on students between 1991 and 2001.

Victims of the man's abuse have expressed "disgust" at an "insensitive" decision to continue employing him at the ISKCON temple.

Following statements given by 17 former students of the Vrndavana Gurukula school in India and three adults, the child protection branch of the International Society for Krishna Conciousness (ISKCON) banned Gauri Das from serving in a position of leadership and giving classes for three years.

Despite this ban, chairman of the temple's management board, Sruiti Dharma, admitted Gauri Das was working on various projects in a part-time role at the temple but did not say what these projects were, how much was being paid or if they were temporary or permanent.

Temple spokesperson Radha Mohan Das added there was "nothing controversial" about the employment and that it was in line with ISKCON's ruling as Gauri Das was not serving as an officer or leader.

Michael Powell, father of one of the students who gave evidence against the former religious teacher, said: "As a father of one of the children involved in the escapades I'm really surprised they've re-employed this guy. A lot of folks will view this decision with disgust.

"They won't reveal what he's doing or how much he is getting paid. They've just moved him to the wings for three years before they can re-instate him. There's certainly something fishy about it and it's not very nice at all."

The Borehamwood resident, who has been a member of the temple for 30 years, said: "He gets three years for child abuse and in three weeks he is re-employed. It beggars belief and is shameful. It doesn't take into consideration the sensitivities of the people involved.

"They advertised him as a spiritual head of the largest ISKCON temple in the UK but he's not fit to serve."

The ego epidemic: How more and more of us women have an inflated sense of our own fabulousness

The ego epidemic: How more and more of us women have an inflated sense of our own fabulousness
By Lucy Taylor

Us women are more egocentric and narcissistic than we ever used to be, according to extensive research by two leading psychologists.

More of us have huge expectations of ourselves, our lives and everyone in them. We think the universe resolves around us, with a deluded sense of our own fabulousness, and believe we are cleverer, more talented and more attractive than we actually are.

We have trouble accepting criticism and extending empathy because we are so preoccupied with ourselves.

Am I making you angry by telling you this? It figures. Narcissistic or egotistical women do have an overwhelming sense of entitlement and arrogance.

Of course, I joke, but researchers say there is growing evidence of an epidemic of ego-itis everywhere.

Once a traditionally male syndrome, narcissism generally begins at home and in schools, where children are praised excessively, often spoiled rotten and given the relentless message that they are 'special'.

Psychology professors Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell analysed studies on 37,000 college students in 2006.

In a survey, 30 per cent of them said they believed they should get good grades simply for turning up.

And it's not just about how intelligent they think they are. In the workplace, in friendships, even in motherhood, the pervading culture seems to have become one of competitiveness, superiority and one-upmanship.

But the sphere in which the signs of self-obsession are perhaps most obvious, and the consequences most immediately felt, is the dating one.

In a recent magazine article, four women in their late 20s and 30s shared their thoughts about why they were still single. A 39-year-old beauty director claimed to be too independent for a relationship.

A 38-year-old music agent attributed her single status to the fact she was an alpha female - independent, feisty, strong-minded, high-achieving and intimidating.

She pointed out that she owned a gorgeous flat with gorgeous things in it, had a nice car, was a member of a fancy gym and wore designer dresses. 'I do what I like, when I like,' she said.

She'd been told, and appears to believe, that she's too successful and too well-educated for most men.

The third woman, a 30-year- old arts writer and curator, has been having too much fun to settle down.

Another, a 29-year-old, said she was too picky. She was looking for a guy who is (just) tall enough. And (just about) good-looking enough (but not too good-looking so that she'd play second fiddle).

He needs to be successful, solvent and driven. He must also be long on genuinely good jokes, with a decent sideline in bad ones that only she finds funny.

He needs to 'speak good restaurant', to have no special dietary requirements and to always be discerning without ever being fussy.
A businesswoman sits on a chair with a sheet of paper in her hand

Me, me, me: The workplace is one area where women can develop an over-inflated view of themselves.

He needs to be clever without ever making her feel stupid. He needs to 'get' but not 'know' fashion...and so the list went on.

She concluded that she would rather eat wasps than share her Sunday with anyone who fails to measure up to her idea of Mr Perfect.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with having high expectations. But being delusional and having a totally unrealistic blueprint are an altogether different matter.

And they often go hand in hand with acute ego-itis. As Margot Medhurt knows only too well.

She is the founder of Yours Sincerely, an Edinburgh-based personal dating and introduction agency for professionals. She has almost 30 years' experience in the industry and has noticed a significant rise in this phenomenon in recent years.

'It used to be that most women who joined a dating agency had a pretty good idea of where they stood in the eligibility stakes,' she said. 'But in the past few years, I've noticed that there are a significant number of women who don't.

'They tend to be in their 30s, and there is a wide discrepancy between how they perceive themselves and how others see them.

'They are often very plain, but see themselves as being absolutely fabulous, exceptional people.

'They invariably reject every guy's profile I send them. But if a guy rejects their profile, there is all hell to pay. There is disbelief. They are really saying: "I'm so fabulous. How dare he turn me down?"

'In the past few years, I've noticed a real sense of entitlement among this small group of women. The idea that a guy might not find them as amazing as they find themselves doesn't enter their head.

'They often become indignant and angry towards me, demanding to know why a guy dared to turn them down. Most people simply accept the facts of the dating game: some people will find you attractive and others won't, in the same way that you'll be drawn to some but not others.

Women today think the universe revolves around them and have a deluded sense of their abilities.

'These women, however, are unable to get their heads around the fact that the rest of the world might not share the distorted, inflated view they have of themselves.'

She said she had a eureka moment when she read a recent article about the rise in narcissism among women.

According to the American research, there has been a 67 per cent increase in it over the past two decades, mainly among women.

An estimated ten per cent of the population suffers from narcissism as a full-blown personality disorder.

The symptoms include: a grandiose sense of self-importance; the belief that he or she is special or unique and in some way better - either intellectually or physically - than others; a requirement for excessive admiration; a sense of entitlement, whether to fame, fortune, success and happiness or simply to special treatment; enviousness of others or a belief that others are envious of him or her; an inability to empathise; an inability to admit a mistake; and haughty behaviour or attitude.

What researchers have also identified, and are far more worried about, is what has been described as 'normal' narcissism - a cultural shift that has seen even non-narcissistic people seduced by the emphasis on material wealth, physical appearance and celebrity worship.

The researchers believe our culture brings out narcissistic behaviour in almost all of us.

They blame the internet (where 'fame' is a click away), reality television (where the lure of fame without talent is most prevalent), easy credit (which enables people to buy far beyond their ability to pay), celebrity worship, our highly consumerist, competitive and individualistic society, and a generation of indulgent parents who have raised their children to think they're special, amazing and perfect.

According to Twenge, this focus on self-admiration has caused a cultural flight from reality to the land of grandiose fantasy.

We have phony rich people (who actually have massive mortgages and piles of debt), phony beauty (via plastic surgery), phony celebrities (via reality TV and YouTube), phony genius students (with grade inflation) and phony friends (with the social networking explosion).

'I had noticed this trend, but wasn't really sure what it was all about,' says Margaret Medhurt.

'However, when I read that article and thought about the unrealistic expectations and sense of entitlement among some of the women, it really struck a chord.

'One of the cases that brought it home to me involved a 38-year-old businesswoman.

'I knew there were going to be problems right away. As soon as someone joins the agency, we get things moving very quickly - but this wasn't quick enough for this woman.

'She wanted a date immediately. The first man I sent her profile to declined an introduction and she was extremely cross. She couldn't accept it and she couldn't even be polite about it.

'In three weeks, three men turned her down. I explained that it takes time to meet someone but she just got angrier and angrier. She was demanding to know why these guys did this. I was trying to get the balance right - between being honest with her and being tactful.

'I think, ultimately, she had a very flawed perception of herself. And she almost couldn't bear that it was being challenged. It was as if she couldn't deal with the fact that some guys didn't think she was amazing - and she left.'

Men, traditionally regarded as the more self-centred of the species and the rogues of the mating game, are left scratching their heads and pondering Freud's famous question: what do women want?

David Baxter (not his real name) is a 40-year-old management consultant. Previously married for nine years, he joined a dating agency in the summer.

He says he's not perfect, but is told he's an eligible and pleasant guy with a lot to offer.

'I've had three successive dates recently with ladies in the late 30s to early 40s age bracket that have left me dumbfounded,' he said.

'I've never come across such massive egos, such arrogance and lack of basic courtesy.

'It was as if these particular dates were a forum for them to tell me how exceptional they were. One told me repeatedly how many young guys at the gym asked her out; another was very artificial.

'You sensed that they absolutely worshipped themselves, though none of them was drop-dead gorgeous or had amazing personalities, jobs or anything else to set them apart and elevate themselves into some superior position.

'I also thought it was quite telling that none of them had ever been married, engaged or had recently - or perhaps ever - been in a long-term relationship.

'I got the feeling that these women were living in a Sex And The City-inspired fantasy world. I also sensed that nobody would ever be good enough for them.

'They seem to be looking for something that doesn't exist: Mr Perfect, or perhaps some larger-than-life, dashingly handsome and unattainable character such as that portrayed by Mr Big. Nothing else will do.'

Despite his recent experience, David still considers himself lucky.

'I'm still positive about the whole thing, but I have friends who are not so optimistic and it's evident that encounters with these sort of women seriously erode their self-confidence, which is a real shame. There are a lot of genuine, decent guys out there who are getting a rough deal.'

Neil Hay is a 32-year-old former professional golfer-turned-financial consultant who lives on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

After taking some time out following the death of his mother, he joined a dating agency almost a year ago.

'It's made me terribly cynical, not just about the way women are, but also about what on earth it is that they are looking for in a guy,' he said.

'Of course, we all have standards and preferences. There's nothing wrong with that. But most of us are also realistic. We know that Cheryl Cole is out of our league.

'I had been hoping to meet someone who was quite nice-looking, with a good personality, someone to go for dinner and to the cinema and have a decent conversation with. But I'm left feeling that this isn't what women are looking for.

'It's as if they want to be swept off their feet right from the first date, as if they're waiting for someone like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. They're not interested in a regular, normal, decent guy. That's not good enough for them.

'I spent three hours on a date with one woman. I thought we got on brilliantly, but then she said she didn't want to meet again.

'This has happened a few times. It makes me think that if you don't live up to their perfect fantasy, then that's it. It's game over before you've even had any chance to begin to get to know each other.

'It does dent your confidence. I'm left thinking either that there's something wrong with me or that I'll just never be whatever it is that these women are looking for.

'I know there are a lot of single women who say things like they're too independent, too feisty, too confident or too successful for men. Or they claim that men are intimidated by strong, intelligent and independent women.

'But this is simply not the case. I think they just tell themselves this. It's a way of rationalising things. It's as if it's easier for them to believe their own myths than to face reality - that they are completely ordinary.'

First hand account of murders and crimes in ISKCON's New Vrindavan

The author who wrote this wished to remain anonymous:

This is in reply to the recent article by Krsnananda dasa, "New Vrindaban: It's All Over Now, Bar the Cover-up", which contained certain errors.

Unfortunately, I know a whole lot more about this New Vrndavana murder case than I care to. I will point out what I know to be the inaccuracies in this article. Frankly some points are somewhat inconsequential, but if the writer is wrong on certain very public facts it lends some doubt to the overall presentation. Given the issue being discussed it is clear that every and all effort must be made to make sure the truth is being told and old scores not being revenged through the medium of the Sampradaya Sun using unsupported assertions or gossip.

Quoting from the article:

"One night in L.A., Tirtha, with Janmastami as driver, found Sulocana Prabhu parked up in his mobile home. Sulocana was shot in the head through a window while sitting at his word processor (we are informed)."

The first point of fact is that Tirtha was alone when the actual murder occurred. Tirtha was assisted prior to the murder by Los Angeles devotee, Krsna Katha dasa, and at various points that night he was in the company of this Krsna Katha fellow. Krsna Katha several months later was arrested and threatened with being charged as an accessory to the murder. Eventually he was granted immunity in exchange for quite damning testimony, which was instrumental in gaining Tirtha’s conviction.

Janamastami was involved at various points leading up the killing but was not present on the night of the actual murder. Secondly, Sulocana Prabhu was shot immediately upon getting into his van after having exited the home of a devotee he was visiting. I suppose his van could be considered a “mobile home” but it certainly gives the reader the impression Sulocana Prabhu was sitting in his trailer house and was shot through the window.

Third, Sulocana was not working on his computer. According to the homicide detectives who I was initially interviewed by, and eventually became friendly with, the evidence at the scene indicated Sulocana's murder was a classic ambush killing. They were quite certain that mere seconds elapsed between Sulocana getting into his van and Tirtha (who was laying in wait in a nearby rental car) rushing up and firing through the driver’s side window.

"After the murder, Tirtha and Janmastami split up."

They could not have “split up”, again because Janamastami was not there.

"Tirtha under close police surveillance was soon picked up."

Tirtha was never under close surveillance. He was a suspect in a first degree murder case who was being actively pursued by the police, thus the second Tirtha's whereabouts (which Tirtha was making quite the effort to conceal) became known to law enforcement, he was immediately arrested. Thankfully cops don't let suspected serial murderers run around loose so they can "surveillance" them.

"Subsequently, Kirtanananda and Tirtha dutifully took the fall for the murder."

Keith Ham did not even come close to taking any kind of a "fall". Quite to the contrary, Keith Ham made every effort to lie his way out of this legal disaster that had landed flat in the middle of his little kingdom, especially, of course, all the murders committed in connection with the criminal enterprise which was laughingly being referred to as "New Vrndavana". The guilty plea he made in his second trial was prompted when Tirtha unexpectedly got up on the stand for the prosecution and began being completely truthful about Mr. Ham's involvement in Sulocana's killing.

Originally Ham had been offered a quite generous plea agreement which called for a very light prison sentence, something around seven years in exchange for pleading guilty to some of the lesser fraud and copyright charges which the U.S. Attorney had him completely dead guilty on. The other charges, which were not supported by completely airtight evidence, would be dropped, including Sulocana’s murder.

Ham, fresh off having won the appeal which granted him the new trial must have thought he was at the start of a winning streak. After having his first conviction and the 77 year sentence that went with it thrown out, Ham, wallowing in over-confidence (amongst other things) quickly and unequivocally told the Prosecution to go to hell, clearly convinced that he was going to get out of this whole thing unscathed. He soon learned the huge difference between paying famed attorney Alan Dershowitz $300,000.00 to find some procedural flaw in the previous trial, and going forward with the new proceeding facing all of the previously presented evidence, with the addition of the convicted hit man hopping up on the stand and pointing the finger directly at him.

Tirtha began to testify on the morning of the fourth day of the second trial and by lunch break, Ham's attorneys approached the U.S. Attorney to let him know they would be happy to just go ahead and take that friendly little plea agreement that had been offered some weeks before the start of the new trial. This time it was the U.S. Attorney's turn to tell them to go to hell. He countered by saying he would allow Ham to plead guilty to one count, any count of his choosing, but that the judge would then be at liberty to take into account all the other charges and all the testimony that had been heard so far and would have no restriction when passing sentence. This is how Ham wound up with the sentence of 20 plus years for the relatively benign crime of a copyright infringement.

The U.S. Attorney and the FBI guys I spoke to were convinced there were other “fish” who escaped their nets in connection with this case, but exuded a kind of “It goes along with the job” attitude about it. This was clearly not their first case where guilty people had managed to avoid capture and punishment, nor of course would it be their last.