How do we understand Srila Prabhupada’s statements on rape?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Recently a quote of Srila Prabhupada on rape went viral. How do we understand this statement?


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Statement by Anuttam Prabhu, ISKCON Communication Director: 

Recent media coverage has brought the world’s attention to the horrors of abuse and rape of women. The film “India’s Daughter” tells the story of the terrible rape and murder of a woman in New Delhi in 2012, and demonstrates the urgent need for increased activism against criminals—and perhaps cultures—that perpetrate, promote, or foment such crimes. ISKCON strongly condemns any violence against women and advocates that care and protection for women is one of the essential qualities of a civilized society.

In the effort to address social sources of the abuse of women and the misogyny that sometimes accompanies it, a few have selectively quoted from the writings and conversations of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), to suggest that his teachings lead to the exploitation of women. A quote regarding rape has been widely circulated the last few days and will be addressed below. First some facts:

1. Srila Prabhupada, who spread the Vaishnava tradition, or monotheistic devotional Vedic (Hindu) teachings, to the west in 1965, was noted for providing full facilities and opportunities for women within his organization. In India—against the social norm of the day—Srila Prabhupada regularly arranged for women to be the primary speakers and leaders of kirtan/chanting sessions at large ISKCON sponsored public events.

2. Unlike the standards of many orthodox Hindu traditions, Srila Prabhupada formally initiated women into the Krishna movement and accorded them with the same rights and privileges as men. He often remarked that in his movement, women “are as good as their brothers”.

3. In ISKCON in Prabhupada’s time and today—unlike many Hindu, and even Christian, Muslim and other religious communities—women perform the full functions of priests, pujaris, temple presidents, and also sit on ISKCON’s highest ecclesiastical body, its Governing Body Commission. For example, women serve as Community Presidents at ISKCON’s Washington, D.C. community, and at Alachua, Florida, the largest ISKCON community in North America.

4. Direct testimonies of women disciples of Srila Prabhupada who personally interacted with him consistently document his concern, respect, and grandfatherly care of his female followers.

Regarding Srila Prabhupada’s recently circulated quotes on rape, it should be understood that Srila Prabhupada was born in Calcutta, India in 1896 and raised in Victorian India. His use of the English language was founded in that era, and the words he uses and the meaning of those words should be seen in that context.

His statement that women “like to be raped,” is questionable, if not horrific, using today’s connotation of rape, that is, forced sexual intercourse against one’s will and often at

knifepoint or gunpoint. However, the word rape in the context of Prabhupada’s 19th Century English has a much different meaning. According to the Chambers English Dictionary, rape had several different connotations in the past.

“Rape rap, (noun) rapine, plunder, seizure (obsolete); unlawful sexual intercourse (by force) with another person without that person’s consent; violation, despoliation,— verb transitive to seize and carry off (obsolete); to commit rape upon; to ravish or transport, as with delight (obsolete); to violate, despoil. (adjective) ra’ping tearing prey (heraldry); ravishing, delighting (obsolete).”

Of relevance within this definition is the historical, or “obsolete” meaning to “ravish or transport, as with delight,” or “ravishing, delighting.” With this understanding, Prabhupada’s comments make more sense.

Any casual viewer of modern movies or novels sees such a psychology played out in story after love story, where women are portrayed as delighting in men’s attention, and seeking to be swept off their feet, in their paramours’ ravishing embrace.

This is far from the misperception of thinking that Srila Prabhupada meant that women wish to be raped in the current violent connotation of rape. In fact, Prabhupada taught that civilized communities protect and provide for women as an essential test of decency and morality.

Just one of many examples of the need for men to not abuse women is given in his book “Dharma—The Way of Transcendence” where he writes: “Indeed, human life is meant for self-control. The more you control yourself, the more perfect a human being you become, and the more you allow your senses to run loose, the more of an animal you are.”

Dr. Thomas J. Hopkins, Professor of Religious Studies (Emeritus) at Franklin and Marshall College wrote about Srila Prabhupada: "He was a genuine holy person with enormous integrity and compassion, and he had a powerful impact on those who met him. He never claimed authority and respect for himself; what he said and did was always in the name of Krishna [God]."

Understanding the historical facts of how Srila Prabhupada respected and cared for women, his use of language in the proper context, and the appreciation he drew from scholars who studied his life and work, helps us to understand the reality of this saintly person’s nature and intentions.

**

Statement by Vishaka Devi, author of many books on Vedic wisdom: 

While my husband remained in Los Angeles editing a documentary film, as a photographer I was part of Prabhupada’s personal entourage when he traveled in America during the summers of 1974 and 1975. Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Book Trust paid for my airline tickets, my camera, my film, and arranged for all my accommodations and meals.

From the moment I’d met Srila Prabhupada, all I’d experienced—and continued to experience while traveling with him—was his encouragement. He evoked in me a spirit of voluntary, enthusiastic service. He generated an atmosphere of fresh challenge, and I enthusiastically agreed to rise and meet it. He drew out my spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing my energy for God, Krishna. He appreciated my efforts. He wanted me to be all I could be for Krishna. I never sensed a smidgen of male chauvinism or misogyny, superiority or self-righteousness, hubris or haughtiness in him. Neither a whiff of desire to exploit, oppress or repress women or anyone else.

Regarding the recent concerns over Srila Prabhupada’s statements on rape, I recall my god sister telling me, “During a brief stay over in Delhi, my husband was Prabhupada’s secretary and I was his cook. We were on a rooftop where Prabhupada, while getting a massage, was reading mail that had accumulated during our travels. I was preparing lunch in a corner of the roof. Prabhupada, holding a letter in his hand, called me over and with tears in his eyes told me that Saradiya had been raped by five men (this was in Trinidad where she had gone with her husband to open a center). Srila Prabhupada was visibly distressed over this unfortunate incident.” Hardly the reaction of someone who views women as inferior or thinks that they like to be raped.

Let no one be under the misimpression that Srila Prabhupada in any way condoned rape in any form. This idea is thoroughly and completely mistaken.

*

Statement by HH Jayadvaita Maharaj:

Now, the question on the table is not whether SP *condones* rape. Nowhere does he say he does. By modern community standards, his sexual standards are conservative or ultra-conservative: "No sex outside of marriage." "See every woman but your wife as being like your mother." No "boyfriend and girlfriend." No dating. "Women should always be protected."

So what *is* the question? It seems to be the rather narrow issue of whether women "sometimes" (SP's word) enjoy rape.

Okay, no one is willing to argue that women enjoy being mugged and beaten and raped. But do women sometimes enjoy protesting "No, no!" and having a man insist, "Yes! Yes!"?

A generally understood answer is "yes." The open question is: When is "no" a genuine refusal, and when is it a come-on, a part of the game?

That is not a settled question. Even psychologists, sociologists, and courts of law sometimes have a hard time drawing a clear line.

That aside, when SP refers to the clever lawyer who got his client acquitted by arguing that the woman enjoyed pleasure, is SP saying that women should be fair game -- open targets for rape -- because they "want it"? Hardly.

And, clinically speaking, that women sometimes feel sexual pleasure during rape is well established. Even when they feel utterly disgusted by the experience, they sometimes feel sexual arousal and even orgasm:

https://www.4shared.com/office/LjAwhPhg/sexual_arousal_and_orgasm_in_s.html

According to the clinical literature, instances of this are likely to be underreported. And the victim may feel conflicted, confused, and even guilty because she simultaneously hated the experience yet felt sexually
stimulated and aroused.

So Srila Prabhupada's lay psychological observation that women during rape "sometimes enjoy pleasure" seems reasonably consistent with modern psychological understanding -- or at least not terribly far off.

So then again: What's the point that so upsets us?

From Srila Prabhupada's perspective, even the ordinary, socially approved instances of sexual intercourse that go on regularly on all but the most conservative college campuses constitute a form of
reprehensible exploitation of young women.

So when reading the "notorious" purport, the casting of SP in a stereotypical "anti-woman" role seems hasty and unwarranted. Our understanding would benefit from a more thoughtful,
better-contextualized reading.

 

 

 

Is diversity the DNA of Hinduism?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

In an interview in the Times of India, a prominent Hindu spiritual leader that ISKCON propagates cultural Hinduism and by restricting Hinduism a particular culture, we harm its universality.

What is your response to this?

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Secrets of Success — and Failure — in Devotional Service, March 14, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London
Giriraj Swami

03.14.15_BVManorGiriraj Swami presented a seminar titled ‘Secrets of Success — and Failure — in Devotional Service’ based on the Nectar of Instruction.

“Mercy means the Lord can give mercy or not give as He pleases. But, our business as devotees is to make ourselves fit candidates to receive the Lords mercy. One of the main qualifications is to be eager for the Lords mercy. Being eager requires us to be humble and realize we cannot be successful without the Lords mercy. Whatever sadhana we perform can only be successful with the Lords mercy. So, feeling completely helpless and dependent on the Lord, we can beg for His mercy, pray for His mercy and chant in the mood to receive His mercy.”

Secrets of Success part 1, Bhaktivedanta Manor
Secrets of Success part 2, Bhaktivedanta Manor

"i know!"
→ everyday gita

Verse 4.36: Even if you are considered to be the most sinful of all sinners, when you are situated in the boat of transcendental knowledge you will be able to cross over the ocean of miseries.

Spiritual life begins with hearing; hearing from someone who walks their talk. The Gita refers to such persons as self-realized souls. Their words have impact on our hearts because of the power that comes along with practicing what you speak. It's through this hearing that we cultivate knowledge, and as this verse states, this knowledge is the vehicle by which one can begin their journey of self-discovery.

For those who have started that cultivation of spiritual knowledge, and especially those who continue to cultivate it year upon year, you'll know that the journey that doesn't end there. In fact, arguably, that could be the easy part -

Practical execution of said knowledge is often the most challenging part.

As I child, I would often say "I know!" In reply to almost any piece of advice or guidance that came from my parents. Want to know something funny? I haven't changed much! Although I may not say those words out loud as often anymore, I sure do think them! Whether it be when I'm listening to a class, reading a book, discussing an initiative with colleagues, or having a conversation with a loved one, my mind often screams "I know, I know!" in relation to any good advice, ideas or guidance that may be shared.

One thing I'm realizing more and more is this: Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether "I know" if I don't DO anything about it. As the saying goes,

If you don't use it, you lose it.

That knowledge which sits within us waiting to be used, will be lost if we don't act upon it. All the information we have stored regarding our spiritual life, relationships, work/career and being a good human being is at risk of being lost. That's serious! All that time and effort spent will amount to nothing!

The act of waking up early to engage in spiritual practices or minimizing our tendency to procrastinate when we get a project assigned to us at work is the hallmark of doing the real work. Knowledge is just one piece of the journey. You can't escape the work part!

I invite you to join me in challenging yourself this week to transform one of your "I knows" to an "I'm doing". Feel free to share your observations and realizations by leaving a comment. Wishing you good "doing"!

Sweden, March 2015
→ KKSBlog

From Mayapur, Kadamba Kanana Swami traveled to Europe. First up, he spent a few days in Heidelberg, Germany and thereafter traveled to Sweden. Maharaj arrived in Stockholm on 4 March for a long celebration of the appearance day of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He stayed at New Radhakunda, the North European BBT center, which is the home of Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari. Morning lectures were given there. Every evening, he gave a program at the Hare Krsna Center in downtown Stockholm. From Sweden, he traveled to Berlin for a few days and currently, he is in the Czech Republic

 

sweden_march2015 (21) Sweden_march2015 (1) sweden_march2015 (17) Sweden 1 Sweden_march2015 (2)

 

Visit flickr to see all the photos

 

Lectures

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_04 March 2015_CC Adi 9.10

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_CC Adi 13.19_Gaurapurnima

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_Gaurapurnima Lecture

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_NRK_06 March 2015_SB 3.1.1

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_06 March 2015_CC Adi 16.24

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_07 March 2015_CC Madhya 1.183

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_NRK_08 March 2015_SB 3.1.4

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_08 March 2015_Sunday Feast Lecture

 

Kirtans

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_04 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra_Gaurapurnima

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra_Gaurapurnima_Abhisek

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_06 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_07 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra

KKS_SWE_Stockholm_08 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra

 

Hare Krishna! Life Membership Meeting In Iskcon Patna Prior to…
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Hare Krishna! Life Membership Meeting In Iskcon Patna
Prior to his speech followed a mesmerizing and enchanting cultural program performed by artists from Vrindavan, they depicted the performed pastimes of Lord Krishna and left everyone speechless. Afterwards everyone was assembled for the aarti and celebrated holi festival with flowers and love for each other.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16097

Hare Krishna! From “I am” to “God is” The recognition of our…
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Hare Krishna! From “I am” to “God is”
The recognition of our dependence on a higher source for our very existence is also central to Srila Prabhupada’s argument. This higher source is referred to as intelligence: “Intelligence gives one direction like some higher authority, and the living being cannot see or move or eat or do anything without the use of intelligence” (SB2.2.35, purport). But this intelligence is beyond our control, and refers, in this context, to a super self, a portion of God that maintains our existence.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16094

Jaded
→ Seed of Devotion

One morning when I was 21, I was in Mumbai, India, listening to Radhanath Swami give a spiritual discourse to several hundred people all packed tightly into a temple. At the end of the discourse, he asked if there were any questions. Being me, I shot my hand up, and when Radhanath Swami called upon me, I stumbled through a rather complicated question.

Radhanath Swami then asked, "Do you all know Bhakti devi?" Several hundred pairs of eyes swiveled to look at me. Heads shook. He proceeded to glorify me in a rather sweet and embarrassing way, and one thing he said kind of shot to my heart. He pronounced that I was the most enthusiastic second generation devotee he had ever known. 

Finally he said, "Could you repeat the question? I was too busy glorifying you." 

This morning I was reflecting on how my enthusiasm has waned. Over the past seven years or so I feel that I have put my heart out, put my heart out, put my heart out. I've allowed myself to get excited, to make plans, to venture forth, venture forth! Time and again, because I've opened up my heart so wide, I have experienced pain that has gone straight into the heart. 

Today at 28, I find myself sore and somewhat jaded. I find myself disconnected from that enthusiasm for spiritual life and for life, especially in relationships. I am blessed and grateful for a significant other in my life, Ghanashyam, who is a deep, compassionate, loving man who keeps me connected to Krishna. At the same time, I am realizing how the hurt I have felt in so many relationships in life has lead to a point of deadness and sadness. An apathy. A continual asking of, "What's the point?"

Maybe that's the next question to ask Radhanath Swami. 
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Hare Krishna! From Banana Leaves to Gold Leaf March 14th saw the…
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Hare Krishna! From Banana Leaves to Gold Leaf
March 14th saw the first post Gaura Purnima Prasadam Distribution outing by the MOMS Mayapur team. Setting out a little after 3pm and journeying to Sardangha, passing along the way the beautiful Jaganannath temple at Rajapur the weather was perfect, a few degrees over 30, no wind and strangely for Mayapur little humidity. Within minutes of passing the Jagannatha Mandir we were into a very quiet rural setting with no sign of life.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16088

Hare Krishna! Everything attractive comes from Krishna, but…
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Hare Krishna! Everything attractive comes from Krishna, but everything attractive doesn’t take us to Krishna
The Bhagavad-gita repeatedly urges us to not become attracted by sense objects. Yet the same Gita (10.41) asserts that the attractiveness of everything attractive comes from a spark of Krishna’s splendor. When the attractiveness of sense objects also comes from Krishna, why shouldn’t we be attracted to them? Because becoming attracted to them doesn’t take us to Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16085

Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Mayapur Departure/U.S….
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Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Mayapur Departure/U.S. Arrival – Maya Tests Us
In the early morning hours on Wednesday, March 12th in Mayapur, Jananivas prabhu and myself (Vraja Vilas), to the nectarine sound of Krishna Kirtan, departed for the U.S. in a grand procession carrying with us the divine Padukas of Lord Nityananda and Sitari of Lord Nrsinghadeva. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the U.S. in 2015 (also officially pronounced the Year of the TOVP by GBC Chairman Praghosa prabhu), we are scheduled to travel for 108 days to over 35 temples and devotee sangas throughout the U.S. and Canada. This will also be Jananivas prabhu’s first step outside of India in over 45 years, and at the advanced age of 72.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16081

Rama Navami – Saturday, March 28, 2015
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Saturday, March 28, 2015, Toronto's Hare Krishna Centre will mark the Appearance Day of Lord Rama (also known as Rama Navami). Lord Rama is the incarnation of Lord Krishna as the perfect monarch. He enacts His lila, or pastime, of killing the evil king Ravana and establishing virtue, by personal example, throughout His kingdom. The epic story of His transcendental adventures is told in the scripture Ramayana in which one reads of His unfailing devotion to His wife Sita and Their affectionate dealings with Lord Rama's many family members, particularly His devoted Brother, Lakshmana.

Celebrations will begin at 6:00pm and will include a special arati ceremony for Lord Rama and will be an extended program with plenty of festivities. More details to follow!

We hope you can join us for this auspicious occasion with your entire family!

When rendering service
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 24 December 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Lecture)

Question: In terms of rendering service, in everything you do, do you do it with the understanding that I am doing it for my spiritual master or am I doing it for Krsna. Who do you think of when you do service?

GauraNitai_HungaryWell, I am doing it for both. I am doing it for Krsna and I am doing it for my spiritual master. By the grace of my spiritual master, I can do some service for Krsna. Without him, I could not do anything for Krsna. Without him, how could I maintain doing anything for Krsna. My spiritual master has given me this service which is certainly very pleasing to Krsna, therefore through my spiritual master, I am serving Krsna. So the two come together!

When we are on the altar, we are serving the deity and making nice arrangements for Krsna but still, we know that we are there by the grace of our spiritual master and not by our own qualifications, “I am not qualified actually but my spiritual master is so merciful that he lets me do it anyway and now, I am dressing the deity. Even though I am not qualified, I know it works because my spiritual master’s prayer is there!”

But, it is not that only personal service to the spiritual master is the highest. Any service rendered to spread the glories of Krsna in the world and immediately, the eyes of the spiritual master lights up. From the time that we really surrender unto the spiritual master, we become his property so therefore our whole existence is now dedicated to him… and for him, we do something for Krsna!

 

The Glories of Devotional Service, March 13, Soho, London
Giriraj Swami

03.13.15_SohoGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18.

“Though a person be even the most sinful man, he can at once be purified by systematic contact with a pure Vaisnava. A Vaisnava, therefore, can accept a bona fide disciple from any part of the world without any consideration of caste and creed and promote him by regulative principles to the status of a pure Vaisnava, who is transcendental to brahminical culture. The system of caste, or varnasrama-dharma, is no longer regular even amongst the so-called followers of the system. Nor is it now possible to reestablish the institutional function in the present context of social, political and economic revolution. Without any reference to the particular custom of a country, one can be accepted to the Vaisnava cult spiritually, and there is no hindrance in the transcendental process. So by the order of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the cult of Srimad-Bhagavatam or the Bhagavad-gita can be preached all over the world, reclaiming all persons willing to accept the transcendental cult. Such cultural propaganda by the devotees will certainly be accepted by all persons who are reasonable and inquisitive, without any particular bias for the custom of the country. The Vaisnava never accepts another Vaisnava on the basis of birthright, just as he never thinks of the Deity of the Lord in a temple as an idol.”

— SB 2.4.18 purport

SB 2.4.18, Soho, London

Japa Affirmations
→ Japa Group

  • I happily and enthusiastically welcome the Holy names every Japa session
  • I get to chant, I want to chant and I love to chant
  • I easily chant my prescribed number of rounds with focus and attention
  • My beads are my connection with Krsna and my ticket back to Godhead
  • I treat the maha mantra as Radha and Krsna, fully present in sound
  • I fully honor my sacred relationship with the Holy names during Japa
  • I turn off my world and turn on Krsna's world when I chant my rounds
  • I receive and feel Krsna's presence, mercy and love in His name
  • I chant in full awareness that the Holy name is the greatest treasure
  • I chant from my heart, feelingly praying to come closer to Krsna
  • I chant to be accepted by Krsna and to repair my broken relationship with Him
  • I chant to please Radha and Krsna not to gain anything material
  • I meditate on the meaning of the names as I chant
  • I organise my life to make Japa the most important activity of my day
  • I am totally dependent on Guru and Krsna to chant quality Japa