Sugar coated replies by ISKCON GBC Members

Reply sent by ISKCON GBC Members

From: Kalakantha (das) ACBSP (Gainesville, FL - US) <Kalakantha.ACBSP@pamho.net>
Date: Fri, Jun 12, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Subject: New Vrindaban Management and untimely death of Venkatachalapathi Prabhu

Dear Ekta Mukker Prabhu,

Dandavat Pranam. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

After reading your letter I must speak up on behalf of Jaya Krishna Prabhu.
For those who haven't done it, is easy to miss the fact that being an ISKCON
temple president is an exceedingly difficult service. As one devotee put it,
you are either too hard, too soft or too in-between.

Jaya Krishna Prabhu has worked diligently and selflessly in New Vrindavan
for years and has accomplished much. Your letter lists only what you
perceive as his failures. Srila Prabhupada taught us to look for the good in
others.

Over the last few years Jaya Krishna has been trying to retire but
apparently no replacement has been found so he has dutifully stayed on. He
has won the love and respect of many and deserves far more than
unsubstantiated accusations.

We all share your grief over this tragedy. Grief can make us lash out, yet
doing so only increases our suffering. Srimad Bhagavatam (10.14.8) offers
this procedure when we are in pain:

tat te ’nukampam su-samiksamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak

"My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless
mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past
misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and
body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful
claim."

Writing this is part of my grieving. As I now need to pray for my departed
friend, this will be my only letter on the subject. No need for you to
reply.

May you find peace.

Sincerely yours,
Kalakantha das ACBSP

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From: Anuttama Dasa <anuttama.acbsp@pamho.net>
Date: Fri, Jun 12, 2020 at 12:35 PM
Subject: Re: New Vrindaban Management and untimely death of Venkatachalapathi Prabhu

Dear Vaishnavas,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am not clear how all of your addresses were accessed for this email from Ekta Mukkera prabhu, and the wise words offered in response from Kalakantha prabhu. As I prepare this response, additional emails have been sent. As GBC representative for New Vrindaban I feel I should also comment to all of you since you received the other emails. I will be brief. I will not write again to this entire group. Forgive me for taking up your valuable time. 

In this age of social media it's sad to note that no one's grief, or no one's personal crisis, are held in confidence or given respect. And, no painful experience goes without being misread, misinterpreted, or twisted into a crisis of management.

The sad passing of Venkatachalapathi prabhu in New Vrindaban is mourned by many. He was a devotee that touched the hearts of all he met. His service to the New Vrindaban dhama and its residents, friends and guests is well known. 

As happens in these cases, many devotees, including myself, are asking themselves, "Could I have done more to prevent this tragedy?"  Also, as is common in these circumstances, a few are pointing fingers and accessing blame upon others--often without cause or evidence other than their own grief, pain, and anger. I understand that. This time is difficult for all. But at the same time, I request we stop this cycle of pain and blame. 

Because of the pointed attack against Jaya Krsna in the email you received, I feel obliged to briefly set the record straight. 

Those familiar with New Vrindaban know that it is a very difficult place to manage. Prior to Jaya Krishna prabhu becoming temple president some eight years ago, there were, as I recall, seven different administrations in just two years. Malati, Tamohara, and myself, as GBCs at that time, struggled to find any leader(s) capable to address the ongoing management issues, internal tensions, and frankly, an atmosphere disturbed with discord and criticism.

Jaya Krsna came to New Vrindaban to be temple president despite knowing these problems as well as existing issues from New Vrindaban's checkered past. Over seven years, he, with the help of many other devotees and supporters, stabilized the community and it again began to thrive. 

New Vrindaban's (spotty) reputation among temples in ISKCON was redeemed; our relations with local people and institutions was redeemed; our finances were put in order; the infrastructure was improved; the number of pilgrims increased vastly; festivals blossomed; Deity standards stabilized; etc. Of course, it goes without saying that along the way some mistakes were made. We are all human. And, is to be expected, some in the community appreciated his leadership, others were critical. Some thought themselves more qualified to lead. 

About a year ago, after seven + years of significant success, Jaya Krsna of his own accord resigned from temple president of New Vrindaban to become a Zonal Supervisor and help me manage my zone. In that capacity he has the full support of the North American GBCs as well as other temple presidents. 

Through a process that involved many New Vrindaban devotees, a system of three co-directors was put in place. In brief, that attempt failed and a leadership vacuum again manifested. Jaya Krsna, upon the request of myself and the New Vrindaban Board of Directors, agreed to temporarily become a co-director and later president of NV for the balance of 2020. He did so knowing the seva would be even more complicated and the former critics emboldened. But, because of the urgent need he agreed to step in again. We are now seeking another temple president to take up the role by January 2021.

Regarding the list of devotees that have left New Vrindaban: Every community sees devotees come and go. Some on that list you were sent are exalted souls; a few, frankly, while also exalted, benefitted New Vrindaban by their departure. 

That all said, I find the current email you were posted highly unfortunate and in error in too many ways to count. 

The New Vrindaban Board and myself have struggled with grief, as well as seeking the appropriate response and public announcement regarding the passing of Venkatachalapathi prabhu. Out of respect for him we chose, and continue to choose, to not discuss the personal, internal problems we recently learned that he was facing.  

It should be known that in his final note, Venkata expressly asked Jaya Krsna prabhu to take care of his wife. In my mind, this confirms Venkata's affection, respect, and trust in Jaya Krsna. I only wish others could understand that and perhaps open their hearts to learn from that. 

I pray that the devotees who knew Venkata prabhu will focus on their appreciation for him, and their prayers for him. To do so is the proper way to honor him. 

Your servant,

Anuttama dasa

GBC Representative

New Vrindaban

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From: Badrinarayan Swami <bnarayan@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, Jun 12, 2020 at 5:42 PM

Hare Krishna. I do not know why I have been included in this communication
stream. That said, since I have been include, here are my comments.

Let me first offer my condolences on the departure of Venkatachalapti
prabhu. Srila Prabhupada said that the departed soul is now receiving the
transcendental benefit of their service to Krishna, so that is not the hard
part. The hard part is for those of us left behind who have lost the
devotee's physical association. We know the philosophy about the eternality
of the jiva and Krishna's perpetual mercy. But again, as Srila Prabhupada
said "We are not dull stones"--we miss the association of our devotee
friends and family members when they pass away.

As for Jaya Krishna prabhu, since he came to the USA and taken up very
serious service positions, I have had a number of opportunities to watch him
in action and to study his character. He has proven himself again and again
to be very kind, very fair, and very competent.

Anyone working with him or under his direction is very fortunate.

I have nothing more to add and I will not be reading or commenting on any
further postings on this topic.

Your servant,
Badrinarayan Swami

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From: Tamohara (das) ACBSP (Alachua, FL - US) <Tamohara.ACBSP@pamho.net>
Date: Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 7:03 AM
Subject: Re: New Vrindaban Management and untimely death of Venkatachalapathi Prabhu

Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As one of the GBCs for New Vrndabava from 2005 until my recent retirement, I
feel compelled to write. I do not wish any further protracted discussion,
but I will state my opinion one time.

First, we all mourn the departure of our friend, Venkatachalapathi Prabhu.
But let us not make our sadness strike out in the wrong diretion.

Unfortunately, New Vrndaban has a long history of criticism of any
leadership, sometimes justified, sometimes not.
When we brought Jaya Krsna Prabhu to New Vrndaban about 10 years ago, it was
a breath of fresh air. He was extremely successful in the outside world, and
had then brought great success to the College at Radhadesh, Belgium.  His
expert management ability helped us through gas lease issues, brought sound
fiscal responsibility, a flood of structural improvements to a crumbling
infrastructure, and overall management stability.

I feel that his character is unimpeachable - he has intelligence, integrity,
and cares deeply for the devotees. His sadhana is extremely strong - he lead
by example by being in every morning program, and also by pitching in and
going on the altar, or doing any service needing doing.
Any strong leader will not always please everyone, and sometimes makes tough
decisions regarding devotees.

As Anuttama Prabhu stated, some of the devotees on the list that left,
should have left, some were not of good character, and some simple wanted
changes for their own reasons. A few I discussed with Jaya Krsna, and I
believe I was the one encouraging them to seek service elsewhere.

To state that Jaya Krsna drove away good devotees is simply not true, and in
fact, the whole letter is an offensive, unwarranted, attack on the character
of a strong, dedicated Vaisnava.

Jaya Krsna resigned as President, and helped establish a new system. When it
did not work out, he was asked to step back in to leadership, which he did
without hesitation. He is not attached to the position, and looking for a
new President. The fact that Anuttama Prabhu has appointed him as a Zonal
Supervisor with responsibilities with several temples is an indication of
his capabilities.

I felt privileged to work with Jaya Krsna, as he was a competent, caring
leader. I suggest the GBC ignores this attack, and focusses on its truly
important issues and business.

your servant,
Tamohara das - GBC Emeritus (for New Vrndaban)