platform on which all Vaishnavas FROM THE HEART can unitedly work together once again for the propagation of Krishna consciousness worldwide. January 6, 1992. VVR apologizes ** To settle the past, heal wounds, to its subscribers and readers for reveal the truth and prevent future the long delay in the appearance of disasters in Srila Prabhupada's this issue. Our subscribers' mission of preaching for the next subscriptions will be honored on an 9500 years, an impartial and extended basis. thorough TRIBUNAL must investigate In this issue VVR has tried to and rectify the major deviations broaden its range of topics and and questions that have arisen give less space to our own views since Srila Prabhupada's physical and more to the participating departure. Vaishnavas. We have not changed our positions, which we summarize here: New Jaipur has moved to South Carolina. A 250 acre farm with a ** ISKCON is becoming a Greater large home, two running streams, ISKCON, where Srila Prabhupada's excellent soil, 50 acre lake site Hare Krishna Movement now includes and a second dwelling has been more devotees on the outside than obtained. Gradually the project the inside of the official GBC-guru will be restored and developed to cartel controlled institution. its completion. By the year 2000 we ** There is a great need to hope to have a temple, prabhupada complete the reforms in ISKCON museum, Vedic library, Vedic begun in 1985. The guru system, GBC University and a Vaishnava policies and philosophical inter­ community of independent families. pretations require serious reforms New Jaipur is based on the "Srila to conform with Srila Prabhupada's Prabhupada in the Center" theme and actual instructions and teachings. the Daivi-varnashram principle. ** The above mentioned reform can Meanwhile, back in Mississippi, best be implemented by allowing the old project is winding down. A free discussion and unrestricted settlement was made with the state debate amongst devotees in or out to resolve all mutual claims. A of ISKCON. This ISTAGOSTHI has been tentative settlement has been made repressed by the GBC. with Uncle Sam wherein about half ** Subsequent to Srila Prabhupada's of our assets will be saved. The physical departure and until self­ Gloucester mansion, former home of effulgent pure devotees appear, the Srila Prabhupada's Memorial Shrine, process for diksha initiation was sold in September. In December should be by the RTVIK method the two antique stores were sold, established by Srila Prabhupada. and we expect the two remaining ** Qualified devotees who want to downtown properties to be sold take Srila Prabhupada as their soon. The Cedars is on the market. spiritual master may do so by the The amount of prejudice and RTVIK process. subtle, good-old-boy, back room ** Srila Prabhupada's true glory persecution in Mississippi has been and rightful position has been demoralizing. They found a defect minimized and eclipsed for 14 years and exploited it to the maximum to by a small group of GBC-gurus who purge Mississippi of the Hare have done "the greatest disservice Krishnas. However, I personally to the movement." (quote, TKG 1980) made a major error of jUdgement in ** ISKCON must resolve philosoph­ the type of products I sold, which ical differences on the basis of gave them the club with which to do sastra and Srila Prabhupada's their damage. I apologize to all teachings rather than on a basis of devotees for this "financial" political expediency. Most of Srila irregularity and pledge to follow a Prabhupada's followers have been clean path of activities hereon alienated, expelled or neglected; out. This error weighs heavily on Srila Prabhupada is the common my conscience, and I hope I will be 1 afforded the chance to compensate physical setting, but the economics ~lch future positive achievements. and transportation problems over­ I humbly request forgiveness for my rode any aesthetic positives there. errors; I pray for the mercy of Mexico was simply too dry and Srila Prabhupada and his followers primitive; the culture was foreign, to successfully establish New to say the least. Georgia was red Jaipur as Srila Prabhupada's Vedic clay country, Florida expensive and village. All Glories to Srila hot. We settled on South Carolina. Prabhupada! The Carolinas have a very mild Failure is the pillar of success, climate, rich soil, good job so it is said. Actually, in devo­ opportunities, and a lot less tional service there is never any rednecks or ignorant people than, failure, and any endeavor to please say, Mississippi. Rainfall is Srila Prabhupada is successful plentiful, as is wildlife and since spiritual advancement is the greenery. Land runs less than a result. Thus New Jaipur was a thousand an acre, as compared to success, not a failure. Even though California or Florida where land the project in that location is now costs several times as much. The closed, plundered by a government Carolinaa are agricultural, but has which cannot appreciate minority developed a diversified, strong religions, New Jaipur will live on, economy with many small industries and its six years of existence will in many medium-sized cities. have a lasting and positive effect. New Jaipur in Mississippi was a New Jaipur explored and pioneered communal property; all members many areas of varnashrama develop­ resided on the church's land, and ment, the second phase of Srila qualified to receive life estates. Prabhupada's mission. New Jaipur Several such life leases were demonstrated that devotees CAN be granted in New Jaipur. However, Krsna conscious in the Greater considering how the government has ISKCON, outside the political forfeited the corporate properties, structure of the official GBC-guru and how devotees have perceived cartel. And from the New Jaipur life leases as being insecure, we experience we can glean lessons and now concede that full, private realizations in the continuing ownership of land for individuals attempt to build Vedic villages, is the better policy. This decen­ devotional communities with Srila tralization protects the proposed Prabhupada in the center. community from lawsuits, church There is a very great need for politics and attacks from enemies. Vedic villages allover the world. Community devotees will sink roots People everywhere are looking for and a solid stake into the project. peace, happiness and prosperity, Those who cannot afford to own land but can succeed only by taking up and a house may rent one from a , the program of Lord Chaitanya thru devotee landlord. \ the mercy of Prabhupada. We remain While families will own their committed to the establishment of property, there will also exist a Vedic villages, hUmbled, though, by non-profit religious corporation to our past failures. To quit now and hold the tracts containing the retire to a comfortable life would community temple, parks, offices, be like death, however. with the cultural center, temple gardens and encouragement of friends, proceed­ common lands. The community will be ing cautiously in the path of well-planned with wide streets, advice from the devotees, and water and electric facilities, praying for Srila Prabhupada's parks, temple site, markets and so blessings, we will try to reorgan­ on. Plots will be sold to devotees ize New Jaipur once again in a new using the proceeds to develop the locale and based on the lessons common facilities. recently learned. There have been too many bad We researched extensively several experiences in our past with temple locations for the reappearance of management. By a system of checks New Jaipur. Jamaica excelled for a and balances most of these problems 2 can be avoided. It may be implaus­ ible to attempt the establishment NEW CHANTING TECHNIQUES ? of a Vedic monarchy in a modern world so thoroughly saturated in by Kirtanananda Swami democratic principles, at least for If one is serious to demonstrate his strong desire to now. An elected mayor who executes the Lord, I would say these are the most important the pOlicies and decisions of a things to be done: popularly elected community board 1) Sit properly. By that, we mean sit with your back of directors, both advised by a straight. If possible, sit on the floor in a lotus council of brahmanas, will consti­ position, or at least cross-legged, not leaning against tute the management. community anything. The ears, shoulders, and spine should be in a straight line, and the chin should be a little down members must be heard and fairly toward the chest. represented. However, if spiritual standards 2) You should breathe properly, which means deeply and slowly, about 8 seconds in and 8 seconds out. This are not maintained, then what is wi Il allow you to say "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna" on the point of the village anyway? the in breath, and "Krishna Krishna Hare Hare" on the The main concern of the community out breath. Then again "Hare Rama Hare Rama" on the in, and "Rama Rama Hare Hare" on the out. Breathing directors will be to organize the properly, coordinated with the Holy Name, is the second management and uphold spiritual step of proper chanting. standards. The members must be 3) Third is concentration which is automatically among those devotees dedicated to accomplished when you listen carefully to the sound of following Srila Prabhupada's the Name in the mind. New persons should chant out loud instructions, who will henceforward for awhile, at least until the mantra is firmly fixed in the mind. Persons who have chanted Hare Krishna for approve all new members as well as sometime may want to chant softly, quietly or silently, choose the directors. Naturally, using earplugs or blindfolds or closed eyes to further there will be different classes of limit sensory stimulus so they can concentrate all devotees, from pukka brahmanas to their energy on hearing the Holy Name.