Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

1. the self brilliant temple starters are the best, but they usually end eaten-up by the power hungry sharks lurking in the waters of the successful temple.
2. GBC appointed are usually straw-men functioning as a kind of proxy with no real initiative, pleasing very much the elite but failing in the day to day care of devotees and expansion required through the intelligent preaching innovations and inspiration.
3. elected among the temple residents are the minority if any. Normally elections mean co-temple presidents or a board functioning as a less-trouble to tolerate for the ego arrangement.
4. there is still another category, "not fit for the post but SP disciples or some kind of good record holders", (brahmacari many years or something), "there-is-no-one-else" riders that have their own agenda and really do not care either about their subjects nor their authorities. I know a few of those.
5. finally those who have the skills and the maturity to preach and take care of devotees, going out of their way and agenda to fulfill to the maximum possible SP basic instructions (harinam, book distribution, decent Sunday feast) probably can be counted with the hands fingers. They magically survive all the politics by being agreeable to the elite but at the same time somehow managing to stay aloof and independent.

Just a small story, not a plug for or against anyone. Srila Prabhupada ordered H H Gour Govinda Maharaja to build a temple in Bhubaneshwar. He personally laid the stone while he was there or something. Anyway GGS stayed in Bhubaneshwar, and he said that Srila Prabhupada told him only he would be able to stay there and do it, and he was I guess the only one who stayed there and did it. So what happened after GGS finished building the temple? The higher echelon in ISKCON decided that now that there was such a big temple in Bhubaneshwar GGS should not be in control of such a big temple so they wanted to take it away from him and give the control of the temple over to other GBCs who already had many other temples on their plates, and GGS only had the one he had built. At least I heard something like that when I was there in Bhubaneshwar. Not only that but he had personally made all of the temple devotees there into devotees, so they were loyal to him, but that also was a problem with the rest of the leaders involved at the time. This is just something I overheard at the time, since I was there and many devotees were upset over this. But I just figured he had done what he was ordered to do, he built the temple, so I wasnt so concerned over what happened after that. His disciples were fanatically loyal to him for the most part and were going to follow him anyway.

Historicially the Temple President has usually been a natural leader,a local to his community,usually a good kirtan leader, gave nice classes,was well liked by all,had a great sadhana regime,and most importantly... was availble

I dont believe there ever was a real selection criteria set up by Prabhupada,It was just a given that every temple would have one.

Akrura das ,Vice-President of Iskcon Vancouver tells me Bhaktimarga Swami is responsible for finding New Gokula a Temple President,figures.

Historical facts on this subject that are verifiable via Prabhupadas letters, conversations and documents:

1. Prabhupada stated the we should hold TP elections.
2. Prabhupada participated in TP elections.
3. Prabhupada had to sort out disagreements regarding TP elections.
4. Prabhupada sometimes appointed a TP himself.
5. Prabhupada sometimes let a GBC appoint a TP.
6. Prabhupada put a clause in the Direction of Management outlining restricting GBC removal of a TP.

On balance, it appears that Prabhupada wanted elections but sometimes adjusted according to time, place and circumstance. This conclusion is consistent with the following letter by Prabhupada:

2nd March, 1970
London

My Dear Gurudasa,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge reciept of your two letters dated 20 and 26 February, 1970, respectively, and I am so glad to learn that you have been elected president for this year. In India, when there was congress election among the executive members, each year a person was elected president. I think this system may be followed in our institutions also. Of course it will depend on the local situation, but in a round if each person is given the chance of managing the whole affairs, that means everyone becomes responsible officer.

(end)

Tulsiananda das wrote"

Historicially the Temple President has usually been a natural leader,a local to his community,usually a good kirtan leader, gave nice classes,was well liked by all,had a great sadhana regime,and most importantly... was available"

It would be revealing to make a survey of the present situation of Iskcon worldwide,regarding this important position,as in the past,the TP was the life and soul of the temple,knowing all temple residents as in a loving family,always meditating on the expansion of the Holy Names,which brings bliss and heal anyone who sincerely put into practice this philosophy.
Different gurus were welcomed then,and apparently,for the new devotees that we were,everything was going right:such blissful kirtans and festivals...until nearly all gurus revealed their true ambitions:power and sense gratification! The illusion was over,and disciples dissappeared rapidly in the crowd of ordinary citizens.
The empty temples had somehow to survive,and so new TPs were nominated by the GBC,and in many cases,it was not so difficult to carry on,due to the fascination and past glory of Iskcon:new recruits dont ask so many questions!
So now,we have TPs who are doing this job partime,while working an ordinary 9-5 job...but what can be achieved in such a position?As such people,sometimes never tasted the morning programs and hear regular classes...
So,in order to remedy to this abominable situation,the leaders of this movement should really meditate on Srila Prabhupadas instructions,as time is going fast,and no one is going to bring his bank balance with him:its never too late!
Meanwhile,as Srila Prabhupada instructed to those who cant adapt to the leaders,to open their own temple ....and be the President!They dont have to use the Name of Iskcon,but no one can stop them using Srila Prabhupadas books!

...heree an example of what can happen to a temple that functions year after year without a Temple President.

...sorry,forgot my attachment.

Whatever happenned to Vancouver temple?Brief story plse!Thnks!

govinda108: please make a new question, like "whatever happened to Vancouver temple? or similar. Thank you