In the light of laterst discussions regarding bringing old devotees back to ISKCON, devotee care, etc, here i post a part of proposal to GBC by Sadhu das (ACBSP), MAYAPUR:I guess that it is not an easy task becoming a humble tool for UNITING & [thusfacilitate] ENGAGING ALL Srila Prabhupada Disciples, particularly considering such variegatedness ofcharacters - task only accomplished by HDG Srila Prabhupada.However, considering it impossible tantamounts to displease Srila Prabhupada himself, who according to his own words "impossible" only exists in the fools dictionary.Only with his blessings we could assist in such increible task, since it'll mean that we are ready to spread Krishna consciousness everywhere... and I humbly think that it is one of his innermost desires besides becoming self-realized devotees.I do believe that implementing such task opens up a most needed stage of maturity in our ISKCON movement by actually acknowledging a true ISKCON Family. Following a very similar family principle that Krishna Himself practices in the spiritual realm. If we cannot relate amongst each other in our own family circles and/or the ISKCON Family, how would we find strength in our own spiritual life and help others in general?I hope that the original suggestion of H.G. Mahaprabhu Caitanya Dasa, and theencouragement of H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami manifested months ago on this conference, under the title Bringing back disciples of SP to ISKCON initiative, may take practical shape towards a prompt enactment. I sincerely believe that it will bestow all the blessings of Srila Prabhupada to whoever cooperates with its establishment.I personally became enthused with the idea of creating facilities to offer shelter and service opportunities to Srila PrabhupadaÕs disciples, and consequently to all other senior Vaishnavas, during a conversation with H.G. Padmanayana Dasa, H.G. Guru Kripa Dasa, and later on with H.H. Bhakti Purushottama Swami in March of 2008, during the Gaura Purnima festival at Sri Mayapura. The original proposal is included below also for consideration.Name of Proposal: ISKCON-MAYAPUR SENIORS DEPARTMENTPROPOSED BY: Sadhu DasaSPONSORED BY: H.G. Praghosa DasaDATE OF SUBMISSION: 17 February 2009CONTACTS: Sadhu.ACBSP@pamho.net Mayapur Mobile No: 99327 84519PRESENTATION OF PROPOSAL:WHEREAS HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada declared in the Certificate of Incorporation of ISKCON of July 13, 1966, some of the following purposes for establishing his society: Clause c)To bring the members of the society together to each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at largo, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna); Clause d) To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna; Clause f) To bring the members close together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.WHEREAS HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada declared in the FoundingDocument forISKCON - Constitution of Association some of the following purposes forestablishing his society:Clause 3. The objectives for which the Society is being established are: (C) To bring together individuals in a Society, regardless of nationality and irrespective of creed or caste, in order to develop a nearness to the Godhead and thereby the idea that within the members and humanity-at-large there is an infinitesimal soul-spirit that is part and parcel in quality with the Godhead, and that all life is meant for the satisfaction of said Godhead, the Supreme Soul.Clause (I) To have for its objectives amongst the others four principles, which the Goswamins had in view. They are the following:1. To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes as well as a place where members of the Lord Sri Krishna can flourish.3. In order to accomplish this, to adopt proselytizing methods of peaceful means and to establish a broader society of association for all members, including scholars and admirers, to engage in this service as put forth in the Srimad Bhagwatam.4. To install, wherever it is possible, the worship and temple of Radhakrishna and that of Sri Chaitanya, and to give facility to everyone to become trained in the modes of Archan or preparatory principles of devotional service.(J) To introduce to the members of the Society and humanity-at-large a simpler and more natural purpose in life by means suitable to the particular place and time, and as enjoined in the Bhagavad Gita.(K) To organize educational programs, such as classes and lecture tours, and to institute services, such as mailing, for the benefit of the members of the Society and humanity-at-large.(M) To invoke the quality of goodness particularly in every member of the Society, individually by the process of Diksha and by establishing one in the status of a Brahmin (good and intelligent man) on the basis of truthfulness, knowledge and faith in the transcendental service of the Lord.WHEREAS all duly initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada consequently inherited the status as ISKCON members for life this is so since willingly or unwillingly, all of us cannot but recognize ISKCON as our spiritual birthplace.WHEREAS all duly initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada assisted His Divine Grace as our eternal spiritual father on different capacities to establish and develop his ISKCON mission.WHEREAS Srila Prabhupada became our spiritual father by the strength of initiation, and ISKCON our Òsheltering society or homeÓ which could be accepted as our mother thus establishing the basis of our ISKCON Family.WHEREAS all duly initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada consequent birthright is to be an ISKCON member, and consequently (by might of age and/or devotional maturity) became the senior-most of the ISKCON Family.WHEREAS all duly initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada amount almost five thousand, and out of them, barely few hundreds live in close connection with their ISKCON Family.WHEREAS all duly initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada may be approximately 55-65 years old, and many of them may need not only spiritual support but also medical and/or physical care, while others may hold a strong spiritual and/or financial status.WHEREAS according to Srila Prabhupadas statements on his Certificate of Incorporation and his Founding Document mentioned above, one of the fundamental purposes of ISKCON is(Clause c) To bring the members of the society together to each other and nearer toKrishna.PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION:It is therefore resolved that the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Dept will assist and accommodate the interests and needs of Srila Prabhupadas disciples willing to integrate themselves and their families into their ISKCON Family at Sri Mayapur, in accordance with the MSD Statements of Purpose and Administrative Directives (Please, see attached documents on this regard).Furthermore, the Seniors Dept will also supply the needs of Srila Prabhupadas grand-disciples in the status of seniority by rank of devotional service offered to the ISKCON Family and age.EXPLANATION:(1) What prompts you to submit this proposal?My eagerness is to see Srila Prabhupadas purpose fulfilled on establishing ISKCON as a place for his disciples as the natural founding members assisting their Founder-acharya to spend the rest of their lives, and the best of their last breath in the same spirit that brought them to join the ISKCON Family.(2) Why this proposal is important for the success of ISKCON?Besides pleasing our eternal spiritual father Srila Prabhupada, by fulfilling his wishes of sheltering his spiritual sons in what could be understood as our spiritual mother-sheltering society; all generations to come will increase their alliance for the ISKCON Family legacy, which is fully based in the principle of a true spiritual family. A spiritual family, which shows concern for their spiritual and physical welfare, which they will inherit thus naturally reading themselves to maintain,improve and expand to pass on to their next generation, and so on? to finally enter Prabhupadas family in Goloka Vrindavana.(3) What would be the implications of implementing this proposal?The establishment of the MSD (kindly see the attached documents, including the MSD Statement of Purpose and Managerial Structure) would implement the integration of hundreds if not thousands of duly initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupada back into the ISKCON Family, as well senior Prabhupadas grand disciples.Finally, may Nityananda Prabhu Himself through the agency of His most close assistant in this present age of quarrel, HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, bless all his disciples and grand disciples, who may return to the fold of their ISKCON Family all of them with less than 70 years old, that after energizing themselves in the association of pure Vaishnavas may decide to go back to preach and start new temples around the world, thus following the perfect example of their eternal father and/or guide HDG Srila Prabhupada.---------------------------------------------------------------------Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, 3rd of March 2008To the GBCs, co-GBCs Directors of the ISKCON-MAYAPUR PROJECTPART I - PROPOSALTo humbly offer to the lotus feet of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, with the blessings and approval of the ISKCON-Mayapur GBCs and co-GBCs, the following service proposal:To establish the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Project/Committee/Department orMinistry.PURPOSEObjective of the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Project: A Proposal to offer Srila Prabhupadas initiated devotees, and consequently after their physical demise, to all ISKCON senior devotees, temporary and permanent residential facilities within the compound of Sri Chandrodayas Devotional Community.Devotees Concerned: This presentation and preliminary analysis, was discussed amongst H.H. Bhakti Purushottama Swami, H.G. Padmanayana Dasa, and H.G. Sadhu Dasa, with a valuable input by H.G. Guru Kripa Dasa.Objective of the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Committee: To designate the number of devotees who will conform the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Department or Ministry; who will have the following responsibilities:To develop the general guidelines, as a backbone of the complete project, such as: Statement of Purpose; Consolidation of Legal and Financial Structure; General Managerial Rules and Regulations; Master Plan of the Residential Complex, and in communion with the Land Department to Select the Final Area for Construction.CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEWThe ISKCON family continues to grow every year, and through Srila Prabhupadas grace, will continue for all times to come. Seniority is an active principle that is found in a healthy family structure. Seniority is the principle that Sri Bhagavan Himself applies on His Lilas.Although in Tattva, Bhagavan doesnt need to follow neither serve absolutely anybody, in His Lilas He experiences and thus establishes this principle of seniority, which is an integral part of His family life.In Vrindavan, Sri Krishna carries the shoes of Nanda Maharaja on His head, and also accepts Balarama or Sandipani Muni as His seniors. In all incarnations He accepts spiritual preceptors, and faithfully obeys and serves them. Nonetheless, He also friendly relates with His peers, and serves His juniors.The functions of serving a senior, relating equally with peers, and engaging and educating juniors, are all active principles within the structure of a healthy family life. Aspiring pure Vaishnavas find these three principles regulating their life since having taken birth.Therefore, it is of fundamental importance for our ISKCON family to begin, establish, and operate the needed principle of assisting its senior members.FEW SERVICES INSIGHTAmongst innumerable options, the following are few suggestions for community services that could be managed by the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Ministry.1 D To create, organize and maintain a department dealing exclusively with kirtans and bhajans.The principle behind the Kirtan Dept is to offer general guidelines about the particular melodies and tunes to be sung during the temple aratiks and ceremonies. In this way senior devotees will be always responsible for preserving the general guidelines and mood of our Founder-acharya Srila Prabhupada, regarding this important aspect of the mission.2 To create and maintain a regular reading of all literature given by Srila Prabhupada, or suggested by him, regarding the life and pastimes of Kali-yuga Avatar Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.The principle behind the Reading Dept is to offer this particular seva for the pleasure of the presiding deities of Sri Panchatattva. Therefore, in the Holy land of Sri Gauranga there will be a constant reading of Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Sri Chaitanya Mangala, etc., during the periods of regular darshan. Devotees will be scheduled to simply read such transcendental literature in a systematic manner, so that all listeners can benefit from it.3 To manage and maintain the Gardens at the Complex Compound, and commercialize its production of garlands.-----------------------------------------------------------21 December 2008PROPOSAL TO THE MAC D MAYAPUR ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILThis proposal was already submitted to the Mayapur co-GBCs on 3rd of March 2008, and thereafter at the co-GBCs Mumbay meeting on 18th of October 2008. It is herein submitted to the MAC - Mayapur Administrative Council for its consideration and approval.PROPOSALTo humbly offer at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, with the blessings of the ISKCON-Mayapur co-GBCs and the MAC, the following service proposal: To establish the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Department.Long Term Objective of the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Department:- To establish the Mayapur-Seniors Ministry Trust to receive donations fromabroad.- To create the Mayapur-Seniors Mutual Fund, as a first stage for financialconsolidation.- To establish all legal means to further collect finances.- To consolidate its management, engage members, and further develop thecomplete project.- To maintain its full operation and continuity.GENERAL OVERVIEWThe ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Dept will assist the need for Srila Prabhupadas initiated disciples to find their identity within the ISKCON Family. Therefore, whether such devotees live outside or inside the Sri Chaitanya Chandrodaya Communitys compound, they all will share a common field of reference to identify with the ISKCON Family. On this way, their service propensities will always find an identity within the ISKCON Family.The Seniors Dept will manage the means to construct and maintain facilities forsenior devotees willing to visit, or permanently live in the Holy Dhama. Those facilities will be also available for those who just decide to perform their physical demise on the Dhama. Some facilities would be supplied free of cost, according to the principle of seniority and/or services rendered. The DeptÕs managers are responsible to establish the general guidelines on how to administer alldiscriminatory regulations.The principle of a Residential Complex is to create a general design based on principles of Vastu, that could be reproduced anywhere in the ISKCON-Mayapur land. Therefore, the particular area of land to be required depends on the final concept of the Seniors Residential Complex. The private and common residential facilities for senior devotees taking shelter under Srila Prabhupadas ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Dept would be described as follows:- General Headquarters comprising: Temporary and permanent residential facilities for Senior Vaishnavas, and Vaishnavis.- Reception and Management Offices.- Local auditorium within the premises for common gathering, video presentations, and seminars.- Kitchen and Restaurant.- Ambulatory and Dispensary, Physiotherapy and Gymnasium.THE MEANSThe following are some plans to develop for the financial means to construct,operate, and furtherexpand the ISKCON-Mayapur Seniors Dept:- To establish a website of the Mayapur-Seniors Dept, and advertise through thesite its purposeand goals.- To create the Bylaws and Regulations of The Mayapur-Seniors Mutual Fund, andseek professional legal advice for this aspect of the organization.- To offer at the Depts website facilities to enroll in the Mayapur-SeniorsMutual Fund, and to facilitate online yearly or monthly deposits into the contributing devotees personal account.To create and manage authorized (by means of specific credentials) worldwide parties of Vaishnavas/Vaishnavis, for financial canvassing in behalf of the Dept.Particular devotees will be duly authorized to collect donations, and enroll members on the Mayapur-Seniors Mutual Fund.----------------------------------------------------------------ISKCON-MAYAPUR SENIORS DEPTARTMENTSTATEMENT OF PURPOSEBhagavad - gita As It Is - Bg 7: Knowledge of the Absolute - Bg 7.28:Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life and whose sinful actions are completely eradicated are freed from the dualities of delusion, and they engage themselves in My service with determination.Bhagavad - gita As It Is - Bg 9: The Most Confidential Knowledge - Bg 9.30:Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.To facilitate, assist and welcome back into the ISKCON Family all diksha disciples (by having received mantra) and siksha disciples (by always accepting the instructions) of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whom after having served his ISKCON movement,distanced themselves from its midst.To offer our heartfelt welcome, assistance and accommodate all those Vaishnavas who distanced-themselves from the ISKCON Family, to find a suitable devotional service according to their inclination and capacity.To offer our respect to all and strive for the principles of Vaishnava bonding sanga, as stated on the PRINCIPLES OF DEVOTIONAL BONDING AMONG GOD BROTHERS AND GOD SISTERS.To implement a propaganda, by means of electonic media, to reach-out and reunite all of HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupadas duly initiated disciples, and so on for posterity to all Vaishnavas duly linked to ISKCON in disciplic succession, with welcomed heart, living accommodations (temporary and/or permanent), servitude predisposition and/or service opportunities into the ISKCON Family.To facilitate and/or make available to all initiated disciples of HDG A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and to all initiated disciples of Srila Prabhupadas disciples, and so on for posterity to all Vaishnavas duly linked to ISKCON in disciplic succession, and who have voluntarily accepted HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as siksha-guru thus following his personaldevotional and managerial examples as their lives guidelines, all considerations and service opportunities within the ISKCON Family.-------------------------------------------------------------------ISKCON-MAYAPUR SENIORS DEPARTMENTPRINCIPLES OF DEVOTIONAL BONDING (VAISHNAVA-SANGHA) AMONG GOD BROTHERS AND GOD SISTERS(The principle of god brother and god sister is herein applied by the simplest use of it meaning in English: Òsisters and brothers in Godhead)All groups of god brothers and god sisters, to be real in their collective strength, must commit themselves to each individual in the group. In the same light, devotees must commit to the group, acknowledging the responsibility and the strength it will lend to all those who follow it.In approaching a devotees problem, the group should see it as a collective responsibility, in the sense that any devotee if active with a problem is an extended part of all of us. Together, the group must look at ourselves in the event of such a problem, and ask: How we, as a devotional group, have allowed the influences of Kali to distract one of us?Then, reawakening our inherent divine goal Ñpure Bhakti, and accepting our common distraction ask forgiveness from the troubled devotee for not being aware and concerned sooner. Next, we should ask for more involvement in the devoteeÕs life, so as to heal the pain or suffering.This bonding process is natural and necessary for the welfare of devotional communities (Vaishnava-sangha).In competitive materialistic societies, potential devotees are bred to be individuals under a false conception of freedom. Thus, becoming targets of easy distractions, by the agency of a selfish polluted ego. The risk of becoming prey is made possible by disbanding the positive presence of a real group identity sangha, based in truly spiritual relationships.The souls eternal predisposition is its living force Chaitanya, and due to her inherent tendency to serve, becomes truly alive on established relationships. True relationships are established on the souls eternal interest.The enlightening and soothing attitude of rejecting the sin and embracing thesinner lets us see the real value in what should be, and what is not. Embracing the sin will tantamount to embrace Kali. In Vaishnava communities, to embrace the sinner equals to embracing Nitai or Compassion personified.How we approach a devotees problem will depend on its solution. If we are concerned and bonded to our god brothers and god sisters in an istagosthi, our first reaction will be to their need, not so much to that of the problems. It is the devotees need that, in the lack of devotional bonding, has let the sin in. In a community of Vaishnavas, istagosthi means to experience pure and personal concern for a devotees particular spiritual needs.
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