Today, some 38 years after Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure from our vision, we have seen countless changes by the leaders of Iskcon and others who say they are following Srila Prabhupada, their spiritual master.
Below we have one letter where Prabhupada explains there is nothing else we need to do – BUT we should just follow what he already has given to us and that alone is sufficient to change anybody’s character into a sane man or woman..
Seems the “American disease” he mentioned several times of always wanting to change something is not just located only in America.
Bombay 11 April, 1971
Toronto
My Dear Jagadisa,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 12th February, 5th and 25th March, 1971, respectively and have noted the contents carefully. So far as the “rehabilitation center” is concerned, such work can be taken up, but to have any separate institution apart from the temple is not possible. I have written Rupanuga in this regard as follows:
“Youth work can be taken up, but our process must be followed strictly. Anyone may come but our process must remain the same. The men are expected to shave their heads and wear robes; they must attend classes, read our books, chant 16 rounds, attend arati, go for street sankirtana, take prasadam only, etc. To have any institution apart from the temple, that we cannot do. Everything must be in the scope of our activities, then this ‘youth problem’ can be solved. Our process is proven as the only effective means. If the government or any other organization gives us a place, then we can train up such youth in our own way and surely they will come out sane. That place given will be a temple. So the process remains the same, except on a larger scale. Not that there is a separate division of ISKCON to handle youth problem, but that we have a bigger temple to accommodate them, is all. And then the people will see practically how we are doing the highest welfare work.”
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami