This particular case of Devamrita das and his embracing the philosophy (if that is a good way to describe it) of veganism - is a perfect opportunity to highlight Srila Prabhupada's careful arrangements for the management of the Krishna consciousness movement - as he described it "under the banner of ISKCON".
As I have tried consistently to point out whenver possible - Srila Prabhupada very carefully and most expertly - provided all of his 4,734 disiciples the needed "means" to infiltrate the existing world with the simplicity of Krishna consciousness.
He left nothing to chance in this department.
From 1970 to 1977 - upon incorporating his particular mission - he systematically put both the powers and the disabilities of his representatives in place - and placed them in the public record.
The list of so-called "problems" that have visited ISKCON since 1978 is long. However - what is not really understood by the men and women who committed their all to His Divine Grace from '67-'77 is that most, if not all, of these "problems" had already visited Srila Prabhupada's mission in some way or other - and he had both dealt with them in an exemplary fashion at that time - and had likewise taken the trouble to leave us the means to deal with them if or when they again manifested.
When various speculators had shown their true colors during his stay with us - he dealt their various speculations swift and lethal blows.
This promotion of the vegan philosophy by Devamrita das is merely the remnants of New Vrindavana again showing its effects once more.
Kirtanananda das and his cronies from New Vrindaban were saturated with deluded need to see themselves as the elect or chosen - amongst ISKCON devotees: their need to "innovate" was hyped by them as simply employing the "utility is the principle" maxim - when it was really just their need to appear as wiser than their guru. Kirtanananda das was and is contaminated with Mayavada conclusions.
Veganism is hokum and denies a simple reality that is easily understood by even a child: "Daddy - what is that for?" as he looks upon some tool in his toolbox. "Mommy what does that do?" as she spies a spatula in the kitchen. It was the American architect Louis Sullivan who expressed this very succinctly in a simple and relevant poem:
It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic,
Of all things physical and metaphysical,
Of all things human and all things super-human,
Of all true manifestations of the head,
Of the heart, of the soul,
That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law.
The function of the cow and the bull - fully reveals or explains their form. Their function vis a vis mankind in general likewise establishes why they were created by Lord Krishna. Even disregarding the Vedic statements on these most important members of society - mankind has always recognized their role in some capacity as servant. The Vedic culture is of course the most refined and informed as to the full measure of these animals' ability to contribute to the general welfare of mankind - for as we all know - the essence of the Vedas is encapsulated in Bhagavad Gita, and therein - the general welfare of mankind is clearly expressed as only possible - where mankind is engaged in legitimate sacrifice and such sacrifice includes the offering of not just the acceptable but what is perfect foodstuffs to the Lord for His satisfaction. Such perfect foods are foodstuffs in the mode of goodness and begin with ghee, milk and yogurt.
In addition to these by-products from the cow and bull - they play other significant roles in their service to mankind; principally their daily production of sacred dung - "new earth" and their highly beneficial cow urine. Serving mankind in this way - these highly advanced entities are engaged directly in the service of Lord Krishna and from this body they can advance to the brahminical platform when they attain human birth.
To adopt veganism is to adopt vegetarianism under a more atheistic philosophy - but masked by a purported "concern" for the suffering of the animals in the present system. It denies the purpose of the Lord behind HIS creation of the cow and bull in the first place.
We are not vegetarians. We are aspiring Vaishnavas, and we do not single out the butcher and his market (the meat eaters) in our efforts to share Krishna consciousness. Devotees are naturally 'vegetarians" but only in the sense that we only accept the remnants of Krishna's breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since He does not accept meat or fish - we - confining our meals to HIS remnants only - likewise naturally do not consume such. However if HE DID CONSUME SUCH then - confining our meals to HIS remnants would obviate our consuming such as well. Vegetarians, on the other hand, are not naturally devotees, and this nonsense veganism is the perfect example of this reality.
This was Srila Prabhupada's clear teachings to us, and Devamrita das is duty bound to pass on this exact teaching of our parampara. His authority is "representative" only.
Now - in lieu of the fact that Srila Prabhupada not only expected - HE DEMANDED - that all men who functioned in HIS ISKCON MISSION in an "official" capacity - as "fiduciary" agents of Srila Prabhupada - would swear to and sign his mandated "Oath of Allegiance", if Devamrita das represents himself as an "agent" of ISKCON and has indeed signed his OATH OF ALLEGIANCE to Srila Prabhupada as "The Supreme Authority for Krishna Consciousness - under the banner of ISKCON" (Original Oath of Allegiance -1977) - then his "coming out" as misrepresenting ISKCON and HDG Srila Prabhuapda with his own adoption of this atheistic hokum called veganism - immediately places him in a state of violation of his sworn oath. He is now in "breach of trust" in his relationship with Srila Prabhupada - and all devotees who come under his leadership.
This matter provides further evidence of why Srila Prabhupada arranged the management system of ISKCON as he did.
Devamrita das is presented as sannyasa, guru and also it would appear as GBC. He is wearing three hats - and is likely also represented "legally" as "president" of whatever "corporation" serves as his means of receiving "tax exempt" contributions from the public.
I will guess that he is in fact NOT incorporated as ISKCON Inc.
I will also guess that he is in fact listed as a corporate officer of some kind - probably president.
If he is entitled as GBC man as well - then the whole thing is a mish mash of hokum - all meant to provide him the means to reach in and control the flow of money and manpower in whatever center he is "selling" his noxious blend of Mayavada - all for the purposeful end of creating a "rapport" with a yet to be fleeced segment of the unsuspecting public. Their impulse to see to the end of the suffering of domestic animals who are presently misused and abused - is being capitalized upon by this New Vrindavan hustler.
But under Srila Prabhupada's excellent system of checks and balances he provided us - this charlatan's nonsense could be dealt a swift and lethal blow.
We need not worry about him however. We just need to set up the system and in time - all such bogus hokum - will reveal itself for what it is and will be dealt with swiftly - with little to no fanfare at all.
Just some observations,
Praghosa
--- On Mon, 7/6/09, Ameyatma das (ACBSP) wrote:
From: Ameyatma das (ACBSP)
Subject: Re: ISKCON Australia: "Go Vegan if you cannot keep your own cows!"
To: istagosthi@googlegroups.com
Date: Monday, July 6, 2009, 3:07 AM
Devamrita is a fool.
First, Srila Prabhupad gave the instruction that our farms supply milk. Barring that, he, from his own example, had us buy the milk from the existing dairies. That is his own example. What is wanted is we get milk from our own cows. The only alternative he showed by his own example was until that is possible, then we must buy the milk, because milk is needed. Milk is required to form and maintain the finer brain tissues. Without those finer brain tissues one will not understand the finer aspects of Krishna-Prem. Krishna is NOT a vegan. Gopal - Govinda wants His milk.
He [Devamrita] is simply concocting and making more chaos.
Rather then promote vegan, why doesn't he set up working farm communities and carry out SP's actual instructions, rather then concocting some non-sense.
If I had the time, I would love to do a streaming Vaishnav News video broadcast, news and commentary ... the mass devotees need to have a place to go to hear opposing views.
Ys,
ameya
Devamrita supports veganism
gaurakishor@gmail.com wrote:
>Dear Prabhus,
>
PAMHO AGTSP!
>
Just got this reply from an Australian devotee, Vijaya-Govinda das
> (http://www.krishnacore.com/), who
>supports that Vaishnavas should stop buying milk from karmis.
>Any idea?
>ys,
>gd
>Vijaya-Govinda das, July 06: You need to also read Prabhupada's clear
>statements that ISKCON temples and restaurants should be supplied with
>milk from the farms where the cows are not mistreated or slaughtered.
>So Devamrita Swami, in reaction to the lack of such farms in
>many areas (incl Australia), is going in the next best direction - veganism.
>He also advocates cow protection on farms, I spoke with him just yesterday
>about just this, but failing that at least we shouldn't justify
>factory farm hell milk as being pleasing to SP and Krishna any more
>than offering meat would be - similar amounts of violence occur
>producing both and the industries are one and the same these days...
>So why point the finger at people who are trying to follow Prabhupada's example
>of perfect non-violence? Perhaps it is that veganism is pulling your
>guilt strings and the thought of going vegan is like the meat eaters
>going veg - so even when it makes sense to avoid milk produced with
>violence and death we try to justify it by saying 'Krishna will help
>those cows we offer milk from' but what if we kill YOU and offer your
>money to Krishna to 'help' you in a future birth. Time we stop this hypocrisy -
>first by stopping supporting factory farms and ultimately by creating farms
>as Prabhupada instructed which produce cruelty free milk for all
>devotees. Peace ;0)