A "Fantastic" gas lighting strategy - debunked
Lakshmi Narasimha Dasa
What is “Gas Lighting,” you ask?
It is purposely repeatedly telling untruths as an act of manipulation until the victim perceives the falsity as truth.
Gas Lighting: psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetratorGaslighting can be a very effective tool for the abuser to control an individual. It's done slowly so the victim writes off the event as a one off or oddity and doesn't realize they are being controlled and manipulated.— Melissa SpinoGaslighting can happen in any relationship circumstance, including between friends and family members—not just in couple relationships.— Deena BouknightThis is a classic gaslighting technique—telling victims that others are crazy and lying, and that the gaslighter is the only source for "true" information. It makes victims question their reality …— Stephanie Sarkis
For more on Gaslighting and its use in politics see this wiki article https://en.wikipedia.
So why do I call the pro-FDG response “Gaslighting?” Because every statement they have made has been totally debunked in detail before but they still present it as if they had not been thrashed previously when making the same statements.
I will not respond to each and every gas lighting but just respond to one as an example.
The following excerpt from a recent ISKCON communication make this point:
3. As discussed many times with the Bureau representatives, we find the quote from the SB 4.12.32 to be descriptive and not prescriptive for all times and places. Otherwise, why would Srila Prabhupada have written this:
“I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master?”
(Vyasa-puja Address, London August 22nd, 1973)
This was answered long ago (2010) by Shyamasundara Prabhu’s paper in response to the SAC 2005 paper.
Here is the link to part 3 of the paper (Shyamasundara Prabhu ACBSP jyotisa sastri wrote parts 1 and 3).
And here is the relevant portion.
Boys and Girls become spiritual master
The SAC quoted a very long speech by Srila Prabhupada that ended with the following paragraph:
"So I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master, and follow this principle. Spiritual master, simply, sincerely, follow the principles and speak to the general public. Then Krsna immediately becomes your favorite. Krsna does not become your favorite; you become Krsna's favorite. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, na ca tasmad manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamaù: ‘One who is doing this humble service of preaching work, Krsna consciousness, nobody is dearer than him to Me.' So if you want to become recognized by Krsna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gita as it is. Your life is perfect. Thank you very much." (Vyasa-puja Lecture—22 August 1973, London)
While a diksa-guru should do as Srila Prabhupada describes above, what Srila Prabhupada is actually describing is the vartma-pradarsaka-guru, the guru who shows the way and also gives instruction. In the above quotation Srila Prabhupada indicates that one becomes a spiritual master by "speak to the general public" not by giving diksa. Srila Prabhupada wrote that such gurus need only very little qualification; even a small child can be such a guru:
"From the very beginning of life. Just like Prahlada Maharaja advised, kaumara acaret prajno dharman bhagavatan iha [SB 7.6.1]. The boys... He was five-years-old boy. He said, ‘My dear...' He was preaching amongst his class friend. This is Vaisnavism. Even a five... Just like our Sarasvati, Syamasundara's daughter. She also preaches. She goes sometimes, ‘Do you know what is Krsna?' If somebody says, ‘No, I do not know'-'The Supreme Personality of Godhead.' You see? This is natural. Simply one has to be given the chance. Because this, I mean to say, small girl has got the chance to live amongst Krsna conscious people from the very birth, she's developing that ‘Oh, I shall also preach. I shall also preach.' Developing. Similarly, advancement of Krsna consciousness means you will be, I mean to say, pushed how to preach, how to preach." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.2—August 15 1971, London)
The SAC has highlighted: "So I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary: "boy. A male child below the age of puberty."Hence by the juxtaposition of "men and boys" and "women and girls," we can conclude—according to the logic used by the SAC—that Srila Prabhupada wanted prepubescent children to become diksa-gurus. Of course, such a conclusion would be absurd. However, Srila Prabhupada did want all of his followers to be gurus in the sense of being preachers. Hence, this pramana presented by SAC is of no use in supporting that a female can be a diksa-guru—that is, unless they contend that small children also should be allowed to be diksa-gurus.
The pro-FDG keeps making the same tired old arguments hoping to wear you down by such repetition that you begin to question your own sanity and that actually the pro-FDG are right, no matter that they speak nonsense.
The time for talking and philosophical discussion long over-due. The pro-FDG never seem to be interested in a philosophical discussion because they can not philosophically defend their position and thus resort to political maneuvering and outright deception to achieve their results. Here is an article that shows exactly what they do.
GBC EC Uses Knowledge Filters and Loaded Dice to push FDG
And now as we can see they are gaslighting in the email below, by providing GBC with incorrect and inaccurate data.
They changed the acronym FDG to VDG in an attempt to make it sound that having ladies as gurus as a mandatory Vaishnava seva. They even convinced GBC to make some drastic proposals such as the one listed below:
Please note that the GBC strongly affirmed that India--or any region of the world--may opt of the VDG policy. I.e., if the India Bureau formally determines that, as we expect, to not allow Vaishnavis to initiate in India, it will be prohibited there. This exemption was granted specifically in response to India leaders’ request, as expressed during the GBC-Bureau
dialogues and at other times.
The truth is universal and doesn’t have geographical limitations. 2+2=4 both in East and West. But the pro-FDG want 2+2=5 in the West and in India 2+2=4.
As Srila Prabhupada famously said: “Everyone has to fly their own airplane.” ISKCON was created to be an instrument to fulfill the will of the guru parampara. The Gaudiya Matha was meant to do the same. But we see how the Gaudiya Matha deviated, and now ISKCON is at risk of doing the same. So are you going to fly your airplane straight and true and be a strong link in the guru parampara? Or, are you going to follow the some of the deviant Gaudiya groups and crash your plane into the mountain of apasiddhanta?
Is ISKCON going to be a strong link in the guru parampara, or a broken link? Don’t think that the link can’t be broken.
This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost. BG 4.2
The pro-FDG has been influencing the GBC with data that is just neither sastric nor a unanimous tradition even within Gaudiya paramapar, as cited below:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: GBC EC <XXX@pamho.net>
Date: Sun, Aug 28, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: Reply
To: XXXX Dasa <XXXX@gmail.com>
Dear Respected Bureau, IIAM, and ICC Officers and Members,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It seems that a significant degree of misinformation is circulating
regarding the GBC’s desire for additional dialogue with the Bureau members
(in response your request), and the two initiations by Narayani devi dasi
this past week.
The GBC remains committed in our deep respect for you as dedicated
Vaishnavas, as well as for your opinions on different matters, as well as
for your vision of preaching in India. Thus, we would like to clarify a few
important points.
Per an extensive study of Srila Prabhupada's writings and other
teachings—and after almost two decades of discussion and dialogue within the
GBC and with other ISKCON leaders, including an extensive dialogue lasting
for one year and two dozen sessions during which the GBC respectfully heard
and dialogued with senior representatives of the Bureau—the GBC affirmed
that qualified Vaishnavis may serve as diksa gurus in ISKCON under certain
conditions. This was passed by a 64% majority.
You raised several points of disagreement with that decision in your last
email. Most, if not all of those were discussed and answered during the
GBC-Bureau dialogue, but perhaps those answers were not relayed to you
accurately. As such, we offer some summary thoughts on that letter, as well
as a few relevant quotes from Srila Prabhupada.
1. Regarding women needing protection. We agree with this principle.
The 2021 GBC resolution on Vaishnavi diksa gurus (VDG) affirms the
importance of this. In your recent letter, an objection is raised to women
being under the protection of a son-in-law, Vaishnava/vi sanga, or grihastra
couple. We note this is in the spirit of exactly what Srila Prabhupada did
when he formed brahmacarini ashrams around the world. Vaishnavis in those
ashramas were/are under the protection of senior devotee men, or senior
devotee women, or god-brothers or god-sisters, and not just those in the
traditional role of “father, husband, or son.” As is often the case we see
that Srila Prabhupada expertly applied the principle (this time of
protection) according to time, place, and circumstance. We follow in his
footsteps. In addition, we offer this quote from Srila Prabhupada for your
meditation.
Of course, when woman comes to Krsna consciousness, that position is
different. We are speaking of ordinary woman.... So when we study things
from material point of view, these things are to be taken care. But when a
man or woman becomes Krsna conscious, he or she takes care of herself or
himself. [BG Lecture July 28th 1973]
2. We find your stated fear and conjecture that this will open the door
to women taking sanyasa is unfounded. The resolution says nothing about
that. Nor have the GBC members ever contemplated that. We are merely
applying Srila Prabhupada’s instructions regarding Vaishnavis serving as
diksa gurus:
I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title
of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue
through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be
allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be
allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my
program. (Letter to Hamsadutta /
January 3rd, 1969)
3. As discussed many times with the Bureau representatives, we find the
quote from the SB 4.12.32 to be descriptive and not prescriptive for all
times and places. Otherwise, why would Srila Prabhupada have written this:
“I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual
master?”
(Vyasa-puja Address, London August 22nd, 1973)
4. Regarding your quoting of sastric texts, we note this: “If a
spiritual master does not speak according to the revealed scripture, he is
not to be accepted.” It is the GBC’s stated position that Srila Prabhupada
is not just the diksa guru of many of us, but the Founder-Acarya of all of
ISKCON. Thus, all sastra should be understood through the lens of his
purports and example, as well as the mood and instructions of Lord Caitanya.
As Prabhupada taught:
So we should follow this instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, yare dekha,
tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa. So you, every one of you, can become guru. You
may say that "I am not interested to become a guru," but Caitanya Mahaprabhu
says that if you are not interested, that is not very good. You should be
interested. You must be guru. That is success of your life.”
(Room Conversation – March 13, 1975, Tehran)
5. And, with all due respect, the GBC has not used “political force” to
implement Srila Prabhupada’s wishes on Vaishnavi diksa gurus. That is
inaccurate and misleading. On the contrary, the GBC studied the matter
carefully for almost two decades. We engaged in extensive dialogue,
listening to voices of devotees around the world, especially in India, and
then made a carefully considered application of Srila Prabhupada’s
teachings, and Lord Caitanya’s mood and principles, in our decision. To say
this decision was an unacceptable “imposition” is not accurate, nor helpful.
Nor do we feel, is it pleasing to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna.
As far as Krsna consciousness is concerned, everyone is capable of becoming
a spiritual master because knowledge in Krsna consciousness is on the
platform of the spirit soul [...] The word guru is equally applicable to the
vartma-pradarsaka-guru, siksa-guru and diksa-guru. Unless we accept the
principle enunciated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this Krsna consciousness
movement cannot spread all over the world.
[CC Madhya Lila 8.128 purport]
6. Regarding the claim of the letter that the GBC was obliged to seek a
“convincing [of] the Bureau reps of your [GBC] stand.” That was never the
purpose of the dialogue. The purpose was for all parties to hear the views
and concerns of the others, and seek mutual understanding and cooperation.
As GBC members, we listened attentively to the concerns of our Bureau
partners. It is interesting to note that during the dialogue, most of the
Bureau representatives agreed that Vaishnavis may serve as gurus in ISKCON
under certain conditions. As Srila Prabhupada explained:
Actually one who has attained the perfection, she can become guru. But man
or woman, unless one has attained the perfection... Yei krsna-tattva-vetta
sei guru haya. The qualification of guru is that he must be fully cognizant
of the science of Krsna. Then he or she can become guru. Yei
krsna-tattva-vetta, sei guru haya.
(Interview with Professors O'Connell– June 18, 1976, Toronto)
Returning to the other points of recent misunderstanding:
Please note that the GBC strongly affirmed that India--or any region of the
world--may opt of the VDG policy. I.e., if the India Bureau formally
determines that, as we expect, to not allow Vaishnavis to initiate in India,
it will be prohibited there. This exemption was granted specifically in
response to India leaders’ request, as expressed during the GBC-Bureau
dialogues and at other times.
Please understand that this was a major adjustment made in response to your
views and your requests. It is not, as some may claim, that the GBC has not
heard you, or does not respect you. We have, and we do. And, as the body of
servants of Srila Prabhupada tasked with guiding the ISKCON society
globally, it is the GBC’s duty to understand carefully what Srila Prabhupada
wants for the global ISKCON society.
Your mandate is to consider and voice what you think is best for India. We
respect that. Our mandate is to ascertain and voice what is best for global
ISKCON. In this case, we made an adjustment based on your request and your
perspectives, allowing you to opt out of a global decision. We suggest that
the leaders in India consider more carefully how allowing regions to “opt
out” is a reasonable and respectful way to both respect and facilitate your
views as to what is best for India.
Regarding Narayani devi dasi:
The recent GBC resolution does not limit the number of disciples that
Narayani dasi may accept. The decision states that Narayani has fulfilled
"all of the requirements per ISKCON law" and "can initiate where allowed by
the RGB or similar body." (This refers to the geographic "opt out" explained
above.) There was no numerical limitation discussed or mandated.
Nor did the GBC decision restrict Narayani dasi to only initiate the one
aspiring disciple who is terminally ill in Australia. We noted in our letter
to you that her initiating was "especially critical now in one case in
particular, since a prospective disciple who has all her faith in Narayani
Devi Dasi is terminally ill.” However, while we explained to you that it
was "critical now in one case," we did not state, nor did we mean to imply,
that it was critical in all cases, nor that she would be restricted to only
one ill disciple.
If our letter was not clear to you, we apologize for that shortcoming.
However, we believe that upon careful reading of our letter, and the GBC
decision, the conclusion is clear. “Narayani Devi Dasi is allowed to
initiate.”
Furthermore, we understand that Narayani chose to initiate her first
disciple on Janmastami day in Alachua to take advantage of that holy day. In
a mood of cooperation with ISKCON leadership, Narayani knew that the North
American Council (region) had previously given their approval to the
Vaishnavi Diksa Guru resolution, and thus she had the required authority and
blessings to initiate there. The Australian yatra gave their approval to
Narayani after that, hence the Australian disciple (the terminally ill
devotee) became the second initiate.
As noted in the same GBC decision, any initiations by other Vaishnavis are
on hold for ninety days from the passage of that resolution (August 10)
during which we hope to have a constructive dialogue with Bureau
representatives. Our guidelines for such a dialogue are elaborated in point
# 3-6 of the resolution, specifically that four members of the Bureau meet
with four GBC members (without Basu Ghosh prabhu or Jayapataka Swami). We
hope to hear from the India leadership soon regarding who will take the lead
from the Bureau side and connect with the GBC representatives.
If any of this is still not clear, feel free to reach out to us. Since
sometimes written exchanges or email can be misunderstood, if some of your
leadership would like to speak with our EC about this directly, we’d welcome
a call.
Hare Krsna,
Your servants,
<Names withheld>
GBC Executive Committee
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