New Vrindaban:
The Black Sheep of ISKCON

brief history - brief account
Copyright 2002-03 by Henry Doktorski

Chapter outline:
    Nine reasons why residents left the community.

      1. Prabhupada minimized.
        Confrontation with Bhaktipada.
      2. Bhaktipada excommunicated from ISKCON.
        Five counts against Bhaktipada.
        Bhaktipada receives the word.
        Bhaktipada's ill-fated meeting at the White House.
        Bhaktipada threatens ISKCON with $100 million lawsuit.
        New Vrindaban Community expelled from ISKCON.
      3. Court cases.
        Bhaktipada's 1991 trial.
        Bhaktipada purchases harpsichord during trial recess.
        Convicted on Good Friday.
        The preaching continues.
        They Finally Got the Swami.
        The appeal.
          The murder of Chakradhari Das was not a conspiracy.
          "Kidnapping" only a child custody case.
          Testimony regarding homosexuality : "witchcraft trial of modern times."
        1991 conviction overturned; Bhaktipada returns triumphantly to New Vrindaban.
      4. Indians alienated.
        Indian members disturbed by de-Indianization changes.
        Feeding cows from goshala to tigers in New Vrindaban zoo?
        "I don't need Indian money to build my temple."
      5. Child abuse and molestation.
        Child abuse in the United States.
        Child abuse in India.
        History of child abuse.
          Six stages of childrearing.
        New Vrindaban gurukula.
        Varnashram college.
        New Nandagram.
        Rumblings of discontent.
        ISKCON gurukula schools notorious.
        Gurukula children starved for affection.
        Boys rationalized abuse.
        "Sex is sex."
        New Vrindaban headmaster and teacher's aide charged with sex crimes.
        Bhaktipada involved?
        The older boys move to Bhaktipada's house.
        One former gurukuli speaks out.
        Middle-aged brahmachari "seduced" by six year old girl.
        Perverted sex at New Vrindaban: one explanation.
      6. Abuse of cows.
      7. Interfaith members defrauded.
        "The City of Fraud."
      8. Bhaktipada's controversial reforms.
        "Tangy grape juice."
        A lone voice in the wilderness.
        Umapati Swami: "I was disgusted."
        Ravindra Svarupa Das: "Kirtanananda's innovations are . . . extremely sinister and ominous."
      9. Dissenters fear reprisals.
        Jadurani beaten.
        Chadradhari "punished."

    Despite persecution, Bhaktipada's loyal disciples remain faithful.
    Killing sometimes authorized by Vedic scriptures.
    "If the man who blasphemed Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is killed, his sinful action may be atoned."
    "One should by force cut out the blasphemer's tongue and kill the offender."
    Devotees believed allegations were "rumors and hearsay."

      The Winnebago incident.

          Qualifications of guru.
          Bhaktipada "confesses" for the first time.
          Bhaktipada denies his "confession" for the first time.
          Bhaktipada "confesses" for the second time.
          Meeting in the cabin.
          Bhaktipada denies his "confession" for the second time.
          Buried gold unearthed at New Vrindaban.
          Radhanath Swami departs.
          Bhaktipada denies his "confession" for the third time: "I am completely innocent!"
        English noon and evening services terminated.
        Indian disciples beg Bhaktipada to slay their doubts.
        "I will not be initiating any new disciples."
        The emperor's new clothes.
        I reveal my mind to my spiritual master.
          New Vrindaban residents discover Prabhupada's 1967 letters chastising Kirtanananda.
          Western classical music perhaps inappropriate at New Vrindaban.

        Bhaktipada admits to "past false pride" and retreats to seclusion at Silent Mountain.
        Disciples rededicate themselves to Bhaktipada's service.
        "Everyone is acharya."
        My seventeen-page letter.
        My letter refuted in Brijabasi Spirit.
        Devotees disillusioned.
        Head injury theory: brain damage caused deviations?
        Head injuries often affect sexual behavior.
        Head injury theory refuted.
        Bhaktipada's head injury caused a personality change?
        Rejection of Bhaktipada's innovations.
        Reformers threatened.
        Two separate morning services established: English and Sanskrit/Bengali.
        Moller pipe organ sold.
        The mood of Vrindaban, India.
        "What Prabhupada gave us is perfect."
        Two visions side by side?
        Petition promoted: a statement of resolution.
        Radhanath Swami returns.
        An impassioned plea to save the City of God: "Bhaktipada's vision . . . must NOT be allowed to die!"
        Prabhupada chastises Bhaktipada in a dream.
        ISKCON swamis visit Bhaktipada at Silent Mountain.
        Bhaktitirtha Swami outlines nine points for Bhaktipada's rectification.
        The day the music died.
        "I am the world acharya!"

        Giant Prabhupada statue demolished.

        Bhaktipada charged again in court; refuses plea bargain.
          Devastating testimony crushes Bhaktipada's defense.
          Bhaktipada pleads guilty.
        New York City Interfaith Sanctuary remains loyal to Bhaktipada.
        New Vrindaban readmitted to ISKCON.
        Gurukuli lawsuit.
          After investigation (to which Kirtanananda refuses to reply), ISKCON Child Protection Office determines Kirtanananda dasa guilty of molesting gurukula boys.
        Bhaktipada's legacy: mixed at best.
          "Confusion reigned."
          Devotees harassed because of New Vrindaban connection.
          Goddess Kali chastises the blasphemers: the hatred continues.
        Fond remembrances.
        The greatest impediment to the great experiment: Bhaktipada himself.
        The greatest disease: tasting absolute power.
        Bhaktipada finally explains all?
        Bhaktipada diagnosed with personality disorder.
        Bhaktipada continues to inspire hundreds of loyal disciples.
          Preaching acronyms.
          Indian and Pakistani disciples remain faithful.
          Vyasa-puja book homages.
        Bhaktipada as a pioneer
          Women's sannyas discussed.
          ISKCON nominates first female guru.
          ISKCON interfaith.
          English bhajans, contemporary hair styles.
        Moving on.
        The end: a new beginning.
        Conclusion.
        Bhaktipada's positive influence in my life.
        Forgiveness.
        Former headmaster apologizes, begs forgiveness.
        Punishment.
        Real (tough) love.