World Vaishnava Association
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah
Why do we need a World Vaisnava Association?
by Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti
Secretary of the WVA and founding member
Why do we need a world vaisnava association?
WVA goals and expectations propose vaisnava solutions to those
problems in order to be taken seriously by the world at large.
WVA goals and expectations further explained how can we
reach every town and village with mahaprabhu's message?
Intramission and intermission disputes
The gaudiya vaisnavas and other vaisnava groups
The heart of the vaisnavas
United we stand, divided we loose strength
The WVA: promoting love and tolerance
The identity of a vaisnava
Practical services of the WVA today
The holy places must be protected
Promoting vaisnava relief work
The WVA is also your little child
The dignity of our preceptorial line
Why do we need a World Vaisnava Association?
Let me first offer my most humble obeisance's to my Diksa and Siksa-Gurus
and to all the wonderful Vaisnavas in this world.
As Century 21 approaches, it is a very happy reality that many Vaisnava
Acaryas, sannyasis and other devotees have come forward making an unified
effort to revive the true spirit of the Visva-Vaisnav Raj -Sabha (World
Vaisnava Association).
Let us dwell for a moment on the many advantages such an association has
to offer to all of us. After careful consideration, we will realize that
the Association envisioned by Srila Jiva Goswami and our founding fathers
is actually a necessity from many angles of vision. We cannot really go
on well without it. Here are a few points to highlight this thesis.
WVA GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS FURTHER EXPLAINED
How can we reach every town and village with Mahaprabhu's message?
No matter how beloved one particular Guru was, his disciples will not all be able to transfer that same love to any successor-Acarya, whose relative position may be that of a godbrother. New choices have to be made concerning how a mission shall run after the Acarya disappears. Each individual devotee has to determine how to continue his own life of surrender and preaching, and the mission should try as far as possible to accommodate him. How sad is it otherwise, for a Vaisnava mission, if valuable members withdraw due to unfortunate conditions which are beyond their control.
It is hard to conceive of, and neither in the past has it been shown, that a spiritual master who inspired a growing mission with the help of many disciples could just be substituted by any single successor. Firstly, the godbrothers are not surrendered to him in the same way they were to their Guru. Secondly, he may not have the same drive or capacity as his Guru had, and thus, his failure to maintain things will go to his discredit, what to speak of expanding the mission. Individual devotees are capable of doing wonderful things and those who were expecting all wonderful things to manifest only within their own jurisdiction will again and again be reminded of the all-pervading nature of Transcendence. All the disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur were taken by surprise to see one of their godbrothers, Abhay Babu, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj (Srila Prabhupad) almost single-handedly fulfill the prediction of Sriman Mahaprabhu.
The WVA shall accept as members all those who preach the gospel of Krsna-Prema, Krsna-kirtan and Vaisnav-seva in as much as they represent the pure doctrine and share the common goals of the WVA. Therefore, the WVA cannot exclude from membership anyone just on the basis of a dispute he has with some other member. As a matter of fact the WVA shall provide such a happy and broadminded view that many such disputes will naturally be set aside to concentrate on our real business which is: Sri KRISHNA Sankirtan.
INTRAMISSION and INTERMISSION disputes
The WVA will not interfere with the internal affairs of its affiliated missions nor with conflicts arising between those missions. This is not the purpose of WVA. Instead, WVA publications may address general conflictive topics and situations, so that our senior-most writers can shed their light on all pertinent issues. Let us not forget that many problems are recurrent and have already been addressed by some previous Acarya. But other problems are new, arising from technological developments in the modern world and growing Vaisnava communities.
This is all a very happy situation. Nevertheless, it can become quite complicated sometimes. Depending on Krishna's descent to enlighten us on this path, we have no doubt that the WVA will provide some help in this regard.
THE GAUDIYA VAISNAVAS AND OTHER VAISNAVA GROUPS
But we have faith in our Acarya's words and in our Yuga Avatar Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He Himself went to South India and saved the souls. We can clearly see the nature of Mahaprabhu's message is sweetness turned into absolute magnanimity. Who could resist that? Also, our Guru-varga is giving full respect to the principle Acaryas of the other sampradayas. They do not have the same missionary spirit as Mahaprabhu, but they do preach and publish Vedic literature.Seeing so many similarities, naturally they too will appreciate the opportunity to join the WVA Melas and to contribute to our publications. But first we have to get our own fold of Srila Prabhupada followers organized in a wonderful way. In other words, we will not make a special effort to invite those other Vaisnavas until we feel secure that they will be favorably impressed by seeing our Vaisnava Unity and world-wide service.
The same is true for other vaisnava groups who we are not so close with, due to some differences in Siddhanta. On a mission by mission basis, the senior members of the WVA will study if such groups and their work will actually benefit the goals of the WVA. Nevertheless, all will benefit by the chance to associate with qualified devotees from around the world through the WVA Melas and publications. Just as Srila Svarup Damodar tested-screened any literary offering before allowing it to be heard by Mahaprabhu, it will be the duty of senior Vaisnavas to study the eligibility of anyone wishing to expose his own views through the channels of the WVA. Such studies will naturally be reported in the WVA publications, so that all members may participate to safeguard the highest purity for this noble cause.
But we should never become too proud or arrogant because we have our great Guru. He is great, but what about us? Practically none of the sannyasi disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada fell down. Sannyasis of western origin have not had such a service record. And Iskcon has lost so many senior devotees who today are connected with other Vaisnavas in the Gaudiya line and continue preaching.
Therefore, the WVA is actually a forum which is much more adequate to provide access to all Vaisnava individuals and missions. Actually our spiritual masters did give us such a house in spirit, where we can live all together happily. So far neither Iskcon, nor any other Vaisnava mission has been able to provide such a forum. The members of some missions even struggle to fully comprehend the meaning of being connected to the family of Vaisnavas through their own branch of the Chaitanya tree. Many Vaisnavas feel uncomfortable with such limited conceptions and are trying hard to penetrate the institutional darkness to go deeper and to reassure their own inspirational connection with the Chaitanya tree. Every great Vaisnava institution ought to recognize their sincere efforts and appreciate how large the membership of sincere Vaisnavas is outside and in between of some of the traditional institutions. Rather, they prohibit their members to associate with Vaisnavas outside of their mission, especially after the founding spiritual master has left this world. This creates an offensive mentality that cannot be backed by Guru, Sastra or Sadhu, thus obliging their members to either go along with institutionalized apasiddhanta or to reject the institution. Both situations displease all well-wishing Vaisnavas.
There is no reason to fear anything because we can happily unite all
together again in the spirit of the WVA, the house which all of our Acaryas
have given to all their disciples and to the whole world.
Such an association is more symbolic in the sense of institutional connection,
because it offers members the opportunity to associate as much as they
desire. Everything is voluntary and based on sharing with others what has
been revealed to us. Voting to elect leaders, such as the senior-most Vaisnava
as president, is a formality required to legally function as an entity.
The by-laws permit this and outline the basic principles.
This is the vision of the six Goswamis who happily lived together in Vrndavan
in the company of their followers. The Visva-Vaisnav Raj-Sabha was mentioned
by Srila Jiva Goswami at the end of each of his Sandarbhas.
Nobody can conceive of one mission totally merging into another mission
within our sampradaya, and what to speak of missions of other sampradayas.
Our Gurus have not advised us to join any other mission, even though they
very liberally gave individual missions to many of their disciples.
What does this mean? We can only come closer to each other if we follow the vision and plan of Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada. They were chosen to give the outline of the WVA and all of us have the opportunity to build up this forum of World Sadhu-Sanga. It was the most wonderful and auspicious moment when 28 Acaryas and Sannyasis from 17 Vaisnava Missions (please request the by-laws and first foundation report) jointly founded the WVA and chose the senior-most Vaisnava, Parama Pujyapada Srila B.P. Puri Maharaj to be the first president.
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE LOOSE STRENGTH
We do not think that someone, upon meeting a devotee of Lord Narasingha
deva has to leave his service to the Pancha Tattva, but neither can we
conceive of a gopi meeting Lord Visnu and ignoring his presence.
It can only be good for the world to broadcast the divine sweet invitation
of Srila Rupa Goswami, through every possible means. Let this WVA become
a new Brihat Mridunga, so that the World and also all the devotees may
hear the blissful sound of Mahaprabhus World Samkirtan Party.
Let us not forget that one of our duties is to remove the cloud of impersonalism
from this world. If we do not join hands, but rather think only of our
"own" maths, we will loose a lot of important time and space.
World first, my temple second. That statement was often heard from Srila
Prabhupada Jun.. Mayavada groups have world publications and held mayor
world gatherings on a regular base. We can do the same and should do it
much more enthusiastically, since our Bhakti- or Divine love-mission is concerned
with every suffering soul, which does not really leave space for envy amongst
us.
It is this mission of the WVA, where we really need each other, because
neither of us could accomplish this service alone. And Krishna has provided
us with so much energy and so many great capacities. And this is just the
beginning. What will be next? Will there be Judges with tilak consulting
the Vedas to give truth? That was envisioned by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.
But which judge would respect Vaisnavas quarreling in courts over the properties
given by the Lord for preaching without personal interests?
Whatever the solutions to the many problems of a growing Vaisnava culture in the world will be, the WVA will provide so many opportunities and associations, free from any institutional imposition, that no Vaisnavas can complain, that not enough opportunities existed and that he withdrew from active involvement due to such reasons.
THE WVA: PROMOTING LOVE AND TOLERANCE
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada said that we should preach in Europe, America. That was his desire. And his other desire was that we all work together jointly to preach.
Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami P. speaking to Srila Bhakti Vedanta Narayana
Maharaj:
"It will be done, there is no other way. Either we will try to accomplish
it, or it will be done in the future by other Vaisnavas."
Nobody
can stop the plan of Krishna and his pure devotees. Whatever obstacles
appear, they are only their to increase our enthusiasm to fight against Maya.
And love means to forgive all the time. What to speak of the offenses done
by children. Mother in the form of advanced Vaisnavas will not even consider
those mistakes. We have to be generous with one and all to not lose ourselves
in endless stories of the past in order to find reasons, why we do not
want to participate in the WVA. If only one Vaisnava Mission, Sannyasi,
Prabhu or didi is missing in the spirit of the WVA, we will not really have
accomplished Srila Jiva Goswami's goal. Mahaprabhu has come. Let the whole
world know of this. let us bring everyone to the shore of the Nectar ocean
and pray that the thirst will make them drink.
The Identity of any Vaisnava as servant of his Guru and of the Sampradaya, free of restrictions put on by someone he may not have faith in, is a necessity for an inspired life in Krishna Consciousness. The WVA provides such an identity, because it accepts all those who participate in the noble task of saving others, be it as initiating Acaryas, or as humble servants of any Vaisnava or Vaisnava mission.
PRACTICAL SERVICES OF THE WVA TODAY
Even though the WVA does not provide any Guru-disciple relationships in it's structure, still there are many opportunities to participate in the preaching of Mahaprabhu's movement, for those who have not yet found their permanent preaching service after the disappearance of their Diksa or Siksa Guru. General service to the WVA should also be highly appreciated by their Acaryas and will turn out to be a link to further services with more personal responsibilities in the preaching field. And it does not take much to accomplish that. The WVA is already existing with its offices in Vamsivat, Vrndavan (from where Krishna plays his flute to call all the gopis) and it holds two meeting per year in which senior Vaisnavas encourage all visiting devotees to participate. In addition, there is a yearly Maha Mela in Sridham Mayapur to exhibit all preaching activities of the WVA members. Lastly, the WVA has world communication on the Computer Internet making it an open forum with equal opportunities for all members of the WVA. This will increase the respect all members will feel for each other just in accordance with their heart's command.
THE HOLY PLACES MUST BE PROTECTED
But after Gurudev's departure we have seen many changes. Previous feelings are very hard to find. Secret meetings are held to lament the fate of not feeling inspiration for supporting the new Acarya(s). New disciples cannot tolerate their Guru's godbrothers. Depending who gives the class, a group of devotees withdraw. Prasadam time: who is getting the privileges. Every moment something wrong is discovered. Some think: maybe I should no longer attend this festival? The group of new disciples augments, the elders diminish. What is the solution? Take Sannyas? Try to follow your Gurus path?
Well that depends on who would agree to give it to you, and under what conditions? In one way or another such things take place in every mission. Some Tirthas belong to the whole world; others belong to the disciples and grand disciples of a particular Guru. Both must be maintained without encroachment. Good devotees who themselves do not accept disciples can perform the priestly functions. All Acaryas and their disciples are welcomed and expected to give their support to these "impartial" tirthas. Other Gurus and their disciples can further increase the glories of certain tirthas by making their Mandiras and Dharmsalas there, such as was done after Lord Chaitanya again revealed Vrindavan-dham to this world.
No more personal misuse of Tirthas, no faulty regulations or unfriendliness
from one group to another. The WVA could help in the future to coordinate
that the Dhamas get sufficient attention. The Acarya is most prominent
no doubt, but that prominence is most appreciated in the presence of his
disciples and in the places he himself established.
It is logically not admissible that any one Acarya privatize a Tirtha neglecting
other pilgrims' feelings simply because he has captured that location.
The WVA is not interested in becoming the judge of any situation. Subjects
like this can be discussed by senior Vaisnavas through WVA publications.
The idea is to create an auspicious atmosphere for all Vaisnavas while
simultaneously providing proper protection for each mission's favorite
Tirthas.
PROMOTING VAISNAVA RELIEF WORK
We all have to be very humble to actually take full advantage of the great gift Krishna and our Gurudevas have given us. The WVA wants to help all devotees to communicate with each other and to join hands in so many fields of common concern. Networking is the most natural thing to do, when you have friends and contacts in other parts of the world. Any mathematical discovery is immediately made available to other scientists around the world. We have an unlimited field which until now we have not made good use of. Since preaching is the revolutionary plan of Sriman Mahaprabhu, we will see how He will act through each and every one of us. The basic ingredient of that networking is information, and then again more information. By everyone giving us his or her information we can establish this communication worldwide. You can ask to be sent the registration forms for membership if you plan to actively interface with other members of the WVA.
And as we mature we will develop our own solutions to the world's problems.
Such everyday health questions as sewage waste disposal , chemical vs.
organic farming and proper diet must be addressed by those who actively
organize communities, as many Vaisnavas do. Ignoring such points under
the plea that only KRISHNA-kirtan is important will not gain us the respect
we would like to have when we address the public with our deeper message.
Besides that, our Vedic-Vaisnav-tradition wholistically encompasses every
aspect of material life as well, offering natural remedies for all the
evils facing the world today.
Or do we prefer to be embarrassed again and again when confronted by non-devotees who challenge that our so-called "simple living & high thinking"-ideal is actually very shallow? No doubt, we can justify our actions in many ways, but lastly we are supposed to establish the mood of beautiful Vrindavan and Mayapur through our preaching and attract all jivas back to the spiritual world. The WVA has a great task to perform -- to connect all the visionaries in our Sampradaya with each other and thus prepare ourselves for the day when masses of people come to us for guidance in their spiritual as well as their material life.
THE WVA IS ALSO YOUR LITTLE CHILD
We have barely scratched the surface of the many services the WVA can
do and why it is indispensable for all of us to play an active role in
its development. But, like a little baby, it needs the care of all of us.
It will require some time and your merciful participation to make it a
reality. Please participate in the yearly Maha Mela in Mayapur
and send us your proposals and articles to be included in future WVA-publications.
Please take advantage and let the whole world hear the teachings of your
Gurudeva. Simply send us the text, preferably in English, Hindi and Bengali,
or at least in one of those languages. Always also include a short life
biography of the author.
The dignity of our preceptorial line.
Our Acaryas have brought us divine love. Their dignity can only be detected
fully in a Vaisnava World with the Unity in Diversity characteristic the
WVA can provide. Even ourselves, we cannot preach with full enthusiasm
if every time one of our Acaryas leaves this world all his efforts and
accomplishments become subject to dispute. We have to create such a spirit
that all Vaisnavas happily take part. We have to see how Vaisnavism is
going to evolve to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. We must
question our own activities and concepts. Do they promote a unified loving
mood amongst Vaisnavas in general? If not, we shall strive to remove all
misconceptions transcend those difficulties.
Needless to say, our spiritual masters will be very happy and the world
will see that Vaisnavism is the most unique contribution to guide the fallen
people of this age. Hoping this meets you in good health. Awaiting your
quick reply.
Your very fallen servant,
Svami B.A. Paramadvaiti, WVA-Secretary
Written in 1995
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