By Candra dasa
After having a substantial discourse with one of my favorite senior godbrothers, friend and disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Chandra Shekar das and I labored over the future prospects of IPM (ISKCON PRISON MINISTRY). Rather how do we meet the demands of a growing inmate populace with a fixed number of IPM volunteers? Due to my great fortune I was honored to tackle this issue with one of the pioneers of IPM. Hence, we appropriated the slogan “We’re looking for a few good men” and replaced it with the word “vaisnavas”. Naturally, this slogan morphed into a mission statement, which spawned our desire to meet the needs of the most falling and often neglected, “the prisoners within the prison, within the prison”.
So our obvious dilemma was how to expend a growing demand for preaching programs, books and letter correspondence etc. The obvious solution to the dilemma was to get more vaisnavas volunteers. This was easier said than done. In our estimation, Europe and South American was growing leaps and bounds and it seem that many devotees were indulging themselves in these fertile pastures, all the while neglecting the starting point, the geneses of this illustrious movement in the west: ISKCON. There have been vast discourses about what caused the drought stricken North American to be so challenged with attracting new devotees. Some have conjectured that the golden age of ISKCON when one would shave up and move into the temple is over. Others maintained that the interest in the philosophy is not the same; rather there is no great crisis that spawned a cultural revolution, which was concurrent with Prabhupada coming to North America. Others simply say that a combination of new and old generations of devotees have become materially fixated and or complacent with spreading the movement in their respective communities.
Oddly enough Srila Prabhupada was confronted with a unique set of objections, which were not all that dissimilar to the challenges we face today as he endeavored to spread this movement to the west. For example, his contemporaries chastised him for initiating women, melechas, and or those who were not born of a brahminical parentage. Similarly, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu encountered formidable malaise, which ranged from being the dancing sannyasi (not complementary) to physically embracing and initiating the untouchables, which was taboo for the upper crust, or a first class man. A notable mention Srila Haridasa Thakura, certainly stood-out as an issue of contention for a community preoccupied with material status or cast. He was an intimate associated of Lord Caitanya in spite of him being a melecha, as so termed, from the Mohammedian faith. Yet, we all are fully aware of the exalted position Srila Haridasa Thakura holds in the modernity of propagating the holy name.
Regardless if there is some anecdotal validity to our modern consternation to reaching and preaching to inmates, it does not specifically address the aversion many hold to preaching to this community of imprisoned jivas. A direct account from Chandra Shekar helped to shed some light on sentiments offered by many devotees. Yet before we recount these statements, we would first like to state that our efforts to report these comments are not meant to disparage the devotees who were open and honest to expressing their fears and reservation, rather we wanted to illustrate that this minds set does exist prior to offering recourses for these objections.
Chandra Shekar reiterated statements he has collected from years of requesting devotee participation, which goes as follows: “They are getting what the deserve…Why should we help these rascals…its not safe to associate with this caliber of people”. It is safe to say as previously illustrated that Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada and Jesus as well as other pioneers herd similar statements. How fortunate we are (the once untouchables) that we have the luxury to repeat these statements while basking in the comfort of the mercy of those who sacrificed much for our spiritual emancipation. At some point these inmates will be released, released with the very same tools (if not better) that brought them to the prison within the prison. Our shelter from them is loosely constructed of straw, wood and mortar, which only resemble a glass houses at best. Our criticisms of this serviceable group can be equated to throwing stones at them while inside our glass domain.
Many of us have been expert in identifying the problem, but solutions have been less than forthcoming. Therefore, Chandra Shakar and I wanted to consult the scriptures, believing that this dilemma was not a new one. Subscribing to the axiom that “there is nothing new under the sun” we found in the C.C Antya lila 3:50 through 90, a wonderful dialog between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Haridasa Thakura that specifically address some sentiments about devotees aversions to ministering to the leopards of society. Lord Caitanya offers his anxiety to Srila Haridasa Thakura with the following statements:
CC Antya 3.50: “My dear Ṭhākura Haridāsa, in this Age of Kali most people are bereft of Vedic culture, and therefore they are called yavanas. They are concerned only with killing cows and brahminical culture. In this way they all engage in sinful acts.
CC Antya 3.51: “How will these yavanas be delivered? To My great unhappiness, I do not see any way.”
CC Antya 3.52: Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence.
CC Antya 3.53: “Because the yavanas are accustomed to saying ‘hā rāma, hā rāma’ [‘O Lord Rāmacandra’], they will very easily be delivered by this nāmābhāsa.
CC Antya 3.54: “A devotee in advanced ecstatic love exclaims, ‘O my Lord Rāmacandra! O my Lord Rāmacandra!’ But the yavanas also chant, ‘hā rāma, hā rāma!’ Just see their good fortune!”
CC Antya 3.55: Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the authority on the chanting of the holy name, said, “The chanting of the Lord’s holy name to indicate something other than the Lord is an instance of nāmābhāsa. Even when the holy name is chanted in this way, its transcendental power is not destroyed.
CC Antya 3.56: “‘Even a mleccha who is being killed by the tusk of a boar and who cries in distress again and again, “hā rāma, hā rāma” attains liberation. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with veneration and faith?’
CC Antya 3.57: “Ajāmila was a great sinner during his life, but at the time of death he accidentally called for his youngest son, whose name was Nārāyaṇa, and the attendants of Lord Viṣṇu came to relieve him from the bonds of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death.
Our weapon in this age of Kali is the vaisnava. They like Srila Haridasa Thakura, are armed with the holy name. We can provided that instrument and facilitate the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu only by accepting the order of spreading the holy name in every town and village which does not exclude the prison within the prison. If you feel that you have the suitable set of skills to embrace this endeavor please contact Chandra Shekar at chandra16108@yahoo.com, Shyama Priya devi dasi at shyamapriya@aol.com, Bhakta Jerry at IPM 1716 West Lunt Chicago, Ill 60626 or visit our website at namahatta.org/en/prison_preach.
By the mercy of the devotees I have been involved in writing to inmates. I use the temple address and collect letters from the temple so that noone in my family can object. The inmates are innocent in some ways, they are not usually too sophisticated. They just know nothing about Krishna consciousness and are inquisitive. It is important for us to respond to people who are asking about Krishna consciousness. I do my best to try to explain some philosophy to them. Even they are busy in their prison life but they are forced to be thoughtful about their situations.
It takes some time and attention but I think Mahaprabhu will definitely be pleased that I am making some endeavour to preach to some people. It is a nice service and we need people to take some time to write to these inmates. Right now the prison ministry is taking care of sending them books & newsletters. I just write to them and printout a few articles. I also printed photos of the deities from an online photo printing shop and I send them photos.
On our website we have some articles and a donation page: http://www.iskconpm.org
Prabhu,
PAMHO. AGTSP.
I am somewhat concerned about preaching to convicts. The reason being that after they leave their prison sentence, Where will they go? To a temple?
If they go to a temple and try to reside in them as brahmacaris or even to blend as outsiders, how are they going to be perceived by the rest of ISKCON?
Coming out of jail is not such a good thing in one’s life.
If these people are sincere in efforts to become serious about KC, should they disclose their past crimincal activity? What is they want to take responsible positions within ISKCON?
How are you supposed to deal with such delicate issues?
Moreover, there are many different types of innmates. Some are they for major crimes, others for minor ones…. How do you make the difference? Should it matter at all, if they want to be assimilated within the ranks of ISKCON?
Yugala Kishor dasa
Gainesville, FL
Dear Yugala Kishor dasa,
Hare Krsna! Please accept my humble obiesances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
What are you are talking about is using discretion. Just because IPM preaches to inmates does not mean we are not using discretion.
I am a former inmate myself who met a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who was also in prison. He told me about KC and that same day I was chanting. KC is the only solution for prisoners because it changes their hearts.
I was released two years ago and spent my time between my family and the Chicago temple. When the temple authorities saw I was serious and sincere I was allowed to move in. They used discretion.
I do IPM seva today and, although I want to spread the mercy of Mahaprabhu to everyone, I have had to stop writing a few inmates due to inappropriate things. I used discretion.
It is predicted that in Kali yuga more and more people will become incarcerated. That doesn’t mean more and more crimes are being commited but that they are locking people up for “new crimes.” I can personally attest that most people in prison are harmless even if they are guilty of a crime. They usually make poor choices while intoxicated. Twenty years ago the cops would have smacked you a few times and put you in a holding cell for a night but today they get 2 to 5 years in prison. That is called advancement of civilization.
They still deserve the mercy of Mahaprabhu which means we, ISKCON, have the duty to give it to them.
Regarding your questions, I don’t think we have to worry about an inmate taking position within ISKCON. Let’s first get them to start chanting and learning the philosophy. Then we need to get them out of jail and in the association of devotees, whether that is a temple or just talking with devotees.
Your servant,
bhakta Jerry
I also have written to inmates. Out of ten I was writing, one has been released and one I had my doubts about. Two or three definately were devotees already, and several were more like newcomers who I should have preached to better. All have stopped writing to me.
So I am going to get a new batch of names and addresses soon to take their place. Seeing how confusing it is starting out preaching to inmates it would help if there were some guidelines written down someplace to help new devotees starting the service. I sent a package three different times to one inmate only to have it rejected for three different reasons. Finally I gave up. I think the Chaplain was simply envious in all sincerity. I sent it to the inmate the first time. The Chaplain the second time. He sent it back for some reason. I sent it again and the prison sent it back. It was frustrating
Another problem is getting ten letters all at once. It would be better to get one or two a day. I don’t know if the technology is there to scan a letter into a computer and get a typed page yet and I wouldn’t want to burden the person who hands me my letters she is doing so much already. And I know I haven’t always written perfect responses to those who have written to me. Even though I kept all the letters I should have been checking them better to remind myself of what I had spoken to the person who was writing the letter I was reading about. Maybe I should be printing both sides of the conversation and keeping them together. I feel it is my fault that so many have quit writing to me. All of them.
Dear Yugala Kishor dasa,
Pamho. Agtsp.
Thank you for your commentary. You have helped to validate for others readers some of the objections that I posited as rationales for not preaching to inmates. Although, again they are not suitable reasons to abstain from this seva, or this seva may not be for you, I would, however, like to draw your attention to two personalities in the ISKCON movement who were characterized as the most sinful.
If you are familiar with this story, please indulge me while I recount this pastime. If you recall, Lord Nityananda Prabhu came upon two abominable brothers, Jagai and Madhai. Their reputation for womanizing, cheating, drinking, and killing exceeded all levels of debauchery. They were disturbed to here the chanting of the Holy name and made arrangements to check the chanting by their personal intervention. Madhai struck Lord Nityananda Prabhu with a clay pot causing him to bleed. When Lord Caitanya heard of this infraction He immediately went to the spot to punish the brothers. Yet, due to the mercy of Lord Nityanand, the two brothers displayed a repentant demeanor and Lord Caitanya also extended his mercy. You can say that these two brothers received a double dose of mercy from the Supreme Lord. These two brothers, who were characterized as the most sinful were converted into sadhus, saintly personalities.
Additonally, this ISKCON movement was embraced by and infiltrated with some of the very people that you have concern for speaking to, the Jagai/Madhai prototype. A frustrated 60’s counter culture was looking for something genuine. Therefore, they joined the movement. Some took the movement seriously and stayed. Some continued their criminal activities and where either removed or recapitulated into the organizations in purposeful sevas, which eventually curbed if not resolved their aberrant behaviors. Therefore, the basis of your argument does not support the foundation of this movement or Lord Caitanya’s mission.
When any perspective Bhakta, or Bhaktin enters the temple, how can we be sure that they don’t have some past criminal activity? Moreover, what of those who currently hold positions of authority or those near and dear to us? For that matter what about our past criminal activities? As a concession of being in the material abode our memories are limited, and the duration of life is short. That is one of the four parts of having imperfect senses. This is called Kali Yuga. Having contact with the material world implicates us in past criminal activity. Simply you and I are operating on a minimum-security status due to the degree of our past and present criminal activity, where as those I am suggesting that we preach to are on a higher level security status due to their respective criminal activities. Residence in the material world and the nature of the bodies we obtain is predicated on our karmic activities, criminal or otherwise. Chanting of the Holy name is simply a solution to resolve our material existence and reposition us in our original position as servant.
The entire material abode is characterized as prison. Therefore, that makes all the inhabitance prisoners. We are all at varied custody levels. However, due to the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu we have benefited from his mandate, the spreading of the holy name through every town and village. If the mind-set not to preach to inmates (such as you and I) or “prisoners within the prison within the prison”, then there would be no reason for Krsna to descend when there is a decline in religiosity.
Again, thank you for your commentary as well as other. Dialog on this issue helps to bring real purpose to servicing a community that is often forgotten.
Your servant,
Candra dasa