ISKCON Leadership Sanga, Sri Dham Mayapur. Gaurapurnima 2020, Day 2. HG Nrsimhananda prabhu seminar: “Centralization vs Organization”.
Definition of bureaucracy: a system for managing an organization that is operated by a large number of officials employed to follow rules carefully; complicated rules, processes, and written work that make it hard to get something done.
Hare Krishna.I think its easy to get this subject out of context, to try to apply this to all temples, farms and communities. Firstly we must understand that we have to avoid at all costs Dogma. And Organization and Institutionalization bring about not just Dogma but the perfect breeding grounds for Corruption and Power. These two items only work against spiritualization, the ability for spontaneity and deep Love, and the establishment of real Bona Fide Community. Community is based on self-government, and real transparent inclusive communication. The idea is that good transparent communication out strips the need for Organization. The other major point is Localization not Centralization. This is how Community works positively with its own energy, its synergy. Live Local, eat Local, govern Local.
And the concept of Food, Agriculture and Economic Model complete with Cow Protection Agricultural Trading is all based on localism. The actual socio-economic model is a mode of goodness solution so we have to by-pass all the disruptive negative influences of Capitalism so we can escape its trappings and its two lower modes of nature. Then when we have cleared our heads from this horrible abusive and exploitative Economy we can then take it to the next stage but we are not ready for that move as yet.
Firstly we have to establish the correct model of Community, the supportive type model of Economy and resurrect real Communication before anything else of any significance can happen or even be planned for. We have to get the foundational items in place before we build. And to date they have not been established.
My dear godbrother Dusyanta prabhu,
The theme of the presentation was that ISKCON management has been moving toward empowering local leaders. The creation of Org Dev, SPC, Global Duty Officers, too many committees and ministries to list have the effect of dispersing power to local levels. Moreover, models of community will be different in various cultures; there is no one fit for all. As far as the idea of Capitalism, it's an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. I'm not sure how that applies to our temples and projects which are nonprofit, charitable organizations run by boards. Certainly, there are abuses; it's the material atmosphere. We can do a lot better in creating checks and balances which are often a neglected quality of transparency. The SABHA is working on a GBC proposal regarding that issue. In regards to communication, I suggest that you take the upcoming course on hermeneutics which explores the different degrees and qualities of communication. Just a few weeks ago, I took the pilot course. All thirty some participants experienced a breakthrough in communications – internally and externally. The world has more communication than ever before, but the quality of that communication is what determines its value. There are persons of few words who speak volumes. This course will be transformative for those devotees who cherish good communication. Thank you for bringing up that subject.
Hare Krishna.I beg to differ from your statement that models of community will be different in different cultures, thats not true whatsoever.Community is based on self-governing, its based on transparent communication, its based on Conflict resolution and its based on a Mode of Goodness socio-economic model. And its based on a progressive path away from pseudo-community. The topmost stage of Community is Mysticism– far from the rugged individual, the antithesis of community. To create Community is a conscious decision, a path of empowering and enabling individuals within a community so that all falseness is left behind; honesty, truthfulness and transparent communication. The Mode of Goodness, so that passion and ignorance are left behind, S.Bhagavatam 1.2.19- 20. Once we have established a Mode of Goodness Community and lifestyle then we have to create a Mode of goodness Economy, not Capitalism. Capitalism is a huge detrimental economic model that is abusive and exploitative and is comprised of the two lower modes so it is not possible nor desired to follow Capitalism in a Mode of Goodness Community.
Community includes good transparent honest truthful communication, it includes all people, its an inclusive dynamic, it follows a Cow Protection Agricultural and Trading Economic model, and it fulfills the Purpose of iskcon No. 6. and can only exist within the Mode of Goodness because not only have we to learn the dynamics but we also have to teach it, so there is a long way to go on this one.
.Morning Walk — May 27, 1974, Rome
Prabhupāda: Yes. We are going to solve all problems. Let us have some preliminary discussion, how we are going to solve.
Prabhupāda: So this problem will be solved as soon as we are localized. Petrol is required for transport, but if you are localized, there is no question of transport. You don't require petrol. Suppose in New Vrindaban, we stay, we don't go anywhere. Then where is the need of petrol?
Prabhupāda: Yes. The oxen will solve the problem of transport. That bullock cart. Just like Kṛṣṇa, when He was transferred from Gokula to Nandagrāma, so they took all the bullock carts, and within a few hours they transported them, the whole thing, their luggage, family member, everything.
Prabhupāda: At least ten miles, very easily, very easily. And maximum he can travel fifteen miles, twenty miles. But when we are localized, we don't require to go beyond ten miles, five miles. Because we have created a rubbish civilization, therefore one is required to go fifty miles for earning bread, hundred miles,
Prabhupāda: No, no. Our society will be ideal by practical application.
Prabhupāda: Yes. No, first of all you start the community project, as we have already started in New Vrindaban. Make this perfect.
Prabhupāda: Heat? Yes, wood. Sufficient.
Prabhupāda: No, no. Paper you can make from grass, from cotton. So many other fibers. You don't require wood. You grow grass, sufficient quantity, and you make paper. Why should you publish so many rubbish literatures? Simply publish Bhāgavata and Bhagavad-gītā, that's all. What is the use of this newspaper, nonsense newspaper, huge, huge quantity? So everything will be nice provided you become ideal. Live in community. Produce your own food. Even you can produce your own paper. You don't require printing of so many books. If there is one book, others can imitate, or copy. There is no need of printing.