Hridayananda Goswami Clarifies Position on Sex and Marriage
Philadelphia, PA – Following a meeting with a delegation appointed by ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) here, ISKCON leader Hridayananda Dasa Goswami issued a letter upholding the traditional Krishna conscious view of sex and marriage, and apologizing for acting and speaking in a way to lead some to believe that he did not uphold this view.
The letter addresses controversy stemming from a blessing that Hridayananda Goswami gave to a same-sex couple during a commitment ceremony held in California in November 2008. The blessing, conveyed through email, reminded the couple that “our love for each other is a reflection of God’s love for us. Thus, the perfection of every relationship is to see God in each other.” It went on to invoke God’s blessings upon the couple, “as they commit themselves to each other in the spirit of God’s love for them.” Hridayananda Goswami also gave the benediction that the two men “always be, each for the other, a source of spiritual inspiration and happiness” such that their “relationship lead them, patiently and steadily, back to our real home in the spiritual world.”
Although the blessing did not speak directly to the issue of whether homosexual relationships could be accommodated within ISKCON, critics felt that it was tantamount to an ISKCON endorsement of same-sex marriage.
Not surprisingly, the blessing generated a great deal of backlash within Krishna devotee communities and on the internet, feeding fuel to what many regard as a full-blown “culture war” between conservative and liberal viewpoints in ISKCON today. The matter eventually reached the GBC, ISKCON’s ecclesiastic board (which Hridayananda Goswami also serves on); that body passed a resolution this year specifying that it did not “endorse or support” Hridayananda Goswami’s actions, and tasking a delegation to meet with him in hopes of reaching “a common understanding.”
The delegation, consisting of GBC members Ravindra-svarupa Dasa and Bir Krishna Goswami, met with Hridayananda Goswami on April 11.
In a succinct letter to the GBC also dated April 11, Hridayananda Goswami wrote that they had in fact reached “a common understanding,” adding that he had already expressed this understanding prior to the GBC meetings, in dialogue with some of its members.
“I am writing to reaffirm that I uphold the Krishna conscious principle that sexual union is for procreation within marriage,” he wrote, “and that no spiritual leader should encourage or endorse any other form of sexual relation.”
While not commenting as to whether the blessing was itself inappropriate, Hridayananda Goswami did apologize for not being more clear in his intentions.
“I regret that I acted and spoke in such a way as to give many an impression to the contrary,” he concluded. “I am sorry.”
Hridayananda Goswami is no stranger to this controversy. In 2004, he authored a paper on gay monogamy, arguing that Vaisnava moral theology ought to encourage homosexuals to commit to monogamous relationships as an alternative to leading promiscuous lifestyles. The paper continues to spawn heated debate.
Like many religious organizations, ISKCON does not hold an official position on how homosexual couples can participate in ISKCON, with members (and leaders) holding a range of views on the topic.
For the full text of Hridayananda Goswami’s letter, click here.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Propeller
Reddit
Magnoliacom
Newsvine
Furl
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Reader Comments:
Lelihana dasi makes an
Lelihana dasi makes an excellent point about the leniency of Prabhupada toward all of us initially. It is not that Prabhupada intended for his followers to continue to eat meat and live with mleccha habits indefinitely. He simply did not condemn and chastise them in the beginning.
My father often reminds me of the words he attributes to Prabhupada. I hope theyr'e essentially accurate, "Don't try to subtract Maya. Simply try to add Krishna."
So, it is not that we delude ourselves into believing that homosexuality or even promiscuous heterosexuality are nice things. But, if one is diligently trying to add Krishna to their lives, then they should not be discouraged from doing so just because they currently find themselves in a rather awkward condition. hari bol.
Govinda Kishora dasa
We are transformed by our
We are transformed by our faith--our faith is not transformed to accomodate certain individuals. Those of a same sex persuasion must accept the beauty and necessity of celebacy since procreation is not an option.
Srila Bhaktivinoda
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
“Ah! Vaishnava-dharma is very liberal. All jivas have the right to vaishnava-dharma; that is why it is also known as jaiva-dharma. Even outcastes can take up vaishnava-dharma and live as grhasthas, although they are not part of varnasrama.” (Jaiva Dharma, p.172)
In these three simple but very sublime statements, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura delivers an excellent summary of Vaishnavism: (1) it is very liberal; (2) everyone has a right to it, and (3) even outcastes who are not part of varnasrama can take it up and live as grhasthas. Why is Vaishnavism so liberal? Vaishnava-dharma or Krsna consciousness is liberal because it places the person (jaiva-dharma) above the ritual (naimittika-dharma). Those who do not do this, who place the ritual above the person, will not be kind-hearted and liberal. Rather, they will be cold, stonehearted, and irrationally conservative like the smarta-brahmanas of old.
May Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura always help us to remember and embrace the liberal spirit of vaishnava-dharma!
Same sex blessing
Don't compromise your core beliefs like so many other faiths have done and consequently confused and lost their followers.
Sex is only for procreation,right? So logically it would follow that marriage means between a man and a woman. No disrespect intended to those of other persuasions but a core belief continues to be a core belief.
David
I'm with you David. I am
I'm with you David. I am sure when God created Adam and Eve, he did not intend for "same sex marriages". I realize that some people are born homosexual...but with it being so prevalent and widely accepted in society, there are some that think it's a choice.
Opportunity Should be for Everyone
Dear Devotees,
In this modern world there is an even greater need for spiritual upliftment for every soul. It seems reasonable to give a chance for every single living entity to get the seed of Krishna consciousness. Our principles need not be compromised to do so. The principles of ISKCON should be made very clear, yet at the same time leniency should be give to individuals who may never take to Krishna consciousness at all if we didn't not understand their positions in life and make some arrangement for them to also have a place in our Society. Didn't Srila Prabhupada do this for us? Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya Himself wanted every soul to have a chance make progress in true spiritual life. ISKCON is the only institution in this world who can give the greatest gift that anyone could ever possess. Real knowledge. A real process to elevate ourselves. We are all parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. We all deserve a chance. If someone, whatever way they may be, should be able to engage in devotional service in the association of devotees if they are desiring to become Krishna’s devotees. Jai Srila Prabhupada
Need for flexibility
While it is indeed true that the traditional view of marriage is "for procreation within marriage", in today's world, with changing values, there is a need to adopt flexibility in these matters and accomodate 'alternate' lifestyles within the vaishnava framework.
Post new comment