Collection of ISKCON Historic Documents – Prabhupadanugas Worldwide

The Betrayal Files
Collection of ISKCON Historic Documents

These are references that went into the book, Betrayal of the Spirit. The original collection is now archived at the special collections library at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The ISKCON World Review ocr scans of The ISKCON World Review, 1981 to 1989, now available at this site.

Apostates

Cartoons

Celebs

Article on Ruth Carter Stapleton visits Bombay ISKCON center
Article on Motor City scions host Detroit temple opening
Article on devotee Alfred Ford weds
Article on Annie Lennox and ISKCON
Vegetarian Times article on Annie Lennox
Article on Laura Logic and Poly Styrene join ISKCON
Article on Laura Logic and Poly Styrene join ISKCON
Articles on Salt Lake City radio station; Detroit temple opening

Guru Zonal System

Transcript of the appointment tapes, May 1977
Editor’s note: this is the document known as the “appointment tapes.” Yes, it comes from two different typewriters and is stapled together.
Tamal Krishna letter, July 9, 1977
Editor’s note: this is the letter Tamal Krishna sent to all the temples to set the stage for the eleven guru system. The next section, Guru Reform, is what took place after the eleven zonal guru system started to fail. The main thing that got reformed was the number of gurus permitted in ISKCON.

Guru Reform

Letter by Satsvarupa, regarding position of gurus, Dec. 1, 1977
“The Process forCarrying out Srila Prabhupada’s Desires for Future Initiations”
“Addendum: further clarification of the [guru] process,” March 1978
“On the Position of the Initiating Guru in the Western USA Zone”
“The Process for Expanding the Number of Initiating Gurus in ISKCON”
“The Next Step in the Expansion of ISKCON: Ending the Fratracidal War, Ravindra-svarupa, Nov. 16, 1984”
Correspondence between Ravindra Svarupa and Bahudak, re. guru position
Minutes from a February temple presidents meeting to discuss guru position
Minutes from an October temple presidents meeting to discuss guru position
Minutes of a Sept. senior disciples meeting to discuss guru position
Memo rescheduling senior disciples meeting to discuss guru position
Minutes of a Sept. GBC meeting to discuss guru position and other issues
Article about New Vrindaban meetings to discuss guru position
Letter from a member about New Vrindaban meetings on guru position
Invitation to disciples’ meeting to discuss GBC and guru position
The Official Transcripts of New Vrindavana Meetings
List of GBC and responsibilities, as of Nov./Dec. 1989
Essay, “The 1st Thousand,” by Virabahu, re. position of guru
Essay by Adi Kesava, re. position of gurus and guru reform
Essay, “Assuming responsibility of being a guru,” c. 1978
Letter by Atreya Rsi, re. guru position, Jan. 27, 1985
Letter by Atreya Rishi, re. guru position, March 16, 1986
Letter by Bahudaka, re. guru position meeting, Feb. 28, 1986
Essay, “Becoming Absolute,” re. guru position, c. 1978
Essay, “Assuming Responsibility of Being Guru,” reprinted c. 1978
Essay, “Cleansing ISKCON,” re. guru position, Aug. 19, 1985
GBC edict, “Standard Codes of Conduct for Guru Related Matters”
GBC report, “The Descending Process . . . ,” March 1981
“Direction of Management,” formation of GBC, July 28, 1970
Cover letter, re. Minutes of the European Continental Assembly
Minutes of the European Continental Assembly, re. guru position, 1985
Minutes of the European Continental Assembly, re. guru position, 1986
Letter, re. European Continental Assembly
Statement, “When is an Example Not Better than Precept?”
Essay, “The Next Step in the Expansion of ISKCON,” p. 1, and reply
Statement by Garuda defending his BBT budget, Jan. 10, 1985
Letter by Hridayananda, re. gurus in ISKCON, July 4, 1984
Letter by Hridayanada, same as previous
Essay, “The Guru in ISKCON,” p. 1 only, by Hridayananda
Essay, “The Gaudiya Matha,” illustrated with cartoons, by unknown
Article by Jagat Guru on ISKCON’s situation
Article by Jagat Guru on ISKCON’s situation
Article by Jagat Guru on ISKCON’s situation
Article by Jagat Guru on ISKCON’s situation
List of points, re. guru position, by Jayadvaita, early draft, Sept. 21, 1984
“Several Grievances . . . ,” by Jayadvaita, March 5, 1987
Letter, re. ISKCON guru policy, Jayapataka, Jan. 1, 1985
Essay, “ISKCON Bio-Rythms,” by Jayapataka, Sept. 8, 1985
Letter to GBC Philosophical Research Committee, Feb. 3, 1985
Kirtananda and Devamrita discuss guru worship (2 pages of 8)
“The ISKCON Purification,” by Jashomatinandana, c. 1986
Transcript of “Pyramid House Talks,” Dec. 3, 1980
“Reflections on Brahminical Management,” June 27, 1985 (p. 1 – 2)
“Serving Srila Prabhupada’s Will,” Sept. 14, 1985 (p. 1 only)
“Some Observances on . . . ,” Rohini Kumar, Sept. 12, 1984 (p. 1 only)
Minutes of sannyasa meeting, Aug. 24, 1985
Correspondence, re. guru position, Feb. 10, 1987
“A Modest Proposal For Purifying ISKCON,” by Satsvarupa, c. 1987
Cover letter for materials on guru position, by Satsvarupa, 1978
Statement, re. guru changes in Mid-Atlantic zone, c. 1987
“Back to Servanthood,” by Atreya Rishi, c. 1985
“Back to Servanthood,” by Atreya Rishi, another version
Letter from Sukavak to Atreya Rishi, re. “Back to Servanthood,” July 5, 1985
Letter from Suhotra to Sesa, re. guru position, sept. 4, 1985
“Thirteen Points to Save ISKCON,” date, author unknown
“On His Order,” by Kirtanananda, defending his guruhood
“Looking After . . . a Many Guru Temple,” by Vipramukhya, re. guru position
“The Guru Appointments,” by Hare Krishna Das, re. “Under My Order”
“Under My Order . . . ,” by Ravindra Svarupa, confirming 1985 meeting

Misc. Gurus

Resignation letter of Bhagavan, Sept. 23, 1986
Article about guru crisis in ISKCON
Correspondence regarding guru problems, June 18, 1980
GBC resolutions re. Bhavananda’s temples, Aug. 21, 1985
The Herald (Australia) interview, June 20, 1979
Bhavananda reply to GBC, Sept. 8, 1986
Resignation address of Bhavananda, Aug. 21, 1985
Article on guru conflicts, Christchurch Star, Dec. 13, 1978
Lead to the possible identity of Bhavananda when he was with Warhold
“Krishna sect splinterng in top ranks,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec. 5, 1985
GBC correspondence on guru problems, Sept. 10, 1986
“Notes from a Pilgrim,” Jayatirtha’s lament, c. 1982
GBC resolutions concerning Jayatirtha’s ouster, c. 1982
“The Disobedient Guru,” by Ravindra Svarupa, Feb. 11, 1987
Press release announcing Kirtanananda ouster, March 16, 1987
Letter to devotees re. Kirtanananda ouster, March 16, 1987
“Inside ISKCON – Outside ISKCON,” on why Kirtanananda should leave
L.A. “Krishna Gurus Granted Leaves Amid Controversy,” L.A. Times, Oct. 5, 1986
Letter from Ramesvara after leaving ISKCON, March 26, 1987
“Factionalism, Group Defection, and Schism . . . ” by Burke Rochford, June 1989

Gurukula & Child Abuse

Gurukula 1998-2008 articles
Child Abuse in the Hare Krishna Movement:1971-1986, by E. Burke Rochford, Jr.
Children of the Counter Culture book excerpt, 1976
A Crackpot School that Teaches Kids to Die, 7 Feb. 1975
The making of a Krishna devotee from cradle to grave, 20 Jan. 1974
Children Reared in Isolation on Ancient Mysticism, LAT, 1 Sept. 1974
Children of a Harsh Bliss, Life magazine, April 1980
Control Stressed at Krishna Children’s School, NYT, 25 Nov. 1973
Children of ISKCON vs. ISKCON complaint

Sankirtan

Airport Services Management article on ISKCON in airports, May 1977
Airport Services Management article on ISCKON in airports, pt. 2
Article on Krishnas arrested while chanting, July 7, 1977 (p. 1)
Article on Krishnas arrested while chanting, July 7, 1977 (p. 2)
Columnist defends ISKCON panhandling (p. 1 only)
Interview with devotee on fundraising, June 11, 1981
“The Krsihna Gauntlet,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 22, 1976
“The joys of transcendental motivation,” April 23 – 29, 1977
ISKCON kicked out of Japan, S.F. Examiner & Chronicle, Sept. 14, 1975
“Hare Krishnas in the Dock,” N.Y. State Fair case, Newsweek, Sept. 29, 1980
“O’Hare Krishna Airport,” Chicago Monthly, Feb 1977
Article and letter, re. drought and chanting for rain, India Tribune, July 16, 1988
“Airports and Public Places,” chapter from Rochford, 1985
“Chanting for Dollars,” New West, Sept. 10, 1979
“False Santas Ho-Hop Public for Funds,” The New York Times, Dec. 24, 1977
“Krishna Santas Move In On the Ho Ho Ho Trade,” NYT, Dec. 24, 1977
“Ho, Ho, Ho – And Beat It!” LA. Times, Dec. 12, 1976
Columnist’s sarcastic look at ISKCON, New Orleans Times Picayune, Sept. 7, 1980
Guru defends fundraising, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Aug. 12, 1978
Sankirtan goes to Supreme Court, Los Angeles Times, June 23, 1983
ISKCON in the USSR, Washington Times, June 26, 1985

Scandals

New devotee training manual, 1976
Bhaktivedanta Manor access restricted, Watford Observer, April 10, 1981
ISKCON account of the July 1978 murder at Juhu, Bombay
“Death in Hare Krishna Land,” re. Bombay Murder, c. 1978
“Death in Hare Krishna Land,” re. Bombay Murder, c. 1978, cover-up
“Krishnas File Suit to Erase ‘Link'” re. Bovan murder, Dec. 1, 1977
The New York Times on Bovan murder, Nov 2, 1977
Los Angeles Times on Bovan murder, Dec. 18, 1977
Newsweek on Bovan murder, Nov. 28, 1977
Media coverage of women’s brain size comment, July 1975
Steve Bryant, affidavit, Oct. 13, 1985
Steve Bryant, book excerpt , undated c. 1985
Steve Bryant, excommunicated, Sept. 1985 (dup. 1985b.pdf)
Steve Bryant, “The Story of a Cheater – The Real Facts . . . ,” Sept. 16, 1985
Steve Bryant’s interview with local news, Sept. 17, 1985
Steve Bryant, “The Religion Peddlers: False Advertising in the Name of God,” Sept. 14, 1985
Steve Bryant, “GBC Findings”
Los Angeles Times: “Killing Sparks Federal Probe of Krishna Sect,” July 20, 1986
Steve Bryant, “A Rebuttal,” Sept. 16, 1985
Steve Bryant, letter to a devotee, July 6, 1985
Steve Bryant letter re. his plans to expose the GBC, Nov. 7, 1985
Steve Bryant’s book, table of contents, May 2, 1985
“Crimes Among the Krishnas,” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 5, 1987
“Dial Om for Murder,” by John Hubner & Lindsey Gruson, Rolling Stone magazine, April 9, 1987
“Hare Krishnas: Dance of Drugs and Death,” undated, unknown publication
Press release, Kirtanananda’s First Amendment freedom tour, 1986
GBC resolution asking that sankirtan leaders change habits, 1977
Memo addressing philosophical deviation, 17 June 1976
Hamsadutta zone involved in crime, Oakland Tribune, 25 May 1980
Hamsadutta expelled for guns, other offenses, NY Daily News 11 July 1983
Hamsadutta expelled, Miami Herald, 10 July 1983
Hamsadutta gun bust in Germany, BTG, Vol. 13 No. 9, Sept. 1978
Gurus, Drugs, Sex & Money: On the Trail of the Hare Krishnas, 24 Feb. 1977
The Hell of Hare Krishna, Soho Weekly News, 13 Jan. 1977
Guns’n’ Ammo, Guns ‘n’ Ammo, High Times, Jan. 1981
Article by John Hubner, author of Monkey on a Stick, June 1987
Article by John Hubner, author of Monkey on a Stick, June 1987
Krishnas – a Kingdom in Disarray, L.A. Times, 15 Feb. 1980
Krishnas – a Kingdom in Disarray, L.A. Times, 15 Feb. 1980
Krishnas – a Kingdom in Disarray, L.A. Times, 15 Feb. 1980
Krishnas – a Kingdom in Disarray, L.A. Times, 15 Feb. 1980
Krishnas – a Kingdom in Disarray, L.A. Times, 15 Feb. 1980

Laguna Beach Drug Ring articles

Guns, Profits Cloud Sect’s Image, Sacramento Bee, 22 June 1980
Kulik Tied Close to Krishna Boss, Orange County Register, November 10, 1977
Ex-Krishna Members Convicted, Laguna South Coast Daily Pilot, January 22, 1980
LB Man Gets 14 Years For Smuggling Hashish, Santa Ana Register, February 27, 1980
11 Linked to Krishna Cult in Narcotics Case, L.A. Times, November 6, 1979
Hashish oil ring smashed, L.A. Herald Examiner, 6 Nov. 1979
ISKCON press release 7 Nov. 1979
KRISHNA HASH BUST: 11 Indicted in LB Crackdown, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 1979 (partial)

Other Issues

“Life Comes From Life,” manuscript, shows how much BBT edited founder’s words
Memo regarding philosophical deviations, 22 June 1972
Article about violence at ISKCON Mayapur center, 31 July 1977
Ad for Monkey on a Stick, Time magazine, 7 Nov. 1988
Not What Krishna Had in Mind, New York Times, 20 Nov. 1988
Good Hustle, Bad Karma, Time magazine, book review, 7 Nov. 1988
W.Va. Krishnas Study of Contrasts, L.A. Times, 19 June 1978
Troubled Karma for the Krishnas (Sulochan murder), Time, 1 Sept. 1986
One Krishna temple pickets another, 20 June 1983
Devotee tells real story of why he quit translating Srimad-Bhagavatam
11 Krishnas charged in abuse cases, Oct. 1984
Krishna Officials Knew of Sexual Activity Allegations, 13 Jan. 1987
Krishna School Workers Charged with Sex Offense, Feb. 1987
GBC report on Columbia, 26 April 1984
St. Denis’ Remains Are Found, 7 Jan. 1982
Dissident Devotee’s Killing Probed, L.A. Times, July 1983
The Hare Krishnas Uncloaked, San Francisco Magazine, May 1975
Letter apologizing for guru rejection in Venezuela, 20 Aug. 1978

Trouble in Paradise

List of 2010 GBC assignments – click here (the GBC is ISKCON’s board of directors)
List of alleged ISKCON criminals – click here (this was put together in the mid-00s)
Now consider this, twenty-one people are noted on both lists!

prabhupadavision.com an accounting of crimes in ISKCON.