Hridayananda Goswami
[Hridayananda Goswami is a senior diksa and sannyasa disciple
of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava
line and member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission.]
“We should encourage all people from all
backgrounds to come to Krishna consciousness, and it is natural
to form various associations to support the diverse Vaishnava
communities in their spiritual practices. Surely Lord Krishna
appreciates and blesses all sincere efforts to help others
advance in Krishna consciousness.
“Vaishnavas should endeavor to bring Lord
Caitanya’s mercy to all living beings, and we must treat
all devotees, and indeed all creatures with appropriate dignity
and respect. Srila Prabhupada’s books inspire us to such
behavior by revealing that all living beings are equally part
and parcel of Lord Krishna. This eternal fact should serve
as sufficient justification and inspiration to arouse the mercy
and respect of true Vaishnavas.”
(Chakra editorial, January 30, 2003)
“A truly spiritual society must constantly
seek a balance between the strict codes of varnasrama,
and the practical needs of sincere devotees. There can be no
doubt that a significant number of souls, whose external sexual
orientation is homosexual, sincerely strive to be Krishna conscious.
It is entirely natural and predictable that a majority of these
devotees, as with most heterosexual devotees, will not be suited
for lifelong celibacy.
“My view of this issue is as follows:
- As a general rule, we should appreciate devotees in terms
of the sincerity and diligence of their spiritual attempts,
given the psychophysical circumstances of their life. In
other words, in any condition of life, if a devotee sincerely
strives to please Krishna, that devotee is to be admired.
- It is the duty of any society to recognize, and thus encourage,
the admirable behavior of its members. Monogamy, among devotees
of any orientation, is an admirable achievement in the context
of today’s promiscuous society, and should be thus
appreciated and encouraged.
- Given the need to balance strict varnasrama with
liberal spirituality, I believe that ISKCON should recognize
and encourage monogamy among all its members of whatever
orientation, and that such recognition and encouragement
should take appropriate forms that achieve both purposes:
the maintenance of varnasrama and the encouraging
of spiritual sincerity.
- I am not convinced that marriage is the best means in all
cases, but some serious, formal and public recognition and
appreciation of gay monogamy is, in my view, in the best
interest of ISKCON and its members.”
With best wishes,
Hridayananda das Goswami
(Open letter, December 11, 2004)
More information on Hridayananda Goswami: Acharyadeva.com/Hridayananda
Goswami
Tripurari Swami
[Swami B.V. Tripurari is a diksa and sannyasa disciple of
Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava
line, siksa disciple of Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Goswami,
and founder of Sadhu Sanga and Audarya Ashram.]
“My opinion regarding gay and lesbian devotees is that
they should be honored in terms of their devotion and spiritual
progress. They should cultivate spiritual life from either
a
celibate status, or in something analogous to a heterosexual
monogamous situation. Gay and lesbian people have always been
a part of society from Vedic times to our postmodern times.
They should be accepted for what they are in terms of their
sexual orientation and encouraged like everyone else to pursue
spiritual life.”
(Personal letter, July 2001)
Q – Could you tell me exactly what Hinduism’s
view is on sexuality and things such as homosexuality and the
concept of an Indian woman being covered from head to toe? I
read that ancient India was sexually liberated as the Kama Sutra
and the Khajuraho temple illustrate but modern Indian society
is extremely conservative and any kind of sex talk is taboo.
Being an Indian-American teenager, it’s very confusing
to me. Can you explain what our religion says about these issues?
A – “Hindu religious scripture clearly mandates that
for sexual relationships to be spiritually progressive they
must be tied to commitment, generally in the form of sacred
vows of marriage. The spirit behind this policy is that the
sexual urge, which animates the world, must be regulated if
it is to be transcended.
“Hindu scripture is largely silent on homosexuality, although
it may be acknowledged in books such as the Kama Sutra, but
not with regard to spiritual progress. Modern Hinduism for
the
most part condemns homosexuality but misunderstands it to be
an improper choice rather than psychophysical reality that
some
people are born with, rendering them as attracted to the same
sex, as heterosexuals are attracted to the opposite sex. As
modern society has come to better understand this phenomenon,
it is also imperative that Hindu traditions do the same if
they
are to remain vital.
“A dynamic approach in doing so might involve encouraging
homosexuals to also establish committed relationships in an
effort to help them transcend sexuality altogether, as is done
in the case of heterosexuals. Of course, such relationships
would not include raising children, which is a significant
consequence,
if not deterrent, to continue sexuality. However, committed
homosexual relationships may provide other impetuses for spirituality
such as more time for spiritual practice and seva to compensate
for this.
“Although my Guru Maharaja frowned on homosexuality in
general, he was also very practical, flexible, and compassionate.
One of his earliest disciples was a gay man who once related
how he had ultimately discussed his sexual orientation with
Srila Prabhupada. He said that at that point Srila Prabhupada
said, ‘Then just find a nice boy, stay with him and practice
Krsna consciousness.’
“I also had the experience of meeting a transsexual who
explained her sexual orientation and confusion to Srila Prabhupada
before committing to an operation. She told me that Prabhupada
told her, ‘Just pick one or the other [sex] and stick with
it.’ Those who knew him well would have expected him to
say something like this in both of these incidences. Again,
he was very flexible and compassionate.
“I believe that Hinduism originally held a much more broadminded
view on sexuality than many of its expressions do today. Over
the years Muslim and Victorian standards have had some influence
on socio-religious aspects of Hinduism, examples of which are
the covering of a woman’s body from head to toe.”
(Sanga: Vol. V, no. 13; June 2003)
More information on Tripurari Swami: Swami.org/Tripurari Swami
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
[Bhakti Tirtha Swami is a diksa disciple of
Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava
line, sannyasa disciple of Kirtanananda Swami, and
founder of the Institute For Applied Spiritual Technology.]
Dear Amara,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to ISKCON founder-acarya Srila
Prabhupada.
Quite a while back, I received a copy of your paper, Tritiya-Prakriti:
People of the Third Sex. I read the paper. It was very informative, but
I did not really let it sink in deeply. Recently, I have been making so much
more effort in trying to open up my heart to be more available in understanding
and serving all Vaishnavas with greater effectiveness. After hearing of Damodara’s
suicide, I read your paper over again, along with some of the writings of H.H.
Bhakti Ananda Goswami, Rama Keshava dasa and Mitravinda dasi. I must say that
I have seen the light, (especially after more closely reading over the story
in the Bhagavatam concerning Lord Brahma’s creating the personalities
from his buttocks, the account of the members of the third sex who were in
attendance at Lord Caitanya’s appearance, and a closer investigation of
Arjuna in his transgender form of Brihannala.)
I realize my problem was that of the worst kind. You see, I never saw myself
as homophobic. As we know, this word is so easily thrown around and means so
many different things to different people. Because I was always brought up
to be respectful and to try to understand all people, I did not really allow
myself to go deep in trying to understand the third sex. I figured that this
is necessary for those who were insensitive, arrogant and fundamentalist. Such
people, of course, are in their own category, and have their problems in minimizing
their own humanity and spirituality. But perhaps worse than such bigots are
those like myself who have a little understanding and think we have a lot:
who think that we are compassionate and tolerant, while basically being superficial
and even condescending.
It is quite amazing how most of us can be so prejudiced about so many things
and not even know it. As we read Srila Prabhupada’s books, our own prejudice
can easily cause us to see and not to see (pasyann api na pasyati).
I thank you and several others for your compassion and for your tolerance in
making efforts to educate your godfamily, so that we can be more authentic
servants of the servant.
Yours in Srila Prabhupada’s service,
With love,
Bhakti Tirtha Swami
(Personal letter, July 7, 2002)
More information on Bhakti Tirtha Swami: BTSwami.com/Bhakti
Tirtha Swami
Bhakti Marga Swami
[Bhakti Marga Swami is a diksa disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava line, sannyasa disciple of Gopala
Krsna Swami, and member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission.]
“Regardless of whatever sexual orientation we may
belong to—hetero, bi or homo—we are all endeavoring
through the process of Krishna Consciousness by chanting,
etc., to reduce the sex appetite and increase the urge to
serve Krishna. In the ninth chapter of the Gita, the Lord
explains that everyone has the opportunity to accomplish
love of Krishna. So for starters it is recommended that we
take direction from a siksa guru and then, to enhance
our devotion more, to take diksa [initiation]—oftentimes
from the same person who counsels us.
“The steps taken towards diksa can be discussed as a private matter
with the desired guru in mind. Attitudes will vary from guru to guru on the multi-sexual
variants of today, and some will be more broad-minded on the subject. All persons
must be dealt with on an individual basis, while at the same time the four regulative
principles are to be considered. Many senior devotees will give interpretations
on the illicit sex issue, but in the strictest sense, intercourse—as it
is understood from Prabhupada—is meant for procreation and procreation alone.
Our leaders have looked at this issue realistically and have concluded, at least
for grhastas [married couples], that they are encouraged to reach this
platform. I counsel grhasthas that it is their responsibility to keep
the relationships intact for their own sake and for the sake of their children
where there are some. If some affection is shown outside procreation, then they
have somewhat of an obligation. In other words, do not try to be a brahmacari [celibate]
when you are a grhastha.
“To some, this principle of leniency may be stretched to the non-heterosexual
community. When it comes to taking initiation it is, of course, a serious matter,
and if one considers him or herself a bisexual and is not sexually active, then
we have no problem. If there is activity, then one would be advised to speak
in confidence to an advanced soul if one wants to pursue initiation. In ISKCON
the attitudes are generally conservative, since active sex means bodily indulgence,
which makes it hard to progress spiritually. If mere companionship is the motivating
factor behind a relationship, then you can discuss [the matter] with a mature
devotee who honors confidentiality.
“In Dvaraka, the city of Krishna, there were prostitutes that were devotees
of God. No one can say that one is not a devotee even if one is sexually active,
but for the extra step—initiation—one may wish to wait until much of
this karma is out of one’s system.
“These are some things to consider.”
(Personal letter, May 18, 2003)
Bir Krsna Goswami
[Bir Krsna Goswami is a diksa disciple of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava line, sannyasa disciple of Hridayananda
Goswami, and member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission.]
“The North American GBC/Temple President Executive Officers wish to
voice our strong disapproval of, and our protest against, the demeaning and
ill intended statements made by some members of the GHQ.com conference that
were recently brought to public attention.
“It is our firm position that Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-acarya
of ISKCON, intended his Hare Krishna Movement to be free from all prejudice,
sexism, racism and other forms of bigotry.
“We affirm that the first and foremost principle of our society is
that all people (indeed all sentient beings) are eternal, sacred parts and
parcels of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, and as such should be respected
and affirmed in their individual relationship with the Lord, as well as their
service to guru and Krishna.
“Multiple statements made by members of this Internet conference ridicule,
berate and vilify women, other minorities, and individual Vaishnava devotees. They
document an organized attempt to prevent women from their God-given rights
of self-expression and service to Srila Prabhupada. We denounce such
views. They are opposed to the core values and principles of Vaishnava
culture, which uphold the devotional offerings of all souls as sacred and
worthy of our respect and protection.
“While we endorse open debate and dialogue within our Krishna Consciousness
movement, we must speak out against any discussion that crosses the line
of decency, morality, and Vaishnava etiquette and supports an agenda to exploit
or minimize a section of our society.”
(Signed)
Bir Krishna Goswami, Chairperson
Anuttama Dasa
Sudharma Dasi
Vraja Lila Dasi
(1998 Statement by the North American GBC/Temple President Executive Officers
of ISKCON)
Bhakti Ananda Swami
[Bhakti Ananda Swami is a diksa disciple
of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Gaudiya Vaishnava
line and sannyasa disciple of H.H. Radhanatha Swami.]
“Humans are masculine and feminine, not just genitally
male and female or XY and XX. For physical, mental, affective/emotional
health and ultimately self-realization, people need to understand
themselves and be understood by others on their own terms,
not indiscriminately lumped-in-together in pastoral care, diagnosis
and treatment. There are so many combinations and variations
of the basic types and relationships that ideally there should
be no categories and every precious soul should be understood
individually. However, since this is not possible, then at
least we can make some effort to understand people a little
better, and to stop impersonally merging them all-in-together
under too general and simplistic labels like ‘homosexual.’ By
daring to leave our comfortable denial to ask the right questions,
we can accept the right answers and finally begin to render
sex and gender justice to all of our sisters, brothers and
others. This means honoring the basic beingness of every person,
and recognizing the primacy of persons over their parts.
“May the servitor Lord, and Sri-Sri Radha-Krishna Who are always busy serving
Each Other, deliver us from the desire to lord-it-over one another like the wolves
and wildebeests! May we take the time to understand each other and to lovingly
help everyone to spiritually progress in their own unique incarnations.
“Amen, Aum and Hare Krishna!”
(Quoted from the article, Modern Biology and the Concept of a “Third
Sex”)
More on Bhakti Ananda Swami: GALVA-108.org/Modern
Biology
BV Vaishnava Maharaja
[ BV Vaishnava Maharaja is a diksa and sannyasa disciple
of Srila Narayana Maharaja in the Gaudiya Vaishnava line.]
Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga Jayatah!
First of all I wish to offer my most humble dandavat
pranams in the dust of the lotus feet of my Holy Spiritual
Master, His Divine Grace Parivrajakacarya 108 Sri Srila Bhaktivedanta
Narayana Goswami Maharaja.
The noble purpose of GALVA and any truly spiritual
society or association is to encourage its members to inquire
about higher, spiritual topics. Sectarianism is, however, a
natural byproduct of the Absolute Truth due to the different
natures and desires of humans and each society develops its
particular standards accordingly. Although, as Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura wrote in the introduction of his Sri Krsna Samhita: “When acaryas first
realize and propagate the Absolute Truth, it is not polluted
with sectarianism…their teachings are changed in due
course of time according to mentality and region;” the
Absolute Truth nonetheless remains pure, transcendental. Therefore
the qualified practitioner will accept whatever is helpful
for their advancement to higher levels. This is accomplished
under the guidance of the bona fide Guru who is fully self-realized,
with a mood of surrender, submissive inquiry and service (Bhagavad
Gita 4.34).
The very existence of different specialized societies
or ministries such as those in support of gays and lesbians
or for women devotees, black devotees, youth, child protection,
those speaking different languages, etc., would indicate that
the larger or original societies, intended to be a house “in
which the whole world could live,” are no longer able
to fulfill their intended original function. What function?
To provide the association of sadhus who exemplify,
at the least, the basic conceptions of “we are spirit
souls—not these bodies, eternal servants of Sri Krsna.” Hence
we find ass-like discrimination and exclusion based upon mundane
distinctions that a self-realized devotee would be beyond:
man-maya-mohita-dhiyah
purusah purusarsabha
sreyo vadanty anekantam
yatha-karma yatha-ruci
“Oh best among men, the intelligence of
human beings is bewildered by My illusory potency, and thus,
according to their own activities and whims, they speak in
innumerable ways about what is actually good for the people.” (Srimad
Bhagavatam 11.14.9)
This ass-like behavior is jivaaparadha,
what to speak of Vaishnava aparadha. No institution
can actually exemplify these higher truths as they are found
in realized persons only. Only persons are spirit souls and
eternal servants of Sri Krsna. This is why Sri Krsna spoke
the Bhagavad Gita verse, 4.34, quoted above. An institution
is helpful if it is, and only as long as it is, directly under
the guidance of such a self-realized soul. We should be so
swanlike, however, as to be able to respect and value everyone’s
spiritual practice according to their qualifications and enquire
about higher, spiritual topics. Or, as I’ve heard Srila
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada would say, “Don’t
be a nonsense.”
Every congregation and indeed many temples and
ashramas around the world have gay and lesbian members. This
is only natural. The sad fact remains, however, that many of
these good devotees—rare souls that they are—often
find they need to secret their inborn natures for fear of being
ostracized. I found this the case in many places personally.
Although I was “out” with many devotees I had to
be discreet in order to remain in the ashrama. This only put
undo emphasis on what I needed to transcend above many other
misconceptions, especially as a brahmacari and even
more now as a sannyasi—when honesty is essential. I am
of course no angel but being excluded from the open and friendly
atmosphere enjoyed by my dear heterosexual brothers and sisters,
and then being ridiculed for not fitting in, was a most cruel
experience which was difficult to reconcile. Many devotees
were banned and/or even in some places beaten and/or sexually
abused. Still, by Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga’s grace, I managed
to use the situation to my advantage as an impetus to take
shelter of the Holy Names. I took my cue from the pastimes
of Srila Haridasa Thakura. When he was arrested and put in
prison he told the other prisoners to remain as they were,
in a favorable mood for remembering the Lord. The nescient
prison of bodily identification (“don’t ask, don’t
tell”) in which my fellow neophytes—for want of
high-class association—incarcerated me, worked to my
advantage.
Srila Haridasa Thakura later went on to tell
the Nawab, who was the ruler of the region and responsible
for the prison: “However, if one living entity feels
hatred or envy towards another, this is ultimately a reflection
of his relationship with the Supreme Lord and the Lord never
tolerates one living entity’s transgressions against
another.” (Sri Caitanya Bhagavata 1.16) Of
course I am not wishing oppression on anyone, as karmic as
it may be, but still we must be able to see the environment
as always favorable for Krsna consciousness—because it
is. We must have proper guidance always. GALVA is helping fill
this void in many ways, wherever a qualified Guru might be
absent, keeping many hundreds of good devotees informed and
enthused. I am very grateful for the help it has given me over
the years. We are not alone. Sri Krsna responds to the sincere
prayers of His devotees. Only our own weak-mindedness keeps
us imprisoned.
sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
“The verdict of all revealed scriptures
is that through even a moment’s association with a sadhu,
a pure devotee, one can attain (ultimately) complete spiritual
perfection.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 2.22.54)
krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya sadhu-sanga
krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga
“The root cause of krsna-bhakti is sadhu-sanga.
Even when one’s dormant krsna-prema awakens, sadhu-sanga is
still the most important principle for one’s spiritual
life.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 2.22.83)
Vaisnava dasanudas,
Bhaktivedanta Vaisnava
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