This 2005 post by 'natural mystic' is worth looking at. By his severity, Prab created a climate that fostered hypocrisy among the "Brahmins". NM states that Prab made only a few deviations from the tradition he inherited but these few deviations were very important ones. And bequeathed a legacy of trouble. (Quote) Pagee 5 of this thread "Most of what
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Prabhupada was also particular about his diet--as well as making himself center of all eyes. Sex negative, elitist and yet, in his own way, quite the sensualist regarding food. Here are three posts, dialog on this same thread eight years ago, where natural mystic and I discussed old man prabhupada. He was a dictator in a dhoti. And for those interested, here is a look at an essay
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Bhaktivedanta was an old gent who was from the Bengali elite in Calcutta. The Bengalis had a dominent role in British India until 1911, when the Raj moved its HQ from Calcutta to Delhi, a process that made the Bengalis less important and led to increased influence for the Punjabis, whom the sophisticated Bengali elite considered bumpkins. The Bengali elite felt this rejection keenly and de
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

corboy: in response to your post about Bhaktivedanta being a sensualist when it comes to food, you are very correct. Food was the one area in ISKCON where it was perfectly alright to be a sensualist. In fact they take great pride in their opulent and varied "feasts". And even on a daily basis there is cooking going on continuously throughout the day and evening as part of their worship.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is interesting. It is commonplace for groups and individuals to demonize one particular area of human mis-behavior but indulge in other areas. There are many different ways to be 'a sensualist.' A guru may vigorously condemn sexual acting out, teaching disciples to become obsessed with sexual sin. At the same time, while the leader and disciples are fretting about sexual s
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

corboy you wrote: QuoteOddly, he did think Bhaktivedanta's version of Vaishnavism was authentic--but Bharati wrote in 1976, the early years of the movement Most of what Bhaktivedanta presented is authentic. If we take the totality of his writings and lectures, IMO, the deviations from the original are very few in number, but very substantial in their effect on those who accept everythin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"