The Australian Society for Krishna Culture (AUSKCULTURE), hopefully soon to be known as The International Society for Krishna Culture or ISKCULTURE because of increasing overseas membership is simultaneously one with and different from The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which we consider in some ways our parent organisation. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called this philosophy the acintya bedha abheda tattva: “The simultaneously ONE with and DIFFERENT from” reality.

We may also call it spiritual dialectism. We have Karl Marx’s material dialectism. But spiritual dialectism is always superior to material dialectism as the mind, even though material, is superior to dull matter and the 10 senses, yes 10 senses, not 5 senses. There are 5 knowledge acquiring sense and these are what the West calls the five senses: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. To this state of affairs, the more realistic, practical and clinical East adds another 5 working senses. There is consequently no disagreement, there is only complementing. The five working senses are the voice, the arms, the legs, the anus and the genitals This is called “pancabhih — with the five working senses (voice, arms, legs, anus and genitals)” in Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1. 50, word for word.

We are ONE for the following reasons and this may be an incomplete list:

a) Our source of knowledge is ONE: Srila Prabhupada the creator of ISKCON, (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness), the BBT, (The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) and BTG (Back to Godhead) magazine and 80 or so top-class books on self-realisation is simultaneously the source of our knowledge and our link to the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya or school of thought.

We are DIFFERENT and again this may be an incomplete list:

a) In terms of member-numbers and assets we are small, whereas ISKCON is huge with about 1200 representations all over the world. This number is sourced from the Introduction to the Vyasapuja Book 2024 by the Vyasapuja book team of 4 members.

But even high numbers can never compensate for a lack in quality. And if you dont have the required quality, you are simply disqualified once and for all without any further ceremonial or until you acquire the required quality through thoughtfulness and hard work. This rule applies even in the fruits and vegetable trade with its stringent commercial rules and high quality control, what to speak of all matters Parampara or line of disciplic succession. Life is tough.

b) We do not commit the very grave mistake of promoting a fake version of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is.

c) contrary to ISKCON’s offensive policy, we try to give Srila Prabhupada the respect and honour due to Him by marking all pronouns and possessives related to His Divine Grace with capital letters. In ISKCON there is a very strong opposition to such practice based on the misinterpretation of His instructions and quite plainly on the lack of a sense of courtesy. The head opponents is Dravida Das of ISKCON San Diego, who assumes the position of head editor. He approves or rejects all changes to Srila Prabhupada’s books and is considered the highest authority in the field. Mind you, Dravida Das has made some very essential contributions to the improvements of the presentation of Srila Prabhupada’s books. The best example is Dravida’s shrewd perspicacity in spotting the mistake in CC. Please see article A PERFECT EXAMPLE of a CRUCIAL and BONA FIDE IMPROVEMENT to SRILA PRABHUPADA’S BOOKS by and due to THE SAGACITY and PROFESSIONALISM of HIS GRACE DRAVIDA PRABHU of ISKCON SAN DIEGO, USA. of April 10th 2016. There is also the article of 21 MAY 2019 ABOUT DRAVIDA PTABHU’S expertise.

BG 6.47 purport Version 3:

“The word “bhajate” is significant here. Bhajate has its root in the verb “bhaj”, which is used when there is need for service. The English word worship cannot be used in the same sense as bhaja. Worship means to adore, or to show respect and honor to the worthy one. But service with love and faith is especially meant for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One can avoid worshiping a respectable man or a demigod, and may be called discourteous—but one cannot avoid serving the Supreme Lord without being thoroughly condemned. Every living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and as such every living entity is meant to serve the Supreme Lord by its own constitution. Failing to do this, he falls down.” 

On the whole, this erroneous policy results in a massive, blanket and global disrespect for Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acarya of ISKCON and Jagat Guru for the next 10 000 years. There are and will be unpleasant consequences for this sate of affairs. One cannot disrespect the representative of God without God Himself getting involved, just as one cannot disrespect the representative of the king or the state without the king or the state getting involved.

Conclusive Note:

As long as ISKCON (and the BBT) erroneously supports Bhagavad Gita As It Is NOT by Jayadvaita, we shall be in conflict with ISKCON (and the BBT.)