New Raman Reti Policy on Non-ISKCON Vaisnava Groups.
The President: Alachua is the home of the largest ISKCON temple in North America. A vibrant Gurukula, world famous Deity darshans, exhuberant kirtan and daily prasad distribution are just some of the features that make the Alachua Temple attractive to devotees far and wide. Within our small town there is also a Gaudiya Math temple and devotees who have separated themselves from our International Society for Krishna Consciousness in a variety of ways.
New Raman Reti has a clear and posted policy on our relationship with any non ISKCON group or person visiting our temple. Please read the Policy below over for your edification. We take the policy seriously. Our devotees should feel comfortable and safe when they spend time here. It is their place of worship and seva, it is their family of devotees. Although we are cautiously open to others with views opposing ISKCON’s we will not allow proselytizing those views to our devotees and guests.
We spend buckets of energy, time and money to keep our temple open for everyone, to grow our community and create programs that enrich the spiritual lives of those who come. It attracts a lot of people. But those who choose to move away from the organization must respect our right to present and protect our efforts to spread Krishna consciousness as we understand would be pleasing to Srila Prabhpada. Our temple is neither a soapbox for a few ‘rebels without a cause’ to put forth their ideas, or a place to pull new recruits to their side. Neither will be tolerated, and anyone who comes here and engages in this way will no longer be invited to come.
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Our Position: ISKCON of Alachua, Inc., the New Raman Reti Temple and home of Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, is a temple within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, as established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya. We are loyal to, preach from, promote the books of, and espouse the teachings of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. We serve within the greater ISKCON society, under the direction of the ISKCON Governing Board Commission (GBC).
Reason for the Policy: It is recognized that spiritual movements will inevitably develop many branches over time, particularly after the passing of the Founder Acharya. Since the physical departure of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, we have seen a number of devotees join groups associated with the Gaudiya Math or other Vaisnava groups, as well as those following “alternative” philosophies regarding disciplic succession.
Our Goal: Although Alachua is a large community with philosophical and organizational diversity, our goal is to exist peacefully with all elements. However, to preserve the purposes of ISKCON, certain policy standards regarding activities on Temple property need to be clarified:
Policy Standards:
Welcomed Activities: All devotees are welcome to come to the NRR Temple and engage in the following activities:
Join in kirtan
Attend classes and programs
Take darshan of the Deities
Offer service as deemed appropriate by the Temple management.
Leaders and sannyasis of non-ISKCON groups will limit their attendance at the Temple to only taking darsana of the Deities, and taking prasadam in the Welcome Center.
Restricted Activities: No persons shall be allowed to engage in the following activities on the Temple grounds and property:
Promote beliefs, personalities or organizations that are not directly endorsed by ISKCON and its representatives, or unduly criticize ISKCON and its authorities
Distribute literature that promote such beliefs
Influence guests or devotees in the above beliefs/criticisms. This includes inviting congregational members to attend their functions and/or join their groups
Also, members of non-ISKCON group may not lead kirtan or perform bhajans*
Consequences: Anyone in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the Temple property.
Conclusion: In making this policy statement, we are in no way denying the freedom of thought and speech of any person. We respect an individual’s rights to other philosophical positions. However, we are upholding the purpose of the New Raman Reti Temple property and projects, which is to promote Srila Prabhupada’s teachings as enunciated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) under the direction of the Governing Board Commission.
* Exceptions to the kirtan/bhajan policy will be made on a case by case basis by the Temple President and GBC