Cults & Society
Department: Group Report

Hare Krishna: women

7/11

Fundamental Human Rights in ISKCON

Radha devi dasi

[continued]
A system of fundamental Human Rights is consistent with a spiritual philosophy based on surrender. In fact, surrender, submission and humility are internal qualities that cannot be legislated. Any attempt to use institutional structures to impose the external appearance of these qualities would result in oppression as well as foolish and ineffective policy.  

Srila Prabhupada's descriptions of submission and surrender clarify the voluntary nature of these qualities. In these descriptions Srila Prabhupada explains that devotees can offer their submission to Krsna in three ways. He writes that one can surrender by offering prayers, humbly submitting oneself, or by desiring some stage of perfection.[xv] All three of these processes are voluntary. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada often cited Arjuna's voluntary surrender to Krsna in the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as the perfect example of the quality of submission. His words make clear that submission is an internal quality that transforms the attitude and external behaviour of an individual and has to be cultivated by each member. For this reason submission cannot be legislated by our society. Hence, the grant of Human Rights is consistent with the spiritual qualities we seek to acquire. 

The Declaration of Fundamental Human Rights which follows is a proposal intended to begin discussion on this issue. No one person can define the rights that our society should adopt. However, it is my hope that the members of ISKCON can work together to create institutional safeguards which will protect us from the mistakes we have made in the past. Rights to participate freely in the activities of our society are essential to creating the vital and productive society that will be most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada. 

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' RIGHTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Whereas, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all living beings is a fundamental tenet of Vaisnava philosophy;

Whereas, compassion and mercy are essential qualities of Vaisnavas;

Whereas disregard and contempt for the rights of living beings have resulted in injurious acts (both inside and outside the Hare Krishna Movement) which outrage the conscience of all compassionate beings; and

Whereas it is essential to the continued existence of ISKCON that we

1/11 < > 11/11

Cults & Society
Department: Group Report

Hare Krishna: women

7/11

Fundamental Human Rights in ISKCON

Radha devi dasi

[continued]
A system of fundamental Human Rights is consistent with a spiritual philosophy based on surrender. In fact, surrender, submission and humility are internal qualities that cannot be legislated. Any attempt to use institutional structures to impose the external appearance of these qualities would result in oppression as well as foolish and ineffective policy.  

Srila Prabhupada's descriptions of submission and surrender clarify the voluntary nature of these qualities. In these descriptions Srila Prabhupada explains that devotees can offer their submission to Krsna in three ways. He writes that one can surrender by offering prayers, humbly submitting oneself, or by desiring some stage of perfection.[xv] All three of these processes are voluntary. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada often cited Arjuna's voluntary surrender to Krsna in the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as the perfect example of the quality of submission. His words make clear that submission is an internal quality that transforms the attitude and external behaviour of an individual and has to be cultivated by each member. For this reason submission cannot be legislated by our society. Hence, the grant of Human Rights is consistent with the spiritual qualities we seek to acquire. 

The Declaration of Fundamental Human Rights which follows is a proposal intended to begin discussion on this issue. No one person can define the rights that our society should adopt. However, it is my hope that the members of ISKCON can work together to create institutional safeguards which will protect us from the mistakes we have made in the past. Rights to participate freely in the activities of our society are essential to creating the vital and productive society that will be most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada. 

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' RIGHTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Whereas, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all living beings is a fundamental tenet of Vaisnava philosophy;

Whereas, compassion and mercy are essential qualities of Vaisnavas;

Whereas disregard and contempt for the rights of living beings have resulted in injurious acts (both inside and outside the Hare Krishna Movement) which outrage the conscience of all compassionate beings; and

Whereas it is essential to the continued existence of ISKCON that we

1/11 < > 11/11

Cults & Society
Department: Group Report

Hare Krishna: women

7/11

Fundamental Human Rights in ISKCON

Radha devi dasi

[continued]
A system of fundamental Human Rights is consistent with a spiritual philosophy based on surrender. In fact, surrender, submission and humility are internal qualities that cannot be legislated. Any attempt to use institutional structures to impose the external appearance of these qualities would result in oppression as well as foolish and ineffective policy.  

Srila Prabhupada's descriptions of submission and surrender clarify the voluntary nature of these qualities. In these descriptions Srila Prabhupada explains that devotees can offer their submission to Krsna in three ways. He writes that one can surrender by offering prayers, humbly submitting oneself, or by desiring some stage of perfection.[xv] All three of these processes are voluntary. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada often cited Arjuna's voluntary surrender to Krsna in the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as the perfect example of the quality of submission. His words make clear that submission is an internal quality that transforms the attitude and external behaviour of an individual and has to be cultivated by each member. For this reason submission cannot be legislated by our society. Hence, the grant of Human Rights is consistent with the spiritual qualities we seek to acquire. 

The Declaration of Fundamental Human Rights which follows is a proposal intended to begin discussion on this issue. No one person can define the rights that our society should adopt. However, it is my hope that the members of ISKCON can work together to create institutional safeguards which will protect us from the mistakes we have made in the past. Rights to participate freely in the activities of our society are essential to creating the vital and productive society that will be most pleasing to Srila Prabhupada. 

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' RIGHTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Whereas, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all living beings is a fundamental tenet of Vaisnava philosophy;

Whereas, compassion and mercy are essential qualities of Vaisnavas;

Whereas disregard and contempt for the rights of living beings have resulted in injurious acts (both inside and outside the Hare Krishna Movement) which outrage the conscience of all compassionate beings; and

Whereas it is essential to the continued existence of ISKCON that we

1/11 < > 11/11