Vaisnavi Care…

Vaishnavi Care Made Easy is a presentation that invites us to reflect upon the benefits of caring for women devotees. Our aim is to generate awareness, positivity, and enthusiasm in regards to caring for vaisnavis. Welcome Welcome

We shall take a look at the following:  The scope of Vaisnavi Care as defined by the Devotee Care Committee  Recipients of Vaisnavi Care  Benefits of caring for women devotees and ill effects of lack of care  Needs of and challenges faced by women in ISKCON  Needs and challenges of ISKCON managers and male preachers  Key areas of Vaisnavi Care  Vaisnavi sangas and retreats as a powerful agents for Vaisnavi Care

The Scope of Vaisnavi Care The Scope of Vaisnavi Care What comes to mind when we hear “Vaisnavi Care”

The Vaisnavi Care Sub-committee deals with spiritual, emotional, social and physical care for all women, particularly within the realm of their interaction with and within ISKCON temples, sangas and communities. It does not cater to matters related to the grhastha asrama proper, which fall within the scope of the Grhastha Care Committee. The Scope of Vaisnavi Care The Scope of Vaisnavi Care

Vaisnavi Care Recipients (In Terms of Social Status) UNMARRIED (Living with parents, in asramas, campuses, on their own) ◦ “Kumaris” (young, unmarried and desirous to marry)  Vaisnavi youth born/brought up among devotees (14-25)  Vaisnavi Youth who became devotees (18-25) ◦ Vaisnavis of all ages waiting to be married ◦ “Brahmacarinis” (Not desirous to marry)  Young (may marry later)  Senior (determined not to marry)

Vaisnavi Care Recipients (In Terms of Social Status) MARRIED or so… (House holders) ◦ Grhasthis living with husband  With children / Without children / Full time devotees / Congregation ◦ Grhasthis living separately from the husband  Due to business, disagreement, etc. ◦ Divorced women  Wanting to remarry / Not wanting to remarry ◦ Single mothers  Wanting to remarry / Not wanting to remarry

OVER WITH GRHASTHA LIFE Vanaprasthis ◦ With husband ◦ Without the husband by agreement or disagreement  With grown up children  Without children Widows (whose husband died or took sannyasa) ◦ With grown up children ◦ Without children Vaisnavi Care Recipients (In Terms of Social Status)

Vaisnavi Care Recipients (In Terms of Spiritual Status) Committed to the process of sadhana bhakti o Serving as full time devotees o Living in the congregation, engaged in service Friends of Krsna New devotees Guests & visitors, potential devotees Senior women

Vaisnavi Care Recipients (In Terms of Nature) Two main categories: Simple at heart Intelligent More of less feminine Pious Impious Varna consideration

Appreciating Vaisnavi Care Is is important to care for women devotees?

Woman is the nourishing force… What happens if a vaisnavi is nicely cared for? To her as an individual To the family she belongs to To her children To the community What is the impact of lack of care? How will she personally react? How will it reflect on the future generations? How will it reflect on the community? Appreciating Vaisnavi Care

SPlett to Rupanuga, Feb 73 “The policy should be that all the women are given the utmost protection. Women are looking for husbands because they feel unprotected so it is up to the senior members to give all protection to the women.” Appreciating Vaisnavi Care

What are some of women’s challenges as they come in touch with and interact within ISKCON? Needs & Challenges

Lack of training opportunities, training centers and trainers Not having a guardian (especially in the case of women who join when single and have had to reject or separate themselves from their families and culture in order to practice Krsna consciousness) Lack of asramas (residential facilities) Left to fend for themselves when not accepted in temples No counselling by senior vaisnavis available Getting abused Forced to marry before having fully accepted Krsna consciousness and being ready for a Vaisnava marriage Lack of engagement in adequate services Lack of appreciation Lack of role models Srila Prabhupada’s statements on women (when left unexplained) Misuse of SrilaPrabhupada’s quotes to denigrate women Transition from brahmacarini asrama to grhastha asrama Needs & Challenges (Vaisnavis’)

What are some of the ISKCON managers’/preachers’/devotee men’s challenges in dealing with women who come to ISKCON or are within the movement? Needs & Challenges

How to engage women in services while avoiding mixing with the brahmacaris Brahmacaris and sannyasis unable to take care of women devotees Older vaisnavis may not treat younger ones nicely Asrama facility and management (Who will do it???) Finding a good husband Lack of female role models for vaisnavis Scarcity of mature senior vaisnavis to take care of younger ones Young women rebel to the authority of senior women. They often prefer a male leader. Funds for the wedding of those who have been living in the asrama Complaints by brahmacaris Need for protection (anxiety) Women need more care, space, health care Mimiking/aping the west/east Needs & Challenges (Managers’)

General Needs Standards for acting in Krsna consciousness Clear understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s quotes about women Visible role models Protection from abuse Social integration, in general, a good husband… Service according to individual capacity Senior devotee women’s association Proper facility for sadhana practice in temples

General Needs Acceptance Training: Devotional; Asrama Education: Values specific to women; Philosophy; Skills; etc. Counseling: Spiritual; pre-marital; marriage Emotional support Appreciation Room for devotional self-expression Specific health care Clear expectations from ISKCON management Channels of communication with management Moral values

Key Areas in Vaisnavi Care What would then be some key areas in caring for vaisnavis that could help facilitate the needs of both the vaisnavis and the managers and preachers?

Key Areas in Vaisnavi Care Association & Nourishment Principle: By vaisnavis, for vaisnavis Reception Counseling & Guidance Senior Vaisnavis Association Vaisnavi Sangas Education and Training Principle: Inspiration over imposition Vedic and Vaisnava values governing a vaisnavi’s life Srila Prabhupada’s vision from all different angles Philosophy & devotional practices Engagement in Devotional Service Principle: According to propensities Protection Principle: Protection through all stages of life Family environment Physical facilities in ISKCON centers Protection from abuse Choice of Asrama (Social Status) Channels of Communication with ISKCON Management

Vaisnavi Sangas – The Powerful Agent What needs of the vaisnavis can be fulfilled by Vaisnavi Sangas? What needs of the managers can be fulfilled by Vaisnavi Sangas? What are some preaching advantages of Vaisnavi Sangas? What various types of Vaisnavi Sangas can be established?

Parameters for Vaisnavi Sangas Aims: Protection and devotional expression Harinama Sankirtana and Krsna katha as the basis Emphasis on the cultivation of feminine values and qualities Training ground for all kinds of devotional activities Medium for devotional and community projects Mood of Vaisnava Seva Vaisnavi Sangas – The Powerful Agent Peer Support for Spiritual Progress

Types of Vaisnavi Sangas Weekly, monthly get together Bhakti Vrksa for women / Other systems Youth Groups Grhastha Groups Study Groups Cultural Groups On line Sangas Vaisnavi Sangas – The Powerful Agent Peer Support for Spiritual Progress

Vaisnavi Care…

Asramas for Women Devotees Letter to Satsvarupa -- Montreal 12 July, 1968 A Brahmacarini asrama is certainly a great necessity because there are so many girl devotees who are attached to our Krishna Consciousness movement. Those who are married couple, there is nothing to be said—simply to live together as husband and wife. But those who are not married certainly such Brahmacaris and Brahmacarinis should not live together.... But factually if you can organize a Brahmacarini asrama, it will be very nice idea. And I think that our Jadurani or similar other girl students of a little bit advanced, they can manage such asrama... But the main thing is that in Boston, you are the only earning member. How you will maintain such a Brahmacarini asrama separately unless there is some source of income. I expected that the pictures painted by the Brahmacarinis would be a source of income to the society. If some arrangement for such sales organization can be made, then it will be a very excellent idea. The Brahmacarinis cannot go, of course, for begging, but if some of them agree to go out and sell our books and literature, that will also be helpful. Some source of income by honest endeavor must be there, otherwise, how a nice Brahmacarini asrama can be maintained? In the asrama we must supply all inmates necessary nutritious food. Especially in your country, because they were accustomed to take meat and some protein food, just like regular supply of dahl, capatis, rice, fruits and milk, must be properly administered. There is no need of eating more than necessity, but the minimum demands must be supplied. But if you can organize such nice Brahmacarini asrama it will be a great success of our society. There is a great need for this…

Service SPlett to Yamuna, July 21, 1971 Calcutta Another nice news is that all of you women are going out daily for preaching. Very good. Continue it whole heartedly. SPlett to Gargamuni, 13 Apr, 74 I want to organize a women kirtana party singing the Gita Gan. Can you help me? SPlett to Yadurani I am happy to hear all the good news from our fine art department. I think I have already given you instructions in this regard. In my opinion your guiding the girls working under you for painting is very important. SPlett to Cyavana, Jan 9, 73 Regarding the daughters of Sarna, they must be engaged in some service. They may chant, read books, make life members by visiting the ladies of Nairobi, like that, but some service must be there, otherwise sex will come out. Two things are there, Krsna and maya. This sex idea is maya, therefore there must be Krsna's service or there will be another scandal as before. It is nice the girls are coming to the temple, but unless you engage them in some way of serving Krsna, there will be again trouble. SPlett to Gurudasa, May 72 I have always accepted the service of women without any discrimination, so I have no objection if Yamuna devi contributes her ideas on this construction project. Letter to Satsvarupa -- Montreal 12 July, 1968 If the Brahmacarinis learn typographic machine. That will be a great help because printing is one of our most important line of activities.

Temple President and basic temple structure Gurus Gurus’ disciple care services Congregational Ministry and local congregational departments; Bhakti Vrksa Grhastha Vision team; marriage bureaus Counseling systems (Chowpati and elsewhere; Vaishnava Counseling America) Educational initiatives like the VIHE, MI, Bhaktivedanta College, etc. Vaisnavi sangas and retreats initiatives Ministry of Health and Welfare; devotee doctors; hospitals run by devotees Vaishnavi Ministry Some Existing Care Agents