Page 18 - M&M - Eng
P. 18
xvi Preface
half of ISKCON’s members are women and many, if not most,
come from societies where gender issues are openly discussed. 1
The divergence is so deep that even a presentation (such as
this book) that consists of reasoned arguments, backed by
copious quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda, is likely to be seen
as derogatory, disturbing, and divisive by devotees who
maintain a contrary perspective, whereas others are appalled
by the male-female dynamic that for several years has been
emanating from ISKCON’s leadership. Clearly, my stating this
will not please the feministic elements in ISKCON’s leadership.
Notwithstanding the EC’s claims of negative reports, the book
sold well in Māyāpur, and seemed to be especially well received
by many female devotees. Furthermore, a major turnaround in
ISKCON’s social polity took place just after the book’s release;
a proposal to bring varṇāśrama-dharma onto the ISKCON
agenda was almost unanimously accepted by the GBC.
Nevertheless, I have chosen to retain within this book much that
might seem to be anachronized by that decision (for instance,
the chapter “ISKCON’s Disconnect with Varṇāśrama”), to at
least underscore the enormous task of reorienting a society
that has for an entire generation been adrift in this regard.
Although (in my perhaps not very humble opinion) the f irst
edition stated a powerful case, this second edition is more
comprehensive, having undergone considerable revision and
expansion. May it be pleasing to Śrīla Prabhupāda and his
faithful followers.
1. From the introduction (by the editors) to the aforementioned article.