]> http://www.iskcontoday.org BY: NIMAI PANDIT DAS Dec 06,2008 LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK An earlier version of yesterday's posting "BBT Manifesto" was handed over to HH Jayadvaita Swami and HG Svavasa dasa, among others, this summer in Los Angeles. These devotees have been presenting themselves as Trustees of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Hence it was our earnest hope that they would seriously consider these entreaties to run BBT according to how Srila Prabhupada instructed it to be run. Unfortunately, there has been no response from them. As far as we know, we have to assume that there have been no changes in the functioning or the attitude at the BBT. The result has been that we are left with no choice but to go forward using all legal means at our disposal to effectuate these changes for the benefit of the whole world and for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. "yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado, yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi". Most of our major issues with the way BBT and Srila Prabhupada are treated have been detailed in the BBT Manifesto. We will regularly discuss these issues in more detail at this space and at www.iskcontoday.org for a public discussion on these matters as they relate to all followers of Srila Prabhupada. HH Jayadvaita Swami or any other devotee officially related to "BBT" can, if they are bold and upright enough, present their point of view. We are not bent upon taking a legal route. We are also not arrogant enough to believe that we know everything. We can very likely be wrong on many counts. Hence, matters discussed and sorted out need not be taken to the court; or if they are taken to the court, then they can be withdrawn on a case-by-case basis. We are ready for an open discussion on our understanding/or possible misunderstanding of Srila Prabhupada's written instructions for operations of the BBT. We are also ready for an open and mature discussion on the possible merits/demerits of our proposals on how to implement these instructions of Srila Prabhupada. As is natural, no reply on these matters will be treated by the devotee community as a judgment against the accused. The accused are: 1. The directors of BBTI - BBTI is a completely different entity than the BBT formed and run by Srila Prabhupada. BBTI has been illegally claiming to own the copyrights of Srila Prabhupada's books, that should be owned by BBT. In effect, BBTI is stealing from BBT its main treasure; namely, the authority to regulate the quality and publications of Srila Prabhupada's books as desired by Srila Prabhupada. BBTI's name, similar to Srila Prabhupada's BBT, was designed to hide this fact for decades. 2. The directors of Bhaktivedanta Book Publishing Inc. - Another California corporation, through which the laxmi sent to the BBT is driven. No check, cash or credit card funds that are sent in the name of BBT sees the inside of any bank account in the name of BBT. To the best of our knowledge, all funds are diverted to a Los Angeles Bank account of this corporation, BBP. The result is that the funds are not regulated as per Srila Prabhupada's written instructions, encased in his BBT Trust Instrument dated May 28, 1972. 3. So-called Trustees of BBT - a few devotees represent themselves as Trustees of BBT, even though, for most practical purposes, BBT does not function. We used the word "most" as the copyrights should belong to BBT; also, as the "name BBT" and Logo of BBT are used for printing Srila Prabhupada's books by the BBTI/BBP combo. But other than that, BBT does not function. So why don't the supposed Trustees of BBT operate the BBT as they are instructed to do by higher authorities? I am sure they will have their excuses. We, the disciples of Srila Prabhupada, would like to hear these excuses in public. We, the followers of Srila Prabhupada, would like to hear from them why they are not following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. We should add here that we have utmost respect for all devotees who have been shouldering the responsibilities of printing Srila Prabhupada's books. I am sure they must have gone through many struggles to continue printing Srila Prabhupada's books all these years. It is an intimate service to Srila Prabhupada, hence we will not treat these devotees with disrespect. We are forced on this path of confrontation due only to respect the desires and instructions of Srila Prabhupada to keep his books intact by the BBT. In that duty, we respectfully believe these devotees have not been able to perform adequately. And to correct this inadequacy we are ready to use, if needed, all necessary means, even legal, to achieve our objectives. Now the ball is in their "court". While we wait to hear from them, please send us YOUR views to secretary@iskcontoday.org. All views, barring obscenity and spam, will be published, either as an article or as a comment. en