“When I first met the Hare Krishnas, I can remember how surprised I was, and I wondered what this meant. The costumes, the chanting, and the shaved heads appeared a little strange to me. But as I came to know the movement, I came to find that there was a striking similarity in the essence of what they were teaching and in the original core of Christianity—that is, living simply, not trying to accumulate worldly goods, living with compassion toward all creatures, sharing, loving, and living joyfully. I am impressed with how much the teachings of one man and the spiritual tradition he brought have impacted themselves into the lives of so many people. In my view Shrila Prabhupada’s contribution is a very important one and will be a lasting one.”
Harvey Cox
Professor of Religion
Harvard University
“Rupanuga Vedic College (RVC) is primarily a divinity school. A few years ago, I did extensive research on the program at RVC and other divinity programs at places such as Harvard, Yale, and the Graduate Theological Union. I found that their program [RVC’s] essentially was the same as the others with the exception of the language requirement. I am certain that if a student went through the RVC program, he or she would be a very knowledgeable person regarding the Krishna Conscious liturgy and scriptures. Thus the person would be highly qualified as a priest in ISKCON. In fact, I would venture to say that RVC has a 100% placement rate among its graduates.”
William G. Wall, Ph.D.
Professor of Vaisnava Literature and Theology
Institute for Vaisnava Studies
Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California
“I was delighted to learn of Danavir Goswami’s plans to establish a Vedic seminary in the United States. The tradition he represents, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, offers enlightening perspectives on many of the theological, moral and social issues of the day. All thoughtful persons benefit from the presence of this perspective in the cultural and religious kaleidoscope which is America, and I for one welcome Danavir Goswami’s efforts.”
Nathan Katz Ph.D
Chair, Professor; South Asian Religions,
Buddhism, Indian Judaism, History of Religions
Florida International University
“I have great respect for you and your associates [of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness] who serve the Lord according to your faith and perform many good deeds in these hectic days.”
Kenneth Keating
U.S. Ambassador
“It’s a noble task and it is a great task that he [Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada] has accomplished. I have never had the opportunity of seeing him or hearing him. But as is said about any writer or author, if you want to know a writer, you see his works. So when I see the works that he has created the world over in the form of this Krishna Consciousness Movement I can realize the greatness of that great soul.”
L.K. Advani
Member of Indian Parliament
“After three decades of assembling and fine-tuning Srila Prabhupada’s educational training system for new students to Vedic science, Danavir Goswami (Dr. Dane Holtzman) now broadens the scope to include college-level scholarship. ISKCON approves this long-needed seminarial development in the shape of Rupanuga Vedic College and envisages far-reaching achievement.”
Bir Krishna Goswami
ISKCON Governing Body Commission
Chairman (1999-2000)
“I am deeply convinced that the lessons offered through the RVC will enlighten students with spiritual knowledge. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Divine Truth which shines everywhere like the sun. These rays help all human beings perceive reality from illusion, spirit from matter and the eternal from the transitory.”
Dr. A.N. Singh
Lenexa, Kansas
