by Dubak Haris Son
SECTION THREE
Sadhana -- Authorized Principles of Spiritual Practice
sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina,
aikantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate
"Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas, and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." (A verse from Skanda Purana, cited by Srila Rupa Gosvami in Part 1, Chapter 2, Text 101 of his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, which Srila Prabhupada presents as the summary study Nectar of Devotion.)
The following principles of spiritual practice have been established by Srila Prabhupada and are recognized, accepted, and followed by the bona fide disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Disciples fixed in following this sadhana are true representatives of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Deviation from these principles causes schisms, fall-down from the path of pure Krishna consciousness, and disturbance in human society.
1) Offering Obeisances to Srila Prabhupada:
When devotees offer pranamas (obeisances) to Srila Prabhupada, they should do this clearly and audibly, with the following two prayers, or pranama mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
"One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master; or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances." (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 8)
2) Offering Standard Mantras for Puja and Kirtanas:
All kirtanas should begin with the above-mentioned pranama mantras to Srila Prabhupada, which may be followed by chanting "Jaya Prabhupada." The prema-dhvani (respectful obeisances at the end of kirtana) should be recited starting with pranamas to Srila Prabhupada and the predecessor acaryas, and continuing with the other standard, authorized pranamas taught by Srila Prabhupada.
3) Performing Deity Worship:
Deity worship in Hare Krishna temples must be performed exclusively by devotees who are Srila Prabhupada's initiated disciples. By his order, Srila Prabhupada's disciples and students must chant at least sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna malm-mantra on beads daily and must follow the four regulative principles of Vaisnava life—that is, no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, and no intoxication. The highest standard recommended by Srila Prabhupada is for disciples to rise by 4 a.m. The principle is to rise early for mangala-arati.
4) Worshiping the Authorized Disciplic Succession:
Guru-parampara-puja (worship of the authorized disciplic succession) is essential in Krishna conscious sadhana. Offerings should be directed first toward the picture of Srila Prabhupada and should proceed (moving rightward from the picture of Srila Prabhupada) to pictures of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, the Six Gosvamis, and the Panca-tattva—that is, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara, and Sri Srivasa Thakura. In other words, on the altar with Srila Prabhupada's picture may be only pictures of Deities and bona fide predecessor Vaisnava acaryas of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya.
maha-bhagavata-srestho brahmano vai guru nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih:
"The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class... When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 24.330, Purport, citing Padma Purana)
5) Worship Only Authorized Paintings and Photographs.
Only authorized paintings and photographs—that is, pictures of bona fide acaryas and also of Deities and Their pastimes-shall be placed on the temple altar or walls. Srila Prabhupada instructs that the disappearance day of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu may be honored with ceremonies (puspa-abhiseka) and feasting, as are the disappearance days of other recognized Vaisnava saints. (Srila Prabhupada never authorized demigod worship for his disciples or temples.)
6) Establish Only Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana in Temples and Centers.
As with Srila Prabhupada's daily guru-puja, Srila Prabhupada's vyasa-asana is a permanent feature in all Hare Krishna temples and centers. A floor seat (asana) shall be provided for speakers or those giving class on the sastras, Srila Prabhupada's authorized and approved pre-1978 book editions. This practice was personally approved by Srila Prabhupada. He never suggested that other arrangements should be made in the future.
7) Conduct Temple Programs Approved by Srila Prabhupada.
Only Srila Prabhupada's guru-puja and the worship of authorized Deities and predecessor Vaisnava acaryas, as mentioned above, can take place in the temple or any other place of Krishna conscious worship. Srila Prabhupada never authorized the worship of imperfect preachers, prophets, leaders, or demigods.
8) Celebrate Authorized Festivals.
All Hare Krishna temples must conduct ceremonies for proper observance of Srila Prabhupada's avirbhava-mahotsava (appearance festival) and tirobhava-mahotsava (disappearance festival). These auspicious days should be celebrated in a grand way, as far as possible. Similarly, the appearance and disappearance observances of the authorized predecessor Vaisnava acaryas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita Prabhu, other members of the Sri Panca-tattva and parsadas (associates of Sriman Mahaprabhu), Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, Sri Ramacandra, Sri Varaha, Sri Narasimha, Sri Vamana, and other avatars and bona fide, recognized Vaisnava saints should be celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm.
9) Method for Offering Food:
Offering of food, or bhoga, to the Deity shall be done by using the following mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine:
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet."
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desatarine:
"Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with voidism and impersonalism."
namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah:
"O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.53)
namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca
jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo namah:
"I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, who is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the living entities in general. I offer my repeated obeisances to Govinda, who is the pleasure reservoir for all the senses." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 13.77)
"You may say the prayer to the spiritual master three times, and also the namo brahmanya prayer three times, when offering prasadam. That is very nice, to say the mantra three times. Also, you may, after offering to the spiritual master, offer to Lord Caitanya by saying the prayer namo maha-vadanyaya three times, and then offer to Krishna thrice." (Letter, March 26,1968)
10) Carefully Study Books Authorized by Srila Prabhupada.
For personal study, readings, classes, and public distribution, accept only the authorized and approved pre-1978 editions of Srila Prabhupada's books. Serious students of Krishna consciousness should never accept unauthorized changes made to Srila Prabhupada's books by various editors.
"I have given you the process of disciplic succession... So in the parampara system, in that disciplic succession, you will find no change. The original word is there. That is the thing... If you want the real thing, then you have to take the old, the oldest. You cannot change anything." (Lecture, December 1, 1966, New York)
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna consciousness is explained fully, so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily, the knowledge will be revealed to you, and by this process, your spiritual life will develop." (Letter, November 22,1974)
11) Reject Unauthorized Successor "Acaryas" or "Diksa-Gurus".
Srila Prabhupada did not practice a system of nominating or approving successor acaryas or diksa-gurus. Nor did Srila Prabhupada authorize any person, group, or organization to nominate or approve successor acaryas or diksa-gurus. Nor did Srila Prabhupada indicate that one may appoint himself as diksa-guru or acarya simply by adopting the role or status. Such ideas are insidious concoctions, unsubstantiated anywhere in Srila Prabhupada's teachings or directives for sadhana.
"Caitanya Mahaprabhu—He is God. Guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan: 'My Guru Maharaja saw Me as fool number one, and he has chastised Me.' He's God. This is the example. If one remains a servant everlastingly of the guru, then he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he's a rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Guru more murkha dekhi'. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why is it He's posing Himself as that murkha?--'l am fool number one.' That means that is liberation. You must be ready always to be chastised by the guru. Then one is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that 'I am beyond this chastisement-I am liberated,' he's a rascal. Why does Caitanya Mahaprabhu say guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan? This is sahajiya-vada— thinking, 'Oh, I have become liberated. I don't require any direction of my guru. I'm liberated.' Then he's a rascal.
"Why did this Gaudiya Matha fail? Because they tried to become more than the guru. He—before passing away—he gave all direction and never said that 'This man should be the next acarya.' But these people—just after his passing away, they began to fight: 'Who shall be acarya?' That is the failure. They never thought, 'Why—Guru Maharaja gave us instruction on so many things—why did he not say that this man should be acarya?' They wanted to create artificially somebody as acarya, and everything failed.
"They did not consider even with common sense—that 'If Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point?' And they insisted upon it. They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man came. And then another — 'Acarya'.' Another — 'Acarya'! So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection. And as soon as he learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, 'Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.' Then he's finished." (Conversation, August 16,1976, Bombay)
Srila Prabhupada: "Only Lord Caitanya can take my place. He will take care of the movement." (Conversation, November 2, 1977, Vrndavana)
Guest: "When did you become the spiritual leader of Krishna consciousness?"
Srila Prabhupada: "When my Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the guru-parampara. Try to understand. Don't go very speedily. A guru can become a guru when he's ordered by his guru. That's all. Otherwise, nobody can become guru." (Conversation, October 28,1975, Nairobi)
12) Avoid Disobedient, Unauthorized Ideas about Spiritual Initiation.
Srila Prabhupada never suggested that immature preachers should pose as diksa-gurus and initiate their own disciples in the Krishna consciousness movement. Similarly, the practice of "reinitiating" devotees who have already earnestly begun serving Srila Prabhupada, having received the bhakti-lata-bija or seed of devotion by His Divine Grace (guru-krsna prasada), is against Vaisnava principles. Sincere students reject all these unauthorized practices and never accept imitators as substitutes for the genuine Vaisnava acarya. [Persons posing as sadhus or gurus often propagate the following deviations:
a) Vaisnava gurus or acaryas are authorized by ecclesiastical arrangements (acarya boards, two-thirds-majority votes, and so forth) or appointed from among immature devotees.
b) Vaisnava gurus are self-made or nominated by their friends or followers.
c) Vaisnava gurus are ordinary men who sometimes make common mistakes, and even great devotees (mahajanas) sometimes become degraded under the Lord's external maya-sakti.
d) The bona fide spiritual master may sometimes become a demon.
e) A disciple may need to neglect his Vaisnava guru sometimes, or interpret and edit his instructions, or even reject him completely.
f) Sadhana-bhaktas, neophyte Vaisnavas, may accept special instructions and special siddha-pranali "initiation" from an unauthorized, self-styled preacher if he claims to be augmenting the teachings of the bona fide Vaisnava acarya.
g) Vaisnavas, although sincerely engaged in the service of the bona fide acarya, require initiation by an ecclesiastical "guru" and "reinitiation" when their former ecclesiastical "guru" deviates.
h) A student of Krishna consciousness may accept initiation, diksa, from more than one guru,
i) Vaisnava acaryas die or become "posthumous," like all mortal men, and thus become inaccessible or ineffective in the matter of initiating and guiding new disciples,
j) Some of the instructions of the Vaisnava acarya automatically become irrelevant after his disappearance.
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, when thou art living still in sound." (From a poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.)
"There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down...." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 22.71, Purport)
"A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master, because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.35, Purport)
"Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.35, Purport)
"One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksa-vidhana. Lord Krishna states in Bhagavad-gita, vyapasrita: one should accept a spiritual master. By this process the entire world can be converted to Krishna consciousness." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.54, Purport)
13) Follow Srila Prabhupada's Authorized System for Initiations.
Srila Prabhupada has ordained and implemented a system for initiations in his mission using deputed priests of the acarya, who offer formal initiation on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. This system has been in place and functioning in the Krishna consciousness movement since 1970, or slightly prior. Srila Prabhupada never suggested it should be discontinued for any reason. To the contrary, via numerous spoken and written directives, Srila Prabhupada has clearly delineated his intention to continue initiating disciples in the Krishna consciousness movement by this system perpetually. Srila Prabhupada's sincere followers accept his system without speculation, following the infallible authority of sadhu-sastra-guru. (See Appendix: Conversations, May 28th and July 7th, 1977, Vrndavana; Srila Prabhupada's last directive on initiations, July 9,1977.)
"My dear R-, Please accept my blessings. Just now I have received some more requests for giving first initiation ..., and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such a long distance, and it has become a little bothersome for me also, so I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America K- is doing that. So now if there are two of you, that will give me great relief. K- will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that; you can chant on the beads for the European continent, new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they shall become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting." (Letter, January 4,1973)
Disciple 1: "Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you are no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted."
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes. I shall recommend some of you... I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas."
Disciple 2: "Is that called ritvik-acarya?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Ritvik. Yes." (Conversation, May 28,1977, Vrndavana) [See also: Conversation, July 7, 1977, Vrndavana; Srila Prabhupada's last directive on initiations, July 9,1977.]
Srila Prabhupada: "Hare Krishna. One Bengali gentleman has come from New York?... So I have deputed some of you to initiate. I have already deputed... So, deputies... J's name was there?"
Disciple: "It is already there, Srila Prabhupada. His name was already on that list [of deputies in the July 9th directive, stating Srila Prabhupada's authorized system for initiations 'henceforward']."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I depute him to do this... This initiation. I have deputed my disciples. Is it clear or not?" Disciple: "It's clear... We will explain to the Bengali gentleman, just as you have described to us, so that he'll be satisfied with this arrangement." (Conversation, October 18, 1977, Vrndavana)
14) "Knowledge Should Be Taken from the Perfect Person."
Only an uttama-adhikari, a topmost, perfect devotee, is qualified to deliver the student from the miseries of the material world and the cycle of birth and death. Therefore, all sastras and acaryas recommend that serious students of Krishna consciousness accept only an uttama-adhikari as diksa-guru. Students should not accept as guru an imperfect person who is subject to fall-down. Sincere devotees should not accept initiation according to temporal ecclesiastical arrangements but should rather accept only the topmost devotee as diksa-guru, according to the sadhana prescribed by Srila Prabhupada.
"The whole world is in the blaze of material pangs, threefold miseries, and a person who is authorized to deliver people from those material pangs —he is called a spiritual master." (Lecture, August 17,1968, Montreal)
"... help can only be given by a spiritual master like Krishna. Therefore, the conclusion is that a spiritual master who is one hundred percent Krishna conscious is the bona fide spiritual master, for he can solve the problems of life." (Bhagavad-gita 2.8, Purport)
"Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krishna Himself." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.58)
"A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord..." (Bhagavad-gita As It Is 4.42, Purport)
"The spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential associates of Radharani or a manifested representation of Sri Nityananda." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.46, Purport)
"On the whole, the spiritual master is an agent of Krishna. Either he is assistant to the gopis or assistant to the cowherd boys. He is on the level of Krishna. That is the verdict of all scriptures. Krishna is worshipable God, and the spiritual master is worshiper God." (Letter, September 26,1969)
"... a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master." (Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, Purport)
"Knowledge should be taken from the perfect person—because if you take knowledge from a person who is defective, your knowledge has no value. You must take knowledge from the perfect." (Lecture, April 12,1974, Bombay)
15) Practice and Preach Srila Prabhupada's Empowered Instructions.
Srila Prabhupada's bountiful vani (instructions) found in his authorized publications and in his recordings are fully potent for the practice and propagation of Krishna consciousness. Sincere students of Krishna consciousness regularly study Srila Prabhupada's books and recordings and live by his eternal, divine instructions.
"Whatever is to be learned can be learned from our books. There is no need whatsoever for outside instruction." (Letter, December 25,1973)
16) Associate With and Serve Srila Prabhupada's Sincere Disciples.
In sum, genuine preachers of Krishna consciousness always encourage and promote the association of Vaisnavas based upon recognition and relish of Srila Prabhupada's unique position as a nitya-siddha Vaisnava, sakty-avesa avatara, Sampradaya Acarya and beloved guru for all his sincere followers. As a matter of course, Krishna conscious devotees come together and preach on this basis, following Srila Prabhupada's instruction, "Always keep the Acarya in the center."
"I wish that each and every branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate, keeping the Acarya in the centre. On this principle we can open any number of branches all over the world." (Letter, February 11,1967)
17) Follow Srila Prabhupada's Format for Various Functions.
Members of the Hare Krishna Society naturally cooperate to arrange Vaisnava festivals on a regular basis and try to preach, according to individual capacity, following the format given by Srila Prabhupada, with the chanting of the Lord's holy names, readings and classes from the authorized and approved pre-1978 editions of Srila Prabhupada's books, discussions based on his Bhaktivedanta Purports, and prasada offered and distributed in the way Srila Prabhupada has shown us.
18) Encourage Open Discussions Among Sincere Devotees.
Srila Prabhupada always encourages istha-gosthi (public discussion) among devotees. Members of the Hare Krishna Society agree to encourage and promote istha-gosthi among ourselves and others, to discuss the proper conclusions of Vaisnavism and their practical application, based upon Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa
iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa:
"A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krishna." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 2.117)
19) Serve Srila Prabhupada, Cooperatively.
In conclusion, members of the Hare Krishna movement embrace the simple yet sublime Vaisnava principles of serving Srila Prabhupada—the Acarya—and working together to help him distribute the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya all over the universe.
"No one can check the spread of the Krishna consciousness movement, because upon this movement is the benediction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 17.204, Purport)
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido,
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani,
sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati:
"The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.25)
Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam! All Glories to Sri Krishna Sankirtana!
Om Tat Sat.
APPENDIX
This appendix is comprised of quotes and partial transcripts from Srila Prabhupada's letters and recordings, including his important final order regarding the system for initiations in his global mission [known at that time as the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)]. ISKCON was perfectly organized by Srila Prabhupada for establishing the mission of Krishna consciousness worldwide by the same formula perpetually. Original audio of Srila Prabhupada's conversations and copies of His letters, final will, and directives can be obtained by contacting the Hare Krishna Society "Prabhupada Center" in Los Angeles, California. [Note: Srila Prabhupada's final will, July, 1977, states that current and future trustees of ISKCON properties must be "my initiated disciple." ]
A partial list of temples, centers and friends of the Hare Krishna Society is at the end of this section.
Letter, January 4th, 1973
My dear R-, Please accept my blessings.
Just now I have received some more request for giving first initiation ... and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such long distance, and it has become a little bothersome for me also. So I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America K- is doing that. So now if there are two of you, that will give me great relief. K-will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that. You can chant on the beads for the European continent new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting. They may continue to send to me their letters of request, along with the President's recommendation, and I shall give them name and it will be entered by my Secretary in our record, only I will send my letter of reply to you and you will purchase beads there and chant them and send, along with my letter to the new initiates. Is that all right?
I shall continue to deal with the matter of second initiations. The sacred threads do not require so much postage to send airmail.
Conversation, Vrindavana, May 28th, 1977:
Devotee 1: "Then our next questions concerns initiations in the future, particularly at a time when you are no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted."
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas."
Devotee 2: "Is that called ritvik-acarya?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Ritvik, yes."
Conversation, Vrindavana, July 7th, 1977:
Prabhupada's Secretary: "Srila Prabhupada, we are receiving a number of letters now, and these are people who want to get initiated. So up to now, since you're becoming ill, we asked them to wait."
Srila Prabhupada: "The local men, the senior sannyasis can do that."
Secretary: "That's what we were doing. Formally, the local GBC (or) sannyasis were chanting on their beads, and they were writing to Your Divine Grace; and you were giving a spiritual name. So should that process be resumed, or should we... I mean, one thing is that it is said that the spiritual master takes on the... you know, he takes on the... he has to cleanse the disciple by... (taking the weight of the initiates' sinful reactions). So we don't want that you should have to uh...your health is not so good, so that's why we have been asking everybody to wait some more time."
Srila Prabhupada: "No. The senior sannyasis... You can give a list of names. I will mark who will... You can do. K- can do. And our S- can do. So these three, you can give, begin."
Secretary: "So supposing someone is in America, should they simply write directly to K- or S-?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Nearby. J- can give. B-. He can also do. H-. Five or six men, you decide, who is nearest."
Secretary: "Who is nearest. So persons wouldn't have to write to Your Divine Grace. They could write directly to that person?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Hm (Yes)."
Secretary: "Actually they are initiating that person on Your Divine Grace's behalf. They who are initiated are still your (disciples)...
Srila Prabhupada: "Hm (Yes). Second initiation. We shall think over second initiation."
Secretary: "Some devotees are writing you now for second initiation... they should..."
Srila Prabhupada: "They can be second initiated."
Secretary: "By writing you?
Srila Prabhupada: "No. These men." [He refers to the men he has designated for acting as His deputies (ritviks) in the matter of initiating new disciples.]
Srila Prabhupada's Final Order on Initiations, July 9th, 1977:
(By Srila Prabhupada's order. His secretary sent this directive to all ISKCON temples. The original letter was dictated, reviewed and signed by Srila Prabhupada.)
To All GBC and Temple Presidents
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrinda-vana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as "ritvik"- representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:
(List of eleven names.)
In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada, recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendations for first and second initiation to whichever of these representatives are nearest their Temple. After considering the recommendations, these representatives may accept the devotees as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple Presidents receive a letter from these representatives, giving a spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of the newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book.
Hoping this finds you all well.
Letter, July 11th, 1977
(From a letter sent on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, by His secretary.)
"A letter has been sent to all the Temple Presidents and GBC [the July 9th directive on initiations], which you should be receiving soon, describing the process of initiation to be followed in the FUTURE. Srila Prabhupada has appointed thus far eleven representatives who will initiate new devotees on HIS BEHALF. You can wait for this letter to arrive (the original has been sent to R- for duplicating) and then all the persons whom you recommended in your previous letters can be initiated."
Letter (Dictation), July 31st, 1977
(A quote from Srila Prabhupada, from a letter sent on His behalf.)
Srila Prabhupada: "Now you have a very good field. Now organize it and it will be a great credit. No one will disturb you there. Make your own field and continue to be ritvik and act on my behalf."
Conversation, Vrindavana, October 18th, 1977
Srila Prabhupada: "Hare Krishna. One Bengali gentlemen has come from New York?"
Secretary: "Yes. Mr. Sukamal Roy Chowdury."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?"
Secretary: "Yes. Actually... Yes, Srila Prabhupada."
Srila Prabhupada: "So, I think J- can do if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him."
Secretary: "Yes."
Srila Prabhupada: "So some deputies, J-'s name was there?"
Secretary: "It is already on there, Srila Prabhupada. His name is on that list."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I depute him to do this at Mayapur. And you may go with him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?"
Secretary: "It is clear."
Srila Prabhupada: "You have got the list of names?"
Secretary: "Yes."
Srila Prabhupada: "And if by Krishna's grace I recover from this condition, then I shall begin again, or I may not. Pressed in this condition, to initiate is not good."
A Message from the Hare Krishna Society:
The devotees of the Hare Krishna Society invite you to participate in reviving widespread interest in and obedience to Srila Prabhupada's transcendental mission. The sanga of Srila Prabhupada's disciples has been weakened and fragmented due, largely, to institutional corruption and misguided leadership. While some endeavor to reform institutions and their leaders. Hare Krishna Society devotees, following Srila Prabhupada's example, understand the wisdom of avoiding politics and endeavor instead to establish new positive programs for preaching Krishna consciousness worldwide. We hope this book will serve Srila Prabhupada's dedicated followers as a guiding document for preaching Krishna consciousness and establishing temples and communities of devotees all over the world.
The Hare Krishna Society aims to foster an alliance of like-minded devotees engaged in service to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder and beloved Acarya of the entire Krishna consciousness movement. The Hare Krishna Society is spiritually identical to the original International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which Srila Prabhupada painstakingly organized for the benefit of everyone in the world. The Hare Krishna Society aims to promote an atmosphere of love and trust, wherein devotees may cooperate to serve Lord Caitanya's glorious mission under the auspices of Srila Prabhupada's perfect guidance. We invite each of Srila Prabhupada's followers to use this book as a guide for teaching the principles of Krishna consciousness to devotees of Krishna all over the world. (Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta will soon be available in French and Spanish.)
Participation in the Hare Krishna Society may be performed in various ways:
1.) Association: Take part in local programs and associate with local members.
2.) Affiliation: Become an affiliated center or household by understanding and accepting the principles described in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta and by associating with other members of the Hare Krishna Society.
3.) Chapter: Become a Hare Krishna Temple by agreeing to accept the principles and practices outlined in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta and to associate and consult withdevotees of the Hare Krishna Society for the sake of cooperation through sincere practical efforts for organized public preaching.
Thank you for your association. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krishna Society centers and contacts:
Ashland, Oregon: 84 Pine St. 97520, (541) 482-8387 / Butte Falls, Oregon: 4510 Fish Lake Rd. 97522, (541) 865-7977 / Los Angeles, California: 3722 Delmas Terrace # 5, 90034, (310) 858-0572 (and) 3162 Hutchinson Ave., 90034 (310) 202-1814 (and) 3731 Watseka Ave. No. 1, 90034, (310) 559-4436 / Ludlow, Kentucky: 330 Elm St.. 41016 / Hilo, Hawaii: P.O. Box 11429, 96721, (808) 937-5486 / Montreal, Canada: Govinda Jaya Jaya Restaurant 263 Ave Duluth E, (514) 994-9647 / Negeri Sembilan, Malayasia: 02-03, Kompleks Kediaman Pendidikan 71010 Lukut, Port Dickson / New York, New York: Prabhupada Sankirtana Society (a.k.a. "the original ISKCON"), Contact His Holiness Kapindra Swami, 599 6th Ave, 10011. (212) GOD-8323 / Portland, Oregon: 18283 N.W. Chemeketa Lane, Unit B, 97229. (503) 702-8085 / Sedro Woolley, Washington (Seattle area): 8805 Harrison Road 98284, (360) 856-5411.
Europe: http://prabhupadanugas.eu/
Additional references regarding great Vaisnavas:
"Sometimes the ever-liberated personal associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends into this universe just as the Lord descends. Although working for the liberation of conditioned souls, the messenger of the Supreme Lord remains untouched by the external energy. Generally ever-liberated personalities live in the spiritual world as associates of Lord Krishna, and they are known as krsna-parisada, associates of the Lord. Their only business is enjoying Lord Krishna's company, and even though such eternally liberated persons come within this material world to serve the Lord's purpose, they enjoy Lord Krishna's company without stoppage." {Caitanya-caritamrta. Madhya 22.14-15. Purport)
"Srila Vasudeva Datta wanted to completely relieve the conditioned souls from material existence so they would no longer have an opportunity to commit sinful acts. This is the significant difference between Vasudeva Datta and Lord Jesus Christ. It is a great offense to receive pardon for sins and then commit the same sinful activity again. Such an offense is more dangerous than the sinful activity itself. Vasudeva Datta was so liberal that he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to transfer all offensive activity upon him so the conditioned souls would be purified and go back home, back to Godhead...
"Vasudeva Datta's example is unique not only within this world but within the universe. It is beyond the conception of fruitive actors or the speculation of mundane philosophers... The mayavadis and karmis should therefore turn their attention to the magnanimous Vasudeva Datta. who wanted to suffer for others in a hellish condition... He was the most exalted personality to ever show mercy to the conditioned souls. This in not an exaggeration of his transcendental qualities. It is perfectly true. Actually, there cannot be any comparison to Vasudeva Datta... The entire world is purified simply by the appearance of such a great devotee. Indeed, by his transcendental presence the whole world is glorified and all conditioned souls are also glorified...
"Such a devotee, engaging in the deliverance of the total population, is as magnanimous as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, (namo maha-vandanyaya krsna-prema-pradayate, krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah). Such a personality factually represents Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because his heart is always filled with compassion for all conditioned souls." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 15.163, Purport).
"A nitya-siddha devotee comes from Vaikuntha upon the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and shows by his example how to become a pure devotee (anyabhilasita-sunyam)... A pure devotee, therefore, is a practical example for all living entities, including Lord Brahma." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.10.3, Purport)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy, who deliver devotional service enriched with conjugal love of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Srila Rupa Gosvami." (Srila Bhakisiddhanta Sarasvati Pranati, Verse 3)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Srila Gaurakisora das Babaji Maharaja, who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Krishna." (Srila Gaurakisora Pranati, Verse 1)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is the transcendental energy ofi Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami." (Srila Bhaktivinoda Pranati, Verse 1)
"I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional manifestation, devotional incarnation, pure devotee, and devotional energy." (Sri Panca-tattva Pranama)
Sadhana -- Authorized Principles of Spiritual Practice
sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina,
aikantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate
"Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanisads, Puranas, and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." (A verse from Skanda Purana, cited by Srila Rupa Gosvami in Part 1, Chapter 2, Text 101 of his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, which Srila Prabhupada presents as the summary study Nectar of Devotion.)
The following principles of spiritual practice have been established by Srila Prabhupada and are recognized, accepted, and followed by the bona fide disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Disciples fixed in following this sadhana are true representatives of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Deviation from these principles causes schisms, fall-down from the path of pure Krishna consciousness, and disturbance in human society.
1) Offering Obeisances to Srila Prabhupada:
When devotees offer pranamas (obeisances) to Srila Prabhupada, they should do this clearly and audibly, with the following two prayers, or pranama mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
"One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master; or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances." (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 8)
2) Offering Standard Mantras for Puja and Kirtanas:
All kirtanas should begin with the above-mentioned pranama mantras to Srila Prabhupada, which may be followed by chanting "Jaya Prabhupada." The prema-dhvani (respectful obeisances at the end of kirtana) should be recited starting with pranamas to Srila Prabhupada and the predecessor acaryas, and continuing with the other standard, authorized pranamas taught by Srila Prabhupada.
3) Performing Deity Worship:
Deity worship in Hare Krishna temples must be performed exclusively by devotees who are Srila Prabhupada's initiated disciples. By his order, Srila Prabhupada's disciples and students must chant at least sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna malm-mantra on beads daily and must follow the four regulative principles of Vaisnava life—that is, no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, and no intoxication. The highest standard recommended by Srila Prabhupada is for disciples to rise by 4 a.m. The principle is to rise early for mangala-arati.
4) Worshiping the Authorized Disciplic Succession:
Guru-parampara-puja (worship of the authorized disciplic succession) is essential in Krishna conscious sadhana. Offerings should be directed first toward the picture of Srila Prabhupada and should proceed (moving rightward from the picture of Srila Prabhupada) to pictures of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, the Six Gosvamis, and the Panca-tattva—that is, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara, and Sri Srivasa Thakura. In other words, on the altar with Srila Prabhupada's picture may be only pictures of Deities and bona fide predecessor Vaisnava acaryas of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya.
maha-bhagavata-srestho brahmano vai guru nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih:
"The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class... When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 24.330, Purport, citing Padma Purana)
5) Worship Only Authorized Paintings and Photographs.
Only authorized paintings and photographs—that is, pictures of bona fide acaryas and also of Deities and Their pastimes-shall be placed on the temple altar or walls. Srila Prabhupada instructs that the disappearance day of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu may be honored with ceremonies (puspa-abhiseka) and feasting, as are the disappearance days of other recognized Vaisnava saints. (Srila Prabhupada never authorized demigod worship for his disciples or temples.)
6) Establish Only Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana in Temples and Centers.
As with Srila Prabhupada's daily guru-puja, Srila Prabhupada's vyasa-asana is a permanent feature in all Hare Krishna temples and centers. A floor seat (asana) shall be provided for speakers or those giving class on the sastras, Srila Prabhupada's authorized and approved pre-1978 book editions. This practice was personally approved by Srila Prabhupada. He never suggested that other arrangements should be made in the future.
7) Conduct Temple Programs Approved by Srila Prabhupada.
Only Srila Prabhupada's guru-puja and the worship of authorized Deities and predecessor Vaisnava acaryas, as mentioned above, can take place in the temple or any other place of Krishna conscious worship. Srila Prabhupada never authorized the worship of imperfect preachers, prophets, leaders, or demigods.
8) Celebrate Authorized Festivals.
All Hare Krishna temples must conduct ceremonies for proper observance of Srila Prabhupada's avirbhava-mahotsava (appearance festival) and tirobhava-mahotsava (disappearance festival). These auspicious days should be celebrated in a grand way, as far as possible. Similarly, the appearance and disappearance observances of the authorized predecessor Vaisnava acaryas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita Prabhu, other members of the Sri Panca-tattva and parsadas (associates of Sriman Mahaprabhu), Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani, Sri Ramacandra, Sri Varaha, Sri Narasimha, Sri Vamana, and other avatars and bona fide, recognized Vaisnava saints should be celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm.
9) Method for Offering Food:
Offering of food, or bhoga, to the Deity shall be done by using the following mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine:
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet."
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desatarine:
"Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with voidism and impersonalism."
namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah:
"O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.53)
namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca
jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo namah:
"I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, who is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the living entities in general. I offer my repeated obeisances to Govinda, who is the pleasure reservoir for all the senses." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 13.77)
"You may say the prayer to the spiritual master three times, and also the namo brahmanya prayer three times, when offering prasadam. That is very nice, to say the mantra three times. Also, you may, after offering to the spiritual master, offer to Lord Caitanya by saying the prayer namo maha-vadanyaya three times, and then offer to Krishna thrice." (Letter, March 26,1968)
10) Carefully Study Books Authorized by Srila Prabhupada.
For personal study, readings, classes, and public distribution, accept only the authorized and approved pre-1978 editions of Srila Prabhupada's books. Serious students of Krishna consciousness should never accept unauthorized changes made to Srila Prabhupada's books by various editors.
"I have given you the process of disciplic succession... So in the parampara system, in that disciplic succession, you will find no change. The original word is there. That is the thing... If you want the real thing, then you have to take the old, the oldest. You cannot change anything." (Lecture, December 1, 1966, New York)
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna consciousness is explained fully, so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily, the knowledge will be revealed to you, and by this process, your spiritual life will develop." (Letter, November 22,1974)
11) Reject Unauthorized Successor "Acaryas" or "Diksa-Gurus".
Srila Prabhupada did not practice a system of nominating or approving successor acaryas or diksa-gurus. Nor did Srila Prabhupada authorize any person, group, or organization to nominate or approve successor acaryas or diksa-gurus. Nor did Srila Prabhupada indicate that one may appoint himself as diksa-guru or acarya simply by adopting the role or status. Such ideas are insidious concoctions, unsubstantiated anywhere in Srila Prabhupada's teachings or directives for sadhana.
"Caitanya Mahaprabhu—He is God. Guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan: 'My Guru Maharaja saw Me as fool number one, and he has chastised Me.' He's God. This is the example. If one remains a servant everlastingly of the guru, then he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he's a rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Guru more murkha dekhi'. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why is it He's posing Himself as that murkha?--'l am fool number one.' That means that is liberation. You must be ready always to be chastised by the guru. Then one is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that 'I am beyond this chastisement-I am liberated,' he's a rascal. Why does Caitanya Mahaprabhu say guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan? This is sahajiya-vada— thinking, 'Oh, I have become liberated. I don't require any direction of my guru. I'm liberated.' Then he's a rascal.
"Why did this Gaudiya Matha fail? Because they tried to become more than the guru. He—before passing away—he gave all direction and never said that 'This man should be the next acarya.' But these people—just after his passing away, they began to fight: 'Who shall be acarya?' That is the failure. They never thought, 'Why—Guru Maharaja gave us instruction on so many things—why did he not say that this man should be acarya?' They wanted to create artificially somebody as acarya, and everything failed.
"They did not consider even with common sense—that 'If Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point?' And they insisted upon it. They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man came. And then another — 'Acarya'.' Another — 'Acarya'! So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection. And as soon as he learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, 'Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.' Then he's finished." (Conversation, August 16,1976, Bombay)
Srila Prabhupada: "Only Lord Caitanya can take my place. He will take care of the movement." (Conversation, November 2, 1977, Vrndavana)
Guest: "When did you become the spiritual leader of Krishna consciousness?"
Srila Prabhupada: "When my Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the guru-parampara. Try to understand. Don't go very speedily. A guru can become a guru when he's ordered by his guru. That's all. Otherwise, nobody can become guru." (Conversation, October 28,1975, Nairobi)
12) Avoid Disobedient, Unauthorized Ideas about Spiritual Initiation.
Srila Prabhupada never suggested that immature preachers should pose as diksa-gurus and initiate their own disciples in the Krishna consciousness movement. Similarly, the practice of "reinitiating" devotees who have already earnestly begun serving Srila Prabhupada, having received the bhakti-lata-bija or seed of devotion by His Divine Grace (guru-krsna prasada), is against Vaisnava principles. Sincere students reject all these unauthorized practices and never accept imitators as substitutes for the genuine Vaisnava acarya. [Persons posing as sadhus or gurus often propagate the following deviations:
a) Vaisnava gurus or acaryas are authorized by ecclesiastical arrangements (acarya boards, two-thirds-majority votes, and so forth) or appointed from among immature devotees.
b) Vaisnava gurus are self-made or nominated by their friends or followers.
c) Vaisnava gurus are ordinary men who sometimes make common mistakes, and even great devotees (mahajanas) sometimes become degraded under the Lord's external maya-sakti.
d) The bona fide spiritual master may sometimes become a demon.
e) A disciple may need to neglect his Vaisnava guru sometimes, or interpret and edit his instructions, or even reject him completely.
f) Sadhana-bhaktas, neophyte Vaisnavas, may accept special instructions and special siddha-pranali "initiation" from an unauthorized, self-styled preacher if he claims to be augmenting the teachings of the bona fide Vaisnava acarya.
g) Vaisnavas, although sincerely engaged in the service of the bona fide acarya, require initiation by an ecclesiastical "guru" and "reinitiation" when their former ecclesiastical "guru" deviates.
h) A student of Krishna consciousness may accept initiation, diksa, from more than one guru,
i) Vaisnava acaryas die or become "posthumous," like all mortal men, and thus become inaccessible or ineffective in the matter of initiating and guiding new disciples,
j) Some of the instructions of the Vaisnava acarya automatically become irrelevant after his disappearance.
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, when thou art living still in sound." (From a poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.)
"There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down...." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 22.71, Purport)
"A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master, because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.35, Purport)
"Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.35, Purport)
"One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksa-vidhana. Lord Krishna states in Bhagavad-gita, vyapasrita: one should accept a spiritual master. By this process the entire world can be converted to Krishna consciousness." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.54, Purport)
13) Follow Srila Prabhupada's Authorized System for Initiations.
Srila Prabhupada has ordained and implemented a system for initiations in his mission using deputed priests of the acarya, who offer formal initiation on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. This system has been in place and functioning in the Krishna consciousness movement since 1970, or slightly prior. Srila Prabhupada never suggested it should be discontinued for any reason. To the contrary, via numerous spoken and written directives, Srila Prabhupada has clearly delineated his intention to continue initiating disciples in the Krishna consciousness movement by this system perpetually. Srila Prabhupada's sincere followers accept his system without speculation, following the infallible authority of sadhu-sastra-guru. (See Appendix: Conversations, May 28th and July 7th, 1977, Vrndavana; Srila Prabhupada's last directive on initiations, July 9,1977.)
"My dear R-, Please accept my blessings. Just now I have received some more requests for giving first initiation ..., and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such a long distance, and it has become a little bothersome for me also, so I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America K- is doing that. So now if there are two of you, that will give me great relief. K- will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that; you can chant on the beads for the European continent, new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they shall become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting." (Letter, January 4,1973)
Disciple 1: "Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you are no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted."
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes. I shall recommend some of you... I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas."
Disciple 2: "Is that called ritvik-acarya?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Ritvik. Yes." (Conversation, May 28,1977, Vrndavana) [See also: Conversation, July 7, 1977, Vrndavana; Srila Prabhupada's last directive on initiations, July 9,1977.]
Srila Prabhupada: "Hare Krishna. One Bengali gentleman has come from New York?... So I have deputed some of you to initiate. I have already deputed... So, deputies... J's name was there?"
Disciple: "It is already there, Srila Prabhupada. His name was already on that list [of deputies in the July 9th directive, stating Srila Prabhupada's authorized system for initiations 'henceforward']."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I depute him to do this... This initiation. I have deputed my disciples. Is it clear or not?" Disciple: "It's clear... We will explain to the Bengali gentleman, just as you have described to us, so that he'll be satisfied with this arrangement." (Conversation, October 18, 1977, Vrndavana)
14) "Knowledge Should Be Taken from the Perfect Person."
Only an uttama-adhikari, a topmost, perfect devotee, is qualified to deliver the student from the miseries of the material world and the cycle of birth and death. Therefore, all sastras and acaryas recommend that serious students of Krishna consciousness accept only an uttama-adhikari as diksa-guru. Students should not accept as guru an imperfect person who is subject to fall-down. Sincere devotees should not accept initiation according to temporal ecclesiastical arrangements but should rather accept only the topmost devotee as diksa-guru, according to the sadhana prescribed by Srila Prabhupada.
"The whole world is in the blaze of material pangs, threefold miseries, and a person who is authorized to deliver people from those material pangs —he is called a spiritual master." (Lecture, August 17,1968, Montreal)
"... help can only be given by a spiritual master like Krishna. Therefore, the conclusion is that a spiritual master who is one hundred percent Krishna conscious is the bona fide spiritual master, for he can solve the problems of life." (Bhagavad-gita 2.8, Purport)
"Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krishna Himself." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.58)
"A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord..." (Bhagavad-gita As It Is 4.42, Purport)
"The spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential associates of Radharani or a manifested representation of Sri Nityananda." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.46, Purport)
"On the whole, the spiritual master is an agent of Krishna. Either he is assistant to the gopis or assistant to the cowherd boys. He is on the level of Krishna. That is the verdict of all scriptures. Krishna is worshipable God, and the spiritual master is worshiper God." (Letter, September 26,1969)
"... a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master." (Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, Purport)
"Knowledge should be taken from the perfect person—because if you take knowledge from a person who is defective, your knowledge has no value. You must take knowledge from the perfect." (Lecture, April 12,1974, Bombay)
15) Practice and Preach Srila Prabhupada's Empowered Instructions.
Srila Prabhupada's bountiful vani (instructions) found in his authorized publications and in his recordings are fully potent for the practice and propagation of Krishna consciousness. Sincere students of Krishna consciousness regularly study Srila Prabhupada's books and recordings and live by his eternal, divine instructions.
"Whatever is to be learned can be learned from our books. There is no need whatsoever for outside instruction." (Letter, December 25,1973)
16) Associate With and Serve Srila Prabhupada's Sincere Disciples.
In sum, genuine preachers of Krishna consciousness always encourage and promote the association of Vaisnavas based upon recognition and relish of Srila Prabhupada's unique position as a nitya-siddha Vaisnava, sakty-avesa avatara, Sampradaya Acarya and beloved guru for all his sincere followers. As a matter of course, Krishna conscious devotees come together and preach on this basis, following Srila Prabhupada's instruction, "Always keep the Acarya in the center."
"I wish that each and every branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate, keeping the Acarya in the centre. On this principle we can open any number of branches all over the world." (Letter, February 11,1967)
17) Follow Srila Prabhupada's Format for Various Functions.
Members of the Hare Krishna Society naturally cooperate to arrange Vaisnava festivals on a regular basis and try to preach, according to individual capacity, following the format given by Srila Prabhupada, with the chanting of the Lord's holy names, readings and classes from the authorized and approved pre-1978 editions of Srila Prabhupada's books, discussions based on his Bhaktivedanta Purports, and prasada offered and distributed in the way Srila Prabhupada has shown us.
18) Encourage Open Discussions Among Sincere Devotees.
Srila Prabhupada always encourages istha-gosthi (public discussion) among devotees. Members of the Hare Krishna Society agree to encourage and promote istha-gosthi among ourselves and others, to discuss the proper conclusions of Vaisnavism and their practical application, based upon Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa
iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa:
"A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krishna." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 2.117)
19) Serve Srila Prabhupada, Cooperatively.
In conclusion, members of the Hare Krishna movement embrace the simple yet sublime Vaisnava principles of serving Srila Prabhupada—the Acarya—and working together to help him distribute the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya all over the universe.
"No one can check the spread of the Krishna consciousness movement, because upon this movement is the benediction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 17.204, Purport)
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido,
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani,
sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati:
"The spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in due course develops into attraction and devotion." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.25)
Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam! All Glories to Sri Krishna Sankirtana!
Om Tat Sat.
APPENDIX
This appendix is comprised of quotes and partial transcripts from Srila Prabhupada's letters and recordings, including his important final order regarding the system for initiations in his global mission [known at that time as the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)]. ISKCON was perfectly organized by Srila Prabhupada for establishing the mission of Krishna consciousness worldwide by the same formula perpetually. Original audio of Srila Prabhupada's conversations and copies of His letters, final will, and directives can be obtained by contacting the Hare Krishna Society "Prabhupada Center" in Los Angeles, California. [Note: Srila Prabhupada's final will, July, 1977, states that current and future trustees of ISKCON properties must be "my initiated disciple." ]
A partial list of temples, centers and friends of the Hare Krishna Society is at the end of this section.
Letter, January 4th, 1973
My dear R-, Please accept my blessings.
Just now I have received some more request for giving first initiation ... and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such long distance, and it has become a little bothersome for me also. So I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America K- is doing that. So now if there are two of you, that will give me great relief. K-will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that. You can chant on the beads for the European continent new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting. They may continue to send to me their letters of request, along with the President's recommendation, and I shall give them name and it will be entered by my Secretary in our record, only I will send my letter of reply to you and you will purchase beads there and chant them and send, along with my letter to the new initiates. Is that all right?
I shall continue to deal with the matter of second initiations. The sacred threads do not require so much postage to send airmail.
Conversation, Vrindavana, May 28th, 1977:
Devotee 1: "Then our next questions concerns initiations in the future, particularly at a time when you are no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted."
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas."
Devotee 2: "Is that called ritvik-acarya?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Ritvik, yes."
Conversation, Vrindavana, July 7th, 1977:
Prabhupada's Secretary: "Srila Prabhupada, we are receiving a number of letters now, and these are people who want to get initiated. So up to now, since you're becoming ill, we asked them to wait."
Srila Prabhupada: "The local men, the senior sannyasis can do that."
Secretary: "That's what we were doing. Formally, the local GBC (or) sannyasis were chanting on their beads, and they were writing to Your Divine Grace; and you were giving a spiritual name. So should that process be resumed, or should we... I mean, one thing is that it is said that the spiritual master takes on the... you know, he takes on the... he has to cleanse the disciple by... (taking the weight of the initiates' sinful reactions). So we don't want that you should have to uh...your health is not so good, so that's why we have been asking everybody to wait some more time."
Srila Prabhupada: "No. The senior sannyasis... You can give a list of names. I will mark who will... You can do. K- can do. And our S- can do. So these three, you can give, begin."
Secretary: "So supposing someone is in America, should they simply write directly to K- or S-?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Nearby. J- can give. B-. He can also do. H-. Five or six men, you decide, who is nearest."
Secretary: "Who is nearest. So persons wouldn't have to write to Your Divine Grace. They could write directly to that person?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Hm (Yes)."
Secretary: "Actually they are initiating that person on Your Divine Grace's behalf. They who are initiated are still your (disciples)...
Srila Prabhupada: "Hm (Yes). Second initiation. We shall think over second initiation."
Secretary: "Some devotees are writing you now for second initiation... they should..."
Srila Prabhupada: "They can be second initiated."
Secretary: "By writing you?
Srila Prabhupada: "No. These men." [He refers to the men he has designated for acting as His deputies (ritviks) in the matter of initiating new disciples.]
Srila Prabhupada's Final Order on Initiations, July 9th, 1977:
(By Srila Prabhupada's order. His secretary sent this directive to all ISKCON temples. The original letter was dictated, reviewed and signed by Srila Prabhupada.)
To All GBC and Temple Presidents
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrinda-vana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as "ritvik"- representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:
(List of eleven names.)
In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada, recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendations for first and second initiation to whichever of these representatives are nearest their Temple. After considering the recommendations, these representatives may accept the devotees as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada; the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple Presidents receive a letter from these representatives, giving a spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of the newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book.
Hoping this finds you all well.
Letter, July 11th, 1977
(From a letter sent on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, by His secretary.)
"A letter has been sent to all the Temple Presidents and GBC [the July 9th directive on initiations], which you should be receiving soon, describing the process of initiation to be followed in the FUTURE. Srila Prabhupada has appointed thus far eleven representatives who will initiate new devotees on HIS BEHALF. You can wait for this letter to arrive (the original has been sent to R- for duplicating) and then all the persons whom you recommended in your previous letters can be initiated."
Letter (Dictation), July 31st, 1977
(A quote from Srila Prabhupada, from a letter sent on His behalf.)
Srila Prabhupada: "Now you have a very good field. Now organize it and it will be a great credit. No one will disturb you there. Make your own field and continue to be ritvik and act on my behalf."
Conversation, Vrindavana, October 18th, 1977
Srila Prabhupada: "Hare Krishna. One Bengali gentlemen has come from New York?"
Secretary: "Yes. Mr. Sukamal Roy Chowdury."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?"
Secretary: "Yes. Actually... Yes, Srila Prabhupada."
Srila Prabhupada: "So, I think J- can do if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him."
Secretary: "Yes."
Srila Prabhupada: "So some deputies, J-'s name was there?"
Secretary: "It is already on there, Srila Prabhupada. His name is on that list."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I depute him to do this at Mayapur. And you may go with him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?"
Secretary: "It is clear."
Srila Prabhupada: "You have got the list of names?"
Secretary: "Yes."
Srila Prabhupada: "And if by Krishna's grace I recover from this condition, then I shall begin again, or I may not. Pressed in this condition, to initiate is not good."
A Message from the Hare Krishna Society:
The devotees of the Hare Krishna Society invite you to participate in reviving widespread interest in and obedience to Srila Prabhupada's transcendental mission. The sanga of Srila Prabhupada's disciples has been weakened and fragmented due, largely, to institutional corruption and misguided leadership. While some endeavor to reform institutions and their leaders. Hare Krishna Society devotees, following Srila Prabhupada's example, understand the wisdom of avoiding politics and endeavor instead to establish new positive programs for preaching Krishna consciousness worldwide. We hope this book will serve Srila Prabhupada's dedicated followers as a guiding document for preaching Krishna consciousness and establishing temples and communities of devotees all over the world.
The Hare Krishna Society aims to foster an alliance of like-minded devotees engaged in service to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder and beloved Acarya of the entire Krishna consciousness movement. The Hare Krishna Society is spiritually identical to the original International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which Srila Prabhupada painstakingly organized for the benefit of everyone in the world. The Hare Krishna Society aims to promote an atmosphere of love and trust, wherein devotees may cooperate to serve Lord Caitanya's glorious mission under the auspices of Srila Prabhupada's perfect guidance. We invite each of Srila Prabhupada's followers to use this book as a guide for teaching the principles of Krishna consciousness to devotees of Krishna all over the world. (Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta will soon be available in French and Spanish.)
Participation in the Hare Krishna Society may be performed in various ways:
1.) Association: Take part in local programs and associate with local members.
2.) Affiliation: Become an affiliated center or household by understanding and accepting the principles described in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta and by associating with other members of the Hare Krishna Society.
3.) Chapter: Become a Hare Krishna Temple by agreeing to accept the principles and practices outlined in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta and to associate and consult withdevotees of the Hare Krishna Society for the sake of cooperation through sincere practical efforts for organized public preaching.
Thank you for your association. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krishna Society centers and contacts:
Ashland, Oregon: 84 Pine St. 97520, (541) 482-8387 / Butte Falls, Oregon: 4510 Fish Lake Rd. 97522, (541) 865-7977 / Los Angeles, California: 3722 Delmas Terrace # 5, 90034, (310) 858-0572 (and) 3162 Hutchinson Ave., 90034 (310) 202-1814 (and) 3731 Watseka Ave. No. 1, 90034, (310) 559-4436 / Ludlow, Kentucky: 330 Elm St.. 41016 / Hilo, Hawaii: P.O. Box 11429, 96721, (808) 937-5486 / Montreal, Canada: Govinda Jaya Jaya Restaurant 263 Ave Duluth E, (514) 994-9647 / Negeri Sembilan, Malayasia: 02-03, Kompleks Kediaman Pendidikan 71010 Lukut, Port Dickson / New York, New York: Prabhupada Sankirtana Society (a.k.a. "the original ISKCON"), Contact His Holiness Kapindra Swami, 599 6th Ave, 10011. (212) GOD-8323 / Portland, Oregon: 18283 N.W. Chemeketa Lane, Unit B, 97229. (503) 702-8085 / Sedro Woolley, Washington (Seattle area): 8805 Harrison Road 98284, (360) 856-5411.
Europe: http://prabhupadanugas.eu/
Additional references regarding great Vaisnavas:
"Sometimes the ever-liberated personal associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends into this universe just as the Lord descends. Although working for the liberation of conditioned souls, the messenger of the Supreme Lord remains untouched by the external energy. Generally ever-liberated personalities live in the spiritual world as associates of Lord Krishna, and they are known as krsna-parisada, associates of the Lord. Their only business is enjoying Lord Krishna's company, and even though such eternally liberated persons come within this material world to serve the Lord's purpose, they enjoy Lord Krishna's company without stoppage." {Caitanya-caritamrta. Madhya 22.14-15. Purport)
"Srila Vasudeva Datta wanted to completely relieve the conditioned souls from material existence so they would no longer have an opportunity to commit sinful acts. This is the significant difference between Vasudeva Datta and Lord Jesus Christ. It is a great offense to receive pardon for sins and then commit the same sinful activity again. Such an offense is more dangerous than the sinful activity itself. Vasudeva Datta was so liberal that he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to transfer all offensive activity upon him so the conditioned souls would be purified and go back home, back to Godhead...
"Vasudeva Datta's example is unique not only within this world but within the universe. It is beyond the conception of fruitive actors or the speculation of mundane philosophers... The mayavadis and karmis should therefore turn their attention to the magnanimous Vasudeva Datta. who wanted to suffer for others in a hellish condition... He was the most exalted personality to ever show mercy to the conditioned souls. This in not an exaggeration of his transcendental qualities. It is perfectly true. Actually, there cannot be any comparison to Vasudeva Datta... The entire world is purified simply by the appearance of such a great devotee. Indeed, by his transcendental presence the whole world is glorified and all conditioned souls are also glorified...
"Such a devotee, engaging in the deliverance of the total population, is as magnanimous as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, (namo maha-vandanyaya krsna-prema-pradayate, krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah). Such a personality factually represents Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because his heart is always filled with compassion for all conditioned souls." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 15.163, Purport).
"A nitya-siddha devotee comes from Vaikuntha upon the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and shows by his example how to become a pure devotee (anyabhilasita-sunyam)... A pure devotee, therefore, is a practical example for all living entities, including Lord Brahma." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.10.3, Purport)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy, who deliver devotional service enriched with conjugal love of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Srila Rupa Gosvami." (Srila Bhakisiddhanta Sarasvati Pranati, Verse 3)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Srila Gaurakisora das Babaji Maharaja, who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Krishna." (Srila Gaurakisora Pranati, Verse 1)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is the transcendental energy ofi Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami." (Srila Bhaktivinoda Pranati, Verse 1)
"I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional manifestation, devotional incarnation, pure devotee, and devotional energy." (Sri Panca-tattva Pranama)
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