How do You Become an ISKCON Sannyasi???

krsna · 07-01-2008, 04:04 AM

Inside ISKCON

How do You Become an ISKCON Sannyasi?

By ISKCON News Staff on 1 Jul 2008

Vaisnava culture emphasises renunciation therefore ISKCON has many people who have accepted a role as a sanyasa, or traveling monk. However, in the past many aspirants have had difficulty maintaining their vows which created controversy and scandal. ISKCON responded to the issue by developing a system by which we can better ensure the maturity and qualification of candidates.
ISKCON News approached Prahladananda Swami, GBC minister of sannyasa, to help clarify the system by which an ISKCON member can take sannyasa.

If you've spent much time in or around ISKCON or other Gaudiya Vaishnava communities, you'll be somewhat familiar with sannyasis. But what is the essence of being a sannyasi, and how does one become one?

According to one verse in the ancient scripture Bhagavad-gita, a sannyasi is someone who has completely dedicated his activities – for the service of God for His satisfaction without any material desire. Of course, by that definition, any advanced Krishna devotee could be considered a sannyasi. Still, those who have taken a vow of complete celibacy and are fully engaged in spreading Krishna consciousness are given special honor because of their practical renunciation.

So can just anyone who decides they're disgusted with family life, desires some special honor as well as free plane tickets around the world become an ISKCON sannyasi?

Nope. Unfortunately for you, if that's your plan, your intention must be far purer and deeper. In the purport to Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya-lila 3.6, ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada writes:

"If one accepts the sannyasa order, his main business is to devote his life completely to the service of Mukunda, Krishna. If one does not completely devote his mind and body to the service of the Lord, he does not actually become a sannyasi. It is not simply a matter of changing dress."

It's pretty clear that Srila Prabhupada, following the example of previous Vaishnava leaders, wanted ISKCON devotees to accept sannyasa only if they had the highest spiritual qualifications.

And that's where the GBC Ministry for Sannyasa Services comes in. "Every year, at the GBC General Meeting in Mayapur, we systematically assess sannyasa candidates and give recommendations to the GBC Body," says International Sannyasa Minister Prahladananda Swami. "This assessment process for sannyasa candidates, as well as the training that follows, seems to have significantly improved the quality of the sannyasa ashrama in ISKCON."
First off, every sannyasa candidate must have a sponsor, usually a senior devotee in their location. The sponsor must hand in an initial report of the candidate's qualifications according to the GBC Rules of Order, "The Qualifications for Sannyasa."

Then the candidates being assessed must fill in a thorough application form which includes:
1. Age of the candidate.
2. Data necessary to do an astrological analysis.
3. Marital status.
4. If previously married, information when separated or divorced from the wife, including legal separation or divorce papers. How are the former wife and children maintained? When applicable, written statement by the wife that she is in agreement that her former husband is taking sannyasa.
5. Scriptural tests passed. Passing the Bhakti Sastri exam is a minimum qualification to apply for becoming a sannyasa candidate.
6. Service within ISKCON. Preaching experience and future preaching plans. Past responsible positions held within ISKCON.
7. A letter with a resume detailing the devotee's devotional career in or outside of ISKCON.
8. A letter explaining the devotee's reasons for wanting to take sannyasa.
9. Information about any possible criminal record.
10. Information about their opinions on certain controversial subjects.
11. Signed oath of loyalty to ISKCON.
12. A letter of endorsement from the local GBC and managerial body.
13. Names of 10 senior ISKCON devotees (i.e. sannyasis, GBC's temple presidents etc.) who can give an assessment of the devotee's qualifications to take sannyasa.
14. Names of 5 senior devotees who you trust can act as your mentors and give the Sannyasa Ministry feedback as to the devotee's preaching and devotional advancement.
15. An affirmation by the devotee that he is willing to travel and preach in areas designated by the Sannyasa Ministry and the GBC Executive Committee for one to two months a year.

"When the candidate hands in this application, we review it, and interview them, as well as others who are familiar with the candidate and his qualifications and devotional history
and when applicable make a recommendation to the GBC Body," says Prahladananda Swami.

"Of course, if you're accepted, that doesn't mean you take sannyasa immediately! Instead you're put on a waiting list for different amounts of time according to what age you are and other factors - at 45, the wait is three years, at 40, it's four years, and at 35, five years."
This seems to indicate that the GBC would rather sannyasa candidates are at a reasonably mature age, and have experienced family life for long enough to genuinely be able to renounce it.

Any requirements for being placed on the sannyasa waiting list or being accepted as eligible for taking initiation in the sannyasa ashrama can be waived, but only in exceptional cases and by a vote of at least 4/5th majority of the GBC.

Once the candidate has taken on their new role as sannyasi, their sponsor must send in annual reports on them, as well as making sure that any discrepancies on their conduct, behavior or attitude are rectified.

"Each year, the new sannyasis themselves must also submit reports on their preaching, devotional practices, and finances," Prahladananda Swami says.

On top of that, the candidate is requested to travel with an experienced sannyasi who can train them and give feedback on their qualifications and progress.
Sounds like a process that couldn't possibly get more detailed. But the Sannyasa Ministry are well aware of how serious the post of sannyasa is, and want to make sure they've covered every inch of ground. "We're always looking for suggestions on how to improve our process of selecting ISKCON sannyasis," Prahladananda Swami says. "We'd really appreciate any valuable suggestions you may have."

Amlesh · 07-01-2008, 05:36 AM

Anyone who follows his svadharma in a renunciant way is known to be a Sanyasi.

Provided all results of activity are submitted to Hari.

There is no need for selection or interviews, you become with gyan and surrender.

A saintly king also is a sanyassi. A bramana is the most important person in the entire universe, from him we learn all principles, after learning we need to perform for Krishna.

Asking from others about selection criteria is really funny, it limits the scope and beauty of vaishnavism.

Iskcon is making an industry to produce Sanyasis, but they don't know that a rare soul is indeed a rare soul.

bhaktajan · 07-01-2008, 10:08 AM

Anyone who follows his svadharma in a renunciant way is known to be a Sanyasi.

[animals are renounced--but their consciouness is aimed at sense grad subtle and gross. Animals are un-organized except in stampedes].

Iskcon is making an industry to produce Sanyasis, but they don't know that a rare soul is indeed a rare soul.

[the "Indus" part is correct: "Iskcon is--to produce Sannyasi(s)"--the rare souls are only found in iskcon and their cousins. All others are fanfare.

Remember that every temple should have some sannyasis, and also,
many pot & plate cleaners too, so be satisfied that others will do the work regardless of our lack of contribution.]

Amlesh · 07-02-2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhaktajan

[animals are renounced--but their consciouness is aimed at sense grad subtle and gross. Animals are un-organized except in stampedes].

Self realisation in the normal way is not meant for animal. And I explicitely said following svadharma in a renunciant way. And why taking the example of an animal here which is not relevant in this context.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhaktajan

[the "Indus" part is correct: "Iskcon is--to produce Sannyasi(s)"--the rare souls are only found in iskcon and their cousins. All others are fanfare.

Everything has become a fanfare, and maybe you also are participating in that fanfare. A rare soul can never be attached with a particular organisation, he is free. He likes association of pious but lives in solitude [confirmed by Gita]. And since when did Sanyassi start living in group? Since vedic ages, a sanyassi has been ordered to live a solitary life and he wanders here and there for the benefit of mankind and sleeps and eat and drink and rest alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhaktajan

Remember that every temple should have some sannyasis, and also,
many pot & plate cleaners too, so be satisfied that others will do the work regardless of our lack of contribution.]

A Sanyassi must also be the pot & plate cleaner.

All stupidity is clear to me, since ages I've been master of it, maybe I'll continue to be so. I don't close my eyes on things. I like to see things AS IT IS. I'm also a student of SP, but in a very different way.

bhaktajan · 07-02-2008, 10:26 AM

I agree with every thing you say.

The 'animal' remark is a point-of-contrast regarding social gatherings & meeting-of-the-minds-- a bizarro-world example of a 'Townhall Meeting'.

The process of training-up brahmanas starts with an organizational structure that is maintained by public/private interest groups.

For every Sannyas their must be found 100's of vanaprastha aspirants.

Yes, I agree that a sannyas must have the tenacity and faith that the station-in-life known as "Sannyasa", traditionally requires an oath of poverty, so-to-speak, and reliance on God & Providence to provide comfort/shelter/protection for the Sannyas monk --but, all these features of a sannyasi's life must long be established by organized vanaprastha life.

Many people have said that they do not remember their childhood, or, youth passed 'in-a-flash', or, they had no childhood, or, that they had to 'grow-up fast' --but in old age the last years of life will linger every long-- this is the best time for vanaprastha-life.

It is immaterial weather a sannyas should be strived for [nor does anyone have a stake in a sannyasa's success--such vows are the sannyasis' dharma & fate].

We will always be in the position to be a "servant" beholding to some 'master', either one's spouce, boss, steward of one's own body--we are servants of other servants.

Vanaprastha is something that we can prepare for and anticipate will be a welcomed feature to society. Prayascitta is best for the masses and this can be accomodated by organizing as a group to do so.

Amlesh · 07-03-2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhaktajan

I agree with every thing you say.

The 'animal' remark is a point-of-contrast regarding social gatherings & meeting-of-the-minds-- a bizarro-world example of a 'Townhall Meeting'.

The process of training-up brahmanas starts with an organizational structure that is maintained by public/private interest groups.

For every Sannyas their must be found 100's of vanaprastha aspirants.

Yes, I agree that a sannyas must have the tenacity and faith that the station-in-life known as "Sannyasa", traditionally requires an oath of poverty, so-to-speak, and reliance on God & Providence to provide comfort/shelter/protection for the Sannyas monk --but, all these features of a sannyasi's life must long be established by organized vanaprastha life.

Many people have said that they do not remember their childhood, or, youth passed 'in-a-flash', or, they had no childhood, or, that they had to 'grow-up fast' --but in old age the last years of life will linger every long-- this is the best time for vanaprastha-life.

It is immaterial weather a sannyas should be strived for [nor does anyone have a stake in a sannyasa's success--such vows are the sannyasis' dharma & fate].

We will always be in the position to be a "servant" beholding to some 'master', either one's spouce, boss, steward of one's own body--we are servants of other servants.

Vanaprastha is something that we can prepare for and anticipate will be a welcomed feature to society. Prayascitta is best for the masses and this can be accomodated by organizing as a group to do so.

Perfectly said Bhaktajan, you deserve your title name.

I agree with whatever you've said, but for the accomplishment of it, the group or organisation must be healthy in every aspect. If the other way round, instead of doing good for mankind, it will deteriorate things, which is not the trade mark of Vaishnavism.

The reason why I say that is because I know many people who don't want hear about Hari because of the behaviour of some so-called Bhaktas, not really depicting the true values of Vaishnavism.

It's sad because many are there who judge the deity by his so-called Bhaktas, which is often the case for Jesus. Many don't like Jesus, because of some his Bhaktas.

No one will be willing to hear Gita, if his present devotees don't show the beauty of Gita. It leads to prejudice.

I know it's not easy but it is my greatest wish to see things as they should be, like Srila Prabhupad wanted.

bhaktajan · 07-03-2008, 03:50 PM

Hah cha, babaji Amlesh.

Well, of course again, I must say, I agree totally.
I know the feeling. I've experienced the same--with my relatives and close friends.

But, this is in contrast with adult parents, along with their children, who presently fill my local Mandir, whom I see everytime I visit the Mandir.

The congregational members who derive thier own 'amrita' from their visiting, etc., the temple shows that the 'caravan is moving on'.

I do not know these other congregents nor do I have need to know them--to perform 'Hari nama sankirtana yajna'. And so it goes.

In the same way so many karmis fill our surrounds as we go about our daily duties--and it is the 'jnana-anjana' [gya-nan-gya-na] ('eyes opened by the torchlight of knowledge')--that amplifies the awareness of other peoples' bad-karma-incurring activities.

On the lighter side, as I read, Prabhupad explains that hearing saatras, et al, --from a devotee, is suffient to transmit the knowledge.

IOW the read verses aloud to others will indeed reach the bullseye mark in the heart of the listener.

We will not be able to account for others' actions. So, maybe we individually must make 'a show of it' on our own recognisance.

Amlesh · 07-04-2008, 01:51 AM

When truth is placed as the basis of your task. Then everything is in order.

The show must go on....

Thanks Bhaktajan.

radha_das · 07-19-2008, 01:18 AM

It is a so called sanyas system which is run by Gaudiya Maths and ISKCON.

Bhakti Sidd Saraswati took sanyas diksha by the PHOTOGRAPH of Sri Gaura Kishore Das Babaji. If you dont know, find out the History.
It shows clearly their sanyas linage is bogus. They went against to Lord Mahaprabhu will. Gaudiya Sampradaya was established by Lord Mahaprabhu rejects their sanyas system.

Svarupa · 08-06-2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krsna

So can just anyone who decides they're disgusted with family life, desires some special honor as well as free plane tickets around the world become an ISKCON sannyasi?

"If one accepts the sannyasa order, his main business is to devote his life completely to the service of Mukunda, Krishna. If one does not completely devote his mind and body to the service of the Lord, he does not actually become a sannyasi. It is not simply a matter of changing dress."

Stop looking at women as objects for a release of sexual agitation!!

Unfortunately some devotees have miss used the philosophy to treat women as objects to satisfy their selfish ‘itch’ thinking it is their right to dictatorially have many wives they only emotionally, physically and psychologically push around and use as 'toilets' , then have the arrogant audacity to think they can take sannyas and be respected.

realist · 08-27-2008, 12:26 PM

How do You Become an ISKCON Sannyasi?

Who are these young boys?

stonehearted · 09-11-2008, 08:20 PM

On our far right is Indradyumna Swami, and next to him is Sivarama Swami. I don't know the others.