Thank you, prabhu, for explaining this so well. It does appear that those who made innovative changes were instrumental in spreading Lord Caitanya's movement further, but some may ask, "At what expense?"
Personally, I believe that all are somehow contributing, although their/our involvement may sometimes seem negative due to our inability to appreciate the whole picture.
For instance, AC electricity switches back and forth between positive and negative poles, which enables it to act in ways that DC electricity cannot. Does this make any sense?
Perhaps those who are staunchly following their guru maharaja without alterations are actually providing the strong foundation and power that enables further exploratory attempts by others.
On the other hand, jndas is perfectly clear about what Srila Prabhupada ordered in this regard. It's not difficult to understand, in light of all that has happened, why he and so many others feel as they do.
I would ask only that we keep an open heart, if not a completely open mind (don't want what's left of our brains falling out!), for who knows what the future may hold? Devotees never cease to amaze me, whether oldtimers or newly attracted to the movement. The more I come to know each one, the more fascinating you all become.
I may not always be able to handle the heat and thus be forced to occasionally leave the kitchen, but I have a deep feeling/faith that the best of this feast is yet to come!!! Affectionately, Peter/valaya
------------------
amanpeter@hotmail.com