GBC's Resolution 601 for ISKCON members and aspiring devotees??

[realist 0]

Quote:

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Resolution 601, Year 2000

 

BY: KURMA DASA

 

May 20, AUSTRALIA (SUN) — In the year 2000, ISKCON's GBC passed a Resolution that allowed devotees to be more devoted to, and take complete shelter of Srila Prabhupada rather than the guru they had been designated by ISKCON's guru system.

Resolution 601 went like this:

“A duly initiated disciple in ISKCON can accept Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of ISKCON, as his principle siksa-guru. During his devotional life, he may experience that he derives more spiritual inspiration from Srila Prabhupada's books and vani than from his own diksa-guru.”

Quite a few devotees in this part of the world have taken up this resolution since it was implemented eight years ago, only to find themselves treated as second-class ISKCON citizens.

If you choose to follow Srila Prabhupada, then don't expect too much consideration when it comes to participation at your local temple.

In the typical type of "Heroes in theory, Cowards in practice" style we have become accustomed to with some of our GBC, those who opt out of the chaotic ISKCON guru system to only follow Srila Prabhupada are seen as rebels. Any ideas they have in regard to making ISKCON a better place are not taken seriously, and are mostly fobbed off

.

One nice devotee that I know, who has rejected his fallen guru for quite a few years and now only follows Srila Prabhupada, finds rejection after rejection whenever he attempts to do good for his local temple

.

He is a great ideas man. For example, he wanted to install water tanks at his local temple so as to save on the water bill. He also wanted to grow the temple herbs such a basil, coriander, etc. to minimize the outlay for these herbs

.

Whenever he attempts to have any input at this level he is cut down and put in his place. To the contrary, the disciples of the various gurus, who come up with all sorts of scams to get money and various other ideas, including pyramid selling schemes (ideas that we eventually find trashed and the remnants left in the sheds around our temples), these disciples don't have any problem at all getting approval

.

Like we have mentioned here before, the costs of temple operations, buying flowers, herbs, milk products etc., are enormous here in Australia, and they are only set to increase with big rises in energy costs.

It is time for ISKCON's leaders to remove all types of sectarianism, and to see that resolution 601, which was made in the year 2000, is not just a sentiment.

Kurma Dasa (not the chef)

 

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Srila Prabhupada disciples and Prabhupada’s grand disciples MUST be treated equally with the respect they deserve. If Kurma dasa is talking about Melbourne Temple, then Aniruddha dasa is also not a Prabhupada disciple either, yet is very dedicated in his service there, Sometimes one has to be ‘self motivated’ instead of waiting for assistance and ‘pats on the back’ off others.

Put it down to the pioneering years of immaturity and lack of prudence from those who are leaders – In other words just do it, don’t wait on others to tell you what to do. That’s what I did with my particular talent and service when I lived in the Temple, and it was very, very successful

Unfortunately not much changes there possible due to the fact the old guard that includes grand disciples of Srila Prabhupada like Aniruddha Prabhu, is lead by other Prabhupada disciples in Australia leadership that has not changed their management style for years and live in an early ‘90s time-warb’ still.

In fact it is worse now than what is was back then, Western devotees have become very materialistic over the last ten or so years. Thank God for the support of the Hindu community and the Australian Government, who have let into Australia over 150,000 educated Indian Hindu nationals over the last four years

One more point, I don't think it is necessary to rush into being initiated unless one is sure the Guru they choose can take them back home back to Godhead.

I pray that resolution 601 does not get twisted over the years where one can simply take initiation off a photo of Prabhupada, unfortunately that is already happening in places around the world.

The answer is simple; if one is really attached to Srila Prabhupada, then find one of his disciple’s who is also exceptionally attached to Prabhupada by strictly following his example. This is how one connects to Prabhupada and the parampara system.

It is not possible to take Srila Prabhupada directly as ones Spiritual Master now because he is no longer physically present

[theist 1]

 

“A duly initiated disciple in ISKCON can accept Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of ISKCON, as his principle siksa-guru. During his devotional life, he may experience that he derives more spiritual inspiration from Srila Prabhupada's books and vani than from his own diksa-guru.”[/QUOTE]

 

This "resolution" like so much of that Iskcon Law Book, simply reeks of arrogance. Whay are these people not embarassed?

 

First arrogant insinuation is that because they have now passed a resolution that it's NOW ok for devotees to look directly toSrila Prabhupada as their siksa-guru.

 

Of course they qualify that by saying it is for "duly-initiated disciple in Iskcon ". So one cannot be anyone who is not intiated in Iskcon. Between the lines it also says only for those loyal and under the control of the GBC.

 

Bogus bs. Anyone who walks into a library and picks up a copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is can take siksa from Srila Prabhupada in proportion to their sincerity and understanding.

 

No need to take these people so seriously.

[Svarupa 0]

 

It is not possible to take Srila Prabhupada directly as ones Spiritual Master now because he is no longer physically present

 

One may have been his disciple in a previous life.

 

Anyway one thing is certain, who ever seriously reads Prabhupada's books will be protected by Krsna whether they are his disciple or not, In the present day it is very difficult to trust anyone as a spiritual master.

 

As the saying goes, if we are sincere and genuin, then Krsna from in the heart will send us fallen souls a BONAFIDE Spiritual Master. Krsna from in the heart will direct us and when we meet him we will just know based on the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita.

[cbrahma 0]

Diksa is a very very important decision. It is an eternal comittment. Unfortunately it has been trivialized as an external religious symbol of qualification and prestige by the religious institution called ISKCON.

It is a travesty. It is not a decision that can be legislated and administered like the civil service. It is NOBODY's BUSINESS but the devotee's and Supersoul's.

The most blatant evidence of the corruption of the GBC is its attempt to control events that are the exclusive domain of the individual and Caitya guru.

Besides diksa is simply the formalization of an already established guru-disciple relationship and is not absolutely necessary. (I can provide lots of evidence).

[suchandra 1]

 

Diksa is a very very important decision. It is an eternal comittment. Unfortunately it has been trivialized as an external religious symbol of qualification and prestige by the religious institution called ISKCON.

It is a travesty. It is not a decision that can be legislated and administered like the civil service. It is NOBODY's BUSINESS but the devotee's and Supersoul's.

The most blatant evidence of the corruption of the GBC is its attempt to control events that are the exclusive domain of the individual and Caitya guru.

Besides diksa is simply the formalization of an already established guru-disciple relationship and is not absolutely necessary. (I can provide lots of evidence).

So far what I heard is that a siksa-guru has to be activated and authorized by the diksa-guru and nobody else. Such a siksa-guru is almost on the same level to be worshiped like the diksa-guru. Just like Srila Swarup Damodar Goswami - Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu entrusted him to look after and instruct Srila Raghunath Das Goswami. In this way Srila Raghunath Das Goswami worshiped Srila Swarup Damodar Goswami as his authorized siksa-guru. Due different reasons, Srila Prabhupada never installed such a system of senior disciples becoming deliberate siksa-gurus for newly joined godbrothers, but instead put so much endeavour to write so many books for giving siksa through his writings. Reading and learning from Prabhupada's books became a central topic for all his followers. Since ISKCON is based upon Prabhupada's books it should be clear that Prabhupada's books are the source of siksa for all the members of ISKCON. To pass a resolution 601 in 2000, announcing that new disciples can take siksa from Prabhupada's books looks a bit like an error of reasoning.

Where is there siksa within ISKCON not originating from Prabhupada's books? In fact all ISKCON's diksa-gurus give evidence based upon Prabhupada's books. At least that's what they say.

[cbrahma 0]

 

So far what I heard is that a siksa-guru has to be activated and authorized by the diksa-guru and nobody else. Such a siksa-guru is almost on the same level to be worshiped like the diksa-guru. Just like Srila Swarup Damodar Goswami - Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu entrusted him to look after and instruct Srila Raghunath Das Goswami. In this way Srila Raghunath Das Goswami worshiped Srila Swarup Damodar Goswami as his authorized siksa-guru. Due different reasons, Srila Prabhupada never installed such a system of senior disciples becoming deliberate siksa-gurus for newly joined godbrothers, but instead put so much endeavour to write so many books for giving siksa through his writings. Reading and learning from Prabhupada's books became a central topic for all his followers. Since ISKCON is based upon Prabhupada's books it should be clear that Prabhupada's books are the source of siksa for all the members of ISKCON. To pass a resolution 601 in 2000, announcing that new disciples can take siksa from Prabhupada's books looks a bit like an error of reasoning.

Where is there siksa within ISKCON not originating from Prabhupada's books? In fact all ISKCON's diksa-gurus give evidence based upon Prabhupada's books. At least that's what they say.

But the formal initiation, according to Prabhupada, is not the important thing. We have him on record saying that. Also one may have many siksa gurus, but only one diksa. The resolution is nonsense, because it's like saying that it's ok to accept Bhaktisiddhanta as a siksa guru.

[Beggar 0]

 

But the formal initiation, according to Prabhupada, is not the important thing.

Agreed, but Srila Prabhupada did not intend that the succession of initiated disciples or parampara, stop at the time of his entering nitya lila.

[bhaktajan 0]

Originally Posted by Realist [BY: SURESH DASA ] ...One wonders if the purpose or agenda is to create an impression that ISKCON is a society of only the most loyal and ardent supporters, who never see or experience any evil or wrongdoing, especially by the society’s most elite authorities. ...

 

 

To the Uppity Vaisnava mal-content Class of 2008:

Does every other related Gaudiya-Vaishnav Asram/Muth allow new comers to stay indefinately within their asrama's to be trained in Brahminical ettiqutte?

 

In Iskcon the modus operandi is to introduce KRISHNA. Who is Krishna etc.

That is the mission of Iskcon. We have all been weeded out and that's as good as it gets. Fin.

 

Where else can you commit yourself to an institution that exists simular to Iskcon's open door policy?

 

What every complainer is harkening to is that there never was entrance requirements ie: reference and exams and tuition to keep out people with less than first-class back grounds, credentials, paraentage, wealth and, culture before entering the confines of Iskcon doors.

 

The hindu temples else where are isolationist, exclusive or outright business ventures.

 

You are all complaining about how you cannot do as you'd like because someone that [for good reasons] you have no regards for is poo-poo-ing your initiative.

 

If you want to be an Olympian Competitor than the hard work is to be overseen and coached by you and yourself determination alone.

 

If you can make the grade you will be welcomed as a valevictorian by gurus by the dozen to give a commencement speech in your honor.

 

[suchandra 1]

 

But the formal initiation, according to Prabhupada, is not the important thing. We have him on record saying that. Also one may have many siksa gurus, but only one diksa. The resolution is nonsense, because it's like saying that it's ok to accept Bhaktisiddhanta as a siksa guru.

Agreed, associating with Vaishnavas was always having priority. In deed there're 120 results when searching for, see below, "associating with devotees". This "associating with devotees" can of course also considered as receiving siksa, or associating with siksa-gurus, but I was told that Prabhupada never appointed any of his disciples to be a full-fledged siksa-guru for giving siksa to younger godbrothers.

 

<small>Found 120 items, now showing 1 - 10</small>

 

1. Causelessmercy - Ebook - The Nectar of Instruction

It is often said that a man is known by his company, and if an ordinary man associates with devotees, he will certainly develop his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/NoI.htm

</small>

2. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - Madya-lila - 22.2

teṅho that same association with devotees; punaḥ again; ... Kṛṣṇa awakens, association with devotees is still ... sat-samāgamaḥ association with devotees; sat-saṅgamaḥ

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/Madhya22.2.htm

</small>

3. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Narada-bhakti-sutra

Your browser does not support scripts. ... Devotion NBS 1 TEXT 1* athāto bhaktiṁ vyākhyāsyāmaḥ SYNONYMS atha now; ... Now, therefore, I will try to explain the process of devotional

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/NBS.htm

</small>

4. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Srimad-Bhagavatam - Canto 3 - 25.1

Because they do not associate with devotees, they cannot understand that the ... the Lord and the devotees increases. Association with devotees means association with the Lord. The

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/SB3.25.1.htm

</small>

5. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Teachings of Lord Caitanya - 12

1) to associate with devotees, (2) to chant the holy name of the Lord, (3) to hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, (4) to live in a holy place such as Mathurā or Vṛndāvana, (5) to serve

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/TLC12.htm

</small>

6. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Srimad-Bhagavatam - Canto 4 - 30.2

find the highest happiness in association with devotees. SB4.30.35 TEXT 35 yatreḍyante kathā mṛṣṭās tṛṣṇāyāḥ praśamo yataḥ nirvairaṁ yatra bhūteṣu

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/SB4.30.2.htm

</small>

7. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahuti - 12

Lord and the devotees increases. Association with devotees means association ... we have to associate with devotees. Then we can ... process. Hearing and associating with devotees are the most

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/TLK12.htm

</small>

8. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - Madya-lila - 19.4

Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Simply by associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/Madhya19.4.htm

</small>

9. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - Madya-lila - 24.2

kṛpā by the mercy of association with devotees; kimvā or; kṛṣṇera kṛpāya by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa; kāma-ādi material desires and so on; duḥsaṅga unwanted

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/Madhya24.2.htm

</small>

10. Causelessmercy - Ebook - Srimad-Bhagavatam - Canto 4 - 24.4

Therefore by sat-saṅga, or association with devotees, one becomes perfectly pure in heart. One who is pure in heart is never attracted by the external energy, which urges the

<small>http://causelessmercy.com/SB4.24.4.htm

</small>

[theist 1]

 

...but I was told that Prabhupada never appointed any of his disciples to be a full-fledged siksa-guru for giving siksa to younger godbrothers.

 

 

Of course not because guru is not appointed or voted in he is self effulgent. If someone hears properly the instruction of his teacher or guru if you like then he can repeat what he heard.

 

According to how much he has himself assimilated the knowledge and is empowered by Krishna he will exhibited so much potency or effulgence.

 

When you appoint someone you are simultaneously saying others are not qualified. This is a totally wrong headed idea. A person may be unqualified one day and qualified by Krishna's grace the next. A person endowed with divine vision will be able to note the change and others will not.

[suchandra 1]

 

Of course not because guru is not appointed or voted in he is self effulgent. If someone hears properly the instruction of his teacher or guru if you like then he can repeat what he heard.

 

According to how much he has himself assimilated the knowledge and is empowered by Krishna he will exhibited so much potency or effulgence.

 

When you appoint someone you are simultaneously saying others are not qualified. This is a totally wrong headed idea. A person may be unqualified one day and qualified by Krishna's grace the next. A person endowed with divine vision will be able to note the change and others will not.

Please correct if wrong, but I heard that a full-fledged siksa-guru who instructs you about what to do in devotional service has to be assigned to you by your diksa-guru. Let's say you consider a Vaishnava really exemplary and trustworthy, can you ask this Vaishnava to become your siksa-guru and instruct you how to perform devotional activities without asking your diksa-guru for permission? Never heard that this is according Vaishnava etiquette, to make such important decisions without asking my diksa-guru.

And superiors like TP, GBC, they just were changing too often in order to automatically take the position of siksa-gurus.

[cbrahma 0]

The corporate model of guru-tattva is misguided and a corruption of the completely spiritual nature of the guru.

Westerners love the idea that a guru can be 'appointed' or elected like a president or a CEO of a big company, like filling a post. But that culturally engrained model in which a GBC maps directly into the concept of a Board of Directors is utter nonsense. It leads to one thing, and one thing only - material religiosity - or worse a business selling the appearances of religion - the dharma that Krsna tells us to abandon. (ignore Beggar)

[Beggar 0]

I personally don't believe that the original 11 Zonal gurus were appointed by Prabhupada but I don't see how that could preclude another high level guru from appointing a disciple to be guru if he deemed him to be qualified.

[Kulapavana 0]

 

I personally don't believe that the original 11 Zonal gurus were appointed by Prabhupada

 

what was it then, if not an appointment to be a guru?

[Kulapavana 0]

 

Please correct if wrong, but I heard that a full-fledged siksa-guru who instructs you about what to do in devotional service has to be assigned to you by your diksa-guru. Let's say you consider a Vaishnava really exemplary and trustworthy, can you ask this Vaishnava to become your siksa-guru and instruct you how to perform devotional activities without asking your diksa-guru for permission? Never heard that this is according Vaishnava etiquette, to make such important decisions without asking my diksa-guru.

 

That is a sensible understanding. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism diksa gurus have a very prominent role. Most of the time diksa gurus do not see their disciples as "exclusive property" and even encourage taking siksa from other qualified Vaishnavas. It all stems from the understanding that "Guru is one - Sri Guru".

[Beggar 0]

 

what was it then, if not an appointment to be a guru?

A mystery that will never be solved.

[cbrahma 0]

 

what was it then, if not an appointment to be a guru?

The murdered Sulocana had appropriated the so-called appointment tape and letters and assured that there was no such 'appointment'. Since when do gurus appoint other gurus?

[Kulapavana 0]

 

The murdered Sulocana had appropriated the so-called appointment tape and letters and assured that there was no such 'appointment'. Since when do gurus appoint other gurus?

 

I do not buy that argument. Sulocana was made into a much larger than life character, and portrayed as a saint that he never was. He is now sold as the "missing link" by the ritviks. Appointing some of his disciples to be gurus is something that Prabhupada wrote of and spoke of earlier as well. Maybe he did not name all of the 11 but he certainly named most of them.

 

Since when do gurus appoint other gurus? Ever since Prabhupada insisted that you must be authorized by your guru in order to become a guru. It is not really a common requirement in Vaishnavism.

[cbrahma 0]

 

I do not buy that argument. Sulocana was made into a much larger than life character, and portrayed as a saint that he never was. He is now sold as the "missing link" by the ritviks. Appointing some of his disciples to be gurus is something that Prabhupada wrote of and spoke of earlier as well. Maybe he did not name all of the 11 but he certainly named most of them.

 

Since when do gurus appoint other gurus? Ever since Prabhupada insisted that you must be authorized by your guru in order to become a guru. It is not really a common requirement in Vaishnavism.

ISKCON Kool-Aid. 'Authorized' - what is that? Appointment? No. It simply means that his disciple is now qualified to be a guru. Besides he didnt' authorize the eleven. If anything it proves that Prabhupada was setting strict limits on what a bona fide spiritual master must be. This is a far cry from an adminstrative, clerical appointment.

As far as Sulocana is concerned, don't go all political. I'm not interested in the iconography.

I don't care what you 'buy'. It's not a pitch. Sulocana was murdered. Sulocana had a copy of the tape and he knew, had proof that the

gurus were not appointed and the letters that showed that Prabhupada was not enamored of the Gaudiya Math members. This information was so threatening that Rameshwara demanded he return them or he would be 'dead meat on the hook'.

[suchandra 1]

 

Since when do gurus appoint other gurus?

 

Prabhupada's idea was that his disciples would first of all stick together and increase his global movement to become firmly fixed up and taken seriously by people in general. Since his ISKCON movement was a preaching movement, it was clear that in due course of time some devotees would have emerged as effulgent preachers and would have been blessed by Krishna to become even more and more advanced, up to the point of selfeffulgent acaryas. There's presently one example of a devotee getting the mercy, Madhu Pandit. First, history, Krsnakant started IRM with Adri Dharian; then, they brought in their most successful devotee: Madhu Pandit, who had been a businessman, then joined Iskcon, got initiated by HH Jayapataka swami; then Madhu Pandit started to preach and collected donations what has become the most successful Hare Krsna temple in the world in Bangalore, South India. At some point Madhu Pandit turned to Prabhupada, and then he slowly converted his whole temple to become a Prabhupada temple; rejecting his guru, HH Jayapataka swami, for Srila Prabhupada. In the huge Bangalore temple complex, Prabhupad's life size murti is taken around the grounds daily on his palanquin, as part of guru puja. These Bangalore devotees distributed more of Prabhupada's original books than all of the rest of Iskcon combined. Madhu Pandit bought two properties in Vrndavan, that when developed, will be far larger than Iskcon's KRSNA-BALARAM Mandir. He has surely been blessed by Krsna, and Prabhupada.

Nowadays, he is also involved in the huge national government program to feed India's vast school children population at least one free meal a day. At this point in time, he is up to feeding almost 900,000 children a day: feeding them prasadam cooked and prepared with love and devotion by his Prabhupadanuga devotees daily!

[theist 1]

 

I personally don't believe that the original 11 Zonal gurus were appointed by Prabhupada but I don't see how that could preclude another high level guru from appointing a disciple to be guru if he deemed him to be qualified.

 

Beggar, it is a simple thing. Look at your own words. You have a guru looking around at his disciples and he sees one that is qualified. The operative word here is QUALIFIED!!! He is QUALIFIED before the so-called appointment.

 

This means he is in fact already on the established level of realization to be guru or the guru would not have (ap)pointed him out. He may just not be acting in the capacity as guru to others but now his guru is instructing him to. Any such appointment is for the benefit of the smooth operation of the Matha and has nothing to do with qualfication. If anything it is for the benefit of those who have not awkened enough transcendental vision to see on their own.

 

Also the so-called appointment to be guru does not disqualify any other disciple from becoming qualified and becoming guru to others. He may leave to start his own matha.

 

These educatedmorons think they have been given monopoly rights to who can be guru, which by the way means a lover of Krishna and one who knows the science of Krishna consciousness. What value is a guru that does not love Krishna? If Prabhupada could wave his hand and appoint everyone to be a lover of Krishna don't you think he would have appointed everyone? Why only 11?

 

This is 2008. I can't believe this nonsense persists and has been argued about continously for 30 years.

 

We need to stop looking at guru strictly as a post or office and start seeing guru on the transcendental level.

 

Be qualified first then be guru (appointed or not).

[theist 1]

 

Please correct if wrong, but I heard that a full-fledged siksa-guru who instructs you about what to do in devotional service has to be assigned to you by your diksa-guru. Let's say you consider a Vaishnava really exemplary and trustworthy, can you ask this Vaishnava to become your siksa-guru and instruct you how to perform devotional activities without asking your diksa-guru for permission? Never heard that this is according Vaishnava etiquette, to make such important decisions without asking my diksa-guru.

And superiors like TP, GBC, they just were changing too often in order to automatically take the position of siksa-gurus.

So all these people that have gone through the initiation ceremony in iskcon are know and forever under the control of the person who initiated them and can never hear from anyone but him without his permission?

 

That may be etiquette but it is not spiritual.

 

In a following post you praised Madhu Pandit who came to reject his diksa guru and accept Srila Prabhupada as his guru. So which is your position, diksa rules or one must accept the responsibility to follow the dictates of the Lord in the heart even if that leads him away from his diksa guru?

[Beggar 0]

...they brought in their most successful devotee: Madhu Pandit, who had been a businessman, then joined Iskcon, got initiated by HH Jayapataka swami; then Madhu Pandit started to preach and collected donations what has become the most successful Hare Krsna temple in the world in Bangalore, South India. At some point Madhu Pandit turned to Prabhupada, and then he slowly converted his whole temple to become a Prabhupada temple; rejecting his guru, HH Jayapataka swami, for Srila Prabhupada.

But you'll never hear of any of any of his disciples rejecting Gour Govinda Maharaja, no matter what camp they're in now. Good for Madhu Pandit, at least he saw through Gigantapataka!

[suchandra 1]

 

So all these people that have gone through the initiation ceremony in iskcon are know and forever under the control of the person who initiated them and can never hear from anyone but him without his permission?

 

That may be etiquette but it is not spiritual.

 

In a following post you praised Madhu Pandit who came to reject his diksa guru and accept Srila Prabhupada as his guru. So which is your position, diksa rules or one must accept the responsibility to follow the dictates of the Lord in the heart even if that leads him away from his diksa guru?

In case of Madhu Pandit - his deeds speak for themselves. If he would have done something wrong, his project would have been a failure. Must say that I haven't actually enough details to praise Madhu Pandit, it's all like a well hidden secret what's happening in Bangalore. Kinda rare exception and not the rule.

If there wouldnt be something like the law that diksa-guru must authorize siksa-guru, disciples could do what they like and call it, "Sorry guru maharaja, but I'm fully busy taking siksa"?

[Sarva gattah 0]

Letters, 1975

 

Melbourne

My Dear Madhudvisa Swami:

If one does not follow the regulative principles, then he will leave. That is a fact. This is the function of the GBC, to see that one may not be taken away by maya. The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am in the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/bs