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EDITORIAL January 9, 1999 VNN2816 See Related VNN Stories Two Initiating Systems: Two Standard Deviations BY MURARI CHAITANYA DASA EDITORIAL, Jan 9 (VNN) — In an editorial entitled "Put The Extremists Where They Belong" [Dec 27 (VNN)] , Mayesvara Dasa Prabhu attempts to present statistical evidence purporting that the simultaneous adoption of both the current GBC-sanctioned and Ritvik initiation systems would foster unity and "preserve" ISKCON. I truly appreciate and commend Mayesvara Prabhu for his conciliatory efforts. However, I have two problems with his argument: one is a fundamental objection to the very concept of determining acara (right conduct) statistically; the other is in regards to his application of statistics. Mayesvara Prabhu assumed, without any demonstrable basis, that readers of VNN are sympathetic to the ritvik position. I believe he used VNN daily "hits" to come up with his numbers. Anything can be counted, but the meaning of that count is not to be gratuitously ascertained without proper procedures. Did he survey a valid statistical sample of VNN readers? Did he count postings for and against ritvikism? Just how he came up with that statement is simply a mystery. Unless he can provide substantive information to the contrary, we must assume that such numbers are purely speculative. Of course, he is entitled to his opinion, even about the opinion of others. But, even from an academic perspective, it constitutes an inappropriate use of statistics to present unsupported opinions as quantifiable. Furthermore, his analysis (were we to grant his assumptions) is simplistic to the point of invalidating any conclusions derived from it. Mayesvara Prabhu assumes that if ISKCON endorses two contradictory initiation procedures, most proponents of both positions will be happy to work together. This is not supported by any evidence, and certainly not by common sense, given the ferocity and incivility of the argument to date. I'll illustrate. Some persons in a sample of 100 (let's say 50) want to eat vegetarian food. Others (let's say 40) want to eat meat, and still others (the remaining 10) want vegan food. If we were to follow Mayesvara Prabhu's prescription, we would serve all persons in the sample a three course meal (meat, vegetarian & vegan plates), and assume that most would be happy. The reality is that the vegetarians (50%) and the vegans (10%) would be so disgusted with the presence of the offending meat plate, that we would probably please fewer persons (40) than by simply serving one vegetarian meal (50), or even a vegan meal (10 + 50 vegetarians, who might not object = 60). In matters of philosophy, conscience and religion, addition is not readily operative. Most importantly, however, normal curves illustrate frequency. If we were to conduct ourselves by such frequency standards in the general population (or even among those who have received initiation at some point), we would feel encouraged to consistently violate every regulative principle. Srila Prabhupada has said that democracy (rule of the majority, the norm, the most frequent) is "demon-crazy." Why apply measures of frequency to settle a question of utmost spiritual import? Krsna is the Absolute Autocrat. Only His opinion counts. Regardless of whether He is a lonely "outlier" in a curve, He is right and all the masses "within two standard deviations" are dead wrong! I pray that I have not been overly or unduly harsh. I apologize if this reply has offended Mayesvara Prabhu in any way, as I am in favor of conciliation and loving respect among all Vaisnavas. But we should not give the appearance of science to speculation, nor should we use mundane scientific methodology to ascertain correct spiritual conduct. For that purpose, the higher Vaisnavas are our only guardians. If we can take advice from mundane science, and now ISKCON is requesting advice from the Madhva and Ramanuja sampradayas, why can't we just obey Srila Prabhupada's REAL "final order" and consult His senior Godbrother, sannyas paramguru, and siksa guru, Srila Sridhara Maharaja? Srila Sridhara Maharaja has explained clearly the siddhanta on guru-tattva in Sri Guru and His Grace. If we need further clarification, we can approach the lotus feet of Srila Puri Maharaja and various other stalwart members of our sampradaya. And all of Them fall outside every mundane "normal curve." The nature of the spiritual world is divine variegatedness, but not all things belong in the same camp. ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada's mission, and is meant to shelter His disciples. There can be no other acarya in today's ISKCON, since He did not appoint a successor, the GBC did not see fit to wait for one to manifest, nor is the present leadership liable to recognize such a Vaisnava if He (or She!) stood in our midst. ISKCON is now a struggling mission, a mostly-western branch of the Sri Caitanya-Saraswata parampara, like so many other branches. It's size is not a consideration, although one could argue that there are now larger Vaisnava societies than ISKCON. May Krsna bless them and guide them all! Those that find an impetus for Krsna consciousness in ISKCON should remain there. Those who do not, should go elsewhere. There is no scarcity of senior Vaisnavas on the planet, at this or any other time. That is Krsna's arrangement; that is the eternal parampara system. All this talk of 'preserving' ISKCON seems a little misdirected. ISKCON is in Krsna's hands, like everything else. If He has made a judgment against it, none can save it. If He is willing to show it His favor, none can destroy it. Those of us who do not find sufficient impetus and support for our efforts at becoming Krsna conscious in ISKCON can simply go elsewhere. What is the problem? Let's stop attacking each other. We can honor all Vaisnavas (granted, some should be shown respect from a distance), and address the real issue: going back home, back to Godhead, and serving the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha Krsna and Their devotees. About the Author | Other VNN Stories by this Author See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9901/ET09-2816.html
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