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EDITORIAL September 11, 1999 VNN4701 Related VNN Stories The "Sacred Law" Of ISKCON BY IRG HONGKONG EDITORIAL, Sep 11 (VNN) — Recently, after their "most dedicated efforts" in trying to understand the rtvik issue in the Mayapur meetings, the GBC Body, while simultaneously banning the devotees who wanted that the rtvik system be reinstalled in ISKCON, quoted "laws" from their ISKCON "LAW" BOOK to defend their actions, and to further explain the deviation of the rtvik system. The contents of the ISKCON "LAW" book published in 1997 was founded in the 1987 "CONSTITUTION" of their position paper set up by the GBC BODY and other senior ISKCON leaders to come up with a "solution" or "resolution" on how to solve the constant spiritual falldown of ISKCON "Initiating Gurus", ( at present with the falldown figure of around Thirty (30) or more). These Gurus include amongst the first group of Eleven (11) disciples of Srila Prabhupada, whom the GBC claimed in 1978 were appointed directly by Srila Prabhupada, and also the second group of Seventy (70 ) or more appointed by the GBC themselves from 1987 onwards. As we will show below, in the ISKCON law Book, the GBC body created "laws" by "very mercifully" undertaking the great task and trouble of jumping over statements and standards set up by our own Founder Acharya, Srila Prabhupada. This they did by coming up with many ludicrous and foreign statements, never uttered EVEN ONCE, by Srila Prabhupada, or EVER FOUND in writing in all of Srila Prabhupada's books (About Eighty of them ) OR EVER FOUND in Srila Prabhupada's actions. Since at present in India, the GBC have been drawn to the courts by those devotees who support the rtvik system for ISKCON, it would be MOST INTERESTING if the Indian lawyers and Judges were to study the ISKCON Law book. Thus they would see through the faulty hypocritical ways of the GBC who have created the most strangest laws governing a religious society, never found in the history of Bonafide Vaisnava religious tradition, as practiced in India, what to speak of such laws being able to even govern common sense ordinary moral behavior to be followed in human society. The GBC claimed that their "laws" mentioned in their ISKCON "law" book were based on the authority of Narahari Sarakaras (an associate of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) book called the "Krsna Bhajanmrta". That Narahari Sarakara is one of the associates of Lord Chaitanya is not in dispute, as Srila Prabhupada confirms in the Chaitanya Charitamrta, Adi lila chapter 10 TX 78-79. But what we do NOT FIND is Srila Prabhupada ever mentioning or even slightly hinting, what to speak of actually predicting that after his departure when the ISKCON "bonafide Gurus" "coming in the Pure disciplic succession" would fall down into illicit sex like moths falling into fire, then Narahari Sarakara would suddenly and miraculously come to the rescue of ISKCON to save the day with his book called "Krsna Bhajanamrta". It seems according to the ISKCON "Lawbook" that Narahari Sarakaras sole duty in the age of Kali would be to provide the GBC in the mid 1980s a FOOL PROOF DEFENSE system and "sastric" or "scriptural" evidence whenever their "bonafide eternal Gurus coming in the Pure disciplic succession" were unable to control the sex urge and would break loose. Such a system was set up also to save them from further embarrassment of being criticized, and from paying heed to the root problem whenever many rank and file devotees appealed and pleaded to them to seriously look back at our own Founder Acharyas instructions in the July 9th letter directive for initiations in ISKCON, and his Will. Even accepting that if Narahari Sarakara had written a book called "Krsna Bhajamnrta, " any sincere and intelligent devotee after reading the PRESENT DAY EDITION of this book, can easily come to the conclusion that such a great associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would never write in the context that the GBC claims he has written, and if he did at all mentioned the term "Guru", could ever be referring to the spiritual fall down of Gurus coming in the ACTUAL pure disciplic succession (Parampara). Another important point to note is that Srila Prabhupada clearly teaches us that we can go back to the teachings of the previous acaryas or associates of the Lord, only if Srila Prabhupada who is our current link in the disciplic succession, has taught us something about that particular subject matter. If Srila Prabhupada never even cared to speak about a certain topic such as "Spiritual falldown of Gurus coming in the Pure disciplic Succession" or "Reinitiation", then we have no right whatsoever to jump over Srila Prabhupada and go to these acaryas, and then look back at Srila Prabhupada. Indeed this statement of not to "look back" is proposed and supported by the GBC in their recent book "Our original position" (Page 163), however unfortunately in the ISKCON "LAW" BOOK, they completely contradict themselves by not following even their own proposals. Srila Prabhupada also clearly stresses this point of not jumping over him in his letter dated 12/4/73: "Whatever is to be learned about the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura can be learned from Our Books. There is no need whatsoever for any outside instructions". Looking back at the history of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his pastimes in the four authorized books which Srila Prabhupada mentions, namely "Chaitanya Charitamrta, Chaitanya Chandrodaya, Chaitanya Bhagavata, and Chaitanya Mangala, WE NEVER FIND Lord Chaitanya speaking the statements that the GBC claims Narahari Sarakara has made in the Krsna Bhajanamrta about the falldown of "Gurus coming in the Parampara line and how when they "Rectify" for their GROSS ILLICIT SEXUAL BEHAVIOR with Women, Men and Children, then they are allowed to quickly again jump back to their posts as being able to not only deliver themselves, but others from the material world, all the way back to the spiritual world. Indeed in His major instructions to the chief two of the Six Goswamis, to Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, to Ramananda Raya etc, we never find such topics ever mentioned. Since Narahari Sarakara is an associate of the Lord, then naturally all he would write in his book, or (books), are statements that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Taught. WHY WOULD HE EVER MENTION SOMETHING TOTALLY FOREIGN TO LORD CHAITANYAS TEACHINGS? ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE is that Srila Prabhupada mentions in the Chaitanya Charitamrta: "Locana das Thakura, the celebrated author of Caitanya Mangala is the disciple of Narahari Sarakar". Yet we do not find in the Chaitanya Mangala any mention of Gurus coming in the Pure disciplic succession of self realized souls falling down from their spiritual lives, nor any of the topics of Guru which the GBC claims that Narahari Sarakara has written. It seems rather strange that Locan das Thakura being the disciple of Narahari Sarakara would totally ignore his Spiritual Masters "thoughts" on this subject . It is also important to note that after the departure of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, many Sahajiyas and Mayavadis attempted to distort and change His teachings by writing many books claiming them to be the works of Mahaprabhu or His associates. Later, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur rectified the situation, but still by the grace of Kali Yuga, there are many remnants of such literatures loitering about. Thus in 1987 the GBC members translated in English many statements from this present day edition and passed them off as "laws" in their " ISKCON Law" book. This desperate act was done by them, just to continue cheating those devotees that had joined after 1977, and those who had just joined ISKCON in 1987, where by that time already, History had shown us that the first six ISKCON " bona fide Gurus coming in the pure disciplic succession of self realized souls" had fallen down into illicit sex with Men, women and Children. Therefore the GBCs desperate search for "evidence" from other sources other than Srila Prabhupads, to support their materially affected "Guru can fall down" theory, unfortunately imply to the general mass of innocent devotees that Srila Prabhupada purposely chose to leave the Guru issue and initiation systems in ISKCON, vague and unclear. And that he also carelessly forgot to mention that initiating Gurus of the Pure disciplic succession of self realized souls can fall down into grossly sinful activities, and what steps should be taken when all of this happens. The GBC thus subtly imply by their "Lawbook" that this was all "pre- arranged" by Srila Prabhupada, just to show the members of ISKCON the actual glories of Narahari Sarakar.: The real point to understand is that Srila Prabhupada had set up one standard in ISKCON as far as GURU was concerned and that is, that the Diksa Guru coming in disciplic succsesion is always a Mahabhagavat and can never fall down . We suggest the reader will be clear to this question as to why Srila Prabhupada NEVER bothered to mention such a "Guru fall down" theory, when one reads the Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3, Ch 13, tx 8 purport. After clearly describing the entire disciplic succession with all the names of the Gurus, including his own name, Srila Prabhupada mentions as follows: "This line of disciplic succession from Brahma is spiritual, whereas the genealogical succession from Manu is material" . What we have to understand is that the eternal disciplic succession is one of SUCCESSIVE DISCIPLINE, not of successive non- realized or partially realized persons, who are merely imitating the fully liberated preceptor Guru, Srila Prabhupada. Sometimes it is wrongly assumed that unless each link in the unbroken disciplic succession is succeeded one second after the physical demise of the last link, then there will be a break. But this is not the case, as the disciplic succession is NOT a material chain, but it is a spiritual chain as confirmed above by Srila Prabhupada. We must understand that the current acarya remains the current link-whether or not he is in his physical body. Srila Prabhupada explains that as long as one is connected to the acarya, even after his physical dissapearance, there is no break. (Srila Prabhupads letter to Dayananda 12 /4 /68/ and letter to Vrndavan chandra 19/7/70 ). The issue is to remain connected. Therefore one must understand that the disciplic succession is about the TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE NOT THE TRANSMISSION OF PHYSICALLY INTACT BODIES. IT IS NOT LIKE THE MONARCHY WHEREBY PHYSICAL DEMISE ALSO LEADS TO THE DEMISE OF THAT PERSONS REIGN. Note: (It is also important that Ajamila Prabhu who recently made his routine nasty remarks about the "mistake" in the Final order, in regards to the description of the disciplic succession, take out some of his valuable human life time to reading Srila Prabhupadas statement in the above mentioned S.B. verse for the real meaning of disciplic succession. Therefore any honest devotee will understand that if the disciplic succession is spiritual as confirmed by Srila Prabhupada, why is it as we will show below that the GBC have speculated in their "law" book that there can be "Gurus" who can have illicit sex and "break one or even more of the regulative principles", but that as soon as they "rectify" themselves, can again jump back on board the disciplic succession line?). Why would such a SPIRITUAL disciplic succession contain members performing such abominable behaviour to represent them as their leaders? Also if one reads the statement that Srila Prabhupada makes in the Chaitanya Charitamrta Madhya Lila CH 24-text 258 purport, "The Spiritual master being in the disciplic succession stemming from Narada Muni IS IN THE SAME CATEGORY WITH NARADA MUNI ". And further reads The Nectar of instructions page 58, including the purport of Srimad Bhagavatam 1 12.16 where Srila Prabhupada mentions "Such transcendental literatures, missionaries and representatives of the Lord are spotlessly white, because THE contamination of the material qualities CANNOT EVEN TOUCH THEM. The two quotes on the topmost qualifications for one to take up the post of a Diksa Guru are mentioned in Chaitanya Charitamrta Madya lila, 24 TX 330 purport. And in the Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4, Tx 42, purport, "A Bonafide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal and he does not deviate at all from the Instructions of the Supreme Lord ". Also Srila Prabhupada was once asked if a Guru can fall down, and he replied "Well if Guru is bad, how can he become a Guru"? (the Science of Self realisation chap 2). Plus of course there are MANY other similar quotes throughout Srila Prabhupadas books. Therefore one should think deeply with a cool headed mind the question of what was the reason for the change of standard from the Mahabhagavat Guru standard as experienced in ISKCON upto 1977, and then to find something totally opposite after 1977. Especially when there was NO instruction from Srila Prabhupada upto his last breath that such a standard should ever be changed. Why is it that after 1977, everyone who joined ISKCON were denied the Mahabhagavat standard Guru, but instead many of them got the Homosexual Standard Guru, or Woman Hunter Guru or Child Molester Guru? What "bad karma" did the poor devotees who joined after 1977 do in their last life, in contrast to the " good karma" the devotees who joined pre 1978 performed? That even though they joined the same society, chanted the same mantra, performed the same devotional service, followed the same 4 regulative principles, read the same Srila Prabhupada's books, etc, as their pre 1978 counterparts, still many of them had to receive spiritually fallen Gurus? WHY WAS THAT STANDARD CHANGED? Some humorous devotees joke that maybe those who joined Post 1977 had donated cats to the Brahmanas in their previous lives instead of donating cows as their Pre 1978 counterparts had done so diligently. The GBC have indirectly implied to these "disciples" of the fallen "Gurus", by their actions of promotion of "Gurus" since 1978 that Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada seem to have wanted that many devotees who joined immediately after 1977 should accept these spiritually fallen Gurus. And that they were being punished because they "spaced out" by missing out on his physical presence available till 1977, and thus being so "unfortunate" they have to suffer the consequences after 1977. Therefore the whole scenario becomes continuously ludicrous if we support the GBCs changing the quality of the Guru standard that Srila Prabhupada had set up and was operating in ISKCON till 1977. These changes had its roots in the speculation of the GBC that Conditioned souls with tendencies to commit sinful activities can be a Guru in the Parampara, Pure disciplic successsion of self realized souls and such "Gurus" can fall down spiritually and still be a Guru if only they "sincerely rectify" themselves. Along with the first Six "Gurus" falldowns by 1987, there also came a sense of fear that soon the numbers of "Gurus" in ISKCON may be down to zero, and so quickly the GBC came to the rescue by "munificiently" adding Seventy (70) more to satisfy the ever increasing "needs" of the new comer devotees who were taken in for their "living Guru" product. With so many "Gurus added, even if some fell down spiritually, (and indeed around 25 or more have fallen from 1987-1999), it would never look as bad as with the earlier group of eleven because there always were so "many" more who were still in "good standing". This time however the GBC were more careful than they were in 1978, by now applying for the Insurance Policy of Narahari Sarakaras "teachings. By making it their "lawbook" all of their new Seventy "Gurus" were fully insured against being criticized even if they did fall spiritually, by the "grace" of the ISKCON "law Book", as long as they "rectified" themselves. Now, we will show the reader some of the quotes of "law" from the ISKCON "Law" book, and see if they at all have any connection with Srila Prabhupads actual statements in his books: (1) The ISKCON "LAW" BOOK states in Page 69, Text 6.5.1.3. as follows: "If a guru is engaged in sense gratification, violating one or more of the regulative principles, but there is hope that he can be rectified, then his disciples should not reject him but should allow time for such rectification to take place, and they should take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and senior Vaisnavas as siksa gurus". By the above statement or "law" we can understand the following points: (A) ISKCON leaders and GBC body openly and shamelessly claim that conditioned souls with the tendencies to commit the 4 Pillars of sinful activities can also function as initiating spiritual masters in the pure disciplic succession of completely God realized eternal Gurus. (B) The very statement of "law" by the GBC that a Guru can violate ONE or MORE of the regulative principles is in complete contrast and opposite view of what Srila Prabhupada states in the Chaitanya Charitamrta Antya Lila Ch 13 tx 133 purport : "It is the duty of a Vaisnava acarya to prevent his disciples and followers from violating the principles of Vaisnava behaviour. He should always advise them to strictly follow the regulative principles, which will protect them from falling down." Therefore if it is a Vaisnava acaryas duty to prevent his disciples and followers from violating the regulative principles, then it is already clearly understood that such a Vaisnava acarya must himself already be expert in following all of the regulative principles, and would never find himself in a position as the GBC appointed "Gurus" in the ISKCON "law" Book, many of whom have shown the common tendency to break ONE or MORE of them. (C) By the above ISKCON "law" the GBC also further admit that after one of their selected "Guru" breaks loose with sex desire or any of the other three regulative principles, then for the time being the poor "disciple" can once again run to the shelter of Srila Prabhupada, by chanting of his pranama mantras and offering of Bhogha to Srila Prabhupada . However all of this is of course "OPTIONAL", and definitely temporary, and only under the condition that one understands that Srila Prabhupada is only ones "Emergency Guru. The most recent 1998 Suspension of Harikesa Dasa confirms this point: that while admitting that "Harikesa dasa has acted abnormally, by assuming himself to be an incarnation of Skanda, Lord Chaitanya, etc, and his non-devotee girlfriend Monica and female disciple as divine Incarnations of goddesses of fortune", and while " invoking the LIGHTEST possible sanction" by probating and suspending Harikesa dasa from his Guru position, in the very same breath, the GBC Executive committee headed by Ravindra Svarup dasa gives a very liberal choice to the poor disciples of Harikesa by mentioning as follows: " While his disciples should not accept siksa from him absolutely, they may, if they desire, CONTINUE TO HONOUR HIM AS THEIR SPIRITUAL MASTER in gratitude for his mercy and guidance in the past and in expectation of his restoration in the future". (Please see "GBC letter to all ISKCON Devotees" in relation to the Harikesa Saga in the irg website. Further, in the article "Suspension of Harikesa Dasa", (also in irg), in section No.3 of title called "Specific Conditions of Probations as Guru": "That Harikesas disciples may CONTINUE TO OFFER PUJA AND BHOGHA TO HIM AND RECITE HIS PRANAMA MANTRAS; or they may perform these functions instead to Srila Prabhupada alone; OR TO BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER. The choice among these belongs to the individual disciple to make". Therefore any sane devotee would be completely disgusted at the GBCs greatly "liberal" and callous attitude: that even if one still wants to worship someone who has had constant illicit sex with non-devotee women, and have tried to seduce their women disciples sexually, there is absolutely NO HARM if you continue worshiping him alone, or if one feels a little bit awkward about it, then one can worship such a sexual loving "Guru" TOGETHER with the actual Mahabhagavat Bona fide Guru, Srila Prabhupada . Such is the past ( 22 years) and the present state of the GBCs consciousness. Therefore after these above and many other similar incidents, how can any honest devotee ever expect good government in ISKCON from the present persons in the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON? (D)) The above ISKCON "law" also "instructs" us that Gurus who are supposed to be coming from the pure eternal disciplic succession of self realized souls, can also become bewildered and violate not only ONE, but MORE of the basic Krishna conscious regulative principles, which even strict beginners (bhaktas and bhaktins) in ISKCON can follow all of them without difficulty. This "law" has also been practically enforced since the Mid 1980s, and even till the present day, when such a GBC "appointed Guru" experiences gross fall downs, still he is considered only a suspended guru, and can continue to initiate new disciples if he is seen to improve himself. One out of MANY prominent examples is as follows: The GBC resolution published in October 1986, states : "That all of Bhavananda Goswamis GBC and initiation responsibilities can be resumed by him as of October 1986". Therefore in the above cases, as in many other cases, the GBC members and senior leaders, covered and even sanctioned that the "initiating Guru" after a grossly sinful falldown, such as constant engagement in illicit sexual activities, is allowed after some time of "improvement" in his behavior to continue initiating disciples, just to show their appreciation to such a "Guru" for all his past services in ISKCON, especially his "Guru" service and also to encourage" such a "Guru" to continue his "Guru service" for ISKCON, so that he may not leave ISKCON altogether, and create an embarrassment for both the GBC and himself. This was also done to encourage his "disciples" so that they may continue in the illusion that such a person is indeed his "Guru coming in the disciplic succession of self realized souls" and ensure that such "disciples" of the "Guru" would not leave ISKCON because of feeling cheated and heart broken at their GBCs pledge to them to accept such a "Guru" as "good as God" and "sum total of all demigods" in their every morning Mangala Artika Samsara Prayers. (E) Very different from all these above mentioned concoctions in the ISKCON "law" Book, Srila Prabhupada states in CC. Madhya Lila 22.71: "There is no possibility that a first class devotee will fall down, even though he may mix with non devotees to preach, " Any perfected or first class devotee can never fall down spiritually. Therefore by uttering so many concoctions unknown to the rank and file devotees who joined before 1978, any honest and intelligent devotee can see that the GBC practically as much as admits that their selected "living Gurus" are simply not at all qualified to become anyones eternal preceptor Guru. (F) In 1976, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada called Nitai Das, began preaching to some devotees the philosophy that Gurus and Acaryas coming in the disciplic succession from Lord Brahma can fall down spiritually, and still be forgiven etc etc, . Soon when Srila Prabhupada found out, he called Nitai das a RASCAL . Later Srila Prabhupada banned him from ISKCON because of his continuing to follow this nonsense philosophy and his mixing with "Babajis"who preached and practised such sahajiya Philosophy. IT was practically the only ONE person Srila Prabhupada ever banned in his life, and it was for the SAME PERVERTED teachings that the GBC have issued in their "law book" and which they claimed that Narahari Sarkar had "taught". So therefore one can see how much Srila Prabhupada was against this speculation . And yet unfortunately and extremely IRONICALLY, the GBC, after Srila Prabhupada 's departure have banned so many thousands of devotees, out of ISKCON or of their services in ISKCON, simply because they follow Srila Prabhupad's philosophy that the Bonafide Guru in parampara can never fall down spiritually. (2) The ISKCON LAW BOOK also states in page 69 TX 6.5.1.2.1 as follows: "That if a guru has become hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and it has been shown either by observation or from his own admission, that he has been regularly violating the regulative principles of Krishna consciousness, and if there is virtually no hope for his rectification, then the disciple should reject him and may accept reinitiation." (A) Here the GBC very mercifully allows the "disciple" of the fallen "ISKCON Guru" to once more try out his luck by shuffling or kicking him or her around like "football" to another of one their elected voted "eternal Gurus". In ISKCON we have seen "disciples" being reinitiated even up to FOUR times after having experienced their "appointed by Srila Prabhupada Guru" or "appointed by the GBC Guru", fall down grossly into illicit sinful activities. (B) The subject of "reinitiation was never mentioned EVEN ONCE by Srila Prabhupada in all of his books, tapes, or letters. There is NOT ONE SINGLE Historical example in the bonafide scriptures of the GBCs CONCOCTED reinitiation system in connection with actual bonafide Gurus coming in the Pure disciplic succession. (C) In fact Srila Prabhupada clearly warns in the Chaitanya Charitamrta Adi lila chapter 1 Text 35 purport, "A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master, because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one initiating Guru is always forbidden". The fact that Srila Prabhupada mentions that a devotee MUST have only ONE initiating Spiritual master is already clear prove that Srila Prabhupada is definitely NOT referring to a conditioned soul, apt to fall down any time from his spiritual regulative principles as mentioned in the ISKCON "law" Book, and definitely NOT the species of "gurus" that the GBC has been promoting since the past 22 years. (D) The actual bonafide initiating Spiritual master gives divya jnana (planting the seed of spiritual knowledge and the seed of bhakti lata bija or the creeper of devotional). He also promises the disciple to free him or her from all his many trillions of lifetimes of sinful actions and reactions (karma), and to deliver him or her out of the 10 coverings of the material universe, back to the spiritual sky. Therefore all these are definitely NOT a task for a conditioned soul with the tendency to "violate ONE or MORE of the basic regulative principles (as mentioned in the ISKCON "Law" Book). Such conditioned souls by the mercy of the fully Ever Liberated preceptor eternal Sad Guru such as Srila Prabhupada, can however be engaged as an assistant in these above mentioned activities in the capacity of agent, instructor, priest, deputy, rtvik etc. Thus since the initiating Spiritual Master has such an extraordinarily mighty task to perform, he definitely has to be on the highest platform (C. C. Madhya Lila Vol. 3 Ch 24 TX 330, purport). And when one accepts a bonafide spiritual master who is actually free from the four defects of a conditioned soul, and free from gross and subtle sinful activities then there is NEVER ANY QUESTION of his falling down from spiritual life and forcing the disciple to change ones initiating spiritual master to go out shopping for another. Therefore Srila Prabhupadas statement that "One should have only one initiating Spiritual master" is clear by understanding his above mentioned quotes. (E) Srila Prabhupada however goes on to say in the C.C. Adi Lila 1.35 : "There is no limit, however, to the number of INSTRUCTING spiritual masters one may accept. Generally a spiritual Master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science, becomes his initiating spiritual Master later on". Today after 22 years of struggle, ISKCON leaders and the GBC have finally come up with the resolution that Srila Prabhupada is everyones Prime instructing Spiritual master for all devotees in ISKCON. Therefore by their very own statements the GBC are indirectly and unconsciously admitting and conceding to Srila Prabhupadas statements that such a "Spiritual Master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science, becomes his initiating Spiritual master later on", IS CLEARLY Srila Prabhupada whose gracious and gargantuan library of Books, audio and video cassettes instructs thousands of people daily. Therefore it seems that the main object of the GBC for devotees that joined post 1977 is for them to accept a "living Guru", even though he is not qualified, as long as he was breathing in and out Oxygen and Carbon dioxide, that was his real "qualification", to accept disciples simply because he was "living". In fact when some of these poor devotees (post 1977) after going through one or two of their fallen "Gurus" try to escape the noose of Reinitiation, they are severely hounded by the GBC as being too independent and unwilling to surrender to authority. This forces the poor devotee to throw the dice just one more time to mechanically accepts once more a GBC appointed "Guru" just so that he can continue his existence in ISKCON peacefully without being criticized for being an offender to the "Traditional Parampara" system as understood by the GBC. Thus after understanding these above mentioned quotes of Srila Prabhupads in the Chaitanya Charitamrta, We submit that the GBC cannot insist that people accept more initiating Gurus and make "laws" in their "law" Book enforcing this idea of reintiation. Unfortunately for everyone and for themselves, the GBC have been carrying out this most dangerous experiment of reinitiation for the past 22 years upon thousands of devotees that joined ISKCON post 1977. (3) The ISKCON "law" book also states in Page 58-59, Text 6.2.1, point No.3 on the qualifications necessary to be approved as a diksa Guru in ISKCON as follows: "Must have not had a fall down within 5 years". From the above "law" we can understand the following points. (A) This time period of not having had a spiritual falldown for "5 years" which the GBC mentions is a total concoction on their part, as such a time period was NEVER mentioned by Srila Prabhupada in all of his books, conversations, or tapes etc. Recently one of the original founding fathers and participants of the zonal acarya system commented when challenged as to how the GBC came up with "5" years and not "6" "10" or "20" etc, he falsely replied that the GBC had been given such "authorization" by Srila Prabhupada to decide on "such matters" such as fixing the time limit and qualifications of "gurus" who were supposed to be coming in the pure disciplic succession of self realized souls and to be looked upon as "the sum total of all demigods". (C) That as soon as the Clocks ticked past 12.00AM Midnight on the eve of 5 years after one has had a spiritual falldown such as illicit Sex etc, one was perfectly eligible to knock on the GBC doors waking them up from their sleep, to demand his Guru rights such as (1) being a "bonafide Guru coming in the Disciplic succession of self realized souls (2) being qualified to plant the seed of bhakti in the heart of a conditioned soul, (3) being able to annihilate such a "disciple's" sinful activities performed for crores of lifetimes (4) competent to deliver oneself as well as his conditioned disciple from the clutches of the material universe Durga fort and send him back safely to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna in the Spiritual world. ALL THIS IS SUDDENLY MADE POSSIBLE (according to the GBC), JUST BECAUSE THE TIME LIMIT OF "5" YEARS HAD ELASPED ! (4) The ISKCON "LAW" Book states in page 69 Text 6.5.1.2.2. as follows; "That if the spiritual Master takes on demoniac qualities and becomes inimical to ISKCON, he should be rejected and the disciple may take reinitiation". The following points are to be considered: (A) There is NOT even one single historical example of a bonafide Guru in our disciplic succession ever becoming a demon. How can one have a "fallen" "suspended" or "demoniac" relationship with the Supreme Lord or his pure representative, the Guru? Therefore after studying carefully all the above points, the reader can realize that it is no wonder that Srila Prabhupada warns us in the Chaitanya Charitamrta Antya Lila Ch 5, Tx 71-74, to never think that a genuine eternal preceptor Guru can be a conditioned soul: "One is forbidden to accept the Guru or Spiritual master as an ordinary man". (B) And in the CC Adi Lila Ch 7, TX 88, Srila Prabhupada mentions: "If one who is not yet developed, imitates such symptoms (of a liberated Guru) artificially, he create chaos in the spiritual life of human society". Thus no sane member of ISKCON will ever agree to the INSANE proposals and chaotic conditions created by the GBC for the past twenty two years, by equating the actual meaning of the word "Guru", especially the Guru coming in the Pure Disiplic Succession of Self realized Spiritual masters, with one who can be "Demoniac", "Suspended" or "fallen", as unfortunately the ISKCON "Law" Book has. (C) In the ISKCON "Law" Book, one finds this sad misunderstanding of the actual Gurus position to be mixed with the position of a conditioned souls, or partially realized souls, who are at present occupying the posts of "Initiating Gurus" in ISKCON. Although the GBC accuses those devotees who sincerely want to reinstall Srila Prabhupads instructions on the rtvik system of being "Mayavadis", it is the GBC body members and leaders of ISKCON who are actually promoting the Mayavada Philosophy, because Srila Prabhupada clearly defines in the Chaitanya Charitamrta that "Mixing the spiritual with Material is the Mayavadis business". "Gurusu nara matih yasya vai naraka sah": anyone who thinks that the bonafide Guru can be a materially conditioned souls apt to break the regulative principles and so forth, has a mentality that is naraki or hellish. Thus Srila Prabhupada writes, " The Sahajiyas consider the acharyas to be mixed devotees. Thus they clear their path to hell" (CC Adi Lila CH 7 TX 22). (5) THE ISKCON LAW BOOK STATES IN PAGE 164, Text 2.1 as follows: "That ISKCON devotees and leaders have repeatedly requested a clear vision from the GBC on Srila Prabhupadas order in 1977 regarding continuing the disciplic succession, but as yet has not been presented". "The siddantha in regard to Guru tattva in ISKCON has been unclear and there is a need for a statement from the GBC to give direction". (A) From the above statement the GBC themselves admit in BLACK and WHITE that they as the leaders of ISKCON were never clear about Srila Prabhupads instructions to them on the Post 1977 initiation system for ISKCON. Yet after clearly admitting their uncertainty about these matter, suddenly and miraculously, twenty years later, (in 1997), they claimed to have received their revelations from ???? to clear this uncertainty by printing their "law" book and all the laws mentioned in this article, completely opposing and contradicting their "laws" made in regards to the guru issue during the zonal acarya days (1978-1987), and for which they drove out thousands of devotees from ISKCON. (B) SIMULTANEOUSLY they also issued the "law" that the rtvik system actually ordered and demonstrated by Srila Prabhupada (1) for about 5 years during his Physical presence (without the formality of the name "rtvik"), (2)"when he would no longer be present before us", in the May 28th conversation, (3) in the BLACK and WHITE July 9th letter, (4) and his will "MY INITIATED DISCIPLE", - are all a "dangerous concoction and outlawed system for ISKCON ". They also forbid any member of ISKCON to follow these instructions of Srila Prabhupada or "engage in organizing or financing" the carrying out of such instructions. Thus we submit that the GBCs audacious behaviour of rejection of the rtvik system and banning devotees who support the rtvik system for ISKCON, simply by quoting the ISKCON LAW (JOKE) BOOK, SURPASSES ALL THE GREATEST HYPOCRISY OF THIS WORLD AND THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. Such hypocrisy is attracting the compassion of every saintly person all over the universe to be fully concerned at the most deplorable condition that ISKCON is in at present, with its "GBC" members in the name of being the body of Srila Prabhupada, covering Srila Prabhupada and all his pure teachings while simultaneously banning, condemning and intimidating those who object to their covering, and who want that Srila Prabhupadas teachings remain in their pure form intact. Therefore after reading the "laws" from the ISKCON "LAW" Book we are confident that any sincere, honest devotee will understand that the ISKCON "Law" Book should HENCEFORWARD only and officially be known as the "ISKCON JOKE BOOK" and nothing else. It is indeed a BAD JOKE played by the GBC members that they will have to answer both to the courts of this world (at present in India) and also to the court of Yamaraj after leaving this world. By all the sincere prayers of the honest devotees, may the hypocrisy and double dealings of the GBC soon be vanquished, for Srila Prabhupada once mentioned in his purports in Srimad Bhagavatam, that Krsna comes especially when he sees his devotees feeling very sorry for the irreligious state of affairs going on in society, and now at a time when irreligious affairs are going on in the very society of devotees, ISKCON, that is supposed to SAVE the materialistic irreligious society from gliding to hell, it is especially sure that the Lord and his associates will rectify such personalities in the guise of GBC members, leaders, Swamis, Gurus etc. May Lord Krishna and our beloved eternal preceptor guru, Srila Prabhupada forgive every member of ISKCON, (both inside and outside members) for allowing the GBC to create this chaos in human society and in the International society for Krishna Consciousness. By their grace, may we all now begin to obey their orders and reemerge out of chaos back to order: namely at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada, the eternal bonafide spiritual preceptor of all the members of his transcendental movement. Related VNN Stories  Comment on this storyContact VNN about this storySend this story to a friend
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