01/18/98-1513

Prabhupada Centennial Survey

United Kingdom (VNN) - By Bhajahari das:

Prabhus, the subject of this posting is an article I recently read in a publication called "ISKCON Communications Journal" attributed to Tamal Krsna Goswami. Apparently it is a transcript of an address given to some Religious group.

I shall quote the section that I found most interesting :

"While it is beyond our present purpose to delve into all the above questions, one particular debate has engaged many both within and on the margins of ISKCON. Must a devotee, not yet initiated, accept a living, breathing guru if he or she is to make full spiritual advancement? Responding to this question in the North American Prabhupada Centennial Survey, a considerable majority (86%) of full time ISKCON members responded affirmatively, as compared with just over half (52%) of those no longer active in ISKCON (Rochford, 1997)."
"Those who responded negatively were not questioning the need for a guru. Rather, they probably had in mind the notion that Prabhupada can continue to initiate disciples even after his demise. This view, known until recently as the 'ritvik acarya' theory, claims that Prabhupada appointed 'ritviks' (officiating priests) as proxies, never intending that any of his disciples become regular gurus. Adherents of this philosophy believe that Prabhupada was and continues to be the only legitimate guru for ISKCON. According to the same survey, nearly a quarter (23%) of ISKCON's full-time members, and some of less than half (45%) of those devotees no longer active in ISKCON agreed that Prabhupada wanted those he named to continue as proxy-initiators after his departure (Rochford, 1997). This is NOT (my caps) an insignificant number when one considers the extent of G.B.C. efforts to refute and proscribe this view".

A COUPLE OF COMMENTS

1. I have exchanged several emails with Burke Rochford since coming across this information. He has informed me that these %ages were released to the G.B.C. at last years Mayapur Festival. I'm left wondering why these figures have not been passed on to those devotees (myself, my wife and 3 of my 4 children included) that took the time and trouble to fill out the long and detailed questionnaire.

When I recently mentioned these figures to my local temple president he was genuinely surprised.

2. So now it is official(ish). Almost half of the devotees (surveyed) not actively involved in ISKCON believe that Srila Prabhupada does not approve of the way initiations are being conducted at present. Rather they believe that His Divine Grace set up a system whereby he would continue to be the Diksha Guru within his Society. If you speak up against the present system you run the risk of being banned from attending the temple to take Darshan of the Deities. This has unfortunately been my fate. Of course I had been previously warned not to discuss these things. Earlier in the year my 19 year old son Pancha Tattva das was told that he was no longer welcome in the Manor's theatre group The Bhaktivedanta Players. When he asked if it was because of his father's belief's he was told that it was. He has been involved with acting all his life. At present he is attending a Performing Arts course at a London college. It would be very difficult for me to explain what effect this has had on him. He has told us that he feels totally betrayed by this callous behavior. He previously looked to the leaders of the theatre group as his authorities in K.C.

The most inconceivable aspect of their behavior as far as I am concerned is that before they rejected him he knew practically nothing about Srila Prabhupada's order for an 'officiating acarya' system. He knows a lot more now because he came and asked me about it. The bottom line is that he has been penalized for his father's beliefs. Bit sad really don't you think?

3. Last but not least, I think it is important to note that this survey was completed over two years ago. At that time neither I, nor my wife and children, or many other devotees we know for that matter, had anytime for the so called 'Ritvik Vadis'. We found their presentations extremely offensive and philosophically unsound.

Now the situation has changed dramatically due to the arrival of the superbly researched and written discussion document The Final Order. Myself, my family and many devotees that I have personally given this document to have become convinced that His Divine Grace wanted the system outlined in the July 9th. policy document that was sent to the whole Society to remain in place after his physical departure. Further on a worldwide scale Ramya and myself have been involved in the distribution of over 4000 copies of the said document, and the feedback has been very encouraging. One can only imagine what the percentages would be if the survey was done NOW. If you have not read this paper I humbly urge you to give it look. I can email it or if you want a hard copy I can send it free though I will need you to pay the postage.

Nuff said for now. Take care. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Yours sincerely,

Bhajahari das