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| EUROPE December 10, 1998 VNN2649 See Related VNN Stories Harikesa Fired, Pending Review? GERMANY, Dec 10 (VNN) — The GBC Executive Committee has issued a statement to "suspend [Harikesa] as a guru in ISKCON", pending a review in Mayapur 1999. "Lack of faith" is given as reason for this action. This policy of suspending gurus has raised many questions in the past, as some have asked, where in the bonafied vedic shastra it is stated that a guru can be fired from his job. According to vedic standards only a Sudra can be fired from his jobs, since he is employed. Even a Vaishya cannot be fired, since he is financially independent, what to speak of a Ksatriya or Brahmana. As "Authority for this decision" the GBC quoted from "ISKCON Law" - the new(age) shastra? (Text from COM) Date: 09-Dec-98 Subject: Notice from the GBC Executive Committee Status of Harikesa dasa Tuesday, December 8th, 1998 On August 12th, 1998 the GBC executive committee issued a statement on the status of Harikesa dasa acting as an initiating spiritual master in ISKCON. At that time he was put on probation, with the hope that his difficulties would be of a temporary nature. It now appears that his lack of faith in Srila Prabhupad and his inability to represent the standards and teachings of our disciplic succession and Vedic shastra are deep and on going. Thus we are obliged, according to ISKCON law and out of care and concern for those initiated by Harikesa dasa, to suspend him as a guru in ISKCON. This status will be reviewed again and adjusted accordingly at the Mayapur annual meetings in February of 1999. The August 12th decision to place Harikesa dasa on probation came with a set of guidelines for rectification. To date there has been no positive or encouraging movement in this direction, rather it appears that he is moving farther away from Srila Prabhupad and Vedic standards and philosophy. Therefore we are obliged to make this statement. We recognize that this is a very painful and troubling situation for those initiated by Harikesa dasa. We are all fortunate that there is always the security and shelter of Srila Prabhupada's books, his personal example, his service, the Deities, and above all the association of the Vaishnavas. Taking shelter in these will protect you spiritually in these difficult times. There is no doubt that Srila Prabhupada will extend his special mercy to all of you to help you in your progress back home, back to Godhead. In the way of practical application, the status of suspension means that it is not longer considered appropriate to offer the standard worship given to a guru in good standings. There should be no conflict because Harikesa dasa himself has repeatedly stated that he no longer wishes to be seen in the role of a spiritual master. We in ISKCON appreciate Harikesa dasa for his many past accomplishments in devotional service and join you in prayers that he will one day revive his full faith in Srila Prabhupad and the ability to work within the standards and system of mangement Srila Prabhupad, as the founder/ acharya of ISKCON personally established. Your servants, Ravindra Svarupa dasa, Sesa dasa, and Badrinarayan dasa PS: See "attachment" for the appropriate ISKCON laws ATTACHMENT: Authority for this decision ISKCON Lawbook 6.4.4.2 Emergency Reports If any approved guru has: 1. taken reinitiation/shelter of a non-ISKCON guru or institution; 2. rejected ISKCON or Srila Prabhupada; or 3. undergone a change of service, of arama, or of living situation, which the local GBC member feels threatens to hamper the approved guru's ability to give guidance or to set a proper standard of conduct for disciples, then the GBC member shall submit an emergency report to the Executive Committee. If possible, this report shall include a written statement from the guru in question as to his intentions in regard to his disciples and his devotional service. If not possible, then the report shall at least include a description of the approved guru's intentions as best they can be discerned through the investigation of the GBC member. The report shall also contain any other information which would be of value to the GBC Body in determining the guru's status, as well as the recommendations of the local Temple Presidents, zonal councils, etc. The Executive Committee shall review the emergency reports and take any necessary action. 6.4.5.3 Suspension If a guru blatantly ignores the terms of probation, or repeatedly breaks one or more of the regulative principles, or acts in a manner which seriously and harmfully disregards existing ISKCON or GBC policies, or leaves his arama of sannyasa without authorization, or leaves the assocition of devotees and the ISKCON movement, or completely deviates from standard sadhana, he may be suspended. If a guru is suspended he cannot give initiation, nor maintain an absolute siksa position in relation with his disciples, nor be introduced as a spiritual master, nor perform his guru functions such as receiving guru-puja or the acceptance of daksina. 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