10/30/1998 - 2435

Sannyasa Reform - Option To Get Married?

USA (VNN) - By Sarvaga Das

As apparent in the correspondents below there seems to be some confusion in ISKCON over what the sannyasa ashram is meant to be. There is discussing about standards for sannyasis "who want to get married." It is mentioned in the text that "The option of marriage is available, of course." The question arises, if the "option to get married" is available what is the meaning of sannyasa? Was this not called the Brahmacari Ashram?

There is also suggestion that the contemplation of a sannyasi wanting to get married should be kept secret: "measures should be administered discreetly so that the sannyasi is still able to function in that role during his recuperation." The "Recuperating Sannyasi" - is that not an oxymoron?

And yes, there is a difference if a sannyasi acts improperly, because he is getting special respect exclusively due to his vows and he is accepted as the spiritual guide of society. The other ashrams are not.

COM text start:

From: Danavir das Goswami (USA)
Date: 23-Sep-98 17:25
To: Prahladananda Swami [6676]
Comment: Text 2469 by Prahladananda Swami
Subject: sannyasa reform proposal
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Dear Prahladananda Maharaja, Kansas City, September 23, 1998

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I have some ideas for how to guide sannyasis who have difficulties and thusimprove the integrity of the sannyasa asrama and promote more faith inISKCON leadership. Please let me know your thoughts on them.

1. If a sannyasi contemplates marriage verbally, or seriously compromisesthe asrama by improper association with women as in receiving massage, orremaining isolated with a woman, or some other inappropiate sex-relatedbehavior and it comes to the notice of the Sannyasa Minister, the SannyasaMinister should:

A. Confidentially discuss the options with the troubled sannyasi. The option of marriage is available, of course, if the situation is irrectifiable butrehabilitation is preferred. In most cases, this should involve a majoradjustment of service, sadhana, association, accountability and humility. Ifthe sannyasi is to continue in the asrama, he should: 1) voluntarilyrefrain from initiating anyone (harinama diksa or mantra diksa) for a fiveyear period, 2) accept a complete program for rectification, 3) berestricted from initiating anyone into the sannyasa asrama throughout thislifetime, 4) after the five year period of rectification, be placed on anadditional five year probationary period. During this period his ability togive initiations would be annually decided by the Sannyasa Minister (or byan authorized committee assigned by the Minister). These measures should beadministered discreetly so that the sannyasi is still able to function inthat role during his recuperation.

Thank you for considering this proposal.

Your servant,
Danavir dasa Goswami
(Text COM:1713284) -----------------------------------------



From: Prahladananda Swami
Date: 28-Sep-98 09:07
To: Danavir das Goswami (USA)
Reference: Text COM:1713284 by Danavir das Goswami (USA)
Subject: sannyasa reform proposal
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Camp: Bhaktivedanta Manor

Dear Danavir Maharaja, Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 Thank you for the proposal. In the case of a fall down of a sannyasi, I assume that some rectification procedure must be there. Unfortuantely,the GBC does not always contact me nor is there always some rectificationprograms established. Therefore, your suggestion is welcomed forconsistency. As far as the sannyasi giving initiations, I would prefer thepolicies be established by a guru board. Personally I don't see anydifference between a householder guru behaving irresponsibly and abrahmachari, vanaprastha or sannyasi acting irresponsibly.

 Thank you again for your suggestions.

Hope all is well.

Your servant,
Prahladananda Swami