ISKCON Revival Movement
THE FINAL ORDER
Proves Srila Prabhupada Is ISKCON's Initiating Guru
By:
Krishnakant
Foreword by Dr. Kim Knott
Professor of Religous Studies, Leeds University, U.K.
Originally requested for submission to
a select committee of ISKCON's GBC in October 1996
Contents
• Foreword by Dr. Kim Knott
• Preface
• Introduction
• The Evidence
• Objections Relating Directly to the Form and Circumstances of the Order
• The "Appointment Tape"
• Other Related Objections
• Conclusion
• What is a ritvik?
• Relevant Quotes from Srila Prabhupada's Teachings:
• Does the Guru need to be physically present?
• Follow the Instruction not the body
• The Books are enough
• Srila Prabhupada is our Eternal Guru
Appendices:
• July 9th, 1977 Letter "To All GBC, and Temple Presidents"
• July 10th, 1977 Letter
• July 11th, 1977 Letter
• July 21st, 1977 Letter
• July 31st, 1977 Letter
• Srila Prabhupada’s Declaration of Will (4th June, 1977) &
• Codicil (5th November, 1977)
• Room conversations
• Tamal Krishna’s Pyramid House confessions
Foreword to The Final Order
by
Dr Kim Knott, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, University of Leeds, UK.
Whilst researching a recent paper on "Insider and Outsider Perceptions of Srila Prabhupada", I found myself trying briefly to do justice to the different views held by devotees concerning disciplic succession and the role of gurus following Prabhupada's disappearance in 1977. Naturally, I had been aware before this of the periods of crisis surrounding the fall of individual gurus and the waves of shock and sadness experienced by their initiated disciples, godbrothers and godsisters. I had hoped like many, that guru-reforms in the late-1980s would solve ISKCON's leadership and initiation difficulties. Looking again at the issue when preparing the paper, I read some of the arguments for and against the present system, as well as the work of other scholars on questions of guru and succession. It was clearly still a live issue. In the very latest scholarship on "The Parampara Institution" in volume 5 of Journal of Vaisnava Studies, Jan Brzezinski discusses various aspects of this, stressing the importance of qualified, charismatic leadership in the future of ISKCON. His is just one view, but it is indicative of the power of this subject to motivate interest inside and outside the Movement.
Late in 1996 I was asked to read The Final Order, to give my opinions and to discuss the questions posed within it. Reading it, I was left in no doubt that this was a matter of very great significance to ISKCON and about which many devotees felt deeply. It seemed to me that it raised important theological questions concerning spiritual authority and its transmission, the relationship of the disciple and Krishna's representative, the guru, and the proper objects of devotional worship. As an outsider, I am quite unable to judge the matter (and unable to weigh the evidence presented here against the evidence for the present acharya system). However, I am able to commend what is presented here as a serious attempt to argue the case that Srila Prabhupada established a system of ritvik gurus whom he intended would initiate disciples on his behalf. I hope it will be read carefully and discussed widely, not because I support or condemn its position, but because the profound issues it raises demand consideration at all levels. Every devotee has a real stake in the matter.
No doubt it is unwise for an outsider to involve herself by writing such a foreword, but my motives remain my interest in the movement and goodwill to all its devotees.
Kim Knott, February 1997
Preface to the Fourth Edition
It is now a decade since the first edition of The Final Order was printed in 1996. Originally I described The Final Order as a “discussion paper on Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for initiation within ISKCON”. No one who knows the Movement would deny that the paper has provoked a good deal of “discussion”, and thus it has succeeded in its aim to bring this issue into the spotlight.
It would be hard now for ISKCON’s leadership to credibly claim oblivion to the legal documents, personally signed by Srila Prabhupada, that clearly set out his intention to remain the sole initiating (diksa) guru for the spiritual Movement he founded. It is these legal documents that constitute the core of The Final Order paper that has now been distributed all over the world, and is available on the world wide web. There are still countries where The Final Order has yet to be translated (as at February 2006, the following translations were available: French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada; with translations in Czech, Dutch, Tamil and Italian underway); added to this ISKCON leaders have placed a blanket ban on its distribution in all ISKCON centres. For these reasons there remain large numbers of ISKCON’s rank and file who have yet to read the paper, in spite of all the media coverage and controversy. But at least for ISKCON’s executive leadership and gurus, ignorance of Srila Prabhupada’s order on spiritual initiation is no longer an excuse. In the introduction to The Final Order we stated that:
“We consider it highly unlikely that anyone is deliberately disobeying, or causing others to disobey, a direct order from our Founder-Acarya.”
Given the GBC’s evasion, obfuscation, violent suppression and downright dishonesty over The Final Order, the above point may now need revising.
There is now a worldwide organisation called the ISKCON Revival Movement (IRM) that holds The Final Order as its foundation, and was set up specifically to promote its conclusions. It has a website with over 100 papers (www.iskconirm.com) by the same author and publishes a quarterly colour magazine called Back to Prabhupada which is distributed free of charge to thousands of subscribers worldwide . There has been worldwide media coverage of the IRM’s activities, including numerous press articles and items on the BBC. The IRM has also made presentations at major academic conferences, including the International Cultic Studies Association, CESNUR and the American Academy of Religion. In addition, the author of The Final Order has been published by various academic and educational publishers including Columbia University Press, Firma KLM, Continuum International Publishing and Facts on File. Through these media the IRM has gained widespread acceptance amongst the scholarly community as a force for reform within ISKCON. Since the formation of the IRM, a growing number of ISKCON devotees and centres around the world have now accepted the conclusions of The Final Order.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ISKCON Revival Movement (IRM)
1. What is the IRM?
The IRM is a body composed of ISKCON devotees from all over the world who want to see the Society put back on track, in line with the directives of its Founder, Srila Prabhupada.
2. Why does the IRM exist?
The spiritual purity and general prestige of ISKCON has undergone a massive deterioration since the physical departure of its Founder on November 14th 1977. Srila Prabhupada single-handedly established ISKCON in 1966 as a great gift to the world, and when he left it was an expanding dynamic force, a beacon of light for humanity. Sadly today it is disintegrating, a fact admitted in a memo sent in May 2000 by the then GBC Chairman Ravindra Svarupa das:
“Therefore the question remains: What, then, will we do? How will we deal with our polarized and disintegrating Society?”
This decline can be traced back to various deviations from the instructions and standards given by Srila Prabhupada, the chief of which being his displacement as the sole diksa guru for ISKCON. The ISKCON Revival Movement seeks to restore ISKCON to its former glory, purity and philosophical chastity through the re-institution of all the instructions and standards that Srila Prabhupada gave, beginning with his role as the sole authority and diksa guru for ISKCON.
The IRM’s position is set out in The Final Order and No Change in ISKCON Paradigm position papers. Both these papers are also available on our website: www.iskconirm.com
3. Is the IRM separate from ISKCON?
It is a movement within a movement, composed of ISKCON members who seek to reform and revive the Society.
4. Is the aim of the IRM to form a new movement?
No. It is to re-establish the original ISKCON that Srila Prabhupada left us. Once this is achieved the IRM shall be dissolved.
5. What difference would Srila Prabhupada’s restoration as the sole diksa guru make?
Firstly, it is the most basic axiom of spiritual life that we can only make advancement by properly following the orders of the guru. If the guru asks for milk and we bring him water, how will he be pleased? And if the guru is not pleased, how will we ever approach Lord Krishna?
For nearly three decades ISKCON has not been doing what Srila Prabhupada ordered. Since Srila Prabhupada left us physically we have not allowed him to initiate even one person via his ritvik, or representational, system. This is the only system of initiation he ever authorised to continue within the Society. If ISKCON members once more start to follow his order, then naturally they will please Lord Krishna, and all spiritual success should naturally follow. Also, with everyone having the same direct relationship as Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, factionalism will be eliminated. For the first time in nearly thirty years there will be united team spirit, with everyone working for the same goal - the service and glorification of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna. Many ISKCON “gurus” have fallen prey to gross sinful activities; and when they leave they often take with them hundreds of thousands of dollars and many of their followers. This continual loss of properties, faith and personnel will be eliminated as faith is only placed in Srila Prabhupada, and not in fallible substitutes. Money currently siphoned off by the 80 or so “gurus” from their disciples in daksina (gifted money) will instead go to temples, making them healthy and strong.
6. How can the IRM be so sure its position is correct, and the GBC’s is not?
The IRM consider their position correct since it is based on signed, legal documents that were directed to the whole Movement. On the other hand, the GBC have presented at least three completely contradictory official positions (none of which are supported by legal documents) and thus do not technically have a position, not to speak of a correct one. We should point out that not only do these various accounts contradict each other, but on occasion contradict themselves too. For example, if we just take the simple question of when Srila Prabhupada was meant to have authorised his replacement as diksa guru for ISKCON, we get the following answer from the following three official GBC papers:
a) On My Order Understood (GBC, 1995): Srila Prabhupada gave the order for gurus at the same time as the order for devotees to act on his behalf, and this occurred on July 7th, 1977 (p. 28 in Gurus and Initiation in ISKCON, GBC 1995)
b) Disciple Of My Disciple (H. H. Umapati Swami, 1997): Eleven diksa gurus were all set up and ready on May 28th, 1977 since “ritvik” means “officiating acarya” which means “diksa guru”.
c) Prabhupada’s Order (Badrinarayan das, 1998): On July 9th, 1977 the eleven were fully functioning as gurus but simply observing the etiquette in Srila Prabhupada’s presence.
Above we see the GBC have given three different dates for when Srila Prabhupada allegedly sanctioned his replacement. a) refers to a garden conversation, b) refers to a meeting between Srila Prabhupada and some of his senior disciples, whilst c) refers to the signed directive on initiation after which this booklet is named. Thus each GBC position paper tells a very different tale. To make matters worse:
In March 2004, at their annual meeting in Mayapur, the GBC officially withdrew the paper On My Order Understood, privately admitting it contained “lies” and “stretched the truth”. It was this very paper that The Final Order set out originally to challenge (please see Introduction) and the fact it has now been withdrawn so ignominiously can only further vindicate the IRM’s position.
Quite clearly the GBC are confused over when successor diksa Gurus were authorised. The IRM argues that this is inevitable since Srila Prabhupada never created any replacement diksa Gurus, only ritviks; and it was this ritvik system he left running with no order for it to be stopped. On this basis we argue that the GBC must first decide on a position, and only then will we be able to judge its efficacy.
The sad thing is that, even to this day, anyone who questions the GBC’s miasma of discordant testimony is ruthlessly hounded from the Society.
Krishnakant
February 2006
If you would like further information on the IRM, including a free subscription to our magazine, or wish to ask questions on the contents of The Final Order, then please email the author at: irm@iskconirm.com or krishnakant108@yahoo.com, or visit our website at: www.iskconirm.com
Introduction
This booklet is a humble attempt to present the instructions Srila Prabhupada left the Governing Body Commission on how he intended initiations to continue within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Although we will refer to several papers and articles that have been published by senior ISKCON devotees on this subject, the main points of reference will be the GBC's most recent official handbook on initiation entitled. "Gurus And Initiation In ISKCON" (to be referred to henceforward as GII), and the paper "On My Order Understood" which is mentioned under section 1.1 of the "Laws of ISKCON":
"The GBC approves of the paper entitled "On My Order Understood" which establishes as ISKCON law the final siddhanta on Srila Prabhupada's desire for continuing the disciplic succession after the departure of His Divine Grace. [See Part II: GBC Position Papers in this volume.]" (GII, p.1)
In GII it is the GBC's clearly stated intention to remove incoherence and contradiction from ISKCON's codes and laws surrounding gurus, disciples and guru tattva in general, thus establishing a final siddhanta (philosophical conclusion): We sincerely pray that this paper is in pursuance of those very same aims.
In the interest of ever-greater consistency and philosophical chastity, we feel there are still one or two discrepancies, not fully addressed in GII that might benefit from further investigation and discussion. Although some of the issues thrown up in confronting these discrepancies may seem quite radical, even painful to deal with, we feel that tackling them now will greatly minimise future confusion and potential deviation. It is not unprecedented that guru systems in ISKCON have come under quite radical review. In the past, symbols have been removed, ceremonies curtailed and paradigms shifted - all without too much long-term disruption.
In the whole scheme of things ISKCON is undoubtedly the most important Society on the planet. It is therefore imperative that constant vigilance is maintained in ensuring it does not stray even one millionth of a hair's breadth from the managerial and philosophical parameters set out by our Founder-Acarya. Srila Prabhupada constantly stressed that we must not change, invent or speculate; but simply carry on expanding that which he so carefully and painstakingly established. What better time to closely scrutinise the way we are carrying on Srila Prabhupada's mission than this, his Centennial year (1996)?
It is our strong conviction that the present guru system within ISKCON should be brought fully in line with Srila Prabhupada's last signed directive on the matter; his final order on initiation, issued on July 9th, 1977 (please see appendices ). Sometimes people question the stress placed on this letter over and above other letters or teachings. In our defence we shall simply repeat an axiom the GBC itself uses in the GII handbook:
"In logic, later statements supersede earlier ones in importance." (GII, p.25)
Since the July 9th letter really is the final instruction on initiation within ISKCON, addressed as it was to the entire Movement, it must be viewed in a category of its own. It will be shown that the full acceptance and implementation of this order does not in any way clash with the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
We have no interest in conspiracy theories, nor do we intend to dredge up the gory details of unfortunate individuals" spiritual difficulties. What is done is done. We can certainly learn from previous mistakes, but we would rather help pave the way for a positive future of re-unification and forgiveness, than dwell too long on past scandal. As far as the authors are concerned, the vast majority of devotees in ISKCON are sincerely striving to please Srila Prabhupada; thus we consider it highly unlikely that anyone is deliberately disobeying, or causing others to disobey, a direct order from our Founder-Acarya. Nevertheless, somehow or other, it does seem as though certain aberrations of epistemology and managerial detail have found their way into general ISKCON currency over the last nineteen years. In identifying these grey areas we pray we may be of some assistance in rooting out unnecessary obstructions to our devotional service to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
In this booklet we shall be presenting as evidence signed documentation, issued personally by Srila Prabhupada, and conversation transcripts, all of which are accepted as authentic by the GBC. We shall then look carefully at both the content and the context of these materials to see if they should be taken literally, or whether modifying instructions exist which might reasonably alter their meaning or applicability. We shall also discuss all relevant philosophical issues raised in connection with this evidence, and answer all of the most common objections raised against a literal acceptance of the July 9th initiation policy document. And finally we shall look at how the "officiating acarya system", as outlined in the July 9th order, might be implemented with the minimum disturbance.
We shall base all our arguments solely on the philosophy and instructions given by Srila Prabhupada in his books, letters, lectures and conversations. We humbly beg the mercy of all Vaisnavas that we may not cause offence to anyone or in any way disrupt the vital mission of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
The Evidence
Anyone who knew Srila Prabhupada would often note his meticulous nature. His fastidious attention to every detail of his devotional service was one of Srila Prabhupada's most distinguishing characteristics; and for those who served him closely, was profound evidence of his deep love and devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. His whole life was dedicated to carrying out the order of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, and in that duty he was uncannily vigilant. He left nothing to chance, always correcting, guiding and chastising his disciples in his effort to establish ISKCON. His mission was his life and soul.
It would certainly have been entirely out of character for Srila Prabhupada to leave an important issue, such as the future of initiation in his cherished society, up in the air, ambiguous, or in any way open to debate or speculation. This is particularly so in light of what happened to his own spiritual master's mission, which, as he would often point out, was destroyed largely through the operation of an unauthorised guru system. Bearing this in mind, let us begin with facts that no-one disputes:
On July 9th 1977, four months before his physical departure, Srila Prabhupada set up a system of initiations employing the use of "ritviks", or "representatives of the acarya". Srila Prabhupada instructed that this "officiating acarya" system was to be instituted immediately, and run from that time onwards, or "henceforward" - (please see Appendices). This management directive, which was sent to all Governing Body Commissioners and Temple Presidents of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, instructed that from that time on new disciples would be given spiritual names and have their beads and gayatri mantras from the 11 named ritviks. The ritviks were to act on Srila Prabhupada's behalf, new initiates all becoming disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada thus handed over to the ritviks total power of attorney over who could receive initiation, he made it clear that from that time onwards he was no longer to be consulted. (for further details of a ritvik's duties, please see the section entitled "What is a Ritvik? in Appendices)
Immediately after Srila Prabhupada's physical departure, on November 14th 1977, the GBC suspended this ritvik system. By Gaura Purnima 1978, the 11 ritviks had assumed the roles of zonal acarya diksa gurus, initiating disciples on their own behalf. Their mandate for doing so was an alleged order from Srila Prabhupada that they alone were to succeed him as initiating acaryas. Some years later this zonal acarya system was itself challenged and replaced, not by the restoration of the ritvik system, but by the addition of dozens more gurus, along with an elaborate system of checks and balances to deal with those that deviated. The rationale for this change being that the order to become guru was not, as we had first been told, only applicable to the 11, but was a general instruction for anyone who strictly followed, and received a two-thirds majority vote from the GBC body.
The above account is not a political opinion, it is historical fact, accepted by everyone, including the GBC.
As mentioned above, the July 9th letter was sent to all GBC's and Temple Presidents, and remains to this day the only signed instruction on the future of initiation Srila Prabhupada ever issued to the whole Society. Commenting on the July 9th order, HH Jayadvaita Swami recently wrote:
"Its authority is beyond question [...] Clearly, this letter establishes a ritvik-guru system." (Jayadvaita Swami "Where the ritvik People are Wrong" 1996)
The source of the controversy arises from two modifications, which were subsequently superimposed over this otherwise clear and authoritative directive
Modification a) : That the appoin
In reply to question accidentally erased, Srila Prabhupada told us that the spiritual master has bad dreams when his disciples are initiated, and sometimes his health may be effected. However, an exalted pure devotee such as Srila Prabhupada is empowered to mediate for many. By chanting and helping others, we bring him far more pleasure than our errors and karma . As it turns out , those periods of illness at initiations are due to poison administered by tamal et al when the big meeting were held, some of the time.
Louis, no matter what we try or do, we are always dependent upon our spiritual guide and protector, therefore we are eternally obliged to him, and should do his service always, and strive sincerely for perfection ourselves to minimize our burden upon him, to increase our services nicely..
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In reply to question accidentally erased, Srila Prabhupada told us that the spiritual master has bad dreams when his disciples are initiated, and sometimes his health may be effected. However, an exalted pure devotee such as Srila Prabhupada is empowered to mediate for many. By chanting and helping others, we bring him far more pleasure than our errors and karma . As it turns out , those periods of illness at initiations are due to poison administered by tamal et al when the big meeting were held, some of the time.
Louis, no matter what we try or do, we are always dependent upon our spiritual guide and protector, therefore we are eternally obliged to him, and should do his service always, and strive sincerely for perfection ourselves to minimize our burden upon him, to increase our services nicely..