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Mahaprabhu's Religion

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 20:00

Reading articles by Steven Rosen and some others of the devotees, it seems as if there is some misunderstanding as to what constitutes true religion. Or rather, they seem to dwell on equting all paths as roughl equal. My concern is that statements universally supporting the world’s systems of religion and scriptures, putting all in on a par with those of the Vaisnavas, will lead many into a dark well from which they will be hard put to escape, or perhaps they will attain a lower status than they might have by following Mahprabhu's reigion. The following exerpts will clarify what is the actual position… Quoting from the book “Trnad api sunicena” by HDG Gour Govinda Swami Tahakura, Iskcon guru and acarya; “It is said that the Lord’s merciful energy is subordinate to His willing power, but in the case of Sriman Mahaprabhu it is the reverse. Mahaprabhu has granted this independence to his krpa-shakti. Mahaprabhu would not have distributed His prema, the most confidential secret, to one a

Bhajana Jharikhanda

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 20:00

Through the endless verdant forest, Sri Caitanya roams In the jungle Jharikhanda, this time so happy on His own. In His blissful mood, the Lord’s ecstasy soars Dancing with the elephants, to the tigers’ delighted roars! He and they, together again! - the animals had no fears, Theirs the greatest fortune when Mahaprabhu appears. Imagine that! The Supreme Himself, playing at the role Of His own greatest devotee, calling, “ Hari Hari bol!” Bringing love of God for all, without any reserve distributing it freely, so beautifully He served The goal of life; to take pleasure, but in the rightful way So eternal knowledge and spiritual bliss may be ours, today. Giving up their material animosity, the animals approached with curiosity. Within their hearts the Supersoul, reminding them of the final goal; To return to their pure and free spiritual state, The Lord so kindly relieving them of a bestial and hostile state. Splashing water, singing “Krsna”, the animals were freed by Lord Caitanya’s

Final Order pt 4

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 6:46

8) "Are you saying that Srila Prabhupada created no pure devotees?" No, all we are stating is that Srila Prabhupada did set up the ritvik system to allow initiations to continue. Whether or not Srila Prabhupada created pure devotees is not relevant to his clear and unequivocal final order. As disciples our duty is simply to follow the instructions of the guru. It is inappropriate to abandon the guru's instruction and instead speculate as to how many pure devotees there are now, or will be in the future. Even taking a worst case scenario, that there are in fact no pure devotees at present, one should consider the situation that existed after the departure of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. After almost 40 years, Srila Prabhupada indicated that there was only one authorised initiating acarya produced from the Gaudiya Matha: "Actually amongst my Godbrothers no one is qualified to become acarya*. [...] instead of inspiring our students and disciple they may sometimes pollute them. [...]

Final Order pt 5

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 3:30

What is a Ritvik? Ritviks are often defined in one of two incorrect ways: 1) As insignificant priests, mere functionaries, who simply dish out spiritual names robotically. 2) As apprentice diksa gurus who are acting as ritviks only until they are fully qualified, at which point they will initiate on their own behalf. We shall now compare these definitions with the role of a ritvik as given by Srila Prabhupada. Looking first at definition 1). The post of ritvik is a very responsible position. This should be obvious since Srila Prabhupada specifically chose 11 devotees who already had a proven track record of taking senior responsibility within his mission. He did not simply pull the names out of a hat. Thus, although for the most part their function would be fairly routine, they would also be the first to spot deviations from the strict standards necessary for initiation. Rather as a policeman's job is mostly routine, since most citizens are law abiding, yet he will often be the fi

Final Order pt 3

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 3:30

Other Related Objections 1) "Srila Prabhupada has not mentioned the use of ritviks in his books." 1) The word "ritvik" (meaning "priest") and its derivatives actually have 31 separate references in Srila Prabhupada's books, only slightly less than the word "diksa" and its derivatives, which has 41 separate references in Srila Prabhupada books. Certainly, the use of ritvik priests to assist in ceremonies is a concept fully sanctioned in Srila Prabhupada's books: Ritvik : 4.6.1 / 4.7.16 / 5.3.2 / 5.3.3 / 5.4.17 / 7.3.30 / 8.20.22 / 9.1.15 . Rtvijah : 4.5.7 / 4.5.18 / 4.7.27 / 4.7.45 / 4.13.26 / 4.19.27 / 4.19.29 / 5.3.4 / 5.3.15 / 5.3.18 / 5.7.5 / 8.16.53 / 8.18.21 /8.18.22 / 9.4.23 / 9.6.35 Rtvijam : 4.6.52 / 4.21.5 / 8.23.13 / 9.13.1 . Rtvigbhyah : 8.16.55 . Rtvigbhih : 4.7.56 / 9.13.3 . (all these references are from the Srimad-Bhagavatam) 2) Although spiritual principles were covered extensively by Srila Prabhupada in his books, the specifics concerning those principles would oft

Final Order Appendices

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 2:30

Appendices July 9th, 1977 Letter ISKCON INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada July 9th, 1977 To All G.B.C., and Temple Presidents Dear Maharajas and Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as "rittik"-representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity: • His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami • His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami • His Holiness Jayapataka Swami • His Holiness Tamala Krishna Gosvami • His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami • His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami • His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami • His Holiness Ramesvara Swami • His Holiness Harikesa Swami

Final Order pt 2

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 2:30

Evidence used to support an alternative to the ritvik system falls into three basic categories : Srila Prabhupada's frequent call for everyone to become guru, often made in conjunction with the "amara ajnaya guru hana" verse from the Caitanya-Caritamrta. The half dozen or so personal letters where Srila Prabhupada mentions his disciples acting as diksa guru after his departure. Other statements in Srila Prabhupada's books and lectures where the principle of disciples going on to be diksa guru are mentioned. Looking first at category 1): The instruction for everyone to become guru is found in the following verse in the Caitanya-Caritamrta, which was often quoted by Srila Prabhupada: "Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Sri Krishna as they are given in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land." (C.c. Madhya, 7.128) However, the type of guru, which Lord Caitanya is encouraging everyone to become, is c

The Final Order, 4th ed.. Krsna Kanta Prabhu et al, pt 1

Posted by Welcome on November 14, 2009 at 2:30

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 conversa

Ananda dd. (UK): ‘Who is Srila Prabhupada’s disciple?’

Posted by Welcome on November 11, 2009 at 2:30

Posted: 10 Nov 2009 12:36 PM PST Srila Prabhupada, March 8, 1976, Mayapur: Discipline…Disciple means discipline.The word discipline comes from the word disciple, or disciple comes from discipline. So unless there is discipline, there is no question of disciple. This discipline…..that should be uniform. Otherwise sisya…sisya comes from the root, verb sas-dhatu. Sas means ruling. From this word Sasana means government. Sastra means weapon, and sastra means scripture…These things have come from one root sas-dhatu which means ruling under discipline. There is another English word, that, “Obedience is the first rule of discipline” or something. They say, “Obedience is the first law of discipline”/ So am I right?” Obedience is…” That is the…. TKG: Yes, thats more or less what it says. Srila Prabhupada: No, what is the exact word, exact. There is an English word. “Obedience is the first law of discipline.” So unless there is obedience, there cannot be any discipline. And unless there is disc

Gurukrpa Swami's Letter

Posted by Welcome on November 10, 2009 at 7:30

From: Bhakta dasa Date: 2/3/2009 7:45:43 PM To: Prabhupada Disciples
Subject: Another point of view from Gurukrpa Prabhu

Dear Prabhus:

Gurukrpa is here with me and on his behalf I am writing here.

Question to GK: What happened the final months of SP's appearance in connection with the process of initiating new devotees?
Answer: Nothing happened. In the beginning SP did the disksa, the yajna and the name giving. As the numbers increased, he authorized GBC, and senior sanyassis to pick names and chant on the beads, etc. In 1977 during the months of May, June, July 1977 I was in Vrindaban with Srila Prabhupada, giving him his massage in his bed between 1 AM and mangala aratik. During the day, many letters would arrive. Satsvarupa Swami was the secretary and we decided that only letters that would give joy to Srila Prabhupada would be read. Like numbers of books sold, etc. A maximum of five letters daily were read to SP.

After some weeks like this, there were stacks and stacks of letters,

Bhakti Caru Swami's Two-Faced Propaganda Whitewash

Posted by Welcome on October 25, 2009 at 12:30

Hare Krsna, obeisances to all;
In response to BCS's article suggesting Iskcon could /will reform its abusive structure, Sampradaya Sun. ;

Just a few practical necessities we should probably address;

While Bhakti Caru’s article sounds like a step in the right direction, talk is cheap. There is also the question of addressing all the devotees’ greivances seriously.

Suggestions; Issue a call for all of Srila Prabhupada’s diciples to return, including all the “ritvik-vadis”, then totally remove the current GBCs, and re-elect all officers in the temples once Prabhupada’s disciples are prepared, and extend full voting rights to all such disciples, living in the temple or not. Elect all these temple authorities, and then they should elect an all-new GBC. The current administrators should be disallowed to be reelected until a new governing regime is settled, so that the perception will be of complete breaking with the old ways and a return to original Iskcon mood.

Remove all banned labels on accou