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Date: 16-Sep-98 14:04 -0400 From: WWW: Vyasapada (Dasa) ACBSP (Saranagati - CAN) <vyasa@com.org> To: Varnasrama development Subject: CONFESSIONS OF A GURU [Two of the "Original 11"] Hare Krsna. The following is a letter, supported by evidence of Srila Prabhupada's words, in regards to the concerns over the present day guru issue within Iskcon. Trying to understand the gulf of difference in the opinion of the two opposite shores, I know that devotees view things differently according to their position in society, their experience, and level of spiritual understanding. The guidance of our leaders, shapes our future destiny. If the leaders themselves cannot agree on the direction our society should take……….how will Varnashram be developed.? Life goes on for me regardless, of the present issues. In accepting Srila Prabhupada's guidance, my path is free from obstacles, but I am concerned about the turbulance within the society my master founded, therefore at risk of ridicule, and harrassment I present evidence and facts, that make me question the validity of the present initiation system within Iskcon. I take the stand as one looking for the truth, concerning Srila Prabhupada's desires for the future of his mission. Post of Hansadhutta, one of the original [11] gurus: (Condensed version) Hansadhutta:…I distinctly remember when I received the July 9, l977 letter in Śrī Lanka, that it was clear that that letter was Srila Prabhupada's arrangement for INITIATIONS FOR THE FUTURE. I also remember feeling some dissappoinment with obvious conditional authority that the Rittvik representative of the Acharya designation implied, because I actually had a great desire to be a guru like Srila Prabhupada, and I think many of the leaders did have similiar desires. Still, I understood it was a very responsible and authoratative appointment. On July l0th, I received another letter from Srila Prabhupada written in response to a letter I had sent him describing the preaching activities in Sri Lanka at that time. In this letter Prabhupāda writes as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------- "…You are a suitable person and you can give initiation to those that are ready for it. I have selected you among eleven men as Rittvik representative of the Acharya, to give initiations both first and second initiation on my behalf."…A newsletter is being sent to all temple presidents and GBC in this regard, listing the eleven representatives, selected by His Divine Grace. Those who are initiated are the diciples of Srila Prabhupada, and anyone who you deem fit and initiate in this way, you should send their names to be included in Srila Prabhupada's disciples book." --------------------------------------------------------------- Hansadhutta:…I immediately wrote a letter to Srila Prabhupada asking him why he had been so merciful towards me by appointing me as his Rittvik representative of the Acharya, which I understood to be a very confidential and responsible position. In other words it was clear to me that this letter appointing Rittvik representatives to initiate new diciples on Srila Prabhupada's behalf was Srila Prabhupada's final instructions in anticipation of his dissappearance from the world. Srila Prabhupada replied to my letter by paraphrasing my question and answering in a letter dated July 3l, l977 as follows: --------------------------------------------------------------- "You have written to Srila Prabhupada saying you do not know why he has chosen you to be a recipient of his mercy. His Divine Grace immediately replied……….It is because you are my sincere servant. You have given up attachment to a beautiful and qualified wife, and that is a great benediction. You are a real preacher. Therefore I like you. …Then laughing…Sometimes you become obstinate but that is true of any intelligent man. Now you have got a very good field. Now organize it and it will be a great credit. No one will disturb you there. MAKE YOUR OWN FIELD AND CONTINUE TO BE RITTVIK AND ACT ON MY BEHALF…" --------------------------------------------------------------- Hansadhutta:…It was clear that Srila Prabhupada had officially introduced the concept of Rittvik representative of the Acharya, as the arrangement for initiations by his diciples for the future of Iskcon. Had there been anything more to clarify, certainly Srila Prabhupāda would have written another letter to amend what was already so clear…… Hansadhutta:…Having failed to carry out this responsibility by assuming automatically upon Srila Prabhupada's dissappearance, the rittviks would become gurus, we find everything has gone off track, and the whole Iskcon movement is in shambles. Still, better late than never, everything can be brought back into focus if we simply come back to the order of the Spiritual Master and act as Rittvik representatives of the Acharya…" End of Hansadhutta's letter. The other evidence that questioned my trust in the present system was the confession by Tamal Krsna Gosvami [Another of the original 11 gurus] where he says that himself and the other members of the GBC have done the greatest disservice to Iskcon by INTERPRETING the appointment of Rittviks as the appointment of gurus. This evidence, and all the problems that followed Srila Prabhupada's departure, is enough for me to question the validity of the present system. All conditioned souls make mistakes. It is easy to misunderstand, especially if someone is motivated in a particular direction. Because of these and other facts, and the falldowns, and crimes and other problems, I took concern and began investigating things for myself. I knew every problem has a root cause. What was the root? To me the above confessions of Hansadhutta, and Tamal Krsna are strong evidence that the root cause was the misinterpretation back in l977, when Prabhupāda appointed Rittvik representatives of the Acharya. Purity and complete training was necessary, and permission from higher authority before one could become a diksa guru. Not seeing anyone qualified for the post, Prabhupāda instead used this different system. It does not block in any way the path for a self effulgent Acharya to step forward. Ramanuja's line of worship still continues to this day. A self realized soul, will develop his own field, as Srila Prabhupada did, and it will be successful. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is not sectarian. Before this society, Prabhupāda had established the League of Devotees. The binding factor, or the internal workings that are simultaneously one and different is Devotion to Krishna. The name in and of itself, has no boundaries or borders. Otherwise without, independently managed centres, keeping the Acharya in the middle, how will this Love of God be spread world wide. Prabhupāda was part of the Gaudiya Math………….he took the basic principle Love of God and formed the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. In the same understanding he gave sanction to Hansadhutta to open his field and gave him his blessings. Prabhupada's example speaks for itself. He could have kept the name Gaudiya Math………..but he didn't. Because the external name is not of supreme importance………it is the teaching that is the essence. Endless debate will go on no doubt. And if fighting over issues continues, without the attitude of oneness yet difference, the house divided against itself will fall. With the Harikesha split, a major wall has broken down already. It doesn't have to be this way. We have seen that unless we become Uttama adhikari's, there is a chance to falldown. So especially those who want to guide others as gurus, they should see that their spiritual training is complete. That they have studied all of Prabhupada's basic books on self realization. That they are free of sex desire, in a genuine way. That they have no hidden motive, or profit to gain by wanting to spread Krishna Consciousness. In Prabhupada's temples, the Rittvik procedure should go on. And if one of Prabhupada's diciples feels he is qualified to also make his own diciples, then he should make his own field, under a new name as Srila Prabhupada did. Is this not a reasonable suggestion? Is there harm in such a suggestion? Only if there is attachment to positon. In time all things become resolved or revealed, it's our choice which we prefer. Cooperation is not such an easy thing. If one says the window should be shut and the other says the window should be open, then what? How does one surrender to Krsna in such a situation. Name calling one a demon because he wants the window shut is not right either. There are reasons for both desires. The reasons should be discussed, and a solution resolved. Only the attitude of love can do that. And this attitude is hard to find. Love your enemy? Love the person who calls you a demon, a fool, a trouble maker, an envious snake, and so on and so on. It is very difficult to cooperate and see through the eyes of your godbrother or godsister who is on the other side of the shore. No one's false ego wants to admit that they are wrong, or made a mistake, or have misunderstood. It is too humbling of an experience. At least for me it is. I am willing to accept the truth from anyone, if they can back it up with guru, sastra and sadhu. a fallen pracetana dd. |
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