Prior Initiation by Non-Bona Fide Gurus

Persons who have taken initiation from non-bona fide gurus before becoming members of ISKCON should follow the injunction of Srila Jiva Gosvami that such a useless guru, a family priest acting as guru, should be given up, and that the proper, bona fide guru should be accepted.

 

Srila Prabhupada's Disciple by First Initiation

A devotee who has received first initiation from Srila Prabhupada has become Srila Prabhupada's disciple. By accepting second initiation from a Godbrother after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance, the disciple further confirms his relationship with Srila Prabhupada and also becomes a disciple of that initiating Godbrother. The second initiation strengthens, not diminishes, one's standing as Srila Prabhupada's disciple. A disciple should always respect a worthy Godbrother from whom he has received second initiation. What such a devotee and the second-initiating guru expect from one another in their relationship shall arise from their own mutual understanding.

 

Reinitiation

A devotee whose guru has fallen and who seeks re-initiation must observe the following requirements:

1. a six-month period of formally taking shelter

2. a formal letter of recommendation from the appropriate local authority

3. acceptance by the initiating guru

Guidelines

 

6.3.1 Unauthorized "Initiation" Ceremonies

In cases where the formal guru - disciple relationship has not been properly sanctioned by procedures given in ISKCON Law, no ISKCON member shall engage in giving any of the elements of the initiation ceremony, such as:

giving a devotional name

giving sanctified chanting beads or neck beads

participating in some ceremony or ritual of commitment, in any number or combination, to other devotees in ISKCON or its congregations with the stated or unstated purpose or effect of creating the resemblance of a formal guru - disciple relationship

When such unauthorized activities have already taken place:

a. all participants should be informed that no initiation has taken place, nor any binding pledge leading towards initiation

b. The junior devotee in the transaction should seek to establish a relationship with an initiating guru in whom he can place full faith

c. All devotees must cease using any names given, if any

ISKCON Spiritual Masters

(Diksa & Siksa-Gurus)

Principles

Srila Prabhupada's Desire for Continuing

The Disciplic Succession

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.

 

7.1.2 Srila Prabhupada’s Siksa Position (2000)

 

A duly initiated disciple in ISKCON can accept Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, as his principle Siksa-guru. During his devotional life, he may experience that he derives more spiritual inspiration from Srila Prabhupada’s books and vani, than from his own diksa-guru.

 

7.1.3 Srila Prabhupada’s Absolute Position (2000)

 

1. AThe GBC Body wishes to emphasixe that any attempt to minimize the position or teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, will not be tolerated in any way by the leadership of ISKCON. This is an absolute and inviolable principle.

 

2. Any member of ISKCON involved in such criticism shall be immediately dealt with by the appropriate measures according to ISKCON LAW 1996/607.4.A.1 “ Offenses against Founder-Acarya and Guru Parampara” which states; “ A person guilty of denouncing, openly blaspheming, or publicly abandoning loyalty to the Acarya, the previous acaryas in the disciplic succession, or Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, incurrs automatic dissociation from ISKCON, the right to revoke being reserved to the local Governing Body Commissioner. If the offending person holds a position of spiritual authority, the right to revoke the dissociation is reserved to the Governing Body Commission. If the seriousness of the offence warrants a more severe reaction, other measures may be brought to bear, including dismissal from authority, disqualification for initiating and ex-communication.”

 

3. The GBC Zonal Secretaries and / or the local leaders must implement ISKCON Law when they perceive a transgression of this principle. If they fail to do so, the GBC Executive Committee shall directly take measures to rectify the situation and may censure or suspend (probate or remove) local leaders for not taking appropriate measures.

 

76.2 Qualifications of Gurusin ISKCON

Mandatory Qualifications

The following are the minimum qualifications necessary to be approved as a diksa or siksa-guru in ISKCON.

 

1. Must have been an initiated disciple for at least ten years.

2. Must be strictly following the four regulative principles, regularly attending the morning program, and chanting sixteen rounds daily.

3. Must not have had a fall-down within five years.

4. Must evince no tendency toward moral turpitude in his present or past activities.

5. Must be free from the following undesirable qualities:

(a) attachment to kamini-kañcana, "the devil" in the form of sex objects and wealth;

(b) pratistha, false prestige and personal ambition;

(c) nisiddhacara, behavior contrary to Vaisnava principles;

(d) kuti-nati, diplomatic or duplicitous behavior;

(e) puja, the desire for personal worship;

(f) labha, mundane profiteering.

6. Must have excelled in preaching activities.

7. Must exhibit proficiency in knowledge and understanding of sastra.

8. Must preach without concoction and strictly according to the parampara, with sastric knowledge grounded firmly in siddhanta, or conclusive truth.

9. Must be effective in practical preaching and counseling.

10.Must have no loyalties that compete with or compromise his loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and to ISKCON.

11. Must show understanding of and dedication to Srila Prabhupada's mission with a strong commitment to maintaining and increasing book distribution and other ISKCON projects.

12. Must recognize the GBC as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, support the GBC system, and follow the GBC.

13.Should be engaged full-time in devotional service in an ISKCON center or other ISKCON-approved preaching program.

 

20140 updates:

 

1. has been twice-initiated for at least ten years

2. has been requested to initiate by the candidate’s own diksa-guru, if physically present

3. is in good standing in ISKCON

4. has good sadhana, including chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds daily and following the four regulative principles

5. has shown consistent adherence to the principles of one’s asrama in terms of:

(a) acceptable Vaisnava behavior (sadacara)

(b) engagement in Srila Prabhupada’s mission

 

6. has substantial knowledge and realization of sastra, including a Bhakti-sastri degree

7. preaches according to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings

8. works cooperatively with local authorities

9. recognizes the GBC body as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, supports the GBC system, and follows the GBC

10. has no loyalties that compete with or compromise the candidate’s loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and to ISKCON

11. must have attended the ISKCON Guru Seminar conducted by the Guru Services Committee

12. should be willing to participate in the Guru Retreat by the Guru Services Committee

1. Must have been an initiated disciple for at least ten years.
2. Must have been strictly following the four regulative principles, regularly attending the morning program, and chanting sixteen rounds daily, and have otherwise remained in good standing for the previous ten years.
3. Must not exhibit tendencies toward behavior contrary to Vaisnava moral principles.
4. Must be free from the following undesirable qualities:
a. Attachment to kamini-kancana, sex objects and wealth
b. Pratistha, false prestige and personal ambition
c. Nisiddhacara, behavior contrary to Vaisnava principles
d. Kuti-nati, diplomatic or duplicitous behavior
e. Puja, the desire for personal worship
f. Labha, mundane profiteering.
5. Must have excelled in preaching activities.
6. Must exhibit proficiency in knowledge and understanding of sastra.
7. Must preach without concoction and strictly according to the parampara, with sastric knowledge grounded firmly in siddhanta, or conclusive truth.
8. Must be effective in practical preaching and counseling.
9. Must have no loyalties that compete with or compromise his loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and to ISKCON.
10. Must show understanding of and dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission with a strong commitment to maintaining and increasing book distribution and other ISKCON projects.
11. Must recognize the GBC as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, support the GBC system, and follow the GBC.
12. Should be engaged full-time in devotional service in an ISKCON center or other ISKCON-approved preaching program.
13. Within the previous ten years at a minimum, must not have engaged in serious criminal activities or been responsible for:
a. A financial impropriety that put significant funds or other assets at risk
b. Risking legal consequences through the improper handling of funds and assets under his/her control
c. Causing a loss of significant funds through unauthorized actions
d. Any other act of moral turpitude, as defined in the ecclesiastical discretion of the GBC, and/or the legal jurisdiction in which the candidate resides