                       Gurus and Initiation
                            in ISKCON

   Law of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

          Published by the Governing Body Commission,
        International Society for Krishna Consciousness
                              1995

This booklet may be freely duplicated. To obtain copies, contact
your local GBC representative or:
     Krishna Culture
     P.O. Box 12380
     Philadelphia, PA 19119
     (800) 829-2579
     


     
                 Gurus and Initiation in ISKCON

                           Introduction

                       Purpose of this Work
  This paper is intended to give members of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness an accurate and up-to-date text
of ISKCON s laws governing gurus and initiation. Accordingly, it
is meant to get into the hands of every ISKCON devotee, whether
temple resident or congregational member. In the past, ISKCON's
laws--that is, the resolutions of the Governing Body Commission,
or GBC--have rarely been communicated well to the rest of the
Society. The present work is part of an effort to correct that
shortcoming; thus if this paper goes no further than temple
presidents' file drawers, we shall have failed. 
  We shall have succeeded when all members of ISKCON have the
opportunity to clearly understand the policies and principles
under which the Society operates. This is essential if we want to
offer Srila Prabhupada an organization that is unified, well
ordered, and effective.

Why and How this Work Was Produced
  The work in hand is the product of a GBC subcommittee called
the "Resolutions Revision Committee," formed in 1987. The GBC
instructed the committee to codify the laws of ISKCON and
disseminate the text to all ISKCON members. This effort was
sorely needed.
  Beginning in 1975, the GBC had met annually in Mayapur. At
these meetings they followed the rules of parliamentary
procedure, duly bringing proposals to the floor, debating and
sometimes amending them, and finally voting on them. It was Srila
Prabhupada himself who established this system, and to teach by
example, he personally participated in the 1975 meeting, raising
his hand along with the others to vote "yea" or "nay."
  Proposals the GBC thus passed, called "resolutions," were then
recorded by the secretary in a minutes book kept in Mayapur. The
GBC would mail copies of each year s resolutions to the temple
presidents. However, the other members of the Society rarely saw
these resolutions, and those who did often found them hard to
understand. In the first place, the resolutions were set forth in
the order they were adopted. This procedure often obscured the
logic behind them and caused enduring statements of law or
principle to be haphazardly scrambled in with legislation dealing
with such nuts-and-bolts management issues as zonal assignments,
permission to move installed Deities, and sannyasa approval.
  Even worse, since a resolution rarely described the issue or
problem that had prompted it or the often complex discussion that
had preceded its adoption, its true import was frequently opaque
to all but insiders.
  In such circumstances, after only a few years resolutions
often became distorted in memory, misunderstood, or forgotten
entirely. Moreover, the GBC would occasionally pass resolutions
that contradicted previous ones. This was sometimes intentional
and sometimes inadvertent, but in either case the GBC would
usually neglect to rescind the old resolutions. Sometimes
changing circumstances would render past resolutions irrelevant
or even absurd, and they simply fell into disuse without ever
being formally retired. As a result of this lack of organization,
the Society -- even the GBC itself -- was unsure of its own laws. 
  The Resolutions Revision Committee was charged with rectifying
this state of affairs.
  First the committee members secured a complete and accurate
copy of the original hand-written record. Then we separated those
relatively permanent statements of principle and practice
("laws") from those resolutions having only temporary or local
application ("provisional orders"). (When one of the latter was
found to contain an implied--but unstated law, the committee
would extract it and state it explicitly.) In this way, we
identified the laws.
  Next, we organized them coherently within an outline. At that
point it became obvious which ones were contradictory or
redundant. After resolving the contradictions and eliminating the
redundancies, the committee worked to clarify those resolutions
that remained vague, ambiguous, or simply unintelligible. This
often meant consulting GBC members who were present when such
resolutions were passed; only in this way could we determine the
intention of the GBC at that time. Additionally, the committee
occasionally drafted new proposals to fill glaring gaps in the
outline. Finally, we had the completed section edited for clear
and concise English.
  In February 1995 the committee submitted to the GBC body for
final approval of the section on gurus and initiations in ISKCON.
Each GBC member received a document displaying all proposed
changes, and then had a chance to offer amendments. Finally the
GBC voted on the work as a whole. The revised laws on gurus and
initiation were accepted by the GBC body, and it is this document
which presents that accepted work. A few new proposals in this
area that the GBC passed in 1995 have also been incorporated into
this outline.
  Three GBC members have continuously served on the committee
from the beginning. They are Jayapataka Swami, Kavicandra Swami,
and Ravindra Svarupa dasa. Guru Gauranga Prabhu, Danavir Prabhu,
and Bhaktarupa Prabhu have also worked on the committee at
various times, making important contributions to this paper.
  In 1991 the GBC body assigned the Resolutions Revision
Committee an additional task, which is revealed by its new name:
"Resolutions Revision and Constitution Committee." In other
words, the overarching purpose of this committee is to see the
day when every ISKCON member has a handbook called "Constitution
and Laws of ISKCON." Toward this end, in 1993, the Committee
completed its work on the laws governing properties and real
estate and had it adopted by the GBC body, and in 1995, we
completed this work on gurus and initiation.

Two Procedures Summarized
  The laws below contain two procedures that will likely concern
ISKCON devotees the most; one is how a devotee becomes authorized
to give initiation, and the other is how a devotee becomes
authorized to receive initiation. We shall summarize both
procedures here.

How A Devotee Becomes Authorized to Give Initiation
  The process by which a devotee becomes authorized to give
initiation in ISKCON is carried out chiefly on a local level. At
one time the GBC body had reserved to itself the entire
sanctioning process. Eventually, however, the GBC delegated the
bulk of the nominating and evaluating procedure to local senior
devotees, on the grounds that they would be far more familiar
with the candidate's history and character than the GBC, and
hence better able to judge his or her qualifications. 
  ISKCON law specifies certain criteria that a prospective guru
must meet, including various spiritual qualifications and
standards of conduct. When evaluating a candidate for initiating
guru, a specially formed local council must take all these into
consideration, together with Srila Prabhupada's relevant
instructions. The council, convened by the local GBC secretary,
should be composed of senior devotees drawn from the candidate's
preaching area. It must include all the GBC zonal secretaries for
that area and at least ten other members, among them all regional
secretaries, temple presidents, and resident sannyasis.
  If a majority of that council approves the candidate, then the
council must send the GBC secretary a nominating letter
describing the candidate's qualifications and history in ISKCON.
That letter then goes to all GBC members, who have six months to
raise any objections. If at least three GBC members do so, the
nomination is tabled until the GBC can discuss it at its next
annual meeting. If fewer than three GBCs object, or if enough
initial letters of objection are withdrawn, the candidate, after
taking the prescribed vows, becomes authorized as an initiating
guru in ISKCON.

How a Devotee Becomes Authorized to Receive First Initiation 
  There are two stages in the process by which a devotee becomes
authorized to receive first initiation. In the first, a bhakta or
bhaktin undergoes training in preparation for taking shelter of a
guru. In the second, he or she formally takes shelter of a
specific guru and prepares for actual initiation.
  During the first stage, the candidate should develop the
knowledge and purity required to sincerely and seriously take
shelter of some advanced devotee authorized to initiate in
ISKCON.
  ISKCON law specifies two requirements a candidate must fulfill
before receiving authorization to formally take shelter of a
particular spiritual master. First, whether the candidate lives
inside or outside a temple, for at least six months he or she
must have strictly followed the four regulative principles,
chanted sixteen rounds a day, and attended a morning program
daily. Second, the candidate must pass an examination in the
philosophy of Krsna consciousness.
  These two requirements help ensure that the neophyte devotee
is qualified to make a responsible choice and commitment. It is
important to note that a candidate's qualification to formally
take shelter of a particular spiritual master--and, later, to
receive initiation from him--must be confirmed by an appropriate
ISKCON authority other than the initiating guru himself. A guru
cannot give initiation simply at his own discretion. Rather, he
must receive written recommendation from the local temple
president or other authority.
  ISKCON law recognizes two ways in which a devotee comes to
take shelter of an initiating guru.
  In some cases, a person will move into a temple and take up
the strict process of s dhana without having had much association
with devotees. For at least six months that person should simply
chant Srila Prabhupada s pran ma mantra and consider Srila
Prabhupada as his or her siksa guru. Then, after passing the
examination, the bhakta or bhaktin may choose to take shelter of
a particular initiating guru and chant that guru s pranama
mantra. The candidate must inform his or her authority of the
choice and be accepted as an aspiring disciple by the guru.
  In other cases, a person may spend a long time in a temple
congregation or devotee community before becoming qualified to
formally take shelter of an initiating guru. Such a devotee may
naturally develop a faithful relationship with a particular
ISKCON guru. In these cases, if one has been a member of a
congregation or community for at least a year, he or she may
approach a guru and be accepted as an aspirant for future shelter
and initiation. Again, the appropriate authority must sanction
that relationship.
  In any event, six months of strict following and the passing
of an examination are required before one can formally take
shelter of a prospective initiating guru and, in turn, be
formally accepted by that guru as a prospective disciple. The
second stage preliminary to actual initiation, in which one has
formally taken shelter of one s prospective guru, allows time for
both parties to test the relationship and develop confidence in
each other's qualifications. At least six months of continuous
strict following in relationship with the prospective spiritual
master must pass before the candidate may obtain formal written
authorization to receive initiation. A candidate who has formally
taken shelter of a particular spiritual master is free to change
his mind at any time before initiation. 
  In sum, before receiving first initiation one must strictly
follow the principles of sadhana-bhakti for at least one year.
  Each member of ISKCON has a right to accept diksa from a guru
of his or her choice. Similarly, the initiating spiritual master
is free to accept or reject anyone as a disciple. A spiritual
master is not obliged to initiate a devotee simply because a
proper recommendation has been given.                        



                        TABLE OF CONTENTS


Introduction
  Purpose of this Work
  How and Why this Work Was Produced
  Two Procedures Summarized
  How a Devotee Becomes Authorized to Give Initiation
  How a Devotee Becomes Authorized to Receive First Initiation

Table of Contents

Part I : Laws of ISKCON

  1. Gurus in ISKCON
     1.1. Srila Prabhupada's Desire for Continuing the Disciplic
          Succession
     1.2.  Qualifications of Gurus in ISKCON
       1.2.1. Mandatory Qualifications
          1.2.1.1. Initiated for ten years
          1.2.1.2. Strict follower of vows
          1.2.1.3. No history of fall-down
          1.2.1.4. No tendency toward moral turpitude
          1.2.1.5. Free from six undesirable qualities
          1.2.1.6. Excels in preaching
          1.2.1.7. Proficient in scripture
          1.2.1.8. Adheres rigidly to parampara   
          1.2.1.9. Effective guide and counsellor
          1.2.1.10. Faithful to Prabhupada without compromise
          1.2.1.11. Dedicated to Prabhupada's mission
          1.2.1.12. Follows and upholds the GBC
          1.2.1.13. Engaged full-time in ISKCON
       1.2.2. Discretionary Qualifications
          1.2.2.1. Holds ISKCON advanced degree
          1.2.2.2. Inspires faith in ability to follow codes for
            gurus
          1.2.2.3. Not entangled in abnormal situations
          1.2.2.4. Shows rectitude in ordinary dealings
     1.3. Eligibility of Devotee to be Guru in ISKCON
       1.3.1. All Devotee's Initiations From ISKCON Gurus
       1.3.2. No One Can Give Diksa While Guru is Present
       1.3.3. Requirement for Consent of Mantra Guru
     1.4. Procedure for Authorizing Diksa and Siksa Gurus
       1.4.1. Endorsement by an Area Council
          1.4.1.1. Composition of council
          1.4.1.2. Principles of evaluation
          1.4.1.3. Council integrity maintained
       1.4.2. Provision For "No Objection" Letters
       1.4.3. Names Sent to All GBC Members
          1.4.3.1. Letter of nomination to GBC corresponding
            secretary
          1.4.3.2. Corresponding secretary verifies and
            distributes
       1.4.4. Three GBC Objections Veto Candidate
       1.4.5. Completion of Authorizing Procedure
          1.4.5.1. Absence of three letters of non-approval
          1.4.5.2. Presence of three letters of non-approval
       1.4.6. Corresponding Secretary Monitors and Informs
     1.5. Regulations
       1.5.1. Vows of Guru
       1.5.2. Standards of Conduct for Gurus in ISKCON
          1.5.2.1. General Standards 
          1.5.2.2. Standards in relation to the GBC body
          1.5.2.3. Standards in relation to GBC zonal secretaries
          1.5.2.4. Standards in relation to ISKCON spiritual
            authorities
          1.5.2.5. Standards in relation to a temple
       1.5.3. Monitoring of Gurus by the GBC
          1.5.3.1. Annual reports
          1.5.3.2. Emergency reports
       1.5.4. Sanctioning of Gurus by the GBC
          1.5.4.1. Warning (or censure)
          1.5.4.2. Probation
          1.5.4.3. Suspension
          1.5.4.4. Removal
       1.5.5. Renunciation of Guru Responsibilities
       1.5.6. Specifically Outlawed Doctrines and Practices
          1.5.6.1. "Zonal-Acarya" System:
          1.5.6.2. "Posthumous Rtvik" Doctrine
     1.6.  Worship and Etiquette
       1.6.1. Rights of ISKCON Members to Worship Guru
       1.6.2. Ceremonies
          1.6.2.1. Guru-puja
          1.6.2.2. Vyasa-puja
       1.6.3. Restricted Titles
       1.6.4. Photograph On Altar
       1.6.5. Seat in Temple Room
       1.6.6. Guru Under Suspension
          1.6.6.1. No public worship
          1.6.6.2. Disciples offering arati
          1.6.6.3. Disciples offering bhoga
          1.6.6.4. Disciples offering obeisances
     1.7. Rejection of a Fallen "Guru"
       1.7.1. When a Fallen Guru May Be Rejected
       1.7.2. When a Fallen Guru Must Be Rejected
          1.7.2.1. Hopelessly entangled in sense gratification
          1.7.2.2. Takes on demonic qualities
       1.7.3. When Not to Reject a Fallen Guru
       1.7.4. When a Suspended Guru May Be Rejected
       1.7.5. "Guru Asraya" For Guidance
  2.   Initiation (Diksa)
     2.1. Right of Devotees to Choose Guru
       2.1.1. Right to Accept Instruction and Initiation
       2.1.2. Right to Take Association From Any Approved Guru
       2.1.3. Right to Become an "Aspirant for Shelter and
          Initiation"
     2.2. Responsibility of Candidate for Initiation
     2.3. First, or Hari-Nama, Initiation
       2.3.1. Qualifications for First Initiation
          2.3.1.1. One year preparatory period
          2.3.1.2. Pass examination
       2.3.2. Change of Prospective Guru
       2.3.3. Procedure of Formal Recommendation
          2.3.3.1. Guru receives recommendation in writing
          2.3.3.2. Contents of recommendation
          2.3.3.3. Recommender contacts previous authorities
          2.3.3.4. Devotees residing in temple communities
          2.3.3.5. Devotees residing away from temple communities
       2.3.4. Vows of Disciple
          2.3.4.1. Sixteen rounds
          2.3.4.2. Four regulative principles
          2.3.4.3. Follow spiritual master's order
          2.3.4.4. Fidelity to ISKCON's Founder-Acarya
          2.3.4.5. Loyalty to ISKCON
     2.4. Second, or Brahminical, Initiation
       2.4.1. Qualification for Second Initiation
          2.4.1.1. One-year wait between first and second
            initiation
          2.4.1.2. Two-year wait for those who fall severely
          2.4.1.3. Examination option of initiating guru
       2.4.2. Procedure for Formal Recommendation
          2.4.2.1. Guru receives recommendation in writing
          2.4.2.2. Contents of letter of recommendation
          2.4.2.3. Recommender contacts previous authorities
       2.4.3. Restoration of Brahminical Status
     2.5. Initiation Only from Approved Gurus
       2.5.1. Violators
          2.5.1.1. First initation outside
          2.5.1.2. Other initiations outside
       2.5.2. Prior Initiation by Non-Bona Fide Gurus
     2.6. Srila Prabhupada's Disciple By First Initiation
     2.7. Reinitiation

Part II: GBC Position Papers
  1. "On My Order" Understood
  2. Devotees Initiating Before Their Guru's Physical Departure
  3. Guru-Asraya: Maintaining Shelter in the Guru-Parampara
  4. Questions and Answers About Reinitiation
  
Appendix
  Sample Recommendation Letter for First Initiation
  Sample Recommendation Letter for Second Initiation
  13-Question Examination to Qualify for Taking Shelter of an
     Initiating Guru




               GURUS AND INITIATION: LAWS OF ISKCON


1. GURUS IN ISKCON
  1.1. 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. [See Part II: GBC Position Papers in this volume]
  1.2. Qualifications of Gurus in ISKCON
     1.2.1. Mandatory Qualifications
       The following are the minimum qualifications necessary to
       be approved as a diksa or siksa guru in ISKCON.
       1.2.1.1. Initiated for ten years
          Must have been an initiated disciple for at least ten
          years.
       1.2.1.2. Strict follower of vows
          Must be strictly following the four regulative
          principles, regularly attending the morning program,
          and chanting sixteen rounds daily.
       1.2.1.3. No history of fall-down
          Must not have had a fall-down within five years.
       1.2.1.4. No tendency toward moral turpitude
          Must evince no tendency toward moral turpitude in his
          present or past activities.
       1.2.1.5. Free from six undesirable qualities
          Must be free from the following undesirable qualities: 
          a)   attachment to kamini-kancana, "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.
       1.2.1.6. Excels in preaching
          Must have excelled in preaching activities.
       1.2.1.7. Proficient in scripture
          Must exhibit proficiency in knowledge and understanding
          of sastra.
       1.2.1.8. Adheres rigidly to parampara 
          Must preach without concoction and strictly according
          to the parampara, with sastric knowledge grounded
          firmly in siddhanta, or conclusive truth.
       1.2.1.9. Effective guide and counsellor
          Must be effective in practical preaching and
          counselling.
       1.2.1.10. Faithful to Prabhupada without compromise
          Must have no loyalties that compete with or compromise
          his loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and
          to ISKCON.
       1.2.1.11. Dedicated to Prabhupada's mission
          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.
       1.2.1.12. Follows and upholds the GBC
          Must recognize the GBC as the ultimate managing
          authority in ISKCON, support the GBC system, and follow
          the GBC.
       1.2.1.13. Engaged full-time in ISKCON
          Should be engaged full-time in devotional service in an
          ISKCON center or other ISKCON-approved preaching
          program. 
     1.2.2. Discretionary Qualifications
       These qualifications should be applied when appropriate
       and as far as possible.
       1.2.2.1. Holds ISKCON advanced degree
          Should hold a Bhaktivedanta or Bhaktivaibhava degree.
       1.2.2.2. Inspires faith in ability to follow codes for
          gurus
          Should be nothing in his character, conduct, or
          circumstances to give rise to doubt about his ability
          to follow the code of conduct for gurus. [See #1.5.2
          below]
       1.2.2.3. Not entangled in abnormal situations
          Should not be involved in any abnormal personal
          situation. An example of such a situation would be a
          disrupted or anomalous family life which could distract
          a guru from his guru duties or otherwise prove a
          disturbance to him or his followers.
       1.2.2.4. Shows rectitude in ordinary dealings
          Should always be responsible, conscientious, and
          honorable in ordinary dealings.
  1.3. Eligibility of Devotee to Be Guru in ISKCON
     1.3.1. All Devotee's Initiations From ISKCON Gurus
       No devotee shall be eligible to become a diksa and/or
       siksa guru in ISKCON unless he has received all of his
       initiations from ISKCON-approved gurus in good standing.
       A devotee initiated by a bona fide Gaudiya Vaisnava guru
       before joining ISKCON may be considered as a special case
       by the GBC body.
     1.3.2. No One Can Give Diksa While Guru is Present
       No devotee shall give initiation as long as his own
       spiritual master is present on the planet. A devotee
       whose spiritual master is present must take all who
       approach him for initiation to his own spiritual master
       (or other approved initiating guru). [See Part II: GBC
       Position Papers in this volume]
     1.3.3. Requirement for Consent of Mantra Guru
       Devotees who have received first initiation from Srila
       Prabhupada and second initiation from one of Srila
       Prabhupada's disciples may, with the written consent of
       the mantra guru, be accepted as candidates for initiating
       spiritual master like any of Srila Prabhupada's other
       disciples.
  1.4. Procedure for Authorizing Diksa and Siksa Gurus
     A devotee may serve as diksa and/or siksa guru in ISKCON
     after completing the following authorization procedure:
     1.4.1. Endorsement By an Area Council
       A candidate for guru in ISKCON must first receive a
       majority vote of approval in a council composed of all
       the GBC zonal secretaries of his current preaching area
       and at least ten other senior devotees residing in the
       candidate's area of activity. The council will be
       organized and convened by the GBC secretary(s).
       1.4.1.1. Composition of council
          The council must include all regional secretaries,
          temple presidents, and resident sannyasis in the
          candidate's current preaching area. In addition to the
          ten (or more) local area members, spiritual authorities
          and senior devotees in good standing from neighboring
          areas may also be included in the council.
       1.4.1.2. Principles of evaluation
          The council shall evaluate the candidate according to
          the qualifications for guru given by Srila Prabhupada
          in his oral and written teachings, and by the GBC body
          in its standards and guidelines. [See #1.2. above and
          #1.5.2. below]
       1.4.1.3. Council integrity maintained
          Once the council has been formed to evaluate a
          particular candidate, it cannot be reconstituted except
          to replace a member who has left his position as a
          local ISKCON manager, or who has resigned from the
          council, or who has become spiritually unfit.
     1.4.2. Provision for "No Objection" Letters
       If the candidate has resided for less than five years in
       the area making the nomination, the recommending council
       shall obtain "no objection" letters from the GBC and
       temple president(s) of the other area(s) the candidate
       resided in during the five years previous to his
       recommendation.
     1.4.3. Names Sent to All GBC Members
       1.4.3.1. Letter of nomination to GBC corresponding
          secretary
          The chairman of the area council shall send a letter of
          nomination for the guru candidate endorsed by the
          council to the GBC corresponding secretary. The letter
          of endorsement must include the following items:
          1.   A thorough description of the qualifications of
               the candidate, showing point by point how he
               conforms to the GBC standards and guidelines for
               guru. [See #1.2 above]
          2.   A complete history of the devotional service of
               the candidate, including the dates and places of
               his engagements.
          3.   A list of the names of the members of the
               nominating council, giving for each member the
               service, the seniority, his vote, and a
               explanation for his vote.
       1.4.3.2. Corresponding secretary verifies and distributes
          After verifying that the candidate had been properly
          endorsed, the corresponding secretary shall send the
          candidate's name to all members of the GBC.
     1.4.4. Three GBC Objections Veto Candidate
       Any member of the GBC who has a misgiving concerning the
       suitability of a candidate, or who would prefer the
       matter to be discussed and decided by the GBC body, has
       six months from his date of notification to file a
       written statement of non-approval with the GBC
       corresponding secretary. If the corresponding secretary
       receives at least three letters of non-approval, the
       candidate shall not take up the role of guru, and his
       candidacy shall be considered by the GBC body at its next
       annual general meeting.
     1.4.5. Completion of Authorizing Procedure
       1.4.5.1. Absence of three letters of non-approval
          If the GBC corresponding secretary has not received at
          least three letters of non-approval by the end of the
          six-month period, the GBC corresponding secretary shall
          so inform the chairman of the recommending council,
          upon which the candidate, after taking the prescribed
          vows, shall be authorized to be a guru in ISKCON and
          perform the duties thereof.
       1.4.5.2. Presence of three letters of non-approval
          If the corresponding secretary has received at least
          three letters of non-approval within the six-month
          period, but subsequently sufficient GBC members
          withdrew their objections to lower the number of
          objectors to fewer than three, the secretary shall so
          inform the chairman of the recommending council, upon
          which the candidate, after taking the prescribed vows,
          shall be authorized to be a guru in ISKCON and perform
          the duties thereof.
     1.4.6. Corresponding Secretary Monitors and Informs
       The corresponding secretary shall monitor this procedure
       and keep all the concerned parties informed as needed.
  1.5. Regulations
     1.5.1. Vows of Guru
       A devotee authorized to act as a guru in ISKCON must
       publicly take the following vows in a ceremony before
       Srila Prabhupada's vyasasana. A signed copy of the vows
       must be filed with the GBC corresponding secretary:
       1. My personal mission as guru in ISKCON shall be the
          same as the mission of Srila Prabhupada: to flood
          the world with transcendental literature like
          Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam and, as Srila
          Prabhupada said, to "do as I am doing" in
          establishing ISKCON all over the world.
       2. I recognize the GBC as the ultimate managing
          authority in ISKCON. I support the GBC system and
          will follow the GBC as Srila Prabhupada desired.
       3. I recognize that a bona fide guru is first of all a
          bona fide disciple, and that in all my actions I
          shall remain surrendered to Srila Prabhupada's
          orders and the orders of his authorized
          representatives.
       4. As Srila Prabhupada ordered his followers to serve
          within ISKCON under the GBC, I acknowledge that for
          me to represent Srila Prabhupada in my service as a
          guru in parampara "under his order," I can do so
          only as a member of ISKCON. If I leave ISKCON I
          shall no longer act as guru.
       5. As a spiritual master, I shall always set a Krsna-
          conscious standard for all devotees by my behavior,
          which shall be strictly regulated and exemplary at
          all times. As a public representative of ISKCON, I
          must always conform with ISKCON policies and never
          act in any way to weaken or jeopardize ISKCON's
          world-wide mission. I shall not act in a way to
          diminish any person's faith in Krsna consciousness.
       6. I shall scrupulously study and review all aspiring
          disciples, and grant initiation only to qualified
          devotees so as to preserve the seriousness and
          sanctity of initiation. I shall only accept as
          disciples candidates who are qualified according to
          the standards and procedures established by ISKCON
          law. [See #2 below]
       7. I shall give my disciples directions and examples in
          strict conformity with those of Srila Prabhupada. I
          shall teach all my disciples that they are part of
          ISKCON.
     1.5.2. Standards of Conduct for Gurus in ISKCON
       1.5.2.1. General Standards 
          1.5.2.1.1.  Must always set the highest example for
                      all devotees.
          1.5.1.1.2.  Must guide his disciples to follow Srila
                      Prabhupada s instructions.
          1.5.1.1.3.  Must protect and nourish the faith of all
                      ISKCON devotees in their guru, in Srila
                      Prabhupada, and in Sri Krsna. 
          1.5.1.1.4.  Must encourage newcomers' faith in ISKCON
                      and protect the faith of existing members.
          1.5.1.1.5.  Must not give initiation until the
                      approval process [see #1.4 above] has been
                      fully completed.
          1.5.1.1.6.  Must not canvass for disciples.
          1.5.1.1.7.  Must allow all uninitiated devotees full
                      freedom to exercise their right to accept
                      initiation from the guru of their choice.
          1.5.1.1.8.  Must allow uninitiated devotees who have
                      preliminarily taken shelter of him the
                      full freedom to change their minds on
                      their choice of initiating guru. 
          1.5.1.1.9.  Since the guru-daksina received by an
                      ISKCON guru is the property of ISKCON, it
                      must be used for the benefit of the Krsna
                      consciousness movement. All guru-daksina
                      must be kept in a special account,
                      preferably an ISKCON account, with at
                      least two signatures, and accurate account
                      records must be kept.
       1.5.2.2. Standards in relation to the GBC body
          1.5.2.2.1.  Must respect the Governing Body Commission
                      as Srila Prabhupada's chosen successor as
                      the ultimate managing authority of ISKCON
                      and maintain a respectful serving attitude
                      towards the GBC.
          1.5.2.2.2.  As a guru in parampara from Srila
                      Prabhupada, he must follow Srila
                      Prabhupada in order to work in ISKCON.
                      Therefore, he must accept the GBC body as
                      his authority and follow the directives of
                      the GBC.
          1.5.2.2.3.  Must submit to any disciplinary sanctions
                      imposed by the GBC body [see #1.5.4
                      below], including not initiating new
                      disciples.
       1.5.2.3. Standards in relation to GBC zonal secretaries
          1.5.2.3.1.  Must act under the supervision of and in
                      coordination with GBC zonal secretaries.
          1.5.2.3.2.  Must not change his residence without
                      consulting the local GBC zonal secretary
                      beforehand, since such a move may affect
                      the temples and devotees. 
          1.5.2.3.3.  Must disclose financial records to the GBC
                      zonal secretary if the need arises. 
       1.5.2.4. Standards in relation to ISKCON spiritual
          authorities
          "ISKCON spiritual authority" refers to temple
          presidents, regional secretaries, local GBC zonal
          secretaries, and those of similiar stature.
          1.5.2.4.1.  Must be accountable to the local ISKCON
                      authorities for his actions.
          1.5.2.4.2.  Must cooperate with local ISKCON
                      authorities.
          1.5.2.4.3.  Must not initiate any devotee who has not
                      received proper recommendation from the
                      appropriate ISKCON spiritual authority.
                      [See #2.3.3 below]
          1.5.2.4.4.  Must instruct disciples and other devotees
                      to cooperate with ISKCON authorities.
          1.5.2.4.5.  Must avoid confrontation with ISKCON
                      authorities and settle any
                      misunderstandings amicably.
          1.5.2.4.6.  Must not undermine ISKCON authorities in
                      any way.
          1.5.2.4.7.  Must not direct disciples to make changes
                      in service or asrama without first
                      securing the consent of the disciple's
                      local authority.
          1.5.2.4.8.  Must act according to his position of
                      service in ISKCON and not merely his
                      position as guru.
       1.5.2.5. Standards in relation to a temple
          1.5.2.5.1.  Must work and preach for the interest of
                      the temple.
          1.5.2.5.2.  Must coordinate any ceremonies or special
                      programs with the temple schedule.
          1.5.2.5.3.  Must surrender the engagement in
                      devotional service of his disciples who
                      live in an ISKCON temple to the temple
                      management.
          1.5.2.5.4.  Must not transfer disciples from a temple
                      without permission of the temple
                      president. A guru may, however, request a
                      disciple to leave a particular temple,
                      without obtaining the president's consent,
                      when the guru considers it a matter of
                      "spiritual life and death" for the
                      disciple, as for example, being regularly
                      exposed to direct blasphemy of his guru,
                      or being unable to follow the four
                      regulative principles. In this case the
                      guru must consult with the local GBC zonal
                      secretary.
     1.5.3. Monitoring of Gurus by the GBC
       1.5.3.1. Annual reports
          Each GBC member must submit a form annually to the
          Executive Committee indicating briefly the status of
          all approved ISKCON gurus normally residing, regularly
          preaching, or initiating in his zone. (The Executive
          Committee will assign a GBC member(s) for monitoring
          each guru.)
       1.5.3.2. Emergency reports
          If any approved guru has: a) taken reinitiation/shelter
          of a non-ISKCON guru or institution; b) rejected ISKCON
          or Srila Prabhupada; or c) undergone a change of
          service, of asrama, or of living situation, which the
          local GBC member feels threatens to hamper the approved
          guru's ability to give guidance to or set a proper
          standard of conduct for disciples, then the GBC member
          shall submit an emergency report to the Executive
          Committee. If possible, this report shall include a
          written statement from the guru in question as to his
          intentions in regard to his disciples and his
          devotional service.
            If not possible, then the report shall at least
          include a description of the approved guru's intentions
          as best they can be discerned through the investigation
          of the GBC member.
            The report shall also contain any other information
          which would be of value to the GBC Body in determining
          the guru's status, as well as the recommendations of
          the local temple presidents, zonal councils, etc.
            The Executive Committee shall review the emergency
          reports and take any necessary action.
     1.5.4. Sanctioning of Gurus by the GBC
       The GBC body may apply any of the following sanctions
       against a guru for misconduct. 
       1.5.4.1. Warning (or censure)
          If a guru is found deviating from or neglecting
          spiritual practices, but the deviation or negligence is
          not very severe or habitual, or if a guru is
          transgressing the approved standards and guidelines for
          guru behavior (such as canvassing for disciples, etc.)
          the guru should be warned (or censured) confidentially.
       1.5.4.2. Probation
          If the warnings are not heeded, or if the deviation or
          neglect of spiritual practices are of a more serious
          nature, or if the transgressions of guru codes of
          behavior are serious and habitual, the guru may be put
          under probation with specific conditions which regulate
          his guru functions (including temporary withdrawal of
          authorization to initiate new disciples). In addition
          he may be given general recommendations or specific
          activities to perform as part of a program for his
          rectification and eventual reinstatement.
       1.5.4.3. Suspension
          If a guru blatently ignores the terms of probation, or
          repeatedly breaks one or more of the regulative
          principles, or acts in a manner which seriously and
          harmfully disregards existing ISKCON or GBC policies,
          or leaves his asrama of sannyasa without authorization,
          or leaves the association of devotees and the ISKCON
          movement, or completely deviates from standard sadhana,
          he may be suspended. If a guru is suspended he cannot
          give initiation, nor maintain an absolute siksa
          position in relation with his disciples, nor be
          introduced as a spiritual master, nor perform his guru
          functions such as receiving guru-puja or the acceptance
          of daksina.
       1.5.4.4. Removal
          If a guru becomes openly inimical to Srila Prabhupada
          or ISKCON; or otherwise acts demonically; or becomes an
          impersonalist (mayavadi); or preaches the unauthorized
          philosophy of apasampradaya groups against Lord
          Caitanya Mahaprabhu's principles; or blatantly and
          consistently defies ISKCON and GBC policies; or if a
          guru's attachment to sense gratification is serious,
          prolonged, or hopeless, then, as per sastric
          injunction, he shall be removed from his position as
          diksa or siksa guru.
     1.5.5. Renunciation of Guru Responsibilities
       If a guru becomes hopelessly entangled in sense
       gratification or material attachments and is unable to
       function or continue acting as spiritual master for his
       disciples, he may renounce his position by giving written
       notice to the GBC with a request for the GBC to give
       direction to his disciples for their further advancement
       in Krsna consciousness.
          If a guru feels for other reasons that he is unable to
       function or continue acting as a spiritual master for his
       disciples, he should submit his case to the GBC body to
       receive direction for himself and his disciples.
     1.5.6. Specifically Outlawed Doctrines and Practices
       1.5.6.1. "Zonal-Acarya" System:
          No guru should declare himself or allow himself to be
          declared an "acarya" or "present acarya" for ISKCON or
          for a geographical area of ISKCON. There should be no
          use of the word "acarya" as a title of office.
       1.5.6.2. "Posthumous Rtvik" Doctrine
          The doctrine that Srila Prabhupada continues to
          initiate direct diksa disciples after his departure
          from this world through officiating priests (rtviks) is
          a dangerous philosophical deviation. It is totally
          prohibited in ISKCON. No devotee shall participate in
          such posthumous rtvik initiation ceremonies in any
          capacity including acting as rtvik, initiate,
          assistant, organizer, or financier. No ISKCON devotee
          shall advocate or support its practice.
  1.6 Worship and Etiquette
     1.6.1. Rights of ISKCON Members to Worship Guru
       As it is enjoined in scripture that a devotee must honor
       his spiritual master as much as he honors the Lord, every
       devotee in ISKCON accordingly has the right to worship,
       glorify, and serve his guru. So long as the guru is in
       good standing, no ISKCON leader shall curtail or abrogate
       that right. Temple presidents must provide devotees the
       necessary time and facility for them to worship their
       gurus. The disciples, however, must carry out their
       devotions to guru in harmony with the orderly running of
       temple affairs and without imposing their own guru-seva
       upon disciples of other gurus.
     1.6.2. Ceremonies
       1.6.2.1. Guru-puja
          The disciples of ISKCON gurus other than Srila
          Prabhupada may offer guru-puja to their gurus outside
          the temple room. The temple should provide facility for
          these disciples' worship.
       1.6.2.2. Vyasa-puja
          Vyasa-puja for ISKCON gurus other than Srila Prabhupada
          should only be observed on one day a year coinciding
          with the birthday of the guru. This celebration may be
          held in the temple room.
     1.6.3. Restricted Titles
       A guru cannot not use or allow his disciples to apply to
       him the honorific title "His Divine Grace" or the
       honorifics ending in "-pada" in written public documents
       or in open public forum. However, such titles may be used
       in communications among disciples or from disciples to
       their guru. 
     1.6.4. Photograph On Altar
       A pujari who is not initiated by Srila Prabhupada shall
       keep the picture of his guru on the altar while offering
       arati. The picture must be substantially smaller than
       those of the predecessor acaryas in disciplic succession,
       or, if not substantially smaller, be placed on a lower
       level. After the arati, the picture should be removed
       from the altar.
     1.6.5. Seat in Temple Room
       There should be one seat reserved for ISKCON gurus and
       their Godbrothers/sisters for giving sastra classes in
       the temple room. Disciples of ISKCON gurus should sit on
       a lower asana or cushion, since it is improper to sit on
       the same asana used by one's diksa guru.
     1.6.6. Guru Under Suspension
       1.6.6.1. No public worship
          There should be no public worship of a guru who is
          under suspension by the GBC.
       1.6.6.2. Disciples offering arati
          While performing arati to the Deities a disciple of a
          suspended guru should offer the various articles
          through Srila Prabhupada to the disciplic succession.
       1.6.6.3. Disciples offering bhoga
          When offering bhoga to the Deities in the temple or
          outside the temple in ISKCON establishments like
          restaurants, a disciple of a suspended guru must offer
          through Srila Prabhupada to the disciplic succession.
       1.6.6.4. Disciples offering obeisances
          While offering obeisances in a public place a disciple
          of a suspended guru should recite Srila Prabhupada's
          pranama mantra aloud and should chant the mantras to
          the suspended guru silently or not at all.
  1.7. Rejection of a Fallen "Guru"
     N.B.: The following laws are based on Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta
     by Sri Narahari Sarkara (an associate of Sri Caitanya),
     Bhakti Sandharbha by Srila Jiva Gosvami, and Jaiva Dharma by
     Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in addition to the writings of
     Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
     1.7.1. When a Fallen Guru May Be Rejected
       If it is ascertained either by the admission of the guru,
       or by the testimony of irrefutably reliable witness(es)
       that the guru was fallen at the time of initiation, then
       the disciple has a legitimate reason to reject him and
       take re-initiation from a bona fide spiritual master
     1.7.2. When a Fallen Guru Must Be Rejected
       1.7.2.1. Hopelessly entangled in sense gratification
          If a guru has become hopelessly entangled in sense
          gratification, and it has been established by reliable
          testimony or by his own admissions that he has been
          regularly violating the regulative principles of Krsna
          consciousness, and if there is virtually no hope for
          his rectification, then the disciple should reject him
          and may accept re-initiation.
       1.7.2.2. Takes on demonic qualities
          If the spiritual master takes on demoniac qualities and
          becomes inimical to ISKCON, he should be rejected and
          the disciple may take re-initiation.
     1.7.3. When Not to Reject a Fallen Guru
       If a guru is engaged in sense gratification, violating
       one or more of the regulative principles, but there is
       hope that he can be rectified, then his disciples should
       not reject him but should allow time for such
       rectification to take place, and they should take shelter
       of Srila Prabhupada and senior vaisnavas as siksa gurus.
     1.7.4. When a Suspended Guru May Be Rejected
       A disciple of a suspended guru who has severely lost his
       faith in his spiritual master, or who has developed an
       offensive mentality towards him, and who is unable to
       regain his faith, even after hearing many instructions in
       the matter, may take permission from the spiritual master
       for release to accept a different initiating guru. The
       devotee should act in consultation with his local GBC
       representative. If the suspended guru witholds his
       permission, then the disciple may seek permission from
       the GBC body.
     1.7.5. "Guru Asraya" for Guidance
       Devotees whose initiating spiritual master has fallen
       down should take guidance from the GBC papers entitled
       "Guru Asraya"  and "Questions and Answers About
       Reinitiation." These papers also present ISKCON's
       guidelines on the importance of taking shelter of a
       spiritual master and the role of siksa guru. [See Part
       II: GBC Position Papers in this volume]

2. INITIATION (DIKSA)

  2.1. Right of Devotees to Choose Guru
     2.1.1. Right to Accept Instruction and Initiation
       All members of ISKCON have the right to accept diksa or
       siksa from the guru of their choice, provided that the
       guru is qualified and approved to initiate, the candidate
       is eligible to accept initiation, and that all the
       relevant procedures set forth in ISKCON laws have been
       strictly observed.
     2.1.2. Right to Take Association From Any Approved Guru
       Any uninitiated devotee in ISKCON has the right to read
       the publications, hear the recorded talks and bhajans,
       take darsana of, correspond with, or associate in other
       various feasible ways with any authorized ISKCON guru.
     2.1.3. Right to Become an "Aspirant for Shelter and
       Initiation"
       2.1.3.1. Someone who has been connected with the Krsna
          consciousness movement for more than one year, either
          as a congregational member or as a mature child brought
          up in a Krsna-conscious devotee's household, shall be
          allowed to accept an ISKCON guru as a siksa guru and be
          accepted by that guru as an aspirant for shelter and
          initiation in the future, provided the temple president
          or gurukula principal (for gurukula students) gives his
          approval, and, in the case of a minor child, a parent
          gives approval.
       2.1.3.2. Someone who has accepted an ISKCON guru as siksa
          guru and is an "aspirant for shelter and initiation"
          may cultivate a personal spiritual relationship with
          the spiritual master and, by taking personal guidance,
          try to progress further in Krsna consciousness.
       2.1.3.3. Someone who has accepted an ISKCON guru as
          siksa-guru and is an "aspirant for shelter and
          initiation" and who wants to subsequently accept
          another ISKCON guru as siksa guru, etc., should inform
          both gurus and follow the procedure as provided for in
          #2.1.3.1 above.
  2.2. Responsibility of Candidate for Initiation
     It is the personal responsibility of candidates for
     initiation to correctly decide, by the exercise of their own
     intelligence, to surrender to a particular devotee as
     spiritual master. Candidates for initiation should accept
     initiation from a spiritual master only after developing
     firm and mature faith in that devotee and in his ability to
     take them back to Godhead. Sadhu, sastra, and guru are the
     authoritative references to apply in acertaining the level
     of advancement of a devotee.
       Receiving official ISKCON guru approval signifies that
     the devotee has sucessfully completed the authorization
     process set forth in ISKCON law, and that in the judgment of
     certain senior devotees the candidate measures up to the
     standards and guidelines given in ISKCON law. However, such
     approval is not automatically to be taken as a statement
     about the degree of God-realization of the approved guru,
     and it is not intended to replace the intelligent
     discrimination of the candidate.
  2.3. First, or Hari-Nama, Initiation
     2.3.1. Qualifications for First Initiation
       2.3.1.1. One year preparatory period
          In order to receive first initiation one must have been
          engaged favorably in devotional service, strictly
          following the four regulative principles and chanting
          sixteen rounds a day, for at least one year without
          interruption. 
          2.3.1.1.1. First six-month period
            During the first six months of following the four
            regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds
            daily, a new devotee who is aspiring for initiation
            should not commit himself to a particular initiating
            guru. Rather, he should chant Srila Prabhupada's
            pranama mantra and worship him as Founder-Acarya of
            ISKCON and as his siksa guru. 
          2.3.1.1.2. Second six-month period
            After successfully completing the first six-month
            preparatory period, and after passing the required
            examination, the candidate may choose his future
            diksa guru. Receiving permission from that guru, and
            notifying the local temple president, the candidate
            should take shelter and begin to worship that guru
            as his own spiritual master and chant his pranama
            mantra. Actual initiation may take place only after
            a minimum six-month period from the date shelter was
            taken and the local temple president notified.
          2.3.1.1.3. Devotees residing within temple communities
            In addition to satisfying the above requirements,
            devotees residing in temple communities must, during
            the one-year preparatory period, regularly attend
            the full morning program.
          2.3.1.1.4. Devotees residing outside temple communities
            Devotees who do not live in a temple community and
            who cannot come daily to the temple programs may be
            initiated provided they have regular morning
            programs at home or attend regular morning programs
            at the nama hatta center.
       2.3.1.2. Pass examination
          Before a devotee can be permitted to formally take
          shelter of a particular ISKCON spiritual master and be
          subsequently recommended for initiation, he or she must
          demonstrate a basic understanding of Srila Prabhupada's
          teachings by answering an oral or written test
          administered by the temple president or other
          recommending authority. The questions to be answered
          are:
           1.  What are the qualifications of a bona fide
               spiritual master?
           2.  Why are you convinced to follow the orders of the
               spiritual master in this life, and even life after
               life?
           3.  Why does one worship the spiritual master like
               God?
           4.  Do you believe the spiritual master speaks the
               absolute truth? If so, why?
           5.  Under what circumstances should the spiritual
               master be rejected?
           6.  What are the qualifications and responsibilities
               of a disciple?
           7.  What is the unique position of Srila Prabhupada in
               ISKCON?
           8.  Why do you accept Lord Krsna as the Supreme
               Personality of Godhead?
           9.  Why do we follow the four regulative principles?
          10.  Why do we chant Hare Krsna?
          11.  What is the position of the GBC Body?
          12.  Explain the difference between the body and the
               self.
          13.  What is ISKCON, and why should one remain in
               ISKCON?
     2.3.2. Change of Prospective Guru
       Sometimes a candidate for initiation who had formally
       accepted shelter from one spiritual master as a
       prospective initiating guru may subsequently decide to
       change to another. Such a candidate must communicate this
       change to the former prospective spiritual master, new
       prospective spiritual master, and local temple president.
       The candidate must also remain fixed under the shelter of
       the newly proposed initiating guru for six continuous
       months prior to receiving initiation, starting from the
       time of newly accepting formal shelter.
     2.3.3. Procedure of Formal Recommendation
       This formal recommendation process is not intended to
       replace or overshadow the (more important) need for other
       regular contact among the various ISKCON devotees guiding
       the candidate and his prospective spiritual master
       regarding the spiritual progress of the candidate.
       Furthermore, the prospective spiritual master is under no
       obligation to initiate a devotee because a proper
       recommendation has been given.
       2.3.3.1. Guru receives recommendation in writing
          Before a candidate can receive first initiation, his
          prospective guru must receive a formal written
          recommendation [contents specified in #2.3.3.2 below]
          from the appropriate ISKCON spiritual authority, as
          determined by the candidate's situation. [See #2.3.3.4
          and #2.3.3.5 below]
       2.3.3.2. Contents of recommendation
          The recommendation of the recommending ISKCON authority
          must certify that the candidate has fulfilled the
          qualifications for initiation to the best of his
          understanding. The recommending authority must
          specifically attest that the candidate has been engaged
          in favorable devotional service, has chanted sixteen
          rounds of japa daily, has adhered to the four
          regulative principles, and has regularly attended a
          morning program, all for the previous twelve months.
            The recommender must also attest that the candidate
          is sufficiently knowledgeable in the philosophy of
          Krsna consciousness and in the structure and purpose of
          ISKCON to have passed the prescribed examination, and
          that he has accepted shelter of the guru for at least
          six months. 
       2.3.3.3. Recommender contacts previous authorities
          If the candidate has not been serving continuously
          within the jurisdiction of the recommending ISKCON
          authority for the previous twelve months, then the
          recommender must still satisfy himself with the
          activities of the candidate for the full twelve-month
          period by contacting other ISKCON authorities with
          knowledge of the candidate's activities during the
          balance time.
       2.3.3.4. Devotees residing in temple communities
          Before a candidate can receive first initiation, the
          guru must receive a written recommendation from the
          temple president under whom the candidate is currently
          serving. 
            If said temple president is also the prospective
          initiating guru, then the following special procedures
          must be observed: Either the local GBC shall write the
          recommendation himself, or he shall establish a local
          Board of Initiations, which does not include the
          prospective guru as a member, to review the
          qualifications of the candidates. The chairman of this
          Board of Initiations may then prepare the necessary
          written recommendations. In the extreme case that the
          local GBC, temple president, and prospective guru are
          all the same person, the GBC Executive Committee shall
          establish the appropriate procedures to be followed.
       2.3.3.5. Devotees residing away from temple communities
          Qualified candidates for initiation who reside away
          from temple communities may be recommended for
          initiation (in the manner prescribed above) by one of
          the following spiritual authorities (excluding the
          prospective initiating guru) who knows them well: a
          local GBC, the nearest temple president, the local
          regional secretary, the concerned congregational
          preaching director, or an ISKCON sannyasi who is
          regularly preaching in that area.
     2.3.4. Vows of Disciple
       All new initiates must take the following vows at the
       time of initiation:
       2.3.4.1. Sixteen rounds
          To chant a minium of sixteen rounds daily without fail.
       2.3.4.2. Four regulative principles
          To follow the four regulative principles (no meat
          eating, no illict sex, no intoxication, no gambling)
          strictly.
       2.3.4.3. Follow spiritual master's order
          To accept the order of the spiritual master as one's
          life and soul.
       2.3.4.4. Fidelity to ISKCON's Founder-Acarya
          To accept discipleship into the Brahma-Madhva Gaudiya
          Sampradaya through the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and to
          remain faithful to their order and teachings.
       2.3.4.5. Loyalty to ISKCON
          To remain faithful to Srila Prabhupada's order by
          maintaining loyalty to ISKCON and its ultimate managing
          authority, the GBC.
  2.4. Second, or Brahminical, Initiation
     2.4.1. Qualification for Second Initiation
       2.4.1.1. One-year wait between first and second
       initiation
          To be qualified to receive second initiation, a first-
          initiated devotee must have been steadily engaged in
          favorable devotional service, chanting sixteen rounds a
          day without fail, and strictly following the four
          regulative principles for a period of at least one year
          from the time of receiving first initiation. In
          addition, the candidate must have regularly attended a
          morning program, whether in a temple, preaching center,
          nama-hatta center, or at home.
       2.4.1.2. Two-year wait for those who fall severely
          A devotee who, after receiving first initiation, falls
          severely from the spiritual standard by neglecting or
          forsaking his initiation vows in a serious way or by
          rejecting the association of ISKCON devotees for a
          prolonged time, shall, after he returns to normal
          practice, be required to wait for at least two years
          before being given second initiation.
       2.4.1.3. Examination option of initiating guru
          It is the responsibility of the initiating guru to
          determine the fitness of his disciple for brahminical
          initiation. To help do this, he may require his
          disciple to pass a suitable examination.
     2.4.2. Procedure for Formal Recommendation
       2.4.2.1. Guru receives recommendation in writing
          The guru of a candidate for second initiation must
          receive a written recommendation [contents specified in
          #2.4.2.2 below] from the appropriate ISKCON authority.
          The appropriate authority is determined in the same
          manner as described above for first initiation.
       2.4.2.2. Contents of letter of recommendation
          The recommending authority must certify that the
          candidate has fulfilled the qualifications for second
          initiation to the best of his understanding. The
          recommending authority must specifically attest that:
          a) the candidate has been steadily engaged in favorable
          devotional service, has chanted sixteen rounds of japa
          daily, adhered to the four regulative principles, and
          regularly attended a morning program, all for the
          previous twelve months (having received first
          initiation more than twelve months before);
          b) the candidate has either not fallen severely [see
          #2.4.1.2 above] since first initiation or has been in
          good standing for at least two years since returning to
          normal practice.
       2.4.2.3. Recommender contacts previous authorities
          As in the case of a recommendation for first
          initiation, if the candidate has not been serving
          continuously within the jurisdiction of the
          recommending ISKCON authority for the previous twelve
          months, then the recommender must still satisfy himself
          with the activities of the candidate for the full
          twelve-month period by contacting other ISKCON
          authorities who have knowledge of the candidate's
          activities during the balance time.
     2.4.3. Restoration of Brahminical Status
       If an initiated brahmana falls severely from the
       spiritual standard by neglecting or forsaking his
       initiation vows in a serious way or by rejecting the
       regular association of devotees for a prolonged time, and
       then later returns to the spiritual standard, the
       following procedure is to be observed: 
       a) The devotee should not wear a sacred thread, chant
       gayatri mantra, or serve the Deity until he has strictly
       followed and practiced devotional service for a period of
       no less than six months. 
       b) He may put on the sacred thread, resume chanting
       gayatri, and serve the Deity only after he proves himself
       fit in the judgment of his spiritual master and local
       spiritual authority. 
       c) If, in the judgment of his spiritual master, the
       deviation was exceptionally severe or prolonged, the
       spiritual master may again give the disciple gayatri
       mantra. If the spiritual master is beyond mortal vision,
       the local GBC representative shall decide the proper
       course of action.
  2.5. Initiation Only from Approved Gurus
     Devotees who live or serve in ISKCON may take initiation
     only from ISKCON-approved gurus. [See #1.4 above for
     approval process]
     2.5.1. Violators
       2.5.1.1. First initiation outside
          ISKCON members who, in violation of ISKCON law, take
          initiation from gurus who have not been approved to
          initiate in ISKCON shall not be permitted to serve
          within ISKCON. If the non-approved guru has an
          institution or asrama outside ISKCON, then according to
          standard etiquette, his disciples should serve within
          the institution of their guru and should not serve
          within ISKCON. (This rule does not apply to persons who
          were already initiated before they became ISKCON
          members.)
       2.5.1.2. Other initiations outside
          Anyone initiated in ISKCON who has taken any further
          initiation, or reinitiation, from a non-approved guru
          must renounce their initiation from the non-approved
          guru in order to work within ISKCON. Their ISKCON
          spiritual master (or if their spiritual master is
          beyond mortal vision, the local GBC) shall decide the
          proper procedure for reinstating them in ISKCON,
          including the need for taking any further initiation.
     2.5.2. 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.
  2.6. 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
     Sri la 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.
  2.7. Reinitiation
     A devotee whose guru has fallen and who seeks re-initiation
     from an approved guru must observe the following
     requirements: 
     a) a six-month period of formally taking shelter, 
     b) a formal letter of recommendation from the appropriate
     local authority, and 
     c) acceptance by the initiating guru.




                     "ON MY ORDER" UNDERSTOOD
                                 
                      AN OFFICIAL GBC PAPER


WHEREAS ISKCON devotees and leaders have repeatedly requested
  a clear vision from the GBC on Srila Prabhupada's order in
  1977 regarding continuing the disciplic succession, but as
  yet it has not been presented;
WHEREAS many interpretations of the "appointment tapes" have
  been published by the GBC and outside parties, many inimical
  to ISKCON, and a clear GBC stand would help ISKCON devotees
  in their preaching and search for unity in diversity;
WHEREAS a clearer concept and a general consensus on many
  things have been achieved after discussions and
  philosophical research;
WHEREAS the siddhanta in regard to Guru-tattva in ISKCON has
  been unclear, and there is a need for a statement from the
  GBC to give direction;

THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED THAT: 

  The following conclusions are accepted as the official GBC
position in regard to Srila Prabhupada's instructions regarding
continuing the disciplic succession:

(1)  Srila Prabhupada's explicit and consistent desire and
program had always been that eventually His Divine Grace's
disciples and followers would take up the service of initiating
new disciples into the disciplic succession as initiating
gurus(1). This procedure is supported by all evidence from sadhu,
sastra and guru as the bona fide method of continuing the
disciplic succession. In fact, this is the only concept of
continuing the disciplic succession ever mentioned by Srila
Prabhupada. 

(2)  In 1977 Srila Prabhupada repeatedly said he would "select,"
"choose," "appoint," or "designate" some disciples to take up the
service of initiating new disciples. When Srila Prabhupada was
asked who would initiate after his physical departure he stated
he would "recommend" and give his "order" to some of his
disciples who would initiate on his behalf during his lifetime
and afterwards as "regular gurus," whose disciples would be Srila
Prabhupada's grand-disciples. Srila Prabhupada repeatedly cited
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's statement "amar ajna guru hoiya" and
stated that one would be eligible to act as an initiating guru
based "on my order", i.e. on the "order" of Srila Prabhupada as
the representative of Lord Caitanya.(2) Subsequently Srila
Prabhupada named some disciples to initiate on his behalf, as he
had previously stated.(2) Although Srila Prabhupada did not
repeat his earlier statements it was understood that he expected
these disciples to initiate in the future. Srila Prabhupada
stated that the primary qualification for being a spiritual
master is "not difficult," that is to "strictly follow" the
previous spiritual masters.(4) Srila Prabhupada's repeated use of
the phrase "on my order" makes it abundently clear that those who
would be "selected" were simply to strictly carry out His Divine
Grace's "order" and as long as they did so they would be bona
fide spiritual masters. It is up to Srila Prabhupada's followers
to be and remain qualified by strictly following his
instructions.

(3)  In ISKCON the basis of anyone's acting as an ISKCON
spiritual master is the transcendental "order" of Srila
Prabhupada which conveys in succession the Divine order of Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is therefore clear that Srila
Prabhupada's use of words like "appoint," "recommend" or "select"
was not in the mundane sense of appointing someone to a post or
position, and certainly not to some state of "realization," nor
as a full endorsement of qualification as has been commonly
misunderstood, but is rather a conditional mandate dependent on
the follower's "strictly following" the "order" of the spiritual
master. In fact, the Sanskrit word "ajna" means to be the order
carrier or to represent a higher authority. Failing to "follow
strictly" the "order" of the previous acaryas would
disenfranchise the putative guru.(5) Athough Srila Prabhupada was
a pure devotee of Lord Krishna and a liberated soul, he humbly
presented as his only qualification that he was a humble "servant
of the servant," that he was simply carrying the "order" and
strictly following the instructions of his spiritual master Om
Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, who was a
liberated soul. Srila Prabhupada taught by example. Therefore,
His Divine Grace's "selecting" someone would be to do what Srila
Prabhupada stated he was doing, i.e. simply to "carry the order"
of the previous acaryas.(6) Reinforcing that truth is Srila
Prabhupada's well-known instruction that a spiritual master must
always consider himself a disciple and servitor of his own guru.

(4)  After Srila Prabhupada named some disciples to initiate, his
personal secretary suggested some others for also starting to
initiate, but Srila Prabhupada, after considering the matter,
said they were not yet ready. His Divine Grace said the GBC could
consider and later add others when needed. Thus, by delegating
that duty to the GBC, Srila Prabhupada personally detailed the
procedure for increasing the number of initiating gurus. Earlier,
His Divine Grace had taught Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakur's instruction that his Governing Body Commission would be
responsible to "elect" qualified devotees to be initiating gurus.
When asked who would succeed him, His Divine Grace said that he
"gave the legacy" to all his disciples and whoever strictly
follows him is qualified to succeed him.(7)

(5)  When a devotee is allowed to carry out the "order" of Srila
Prabhupada to expand the disciplic succession by initiating new
disciples it is not to be taken as a certification or endorsement
of his being an "uttama adhikary," "pure devotee," or to having
achieved any specific state of realization. It is simply a
statement that the devotee has been given permission to execute
the "order" to serve as a guru because it was considered that he
was "strictly following" Srila Prabhupada's instructions and had
maintained an adequately exemplary sadhana and behavior up to the
standard approved for serving as a guru. Moreover, Srila
Prabhupada never stated that he was appointing an "Acarya", or an
independent or "absolute authority", for the sampradaya. To the
contrary, His Divine Grace established the Governing Body
Commission and said that the GBC would be the "ultimate managing
authority" for all affairs (material and spiritual) of the
society in accordance to sadhu, sastra and guru.(8) Gurus and
disciples are expected to cooperate and follow the decisions of
the GBC as desired of Srila Prabhupada. 

(6)  It may be that in the future a devotee may achieve great
realization and advancement in Krishna consciousness and become a
"self-effulgent acarya," a renowned "Acarya" for the sampradaya,
but Srila Prabhupada stated such things are not to be confirmed
by administrative decrees or actions. If an advanced devotee's
spiritual qualities are "self-effulgent," devotees may naturally
accept him as an "acarya" or advanced or realized spiritual
master and his association and guidance will be sought, but the
GBC cannot "rubber stamp" him nor change ISKCON's system of
management consequently. ISKCON will continue to be managed as
Srila Prabhupada provided without "change" by the GBC. That is
Srila Prabhupada's instruction.(9)

(7)  Uninitiated ISKCON devotees should seek out a spiritual
master who is strictly following Srila Prabhupada's instructions
and representing Srila Prabhupada with full faith that by
following such a spiritual master who is strictly following a
liberated soul they will achieve the same results obtainable by
serving Srila Prabhupada directly. (Other instructions in this
regard may be separately published.)

(8)  Disciples are to respect their spiritual masters as direct
representatives of Krishna, ie. as "saksad hari-tvena," in
accordance with sastras. Disciples should worship their spiritual
master according to their faith and according to the standard
Vaisnava etiquette approved by ISKCON. All ISKCON devotees should
encourage disciples in developing faith in their spiritual
masters.


____________________________
Notes

(1) As early as 1967 Srila Prabhupada wrote:

  "Anyone following the order of Lord Caitanya under the
  guidance of His bonafide representative, can become a
  spiritual master and I wish that in my absence all my
  disciples become bonafide spiritual masters to spread Krishna
  Consciousness throughout the whole world." (Letter to
  Madhusudana 02-11-67)

and in 1968 he wrote to Hamsaduta:

  "Maybe by 1975 all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate
  and increase the number of the generations. That is my
  program." (Letter to Hamsaduta Swami)

Also,

  "Therefore if anyone is anxious to be initiated, he should
  first of all hear our philosophy and join chanting at least
  for three months, and then if required, I shall send chanted
  beads for him if you recommend. As we are doing here. Don't be
  allured by such maya. I am training you all to become future
  spiritual masters, but do not be in a hurry. (21st August,
  1968, Letter to Acyutananda and Jaya Govinda)

  "I am just trying to disseminate this message of my spiritual
  master and if there's any credit for this service, everything
  goes to Him. This message of Krishna Consciousness is coming
  down from Krishna Himself, and we are all servants of the
  Supreme Lord working under the consecutive disciplic
  succession. Please try to understand our philosophy through
  various books that I have already published and sometimes
  after you will have to carry out this order of disciplic
  succession." (14th March, 1969, Letter to Prahladananda)

  "Some time ago you asked my permission for accepting some
  disciples, now the time is approaching very soon when you will
  have many disciples by your strong preaching work. Stick to
  the line of our strong preaching method and many misguided
  persons will be blessed by your proper guiding." (16th May,
  1972, Letter to Acyutananda)

  "I have heard that there is some worship of yourself by the
  other devotees. Of course it is proper to offer obeisances to
  a Vaisnava, but not in the presence of the spiritual master.
  After the departure of the spiritual master, it will come to
  that stage, but now wait. Otherwise it will create factions."
  (1st October, 1974, Letter to Hamsaduta das)

  "Now has the GBC become more than Guru Maharaja? As if simply
  GBC is meant for looking after pounds, shilling, pence. The
  GBC does not look after spiritual life. That is a defect. All
  of our students will have to become guru, but they are not
  qualified. This is the difficulty." (10th November, 1975,
  Letter to Alalanatha das)

  "Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bonafide Guru,
  and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a
  matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime
  of your spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples
  to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept
  disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic
  succession. I want to see my disciples become bonafide
  spiritual master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely,
  that will make me and Krishna very happy." (2nd December,
  1975, Letter to Tusta Krishna Swami)



(2) Vrindavan, May 28, 1977

Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next
  question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at
  that time when you're no longer with us. We want to know how
  first and second initiation would be conducted.
Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is
  settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as
  officiating acaryas.
Tamala Krsna: Is that called rtvik-acarya?
Prabhupada: Rtvik, yes.
Satsvarupa: Then what is the relationship of that person who
  gives the initiation and the...
Prabhupada: He's guru. He's guru.
Satsvarupa: But he does it on your behalf.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is formality. Because in my presence one
  should not become guru, so on my behalf, on my order... Amara
  ajnaya guru hana. Be actually guru, but by my order.
Satsvarupa: So they may also be considered your disciples.
Prabhupada: Yes, they are disciples. Why consider? Who?
Tamala Krsna: No, he's asking that these rtvik-acaryas, they're
  officiating, giving diksa. Their... The people who they give
  diksa to, whose disciples are they?
Prabhupada: They're his disciples.
Tamala Krsna: They're his disciples.
Prabhupada: Who is initiating. He is granddisciple.
Satsvarupa: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: That's clear.
Satsvarupa: Then we have a question concer...
Prabhupada: When I order, "You become guru," he becomes regular
  guru. That's all. He becomes disciple of my disciple. That's
  it..........
Prabhupada: And Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, amara ajnaya guru hana.
  One can understand the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he can
  become guru. Or one who understands his guru's order, the same
  parampara, he can become guru. And therefore I shall select
  some of you. (hums) 

It should also be noted that in most cases when Srila Prabhupada
spoke about his disciples becoming gurus he cited the amara ajna
verse.



(3) July 7, 1977, Vrindavan

Tamala Krsna: Those are their favorite words. Srila Prabhupada?
  We're receiving a number of letters now, and these are people
  who want to get initiated. So up until now, since your
  becoming ill, we asked them to wait.
Prabhupada: The local, mean, senior sannyasis can do that. 
Tamala Krsna: That's what we were doing... I mean, formerly we
  were... The local GBC, sannyasis, were chanting on their
  beads, and they were writing to Your Divine Grace, and you
  were giving a spiritual name. So should that process be
  resumed, or should we...? I mean one thing is that it's said
  that the spiritual master takes on the... You know, he takes
  on the... He has to cleanse the disciple by... So we don't
  want that you should have to... Your health is not so good, so
  that should not be... That's why we've been asking everybody
  to wait. I just want to know if we should continue to wait
  some more time. 
Prabhupada: No, the senior sannyasis... 
Tamala Krsna: So they should continue to...
Prabhupada: You can give me a list of sannyasis. I will mark who
  will...
Tamala Krsna: Okay.
Prabhupada: You can do. Kirtanananda can do. And our Satsvarupa
  can do. So these three, you can give, begin.
Tamala Krsna: So supposing someone is in America, should they
  simply write directly to Kirtanananda or Satsvarupa?
Prabhupada: Nearby. Jayatirtha can give. 
Tamala Krsna: Jayatirtha.
Prabhupada: Bhavanan..., er, Bhagavan. And he can do also.
  Harikesa.
Tamala Krsna: Harikesa Maharaja.
Prabhupada: And... Five, six men, you divide who is nearest.
Tamala Krsna: Who is nearest. So persons wouldn't have to write
  to Your Divine Grace. They could write directly to that
  person? 
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Actually they are initiating the person on Your
  Divine Grace's behalf. Those persons who are initiated are
  still your...
Prabhupada: Second initiation we shall think over, second
  initiation.
Tamala Krsna: This is for first initiation, okay. And for second
  initiation, for the time being they should...
Prabhupada: No, they have to wait. Second initiation, that should
  be given...
Tamala Krsna: Should... Some devotees are writing you now for
  second initiation, and I'm writing them to wait a while
  because you're not well. So can I continue to tell them that?
Prabhupada: They can do second initiation.
Tamala Krsna: By writing you.
Prabhupada: No. These men.
Tamala Krsna: These men, they can also do second initiation. So
  there's no need for devotees to write to you for first and
  second initiation. They can write to the man nearest them. But
  all these persons are still your disciples. Anybody who gives
  initiation is doing so on your behalf.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: You know that book I'm maintaining of all of your
  disciples' names? Should I continue that?
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: So if someone gives initiation, like Harikesa
  Maharaja, he should send the person's name to us here and I'll
  enter it in the book. Okay. Is there someone else in India
  that you want to do this?
Prabhupada: India, I am here. We shall see. In India, Jayapataka.
Tamala Krsna: Jayapataka Maharaja.
Prabhupada: You are also in India. 
Tamala Krsna: Yes. 
Prabhupada: You can note down these names.
Tamala Krsna: Yes, I have them.
Prabhupada: Who are they?
Tamala Krsna: Kirtanananda Maharaja, Satsvarupa Maharaja,
  Jayatirtha Prabhu, Bhagavan Prabhu, Harikesa Maharaja,
  Jayapataka Maharaja and Tamala Krsna Maharaja.
Prabhupada: That's nice. Now you distribute.
Tamala Krsna: Seven. There's seven names.
Prabhupada: For the time being, seven names, sufficient. You can
  make Ramesvara.
Tamala Krsna: Ramesvara Maharaja.
Prabhupada: And Hrdayananda.
Tamala Krsna: Oh, yeah. South America.
Prabhupada: So without waiting for me, wherever you consider it
  is right... That will depend on discretion.
Tamala Krsna: On discretion. 
Prabhupada: Yes. 
Tamala Krsna: That's for first and second initiations.
Prabhupada: Hm. 



(4) Make sure that they are well aware of the four rules and
regulations and that they are fixed in chanting the prescribed
number of 16 rounds daily on the beads. Without these two
principles no one can make advancement on the path of regulated
bhakti. Teach them the science of the Bhagavad gita and train
them to be first class representatives of Krsna. It is not very
difficult, simply one has to hear from the perfect authority who
is in disciplic succession from Krsna Himself, and then repeat
the same message without any change. If one does this then he is
qualified to become guru. (Letter to Jayadharma 8/20/76)

Guru is only one. Guru means, as you explained, ajnana-timirandhasya 
jnanajana-salakaya, caksur-unmilitam yena tasmai
sri-gurave namah. One who eradicates the ajnana, andhakara,
darkness. In the darkness, if somebody brings lamp, ajnana-
timirandhasya jnanajana-salakaya... The jnana-rupa, torchlight,
he's guru. So maybe of different degrees, but anyone who opens
the spiritual eyes, he's guru.

But it doesn't matter that degree. Actually, if the guru teaches
Krsna consciousness, then he may be in lesser degree, but he's
accepted as guru. There is no question of rejection. Because
Krsna is actually jnana. One who teaches Krsna as the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, "One has to know Krsna, one has to
surrender to Krsna," this kind of teaching is required.

So the real test is whether the guru is a Vaisnava, whether he
know the science of Krsna. That is also confirmed by Caitanya
Mahaprabhu: kiba vipra kiba sudra nyasi kene naya, yei krsna-
tattva vettha sei guru haya. A... It doesn't matter what he is,
whether he's a sannyasi or a grhastha or a brahmana or a su..,
born in brahmana family or... It doesn't matter. Yei krsna-tattva. 
Anyone who knows Krsna, he can become guru, not others.
So that is the statement of the sastras. Avaisnava cannot become
guru. (Lecture, Ahmedabad 13/12/72)

Just like post peon give you five thousand rupees, delivers. He
does not deliver. Sombody else is delivering. He's simply
carrying. That's all. Similarly, if we simply carry the message
of Krsna as it is, we become perfect. It is not very difficult.
If I simply carry the message of Krsna, where is the difficulty?
Everything is there. Krsna has said everything. Krsna says, man-
mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru. We carry this
message. Just always think of Krsna, always offer obeisances to
Krsna, become a devotee of Krsna. Man-manah, think of Krsna
always. We have to carry this message. Where is the difficulty?
So to become a bona fide spiritual master, there is no
difficulty. If you, simply, if we carry the message of Krsna as
it is without any adulteration. So we must find out a person who
is actually bona fide spiritual master by this test, that he's
not. I mean to say adulterating Krsna's message. He's not playing
havoc with the message of Krsna in order to introduce himself,
his person. He's simply presenting the message of Krsna as it is.
Then he's spiritual master. Nobody else. Thank you very much.
(NOD Lecture, Vrindavana 31/10/72)

So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa.

He says, amara ajnaya. by My order, you become a spiritual
master.

So one may be very illiterate, no education, (and) or no
scholarship, may not be born in brahmana family, or may not be a
sannyasi. There are so many qualifications. But one may not have
all these qualifications. He may be rascal number one, but still,
he can become spiritual master. How? Amara ajnaya. As Krsna says,
as Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, if you follow, then you become
spiritual master. One may be rascal number one from material
estimation, but if he simply strictly follows whatever is said by
Caitanya Mahaprabhu or His representative spiritual master, then
he becomes a guru. (Vyasa Puja address, London 21/8/73)

It is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's wish that everyone should become
a Vaisnava and guru. Following the instructions of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and His disciplic succession, one can become a
spiritual master, for the process is very easy. One can go
everywhere and anywhere to preach the instructions of Krsna.

... the duty of every Vaisnava is to travel and preach Bhagavad-gita, 
either in his country or a foreign country. (CC.M.24.277)

" We do not have to manufacture anything new. We are getting
perfect knowledge from Krishna through the disciplic sucession,
so our position is very firm. Whatever we hear from the bonafide
spiritual master should be practiced in life and the same message
delivered to whomever we meet. In this way you become spiritual
master. (Letter to Kirtiraja 31/12/75)



(5) This time I have requested all Nairobi important friends that
"Now you take sannyasa and become guru. Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu
asked everyone to become guru. Amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei
desa. You have come to Africa. Now become their guru and deliver
them." "Now, how shall I do it?" Yare dekha tare kaha krsna
upadesa: "Simply speak. Don't become very big upstart. Simply
speak what Krsna has done. That's all. You become guru."
(Conversation, Bombay 11/3/75)

Bambarambhe laghu-kriya, in the Sanskrit word, that you can make
a very high-grade arrangement, but the result is zero. So that
hierarchical arrangement is exactly not in Krsna consciousness.
But our method is very simple. If one is fortunate enough to meet
a bona fide spiritual master and if he acts strictly under his
discipline, he also becomes within a very short time another
spiritual master. (Interview, Seattle 24/9/76)

Because people are in darkness, we require many millions of gurus
to enlighten them. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is, He
said, that "Every one of you become guru." Amara ajnaya guru haya
tara ei desa. You haven't got to go foreign countries. Wherever
you are, you teach; become guru. It doesn't matter. Ei desa. He
says, ei desa. If you have got power, you can go other country
but it doesn't require. In whichever village, whichever country
or town you are, you become a guru. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's
mission. Amara ajnaya guru haya tara ei desa. "This country, this
place." So "But I have no qualification. How can I become guru?"
There is no need of qualification. "Still, I can become guru?"
Yes. "How?" Yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa: "Whomever you
meet, you simply instruct what Krsna has said." That's all. You
become guru. Everyone is very anxious to become guru, but rascal
does not know how to become guru, a simple thing.

So that is our mission. All of you who have come to Krsna
consciousness movement, that is our request, that you, all of
you, become guru but don't speak nonsense. That is request.
Simply speak what Krsna has said. Then you become brahmana.
You'll be guru, and everything. Thank you very much. (Lecture,
Honolulu 21/5/76)

Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that "You become a guru." Amara ajnaya
guru hana tara' ei desa. "You become a guru and deliver them." So
"I am a fool. I have no education. How can I become a guru?" So
answer is "No, no. Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa." If you
simply advise people what Krsna has said, then you become guru.
But if you manufacture your ideas, then you are not a guru.
(Conversation Bombay 7/1/77)

Amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa. Suppose you are living in
that village. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, "You become a guru here."
Here. You haven't got to go out. Ei desa, "where you are living."
Just see how nice it is. Amara ajnaya: "By My order, you become a
guru and deliver the people of this place." This is Caitanya
Mahaprabhu's... So "I am not educated, I do not know. How I shall
become?" No, you haven't got to bother. Yare dekha tare kaha
krsna-upadesa: "Simply you repeat what Krsna has said. You become
guru." That's all. Everyone can do that. Gita is there. You sit
down in your place and preach Bhagavad-gita and try to induce
them to take it. You become guru. (Conversation, Bombay 23/4/77)

Our Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is that "You become guru," as I
was telling, "and teach, deliver persons where you are." If you
say, "How can I become guru?" there is no difficulty. Simply
repeat the words of Bhagavad-gita. That's all. You become guru.
So our mission is to create real guru, not these jugglers. And
real guru is he who speaks on behalf of Krsna. And that is wan...
It is very simple.

This is our mission. Everything is there. Caitanya Mahaprabhu
says, yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upade... "You simply make your
life successful by understanding Bhagavad-gita and preach this.
You become guru." So where is the difficulty? Why don't you do
that? (Conversation, Bombay 24/4/77)

This is very easy. So I am not a scholar. I am simply... Whatever
is said there, I am trying to distribute in a palatable way.
That's all. It is not my manufacture. And that is Caitanya
Mahaprabhu's... Amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa. You all
become guru. "How can I become guru? I have no education. I have
no knowledge." No, you haven't got to acquire all these things.
That is already... Yare dekha tare kaha. Finished. So I never
tried to become a scholar. But I tried, whatever is spoken by
Krsna, deliver. That's all. And that is guru. (Conversation,
Vrindavan 26/6/77)



(6) "Personally I am humble servant of Krishna as you are also,
but I am deputed to accept your service just to transfer it to
Krishna as via media. I shall try to do this service to you and
Krishna throughout my life, and I am so proud to have such
assistants as you are to help me in my mission to push on the
Krishna Consciousness Movement." (Letter to Dayananda, 5/1/69)

"You are all my children and I love my American boys and girls
who are sent to me by my spiritual master and I have accepted
them as my disciples." (Letter to Satsvarupa and Uddhava,
7/27/70)

"Practically, I do not have any disciples; I select so many
masters to train them in the service of the Lord." (Letter to Jai
Mazo, 1/18/68)

"I have not done anything personally, very wonderful. I am simply
serving my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Goswami Maharaja and all the acaryas in the disciplic
succession." (Letter to Bhima das et al, 5/16/74)



(7) November 2, 1977

Prabhupada: ...after you, who will take the leadership?" And
  "Everyone will take, all my disciples. If you want, you can
  take also. (laughter) But if you follow. They are prepared to
  sacrifice everything, so they'll take the leadership. I may,
  one, go away, but there will be hundreds, and they'll preach.
  If you want, you can also become a leader. We have no such
  thing, that 'Here is leader.' Anyone who follows the previous
  leadership, he's a leader. 'Indian,' we have no such
  distinction, 'Indian,' 'European.'"
Brahmananda: They wanted an Indian to be the leader?
Prabhupada: Yes. (laughs) "Everyone, all my disciples, they are
  leaders. As purely as they follow, they become leader. If you
  want to follow, you can become a leader. You are Indian. But
  you don't want." I told them that. 
Tamala Krsna: Yes, they probably wanted to propose somebody who
  would take over our movement.
Prabhupada: Yes. Leaders. All nonsense. Leader means one who has
  become first-class disciple. He is leader. Evam parampara-
  prapta... One who is perfectly following... Our instruction is
  ara na kariha mane asa. You know this? What is that? Guru-mukha-
  padma-vakya, cittete kariya aikya, ara na kariha mane
  asa. Who is leader? A leader, to become leader, is not very
  difficult, provided one is prepared to follow the instructions
  of a bona fide guru.



(8) See Prabhupada's will.



(9) "He [Srila Bhaktisiddhanta] never asked anybody to become
acarya. He asked that 'You form a governing body of twelve men
and go on preaching. . . .' None, none of them were advised by
Guru Maharaja to become acarya. His idea was 'Let them manage;
then whoever will be actually qualified for becoming acarya, they
will elect. Why I should enforce upon them?' That was his plan.
'Let them manage by strong governing body, as it is going on.
Then acarya will come by his qualifications.'"  (Conversation,
Bombay 9/21/73)

"His [Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's] idea was acarya was not to be
nominated amongst the governing body     . . .a self effulgent
acarya would be automatically selected." (Letter to Rupanuga,
4/28/74)

"A vaisnava acarya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for
any court judgment." (C.c. Madhya 1.220)

"A powerful Vaisnava who has converted others into Vaisnavas is
to be worshipped, but because of material contamination,
sometimes such an exalted Vaisnava is disrespected by other,
minor Vaisnavas."

" . . . It has actually been seen that even an authorized devotee
who is engaged in the service of the Lord by preaching the
mission of Krsna consciousness is sometimes criticized by
neophyte devotees."

" . . . Neophytes, unable to appreciate the exalted service of
the advanced devotee, try to bring the maha-bhagavata to their
platform. We experience such difficulty in propagating this Krsna
consciousness all over the world. Unfortunately we are surrounded
by neophyte Godbrothers who do not appreciate the extraordinary
activities of spreading Krsna consciousness all over the world.
They simply try to bring us to their platform, and they try to
criticize us in every respect. We very much regret their naive
activities and poor fund of knowledge. An empowered person who is
actually engaged in the confidential service of the Lord should
not be treated as an ordinary human being, for it is stated that
unless one is empowered by Krsna, one cannot spread the Krsna
consciousness movement all over the world." (NOI, Text 6, pp.64)



                                
   DEVOTEES INITIATING BEFORE THEIR GURU'S PHYSICAL DEPARTURE
                                
                     AN OFFICIAL GBC PAPER


          Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura s View
  Some of Srila Prabhupada s godbrothers were approached to find
out what Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura s view was on
this issue. All of them informed [us] that none of his disciples
gave initiation when he was present. His Divine Grace did not
instruct anyone to give initiation during his presence nor for
that matter did he give any specific instructions about them
initiating after his disappearance.
  In the Gaudiya Matha after Srila Om Visnupada Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura s disappearance the etiquette of not initiating
in the presence of the spiritual master has continued. In fact,
if anyone breaks from this tradition he is excommunicated from
their mission.

               Srila Bhaktisiddhanta s Instructions
  Although apparently Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
did not specifically, in black and white, instruct anything about
a disciple not giving initiation when the guru is present, it is
quite clearly implied in the instructions below. The question of
initiating in the presence of one s guru is inappropriate for a
disciple who naturally is cultivating his service attitude to the
guru. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was very emphatic
about the disciple s sincere dedication to his guru. The
following quotes are from a Bengali book called Sri Srila
Prabhupader Upadesamrta:

  Q: Will I be able to accept disciples?
  A: "Give up envy and show mercy to living entities--living
  entities who become averse to Krsna, make them Krsna
  conscious. Do not become a guru to become envious. Do not
  become a guru in order to drown yourself in sense
  gratification--do not become a guru just for show off. But if
  you can become a sincere servant of your guru and Krsna, if
  you can receive their mercy-potency, then there is nothing to
  fear. Otherwise there will be disaster." (Page 235)

  "If one is not dedicated to his guru he can not be qualified
  to be a guru." (Page 337)

  Q: What is the difference between guru and me?
  A: I am lighter than the lightest; even lighter than that. But
  one who is serving the greatest constantly, that spiritual
  master is greater than the greatest; even greater than that.
  (Page 235)

  Q: Is it true that without the mercy of the spiritual master
  nothing can be achieved?
  A: Yes. I am blind, who will show me the way other than the
  guru? Everything is achieved by the mercy of the guru. We are
  laghu (light), our only shelter is the guru. He who serves the
  Lord all the time in all respects, he is the guru.

  Q: Does one invite misfortune when he does not follow the
  orders of his spiritual master properly?
  A: Of course! If one does not follow the orders of his
  spiritual master who is the personification of all
  auspiciousness, he will suffer misfortune--his material
  desires will increase, and after death he will go to hell. He
  who does not follow the order of his spiritual master, is a
  resident of hell. He is a materialist or a big sense enjoyer.
  One who disobeys the order of his spiritual master enters in
  the womb of a pig. Those who have strong desire for sense
  enjoyment, even after getting a bona fide spiritual master due
  to their good fortune, due to the inability to serve the
  spiritual master with heart and soul, do not derive any
  spiritual benefit. Due to their inability to appreciate the
  value of this priceless object, they consider this material
  nature to be real, and suffer life after life. (Page 506)

  From these statements of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura it is clear that only a qualified disciple can become a
bona fide spiritual master and a true disciple simply depends
upon the mercy of his spiritual master in order to do anything.
The disciple s only desire is to satisfy the spiritual master.
Whatever the guru orders the disciple must carry out, including
the order to give initiation and accept disciples, with a sense
of duty, as a service to his spiritual master. But he himself
always feels unqualified to execute such a serious
responsibility. The more one feels unqualified the more he
receives the mercy of the guru; and that enables him to become
qualified.

                            Vedic View
  In the Vedic society a disciple does not usually give
initiation when his spiritual master is present. A disciple
naturally feels unqualified to take up such a serious
responsibility, especially when his guru is present; and his
natural tendency is to bring the fruits of his preaching to his
guru. (Since one is not supposed to canvas for his guru in
ISKCON, it is expected that one should direct the candidates for
initiation to Srila Prabhupada and all those who are initiating
now.)
  There are instances when disciples gave initiation before
their guru s physical departure:
a)   Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura mentioned in Jaiva Dharma how
     Paramahamsa Premadas Babaji took his disciple Vaisnava dasa
     to his spiritual master, Pradyumna Brahmacari.
b)   Ramacandra Kaviraja, a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya, gave
     initiation when Srinivasa Acarya was present on the planet.

  There are many such instances in the scriptures about
disciples giving initiation in the presence of guru, but that was
done only when the disciples were extremely qualified and
spiritual masters ordered them to do so. Hari Bhakti Vilasa
states:

       gurorgurau sannihite
         guruvad vrttimacaret

  "If the spiritual master of the spiritual master is present,
  then he should be treated as the guru." (H.B.V. 1:59)

  This statement proves that acceptance of disciples in the
presence of one s spiritual master has been approved by the
scriptures.
  In the scriptures there is no specific instruction about a
disciple not giving initiation when his guru is present. About
transgression of etiquette, we found only one verse in the Hari
Bhakti Vilasa:

  varnottame 'tha ca gurau sati ya visruto 'pa ca
  svadesato 'tha vanyatra nedam karyam subharthina

  "When a superior guru (with aforementioned qualities) is
  present at home or abroad, a person born in a lower caste
  should not try to bestow his mercy in the form of giving
  mantra if he desires his own good." (H.B.V. 1:37)

  But this initiation is based on the consideration of varna.
Regarding this statement, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura mentioned in
his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya of Caitanya-caritamrta:

  "Knowledge about Krsna is the ultimate objective of all
  living entities. Regarding how one can become qualified to
  give that knowledge it has been concluded that irrespective
  of one s position as a brahmana or sudra, householder or
  sannyasi, one can become a guru as long as he is well
  conversant with the knowledge of Krsna. The consideration of
  Hari Bhakti Vilasa is for those Vaisnavas who are concerned
  about social customs; i.e. for those who want to make a
  little spiritual progress by following customary social
  regulations. But those who want to acquire pure devotion
  after understanding the significance of vaidhi and raganuga
  bhakti, should accept a qualified spiritual master without
  considering his varna and asrama." (CC. Madhya 8.127)

  In Srila Prabhupada s teachings also it is clear that the main
qualification of a guru is his Krsna consciousness. All Vaisnava
acaryas have been very emphatic about this point.
  Although not much has been said about this etiquette, yet it
is known to everyone that transgression of etiquette, i.e. to
disregard the position of a senior, is deemed to be a great
offense. In Vedic culture the position of the spiritual master is
considered to be the highest and transgression of etiquette in
this relation was always considered to be extremely dangerous.
  There are some unusual instances where disciples gave
initiation in the presence of guru under some special
circumstances. We did not research on what those special
circumstances were.

                     Srila Prabhupada s Views
  Srila Prabhupada was very emphatic that a disciple should not
initiate in the presence of his guru. He told many of his
disciples that even though they may be qualified, they should not
give initiation as long as the spiritual master is present,
because that is the etiquette. He emphatically told that to
Jayapataka Maharaja. The day Srila Prabhupada gave sannyasa to
Bhakti Caru Swami, he told him, "Now that you are a sannyasi, you
can give initiation. But as long as the spiritual master is alive
one doesn t give initiation. That is the etiquette."
  He wrote to Tusta Krsna Swami, "Keep trained up very rigidly
and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept disciples on
the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom
that during the lifetime of your spiritual master you bring the
prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance
you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law
of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona
fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very
widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy."
  In other letters, Srila Prabhupada wrote:

  The first thing, I warn Acyutananda, do not try to initiate.
  You are not in a proper position now to initiate anyone.
  Besides that, the etiquette is that so long the Spiritual
  Master is present, all prospective disciples should be
  brought to him. (Letter to Acyutananda and Jayagovinda, 21
  August, 1968)

  Anyone following the order of Lord Caitanya under the
  guidance of His bona fide representative, can become a
  spiritual master and I wish that in my absence all my
  disciples become the bona fide spiritual master to spread
  Krishna Consciousness throughout the whole world. (Letter to
  Madhusudana, 2 November, 1967)

  So far as your taking initiation from Brahmananda Maharaja,
  I have no objection, but it is the etiquette that in the
  presence of one's Spiritual Master, one does not accept
  disciples. In this connection, Swami Brahmananda may write
  me and I will instruct him. (Letter to John Milner, 24
  March, 1971)

  Siddhasvarupa does not want to take disciples, neither he
  should have disciples while I am alive. That is the process.
  (Letter to Sudevi, 15 September, 1972)

  From Madhavananda I have heard that there is some worship of
  yourself by the other devotees. Of course it is proper to
  offer obeisances to a Vaisnava, but not in the presence of
  the spiritual master. After the departure of the spiritual
  master, it will come to that stage, but now wait. Otherwise
  it will create factions. (Letter to Hamsaduta, 1 October,
  1974)

  Don t become premature acarya. First of all follow the
  orders of acarya, and you become mature. Then it is better
  to become acarya. Because we are interested in preparing
  acarya, but the etiquette is, at least for the period the
  guru is present, one should not become acarya. Even if he is
  complete he should not, because the etiquette is, if
  somebody comes for becoming initiated, it is the duty of
  such person to bring that prospective candidate to his
  acarya. Not that "Now people are coming to me, so I can
  become acarya." That is avamanya. Navamanyeta karhicit.
  Don t transgress this etiquette. Navamanyeta. That will be
  falldown. Just like during the lifetime of our Guru
  Maharaja, all our Godbrothers now who are acting as acarya,
  they did not do so. That is not etiquette. Acaryam mam
  vijaniyat na avaman... That is insult. So if you insult your
  acarya, then you are finished. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-
  prasado yasya aprasadat na gatih kuto  pi-- finished. If you
  displease your acarya, then you are finished. (CC 1.13
  Lecture, Mayapur, April 6, 1975)

  From these quotations it is clear that Srila Prabhupada did
not want his disciples to initiate, no matter how qualified they
may be, as long as their spiritual master was present. One may
question, however, whether these instructions are applicable only
to founder-acaryas like Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and
Srila Prabhupada. It is a fact that the founder-acarya is the
guru of all members of his institution, and no one gives
initiation when he is present, and even after his disappearance
the members of the institution become connected to him through
siksa relationship. But here there is no reason to believe that
these instructions of Srila Prabhupada were meant only for a
founder-acarya. The etiquette he mentioned here is a common
vaisnava etiquette. It is prudent to assume that Srila Prabhupada
was speaking as the Founder-acarya of ISKCON, and that he is
restricting all disciples of all gurus in ISKCON from initiating
in the presence of their spiritual masters.
  Even though in the past spiritual masters have given disciples
permission to initiate in their presence, Srila Prabhupada
emphatically forbids it as a manner of general etiquette. We see
only two places where Srila Prabhupada may have indicated
otherwise.(1)
  ISKCON is a unique institution in the history of Vaisnavism.
We must assume that as Founder-Acarya, Srila Prabhupada had the
vision to set down a law--a law suitable for that unique
institution, a law we would transgress at our peril.
  A disciple s only duty is to worship and serve his spiritual
master. His mind should not be agitated over how he may become a
guru. A devotee who sincerely wants to make spiritual advancement
should try to become a disciple, not a spiritual master.

________________________________
Notes

(1) By 1975, all of those who have passed all of the above
examinations will be specifically empowered to initiate and
increase the number of the Krishna Consciousness population.
(Letter to Kirtanananda, 12 January, 1969)

I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit
this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental
diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing
the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples.
Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate
and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program.
(Letter to Hamsaduta, 3 December, 1968)

  These quotes raise further questions: In 1968, did Srila
Prabhupada expect to leave the planet before 1975? Or was he
thinking of creating rtvik gurus who would initiate on his behalf
by 1975? Whatever the answer may be, when 1975 arrived, Srila
Prabhupada took no steps to give his disciples the responsibility
of accepting their own disciples. Indeed, his statements on this
issue in 1975 (Letter to Tusta Krsna and lecture in Mayapur)
leave no doubt that His Divine Grace gave no authorization for
disciples to initiate as long as he remained on the planet. In
logic, later statements supersede earlier ones in importance.



      GURU-ASRAYA: MAINTAINING SHELTER IN THE GURU-PARAMPARA

             A paper offering guidance from the GBC
                                
                 Published on Gaura-Purnima Day
                         March 22, 1989
                     Govinda 30th, 502 B.A.
                                
       (Paper Approved by GBC Resolution  March 19, 1989)


                           Introduction
  Since the relationship of a devotee with his spiritual master
is so important, those members of ISKCON whose initiating gurus
have fallen from the strict path of devotional service face
unique difficulties. Some devotees have had their faith in ISKCON
shaken, yet we have been inspired to see that many devotees in
such a trying situation have not only maintained their faith and
continued their devotional service, but in many cases have set
outstanding examples of dedication to Srila Prabhupada's mission.
  Undoubtedly, all the members of ISKCON are humble servants of
our beloved Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada. By his causeless mercy we can attain the mercy
of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore, the issue before us
is exactly how the disciples of fallen gurus can best maintain
their connection with Srila Prabhupada and continue their
progress back home, back to Godhead.
  Let us begin by remembering the causeless mercy of Srila
Prabhupada in giving us the sublime process for becoming Krsna
conscious in this age of Kali--the sankirtan movement, collective
endeavor for spiritual advancement--and for giving us ISKCON, in
which one can live and serve in transcendental association and
shelter. To stay on the spiritual platform without association is
practically impossible. But in the association of devotees, even
the weakest devotee can withstand the severe onslaughts of maya.

  [TRANSLATION] "Dhruva Maharaja continued: O unlimited Lord,
  kindly bless me that I may associate with great devotees who
  engage in your transcendental loving service constantly, as
  the waves of a river constantly flow..."

  [PURPORT] "The significant point in Dhruva Maharaja's
  statement is that he wanted the association of pure
  devotees. Transcendental devotional service cannot be
  complete and cannot be relishable without the association of
  devotees. We have therefore established the International
  Society for Krishna Consciousness. Anyone who is trying to
  be aloof from this Krishna Consciousness Society and yet
  engage in Krishna consciousness is living in a great
  hallucination, for this is not possible. From this statement
  by Dhruva Maharaja it is clear that unless one is associated
  with devotees, his devotional service does not mature; it
  does not become distinct from material activities. The Lord
  says, satam prasangan mama virya-samvido bhavanti hrt-karna-
  rasayanah (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.25). Only in the
  association of pure devotees can the words of Lord Krsna be
  fully potent and relishable to the heart and ear. Dhruva
  Maharaja explicitly wanted the association of devotees. That
  association in devotional activities is just like the waves
  of an incessantly flowing river.

  "The purport of this statement by Dhruva Maharaja is that
  devotional service in the association of devotees is the
  cause of the development of further devotional service.
  ...It is possible to mature in devotional service only in
  the association of devotees." (S.B. 4.9.11)

  To remain in the association of devotees is vital for
spiritual success in this age. Hence Srila Prabhupada and the
previous acaryas emphatically and repeatedly instruct us to
remain united and work with a spirit of cooperation, fixed in the
transcendental mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

The Need for Taking Proper Spiritual Shelter
  Scripture makes clear that to take shelter of an advanced
devotee is absolutely essential. Such an advanced devotee
spiritual master guides the disciple to the lotus feet of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  The system of guru-parampara, which is an essential aspect of
Krsna-conscious philosophy, requires that one connect with the
previous acaryas and the Founder-Acarya by accepting siksa and
diksa from authorized representatives of the disciplic chain. To
follow Srila Prabhupada properly and completely, those who are
not his initiated disciples should become disciples of his
disciples in disciplic succession.

  ". . . the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam is coming down by
disciplic succession, and in order to receive the real message of
Srimad-Bhagavatam one should approach the current link, or
spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession." (S.B.
2.9.7)

  "This is parampara system. You cannot jump over. You must go
  through the parampara system. You have to approach through
  your spiritual master to the Goswamis, and through the
  Goswamis you will have to approach Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
  and through Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu you have to approach
  Krsna. That is the way." (Lecture, Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-
  lila 1.4, Mayapur 3/28/75)

  "This is parampara system. If a student tries to satisfy his
  immediate acarya or the spiritual master, that is the only
  qualification for advancing in Krsna consciousness. This is
  explained in the "Gurvastakam"--yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado." 
  (Letter to Paramananda, 6/17/70)

  "Just like you are working in office. If your immediate
  officer, boss, is pleased, that means the proprietor of the
  firm, he's also pleased. Although you do not see him. This
  is fact. Your immediate boss, if he's pleased. So similarly,
  we, our business, this spiritual line is guru-krsna-krpa. We
  have to first receive the merciful benediction from the
  acarya, and then Krsna will be pleased and He'll also give
  His blessings." (Lecture, London 9/23/69)

  Srila Prabhupada, as the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, is the
savior of the fallen souls, and those who follow him and assist
him are his servants. Now that Srila Prabhupada is no longer
physically present, whose who truly take shelter of Srila
Prabhupada are those who take shelter of his servants. This will
certainly please Srila Prabhupada to the highest degree.

        Guidance When the Guru is in Spiritual Difficulty
  In 1987, the GBC gave directions and guidelines for devotees
whose initiating guru was fallen. In 1988 the ISKCON Managers'
committee requested the GBC to explain how they had reached these
conclusions and to give supporting evidence from Srila
Prabhupada, the previous acaryas and the sastras. In response the
GBC appointed researchers to study what the sadhu, sastra and
guru say about this subject. With the results of this research
this paper has been written to answer the essential questions of
the devotees. To keep the whole matter in context the paper also
includes a brief review of some previous recommendations of the
GBC.
  According to GBC guidelines, when a guru is situated as a
devotee but suffers a falldown his disciples should not
immediately reject him, but should pray and wait for his
rectification:

  That if a guru is engaged in sense gratification violating
  either one or more of the regulative principles but there is
  hope that he can be rectified, then his disciples should
  allow time for such rectification to take place and they
  should take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and senior Vaisnavas
  as siksa gurus. (1987 GBC Resolution 65)

  It is natural that the disciple will be fixed in the
conclusion that the spiritual master cannot be subject to
criticism, as this is Srila Prabhupada's advice. In the Hari-
bhakti-vilas, verse 359, the Aditya-purana states how one should
not immediately reject a Vaisnava guru who is in difficulty:

  avidyo va savidyo va gurur eva janardanah
  sarga-stho vapy anarga-stho gurur eva sada gatih

  [TRANSLATION] (from the Aditya-purana)
  "He may be uneducated or he may be learned, yet the
  spiritual master is the external manifestation of Janardan,
  the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And he may remain on the
  path or he may deviate from the path, still the spiritual
  master is the [disciple's only] way."

  And if it is thus confirmed that one's guru is deviating from
the path of devotional service, one may approach him,
respectfully question him, and try to keep him fixed on the right
path. In the Krsna Bhajanamrta (verse 59) Srila Narahari Thakura
explains this clearly:

  "If a spiritual master commits a wrongful act, breaking
  Vaisnava regulative principles, one should confront him in a
  solitary place for his rectification, using logic and
  appropriate conclusions from sadhu, sastra, and guru, but
  one is not to give him up."

  Even though the spiritual master has suffered a falldown from
the regulative principles he is ordinarily not to be rejected. In
this regard Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises:

  "If the guru is not a mayavadi or offender to Vaisnavas nor
  addicted to sinful life, then one should not reject him..."
  (Jaiva Dharma, Bengali Original)

  In the Krsna Bhajanamrta (Verse 63) Srila Narahari Thakura
gives advice to a disciple who cannot take direct shelter of his
spiritual master due to his being off the proper path of
devotional service.

  "The authorized course of action is to continue as before
  with one's prescribed devotional service. One may take
  guidance through instructions from the Vaisnavas, for all
  Vaisnavas are considered guru or spiritual master, or one
  may use one's own intelligence, duly considering the
  relevant instructions from sadhu, sastra, and guru. In all
  cases one should continue one's devotional service."

  Also in this regard Srila Jiva Goswami has instructed in the
Bhakti Sandarbha that connection with a guru who is not properly
situated or not giving proper instructions may be maintained, but
he should not be closely associated with, but rather respected at
a distance. However, if he is actually envious of Vaisnavas, the
connection should not be maintained.

     yo vakti nyaya-rahitam
       anyanane srnoti yah
     tav ubhau narakam ghoram
       vrajatah kalam aksayam

  [TRANSLATION] "He who gives instructions contrary to the
  principles of devotional service and he who foolishly
  listens to them will both enter into perpetual hell."

  This is stated in the Narada Pancaratra: "Therefore, such a
guru should be worshipped only from a distance [i.e. he should
not be closely associated with]. Indeed, if the guru is envious
of Vaisnavas one should give him up." (Bhakti Sandharba 238)

  A spiritual master unable to take his disciples back to
Godhead should responsibly advise them to take shelter under
someone who can. Actually, Srila Prabhupada advises that a person
unable to take his disciple back to Godhead should not act as a
guru.

  "According to sastra, the duty of the guru is to take the
  disciple back home, back to Godhead. If he is unable to do
  so and instead hinders the disciple in going back-to-Godhead, 
  he should not be a guru . . ." (SB 5.5.18)

          When Should the Spiritual Master Be Rejected?
  The question remains, "Under what circumstance should a
disciple reject his spiritual master?" The GBC resolutions
provide that one should abandon or reject a spiritual master who
has the following symptoms:

  1. His attachment to sense gratification is serious,
     prolonged or hopeless.
  2. He takes on demoniac qualities and becomes inimical to
     ISKCON.

  As Srila Prabhupada has advised:

  "According to the revealed scriptures, a teacher or
  spiritual master is liable to be rejected if he proves
  himself unworthy of the position of guru or spiritual
  master." (SB 1.7.43)

  According to scriptural codes, a teacher who engages in an
  abominable action and has lost his sense of discrimination
  is fit to be abandoned." (Bhagavad-gita 2.5)

  "Anyone who is supposed to be a guru but who goes against
  the principles of visnu-bhakti cannot be accepted as a guru.
  If one has falsely accepted such a guru, one should reject
  him. Such a guru is described as follows: (Mahabharata,
  Udyoga Parva 179.25)

     guror apy avaliptasya
       karyakaryam ajanatah
     utpatha-pratipannasya
       parityago vidhiyate

  "Srila Jiva Gosvami has advised 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." (SB 8.20.1)

  The verse from Mahabharata mentioned above by Srila Prabhupada
also appears in Srila Jiva Goswami's Bhakti Sandarbha along with
other relevant instructions. And Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in
both his Jaiva Dharma and Sri Caitanya Siksamrta quotes the same
verses as Srila Jiva Goswami. The Mahabharata verse "guror apy
avaliptasya," quoted above by Srila Prabhupada, has been
translated in Jaiva Dharma into Bengali. That Bengali translation
translates into English as follows:

  "If the guru becomes attached to sense gratification, loses
  his sense of duty, and follows a degraded path, a path other
  than devotional service to the Lord, he should be rejected."

  Commenting on this verse, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says in
Jaiva Dharma that one may reject the guru when the guru was at
the time of ones's initiation a Vaisnava conversant in the
Absolute Truth, but later, due to bad association, became a
mayavadi or an offender to the Vaisnavas.

  Srila Narahari Sarkar Thakura, in Krsna-bhajanamrta (verse
64), says that one should renounce the spiritual master if:

  ". . . the spiritual master acts enviously towards that
  which is connected with the Supreme; is bewildered regarding
  the Supreme Personality of Godhead ('isvare bhrantah'); is
  averse to expanding the fame of Lord Krsna; personally
  refuses to accept hearing or chanting about the glorious
  pastimes of Lord Krsna, or has become totally bewildered,
  listening to the false praise of ignorant persons, and day
  by day is more materially contaminated and fallen."

       The Difficulties Faced by Disciples of Fallen Gurus
  In the Nectar of Devotion Srila Prabhupada presents Srila Rupa
Gosvami's list of the 64 basic principles for discharging
devotional service. The first five are as follows:

  1. Accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide
     spiritual master.
  2. Becoming initiated by the spiritual master and learning
     how to discharge devotional service from him.
  3. Obeying the orders of the spiritual master with faith and
     devotion.
  4. Following in the footsteps of great acaryas (teachers)
     under the direction of the spiritual master.
  5. Inquiring from the spiritual master how to advance in
     Krsna consciousness.
                                          (NOD Chapter 6 page 53)

Srila Prabhupada comments:

  "To accept such a spiritual master is the crucial point for
  advancement in spiritual life. One who is fortunate enough
  to come under the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master is
  sure to traverse the path of spiritual salvation without any
  doubt." (NOD Chapter 7 pg. 59)

  It is clear from this description that the duties of the
disciple towards his spiritual master and, indeed, of the
spiritual master towards his disciple, are ongoing. A devotee who
no longer has the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master
therefore suffers a lack in certain aspects of his devotional
life:

  1. He no longer has the person who served as his immediate
     link with the parampara, who accepted his service, and
     who offered that service through Srila Prabhupada and the
     disciplic succession to Krsna.
  2. The spiritual master's promise to take him back to
     Godhead in return for submission and surrender has been
     broken.
  3. The devotee no longer has the opportunity to inquire from
     the spiritual master, or to receive from him guidance,
     correction, and confirmation in his spiritual life.

In these circumstances, it would not be surprising for a devotee
to face some difficulties:

* Seeing that his own spiritual master, once revered, has left
  the path of Krsna consciousness, the devotee may suffer a
  weakening of determination to maintain Srila Prabhupada's
  standard of sadhana and surrender.

* Since the spiritual master, who seemed so advanced, could not
  complete the course of Krsna consciousness, the devotee may
  ask himself, "What hope is there for me?"

* Disappointed by his spiritual master, the devotee may lose
  faith in serving other senior devotees or accepting
  instructions from them.

* Since ISKCON at one time approved of his spiritual master, the
  devotee may lose faith in ISKCON.

  The devotees in this situation need tremendous support and
encouragement from the society of Vaisnavas; this is perhaps the
greatest test of their devotional career. But by the loving
association, kindness and warmth within ISKCON they can fortify
themselves with renewed enthusiasm. Such devotees should stay
faithful to Srila Prabhupada's order, stick firmly to the vows
they took at initiation, and continue to serve cooperatively
within ISKCON, fixed in their resolve to become pure devotees
within Srila Prabhupada's society.
  Srila Prabhupada is the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and the
supreme authority in all matters in the Society. His
authoritative books are and will remain the philosophical basis
for our movement. Thus he is the pre-eminent siksa-guru of all
the devotees in ISKCON. Offering him guru-puja every day in all
our worldwide centers emphasizes this fact. The devotees in
ISKCON feel connected to Srila Prabhupada by following his
instructions and working cooperatively in his institution.
  Nonetheless, to fulfill the ongoing needs of spiritual life, a
disciple of a fallen guru should try to develop a sincere
relationship with an advanced devotee and receive his mercy. This
process of taking shelter of an advanced devotee, as recommended
in sastra, should be a voluntary response to the transcendental
knowledge and inspiration one has received from him and the
devotional qualities one perceives in him. The process cannot be
pressured or forced. It may take time. Faith must develop
naturally through hearing and service.

              Taking Shelter of an Advanced Devotee
  When the acaryas advise a disciple to reject his spiritual
master, they also direct us as to what to do next: accept the
shelter of another spiritual master. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
says:

  "What should one do if by bad association one's spiritual
  master loses his spiritual qualifications? He was prominent
  as a bona fide spiritual master, but later, by offenses
  against the holy name, he lost his spiritual discrimination.
  Becoming offensive and envious towards Vaisnavas, he gave up
  his taste for the nectar of the holy names of Krsna. Thus he
  gradually came more and more under the control of material
  desires for profit, sense gratification and illicit sex. The
  disciple gives up this guru and by the causeless mercy of
  Lord Krsna accepts a bona fide spiritual master again and
  goes on chanting the pure names of Krsna." (Harinama
  Cintamani, Chapter 6, Bengali original)

  In Bhakti-sandharbha, Srila Jiva Gosvami discusses the
circumstances under which one may reject the spiritual master. He
further directs what a devotee in such a situation should do:

  "When a guru with appropriate symptoms mentioned earlier [in
  Bhakti-sandharbha] is not present, then constantly serving
  one advanced devotee is most beneficial. When that advanced
  devotee is like a bona fide spiritual master in his attitude
  and is merciful toward one, then one should accept him as
  spiritual master." (Bhakti Sandarbha 238)

  Srila Jiva Gosvami also gives details about whom one should
approach for shelter: someone in the same spiritual family or
line.

     yasya yat-sangatih pumso
       nanivat syat sa tad-gunah
     sva-kularddhya tato dhimam
       sva-yuthyam eva samsrayet

  "By associating with a person, one develops his qualities,
  just as a piece of glass acquires the qualities of a
  touchstone by coming in touch with it. Therefore one should
  associate with more advanced devotees from one's own
  sampradaya." (Bhakti-sandarbha 238, citing Hari-Bhakti-Sudhodaya)

  Srila Jiva Gosvami's instructions emphasize the importance of
developing a personal relationship with advanced devotees. His
words should serve to remind ISKCON devotees that in order for
the disciples of fallen gurus to continue serving cooperatively
in ISKCON, following Srila Prabhupada's instructions, they will
need ample encouragement and association from senior Vaisnavas.
  A disciple whose initiating guru has fallen may hesitate to
accept shelter from another Vaisnava. In this regard Sri la
Narahari Thakura advises:

  "When one takes shelter of the Krsna-conscious spiritual
  master, by the strength of his devotional service the ill
  effects or contamination of the previous spiritual master
  who has become contaminated by non-devotional qualities is
  counteracted and destroyed. These activities [of taking
  shelter] are recommended by all Vaisnava authorities as the
  authorized conclusion of the sastra." (Krsna Bhajanamrta,
  verse 66)

                      What is a Siksa Guru?
  The spiritual master may be of two kinds: initiating spiritual
master (diksa guru) and instructing spiritual master (siksa
guru). This is explained in Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi-lila,
Chapter 1). The diksa-guru is he who gives one both instructions
and initiation. But who is a siksa-guru? In one sense, a siksa
guru is any devotee who gives us good instructions. For example,
the vartma-pradarsaka-guru (the devotee who first introduces one
into Krsna consciousness), as well as a devotee who gives
relevant instructions, may be regarded as a kind of siksa-guru.
Srila Prabhupada once wrote:

  ". . . every Vaisnava should be treated as prabhu, master,
  higher than me, and in this sense, if I learn from him, he
  may be regarded as guru." (Letter to Galim, 11/20/70)

  In some cases, however, the relationship with an advanced
devotee who gives one instructions may be so profound that it
practically equals in depth one's relationship with the spiritual
master from whom one has received initiation.
  We should note here that a devotee may accept more than one
siksa-guru. But one must not do this out of whimsy, or as a
device to lessen one's commitment, or to nullify the instructions
of one guru by turning to another. We may also note that even
devotees whose initiating spiritual master is an advanced devotee
in good standing may have a deep relationship with another
devotee, who serves as siksa-guru. In that case, Srila Prabhupada
says,

  "It is not that I disobey my real spiritual master and call
  someone else spiritual master. That is wrong. It is only
  that I can call spiritual master someone who teaches me
  purely what my initiating spiritual master has taught."
  (Letter to Galim, 11/20/71)

  Thus we find, for example, that Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami
ends every chapter of Caitanya-caritamrta by offering obeisances
at the lotus feet of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Raghunatha dasa
Gosvami, his instructing spiritual masters.
  Similarly, Srila Prabhupada tells us that because of Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura's highly elevated spiritual understanding,
Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja always treated him as his
spiritual master. Thus Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Prabhupada
says, "was like siksa guru of Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja."
(Letter to Dayananda, 5/1/69)

                  Taking Shelter of a Siksa-Guru
  When the acaryas recommend that a disciple whose guru has
fallen take shelter of another guru, this indicates that the
disciple should submissively approach an advanced devotee, serve
him, and be guided by his Krsna conscious instructions. Through
the relationship established by submissive service and inquiry,
one accepts the advanced devotee as his siksa-guru. And when one
wholeheartedly dedicates oneself to the service of that siksa-guru, 
as much as one would to a diksa-guru, the siksa-guru serves
as one's link to Krsna through the chain of disciplic succession.
And at this point the instructing spiritual master may also give
one initiation. However, it is Vaisnava etiquette that if a
devotee who does have a bona fide diksa-guru wants to accept
another Vaisnava as siksa-guru, he should first take permission
from his diksa-guru.

               The Position of Siksa-Guru in ISKCON
  The GBC envisions the siksa-guru as fulfilling an important
role in ISKCON--especially for devotees whose initiating
spiritual master has fallen. This year (1989), the GBC passed a
resolution to take this into account. The resolution provides for
the same process of approval for siksa-gurus as that of diksa-gurus. 
In other words, a devotee simply becomes authorized to act
as guru in ISKCON and he may act as siksa-guru or diksa-guru as
he likes. Of course, as mentioned above, any devotee may give
relevant instructions, but the formal recognition is an
indication that allows devotees to approach such a siksa-guru for
the complete siksa relationship mentioned above.

  Can One Take Initiation Again When He Has Lost His Diksa-Guru?
  The question often asked is, "Do the sastras permit a disciple
to accept mantra or initiation again after he has rejected the
connection with his initiating guru?" In the Jaiva Dharma, Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura outlines the causes for rejecting an
initiating spiritual master and for accepting mantra again. Parts
from this section of Jaiva Dharma have been cited earlier, but
the complete version is given below to understand more clearly
the total context of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's instructions.

  "It is true that the diksa-guru should not be rejected. But
  there are two instances where one may legitimately reject
  him:

  "First, a disciple may have accepted a spiritual master
  without thoroughly ascertaining whether the spiritual master
  was a Vaisnava practically conversant with transcendental
  knowledge. Later, however, the disciple may realize that the
  absolute objective will not be accomplished through the
  instructions of that guru. In that case, the guru should be
  rejected. There are many items of scriptural evidence in
  this regard:

       yo vakti nyaya-rahitam
          anyanena srnoti yah
       tav ubhau narakam ghoram
          vrajatah kalam aksayam

     [TRANSLATION by Bhaktivinoda Thakura] "He who gives
     instructions contrary to the principles of devotional
     service and he who listens to them will both enter into
     perpetual hell." (Narada Pancaratra)

       guror apy avaliptasya
          karyakaryam ajanatah
       utpatha-pratipannasya
          parityago vidhiyate

     [TRANSLATION by Bhaktivinoda Thakura] "If the guru
     becomes attached to sense gratification, loses his sense
     of duty, and follows a degraded path, a path other than
     devotional service to the Lord, he should be rejected."
     (Mahabharata, Udyog 179.25)

       avaisnavopadistena
          mantrena nirayam vrajet
       punas ca vidhina samyak
          grahayet vaisnavad guroh

     [TRANSLATION by Bhaktivinoda Thakura] "If one receives a
     mantra from an avaisnava, one illicitly connected with
     women or a non-devotee devoid of attachment to Krsna, one
     goes to hell. Therefore, one will take his mantra again
     from a Vaisnava guru according to scriptural rules."
     (Narada Pancaratra)

     "The second instance in which one may reject the guru is
     when the guru was at the time of one's initiation a
     Vaisnava conversant in the Absolute Truth but later due
     to bad association became a mayavadi or an offender to
     the Vaisnavas. That guru should be rejected. If the guru
     is not a mayavadi or offender to Vaisnavas nor addicted
     to sinful life, then one should not reject him even if he
     has a lack of knowledge. Rather, showing him due respect,
     with his permission, one should take spiritual
     instructions from an advanced devotee and serve that
     devotee properly. (Jaiva Dharma Chapter 20, Bengali
     original, page 353)

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura further elaborates as follows in the
Sri Caitanya Siksamrta: 

  "If the spiritual master is definitely envious against the
  Vaisnavas or a pure devotee, then he should be rejected and
  a qualified devotee should be accepted as spiritual master."
  (Sri Caitanya Siksamrta, Bengali original page 172)

  Then, as in Jaiva Dharma, here also, Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura, in a footnote, cites the same aforementioned three
scriptural verses, along with Srila Jiva Gosvami's verse stating
that one should reject a guru if he is envious of Vaisnavas. In
the Jaiva Dharma's Bengali translation of the "avaisnavopadistena
. . ." verse, "avaisnava" has been specifically defined as "one
illicitly connected with women or a non-devotee devoid of
attachment to Krsna." This verse prescribes that "one will take
his mantra again from a Vaisnava guru according to scriptural
rules."
  Srila Jiva Gosvami further states: "that one who is devoid of
the Vaisnava attitude is [also] to be considered a non-Vaisnava
(and therefore the recommendations given by the
avaisnavopadistena" verse should be applied to him)." (Bhakti-
sandarbha verse 238)
  Srila Jiva Gosvami also quotes the same three scriptural
references: "yo vakti nyaya-rahitam . . .", "guror apy
avaliptasya," and "avaisnavopadistena," adding that:

  "When a guru with appropriate symptoms mentioned earlier [in
  Bhakti-sandarbha] is not present, then constantly serving
  one advanced devotee is most beneficial. When that advanced
  devotee is like a bona fide spiritual master in his attitude
  and is merciful toward one, then one should accept him as
  spiritual master." (Bhakti Sandarbha 238)

Srila Jiva Gosvami also quotes the following verse:

     yasya yat-samgatih pumso
       manivat syat sa tad-gunah
     sva-kularddhyai tato dhiman
       sva-yuthyan eva samsrayet

  [TRANSLATION] "By associating with a person, one develops
  his qualities, just as a piece of glass acquires the
  qualities of a touchstone by coming in touch with it.
  Therefore one should associate with more advanced devotees
  from one's own sampradaya." (This verse is found in the
  Hari-Bhakti-Sudhodaya.)

  "If that advanced devotee is not merciful toward one, one
  will not develop a worshipful attitude toward him." (Bhakti-
  sandarbha 238)

  In conclusion, our previous acaryas recommend that a devotee
who has lost his initiating guru should take shelter of an
advanced devotee as his siksa-guru. Later he may wish to confirm
his dedication and commitment to Srila Prabhupada and his
sampradaya, and he may request to receive his mantras again and
confirm his vows before the guru, who also formally accepts the
eternal responsibility of sheltering the disciple and bringing
him back to Godhead. Thus accepting formal initiation from the
guru brings the disciple and guru closer together, confirming and
strengthening their relationship and that with the disciplic
succession.

                             Summary
  Srila Prabhupada is the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and will
always be the pre-eminent siksa-guru for all the members of the
society. The process of devotional service requires that one
surrender to a bona fide spiritual master and accept diksa from
him. Devotees should take shelter of the representatives of Srila
Prabhupada who are the current link in the disciplic succession.
  Should circumstances require that one reject one's spiritual
master, one should continue to serve other advanced devotees in
ISKCON. The instructions and examples of these advanced devotees
will encourage one in his progress in Krsna consciousness. As
one's faith and commitment develops the devotee may place himself
under the shelter of an advanced devotee whom he accepts as his
siksa-guru. Thus one can advance quickly, overcoming all
obstacles in the path of devotional service. And as the
relationship with the instructing spiritual master develops
through service, surrender, and submissive hearing, in due
course, through the agreement between the guru and the disciple,
one may take initiation again.
  In no circumstances should the guru-disciple relationship be
forced upon one. It must be allowed to develop naturally. All
devotees should sincerely pray to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krsna
for their guidance and mercy in this regard.
  We hope that this paper will serve to clarify some aspects of
the guru-disciple relationship and to encourage devotees to
genuinely develop that relationship. Such matters cannot be
legislated, but the advice contained herein represents the
recommended and safe process for our steady progress back to
Godhead.

              All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga!



            QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT REINITIATION 
     
              A paper to offer guidance from the GBC

                          March 2, 1990


QUESTION 1. Can a devotee who is not directly Srila Prabhupada's
disciple take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and make progress in
Krsna consciousness?

ANSWER:
  Yes. Anyone can take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and by his
mercy make Krsna-conscious progress. As soon as one reads from
Srila Prabhupada's books, comes in touch with Srila Prabhupada's
Society, or becomes attracted to Srila Prabhupada or his
teachings, one gets Srila Prabhupada's mercy. And the more one
faithfully follows Srila Prabhupada's instructions, the more one
makes progress on the path back home, back to Godhead.



QUESTION 2. Can a devotee in need of a guru fully meet this need
simply by accepting Srila Prabhupada as his guru?

ANSWER:
  No, that is not what Srila Prabhupada taught. Of course,
everyone should follow Srila Prabhupada. But to follow Srila
Prabhupada properly and completely, those who are not his
initiated disciples should follow his instruction to seek a bona
fide spiritual master, take initiation from him, inquire from
him, surrender to him, and serve him.  As Srila Prabhupada writes
in Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.9.7), "In order to receive the real
message of Srimad-Bhagavatam one should approach the current link
in the chain of disciplic succession." (emphasis supplied)
  Now that Srila Prabhupada is physically no longer present,
those who wish to follow in his line should become disciples of
his disciples in the parampara system.



QUESTION 3. If one's guru performs some wrongful act, breaking
Vaisnava regulative principles, what should one do?

ANSWER:
  According to Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta, in such a case one should
personally confront the spiritual master and appeal for his
rectification, but one should not give him up. 
  One should take shelter of Lord Sri Krsna and continue in
one's prescribed devotional service in the association of
devotees.
  One should be guided by the bona fide instructions of the
guru, or one should use one's own intelligence, considering the
relevant instructions from sadhu, guru, and sastra.
  In all cases, one should continue in one's devotional service. 
  (The relevant text from Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta is included in
an appendix to this paper.)



QUESTION 4. But what if the guru gives up being a devotee,
becomes an impersonalist, becomes an offender to devotees, or
becomes addicted to sinful life? 

ANSWER:
  If the initiating guru falls so deeply that he gives up the
Vaisnava mentality, offends the Vaisnavas, adopts a bogus
philosophy, or goes on repeatedly performing sinful acts--yes,
one must reject him and take reinitiation.

Explanation:
  Fortunately, the crux of this issue has been clarified for us
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Jaiva Dharma and by Srila
Jiva Gosvami in his Bhakti Sandarbha. Their statements on this
matter appear in the appendices to this paper.
  To make smooth and steady progress in Krsna consciousness, we
need to come under the discipline and guidance of a bona fide
spiritual master. And if circumstances oblige us to reject the
spiritual master from whom we have received initiation, we must
come under the shelter of another.
  But Srila Jiva Gosvami indicates that the process of accepting
another spiritual master should naturally unfold. A person who
finds himself without a spiritual master should seek one advanced
devotee and serve him (nityam bhagavata sevaya). By rendering
service to the advanced devotee, one's heart will be cleansed of
confusion. And when a relationship of service and mercy matures,
one should accept the advanced devotee as one's spiritual master.



QUESTION 5.  If one has been initiated by a Vaisnava guru but
that guru, though not fallen, is unable to give adequate Krsna
conscious instructions, does one need to reject him and seek
reinitiation? 

ANSWER: 
  No. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises that in such a
circumstance one should not reject the guru, even if the guru has
a lack of knowledge. Rather, showing him due respect, with his
permission one should take spiritual instructions from an
advanced devotee and serve that devotee properly.



QUESTION 6. How should a disciple determine whether his guru has
fallen so seriously that the guru should be rejected?

ANSWER:
  Srila Narottama dasa Thakura advises us to follow the
instructions of guru, sadhu, and sastra. And even if the guru has
fallen, the help of sadhu and sastra are still with us. 
  So we should be guided by Srila Prabhupada's instructions,
with help from advanced devotees. 
  One should be careful never to reject a spiritual master
whimsically. The members of ISKCON should follow the instructions
of the scriptures under the guidance of well-situated devotees
and the GBC.



QUESTION 7. If one needs to be reinitiated, how soon should one
accept reinitiation?

ANSWER:
  Only as soon as one develops sufficient faith in an advanced
devotee. 
  One who finds an advanced devotee in whom one has confidence
should serve him submissively and inquire from him. And that
devotee may reciprocate one's service, acting in the mood of a
bona fide spiritual master.
  After one has considered the qualities of such an advanced
devotee for one year or more and one's faith in him has
sufficiently developed, one should surrender to him and accept
him as one's spiritual master.
   If one serves Krsna seriously and sincerely, Krsna will
reveal everything in due time.



QUESTION 8. If the disciple of a fallen guru develops a siksa
guru relationship with a senior devotee within ISKCON, can that
relationship be strong enough to obviate the need for formal
diksa?

ANSWER:
  One should not think that a relationship with a siksa-guru
does away with the need for initiation. Wherever the acaryas have
prescribed reinitiation, we should follow their prescription.
  Still, we should note that the essence of initiation consists
not of the formalities but of the disciple's eternal commitment
to serving the guru and of the guru's commitment to delivering
the disciple. In that sense, if one's relationship with a siksa-
guru is sufficiently deep, the initiation ceremonies seal a
relationship that already exists.
  As Narottama dasa Thakura says, caksu-dan dilo yei, janme
janme prabhu sei: "He who has opened my eyes--he is my master,
birth after birth."
  As conditioned souls, we generally require the prescribed
formalities to foster this commitment.
  In the Gaudiya tradition, initiation may sometimes take place
even without a fire sacrifice or other rituals or formalities.
For example, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu initiated Srila Rupa
Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami with no other formalities than
changing their names. 
  Srila Prabhupada, however, initiated his disciples with a fire
sacrifice and other formal procedures. This is the standard he
set for ISKCON. So this is the standard we should follow. 

QUESTION 9. If the guru falls, what happens to the mantra one has
received from him? Does it become impotent? Does it become
polluted? If the guru was fallen at the time of one's initiation,
does it mean that one never factually received the mantra? 

ANSWER:
  The Hare Krsna mantra is always potent (nama cintamani krsnas
caitanya rasa-vigraha). The Hare Krsna mantra is nondifferent
from Krsna Himself. So everyone who chants Hare Krsna will
benefit. Thousands of people benefit by hearing or chanting with
our kirtana parties and festivals on the street. And what to
speak of devotees who join ISKCON? They chant Hare Krsna and
render devotional service with enthusiasm even before they
receive initiation.
  We should understand that these devotees are making progress
in devotional life by following the principles of sadhana in the
association of devotees. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that five
principles of devotional life are extremely potent: association
with devotees, serving the Deity of Lord Krsna, hearing Srimad-
Bhagavatam, chanting Hare Krsna, and living in Vrndavana (or a
Krsna-conscious place on the level of Vrndavana). These five
principles are the life of ISKCON, so naturally anyone who lives
in ISKCON can easily make spiritual advancement. 
  But to be properly connected with Krsna and get the full
benefit of chanting, a connection with a bona fide spiritual
master is required. 



QUESTION 10. If the guru has fallen, has one's connection with
the disciplic succession actually broken?

ANSWER:
  When one lives within ISKCON one comes under the shelter of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada,
and under the shelter of the community of devotees. So all the
sincere devotees within ISKCON are living under the shelter of
the ISKCON sampradaya. 
  Sampradaya means "spiritual community." Even if a spiritual
master falls, the ISKCON community goes on, giving shelter to all
the devotees within it.
  But to be fully and properly situated in the system of
parampara, disciplic succession, we need a bona fide spiritual
master.
  If the spiritual master is fallen, how can that fallen person
represent the disciplic succession of pure devotees? 
  In Srila Prabhupada's words, the guru is the "transparent via
medium" to Krsna. But when the guru ceases to follow the orders
of his spiritual master, he ceases to be transparent. So now we
should link with a qualified spiritual master so that our
connection will be strong, complete, and proper.



QUESTION 11. We've seen devotees doing well in devotional service
even though initiated by a guru who was fallen. In some cases the
guru was fallen at the time of their initiation, but still the
devotees are doing well. If their initiation is invalid, how do
you explain this?

ANSWER:
  See the answer to Question 9.



QUESTION 12. Upon whom should the disciple of a fallen guru
meditate when chanting the gayatri mantras directed toward the
guru?

ANSWER: 
  If one's guru has fallen, one should eventually take shelter
of another guru, as described above. And while chanting the
gayatri mantra, or other mantras to the guru, one should meditate
on him.
  But meanwhile, in the interim, before one has taken shelter of
another spiritual master, what should one do? 
  Our answer here is that this constitutes a special, emergency
situation. In this circumstance one may meditate on Srila
Prabhupada. Having lost one's spiritual master, one may pray to
Srila Prabhupada, "Please help me get a bona fide guru to
maintain my connection with you in devotional service." 

QUESTION 13. Can the disciple of a fallen guru serve as a
qualified brahmana to make offerings to Sri Krsna?

ANSWER:
  The answer to this question is implicit in our answer to the
previous question: In this special circumstance, yes. 

QUESTION 14. What if one's spiritual master falls from devotional
service, his disciples reject him, but considerably later he
comes back?

ANSWER:
  The GBC body expects that if a guru falls and considerably
later comes back, as a humble Vaisnava he will not place claims
on his former disciples.
  That former guru, by his own deviations, has broken the guru-
disciple relationship, and the disciple has legitimately rejected
him. So even should the guru return, the former disciple's
obligations to him no longer exist.
  Apart from this, the GBC body holds that a guru who has been
formally removed by the GBC must permanently forfeit all claims
to his former disciples.



QUESTION 15. Can the disciple of a fallen guru give diksa? If so,
what is that disciple's link with the disciplic succession?

ANSWER:
  First of all, we should understand that, unless the spiritual
master explicitly directs otherwise, a disciple can give diksa
only after his spiritual master departs this mortal world.
  Now, if one's guru falls but is not envious, addicted to
sinful life, or offensive to Vaisnavas, the disciple will seek
shelter of a siksa guru.  And if the disciple later initiates,
the disciplic succession will trace back through that siksa guru.
  If, on the other hand, one's guru  leaves devotional service
entirely or is envious, addicted to sins, or offensive, the
disciple will need to receive diksa again. And if that disciple
later initiates, the disciplic succession will trace back through
the spiritual master who gave diksa the second time.



Finally, an important note:
  In accepting initiation or reinitiation, the relationship the
disciple seeks to establish with his guru should be the same
guru-disciple relationship described in all of Srila Prabhupada's
books.                            

                          APPENDIX 1

               Quotation from Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta


  Our paper makes the point that a spiritual master who
accidentally falls from the standard of strict devotional service
but quickly rectifies himself should not be rejected. The
relevant text, from Sri Narahari Sarkara's Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta,
is as follows:

  If a spiritual master commits a wrongful act, one should
  privately confront him for his rectification, using
  logically presented conclusions from sastra, but one is not
  to give him up. (59)

  If one thinks one shouldn't reprimand a spiritual master,
  one should consider this statement: "If the guru becomes
  attached to sense gratification, loses his sense of duty,
  and follows a degraded path, a path other than devotional
  service to the Lord, he should be restrained or reprimanded
  with logical arguments." (60)

  With this understanding, everything becomes auspicious. (61)

  The natural behavior of Vaisnava devotees is to take
  complete refuge of Lord Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality
  of Godhead, accepting Him as their real and principal
  shelter. Their very life is to sing His glories, describe
  and expand His fame, and discuss the nectar of His
  transcendental pastimes. (62)

  Therefore, following this devotional nature, all devotees
  continue their regular devotional service. Guided by the
  bona fide instructions of the guru or by one's own
  intelligence, in all cases one should continue in one's
  devotional service. This is the authorized course. (63)

  But if the spiritual master commits improprieties, is
  bewildered about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is
  averse to expanding Lord Krsna's glories, personally refuses
  to hear or chant about the pastimes of the Lord, or has
  become utterly puffed up by the false praises of ignorant
  persons and thus falls into darkness, then the spiritual
  master is simply to be rejected. (64)

  Under those circumstances one should not think, "How can I
  give up my spiritual master?" With a strong desire to
  achieve spontaneous devotional service and attain the lotus
  feet of Lord Krsna, a devotee accepts the shelter of a
  spiritual master. But if after that the spiritual master
  takes on a demonic mentality, what is to be done? Rejecting
  such a demonic guru, in his place one should accept a Krsna
  conscious spiritual master and worship him. (65)

  By the strength of the devotional service of the Krsna
  conscious spiritual master, the ill effects of the demonic
  spiritual master are destroyed. This is the authorized way
  of Vaisnava devotional service. (66)

  During the appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu many
    examples of this were seen. (67)                            
    

                          APPENDIX 2

            Quotations from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
                      and Srila Jiva Gosvami


  Srila Bhaktivinoda Tha kura writes in his Jaiva Dharma:

  It is true that the diksa guru should not be rejected. But
  there are two instances where one may legitimately reject
  him.

  First, a disciple may have accepted a spiritual master
  without thoroughly ascertaining whether the spiritual master
  was a Vaisnava practically conversant with transcendental
  knowledge. Later, however, the disciple may realize that the
  absolute objective will not be accomplished through the
  instructions of that guru. In that case, the guru should be
  rejected. There are many items of scriptural evidence in
  this regard:(1)

                     yo vakti nyaya-rahitam
                      anyayena srnoti yah
                    tav ubhau narakam ghoram
                     vrajatah kalam aksayam

  "One who (in the guise of an acarya) gives unauthorized
  instructions detrimental to scriptural injunctions and one
  who (as a disciple) listens to those instructions will enter
  into hell eternally." [Narada Pancaratra] 
     
                      guror apy avaliptasya 
                       karyakaryam ajanatah
                      utpatha-pratipannasya
                       parityago vidhiyate

  "If the guru becomes attached to sense gratification, loses
  his sense of duty, and follows a degraded path, a path other
  than devotional service to the Lord, he should be rejected."
  [Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva 179.25]

                       avaisnavopadistena 
                     mantrena nirayam vrajet
                     punas ca vidhina samyak
                     grahayet vaisnavad guroh

  "If one receives a mantra from an avaisnava illictly
  connected with women and devoid of attachment to Krsna, one
  goes to hell. Therefore, one must take reinitiation from a
  Vaisnava guru according to scriptural rules."(2) [Narada
  Pancaratra]

  The second instance in which one may reject the guru is when
  the guru was at the time of one's initiation a Vaisnava
  conversant in the Absolute Truth but later due to bad
  association became a mayavadi or an offender to the
  Vaisnavas. That guru should be rejected. If the guru is not
  a mayavadi or offender to Vaisnavas nor addicted to sinful
  life, then one should not reject him even if he has a lack
  of knowledge. Rather, showing him due respect, with his
  permission one should take spiritual instructions from an
  advanced devotee and serve that devotee properly.

  Srila Jiva Gosvami, in his Bhakti Sandarbha, discusses the
same three verses. 

  Srila Jiva Gosvami says:

  At first one may have taken shelter of a guru who did not
  have the symptoms previously mentioned [in Bhakti
  Sandarbha], such as 'sabde pare ca nisnatam' [Srimad-Bhagavatam 
  11.3.21]. And now, because the guru is envious
  and contaminated, one does not receive permission from him
  to serve an advanced devotee. Thus the guru has made trouble
  for the disciple in both ways. The unqualified guru, then
  [and not the disciple], has been the first to violate the
  injunctions of the scriptures, and that guru should not be
  considered. 

                     yo vakti nyaya-rahitam
                      anyayena srnoti yah
                    tav ubhau narakam ghoram
                     vrajatah kalam aksayam

     "He who gives [such] foolish instructions and he who
     listens to them will both enter into perpetual hell."  

  This is stated in the Narada Pancaratra. Therefore, such a
  guru should be worshiped only from a distance. Indeed, if
  the guru is envious of Vaisnavas one should give him up:

                     guror apy avaliptasya 
                      karyakaryam ajanatah
                     utpatha-pratipannasya
                      parityago vidhiyate

  "If the guru becomes attached to sense gratification, loses
  his sense of duty, and follows a degraded path, a path other
  than devotional service to the Lord, he should be rejected."
  [Mahabharata]
  As stated in smti [in this verse from Mahabharata], when
  one finds that the guru is bereft of the Vaisnava mentality
  and showing instead the qualities of a nondevotee, one
  should consider him the avaisnava mentioned in the verse
  avaisnavopadistena. [Here Sri la Jiva Gosvami refers to the
  verse that says one should reject such an avaisnava guru and
  accept reinitiation.]

  If one finds himself without a guru with the good
  qualifications previously described, one should find one
  advanced devotee and serve him constantly, and that will
  give one the highest benefit. And if that advanced devotee
  is merciful toward him and desires to reciprocate, acting
  like a bona fide spiritual master in his attitude, then one
  should accept him:

                    yasya yat-samgatih pumso
                   manivat syat sa tad-gunah
                  sva-kularddhyai tato dhiman
                   sva-yuthyan eva samsrayet

  "By associating with a person, one develops his qualities,
  just as a piece of glass acquires the qualities of a
  touchstone by coming in touch with it. Therefore an
  intelligent person, for the sake of his own spiritual
  community, should associate with more advanced devotees from
  his own sampradaya."

  This verse is found in the Hari-Bhakti-Sudhodaya. If that
  advanced devotee is not merciful toward one, one will not
  develop a worshipful attitude toward him.


______________________
(1) Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura translates these Sanskrit verses
into Bengali. Bhakti Caru Maharaja here translates Bhaktivinoda
Thakura's Bengali into English. The parenthetical additions
appear in parentheses in the Bengali.

(2) The words punas ca directly indicate that one should accept
initiation again. This is confirmed by Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura, who translates this verse into Bengali using the words
punaraya mantra grahan koribe, "one must accept the mantra
again."                            


                            APPENDIX 3

The portion of Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta quoted in this paper is
transliterated here, with word-for-word meanings given by Sripada
Hrdayananda dasa Gosvami.

kintu yadi gurur asamanjasam karoti tarhi yukti siddhaih
siddhantais tasya rahasi dandah karaniyo na tu tyajyah (59)

kintu--however; yadi--if; guruh--the guru; asamanjasa--a wrongful
act; karoti--commits; tarhi--thereupon; yukti--with logic and
reason; siddhaih--made perfect; siddhantaih--with the conclusions
of scriptures; tasya--of him; rahasi--privately; dandah--reprimand, 
restraining; karaniyah--is to be done; na--not; tu--but; tyajyah--
to be given up. (59)

guror danda iti cenna  
guror apy avaliptasya karyakaryam ajanatah
utpatha pratipannasya nyayo dando vidhiyate  (60)

guroh--of the guru; dandah--reprimand; iti--thus; cet--if; na--
(one considers should) not (be done); guror api--even of a guru;
avaliptasya--proud and contaminated; karya-akaryam--what is to be
done and what is not to be done; ajanatah--who does not know;
utpatha--the wrong path; pratipannasya--who has taken to; nyayah--
reason; dandah--reprimand, restraining; vidhiyate--is enjoined.
(60)

                 anena sarvam susobhanam iti (61)

anena--with this (understanding); sarvam--everything; susobhanam--
(becomes) very beautiful, auspicious; iti--thus. (61)

svabhava eva vaisnavanam krsnasraya eva mulam tad guna gana 
yaso-varnana-vilasa-vinoda-prakhyapanam jivanam (62)

svabhavah--the nature; eva--certainly; vaisnavanam--of devotees;
krsna-asrayah--to take shelter of Lord Sri Krsna; eva--alone;
mulam--the foundation, basis; tad-guna--this (Lord Krsna's)
qualities; gana--singing; yasah--glories; varnana--describing;
vilasa--of the pastimes; vinoda- prakhyapanam--spreading the
news; jivanam--the very life. (62)

  vaisnavah sarve tad anusaram eva gurumukhat va sva-buddhya va
vyavaharanti iti kramah (63)

vaisnavah--the devotees; sarve--all; tad-anusaram--following this
(nature); eva--only; guru-mukhat--from the mouth of the guru; va--
either; sva-buddhya--by one's own intelligence; va--or;
vyavaharanti--perform the regular (devotional) activities; iti--thus; 
kramah--the process. (63)   

tatra gurur yadi visadrsakari isvare bhrantah krsna yaso vimukho
vilasa-vinodam na angikaroti svayam va durabhimani loka-stavaih
krsnatvam prapnoti tarhi tyajya eva. (64)
  
tatra--in this matter; guruh--the guru; yadi--if; vi-sadrsa--
improprieties; kari--commits; isvare--about the Lord; bhrantah--
bewildered; krsna-yasah--the glories of Sri Krsna; vimukhah--against; 
vilasa--pastimes (of Krsna); vinodam--relishing; na--does not; angi-
karoti--accept; svayam--personally; va--or;
durabhimani--terribly conceited; loka-stavaih--by the praises and
flattery of the public; krsnatvam--darkness; prapnoti--comes to;
tarhi--then; tyajyah--to be rejected; eva--simply. (64)


katham eva gurus tyajya iti no, krsna-bhava-lobhat krsna-praptaye
guror asrayah krtas tad-anantaram yadi tasmin gurau asuribhavas
tarhi kim kartavyam asura-gurum tyaktva sri krsna-bhaktimantam
gurum anyam bhajet. (65)

katham--how (is it possible); eva--indeed; guruh--the guru;
tyajyah--is to be rejected; iti--thus; no--(if one thinks) not;
krsna-bhava-lobhat--out of eagerness for Sri Krsna's
transcendental nature; krsna-praptaye--to achieve Sri Krsna;
guroh--of a guru; asrayah krtah--one took shelter; tad-anantaram--
after that; yadi--if; tasmin gurau--in that guru; asuri-bhavah--
the demonic nature; tarhi--then; kim kartavyam--what is to be
done; asura-gurum--the asura guru; tyaktva--rejecting; sri krsna-
bhaktimantam--full of devotion for Sri Krsna; gurum--guru; anyam--
another; bhajet--one should accept and worship. (65)

tasya krsna-balad asurasya guror balam mardaniyam iti vaisnava-
bhajana-vicarah (66)

tasya--his; krsna-balat--by strength derived from Lord Krsna;
asurasya guroh--of the asura guru; balam--the strength,
influence; mardaniyam--is to be smashed, destroyed; iti--thus;
vasnava-bhajana--(the way of) serving and accepting Vaisnavas;
vicaraih--the correct analysis of. (66)

 evam tu drsta bahavah sri krsna caitanyavatare (67)

evam--thus; tu--indeed; drstah--have been seen; bahavah--many
(cases); sri-krsna-caitanya-avatare--during the appearance of
Lord Caitanya. (67)                            


                          APPENDIX 4

The text of the section from Jaiva Dharma quoted in the paper is
transliterated here, with word-for-word meanings given by Sripada
Bhakti Caru Swami.

diksa guru apartiyajya bate, kintu duiti karane tini parityajya
hoite parena. sisya yakhan guru-varana kariyachilena. takhana
yadi tattvajna o vaisnava guru pariksa na kariya thakena, taha
hoile karyakale sei gurura dvara kona karya haya na boliya
tanhake parityaga karite haya. ihara bahutara sastra-pramana
ache; yatha 

  sri-narada-pancaratre-- "yo vakti nyaya-rahitam anyayena
srnoti yah tav ubhau narakam ghoram vrajatah kalam aksayam" 

jini (acarya-vese) anyaya arthat satvat-sastra-virodhi katha
kirtana karena evam jini (sisya-rupe) anyaya bhabe taha srabana
karena, tanhara ubhayera ananta-kala ghora narake gamana karena 

  "guror apy avaliptasya karyakaryam ajanatah utpatha-pratipannasya 
  parityago vidhiyate"

bhogya-visaya-lipta, kimkartavya-vimudha evam bhakti byatit itar
panthanugami byakti guru hoileo parityaga karibe.

  "avaisnavopadistena mantrena nirayam vrajet punas ca vidhina
samyak grahayet vaisnavad guroh"

stri-sangi o krsna-abhakta avaisnavera upadista mantra labha
karile naraka gamana haya. ataeva yatha-sastra punaraya vaisnava-
gurura nikata mantra grahana karibe.

dvitiya karana ei ye. guru-varana samaye gurudeva vaisnava o
tattvajna chilena, kintu sanga-dose pare mayavadi va vaisnava-
vidvesi hoiya jan;  erupa guruke partyaga kara kartavya; grhita
guru yadi mayavadi va vaisnava-vidvesi va papasakta na han, tabe
tanhake alpa-jnana-prayukta parityaga kara ucita naya, se sthale
tanhake guru-sanmanera sahita tanhara anumati loiya anya
bhagavata-janera yathayatha sevapurvaka tanhara nikata hoite
tattva-siksa karibe.

diksa-guru--initiating spiritual master; aparityajya--not to be
rejected; bate--indeed; kintu--but; duiti--two; karane--reasons;
tini--he; parityajya--rejectable; hoite parena--can be; sisya--
disciple; yakhan--when; guru varan--accepting a spiritual master;
kariyachilena--did; thakan--then; yadi--if; tattvajna--one who
has knowledge about the spiritual reality; o--and; vaisnava-guru--
Vaisnava spiritual master; pariksa--test, examination; na--not;
kariya--doing; thakena--did; taha hoile--then; karyakale--in due
course of time; sei--that; gurura dvara--by that guru; kona--any;
karya--work, purpose; haya na--does not happen; boliya--because;
tanhake--him; parityaga--reject; karite haya--should; ihara--of
this; bahutara--much; sastra pramana--scriptural evidence; ache--
there is; yatha--for example.
sri-narada-pancaratre--in Sri Narada Pancaratra.

"yo vakti nyaya-rahitam anyayena srnoti yah
tav ubhau narakam ghoram vrajatah kalam aksayam"

jini--one who; acarya vese--in the guise of an acarya; anyaya--wrong; 
arthat--that is; satvata-sastra-virodhi--detrimental to
the scriptures in the mode of goodness; katha--instructions;
kirtana karena--teaches; evam--and; jini--one who; sisya rupe--as
a disciple; anyaya bhabe--wrongly; taha--that; sravana karena--listens; 
tanhara ubhayera--both of them; ananta-kala--for endless
time; ghora--dreadful; narake--in hell; gamana karena--enter, go.

  "gurur apy avaliptasya karyakaryam ajanatah utpatha-pratipannasya 
  parityago vidhiyate"

bhogya-visaya-lipta--absorbed in sense gratification;
kimkartavya-vimudha--bewildered; evam--and; bhakti vyatita--other
than devotion; itar--inferior; panthanugami--a follower of the
path; vyakti--person; guru hoileo--even if he is a guru;
parityaga--reject; karibe--one should.

  "avaisnavopadistena mantrena nirayam vrajet punas ca vidhina
  samyak grahavyet vaisnavad guroh"

stri-sangi--one who associates with women; o--and; krsna-abhakta--
who is not a devotee of Ka; avaisnavera--of a nondevotee;
upadista--instructed; mantra--a mantra; labha karile--if one
receives; naraka--hell; gamana haya--goes; ataeva--therefore;
yatha-sastra--according to the scriptures; punaraya--again;
vaisnava-gurura--a Vaisnava spiritual master; nikata--from;
mantra--mantra; grahana karibe--one should receive.

dvitiya--second; karana--cause; ei ye--is; guru-varana samaye--at
the time of accepting the spiritual master; gurudeva--the
spiritual master; vaisnava--Vaisnava; o--and; tattvajna--one who
has knowledge about the spiritual reality; chilena--was; kintu--but; 
sanga-dose--due to bad association; pare--afterwards;
mayavadi--impersonalist; va--or; vaisnava-vidvesi--offensive to
Vaisnavas; hoiya jan--became; erupe--in this way; guruke--to the
guru; parityaga--reject; kara kartavya--is a must; grhita--accepted; 
guru--spiritual master; yadi--if; mayavadi--impersonalist; va--or; 
vaisnava-vidvesi--offensive to Vaisnavas;
va--or; papasakta--attached to sinful life; na han--is not; tabe--then; 
tanhake--him; alpa-jnana-prayukta--due to his lack of
knowledge; parityaga--reject; kara ucita naya--should not; se
sthale--in that case; tanhake--him; guru-sanmanera sahita--with
appropriate respect for a guru; tanhara anumati loiya--with his
permission, anya bhagavata-janera--of another advanced devotee;
yathayatha--appropriate; sevapurvaka--rendering service; tanhara
nikata hoite--from him; tattva-siksa karibe--one should learn the
spiritual science.                            
       
       
       
                            APPENDIX 5


The portion of Bhakti Sandarbha quoted in this paper is
transliterated here, with word-for-word meanings by Sripada
Hrdayananda dasa Gosvami.

yah prathamam "sabde pare ca nisnatam" ity ady-ukta-laksanam
gurum nasritavan, tadrsa-guros ca matsaradito maha-bhagavata-
satkaradav anumatim na labhate, sa prathamata eva tyakta-sastro
na vicaryate. ubhaya-sankata-pato hi tasmin bhavaty eva. evam-
adhikabhiprayenaiva---

yo vakti nyaya-rahitam
anyayena srnoti yah
tav ubhau narakam ghoram
vrajatah kalam aksayam

iti sri narada-pancaratre. ata eva durata evaradhyas tadrso
guruh; vaisnava-dvesi cet parityajya eva---

guror apy avaliptasya 
karyakaryam ajanatah
utpatha-pratipannasya
parityago vidhiyate

iti smaranat, tasya vaisnava-bhava-rahityenavaisnavataya
"avaisnavopadistena" ity-adi-vacana-visayatvac ca,

yathokta-laksanasya sri-guror avidyamanatayam tu tasyaiva maha-
bhagavatasyaikasya nitya-sevanam paramam sreyah. sa ca sri-guruvat 
sama-vasanah svasmin krpalu-cittas ca grahyah---

yasya yat-samgatih pumso
manivat syat sa tad-gunah
sva-kularddhyai tato dhiman
sva-yuthyan eva samsrayet

iti sri hari-bhakti-sudhodaya-drstya
krpam vina tasmin cittaratya ca

yah--one who; prathamam--first; "sabde pare ca nisnatam"--in the
verse tasmad gurum prapadyeta etc.; iti--thus; adi--etc.; ukta--
stated; laksanam--with qualities; gurum--a spiritual master; na--
not; asritavan--has taken shelter; tadrsa-guroh--of such a
spiritual master; ca--also; matsara-aditah--by envy etc.;
maha-bhagavata--a great devotee; sat-kara--to honor and serve;
adau--etc.; anumatim--permission; na labhate--does not get; sah--he; 
prathamatah--at first; eva--actually; tyakta-sastrah--has
given up sastra; na--not; vicaryate--(he) should be considered;
ubhaya--on both sides; sankata--of trouble; patah-occurrence; 
hi--certainly; tasmin--in him (the guru); bhavati--there is; 
eva--actually; evam--thus; adika--etc.; abhiprayena--by this purpose
and meaning; eva--in fact.

yah--one who; vakti--speaks; nyaya--right and good sense;
rahitam--that which is devoid of; anyayena--improperly; srnoti--hears; 
yah--one who; tau--the two; ubhau--both; narakam--to hell;
ghoram--terrible; vrajatah--they go; kalam--time; aksayam--unending.

iti--thus; sri narada-pancaratre--in the scripture of the name;
ata eva--therefore; duratah--at a distance; eva--only; aradhyah--
to be worshiped; tadrsah guruh--such a spiritual master;
vaisnava-vidvesi--inimical to the devotees; cet--if; parityajah--
to be renounced; eva--simply.

guror api--even of a guru; avaliptasya--proud and contaminated;
karya-akaryam--what is to be done and what is not to be done;
ajanatah--who does not know; utpatha--the wrong path;
pratipannasya--who has taken to; parityagah--rejection;
vidhiyate--is enjoined. 

iti--thus; smaranat--from the smrti; tasya--his; vaisnava-bhava--
of the nature of a Vaisnava; rahityena--by the absence;
avaisnavataya--by the quality of a nondevotee;
"avaisnavopadistena"--in the verse beginning with those words;
iti-adi-vacana--of this statement; visayatvat--from the meaning;
ca--also.
yatha--thus; ukta-laksanasya--with the qualities stated; sri
guror--of a spiritual master; avidyamanatayam--in the absence;
tu--however; tasya--his; eva--indeed; maha-bhagavatasya--of an
advanced devotee; ekasya--of one; nitya-sevanam--regular service;
paramam--the greatest; sreyah--good; sah--he; ca--also; sri
guruvat--like a spiritual master; sama-vasanah--with the same
intention or desire; svasmin--toward oneself; krpalu--merciful;
cittah--mentality; ca--also; grahyah--to be accepted.

yasya--of whom; yat--with whom; sangatih--association; pumsah--of
a person; manivat--like a gem; syat--becomes; tat-gunah--that
same quality; sva-kula--of one's own community; rddhyai--for the
success; tatah--therefore; dhiman--a wise person; sva-yuthyan--of
those of one's own community; eva--certainly; samsrayet--one must
take shelter.

iti--thus; sri hari-bhakti-sudhodaya--of the book of the name;
drstya--according to the view; krpam--mercy; vina--without;
tasmin--toward him (the guru); citta--in one's heart; aratya--not
having love.








                             APPENDIX
                                 




         INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

   Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
                           Prabhupada

Center:______________________________________________________                                                          


                                     Date:______________________________                       


           OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION FOR FIRST INITIATION


To (Name of Guru):_______________________________________________                                               

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

  It is my pleasure to recommend

________________________________________________________________________                                                                 

for first initiation by you. I find that he/she has fulfilled the
necessary qualifications for initiation to the best of my
understanding. Specifically, for the last twelve months he/she
has been engaged in favorable devotional service, has chanted
sixteen rounds of japa daily, and has adhered to the four
regulative principles. He/she is sufficiently knowledgeable in
the philosophy of Krsna consciousness and the structure and
purpose of ISKCON for initiation, as evidenced by passing an
examination as prescribed under ISKCON Law. The candidate has
accepted your shelter for at least six months. These
qualifications have either been observed by me personally or I
have heard of them from sources I know to be reliable.

            Your servant,


            _______________________________________                                        
               Name

            _______________________________________                                        
               Title





         INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

   Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
                           Prabhupada

Center:__________________________________________________________                                                      


                                   Date:____________________________                         


          OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND INITIATION


To (Name of Guru):__________________________________________________                                               

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

  It is my pleasure to recommend

______________________________________________________________________                                                                 

for second initiation by you. I find that he/she has fulfilled
the necessary qualifications for this initiation to the best of
my understanding. Specifically, for the last twelve months he/she
has been engaged in favorable devotional service, has chanted
sixteen rounds of japa daily, and has adhered to the four
regulative principles. It has been more than one year since
he/she received first initiation. These qualifications have
either been observed by me personally or I have heard of them
from sources I know to be reliable.

            Your servant,


            ________________________________                                             
               Name

            ________________________________                                             
               Title






 EXAMINATION TO QUALIFY FOR TAKING SHELTER OF AN INITIATING GURU



  1. What are the qualifications of a bona fide spiritual master?

  2. Why are you convinced to follow the orders of the spiritual
     master in this life, and even life after life?

  3. Why does one worship the spiritual master like God?

  4. Do you believe the spiritual master speaks the absolute
     truth? If so, why?

  5. Under what circumstances should the spiritual master be
     rejected?

  6. What are the qualifications and responsibilities of a
     disciple?

  7. What is the unique position of Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON?

  8. Why do you accept Lord Krsna as the Supreme Personality of
     Godhead?

  9. Why do we follow the four regulative principles?

10.  Why do we chant Hare Krsna?

11.  What is the position of the GBC Body?

12.  Explain the difference between the body and the self.

13.  What is ISKCON, and why should one remain in ISKCON?
