Lakshmi Nrsinghadeva dasa: ISKCON’s code and ethics are based on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and the direction of GBC the governing body appointed by him to govern ISKCON. The personal life of devotees is again largely governed by the above two. The practicing devotees seek shelter of a spiritual master in ISKCON as part of their sadhana bhakti which also brings another dimension to their spiritual life namely the serving the spiritual master or diksha guru in his specific service to the movement. Today there are many Srila Prabhupada disciples serving as spiritual masters and guiding their disciples in Krishna Consciousness. As Krishna exhibits many a mellow or rasa in dealing with his devotees his devotees too are heterogenous in the way they relate with him. So this plurality within the ambit of teachings of Srila Prabhupada is undoubtedly strength of our movement and gives a spirit of unity in diversity. But on the dark side there are dangers of guru based groups with a sectarian outlook which could weaken the ideals that Srila Prabhupada envisioned for ISKCON. The following article by H.H. Bhakti Vikasa Swami titled Dangers of Guru Groupism is a candid analysis of this syndrome and some suggestions on how to keep the central point i.e. keeping Srila Prabhupada’s ideals without having to compromise the plurality in the movement. This was published in Congregational Preaching Journal of ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry in Jan–Mar 04.
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By Bhakti Vikasa Swami
By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, more and more people worldwide are coming to Krishna consciousness. Congregations especially are increasing. Along with this naturally come challenges, but better to face the challenges that arise from preaching than to have no preaching.
A unique feature and strength of ISKCON is having many devotees awarding initiation. But this can also engender problems. One problem that negatively affects the development of preaching is that of “guru groupism.” In some places there is no such competition, either due to enlightened leadership or more commonly because something resembling the old zonal acarya
system is still prevalent, with new devotees having little choice in who they should take initiation from.
Although devotees have been aware of guru groupism, some have come to accept it as part of life, and to openly discuss it has seemingly been taboo. However, I submitted this topic for open discussion among ISKCON leaders. I suggested that in our movement some disciples tend to form groups centered around their gurus. Thus, rather than functioning as a united organization centered on serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada, we tend to form smaller sub-groups within the institution, each with the petty agenda of increasing its numbers, and-in competition with other such groups-to canvass new devotees and to promote their guru as best. Guru groupies become preoccupied with competing for new recruits rather than educating devotees on the principles and practices of spiritual life as taught by Srila Prabhupad. Significantly, no one denied that such problem existed and discussion ensued as to the effects of this syndrome. His Holiness Lokanatha Maharaja commented that guru groupism is one of the greatest dangers facing our movement: if left unchecked it could lead to a complete splintering into various factions. It should be checked now, before it’s too late.
Guru groupism tends to promote a neophyte, fanatical, divisive, and separatist mentality that cannot be healthy, neither for the individuals who subscribe to it, nor for our movement as a whole. Certainly there can be no real cooperation and unity if this syndrome persists.
Despite the above, my observation is that in many areas of the world devotees initiated by various ISKCON gurus tend to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission in a spirit of cooperation. Although each devotee has a personal relationship with the guru, it is a private matter that creates no separatism in the interactions with disciples of other gurus. These devotees tend to better respect all gurus and senior devotees and to identify themselves as members of ISKCON and followers of Srila Prabhupada, rather than as members of a guru-based subgroup.
Other points I raised:
(1) Many people come to Krishna consciousness because they want to get away from the superficiality of material life, in which everyone is competing with each other. When they read Srila Prabhupada’s books they become inspired by the high ideals His Divine Grace articulates. But when such newcomers become subjected to the manipulative tactics of guru groupism, they think that the temple environment is the same as the material environment from which they seek
relief. Upon encountering this neophyte competition, many intelligent people back off and leave Krishna consciousness altogether.
(2) On the positive side, it was noted that if disciples of different gurus could unite more, we could achieve wonderful results, considering the ripeness of many of the affected preaching fields.
(3) The stress should be on educating newcomers in what it means to be a disciple and what are the qualifications of a bona fide guru, thus enabling them to come to an intelligent decision based on genuine faith in guru. Without this, the number of disciples may increase, but the
quality of guru-disciple relationships might be shallow and based on hype rather than genuine spiritual exchange.
(4) Although every disciple has an individual relationship with the guru, our preaching should be as members of Srila Prabhupada’s mission; we must understand that ISKCON’s initiating gurus have no other mission than that established by Srila Prabhupada. Our preaching efforts should be on behalf of Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON, and we should feel happy if a new devotee feels attracted to any bona fide guru within ISKCON.
(5) Some devotees believe that canvassing for new initiates is a service to their guru. But it is actually a disservice to the guru to bring him people insufficiently educated in what it means to be a disciple. Later, such recruits’ dubious activities would give the guru a bad reputation and
extra karma. Another result of such aggressive canvassing is that later some devotees lament that they were unduly influenced or practically forced to take initiation without being given the chance to thoroughly examine the guru and make a thoughtful choice.
(6) Local leaders in areas where gurus spend little time become de facto gurus if all devotees under them are their junior Godsiblings. Although this may appear to be a smart managerial ploy, it rarely helps—either the de facto gurus or those under them—to mature in Krishna consciousness.
(7) Temple leaders should invite initiating gurus other than their own to visit their preaching area and let all devotees benefit from a multiplicity of association.
(8) The sustained input of gurus is required to rectify matters. Gurus should make clear to their disciples their duty to educate newcomers about the process of initiation, which includes making a personal decision based on knowledge and without undue pressure from others.
Bhakti Vikasa Swami
One thing that is especially wonderful about ISKCON is that it is genuine: it is not merely a “fashion” or political stance like self congratulatory nationalism, but actually delivers tangible Krishna consciousness to its members who practice the method of bhakti yoga taught by ISKCON — for free without any charge or business arrangement — for the benefit of all people.
Other gurus and yogis tended to promote themselves, but Srila Prabhupada tirelessly promoted Krishna consciousness.
And yet he emphasized the need to do so energetically, effectively, vigorously, even aggressively. This sometimes shocked people who expected saintly persons to be more passive and wishy-washy. Srila Prabhupada acted like a man on fire, boldly challenging everything opposed to the conclusions of pure devotional service as taught by the six goswamis. He also rallied his followers and inspired them to preach boldly and expand the influence of his ISKCON organization.
But it is easy for conditioned souls and beginner devotees like me to conceive of preaching as a way of advertising our own superiority and success: “Do what I am doing, join the organization I have joined, keep the same associates as me, the same Deity, the same spiritual master, the same lifestyle, because I am doing it right.”
I think for this reason it is said that neophytes cannot very effectively preach the cult of devotional service. They are unable to see and properly appreciate the bhakti of others. They are wrapped up in themselves and their own vaunted devotion to Krishna and their spiritual master. The tendency of materialistic bhaktas is to see success in ability to attract crowds, money, buildings and other visible signs of “success”, but Srila Prabhupada reminded us that he was more interested in training even one pure devotee.
I really loved Madhavananda Prabhu’s article “Hide Your Guru” (http://www.gopaljiu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97)
It is now an election year in the United States, and the politicians are predictably accusing their opponents of not sufficiently understanding how the United States is unique and is the greatest country on earth, etc. I suppose politicians do this everywhere, but it seems especially scary in this country, with its big arsenal and wealth and power.
It seems to be the same, self-congratulatory, “we’re number one” method of rallying support, which has little to do with becoming or training pure devotees.
HH Bhakti Vikasa Svami wrote:
This is what happened in Bangalore on Hare Krsna Hill. There was only one diksha guru, JPS and all disciples were under the tight control of Madhu Pandit Dasa. When he committed spiritual suicide by becoming a Rtvik he was able to coerce all his subordinates to follow him. If there had been a healthy balance of disciples initiated by many gurus and having a solid relationship with that guru rather than a superficial one then Madhu Pandit would never have been able to get past square one. But because everyone was nominally a disciple of JPS but in actuality a shiksha disciple of Madhu Pandit therefore he was able to pull it off. A very similar situation occurred in New Vrndavana which, when I was living there in 1983-84, claimed to have 150 Prabhupada disciples but in the estimate of “outsiders” like me they were actually all Shiksha disciples of Kirtananda and didn’t behave like Prabhupada disciples at all. So when Kirtananda went off the tracks the whole of New Vrndavana went with him.
Dear Bhakti Vikasa Swami
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I was initiated in 1980 by one of the first 11 Diksha Gurus. And have since been re-initiated, but have distanced myself from that Guru also. However I have nothing but gratitude for both of those devotees. I feel what has inspired me to continue to try to serve ISKCON is that the Gurus, and devotees in general, I came in contact with taught me to see Srila Prabhupada as the principal authority and inspiration: I am serving ISKCON out of personal gratitude for what Srila Prabhupada has done for all the fallen conditioned souls. My gratitude for Srila prbahupada is not at odds, and thus, in no way diminishes my gratitude to his direct disciples and all members of ISKCON. It seems to me if this understanding is taught, having groups who are connected by a special relationship with the same Diksha Guru will not be a big issue because the connection with Srila Prabhupada is there to unite us all. However it seems some Gurus consider this to be a “jumping over” attitude and an offense to their position. It has already been established what the proper understanding is. I believe any problem must be a result of not accepting the resolve of the GBC as stated below. Similar, GBC resolutions exist also.
Resolutions No. 405
F. ISKCON leaders shall teach that Srila Prabhupada’s books and teachings are the foundation of the spiritual lives of all ISKCON members. Therefore, all ISKCON members shall consider it their compulsory duty to study Srila Prabhupada’s books. Hearing from other devotee’s books and teachings is secondary and supplemental and should not be done at the expense of hearing regularly from Srila Prabhupada.
J. At the time of diksa initiation, all disciples will be further instructed by their initiating guru that Srila Prabhupada is their preeminent siksa guru as ISKCON’s Founder-acarya, ever-present in his books and teachings. Thus they have a recognized siksa link to Srila Prabhupada.
Ys. Sita Rama das
It is very good to see that devotees are struggling to understand the sambandha of ISKCON. Just as we learn that sambandha means understanding the true relationship between all things and Krishna, so too, sambandha of the various elements must be ascertained in order to avoid improperly splitting Srila Prabhupad’s ISKCON apart. First, Iskcon has one founder acharya, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. For all generations of bhaktas who will serve ISKCON in the future, this will remain the constant. His siksha or instruction is the very basis for Krishna consciousness within ISKCON. He is the transparent via medium to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.
All who come into ISKCON must not try to digest the honor of Srila Prabhupad. They must never seek ownership of his honor, like some kind of mosquito sitting on the lap of a king and thinking that the king’s subjects are now the mosquito’s because it is seated on the king’s lap. It is not that the spiritual teachers of the future are ritviks only, but they are fully aware that the ISKCON society is Srila Prabhupad’s society to bring all people to Krishna consciousness. Vaishnava society after society have been destroyed by envy.
It is my opinion that if one wants to usurp Srila Prabhupad’s position, they should leave ISKCON and start their own mission. This is not, of course, the design that Srila Prabhupad had for ISKCON, but vaishnavas are supposed to be striving to be free from the desire for pratishtha or position with power. One who therefore desires to be adored as a guru or spiritual master is not truly qualified to be one. Rather, they may be infected by desire for wealth, following, lustful desires, and fame. So, how can this be avoided?
Do not let anything stick to you…offer it to your Guru varga. We say “All Glories to Srila Prabhupad”. That is the idea. Pass any adoration up to your Guru. Servant of the servant….This is the method given to us.
The GBC must not be weak when it comes to confronting an ambitious devotee who wants to gain for him self. The GBC must remain the ultimate management body of the society. And, that is Srila Prabhupad’s vision. It does not mean that the guru-disciple relationship has been compromised. Rather, both Guru and disciple will be protected by the very design of the society…pass it up to Guru, ultimately to reach Krishna, transparently. Pusta Krishna das
In response to the continued need to educate new devotees in ISKCON about the pre-eminent position of Srila Prabhupada as our Founder-Acarya and the primary siksa guru for all ISKCON members,
It is resolved that: The Governing Body Commission recommends that all prospective disciples and aspiring initiates attend the ISKCON Disciple Course prior to their initiation, preferably before choosing an initiating spiritual master. Other members of ISKCON are also encouraged to take the course. Also, ISKCON leaders are requested to facilitate the course in their respective areas by encouraging senior devotees to become authorized to teach the course, and by sponsoring the course in their respective areas as it becomes available in the appropriate languages.
http://gbc.iskcon.org/gbc-resolutions-2012/
Lastly, in response to the fact that “official” and unofficial websites of ISKCON gurus currently do not, in large part, prominently feature the personality and teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
It is resolved that ISKCON gurus shall be responsible for ensuring that their own official web sites prominently feature a picture of Srila Prabhupada on the introductory page, credit Srila Prabhupada as the “Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness”, and contain a brief summary of Srila Prabhupada’s accomplishments and provide authorized website links to his teachings.
In response to above comment by Shyama Sundara Prabhu:
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami is one of the most loyal Srila Prabhupadaanuga. The Bangalore ritvik episode has nothing to do with His Holiness its entirely an concoction made up by Madhu pandit dasa. Just a clarification.
Indasa wrote:
“The Bangalore ritvik episode has nothing to do with His Holiness its entirely an concoction made up by Madhu pandit dasa.”
I think Syamasundara’s point is that the concoction made up by Madhupandit Dasa would have gotten little traction is the devotees in Bangalore generally were getting good instruction about guru-disciple issues and were getting more association with bona fide gurus, not being left under inadequate care of one immature disciple.
I did not see him as blaming H.H. Jayapataka Maharaja for the conditions in which a whole large temple could flip ritvik, but exploring what those conditions were.
It is kind of astonishing that a temple full of presumably intelligent devotees who read Srila Prabhupada’s books daily and discuss the principles of parampara and guru padasraya and initiation and instruction and guru tattva and the rest of the items taught in the guru-disciples course could be misled into accepting the ideas of Madhupandit and others in his group.
They actually do teach (I have experience with many) that Srila Prabhupada instructed that there would be no more bona fide gurus in the world for the rest of Kali yuga except him, and that everyone should take initiation from him only, even after his departure, as a kind of “only begotten son”, for the next 10,000 years (after which time everyone would be so fallen that not a single Vaisnava disciple would exist until Satya Yuga. ) How could any educated follower of Srila Prabhupada accept such ideas?
When you point out to them that Srila Prabhupada never wrote a word about this in his books, and that on the contrary throughout his books and lectures he stated that one who humbly takes up the order of Lord Caitanya and his own guru to tell everyone they meet about the instructions of Krishna in Bhagavad-gita, without changing anything is a bona fide guru, and that he expected his disciples to become qualified and to act as gurus, and wrote approvingly of his godbrothers making disciples according to their capacity, and also wrote that there are many bona fide spiritual masters in certain Bengali families, and when you prove these things by direct quotations, they simply get angry and start repeating malicious false gossip about anyone and everyone who does not accept their theory.
We have to address the conditions in which a whole temple could be so easily misled. The ISKCON disciple course sounds like part of the solution.
We can consider (and face head-on) some of the reasons why anyone could be taken in by the false ritvik ideology:
(1) In kali yuga it is easy for people to believe in conspiracy theories that paint other individuals or groups as horribly evil (in secular as well as religious politics);
(2) Our scriptures really do emphasize hearing from and serving great, liberated souls who are completely free from material desires and have pure, unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service firmly established in their hearts, and accepting such great souls as “Sri Guru”, Servitor Godhead, giving them our hearts and dedicating our lives to their service;
(3) We did in the past (at least from 1978-1987) make a kind of personality cult out of some successor gurus, many of whom got more or less intoxicated by the position and pretended to be greater than they were, and even fell into gross sinful life and lost their luster;
(4) In 1977 Srila Prabhupada did not give a lot of detailed instructions on precisely who among his disciples would serve as gurus after his departure or how they would be regulated or culled (we obviously need a system for refusing to recognize unqualified gurus), or how the “matchmaking” formation of guru-disciple relationships would take place, or how devotees in ISKCON would respect other devotees’ gurus who were not their own, or how gurus and their disciples would interact with the gurus godbrothers and godsisters and within ISKCON’s hierarchy of management, and similar details — the GBC readily accepted that whomever he chose to serve as ritviks during his illness would become the first batch of “regular gurus” after his departure, and did not press for more details (perhaps sensing Srila Prabhupada did not want to be pressed for more details?);
(5) So much of the continued success of ISKCON seems to depend on the validity of the parampara system within ISKCON, that those who care deeply about ISKCON’s success can really become passionate about these issues and grasp at theoretical, result-oriented “solutions”, which can harden into ideological convictions;
All the answers must be found in Srila Prabhupada’s books (supplemented by his lectures, conversations and management decisions, understood in light of his books). There are no shortcuts.
We do have humble, learned, exemplary gurus in ISKCON. We need as many of such honest preachers as possible to make our society strong and our mission succeed.