{"id":12075,"date":"2013-11-21T14:23:55","date_gmt":"2013-11-21T13:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=12075"},"modified":"2013-11-22T04:31:24","modified_gmt":"2013-11-22T03:31:24","slug":"the-not-so-hot-issue-women-diksa-gurus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=12075","title":{"rendered":"The Not-So-Hot Issue: Women Diksa-gurus"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kaunteya das<\/strong><\/p>\n

I read Devaki Mataji\u2019s article \u201cThe Hot Issue \u2013 Female Diksa Guru<\/a>\u201d; I didn\u2019t agree with her generalizations and her conclusions; in fact I found the article rife with contradictions and inaccuracies.<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

But let me take a step back and provide a premise: I have deep respect for Devaki Mataji; she is a courageous fighter in Lord Caitanya\u2019s army; a determined devotee and a very austere preacher. She is active and dynamic; an example of dedication and self-sacrifice; and I offer her my respectful obeisances. What I am writing in this article is not an attack on her person but only on some of her ideas, and I believe she is a much better person than her ideas on this topic.<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

She states that \u201cthe female nature is more emotional\u201d and that \u201cthis emotional nature can also become an impediment and obstacle, especially since emotions tend to cloudy our vision and intelligence to such extend that we cannot see things as they really are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

And therefore I \u2013 and perhaps other readers of both genders \u2013 find myself scratching my head and asking myself: \u201cIf according to Devaki Mataji this is a hot issue and if women\u2019s vision is clouded by emotions and \u2018they cannot see things as they really are,\u2019 why on earth she attempted to write this article and provide clarity? If she is clouded, why does she try to instruct the whole world?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

If what she writes is right, this article must be \u201cclouded by emotions\u201d and therefore unfit for consumption by the assembly of Vaisnavas. <\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

She says that \u201cthe female vision and intelligence is always inferior to the man\u2019s.\u201d But then how to explain, for instance, that generally 91 to 98 percent of all the people in the world\u2019s prison are male? (More details at: http:\/\/chartsbin.com\/view\/t5b<\/a> or http:\/\/www.prisonstudies.org\/news\/all\/155-more-than-625,000-women-and-girls-in-prison-around-the-world,-new-report-shows.html<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

I certainly know that men\u2019s rationality can also (and often is) \u201cclouded by emotions.\u201d I am also often \u201cclouded by emotions.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

Therefore I suggest that in connection with this topic (women diksa-gurus) we all, men and women, defer to the wisdom of the Founder-Acarya and of the previous acaryas. <\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n

When I was requested by a devotee senior to me to delve into this topic, I did some research and learned a few things; for instance, I discovered three facts (and these are facts<\/i>, not opinions based on emotions):<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Srila Prabhupada ***always*** spoke positively about the idea of having women diksa-gurus in ISKCON<\/b>. That is, in all circumstances in which he brought up the subject or the subject was brought up by others.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Srila Prabhupada ***never*** spoke negatively about the idea of having women diksa-gurus in ISKCON. <\/b>There is simply no evidence that he ever expressed himself against women diksa-gurus in ISKCON.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \n<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        There have been dozens of examples of women-diksa gurus in Gaudiya Vaisnavism. <\/b>In other words, it is traditional and it\u2019s accepted by the previous acaryas. If anyone disagrees, please request that person to produce a quote from any Gaudiya Vaisnava acarya in the last 500 years, a quote speaking against women diksa-gurus. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        There is also the fact that the Governing Body Commission (GBC) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in two separate occasions (2005 and 2009) established that \u201ca mature, qualified, female devotee may accept the role of initiating spiritual master.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        And that\u2019s why I entitled this article \u201cThe Not-so-hot issue \u2013 Women Diksa-gurus\u201d; because Vaisnava acaryas and authorized leaders have consistently upheld the same principle: Women can initiate disciples (when qualified, of course). <\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        And we shouldn\u2019t assume (as Devaki Mataji seems to imply in her article) that women who are willing to accept this service do so because of \u201crunning after recognition and fame.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Anyway, people will have to decide for themselves if to embrace Srila Prabhupada\u2019s vision or not. I only humbly suggest that his followers read the book \u201cDid Srila Prabhupada Want Women Diksa Gurus?\u201d <\/b>\u2013 which is available for free here:<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/eyeofthestormbooks<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        The book addresses virtually all arguments and smokescreens that have been raised (the varnasrama argument, the siksa-guru argument, the Suniti argument, and so on and on). <\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        And, just for the record, this is not my<\/i> book: I did play a small role in producing the book, but the text is full of the words of Srila Prabhupada and of the words of many ISKCON gurus, sannyasis and Srila Prabhupada\u2019s disciples. <\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        So far many senior devotees appreciated the book:<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Bir Krishna Goswami (ACBSP):<\/b> \u201cI suggest the GBC members peruse this book, which is a pretty definitive study with a lot of good insights about the FDG issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Adarsi das (ACBSP):<\/b> \u201cI have studied it cover to cover . . . For those philosophically inclined, it’s a pleasure to see learned devotees exchanging philosophical views with proper reference to guru, shastra, and sadhu.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Akruranatha Das (ACBSP):<\/b> \u201cWow, that is quite a thorough refutation of those opposed to women becoming diksa gurus in ISKCON . . . such a carefully researched and cogently expressed presentation . . . I think that any truly open-minded devotee curious about this subject will conclude that this book has resolved the issue once and for all . . . I myself found the book to be very well written and I appreciated that it bent over backwards to understand and sympathize with the mentality and concerns of those who very strongly oppose the GBC\u2019s decision that qualified women can serve as diksa gurus in ISKCON.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Some of those who liked the books are women; if you think that women \u2013 to use Devaki Mataj\u2019s expression \u2013 \u201ccannot see things as they really are,\u201d you can skip their comments. Or perhaps you might want to read them anyway, since they agree with the men quoted above: <\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Urmila devi dasi (ACBSP):<\/b> \u201cWhat an incredible book. I believe this answers just about everything and considers every angle about women being gurus.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Ragatmika-devi dasi (ACBSP, Mayapur):<\/b> \u201cI must say, I was extremely impressed by your conviction to support Srila Prabhupada’s vani and mood and, consequently, to identify so many contrived concoctions born of prejudice and fear. I read the book in almost one sitting. . . . It’s clear to me that you won the debate in support of the GBC resolution. Congratulations!\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Krsnanandini Devi Dasi (ACBSP)<\/b> \u201cThis book is such a systematic, balanced presentation, solidly based on sastric references . . . I really appreciated the specific examples of \u201ccon\u201d statements and their logical refutations based on guru, sadhu and sastra. You expertly demonstrated \u201cSamanvaya\u201d= the reconciliation of the various statements within an overall harmonious understanding.\u201d <\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        Visakha Priya dasi (GRS, Vrindavana):<\/b> \u201cI was extremely impressed by your masterful presentation. It is not just powerful but humorous as well. I just could not put it down . . . both the innocent readers and those willing to be educated will certainly benefit from your selfless efforts in compiling this elegantly written thesis.\u201d<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        ——————-<\/p>\n

        \n<\/p>\n

        In conclusion: According to Srila Prabhupada, the previous acaryas, a number of Srila Prabhupada disciples and a number of Srila Prabhupada grandisciples, having women diksa-guru is not an issue. A saintly lady like Devaki Mataji is humbly invited to wholeheartedly join them. As she admits in her article, in connection with Srila Prabhupada\u2019s teachings on men and women: \u201cI have to be honest, it took me many years to not only swallow Prabhupada\u2019s comments, but actually deeply within my heart accept them.\u201d Let\u2019s pray that she and her admirers can soon come to deeply accept within their heart also Srila Prabhupada\u2019s teachings on women diksa-gurus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        By Kaunteya das<\/strong><\/p>\n

        I \u2013 and perhaps other readers of both genders \u2013 find myself scratching my head and asking myself: \u201cIf according to Devaki Mataji this is a hot issue and if women\u2019s vision is clouded by emotions and \u2018they cannot see things as they really are,\u2019 why on earth she attempted to write this article and provide clarity? If she is clouded, why does she try to instruct the whole world?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12075\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}