ISKCON’s current guru system, is a heartbreaking concoction that is not supported by any Gaudiya-Vaisnava Siddhanta, nor is it based on the principle of “GSS”. Never in the whole history of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, has there ever been such system.
What is needed is the elimination of this objectionable guru system, and the adoption of one that is in accordance with Srila Prabhupada’s orders, and instructions, and also Gaudiya-Vaisnava Shastra, and Siddhanta that is based on the principle of “GSS.”
This rectification will surely start the healing of all the other cancers, like “personal ambition”, that has also infected ISKCON throughout its history. Unbelievable as it may be, personal ambition was actually present when Srila Prabhupada was physically present, and then has gone viral after his departure. This healing will turn a “Ruined ISKCON”, into the, “Real ISKCON”, that Srila Prabhupada envisioned.
If the current ruined ISKCON cannot be healed, for whatever reason, the only alternative is for Srila Prabhupada disciples, and his followers, to do as he did. It is an undeniable fact that Srila Prabhupada said many times,
“Do as I do”.
Srila Prabhupada did not try to fix or heal his spiritual master’s ruined Gaudiya Matha. He understood that it was not possible, and he just wanted to fulfill the orders of his spiritual master, and go and preach in the west, and print and distribute books. He understood well that he could not do this within the Gaudiya Matha Institution. So much so, that the GBC of the Gaudiya Matha, more or less, kicked Srila Prabhupada out. They wrote him a letter, telling him, more or less that “your ideas and plans are not within the scope of our Gaudiya Matha agenda; therefore, it would be better if you go out on your own.” To our good fortune, he did.
In order to fulfill his guru’s instructions, he more or less reconstituted his spiritual master’s ruined Gaudiya Matha. Srila Prabhupada fashioned an institution that his spiritual master wanted his Gaudiya Matha to be. The only difference is that Srila Prabhupada called it ISKCON.
Since, it would be easier to change the course of a Battle Ship with a wooden canoe paddle, than to change the course of ISKCON; reconstitution maybe the best option.
If this reconstitution does not manifest, now or in the future, ISKCON, will continue to dry up like a prune, until it has no more juice at all. This has already happened to the Gaudiya Matha. Hence, both institutions are categorically “Ruined”, and “Useless”.
This unauthorized, guru system was adopted by the GBC, just months after Srila Prabhupada departed. and it still functions to this day. Keep in mind that it is not the lone opinion of this Treatise that ISKCON has such an unauthorized guru system. It is originally the opinion of Srila Prabhupada, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, and Srila Jiva Gosvami.
It is originally the opinion of Srila Prabhupada, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, and Srila Jiva Gosvami.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 1.31 Purport:
“It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the sastric injunctions. Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.”
Srila Prabhupada, citing Srila Jiva Gosvami, writes in Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi.1.35. Purport:
“It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the sastric injunction.“
Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions.
One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.”
Srila Prabhupada and Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. Yet the ISKCON GBC has done exactly this; so, are they not guilty of not following the orders of one’s spiritual master? Of course, they are guilty of not following the orders of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Jiva Goswami. One could say that they are “guilty as sin”, i.e., “completely or very guilty.”
The cure and ratification of the two cancers of not following Srila Prabhupada’s orders and instructions on how to select a guru, and how to manage ISKCON, will in themselves, heal ISKCON, so much so, that the Krishna consciousness Movement will again head in the right direction, and take off like a rocket, and Srila Prabhupada’s Krishna consciousness Movement will again make an impact on all the nations of this Earth, as it once did when Srila Prabhupada was present. Moreover, this healing will contribute to, and once again accelerate, the manifestation of Lord Caitanya’s Golden Age of Kali Yuga.
Thus, you can understand that this is also an inspiration to write this Treatise. It is the hope of this Treatise to describe, and elucidate, these two issues. In other words,
“To distinguish truth from illusion for the welfare of all.”
Additionally, we should pray to Lord Sri Krishna that the aphorism “better late than never”, will apply to this cause.
In regards to the “Guru” issue, it is very important to have faith in Srila Prabhupada’s owns words,