Back To Prabhupada, Issue 45, Autumn 2014, Interactive
Recently, three different devotees – David Hedges from Washington, USA; Valerio Virgini from Osimo, Italy; and David Hourie from New York, USA – asked the same question in different words. They enquired, in effect, about whether or not the lack of a formal bona fide rtvik initiation ceremony will hinder their advancement in Krsna consciousness. In each case, the following quotes were sent, explaining what real initiation actually is (all emphases added):
"Initiation is a formality. If you are serious, that is real initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination, that is initiation."
(Srila Prabhupada, Back To Godhead, "Search for the Divine")
"The chanting of Hare Krishna is our main business, that is real initiation. And as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 19/8/68)
"So anyway, from 1922 to 1933 practically I was not initiated, but I got the impression of preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. That I was thinking. And that was the initiation by my Guru Maharaja."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 10/12/76)
"Anyway, then, 1923, I left Calcutta on my business, and I established my headquarters at Allahabad. So all the days I was thinking of this, "Oh, I saw a very nice saintly person. But I am now off from Calcutta." So I was thinking like that. Practically he initiated me because I was thinking of...always."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Appearance Day, 7/2/69)
"Faith means firm conviction that "If I become transcendentally engaged in the service of the Lord, then my life becomes successful." [...] So when this faith is created, then actually the initiation begins. [...] So this firm conviction is the beginning of initiation. [...] So initiation means to be engaged in that Brahman activities [...] that is the beginning of Krsna consciousness, or initiation."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 29/7/68)
"A disciple means one who is always following the orders of the spiritual master. [...] So if you are able to follow these principles without fail, then you are as good as my disciple."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 11/8/72)
"It is not necessary always to be officially initiated, but if they participate in the group-chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra and taking of prasadam weekly or daily as it is possible, that will fulfill our mission."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 14/5/70)
"Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge... knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing."
(Srila Prabhupada Interview, 16/10/76)
They responded as follows:
"Thank you for these wonderful quotes! I've felt the Krishna Consciousness pull for a long time and I love it."
- David Hedges, Washington, USA
"Thanks, thanks and thanks again. This is always what I thought, but no one, until now, has given me confirmation of this."
- Valerio Virgini, Osimo, Italy
"Thanks so much for this. I am feeling so attached to Srila Prabhupada as a result of this. I pray that I can become qualified to be His sevak. If I can help with the mission in any way, please let me know so that I can also receive Prabhupada's mercy!"
- David Hourie, New York, USA
Back To Prabhupada, Issue 60, Vol 4, 2018, Interactive
"Hare Krishna. I attempt to live in service to Krishna in my daily life, doing the best I can for my time, place, and circumstance. I chant the Maha-Mantra daily, I offer food to Krishna deity in my home, I pray to Krishna and believe in Krishna. I read daily the Bhagavad-Gita, and I have read many of Prabhupada's books. In my heart I feel that Prabhupada is my guru. I have not been officially initiated. My hope is for a way that I could be initiated by someone so that my guru is Prabhupada. Is there any way I might be able to do this? Thank you for any help or direction you may give me.
Yours truly in devotion to Krishna."
- Matthieu Devaux, Maine, USA
"Initiation is a formality. [...] If you are serious, that is real initiation. So if you have understood the Krsna philosophy and if you have decided that you will take Krsna consciousness seriously and preach the philosophy to others, that is your initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination that is initiation."
(Room Conversation, 3/7/72)
"The chanting of Hare Krishna is our main business, that is real initiation. And as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 19/8/68)
"So anyway, from 1922 to 1933 practically I was not initiated, but I got the impression of preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. That I was thinking. And that was the initiation by my Guru Maharaja."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 10/12/76)
"A disciple means one who is always following the orders of the spiritual master. So I instruct my disciples to refrain from four prohibitions, namely no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex life, no taking of intoxication, including tea, coffee, cigarettes, etc., and no gambling. Besides that my students must chant sixteen rounds of japa-mala of Hare Krsna mantra daily. So if you are able to follow these principles without fail, then you are as good as my disciple."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 11/8/72)
"Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge... knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing."
(Srila Prabhupada Interview, 16/10/76)
"I have had some deep questions about initiation. I sent an email to IRM and got some reassuring comments from the writings and letters of Prabhupada. I have better clarification now on initiation.
Y/S,"
- Matthieu
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