Back To Prabhupada, Issue 67, Vol 3, 2020, Interactive
This is a column in which we answer articles or statements which have been forwarded to us by our readers for rebutting. Below are some statements attacking the IRM's position which were circulated on social media, and our response to the statements is interspersed below.
"Srila Prabhupada did not introduce any rittvik system for implementation after he left the planet."
1) It is a fact that Srila Prabhupada introduced a rtvik system for implementation in ISKCON. This was introduced on July 9th, 1977. Therefore, the issue of Srila Prabhupada leaving the planet is not relevant since the directive does not state it was introduced for Srila Prabhupada's physical presence. Hence, the system needs to be applied in ISKCON.
2) Nor can one argue that any order given by Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON must automatically cease to apply in ISKCON as soon as Srila Prabhupada departs, unless the order specifically states it is for after Srila Prabhupada "left the planet". Otherwise virtually any order Srila Prabhupada gave would cease to apply as soon he physically departed. Hence, then ISKCON itself would come to a halt, as there would be no orders that would be applicable for how it should continue to function.
"That is a lie that is promoted by the so-called rittviks. And many people have been propagandized into accepting this nonsense. "
As we saw above, that Srila Prabhupada ordered a rtvik system for ISKCON is the truth, not a lie, as anyone who just reads the July 9th, 1977, directive will see. Hence, many people accept this fact because they have developed the power to "read", and not because of being "propagandized".
"You need to become more informed on this subject."
This is so true, starting with the person who made these ignorant comments.
"One of their failings is – who ordered these present rittvik priests to their position. No one that's who. Certainly not Srila Prabhupada."
This is not disputed. But that does not, and cannot, change the fact that Srila Prabhupada did order a rtvik system for ISKCON, as explained above.
"The more you think about the implications of the rittvik agenda the more it looks foolish and untenable. Srila Prabhupada is already the spiritual master, but taking diksha, not rittvik diksha, is a necessary part of the Krishna Conscious program."
1) There is no such thing as "rittvik diksha". In the July 9th, 1977 directive it states that:
"The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad"
This is called "taking diksha" from Srila Prabhupada.
Hence, the only thing which is "foolish" is nonsensical arguments such as these.
2) Yes, Srila Prabhupada is already the spiritual master because he fulfils, in ISKCON, the following functions –
giving "the pure knowledge of spiritual consciousness" and "transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination"
– via the knowledge contained in his books, lectures and other orders. The parts in speech marks above refer to diksa, as stated in Cc., Madhya-lila, 9.61 and 4.111. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada is the diksa guru. And the person who simply directs you to get this knowledge from Srila Prabhupada, the GBC guru, is not giving it to you – that would still be Srila Prabhupada – and thus the GBC guru is not the diksa guru.
"If you are sincere then in time Krishna will provide everything. But people are so very impatient and take Krishna Consciousness in a cheap manner, like it is a type of fashion or trend."
Yes, like taking any GBC voted-in person to be an "as good as God" diksa guru, simply because he tells you to read Srila Prabhupada's books. This does appear to be a type of fashion or trend in ISKCON, whereby the holy position of diksa guru has been taken in a cheap manner.
"If one studies the teachings of Srila Prabhupada very diligently and carefully everything will be understood and one's path back to Godhead will become clear. Hare Krishna."
Yes, and we have presented some of these teachings diligently and carefully above. It's just a shame that he who presented these ignorant and nonsensical arguments did not do the same.
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