In 1999, in an attempt to crush the growing acceptance of Srila Prabhupada's ritvik order, the GBC
published the following resolution:
"Whereas a number of devotees in and around ISKCON have begun again to practice and preach "ritvikism," even though it is prohibited by ISKCON Law as a "dangerous philosophical deviation, […] The GBC Body unequivocally rejects in principle any proposals that ritvikism be in some manner or another accommodated or tolerated within ISKCON. [Passed unanimously.]"
(GBC Resolution 302, 1999)
However, due to the mass distribution of TFO and BTP over the last 10 years, a seismic shift in consciousness amongst ISKCON's members has occurred. Even the GBC's own leaders and gurus have accepted, in principle, if not in practice, that Srila Prabhupada continues to act as the diksa (initiating) guru for all devotees.
We have extensively documented the GBC shift in several previous
issues of BTP.
The latest manifestation of this growing acceptance of the IRM's "ritvik" position is a statement stressing the need for a guru and who that guru is. This statement has been broadcast publicly by ISKCON on video.
The GBC's position
Krishna recommends in the Bhagavad-gita that one approaches a guru in order to fully understand the spiritual teachings given in the Gita:
"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."
(Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 4:34)
Commenting on Srila Prabhupada explaining this verse, the GBC state:
"Prabhupada here brings up another point along the way, namely the process of surrender. In the traditional parampara system, the disciple actually surrenders to a particular person, giving up his independence and accepting the guru's instructions as his life and soul. In the system proposed by TFO, with its hundreds of siksa gurus, there is no ultimate authority for each devotees spiritual life. The 'disciple' can conveniently follow whichever instruction he likes best. This is completely antithetical to real surrender to a living guru."
(GBC, Prabhupada's Order, 1998)
Hence it is clear that the GBC are arguing that the guru Krishna advises us to seek in the Bhagavad-gita is a "living" GBCelected diksa guru, and definitely NOT Srila Prabhupada!
The climbdown
Now the Chairman of ISKCON's UK headquarters has issued the following message on video on a website which has been set up specially for all first-time readers of Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is:
What is the need for a spiritual teacher (guru)?
"The Indian word 'guru' is often used when it comes to spiritual teachings. The translation of this word simply means a 'spiritual teacher'. And one requires a spiritual teacher simply so that he can fully understand the teachings that are given within the Gita. Krishna advises that just as every faculty in life needs a teacher, similarly spiritual education also requires a teacher. If we simply study the books but we didn't have a teacher, we may not have a fuller understanding. Swami Prabhupada is a teacher who is coming in the line from Lord Krishna. Krishna in the Gita explains that in order to be a genuine teacher, one actually needs to come from a tradition that is coming within the disciplic succession. Srila Prabhupada is the 32nd teacher who's coming in the line from Lord Krishna and hence is a bona fide spiritual master or guru." (Sruti Dharma Das, Chairman, Bhaktivedanta Manor, ISKCON UK. Original video saved and archived December 5th, 2009. Viewable at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEpaQr0fTbY)
Contrary to the GBC position just given, we are now told by the Chairman of ISKCON's UK headquarters, on a website set up for newcomers to Krishna consciousness, that:
1) Yes, every spiritual aspirant in Krishna consciousness requires a guru in order to fully understand Lord Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad-gita, and Krishna Himself teaches in the Bhagavadgita that we must accept such a guru, who is coming in disciplic succession from Krishna.
2) But that guru today is Srila Prabhupada, who is listed in the Introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is as the 32nd guru in the disciplic line.
And since no other personality is listed by Srila Prabhupada in the Introduction to Bhagavadgita As It Is as the 33rd guru, Srila Prabhupada therefore remains both the current and last guru for all ISKCON devotees for the entire lifetime of the Hare Krishna movement.
GBC's Bhagavad-gita climbdown confirmed
That Srila Prabhupada is now the bona fide diksa guru coming in disciplic succession referred to by Krishna in Bhagavad-gita 4:34, is also a fact admitted by one of ISKCON's guru hoaxers, HH Bhakti Charu Swami ("BCS"):
Q: "In Bhagavad-gita Krishna tells us to surrender to the spiritual master. Although in the temple we receive guidance from many senior devotees, still somehow the relation between the guru and disciple is very unique. "
BCS: "[…] Yes, devotees need a qualified spiritual master, and I will say in ISKCON we have the most qualified spiritual master who is Srila Prabhupada. And everyone in ISKCON is meant to represent Srila Prabhupada. In ISKCON who is the ultimate spiritual master? You need a spiritual master, but who is that spiritual master? It is Srila Prabhupada."
(HH Bhakti Charu Swami, Disciples Meeting, August 1st, 2007)
 Srila Prabhupada:
Confirmed as the current guru
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Conclusion
Due to our forceful preaching, and also because they find that it works to attract new recruits, ISKCON is now being forced to adopt the IRM's position and promote Srila Prabhupada as the guru. But since this is Kali-yuga, the age of hypocrisy, ISKCON still shamelessly and hypocritically continues to practise the opposite of what they are preaching, still operating their unauthorized guru system. But the fact that they have conceded the debate to the IRM is at least a start. |
