The New ISKCON Guru System

With the "zonal acarya" system in tatters due to the fall of many of the so-called acaryas the GBC established a new system allowing any disciple initiated by Srila Prabhupada to apply to become a guru. This considerably increased the number of gurus in ISKCON, but did nothing to solve the problems resulting from the "zonal acarya" days.

The qualification for becoming a guru in ISKCON now seems to be something of a political matter between the local temple authorities and the GBC.

"Another examination will be held in 1971 on the four books, Bha- gavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and Nectar of Devotion. One who passes this examination will be awarded the title of Bhaktivedanta. I want all my spiritual sons and daughters to inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. That is my program. So we should not simply publish these books for reading by outsiders, but all of our students must be well-versed in all of our books so that we can be prepared to defeat all opposing parties in the matter of self-realization." (to Hansadutta 3 Dec, 1968)

It is obvious Srila Prabhupada wanted his students to take Krishna consciousness very seriously and advance to the stage where they would be capable of becoming spiritual masters in their own right and initiating their own disciples. However, guru, means literally 'heavy.' So to become guru is no small matter.

"Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bonafide guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But there's a matter of etiquette. It is the custom that during the lifetime of your spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bonafide spiritual masters and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy." (to Tushta Krishna Swami, 2 Nov 1975)

Unfortunately, after Srila Prabhupada left his body ISKCON institutionalized the concept of guru and rubber-stamped some unqualified men as guru. This appeared to work for some time, but such unqualified men have no ability to actually spread Krishna consciousness. They succeeded in attracting some sentimental dis- ciples and some envious ones as well who wanted to take their position. However, sincere devotees found it very difficult to stay in the new ISKCON built around the false idea that the new "acaryas" were on the same level as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

If there is no one qualified to take the position of guru or acarya you can't rubber-stamp unqualified men and expect success. Srila Prabhupada, of course, knew where his disciples were situated spiritually, so he established a system which would allow his disciples to go on initiating new devotees, however the new devotees would be disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada did not say that the eleven he named were acaryas or that they could take disciples on their own behalf. This idea came from the Gaudiya Math after Srila Prabhupada left his body.

Although this issue has been the subject of rather heated debate over the past years between groups who have their own vested interests to protect within ISKCON, any impartial observer can see that there is no point of justifying the "zonal acarya" system when most of the so-called acaryas have fallen down from spiritual life.

The current system is not different from the "zonal acarya" system. The only real difference is there are more "acaryas." The new gurus still want worship on the level of Krishna from their disciples...everything is the same...nothing has changed. So if the "zonal acarya" system is not bonafide, the current guru system is equally un-bonafide. It is sure to collapse in the same way the "zonal acarya" system collapsed.

An acarya is not a cheap thing. Simply by GBC approval one doesn't become an acarya. This is similar to the Mayavadi concept of taking sannyasa. The Mayavadis think that by taking sannyasa they become equal to Narayana or Krishna. Similarly, it seems, that ISKCON devotees think that they become equal to Srila Prabhupada by GBC approval. However it is not GBC approval that makes a devotee a qualified acarya. It is his sincere desire to please Srila Prabhupada and Krishna, and such an acarya does not have to be approved by anyone, he is self-effulgent. The whole world will accept him as a spiritual authority, as they did with Srila Prabhupada. He certainly won't need GBC approval, any more than Srila Prabhupada needed the approval of the Gaudiya Math. In fact the Gaudiya Math never approved of Srila Prabhupada's preaching and they still refuse to accept that Prabhupada is even entitled to be called Prabhupada (they call Srila Prabhupada "Swami Maharaja" - even now!) So as the Gaudiya Math was left behind by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON may be left behind by the next self- effulgent acarya.

"Almost all the conditioned souls within the material world are envious. Jealous people generally turn against one who automatically attains some reputation. This is natural for jealous people. Consequently, when a devotee is fit to receive worldly reputation, he is envied by many people. This is quite natural. When a person, out of humility, does not desire fame, people generally think him quite humble and consequently give him all kinds of fame. Actually a Vaisnava does not hanker after fame or a great reputation."(CC Mad 4.147)

"This is the function of the GBC, to see that one may not be taken away by maya. The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This is what I want." (to Madhudvisa 4 Aug, 1975)

What Happened to the Hare Krishnas?
This booklet is dedicated to the Founder and Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Preface
I offer my respectful obeisances to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He has saved me from the repeated cycle of birth and death in this material world and enabled me to have a slight glimpse of the beautiful cowherd boy, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Introduction
Even a person with no knowledge can immediately acquire all knowledge simply by the benediction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore I am praying to the Lord for His causeless mercy upon me.

The Hare Krishna's go West
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu desired this chanting of Hare Krishna and dancing in ecstasy be spread all over the world, in fact he predicted that one day the whole world will dance in ecstasy to this chanting.

What Is a Hare Krishna Anyhow?
The purpose of this movement is to keep our minds constantly on Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada--A Transcendental Manager
ISKCON succeeded because Prabhupada was totally dedicated to the order of his spiritual master and Krishna.

The Hare Krishna Movement in the 70's
This is an account of the activities of the Chicago ISKCON temple adapted from Morris Yanoff's book "Where is Joey"

Problems from India
The success of Srila Prabhupada's preaching all over the world caused some of his godbrothers in India to become envious....

Growing Pains
As the movement grew Srila Prabhupada handed over much of the management to a body of devotees he had formed called the Governing Body Commission (GBC).

The Zonal Acarya System
Before Prabhupada left his body he named some disciples who could give ritvik initiation (accepting Srila Prabhupada's disciples on his behalf)..

Born Again Krishna's
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada disappeared from our mundane vision in 1977. This event caused dramatic changes within the movement.

The New ISKCON Guru System
With the "zonal acarya" system in tatters due to the fall of many of the so-called acaryas the GBC established a new system allowing any disciple initiated by Srila Prabhupada to apply to become a guru.

Purity is the Force!
Srila Prabhupada was convinced the problems within ISKCON could not be solved until every devotee was chanting sixteen rounds of the maha-mantra daily, rising early to attend the 4:30am Mangal Arati ceremony, following strictly the four regulative principles and being fully engaged 24 hours a day in serving Krishna.

Books are the Basis
"My first concern is that my books shall be published and distributed profusely all over the world. Practically, books are the basis of our movement. Without our books our preaching will have no effect."

Srila Prabhupada's Concluding Words
"A mundane person in the dress of a Vaisnava should not be respected, but rejected... One should neglect an envious person... There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaisnavas in this Krishna Consciousness movement, and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve an envious person in the dress of a Vaisnava".