In ISKCON, what does it mean to be a good disciple?

- to always be a servant of a servant

- follow the instructions of the spiritual master
- to become aware
- cooperate with seniors and authorities and to develop a loving
relationship with all devotees
- to engage in devotional service
- disciplined
- respectful dealings with everyone
- regulated and fixed in devotional service
- submissive
- please Srila Prabhupada
- perfectly represent the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada
- exemplary in behaviour (perfect gentleman)
- practical service in a responsible way
- accountable to all authorities
- perpetuate Srila Prabhupada’s teachings – preaching and book
distribution
- maintain Srila Prabhupada as the centre of the institution
- follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

In what ways could I improve as a disciple?

- taking service more seriously (priority)
- taking responsibility to fulfil the order of the spiritual master
- to be more sincere (integrity and honesty)

Position of Guru
- deliverer of the fallen conditioned soul
- representative of Krsna
- not an ordinary man
- Gatekeeper of the spiritual world (by his mercy one gains access)
and takes you through…
- eternal associate of the Lord
- better than God (in context)
- bona fide, pure servant of the Lord
Sources of siksa
- temple presidents
- nama hatta leaders
- devotee parents
- service authorities
- god family (senior)
- senior management
- Srila Prabhupada (pre-eminent)
- GBCs
- God brothers/sisters of spiritual master
- Senior devotees
- Teachers in sastra courses

Why do we have to accept living diksa gurus?

- Guru has to accept you (therefore, living)
- Point out faults of disciples
- Prone to mental speculation
- Current link to Krsna
- Law of disciplic succession

Benefits of a living diksa guru?

- advancement can be monitored
- personal guidance based on individual circumstances
- eradicate mental speculation
- pleasing Krsna
- direct access for clarification
- link to parampara
- acarya – acara and pracar
In what ways does Srila Prabhupada function as the Founder-Acarya?
- 16 rounds minimum daily
- gayatri for ladies and permission to worship on the altar
- harinaam diksa and gayatri diksa
- Srila Prabhupada’s books is the basis
- Guru puja to Srila Prabhupada daily
- Chanting of Srila Prabhupada’s pranam always
- Sets the standards for the movement
- Ultimate authority
- 7 purposes of ISKCON
- Established the GBC as the ultimate managing authority
- Decisions made, conflicts and challenges resolved by reference to
Srila Prabhupada’s teachings
- Book distribution
- Education (Gurukula, Sastra examinations)
- Took Vaishnavism out of India
- Temple program
- Founder-Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada (on every book, publication, letterhead, etc)
- Deity worship standards
Why should we maintain exclusive loyalty to Srila Prabhupada?
- automatic loyalty
- even if one word is changed, everything is lost – chaos
- reciprocation – gratitude
- jagat guru – sent by Lord Caitanya – predicted in sastra
- lose everything that we have if there is no loyalty
- Krsna’s pure devotee, not ordinary
- No Prabhupada, no ISKCON
- Books
- Completely bona fide
- Saviour of the whole world
- Lost in material existence without him
- Be powerful (bhakti shakti), pure
- Because he is the founder-acarya and proven as bona fide
representative of Krsna
- To experience bhakti
- Enable us to go back to home, back to Godhead
- Srila Prabhupada is Lord Caitanya’s representative – personally sent
by Him… Loyalty to Srila Prabhupada means loyalty to the Supreme
Lord
List ways how we will deviate if Srila Prabhupada is not the main focus:
- demigod worship
- speculation
- un-bona fide interpretation
- deviation from scripture
- ritualistic worship – no longer bhakti
- no golden age
- lose sense of accountability
- mood of sankirtana will diminish
- various standard of practices will drop
- no cultivation of bhakti – fund raising and not preaching – mundane
activities
- lose taste for devotional service
- no master (lost dog)
- own philosophy
- deity worship standards will drop
- deviate from initiation vows
- neglect our commitment to Srila Prabhupada
- rules and regulations will be manipulated
- no unity - fragmentation
- principles will be obscured
- GBC will null and void
- Become like the Gaudiya Matha
- Breakdown in parampara
- Back to maya
- Guru groupism – camps
What can be done to ensure Srila Prabhupada’s position as Founder-
Acarya?
- ISKCON Disciple Course
- Take his instructions to heart
- Read and Study his books daily
- Watch footage of Srila Prabhupada, hear his classes
- Srila Prabhupada said…
- Every new devotee should be directed to Srila Prabhupada first
- Attend/perform guru puja everyday (at the temple or home)
- Learn about Srila Prabhupada at Nama Hatta
- Vyasa Puja offerings
- Srila Prabhupada is present
- Do not tolerate any deviations from Srila Prabhupada’s standards
- Take oath of allegiances to Srila Prabhupada
- Attend Srimad Bhagavatam class daily
- Vyasa puja and tirobhava tithi commemorations
Why we accept Srila Prabhupada as the empowered representative of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu?
- 5000 years ago – Krsna spoke to Ganga devi – mantra upasaka
devotee
- 500 years ago – Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that His holy name will
be spread in every town and village
- 500 years ago – senapati bhakta
- astrologer – go to West, 108 temples
- revived the sankirtan movement
- Sanatan Goswami to Haridas Thakur – preaching and behaviour –
Srila Prabhupada did the very same
- Lord Caitanya, His life and precepts predicted Srila Prabhupada’s
preaching in the West
- At the very first meeting, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
instructed him to preach in English
- Adbhuta Mandir predicted by Bhaktivinod Thakur – only done by
Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON
- Preached to all castes and creed and religions
- House for the entire world to live in
- Only sannyasi accepted after going to the West
- Temple president of Bombay Gaudiya Matha? No… In time, he will
do everything
- Tad vad visargo --- scripture presented in most degraded language is
heard and appreciated by everyone everywhere

What will jeopardise Srila Prabhupada’s position?

- make our guru’s position equal or more prominent than Srila
Prabhupada’s
- don’t read his books regularly
- stop distributing his books
- loosely quoting Srila Prabhupada – lack of sastric integrity
- not cooperating with each other
- not behaving properly
- not fixed in his daily puja
- not maintaining basic standards of Krsna consciousness
Attitude of an ISKCON Guru
Teachings of Srila Prabhupada
- never discredit/contradict in any way
- he is transparent via medium of the teachings
- not show himself greater
- encourages followers to follow Srila Prabhupada
- deep attachment and understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s books
- he lives by Srila Prabhupada’s teachings
ISKCON Authority
- accountable to and comply with the authority
- respect and appreciate the vision of local authority

Benefits of accepting diksa and siksa with ISKCON

- lead us back to Godhead (fastest route given by Srila Prabhupada)
- in the line of a bona fide parampara
- In the line of Srila Prabhupada
- Network of devotees
- More favourable position to receive mercy from the parampara and
Lord Caitanya
- Not be implicated in guru aparadha

Ways to develop a deep/authentic devotional relationship with Srila

Prabhupada
- read his books regularly, watch videos, hear lectures
- follow his instructions
- book distribution
- associate with followers of Srila Prabhupada
- engage yourself in sankirtana
- meditate on his qualities and share…
- attend guru puja
- read Lilamarita and any Prabhupada lila
- pray to Srila Prabhupada
- appeal to him for strength and empowerment
- quote Srila Prabhupada
- fully participate in Vyasa Puja
Solutions to challenges
- chanting 16 rounds
o wake up early
o chant in association of the devotees
o listen to recording of Srila Prabhupada chanting, to help
concentration
- a spouse expects affection
o communication
o refer to counsellor or senior devotee (senior householders)
o don’t push away
- association with non-devotees
o devotees are merciful
o inspire by example
o don’t compromise the principles
o be in control
o give good association
o associate with serious devotees as much as possible
- partaking in gambling (parents require Laxmi or forcing child to
gamble)
o approach respectfully
o explain consequences of gambling
o don’t agitate
o explore other opportunities to increase income
o guaranteed amount of income is better to depend on rather
than a “chance”
- working in a liquor store (implicated in serving others and
temptation – no other source of income)
o approach siksa and senior devotees
o strong sadhana
o associating with devotees
o look for other job opportunities or transfer to other
departments in the company
- forced to leave ISKCON and join another organization (remain loyal
to Srila Prabhupada)
o stand your ground
o make it known why this movement is different and special
o read and study Srila Prabhupada’s books (Bhagavad Gita) –
familiarize yourself with scripture
o give strong reasons why ISKCON is the best
o become a very good devotee – influence others in a
favourable way
- gambling in the workplace (cards, betting etc)
o play without betting
o suggest better games
o change your association
o strong devotee association
- nama hatta – “non-devotee” cooking
o encourage to chant as much as possible
o engage in devotional service
o give devotee association
o accept items that don’t require cooking (no grains, etc) – juice,
cool drink, fruits
- affairs and newly married couple
o regulation? --- only for procreation (Srila Prabhupada)
o Natural for the jiva
o Chant a minimum of 16 rounds daily
o Take darshan of deities
o Associate with senior devotees that will give proper guidance
o Honour more Maha prasadam
o Read Srila Prabhupada’s books
o Attend nama hatta (get as much devotee association as
possible)
o Connect with paramatma
Vapuh- and vani- seva
VAPUH
- IT Support (providing/repairing/etc)
- Drive him
- Offer obeisances
- Punctual, organized and efficient
- Cleaning his room
- Offering donations
- Taking care of health (contribute to medical plan, make
arrangements for professionals to attend to him, cooking
(appropriate diet), not committing sinful activities – be a good
disciple)
- Washing and ironing of cloth
- Common sense
- Receive and welcome him
- Giving gifts
- Secretarial work
VANI
- Read and distribute his books
- asking for and then following his instructions (submissive, intentive,
inquisitive)
- attend his lectures with great attention
- discuss the guru’s lectures with others
INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IN THE PRESENCE OF THE GURU
- imitating the spiritual master
- too familiar
- disturbed the guru’s chanting without first asking permission
- didn’t take permission to leave
- did not offer obeisances
- not attentive to the instructions given
- female disciple touched the lotus feet of the spiritual master
- did not maintain a respectful distance
- violated privacy (sannyasi should never be alone with a female)
- no intimate personal service to be rendered by a disciple of the
opposite gender
- offering of maha to the spiritual master in the presence of his god
brothers/sisters – always go to your spiritual master first and he will
direct you accordingly
- disrespectfully asked the spiritual master’s god brother/sister to
change seats
- prepared only one garland
- interrupted the spiritual master
- family members to be respected very highly

Protection ISKCON offers to a disciple in the case of guru-tyaga

- siksa gurus and option to take re-initiation
- educate devotees on how to develop a relationship with the
spiritual master
- encourage devotees to develop a relationship with Srila Prabhupada
(Srila Prabhupada is the constant)
- Support structure (temple presidents etc)
- ISKCON Resolve
- Strict system in place in authorizing individuals to become a guru –
reduces probability of fall down
- No one can take away your service from you (e.g. sadhana)
Benefits of publicly promoting Srila Prabhupada as Founder-Acarya and
preeminent siksa guru in ISKCON:
- Everything will go according to Krsna’s plan (senapati bhakta)
- Right footing from the beginning – always refer to Srila Prabhupada
- No deviations and misinterpretations
- Following the perfect role model
- Safest thing to do
- Strengthen the unity within ISKCON
- Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution will flourish
- Introduced to the perfect representative of Vedic teachings

Inappropriate Ways of presenting ISKCON present gurus

- in classes/ceremonies/campaigns
- canvassing – inviting new members to their guru’s program (bound
to be overwhelmed)
- visiting the temple only when your guru is here
- describing your guru in such a way that he seems more accessible
than Srila Prabhupada
- publicly presenting the guru as the spiritual master as revealed in
scripture
- failure to introduce the guru as a disciple of Srila Prabhupada
- not giving responsible services to disciples of other gurus
- easily allow initiation requests/recommendations for your guru
(make it difficult for others)
- providing the best facility for your guru
- presenting your guru’s books to new people and not Srila
Prabhupada’s
- more excited to invite for your guru’s Vyasa Puja
- inviting family/public to initiation ceremonies
Consequences of neglecting the guidelines regarding Srila Prabhupada’s
position
- more focus on diksa guru and not Srila Prabhupada
- forget the mission of Srila Prabhupada and its importance
- the whole world will be disastrous
- conflict between different disciple groups
- competition and fragmentation
- the house that Srila Prabhupada built will crumble
- displeases Krsna
- Srila Prabhupada’s books will be disregarded

Consequences for ISKCON of inappropriately presenting ISKCON Gurus

- preaching and growth will be inhibited
- endangers the guru
- Srila Prabhupada’s position will become insignificant
- Displeasing to the guru himself
- Wrong choice in guru and disrupts one’s spiritual life
- Hurt feelings
- Offensive to Srila Prabhupada (if he sees his movement is been
destroyed)
- No mutual understanding
- No cooperation

Epistemology in ISKCON
Srila Prabhupada’s Books
Srila Prabhupada’s Lectures
Srila Prabhupada’s Conversations and Morning Walks
Srila Prabhupada’s Letters
Writings of the Previous Acaryas
Writings of Current ISKCON Preachers
Inappropriate Discrimination on the basis of your diksa or siksa gurus
- questioning a devotee’s choice of guru
- colour of body, caste, creed, culture
- due to difference of opinion (e.g. managerial), immature temple
management may make it difficult for the disciple to get initiated by
that guru
- length of waiting period for initiation
- grand-disciple and not a direct disciple

Long term consequences for ISKCON (and yourself) arising from

inappropriate favouritism or bias on the basis of guru
- loss of identity – forget bhakti and focus on externals
- inefficient management of ISKCON (not using all available resources
efficiently)
- just another ordinary religious institution
- making the wrong choice of spiritual master… chaotic
- culture of whimsical following
- anger, frustration
- resources will be exploited by guru groups
- fragmentation
What can we do to develop cooperative relationships?
- see everyone as having a connection with Srila Prabhupada
- develop strong meaningful siksa gurus – eliminates sectarian
mentality (look beyond disciple group)
- leaders to constantly focus on this point of a non-sectarian
movement
- spiritual masters to publicly associate with god brothers/sisters
- spiritual masters should not publicly voice issues with management
and other devotees to younger devotees
- conduct initiation ceremonies together
- spiritual masters/leaders to publicly listen to classes by god
brothers/sisters and other devotees (set the example for the
subordinate)
- hold courses of similar nature
- realize the effective preaching that can take place when cooperative
relationships are made and maintained
- invite a variety of senior devotees to speak
- develop strong spiritual practices

Vision of ISKCON with positive & cooperative relationships between all

ISKCON gurus & disciples
- perfect society in an imperfect world – Goloka Vrndavan in the
material world
- more and more devotees
- exactly what Srila Prabhupada and envisioned
- peace and harmony
- spiritual solutions for all material problems
- self-sustaining
- six loving exchanges will be prevalent – family situation
- serving local temples will eliminate discrimination
- more devotees performing the yuga dharma
- more production… we will be able to do so much more
- achieving the 7 purposes of ISKCON
- Vaikuntha