Back To Prabhupada, Issue 6, Winter 2004/5
ringing together all the evidence we have presented thus far in previous issues, we have established an irrefutable case regarding Srila Prabhupada's status as the only diksa Guru for ISKCON. We will summarise this evidence in one page, which can be used to convince anyone in simple jargon-free language that Srila Prabhupada is the sole diksa Guru for ISKCON.
1) Srila Prabhupada sets out shortly before his departure the system of initiation to be practised in ISKCON for the "purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation." This is the PURPOSE of the July 9th 1977 directive - to allow initiations to be conducted in ISKCON - not to allow initiations only for whilst Srila Prabhupada is sick, or while he is on the planet etc. Thus the purpose of the directive sets out right at the beginning for what, where and for how long the directive is to be applicable. It is to be applicable in ISKCON to allow initiations to be performed, and there is NO RESTRICTION given on when or how these initiations are to be performed. Rather, the directive mentions NO SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD for its applicability because it is not a temporary directive. The very absence of a time-period is in itself the proof that the directive is a permanent directive for ISKCON. Just like whenever Srila Prabhupada issued a directive for ISKCON, if no time-period is mentioned, it is understood to be applicable for ISKCON, and not some temporary time-period or circumstance that is not even mentioned. (Please see here for the full text of the directive). The directive states three times that those initiated via this system will be disciples of Srila Prabhupada only, with those named as ritviks acting as "his representative"
2) This is confirmed by other letters issued at the same time as the above directive, by the same person who issued the directive on Srila Prabhupada's behalf: Srila Prabhupada's secretary. These letters state that the system of initiation mentioned in the directive is the system for the "FUTURE" and those conducting the initiations, should "CONTINUE" to do so. (Please see BTP 3, page 14, for full details of the letters).
3) With the system established as the system by which initiations are to be managed in ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada's Last Will and Testament makes it doubly clear that this system should not be changed. The Last Will and Testament states:
"The system of management will continue as it is now, and there is no need of any change."
Clearly the system by which initiations are to be managed in ISKCON just set up by Srila Prabhupada, shortly before his departure, is part of the system for managing ISKCON. (Please see BTP 2, page 14, for full details).
4) Srila Prabhupada's Last Will and Testament also makes it clear that ISKCON was only ever meant to be comprised of disciples directly initiated by Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada states that Executive Directors for all the permanent ISKCON properties in India, which are to remain for the lifetime of ISKCON, will always be "MY INITIATED DISCIPLE". (Please see BTP 2, page 14, for full details).
5) Srila Prabhupada's books contain information and instructions which are applicable for the lifetime of ISKCON. They were not issued to be applicable either ONLY for whilst Srila Prabhupada was on the planet, or for AFTER he left the planet. They were applicable for BOTH time periods. And in these books Srila Prabhupada mentions, without restriction or qualification, that the initiation system used in ISKCON is that which was in place whilst he was on the planet - in other words, he speaks of the same system being in operation throughout ISKCON's lifetime - he does not speak of any fundamental CHANGES needing to be made to accommodate his physical departure. (Please see BTP 4, page 14, for full details).
6) Following on from this, it can also be shown that the initiation system described in the books can NOT possibly be describing the multi-Guru initiation system which ISKCON currently practises. (Please see BTP 5, page 14, for full details).
So Srila Prabhupada's final, signed directive regarding initiations to the ISKCON society; other letters issued by his secretary at the same time; his Last Will and Testament; and his books all say exactly the same thing - that ISKCON should practice a system of initiation which was the same as established by Srila Prabhupada when he was on the planet. This system, of course, has Srila Prabhupada as the Guru, with initiation ceremony formalities and rituals carried out by others. NOTHING ANYONE CAN SAY TO YOU CAN CHANGE THE ABOVE FACT.
Hence for those who wish to actually just FOLLOW Srila Prabhupada's orders, there is nothing to debate or discuss.
It should also be noted that the July 9th, 1977 directive, is not just another "letter", but actually a DOCUMENT, for the GBC charged with circulating it states he is:
"enclosing herein two *documents* 1) Srila Prabhupada's final version of his Last Will; and
2) Srila Prabhupada's initial list of disciples appointed to perform initiation for His Divine Grace."
(Letter to all GBCs, Ramesvara Swami, July 21st, 1977, emphasis added)
So just as the Last Will and Testament cannot be revoked or changed, neither can the July 9th directive or the other evidence we have presented.
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