Dear Anuttama dasa
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Recently I received news that iskcon is now holding and giving guru seminar classes for its “gurus”. Just when I thought it could not get any worse, and now this new bit of more bad news and concocted philosophy from the GBC of Iskcon.
Anybody who has read Srila Prabhupadas books even at a cursory level, will understand that he tells us and shows us from the sastra (scriptures) that a bona fide spiritual master is no less than a liberated soul and has been deputed by the Supreme Lord to take disciples.
What does it take to be a liberated soul? That is explained in the scriptures as one who is free from the four defects-imperfect senses, illusions, making mistakes and the propensity to cheat.
So unless one possesses these basic four items, he cannot be a liberated soul, which means he cannot give perfect knowledge, nor can he even save himself, what to speak of others. And then to give diksa-initiation as a spiritual master, one must also be a pure devotee of the Lord on top of that, which Krsna tells us in His Bhagavad Gita is very very rare to find such a mahatma.
BG 7.14 purport....Another meaning of guṇa is rope; it is to be understood that the conditioned soul is tightly tied by the ropes of illusion. A man bound by the hands and feet cannot free himself-he must be helped by a person who is unbound. Because the bound cannot help the bound, the rescuer must be liberated. Therefore, only Lord Kṛṣṇa, or His bona fide representative the spiritual master, can release the conditioned soul. Without such superior help, one cannot be freed from the bondage of material nature.
And yet in iskcon it has now become their common practice to even arrogantly admit it is not they who are releasing/liberating their so called disciples from birth and death but it is Srila Prabhupada himself.
So any reasonably intelligent person would then ask, what do we need these people for if they admit they are not liberated and furthermore and worse still, cannot free their so called disciples from the cycle of birth and death?
Reasonable question, right? Not for these people in iskcon who have lost all their intelligence that Prabhupada originally gave to them. Here is how that happened...
SB 4.22 Translation-–When one deviates from his original consciousness, he loses the capacity to remember his previous position or recognize his present one. When remembrance is lost, all knowledge acquired is based on a false foundation. When this occurs, learned scholars consider that the soul is lost.
This verse from Srimad Bhagavatam clearly gives us the answer why people concoct the original philosophy of Krsna Consciousness as given by Srila Prabhupada in his original books. It is because they have deviated in so many ways from the original consciousness and siddhanta as given by Prabhupada. Before Prabhupada came, very very few in the world had a clue as to what was religion, what was liberation, and more importantly who was a bona fide guru. Then Prabhupadas books came out, and we could then understand who was Krsna and what was all the rest—better know as illusion or Maya.
So now getting to the good part- here is what Anuttama das the director of Communications in Iskcon says about his guru seminars.
Anuttama das says…
“we’ve instituted training for people before they can become guru...we create systems to lift up those people and help them in their service and help them perform that service to their guru.(Srila Prabhupada)..when they (the public) hear that they go “Wow”. Actually I’ve never heard of an organization with gurus that has training for gurus.”
SB 2.8.7 purport…Thus one who is not well versed in the authorized scriptures and not able to answer all such relevant inquiries should not pose as a spiritual master for the matter of material gain. It is illegal to become a spiritual master if one is unable to deliver the disciple.
Note—Here is what Srila Prabhupada tells us in regard to the above statement..
Madhya 10.136 purport…
The conclusion is that a spiritual master who is authorized and empowered by Kṛṣṇa and his own guru should be considered as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. That is the verdict of Viśvanātha Cakravartī: sākṣād-dharitvenaśā. An authorized spiritual master is as good as Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As Hari is free to act as He likes, the empowered spiritual master is also free. As Hari is not subject to mundane rules and regulations, the spiritual master empowered by Him is also not subject.
Note–So who has ever heard of a bona fide spiritual master such as Jesus, Buddha, or Srila Prabhupada ever having “spiritual difficulty” or needing to be checked or reformed by a body of men who are the of same quality as he??? When did the Buddha need “systems” to lift him up?
When did Srila Prabhupada ever need any of us to help him– in his service? His service was so perfect, it included all the people of the world in the house he intended to build. Only problem is they, and you, the GBC, have ruined that house and now no intelligent person would want to live there anymore.
——————————————————————————–
Anuttama das says…
“technically I could become a diksa guru…people might come up and say”he’s an idiot”, don’t let him do it, but technically there’s no barrier...that doesn’t mean because I start being a guru tomorrow I’m perfect in the sense I’m never going to do anything wrong. You know I’m a human being, I’ve got flaws….
Note—If you have flaws as you state, then how can you become the classic example of a bona fide spiritual master who is at least a liberated soul? You say that technically there is no barrier, but we differ and say yes there are massive barriers or qualifications before you accept this post of spiritual master., but you chose to ignore these qualifications that one needs BEFORE he can become spiritual master diksa guru. And these qualifications are there all over Srila Prabhupadas books, but because yo have deviated from his original instructions you have now lost that original consciousness of being just a servant of the servant of Srila Prabhupada
Here are just a few of these qualifications which your iskcon gurus do not possess.
We have to select a guru by whose order we wont make mistakes
March 2 1966 NY—Now, to take such guidance means the spiritual master should also be a very perfect man. Otherwise, how can he guide? ...Therefore one has to select a spiritual master whose order, carrying, you’ll not commit a mistake. You see? Now, suppose if you accept a wrong person as spiritual master, and if you, if he guides you wrongly, then your whole life is spoiled. So one has to accept a spiritual master whose guidance will make his life perfect. That is the relation between spiritual master and disciple. It is not a formality. It is a great responsibility both for the disciple and for the spiritual master
July 14 1976 NYC–Interviewer: It’s a more direct communication.
Prabhupāda: Yes. And He gives order.
Rāmeśvara: Because intelligence, our philosophy is that intelligence comes from Kṛṣṇa. So if I have some…
Interviewer: And your philosophy is that your daily necessities come from Kṛṣṇa as well.
Rāmeśvara: Yes, try to understand. Suppose my intelligence sees that this person is qualified, that means Kṛṣṇa has told me.
Prabhupāda: No, not necessarily, Kṛṣṇa will tell directly. A devotee always consults Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa tells him, “Do like this.” Not figuratively.
Interviewer: Does that apply then to other kinds of decisions and other kinds of activities as well?
Prabhupāda: Everything. Because a devotee does not do anything without consulting Kṛṣṇa.
Srila Prabhupada…”Yes. A spiritual master must have seen Kṛṣṇa. Without seeing, he cannot be spiritual master. But how Kṛṣṇa can be seen? Kṛṣṇa can be seen by love. Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena [Bs. 5.38]. Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti. Just like if you are in love with somebody, you can see him constantly—he is always on your eyes, anyone you love—so similarly, Kṛṣṇa also can be seen by development of love. Otherwise how we can see Kṛṣṇa? He is so great, unlimited. Your eyes, your senses, are all limited. You cannot see the unlimited by your limited sense perception. But you can see… Not you can see, but svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ. When you are developed in the sense of love of Godhead, then He reveals unto you. Therefore you can see. Bhagavad-gita 4.34-39 — Los Angeles, January 12, 1969
Srila Prabhupada…”One should therefore approach an authorized person to understand Kṛṣṇa. The spiritual master has actually seen Kṛṣṇa; therefore he can explain Him properly. ” SB 5.12.11 PURPORT
Srila Prabhupada….”So this adhokṣajam, Kṛṣṇa, we have to worship. Adhokṣaja. So we cannot see if it is beyond our sense perception. How we can worship Him? Therefore you have to take shelter of the spiritual master who has seen Him. “
Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture : Srimad-Bhagavatam August 28, 1972
PQPA-8
Bob: So a devotee must work for everybody’s liberation?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. A devotee must work under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master, not imitate the best devotee.
Bob: Excuse me?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: One should not imitate the best devotee.
———————————————————————————
Anuttama das says…
“We say well yeah, because guru is meant to be as good as God….And at the same time we need to have checks and balances and we need to have systems in place to protect our leaders”….
…“we even talk about what to do if your guru has a difficulty, we’re open about these things”…
…“disciples and followers have just had their hearts broken and their spiritual life crushed and they go away faithless. So you know its kali yuga, we have to protect people, protect their faith”…
Note-Here is what happens when somebody assumes with out authorization and with out the necessary qualifications, that he can do this diksa guru business.
LA July 13 1971—
Prabhupāda:Unless one is prepared that “I am accepting somebody as my spiritual master. I must accept whatever he says,” if there is any doubt, that “I cannot accept his words verbatim,” then one should not accept him as spiritual master. That is hypocrisy.
Madhya 24.330
…. When one has attained the topmost position of
maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly
like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible
to occupy the post of a guru.
…. When one has attained the topmost position of
maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly
like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible
to occupy the post of a guru.
PHALGUNA KRISHNA PANCAMI
23.if everyone just initiates then there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on there will be only failure..
23.if everyone just initiates then there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on there will be only failure..
Aug 22 1973 London
… Guru cannot change any word of the predecessor. There is one instance in Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s life. One gentleman, (he) is Vallabha Ācārya. He was very much devotee of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He wrote one comment on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Subodhinī-ṭīkā, it is called. That is recognized, nice ṭīkā, comment. But he approached Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He was very great devotee of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. So he simply said that “Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Caitanya, if You hear my comment on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, You’ll find it is far better than Śrīdhara Svāmī’s.” Śrīdhara Svāmī is the very old commentator. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately rejected: “Oh, you are claiming that you have written something better than Śrīdhara Svāmī?” He chastised him. Svāmī means another… He sarcastically remarked, the word svāmī, Śrīdhara Swami, svāmī, another svāmī means “husband.” So He said, svāmī jīva nahi mane besa bali guni(?): “I think one who does not recognize svāmī, he’s a prostitute.” He immediately said. “You do not recognize Śrīdhara Svāmī, then you are a prostitute. How can I hear from a prostitute?” He refused. Only word, that “I have written better than Svāmī.” So this is the process of guru. You cannot disobey the previous ācārya or guru. No. You have to repeat the same thing. Not research. Sometimes rascals come, that “You are speaking the same thing. Why don’t you speak something new by research work?” We say that we have no intelligence, we cannot make any research. We are… Guru more mūrkha dekhi koriyā vicāra [Cc. Ādi 7.71]. Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that “My Guru Mahārāja saw Me a great fool number one.” So one who remains a great fool number one before his guru, he is guru. And one who says that “I’m advanced so much that I can speak better than my guru,” then he’s rascal. This is the process.
760816rc.bom Conversations
Why this Gaudiya Matha failed? Because they tried to become
more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave all direction and
never said that “This man should be the next acarya.” But … the
failure. They never thought, “Why Guru Maharaja gave us instruction so
many things, why he did not say that this man should be acarya?” They
wanted to create artificially somebody … with common sense that if
Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not
say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point?
And they insist upon it. They declared some unfit person to become
acarya. Then another ….
Why this Gaudiya Matha failed? Because they tried to become
more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave all direction and
never said that “This man should be the next acarya.” But … the
failure. They never thought, “Why Guru Maharaja gave us instruction so
many things, why he did not say that this man should be acarya?” They
wanted to create artificially somebody … with common sense that if
Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not
say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point?
And they insist upon it. They declared some unfit person to become
acarya. Then another ….
(Note see how history repeats itself from the Gaudiya matha to present day iskcon-so many unfit persons trying to imitate the position of Maha Bhagavat)
Reporter (2): What will happen to the movement in the United States
when you die?
Prabhupada:I will never die.
Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (laughter)
Prabhupada:I shall live for my books, and you will utilize.
when you die?
Prabhupada:I will never die.
Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (laughter)
Prabhupada:I shall live for my books, and you will utilize.
68-04-12.Day Letter: Dayananda
Regarding parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big
gaps. Just like we belong to the Brahma Sampradaya, so we accept it
from Krishna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva,
Vyasadeva to Madhva, and between Vyasadeva and Madhva there is a big
gap. But it is sometimes said that Vyasadeva is still living, and
Madhva was fortunate enough to meet him directly. In a similar way, we
find in the Bhagavad-gita that the Gita was taught to the sungod, some
millions of years ago, but Krishna has mentioned only three names in
this parampara system–namely, Vivasvan, Manu, and Iksvaku; and so
these gaps do not hamper from understanding the parampara system. We
have to pick up the prominent acaryas, and follow from him. There are
many branches also from the parampara system, and it is not possible
to record all the branches and sub-branches in the disciplic
succession. We have to pick up from the authority of the acharya in
whatever sampradaya we belong to.
Regarding parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big
gaps. Just like we belong to the Brahma Sampradaya, so we accept it
from Krishna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva,
Vyasadeva to Madhva, and between Vyasadeva and Madhva there is a big
gap. But it is sometimes said that Vyasadeva is still living, and
Madhva was fortunate enough to meet him directly. In a similar way, we
find in the Bhagavad-gita that the Gita was taught to the sungod, some
millions of years ago, but Krishna has mentioned only three names in
this parampara system–namely, Vivasvan, Manu, and Iksvaku; and so
these gaps do not hamper from understanding the parampara system. We
have to pick up the prominent acaryas, and follow from him. There are
many branches also from the parampara system, and it is not possible
to record all the branches and sub-branches in the disciplic
succession. We have to pick up from the authority of the acharya in
whatever sampradaya we belong to.
“The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is absent.(SB 2.9.8)
.So we should associate by vibration and not by the physical presence. That is real association. (SPL aug 18,1968)
.Threfore we should take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence, because the vani continues to exist eternally. (Nov 4, 1975)
Just like Krsna can be present simultaneously in millions of places, similarly the spiritual master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of places by the principle or relay monitoring.(letter may 28 1968)
These three statements clearly show which is more important , the guru in a physical form or the guru in the presence of Transcendental SOUND. And there are many more just like these
Follow unauthorized guru-you and he , go to hell
SB 1.19.37 Purport… The Appearance of Sukadeva Gosvami Unless one is perfectly anxious to inquire about the way of perfection, there is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master. A spiritual master is not a kind of decoration for a householder. Generally a fashionable materialist engages a so-called spiritual master without any profit. The pseudo spiritual master flatters the so-called disciple, and thereby both the master and his ward go to hell without a doubt.
72-12-14.Letter: Tusta. Krsna… As for your next question, can only a few pure devotees deliver others, anyone, if he is a pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he on that platform he should not attempt it. Then both of them will to go to hell, like blind men leading the blind.
SB 6.7.14 purport.. Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Brhaspati. Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the path of destruction [as described in the previous verse] are, in effect, boarding a stone boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to float and would sink in the water with its passengers. Similarly, those who mislead people go to hell, and their followers go with them.
Oct 3 1976 Vrndavana
But Kṛṣṇa, as soon as He was accepted by Arjuna as guru… Śiṣyas te ‘haṁ śādhi māṁ prapannam: [Bg. 2.7] “Now, Kṛṣṇa, I accept You as my guru. Not as friend.” Because friendly talking is useless waste of time. He accepted Him as guru. When guru speaks, you cannot argue. That is not the process. You should accept a guru who is infallible. Otherwise it is useless. He accepted guru Kṛṣṇa because Kṛṣṇa is infallible. If we accept guru, a bogus guru, then it is no benefit. Guru means Kṛṣṇa’s representative. Not that everyone can be guru.
Some Conclusions—So Prabhupada says one must accept a guru by following his orders you wont make mistakes-Can anybody in iskcon honestly claim this? No
Srila Prabhupada says the bona fide gure MUST have seen Krsna, not figuratively but personally. Can the iskcon gurus claim this also? No I dont think so.
Srila Prabhupada says unless one has obtained the top most position of Uttama adhikari only he can occupy the seat of guru and NO other. Can anybody in iskcon claim this or do they even know what is an Uttama adhikari?
Can anybody in iskcon claim they are infallible, means make no mistakes? No
Anyway the list is endless of the qualities of the pure devotee of the Lord. But envious persons who want to imitate such a person are meant as Srila Prabhupada writes, for the darkest regions of hell. And their followers go with them so great is this sin against the Lords pure devotee.
It would be better for iskcon to do NOTHING than pose as bona fide gurus, and here is the proof.
(Īśopaniṣad 12)–A person in ignorance of the principles of religion who therefore does nothing in the matter of religion is far better than a person who misguides others in the name of religion without reference to the factual religious principles of devotional service. Such so-called leaders of religion are sure to be condemned by Brahmā and other great authorities.
Nov 4, 1972 lecture
But my Guru Mahārāja used to say that it is better to become a sweeper and honestly earn one’s livelihood than to become a false Bhāgavata reader for earning livelihood. Yes. Because they’ll mislead the whole public. Nobody will improve. And actually we have seen that so many people, they’re very much accustomed to attend the Bhāgavata-saptāha, but they remain in the same darkness as they were. No improvement. That is not possible.
SB 2.8.7 purport…Thus one who is not well versed in the authorized scriptures and not able to answer all such relevant inquiries should not pose as a spiritual master for the matter of material gain. It is illegal to become a spiritual master if one is unable to deliver the disciple.
Srimad-Bhagavatam predicts the appearance of bogus gurus, swamis etc.
SB 12.3.38–TRANSLATION-
Uncultured men will accept charity on behalf of the Lord and will earn their livelihood by making a show of austerity and wearing a mendicant’s dress. Those who know nothing about religion will mount a high seat and presume to speak on religious principles.
PURPORT-The epidemic of bogus gurus, swamis, priests and so forth is explicitly described here
Therefore after reading all the above quotes by your spiritual master Srila Prabhupada you would do well to yourself and all those blind followers in current day Iskcon to give up your false posts as so called Diksa gurus and just admit you are nothing more than siksa gurus, monitor gurus or ritviks-those who repeat verbatim the words without adulteration or concoction of Srila Prabhupada and who dont take on the karma of disciples.
But will you do it and will you understand the guru tattva explained in the above quotes?
For your sake, I hope so
I am waiting for your learned reply to all the points mentioned above.
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das (ACBSP)