Violation of the Guru-tattva Principle: Sectarianism and Separatism

Violation of the Guru-tattva Principle: Sectarianism and Separatism

The following are excerpts from various resolutions concerning Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha, as published on the official ISKCON GBC website:

“1. That since all the spiritual knowledge and instruction required is available in Srila Prabhupada’s books and from ISKCON, no ISKCON member shall be allowed to seek spiritual instruction from any other person or institution outside of ISKCON without approval of the GBC body.

2. That any member of ISKCON who willfully disobeys the above order will thereby sever his connection with ISKCON.”

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“1. That devotees who live and work within ISKCON must be initiated in ISKCON except:

a. If someone was previously initiated by a recognized sampradaya who afterwards wants to join and serve in ISKCON under the approval and direction of the local GBC.”

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“Srila Prabhupada is the foundational siksa guru for all ISKCON devotees because he has realized and presented the teachings of the previous acharyas of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya appropriately for the modern age.”

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“A: In obedience to the instruction of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the GBC directs that the members of ISKCON should respect all senior Gaudiya Vaishnavas outside ISKCON, but should not intimately associate with them, personally or through printed or recorded media, for guidance, teaching, instruction, or initiation as their presentation of Krishna consciousness often differs from that of Srila Prabhupada in emphasis, balance and other aspects of both teaching and practice.

B: This resolution is intended to apply categorically to all ISKCON members.  ISKCON leaders’ first responsibility is to give considerate direction, guidance, and counseling to any ISKCON devotees personally affected by this resolution so as to bring them back to the path set by Srila Prabhupada. In any case, those who continue to act in violation of this resolution are subject to sanctions by temple presidents and GBC zonal secretaries, who may exercise their discretion to prohibit any such devotees from living on ISKCON properties or participating in ISKCON functions.

Those who persist in violating this resolution are cautioned they may be reported to the GBC Executive Committee for immediate action or action at the following year’s annual GBC meeting.  The Executive Committee is hereby given authority for the 1995-96 GBC year to suspend any violator from ISKCON.”

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“A person guilty of having recommended or encouraged a member or associate of ISKCON to accept any form of initiation outside of ISKCON or any further initiation or duplicate initiation from someone other than his bona fide ISKCON initiating spiritual master shall be corrected with a censure. If the person guilty is a spiritual authority, he shall incur automatic suspension; and if rectification is not forthcoming, then additional remedial measures may be adopted, including dismissal. If a spiritual authority has failed to discourage a member in his care from accepting re-initiation or renouncing his spiritual master, he shall be corrected with a suitable remedy.”

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“6. He will follow ISKCON Law 7.2.4. (passed in 1993) and in addition will not allow any new persons to come and stay in the temple if such person has any kind of interest or loyalty to the Gaudiya Math institution.”

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Our comment: Given the breadth of this topic, readers are invited to consult Śrī Guru and His Grace by Śrīla Bhakti Rakṣaka Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Mahārāja.