Deviations and lies of GBC’s March 1978 Position Paper
Note: Now, this March 1978 paper was written to say that Srila Prabhupada appointed these 11 ritviks to start acting as diksa gurus after his physical presence, which is NOT TRUE.
The entire paper can be read here: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:7f4706fa-7e51-40c1-a709-99c70fc20bd2
To refute such bogus claims, some ridiculous and shocking passages from that paper are taken out which not only offend Srila Prabhupada, but also offend the entire Vaisnava community as a whole. These statements made are completely against the original unrevised teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
One can become a bonafide Guru only when one is properly ordered and authorized, and is fully liberated from the clutches of material nature, not just by wearing a saffron or sitting on the Vyasasana. The Guru is the most confidential servant of Krsna and very dear to him.
“…. One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called dīkṣā–vidhāna…” SB 4.8.54
He must receive the order from the superior. And the superior must be bona fide. Then he’s bona fide, not self-made” (Vrindaban, Oct 31st 1972)
Now these deviations are presented where some excerpts from the 1978 paper are taken.
3. “IN CONSULTATION WITH HIGHER AUTHORITIES (AKA GAUDIYA MATH?)”
Who are these higher authorities? Were they authorized by Srila Prabhupada? Did Srila Prabhupada ever authorize his GBC to consult with “Higher Authorities”? Did Srila Prabhupada ever authorize any “higher authorities” than him in his movement? The GBC, in their collective wisdom, have not offered any credible explanation for this offensive statement.
This consultation was done with the Gaudiya Math advisor (esp. Sridhara Maharaja). Srila Prabhupada had strictly advised to cut off any connection with these people, because they also tried to poison the mission of both Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur as well as that of Srila Prabhupada.
He did not want a Gaudiya Math Part 2, so any consultation with them is poisonous to the functioning and management of Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
“Actually, amongst my Godbrothers no one is qualified to become acarya. So,it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them.” (Letter to Rupanuga, 28/4/74)
“So Sridhara Maharaja and his two associate gentlemen unauthorizedly selected one acarya and later it proved a failure.” (Letter to Rupanuga, 28/4/74)
Letter to: All Temple Presidents, G.B.C. and Sannyasis
17 October, 1975 75-10-1759 Muller Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg, South Africa
Regarding the Gaudiya Math, our position has nothing to do with them. They cannot do anything and if somebody does something, they will be envious. That is the nature of third class men. My Guru Maharaja once told this story; one friend informed another that one man has become the High-Court Judge. “Oh no,” he replied, “No. That cannot be right.” “Yes, he is now a Judge,” said the first friend. “I have seen him sitting on the bench.” The second man replied, “Maybe. But I don’t think he is getting any salary.” Such envious men will find out some fault anywhere. There is no fault, actually, but they will manufacture some fault. That is their business. So many persons were envious of my Guru Maharaja, but He was preaching and did not care for them.
Please offer my blessings to all the other devotees with you in Delhi. Hope this will meet you in good health. SPL to Yamuna devi dasi, November 18, 1970
Dear Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to His Divine Grace, Srila Prabhupad. It has come to our notice that one Godbrother of Srila Prabhupada’s, Swami Bon Maharaj, has been spreading damaging propaganda against Srila Prabhupad and against our movement. Satsvarupa Maharaj recently informed Srila Prabhupad that one Professor in Canada refused to take a standing order of Srila Prabhupad’s books because he associated with Swami Bon at his Oriental Institute in Vrindaban, and Swami Bon so much made untrue accusations against our beloved Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupad. Swami Bon recently made a tour of Canada and Satsvarup Maharaj reported that his statements were “poisonous, saying many false things about Krsna consciousness.” Recently, one professor, Dr. Hines, of Indian Religious Studies at Yale marked: “I think Swami Bon is just jealous of Srila Prabhupad.” Under the circumstances, we shall fully non-cooperate with this Swami Bon and neither we shall form any kind of association with any person whose aim it is to blaspheme the Lord or his pure devotee. I hope that this meets you all in blissful serving mood,
Your unworthy servant, Pusta Krsna SwamiActing Secretary for Srila Prabhupada
Approved:ACBS (initialed by hand) Letter to: All Temple Presidents, G.B.C. and Sannyasis
17 October, 1975 75-10-1759 Muller Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg, South Africa
Gauḍīya Maṭha finished, that…, violated the orders of Guru Mahārāja
As soon as this poison will come—”Suppress guru and I become Brahman”—everything finished. Spiritual life is finished. Gauḍīya Maṭha finished, that…, violated the orders of Guru Mahārāja. Prabhupada Conversations April 20, 1977
There are a lot more things that can be put together but only these are displayed to keep the article in brief. The list will go endless if we compile all those deviations from the past 40+ years. All this is very tragic to 1000s of those who devoted all their lives to the service of Krsna and Srila Prabhupada, but had to leave the movement or were driven out, due to so many bad experiences. Also, those who are now the victims of these things, the loss that is done is very huge. But there is still hope.
If we promise to dedicate our entire life to the service of our Guru (only Srila Prabhupada) and Krsna, we can go back to Home, back to Godhead without even a slightest difficulty. An international alliance of all devotees who fully promise to dedicate their lives to Krsna Consciousness without any desire for sense gratification must be formed as soon as possible, so that by a good association this world shall be delivered thus fulfilling the mission of all previous acaryas.
4. FALSE CLAIMS REGARDING GURU APPOINTMENT
GBC paper states: “… then one day in June he gave his secretary the names of eleven disciples who would be the initiating disciples….
Fact: It was not in June, but on July 9th 1977. The letter of July 9th, 1977 makes no reference whatsoever to the eleven becoming initiating spiritual masters.
GBC paper continues: “… He indicated, as he had said in May, that the rittvik acaryas, named by him would, after his disappearance, continue as initiating spiritual masters…”
Fact: This is a fabrication, the letter of July 9th, 1977 makes no reference whatsoever to the original eleven becoming initiating spiritual masters.
In the first line, it is mentioned that Srila Prabhupada had given the names of future initiators in June 1977, but where is that letter of recommendation? On which day was it given? If it was given, then why is it not made public? Why are the tapes on these discussions not shown to anyone?
Note: What we find is that in the July 9th letter, these 11 devotees were being selected as officiating representatives of Srila Prabhupada. Can these Gurus show us the letter of proof that Srila Prabhupada recommended these 11 to act as initiating spiritual masters in June 1977?
In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada recommending a particular devotee’s initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupad by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of his divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book. Srila Prabhupada’s 07-09-77, Letter to All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents
Srila Prabhupada: “Try to understand. Don’t go very speedily. A guru can become guru when he’s ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can become guru.” Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, October 28, 1975 Nairobi
Note: If anyone is still not convinced by these arguments, then let us hear it from those who have admitted that no such gurus had been appointed.
ISKCON MYTHOLOGY
1980 Pyramid House talks– https://harekrsna.org/topanga-canyon-pyramid-house-talks-1980-classic/
In late 1980 Tamal Krishna Goswami and Hansadutta Swami were travelling around ISKCON, having been suspended as gurus and GBC’s by the GBC body for activities unacceptable to them, such as demanding that his godbrothers must approach Srila Prabhupada through him. They had been relieved of their zones. TKG called for an open discussion at Nrsinghananda’s Pyramid House in Topanga Canyon, CA. on December 3, 1980. Hansadutta, Dhira Krishna, Kirtiraja, Jayadvaita and others were present, and the talk was recorded.]
Tamala Krishna Maharaja: “I’ve had a certain realization a few days ago. (…) There are obviously so many statements by Srila Prabhupada that his Guru Maharaja did not appoint any successors. (…) Even in Srila Prabhupada’s books he says guru means by qualification. (…)
“The point I want to state on that is this realization, and I feel that the GBC body, if they don’t adopt this point very quickly, if they don’t realize this truth: You can’t show me anything on tape or in writing where Prabhupada says, “I appoint these 11 as gurus.” It doesn’t exist because he never appointed any gurus. This is a myth. Everyone is qualified to right now give initiation and you’ll see no blood and pus will fall out of the sky, no thunderbolt will strike you dead…”
[Tamal Krishna talks about Srila Prabhupada’s Ritvik instruction December 3, 1980, Topanga Canyon, California]Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami admits the ISKCON gurus are imitators and fake Gurus –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz37qsyc8-M
He makes a statement at 2:12 that “we’ve flopped as trying to be Gurus”.
All of this gives clear evidence as to what is the truth. Those who demonize Ritviks certainly do have ambitious desires. All those who join ISKCON are first instructed to ridicule the Ritviks and think Srila Prabhupada as “dead”.
5.. FALSE CLAIMS OF NIKUNJA-YUNO STATUS
GBC Paper states: “Now these Godbrothers are worshiped by their disciples as genuine spiritual masters. This means, from example, that they are to be considered, as stated in the Gurv-Astakam, as Nikunja yuno rati keli siddhyai, — intimate assistants in the pastimes of Krishna. how are their old Godbrothers to understand that their fellow Godbrothers has assumed the position of associating with Krishna in this way.”
Really?
6. PUT ON THE UNIFORM AND IT WILL SHOW YOU WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO
GBC report: Once during the war, a patriotic advertisement appeared showing a picture of a military uniform and the saying: “Just take this uniform and the dress will show you what you have to do.” If one is sincere and is given a particular charge or post, he will learn what the duties of that post are….”
Note: Srila Prabhupada did not teach this.
Note: So, this means that one must first become a Guru and then qualifications will come automatically? If any man puts a white coat and a stethoscope and opens a clinic without qualifying MBBS exam, will he be able to cure a patient? One cannot be a first-class doctor without qualifying the required examinations with excellent grades.
Srila Prabhupada states here who can be a Guru.
“A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.” (Translation Noi 1,1975 Edition)
The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class. (Cc. Ch. 24, Txt 330)
“Now, Canakya Pandita gives three things, formula, “If you want to be fortunate, then do these three things.” What is that? Murkha yatra na pujyante: “Do not give any credit to the rascal.” That is first qualification. Don’t be carried away by the rascal. Murkha yatra na pujyante. If you worship a rascal, then your life is spoiled. You must worship a really learned representative of God. That is very good.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.31 San Francisco, July 16, 1975)
Srila Prabhupada: So-called gurus, they are so-called gurus. They are not gurus. That is already explained. If one does not speak what Krsna speaks, he is not guru. If you accept so-called guru, that is your misfortune. What can be done?
Pusta Krsna: Some of them will say some things that Krsna says, but they’ll take from other places also. What is the position of such persons?
Srila Prabhupada: He’s MOST DANGEROUS. He’s MOST DANGEROUS. He is OPPORTUNIST. HE’S FINDING OUT CUSTOMER, SOMETHING HERE… ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMER HE IS GIVING SOMETHING, AS THE CUSTOMERS WILL BE PLEASED. SO, HE IS NOT GURU. He’s a servant. He wants to serve the so-called disciples so that he may be satisfied and pay him something. He’s servant. He’s not guru. Guru is the master. You cannot disobey guru. But if you become a servant, you want to please the disciple by flattering him to get his money, then you are not guru, you are servant. Just like a servant pleases the master. He’s not guru. He’s servant. So, our position should be servant, yes, but servant of the Supreme. So, guru means heavy. You cannot utilize him for satisfying your whims. That is not guru. 760628bj.nv
7. BIRTH OF ZONAL ACARYA CONCOCTION
GBC states: “a delicate situation may arise when in one Iskcon temple there are disciples of different gurus. The natural way to avoid this is for a guru to perform diksa in his own zone. Srila Prabhupada deliberately chose gurus in different parts of the world to arrange for this. But this is only a general principle, and there may also be special arrangements…”
Note: Srila Prabhupada did not set up a zonal acarya system, the 1978 GBC did.
Srila Prabhupada: “…So we shall not think that this is my zone, that is his zone, just like the Indian and Pakistan nation are thinking, and then there is war, no. Lord Caitanya has given us the task to spread His message all over the world, and any process which may be useful for facilitating this business, that we shall gladly adopt, never mind his zone or my zone, that is material designation. But we shall always do everything in cooperative spirit and avoid any fighting amongst us…” SPL to Jagadisa dasa, November 18, 1972
8. ADDITION OF MORE SELF-APPOINTED GURUS?
GBC paper states: ‘Those who are already empowered to initiate will extend the number by their consideration…”
Srila Prabhupada: A disciple of Kali cannot become an ācārya by the decision of some high court. Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaiṣṇava ācārya. A Vaiṣṇava ācārya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgment. A false ācārya may try to override a Vaiṣṇava by a high-court decision, but Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that he is nothing but a disciple of Kali–yuga. Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta. Madhya-Lila 1.220
yuga — millenniums — Sanskrit Dictionaryyuga — millenniums
Srila Prabhupāda: “…We are not talking of so many gurus; we are talking of real guru, that’s all, real guru. Real guru is he who talks in disciplic succession of Kṛṣṇa. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ (BG 4.2). That is guru. The bhumi-phala(?) guru is no guru. Avaiṣṇavo gurur na syāt. Anyone who is not Vaiṣṇava, he’s not guru. First, He says in the Bhagavad-gītā, Bhagavān, ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati (BG 18.68). Find out this. He is guru who is preaching what Kṛṣṇa has taught. He’s guru. Not that anyone and everyone becomes a guru. No. If you want to be cheated by such rascal guru, that is your business, but who is guru, that is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. Anyone who preaches the teachings of Kṛṣṇa, he is guru. Caitanya Mahāprabhu also says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa (CC Madhya 7.128): “You become a guru on My order.” “How shall I become guru? I have no knowledge.” Oh, you don’t require any knowledge to manufacture. Yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa (CC Madhya 7.128): “Simply repeat the instruction of Kṛṣṇa, you become guru.” Everyone can become. The instruction is there. Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66). We say the same thing. Not that “I have become Kṛṣṇa, not . . .” We say “Surrender to Kṛṣṇa.” Then you become guru. Kṛṣṇa’s instruction; not to become Kṛṣṇa. If you want to become Kṛṣṇa, then you are not guru, you are cheater. Suppose you are working for master. If you say, “My master has fixed up this price; you cannot change it,” then you are honest salesman. And if you place yourself that, “I am the master,” then you are cheater. The cheater cannot be teacher. Teacher is he who simply teaches what Kṛṣṇa has said. That’s all. He is teacher. That is not difficult. Anyone can do it. Therefore, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa (CC Madhya 7.128): “Whomever you meet, you simply speak to him the instruction of Kṛṣṇa. Then you become guru.” And if you don’t say that, if you manufacture your own words, then you are cheater, you are not teacher. The so-called gurus, they’re cheater. They want to become Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, they are cheater. And it is very easy thing if you cheat people, that “You take this mantra and you become God.” Is God so easy thing to become God? But they want to be cheated. “Purchasing mantra, I shall become God.” They want to be cheated. They do not think that, “Whether I can actually become God?” They do not take the weight of His existence. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya. So, what is the time now…?” [Prabhupada Conversation – New York-July 11, 1976]
9. MULTIPLE CHOICE GURUS
GBC paper states: “… How does one know who is to be his guru? One must choose according to his sraddha, his faith. A newcomer should be given some time. He should consider to whom he will submit, based on his faith in him. There are five stages in successfully approaching a spiritual master, and the first is to hear (Sravanam)… The second stage is acceptance both by the preceptor and the disciple. Then sadhana, the attempt for realization, will begin. In the beginning, it is an open field the candidate hears, and then the connection should come between guru and disciple. One should take help from senior Vaisnavas so as to avoid error….”
The last line “One should take help from senior Vaisnavas so as to avoid error.” is ludicrous. If all 11 were equally qualified, what error would a person get by cherry picking any of these Gurus?
Srila Prabhupada: Sometimes we display our foolishness by accepting somebody who is barely even educated as our Spiritual Master. That is another sign of our foolishness. It is our duty to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Whose Lotus Feet are worshipped by all the Vedas. One who does not understand that Supreme Personality of Godhead, and is proud of his false understanding of Vedanta, is actually a fool. Mundane attempts at academic knowledge are another foolishness. So long as one cannot understand the cosmic manifestation as a representation of the three modes of material Nature, one must be considered in the darkness of inebriety and caught in the duality of this material world. Actually, a person who is in perfect knowledge of the Vedanta becomes a servitor of the Supreme Lord, who is the Maintainer and Sustainer of the whole cosmic manifestation. So long as one is not transcendental to the service of the limited, he cannot be a person with Vedanta knowledge.
[Chapter 18, TLC,1968 Edition]And how to learn from the spiritual master? “Inquire from him submissively.” You don’t approach a spiritual master whom you can challenge. Then your selection of spiritual master is wrong. If you keep one spiritual master as show bottle, then your selection is not right; it is wrong. The spiritual master . . . you must select a spiritual master where you can bow down your head, “Yes,” submissive. Therefore, you have to see.
[January 12,1969 – Lecture BG 04.34-39 – Los Angeles]There are a lot more things that can be put together but only these are displayed to keep the article in brief. The list will go endless if we compile all those deviations from the past 40+ years. All this is very tragic to 1000s of those who devoted all their lives to the service of Krsna and Srila Prabhupada, but had to leave the movement, or were driven away from the movement, due to so many bad experiences. Also, those who are now the victims of these things, the loss that is done is huge. But there is still hope.
If we promise to dedicate our entire life to the service of our Guru (only Srila Prabhupada) and Krsna, we can go back to home, back to Godhead. An international alliance of all devotees who fully promise to dedicate their lives to Krsna Consciousness without any desire for sense gratification must be formed as soon as possible, so that by a good association this world shall be delivered thus fulfilling the mission of all previous acaryas.
The following conversation states that if our heart is pure, then Srila Prabhupada will direct us from the heart!!
Devotee: Śrīla Prabhupāda, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?
Srila Prabhupāda: Well, the questions are… Answers are there in my books.
Devotee: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in…
Srila Prabhupāda: Yes.
Devotee: Do you direct us also through the heart? Besides the Paramātmā?
Srila Prabhupāda: If your heart is pure. Everything depends on purity.
[Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 13, 1973]Srila Prabhupāda: Yes. Preaching, preaching, you will become perfect preacher. Preach only what you have heard from Kṛṣṇa and guru, that’s all. Don’t add and subtract. Then you are secure. And if you add some concoction, just like somebody says that “I may do whatever I like independently. If I chant, then everything is all right,” this is nonsense addition. It is not the fact. That is the danger. Some inexperienced man, he introduces some concoction. Sometimes they say, “Prabhupāda said it.” [laughs] More misleading.
Devotee: That’s become so common.
Srila Prabhupāda: Yes. Hare Kṛṣṇa. [devotees chanting japa] [end] [Morning Walk, February 3, 1975, Honolulu]