Hari Narayana

I am surprised. This sounds idealistic!

</QUOTE> Other's weakness cannot become one's strength. As far as the path of spiritual advancement is concerned, it works with how much absorption one invovles in his spritual practices with determination. From that one developes purity and empowerment to preach harinama. There is no use in pointing out the mistakes in another camp to try to attract people to one's own camp. It doesn't work that way. And even if it does, it will not last longer.

That shows how someone is fanatic. If he wants to learn it the hard way, who can save him?

The point is not about just taking initiation from another Guru. The actual point is if the person doesn't believe RNS as a pure devotee but still wants to stay there or associate with the devotees there, will he be encouraged? Most likely he will not be. I think that was the point Jndas prabhu was trying to make here.

Yes. What Jndas says is very true. I have been living in South India for the past 15 years since my introduction to ISKCON. If someone doesnt believe in the GURU the temple authorities follow, that person will be gradually eliminated. They authorities never say it openly. But by behavioral actions the message is communicated to the person. Why so much? Even if a follower/disciple of Guru X comes to a temple or happpens to live in a temple where the temple authorities follow Guru Y, (both Guru X and Guru Y are most respected in ISKCON), the Guru Y followers try to give the same message to the follower of Guru X. This follower/disciple will not be given independence to preach or cultivate the congregation. Guess what the fear is? The temple authorities believe, "If this guy is allowed to preach and cultivate, he will get all his cultivates to believe in his Guru rather than our Guru. If it happens then we can't control the devotees according to our whims!" Very True. If someone doesnt believe in Radhanatha Maharaja as a pure devotee or doesnt want to take RNS as guru, and if his intentions are known to the followers of RNS, do you think they will allow this person and encourage him in thier Chowpatty temple? "I wish that each and every Branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate keeping the Acarya in the centre. On this principle we can open any number of Branches all over the world. The Ramakrishna mission works on this principle and thus as organization they have done wonderfully." - Srila Prabhupada's letter to Kirtanananda, February 11, 1967 ISKCON is still far far away from this concept desired by Srila Prabhupada. The GBC may proclaim that they follow Prabhupada. But the reality is different. If one gets to the grass roots in ISKCON (South India), this pulse can be easily felt.