Straightforward Answer

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhakta Deepak, PAMHO. AGTSP!

 

> “So even when using the 3rd person plural "We" and "Our" in the quotes

> cited above, Srila Prabhupada can ONLY be referring to himself and his

> representatives. And we know that in each case, it is Srila Prabhupada

> that is giving diksa - not his representatives!”

 

I do not agree with the last sentence. I would agree with "it WAS Srila

Prabhupada that WAS giving diksa".

 

> So if you accept that Srila Prabhupada CAN still act as a diksa guru NOW,

> what sort of disciplic succession are you advocating? One with Srila

> Prabhupada and his disciples initiating simultaneously? This seems rather

> bizarre. Either Srila Prabhupada is the initiating guru NOW, or he has

> been succeeded by his disciples.

 

Is Narada Muni still initiating disciples simultaneously with Vyasadeva and

others in our sampradaya? Or did he stop it when Vyasadeva started

initiating?

 

> Please could you repost the EXACT verbatim email where I apparently say:

 

You did not say it literally as I wrote it.

 

> ”The quotes I provided from Srila Prabhupada's books are describing the

> exact system that was in place when Srila Prabhupada was on the planet -

> the system in which he was the sole initiator. Thus if we are to properly

> follow the books we would have to reconstruct the same system that was in

> place when they were written.

 

Why? Srila Prabhupada is no longer here, so we cannot reconstruct the same

system.

 

> “In Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential

> disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then HE IS given

> the name of a Vaisnava servant and INITIATED to chant the Hare Krsna

> maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta,

> Madhya-lila, 24:330, purport)

 

Yes, I was also referring to this quote. In another quote it says "he

receives the sacred thread" (Maydhya 15.108).

 

> - then I would ask you: WHO is actually giving the initiation? You have

> to be initiated by SOMEONE! You say “he is initiated” simply means “he is

> initiated” – but BY WHOM?

 

By a diksa guru. In 1975 this was Srila Prabhupada.

 

> >“I agree with you that the initiation system described in the books

> >should not be changed”.

>

> So if you agree with me on this point, then Srila Prabhupada should still

> be the initiating guru.

 

The system that I agree with does not say that Srila Prabhupada is the only

diksa guru. That is your interpretation.

 

ys Ramakanta dasa