Guest guest Posted September 1, 2003 Report Share Posted September 1, 2003 QUALIFICATIONS OF A BONA FIDE DISCIPLE -From the GBC book on Deity Worship The Hari-bhakti-vilasa lists the following qualifications for a bona fide disciple, who may be trained and engaged in Deity worship: He should be devoted to the lotus feet of the spiritual master. He should be fully capable of upholding the vows made to the spiritual master. He should be engaged day and night in the Lord's service with body, mind and words. He should be desirous of knowing the Absolute Truth. He should be spotless in character, truthful, gentle and polite, pleasing in appearance and intelligent. He should show proper respect to elders, to initiated Vaisnavas and to the Lord; he should observe silence concerning material subjects and should have control of his senses. He should have no attraction for committing sinful activities. The bona fide disciple should not possess the following characteristics: He should not be lazy, dirty, sickly, continually afflicted or lamenting, angry, proud, lusty or coveting material desires. He should not show the enjoying mood; he should not indulge in sinful activities such as taking meat, intoxication, gambling or illicit sex; he should not earn a living by unjust means. He should not use vulgar or coarse language, should not be critical of others, and should not be miserly, malicious, devious or envious; he should not give pain to others or be addicted to cruel activities. He should not be ignorant, nor should he be proud of material learning; he should not indulge in non-Vaisnava philosophies; he should not be addicted to over-eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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