Guest guest Posted July 16, 1999 Report Share Posted July 16, 1999 On 15 Jul 1999, Harsi das wrote: > > Than would that not mean that ISKCON as an institution would be the guru, like the university or other similar institutions for learning? > And its gurus would be "just" teachers of the ISKCON institution, who > deliver us the knowledge of this spiritual institution and connect us > through initiation in this institution to the guru parampara? > The guru/disciple relatinship is ultimately something personal between two individuals. Srila Prabhupada is the founder/acarya of ISKCON, and the devotees in ISKCON who are offering spiritual shelter within his disciplic succession who are acting as representatives of Srila Prabhupada's line. In other words, both the institution and the individual practitioner are attempting to act on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, but intimate spiritual relationships, or any relationships for that matter, are generally experienced between individuals. Obviously, spiritual masters working within ISKCON are doing just that, working within ISKCON, and as well all know all too well, that requires some special effort. ys, Sthita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 1999 Report Share Posted July 18, 1999 Dear Harsi prabhu, PAMHO AGTSP.The following is my reply to some of your points recently posted. > >Than would that not mean that ISKCON as an institution would be the guru, >like the university or other similar institutions for learning? >And its gurus would be "just" teachers of the ISKCON institution, who >deliver us the knowledge of this spiritual institution and connect us >through initiation in this institution to the guru parampara? Interesting.But I think this is an unecessarily complicted view.ISKCON gurus are regular gurus.They just work within an instsitution which is supposed to follow Shrila Prabhupada's instructions and plans to spread this mission as far and wide as possible.The fact that ISKCON gurus do this does not diminish their status as guru. >Can an ISKCON guru still be considered a guru in the clasical vedic sence >spoken of by Krsna, and a link to the guru parampara or is it to be >understood that ISKCON as an institution took over this role? ISKCON as an institution is representing Shrila Prabhupada's will.ISKCON gurus are supposed to be doing the same.Gurus are always needed because eveyone needs spiritual guidance on an individual basis.An institution can NEVER replace that. > > "Your love for me," said Srila Prabhupada, "will be shown by how much >you > > cooperate to keep this institution together after I am gone." This just means keep going on with the preaching mission and my instructions.Prabhupada knew that as long as the institution survived there would still be preaching on a large scale.That's why he emphasised the institution so much.Why did his guru build an institutuon.??For the same reason of course.Beacuse he also knew that a collection of individuals all working together can achieve so much more than even MANY individual efforts. But it doesen't mean that gurus are now obsolete.I honestly don't know where you extract this from Prabahupada's statement. Hope you found this in some way sensible.Hoping this meets you in the best of health.YOur servant and cousin, Nitaicandra das. ____ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 1999 Report Share Posted July 18, 1999 >"WWW: Sthita-dhi-muni (Dasa) SDG (Alachua FL - USA > >On 15 Jul 1999, Harsi das wrote: > > > > > > Than would that not mean that ISKCON as an institution would be the >guru, >like the university or other similar institutions for learning? > > And its gurus would be "just" teachers of the ISKCON institution, who > > deliver us the knowledge of this spiritual institution and connect us > > through initiation in this institution to the guru parampara? > > > > >The guru/disciple relatinship is ultimately something personal between two >individuals. Exactly that's why the guru/discilpe relationship could never be replaced by an institution.It's between 2 individuals as you point out Stitha Dhi prabhu. Srila Prabhupada is the founder/acarya of ISKCON, and the >devotees in ISKCON who are offering spiritual shelter within his disciplic >succession who are acting as representatives of Srila Prabhupada's line. > >In other words, both the institution and the individual practitioner are >attempting to act on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, but intimate spiritual >relationships, or any relationships for that matter, are generally >experienced >between individuals. Obviously, spiritual masters working within ISKCON are >doing just that, working within ISKCON, and as well all know all too well, >that requires some special effort. But it is worth it as it pleases Prabhupada which after all is the perfection of our lives. Your servant and cousin, Nitaicandra das. ____ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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