Notice from the GBC Executive Committee

[Guest guest]

Status of Harikesa dasa

 

Tuesday, December 8th, 1998

 

On August 12th, 1998 the GBC executive committee issued a statement

on the status of Harikesa dasa acting as an initiating spiritual master in

ISKCON. At that time he was put on probation, with the hope that his

difficulties would be of a temporary nature. It now appears that his lack

of faith in Srila Prabhupad and his inability to represent the standards

and teachings of our disciplic succession and Vedic shastra are deep and on-

going. Thus we are obliged, according to ISKCON law and out of care

and concern for those initiated by Harikesa dasa, to suspend him as a

guru in ISKCON. This status will be reviewed again and adjusted accord-

ingly at the Mayapur annual meetings in February of 1999.

 

The August 12th decision to place Harikesa dasa on probation came with

a set of guidelines for rectification. To date there has been no positive

or encouraging movement in this direction, rather it appears that he is

moving farther away from Srila Prabhupad and Vedic standards and phi-

losophy. Therefore we are obliged to make this statement.

 

We recognize that this is a very painful and troubling situation for those

initiated by Harikesa dasa. We are all fortunate that there is always the

security and shelter of Srila Prabhupada's books, his personal example,

his service, the Deities, and above all the association of the Vaishnavas.

Taking shelter in these will protect you spiritually in these difficult

times.

 

There is no doubt that Srila Prabhupada will extend his special mercy to

all of you to help you in your progress back home, back to Godhead.

 

In the way of practical application, the status of suspension means that

it is not longer considered appropriate to offer the standard worship given

to a guru in good standings. There should be no conflict because Hari-

kesa dasa himself has repeatedly stated that he no longer wishes to be

seen in the role of a spiritual master.

 

We in ISKCON appreciate Harikesa dasa for his many past accomplish-

ments in devotional service and join you in prayers that he will one day

revive his full faith in Srila Prabhupad and the ability to work within the

standards and system of mangement Srila Prabhupad, as the founder/

acharya of ISKCON personally established.

 

Your servants,

 

Ravindra Svarupa dasa, Sesa dasa, and Badrinarayan dasa

 

PS: See "attachment" for the appropriate ISKCON laws

 

 

ATTACHMENT:

 

Authority for this decision

 

ISKCON Lawbook

 

6.4.4.2 Emergency Reports

 

If any approved guru has:

1. taken reinitiation/shelter of a non-ISKCON guru or institution;

2. rejected ISKCON or Srila Prabhupada; or

3. undergone a change of service, of arama, or of living situation,

which the local GBC member feels threatens to hamper the approved

guru's ability to give guidance or to set a proper standard of conduct for

disciples, then the GBC member shall submit an emergency report to the

Executive Committee. If possible, this report shall include a written

statement from the guru in question as to his intentions in regard to his

disciples and his devotional service.

 

If not possible, then the report shall at least include a description of

the approved guru's intentions as best they can be discerned through the

investigation of the GBC member.

 

The report shall also contain any other information which would be of value

to the GBC Body in determining the guru's status, as well as the

recommendations of the local Temple Presidents, zonal councils, etc.

 

The Executive Committee shall review the emergency reports and take any

necessary action.

 

6.4.5.3 Suspension

If a guru blatantly ignores the terms of probation, or repeatedly breaks

one or more of the regulative principles, or acts in a manner which seri-

ously and harmfully disregards existing ISKCON or GBC policies, or

leaves his arama of sannyasa without authorization, or leaves the associ-

tion of devotees and the ISKCON movement, or completely deviates from

standard sadhana, he may be suspended. If a guru is suspended he cannot

give initiation, nor maintain an absolute siksa position in relation with

his disciples, nor be introduced as a spiritual master, nor perform his guru

functions such as receiving guru-puja or the acceptance of daksina.

 

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