18-05-04, 07:43 PM
The Rtvik school-of-thought came into existence as the result of
careful study, by a number of devotees, of certain letters and
recorded conversations of Srila Prabhupada's arrangements for ISKCON
initiations to continue without requiring his actual physical
presence.
These arrangements slightly expanded on, and clarified the process
as it was already being conducted at the time of the associated
conversations and letters, and are in complete accord with his
instructions on the subject throughout the body of his writings.
The Ritvik conclusion is that the initiation process Srila
Prabhupada established should continue unchanged - even after his
disappearance from our material vision - based on those well-
documented arrangements.
It is the Rtvik belief that Srila Prabhupada continues to directly
accept disciples through the intercession of Rtvik priests.
This conclusion is very controversial because it appears to be a
philosophical departure from the lineage's process of initiation.
Yet Srila Prabhupada is known for his merciful liberality in
propagating the world-wide Krishna Consciousness movement.
It is admitted by everyone, including those who disagree with the
Rtvik proposition, that he made numerous significant changes to
historically-accepted policies, in favor of his devotees' spiritual
well-being and success.
For an increasing number of devotees, Rtvik initiation may offer a
potentially valid means of diksa, as a qualified Rtvik initiator
does not intend, or claim, to be the recipient's spiritual master -
nor even the actual initiator.
A qualified Rtvik initiator is best-described as an initiated
disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who fully understands, and openly
expresses oneself to be merely the physically-present "conduit" of
the transcendental mystery of diksa.
Such a person humbly admits that it is Srila Prabhupada who actually
initiates and accepts the qualified student as his own worshipful
disciple thus becoming their eternal spiritual master.
Also, there are no subsequent extraordinary spiritual and karma-
ameliorating connections between the Rtvik initiator and the person
receiving initiation. These "guru-disciple" ties are eternally bound
between Srila Prabhupada, as spiritual master, and the reciptient,
as his disciple.
A Rtvik initiator must, of course, be well-versed in Krishna
Conscious philosophy as revealed by Srila Prabhupada, and living in
a manner which consistantly demonstrates an honest, successful
effort to abide by Srila Prabhupada's perfect instructions.
It is the Rtvik initiator's duty to remain absolutely free of even
the barest hint of envy, greed or egoism as they act in behalf of
Srila Prabhupada before, during and after passing an initiation.
Such weaknesses can materially taint the initiatory process itself,
and limit the potential spiritual progress of the recipient.
Naturally, a Rtvik, as any other sincere devotee, may be accepted as
a siksa guru - as long as they are presenting Krsna Consciousness as
it is.
Being a "qualified student" includes having carefully studied Krsna
Consciousness as revealed by Srila Prabhupada, accepting and
sincerely attempting to follow his instructions, understanding
oneself to be a presently temporarily-embodied eternal spirit-soul
servant of Lord Krishna, and unconditionally accepting Srila
Prabhupada as their spiritual master forever. It is also the
student's duty to carefully choose an appropriate Rtvik initiator,
so as to ensure receiving an untainted initiation.
Hare Krishna.
(offered to the good devotees by Krsnadasa dasa & Rukmini-Devi dasi)
Please visit At The Center: an association for gentle, non-fanatical Rtvik devotees:
http://ATC108.tripod.com/
careful study, by a number of devotees, of certain letters and
recorded conversations of Srila Prabhupada's arrangements for ISKCON
initiations to continue without requiring his actual physical
presence.
These arrangements slightly expanded on, and clarified the process
as it was already being conducted at the time of the associated
conversations and letters, and are in complete accord with his
instructions on the subject throughout the body of his writings.
The Ritvik conclusion is that the initiation process Srila
Prabhupada established should continue unchanged - even after his
disappearance from our material vision - based on those well-
documented arrangements.
It is the Rtvik belief that Srila Prabhupada continues to directly
accept disciples through the intercession of Rtvik priests.
This conclusion is very controversial because it appears to be a
philosophical departure from the lineage's process of initiation.
Yet Srila Prabhupada is known for his merciful liberality in
propagating the world-wide Krishna Consciousness movement.
It is admitted by everyone, including those who disagree with the
Rtvik proposition, that he made numerous significant changes to
historically-accepted policies, in favor of his devotees' spiritual
well-being and success.
For an increasing number of devotees, Rtvik initiation may offer a
potentially valid means of diksa, as a qualified Rtvik initiator
does not intend, or claim, to be the recipient's spiritual master -
nor even the actual initiator.
A qualified Rtvik initiator is best-described as an initiated
disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who fully understands, and openly
expresses oneself to be merely the physically-present "conduit" of
the transcendental mystery of diksa.
Such a person humbly admits that it is Srila Prabhupada who actually
initiates and accepts the qualified student as his own worshipful
disciple thus becoming their eternal spiritual master.
Also, there are no subsequent extraordinary spiritual and karma-
ameliorating connections between the Rtvik initiator and the person
receiving initiation. These "guru-disciple" ties are eternally bound
between Srila Prabhupada, as spiritual master, and the reciptient,
as his disciple.
A Rtvik initiator must, of course, be well-versed in Krishna
Conscious philosophy as revealed by Srila Prabhupada, and living in
a manner which consistantly demonstrates an honest, successful
effort to abide by Srila Prabhupada's perfect instructions.
It is the Rtvik initiator's duty to remain absolutely free of even
the barest hint of envy, greed or egoism as they act in behalf of
Srila Prabhupada before, during and after passing an initiation.
Such weaknesses can materially taint the initiatory process itself,
and limit the potential spiritual progress of the recipient.
Naturally, a Rtvik, as any other sincere devotee, may be accepted as
a siksa guru - as long as they are presenting Krsna Consciousness as
it is.
Being a "qualified student" includes having carefully studied Krsna
Consciousness as revealed by Srila Prabhupada, accepting and
sincerely attempting to follow his instructions, understanding
oneself to be a presently temporarily-embodied eternal spirit-soul
servant of Lord Krishna, and unconditionally accepting Srila
Prabhupada as their spiritual master forever. It is also the
student's duty to carefully choose an appropriate Rtvik initiator,
so as to ensure receiving an untainted initiation.
Hare Krishna.
(offered to the good devotees by Krsnadasa dasa & Rukmini-Devi dasi)
Please visit At The Center: an association for gentle, non-fanatical Rtvik devotees:
http://ATC108.tripod.com/