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First initiation standards
1) Sadhana
a) Sixteen rounds and four regulative
principles
b) Rising early (4 - 6.30am)
c) Morning Programme:
i) Performing simple arati at home altar
ii) Chanting four rounds minimum before leaving for
work (Srila Prabhupada asked his disciples to chant
eight before ten o' clock, but not to chant while
driving)
d) Study Srila Prabhupada's books daily - at
least thirty minutes
e) Maintain devotional dress and tilaka
during worship at home and visiting the temple
2) Service
Regular service to the temple (minimum two hours
once a week)
Menial service once a month (for instance cleaning,
kitchen, shop, gardens)
3) Sanga Group
You are required to be a member of a local Sanga
group. Each person must have a counsellor and be in
regular communication with that person.
4) Sankirtan
Required to perform two hours local door-to-door
preaching or home visits or outreach programme at
least once every two weeks.
5) Contribution
If working, one is required to make a regular
monetary contribution to their local temple.
6) Morning Programme
Minimum is to take part in a full morning programme
at the temple once a month
7) 13 Questions
Give satisfactory answers to ISKCON GBC 13
questions. Checked by the counsellor.
8) Sadhana Chart
Weekly submit Sadhana Chart to their counsellor via
email or printed copy.
9) Spiritual Master and Disciple Course
Complete full course.
SHORT CHECKLIST FOR COUNSELLORS
1. Candidates must develop relationship with
Srila Prabhupada, chant 16 rounds and follow the 4
regulative principles for minimum of 1 year
2. Then they should undertake a one-day
course on guru-disciple relationship; at the end of
the course they should take the 13 Questions test
3. Then they can start developing a
relationship with a particular guru, begin
correspondence with that guru and ask relevant
questions under the guidance of a counsellor,
lasting minimum 6 months
4. Then they can start chanting guru's
pranama mantra, lasting minimum 6 months
5. Then they can be recommended to Board of
Counsellors for first initiation
Please note candidates cannot be put forward for
initiation less than two weeks prior to the
initiation. Also all candidates must have written
consent from the legislative body of the Temple they
are associated with.
GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELLEES ON CHOOSING A DIKSA
GURU
1. Regard Srila Prabhupada as guru in the
first instance (study his books and discuss
questions that he has with his counsellor and other
experienced devotees)
2. Learn about the qualities of a bona fide
guru
3. Learn how to submissively hear and
properly inquire from a guru, according to Vaisnava
etiquette
4. Attend classes and listen to lectures by
various gurus and discuss with the counsellor his
feelings and thoughts about the different gurus
5. Learn what attraction to a guru is due to
sentiment and what is due to intelligent
discrimination (if necessary). Over time one guru is
likely to have a more prominent influence on his
spiritual life.
13 Questions
1) What are the qualifications of a bona fide
spiritual master?
2) Why are you convinced to follow the orders
of the spiritual master in this life, and even life
after life?
3) Why does one worship the spiritual master
like God?
4) Do you believe the spiritual master speaks
the Absolute Truth? If so, why?
5) Under what circumstances should the
spiritual master be rejected?
6) What are the qualifications and
responsibilities of a disciple?
7) What is the unique position of Srila
Prabhupada in ISKCON?
8) Why do you accept Lord Krsna as the
Supreme Personality of Godhead?
9) Why do we follow the four regulative
principles?
10) Why do we chant Hare Krsna?
11) What is the position of the GBC Body?
12) Explain the difference between the body
and the self.
13) What is ISKCON, and why should one remain
in ISKCON?
Second Initiation Standards
1. For at least one year after first
initiation, continues fulfilling all requirements
for first initiation.
2. Continually develops good relationships
with other devotees.
3. Demonstrates the qualities of a brahmana (Bg
18.42) and a tendency to continually improve in
those qualities.
4. Practices the threefold austerity of the
mode of goodness, as described in Bg 17.14-16
5. Exemplifies religious principles to the
public, representing ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada.
6. Fits into and represents ISKCON's
organisational structure; i.e., GBC to Regional
Governing Bodies (and similar local councils),
Temple Presidents, etc.
7. Has read the following of Srila
Prabhupada's books: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad
Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta, Nectar of Devotion,
Nectar of Instruction and Isopanisad.
8. Has passed either the ISKCON UK
Brahminical Test or the VTE Bhakti Sastri exam.
9. One should actively assist in some
preaching or outreach activity.
10. One should perform some service for the
Deities through the Deity Department on a regular
basis (e.g., transfers, dressing Srila Prabhupada) |
