Difficult questions 2
Questions:
1. If Srila Prabhupada is still looking after his organization, correcting his disciples, but we still have to face different mistakes, how can we develop faith that those devotees follow Srila Prabhupada and are sincere?
Answer: We should have faith as much as we are convinced that they are sincere followers of Srila Prabhupada. That we have to ascertain by coming to know Srila Prabhupada more and more.
2. What about cooperation with such people?
Answer: In general we should try to cooperate with all sincere devotees. If however someone is undermining our faith in Srila Prabhupada then we are under no obligation to cooperate with them.
3. In the answer for my first question you mention the standard using which we should judge others. Could you be more precise what this standard is? Currently we can notice great differences in the standards presented by different gurus and other Srila Prabhupada’s disciples regarding their personal spiritual life as well as preaching (sadhana, women issue, education, homosexuals issue, etc.).
Answer: I don’t see any great differences in the standards presented by different gurus. Of course we are all individuals so there is bound to be some difference of opinion on some details…but not on principles. For instance you mention homosexuals, but there can not be any guru who is in favor of men having sex with each other, because our principle is no illicit sex. This is a dharma given by God, so no man can change religious principles, but details may be adjusted according to time a circumstance.
4. My question arises from the fact that a kanistha neofite bhakta doesn’t have full understanding and maturity that allow him to properly judge and be saved from mentality of fault finding or from being a fanatical follower.
Answer: This is a good point. The only solution is for us not to remain as kanisthas. Sincerely read and follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, cooperate with his true followers, and then Krishna will help you to avoid this danger of being either a fault finder or a fanatic.
5. I’m also curious where all these differences in opinions and personal behaviour among gurus come from?
Answer: Because we are all unique individuals, not robots, but on principles of religion there should be no differences. It may also be that some are simply wrong.
6. Another point is that judging one’s own guru seems to be contradictory to sastra and the example of Lord Caitanya who always presented Himself as a fool in front of His spiritual master. Shouldn’t a disciple have such a consiousness?
Answer: Lord Caitanya’s spiritual master was Isvara Puri, an uttama-adhikary pure devotee of the Lord. What if there are no such pure devotees on the planet at this time? Don’t we have a right to examine those who are initiating us according to the standard set by the recognized uttama-adhikary Srila Prabhupada?
Your sincerely,
Trivikrama Swami
