Faith in guru
Question:
How can a disciple develop full faith in his guru when we hear so many different accusations among disciples of Srila Prabhupada?
Also every now and then we can notice that personal behavior of different devotees, in different situations, does not represent fully the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada’s position is clear enough. But, how, at present, when some of the gurus fall down despite being actively engaged in many services for Srila Prabhupada’s mission, can an aspiring devotee recognize a guru who is empowered by Krsna?
Can you give any evidence that Srila Prabhupada is still actively looking after ISKCON?
What should a devotee who has full faith (trust) in Srila Prabhupada but lacks faith (trust) in his followers do?
Bhakta Nitay
Answer:
Dear Bhakta Nitay,
Hare Krsna!
Thank you for your intelligent questions.
Srila Prabhupada once said that we can learn from the Rama Krishna Mission how to keep the Acarya in the center. If we all study Srila Prabhupada’s books, listen to his lectures, read his letters and conversation books, see his videos, hear from those who knew him personally, etc… then we will come to know and love him also, and thus become his true followers.
When we are strong in this regard then we can judge others, even our own guru, according to this standard. After all guru means one who follows his guru. Without that qualification no one can be guru. So if someone is claiming to be a disciple or follower of Srila Prabhupada but we see that he or she is not following the standard given to all of us by Srila Prabhupada then we have a right, even a duty, to question them. And if we are not satisfied by their answers then we can approach our GBC man with our doubts. In Iskcon all gurus are under the authority of the GBC body.
So this answers your first point, we can have full faith in our guru or anyone if we see that they are fully representing the teachings of Srila Prabhupada in all situations. Of course we should be intelligent enough not to associate with those who are envious of the Vaisnavas. That again requires are own qualification. Generally a Vaisnava does not like to accuse others or find faults in them, if someone relishes this faultfinding business then we should avoid their association.
As Srila Prabhupada said about himself, “I took the order of my spiritual master as my life and soul.” Because of that he became empowered by Krsna. So let us all take Srila Prabhupada’s order to show our love for him by working cooperatively together to push on his mission. Then we will be empowered, individually and collectively.
Recently I gave a class in our temple in Minsk where there was about 200 people in attendance. I asked the question, “How many of you have had dreams in which Srila Prabhupada came to you? Over half the people there raised their hands. One was saying how he was becoming hopeless after his guru Harikesa fell down. He was thinking how can I be Krsna conscious when he who is so much more advanced then me has given it up. In the dream Srila Prabhupada was telling him strongly, “Why are you hopeless. Don’t you know that I am here for you.” This was just one temple, and one person but this is happening all over the world…… Srila Prabhupada Ki jay!
Even if we lack full faith in someone, still we should be ready to cooperate with them for preaching. They may not be perfect but if they are sincerely taking the process of sadhana bhakti seriously then they should be considered saintly. Of course we should personally associate and reveal our minds to those who we have more faith in.
I hope this finds you in a happy serving mood.
Sincerely,
Trivikrama Swami
