IRM, ISKCON Reforma Movement
November 14 , 2007
Hare Krishna.
The IRM, ISKCON Reform Movement, is actually not an organization within ISKCON, but rather a separate organization of devotees that do not follow the leadership of ISKCON established by Srila Prabhupada. From the perspective of ISKCON this IRM's understanding of guru is not in accordance with guru parampara, those instructions coming down directly from Lord Krishna through His direct disciplic succession. They basically accept a theory that A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acarya of ISKCON is the only spiritual master, even for new devotees just coming to this Krishna Consciousness movement, akin to the Christian concept that Lord Jesus Christ is the only way.
However, we understand from the teachings of Srila Prabhupada as presented in his books and all the recorded media made while he was manifest, that he personally never gave any instruction that he was to remain the initiating guru for everyone who would ever come to Krishna Consciousness in the future. Quite to the contrary he expressed both in his books and verbal instruction that he desired the all his disciples become qualified spiritual masters and continue this disciplic succession as it has been done since time immemorial, by their personally becoming guru.
Additionally the IRM has adopted a practice of criticizing all the leaders of ISKCON in a very personal way. This criticism of Krishna's devotees is not only atypical of accepted vaishnava etiquette but extremely dangerous to ones spiritual advancement. I can only recommend that you be very cautious in associating with members or proponents of this splinter group.
Hoping this finds you in good health.
Sincerely,
Dulal Chandra dasa
The IRM, ISKCON Reform Movement, is actually not an organization within ISKCON, but rather a separate organization of devotees that do not follow the leadership of ISKCON established by Srila Prabhupada. From the perspective of ISKCON this IRM's understanding of guru is not in accordance with guru parampara, those instructions coming down directly from Lord Krishna through His direct disciplic succession. They basically accept a theory that A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acarya of ISKCON is the only spiritual master, even for new devotees just coming to this Krishna Consciousness movement, akin to the Christian concept that Lord Jesus Christ is the only way.
However, we understand from the teachings of Srila Prabhupada as presented in his books and all the recorded media made while he was manifest, that he personally never gave any instruction that he was to remain the initiating guru for everyone who would ever come to Krishna Consciousness in the future. Quite to the contrary he expressed both in his books and verbal instruction that he desired the all his disciples become qualified spiritual masters and continue this disciplic succession as it has been done since time immemorial, by their personally becoming guru.
Additionally the IRM has adopted a practice of criticizing all the leaders of ISKCON in a very personal way. This criticism of Krishna's devotees is not only atypical of accepted vaishnava etiquette but extremely dangerous to ones spiritual advancement. I can only recommend that you be very cautious in associating with members or proponents of this splinter group.
Hoping this finds you in good health.
Sincerely,
Dulal Chandra dasa