Whereas in 1990 the GBC Body ruled that the doctrine called the
“posthumous ritvik theory” or “post-samadhi ritvik theory” (hereinafter
called “ritvikism”) is a “dangerous philosophical deviation” and
prohibited its teaching and practice in ISKCON, and
Whereas the decision of the GBC Body has been recorded in the ISKCON Law Book under the heading “Specifically Outlawed Doctrines and Practices”, as follows:
“6.4.7.2 ’Posthumous Ritvik’ Doctrine
“The doctrine that Srila Prabhupada continues to initiate direct diksa disciples after his departure from this world through officiating priests (ritviks) is a dangerous philosophical deviation. It is totally prohibited in ISKCON. No devotee shall participate in such posthumous ritvik initiation ceremonies in any capacity including acting as ritvik, initiate, assistant, organizer, or financier. No ISKCON devotee shall advocate or support its practice.”
And,
Whereas a number of devotees in and around ISKCON, some of whom hold positions in ISKCON as managerial and spiritual authorities, have begun again to practice and preach a refurbished version of ritvikism, and
Whereas the GBC Body has again carefully examined the case for ritvikism as currently presented, having had representatives meet at various times and places with its advocates to hear them make their case, and has, as a body sitting in plenary session on 9 February, 1999, carefully heard the case personally advocated by Adridharan Prabhu, president of Calcutta temple, Sattvik Prabhu, vice-president of Calcutta temple, and Madhu Pandita Prabhu, president of Bangalore temple, and
Whereas the GBC Body has given the current versions of ritvikism careful attention and all due deliberation to the best of its ability:
Be it hereby resolved THAT
1) The GBC Body states that it finds the arguments for ritvikism as represented to it by Madhu Pandita Dasa and other of his associates, and as preached by them around the world, to be erroneous in its conclusion as well as specious and sophistical in its conduct. The case for ritvikism is false and duplicitous in its method of procedure and in its selection and use of evidence. It depends heavily on speculation and word-jugglery. It presents it’s radical and speculative departures from the consistent teachings of Srila Prabhupada, his predecessor acaryas, Srila Vyasadeva, and the Lord Himself, under the name of “tradition” and “no change.” The effect of these arguments is only to bewilder, delude, and misguide innocent devotees from the teaching set forth by Krishna and upheld without exception by all Vaisnava acaryas.
2) The GBC Body reaffirms strongly its resolution of 1990 entitled “Prohibition Order Against the Posthumous Ritvik Theory.”
3) ISKCON Law 6.4.7.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“6.4.7.2 ‘Ritvikism’ aka ‘Posthumous Ritvik Theory,’ ‘Post-Samadhi-Ritvik Theory,’ ‘Proxy Initiation Theory,’ ‘No Change Theory,’ etc.
“The doctrine that Srila Prabhupada desired to continue to act as diksa guru after his departure from this world and did not desire any of his disciples to give diksa in succession after him is a dangerous philosophical deviation. Ritvikism directly goes against the principle of parampara itself (of successive diksa and siksa gurus), which sustains the pure teachings and practices of Krishna consciousness. This principle has been established by Krishna and is upheld by all Vaisnava acaryas. Indeed, it is accepted by all followers of Vedic culture. Ritvikism is thus an extreme deviation. It is utterly erroneous to espouse it, deluding and misguiding to teach it, and blasphemous to attribute it to Srila Prabhupada. No one who espouses, teaches, supports in any way, or practices ritvikism can be a member in good standing of ISKCON.”
4) The GBC acknowledges that this Body has since 1977 made changes in the manner in which initiations are carried out in ISKCON, is contemplating changes at present, and may well make changes in the future. However, the GBC Body maintains that these changes concern practical adjustments according to time, place, and object undertaken in the application of absolute, unchanging principle. Ritvikism contravenes absolute, unchanging principle. Hence it is categorically different from the permissible adjustments within the power of the GBC Body. In spite of its adjustments, the GBC Body has held steadily to the principle of parampara and remains committed to it, for it is the teaching of Srila Prabhupada and his predecessors, and it is a necessity in the matter of sustaining a living tradition. [All sections of 301 passed unanimously.]
[LAW] ENFORCEMENT OF ISKCON LAW REGARDING RITVIKISM
Whereas a number of devotees in and around ISKCON have begun again to practice and preach “ritvikism,” even though it is prohibited by ISKCON Law as a “dangerous philosophical deviation,” and
Whereas Among those espousing or preaching ritvikism there are several who hold positions in ISKCON as managerial or spiritual authorities,
It is hereby resolved THAT:
1) The GBC Body unequivocally rejects in principle any proposals that rivikism be in some manner or another accommodated or tolerated within ISKCON. [Passed unanimously.]
2) The GBC Body hereby makes known it’s strong determination to enforce ISKCON law in the matter of ritvikism, and it enjoins upon all its members and other official bodies, officers, and other authorities in ISKCON, such as Regional Governing Boards, regional secretaries, GBC ministers, sannyasis, initiating gurus, temple presidents, and temple officers, the responsibility to take every appropriate action, according to ISKCON law, to enforce the prohibition against ritvikism in ISKCON. [Passed unanimously]
3) A. The GBC Body declares that to espouse or preach ritvikism includes the following censurable offenses under the provision of ISKCON Law (8.4.1. 3):
1. Conscious and serious philosophical deviation from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings
2. Willful violation of GBC Body resolutions
B. Further, the GBC Body hereby rules that in relation to the espousal of ritvikism these offenses are of a sufficiently serious nature as to warrant immediate imposition of the penalty of probation, including its attendant program for rectification.
C. Further, the GBC Body hereby empowers the Executive Committee for the year 1999-2000 to place any ISKCON member who espouses ritvikism on probation, and, in consultation with that member’s immediate local authority or local GBC member, to establish a specific program of rectification, as provided in ISKCON Law 8.4.2.2, which can include
1. Disciplinary or remedial transfer to another location.
2. Reformatory change of service.
3. Prohibited for visiting or living in a specified temple or community.
4. Specific spiritual remedial programs.
5. A divestiture of certain actions for the period of probation.
6. Reasonable and just reformatory programs.
4). The GBC Body hereby undertakes the following actions with respect to the following members who are public advocates of ritvikism in ISKCON, who currently hold positions of managerial or spiritual authority in ISKCON, and who have heretofore rejected all appeals and reasoning by ISKCON authorities to conform to ISKCON Law
1. Adridharan Dasa, President of ISKCON Calcutta
2. Sattvik Dasa, Vice-president of ISKCON Calcutta
3. Madhu Pandita Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore
4. Cancalapati Dasa, Vice-President of ISKCON Bangalore
5. Sunder Gopal Dasa, leader in Singapore
6. Navayogendra Swami, initiating guru
7. Jayadvaja Swami, sannyasi
Whereas the GBC Body wishes to empower the Executive Committee of 1999-2000 to deal with these members appropriately, through as much dialogue and negotiation as possible, And, at the same time, it wishes to empower the committee with the ability to provide a system of rectification or to expel any of these members from ISKCON if it deems necessary because of developments during the course of the year,
Therefore, be it also resolved THAT:
A. The GBC Body, by a required two-thirds (2/3) minimum vote, expresses its judgement that the actions of these seven above listed persons are already so extreme as to meet two of the requirements for expulsion from ISKCON: a) they are openly deviating from the fundamental tenets of the Society’s teaching, and b) they are openly and flagrantly antagonistic to the GBC Body and other ISKCON authority.
B. In consideration of the above findings the individuals Adridharan Das, Sattvik Das, Madhu Pandita Dasa, Cancalapati Dasa and Navayogendra Swami, as above listed, being members of ISKCON India, are hereby deemed as unfit to be members of ISKCON India. This shall take effect after 31 March, 1999, unless the Executive Committee of the GBC Body deems them rectified sufficiently to remain as ISKCON members and issues a written statement to that effect.
C. The GBC Body, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, in accordance with GBC Rules of Order, empowers the GBC Executive Committee to censure, put on probation, suspend or expel from ISKCON and its affiliates the above mentioned seven devotees both as members and as officers, as it deems appropriate and warranted without the necessity of further authorization from the GBC Body. The act of the Executive Committee in this regard shall carry the same effect and power as if taken by the whole Governing Body Commission.
D. The GBC Body hereby places Adridharan Das, Madhu Pandita Das and Navayogendra Swami on probation as ISKCON Branch Managers/Temple Presidents and Sattvik Das, Chanchalapati Das on probation as Vice-Presidents of branches. The GBC Executive Committee is hereby enjoined to establish by March 31, 1999 the conditions of rectification and probation for this year.
Whereas the decision of the GBC Body has been recorded in the ISKCON Law Book under the heading “Specifically Outlawed Doctrines and Practices”, as follows:
“6.4.7.2 ’Posthumous Ritvik’ Doctrine
“The doctrine that Srila Prabhupada continues to initiate direct diksa disciples after his departure from this world through officiating priests (ritviks) is a dangerous philosophical deviation. It is totally prohibited in ISKCON. No devotee shall participate in such posthumous ritvik initiation ceremonies in any capacity including acting as ritvik, initiate, assistant, organizer, or financier. No ISKCON devotee shall advocate or support its practice.”
And,
Whereas a number of devotees in and around ISKCON, some of whom hold positions in ISKCON as managerial and spiritual authorities, have begun again to practice and preach a refurbished version of ritvikism, and
Whereas the GBC Body has again carefully examined the case for ritvikism as currently presented, having had representatives meet at various times and places with its advocates to hear them make their case, and has, as a body sitting in plenary session on 9 February, 1999, carefully heard the case personally advocated by Adridharan Prabhu, president of Calcutta temple, Sattvik Prabhu, vice-president of Calcutta temple, and Madhu Pandita Prabhu, president of Bangalore temple, and
Whereas the GBC Body has given the current versions of ritvikism careful attention and all due deliberation to the best of its ability:
Be it hereby resolved THAT
1) The GBC Body states that it finds the arguments for ritvikism as represented to it by Madhu Pandita Dasa and other of his associates, and as preached by them around the world, to be erroneous in its conclusion as well as specious and sophistical in its conduct. The case for ritvikism is false and duplicitous in its method of procedure and in its selection and use of evidence. It depends heavily on speculation and word-jugglery. It presents it’s radical and speculative departures from the consistent teachings of Srila Prabhupada, his predecessor acaryas, Srila Vyasadeva, and the Lord Himself, under the name of “tradition” and “no change.” The effect of these arguments is only to bewilder, delude, and misguide innocent devotees from the teaching set forth by Krishna and upheld without exception by all Vaisnava acaryas.
2) The GBC Body reaffirms strongly its resolution of 1990 entitled “Prohibition Order Against the Posthumous Ritvik Theory.”
3) ISKCON Law 6.4.7.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“6.4.7.2 ‘Ritvikism’ aka ‘Posthumous Ritvik Theory,’ ‘Post-Samadhi-Ritvik Theory,’ ‘Proxy Initiation Theory,’ ‘No Change Theory,’ etc.
“The doctrine that Srila Prabhupada desired to continue to act as diksa guru after his departure from this world and did not desire any of his disciples to give diksa in succession after him is a dangerous philosophical deviation. Ritvikism directly goes against the principle of parampara itself (of successive diksa and siksa gurus), which sustains the pure teachings and practices of Krishna consciousness. This principle has been established by Krishna and is upheld by all Vaisnava acaryas. Indeed, it is accepted by all followers of Vedic culture. Ritvikism is thus an extreme deviation. It is utterly erroneous to espouse it, deluding and misguiding to teach it, and blasphemous to attribute it to Srila Prabhupada. No one who espouses, teaches, supports in any way, or practices ritvikism can be a member in good standing of ISKCON.”
4) The GBC acknowledges that this Body has since 1977 made changes in the manner in which initiations are carried out in ISKCON, is contemplating changes at present, and may well make changes in the future. However, the GBC Body maintains that these changes concern practical adjustments according to time, place, and object undertaken in the application of absolute, unchanging principle. Ritvikism contravenes absolute, unchanging principle. Hence it is categorically different from the permissible adjustments within the power of the GBC Body. In spite of its adjustments, the GBC Body has held steadily to the principle of parampara and remains committed to it, for it is the teaching of Srila Prabhupada and his predecessors, and it is a necessity in the matter of sustaining a living tradition. [All sections of 301 passed unanimously.]
[LAW] ENFORCEMENT OF ISKCON LAW REGARDING RITVIKISM
Whereas a number of devotees in and around ISKCON have begun again to practice and preach “ritvikism,” even though it is prohibited by ISKCON Law as a “dangerous philosophical deviation,” and
Whereas Among those espousing or preaching ritvikism there are several who hold positions in ISKCON as managerial or spiritual authorities,
It is hereby resolved THAT:
1) The GBC Body unequivocally rejects in principle any proposals that rivikism be in some manner or another accommodated or tolerated within ISKCON. [Passed unanimously.]
2) The GBC Body hereby makes known it’s strong determination to enforce ISKCON law in the matter of ritvikism, and it enjoins upon all its members and other official bodies, officers, and other authorities in ISKCON, such as Regional Governing Boards, regional secretaries, GBC ministers, sannyasis, initiating gurus, temple presidents, and temple officers, the responsibility to take every appropriate action, according to ISKCON law, to enforce the prohibition against ritvikism in ISKCON. [Passed unanimously]
3) A. The GBC Body declares that to espouse or preach ritvikism includes the following censurable offenses under the provision of ISKCON Law (8.4.1. 3):
1. Conscious and serious philosophical deviation from Srila Prabhupada’s teachings
2. Willful violation of GBC Body resolutions
B. Further, the GBC Body hereby rules that in relation to the espousal of ritvikism these offenses are of a sufficiently serious nature as to warrant immediate imposition of the penalty of probation, including its attendant program for rectification.
C. Further, the GBC Body hereby empowers the Executive Committee for the year 1999-2000 to place any ISKCON member who espouses ritvikism on probation, and, in consultation with that member’s immediate local authority or local GBC member, to establish a specific program of rectification, as provided in ISKCON Law 8.4.2.2, which can include
1. Disciplinary or remedial transfer to another location.
2. Reformatory change of service.
3. Prohibited for visiting or living in a specified temple or community.
4. Specific spiritual remedial programs.
5. A divestiture of certain actions for the period of probation.
6. Reasonable and just reformatory programs.
4). The GBC Body hereby undertakes the following actions with respect to the following members who are public advocates of ritvikism in ISKCON, who currently hold positions of managerial or spiritual authority in ISKCON, and who have heretofore rejected all appeals and reasoning by ISKCON authorities to conform to ISKCON Law
2. Sattvik Dasa, Vice-president of ISKCON Calcutta
3. Madhu Pandita Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore
4. Cancalapati Dasa, Vice-President of ISKCON Bangalore
5. Sunder Gopal Dasa, leader in Singapore
6. Navayogendra Swami, initiating guru
7. Jayadvaja Swami, sannyasi
Whereas the GBC Body wishes to empower the Executive Committee of 1999-2000 to deal with these members appropriately, through as much dialogue and negotiation as possible, And, at the same time, it wishes to empower the committee with the ability to provide a system of rectification or to expel any of these members from ISKCON if it deems necessary because of developments during the course of the year,
Therefore, be it also resolved THAT:
A. The GBC Body, by a required two-thirds (2/3) minimum vote, expresses its judgement that the actions of these seven above listed persons are already so extreme as to meet two of the requirements for expulsion from ISKCON: a) they are openly deviating from the fundamental tenets of the Society’s teaching, and b) they are openly and flagrantly antagonistic to the GBC Body and other ISKCON authority.
B. In consideration of the above findings the individuals Adridharan Das, Sattvik Das, Madhu Pandita Dasa, Cancalapati Dasa and Navayogendra Swami, as above listed, being members of ISKCON India, are hereby deemed as unfit to be members of ISKCON India. This shall take effect after 31 March, 1999, unless the Executive Committee of the GBC Body deems them rectified sufficiently to remain as ISKCON members and issues a written statement to that effect.
C. The GBC Body, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, in accordance with GBC Rules of Order, empowers the GBC Executive Committee to censure, put on probation, suspend or expel from ISKCON and its affiliates the above mentioned seven devotees both as members and as officers, as it deems appropriate and warranted without the necessity of further authorization from the GBC Body. The act of the Executive Committee in this regard shall carry the same effect and power as if taken by the whole Governing Body Commission.
D. The GBC Body hereby places Adridharan Das, Madhu Pandita Das and Navayogendra Swami on probation as ISKCON Branch Managers/Temple Presidents and Sattvik Das, Chanchalapati Das on probation as Vice-Presidents of branches. The GBC Executive Committee is hereby enjoined to establish by March 31, 1999 the conditions of rectification and probation for this year.
