Procedure of Formal Recommendation

This formal recommendation process is not intended to replace or overshadow the (more important) need for other regular contact among the various ISKCON devotees guiding the candidate and his prospective spiritual master regarding the spiritual progress of the candidate. Furthermore, the prospective spiritual master is under no obligation to initiate a devotee because a proper recommendation has been given.

7.2.1.3.1      Guru Receives Recommendation in Writing

Before a candidate can receive first initiation, his prospective guru must receive a formal written recommendation from the appropriate ISKCON spiritual authority, as determined by the candidate's situation.

7.2.1.3.2      Contents of Recommendation

The recommendation of the recommending ISKCON authority must certify that the candidate has fulfilled the qualifications for initiation to the best of his understanding. The recommending authority must specifically attest that the candidate has been engaged in favorable devotional service, has chanted sixteen rounds of japa daily, has adhered to the four regulative principles, and has regularly attended a morning program, all for the previous twelve months.

The recommender must also attest that the candidate is sufficiently knowledgeable in the philosophy of Krsna consciousness and in the structure and purpose of ISKCON to have passed the prescribed examination, and that he has accepted shelter of the guru for at least six months.

7.2.1.3.3      Recommender Contacts Previous Authorities

If the candidate has not been serving continuously within the jurisdiction of the recommending ISKCON authority for the previous twelve months, then the recommender must still satisfy himself with the activities of the candidate for the full twelve-month period by contacting other ISKCON authorities with knowledge of the candidate's activities during the balance time.

7.2.1.3.4      Devotees Residing In Temple Communities

Before a candidate can receive first initiation, the guru must receive a written recommendation from the Temple President under whom the candidate is currently serving.

If the Temple President is also the prospective initiating guru, then the following special procedures must be observed: Either the local GBC shall write the recommendation himself, or he shall establish a local Board of Initiations, which does not include the prospective guru as a member, to review the qualifications of the candidates. The chairman of this Board of Initiations may then prepare the necessary written recommendations. In the extreme case that the local GBC, Temple President, and prospective guru are all the same person, the GBC Executive Committee shall establish the appropriate procedures to be followed.

7.2.1.3.5      Devotees Residing Away from Temple Communities

Qualified candidates for initiation who reside away from temple communities may be recommended for initiation (in the manner prescribed above) by one of the following spiritual authorities (excluding the prospective initiating guru) who knows them well: a local GBC, the nearest Temple President, the local Regional Secretary, the concerned congregational preaching director, or an ISKCON sannyasi who is regularly preaching in that area.

 

(2008) Update from GBC Resolution 321:

That in a case when a prospective disciple who lives in such an isolated place that none of the spiritual authorities listed in ISKCON Law 7.2.1.3.5 can recommend him/her for initiation, requests initiation from an ISKCON initiating guru, then the guru is required to inform the National Council or the RGB body of the situation and receive their permission to go through all the applicable rules for initiation as the recommending authority. In the absence of such a national/regional body, such permission should be received from the Chairperson of the GBC Guru Services Committee who will then monitor that all applicable rules regarding initiation are followed.

A spiritual master who fails to follow this resolution will be reprimanded as per GBC rules.

 

 

Vows of Disciple

All new initiates must take the following vows at the time of initiation:

1. To chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily without fail.

2. To strictly follow the four regulative principles of no meat eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling.

3. To accept the order of the spiritual master as one's life and soul.

4. To accept discipleship into the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya through the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and to remain faithful to their order and teachings.

5. To remain faithful to Srila Prabhupada's order by maintaining loyalty to ISKCON and its ultimate managing authority, the GBC.

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