Restoration of Brahminical Status

If an initiated brahmana falls severely from the spiritual standard by neglecting or forsaking his initiation vows in a serious way or by rejecting the regular association of devotees for a prolonged time, and then later returns to the spiritual standard, the following procedure is to be observed:

1. The devotee should not wear a sacred thread, chant gayatri-mantra, or serve the Deity until he has strictly followed and practiced devotional service for a period of no less than six months.

2. He may put on the sacred thread, resume chanting gayatri, and serve the Deity only after he proves himself fit in the judgment of his spiritual master and local spiritual authority.

3. If, in the judgment of his spiritual master, the deviation was exceptionally severe or prolonged, the spiritual master may again give the disciple gayatri- mantra. If the spiritual master is beyond mortal vision, the local GBC representative shall decide the proper course of action.

7.2.4     Initiation Only from Approved Gurus

Devotees who live or serve in ISKCON may take initiation only from ISKCON approved gurus.

Violators

7.2.4.1.1      First Initiation Outside

ISKCON members who in violation of ISKCON law take initiation from gurus who have not been approved to initiate in ISKCON shall not be permitted to serve within ISKCON. If the non-approved guru has an institution or asrama outside ISKCON, then according to standard etiquette, his disciples should serve within the institution of their guru and should not serve within ISKCON. (This rule does not apply to persons who were already initiated before they became ISKCON members.)

7.2.4.1.2      Other Initiations Outside

Anyone initiated in ISKCON who has taken any further initiation, or reinitiation, from a non-approved guru must renounce their initiation from the non-approved guru in order to work within ISKCON. Their ISKCON spiritual master (or if their spiritual master is beyond mortal vision, the local GBC) shall decide the proper procedure for reinstating them in ISKCON, including the need for taking any further initiation.

Prior Initiation by Non-Bona Fide Gurus

Persons who have taken initiation from non-bona fide gurus before becoming members of ISKCON should follow the injunction of Srila Jiva Gosvami that such a useless guru, a family priest acting as guru, should be given up, and that the proper, bona fide guru should be accepted.

Srila Prabhupada's Disciple by First Initiation

A devotee who has received first initiation from Srila Prabhupada has become Srila Prabhupada's disciple. By accepting second initiation from a Godbrother after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance, the disciple further confirms his relationship with Srila Prabhupada and also becomes a disciple of that initiating Godbrother. The second initiation strengthens, not diminishes, one's standing as Srila Prabhupada's disciple. A disciple should always respect a worthy Godbrother from whom he has received second initiation. What such a devotee and the second-initiating guru expect from one another in their relationship shall arise from their own mutual understanding.

Reinitiation

A devotee whose guru has fallen and who seeks re-initiation from an approved guru must observe the following requirements:

1. a six-month period of formally taking shelter,

2. a formal letter of recommendation from the appropriate local authority, and

3. acceptance by the initiating guru.

Guidelines

7.3.1     Unauthorized "Initiation" Ceremonies

In cases where the formal guru-disciple relationship has not been properly sanctioned by procedures given in ISKCON Law, no ISKCON member shall engage in giving any of the elements of the initiation ceremony-such as:

giving a devotional name, giving sanctified chanting beads, or neck beads, or participating in some ceremony or ritual of commitment-in any number or combination, to other devotees in ISKCON or it's congregations, with the stated or unstated purpose or effect of creating the resemblance of a formal guru-disciple relationship.

When such unauthorized activities have already taken place:

a. all participants should be informed that no initiation has taken place, nor any binding pledge leading towards initiation.

b. The junior devotee in the transaction should seek to establish a relationship with an authorized initiating guru in whom he can place full faith.

c. All devotees must cease using any names given, if any. (96)

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ISKCON Members

Principles

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