STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR GURUS IN ISKCON!
One who likes to serve as a Guru in ISKCON should follow some standards! A devotee who likes to accept a guru should be aware of all those standards and their aspiring guru’s adherence to them.
Let us know them in this Post:
A Guru –
Must always set the highest example for all devotees.
Must guide his disciples to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions as taught and followed in ISKCON.
(Who can accept disciples? Qualifications of a bonafide Guru! READ HERE!)
Must protect and nourish the faith of all ISKCON devotees in their guru, in Srila Prabhupada, and in Sri Krisna.
Must encourage newcomers’ faith in ISKCON and protect the faith of existing members.
Must not give initiation until the approval process has been fully completed.
Must not canvass for disciples.
Must allow all uninitiated devotees full freedom to exercise their right to accept initiation from the guru of their choice.
Must allow uninitiated devotees who have preliminarily taken shelter of him the full freedom to change their minds on their choice of initiating guru.
Since the guru-daksina received by an ISKCON guru is the property of ISKCON, it must be used for the benefit of the Krishna consciousness movement. All guru-daksina must be kept in a special account, preferably an ISKCON account, with at least two signatures, and accurate account records must be kept.
It is prohibited to require a prospective disciple to make a minimum donation or other financial commitment as a prerequisite to be accepted for initiation.
Gurus shall minimize the number of devotees engaged in their personal service and in their traveling entourage.
(Presenting One’s Guru & Srila Prabhupada in all Places! READ HERE!)
Gurus shall not personally engage single members of the opposite sex, or married members of the opposite sex without their spouse, in direct personal service, and should never be alone or in a solitary place with them as ordained by sastra.
Standards in Relation to the GBC Body:
Must respect the GBC as Srila Prabhupada’s chosen successor as the ultimate managing authority of ISKCON and maintain a respectful serving attitude towards the GBC.
As a guru in parampara from Srila Prabhupada, he must follow Srila Prabhupada in order to work in ISKCON.
Therefore, he must accept the GBC Body as his authority and follow the directives of the GBC.
Must submit to any disciplinary sanctions imposed by the GBC Body, including not initiating new disciples.
(GURU TYAGA – REJECTING THE GURU! READ HERE!)
Standards in Relation to GBC Zonal Secretaries:
Must act under the supervision of and in coordination with GBC Zonal Secretaries.
Must not change his residence without consulting the local GBC Zonal Secretary beforehand, since such a move may affect the temples and devotees.
Must disclose financial records to the GBC Secretariat on an annual basis.
Standards in Relation to ISKCON Spiritual Authorities:
Must cooperate with and be accountable to the local ISKCON authorities.
Must not initiate any devotee who has not received proper recommendation from the appropriate ISKCON spiritual authority.
Must instruct disciples and other devotees to cooperate with ISKCON authorities and to follow proper etiquette in case some disagreement arises.
Must maintain amicable working relationships with ISKCON authorities and not undermine them in any way.
Since temple presidents and project leaders are fully responsible for engaging the devotees in their charge, must not discuss changes in service, location or ashrama with a disciple without first consulting the disciple’s local authority.
(Guru Padacraya: Taking refuge to Guru in a Right way! READ HERE!)