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Vaishnavi Diksa in ISKCON

739 Comments

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Julia Wilson
7 years ago

I've seen so much discrimination by devotee men towards devotee women and I imagine it's down to identification with the body. That, in itself, will take time to purify, each one of us doing this in different stages, and lifetimes. Therefore, surely it would behoove us just to accept Srila Prabhupada's instructions and 'do the needful'?

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Sankarsana Boyer
7 years ago

If Srila Prabhupada would approve of this we all would have to agree. There are quotes from Prabhupada on both sides of the issue, so it's something the GBC have grappled with for many years. From statements in sastras Narada Pancaratra and Bharadvaja-samhita, only women who are siddha, or attained the stage of bhava are eligible to become diksa gurus. Women are singled out that way. While Prabhupada made adjustments to spread Krishna consciousness in the western world, are there instances where he went against conclusions in the sastras? I asked a senior devotee about this and he gave no reply. From the Nectar of Devotion there are principles of devotional service which are never to be changed, and then there are details which are changeable. In my view what is stated in scripture as a standard is not something which is changeable.

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Efisio Atzori
7 years ago

Grazie per approvare le donne anche come Guru diksa

C
Christine Cox
7 years ago

North Carolina, US

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Ujjala devi dasi
7 years ago

Yes, because it is shastra and instructed by Srila Prabhupad. Personally, I don't feel I need someones approval or validation. Srila Prabhupad gave me everything to become Krsna Conscious and to give that mercy to everyone.

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Gauri Shanker Singh
7 years ago

I support the petition.

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Pratyatosa Dasa
7 years ago

PRABHUPĀDA: “One who will pass this examination will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta. I want that all of my spiritual sons and DAUGHTERS­ will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to INITIATE disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program.” >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Hansadutta — Los Angeles 3 January, 1969

D
D
7 years ago

A very nice elementary step in a considerably substantial region of outreach potential to many “women” who will be inspired to join with exponential, unconditional support from the “men”. Surely a tidal wave of sankirtana oureach.

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Nitai
7 years ago

Looking forward for this to happen soon!

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Yudhisthira dasa
7 years ago

Long overdue. As a former dallas temple president for 10 years ... am sure all Texas devotees would agree.

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Kirttan Lilamoye
7 years ago

Brasil

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Andrew Elliott
7 years ago

I agree with this, sp " is she's able to go to the highest perfection of life, why is it not possible to become guru?

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Katherine Macfie
7 years ago

Equality of the soul.

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Gopesvari dd
7 years ago

I

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Ajita das bkg
7 years ago

There should be a female diksha guru inorder to spread the words of mahamantra and a good preacher from past seven years I'm in iskcon I have being experienced that spreading mahamantra should be maintained in all over the world Hare Krishna Ajita das

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Anonymo
7 years ago

Yes!

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Nilacala Zabala
7 years ago

USA

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Anonymous
7 years ago

United States

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Shashi Mukhi dd
7 years ago

Sou a favor de devotas serem gurus

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Amrita Gopi
7 years ago

We must not ignore Srila Prabhupada's words. Keep gender equality by his instruction not by Scriptures.