Good discussion on topic of Women gurus

[Radhika Gopinath Das]

Dandavats!  Jaya Srila Prabhupada!  Jaya Vaishnava acharyas!

Devotees, see attached for some thoughts on women diksha gurus in ISKCON

 

yhs,

Radhika Gopinath das

From: Basu Ghosh (das) ACBSP (Baroda - IN)
Date: Tue, Feb 3, 2015 at 2:18 PM
Subject: Paper by Goloka Ranjana Das - see attached file

Home Base: ISKCON Baroda

Dear Readers,

Namonamaha.  Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Upon the request of Bhakti Vikas Swami, I am attaching to this e-mail an
article sent to me by Goloka Ranjana Das, wherein he critiques an article by
Bhaktarupa Das and Madhavananda Das published on Dandavats.com, entitled:
"Some Evidence Regarding Education and Guruship for Vaishnavis".

In a nutshell, the article on Dandavats.com referred to herein above was in
favor of female diksha gurus.   Goloka Ranjana Prabhu provides a detailed
refutation of this outlook.

The ISKCON India leaders (IIAC) voted unanimously at Puri this past November
approving a resolution that I am copying herein below asking the
international GBC to rescind their resolutions calling for female diksha
gurus in ISKCON.   Bhaktarupa Prabhu, a member of the India leaders body did
not attend the discussion and vote on the resolution, hence allowing it to
be passed unanimously.

My humble request to all readers of this is to carefully read the attached
essay with an open mind.  Thanks in advance for doing so.

Hope this meets you all well.

das,

Basu Ghosh Das

Facebook: Basu Ghosh Das
Skype: Basu Ghosh Das
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 Female Diksha Guru Proposal
        Resolved:
 Whereas, the body of ISKCON India leaders aka IIAC has taken cognizance
 of the continuing discussion by the GBC on the issue of female diksha
 gurus, specifically the recent discussions that took place at Tirupati as
 reported to us by our GBCs for India, as well as by Anuttama Prabhu's
 letter that appeared on Dandavats.com.

 Whereas, this body, earlier the IRGB, had expressed it's serious concern
 to the GBC regarding their resolutions of 2005 and 2009 calling for
 female diksha gurus and called for further discussion and dialogue on the
 issue, Whereas, this body would like to convey to the GBC body that
 instituting female diksha gurus would be contrary to Srila Prabhupada's
 oft expressed desire to institute varnashram dharma,

 Whereas, Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur did
 not give specific instructions in their teachings that females take up
 the service of diksha guru, but in fact stressed that women should not be
 independent, and should be under the protection of male family members,
 and follow Stri-dharma as Srimad Bhagavatam instructs in 7.11.25-29, and
 1.9.27.   We recognize that a devotee in a female body has the equal
 opportunity of becoming a pure devotee. But even pure devotees in female
 bodies must follow their prescribed duties of Stri-dharma as an example
 to others as per Bg 3.19-20, and Bg 18.9 and not be attached to giving up
 their prescribed duties as per Bg 18.6-8. And, that even among such pure
 devotees in female bodies it is only in very rare exceptions that they
 become diksha gurus.

 Whereas, we perceive that the forced imposition of female diksha gurus
 may cause avoidable and unwanted conflict that may possibly develop into
 a rift within the greater body of both full time and congregational
 devotees worldwide,

 Whereas, the leaders of ISKCON India have not been convinced of the logic
 of the urgency and necessity of establishing a formal regime of female
 diksha guru within ISKCON,

 Therefore, the IIAC body reiterates its principled opposition to the
 resolutions passed by the GBC body of 2005 and 2009 calling for female
 diksha gurus in ISKCON, and again requests the GBC to seriously consider
 rescinding these resolutions.

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