Following is the summary of the second part of the seminar held by late Bhakti Charu Swami in July 2014. This text makes it clear that Srila Prabhupada’s teachings are the foundation for ISKCON and that the organisation itself is necessary to effectively spread those teachings. The author, member and the chairman of the GBC Srila Prabhupada position Committee, concludes by asserting Prabhupada’s unique importance and predicting that his stature will only grow with time.
We must understand who Srila Prabhupada is in the lives of the members of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada is the main guiding factor in ISKCON through his teachings. The respective gurus are there, but they are just representing Srila Prabhupada. The second thing to consider is that in order to effectively spread Krishna consciousness throughout the world, we need an institution. Well, let the devotees preach. We don’t need an institution. This point is often raised: we don’t need an institution. Organisedreligion is bad.
An institution is simply an organised structure. In some cases, an organised structure may be unnecessary. However, in this case, it is essential.
Why is it essential? Without an organised structure, there can be no effective preaching. Anyone, no matter their status, can find their place in this world.
For example, if you go to India, you can simply write to the ISKCON temple where you are going. You can find the address of the nearest ISKCON temple on the website. I tell them I’m coming for so many days and they reply. We’ve booked a room for you. Just send us your flight details and we’ll send a car to pick you up. And there you are. Send an email and you’re all set. And then you go there and what do you find? A temple with devotees, full of wonderful spiritual activity. You know this is your home. If ISKCON had not been there, what would have happened? We can have that same feeling. We can have the same reception. That’s why.
Anyone who wants to join or be guided can do so. The most important thing is that Prabhupada is there. Prabhupada’s position is clear. Let me illustrate this with an example. Imagine you meet a devotee. In such a case, the devotee will leave an impression. However, when the individual learns about Srila Prabhupada, they may perceive him as a person who, at the age of 70, travelled to America and established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. In just ten years, he spread Krishna Consciousness across the globe, writing over a hundred books and providing his Bhaktivedanta purport. It is impossible to imagine any other individual who could match such an achievement. Furthermore, it is clear that everyone wants to be connected to a great personality. Imagine this: you have the chance to meet either the Pope or Jesus Christ. It’s clear that the natural option would be to meet Jesus Christ. The answer is clear. Similarly, if one were to be presented with a choice between meeting Bhakti Charu Swami and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, it is reasonable to assume that the former would be the more natural choice. Bhakti CharuSwami is important because he is connected to Srila Prabhupada.
This is the essence of his importance. If he is not connected to Srila Prabhupada, Bhakti Charu Swami will be seen as just another face in the crowd. Furthermore, Bhakti Charu Swami is of some importance due to his status as a member of ISKCON. You are all members of ISKCON. Furthermore, we are all part of ISKCON. We have a relationship. We must fully recognise the importance of Srila Prabhupada in our lives.
We must know who Srila Prabhupada was. We must avoid emotionalism. Let’s be reasonable in our approach. We must undertake a comprehensive assessment, employing appropriate analytical and reasoning techniques. This process makes it clear that Prabhupada is a unique individual. It is impossible to identify any individual who has disseminated Krishna consciousness or any other doctrine on a global scale in a similar timeframe. It is impossible to imagine any other individual who has been as effective in disseminating Krishna consciousness or any other doctrine on a global scale in such a short period of time. There is no doubt that Srila Prabhupada has achieved this. Who has written such a vast corpus of books with such profound spiritual clarity? The individual in question is without doubt Srila Prabhupada. There is no doubt that Srila Prabhupada is a singular individual. As time passes, it will become increasingly evident that Srila Prabhupada was a figure of great renown and stature. The full extent of Srila Prabhupada’s greatness will be recognised without doubt at some point in the future. The present era is witnessing the emergence of a new appreciation for the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is challenging to grasp the circumstances surrounding Jesus’s life. They sought to assassinate him. We must therefore consider how Jesus was perceived at the time.
Those who were found to have any connection with Jesus Christ were persecuted and even killed. It took 2,000 years for the world to recognize Jesus in the manner in which he is recognized today. If one were to grant Srila Prabhupada 2000 years, the same results would be seen. The number of individuals who will come and go is vast, but Srila Prabhupada’s greatness will continue to shine forth. This phenomenon can be likened to the experience of moving away from a high mountain, where one is situated at a relatively close proximity to the mountain. In such a situation, the observer is unable to perceive the true height of the mountain. It is impossible to quantify or determine the height of the mountain. Occasionally, a minor hillock may obscure the view. All these little hills disappear one after the other. From a distance, you can see the mountain’s true height. That is what will happen. So many people will come and go, and they will all disappear over time. But Srila Prabhupada’s greatness will become more and more prominent. Those are the three main factors.
We must recognise Srila Prabhupada’s position and role in our lives. We must ask ourselves: who is Srila Prabhupada in our lives?
Secondly, the institution’s purpose is to spread the movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu effectively throughout the world, to the point of spreading it in every town and village.
And the third essential thing is to hold this institution together. How can we ensure this institution remains intact for thousands of years to come?
Position of Srila Prabhupada as Founder Acharya in ISKCON. by Bhakti Charu Swami