Browsing: SPPC

SPPC

Authentic Authority System in the Parampara

By Caitanya Candrodaya das
A perennial temptation has been to “jump” to remote names in the acharyas list in search of authority, bypassing the current chain. Srila Prabhupada rejected this: disciples must not “jump over” him to claim authenticity. This is not a mere politesse; it is the doctrinal principle that the parampara transmits realization by submission, not a genealogical token. In Western ISKCON circles, lets be honest, has been an appeal to the “vintage” acaryas’ words.

SPPC

Genuine Charisma of the Founder-Acharya

by Caitanya Candrodaya das

Many scholars agree that following the physical departure of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, his International Society for Krishna Consciousness has passed through what some scholars call the “post-charismatic” period (Rochford, 2007; Ketola, 2008). This period, while necessary for institutional stabilization, has also brought into focus a paradox central to the movement’s identity: many of the externally charismatic successors have proven problematic, whereas the Founder-Acharya himself, who eschewed theatrical charisma, continues to attract, transform, and stabilize the movement even in his physical absence.

SPPC

From Presence to Principle: Sustaining the Founder-Acarya Connection

by Caitanya Candrodaya das

Just as it is true to any lasting relationship the actualisation of a relationship with the Bhagavata—embodied in the living tradition of the guru, scripture (sastra), and the devotional community (sanga)—requires fidelity over mere formality. In the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), this relationship was once vividly personal through the presence of its Founder-Acarya, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Schismatic deviations were rare and easily rectified, in person, by Founder-Acarya himself. However, after his departure in 1977, ISKCON faced multiple schismatic episodes that tested the community’s ability to sustain authentic fidelity to Prabhupada in the absence of his physical proximity, in other terms in post-samadhi paradigm. These crises revealed deeper structural and theological tensions and illustrated how schisms in the body of his movement, and outside of it, emphasised the greatness of Srila Prabhupada’s prophetic significance, effectively strengtening his position as the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

Founder Acharya

Fidelity to Founder-Acharya as the Core Principle for Debate Culture

While devotional spirituality is rooted in humility and surrender, the tradition of Gaudiya Vaisnavism as taught by Srila Prabhupada is not silent about the value of argument. In fact, reasoned debate has a meaningful role, particularly when used to protect and promote the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (gaura-vani), and to defend the minds and hearts of practicioners from philosophies such as sunyavada (voidism) and impersonal advaita speculations. In this context, argument becomes an act of fidelity—using the power of reason not only to refute what is false but to remain aligned with the mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada.

However, when argument is misused—driven by ego, position, politics, or manipulation—it damages the mission of gaura-vani-pracara…