Harinama Diksha - Srila Prabhupada Ashraya
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Harinama Diksha - Srila Prabhupada Ashraya
Harinama Diksha, or Initiation, is an essential stage of spiritual life. What is its importance, and how is it performed? Read on to learn more.
The Vedas provide insight into the soul’s journey in the material world. All beings are trying to fulfil their material desires by traveling through various evolutionary stages in many different species of life. All living beings strive to satisfy their physical and mental needs as they progress through these stages. Out of these entities who wish to understand the true purpose of life, the Lord – seated in the heart – guides them to a guru who can impart spiritual knowledge and answer their questions.
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja-
By the causeless mercy of a pure devotee and Krishna, one may have the seed of devotion planted in their heart. Once the seed is planted, this seed is cultivated by chanting the Lord’s name and following the process recommended by the pure devotee.
The Necessity of a Guru in Spiritual Life
om ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
-Gautamiya Tantra
“I offer my respectful obeisance’s unto my spiritual master, who with the torchlight of knowledge has opened my eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance.”
A lack of spiritual knowledge causes our suffering in this material world, but the spiritual master helps us to overcome this by giving us spiritual insight. Through his blessings, we can move towards enlightenment and freedom from bondage.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita 4.34
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”
One must approach a genuine spiritual master to gain spiritual knowledge. Such a master should be accepted wholeheartedly, and the disciple should serve them with humility and respect. The satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is vital to making progress in one’s spiritual journey. A combination of submission, service and questioning is necessary for proper spiritual understanding. Without surrender and service, even the most thoughtful inquiries will not be effective. One must prove himself worthy to the master before being blessed with genuine spiritual insight. The Lord, therefore, advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself.
Understanding the Significance of Initiation
Initiation marks the beginning of a journey to spiritual advancement in Krishna Consciousness. By taking initiation, one formally agrees to abide by the rules and regulations set out for those embarking on this path towards developing pure devotion to Krishna.
Srila Jiva Goswami in Bhakti Sandharba gives the definition of Diksha.
divyaṁ jṅānaṁ yato dadyāt
kuryāt pāpasya saṅkṣayam
tasmād dīkṣeti sā proktā
deśikais tattva-kovidaiḥ
“Diksha is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity. A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this process as Diksha.”
Through the initiation process, one receives pure spiritual knowledge and becomes freed from all material contamination.
By accepting the regulative principles of devotional service, our resoluteness and faith in practising Bhakti are fortified. By being firm in this journey, the circumstances become more conducive for advancing towards the ideal of developing pure love for Krishna.
Of all the instructions given by Srila Prabhupada, The Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, to make progress in Krishna consciousness, the most essential are:
Chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra & following the four regulative principles.
The four regulative principles are
- No meat-eating (includes eggs, onion and garlic)
- No intoxication (includes tea, coffee, alcohol, drugs and tobacco)
- No illicit sex (no illicit relations outside of marriage) and
- No gambling
By following the above instructions, we can develop austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, essential qualities required to progress in Krishna consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, provided guidance and directives to all temple presidents and governing body members regarding the conduct of initiation in ISKCON in his absence.
July 9th 1977 letter
Initiation Ceremony at Hare Krishna Gokula Kshetram
Harinama Diksha is a formal ceremony conducted for the serious practitioners of Krishna consciousness, where they take an oath to chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra and follow the four regulative principles every day for the rest of their lives, in front of Their Lordships, Spiritual Master, Devotees and Agni in the homa (as a witness).
By carefully studying Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and demonstrating proficiency in a written test, eligible candidates can earn the privilege of taking Diksha from a ritvik priest and officially become a disciple of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
The following are the different levels of commitment and standards of devotional service that you can practice at home while carrying out your regular duties. To acquire a thorough understanding and structured familiarity, it is essential to undergo this formal training beginning with Shraddhavan. Hare Krishna Gokula Kshetram will offer you guidance and inspiration to practice and help you gradually reach higher standards.
Levels of Ashraya Program
1. Srila Prabhupada SHRADDHAVAN
- Chant a minimum of one round of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books regularly
- Attend as many temple programs as possible
- Actively participate in Krishnashraya programs near your house
- Render a minimum of 4 hrs of practical devotional service in the temple in every quarter of the year (3 months)
- Actively participate in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution for at least 4 hrs in every quarter of the year (3 months)
2. Srila Prabhupada SEVAKA
- Chant a minimum of 4 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day
- Minimum 3 months after taking Srila Prabhupada Shraddhavan Ashraya
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books regularly (Read “Beyond Birth & Death” completely for the written test)
- Accept Sri Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Attend as many temple programs as possible
- Actively participate in Krishnashraya programs near your house
- Render a minimum of 8 hrs of practical devotional service in the temple in every quarter of the year (3 months)
- Actively participate in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution for at least 8 hrs in every quarter of the year (3 months)
3. Srila Prabhupada SADHAKA
- Chant a minimum of 8 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day
- Minimum 3 months after taking Srila Prabhupada Sevaka Ashraya
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books regularly (Read “Raja Vidya” & “Perfection of Yoga” completely for the written test)
- Try to wake up early morning and complete the sadhana of chanting, worshipping the Lord at home, offering food, etc.
- Fasting on Ekadashi & festival days
- Actively participate and assist in preaching in Krishnashraya programs near your house
- Render a minimum of 12 hrs of practical devotional service in the temple in every quarter of the year (3 months)
- Actively participate in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution for at least 12 hrs in every quarter of the year (3 months)
- Avoid eating non-vegetarian food
4. Srila Prabhupada UPASAKA
- Chant a minimum of 12 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day
- Minimum of 3 months after taking Srila Prabhupada Sadhaka Ashraya
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books everyday (Read “Bhagavad-gita As It Is” from INTRODUCTION to CHAPTER 3 for the written test)
- Follow the four regulative principles as instructed by Srila Prabhupada – No illicit sex, gambling, intoxication including coffee & tea, meat-eating including eggs, onion & garlic.
- Follow a daily sadhana program including rising early, chanting, a simple morning program consisting of one arati, Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja & attending/ hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam class
- Implement the Krishna Conscious practices at home
- Fast on Ekadashi and festival days
- Grihastha and employed singles: To contribute to the temple on a regular basis according to one’s means.
- Actively participate and assist in preaching in Krishnashraya programs near your house
- Render a minimum of 20 hrs of practical devotional service in the temple in every quarter of the year (3 months)
- Actively participate in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution for at least 20 hrs in every quarter of the year (3 months)
5. Srila Prabhupada CHARANA
- Chant a minimum of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day
- Minimum of 6 months after taking Srila Prabhupada Upasaka Ashraya
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books everyday (Read “Bhagavad-gita As It Is” from INTRODUCTION to CHAPTER 12 for the written test)
- Follow the four regulative principles as instructed by Srila Prabhupada – No illicit sex, gambling, intoxication including coffee & tea, meat eating including eggs, onion & garlic.
- Following a daily sadhana program including rising early, chanting, a simple morning program consisting of one arati, Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja & attending/ hearing Srimad Bhagavatam class
- Implement the Krishna Conscious practices at home
- Fast on Ekadashi and festival days
- Grihastha and employed singles: To contribute to the temple on a regular basis according to one’s means
- Actively participate and take lead role as preacher in Krishnashraya programs near your house
- Render a minimum of 20 hrs of practical devotional service in the temple in every quarter of the year (3 months)
- Actively participate in Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution for at least 20 hrs in every quarter of the year (3 months)
After successfully progressing through all the levels of Ashraya, an aspirant becomes eligible to apply for Harinama Diksha.
Harinam Diksha
- Chanting a minimum of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day for the past one year
- Minimum of 6 months after taking Srila Prabhupada Charana Ashraya
- Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books every day for the past one year.
- Should have completed reading the following books of Srila Prabhupada:
- Bhagavad-gita As It Is
- Sri Isopanishad
- Science of Self Realization
- Perfection of Yoga
- Raja Vidya
- Beyond Birth and Death
- Following the four regulative principles as instructed by Srila Prabhupada for the past one year – No illicit sex, gambling, intoxication including coffee & tea, meat eating including eggs, onion & garlic.
- Following a daily sadhana program including rising early, attending mangala arati, guru-puja and Srimad Bhagavatam class for the past one year, either at home or at the local temple the devotee is in touch with.
- Actively engaged in temple service and/or distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books or preaching for the past one year.
- Avoiding eating bhoga (food not offered to Lord Krishna) for the past one year.
- Contributing once every month a percentage of one’s income according to one’s means and in the spirit of serving the mission of the spiritual master with the fruits of one’s work.
If you are interested to receive initiation from the Hare Krishna Gokula Kshetram Temple and become a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, please reach out to us by filling the following form
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