Who Will Continue the Parampara?

Back To Prabhupada, Issue 68, Vol 1, 2021, Interactive

"The _parampara_ cannot stop at Prabhupada like IRM believes. Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja was as perfect as we can be in this world but with him, we had 64 _japa_ rounds a day and no women in the temples nor any direct initiation for them, to my knowledge anyway. Impossible under these conditions to spread Krsna Consciousness in the world. Prabhupada changed all that. He did not betray his guru or "took his place". As far as I know, Bhaktisiddhanta is always in the _parampara_ like the others. They were not ejected! And the _parampara_ must continue otherwise we will have girls who will not even read and write if we follow the program of Prabhupada on this point. Unacceptable! So a new _acarya_ will continue because only he can do that and he will not betray Prabhupada any more than he himself betrayed Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja even if he changed some things. Is it so hard to understand that?!!!???" \- Prahlada Nrsimha Dasa, Terrasson, France

Editor replies:

1) It is Srila Prabhupada, not the IRM, who has stated that he is the Acarya of ISKCON.
This fact is not disputed even by the GBC! Srila Prabhupada stated that he alone will be the Founder and Acarya for ISKCON:

"our system is to keep the name of the Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on all registration documents, as well as all stationery, books, and publications."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 13/11/74)

His position as the "Founder-Acarya" designates that he is both the Founder and Acarya of ISKCON:

"I am registered immigrant as Founder and Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Incorporated."
(A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust Fund Agreement, MVTF Agreement, 7/71)

2) Hence, there is no question that a "new Acarya will continue" in ISKCON, since Srila Prabhupada has ordered that he alone will occupy this position.

3) Nor does the IRM claim that Srila Prabhupada remaining as the Acarya of ISKCON will "stop" the "parampara". Rather, the parampara continues with Srila Prabhupada as the current link in the parampara for all those who join ISKCON.

4) Nor does the IRM claim that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was "ejected" from the parampara.

5) It is also completely false to claim that we will have "girls who will not even read and write if we follow the program of Prabhupada on this point". Srila Prabhupada wanted girls to learn to read and write, the same as boys:

"All the children should learn to read and write very nicely, and a little mathematics, so that they will be able to read our books. [...] There is no question of academic education for either boys or girls – simply a little mathematics and being able to read and write well, that's all, no universities. [...] Alongside the regular classes in reading and writing, the other routine programs they should also participate in, like arati, kirtana, preaching, Sankirtana, like that."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 16/2/72, emphases added as are all emphases in Interactive)

6) So Srila Prabhupada did not authorise a new Acarya for ISKCON, nor did he stop the parampara, nor did he forbid girls to read and write. Is it so hard to understand that?!!!?

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