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Shiksa
Condensing the Nectar
Krishna
Consciousness Growth Steps
Developing full Krishna Consciousness is a gradual
process. In order to make it easier to understand and to
chart your progress we have includes these steps (based
on the instructions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
in Chaitanya
Caritamrta). These steps are meant to be guidelines so
that we may make definitive progress on the path of bhakti yoga.
KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS AT HOME
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,
the founder acharya of the International Society for Krsna
Consciousness, writes in the introduction to the Bhagavad Gita As It Is:
tasmat sarvesu kalesu mam anusmara yudhya ca
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mam evaisyasy asamsayah
'Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in
the form of Krsna and at the same time continue your
prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities
dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on
Me, you will attain Me without doubt." (Bg.
8.7)
He does not advise Arjuna
simply to remember Him and give up his occupation.
No, the Lord never suggests anything impractical. In this
material world, in order to maintain the body one has to
work. Human society is divided according to work, into
four divisions of social order-- brahmanas, ksatriya,
vaisya and sudra.
The brahmana class or intelligent class is working in
one way, the ksatsiya or administrative class is working
in another way, and the vaisya (the mercantile class) and
the sudra (the laborers) are all tending to their
specific duties. In the human society, whether one is a
laborer, merchant, administrator or farmer, or even if
one belongs to the highest class and is a literary man, a
scientist or a theologian, he has to work in order to
maintain his existence. The Lord therefore tells Arjuna
that he need not give up his occupation, but while he is
engaged in his occupation he should remember Krsna (mam
anusmara). If he doesn't practice remembering Krsna while
he is struggling for existence, then it will not be
possible for him to remember Krsna at the time of death.
Lord Caitanya also advises this... Therefore we have to
practice remembering the Lord always, twenty-four hours a
day, by chanting His names and molding our life's
activities in such a way that we can remember Him
always."
Undoubtedly it is important for everyone to practice
Krishna consciousness, devotional service to Lord Krishna
in their life. Of course, living in the association of
Krsna's devotees in a temple or asrama makes it easier to
practice devotional service. But if you are determined,
you can follow the teachings of Krishna consciousness at
home and thus convert your house into a temple. The
beauty of Krishna consciousness is that you can take up
the practices of devotional service to the Lord as much
as you are ready for Krsna Himself promises in the
Bhagavad Gita: "There is no loss or dimunition in
this endeavor, and even a little advancement on this path
protects one from the most fearful type of danger."
So bring Krsna into your daily life and soon you will
feel the benefit.
The following are the different levels of commitment
and standards of devotional service that you can practice
at home while carrying out your normal activities of
life. You can choose the level and standard that you can
most comfortably practice and ISKCON
will offer you guidance and inspiration to practice at
that level. And help you to gradually reach higher and
higher standards.
Anyone who comes regularly to the temple and is
involved in our various programs is considered a
congregational member. The only requirement is that they
have a favorable attitude towards other devotees and
devotional service. They are free to come to all classes
and festivals and are encouraged to become involved as
fully as they are able in devotional service.
Accepting Sacred Order of Lord Caitanya (Short name :
Sat-sanga, or Sraddhavan)
A devotee who fulfills the following standards of
devotional service shall receive the blessings of Sri Sri
Radha Madana Mohana to practice Krishna consciousness as
a SHRADDHAVAN:
Qualifications:
- Accepts the instructions or sacred order of Lord
Caitanya to chant Hare Krsna (minimum one round),
- Worships Lord Krsna
- Visits the temple or otherwise cultivate
devotional service as far as possible,
- Reads the teachings of Lord Krsna (Bhagavad Gita,
Srimad Bhagavatam, and other books of Srila
Prabhupada).
[Note: Since this broadly correlates with sraddha or sat-sanga stages of
devotion, they can generally be called as
"Satsangi" or "Sraddhavan .]
Recommended
Reading: Sri Isopanisad
translated by H.D.G. A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada -
a description of the potencies of the Supreme Lord, His
absolute position, and our position in relationship to
the Supreme.
Qualifications: He/she fulfills all
the commitments of Shraddhavan. (plus)
- Chanting a minimum of four rounds of Hare Krsna
japa,
- Refraining from meat eating,
- Believing in Lord Krsna as the Supreme
Personality of Godhead,
- Possessing a devotional attitude ,
- Avoiding of grossly immoral acts (drugs,
prostitution, etc. )
Recommended
Reading: Nectar of Instruction
(Sri Upadesamrta) translated by H.D.G. A.C.Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada - The basic treatise which deals with
everything that is important for our rapid advancement in
Krishna Consciousness and the goal itself, Love of God
(Krishna Prema)
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Qualifications: He/she fulfills all the commitments of
Gaura Sevaka.
- Chanting a minimum of eight rounds of Hare
Krishna japa,
- Refraining from intoxication, meat-eating and
extra-marital sex,
- He/she worships Lord Krishna as far as practical
in the home, by setting up an altar, offering
arati and foodstuffs,
- Generally accepting the process of sadhana
bhakti, like rising early in the morning..
- He/she is dedicated to leading a devotional way
of life by gradually learning and practicing
bhakti-yoga according to the teachings of Srila
Prabhupada under the guidance of his
representatives.
- He/she studies the books of Srila Prabhupada
daily and attends the classes in ISKCON, as often
as possible.
Recommended
Reading: Nectar of Devotion Chap
1-19 translated by H.D.G. A.C.Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada - This book deals very specifically with
the practice of Sadhana Bhakti, describes pure love of
Krishna, the symptoms and the highest example. These
subjects are dealt with in great detail.
Qualifications: Practicing the
minimum standard of Krsna Consciousness for ISKCON
members as given by Srila Prabhupada,
- He/she fulfills all the commitments of Gaura
Sadhaka.
- He/she is dedicated to taking divine shelter of
Srila Prabhupada by following the principles of
Krishna consciousness.
- He/she practices Krishna consciousness with
strong conviction.
- He/she chants at least sixteen rounds of the Hare
Krishna maha- mantra every day.
- He/she strictly avoids intoxication including
coffee and tea, meat eating including onion and
garlic, gambling, and illicit sex.
- He/she is well-versed in the basics of Krishna
conscious philosophy by reading the books of
Srila Prabhupada systematically and actively
engaging in preaching (according to his/her
capacity) to others about Krishna consciousness.
Recommended
Reading: The Bhagavad Gita As It
Is (try the on-line
version) translated by H.D.G.
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - The song of God. A
complete description of the material world, the spirit
souls, the Supreme Soul, their relation to each other,
Time, Activities (work or karma), the spiritual realm,
how to get there, love of God, a comparison of all forms
of yoga, so much more in one single book.
Back to Top
Qualifications: Same as Srila
Prabhupada Asraya, plus:
- He/she has developed additional faith in and
surrender to an authorized spiritual master in
ISKCON.
- He/she has been practicing Srila Prabhupada
Ashraya standards for a minimum of six months
- He/she qualifies in the written test provided for
this ashraya as per ISKCON laws.
Recommended
Reading: Srimad Bhagavatam
translated by H.D.G. A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada -
The origin of the Universe and Life, Life on other
planets, the Supreme Lord, His incarnations, His
devotees, His pastimes, everything within and without the
universe, the spiritual realm, love of God, controlling
the senses, death, life after death, reincarnation,.....
INITIATION OF MEMBERS
Devotees who do not live in a temple and who do not
come to the temples for programs every day (including
those that regularly attend only a Nama Hatta center may
be initiated, provided:
- They have regular morning programs at home or
attend regular morning programs at the Nama Hatta
center
- They are recommended (in prescribed form) by one
of the following (other than the initiating Guru)
who knows them well:
- a local GBC,
- the nearest Temple President,
- the local Regional Secretary,
- the concerned Congregational Preaching
Director,
- an ISKCON sannyasi
who is regularly preaching in that area.
In order to be initiated as a Brahman one must have
Harinama initiation. After practicing for a period of
time the candidate is usually recommended by his/her
local authorities. One must be steady in their practice
of devotional service and show the basic qualities of a
brahmana to become fully qualified. These qualities are
peacefulness (sama), self-control (dama), austerity
(tapas), purity (saucam) , tolerance ( keenti ), honesty
(arjanan), wisdom ( jnana), knowledge ( vijnana ), and
religiosity (astikam ). One must pass a test for taking
brahmana initiation. Brahmana initiation qualifies one
to worship the Deity in a
temple, perform fire sacrifices, to learn the vedas and
to teach them to others.
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Copyright © 1997 Atlanta
ISKCON Nama Hatta Sangha
Last modified: April 3, 1997
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