For HARE KRISHNA DEVOTEES - What is RITVIK system and how it is connected to ISKCON?

Question

Is Ritvik different from Iskcon? Is true the reports saying Iskcon has been split?

Also Lord Krishna devotees can answer.

Answer 1

I like Aminitva's answer. I am very nonsectarian person. Ritvic is one who only accepts the original Acarya and not his disciples. In ISKCON their are Some who only accept Srial Prabhupada as Guru and do not believe in taking innitiation from other Gurus. Others Believe you must take innitiation from a living Guru though Prabhupada has left this world. Though I do accept that one needs to accept a bonafide Guru to understand Krisna but I understand that can be in different ways. I understand in general one should take a spitual innitiation of a Pure Guru in a pure disciplic succession. But I also understand ther are a rare few that can fully understand from reading and hearing and if they fully apply themselves to the process and fully accept Prabhupadas teachings they can also get the same resulte. But in general most need to inquire form a living guru to fully understand the Full Truth. Guru means someone who has seen the Absolute Truth. So they may not be a Synasi or even a innitiating Guru. But if one takes instruction from one following the pure teacings who is in the Pure line of Krishna then they can also become Purrified and become fully Krishna Conscious. My understanding is we Get Pure Love of God From Someone who has Pure love of God. They may or may not be embodied sousl giving it. Prabhupada also said Jesus is our Guru, but then the question came up but there ar so many misunderstandings about Jesus. Then Prabhupada said you must follow someone who actually knows what Jesus Said. Also even the Christians have Baptism which is actually the same as taking a guru. But they have lost so much of thier lineage that they don't even know this themselves. We as Followers of Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada have to follow someone who know what Prabhupada said. The Thing is we have access to all of his lectures, videos, and books. so we can know all of what he said. Frankly I know people who have read and heard them all yet still don't follow his teachings.Even basic things like the 4 regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds. It really is a matter of sincerity and Krishnas mercy. It is said from Krishna we get Guru and from Guru we Get Krishna. There is a kind of war going on about this Ritvic topic. Most everyhthing else is decided, but this one issue their are divisions. Unfortunately the immiture neofytes and fanatics begin clicks and hate groups on this issue. I take no side accept lets Love Krishna and Prabhupada and not fight. Hari Bol!

Answer 2

RITVIK seems to suggest that no one should assume the role of initiating diksa Guru now that Srila Prabhupada is gone.

Many of the RITVIK advocates were or "are" members of ISKCON. RITVIK advocates often live and work in the vicinity of ISKCON centers. RITVIK advocates often communicate with ISKCON followers in hopes of persuading or justifying their beliefs.

The true essence of ISKCON is simply "Krsna consciousness" everything else is external. We can understand the true meaning of Krsna consciousness by studying certain Vaisnava texts. ISKCON cannot be split over Krsna consciousness, its true essence. And splitting is external in regards to ISKCON.

RITVIK being different from ISKCON may be a matter of private opinion.

Answer 3

As per my observation of the history of any religion it is common phenomenon that after some time there will be differences between groups.

Vaishnava Sampradya is also divided in to so many groups now a days and most of the reasons are related with the leadership or with the decentralization of financial powers.

The word Ritvika is related with Brahmans, who always create their own group and used to fight for their importance and never for any *siddanta* (school of philosophy)

This is nothing but karma.

I prefer to be sit in a corner and witness the situation. That`s all.