My last letter to Hridayananda
In this personal letter dated February 13, 2009, Krishna Kirti Das writes to Hridayananda das Goswami to formally end their guru‑disciple relationship. While expressing respect for Hridayananda’s intelligence and moral conduct, he explains his departure over irreconcilable theological and ethical differences, particularly regarding homosexuality and “gay monogamy.” The letter reflects wider debates within ISKCON about fidelity to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, the authority of the GBC, and the future unity of the movement.Continue Reading
The Jolly Swami – Wit and Wisdom from Sridhar Swami by Adbhuta Hari Dasa
New Release: The Jolly Swami – Wit and Wisdom from Sridhar Swami We are pleased to announce the availability of a monumental new publication dedicated to the legacy of His Holiness Sridhar Swami. Titled “The Jolly Swami,” this hardbound volume by Adbhuta Hari Dasa serves as a comprehensive tribute toContinue Reading
Autobiography of a Bhakti Yogi by John Berg Yogindravandana Dasa
New Release: Autobiography of a Bhakti Yogi We are pleased to announce the release of Autobiography of a Bhakti Yogi by John Berg Yogindravandana Dasa, available now. About the Book: This book is written for every man, woman, and child. The author’s life story is told in a simple, accessibleContinue Reading
Female Dīkṣā-Gurus: Ensuring the unity of ISKCON on doctrinal matters
Female Dīkṣā-Gurus: Ensuring the unity of ISKCON on doctrinal matters By Śrīdhara Śrīnivāsa dāsaḥ An important goal of the GBC is to ensure that their members maintain unity in diversity. However, diversity should be united by śāstra. Śāstra is the lynch pin that unifies diverse opinions and keeps ISKCON united.Continue Reading
Is the SAC’s 2005 paper in line with guru, sādhu and śāstra?
Is the SAC’s 2005 paper in line with guru, sādhu and śāstra? By Kṛṣṇa Kīrti dāsaḥ In 2005, at the request of the GBC, the Śāstric Advisory Council wrote a paper titled “Female Diksa-gurus in ISKCON.” Since then, its conclusions were the basis of several GBC resolutions. However, the SACContinue Reading
The Question of Female Dīkṣā-Gurus in ISKCON
The Question of Female Dīkṣā-Gurus in ISKCON By Basu Ghoṣa dāsaḥ (ACBSP) How did the concept of FDGs creep into ISKCON after Prabhupāda’s lifetime? Pressure tactics by senior Western female disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda to establish gender equality in ISKCON. Capitulation to the gender equality concept by Western ISKCON leadersContinue Reading
Is not receiving the Brahma-gāyatrī the higher standard for women?
Is not receiving the Brahma-gāyatrī the higher standard for women? By Bhakta ŚobhitāṃśuDecember 29, 2025Posted in The Scriptural Protocol Śāstra divides into two parts: nigama (Vedas) and āgama (Tantras or ritual manuals). Both aim at worship of the Lord, but eligibility determines which applies. In ISKCON, deity worship follows Pāñcarātra-śāstra, especiallyContinue Reading
Harmonizing Guru Eligibility: The Samanvaya of Āgama and Bhakti
Harmonizing Guru Eligibility: The Samanvaya of Āgama and Bhakti By Rāma Aprameya dāsaḥ The statements of Jāyākhya samhitā and Bhāradvāja Samhitā are unanimous in declaring what to do in normal and in exceptional situations. The two scriptures state the qualities of Brāhmana, Kshatriyā, Vaishyā and Śudra for acharyatvam. As aContinue Reading
Will female dīkṣā-gurus lead to female sannyāsa in ISKCON?
Will female dīkṣā-gurus lead to female sannyāsa in ISKCON? By Kṛṣṇa-kīrti-dāsaḥ December 29, 2025 In his purport to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.24.40, Prabhupāda says that according to Manu-saṁhitā, women must always be under the protection of a father, husband, or grown sons. “So-called spiritual societies concocted in modern times give sannyāsa evenContinue Reading
What is the Female Dīkṣā-Guru Issue Really About?
What is the Female Dīkṣā-Guru Issue Really About? By Kṛṣṇa-kīrti-dāsaḥ The female dīkṣā-guru issue is not about one side in favor of it and the other side against it. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said kibā vipra kibā nyāsī śūdra kene naya, yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā sei guru haya—that also includes women. However, PrabhupādaContinue Reading
The Challenge of Time, Place, and Circumstance (TPC) Adaptations in ISKCON
By Śrīdhara Śrīnivāsa dāsaḥ and Kṛṣṇa Kīrti dāsaḥ – December 30, 2025Posted in To address the challenges of preaching in the West, Śrīla Prabhupāda made adjustments within ISKCON. He made Americans and Europeans into brāhmaṇas, he gave them sannyāsa, and he established brahmacāriṇī-āśramas for women and engaged them in preaching side-by-side with men. He said the “jealous fools” whoContinue Reading