Scripture and Interpretation
Sastra as authority, pramana, hermeneutics, Manu-smrti/dharma-sastra authority, sadacara.
Ritvik Initiations Not Sanctioned by Shastra: Why this matters
In this discussion, members of the ISKCON the India Scholars Board explain why scriptural sanction is essential for spiritual authenticity in initiations (diksa) and how Srila Prabhupada’s use of assistants (ritviks) to…
Authorized Dates for Observing the Jagannatha Rathayatra: Presentations and Research Findings by the ISKCON India Scholars Board (IISB)
The ISKCON India Scholars Board (IISB) recently presented a series of research findings and discussions to the Shri Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) on the topic of authorized dates for celebrating the Jagannatha…
The Authority of Sadachara
Krishna Kirti das explains the basis of the authority of sad-achara (exemplary behavior), and why it's necessary in order to obtain an authoritative answer to questions about dharma for which there are…
How can Srila Prabhupada be the center when “the shastra is the center for all”?
Srila Prabhupada says in his purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 20.352 that among the sources of knowledge dharma given by one’s guru, other saintly persons, and shaof stra, “the shastra is the…
Laws banning capital punishment a symptom of atheism
Two days ago, the country of Singapore executed two men for drug trafficking. According to the Hindustan Times, "a 32-year-old Malaysian man of Punjabi origin who had been found guilty of bringing…
Is Manu-samhita bad for us?
This is from an exchange I had with an ISKCON leader and sannyasi regarding the misunderstandings many devotees seem to have about Manu-samhita. The first message begins with an exchange between Basu…
