Vaishnava Foundation: Difference between revisions

The group adheres to the [[philosophy]] of [[Achintya Bheda Abheda]] within [[Krishnaism]]. It aims to distinguish bona-fide versus sentimentally-driven [[bhakti]] [[yoga]] and to articulate authentic versus deviated Gaudiya Vaishnava doctrine and praxis. The foundation has a reputation for [[traditionalism]], stressing adherence to (and highlighting divergences from) the norms established by the Gaudiya [[Guru]]-[[Shastra]]-[[Sadhu]] standard. Given that Metamorphosis League for Monastic Studies: The Vaishnava Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1986, it can be considered an early expression of [[New Monasticism]]. A unique characteristic of the organization, among contemporary Gaudiya societies, is that it does not offer [[diksha]] [[initiation]] at this time. ''VF''' members who were not initiated by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (while he was still physically manifest) take him as their [[siksha]]-guru. The group’s position is that it does not know the whereabouts of any bona fide spiritual master having the capacity to legitimately act as a diksha guru or a regular guru. Nor does '''VF''' acknowledge any [[Vedic]] validity attributed to the post-mortem ritvik system (ritvik-in-absentia), for allegedly bestowing diksha upon uninitiated devotees.<ref>Constance A. Jones and James D. Ryan, “Encyclopedia of Hinduism”, (Encyclopedia of world religions series); Facts on File Inc.: 2007; p. 78; ISBN: 978-0-8160-5458-9</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISKCON_guru_system#The_Ritvik_Idea]</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISKCON_guru_system#A._C._Bhaktivedānta_Swāmi_Prabhupāda_as_Shiksha-Guru]</ref><ref>[https://returntosquareone.com/?p=2750#more-2750 Concerning Initiation]</ref><ref>Kailasa Candra dasa, ''Beyond Institutional Gurus, Initiations, And Party Men'', Vaishnava Foundation: Oct. 30, 2019; ISBN: </ref>  Kailasa Candra dasa does offer Sanskrit names to '''VF''' members desiring one.<ref>Henry Dotorski, “Eleven Naked Emperors: The Crisis of Charismatic Succession in the Hare Krishna Movement (1977-1987)”, Kindle: 2021; pp. 389-390; ISBN: 9781079561371</ref><ref>[http://henrydoktorski.com/ElevenNakedEmperors/Aftermath.pdf]</ref>