Lesson 11 Guru-tyaga  (Rejection of the Spiritual master)

Aim

To help students deal with:

  • problems in their relationship with the guru
  • criticism of the guru or rumors (whether true or false)
  • the guru’s encounter with spiritual difficulties
  • fall down of guru

 

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

  • Explain the concepts of:
    • philosophical or institutional deviation,
    • spiritual fall down of the guru.
  • Explain, in their own words, the principles of guru-tyaga and re-initiation.
  • Discuss different levels of guru-tyaga.
  • Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate, and explain the correct procedures for:
    • lodging complaints in relation to their guru
    • guru-tyaga
    • re-initiation
  • Identify ways the disciple establishes a connection to Srila Prabhupada, the guru-paramparä and ISKCON in addition to their connection through diksha.
  • Discuss the appropriate attitude for continuing to practice devotion service, in ISKCON, in the case of rejection of the guru.
  • Give appropriate reference to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the broader Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.