This initiation issue has divided much of the ISKCON society. Some devotees believe that Srila Prabhupada has always been, and will continue to be the Founder and Acarya for The Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON), while others believe that he has moved on, leaving the present Iskcon gurus to accept new devotees as their disciples. This has created a rift in the society.

For me personality, Srila Prabhupada has accepted me as his disciple, and I have accepted him as my eternal Spiritual Master, so for me the issue is very clear. Srila Prabhupada has always been, and will continue to be my spiritual master and the Founder and Acarya of ISKCON.

But we are posting some of the History of ISKCON and the Initiation process for the benefit of others. May we all advance in our love for Krishna, and work together is the spirit of cooperation, to push on Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtan Movement. Hare Krishna! -V

…By 1973, Srila Prabhupada had trained his GBC secretaries to serve as officiating priests by asking them to (1) recommend candidates for initiation, (2) choose Sanskrit names for new initiates, (3) chant on new initiates’ japa beads, and (4) officiate at fire sacrifices.

…The July 9 ritvik system was already 80% implemented in those early years. When Srila Prabhupada visited us in 1975, he did no initiations. Of course the terms “officiating acharya” and “ritvik” were not given by Srila Prabhupada until May 1977, which I did not learn of until 1984. I am witness to how Srila Prabhupada progressively deputed the formalities of his initiations to temple presidents from at least 1970. I was given, and gave, Srila Prabhupada initiations via the system which was made official with the July 9, 1977 Order. (Nityananda das)

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